tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23967448034648066532024-03-12T20:55:37.362-04:00The Best is Yet to ComeSONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-27414891060316135852017-05-04T01:29:00.003-04:002017-05-04T01:29:41.062-04:00Bathroom Transformation on a Budget<div style="text-align: center;">
ahhhh.....the long awaited bathroom transformation post.</div>
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What started as a rainy day project to spruce up the out-dated tile in the girls' bathroom turned into a full on make-over.</div>
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A good friend recently commented on one of my posts, "For some reason when I read your decorating stories I think of, "If you give a mouse a cookie."" I'm 100% sure my husband would agree with that statement. I don't think there has been a single project we've started that ended when that particular project was finished. Some of it because we've been in our house less than two years and we are still making it our own, some of it because my design aesthetic has changed over the past couple years and some of it because my older girls are getting into their teenage years and want spaces that feel a little more sophisticated. </div>
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Their bathroom was the very first room I painted when we moved in this house and it was decorated with things the girls specifically wanted in their bathroom. <span style="color: #660000;"><i>A Paris-themed bathroom with mint green walls and white and coral accents.</i></span></div>
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Their bathroom at our previous house was a dark purple-y mauve color - a really rich color but it made the bathroom feel very dark. It was already that color when the girls and I moved in with Bill after we got married, and it was the only room in that house that we never re-painted before we sold it. So when we bought this house, their first request was: lighten up the dark green-brown bathroom.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EN8Bvw3xxI/WQqdGKi3f1I/AAAAAAAADKQ/2HZEh3b4DvofbCsHrBddwAyKrgq0QEHxgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EN8Bvw3xxI/WQqdGKi3f1I/AAAAAAAADKQ/2HZEh3b4DvofbCsHrBddwAyKrgq0QEHxgCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the picture, it wasn't hideous - but the color wasn't something little girls would want and the solid oak cabinetry went out of style a decade ago when our home was built as a model house for our neighborhood.</div>
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So we lightened it up with a little paint and called it 'good enough' - knowing it was a room we wanted to give a little more attention once we finished other projects around our house.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDJ6u8BsdFE/WQqdIb75xeI/AAAAAAAADKU/I84Qg9ROJcUCZjjXZUCGypvPrkz5SSL2QCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDJ6u8BsdFE/WQqdIb75xeI/AAAAAAAADKU/I84Qg9ROJcUCZjjXZUCGypvPrkz5SSL2QCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fast forward two years, and Kinsey and I were looking at pictures of bathrooms and she gave me some ideas on what she'd like in their bathroom.</div>
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Have you guys seen all of the hand-painted tile that is such a hit right now?! Kinsey and I were swooning over them, and I thought, "I wonder if I could paint their dated tile?" I mean, we paint everything else: walls, cabinetry, furniture, brick...we even epoxy'ed the countertop in our master bath.</div>
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So I did a little searching and found a <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/tile-stencils-cement-tile-stencil-designs-floor-tiles.html">company</a> that makes tile stencils. I watched a few tutorial videos on their site and was convinced I could easily give their bathroom a new look by just painting their tile. So I ordered the stencil, rollers, brushes and paint I would need to make this project a reality and then I <strike>impatiently</strike> waited for the shipment to arrive.</div>
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I wish I had taken a picture of the stencil prior to use because I did cut it into pieces to be able to do the pieces of tile that aren't a full tile, but you can view all the stencils they have available by clicking <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/tile-stencils-cement-tile-stencil-designs-floor-tiles.html">here</a>.</div>
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Supplies I used for this project:</div>
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- Augusta Tile Stencil</div>
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- Rustoleum Chalked in Linen White</div>
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- Rustoleum Chalked in Charcoal</div>
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- 2" paint brush</div>
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- 4" dense foam roller with handle</div>
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- 1" stencil brush</div>
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- Water based Polyurethane</div>
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I cleaned the floor really well because otherwise the paint would not have adhered to the tile properly.</div>
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I brushed the first coat of paint on the tiles to make sure I got right up to the baseboards and around the toilet, tube and vanity.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Xbav7zpQ0/WQqi3vxLqZI/AAAAAAAADKk/zomk9sw4hhc-AbxHb9EikaL5g66rPgiwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Xbav7zpQ0/WQqi3vxLqZI/AAAAAAAADKk/zomk9sw4hhc-AbxHb9EikaL5g66rPgiwQCLcB/s400/IMG_3939.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Coats 2-4, I rolled on using a dense 4" foam roller. I let each coat dry for 2 hours before applying the next.</div>
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Until the floor is sealed with a poly, it will scratch easily so it's a must to wear socks and only walk on the floor when absolutely necessary.</div>
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Don't mind the captions on the next couple photos...I saved them from Snapchat.</div>
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I ordered my stencil to fit the exact size of our tiles, so all I had to do was line up the stencil with the grout lines and tape it to the floor using some blue painters tape. Don't worry, the tape does not pull the base coat up.</div>
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So that I didn't get significant bleeding under the stencil (you will get some), I off-loaded the stencil brush or roller prior to applying. To get the desired full color, I did have to let the paint dry a little bit and go over it again to build up the color.</div>
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I also did alternating tiles because the pattern overlaps to be able to line it up straight. Putting tape on a freshly painted tile would have messed the stenciling up, so I stenciled every other tile in a row and when back and stenciled the in-betweens.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzmrHBzqZb0/WQqjnGg-7TI/AAAAAAAADKw/9_ki8AYVJugb8lzM0m-Pa5zVc96J-o1igCLcB/s1600/IMG_3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzmrHBzqZb0/WQqjnGg-7TI/AAAAAAAADKw/9_ki8AYVJugb8lzM0m-Pa5zVc96J-o1igCLcB/s400/IMG_3952.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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At this point, I did have to cut the edge of the stencil off to be able to get it flush up against the wall and the bathtub.</div>
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From start to finish, I was able to get everything on this floor done in two days. That included applying three layers of polyurethane.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hINcabJqXBM/WQqlJ8_KVwI/AAAAAAAADK8/FAnGchnefMgy6tISXWaEUslD3e6OhQUqwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hINcabJqXBM/WQqlJ8_KVwI/AAAAAAAADK8/FAnGchnefMgy6tISXWaEUslD3e6OhQUqwCLcB/s400/IMG_3954.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also gave the vanity a fresh coat of white paint.</div>
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When I stood back and looked at the mint green walls against the now black and white tile, I knew I needed to give the rest of the bathroom a facelift, as well.</div>
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<i>Give a mouse a cookie....</i></div>
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So I painted the walls white.</div>
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I chose Behr Maui Mist because it has a nice blue undertone to it.</div>
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When I'm picking white's, I usually gravitate towards blue undertone whites as opposed to red or yellow undertones.</div>
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If I ever decide to paint another room white, it will definitely get a coat or two of Kilz beforehand because who knew it'd take so many coats (4 to be exact!!!) to cover mint green paint. Especially when using a paint + primer.</div>
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Once I got the white on the walls, the white on the vanity was too much, so I picked Kinsey and her best friend, Jess up from Starbucks and took them with me to pick out a paint color.</div>
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I knew I wanted a blue-gray so I told them that as we were walking into the store and they settled on HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams in Nordic Blue.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nryf530b2U/WQqphs-Kq3I/AAAAAAAADLQ/UjUQiNNLhw4aCzvjlx6BnWgN2eyygNmAwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nryf530b2U/WQqphs-Kq3I/AAAAAAAADLQ/UjUQiNNLhw4aCzvjlx6BnWgN2eyygNmAwCLcB/s400/IMG_4046.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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My initial plan was to give it a couple coats of paint and call it a day, but in walks middle daughter, telling me she thinks I should distress the vanity.</div>
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So I let the paint dry overnight and got up the next morning and lightly distressed it.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzfI5roZ-rw/WQqp_MMUyBI/AAAAAAAADLU/7NYSi08Xz18sJLVXDGAwM1Zwa-2WLf8YwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzfI5roZ-rw/WQqp_MMUyBI/AAAAAAAADLU/7NYSi08Xz18sJLVXDGAwM1Zwa-2WLf8YwCLcB/s400/IMG_4048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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At this point, I had decided everything in the bathroom had to be changed so I had purchased a new light fixture, faucet, shower head, mirror, outlet covers, door handles, etc.</div>
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And....the supplies to refinish the countertop with concrete.</div>
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Y'all...this may be one of my most ambitious projects yet, because I have never worked with concrete.</div>
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But honestly, it was just as easy and much quicker than applying the epoxy to the master bath countertops.</div>
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Supplies needed:</div>
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- Henry Feather Finish</div>
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- All - purpose sponges</div>
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- Trowel</div>
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- Drywall Tray</div>
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- Latex Gloves</div>
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- 2 in putty knife</div>
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- 150 and 220 sandpaper</div>
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- Electric sander (not necessary but makes the job easier)</div>
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- Acrylic concrete sealer</div>
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First things first, Bill removed the faucet and drain stopper.</div>
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I cleaned and sanded the counter top and sink.</div>
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I mixed a batch of concrete up and because I wasn't sure how much I'd need to cover the surface with the first thin layer, I ended up dumping out over half the amount I made.</div>
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This first coat looked like a hot mess and I was seriously doubting how it was going to turn out, but I knew this was the look I wanted in this bathroom, and there was no turning back at this point.</div>
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I let each layer of cement dry for several hours, then sanded, wiped the cement dust off and put another thin layer on.</div>
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All-in-all I ended up with three layers before I was happy with the coverage.</div>
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I let the final coat cure overnight and then I applied two coats of concrete sealer to the entire countertop and sink.</div>
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Once the concrete sealant cured, Bill installed the faucet, hung the mirror and changed out the light fixture.</div>
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I stained the 1 x 8 piece of lumber I picked up with the same Early American stain I used when we built the barn doors and it was a little too light so I added a layer of Jacobean over top of it.</div>
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While the board was drying, we mounted the hardware I picked up at Lowe's. I initially picked up an 8" nipple fitting, but once I put it up, I realized it stuck out a little too far, so back to Lowe's we went to exchange them for 6". </div>
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Bill cut the board into 24" pieces for me.</div>
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Supplies I used to build the shelves:</div>
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- 1 x 8 piece of Pine</div>
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- Early American and Jacobean stain</div>
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- 3/4" Floor Flange Fitting x 4</div>
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- 3/4" diameter 6" Nipple Fitting</div>
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- 3/4" Cap Fitting</div>
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We ended up using the same shower curtain we had in here before because I think it gives it a nice feminine touch with all the rustic pieces.</div>
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Linda, her sister (Jeannette) and I ran over to our favorite antique shop this afternoon to find some decor and I scored some really great pieces not only for the bathroom but also for the center piece on my kitchen table.</div>
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I love this little tray I found for the cotton ball and q-tip jars to sit on. I picked it up with the intention of sitting it on the sink but it worked better on the shelf. The other pieces were things I already had around my house so that's always a score.</div>
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Not the best quality of lighting, but the faucet, plug in and light switch covers, towel ring and light fixture were all purchased at Home Depot. All have an Oil Rubbed Bronze finish.</div>
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I initially wanted a frameless, tilt mirror but then I found this mirror and fell in love.</div>
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The South Carolina sign and candles holders were things we already had.</div>
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One thing I knew for sure was I did not want to put a generic towel bar back up on the wall opposite the sink.</div>
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Linda had a window at her house that we had discussed using to make a table for our nature area, but hadn't got around to it yet so Bill had stuck it up in the attic. I loved the idea of repurposing it into a towel rack, so I purchased a few robe hooks from Lowe's and attached them to the bottom of the window. This sucker is heavy and we didn't want to chance one of the girls pulling it down and glass shattering every where so Bill secured it to the wall by screwing 4 wood screws threw the window into studs.</div>
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And I added this wreath I found today on my shopping excursion with my MIL.</div>
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I could not be more happy with how this bathroom came together, and in only about 9 days. It would've been less than a week if we had consistently worked on it every day but I took a couple days off after I finished the flooring.</div>
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We still have a few things left to do: like paint trim and change out the shower head but I had so many emails asking about the tile and concrete countertop and costs that I wanted to get this post up.</div>
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All-in-all I spent just over $500 to transform this bathroom.</div>
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When I walk past it, I can't believe how much these easy projects transformed this space.</div>
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Top Left: Blank slate when we purchase our home.</div>
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Bottom Left: Cosmetic upgrade after we moved in.</div>
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Right: Today</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-87657088139467193372017-03-19T01:03:00.001-04:002017-03-20T17:39:05.612-04:00A Mother-in-Law Suite and Cloffice<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of you know by now that a couple months ago my Mother-in-Law moved in with us. Most of you also know that we live in a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house and with us and 3 girls, that meant that all of our bedrooms were filled. So, with some consideration of how we could re-work a couple spaces, we decided to turn our former office into my Mother-in-Laws bedroom and expand the footprint of our master closet so it could also house our office.</div>
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You might remember from my last updated house post that our office looked like this...</div>
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This paint color was never my favorite but when we moved in we painted almost the entire house in a two week time period, and since this was 'an okay color', we just left it alone.</div>
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So we asked Linda what color she wanted her room painted and she chose a light, neutral grey. </div>
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Because the wall color was so dark, we primed the walls first.</div>
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The girls ALWAYS want to help paint.</div>
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And luckily, Bill found a gallon of Sutton Grey left from when we painted the entryway and living room so we were able to make her room color cohesive with the rest of our downstairs.</div>
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Sutton Grey is the most neutral, non-greige grey I've used to-date.</div>
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Next order of business was building some barn doors for her room.</div>
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I've always wanted to use them somewhere in our house, and truthfully, I had hoped we'd eventually get around to putting one up for the door going into our bathroom. But this was the perfect place to hang a couple.</div>
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So Bill calculated what width and height we'd need, the amount of lumber we'd need, and I ordered the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011DIHJT2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">hardware</a> we used to hang them.</div>
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Building the barn doors was a lot easier than I anticipated it would be. All-in-all we ended up with about four days of labor put into the doors, and that included Bill working on the cloffice during a big part of that so I'm sure if they had been the only iron in the fire, we would've had them done even faster.</div>
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To build the door, we attached two 2 x 4's together with wood glue and clamped them until the glue was cured. Then we'd add on another 2 x 4 and repeat until our door was the width we needed it to be.</div>
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We used Pine.</div>
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Then I sanded and stained each door with Early American stain.</div>
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Layla-bug LOVES being outside, so she had a blast watching me stain the doors.</div>
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Then we added trim pieces to the sides, top, middle, and bottom.</div>
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We attached those with wood glue and brads.</div>
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Bill had previously attached an anchoring board to the studs and we painted them to match the walls before hanging the hardware, because these doors are crazy heavy.</div>
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All the while, Linda still had renters in her house through AirBNB, so until we could get her bedroom furniture moved to our house, she was camping out in Bre's room. For a couple weeks, we were at a standstill with her room, so we turned out attention to the 'cloffice'.</div>
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Unfortunately, I don't have a single before picture of our closet, because I never took any when we moved in and I didn't get one before Bill demolished the wall that separated our former closet space from the walk-in attic space we had on the other side of it. However, it was a load-bearing wall so you can get the idea from the header Bill and his uncle had to install. </div>
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THANK GOODNESS, for Bill's Uncle Dave (and his wife, Elaine) driving down from Virginia to help us, because this was the biggest house reno project we have taken on to-date, and we really did need Dave's building expertise to help with framing, running the electrical for the new lights and hanging drywall.</div>
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Behind the door, our water closet expands 30" into our closet space, so we also had to work around that when it came to re-configuring the new space.</div>
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Once this part of the project was done, we took a much needed break and headed to Disney and Universal Studios with the girls for a few days.</div>
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While there, Ava came down with the flu and I took a pretty hard fall which resulted in - a month later, I'm still dealing with residual back pain.</div>
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For the two weeks following our trip, every single person except me and Kinsey passed the flu around. During that time, Linda was between AirBNB renters so Kinsey and I worked on packing as much of her house up as we could, priced things for a yard sale (that we didn't end up having because it got wicked cold down here the weekend we moved her), made glow in the dark T-shirts for Ava's 3D glow in the dark putt putt birthday party, and slept over at Linda's house so we could stay away from the germs at our house.</div>
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Then while we were in the process of moving the last of Linda's stuff to our house the following week, I got the flu.</div>
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Guys, the strain of flu that's been going around is no joke.</div>
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But we all pushed through and got the rest of Linda's things moved to our house before her long-term renters moved in at the beginning of March.</div>
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We installed a new ceiling fan in her room, hung curtains and some wall decor.</div>
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Finally moved Bre's Mac out of her room, because that kid would hang out in Lele's room all day if she could.</div>
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KK loves being right by the window. I'm convinced she enjoys watching all the cars go by.</div>
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I put together her new mirror/jewelry stand (and since I took this picture, Bill hung her clock).</div>
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We've also installed handles on the barn doors.</div>
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Bill's cousin, Kevin came up to help his Mom move some of her furniture out of Linda's house and while he was here, he helped Bill mud the seams in the closet.</div>
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So thankful for family who has experience in the areas of renovations that we are just dipping our toes into.</div>
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The sanding process took a couple of days, and by this point, we were just worn out. So we took a couple of days to just rest and spend time with Layla-bug while she wasn't napping.</div>
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I mean seriously...just look at that sweet face. All six of us are obsessed with her.</div>
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I can't even with these two.</div>
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Or these two.</div>
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After taking a much needed respite, we got back to work finishing the cloffice.</div>
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We primed and painted the entire room.</div>
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Bill framed out the support beam and I stained it.</div>
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And then it was onto tiling.</div>
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Again...these two.</div>
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I LOVE that she wants to help and I LOVE that he always slows down enough to let her, because you guys, these are things that kids will remember all of their life.</div>
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The mortar had to cure about 24 hours before we were able to put the grout down, and then the grout had to cure about the same amount of time before we could start adding furniture to the room.</div>
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So, my super awesome friend, Kendra made the trip with me to Ikea to go pick up the pieces I had planned out with Ikea's room planner. (If y'all love Ikea as much as I do and you haven't checked that feature out...YOU SHOULD! Once you have your room planned out, you can literally just add everything straight to your shopping list. How awesome is that?!!!)</div>
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Bill did have to go back to Ikea the next day to pick up the wardrobe frames in the truck because it was rainy the day Kendra and I went, but she and I were able to pick up all the organizational pieces, the rug, the Kallax organizers, the dressers, desk, decor, etc.</div>
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I ended up getting a rug that was 3' longer than I originally planned because the smaller rug in the same print had this really bizarre blue/green border that neither myself or Kendra understood. But I had my heart set on that particular print so Kendra suggested having it cut down to fit.</div>
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The first thing I did when I got home was Google 'How to cut a rug'. Then I went upstairs and measured the water closet insert and cut the rug down to fit around it.</div>
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Of course, Bre helped.</div>
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I'm telling you guys, this rug makes this room.</div>
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And you guys know by now that black, white, and grey are my go-to colors in my house. We painted the kitchen cabinets white and I have black granite.</div>
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I painted my interior doors and my bathroom vanity black.</div>
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This was before we added our new faucets.</div>
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most of my walls are various shades of grey, my couches are grey....even my bedding is darkish grey (almost black) and white.</div>
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Essentially, it's my entire house colors minus the girls' rooms, bathroom and our laundry room.</div>
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But back to the cloffice...I followed suit with the same color scheme.</div>
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While I was waiting for Bill to arrive with the wardrobe frames, I put together a 2 x 2 Kallax organizing shelf for Linda's room and the 1 x 4 that we put in our closet.</div>
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As soon as Bill got home, we started building the frames. </div>
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Not as easy as you'd think it'd be when you have to build them standing up because of the height of them. They are 93 1/2" tall, so it took both of us standing on ladders.</div>
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Once Bill attached them to studs, I got busy bringing all of our stuff in.</div>
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Have I mentioned how thankful I am to have a clean bedroom again?! ALL of this stuff was sitting in piles and hanging on racks around the perimeter of my bedroom for SIX weeks! I was seriously about to have a nervous breakdown from the mess. But it's all moved and my bedroom is mostly back in order and I now have this stunning space.</div>
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View into our new Cloffice.</div>
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I convinced Bill to remove the door between this room and our bathroom because 1. we have a huge picture window over our garden tub so the natural light from that can come into this room and 2. I really needed the wall the door swung open towards to hang my oil shelf.</div>
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I've had this oil shelf for a little over a year and I still love it just as much as the day I bought it. </div>
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I've dreamed of having a closet with a truly functional organization system since I've been adulting in life.</div>
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And you guys....this is probably my favorite part....</div>
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the drawers and shelves are SOFT CLOSE!</div>
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And I have a space to put <strike>most</strike>....errrrr....okay, maybe just my most worn pieces of jewelry, but it's still a designated space.</div>
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I'm moving the pieces on the top of my Kallax shelf to the top of the dresser because I have another piece of rustic decor to put up there, but I love that I have a designated space for my handbags and wallets. What girl doesn't want that?!</div>
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We did hack the Ikea RAST dresser to make this six drawer dresser by cutting 4" off the bottom of one, attaching them with L brackets, filling the existing handle holes, painting it and adding new hardware.</div>
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I'm OBSESSED with this POANG armchair.</div>
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And by obsessed, I mean I have never went to Ikea and not sat in one. I just hadn't figured out where in my house to put one - until now. And I wanted a reading chair/extra chair for the girls to come sit in while I'm in the office. It's sooooo comfortable.</div>
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To spruce up the desk, I painted the legs gold. I do still have to purchase some handles to go on the drawer fronts and Bill has to lower my mirror.</div>
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He, lovingly, hung it up for me last night while I was hanging out with my girlfriends and it's a little too high for my short self to see in while sitting down, but it's the thought that counts, right?!</div>
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I added an extra fuzzy rug under the chair because I like the look of layered rugs and just because a fuzzy rug feels good on your feet when you are bare footed.</div>
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In my office turned Linda's bedroom, I had a command wall that housed our bill file, calender, and some hanging pails for pens, pencils, markers, etc. I knew I didn't want to move that to the cloffice as my goal was to keep this space more rustic glam, so I was thrilled when Linda asked me if I wanted this piece. The top folds down so when closed it just looks like a rustic box...and the finish on it is so similar to what I stained the access door leading into the remaining part of the walk-in attic that we didn't expand into.</div>
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Bill also hung these floating shelves for me last night, and they house some pieces that are pretty special to me.</div>
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The angel was given to me along with a written prayer as a 'blessing on our new house' from the girls' step mom, Christie, when we moved in.</div>
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And the Mother Mary figurine was my best friend, Kate's. Her Mom gave it to me a few months after K went to be with Jesus, so it's incredibly special to me and brings a tremendous amount of comfort.</div>
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I'm sure over the next couple of days I'll re-arrange things as I get settled into this space a little more, but for right now, I'm just enjoying the fact that we are 99.9% finished and we have Linda all settled in.</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-11508798192153596972016-10-14T10:55:00.000-04:002016-10-14T11:01:36.965-04:00You Make Me Brave<div style="text-align: center;">
"You're my person. I need you alive. You make me brave," I said to her, two years ago today. As if those words would have some affect on the outcome.</div>
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Kathryn was one of the few people who knew the parts of me that make me feel 'untidy, less than, frightened, and ashamed.' </div>
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"Don't hide those bits of you. Don't be afraid to show your brokenness, because out of it, comes great beauty, and no one knows that better than you, C," she fervently responded.</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">"But how? How can I do that now...when I've spent so much time hiding? Hiding from the truth, myself. Hiding from the pain I will undoubtedly have to feel again. Hiding from fear of judgment...especially since I wasn't honest for so long. Hiding from it all."</span></div>
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"Because you are brave. You're one of the bravest women I know. Because you are a deeply feeling person in a messy world. Because while I know you think it's not just your story to tell,...just think of all the people you could potential help. I know you can do this. BFF," she responded.</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i>Why does she expect ME to use MY story, MY pain, MY growth to help OTHERS? Why does she challenge ME to grow in ways that might be more painful to ME? </i></span></div>
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Every fiber of my being knows the answer to that.</div>
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That was Kate.</div>
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Brave.</div>
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Good.</div>
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Never one to focus on the "I", "ME", "MY" in the equation, but instead...</div>
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Always using her voice to help others.</div>
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A fighter for the underdog.</div>
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A lover of life and of people.</div>
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And she was my person.</div>
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My BFF.</div>
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Anytime I was upset, or doubtful, or fearful, or on any spectrum of the intense feelings I would often feel, she would often simply say, 'BFF'. It's all she needed to say because I knew that those three letters meant so much more than the typical 'best friends forever'. She was with me. Always.</div>
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Several months back, I stared at a blank page, ready to share. To start at the beginning of the story. But I couldn't. Fear, once again, consumed me. </div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i>How could I possibly do this without her? It's TOO LATE! This was our thing. These blogs. These spaces we sometimes used to bridge the gap between the hundreds of miles between us. How could I possibly send out into the world words that she hadn't proof-read? I need her to remind me again. I need her to help me be brave. She's my person. Why GOD? Why did you have to take her from me? Why? Why? Why? WHY?!?!?!?!?! </i></span></div>
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Sometime between audibly hearing myself scream, "WHY" and a ping from my messenger app, I instantaneously felt a wave of peace wash over me.</div>
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The date was March 30.</div>
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The message was from Kate's mom.</div>
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"Hi Casondra. I charged up Kathryn's phone yesterday and found something that I am going to send to your phone. It is from her. I just wanted you to be ready and aware. It brought chills."</div>
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Rebecca went on to tell me that she was looking at our text message history and that Kate had wrote me a text....the cursor was still winking on it. Kate never got a chance to hit send, so Rebecca was going to do that for her.</div>
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I'll forever be grateful for Rebecca's bravery that day in sending a message that would forever mean the blinking cursor would be gone on her end, because she knew the importance of receiving that message on mine.</div>
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Almost two months after she left this earthly place, I received THE message from Kate that would rock me to my core.</div>
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Three letters that would teach me one of the biggest lessons I've ever learnt in this life....</div>
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..... she's still alive.</div>
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And she will continue to be.</div>
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Inside of me. Inside of her mom, and her dad, and her brother and her son. Inside of every single person whose life was touched by her beautiful soul.</div>
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In August, when I was blessed to get to spend some time with her mom and son, Rebecca gave me a few gifts that I'll cherish forever:</div>
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A mouse pad with a picture of me and Kate from a trip we took to S.C. years ago, that Kate used for years. It's found a forever home at my computer, where looking at it, daily, is a reminder to live authentically. To strive to be the best version of me I can be. To live with purpose. And to never let fear prevent me from being brave.</div>
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A CD with a lot of her favorite songs that I listen to every day while waiting in car rider line to pick up my girls.</div>
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And her 'Our Lady of Grace' aka Mother Mary figurine. It brought her comfort when she needed it the most and it brings me comfort daily.</div>
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Kinsey recently had to write a memoir at school about a painful experience in her life. She allowed me to read it last night. To say I cried while reading her words about one of the scariest days of her life would be an understatement. But she was brave. She was brave in her actions that day and she was brave to share about it now.</div>
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I hear you, Kate.</div>
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I know it's time.</div>
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It's time to show up.</div>
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Time to share my story.</div>
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My scars.</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-27128843959214452722016-07-27T11:37:00.004-04:002016-07-28T10:30:47.673-04:00Kinsey's Room (and some updates)<div style="text-align: center;">**PHEW**</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The past week has been a <strike>little</strike>, errrrr, maybe LOT busy around the Price house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For those of you who don't know yet, I left my job at RV (a digital marketing firm) due to some medical issues post-my last surgery, and let me tell you, saying, 'See you later' to some of my co-workers was hard, y'all. They are some of the BEST, most genuine people I've ever worked with, and I'm so thankful for the 'do life together' friendships I made during my time there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On one hand, hard, but on the other, it was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me a minute to step back and think about what I really want to be doing. That answer came in the form of enrolling in an online program. 14 years ago, when I was blessed with the miracle of my oldest daughter, sacrifices had to be made in order to provide for her, so I quit college and got a job. So now, with an almost 14 year old, an 11 year old, and almost 9 year old, Bill and I decided it was as good of time as ever for me to jump back in. In all fairness to him, he's tried for several years to convince me I should do this. I honestly thought, "It's been YEARS since I've been in school, I'm not sure I'm capable of 'doing it' and 'doing it well' at this age." 'Doing it well' is important to me because I have three girls who I'm always dwelling on the importance of doing well in school to. And they do! So, I need to, too. So after years of convincing from my husband, I'm doing it. I enrolled in an 18 month (work at your pace) program that I started talking to my friend, Andrea, about around 2 (Yes, TWO) years ago. The wait was then on to receive all my books and syllabuses. (or is it syllabi, my grammar loving friends? Ahem, Elaine!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over the summer, I've been working on a couple projects in Kinsey's room, as talked about in my previous <a href="http://motherofamiraclebaby.blogspot.com/2016/06/new-house-update.html">blog post</a>, but I hadn't finished them all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward to this past Monday (less than TWO weeks before we leave for Indiana to go pick up the girls) and I decided it was the perfect time to paint my kitchen cabinets. Luckily I have THE BEST Mother-in-Law in the world (and I'm not being sarcastic) who came over, daily, and did a big portion of the painting. My goal was to have them done by Wednesday (yes, you read that right: My goal was to have them done in three days. Go ahead a laugh) because my books/lesson plans were supposed to be delivered on Wednesday. BUT, they came a day early, and I had to jump right in so I would paint a few cabinets and go work on a lesson. Sleep. The cycle repeated itself over and over throughout the course of a week (so not three days but who's counting?), but we finished it with the help of Bill and Brandon. And it's BEAUTIFUL. I knew it would really change the way the kitchen looked, but I still can't get over how much brighter it is in there every single time I walk in that room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And during that time, I finished what was supposed to be a semester class - completed all lesson plans, took 6 test, a gazillion quizzes, and my final for my first class. I'm happy to say, I finished the class with a 97%. I promptly sent a screenshot to my girls. To be honest, it's important to me that they know no matter where they are in life, if they have a goal and they work hard, they can accomplish anything. Kinsey promptly told me I need to start taking all her tests for her. Ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, here we are, two days before we leave to go pick them up and I still needed to put some finishing touches on her room. So, I hurried up and finished what I could this morning. There's still a couple more things I'd like to add, but I've just accepted it's not happening until after she comes home. So without further ado..... here is.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kinsey's Room</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The biggest change you can see when you walk in is her 'glitter' wall and a photo above her chair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two things about this area... on the wall between the chair and vanity will eventually be a painting she had in her bedroom at our previous house. Bill's Mom painted it, and it was perfect for her previous bedroom but she's going to make a quick color change to it and then it will match this bedroom perfectly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The other addition will be some string lights running from the corner behind the chair, close to the ceiling, to the corner where the glitter wall starts. Her room theme is really clean, light colors with sparkle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her vanity is still the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added this chair a few months ago when I was preparing for surgery and we needed a recliner in the living room for me post-surgery. She had a bean bag chair here previously and it just didn't flow cohesively in her space, so one of the accent chairs that was in the living room got moved into her bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mother loves these chairs (they are really comfortable) and tries to convince me to give them to her every time she comes down. Ha! It might happen one of these days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above Kinsey's chair I hung a picture collage her best friend, Hannah, made for her. These girls are just the sweetest, and I'm so glad Kinsey has a bestie like her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mirror beside her vanity area was white but she told me she needed a little more of her accent color in her room. I initially glittered it but didn't like it at all, so I did what any mom would do, and I scrapped it all off and then painted it this turquoise-y color.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this tray her grandmother got her a couple years ago. It's perfect for keeping all her perfumes organized.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The glitter wall. This was a VERY quick and inexpensive addition to her bedroom. Though I told her when she asked me to do it, that if she EVER wants to change it, she's going to be the one to sand it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really do love the contrast against her light bluish/green/gray walls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoayu2mcQDw/V5jLaASk5-I/AAAAAAAADAI/dvylMGA6qiIuIexLWH5MtYVUnvjYK1RDgCEw/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoayu2mcQDw/V5jLaASk5-I/AAAAAAAADAI/dvylMGA6qiIuIexLWH5MtYVUnvjYK1RDgCEw/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Initially we were going to hang her white board back up on here, but then I found these Fleur De Lis hangers at Hobby Lobby and she loved them. </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her bed. The biggest change to this space was the addition of the lights and curtains behind her bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her room is not that big but this wall felt big and empty when there was nothing except her 'Live in the Sunshine' picture up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I absolutely LOVE how this turned out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can not wait for her to get home and see this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See that lamp beside her bed? It matches that cute tray that holds her perfume.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her beside table isn't anything fancy...just a white/turquoise end table...but it holds one of her most prized possessions....a photo from her trip to Charleston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the things I love most about where we are is the opportunities/life experiences the girls are getting to have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stories we got to hear when she got home from that trip were priceless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-21859688772235172672016-06-06T17:30:00.000-04:002016-06-06T17:30:30.093-04:00New House UPDATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow......has it really almost been a year since we moved into our new house?</div>
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Time really does fly!!!</div>
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I said almost a year ago that I'd update what we've done with the place but as you know, life gets busy, and if I'm perfectly honest, blogging is so far from my mind these days. But this morning...in my Facebook Memories there was a sweet post about our wedding that prompted me to click on over to this place. After reading it, I started reading my original house post and thought, 'It's really time I updated that because a few things have changed since then.' </div>
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So without further ado....</div>
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Not much has changed on the front of the house other than Bill put down black mulch (I absolutely LOVE it but haven't managed to take an updated picture) this year. And we recently got some stained glass landscaping lights.</div>
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And Bill pressure washed that awful black spot off the drive-way.</div>
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The backyard has gotten MANY updates.</div>
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Like a trampoline...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg9KaZA9vmU/V1XYELpeXMI/AAAAAAAAC7g/fnIGWWrhrS4pMrKK8dtIcbrvpw5T4lEKwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg9KaZA9vmU/V1XYELpeXMI/AAAAAAAAC7g/fnIGWWrhrS4pMrKK8dtIcbrvpw5T4lEKwCLcB/s400/IMG_8352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The back deck got a much needed paint job.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8NsF7WQqcc/VaKnlQIah8I/AAAAAAAACyU/V4pCTrCcYzsqyD4-oAPqZjVAe5hJe87zwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8NsF7WQqcc/VaKnlQIah8I/AAAAAAAACyU/V4pCTrCcYzsqyD4-oAPqZjVAe5hJe87zwCKgB/s400/IMG_7503.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was pretty dingy.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eR-L1Gy8wvc/V1XYYaxEjII/AAAAAAAAC74/uHYONjuBh8sw5j7nLTZ_ISkW5K7pdNpbgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eR-L1Gy8wvc/V1XYYaxEjII/AAAAAAAAC74/uHYONjuBh8sw5j7nLTZ_ISkW5K7pdNpbgCLcB/s400/IMG_9704.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I love the new two-tone. </div>
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We added a nature area that I was sitting in when I took this picture. It's really a small piece of 'quiet' that sometimes makes me forget we live in a subdivision.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgcOYc5GCPU/V1XYSr3ilUI/AAAAAAAAC7o/w4BtXgkJ5vYEhLFFvM8ZWbl0_Vzc906OgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgcOYc5GCPU/V1XYSr3ilUI/AAAAAAAAC7o/w4BtXgkJ5vYEhLFFvM8ZWbl0_Vzc906OgCLcB/s400/IMG_9737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The front porch got some new rocking chairs.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp78hyO-VIs/VaKn7Z1rkyI/AAAAAAAACzE/SkJObjy0_3I569lAVeoY7agYfy2ZXilLwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp78hyO-VIs/VaKn7Z1rkyI/AAAAAAAACzE/SkJObjy0_3I569lAVeoY7agYfy2ZXilLwCKgB/s400/IMG_8194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not much has changed in the entryway besides some new table decor.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TllzJt-Gc0/VaKn6b2-pPI/AAAAAAAACy0/QCVYEqljiuQNGQkimwJplA6ZOMQ4MBRbACKgB/s1600/IMG_8195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TllzJt-Gc0/VaKn6b2-pPI/AAAAAAAACy0/QCVYEqljiuQNGQkimwJplA6ZOMQ4MBRbACKgB/s400/IMG_8195.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The only change with the bathroom is that I painted the door black.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYi9wO0mKp0/VaKn8ID-PZI/AAAAAAAACzM/5viHvelANvgQzzixJBO5fSKm7aqVjInnwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYi9wO0mKp0/VaKn8ID-PZI/AAAAAAAACzM/5viHvelANvgQzzixJBO5fSKm7aqVjInnwCKgB/s400/IMG_8196.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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But the dining room got a complete make-over.</div>
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First we added a couple paintings my sister painted for us.</div>
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Then we decided that we never really use this space, and we really need an office so our pallet table went to my Mother-in-Laws house and we got a desk from her house.</div>
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I love that our office supplies are hidden in these cubbies so the room stays nice and clean. Especially since it's one of the FIRST things you see when you walk into our house.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr60tUOn_dc/V1XaCMCpM0I/AAAAAAAAC88/Rs2QWfa6ZSwnmI7uMTwRViZIL_yScSLPgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr60tUOn_dc/V1XaCMCpM0I/AAAAAAAAC88/Rs2QWfa6ZSwnmI7uMTwRViZIL_yScSLPgCLcB/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I LOVE this new storage for all my essential oils. I've tried different racks and containers over the past year but I always thought they looked clutter-y. So I was thrilled when I found this rack.</div>
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The living room hasn't changed much except for the fact that we FINALLY got our couch after over a month's wait. And we moved the matching chairs upstairs when I had to have surgery about a month ago, because I needed a recliner to sleep in.</div>
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The oversized chair is now between the windows on the opposite wall.</div>
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And those photos....my dear friend, Christina, took them, and they are just everything. She captured who my girls are so perfectly.</div>
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We plan to eventually open that wall up to the kitchen, so those prints will get moved to the wall above the recliner.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_x68_41Bh4/V1XbYqov07I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/QpjxcKcJ8ToMWlmNRumrCAp4d7IBRU0VACLcB/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_x68_41Bh4/V1XbYqov07I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/QpjxcKcJ8ToMWlmNRumrCAp4d7IBRU0VACLcB/s400/IMG_0530.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The eat-in has changed only in that I finally found a table I liked. And Bill added a command station for me.</div>
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The plan for the kitchen is to eventually paint the cabinets white and take out the majority of the upper cabinets on the right hand side to open that wall up to the living room.</div>
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And I need to get the pantry door painted black this summer while the girls are gone.</div>
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Nothing has changed in the stairway and I'm not sure it ever will.</div>
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I nearly had a heart attack while Bill was painting this area.</div>
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Our entire house was an ugly yellow-y beige color before we painted everything but the girls' bedrooms/bathroom shades of grey.</div>
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<span id="goog_671920941"></span><span id="goog_671920942"></span>Another door that STILL needs to be painted black. </div>
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I'd love to get a beautiful sparkly chandelier to replace this one but again, Bill would get on that ridiculously tall ladder and just, NO! </div>
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More doors....</div>
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There are so many dang doors in this house!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The girls' bathroom still looks the same.</span> Though I'd love to change the color to a teal-y blue, and eventually that counter top will get replaced.<br />
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Ava's room hasn't changed at all. This is still one of my favorite rooms in the house.</div>
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Ava and Bre shared this room up until a few months ago when Bre decided she was ready to sleep in her own room.</div>
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Bre's room was formally the girls' playroom/computer room.</div>
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When I posted the first pictures of the house last summer, we hadn't touched this room. So, it was definitely the room that saw the biggest transformation.</div>
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Bre loves ALL things space related and the color blue.</div>
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We were able to find this really cool mural online. It came in eight pieces that had to be lined up perfectly and the paper was super thin (read: it was a pain to put up) but she absolutely loves it.</div>
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Kinsey's room hasn't seen much change but that is going to change this summer so stay tuned for IG pictures of that progress.</div>
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We did move one of the living room chairs into her room so she has a place to sit and read.</div>
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Our bedroom is also exactly the same besides adding a chair next to the dresser.</div>
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The Master bath got quite the make-over.</div>
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We painted it ...grey, of course.</div>
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I painted the vanity black. Refinished the counter tops with a transformation kit. And we swamped out that huge, ugly mirror.</div>
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This was before Bill installed the new faucets. They are oil rubbed bronze.</div>
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Eventually, we plan to rip out that shower and tile it.</div>
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And last, but certainly not least, the garage got a GORGEOUS facelift.</div>
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James Dean had the best parking spot until Norma Jean kicked him out. </div>
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We still have several projects we want to do, and hopefully, we will check a few of them off of the to-do list this summer but for only being in the house a little less than a year, we're really happy with all the progress we've made.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-23475021826289521122015-07-12T15:19:00.000-04:002015-07-12T16:25:55.457-04:00Semi-Finished House Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
These past two weeks seem to have dragged on during some moments and flown by in others, but still, I can believe we've already been in the house a little over two weeks and all that we've accomplished in that time.</div>
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When we decided to repaint nearly ever room in our home, on our own, I don't think my brain really comprehended what a huge undertaking that would be on top of moving in and trying to unpack everything.</div>
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But....we've mostly finished and I'm really loving how everything has turned out so far.</div>
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I've had several friends/family request pictures and if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook then you've seen some of the updates. We still have to finish the garage flooring, the laundry room, playroom, and Master bathroom along with just some decorating of tables, hanging pictures, etc. But I have to say, I'm really happy with the progress we've made in such a short period of time.</div>
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Without further ado, here's our new home.</div>
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The landscaping looks so much better since Bill pruned everything and cleaned out the old mulch. We plan to mulch it this week. I'm still trying to con him into getting black mulch, because I think it just looks so nice but he thinks it fades too fast, so we will probably end up with regular ole brown.</div>
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This photo was taken BEFORE we moved in and Bill had a chance to power wash the concrete. </div>
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Breanna loves all the open space in this backyard. Our previous backyard was FULL of trees and very little grass so the girls didn't spend that much time out there.</div>
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The plan out here is to re-stain the deck and fence once the weather cools down. The space also looks different in that all of these ridiculously overgrown plants have been pruned, and we have our patio furniture on the deck.</div>
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These potters..... I love them so much! I desperately need a wreath for my front door and I just found a girl, who lives not far from me, on Facebook who makes custom wreaths. The crazy part...she is also from Indiana.</div>
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I still need to stain the table top I bought and painted to go on top of the milk jug, and I'd really love to have two rocking chairs here instead of the chairs that are currently here. I also plan on hanging some outdoor sheers to give us some added privacy, but I really love that we have a porch that I can sit out on.</div>
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Looking in my front door. I adore this table I found at Hobby Lobby last week. You can't tell from the photo but it's black, teal and gold and distressed. The gold really plays off the gold in the antique mirror we have hanging above it. It was Bill's grandmother mirror years and years ago and the detail on it is absolutely stunning.</div>
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In the foyer...looking into the downstairs bathroom. I got that vase back home at a store on the town square called Impulse. They have THE BEST home decor. I've even had Brenda mail me stuff to Charlotte. The vase has traveled from house to house to house with me and I originally planned to put it in the living room but it just fit so perfectly in this space.</div>
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The downstairs bath. We decided to paint this bathroom the same color as the Master Bedroom because we had just enough paint left over to do it, and I love that it's just a shade or two darker than the main living area.</div>
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Formal dining. We've done absolutely nothing to this space except set up our table and hang curtains. We plan to change out the light fixture to a more appropriate size chandelier in the very near future. And my sister, who is an amazing artist, is currently painting me two large panels for the far wall.</div>
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Bill's aunt, Mom, and I were discussing last night how I should decorate this table. I think we agreed on two lamp and nice floral arrangement but I'll see what works as I start decorating it.</div>
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The living room is mostly finished. We still need end tables and our couch...which should be delivered in about a week and a half. I'll be glad when we have enough seating for guests.</div>
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The wall behind the oversized chair is going to be the family picture wall that I had in my office at our previous house. </div>
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I think we finally agreed on a table for our eat-in. Those bar stools have been a huge hit with everyone that has come over because they are so comfortable. I'm planning to order plantation shutters for the kitchen windows, a curved curtain rod that extends the length of all three windows and some long, white sheers. I think it'll brighten it up quite a bit.</div>
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The hallway across the way has three doors. Straight ahead is my laundry room (which I didn't post pictures of because it's painted but we haven't got the cabinetry for it yet). The door to the right goes to the garage, and the door to the left goes to a large pantry.</div>
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The only thing we've done in the kitchen so far is paint and add bar stools. At some point, we plan to take a couple sets of cabinets down and open up that wall into the living room.</div>
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I think my wine bottles might be dry now so that I can work on today's project - a center piece for the dining room table.</div>
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At the top of the staircase is the girls' linen closet.</div>
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I really love this chandelier and I wish I could take credit for picking it out, but I'm going to assume it's been here since its days of being a Model Home for the neighborhood.</div>
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Looking towards the girls' bathroom, the little girls' bedroom, and the guest bedroom/office.</div>
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Straight back is our bedroom, and to the right is Kinsey's bedroom. The pictures are some that I made several years back with fabric, canvas, ribbon and some cheap black picture frames.</div>
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The girls' Mint and Coral Paris themed bathroom. They were very specific in that they wanted this bathroom to feel 'light' and that they wanted a white ruffled shower curtain. </div>
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Ava and Bre's room. I still think this my most favorite room in our home. The table between their beds has been in every home I've owned for the past 13 years. It's been almost every color of the rainbow and been in almost every room of my home at some point. I gave it a coat of silver spray paint, distressed and glazed it and added some new glass knobs. Their beds...I seriously spent nearly an entire day putting them together. Bill jokingly said, "They are having these beds until they go to college" because of how long they took to put together. But I love how they turned out. I made the panels behind their beds out of my shelves I found at Hobby Lobby and a $2 sheer curtain from IKEA. The lantern was a wedding gift from Bill's Aunt and Uncle. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiyTb_URY90/VaKoUFjgRCI/AAAAAAAAC2k/XAY6yOIBcTw/s1600/IMG_8168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiyTb_URY90/VaKoUFjgRCI/AAAAAAAAC2k/XAY6yOIBcTw/s640/IMG_8168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The office/guest room/playroom. We've done absolutely NOTHING in this room besides get the computer set up, organize the toy closet and put the boxes of stuff we haven't gotten unpacked in here. It's a complete mess still.</div>
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However, the plan is to make this into a 'SPACE' room for my two littlest space-lovers. The wall to the right that you can't see is going to be a floor to ceiling mural and their TV is getting mounted on the wall to the left.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCjye0Cz3hM/VaKoN6PeBWI/AAAAAAAAC1s/N7P2UBj0NvE/s1600/IMG_8216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCjye0Cz3hM/VaKoN6PeBWI/AAAAAAAAC1s/N7P2UBj0NvE/s640/IMG_8216.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Kinsey's room. Kinsey's room is so peaceful and relaxing with the combination of whites, blues, and grey. She picked her bedding out from PB Teen and it's so fitting for her.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xC21_U5X8iA/VaKoRuxNVJI/AAAAAAAAC2M/gYO-wYxdTpU/s1600/IMG_8161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xC21_U5X8iA/VaKoRuxNVJI/AAAAAAAAC2M/gYO-wYxdTpU/s640/IMG_8161.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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"LIVE IN THE SUNSHINE". Kinsey is incredibly uplifting and positive so when I saw this quote at Home Goods, I knew it'd be perfect for her room. I also finally bought the Euro Pillows to go in the shams that match her bedding.</div>
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I LOVE this space. It's perfect for her.</div>
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My relaxation place. I'm a firm believer that all adults should have a place that they can just relax when they are ready to call it a day. We choose a nice, soothing grey for the walls. Hung a few pictures and called it a day in this room.</div>
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Just kidding....we still have to find a chair and end table to go to the left of the dresser. I need a reading nook, y'all. </div>
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The ugly Master Bath. This room is pretty much going to be a gut job so I'm refusing to do anything in it until we figure out exactly what it is we are going to do.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9fPTno1vyk/VaKoKplfSiI/AAAAAAAAC1M/itkjRZuFxRc/s1600/IMG_8212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9fPTno1vyk/VaKoKplfSiI/AAAAAAAAC1M/itkjRZuFxRc/s640/IMG_8212.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Why do all builders put those ugly, plain, gigantic mirrors up? And that counter top.... so bad. This house is 10 years old but I'm not convinced that was 'in style' even 10 years ago.</div>
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The shower is getting ripped out and tiled.</div>
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I really haven't done ANYTHING in this room besides put some rugs in it. I don't even have a curtain up. It's sad looking.</div>
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To the left...where you can see a door frame...that's the toilet room, but I didn't figure you all really needed to see my toilet. </div>
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And straight back...where I'm taking the picture above from is our closet. If you walk through the door in the back of our closet, you will walk into a very large walk-in attic. The only thing we've done in there so far is add shelving to organize totes, but it's still pretty empty as most of our stuff that we store (decor, out of season clothing, etc) is still in storage.</div>
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I think I can speak for Bill in that we both feel extremely blessed to have been able to find a home with most everything on our wish-list in the school district we wanted to be in for the girls.</div>
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I can't wait for them to get home from their summer vacations so we can truly start our lives here.</div>
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I'd show an updated picture of the finished garage but Bill is currently outside ripping the checker board flooring out so that he can pressure wash the tiles and add the red tiles into the pattern. It's going to look really nice when it's done.</div>
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A few of you have been asking about paint colors and where I got certain pieces of furniture so I'm just going to post my source list below.</div>
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<u>Source List:</u></div>
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Front Porch:</div>
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Planters - Aldi </div>
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Milk Jug - Came from Bill's family</div>
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Chairs - Home Depot on clearance last year</div>
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Lanters - LED - Ross</div>
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Entryway:</div>
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Paint Color - Sutton Place Grey</div>
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Table - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Vase - Impulse</div>
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Vines in vase - IKEA</div>
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Mirror - Bill's grandmother</div>
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Rugs - Lowe's</div>
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Downstairs Bath:</div>
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Paint Color - Behr Flannel Grey</div>
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Curtains - They used to be in Kinsey's room - Home Depot</div>
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Rug - Home Goods</div>
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Bird Picture - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Shelf - IKEA</div>
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Blue/White Vase - Walmart</div>
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Greenery in Vase - Impulse and the bird in the vase was given to me by family after my grandfather's funeral. It was in the floral arrangement on his casket.</div>
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Lantern - Lowe's</div>
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Bird Votive - Lowe's</div>
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Gold Candle Holder - Target</div>
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Angel - Housewarming gift from my girls' stepmom </div>
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Dining Room:</div>
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Table - We built it a couple summers ago from some free pallets.</div>
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Curtains - Lowe's</div>
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Living Room:</div>
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Paint Color - Sutton Place Grey</div>
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Accent Chairs - Stein Mart</div>
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Oversized Chair and Ottoman - Ashley Furniture</div>
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Vases - Walmart</div>
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Paintings - My Mother-in-Law</div>
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Rug - Home Goods</div>
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Kitchen:</div>
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Paint Color - Granite Bolder</div>
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Bar Stools - World Market</div>
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Paint Color - Valspar Pillow Mint</div>
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Shower Curtain - Home Goods</div>
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Towels - Home Goods</div>
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Toothbrush Holder/Soap Dispenser - Home Goods</div>
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Eiffel Tower - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Pictures - IKEA</div>
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Cabinetry Knobs - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Ava & Bre's Bedroom:</div>
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Wallpaper - Sherwin Williams Book: HGTV Home II by SW Easychange Pattern: 493-5827</div>
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Beds - Overstock DHP Rose Grey Linen Upholstered bed</div>
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Bedside Table - I've had for 13-ish years</div>
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Lantern - Wedding gift from Bill's Aunt and Uncle</div>
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Vase/Flowers - Target</div>
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Mirror - Home Goods</div>
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Candles/Holders - Home Goods</div>
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Shelves - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Curtains - Lowe's</div>
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Kinsey's Room - </div>
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Paint Color - I couldn't find the perfect paint color so I mixed Pillow Mint and a blue-grey color called Shark Loop</div>
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Bed - Overstock (Sleep Synch Waverly Upholstered White Platform Bed</div>
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Bedding - Pottery Barn Teen</div>
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Accent Pillow - Big Lots</div>
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Curtains - Lowe's</div>
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Vanity Stool - Overstock</div>
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Desk - IKEA</div>
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Make-up Storage Tower - IKEA</div>
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Mirror/Lights - Lowe's</div>
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Desk Top Mirror - IKEA</div>
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Perfume Tray - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Flowers - Target</div>
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Nail Polish Caddy - Home Goods</div>
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Master Bedroom:</div>
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Paint Color - Flannel Grey</div>
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End Tables - Home Goods</div>
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Lamps - Home Goods</div>
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Bedding - IKEA</div>
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Rug - Home Depot</div>
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Curtains - Lowe's</div>
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Seating Bench at end of Bed - Target</div>
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Picture above bed - Hobby Lobby</div>
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Other pictures - Wedding photos</div>
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Master Bath:</div>
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Towels - Home Goods</div>
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Rugs - Home Goods</div>
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Towel Basket - Home Goods</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-72647358856614785052015-02-25T08:05:00.001-05:002015-02-25T20:20:02.280-05:00Even If You Don't Know Me....Can We Just Pretend For a Moment That We're Friends?Everytime I start to write this post something stops me dead in my tracks and I don't know what it is exactly or that talking about things like this can be a bit, errrrrr, awkward for me sometimes. I'm a closet introvert. Talking to new people, and sometimes people I know, is a <b>HARD</b> thing for me. Which I'm sure some of you find to be a strange confession because Cassie and E always used to tell me that I was the one who made the friends for our group of friends.<br />
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But anyways, I don't want what I am about to write overshadow what I know about Young Living Essential Oils, and that is that they are <b>legit</b>, people!<b> </b>If you are <b>educated AND consistent</b> in your use of these products, they will work for you. </div>
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So, even if you don't know me.....can we just pretend for a moment that we're friends? Can we pretend that you know my heart??? That you've heard my <a href="http://motherofamiraclebaby.blogspot.com/2015/02/what-on-earth-are-these-oils-all-about.html">testimony</a>. That I wouldn't just try to sell you some crap just to sell you some crap that doesn't work. These oils....they are changing our lives.</div>
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I have to be upfront with you and tell you that Young Living is a multi-level marketing company. If you didn't know that, you do now. It was truly the one thing that made me a bit uneasy when that amazing nurse gave me that cotton ball soaked in peppermint oil. I love me some Jamberry. I love supporting the single Mama's out there who work those second jobs on the side in MLM to pay for extra curricular activities, etc But here's the thing...YL products, are genuinely so awesome that I'm not trying to sell you something just to sell you something....I'm simply sharing my love for a product that has changed my life. And maybe it's a road that you've never thought to travel for yourself and your healthy. Let me tell this, in the world of health, this one isn't often traveled, but as I've learned....it's so worth it.</div>
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What I've learned is that unlike most MLM companies, YL distributors are simply out to share the love because EO's are simply the bomb. To put it simply...they will rock your face off. They work. They help with aches, pains, allergies, health, wellness, and pretty much everything in between. To put it simply....You name it....There's an oil for that!<br />
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I don't think many of us honestly join the oily world thinking about the business side of these amazing products....we just want to use our oils and go about our marry little ways. But then we use the oils. And we fall IN LOVE. And then one day it happens, you can't help but tell every single person you know because, well, they are just that awesome. And then you see a friend post about their allergies or their child's rash and reach out to them, because....THERE'S AN OIL FOR THAT! Then your husband may tell you that you have an obsession, but who is he to talk? I mean, he asks you to put your 'voodoo oils' on him every time he sees you putting them on yourself or one of the kids...because folks, they truly work and even he knows it.<br />
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So you start sharing about them on your social media and one day it happens...a friend or family member seeks you out because they have to try these oils that they keep seeing you praise. They, too, want to find a healthier alternative to OTC medicines, cleaners, and other products that contain insane chemicals. So you add a couple products to your ER order for them, and once they see for themselves...they are ready to jump on board. They want their Premium Starter Kit, because how on earth could you possibly pass up such a great deal? 11 oils, a diffuser, plus so much more to get your health on track for the cost of a cell phone bill!!! <br />
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Long story short, these oils sell themselves. And it is SO very rewarding to work with a product you use and believe so strongly in because you get to see lives transformed. For the better. </div>
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The best part? There's absolutely no catch!!!</div>
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You're not going to feel good temporarily at the expense of another problem popping up down the road. (As a cancer survivor, I know this all too well!) You aren't going to be take an Advil or Tylenol everyday for headaches and find out 10 years down the road that it caused damage to your liver.</div>
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These oils....they are 100% pure, natural, therapeutic grade oils. And the health benefits you get from them are unbelievable. I really have no idea why I held off on getting started using them myself but I can honestly say that it was a God thing that lead me to them.<br />
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So what are the benefits to becoming a wholesale member even if you don't want to be a 'Life Dropper'? Wholesale members save 24% on ALL the products they purchase. There is no monthly membership and there is absolutely no commitment to sell anything, though that option is there if you would chose. It's like a BJ's or Sam's membership for OILS! You only have to place ONE $50 order per year to keep your membership active, but unlike with BJ's or Sam's you actually get $50 worth of product and not just the membership. How awesome is that?!<br />
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There are two kit options: One is with the regular Home or Dew Drop Diffuser. And the second with the Aroma Diffuser is $10 more but the diffuser is a bit more sleek (if you like that look) and it covers a little more square footage.<br />
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We also have an amazing ER program that I like to call our Frequent Buyers Club where you can actually earn points for FREE oils. AMAZING!!!<br />
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So what do you say....are you ready to take control of your health? Are you ready to say good-bye to toxic chemicals that could be harming you and your family?<br />
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If you are interested in learning more and or getting started with Life Drops: You can find me<a href="http://theoilrevolution.com/our-team/casondra-price/"> here.</a> <br />
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*If you have previously been talking to another distributor about YL and want to sign up, please contact them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">***Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. All opinions and experiences talked about in this post are my own.***</span><br />
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-49944849860382337242015-02-01T17:02:00.000-05:002015-02-01T17:13:46.032-05:00What On Earth Are These Oils All About???<div style="text-align: center;">
My name is Casondra and I'm addicted to oils.</div>
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Lots and lots of oils.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84WeqBlhKFw/VM57l-NlLpI/AAAAAAAACnU/Mn18tpm5Lko/s1600/oils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84WeqBlhKFw/VM57l-NlLpI/AAAAAAAACnU/Mn18tpm5Lko/s1600/oils.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></div>
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I use them for EVERYTHING!!!</div>
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It wasn't always this way. For a year or so, I just watched a few of my friends rave about them repeatedly on their social media sites, and quite frankly, I really thought they were insane. How could some essential oils make anyone feel better than medicine a doctor gave them? I mean, sure, I'd used them in our humidifier to 'scent' the air, but wasn't that really all they were good for?! A couple months ago I got really sick. I mean really, REALLY sick. A sweet, sweet nurse introduced me to Young Living Essential Oils. Peppermint, in particular, to help with a migraine that no amount of meds the doctors were giving me were even touching. She put it on a cotton ball to diffuse it in my room and within minutes I was starting to feel some relief. So much so that when Bill accidentally threw it away, I asked him to go find her so she could give me another one.</div>
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After doing some research, and realizing all the things that each oil in the Everyday Oil kit is good for, I told Bill that I'd really like the Premium Starter Kit as a Christmas Gift. </div>
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And so the story goes....he bought me this amazing kit with all these beautiful bottles of oily goodness that I am now addicted to.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-375DqOqrbxk/VM5_Z4Zj2rI/AAAAAAAACng/RzO3xG0Jr1Q/s1600/starter%2Bkit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-375DqOqrbxk/VM5_Z4Zj2rI/AAAAAAAACng/RzO3xG0Jr1Q/s1600/starter%2Bkit.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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I've been getting the questions a lot here lately, 'What on earth are these oils all about? What do you use them for?' So I thought it easiest to just do a mini run-down of each oil that comes in the PSK (Premium Starter Kit). But to answer the question of what do I use them for.... I use them for practically EVERYTHING!</div>
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I make beauty products, cleaning products, allergy products, mood lifting oils aka PMS oil for my oldest diva, sleep oil, bath bombs and salts.</div>
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I would seriously love to write about all my favorites but it would take you 2 hours to read so I'll stick with the products in the PSK because they are all so great. I honestly don't know how Young Living narrowed it down to these 10 plus the bonus oil (Citrus Fresh).</div>
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So without further ado....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWSoHH5s6tQ/VM6BbeL6p3I/AAAAAAAACns/kIAY6B7AF2s/s1600/thieves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWSoHH5s6tQ/VM6BbeL6p3I/AAAAAAAACns/kIAY6B7AF2s/s1600/thieves.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>1. THIEVES. </b>I'm not sure I could live without this oil. If I had to give up all other oils and could only keep one, it would be this one. This oil is known for it's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-infectious properties. It was created based off research about a group of 15th century thieves who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. Once caught, they were forced to disclose the formula of herbs, spices and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for a more lenient punishment. </div>
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I often diffuse this oil after the girls get home from school to pull air-borne microorganisms out of the air that they have brought home from school, and I have them rub it on their feet prior to going to school. I am convinced it is what has got us through flu season this year with none of us having caught the flu. *knock on wood* I HIGHLY recommend this gem of an oil for everyone.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXq92Jvogv0/VM6EG9AkS-I/AAAAAAAACn4/uc1b56qONXM/s1600/melaleuca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXq92Jvogv0/VM6EG9AkS-I/AAAAAAAACn4/uc1b56qONXM/s1600/melaleuca.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>2. MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA </b> (aka TEA TREE OIL). This oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral.....and the biggest thing it's know for ANTIPARASITIC. That's right....this is the oil you want in your arsenal if your child comes home with the dreaded head lice paper from school. Enough said on that before we all start itching.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz5sbyQe_lU/VM6FeVQoeXI/AAAAAAAACoA/8pq8cW9jtB8/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz5sbyQe_lU/VM6FeVQoeXI/AAAAAAAACoA/8pq8cW9jtB8/s1600/lavender.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>3. LAVENDER. </b>Let me just start off by saying that when I first got my kit, I was NOT a fan of Lavender. I've never been a fan of lavender scented lotions or candles or bath products, and I was so disappointed to find out that <b>A LOT</b> of the recipes I wanted to try called for Lavender. I just plugged my nose because the benefits to this oil are AMAZING and guess what...the smell...it grew on me. I just put in an order for a big bottle of it because I use it THAT much. This oil is so versatile. It's the oil that if you are questioning what oil you should use for something, Lavender is probably the answer. It helps with respiratory infections, high blood pressure, menstrual problems/PMS, acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring, stretch marks, burns, cuts, insomnia, nervous tension. I can not say enough good about this oil. Everyone needs this oil. EVERYONE!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP9RIQaS5dY/VM6HTwCkxAI/AAAAAAAACoM/N0YNB_vL3M4/s1600/panaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP9RIQaS5dY/VM6HTwCkxAI/AAAAAAAACoM/N0YNB_vL3M4/s1600/panaway.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>4. PANAWAY. </b>This one is great for aches and pains. I use this one on Bill's back when his sciatica is acting up. I had another friend use it on her shoulder when it was aching and it got rid of her pain. I also use it in a mix I created for a friend of mine for her migraines and she said that they get rid of them every time. I like to mix a few drops of this in with some Epsom Salt and pour into my bath to ease my muscles.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fatof-favGE/VM6JOxxYBrI/AAAAAAAACoY/L1OvV8mgZlE/s1600/peppermint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fatof-favGE/VM6JOxxYBrI/AAAAAAAACoY/L1OvV8mgZlE/s1600/peppermint.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>5. PEPPERMINT. </b>This is another really versatile oil. First thing in the morning, I put a drop of Peppermint in my hands, cup them over my nose and take a few deep breaths in. INSTANT ENERGY!!! Peppermint is also good for upset tummies, fevers, inflammation, indigestion, curbing appetite, congestion, removing ticks, bad breath, and arthritis...just to name a few. This is one that will always, ALWAYS be in my stash as well. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BmVUMGpnZk/VM6LHgcQiiI/AAAAAAAACok/sugwDgnm2fc/s1600/stress%2Baway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BmVUMGpnZk/VM6LHgcQiiI/AAAAAAAACok/sugwDgnm2fc/s1600/stress%2Baway.jpg" height="320" width="129" /></a></div>
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<b>6. STRESS AWAY. </b>This is just like it sounds....a little bottle of stress away....that smells like key lime pie to me. It's made up of Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Ocotea, and Lavender. Ava had to have a couple MRI's today and her entire body had to go in the tube. Needless to say, she was NERVOUS. So, I rubbed this on the back of her neck and on her wrist before she went in and she handled it like a champ. This is another one I like to add to bath time.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ijhvoAzEXs/VM6SnvMLStI/AAAAAAAACo0/Z_oRhEfa4k8/s1600/lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ijhvoAzEXs/VM6SnvMLStI/AAAAAAAACo0/Z_oRhEfa4k8/s1600/lemon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>7. LEMON. </b>Lemon is SO good in water. Now I know what you're thinking....can't I just add a slice of an actual lemon to my glass of water? I could but lemon oil comes from the rind so the constituents are different...it's actually better for you. Lemon oil is known for being antitumoral, antiseptic, an immune stimulant, helps improve memory (yes, it's a great oil to diffuse while your little ones are doing their homework!), and relaxation (I rub this one on Bre at night before bed).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rilgpPcAaA/VM6UfXTSv8I/AAAAAAAACpE/JEJASUiVsDA/s1600/frankincense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rilgpPcAaA/VM6UfXTSv8I/AAAAAAAACpE/JEJASUiVsDA/s1600/frankincense.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>8. FRANKINCENSE. </b>This is one of the oldest Essential Oils. Do you remember hearing about this blessed little oil in church? When one of the wise men gave it to baby Jesus as a gift along with Myrrh and Gold? Frankincense is amazing for skin which is why you will find it in almost every skin care recipe there is on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest.</a> It's also considered the 'holy anointing oil' in the Middle East. It has antitumoral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SQY_grMKE/VM6abWtXDzI/AAAAAAAACpU/i5XKVmElHqQ/s1600/purification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SQY_grMKE/VM6abWtXDzI/AAAAAAAACpU/i5XKVmElHqQ/s1600/purification.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>9. PURIFICATION. </b>Purification is an oil I use on a daily basis because I add it to every load of laundry I do. It disinfects and neutralizes mildew and disagreeable odors. If you burn something on the stove or in the oven....diffuse a few drops of purification and within minutes, the smell is gone. If your garage disposable is starting to smell a little yucky...a drop of this will get rid of it. But that's not all it does. Purification will also disinfect and clean cut, scrapes and bites from spiders, bees, and wasps. This is another oil the I will never be without. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HPjURvHEig/VM6bqUTRqFI/AAAAAAAACpg/sS4W4GLk8pY/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HPjURvHEig/VM6bqUTRqFI/AAAAAAAACpg/sS4W4GLk8pY/s1600/joy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>10. JOY.</b> This oil is one that girls and I like to wear in our diffuser necklaces with a drop of lemon or orange or we rub it over our hearts when we need to be 'lifted up'. It's an energetic blend of oils that lifts your spirit and mind. Ahem....PMS oil for the oldest diva.</div>
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So there you have it.</div>
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Now, I need to tell you that the PSK also comes with several other goodies.</div>
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Some samples packets of Ningxia Red which is our Antioxidant Drink and it is delicious. 10 samples of Lemon, Lavender, Peace & Calming, Thieves, and Peppermint to share with your friends and family and a 5 mL bottle of Citrus Fresh which may just be my FAVORITE oil of all. Because I love, love, LOVE all things citrus and it smells heavenly when you diffuse it.</div>
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If you are interested in checking out any of these oils you can do so over at youngliving.com/casondrarprice </div>
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Anyone who signs up for the PSK and mentions this blog post will get a FREE orange oil, 3 roller bottles, and a copy of my Chemical Free Home.</div>
SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-42455718118042689622014-10-01T15:17:00.001-04:002015-02-18T13:57:49.335-05:00Fake or Just Truly Grateful?<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday, a friend posted this article: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a31587/social-media-happy-relationships-are-insecure/</div>
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And I have to say that the more times I re-read it, the more I'm convinced that the person who wrote this article quite possibly has never shared the kind of love and happiness that they want to 'brag' about.</div>
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Last year I had a good friend send me this message: <span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I love how much what you have is like what we have. It makes me feel a sense of reality and community. For a long time I had a lot of people almost making me ashamed of our happiness....but seeing someone else who so openly rejoices in the blessings GOD has bestowed....Well, you and me are friends in a way so few are. I can't wait to keep reading the rest of your story and I love that I know for a fact you are r</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">eading mine!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Let me tell you, the friend who wrote this...she REJOICES in the love she has been blessed with because she knows what it's like to be in a toxic, unhealthy relationship and now having a partner who accepts and loves her unconditionally is one of the most treasured gifts in her life. Truthfully, she could post 50 times a day about her love for her husband and it would bring a smile to my face to read each one because I know them, and I know they are, in fact, that happy and in love with each other.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Now, that's not to say that I haven't seen the flip side of this...the couple who talks about how in love they are, have friends who are envious but behind closed doors their relationship is anything but happiness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"> I know plenty of couples in middle. Ones that occasionally post about their significant other (a significant song, happening or poem) and I think that those people are really feeling that way at that particular time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">And I know PLENTY of people that don't hold anything back when it comes to bashing someone else or bitching about everything that's wrong in their life...and I don't for one second believe that their lives or the people that are in them are usually THAT bad. Speaking from experience, when you live with someone who isn't kind to you, you DON'T talk about it because 1. you are embarrassed and/or 2. you refuse to paint yourself as a victim.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Regardless of circumstance, we live in a technology focused world and parts of our lives are always going to be 'out there' and people are always going to scrutinize and make assumptions and judgments, and most of them will actually have nothing to do with the person they are judging. More often than not, they are judging a reflection of an aspect of themselves that they aren't proud of or something that they are envious of.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">If I've learned anything about relationships...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">if Bill and I have both learned anything....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">it's that love is an intentional act.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">And depending on your partners love language, some of that intent may be affirmation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Does that mean that the words a person says aren't always 'real life' or they are being boastful? <b>Absolutely NOT.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Let's face it.... marriage/long term relationships, on some level, are hard. You are with this person that you are going to have differences with and you can choose to confront them together with grace or you can let them turn you bitter and destroy what you have.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I wrote a few days ago about how Bill and I had only spent about a total of 30 days together, in person, before we got married, and we didn't live together beforehand.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">After each of us having two failed, long-term relationships (his far surpassed mine because by time his divorce finalized in July 2011, he had been married for nearly 15 years. I was only married a mere 4 and a half years by the time mine finalized) we both knew what we were looking for in a life partner. We knew compatibility and happiness far outweighed most anything else. I knew I needed to be in a relationship where security meant there was no judgment except to help each other be the best versions of ourselves that we can be. It's important to be able to trust that your spouse isn't going to hold your shortcomings against you. It's important to have someone who is not only <b>not</b> going to tear you down but builds you up. You can't live with constant negativity and continue to stay happy. It was important to both of us to find a partner that felt the same. And it was very important to both of us that we could one day say to the girls, 'The best part of the beginning of marriage is the excitement and newness of finally living together. It's worth the wait. Even if that means you have a VERY short dating period."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Our marriage is our top priority and it continues to thrive because we are both intentional in our actions and words to each other. We know what makes the other one feel loved and what doesn't and sometimes we 'intentionally' go against our own personal feelings that day to make sure the other one is reminded of their importance. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I am so incredibly thankful for that for that gift. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I am so incredibly thankful for him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">For the man he is today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">For the blessing of our marriage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">And for our life together. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Because it's made me a better person.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">And when I write about it on any form of social media, it really isn't for anyone else but him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I want him to always know that I don't take this blessing - our life and love for each other - for granted. And if words of affirmation make his heart filled with even more love then I'm for dang sure going to say them to him.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Because when love becomes intentional it's real and it will continue to grow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">And I truly, truly believe that that could ultimately be the 'real' why behind why other's share their happiness sometimes.</span></span></div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-90608544151145591332014-09-30T13:50:00.000-04:002014-09-30T14:00:54.758-04:007!!! Where Has the Time Gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Baby Girl, it seems like just yesterday that Mama Evan and I went down to the NICU to see you for the first time.</div>
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And that we sat and sobbed and sobbed as Mommy got to hold you for the very first time.</div>
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Stabilizing your breathing tube was a big deal so I was only allowed to hold you for short periods of time, twice a day. E was the second person to ever hold you.</div>
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Not long after we got to Riley's you got your first haircut for your PICC line and Sam tied it up in a little bow and made me a scrapbook page. It's one of my most cherished keepsakes.</div>
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You were so, so tiny but so strong. Even before surgery, you started over-breathing your ventilator so they were able to extubate you for a couple days.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnFsZCHr_u8/VCrirG-KpYI/AAAAAAAACgY/aAPDFoSMDwk/s1600/102_2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnFsZCHr_u8/VCrirG-KpYI/AAAAAAAACgY/aAPDFoSMDwk/s1600/102_2183.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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As long as I live I will never forget the beauty of this picture. It was so hard for so many people to look at because you had been through so much in your first two weeks of life, but it was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen because you fought, baby girl, and you survived.</div>
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All the nurses were coming in to see you because you were just a mere 2.04 kg the day of surgery and they were amazed at the miracle they were witnessing.</div>
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The day Papaw, Aunt Dawnetta and I brought you home, 3 shorts weeks after the picture above, you were 4 lbs and 15 oz.</div>
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You literally looked like a baby doll in your car seat. </div>
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By the time you were six months old, your therapists and home health care nurses released you from their care because you surpassed the odds and were doing everything that a normal 6 month old does. </div>
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By your first birthday, you were up to 11 pounds.</div>
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You were walking and wearing 3-6 month clothes because you were still so tiny.</div>
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We've had a couple set backs along the way though.</div>
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At 17 months, we found out that you had sleep apnea as a result of some of the medicine you were on before your first surgery, so you had your second surgery.</div>
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And a couple months later, you got RSV and had to spend a few days in the hospital.</div>
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Two was a fun year...</div>
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We went to Alabama to visit Aunt Becky and Uncle Billy.</div>
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And we spent a lot of time at the lake.</div>
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We had a family only birthday for birthday #3 because I had just got home from the hospital, but you still had fun.</div>
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We made up for it with birthday # 4. </div>
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Everything was Minnie Mouse that year.</div>
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And really anything to do with 'aminals'.</div>
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You started preschool.</div>
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And then decided to cut a HUGE chunk out of the side of your hair so you rocked a pixie cut for awhile.</div>
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Five was a big year for you. We moved. You meet Poppy. You graduated pre-school. We got married. And moved again.</div>
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We spent your 6th birthday at the beach with Lele, Papaw Jim and Grandma Lola.</div>
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You spent a lot of your Saturdays going to car shows with Poppy and even won an award of your own. </div>
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You got to meet the Lady Cats.</div>
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Decided you want to be a Veterinarian when you grow up.</div>
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Had lots of snuggle time with your babies.</div>
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Play-dates with your bestie.</div>
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You brought the country to the city.</div>
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Visited your cousins.</div>
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Filled our hearts with so much joy.</div>
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And kept us in fits of laughter.</div>
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Today, you turned 7.</div>
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And I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face looking through all these old pictures and wondering where the time has gone.</div>
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We love you so very much, Bre!</div>
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And we are so proud of the beautiful spitfire (or as you told us last night, the 'crazy girl') that you are.</div>
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HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY, BABY GIRL!!!</div>
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I'm looking forward to all the adventures this year holds for you. </div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-64055848646025125862014-09-28T21:40:00.001-04:002014-09-28T21:40:21.729-04:00Gratefulness & Love Letters to my Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I *LOVE* this quote!</div>
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It took me a LONG time to find this someone but I did. I say this often but it's so very true...I didn't know it was possible for life to be this easy or happy.</div>
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I love all things Fall.</div>
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It means the leaves are turning.</div>
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The weather is cooling.</div>
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And I can finally bust out my Frye boots.</div>
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And these new Jamberry wraps. How cute are they?!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4YlQPH4q5E/VCiEgBTbgAI/AAAAAAAACd8/2v12VXr0XAw/s1600/unnamed%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4YlQPH4q5E/VCiEgBTbgAI/AAAAAAAACd8/2v12VXr0XAw/s1600/unnamed%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mums and Lanterns.</div>
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Really all things Fall decor because it's just so beautiful.</div>
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New chairs for the porch.</div>
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And ones that the dogs won't tear up.</div>
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Now to get rid of the old, ugly chairs.</div>
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Morning snuggles with my baby.</div>
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And seeing her excitement over her birthday gifts.</div>
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And last but actually my number 1...time spent with my husband and kids.</div>
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This just makes me smile because it's typical of a night at our house. </div>
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She was pretending she didn't like the cartoon that was on, but was watching it with one eye open and being her dramatic self. Ha.</div>
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Lunch dates on the lake.</div>
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This man.</div>
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We are closing in on two years together and I simply can't imagine my life without him. He made a comment last night about us now being married twice as long as we 'dated'. We always joke that we aren't really sure when we started dating because we never really defined our relationship. It just kind of was and we just knew we had a really special bond and didn't want to do life without each other. Bill says, we didn't really 'date' because we lived 10 hours apart up until the weekend we got married so we never really went on many dates....and we literally only spent a total of about 30 days together (in person) before we got married. His grandma told me once that 'when you know, you just know' and I really believe that is true. </div>
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Dear Bill - Two years ago, you were a pillar of strength for me as I walked through one of the hardest times in my life and no matter how many days we are blessed to share together, there will never be enough to adequately convey the gratitude I felt for having your unconditional, non-judgmental support. You were one of the few people who knew my truth and never for a moment did it sway your decision to just 'love me through it'. I know we had several bumps in the beginning but I would walk that road all over again if I needed to to get to this life and love that we share. It's been two years and sometimes I still feel like this is all just an amazing dream that I am going to wake up from. I am so proud to be in a marriage where we are showing the girls day in and day out what it means to love your spouse as a verb. It still moves me to tears when I think back to Bre asking you why you were helping me, and you telling her it was because you love me and that's what you do when you love someone....you do things to make their life easier. Almost two years later, it's still the same. From helping clean to helping with homework, going to doctor appointments, parent teacher conferences, making lunches, running errands, and bedtime routines...there is not a day that goes by that you don't do something to make my life a little easier. The girls and I are so blessed to call you ours. I know I might sound like a broken record sometimes, but I am just so grateful for this life we share. I love you!</div>
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Dear Kinsey - I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. You've had so many life changes these past couple months and you are handling them with so much grace. I really enjoyed reading your last book together because it gave us time to just ourselves. It made my heart smile when you asked me earlier today if we could have a 'Mommy/Kinsey' date soon. I love that even though you are almost 12, you still want to spend one-on-one time with me. And I love that you've found your passion for music. Listening to you play your flute is music to my ears.</div>
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Dear Ava - My sweet spirited girl. You've been cracking me up all week with the stories you've been telling in your animated voice. I *love* that you invite your best friend to church every week so that the two of you can share Jesus together. I look at you and V together and your love for one another reminds me so much of Mama Evan and me, and that makes my heart so happy to know you have a best friend like that. I'm so extremely proud of the note your teacher sent home this week telling us how much of a joy you are. Not that I need affirmation of that because we get to witness it every day, but nevertheless it makes me proud that I get to call you my daughter.</div>
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Dear Bre - Baby Bre. I can't believe that in two short days you will be seven. SEVEN. It seems like just yesterday Mama Evan and I were sitting in the NICU sobbing while I got to hold you for the very first time. This week I watched your excitement as your wrote out over 100 words you know (you know way more than this) on an assignment that you only needed to write 10 on. As I write this, you are sitting beside me writing a funny story and giggling at yourself. You blow Poppy and me away every time you read books to us and tell us all about the things you are learning. You are just so smart. And we are so very proud of you.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-55847375783021739412014-09-11T13:21:00.000-04:002014-09-11T13:21:00.120-04:00I Am Grateful for:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Date nights with my husband.</div>
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The memories they are making together.</div>
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Family lunches after church.</div>
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Watching this sunset while having a heart-to-heart with Kris.</div>
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E! </div>
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Great doctor days.</div>
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Seeing the girls so loved and happy!</div>
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This beautiful kitchen and being able to teach Kinsey how to make my Grandma's recipes.</div>
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And fun family days.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-77427233510241763712014-04-01T15:04:00.000-04:002014-04-01T15:04:01.676-04:00Then<div style="text-align: center;">
A year ago today, Bill and I announced our engagement. None of his friends believed it, thinking it was an April Fools joke, and all of mine were congratulating us. Ha! It still makes me laugh when I think back to it.</div>
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Today, he announced that we are expecting! SAY WHAT?!?!?!!! Needless to say, my phone has not stopped blowing up with texts. To clarify, NO, I'm not with child. I said good-bye to my uterus almost five years ago. But good joke, honey!</div>
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As I sit here and reflect on the past year, I'm amazed at just how much we've been through, the love and laughter we've shared, the trying times, and I'm so proud of just how far we've come in such a short amount of time.</div>
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For starters, we got hitched! AND moved in together.</div>
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And then, we immediately decided to start re-modeling our home and building furniture together.</div>
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Talk about having to work as a team right off the bat. </div>
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Every time I look at this table I think about the fact that, together, we made something so incredibly beautiful.</div>
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You spent way TOO many hours with me at the hospital while getting blood work, an EKG, and a PET scan, only for me to talk you into taking me to Target. Because that's what all good husbands do, so their wives can try on gardening shoes. Then you laugh at my silly shenanigans. </div>
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You spend time with my friends because you know how very much I love and miss them.</div>
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You are ALWAYS there for the little and big things, and you ALWAYS put us first.</div>
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Like 1st Days of School, and Meet the Teacher Nights.</div>
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Watching Titanic because that's what the girls want to watch.</div>
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Important Doctor Days</div>
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You love all of us in a way that I don't even know how to put into words.</div>
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Our family time is so important to you.</div>
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You cook! </div>
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I can't begin to emphasis how much of a blessing that is.</div>
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You keep us all laughing!</div>
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And you're always up for snuggle time.</div>
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And just being silly.</div>
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And now, you're showing me what it truly means to care for and love your spouse in the not so good times.</div>
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I am sorry you had to see my insides so soon though. Lol.</div>
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As we approach Thursday, I'm filled with so much gratitude for you, for our marriage, and for this life we are living are together.</div>
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We've come so far from that day a year ago. </div>
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And I thought I loved you then.</div>
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<b>LYMI!</b></div>
SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-13206110192890724302014-02-03T19:15:00.001-05:002014-02-03T19:24:27.524-05:00Stop Hiding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For six years, I lived a life that I hid from almost every single person I know. One that was very unhealthy for me, and my children. I was ashamed. Broken. Silenced. Afraid. Defeated. And numb. I made excuses for and forgave inexcusable behaviors, and put on a mask of happiness for the world to see. I was so afraid that if people knew the truth, they'd pass judgement, and I've long struggled with wanting to be accepted.</div>
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While I won't go into the details, because it's not just my story to tell, I want to say this to anyone out there who feels any of those things. Whether it's because of addiction, abuse, mental issues, perfectionism, or a disease....<span style="font-size: large;"><b>YOU ARE NOT ALONE!</b></span></div>
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If you ever find yourself in a situation that makes you feel afraid, you can continue to live in fear, or you can be brave and make a change.</div>
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It doesn't matter if you feel like you are in too deep to get out. Trust me, I know, because I've lived through it. You always have the ability to change, no matter how scary it is. Once you decide to remove whatever it is that is causing you pain, you might have days that you wake up and feel paralyzed by the fear that life as you know it is over. It might feel like an awful decision, but it's not. It's the best decision. </div>
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Because you've lived a lie for so long, you might struggle to get to a place of no longer hiding, of truly being yourself. And partly, it's because you probably don't even really know who you are anymore. Finding yourself is painful and freeing all at the same time. You will have days that you are both happy and sad, and you'll wonder how that's possibly, but understand this...you can grieve the loss of the life you knew, even though it was unhealthy for you, and celebrate the new life you have all at the same time. It'll more than likely be one of the first true 'feels' you experience. </div>
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When you start to allow yourself to truly feel and process what you went through, you'll be able to talk about your truth. It might only be to a therapist, your minister, or a close friend, but you will finally be free from your prison of secrets. Learning to be real and authentic after hiding for so long is hard and painful. So many good things are.</div>
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You're going to find out who really loves you during this time...and it will be eye opening. Purge. And purge some more. You will start to realize that everything and everyone that's left, is what and who is important to you. That's what change does. It forces you to decide and hold on to the things that matter to you the most.</div>
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It's so very hard to go from a place of being numb, because you open your heart to feel things again. I can't promise that it won't hurt like hell, or that it won't be uncomfortable and completely foreign to you. But it's something you absolutely have to go through to start the healing process. If you are brave enough to feel, you will begin to have hope. Hope leads to taking a step in the right direction. The direction towards a future filled with things you thought were impossible.</div>
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You will find the things in life that really bring you joy. But even those things can be scary as you start to navigate this new life. You might find yourself waiting for the bottom to drop out. Stop it! You deserve to be happy, and healthy, and safe. You are worth it, and you deserve it!</div>
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Over the last year and a half, I've learned so much about myself.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that motherhood, and being a wife, and just life in general are really, really hard sometimes. But they are also so amazing and beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I learned that it is okay to be honest, and to be unapologetically myself. I've learned that I am kind, and sensitive, and fiercely loyal to the people I love. I've learned that I sometimes I make big mistakes, and I've learned to genuinely apologize and forgive myself. I've learned that I am truly loved. I've learned that I'm a good listener, a quick forgiver, and that sensitivity chip that I tried hiding for so long is actually a blessing because it allows me to empathize with other people. I've learned that I love home improvement projects, but mid-way through I get distracted and my husband ends up finishing them. I truly don't know what I'd do without him. I've learned that people (mostly my husband and kids) think I'm funny, and hearing my children's giggles bring an indescribable amount of joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my quest to become a better mother, I've learned what it means to be a good friend, a good sister, and a good wife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've realized that as I put the real me out there...inch by inch...life is and will continue to bless me with amazing relationships with genuine people I stand in awe of. I see their joys, triumphs, failures, pain, and sorrow. And I see how beautifully and courageous they handle it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My relationship with the Lord has deepened, and I've finally realized that He loves me no matter what.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned to be thankful for the blessings in my life because in so many situation, they are not the norm...they are the exception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that the most important thing in life is to continue to make the next best choice for me and my family, and that that looks different for everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that indifference is just that....indifference. And you can be indifferent with people you love, and still show compassion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that internalizing pain only causes more pain, and loneliness. And that the people who love you will stand beside you no matter what stage of life you are in or what challenges you may be facing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that writing is a part of the healing process for me. Whether it's here, or in my journal. And I've learned that healing starts fresh for me every single morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've learned that being in the presence of my husband, music, yoga, snuggling my babies, time with my friends and family, meditating, and sunshine are good for my soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You deserve to know and love all of these things about yourself, too.</span></div>
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So get out of bed. Take a shower. Fix your hair. Put on some makeup. Your favorite outfit. Even if you aren't going anywhere. It'll still make you feel better.</div>
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Read to your kids. Breathe in their precious smell. </div>
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Start journaling. Or blogging. </div>
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And talk to God. Ask for his help and guidance, and remember to thank Him.</div>
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And realize that you don't need to feel ashamed of your story, or your reasons for hiding. You are loved anyways.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-700084632208385452014-02-02T20:04:00.000-05:002014-02-02T20:04:51.539-05:00Let's Love the Real Version of Each Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>THIS...</b> it's my house almost all.the.time.</div>
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There was a time not long ago that I wouldn't have let anyone outside of my house see this. I'd spend hours cleaning if I knew someone was coming over. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WHY???</b></span></div>
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Because most of us don't want people to know the truth. We want people to think our homes are Pinterest perfect. That our homes are always spotless, our laundry is always ironed, and we have a three course meal on the table every night. All while serving the Lord, being a good spouse, raising (demanding) children, being a good friend, sister, daughter, etc.</div>
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Most of you that know me personally know that I've struggled with anxiety and OCD for quite some time. In learning what my triggers are, I've come to realize that a big part of it is feeling like I have to keep up with the image people have of me. The mom that really does have it together all the time. Despite my best efforts, that's just not our reality. It's way too stressful to try to keep up with the facade. My mental well-being is just so much more important than impressing anyone. But trust me when I say I would have never reached this real, and healthy awareness without having an amazing husband that unconditionally loves, accepts, and supports instead of expecting perfection.</div>
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The beautiful, messy chaos that comes with having three awesome little girls is our reality. We are simply out numbered, and it's impossible to keep up with all of their needs, our own, and keep a spotless house.</div>
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There are dishes in my sink, piles of clothes that need put away, floors that need swept, and windows that need to be washed.</div>
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If that needs to take precedent over spending valuable time with my husband and girls for you to be my friend, well then, we can't be friends.</div>
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But please understand, I really do want to be your friend. </div>
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If I've chosen to allow you to be a part of my family's lives, I really do like you. I think you are genuine, and fun, and a blessing to our lives.</div>
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If you do come over, I promise I won't pretend to have it together all the time. You are going to get the real me. The me that's not afraid to spend a few minutes of every day discussing with one of my best friends all of the things on my to-do list that I didn't get done, or the fact that we spent all day Sunday in our PJ's, or that I didn't even brush my hair that day. And let me tell you, it's a blessing to have a friend who isn't afraid to also admit her 'mommy failures'...because we all have them! </div>
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This past year and half has opened my eyes to the importance of authentic relationships. So, come over, and sit with me. I'll make you a cup of tea, and we will have real and meaningful conversations. You will get to know my heart and I yours. Because isn't that what life is really all about?! Loving each other for who we really are.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-24196200719278001752013-12-15T21:04:00.002-05:002013-12-16T09:45:25.275-05:00Infinity Scarf 101 (So Easy an 8 Year Old Can Make One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For Christmas this year, the girls and I decided to put our crafty skills to use and make homemade gifts for the females in our family.</div>
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Besides the 15 lbs of sugar, oil, and honey we used to make various body scrubs, we've also been putting our knitting looms to use making infinity scarfs.</div>
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They are really easy to make, and can dress up any outfit.</div>
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I posted a picture of Kinsey working on one, and we got several requests to make more AND a few requests for the instructions on how to make these beauties.</div>
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Supplies needed:</div>
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- Knitting Loom</div>
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-Loom Hook</div>
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-Scissors</div>
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-Yarn</div>
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Step 1: Anchor your yarn with a simple knot. </div>
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Step 2: Wrap the yarn around the first peg in a counterclockwise loop. The girls call it 'making a cursive e'.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1U-17rW9XY/Uq5YrzSfTGI/AAAAAAAACR8/BRuwY0C7iVM/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1U-17rW9XY/Uq5YrzSfTGI/AAAAAAAACR8/BRuwY0C7iVM/s640/IMG_0843.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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Step 3: Continue doing this on each peg...alternating sides. The girls call this 'making an 8'.</div>
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Step 4: Once I get to the end, I rotate my loom. This time you will wrap clockwise. The last peg will only have one loop..each time.</div>
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Step 5: Once you finish this step 4, your loom will look like this. Take your loom hook and lift the bottom yarn loop over the top one, working down both sides of the loom.</div>
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Step 6: Push the yarn down so that it doesn't come off the loom, and repeat steps 4 and 5.</div>
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When you reach the desired length, attach the two ends of the scarf using a flat seam.</div>
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To wear, give it a quick twist and slip it over your head.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-78973869042562101692013-11-21T09:51:00.004-05:002013-11-21T09:51:53.229-05:0011<div style="text-align: center;">
Kinsey, </div>
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How is it possible that you are <b style="font-size: x-large;">ELEVEN</b> today?</div>
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It seems like just yesterday, I was in the hospital, listening to Kate talk about what was happening to my body during labor. (Some day I will tell you this story!)</div>
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Time has flown by....</div>
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I'm sitting here, reflecting on the past 11 years.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The pictures uploaded out of order, but that's okay.</span></div>
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We spent a long weekend in Emerald Isle, and even though it was chilly, you and your sisters wanted to go play on the beach so badly.</div>
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We had such a fun time the weekend of the wedding.</div>
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This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of you, your sisters, and Poppy.</div>
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You were so excited to pick a neighbor to decorate and take cookies to.</div>
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Preschool graduation. You absolutely loved Play N Learn, and Ms Marla, and Ms Carla.</div>
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And I am so thankful for the start in education that they gave you.</div>
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You were such a ham!</div>
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How cool were you in those shades on your first day of Kindergarten?! </div>
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Wow...how you grew from that day to your first day of 2nd grade.</div>
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Your 1st grade birthday party was so much fun...</div>
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Even though Bre tried stealing one of the cupcakes out of your cake before we got pictures.</div>
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I'll never forget how much fun our vacation to Disney World was.</div>
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Or our trip to St. Louis.</div>
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1st day of 4th grade.</div>
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Meeting Santa on the Polar Express sure was fun...</div>
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And so was spending New Year's in Nashville.</div>
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You guys had so much fun in Panama City, especially going down to the beach at night to play in the water.</div>
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You loved every minute of your birthday celebration at the Melting Pot, last year.</div>
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By 10...you were nearly as big as me.</div>
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After your first Locks of Love donation... I cried, and cried, and cried because of your beautiful gesture, and so did your stylist. I had just had my mastectomy a few weeks before.</div>
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You make life so much fun.</div>
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And I am so honored that I get to be your Mom.</div>
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Happy Birthday, baby girl!!!</div>
<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-77554949677436008142013-11-10T17:33:00.002-05:002017-02-02T14:11:56.567-05:00Always LearningGirls,<br />
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Awhile ago, I wrote you<a href="http://motherofamiraclebaby.blogspot.com/2013/10/for-my-girls.html"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">a list of things</span></a> I've learned along the way. Over the past couple months, I've been adding to that list.<br />
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<b>101. </b>When you don't know what to do, and everything is moving too fast, do nothing. <b>Be still</b>.</div>
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<b>102.</b> Momma Evan and Kate love you as much as I do. If you ever feel like you can't come to me, Poppy, or your dad, you can always, <b><span style="font-size: large;">ALWAYS</span> </b>go to them.</div>
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<b>103. </b> Learn the basics of every sport so you can intelligently follow what's going on.</div>
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<b>104. </b>Dance with your husband. In the kitchen, living room, bedroom...wherever you get the chance. I promise it will bless your marriage.</div>
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<b>105. </b>There is no unacceptable amount of love that one can have for bacon.</div>
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<b>106. </b>Set goals and work hard to achieve them.</div>
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<b>107. </b>God has the final word on your life and His word is always grace.</div>
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<b>108. </b>Money can make life easier, but it <b>does not </b>buy happiness or love.</div>
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<b>109. </b>Eat chocolate.</div>
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<b>110.</b> <b>ALL</b> emotions are beautiful <b>and </b>essential in life.</div>
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<b>111.</b> Open your mind, heart, and soul to new things.</div>
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<b>112.</b> Ask a random person what their passion in life is, and genuinely listen.</div>
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<b>113.</b> Some opportunities come only once...don't let them pass you by!</div>
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<b>114. </b>Having an open mind is the best solution to most all situations.</div>
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<b>115. </b>Learn to grill.</div>
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<b>116. </b>And make Poppy's BBQ sauce.</div>
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<b>117. </b>If something is really important to you, you will find a way.</div>
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<b>118. </b>Go out on a limb.</div>
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<b>119. </b>Drink a lot of water.</div>
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<b>120. </b>You can have roots <b>and </b>wings.</div>
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<b>121. </b>One small, positive thought in the morning can change your entire day.</div>
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<b>122. </b>Learn to love without condition.</div>
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<b>123.</b> Don't bend it, don't water it down, don't try to make it logical, don't edit your own soul according to what everyone else is doing.</div>
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<b>124.</b> The most important things in life are not things.</div>
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<b>125.</b> Know that most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply. Strive to understand.</div>
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<b>126. </b>Never lose hope.</div>
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<b>127. </b>The first step towards success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.</div>
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<b>128. </b>Being a mother is one of the <b>biggest</b> blessings in life.</div>
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<b>129. </b>Science is organized knowledge. </div>
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<b>130. </b>You are stronger than you think.</div>
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<b>131. </b>Be a reflection of what you'd like to see in others.</div>
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<b>132.</b> The moment you're ready to quit is usually the moment right before a miracle happens. Don't give up!!!</div>
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<b>133. </b>You can't fix yourself by trying to break someone else.</div>
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<b>134. </b>Your inner light has a chance to shine when you're at peace with yourself.</div>
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<b>135. </b>Chick-fil-a is a staple in life.</div>
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<b>136. </b>In order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did and why you no longer need to feel it.</div>
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<b>137. </b>Love simply.</div>
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<b>138. </b>Dream. <b>BIG!</b></div>
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<b>139. </b>Never pass up the opportunity to tell someone how you feel.</div>
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<b>140. </b>And know that love is friendship set on fire. When you find it...never let it go. And remember these next few things I've learned about marriage throughout these past 11 years.</div>
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It's <b>hard.</b> Probably the hardest but most rewarding thing you will ever do in your life. At times I've felt ashamed about divorce. Because I thought I was letting you down. Over time, I've come to realize that I wasn't effectively parenting you by allowing you to see an unhealthy marriage, and sometimes, two sets of healthy marriages (and having step-parents) is absolutely better.</div>
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However, when you reach that point in your lives, understand that my mistakes have helped show me how to be a better wife to Poppy, and for that, I am thankful.</div>
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<b>Respect your husband. </b>You chose him - to walk beside you in this life and to be the head of your household. For that alone, he deserves your respect. Get out of the mindset that your attitude towards someone should reflect how they treat you (unless you are being abused). You absolutely deserve the utmost respect from your spouse, but you are marrying an imperfect person, and sometimes he will have a bad day. He will get grouchy and sometimes you will want to lash out at them. Chose respect. Trust me, when respect is given, it will make the other person <b>reciprocate and want</b> to earn it. </div>
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<b>Protect your heart. </b>Do not believe the lie that you have to keep up with the Jones's to have a happy, fulfilling life. <b>Be thankful </b>for the life and things that you've been blessed with. This world will try to convince you that your life is not good enough, but understand that you will never be satisfied with more until you are happy with what you have.</div>
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<b>We are called to follow order: God, your husband, your kids.</b> This is one I didn't understand for a LONG time. Because of struggles I faced, and because I felt like life had dealt you a tough hand (Bre for having health issues, K and A for having a sick sister, and all of you for having a mom with cancer and divorced parents) you became the absolute center of my world. I'm not saying you aren't of utmost importance in my life, or that your future children should go without or be neglected. But I'm saying this...unless your heart is in the right place, if God doesn't come first, you will struggle. Back to what I was saying earlier, you can not effectively parent your children if your marriage is falling apart. I know...I tried. At some point in time, your children are going to grow and leave your home, if you haven't spent time cultivating your marriage, you might end up with an empty heart.</div>
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<b>Date your spouse.</b> This one is so important. Even if you can't afford to get a sitter, make a point to carve out one-on-one time with your husband. It may be taking your lunch breaks at the same time, sitting on the porch for 10 minutes when he gets home, taking a bath together, etc. Don't talk about bills, the kids, schedules, etc. Daydream together. Talk about your future. Plan a vacation. You'll be surprised by how much you continue to learn about one another.</div>
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<b>Forgive!!! </b>You are marrying an imperfect person. And you are imperfect, too.</div>
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<b>Communicate. </b>And communicate some more. I am so bad about shutting down when I get upset. Mostly because crying is not something I deal with very well. But the thing is, it's unfair to expect your spouse to understand why your upset if you don't tell them. Men and women are wired different. They just are. And sometimes, they really don't understand that women can take a sentence or non-gesture as being insensitive. </div>
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<b>Learn his love language. </b>Different things make different people feel loved. Early in mine and Poppy's courtship, we took the love language test. I desire to do things that make him feel appreciated and loved so it was important to me to know how to do that, and him me. Learn this about your spouse....<b>AND USE IT!</b></div>
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<b>Never say or threaten the 'D' word. </b>If you say it, you better mean it! It's not a fair way to fight, and it often causes a loss of trust in the marriage.</div>
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<b>Never, EVER talk negatively about your spouse. </b>If you reach a difficult spot in your marriage, talk to a counselor. Don't blast your partner on social media, to any friend who will listen, and certainly not to family. The things they are hearing, even if you feel they are just and true, are one-sided. And often times they cause those people to feel negatively about your significant other. You may get over it, forgive, and move on, but they may not. </div>
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<b>Choose love.</b> Let's face it, you aren't always going to wake up beaming with love. Make a choice to show it anyways. Your spouse is going to make you furious sometimes. Choose love. Reflect on the love you felt when you took your vows. Both he and your marriage are worth it.</div>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-67857124230731140612013-11-05T10:22:00.000-05:002013-11-05T10:28:17.872-05:00DWD and Our Master BedroomToday was 'Donuts with Dad' at school today.<br />
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The girls, who are normally <strike>difficult</strike> less than pleasant, to get up for school in the mornings, were all up, dressed, and ready to go within about 15 minutes this morning.</div>
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They were <b>really</b> excited that Poppy was going to be eating breakfast with them...at school.</div>
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And I am really thankful that going to these things is a priority to him. </div>
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Love my little family!</div>
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Last night after Bill got home from work, I talked him into re-arranging our bedroom furniture.</div>
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We recently moved our living room TV to above the fireplace, so I've been trying to figure out what to do with the corner TV stand. </div>
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And yesterday, I re-arranged the living room furniture, at the suggestion of my neighbor (Thanks for the tip, Sherry), so that the window looking out into our lovely backyard wouldn't be completely covered by a couch, but still had a good flow for conversation.</div>
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The TV stand is a similar finish to our headboard, and it's a lot smaller than the HUGE entertainment center we had in our bedroom, so I threw out the idea of using it in our room.</div>
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We had taken the entertainment center out of our bedroom a few weeks ago, and just had our TV sitting on a small table.</div>
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But we only have one corner in our bedroom that we could put it, and it meant we would have to re-arrange all the furniture in our room.</div>
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I asked Bill if he cared, and of course, being the usually-lets-me-have-my-way husband that he is, he said he was ready for a new furniture arrangement anyways. </div>
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We moved our bed to the other wall (even though you are no longer looking at the foot of the bed when you walk in the room.), switched out curtains, and lugged the entertainment center upstairs.</div>
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Even though we still have the same number of pieces in our room, I think the new layout makes the room feel a lot bigger.</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-28480683483932002592013-11-01T14:08:00.000-04:002013-11-01T14:08:23.793-04:00Where Do I Even Begin?<div style="text-align: center;">
Where do I even begin???</div>
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I guess I should start with saying, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!</b></span></div>
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Has it really been 13 years since we met in Chem lab? It's a wonder we made it out with all of our fingers, eyes, and hair. I'm fairly certain if we hadn't been pulling A's, Dr Clinton would have kicked us out for our lack of using 'safety googles', or being disruptive with our hysterical laughing.</div>
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We've had so many great times together: duck taped bummers, *melons*, the bathroom at Carter's, baby drool down the shirt, cereal bags, 'Are you afraid of the moth man?' and the zombie apocalypse, Holiday World with all our kiddo's, birthday celebrations and a shot that made you want to puke (even though I still don't get it, because Elizabeth and I thought it was delicious.), BLT's and twice-baked potatoes, 'I will not get in the shower with you and wash your hair!', trampoline jumping, staying up half the night talking, drinking too much blueberry lemonade while dehydrating on the beach...</div>
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I could go on and on, but I'll suffice it to say, our friendship has been filled with so many fun adventures.</div>
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But we've also weathered a lot of heartache together... difficult relationships, divorces, cancer, too many surgeries to count, relocations, and death.</div>
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Through it all, one thing remained, our unconditional love for one another.</div>
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I thank God every day for giving me a best friend as amazing as you.</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-47053368628964412262013-10-23T11:03:00.000-04:002013-10-23T11:03:05.907-04:00Everyday MomentsBill, I can't believe it's been almost half a year since we stood on that beach just before sunset.<br />
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Time is going by so fast and I want nothing more than to slow it down so I can take in every minute of it.<br />
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We've already had our fair share of big moments.... a cancer scare, two surgeries, a proposal, a marriage, a move, a new job....but there are also so many moments in between. Moments of love intertwined in our everyday life. Moments where your love and devotion to us shines.<br />
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<li><b>Holding my hand. </b>Whether we are sitting across from each other in a restaurant, driving, or just sitting on the couch.</li>
<li><b>Greeting me with a kiss when I walk in the door.</b></li>
<li><b>Sharing your water with me. </b>When I wake up thirsty in the middle of the night.</li>
<li><b>Sweet text messages in the middle of the day. </b>And the spicy ones, too. ;)</li>
<li><b>Helping the girls with their homework.</b> Especially Kinsey's Greek and Latin root words.</li>
<li><b>Doing laundry.</b> And putting mine away.</li>
<li><b>Taking an active role.</b> Taking off for preschool graduation, doctor appointments, parent teacher conferences, etc. because you understand that those things <i style="font-weight: bold;">really</i> matter.</li>
<li><b>Kisses on the back of my neck. </b>When I'm standing in the kitchen cooking and you pass by.</li>
<li><b>Cuddling in the recliner. </b><i><b> </b>Because we are that much closer.</i></li>
<li><b>Cooking breakfast on Sunday mornings. </b>Because I am busy getting myself and the girls ready.</li>
<li><b>Stopping at the grocery store on your way home from work. </b>Because I forgot something, or changed my mind on what I want for supper.</li>
<li><b>Lunch dates.</b> Making it a priority to still have 'us' time in the midst of raising 3 daughters.</li>
<li><b>Taking the girls to school in the morning. </b>It's something they will always remember.</li>
<li><b>Tackling many home improvement projects with me.</b> </li>
<li><b>Putting out oven fires. </b>And laughing at my monotone voice when I told you to grab the flour.</li>
<li><b>Changing the oil in my car.</b> So I don't have to spend hours sitting at the dealership.</li>
<li><b>Running your fingers through my wet hair. </b>After I've just washed it.</li>
<li><b>Going to the gym together. </b>Because it just makes it more fun.</li>
<li><b>Giving the girls spending money. </b>So they could surprise me with gifts when the school was selling Breast Cancer items.</li>
<li><b>Wanting to peel back my layers. </b>And continuously reminding me that our marriage is my safe place.</li>
<li><b>Taking baths together. </b>Because...what girl doesn't dream of taking bubble baths with a really hot guy?!</li>
<li><b>Growing your facial scruff out. </b>Even though it's itchy. Just because I like it.</li>
<li><b>Giving the best back scratches. </b></li>
<li><b>Being spontaneous. </b>When I decide I'd rather have chocolate than vanilla.</li>
<li><b>Never complaining about a single thing I cook. </b>And eating the edges when I burn something.</li>
<li><b>Approaching parenting with grace. </b>And knowing you have to lead by example.</li>
<li><b>Always, <span style="font-size: large;">ALWAYS</span> having my back.</b> </li>
<li><b>Silently hugging me. </b>Because you know words aren't needed.</li>
<li><b>Driving 600 miles. </b>To cheer me on as I finished walking 60 miles.</li>
<li><b>Looking past my failures.</b></li>
<li><b>Hitting the snooze button.</b> Starting our day off right by snuggling for just a few more minutes.</li>
<li><b>Never being afraid to say "I'm sorry". </b>Our relationship matters so much more than being right.</li>
<li><b>Making a point to say how thankful you are for our marriage, and just how happy you are.</b></li>
</ul>
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There are so many other things that I could say about all the things you do, because you are just such a phenomenal husband and parent. </div>
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We are so blessed to get to call you ours.</div>
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I can't wait to spend the rest of my life:</div>
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<li><b>Telling you about my day. </b>Because you care about all the ups and downs.</li>
<li><b>And hearing about yours.</b></li>
<li><b>Laying my head on your shoulder. </b>I think it was made just for me.</li>
<li><b>Standing by you. </b>When you need a partner AND a friend.</li>
<li><b>Admiring (and getting lost) in your eyes.</b></li>
<li><b>Falling asleep in your arms. </b>In less than a minute.</li>
<li><b>Listening to your goals and aspirations for our life.</b></li>
<li><b>Leaning into you. </b></li>
<li><b>Eating oatmeal together. </b>Because it takes me back to when I realized I was falling in love with you.</li>
<li><b>Letting you hold me. </b>When there's nothing to do but cry.</li>
<li><b>Going for scenic drives. </b>And talking about our wants for our forever home.</li>
<li><b>Saying "I'm sorry". </b>Because I really mean it. </li>
<li><b>Telling the world just how thankful I am to be married to my best friend.</b></li>
<li><b>And thanking God every.single.day for allowing me to know this kind of love.</b></li>
<li><b>Celebrating many anniversaries.</b> And birthdays.</li>
<li><b>And saying 'I LOVE YOU!' </b>For the rest of our lives.</li>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-56976997141921741722013-10-11T11:11:00.000-04:002013-10-11T14:04:24.177-04:00For My GirlsGirls, I've spent some time making a list for you of things I've learned along the way. There will be times in life where I will probably be the last person you want advice from, but know, I've been where you are and will stand, and I love you more than anything in this world.<br />
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<li>Be Kind - even when you don't want to be. You never know when it might change someone else's life.</li>
<li>You are <b style="font-size: x-large;">BEAUTIFUL!</b> Just the way you are.</li>
<li>Learn to sew.</li>
<li>Read. Often.</li>
<li>Cherish and protect each other. <b>Sisters are a blessing.</b></li>
<li>To have good friends, you have to be a good friend.</li>
<li><b>NOTHING</b> is worth having if you don't have someone to share it with.</li>
<li>Seek Him. <b>Always.</b></li>
<li>Trust your instincts. Don't second guess yourself.</li>
<li>Love worth having is worth <b>waiting for.</b></li>
<li>Work hard, but don't forget to play.</li>
<li>Serving with a joyful heart will reward you in more ways than you could ever imagine.</li>
<li>Learn to bake. It's comforting in all seasons of life.</li>
<li>You'll know love when you realize that someone else's happiness is a part of your own.</li>
<li>No what matter - <b>the sun IS going to come out tomorrow.</b></li>
<li>When you look deeply into any anger you have, you will see that the person you are tempted to call your 'enemy' is also suffering. As soon as you see that, the capacity for accepting and having compassion is there.</li>
<li>Don't judge. <b>JUST DON'T!</b></li>
<li>Find a cause you are passionate about, and support it!</li>
<li>Don't ever take advantage of another person's weaknesses.</li>
<li>Be in love with you life - Every minute of it!!!</li>
<li>Don't just memorize scripture - Dig in to it! Understand what it means.</li>
<li>Keep a journal. It's therapeutic.</li>
<li>Pray for your future spouse. That he will know the Lord as you do.</li>
<li>When you find yourself in a useless battle....walk off the battlefield.</li>
<li>Make Peanut Butter Pancakes - they are good for your soul.</li>
<li>You are worthy because you are loved by the King.</li>
<li>You were put on this earth to achieve <b>your</b> greatest self, to live out <b>your</b> life, and to do it fearlessly.</li>
<li>When you think about wonderful things, don't forget to count yourself in.</li>
<li>Sing. Loudly. With the windows down.</li>
<li>Always wash your make-up off at night. And moisturize. You'll thank me later.</li>
<li>Invest in your footwear and bra's. It's a must!</li>
<li>Spend time in nature.</li>
<li>Laugh. A lot. Learn to find the humor in life.</li>
<li>Light some candles and soak in the tub. Every night...if it makes you happy.</li>
<li>Marry a man <b>just like </b>Poppy. Your life will be abundantly blessed.</li>
<li>Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.</li>
<li>Forgive. But <b>NEVER</b> let anyone abuse your heart.</li>
<li>Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you don't have time to criticize others.</li>
<li>Taste the food you put into your mouth - don't just eat it.</li>
<li>Take care of your body, you only have one.</li>
<li>Stop and smell the roses. Especially when you think you don't have time.</li>
<li>Travel.</li>
<li>Be with someone who gives their love openly and generously.</li>
<li>Don't let anyone's ignorance, hate, drama, and/or negativity stop you from becoming the best person you can be.</li>
<li>When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is worth more than a million empty words.</li>
<li>Forgive yourself.</li>
<li>Marry someone who isn't afraid to help you clean, cook, and fold laundry.</li>
<li>When you just need a break from the world - Go to Emerald Isle.</li>
<li>Learn to paint. You can change the entire look of your house with a few coats of paint.</li>
<li>Know that <b>NOTHING</b> could ever change my love for you.</li>
<li>You don't <b>ever</b> have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life. It doesn't matter if someone is a relative, romantic interest, employer, childhood friend, or a new acquaintance - You don't have room in your life for people who cause you pain or make you feel small. It's one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if someone disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and 'continues' to treat you in a harmful way...they need to go.</li>
<li>Never question where you've been...it was a step to where you're <b>supposed to be.</b></li>
<li>Never compare yourself to others.</li>
<li>Don't hide your trials; allow other's to see God's grace in your life.</li>
<li>Part of finding the right partner is being the right partner.</li>
<li>Dance in the rain.</li>
<li>Learn another language.</li>
<li>Never be ashamed of the scars that life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain, and God has healed you.</li>
<li>Strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman.</li>
<li>Know that Poppy and I are always here for you... no matter what.</li>
<li>Live your life with integrity. Be the same person in front of others that you are behind closed doors.</li>
<li>Cling to your faith when life gets hard.</li>
<li>A fresh batch of cookies make everything better.</li>
<li>Art is the accomplice of love.</li>
<li>Be modest - it's attractive.</li>
<li>Even though it may be hard...<b> DO NOT </b>ever sell yourself short by taking the easy road. Challenge yourself.</li>
<li>Accept the fact that sometimes you just need to cry, and you may not even understand why. (Your husband will not understand this either.)</li>
<li>Even when it doesn't seem like it, never forget that I am your biggest fan.</li>
<li>Take naps. And enjoy them.</li>
<li>Be the friend who seeks out and sticks up for the person left behind. You are better than no one.</li>
<li>Don't waste your time worrying about the small things. They are a <b>waste of your happiness.</b></li>
<li> Tell Jesus everything. He's always ready to listen.</li>
<li>Pay attention to the details.</li>
<li>But don't try to be perfect.</li>
<li>Look for the blessings in life. Attitude is everything.</li>
<li>Surround yourself with people whose sense of humor rivals your own. Laughter can cure almost anything.</li>
<li>Don't cook and clean because someone expects you to do it.</li>
<li>Find what brings you joy.</li>
<li>Serve others. And be gracious to those who serve you!</li>
<li>Know that you deserve respect.</li>
<li>And <b>always</b> respect authority.</li>
<li>Learn to enjoy the little things. Even the shaded spot in the car pick up line.</li>
<li>You don't always need a plan...in fact, some of the best things in life come when you least expect them!</li>
<li>When you're at Nana and Papaw's, sit on the porch and breathe in the fresh smell of the rain during a storm.</li>
<li>Honor Him in what you put out into the world.</li>
<li>Find time to just <b>be still.</b></li>
<li>Love. With your whole heart.</li>
<li>If it gets broken, know that I will be there as your shoulder to cry on/</li>
<li>Go to church, and get involved. Don't just sit in a pew.</li>
<li>Do a Bible study. </li>
<li>Be the first to apologize. </li>
<li>Sometimes you need - and deserve - to spoil yourself.</li>
<li>Be spontaneous.</li>
<li>Don't assume the worst in people. Give everyone a chance. Oftentimes people have many scars that they are afraid to show the world.</li>
<li><b>NEVER</b> close yourself off - this world needs your heart.</li>
<li>Keep a rainy day fund.</li>
<li>Live as debt free as possible.</li>
<li>A good book, a blanket, and a comfy chair make any rainy day seem better.</li>
<li>Don't buy into the lie that your way is the only right way. Different things work for different people.</li>
<li>Marry a man who will take bubble baths with you. </li>
</ol>
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<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-84931237211566044622013-10-10T18:43:00.000-04:002013-10-10T21:34:02.466-04:00A Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Has it really been a week since I was sitting at the ACM in Philly?</i></b></div>
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The evening before I left, I was finishing up printing off signs to hang in the PJ's when Bre came into the office and handed me a picture.</div>
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A picture of the two of us, outside in the garden - her favorite place in the world.</div>
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She promptly told me that it was a picture for me to take on my 'field trip' so I wouldn't miss her.</div>
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My baby really is a special kind of special.</div>
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She loves fiercely and with her whole heart.</div>
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Once I got to the airport, I had to stock up on a few favorites: Redbook, Banana Nut Bread, and a Chai Tea. Which was, of course, accompanied with the need for some extra insulin, but <b>well worth it!</b></div>
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Later that evening, I was FT'ing Bill and the girls when Bre asked if I got the other picture she made me. Bill promptly told me to check my bag. I did, and pulled out a picture with a pink ribbon on it.</div>
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I took a lot to hold back the tears. Tears of love for the sweet little girl who wants her Mommy to know she is loved and for my husband for sneaking it into my bag as a surprise. That's just the kind of man he is.</div>
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Did I mention I was the Co-Captain for Lunch Services this year?</div>
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When Lauri contacted me about taking it on, quite frankly, I was questioning what I was getting myself into. I had never walked that city and seen the lunch set up, let alone co-captained anything quite as important as setting up and feeding 1200 people for 3 days straight!</div>
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But I knew she'd take me under her wing, and all would be fine.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Me, Nicole, Lauri, Matt)</span></div>
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I walked with Lauri and her husband, Matt, in Atlanta in 2011. <b>LOVE THEM!</b> </div>
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And Nicole....I want to be just like her when I grow up. She's the <b>'BIG BANANA!'</b> for crying out loud.</div>
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After our ACM we met up with 100+ other crew members and had dinner at an Ale House close to our host hotel.</div>
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Opening ceremony. Can you guess what our lunch theme was?!?!</div>
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50's, of course.</div>
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I wonder how many people have read this sign and never noticed sandwich is misspelled.</div>
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Nevertheless, it gives us a good chuckle.</div>
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I've been on the receiving end of getting that Panera sandwich 10+ miles into your 20+ mile walk, and let me tell you, a turkey sandwich never tasted so good.</div>
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I spy a banana!</div>
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Our fabulous lunch crew.</div>
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Most of this crew are lunch veterans. I was truly amazed by how well the veterans took the rookies under their wing, showed them the ropes, and seeing the end result....A UNIFIED TEAM!</div>
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THE LARRY ROSHFELD (of the 60 mile men and The Underground Guide) was on my crew.</div>
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He may have tried to claim me as his daughter....until he realized how old I am (Thanks again, Larry, for knocking a decade off my age. HA!) and promptly changed my status to 'his niece'.</div>
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Norma Jane (no, that's not a misspelling. She's Jane!) transformed into Marilyn on Day 3 and was a huge hit.</div>
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Among all the other amazing moments in Philly, I had the privilege of honoring the woman who walked by my side in Tampa, a year ago. The one who was taken from us too soon, but who we will carry with us until there is an end to this awful disease.</div>
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We will honor you, <b>ONE STEP AT A TIME, GLORIA!</b></div>
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This year I made the decision to walk into closing with my team...not as a survivor. Watching that sea of pink walk in was breath-taking.</div>
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After closing, Nicole, Larry, and I said our 'C-ya Later's' to the team and made our way to the airport.</div>
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When Nicole walked away towards her terminal, I shed a few tears. These people are not only my close friends, they've become a part of my family. </div>
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My life is truly better because of each and every one of them.</div>
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I got to my terminal, found a seat, and the sparkle of my ring caught my eye.</div>
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I'm not sure I'll ever get over starring at these rings. The representation of our family of five means everything to me.</div>
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It was a perfect weekend, but I couldn't wait to get home to these smiling faces.</div>
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In true Bill fashion, he and the girls surprised me with a clean house (including bathrooms!), a freshly made bed to climb into, a prepared meal to heat up for lunch the next day, and <b>A SHOWER </b>of hugs and kisses.</div>
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I really don't know how I got so lucky. </div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b>SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-42953827768630965842013-09-30T10:01:00.001-04:002013-09-30T10:01:19.687-04:00Happy 6th Birthday, Sweet Girl<div style="text-align: center;">
WHOA!!! How is it possible that you are 6 already? Or that you are on the verge of losing your 4th tooth?</div>
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It seems like just yesterday Momma Evan and I were sitting in the NICU, sobbing joyous tears, as I got to Kangaroo care for you for the first time.</div>
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I will never forget Sam scrapbooking the hair they had to shave for your PICC line.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrVgQXBQN-s/Ukl-I8BCslI/AAAAAAAACAg/Iry0DVFLPo0/s1600/228000_1037966102672_7685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrVgQXBQN-s/Ukl-I8BCslI/AAAAAAAACAg/Iry0DVFLPo0/s320/228000_1037966102672_7685_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or seeing the beauty of life after your surgery.</div>
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Your first night home from Riley's.</div>
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Your belly giggles.</div>
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And big blue eyes.</div>
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You hated my hair after I was sick. </div>
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You kept asking for a mirror so you could look at your Panda-self, and would laugh and laugh.</div>
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I think you were born to be a fish, because you love water.</div>
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Remember when you went through that Minnie Mouse stage?! You wanted to wear this dress every day.</div>
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You've always been a Mommy's girl.</div>
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And a Kinsey and Ava girl.</div>
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5 has been a fun year for you. It was just the four of us for awhile.</div>
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We went to Gattitown to celebrate Kinsey's big 1-0!</div>
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Had a lot of fun playdates at the park.</div>
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And then you met and fell in love with this guy.</div>
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He was wrapped around your finger from the first night.</div>
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But how could he not be?</div>
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You light up everyone's life.</div>
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You graduated preschool, and we moved to Charlotte.</div>
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You started a new school that you absolutely love.</div>
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As you always say, 'WE got married.' </div>
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Poppy said vows to you three and gave you necklaces to symbolize his commitment to you, just like he did me. We mixed sand to symbolize that our lives are intertwined in a way that can never be separated.</div>
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WE got married! All of us.</div>
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You are so loved.</div>
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And your love is so great!</div>
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We spent your birthday weekend at the beach with Lele, Grandma Lola, Papaw Jim, Aunt Jeannette, Uncle Leonard, Donna, Chris, Kevin, and Bryce and had the best time.</div>
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This morning you opened your eyes, and excitedly said, 'I AM SIX!'</div>
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Then you darted into our bedroom to get your morning snuggles with Poppy.</div>
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You were singing as you left for school this morning, and were so excited about getting to have lunch with us and take cupcakes for your class.</div>
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You truly light up our world!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!!!</b></span></div>
<br />SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2396744803464806653.post-2324046462277545972013-09-27T12:54:00.000-04:002013-09-27T12:54:53.090-04:00We Are Going to the Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">1. Emerald Isle.</b> Just as the title of this post says...WE ARE SPENDING THE WEEKEND AT THE BEACH! I truly have the kindest, most loving in-laws that anyone could ever ask for. My girls absolutely adore them, and when we asked Bre if she'd like to go to the beach to celebrate her birthday, she said, 'YES!', with more enthusiasm than I think I've ever heard from her. She's been counting down the days all week.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">2. A Clean House. </b>I've been speed cleaning between packing suitcases this morning. There really are few things better than coming home from a relaxing weekend to a clean house.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">3. Celebrating 3 Years Breast Cancer Free.</b> Monday I celebrated being NED in my breast for 3 years! That's a HUGE feat because I've never made it that long between a recurrence.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">4. My marriage.</b> It's truly the biggest blessing in my life. The laughter and happiness that fills our home on a daily basis is almost too much to put into words. I've learned that it's not so much the big things, it's all those little things we do day end and day out that set the tone of our marriages. It's saying 'Please' and 'Thank You' because your spouse deserves the same amount of kindness and respect every day that you would give to a stranger. It choosing to compliment the things he does so well instead of criticizing his faults. (I fell in the toilet recently because someone left the seat up, and instead of being annoyed I genuinely laughed about it. And then I saw the blessing...if that is my biggest annoyance in our marriage, I am so incredibly blessed.) It's understanding that as a mother and wife, my attitude sets much of the tone of my household. When love and joy are flowing out of someones words and actions, it is hard not to reciprocate it. God is working on me in ways I didn't want to open my eyes to or admit that I needed work, but because He is, my marriage is prospering. </div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">5. Kindness.</b> I've struggled tremendously with the thought process of 'My attitude towards people will reflect how they treat me'.<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><i><span style="color: #990000;">I hear you, Lord. That is NOT how you command that I live, encourage my husband to live, or teach my daughter's to live</span><span style="color: #45818e;">.</span></i> I read an article the other day written by a lady after an experience in the Starbuck's drive-thru. She talked about a lady cussing her out because she thought she was trying to cut her off. When she got to the intercom, she told the barista that she wanted to pay for the 'rude' lady's order, too. The moral of her story was that we can't change the way other's behave, but we can choose to shift our focus on how we react. And we can always choose kindness.</div>
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Today I read a quote that said, <b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">'Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.' </span></i></b>- Marvin Ashton</div>
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SONDRA PRICEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04294177399668208185noreply@blogger.com4