tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5252118433890190932024-02-07T16:25:11.681-08:00The Chickapea & MeA lifestyle blog written by Amber Barge.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-51608724835240457552013-06-03T15:13:00.001-07:002013-06-03T15:13:43.163-07:00First Day of Preschool<div><br></div>Today was Charlotte's first day of preschool, and my first day back teaching preschool. To say I missed it would be a HUGE understatement! I truly feel teaching these amazing little people is my calling. I adore the school I work at, and I'm thrilled that Charlotte is able to attend with me. It's a church preschool so not only is she learning, but she also prays before her meals and does a scripture study everyday. I know not everybody finds that important in regards to their child's education, but that is something I want for my daughter. That's another post for another day though ;) <div><br></div><div>We started the day off sleepy. She slept through her morning diaper change and getting dressed! She woke up when Dada came bounding into the room from is run. Haha! I then proceeded to take a bazillion pictures. </div><div><br></div><div>She had a rough time starting the day out, but she warmed up and enjoyed herself as the day went on. My class is so sweet! I'm with Ms. Tina and we have the older fours. (These are the kids who will be starting kindergarten in the Fall.) </div><div><br></div><div>We had a great first day, and I'm excited to see how Charlotte does the rest of the summer. I'll blog more about school at the end of each week so I don't overload y'all with preschool junk ;) </div><div><br></div><div>My baby girl is growing up! It's exciting and heartbreaking. I'm sure all you other Momas know what I'm talking about ;) </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83nl4xMOob6KQDzLfjnbnR2Gibc-0EFF8M8j9pfMbKfFLOtwb8JmBWwYT_I2-d8_3AjsZ1SzqeJm4HSJIdbHON7t9vM2c_S0o_188Bu0KrsL-aw90EODJyIh1MTJfobJvpw8_Er784QFY/s640/blogger-image-876235221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83nl4xMOob6KQDzLfjnbnR2Gibc-0EFF8M8j9pfMbKfFLOtwb8JmBWwYT_I2-d8_3AjsZ1SzqeJm4HSJIdbHON7t9vM2c_S0o_188Bu0KrsL-aw90EODJyIh1MTJfobJvpw8_Er784QFY/s640/blogger-image-876235221.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIMfauAC1bnnPhMQOVk6Sk1kQMTRQKo8ek6nflFLMiYB6UnRwo19-_62TunisGYyj7_fBdqyfzB3cJMl82QNMuWdqfMXoIoBu0J_PW36-JX9Q1_HSy4VOpvOmm937C9I7vQOuPTFwkUtK/s640/blogger-image--142599455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnFvfnJpFn7a8XLPoyMbaYyvhsDaNKxG-M6iKg7uRE-eH-6NBhlQth_MAI8rckM8jRGty4eSZRDcYk4EIboEVpsF8gDLxMrFdRyqwAoEM2J8yew0ZhVyDQlO1F9nqx77cy4elWCJgrJ3f/s640/blogger-image--161988272.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-38881225406477363052013-05-23T12:38:00.006-07:002013-05-23T12:38:40.389-07:00I confess....<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm copying <a href="http://www.dontquotetheraven.com/" target="_blank">Raven</a> and doing a confess sesh. I'msorrynotsorry if any of these offend you...</div>
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<b>I confess...</b> the term "God awful" really irks my nerves. What is exactly is so awful about God? And why exactly would you associate the word "awful" with God in the first place? </div>
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<b>I confess... </b>it doesn't bother me one bit that people say that sometimes I act like a bitch. One of my fave sayings is "Bitches get shit done" and its true. I don't ever get taken advantage of, and people know I'm going to treat them fairly in return. I'm never un-necissarily bitchy though, only when it's called for. Example: Y'all have all heard of Lizard Lick Towing right? If not, look 'em up. Anyway, so my sophmore year of college 2 of my girlfriends and I were driving to my roommates hometown for her birthday. My friend R was driving her car, when halfway there, her car started to smoke and spit flames on this backwoods highway. Three girls stranded on the highway, 2 hours from anyone willing to come and get us. So we call AAA and they say they're sending a tow truck. Well the company, Lizard Lick, calls us and tells us that there is only room for 2 of us to ride in the truck, and one of us will have to stay behind. On the highway. Alone. At night. Are you effing kidding me?! Well I got on the phone and informed said lady that not only are they NOT leaving one of us on the highway, but that if we don't all fit, then they are more than welcome to have a taxi follow them at their expense to ensure that we all have a safe way back. Otherwise my attorney would have no problem giving them a call in just a few minutes. Do you think any of us got left behind? Nope. Because bitches get shit done.</div>
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<b>I confess....</b> I totally judge people who still go to tanning beds. I know judging is wrong, but I cant help it with this one. I mean really? With all of the sunless options out there, and all the information pertaining to skin damage and CANCER, you're just plain stupid if you continue to risk it. I hope you never get cancer, but if you do, it's on you. I just don't understand....</div>
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<b>I confess....</b> I totally think my kid is cuter than yours, and hers, and theirs. But I'm pretty sure every parent feels this way, so I don't really feel like I need to explain or justify this one ;)</div>
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<b>I confess....</b> I've gained 7 pounds since we moved back home. 7?! I've joined a gym, but Charlotte hates it! She screams, shrieks, cries, and shakes when I drop her off at the childcare, so I just haven't had it in me to go the last few weeks. I know if I stayed consistent she'd warm up, but it's just too hard on my moma heart.</div>
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<b>I confess....</b> I am SO ready to be back into our house, that I just can't stand it. We've got paint, I've started working on furniture pieces, now all that's left if for our tenants to get OUT! </div>
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That's it for today's session of "I confess..." Any confessions y'all wanna share???</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-59208852636865477482013-04-11T10:58:00.001-07:002013-04-11T14:17:18.544-07:00Apparently I'm "trashy"So the other day my sister informed me that a mutual "friend" -and I use the term loosely, of ours thought I was "trashy" for having a baby and not being married. Here's the thing: I WAS married when I was pregnant with and gave birth to Charlotte.<br />
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Being in the south, unwed mothers typically get labeled as trashy, or slutty, or any other derogatory term you can think of . It's not right or fair, but it's just the way it is down here. <br />
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Back to the point! So this "friend" actually had the nerve to tell my sister, when I was pregnant, that it was trashy that I was pregnant and not married. Except I was married. <br />
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My husband and I got engaged in January '11, got orders February '11, decided we'd get married before we PCS'd in April '11, found out we were pregnant mid April '11, and then went from there. We were engaged before I was pregnant, and got married b/c we had planned to, not b/c he knocked me up. There wouldn't be anything wrong if we had gotten married b/c I was pregnant, but that just wasn't the case with us. Our original wedding date was May 12, 2012, so we decided we'd still have our grand wedding on the original date, but still celebrate our court house wedding too. <br />
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Our court house wedding wasn't highly advertised b/c we didn't want to take away from the specialness of our wedding. We left our status on FB as "engaged" and I didn't change my last name until after the wedding. The important people in our lives knew, but everybody else just got to assume one or the other, an that was fine by us. We didn't hide the fact we were married, but we didn't make a banner and scream it from the rafters. I mean really, who cares? We didn't think it was that important or relevant. <br />
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This "friend" recently announced her own pregnancy, on FB, with 3 of her girlfriends. Not her fiancée, the father of her baby. Oh! And wait! She's not married! Here's the thing, I don't give two craps whether or not someone is married when they have a baby. It doesn't affect that person's ability to be a good parent, and it doesn't mean that the baby will somehow be loved any less. What I do have a problem with is somebody, who isn't exactly the best example of prim and proper, judging me or someone else for something that is none of their damn business. And then they turn around an do the exact same thing they were judging me for.<br />
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To the girl who said I was trashy and basically called my baby a bastard: I hope you don't have to deal with the trash talking and backstabbing that you so effortlessly did to me. I also hope you learn to quit judging others. Before you start judging and calling me out on my sins, make sure you're up for sainthood first. <br />
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And that's all I got. Sorry for the jumping around in thoughts. Blogging while angry is tricky ;)Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-31938257706056408592013-04-04T12:28:00.001-07:002013-04-04T12:28:37.045-07:00Moving is for the birds....My house is a wreck. I can't find things. There are two men, whom I've never met, who currently have free reign of my house and are putting everything I own into boxes. Oh, and the baby and Joe are here too and while they're both currently napping (must be nice...) before that, we were all just staring at each other b/c what the hell else are we gonna do? <br />
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It's awkward being in your own house while there are strange people working in it. What are we supposed to do? Sit ad watch them? Leave? Disappear somewhere in the house? It's just weird and uncomfortable for everyone. <br />
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On the bright side, they're nice guys who work quickly and efficiently, and the baby has been a trooper. It could be worse I guess ;) <br />
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Wish us luck! It might be a week or so before you hear from me again. But I'll have an Easter, Torchlight Formal, and egg hunt recap. Oh! And I was given an award from the Battalion, as well as Joe. So that was cool, and totally unexpected. I'll have something on that up too, as soon as I get pictures!<br />
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Pray for us! We're going to need it! 7 hours in the car with a 15 month old is going to be super fun ;) <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFcEDh32ARMY75-bJoGq6eZSka2pUTpUYJc0AuPMNegXWi9DMP9813-J48v0rR6_z0a3P5Rsr1kSWeGfogZ-9rsq4QfofpmERwpTRJuT9oxYIXSYIY2kanr6bEhyphenhyphenJdJRqza90f_GaN91h/s640/blogger-image-1185830893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFcEDh32ARMY75-bJoGq6eZSka2pUTpUYJc0AuPMNegXWi9DMP9813-J48v0rR6_z0a3P5Rsr1kSWeGfogZ-9rsq4QfofpmERwpTRJuT9oxYIXSYIY2kanr6bEhyphenhyphenJdJRqza90f_GaN91h/s640/blogger-image-1185830893.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtismV3__mUkX1df5rDBmX3szJD9eo4iD_Z7ljXkT1IhLdNO4EgdSgAhTU_Cdokj1aONq7z5P02AXnnaYKh5BA8tjSkFSgYUlmQrE0E0Pg2j3tOxABH1sLorg31R5JJ8x2JXLhmLNe5jz/s640/blogger-image-984033275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzEZae63SIO0KBKKan5718LW-cHZJWRh_DLyid6UpN5AQMOfA5jSntLenEHm_J0RiCKsT_gVFGcoAxHoo1daIy8H3BLh2brSv20pnSsZomUYMU4mYXko9w1Y1D9CS-MkPgRApzjo_aFht/s640/blogger-image-1991844187.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4Y9yBgOQgnIbJTAxmlwMDUBsFcdBZHpPNzhpToX3cqUNPDauQN7WxN_IzcksrRV9DpnNvgl520eq8uj0APLDfKAVgH2UOCzRF-HRWR_NXVdeE7KnVDLEc-v-YKLa6VIHMiB-FgtfUKOx/s640/blogger-image--980881622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4Y9yBgOQgnIbJTAxmlwMDUBsFcdBZHpPNzhpToX3cqUNPDauQN7WxN_IzcksrRV9DpnNvgl520eq8uj0APLDfKAVgH2UOCzRF-HRWR_NXVdeE7KnVDLEc-v-YKLa6VIHMiB-FgtfUKOx/s640/blogger-image--980881622.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzAE5JcT4NSMGWKkCpY2Vqa3IQd9apdHMxRQWxas_8JCuLBRpr6SwCH3v8xLeB_mpo87kCIB0snrslmu7gkd7ZFHmnQUYFEJiteaOisJx7pIL2FCwCbJEXSa31azdrF08F_rnmb9lvdXq/s640/blogger-image-373445291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzAE5JcT4NSMGWKkCpY2Vqa3IQd9apdHMxRQWxas_8JCuLBRpr6SwCH3v8xLeB_mpo87kCIB0snrslmu7gkd7ZFHmnQUYFEJiteaOisJx7pIL2FCwCbJEXSa31azdrF08F_rnmb9lvdXq/s640/blogger-image-373445291.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJO6PGM62At0mm_nzKf03175isAbNeBGZVZJqF4k89RkshisSGOlGj5Q0pdMlRU7SiKqx9yGwaUezeprsTxR3E2FamhJl35Yr3WykgGrppCBBdbKyIWKfmLWukDwgqQd7GsOnawL7PmWK/s640/blogger-image-1867711753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJO6PGM62At0mm_nzKf03175isAbNeBGZVZJqF4k89RkshisSGOlGj5Q0pdMlRU7SiKqx9yGwaUezeprsTxR3E2FamhJl35Yr3WykgGrppCBBdbKyIWKfmLWukDwgqQd7GsOnawL7PmWK/s640/blogger-image-1867711753.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EkNb2oSH93LvefCgaEyAMkpaMqJsBbww8x70XXCW3tPfkUm20MB3TZHDoI6qcEJ4r4i9YBGU82LyfmaK_YVwEu3V6BcibvBRZCZhqZ6jFRN4XfOWXnRHmbTn9MGuVca3srMoiKfoC9e-/s640/blogger-image--406852281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EkNb2oSH93LvefCgaEyAMkpaMqJsBbww8x70XXCW3tPfkUm20MB3TZHDoI6qcEJ4r4i9YBGU82LyfmaK_YVwEu3V6BcibvBRZCZhqZ6jFRN4XfOWXnRHmbTn9MGuVca3srMoiKfoC9e-/s640/blogger-image--406852281.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-12339992615334547472013-03-28T08:06:00.001-07:002013-03-28T16:06:13.077-07:00Some randoms for your dayIt's 10.30am and I'm currently sitting on the couch still wearing my pajamas. We have so much going on in the next week, and my brain has packed up and headed south for the winter. Also known as spring since it is technically March, but it's freezing. So there's that too. Warning: this is going to full of random and useless information.<br />
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• The inspector for the moving company came yesterday to assess our house and stuff. He was very nice, and seems squared away so hopefully we'll have a better moving experience than we did when we moved down here. I can believe we're moving next week! I don't think it'll hit me until next week when I'm running around like a crazy person trying to get us packed. <br />
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•Tomorrow is the Torchlight Formal, and I am SO excited! This will be our very last military formal, and I'm kind of sad about it. I love getting dressed up and going to these types of things. I rented 2 fabulous designer dresses from Rent The Runway, and those should be arriving today. I'll be sure to post pictures to twitter and write up a post :) <br />
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• I'm thinking about opening up an Etsy shop. I have my sewing machine, and lots of ideas, and fabric coming out of my ears. I just don't know of that's something I want to add to my plate.<br />
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• I'm worried about not getting my job back once we get back to NC. I was a preschool teacher before we moved, and I loved it! I truly found my calling. The problem is, my school is amazing and everybody wants to work there! I guess it's a good problem to have for the school. Ha! They said if there was an opening, it was mine, but I'm still worried. <br />
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• I've since changed out oh my pajamas and am currently wearing a pair of jeans that haven't been worn since my freshman year of college. To say I'm trilled would be an understatement. A gym update is in the works. <br />
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And that's it. I'm out of random things to talk about. But get ready for some exciting posts. Torchlight Formal tomorrow, the on post Eggstravaganza with the Easter bunny on Saturday, and then Easter on Sunday! We're gonna be busy this weekend and I'm excited. It'll help keep my mind off of moving. <br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY7FvnpN1dxJCZ5dHO945qCLog9YFTZiiDJZinqIGQXQEzqXSlwWeLLyUJ3KYaEkVBJvJVX5fEWgViPze670Tf1TJ4Znmu4LhfbI86TzwCg6JdoiigfbSifDBH30RLE2v06WIP1nmr75R/s640/blogger-image-819176044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY7FvnpN1dxJCZ5dHO945qCLog9YFTZiiDJZinqIGQXQEzqXSlwWeLLyUJ3KYaEkVBJvJVX5fEWgViPze670Tf1TJ4Znmu4LhfbI86TzwCg6JdoiigfbSifDBH30RLE2v06WIP1nmr75R/s640/blogger-image-819176044.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGtRkcCViShjGXxiKA_wkcfeyp0QFZRQ9-iEYUYCSZX8K0btINMLsQNRZyRmWSNYkyDPXe7YEwXlWeA1OWrtkocYqjfRZ6rP-wNDYWw-CpPEjuJE00f3dp8Ah9cf6pUM2VYcLkdyqBNK7/s640/blogger-image-1076331014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGtRkcCViShjGXxiKA_wkcfeyp0QFZRQ9-iEYUYCSZX8K0btINMLsQNRZyRmWSNYkyDPXe7YEwXlWeA1OWrtkocYqjfRZ6rP-wNDYWw-CpPEjuJE00f3dp8Ah9cf6pUM2VYcLkdyqBNK7/s640/blogger-image-1076331014.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-66308477071201243942013-03-27T07:34:00.001-07:002013-03-27T07:34:21.793-07:00Co-sleeping and how it's worked for usI know, I know. Two posts in one day? Wtf dude? Well I don't care. I'm at the gym and the tv's in the cinema room are broken, and I can't schedule posts. If I write them early they'll never actually get posted. So you get them as they come to me. You're welcome :)<br />
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I recently saw a girl I went to high school with (who is pregnant with her 3rd) post something on FB about how dangerous and selfish co-sleeping is and how parents who do that should have their kids taken away. She's been a mom awhile, and should know better than to judge another parent's parenting choice, but it irked me and made me feel personally attacked (it wasn't a personal attack, but it still felt that way). So we co-sleep with Charlotte. Yeah I know she's 15 months old and why is she still in our bed?! B/c it works for us. <br />
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We had NO plans to co-sleep when she was born. I'm fact, we were so against it that I even judged (only a little bit) people who did. Well that's what I get for being judgy. Keep that in mind non-moms. The second you start to judge things you know nothing about wham! Life happens.<br />
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Anyway, back on point. As you know I had to have an emergency c-section with Charlotte. I stress the emergency part b/c a scheduled c-section is completely different than one that's like "oh crap! Baby and mom are not gonna make it! Emergency!" The actual surgery and recovery are totally different. So b/c of this, I couldn't get in and put of bed, I couldn't sit up, hell I could barely breathe without feeling like my insides were going to explode. This is obviously a problem when you have a newborn that needs to be nursed every 2 hours. Co-sleeping became a necessity for us. I could easily roll onto my side and nurse the baby, and I could still doze while doing so and she would immediately go back to sleep. Late night feeding a went from a 2 hour process to a 30 minute process. Sleep=good.<br />
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I eventually healed and could get in and out of bed, but she was sleeping though the night with us and I felt better having her right there with us. Joe is ready to kick her out. He's sick of getting kicked in the back, and feeling like he has to sleep on the edge of the bed. I'm totally fine having her stay though. But it's not just about me. I may be the mom and get a majority say since I'm home with her all day, but he's the dad and he's been patient so that means its time. When we move back into our house in NC in June is when she's getting the boot. It's time I think. She's a big girl baby as we like to say. But I am gonna miss my snuggle bunny :( <br />
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Co-sleeping gets a bad rap. I realize that it can be dangerous, but not of you're smart about it. She is always between us, never on the side. She never gets covered with the blanket or sheet (she hates being covered anyway so that worked out) we have a snug bottom sheet, and she's never buried beneath a pillow. Oh! And they make these co-sleeping bassinets now that actually go in your bed between you and your spouse. So it can be done. It's not for everyone, but it's also shouldn't be compared to a baby sleeping with a butcher knife like that ad that was in Michigan or Minnesota a year or so ago. I think co-sleeping is the new bottle vs. breast war. We should all support one another as mothers. Just sayin... <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8RUm6sPN9N7H_OuixYHenohZ5FJl2sLn5jEcCVuPEFjVB4AzqaHbnwoeIUuSDUqcnwHr2JMDOitQGcna7G5vzBK5xhaYHL5OhgNZSxYFw2ve-gSmCMkn3p7NE1stm-xFzWIBXTFSbHT_/s640/blogger-image-32434256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8RUm6sPN9N7H_OuixYHenohZ5FJl2sLn5jEcCVuPEFjVB4AzqaHbnwoeIUuSDUqcnwHr2JMDOitQGcna7G5vzBK5xhaYHL5OhgNZSxYFw2ve-gSmCMkn3p7NE1stm-xFzWIBXTFSbHT_/s640/blogger-image-32434256.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZW2CIRuFwNIm0cgAGb8vb5EIlxsV481yExBXcIkgqruJd39COLwAM7s-g13gUGXH-5_7vKw3_4TMg8KXlSa67TXJfqwYg5cxgce2BAVC-xXbKzP5qaiFCdh4bg8H5FknAZTp2vfbWvmV/s640/blogger-image-1580838581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZW2CIRuFwNIm0cgAGb8vb5EIlxsV481yExBXcIkgqruJd39COLwAM7s-g13gUGXH-5_7vKw3_4TMg8KXlSa67TXJfqwYg5cxgce2BAVC-xXbKzP5qaiFCdh4bg8H5FknAZTp2vfbWvmV/s640/blogger-image-1580838581.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-15728520105807068942013-03-27T06:52:00.001-07:002013-03-27T06:52:01.471-07:00Commenting on other blogsDoes anybody else have a problem commenting on other blog posts? Even since I transferred everything over to Bloglovin, I can't comment on anything! Like, it'll let me type out my comment but the second I hit "publish" poof! It's all gone and never publishes! What the hell?! Please somebody tell me that there is a remedy to this!<br />
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Oh and turns out I was never using Google Reader in the first place. Go figure :/ So I panicked like everybody else and went through the pain in the ass process of getting everything swapped and downloaded and yadda yadda and I didn't have anything to worry about. Whatevs. <br />
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Y'all help a sista out! Why can't I comment on anything?! Ahh!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-77604247038647048172013-03-26T14:16:00.001-07:002013-03-26T14:16:16.446-07:00M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSELast week we got to go see the one and only Mickey Mouse on ice. We had so much fun, and Charlotte had a blast. She was clapping and singing, munching on popcorn, and just really into it. We went b/c one, Mickey is awesome and two, we were celebrating her 15 months birthday. I can't believe she is 15 months old, but that's another post for another day ;) We go to see the cast of Cars, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy of course, Tinker Bell and her friends, Ariel and her friends, and the whole cast of Toy Story. We were in the second row on the ice, so we were in on all the action. I love doing these types of things with Charlotte, and I'm glad we had the opportunity to go! I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures, my husband is horrible behind the camera haha <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TfZfE5cOoYAySSqL0s6NBSfuNCjCQ8TMN6evugIpV6zvfUtL1KgQJui-nEdv2Gv8qB6fGJ_hxppBEjcyYsZ02n-ytdbd27JQZvSHAUoveaG4yA2vez1NrcFRnKD-d9LupG7P1Z8jPtmt/s640/blogger-image-174881501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TfZfE5cOoYAySSqL0s6NBSfuNCjCQ8TMN6evugIpV6zvfUtL1KgQJui-nEdv2Gv8qB6fGJ_hxppBEjcyYsZ02n-ytdbd27JQZvSHAUoveaG4yA2vez1NrcFRnKD-d9LupG7P1Z8jPtmt/s640/blogger-image-174881501.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluYkj1ngoXhdqxfd-On3qhR9R7wpC90ppGXPyXap4zR6J3dZuyKIe9Dr_i08pdRY9MH_vSIT5pL-7one80BrMwopTIEHuHraLWYZss8GVvcMQfwLke1MbHVMkBAa3LWTG1tX4W4ISiGe0/s640/blogger-image-1656432067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluYkj1ngoXhdqxfd-On3qhR9R7wpC90ppGXPyXap4zR6J3dZuyKIe9Dr_i08pdRY9MH_vSIT5pL-7one80BrMwopTIEHuHraLWYZss8GVvcMQfwLke1MbHVMkBAa3LWTG1tX4W4ISiGe0/s640/blogger-image-1656432067.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXrTIAdHKl9qHfvfCZN2Ni2WzQUhIoNakFVjL1rgV3FpC6kS444uvRJpKth-FcT3ey4JyMitl5kfglsA8ZO0jej8myDHmAqzFkwZrgYxsgvEcjmWHra3zvlrytbpI-OIACyGJXNrnUutW/s640/blogger-image--1903509353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXrTIAdHKl9qHfvfCZN2Ni2WzQUhIoNakFVjL1rgV3FpC6kS444uvRJpKth-FcT3ey4JyMitl5kfglsA8ZO0jej8myDHmAqzFkwZrgYxsgvEcjmWHra3zvlrytbpI-OIACyGJXNrnUutW/s640/blogger-image--1903509353.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjAkQbbBY25Kb1nsbhgPMjBfsjV_7hQXD5qOpbLcgB-jq56UzGlLwF0ILL11yw3getZDFR_oG5ICUR0qE2pD58kK0Bx8AIbuR_juSGy6FgAuuZiHybdXQH-EYuwjUFSq4eOT2xGqp8iFj/s640/blogger-image-2135054515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg24xwnMsT_AxYbgjL-kYc6Pd6grim0bwGtaHNAByftWt0RGiC3LvHya_VivQwnGdG8PNKfny_wDTe2244rIuu3frCThvB3YLsGn8tlGF-KIPOgClgBJyRZxuIV12XnOgTOzkQIn2vGhb/s640/blogger-image--1585587189.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuaqI83PMbqFKsD1JsyTTeG4ncb8ecL0OhmMxhATPz7Dnd3RJih4hWlU9FGG4NyMEXpoGq4ZAZVrT47LVj6FVZP65NnqeQj5eZfXrLo3muhq8eH0cKoSnjIS4vNdKsGroXOqDsXK4EUVq/s640/blogger-image-1916985176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuaqI83PMbqFKsD1JsyTTeG4ncb8ecL0OhmMxhATPz7Dnd3RJih4hWlU9FGG4NyMEXpoGq4ZAZVrT47LVj6FVZP65NnqeQj5eZfXrLo3muhq8eH0cKoSnjIS4vNdKsGroXOqDsXK4EUVq/s640/blogger-image-1916985176.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-915687412738164652013-03-17T13:47:00.001-07:002013-03-17T13:47:08.696-07:00Don't you forget about me!<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4344667/?claim=8rszjcdzmvm">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> <br />
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So as I'm sure y'all have already heard, but Google Reader is going away forever. I'm pretty annoyed by this for a few reasons. One: I don't like change. It freaks me out, and I don't like being forced into it. Two: I was finally starting to get the hang of Google Reader, and now I have to figure out how to use Bloglovin' and Feedly. And three: stupid Google. Why do you have to go and ruin a good thing?! <br />
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Anyway, I don't want to lose you! So please go to Bloglovin' and follow me there! I'm using both Bloglovin' and Feedly, so if your having a hard time choosing, just know that they're both good! I prefer Feedly btw ;) <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr_3zMZ4aWDB6EvOVkTOO5ltiw2WgcBVwN-z5eHh3kss9Qb74hYNcE56Dz6wJHahqwhQYmT8IysnZBg2pFpGKoN1Qo_JV3FxiIB6KJPy32lV7JPDPq7p_uwcVf5XHdu1I1U4_F2XGCrIq/s640/blogger-image-11958969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr_3zMZ4aWDB6EvOVkTOO5ltiw2WgcBVwN-z5eHh3kss9Qb74hYNcE56Dz6wJHahqwhQYmT8IysnZBg2pFpGKoN1Qo_JV3FxiIB6KJPy32lV7JPDPq7p_uwcVf5XHdu1I1U4_F2XGCrIq/s640/blogger-image-11958969.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-4933983587926731782013-03-15T20:55:00.001-07:002013-03-15T20:55:24.607-07:00Let's talk about random Twitter followersSo like most other bloggers, I have a Twitter account. (You can follow me @ChickapeasMoma ) I love the Twitter! It's a great way to stay connected and post random thoughts without being that a*hole on Facebook updating your status every 13 seconds. <br />
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Here's what I don't like about Twitter: the random creepers who choose to follow you. Don't misunderstand me, I love getting new followers! It's a huge ego boost to know that somebody else is choosing to know what's going on in my life. The internal dialogue in my head usually goes something like this: "oh a new follower! I'm getting popular! They think I'm cool! My blog must not be a complete joke! Etc." Occasionally though, I get a new follower who looks questionable. Tonight for example, I get onto Twitter to check what's going on. Stalk my fave blog girls, see what brilliant and insightful things celebs are tweeting, you know, the usual. And I notice I have a new follower. Woo hoo! A new follower! How exciting! So I click his profile and start checking his info out. I'm thinking he must be a fellow blogger, must be a dad blogger. Um no.<br />
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This kid, this child(!), couldn't have been more than 14 years old! I don't know him, I've never met him, and he certainly isn't a fellow parent blogger. His picture is of him with a coy smile, his hand running through his Justin Bieber hair, blue jeans, and oh yeah, no shirt. What the what?! Ugh. <br />
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Who is this random kid, why is his shirt off, why is he following me, and why isn't his mom monitoring what he's doing online?! I had no words. Of course I blocked him. I don't want to be put on some FBI watch list, and definitely don't want this rando being able to see the pics I post of my baby. <br />
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I'm also a little creeped out. Who just goes around randomly following people on Twitter that they don't know?! It would never occur to me to do something like that. This happens with Facebook all the time too. I get random friend requests from people I don't know in real life, so I deny them. Then I end up getting emails from these denied "friends" wanting to know why I didn't accept their request. Um, b/c I don't know you that's why! <br />
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Am I the only one that feels this way? I know blogging and putting my life out there is kind of hypocritical to everything I just said up above, but I still sensor what I post. I don't share where we live, our last name, names of friend's kids, etc. <br />
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What do y'all think? Am I being too judgy, cautious?<br />
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*And a picture of a laughing bebe with a garden gnome. B/c why not? What's cuter than that?!<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGf_WJ-yPsGK7xP37dEI6wDsi0RG0k_Pdx6HjBOsvdJdFfMIzNpzGXz65nGq4cq0zMmVlrAcTflh3wqeP2lAfg9DqkKw4emC7UlWmX6L_2tUYgzwY0J88VAyl_6eOpwqdMQOCwqjri0W6/s640/blogger-image--1632807453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGf_WJ-yPsGK7xP37dEI6wDsi0RG0k_Pdx6HjBOsvdJdFfMIzNpzGXz65nGq4cq0zMmVlrAcTflh3wqeP2lAfg9DqkKw4emC7UlWmX6L_2tUYgzwY0J88VAyl_6eOpwqdMQOCwqjri0W6/s640/blogger-image--1632807453.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE1KhRM7ScMUn82t4E2ly4rPU-etxiwNICPt61gw_P8KoQ73wrIVirOwncBH208B6xMYJL0lMeAcs7_oVM2XLjTLRTRKB77jdRSYFuLDGasvXF2zfFxTMuvGero9Jusw8n54A7qy9I06v/s640/blogger-image-1197569004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE1KhRM7ScMUn82t4E2ly4rPU-etxiwNICPt61gw_P8KoQ73wrIVirOwncBH208B6xMYJL0lMeAcs7_oVM2XLjTLRTRKB77jdRSYFuLDGasvXF2zfFxTMuvGero9Jusw8n54A7qy9I06v/s640/blogger-image-1197569004.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-25147180204541103682013-03-12T10:21:00.001-07:002013-03-12T10:21:00.312-07:00We're MovingWell, it's official. We have orders. Joe is getting out of the Army, and we're moving back home in 2 weeks. Yeah, you read that right. 2 weeks. I'm freaking the freak out. The movers are coming April 5th ad then we're getting the hell outta dodge. I'm scared, excited, nervous, ready? It's going to awesome being back in our own house, close to family, but it's still kinda of, I dunno, disappointing maybe? Joe being in the Army and us moving to Fort Benning has been amazing for our marriage and relationship, and our own little family. I guess I'm just worried we'll regress being back at home. I know things are different, we have a baby for crying out loud! But it's still a mild fear. And I'll admit, I don't do change well. I have a really hard time with it! This is going to be a complete life change for me. I went from being my Air Force Dad's dependent, to my Army husbands. I don't know how to "be" a civilian. I'm going to miss being a part of the small military community. Being one of the few that can say my family is serving our country. I know we can serve in different ways, but this is the only way I have. I'll be an adjustment, but I'm also looking forward to this new adventure for our family! <br />
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We'll be living with my in-laws for the first month and half we're back since our tenants lease won't be up until the end of May. I keep telling myself it'll be fine, but I'm still kinda apprehensive. I would feel the same way if we were going to be staying with my family btw. It just goes back to my regression fears. I know it'll be ok though.<br />
<br />
So I'll be sure to keep y'all updated on our moving drama, b/c I know there will be drama. There always is ;) Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-56336749992725190952013-03-11T14:11:00.001-07:002013-03-11T14:11:51.113-07:00Walk Squeakily & Carry a Big StickThe weather was GORGEOUS here in GA yesterday. It was 75 degrees, sunny, and a light breeze. Perfect would sum it up pretty well. We were itching to get out of the house and do something, anything outside. Usually we go downtown and put the bebe in the jogging stroller and run, but we decided to switch it up and go to the park.<br />
<br />
Flat Rock Park is one of the most beautiful parks I've seen. Lots of woods, walking, biking, and hiking trails, playgrounds spread out and about, and there's a creek that goes through the entire park that you can splash around in. This was our second visit. The first time we went, I was 3 years pregnant and we were trying to walk out that baby of ours. (As y'all know, that didn't work. Ha!) <br />
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We decided to get a bottle of wine, and snacks for the bebe, and go hang out by the water and walk around the park. It was wonderfully relaxing. Charlotte found her first stick, and proceeded to play with that for hours. We couldn't go anywhere without her stick in one hand. She's pretty silly :) We walked and explored for awhile, and then splashed around in the water for a bit before we decided to head home. It was a great way to spend a Sunday! In definitely going to miss these little family outings when we move back to NC. They'll be harder to come by with our own families living minutes always ;) <br />
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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx1AB_-JrVJuyTyHwzGKd2RSjqCSUeBiJNKyobtl8hjjsZbIqqEJ8saAMdZkSYBxf6xaQoTOhm_x7VlBDa4ZHg0Thkmx30yfSTvu3HLErh6Xa0l8zEIpYkeF3Zhzi0ILQ0TVgir-cabqK/s640/blogger-image--1583040346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx1AB_-JrVJuyTyHwzGKd2RSjqCSUeBiJNKyobtl8hjjsZbIqqEJ8saAMdZkSYBxf6xaQoTOhm_x7VlBDa4ZHg0Thkmx30yfSTvu3HLErh6Xa0l8zEIpYkeF3Zhzi0ILQ0TVgir-cabqK/s640/blogger-image--1583040346.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMoSwHPzUu7H-c9YB4WTI9JCC4ZYagEPJ4ROwLPKOfmbSvyUSjTouTbfaazoHtfhidccd_icEXAJhdanuaSZ_6fdCBsxlgNPCKNYDNWA8_m9maK83JlyPhsDOAk2AlUx9hZpMC5Y6mBG/s640/blogger-image-412077459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMoSwHPzUu7H-c9YB4WTI9JCC4ZYagEPJ4ROwLPKOfmbSvyUSjTouTbfaazoHtfhidccd_icEXAJhdanuaSZ_6fdCBsxlgNPCKNYDNWA8_m9maK83JlyPhsDOAk2AlUx9hZpMC5Y6mBG/s640/blogger-image-412077459.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-42534016145285661512013-02-22T21:35:00.001-08:002013-02-22T21:35:18.210-08:00Another baby? Maybe?We're about to get deep y'all, so brace yourselves. The topic of baby #2 has come up a lot lately between Me and Joe. He's ready. I'm not sure where I am. I've always pictured myself with 3 to 5 kids. I the oldest of 5 for crying out loud! I got this raising kids thing on lock! And then my brain goes "woah sister! Slow your roll!" And so I start to think. Can I love another child? Will I be able to give another child the same attention I'm able to give Charlotte? What if its a boy?! What would I do with a boy?! Would Charlotte feel cheated somehow? Is she being cheated some way? And it goes on and on and on.<br />
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I'm really struggling with this. Charlotte NEEDS a sibling. My life has been blessed with 4 of them and I can't imagine not having any one of them. She needs to know the love of a brother or sister. Have a best friend for life. Have someone when her Dada and I are gone. And when I picture out futures, there's other children there. But the reality of having another child? I'm having real anxiety over this. Like legitimate heart palpitations, anxiety. <br />
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The pressure is on too. I don't want any of our kids to be more than max, 3 years apart. Anything longer is just too long in my opinion, and therefore not going to happen. This means I have until December to decide. I just don't know. <br />
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One of my best friends, Erin, has 3 kids and she and I have talked about this. N and E are like 14 months apart. They were planned this way. I couldn't imagine having a new born right now! Seriously?! I might die. But they made it happen. C and Charlotte are a month apart so Erin and I got close while pregnant and then after the girls were born. I'm blessed to have her as a friend b/c she understands where I'm coming from. Her advice was "It's the exact same love, just multiplied by 2 or 3 or however many you have. You don't lose love for one to transfer to the other. Your heart just makes room." She's a wise woman right? But I still don't know. I know I have time, but I'm still confused. My mind changes every 5 minutes. <br />
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I don't really know where I'm going with this. Maybe some advice? Words of wisdom? How did you decide to have another? Or perhaps you have a oneling? How did you come to the decision that one was enough? Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-44542198924586564972013-02-12T16:06:00.001-08:002013-03-15T21:03:18.731-07:00be my FREAKIN valentine gift exchange<div style="text-align: center;">Hey y'all! So I participated in a Valentine's Day gift exchange hosted my Melissa of <a href="http://sarcasticremark.blogspot.com/2013/01/be-my-freakin-valentine-gift-exchange.html" target="_blank">[insert sarcastic remark here]</a>. Her blog is a trip btw :) We were each paired with 2 different girls. One to send to, and one to receive from. I actually sent to the host, Melissa, which I didn't even realize until just now typing this post up! Haha I received a great little gift from <a href="http://purrincup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cindy </a>. The M&M's were delicious, the baby loves the cute little bracelet, and the robot charm is adorable! I'm going to have to get a charm bracelet now so I can use it, which doesn't bother me one bit ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a lot of fun shopping for Melissa, and the excitement of waiting for my gift to arrive was fun! I'm glad I participated! I've never seen another Valentine's exchange before, so I'm glad these girls decided to host one! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmttDD6sJOpuK2kB-BcSR83-pk7t5M4bJzJidpR2qny2OSxpFcAPTwd_AkD1UFLPT3e0gTCuBx8K5fFULLQ22d5N84fiBXwFCnaF2ovjFcXzn9pIKlLAJUVCvTEzJTX77B1OYyXiHGFv5/s640/blogger-image--1298199809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmttDD6sJOpuK2kB-BcSR83-pk7t5M4bJzJidpR2qny2OSxpFcAPTwd_AkD1UFLPT3e0gTCuBx8K5fFULLQ22d5N84fiBXwFCnaF2ovjFcXzn9pIKlLAJUVCvTEzJTX77B1OYyXiHGFv5/s640/blogger-image--1298199809.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-9885711724429004332013-02-07T13:55:00.001-08:002013-02-07T13:55:02.302-08:00I'm gonna stop washing my hair.The picture below is my hair exactly one hour after washing it. It is a greasy, disgusting hot mess. Oh and I let it air dry. If I had used a hair dryer, oh lord would it be nasty. <br />
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I read an article in Kiwi magazine the other day about the "No 'Poo Movement". Basically, give up your shampoo that is actually damaging your hair, and take a more natural approach that helps restore your hair to its fabulous, naturally healthy self. <br />
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So here's the deal: pick a day. That will be your last day of shampooing with regular shampoo. Get a good whiff of your fave 'poo b/c you won't be using it anymore after that day. Of course you shower daily like usual b/c eww if you don't. Haha. But you'll need to get a shower cap. The girl in the article who did this said it will take 3 to 4 weeks for your hair to sort itself back out, and here's why. The way shampoo cleans your hair is by stripping away its natural oils, or sebum. B/c of this our scalps work way too hard to replace everything, and they end up over producing. She said that when she was 4 days in, she tried the washing method that was most common for most other No 'Pooers: a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of warm water. Massage this into the scalp nice and good, then rinse. To condition: a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of water. You won't stink, promise :) This is going to be your new washing regimen! Every 2 to 3 days clean your hair this way and you should be golden. Be prepared for lots of ponytails, but the overall affect should be amazing!<br />
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Here's why I want to do this; I have naturally very fine hair and the whole greasy hot mess an hour after showering is getting old. So I'll update y'all on how it goes. Hopefully it won't be a total disaster! Ha. <br />
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So what do y'all think? Have you done this before? Are you gonna try it out with me? I wanna hear what you think! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXex8hzGvQlKJNm_0N_34p9X4ddsjQdaIIimP6Ag9UYebp98OhzrnzA07sX0sDyDx-6ZRHc-rgy2ZYLzt3FSLbNs_Y_lvT_TItaS86XQoUf8gq8vbsXwy9wu1_7X636upA24ao7L1RXpeX/s640/blogger-image-1237085573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXex8hzGvQlKJNm_0N_34p9X4ddsjQdaIIimP6Ag9UYebp98OhzrnzA07sX0sDyDx-6ZRHc-rgy2ZYLzt3FSLbNs_Y_lvT_TItaS86XQoUf8gq8vbsXwy9wu1_7X636upA24ao7L1RXpeX/s640/blogger-image-1237085573.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-15539833796712547142013-02-06T03:00:00.000-08:002013-02-06T04:41:11.594-08:00Better Life Bag Giveaway!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have not heard of Better Life Bags you have probably been living under a rock. If you don't know the story you can check that out </span><a href="http://betterlifebags.com/mission/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! Once you check that out and want to buy a bag head over </span><a href="http://www.shopbetterlifebags.com/store"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! Now here is the best part. You might have looked at those bags and thought that you can't afford one right now. Well you are in luck! Myself along with 28 lovely ladies have teamed up to give TWO lucky people some shop credit to Better Life Bags. That's right TWO people. ONE of you will get a $50 Shop Credit and ONE of you will win a $100 Shop Credit. The $100 Shop Credit requires more effort so that is why that price is more. More work, more payoff! I could not have put this all together without the help of <a href="http://www.talesofatwentysomething.com/">Allie</a>. Thank YOU times a million. Your PicMonkey stills are much appreciated. Now get to entering!</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpcQKpuBWPsHfp13zq9CrBropuByT0tumVn2etPrsGXqXU_iJTAbl_W572r4RzNa6FzXsaPd4fQbcopWzDir8Mebv5OpECDcE2C_mf4rw_M5ul2o8U4L2MWIZjhXdi6u-BDJVudUtQC0/s1600/BLB_3_-_Names.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpcQKpuBWPsHfp13zq9CrBropuByT0tumVn2etPrsGXqXU_iJTAbl_W572r4RzNa6FzXsaPd4fQbcopWzDir8Mebv5OpECDcE2C_mf4rw_M5ul2o8U4L2MWIZjhXdi6u-BDJVudUtQC0/s320/BLB_3_-_Names.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hGqc43zF5x6h5DfKf_s0l8HSj516FRiIrxUlk43l6rASQEzoY6dU7kyX-IvtwKjjUcVoJ_zjI0mim4PKVzmpJ9Q79cBGK7nLLB0MuSxs17lWGP9AC47m3XG47dpbN2MgQJZ76LOoURs/s1600/BLB_2_-_Names.png" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hGqc43zF5x6h5DfKf_s0l8HSj516FRiIrxUlk43l6rASQEzoY6dU7kyX-IvtwKjjUcVoJ_zjI0mim4PKVzmpJ9Q79cBGK7nLLB0MuSxs17lWGP9AC47m3XG47dpbN2MgQJZ76LOoURs/s320/BLB_2_-_Names.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honesty is appreciated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/64a3145/" id="rc-64a3145" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/64a3143/" id="rc-64a3143" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><img src="http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q543/jmurkerson/brinsig.png" /> </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-43877468284180187582013-02-03T09:25:00.002-08:002013-02-03T09:25:21.030-08:00Not here, but there!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I did a guest blog post! Yay me! Melissa of <a href="http://www.grinandbarrettblog.com/" target="_blank">Grin & Barrett</a> was kind enough to let me invade her blog this week, and the next 3 following Sundays. You should definitely go check her, and my guest post out!</div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-2776991489574237842013-02-02T06:08:00.001-08:002013-02-02T06:08:12.486-08:00One of THOSE BloggersSometimes I wish I was one of those bloggers. You know the kind, the ones who have a planner chock full of fantastic ideas and are able to post everyday. <br />
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I have lots of ideas. Tons actually. But I don't have the fancy planner, and I don't have the time to write everyday. I wish I did. Charlotte makes it damn near impossible to sit down and type up a new post, and while that's frustrating, I'm kind of ok with it. I'd much rather be playing with her than typing up some post about something fun we did, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. <br />
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I'm sure you're thinking "well do it when she's napping", and I would but I have other responsibilities that I have to take care of while she's napping. That's when I shower, do laundry, dishes, clean the house, get dinner started, and occasionally talk to my mom or sister. Being a SAHM isn't just playing with a baby, and sitting on the couch eating Bon-bons. I don't know how moms who work outside of the home do it. Seriously, there are days that I don't get the things done that I need to, and yet I feel like I haven't stopped going since wake-up. Kudos to them, b/c I dunno if I could do it.<br />
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I guess the point I'm trying to make is, I'm probably not going to ever be one of those big time bloggers who posts everyday, but I'll always try to post fun or meaningful things. Who knows, maybe when the bebe is bigger, I'll have more time, but for now I'm just going to have to be happy with the kind of blogger that I am. I hope y'all stick around, and I appreciate every one of y'all who reads! <br />
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This is what my days consists of. Silly baby doing silly things :) <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi4SA5VL7tiHDOb5MWPt8jWlqpBUhWHzE7X8_nYHXARX_Q6NlXIPQnTXOoroozw6SvWaB7PabJW3Pbt84XChAEVZ4dawPKa9DrvnM_BjDloNDPQw7FmzFQ_8LvFmZ7F6O4jjIBjagdmN0/s640/blogger-image--577947317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi4SA5VL7tiHDOb5MWPt8jWlqpBUhWHzE7X8_nYHXARX_Q6NlXIPQnTXOoroozw6SvWaB7PabJW3Pbt84XChAEVZ4dawPKa9DrvnM_BjDloNDPQw7FmzFQ_8LvFmZ7F6O4jjIBjagdmN0/s640/blogger-image--577947317.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfygyRmSzlrQSxh-pk0D4rLu4GWxmz70FVi-axKMRHFpjoZyaGivsW8cvGfq1OadLR8S59PaN-tnghUAgCGs9vY0VM40rkwnE-upPi7dmomz_eyrSTL7r_4FaFUkn09whKUsr78L3WPJv7/s640/blogger-image-386926073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfygyRmSzlrQSxh-pk0D4rLu4GWxmz70FVi-axKMRHFpjoZyaGivsW8cvGfq1OadLR8S59PaN-tnghUAgCGs9vY0VM40rkwnE-upPi7dmomz_eyrSTL7r_4FaFUkn09whKUsr78L3WPJv7/s640/blogger-image-386926073.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNn-h99uAm__eicP0YpNknygtVre35hpxO0sjf1ESARcOLnr8zfOzwCQn1h7zCFUeL9U1XyPZ-jbuBNO3vrkj-psoqYxkAbGkvpWapuVVxp-LgdtwU_o07Z2a2wFbywmwyNbBWvooTs3P7/s640/blogger-image-1650675488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNn-h99uAm__eicP0YpNknygtVre35hpxO0sjf1ESARcOLnr8zfOzwCQn1h7zCFUeL9U1XyPZ-jbuBNO3vrkj-psoqYxkAbGkvpWapuVVxp-LgdtwU_o07Z2a2wFbywmwyNbBWvooTs3P7/s640/blogger-image-1650675488.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-7100757848725369862013-02-01T15:45:00.002-08:002013-02-01T15:45:37.346-08:00New Look!<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I'm way overdue for a new post, but I promise I'll be back tomorrow with something for ya! For now, check out the new look of The Chickapea & Me! Isn't it beyond fabulous?! I can't even out into words how in love I am with how everything turned out! </div>
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Sarah over at <a href="http://fortunefavors11.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fortune Favors the Brave</a> is the genius behind the new look. Please go check her out! She's just amazing to work with! She really listened to what I said I wanted, and when I didn't know, she took control and just somehow knew what I would like and dislike. I can't recommend her enough to y'all! And, she's just starting out! If you can even believe that?! </div>
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So give her a holler, and leave her some love! And tell me what you think!</div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-20783969629592859382013-01-25T20:23:00.001-08:002013-01-25T20:31:11.463-08:00Hi New Followers!Hi new followers! I know most of you are here b/c of the FitBit giveaway, but now its over and you're all still here! I'm amazed at how many of you chose to follow and then stay! Thank you! I love to "meet" fellow bloggers, and I'm humbled and honored that you chose my little piece of the web to visit! <br />
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So I just wanna do a quick "get to know me" post for all the newbies around here :) I'm Amber, and I'm the person behind the blog. I blog about my absolutely fabulous baby going on toddler, Charlotte, and my stud muffin hubby, Joe. I sometimes talk about our crazy dog Keech too. This blog is what you would call a lifestyle blog. I write about our lives basically. I occasionally participate in a giveaway, or do a guest blog post. I try to blog regularly, but the life happens and Ill go quiet for a bit. So here's some things about me that all my real life people know. <br />
1. I'm the oldest of 5 kids. It's really shaped how I parent my own daughter, and it keeps me young ;) <br />
2. I'm an Air Force brat. My dad retired when I was in high school, and I'm lucky enough to have lived in some pretty cools places.<br />
3. I'm a borderline hoarder. Definitely packrat. I'm working on it! Haha<br />
4. I monogram EVERYTHING I can! It's a southern thing. I just can't help myself.<br />
5. There, they're, and their. Your and you're. Learn them, live them, love them.<br />
5. I 80% hate Facebook. All people do is bitch, or brag, and it makes me crazy. I'm not one of those people who puts all my business on Facebook, so it bugs me when other people do. To each their own.<br />
6. I am a conservative republican who believes in gay marriage. <br />
7. I went to a private all women's college and loved every minute. <br />
8. I say stupid things out loud all the time, and then realize it immediately afterwards and feel like a dumbass. I'm really smart in real life, but you wouldn't always know it by the things I say sometimes.<br />
9. My sister and I loathed each other until I left for college, and now she's my BFF.<br />
10. I'm a preschool teacher. <br />
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And those are some random things about me! If you stick around, you'll get to know me better! <br />
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Please introduce yourself in the comments if you'd like! I always respond to comments, and I love hearing from you! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA_cfqWdBDF7qUlvuTqYZ9N9UMwKmuqLr7rLmfKkLGG2ZFCCQq9KXi8yXyv2DdFSDmJtUCnnPKlN8LAagQq9GN-9SiUHFVDFzdniLwh1uUYFOJkxDV4zqKkXe7AwS-tJ5w3TTuW67H2Er/s640/blogger-image--1748449759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA_cfqWdBDF7qUlvuTqYZ9N9UMwKmuqLr7rLmfKkLGG2ZFCCQq9KXi8yXyv2DdFSDmJtUCnnPKlN8LAagQq9GN-9SiUHFVDFzdniLwh1uUYFOJkxDV4zqKkXe7AwS-tJ5w3TTuW67H2Er/s640/blogger-image--1748449759.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib75OGq9sxUgZ9NbO2oyM3nGFbEjBLPyw2yTUldsnj1r2fsYLlGUrNzF9kvch7Ttxu1EfAobS-gNYwIyJ5lXglfWwJZolRhUg2hOQWsu168OHS6BLg62w9z07FKU3vFQTDG0fI_r0WL8Tv/s640/blogger-image--1820004469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib75OGq9sxUgZ9NbO2oyM3nGFbEjBLPyw2yTUldsnj1r2fsYLlGUrNzF9kvch7Ttxu1EfAobS-gNYwIyJ5lXglfWwJZolRhUg2hOQWsu168OHS6BLg62w9z07FKU3vFQTDG0fI_r0WL8Tv/s640/blogger-image--1820004469.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-32902643791149458192013-01-25T19:59:00.001-08:002013-01-25T19:59:03.866-08:00Lunch with DadaSometimes we're lucky, and Joe will have a slow work day and we can swing by Battalion and do lunch with him. We had the perfect opportunity the other day. I had a million errands to run on Post that morning, and then I was going running with Erin later that afternoon, and lunch time was right in the middle. Usually it doesn't work out and he'll be in a meeting or something, but this time he was free. I love going to see him at work too! I have friends up there, and everybody finds Charlotte absolutely fabulous, and it's always nice to do something different and see the hubs in the middle of the day. We ate lunch in the Battalion classroom since it was empty, and Charlotte and Joe proceeded to have one of the sweetest moments I have ever seen. She wanted to run around and explore, which was totally fine. At one point she walked up to Joe, took his hand, and pulled for him to get up, and just wanted to walk around with him and talk to him. My heart nearly melted on my chest. We have such a sweet baby girl! Hopefully she'll stay this sweet towards us :) <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLpoysxhANm-FPPz-VOI1PABCzyfgWmrblbIwkFEnMQisIWY8zUZIHspfM7A7MihKNgYEqTZenxtpmPoNR1lzXwsT7ucAU4xXK8bxBVr4jVUfHqIaAaM7qpRTm2hQgJu1Lhhh3WgB5zyh/s640/blogger-image--2050357465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLpoysxhANm-FPPz-VOI1PABCzyfgWmrblbIwkFEnMQisIWY8zUZIHspfM7A7MihKNgYEqTZenxtpmPoNR1lzXwsT7ucAU4xXK8bxBVr4jVUfHqIaAaM7qpRTm2hQgJu1Lhhh3WgB5zyh/s640/blogger-image--2050357465.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrOHFkkRTqQkXgf7kUKXiuow_i7PVBpfY-noyGQMZaR1zPidgTKX3aIMNgX_U9wv6V4xyiw5q0H-OHRu7z1QQSC7btt5VvRglOXJT1VXMA8LuMifLEbaDWPxearodEhHLDExShfBbhCRy/s640/blogger-image--1276840973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrOHFkkRTqQkXgf7kUKXiuow_i7PVBpfY-noyGQMZaR1zPidgTKX3aIMNgX_U9wv6V4xyiw5q0H-OHRu7z1QQSC7btt5VvRglOXJT1VXMA8LuMifLEbaDWPxearodEhHLDExShfBbhCRy/s640/blogger-image--1276840973.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuaoItdBMQ9NRyU7IDRZPVwoLwPwLx5dYPeDAWOu4vT-oCGnPWQOxzZrvrQiYfuh00EqB50bsIQ6mom7w00H54cgxyA_-ONumoP8nHtweVKCZptLJWMACvpQv9ld2qElcJYaWNZlGDY8m/s640/blogger-image-452031508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuaoItdBMQ9NRyU7IDRZPVwoLwPwLx5dYPeDAWOu4vT-oCGnPWQOxzZrvrQiYfuh00EqB50bsIQ6mom7w00H54cgxyA_-ONumoP8nHtweVKCZptLJWMACvpQv9ld2qElcJYaWNZlGDY8m/s640/blogger-image-452031508.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-27344138961620179722013-01-15T08:00:00.000-08:002013-01-15T08:00:05.907-08:00Fit Bit Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
Was one of your new years resolutions to lose some weight or just be healthier? Could you use a little help making sure you actually stick to this resolution?</div>
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Well then we have a giveaway for you!</div>
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<a href="http://static3.fitbit.com/simple.b-dis-jpg.he18c7978d0606a4e06c7f0ee07666df4.pack?items=%2Fcontent%2Fassets%2Fonezip%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2Fone%2Fimage%2F5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="http://static3.fitbit.com/simple.b-dis-jpg.he18c7978d0606a4e06c7f0ee07666df4.pack?items=%2Fcontent%2Fassets%2Fonezip%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2Fone%2Fimage%2F5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to turn fitness into a lifestyle, the One™ is for you. For starters, it never rests. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. The One™ motivates you to reach your goals by bringing greater fitness into your life – seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://static5.fitbit.com/simple.b-dis-jpg.h689d0c30e4429be925a9e025fd9639ae.pack?items=%2Fcontent%2Fassets%2Fonezip%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2Fone%2Fimage%2F2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="http://static5.fitbit.com/simple.b-dis-jpg.h689d0c30e4429be925a9e025fd9639ae.pack?items=%2Fcontent%2Fassets%2Fonezip%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2Fone%2Fimage%2F2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This little guy will sync wirelessly to your phone, computer or tablet. It tracks the steps you've taken, the stairs you've climbed, the calories burned, the distance traveled, the amount of sleep you've gotten and the quality of the sleep you've gotten! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">I'm teaming up with these wonderful ladies to give one of these to one lucky winner!</span><br />
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<a href="http://tinypic.com/?ref=2pzfpmu" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="640" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2pzfpmu.jpg" width="436" /></a>
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<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">1//<a href="http://carolinafireflies.blogspot.com/">Kristyn</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">2//<a href="http://joeandamberbarge.blogspot.com/">Amber</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">3//<a href="http://laurenrebeccaelliott.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">4//<a href="http://penguinspastapolkadots.blogspot.com/">Halie</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">5//<a href="http://tiedtheknott.blogspot.com/">Melissa</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">6//<a href="http://www.athomewiththehinkleys.com/">Natalie</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This will definitely be my next purchase. But you can win one now! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You'll get:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">The One™ tracker </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">S</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">ilicone and metal clip</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">Wireless USB dongle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">Charging cord</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">Sleep wrist band</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">Free Fitbit.com membership – includes ability to log and track activity, food, sleep, water, body mass, weight, and more</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><b>The giveaway will run from Tuesday, January 15, 2013 until Monday, January 21, 2013 at midnight. We will announce the winner on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><b>The winner's entry requirements will be VERIFIED and I will choose another winner if the person choosen did not do everything they say they did.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">So what are you waiting for? Enter below</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6a29e20/" id="rc-6a29e20" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-13436704598994242013-01-12T21:14:00.001-08:002013-01-12T21:14:08.719-08:00Liebster Award!<br />
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<img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUyg-gQ-8ziYLlN4WLaAm0pY7GUDpozISb5sIMJx_6r68cxp4oArJjFnhCGb5chgbQ-mibg4kDZQu01lq3DbZ3N7n0qh676u07uVUWE9GpjOc_CS1FliDArd5NB8HTpbI6piceJJ-neA/s400/Liebster-Award.gif" width="400" />Thank you for nominating me <a href="http://www.behindbutterflyeyes.com/2012/12/liebster-award.html" target="_blank">Christina</a>! I'm super excited, and humbled! People other than my mom read my blog! Yay!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><u>The Rules</u></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
1. List 11 facts about yourself.</div>
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2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.</div>
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3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.</div>
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4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.</div>
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5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.</div>
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6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><u>ELEVEN FACTS</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. I am the oldest of 5 kids. <span style="font-size: small;">Two girls and three boys. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. I had 5 majors in college before deciding on <span style="font-size: small;">Mass Communication.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. I HATE painting my fingernails. I'm a nail biter, so it's tricky anyway :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">4</span>. I am addicted to designer purses. <span style="font-size: small;">I<span style="font-size: small;"> got a L<span style="font-size: small;">ouis <span style="font-size: small;">for Christmas<span style="font-size: small;">, and he's my new bff.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. My daughter got her first name while I was high on morp<span style="font-size: small;">hine.<span style="font-size: small;"> I was passing a kidney stone 20 weeks pregnant<span style="font-size: small;">, and my husband decided then was a good time to name her. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. I'm <span style="font-size: small;">the</span> traitor in my <span style="font-size: small;">family. I come from a long line of Air Force, and married the Army. Oops...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. I should've been an adult in the '50's<span style="font-size: small;">. I'm a bake from scratch, wear my pearls while <span style="font-size: small;">vacuuming kinda girl.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">8.<span style="font-size: small;"> I'm a Libra so I'm kinda vain. I love pictures of myself, and when I was little I<span style="font-size: small;">'d stare at myself in the mirr<span style="font-size: small;">or. Motherhood had humbled me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. I'm a borderlin<span style="font-size: small;">e hoarder. I keep <span style="font-size: small;">all kinds of crap. I don<span style="font-size: small;">'t <span style="font-size: small;">keep trash or anything, but things like birthday or <span style="font-size: small;">Chr<span style="font-size: small;">istmas cards don<span style="font-size: small;">'t usually end up in the trash like they should. My husband LOVES<span style="font-size: small;"> that abo<span style="font-size: small;">ut me. Haha</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">10.<span style="font-size: small;"> I'm secretly 4 years <span style="font-size: small;">old. I find Laffy Taffy jokes hilarious, love to color with my daughter, and Disney and I are tight. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">11. I'm a preschool teacher. Oh yeah, <span style="font-size: small;">the Mass Comm. degree? I'm totally us<span style="font-size: small;">ing it while singing Itsy Bitsy Spider for th<span style="font-size: small;">e bazillionth time to 3 year olds. <span style="font-size: small;">I do truly have the best job ever.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><u><b>MY ELEVEN QUESTIONS TO ANSWER</b></u></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{1} What is your most embarrassing moment?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>This happened recently actually! We were out on date night with my sister and Scooter, and I had had 3 sips of a margarita. Nothing serious, and I barely drink anyway, so seriously, I was fine. But I got up out of my seat to whisper something to my sister across the table, and my seat fell back behind me. I didn't know this, and when I went to go sit back down, I busted my ass in front of the entire bar. Needless to say, I was watched like a hawk when we left. I would never drink and drive btw. </b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{2} Look to your right. What are five things that you see?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Baby toys, baby toys, baby toys, baby toys, and the fireplace. Seriously, my house is a freaking baby toy disaster. I'll get specific though: Sit-N-Spin, buggy (shopping cart to you non-southerners), soccer ball, and eleventy million books.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{3} What was the last thing you ate?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Grilled chicken, lemon pepper broccoli, and sauteed potatoes with onions and Parmesan cheese. And a funfetti sugar cookie.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{4} What is your best childhood memory?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>When I was a kid, we had a paper route that we did with my mom after school. It was a driving one, not a bike one, that took about 3 hours. It was how my mom was able to be a SAHM and still help support our family. It was awesome. We had the best subscribers who left us candy in their paper boxes, and I could throw a paper hundreds of feet and get it on the front porch, or get it in the paper box without my mom having to stop the car. I should've played softball haha</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{5} What is your favorite season and why?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Fall! For one, my birthday is in the fall. And two, the weather. It's warmish during the day, but chilly at night. It's jeans and tshirt kind of weather. And its the most beautiful then too. Everything is turning colors. Love it.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{6} What was the last book that you read? Did you like it?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Haha. Mr. Brown Can Moo. Can You? By. Dr. Seuss. And yeah, I liked it ok. The bebe loves it.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{7} When did you start blogging and why?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>I started blogging in August 2011 b/c I was pregnant. We're down her in GA/AL and our families are in NC, so it was a way for them to be a part of the pregnancy while being so far away.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{8} How many siblings do you have?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>4. 1 sister and 3 brothers.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{9} What is your favorite piece of technology?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Eh. I could live without technology really, but probably my cell phone. I can talk to the people I love, and still Google things that need to be Googled.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{10} Do you have a favorite family recipe?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>Oh Lord this is a tough one! I'm from the south, so pretty much everything is a deliciously cherished family recipe! But probably my mom's sauteed mushrooms and onions. The secret is a stick of butter. Yes, an entire stick. It's amazing.</b> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">{11} What type of car do you drive?</span></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"> <b>A grey Kia Sportage. It's not a mini-van, but one day :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"><b><u>MY ELEVEN QUESTIONS FOR YOU</u> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">1. Where did you grow up?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">2. When and why did you start blogging?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">3. If you could be any Disney princess, which one would you be and why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">4. Biggest pet peeve(s)?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">5. What is one of your favorite childhood memories? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">6. Are you a greens or blues person?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">7. Pretend you're 5 again. What do you want to be when you grow up?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">8. How many siblings do you have?<b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">9. Are you hot natured or cold natured? Elaborate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">10. Do you work? If so, doing what? If not, Lucky :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">11. What is one of your favorite blogs to follow? Big or small.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;"><u><b>MY NOMINATIONS</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Mari at <a href="http://doublemrobinson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mitchell & Mari</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Brook at <a href="http://scottandbrookkincaid.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the Kincaids</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Heather at <a href="http://amosfoxfamily.blogspot.com/2013/01/rubbish.html" target="_blank">The Fox Family</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Tammy at <a href="http://tammy-bostonmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Boston Mom</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Carmela at <a href="http://iamblissfullyloved.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blissfully Loved</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Diana at <a href="http://dee-gonzalez.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Our Little Moments</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">Julia at <a href="http://armywife812.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home Is Where the Army Sends Us</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,serif;">And that's all I have! I know it isn't eleven, but these are my favorite girls to read that have less than 200 followers. I'm kinda picky about who I read.... But I hope they have as much fun with this as I did, and maybe they have some fabulous ladies to recommend as well! And I want to thank Christina again for nominating me! I was beyond thrilled and excited to get her email. Be sure to check her blog out as well! </span></div>
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-90790190571690424152013-01-11T10:19:00.000-08:002013-01-12T19:39:34.369-08:00Religion. And the role it plays in my life.<div style="text-align: center;">
So I try to stay away from hot button issues on this blog for two reasons. 1. I don't feel like its my place to push my beliefs or opinions on others. I don't appreciate when it's done to me (side-eye Tim Tebow...), so I don't wanna be THAT person. And 2. I don't want any backlash that may occur.</div>
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But this is something that's been on my mind more frequently lately. Especially now that I have a daughter. I want her to have a relationship with God, and I want to help nurture that relationship. Everybody who knows me in "real life" knows that I was brought up in the Mormon church, but I don't think it's something I've ever shared on the blog. When I was 4, my parents converted to the LDS church, and that was how I was raised until 17. We did all the things good Mormons do. No caffeine, no smoking, no drinking, modest clothing, church every Sunday, primary and young men and women on Tuesdays. I even received a calling to be the BeeHive President, and then Mia Maid Vice President when I was in young women. And then we moved to Utah.</div>
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My dad got orders to Hill AFB when I was 12. We were excited b/c we had been in SC for almost 9 years. That's an incredibly long time to be at any duty station, especially in the Air Force. We were also excited b/c we knew our church relationship would grow exponentially and we were looking forward to that. Unfortunately things didn't work out quite the way we thought. Living in Utah and practicing in Utah showed us a side of the church that we didn't like. We discovered some doctrine that we didn't particularly agree with, or believe in. About a year before we moved to NC, we stopped going to church as often. I still participated in young women, but my other siblings quit cold turkey. I had a harder time letting go. All of my friends were practicing Mormons, and it was the only religion that I really knew. When we got orders to NC we were thrilled. We're from NC, that's where all of our family is, and we had been away for so long that we were more than excited to be going home. When we got there, we didn't go to church at all. The church pursued us, but my parents made it very clear that we were to not be contacted by them again. </div>
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My parents never pressured me into leaving the church. I was 17, and more than capable of making this decision on my own. I struggled with it for a long time. I prayed, read my Bible, read the Book of Mormon, spoke to friends, and talked in length and depth about it with my mom. She really helped me understand some things that I was confused about, and encouraged me to do what I felt was best for me. After months of crying, and talking, I had finally made my decision. I was no longer a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I was totally ok with it. I realized that the church didn't line up with my beliefs, and I couldn't be part of something that I didn't wholeheartedly believe in. </div>
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I am a member of the Methodist church now. My parents grew up Methodist, and when they left the LDS church, they went back. I love what they stand for, and how they believe. There are still parts of the Mormon church that I hold near and dear to my heart. I do truly believe that families are forever, but I don't believe you have to go to a temple or be sealed in order to stay a family. I do believe in a chaste and modest lifestyle, and try to practice that in my life, and will encourage my children to do so as well. But I also believe that gay men and women have the right to marry and have families of their own. I also believe that an occasional glass of wine or cocktail is ok. And I don't think a cup of coffee or maybe one day getting a tattoo will destroy my temple of a body. These may sound like petty things, but I didn't want to get into the heavier stuff :)</div>
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So our children will be raised in the Methodist church, with maybe a tad of LDS teachings thrown in there. I want my kids to come to their own conclusions about God and religion, and create their own relationship with their Heavenly Father. Charlotte and I have started reading the bible every night before bed. Its the last story we read. We're almost done with Genesis, and she really seems to be enjoying it. </div>
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I may not quote scripture in a Facebook status, end an email with a scripture, or forward on emails that try to guilt me into it by claiming that I'm a non-believer by ignoring it, but I am a christian and I do have a relationship with my Heavenly Father. It's not something that should be put on display by what I say, but by how I conduct and live my life. I think I'm doing an ok job so far. He hasn't informed me otherwise ;)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hangs in our living room, and can be seen from anywhere in the house. Its probably my favorite piece of decor, other than our family or wedding photos.</td></tr>
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I have no hard feelings towards the LDS church, and speak nothing but good things about it. There are many misconceptions about it, so if you have any questions or info you want clarified, please ask! Knowledge is the key to acceptance. </div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849161967487256807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-525211843389019093.post-75535129797523450622013-01-04T16:15:00.000-08:002013-01-13T14:19:06.707-08:00December Cara Box Reveal<br />
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So I realize that it is January, but with the holidays, and being out of town for most of the month, things have been crazy in my world, and this is the first chance I've had to get this post done. I've also had drama on my end of the exchange. So anyways, I participated in Kaitlyn from <a href="http://www.wifessionals.com/p/cara-box-exchange.html" target="_blank">Wifessionals</a> link up that she invented and hosts every month called the CaraBox Exchange. The idea behind it is that everyone loves getting things in the mail. Everyone loves gifts. So why not find a way to connect women bloggers every month, and get to know one another while sending a thoughtful gift? I personally think it's genius. This was my first time participating, and I had a great time with it! I was paired with 2 different women, Tammy and <a href="http://asongforthebirds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a>. I sent to Tammy, and Sarah sent to me. This month's theme was "Holiday Sparkle". Wanna see what I got?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyW5U7bqYWYC0D35fg7rotdNzrSWpdpD3DzAKMGbk4bNublV088Y-64VvfLt1At1gmH1uJk4j8y6QtuVl1X3WF3KtnZfjqyEeJrb-7Pmw39lD6uwk-IN993pVZcVPHOzNqdVqkBuibQds/s1600/645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyW5U7bqYWYC0D35fg7rotdNzrSWpdpD3DzAKMGbk4bNublV088Y-64VvfLt1At1gmH1uJk4j8y6QtuVl1X3WF3KtnZfjqyEeJrb-7Pmw39lD6uwk-IN993pVZcVPHOzNqdVqkBuibQds/s320/645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got a gold glittery ornament, which matches my tree perfectly, a sparkly gemstone picture frame, pink cupcake sprinkles, 2 glittery notepads, and some vanilla chai scone mix. The baby and I made the scones today, and oh man are they good! I'm not usually crazy about chai things, but I knew Sarah wouldn't send me anything that wasn't amazing!</div>
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So about my drama! I mailed Tammy's box to her while we were home in NC for Christmas. For reasons unknown to me or the post office, it was returned. I don't know what the heck happened, and when I talked to somebody at the post office, they couldn't find an explanation in their computers either. This happened with a few Christmas cards we sent out too, so I don't know if its them or if I just have bad luck. But hopefully we've got it squared away, and Tammy should be receiving her gifts soon.</div>
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I had a good time with this swap. And I love the fact that it's a monthly thing, and not just at Christmastime. I'll definitely participate again in the future, and I encourage you to do so too :)</div>
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