tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41053969602560620352024-03-14T04:16:57.628-05:00Learning to fly, but I ain't got wingsLaura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-36112765495986814462014-12-04T12:43:00.001-06:002014-12-04T12:43:41.990-06:00This Blog Has MovedThis blog has officially moved to <a href="http://www.laurawilkinson.com/blog" target="_blank">www.laurawilkinson.com/blog</a><br />
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You can subscribe on the right sidebar on that page. Thank you for your continued readership and support!<br />
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I'll see you on the new site!<br />
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Laura WilkinsonLaura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-58269908718685495262014-10-23T15:19:00.001-05:002014-10-23T15:19:27.361-05:00Exciting News Is Coming!Earlier this month I mentioned <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-fog-is-lifting.html" target="_blank">The Fog is Lifting</a>. I began this new leap of faith without being able to fully see where I was jumping. Because He asked me to. Because I trust Him.<br />
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It's exciting and terrifying. I'm going to be putting myself out there in a whole new way and there are fears, like anything new we face. I fear a lot of things in this process, but I realize that all of my fears are of things I can't see and can't control. <br />
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But the great and exciting part is: <b>I've jumped</b>! I'm in the free fall and it's exhilarating! God has given me a new passion, a new joy, and I'm head-over-heels! And the best part...<br />
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It's for you! Yes, you.</h2>
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I can't share all the details yet, but I've been working like crazy the last few weeks. I'm super close to unveiling my new website and all the excitement. Stay tuned. Until then, I leave you with some fun facts for the day. Enjoy.<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-66404347494459031612014-10-13T12:15:00.001-05:002014-10-13T12:18:40.376-05:00Fun Family TV SpotsApparently letting your kids jump in their beds can be a good thing. <a href="http://www.pampers.com/home" target="_blank">Pampers</a> thought my girls were pretty cute bouncing around in there, so a couple of clips from right after Zoe came home made it into an online Pampers commercial. This mommy is pretty tickled about the whole ordeal. And it gave us a little cash to start college savings account for each of them! Way to be cute kiddos... #babygotmoves<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152901359550312">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pampers">Pampers</a>.</div>
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Mommy also did a little tv spot for a great organization called <a href="http://www.childadvocates.org/" target="_blank">Child Advocates</a>. <a href="http://www.childadvocates.org/" target="_blank">Child Advocates</a> speaks up for abused children who are lost in the system and guides them into safe environments where they can thrive. I am proud to represent them in this PSA along with Houston Texan, Chester Pitts, and Houston Dynamo, Brian Ching.<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-38979710996442638552014-10-06T21:23:00.000-05:002014-10-06T21:23:00.037-05:00Oh How We Love the Pumpkin PatchSince Arella was an itty bitty baby, we've been going each year to the <a href="http://www.oldtimechristmastree.com/pumpkin-patch.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Patch at the Old Christmas Tree Farm</a> not too far from our house. It's cheap and full of awesome.<br />
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Last year I posted <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-pumpkin-patch.html" target="_blank">pics from the first three years</a> because it was fun to watch Arella's little face grow and change inside that pumpkin cut-out. But this year, with three kids three and under, well, we had mostly outtakes. Which are really the best kind of kid pictures anyways!<br />
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I did sneak a few sweet ones in there, but Arella was leading the charge in a silly mood so silly is what we have. This is the best picture of the three of them together I could get. Apparently sticking your head in a hole can capture attention for .2 seconds. <br />
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This is the same cutout that you can see Arella and Zoe in from <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-pumpkin-patch.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. </div>
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We attempted a classic group picture of the kids in the pumpkins, but it was too bright. I love how they're being sweet to each other, though.</div>
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Snagged a couple of fun ones on the train.</div>
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Got lots of silly faces.</div>
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Discovered we have a flasher in the family.</div>
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Performed a plank on a pumpkin pile.</div>
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And scored a few sweet smiles at the end, too.</div>
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Oh how we love the Pumpkin Patch.</div>
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-21929849138220648832014-10-02T16:00:00.001-05:002014-10-02T16:00:01.604-05:00The Fog Is LiftingThe last three months have been a bit foggy. Jobs were lost and sleep disappeared. We've been stumbling along, hands out in front attempting not to bump into anything, slightly disoriented in the haze of our sleep-deprived and over-stressed brains. <br />
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We've been down this road before. No jobs, no insurance and pregnant. It was a scary time, but it turned in to a beautiful, wonderful season of trust and growth. Because we trusted God, He grew us right out of our comfort zone and into dependence on Him and not this world.<br />
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I'll admit, it's still a bit scary. But because we've been down this road before, it makes it easier to trust God with the outcome. I know this time around the road has a different destination, but I trust the Driver 100%. I just threw the map out the window and have decided to enjoy the ride and any scenic stops we make along the way. <br />
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The fog seems to be lifting slightly, and we're starting to see a vague idea of what lies ahead.<br />
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That was a text conversation with Hubby this afternoon. This journey reminds me a lot of the first time I jumped off the 10 meter platform. I was scared and intimidated. My friends that had already jumped were watching and waiting for me to go. I didn't want to let them down. I didn't want to be a chicken. But I kept looking over the edge, and I was so overwhelmed with fear I was nearly paralyzed.<br />
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But in those moments at the top, I remembered I had climbed up there determined to jump off. My desire to jump was greater than the fear holding me captive at the top. Even though I was still scared, I gathered up the little bit of courage I did have and jumped.<br />
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<i>This was my home on the 10 meter at the Woodlands Athletic Center<br />where I trained for 15 years.</i></div>
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It was terrifying and awesome all at once. And I wanted to do it again. I was hooked. When I got back to the top, the fear crept back into my brain, but the difference this time was I knew I would enjoy the free fall.<br />
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So this time, I'm choosing to enjoy the jump, the journey, the road ahead. Every time I have trusted God over believing the lie of fear, He has caught me. When I keep my eyes focused on Jesus, I don't sink below the waves of this world.<br />
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Thank You, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to take another leap of faith. Thank You for stretching me, growing me, encouraging me, and reminding me that You are bigger than any fear I face. Thank You for telling me to join you on the water so I can focus on You instead of the storm.<br />
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<br />Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-87540696894847362722014-09-29T18:22:00.002-05:002014-09-29T18:22:50.682-05:00How NOT to Prepare for an EventLast weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first blog conference, <a href="http://www.blogelevated.com/" target="_blank">Blog Elevated</a>. I was super excited to learn all things blog, meet new people and just have a fun little weekend.<br />
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<i>l-r: Me, Justina, Kristen, Jessica</i></div>
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In preparation for this new adventure, I read a lot of great blog posts like <a href="http://kirstenoliphant.com/2014/09/16/preparing-blog-conference/" target="_blank">8 Tips to Rock Your Blog Conference</a> and <a href="http://www.grrfeisty.com/2014/09/in-my-conference-bag.html" target="_blank">In My Conference Bag</a> and <a href="http://www.grrfeisty.com/2014/09/blogger-conference-when-your-style-goes.html" target="_blank">When Your Style Goes From URL to IRL</a>. Ya'll, I'm a seasoned traveler and a preparation nerd. I'm an over planner. I have been since my competitive diving days, and it's carried over into the few family trips we've taken.<br />
<br />
However.<br />
<br />
Something has started concerning me in recent weeks. I've been trying to deny it and keep it a secret. But it's gotten to a severe enough stage that I can no longer avoid discussing it. I seem to have developed a mild-to-moderate health condition. <br />
<br />
There's this old wives tale that when you become pregnant you can develop a condition called "baby brain." I scoffed at this. I never had any issues remembering things in my first pregnancy. Then I birthed the kid. And not too long after, we went and got another one. Just a year later, we had number 3. In the months since number 3's birth, my brain function has severely depleted. In fact, I've discovered that my mental state seems to be a direct reflection of the number of times number 3 wakes up during the night. If number 1 or number 2 get up as well, I'm almost catatonic the following day.<br />
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I've mentioned my <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/09/mommy-burnout.html" target="_blank">Mommy Burnout</a> on here before, but now we're beginning to see the fallout.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVQsUdgbBHFP6q5LN7T2N8dRpbjpc8Pbu6vfg5YBtcY53Vp03Rgy8ktq7RA2HAoBL0WYRsX8Weynjs9gBP82SNDlTgYnniETkQ2pFuGCxYOfe71vfNzQcqD9llfzShh_Hnmu9XQgamrOC/s1600/Kids.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/09/mommy-burnout.html" target="_blank"><i>The may look cute, but don't let those smiles fool you.<br />Sweet angels by day, evil geniuses at night.</i></a></div>
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I think <strike>some</strike> all of you parents reading this can probably relate. If you can't, well, I may not be able to talk to you for a few years out of sleep envy.<br />
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The conference was just a hop, skip and jump from our neck of the woods down to Galveston, so we decided to make a family trip out of it. I researched <a href="http://www.moodygardens.com/" target="_blank">Moody Gardens</a> til I had it memorized. I knew everything there was to know about our destination AND the conference. But in my sleep deprived stupor, I apparently neglected a few important details.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexPJhSU9zobJGnCQ4CJqPH-xQ3Eq8vy6DMPvH70qwRDXTaqKrTMQrD08oQETxf3mnAKpcdjIM6kiHrlMnP-pEy58ZL39C4CI15DSa_CT1PgyKQoDbJ17_to4kaSFm-YUruX0pUGnJyvJV/s1600/MGsunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexPJhSU9zobJGnCQ4CJqPH-xQ3Eq8vy6DMPvH70qwRDXTaqKrTMQrD08oQETxf3mnAKpcdjIM6kiHrlMnP-pEy58ZL39C4CI15DSa_CT1PgyKQoDbJ17_to4kaSFm-YUruX0pUGnJyvJV/s1600/MGsunset.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>View from our floor at the Moody Gardens Hotel.</i></div>
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Every once in a great while, we will have moments of brilliance. Unfortunately they are generally followed by equally incredible moments of absurdity. We packed every single thing in the house needed to possibly take care of the kids while we were away. We managed to leave right at nap time which meant all three kids promptly fell asleep in the car. Perfect. Beautiful. Hubby and I even got to have long conversations on the drive down while sleep was happening in the back seat.<br />
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When we arrived at the hotel, I bounced happily into the lobby to check us in while my family patiently waited in the car. I gave the lady my name and waited. And waited. She asked me if it could be under a different name. I tried my maiden name. She looked concerned. I started to panic. She asked if I had a confirmation number. I started to look through my email on my phone and dread set in. I didn't remember ever getting a confirmation email. As many times as I checked out the hotel and called to ask questions, I don't remember ever going through the booking process. And there it is... we didn't have a room.<br />
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Fortunately there was a room available, though, phew...<br />
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<i>Me with the littles in the sprinkles wandering around.</i></div>
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We hauled everything up to the room, wandered around a bit, ate dinner, then went back to the room so I could get ready for the welcome reception. After discovering that I had forgotten to pack some... ahem... unmentionables, we also realized that we hadn't really told or prepped the girls that I would be leaving at bedtime for an event. So my poor husband was left to put three mildly upset kids to bed, in one room, in the dark, in a strange place by himself. This became the norm for all sleep and nap times for the weekend.<br />
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But this is why I'm nominating Hubby for Daddy of the Year. Count 'em- 1, 2, 3!<br />
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<i>All three sleeping peacefully in the hotel room.</i></div>
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Although I was up almost every hour each night we were there, I had the
honor of an early breakfast date with a daughter each morning.<br />
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<i>Friday morning with Zoe.</i></div>
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<i>Saturday morning with Arella.</i></div>
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And I met awesome new friends each day and night.</div>
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<i>l-r: Me, Becky, Maureen, Bon, Cathi</i></div>
<br />Although I wasn't all put together and may have been sporting super attractive bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep, I still received a boatload of education, had a blast and left feeling more confident and with a lot of very cool new friendships.<br /><br />Thank you <a href="http://www.blogelevated.com/" target="_blank">Blog Elevated</a> (Bobbie and Lisa) for creating such an awesome conference that I could enjoy and learn from even in my current state of lunacy.<br /><br />Hoping to check it out again in 2015 with a little more sanity in tow.<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-43761706047716318612014-09-23T17:04:00.000-05:002014-09-23T17:05:41.416-05:0010 MomNinja SkillsWhen you become a parent, you magically acquire a set of skills, kind of like you just powered up on Super Mario Bros. You are suddenly able to do things you could never do before... or maybe just never thought or tried to attempt.<br />
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I've talked about our alter egos before in <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/05/mission-impossible-baby.html" target="_blank">Mission: Impossible Baby</a>. But with these alter egos comes a set of weird and fantastic skills that temporarily turns us into MomNinja and the occasional DadNinja.<br />
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In my short three years and three kids worth of parenting, I have so far acquired the following set of skills, some of which are temporary but, I believe, some may be a permanent new talent:<br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Catching mosquitoes with two fingers.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hearing a crying child through brick walls from a block away.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A look that stops a child in her tracks.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Kisses that heal wounds.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ability to sense a fever by swiftly brushing my cheek against a forehead.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Catching throw up with a single hand without looking.<br /></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Sensing a urine stream or poopsplosion about to strike before taking off a diaper.<br /></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ability to complete any task while almost fully asleep.<br /></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Holding sleeping baby in awkward position for long periods of time with little to no fatigue. <br /></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Immediate knowledge of where any lost toy or blanket can be found.<br /></b></span></li>
</ol>
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More experienced ninja parents, what have you acquired that I may look forward to in the future?<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-11268099547121592872014-09-18T11:47:00.001-05:002014-09-18T11:48:14.800-05:00Another Great Mom Parody- "All About That Bass"<div class=" watch-small " id="player">
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I'm sitting at a cafe having some much needing "space" from family, I stumbled upon this.</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/viw3oJ2I0rw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<span class="watch-title long-title " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title=""I Just Need Some Space" Meghan Trainor "All About That Bass" Mom Parody"><span style="font-size: large;">"I Just Need Some Space" by Meghan Trainor<br />"All About That Bass" Mom Parody
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You can follow her over at <a href="http://mylifesuckers.com/">mylifesuckers.com</a></div>
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<br />Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-71614803103489848332014-09-15T22:05:00.000-05:002014-09-15T22:16:13.538-05:00An Enchanted Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sign hangs above the front desk at the girls' preschool.</div>
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It's pretty much their life motto.</div>
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So it made me want to share with you a peek at</div>
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the enchanted journey they're on... together.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />O</span>nce upon a time</span></b>, there were two little girls in a land called Texas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih54YJJrJsH7kxeWgRelbn5fJWqAdYuBr2Xol4QWK2FG3AmWCzAsAn0BJWmJrPZJ5-LCnsd61FxR0nkx91ntWrZPGkamHTPsud0tDZQc_pO52DOqTMpBzHpqapg_MkVWUxYAVnrFzw01q4/s1600/Texas.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih54YJJrJsH7kxeWgRelbn5fJWqAdYuBr2Xol4QWK2FG3AmWCzAsAn0BJWmJrPZJ5-LCnsd61FxR0nkx91ntWrZPGkamHTPsud0tDZQc_pO52DOqTMpBzHpqapg_MkVWUxYAVnrFzw01q4/s1600/Texas.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
They came from very different places, but their love was instantaneous. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym5gd7F9Be8GEA364Ub-yaw7aVyrqJLhEi8nt7jfAetjmmm9by-eA4fZkuhY4Dv0WpfxkZlb1m1ShHO1ovOuj2yqJFNuB-ppTWtxvxFRVhvoXCZNRU-tb2uA4M1Xc20O5sNhIV2WlHCtY/s1600/love.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Though they loved each other, some days they tried to hide and not let their feelings show.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRf2diROITej8vYN8woStPMDZg_pqOeOyvU4HpzsisK9ptreEbSur0NNX35mpvriCg58iox_oF2k2Yv0OvrS2CFXDKfyHSvRlgiWmLnxCTupH7AyM6076BfCzV8KeK_81GSrOWvoJAlBH/s1600/hide+and+seek.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRf2diROITej8vYN8woStPMDZg_pqOeOyvU4HpzsisK9ptreEbSur0NNX35mpvriCg58iox_oF2k2Yv0OvrS2CFXDKfyHSvRlgiWmLnxCTupH7AyM6076BfCzV8KeK_81GSrOWvoJAlBH/s1600/hide+and+seek.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
But they soon realized that they were better when they put their heads together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapuhxtYQAU3ypWrQphJg8BK-Vjjn6UWKVxOU1WtQJKIazI6dqMnpD49s0sXzfIGnnR5_rfnZ_yGRwysUFuvfau-1XpEpeS4RM5PG9ZmTEnUqm_80F762PpjT1Dwv7jKr6bWpmuCVd7ZUi/s1600/heads+together.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapuhxtYQAU3ypWrQphJg8BK-Vjjn6UWKVxOU1WtQJKIazI6dqMnpD49s0sXzfIGnnR5_rfnZ_yGRwysUFuvfau-1XpEpeS4RM5PG9ZmTEnUqm_80F762PpjT1Dwv7jKr6bWpmuCVd7ZUi/s1600/heads+together.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They came up with an idea, to take a giant step of toddlerkind...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYHk4dvEpBUMg3badCWteolybMdDt6RtRkooljhsG8KpEaRXd5wWUnBFZvhwRS1A-P9nxpJaIM5aEf7k0-URrFONtzdVORhttaYnbtfZWpHpDCQviRxGLM5C6Yaort1Nj0N6bA0sb_kLl/s1600/one_big_step.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYHk4dvEpBUMg3badCWteolybMdDt6RtRkooljhsG8KpEaRXd5wWUnBFZvhwRS1A-P9nxpJaIM5aEf7k0-URrFONtzdVORhttaYnbtfZWpHpDCQviRxGLM5C6Yaort1Nj0N6bA0sb_kLl/s1600/one_big_step.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapuhxtYQAU3ypWrQphJg8BK-Vjjn6UWKVxOU1WtQJKIazI6dqMnpD49s0sXzfIGnnR5_rfnZ_yGRwysUFuvfau-1XpEpeS4RM5PG9ZmTEnUqm_80F762PpjT1Dwv7jKr6bWpmuCVd7ZUi/s1600/heads+together.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and set off on a journey together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9-YlISLWuuB-StGwxwPY5HmRCynHFqUVgCqEadJrFupn-8emL2GQDTYi4wRTof5pNrsLNQJC4F6PFaKS_VTJtw6NS6kZWw7a_-VFiiP5YaFOBYzUWpsX9se9SZiVahuSBWxoYENIUqeQ/s1600/bags+for+journey.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9-YlISLWuuB-StGwxwPY5HmRCynHFqUVgCqEadJrFupn-8emL2GQDTYi4wRTof5pNrsLNQJC4F6PFaKS_VTJtw6NS6kZWw7a_-VFiiP5YaFOBYzUWpsX9se9SZiVahuSBWxoYENIUqeQ/s1600/bags+for+journey.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
On their quest, they ventured into magical lands,<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2T4v3OOtgoPegmKTfqbNjKMY8fXuTj7hELhrZoPKkXXQ_ZtljOXQRPLS1hXskRi6d-jODHK_-lmjAfQa0YmxfBcmBOabEpsaHa0tzb9pf_MXj1gK-mTmU9C_mx6MJlk2UC8MM99DnlWTU/s1600/Grizzly+rose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2T4v3OOtgoPegmKTfqbNjKMY8fXuTj7hELhrZoPKkXXQ_ZtljOXQRPLS1hXskRi6d-jODHK_-lmjAfQa0YmxfBcmBOabEpsaHa0tzb9pf_MXj1gK-mTmU9C_mx6MJlk2UC8MM99DnlWTU/s1600/Grizzly+rose.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
discovered new creatures, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji60eEDYwfeSnPr4GWmnxcEzu4i8b3AZ6tKBLILjZpWAHe23pyYRyatWuk-oXFX1Zz2xdoMGprNOhK4T1KF0PuhzIFSoorIphWPBHoWtfzTVXi3j5a74a5mRpmLpYxEHt3EZ6Bkc9JEJ2C/s1600/discovering_creatures.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji60eEDYwfeSnPr4GWmnxcEzu4i8b3AZ6tKBLILjZpWAHe23pyYRyatWuk-oXFX1Zz2xdoMGprNOhK4T1KF0PuhzIFSoorIphWPBHoWtfzTVXi3j5a74a5mRpmLpYxEHt3EZ6Bkc9JEJ2C/s1600/discovering_creatures.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seized castles, <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLfPLnvNQkzK3o2cjuumlbiXSwxJVJH_GdW-2CiNA4GvbLGqIzwfbr9VfPlBvFE9hiDxuGaQFSAiXt89wuMOVfn3AE3hXS1S42DxScQlnLbvvG2jA_YyRY5o19BXe8aXvBZH68-Q5_atu/s1600/castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLfPLnvNQkzK3o2cjuumlbiXSwxJVJH_GdW-2CiNA4GvbLGqIzwfbr9VfPlBvFE9hiDxuGaQFSAiXt89wuMOVfn3AE3hXS1S42DxScQlnLbvvG2jA_YyRY5o19BXe8aXvBZH68-Q5_atu/s1600/castle.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and rescued their little Prince Charming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllYFrr-mHH9sr37bWX_NjRHwtSprPkQFdsSSvSM2pCmzndbUYEsUndGJkCLzzp7Z4Gyj_ShQoI_HvRIh6pdFVRO82PYmkNIe8HCJyhe2EHUUkM2-7oDRjUxo3wa4XAHLXSXQ5SGTr3ntX/s1600/big_sisters2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllYFrr-mHH9sr37bWX_NjRHwtSprPkQFdsSSvSM2pCmzndbUYEsUndGJkCLzzp7Z4Gyj_ShQoI_HvRIh6pdFVRO82PYmkNIe8HCJyhe2EHUUkM2-7oDRjUxo3wa4XAHLXSXQ5SGTr3ntX/s1600/big_sisters2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Along the way, they realized they were stronger together, an unbeatable team. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zlMZD61_o_3a223i0RnLdEI7LbkGU5kZ94_qcQSVw4EDhyphenhyphenLICEkxp1FpnlTKe4zEkbqt2I_GpvExMp8O-s3YCnEWPLx4EmxQ3hwpv27tZfN8OQFIaW2WF6DPuODW9dR8he_nCxRtBW5e/s1600/top_of_podium.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zlMZD61_o_3a223i0RnLdEI7LbkGU5kZ94_qcQSVw4EDhyphenhyphenLICEkxp1FpnlTKe4zEkbqt2I_GpvExMp8O-s3YCnEWPLx4EmxQ3hwpv27tZfN8OQFIaW2WF6DPuODW9dR8he_nCxRtBW5e/s1600/top_of_podium.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
They learned to wait out the storms of life,<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBzHN7RToEsS9u9ARdast8kf_nWNY8xYHk0EsQ7dd6dDMfpPflI2Mm1ZS1HSLEXR8neg2PXPdJIRV_rVk8RpdWl16mThHyvym6JxThzSFFIHQpMiJ_064Mnd8DthHqpHKeuNNP9ZwfN5j/s1600/Waiting_for_storm_to_pass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBzHN7RToEsS9u9ARdast8kf_nWNY8xYHk0EsQ7dd6dDMfpPflI2Mm1ZS1HSLEXR8neg2PXPdJIRV_rVk8RpdWl16mThHyvym6JxThzSFFIHQpMiJ_064Mnd8DthHqpHKeuNNP9ZwfN5j/s1600/Waiting_for_storm_to_pass.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lift each other up,<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjLZeiMZUCSFwMBfYoPUhZ1ky7OVI6w0oPSNsVez4cN3G7yZ1fpWjo1R3kerahA1IaWdT1stn8Psl5z3w-CJ20b3jbZyqOgWY6_HvCmip-3zhGLC4z1kNq7em59MhX1enu_lGi0sHRjy5/s1600/helping_hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjLZeiMZUCSFwMBfYoPUhZ1ky7OVI6w0oPSNsVez4cN3G7yZ1fpWjo1R3kerahA1IaWdT1stn8Psl5z3w-CJ20b3jbZyqOgWY6_HvCmip-3zhGLC4z1kNq7em59MhX1enu_lGi0sHRjy5/s1600/helping_hand.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shelter each other from the rain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52wfzdEtSOVzN55UZUmn2ck4rssqP54dxiudVt5kqsAqjFNTwngiTQRiz3cFVEbpwteoxmGA-udd45d7jswK8DzO6OPJydN9lz30dcn9fM2rbuIlyiorgGNOooE_V6YX1VqAiQ51zMNV6/s1600/umbrella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52wfzdEtSOVzN55UZUmn2ck4rssqP54dxiudVt5kqsAqjFNTwngiTQRiz3cFVEbpwteoxmGA-udd45d7jswK8DzO6OPJydN9lz30dcn9fM2rbuIlyiorgGNOooE_V6YX1VqAiQ51zMNV6/s1600/umbrella.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
take care of each other when they're sick,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I6js1qE2q8XhzQbodLoQY-C7Yc9W9tzi_vqoU-Ea6iF-0Vdy-d7NIsESJ9YkLfCNLLsHdxz7zuQwaG6wIexx-f0cylqYu_kdaN8VWMhlO24BJEgAQJcFMwxwYLKN1LTK6WELI-9nAYvH/s1600/doctor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I6js1qE2q8XhzQbodLoQY-C7Yc9W9tzi_vqoU-Ea6iF-0Vdy-d7NIsESJ9YkLfCNLLsHdxz7zuQwaG6wIexx-f0cylqYu_kdaN8VWMhlO24BJEgAQJcFMwxwYLKN1LTK6WELI-9nAYvH/s1600/doctor.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and face the waves head on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXstOsjfr0b0XpdvmiXDAQtZgiwDre0VcbWmJ2egVWdjSxHRiLv7uce-kOoLp4JnN_nKFykL2YXkuZG2BM8SIgWTuFl6dmI5YjwuMz7etNkCTqm_rvE08qz3VwD-MfN6wtW-pR-cbdZXa/s1600/testing_waters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXstOsjfr0b0XpdvmiXDAQtZgiwDre0VcbWmJ2egVWdjSxHRiLv7uce-kOoLp4JnN_nKFykL2YXkuZG2BM8SIgWTuFl6dmI5YjwuMz7etNkCTqm_rvE08qz3VwD-MfN6wtW-pR-cbdZXa/s1600/testing_waters.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
When they do life together, they can conquer mountains.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi6HuEYMNFr-2NpMqpy42Zjm_NcKcO2fgdpA-_w26NwHSMF5YnCf1z1PV_4EVnfThEQGwr0FE42f_dRcVOEI-3PNj_JkrFWgOfcjTjA4Db9LvqJ0XTEP21_MbJJiDKMznmMVmO-BIRUmL/s1600/big_bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi6HuEYMNFr-2NpMqpy42Zjm_NcKcO2fgdpA-_w26NwHSMF5YnCf1z1PV_4EVnfThEQGwr0FE42f_dRcVOEI-3PNj_JkrFWgOfcjTjA4Db9LvqJ0XTEP21_MbJJiDKMznmMVmO-BIRUmL/s1600/big_bridge.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days they feel invincible, like they can fight crime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPam66fAuiBlRyBiqykTsamHAnyRcLrtZF_xYke93XSFzR5hvo45nrkSWyYSsd3YjnXVuuj0qO1dU9L6aYtsSn_97p0ovk2Ufb9890ep99XU4MAjyUikjgQHS2sq1sMlcRir_WZugpZdEX/s1600/batgirls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPam66fAuiBlRyBiqykTsamHAnyRcLrtZF_xYke93XSFzR5hvo45nrkSWyYSsd3YjnXVuuj0qO1dU9L6aYtsSn_97p0ovk2Ufb9890ep99XU4MAjyUikjgQHS2sq1sMlcRir_WZugpZdEX/s1600/batgirls.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and fires.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAGFXfDhAOMEi5bWaLOtZBDJe8VuKE0MV5v6XSNHD9RIakEVQKqHGET00QuI8mdBm_K0u6YxsXoT4_k7tK7g-Icqu9IvxH5XGXTlPPPAoyS9UITDxjubmM_tsGlW7XKm1Vtk2dou5svno/s1600/fireman_hats.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're just kool kats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUX-8cOgYtV8BRojWDq-yHKku7UpmJqOB7Aq-SQTZZ1wpgdCVDrgAJr6UkDqkPJ_nB-HzUcaTDLHA3tV0uidCUN3T6a7Zuozy7KRkZjiLdThxZC786skDwkIj2KY5Dh8898QK7c6AKZeH/s1600/cool_kats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUX-8cOgYtV8BRojWDq-yHKku7UpmJqOB7Aq-SQTZZ1wpgdCVDrgAJr6UkDqkPJ_nB-HzUcaTDLHA3tV0uidCUN3T6a7Zuozy7KRkZjiLdThxZC786skDwkIj2KY5Dh8898QK7c6AKZeH/s1600/cool_kats.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then there are days when they feel conflicted,<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1_HZNj8J2Td4Qt2-GCSvTsjRPzKOUQ9LTgg8mz9uS8F9zvbPJXR7JuSYMm_BkxCESvTCt_qB695n8c_mSnwVcfMHmJa2Nz5Hk-hX6VLrNYMHVySGaAF3ryU-F59od9YFvmDcdVgxm2AM/s1600/Polic+car.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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like they need a get-a-way car instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-it9jrRoeQKbhLzETzEIFhS0L_WJ1G71hNfb-HUnddtbsxS69pEgw4o7NTFpMkiUrd3aLADjGVzkA58jwOHsxGNHtT0xa10B2dK4OCSseD2AxvRsB8LqoM2tBWTU-eGrb835QohBaUn/s1600/get-a-way_car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-it9jrRoeQKbhLzETzEIFhS0L_WJ1G71hNfb-HUnddtbsxS69pEgw4o7NTFpMkiUrd3aLADjGVzkA58jwOHsxGNHtT0xa10B2dK4OCSseD2AxvRsB8LqoM2tBWTU-eGrb835QohBaUn/s1600/get-a-way_car.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
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The journey may not always be comfortable.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBmrjyWQAkrgDQ1xzLoyrHdKZ3F4Keyif9mihICyQZwgxhBK_7kQKeb5ilrfSlp58rLBN66b8VpB-Vx7PpGhOevwIYyAl4xYDU1rmenxkiioXLkh_mmukp4FpEXHK2uxzk5eMuxiMMOPD/s1600/scooter_for_two.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></div>
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They will need someone they can trust to listen,</div>
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someone whose shoulder they can cry on,</div>
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someone who will pray for them at any time,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEjD2Y2gwfi0FCr4Iw0NyBcKbyqvtwa7mZrg-U232Ru7sL-CEGpvynGh5QXVHO22x8jrRqaw1CNMCGzypKBjU9vol3ErbpFEdSylOMAoOtpj4Ngv43Vkt5LZcyTmKpXWVkBXvI7HKXRBp/s1600/princesses+praying.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEjD2Y2gwfi0FCr4Iw0NyBcKbyqvtwa7mZrg-U232Ru7sL-CEGpvynGh5QXVHO22x8jrRqaw1CNMCGzypKBjU9vol3ErbpFEdSylOMAoOtpj4Ngv43Vkt5LZcyTmKpXWVkBXvI7HKXRBp/s1600/princesses+praying.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
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and someone they know will walk out this life right next to them.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjPhOu7vdiaysxsfmOoPc5jD8ZQWmRsd8KZ-AGnnvsWUtbd5eZfsmXBTqbUrDJjJ-P38SOHpeE_HNx6dYw_BvpVzl35eYXFBThyphenhyphenrLHuY3vc1O4YLdF9JeAsdX9ng3H54Hb_5uzFOVmiBE/s1600/sisters_road.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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They want to love on people of all sizes and stations in life,<br />
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and to give that love away</div>
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until their cups overflow.<br />
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<span class="text 1John-4-11" id="en-ESV-30598">"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."<br />-1 John 4:11<br /><br /></span><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-ESV-30599"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJJv99JDHI_dDN4g5L24XSHtJfb9ZrSYFW51S4co0yTBHmSniigb7JDmsqNRbY7-ILRnj9qyw9ob8a-2NnCM-fJs8OKI5DEl-XUGKruhB8YRI8kLLwXQHxDCTP5EnaXewBaag1EKnTnIb/s1600/2014-07-15+02.16.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJJv99JDHI_dDN4g5L24XSHtJfb9ZrSYFW51S4co0yTBHmSniigb7JDmsqNRbY7-ILRnj9qyw9ob8a-2NnCM-fJs8OKI5DEl-XUGKruhB8YRI8kLLwXQHxDCTP5EnaXewBaag1EKnTnIb/s1600/2014-07-15+02.16.17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="text Rom-15-7" id="en-ESV-28295"><br />"</span><span class="text Rom-15-7" id="en-ESV-28295"><span class="text Rom-15-5" id="en-ESV-28293">May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,</span></span><span class="text Rom-15-7" id="en-ESV-28295"><span class="text Rom-15-5" id="en-ESV-28293"> that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. </span></span><span class="text Rom-15-7" id="en-ESV-28295"><span class="text Rom-15-5" id="en-ESV-28293"><span class="text Rom-15-7" id="en-ESV-28295">Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God</span></span>." -Romans 15:5-7</span><br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-31025228183556065552014-09-11T20:13:00.001-05:002014-09-12T15:23:43.616-05:00Workin' MamaMost days I'm a stay-at-home mom. But on occasion, I get to travel, make speeches and talk about diving on tv.<br />
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Sometimes, I feel like I have an alter ego. That might also be why I'm slightly obsessed with being a superhero. I digress...<br />
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At home I'm just an everyday, regular mom trying to keep up with my kids. On good days I may attempt to shower and get dressed. I'm constantly making dashes to the toilet with toddlers or asking for privacy in my own bathroom. There is constant repetition, constant repetition, and I'm usually trying to translate toddler speak to English in my head. Although my house may not look it, I am in a perpetual state of cleaning.<br />
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Just to show you how un-Pinterest perfect I am, here's a little snippet of my real, everyday life. This is me in all my smelly, unshowered, greasy-haired glory sporting a Tom Petty shirt with USA pajamas attempting to do an ab exercise. And this picture was taken after Hubby got home from work one afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJm3Wq6V1AtNiWFQmDLAQyS2BJtNwdKYds8vsC0KlKriem0nD6vmFbi9xWgfrf-Yt_QoEg-bK1DrqM8nV7-v1DnzV1FIT_h_3uCiaJiKaAJQjiNjLxyMXNoKwsu6L-42HOXZCOOZLW4G/s1600/Baby+Workout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJm3Wq6V1AtNiWFQmDLAQyS2BJtNwdKYds8vsC0KlKriem0nD6vmFbi9xWgfrf-Yt_QoEg-bK1DrqM8nV7-v1DnzV1FIT_h_3uCiaJiKaAJQjiNjLxyMXNoKwsu6L-42HOXZCOOZLW4G/s1600/Baby+Workout.JPG" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I flew with just the baby to Connecticut to be a working mom of sorts. <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/08/baby-grenade.html" target="_blank">You may have read about that lovely travel experience here</a>. My mother-in-law came to watch the baby while I went to work. It was so weird to have someone there ready to watch the baby every morning as soon as we woke up and even at night so I could go to dinner a few times with colleagues. I could shower each day, take my time, drink an entire coffee before it went cold and talk to adults on a regular basis. It was kind of like summer camp for moms.<br />
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<i>And I think Grandma had a little fun, too!</i><br />
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<i>I won the lottery on mother-in-laws ya'll, seriously.</i></div>
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Basically, I got to hang out at the NBC Sports building for a week to watch and <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/08/diving-tv-schedule-for-youth-olympic.html" target="_blank">commentate diving for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games</a>. I thought it might be fun to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at life in the studio.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv2lg-KEwAC0anoXxv3pwjjyBNoF19MkV1p7pOlGatne28ndVKTTNpOzM47DGRBTFsXoBEm4HqeG4vVbGDzuaG68qTDGASa1hLUFbh3_4qlnoUBWrxg_-Qhqxg7vfJZIEm8V_gcDG_FDN/s1600/IMG_3246_2.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></div>
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<i>And yes, I'm a dork.</i></div>
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We had a special "green room" just for us. That pretty much means "waiting room" in non-tv talk. Although there is a little brainstorming that goes on here, too. Plus you get to hang out with cool people like 2008 Olympic silver medal gymnast Alicia (Sacramone) Quinn, 2008 & 2012 track Olympian Nick Symmonds, 2000 Olympic beach volleyball player Kevin Wong, sportscasters Jim Watson and Jason Knapp and, of course, our rockin' producer Lena Glaser.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXFY97YM72vfZgsmlhFRxtScYLSnEErFzINvyKFCUCFtd7FnGYUK2blQNRTc9pKRUtWpTTSHqERP9dcHAmUtqT_R-FRtEGfRifynHZMOaIhsGf7fbjrlOIDTH4Jv67-g92aT3Zx6tal8W/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXFY97YM72vfZgsmlhFRxtScYLSnEErFzINvyKFCUCFtd7FnGYUK2blQNRTc9pKRUtWpTTSHqERP9dcHAmUtqT_R-FRtEGfRifynHZMOaIhsGf7fbjrlOIDTH4Jv67-g92aT3Zx6tal8W/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WKQoH7hF0K-X6_xFe4ejTLaDBA_DLVVAsqpNrOBw9Q8N7TwjFCwUAYC6AJ5Y9CG0GBNBH7eKKsBWoE_FpjkCPzvQqJ0ApBCvao-OJw90KmxjlILuLevkPT-orMcH2huXcccfS8Dt48l9/s1600/IMG_3185.jpg" height="223" width="320" /><i><br />l-r: Jason, me, Alicia, Jim</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50mdEqQPtcAhkLN-aXDATDjfrfVVCjZ7X0MJ6rt_7T8eCmRD_2MuTaQnRezE6vNAPqdttyUBKn50QAfJ42StmRsiLMHbAKLWBxOoq5r8kUI81ZrAxrvGPpd-PJbNDO4OIJK2MSbBf2rgW/s1600/IMG_3239_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50mdEqQPtcAhkLN-aXDATDjfrfVVCjZ7X0MJ6rt_7T8eCmRD_2MuTaQnRezE6vNAPqdttyUBKn50QAfJ42StmRsiLMHbAKLWBxOoq5r8kUI81ZrAxrvGPpd-PJbNDO4OIJK2MSbBf2rgW/s1600/IMG_3239_2.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>l-r: Lena, Kevin, Jim</i></div>
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Since the competition was in China and aired prime time in the states later that day, we watched the competition in a sound proof booth while commentating. I would always rather watch a competition live and be in the middle of the action, but voicing over is fun, too. It's not the same adrenaline pumping pressure as filming live, but we're still watching the event for the first time and calling it like it is live. </div>
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<i>Jim & I in the booth- our home for the week.</i></div>
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It's always easy when you have the opportunity to work with a great team! Jim was a terrific partner to call diving with. While it was his first time working on diving, he's covered nearly every other sport, including three Olympic Games (2000 Beach Volleyball, 2004 Indoor Volleyball and 2012 Weightlifting), professional and collegiate sports. So he picked it up quickly and every event went smooth. Our producer Lena, the voice in my ear Lee Ann, the almost nerdier-than-me researcher John, the magic editor Rob and the logistics queen Kate put together five great days of diving that showcased junior divers from around the world and gave us a glimpse of what we might see in Rio in 2016.</div>
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This is just another cool area in the building near our little booth that kind of looks like mission control for sports. Actually, I think that's exactly what it is.</div>
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But it wasn't all work and no play. My friend and 2012 diving Olympian, Cassidy Krug, came to hang with us one morning. We always have fun together!</div>
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And even though I was working, I came home each day to just one little one, so I got lots of extra snuggles that made my mama heart happy.</div>
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Overall, it was a ton of fun, and I truly hope to do more diving events in the future. But as much fun as we had, I couldn't wait to get home and squeeze these two dolls and kiss them to pieces.</div>
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-78754297249258792042014-09-05T17:11:00.001-05:002014-09-05T17:13:07.209-05:00The Girls' First Haircuts And The World's Smiley-est BabyAfter three years and hair down to her waist, we figured it was about time for a trim. It took some convincing, but both girls finally agreed that a little hair cut would make for less tangles after bath time and they would be extra beautiful for their first day of preschool.<br />
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They were all excited up until their names were called. Then, of course, Arella promptly flipped out. When I tried to carry her over, she began diving full force out of my arms. Meanwhile, Zoe marched right after the stylist and hopped up in the chair by herself. Since she had little sleep last night, I assumed Zoe would be the one to freak out. You just never how kids will react to something new no matter how well you prepare them. But I've learned that as you have more kids, the odds go up that at least one will completely loose it at any given activity.<br />
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Zoe sat there like she was being made into a princess. Not one drop of fear. She just seemed to be waiting for the magic to happen. Then she got sparkles sprayed in, and it was like the fairy godmother just bippity-boppity-booed her right into Cinderella.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVJUWwEjKzPP61My5vyz4A_0hPkxTLkUtBbXfi0UpU0h16EqbA2ol5Pk2gzZ4ovdF9-702wK-vSOaU60vGqG2w8e7mLyeRX7BGQV87WkvwBXDsGhBJS0DqiJDdo7rcyUPNV8_Nd-Yq7Mp/s1600/Zoe_firstcut.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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Zoe was able to reassure Arella that it wasn't scary and didn't hurt. That plus a sucker did the trick. Arella did great from that point on, although she didn't need sparkles to feel like a princess.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4kzJlLMdp22PwTItEw2d-8qr65RuaYsopuJEpr8Qap09uDLcASSVVUj_ZRk225VUEWYA4eJsDyc_0HgHVUaVR4La_QoWSSFFoYMjvJtn17BbNWrfl9gq014cjUMYMTklEWb_L2C5hCkO/s1600/Arella_sucker.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<i>Thanks <a href="http://www.snipits.com/locations/the-woodlands" target="_blank">Snip-its</a> for a good experience!</i></div>
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And just because he is so stinkin' cute and let me take a ton of photos of him while the girls napped... I present to you the world's smiley-est baby in full force. You. Are. Welcome.<br />
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Happy Friday friends.<br />
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<br />Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-81710016875465477822014-09-03T22:02:00.002-05:002014-09-04T21:47:55.065-05:00Mommy BurnoutThere's an old adage that I'm sure you've heard; "the days are long but the years are short." I get it. I really do. But allow me to explain why I'm getting really tired of hearing it.<br />
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Somewhere after we brought Zoe home from China in December of 2012, a time warp seemed to happen. In the span of 13 months we went from one to three kids with a fourth on the way (Ethiopia adoption),<span style="font-family: inherit;"> moved houses, and changed jobs. And those are just the highlights. I'm still trying to grasp the fact that it's 2014, and I heard this rumor that it's already September. So yeah, I get the "years are short" part.</span></div>
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Occasionally our "days are long." Somehow a 10 minute tantrum can feel like a whole afternoon, and I have been known to beg my husband for an ETA post work to begin a survival countdown. Those days definitely happen.</div>
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As the girls have gotten older though, they can play more independently with less refereeing and melt downs. Our days generally go by fairly quickly and are filled with less tears and more giggles. </div>
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<i>Arella and Zoe taking a silly selfie.</i></div>
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However, recently our nights feel like Ground Hog's Day- a constant repeat every hour of crying, screaming, coughing, and whining. I sleep like an elephant- about four hours a night and not consecutive.<i> (Thank you Wild Kratts for my new found animal knowledge.)</i> Plagued with a teething and runny-nosed infant, a congested toddler who is already a light sleeper and needy at night, and a big girl that now wakes us to go to the potty, well, you get the idea. </div>
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Hubby and I are great at "divide and conquer," but that's not the way these kids are playing the game. They have honed in on their etiquette early and are each giving the other the courtesy of bellowing their very own howling wake up call to the parents via the monitor.<br />
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One parent will go check on shrieking child, do a little please-I'm-begging-you-to-go-to-sleep-dance, then eventually make his/her way back downstairs to bed where the other half-awake parent attempts a middle-of-the-night encouragement with a "good job honey," although they have no idea what just happened, what time it is or if they're even awake. Both parents lay back down and quickly fall asleep. Ten minutes later (just long enough to fall into a deep stupor) a different child sounds the alarm. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Wake up for the day. Or sometimes, still up for the day.<br />
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<i>He puts on a cute face, but you can see our tired eyes, well, definitely mine.</i></div>
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I know "it's just a season." I know the "days are long but the years are short." I know I should "cherish every moment because it's gone in the blink of an eye." I know. I get it. In just three short years of being a parent I can see that very clearly. But knowing all those things doesn't give me a good night's rest which is basically what I'm whining about here.<br />
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I adore my children. I love staying home with them. I cherish every second I can. But right now I. Am. T-I-R-E-D. I've been running on fumes for nearly 2 months, and I think my mommy engine is overheating. I've been trying to write 3 blog entries for a week now, but there is no down time, no rest for the weary.<br />
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How then am I writing this tonight? Well, it started on my phone last night when I was up with the baby (the second time I think), and I'm finishing it right now as Hubby is up with spicy peanut. Oh, and did I mention that our AC went out? Just the upstairs. Just where our poor, sweet, already non-sleeping children lay in bed. Somehow we managed to concoct a plan B that consists of an air mattress and baby swing next to our bed downstairs. I'm sure that'll help us all get a good night's slumber. Slumber PARTY maybe.<br />
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Even though my eyes are bleary, my mind is fairly disconnected and I'm approaching full-on mommy burnout, I see my girls' imaginations coming to life. They break out into song (usually made up with no real words) throughout the day and they play everything together. This morning Arella marched outside and announced that she wanted to be alone. Zoe said, "I want be alone, too!" and followed Arella. They enjoyed some alone time together.<br />
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And they way they love Zadok blows my mind. They want him to be a part of everything. And they want to be a part of his everything. Arella lives to make him laugh, and Zoe always makes sure his paci is in, the swing is going or he has a toy to play with.<br />
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Sweet angels by day, evil geniuses at night. But oh how I love those exhausting little souls. The nights are long, but our joy is full.<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-90439138406607107602014-08-22T14:47:00.003-05:002014-08-25T21:23:43.144-05:00Diving TV Schedule for the Youth Olympic GamesNBC has given me the exciting opportunity to commentate diving for the <a href="http://www.nanjing2014.org/en/" target="_blank">2014 Youth Olympic Games</a>. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMibDHymPp9o93kI4pn8yHRNEC9TI_fQJCw7CDojc6oKNfZMA_asi5AtwFZKZ1z4ixmKRuEqO_Q8NPqvgnXzvOX4LuDZavt5NEhtjrdUR1AsyjOLbloCxtQNyo8lYhhmja2bX2BYLXswyt/s640/blogger-image--1188606503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMibDHymPp9o93kI4pn8yHRNEC9TI_fQJCw7CDojc6oKNfZMA_asi5AtwFZKZ1z4ixmKRuEqO_Q8NPqvgnXzvOX4LuDZavt5NEhtjrdUR1AsyjOLbloCxtQNyo8lYhhmja2bX2BYLXswyt/s640/blogger-image--1188606503.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Diving begins tomorrow in Nanjing, China. It will air each night on NBCSN and highlights from each week's events will air on the following Sunday on NBC.<br>
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The air dates and times (ET) are as follows:<br>
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Sat., August 23 9-11 p.m. NBCSN<br>
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Sun., August 24 <span style="color: #351c75;">Noon-1 p.m. NBC</span><br> 9-10 p.m. NBCSN<br>
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Mon., August 25 7-9 p.m. NBCSN<br>
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Tues., August 26 7-9 p.m. NBCSN<br>
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Wed., August 27 7-8 p.m. NBCSN<br>
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Sun., August 31 <span style="color: #351c75;"> 12:30-1:30 p.m. NBC</span><br>
<br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Coverage can also be accessed at</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/" style="text-decoration: none;">http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/</a></span><br><br>
Good luck to all of the divers and other athletes competing!<br>
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<br></div>Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-63106325503008066982014-08-21T20:53:00.001-05:002014-08-21T20:55:34.254-05:00Baby GrenadeIt's hard enough just being a parent, but then we pile on bringing our children to the airport, sticking them on a full plane with limited space to move and force them to be quiet. Yes, it's like pulling the pin on a baby grenade and just waiting for the explosion.<div><br></div><div>I have the opportunity to do some diving commentating this week for the Youth Olympic Games. Since I'm still nursing my almost seven month old, he gets to be my sidekick for the week. My mother-in-law was super sweet to volunteer to watch him while I work.</div><div><br></div><div>For the flight to New York, though, I was on my own. We had a test run on a shorter to trip to Knoxville a couple of weeks ago, and the little man was a saint. A poster child for all traveling babies to look up to. </div><div><br></div><div>But in the last couple weeks since the anointing of his sainthood, this guy has grown (off the charts I might add), become mobile and started talking. See, that combo is a recipe for flight disaster, no matter how saintly your kid usually is.</div><div><br></div><div>So we get all checked in and through security, no problem. He started getting antsy and hungry while I stopped to grab a sandwhich. Then we hurried to the gate where everyone was already boarding, but I knew I had to nurse him before we got on or things would get ugly. </div><div><br></div><div>Slightly stressed, I hurried him through his milk, and we rushed over to hop on the plane. We got seated by the window on a full flight, meanwhile he's making friends right and left with his big blue eyes shining and his smile flashing.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokFkwvAweQxHZ3JdGsTCXX_3s359UhznhRu568TWwQAwe-0XcdOf3Ab-QKNsnPUCUBk_uF2qdMX_DitIEZdWD1X_xASAdCy0jqhthzM2QemqgWTpKCfSnZ5Cv1-TgOAt0RUXy02pjFiyv/s640/blogger-image--1541825806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokFkwvAweQxHZ3JdGsTCXX_3s359UhznhRu568TWwQAwe-0XcdOf3Ab-QKNsnPUCUBk_uF2qdMX_DitIEZdWD1X_xASAdCy0jqhthzM2QemqgWTpKCfSnZ5Cv1-TgOAt0RUXy02pjFiyv/s640/blogger-image--1541825806.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>As we're settling in, they announce what everyone wants to hear: we'll be arriving early. Unfortunately it was followed by: they're making us sit at the gate prior to takeoff (because the airport is too busy to have a gate ready for an early flight). </div><div><br></div><div>Upon hearing these words, my little man starts getting cranky, as if he knows exactly how disappointing this news is. He's suddenly extremely tired. I start going through all the things that calm him down. It worked for quite a while, but he just couldn't get comfortable enough in our tiny space to completely give in and pass out. Oh, and<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> did I mention they turned off the AC? In Houston. In August. While we're trapped in a plane with three inches of breathing room. Yeah, that helped.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Then came the screaming. The inconsolable, desperate, blood curdling screaming. Yes... that was us. I was powerless to stop it. I was powerless to even tone it down. </div><div><br></div><div>I started seriously stressing as everyone was watching us. Not a smile or knowing look of support in sight. The flight attendant even came to see if anyone was severely wounded. I laughed gently and said, "We're fine, he's just tired." But no one likes to hear that because they can't fix it. </div><div><br></div><div>Finally. Finally the plane started moving. And my little man promptly passed out and slept a glorious two hours.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1cDaLuzT9NMj8JbK3U8dpoYA9RWUYFvfPqvXr5lejzziwDmZv8Ch2zlHhAr4jaMUPlMl5azMpZYUxuxMGsAXyTFAI5_w1gu9ZGf_Hjrzvf1BvnC3R7ILBTBEDMyYS1mvOZlvPwg4EB9b/s640/blogger-image-677035526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1cDaLuzT9NMj8JbK3U8dpoYA9RWUYFvfPqvXr5lejzziwDmZv8Ch2zlHhAr4jaMUPlMl5azMpZYUxuxMGsAXyTFAI5_w1gu9ZGf_Hjrzvf1BvnC3R7ILBTBEDMyYS1mvOZlvPwg4EB9b/s640/blogger-image-677035526.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>But the flight was over three hours long. He woke up confused and upset. Settled down, then got hungry. Ate then got upset from a diaper. He fussed while we had to wait out turbulence to get up. Changed him in the oh-so-small lavatory with the world's tiniest changing table. Sat down and he immediately started crying on decent because of his ears. </div><div><br></div><div>Yes. That was my screaming child on the flight today. My precious little baby grenade, exploding in tight quarters for maximum impact.</div><div><br></div><div>I wanted to share my craziness with you because my immediate response in this type of situation is to always feel bad and apologize profusely. I do this for myself, and I find myself doing it with the kids. </div><div><br></div><div>But as my little guy was screaming in my ear, I realized that instead of feeling bad, I need to use these moments as opportunities. The only opportunity I had in that moment was to love on my child and try my darndest. Focusing on him instead of worrying about everyone around me really kept me calm and in much better spirits. It didn't seem to make a lick of difference to the baby, but it helped me not only get through it but get through it with joy and peace. Okay and maybe some exhaustion, too.</div><div><br></div><div>Instead of being a tightly wound ball of stress with tears spilling forth upon arrival, I was pretty calm, cool and collected. </div><div><br></div><div>And as for my little baby grenade... He melted at the sight of Grandma.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X1X9TLu7K-Bqg7NWzFkJ1KJntdYv0TWftiKee6nUH6xi7-zN82WSuvtC-u6lWVsBoihXSdz-5bdMK8M66JyngHwv_sjEbmgCZUAdcpicmU8gnVDaXGtLzR7qrDpRqJY-s7VdHD8ydXIX/s640/blogger-image-892333444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X1X9TLu7K-Bqg7NWzFkJ1KJntdYv0TWftiKee6nUH6xi7-zN82WSuvtC-u6lWVsBoihXSdz-5bdMK8M66JyngHwv_sjEbmgCZUAdcpicmU8gnVDaXGtLzR7qrDpRqJY-s7VdHD8ydXIX/s640/blogger-image-892333444.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-29705383276845246692014-08-20T11:11:00.002-05:002014-08-20T11:11:31.190-05:00My Ice Bucket Challenge & 3 Other Fun SurprisesI was challenged by my dear friend <a href="http://www.juliespeaks.com/" target="_blank">Julie Carrier</a> and my other sweet friend Rachel from church to do the ALS ice bucket challenge. My little girls watched other videos of people getting water poured on them and thought it was funny. I asked if they wanted to pour water on mommy, and they got really excited! Of course in the video they look a little unsure of themselves, but I think they were concentrating real hard on the task at hand.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=545486425574306">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Wilkinson/107352742721012">Laura Wilkinson</a>.</div>
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<br />
Here are a couple other challenges that I thought were fun.<br />
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Charlie Sheen adds an unexpected twist, turning ice to cash.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qat9gR5nrpM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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Then George W. Bush steps up to the challenge.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DepakUSDtQE?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
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And one of the best challenge fails that I've seen.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l8kjhmIM9JM?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-33978081390746231352014-08-16T12:08:00.002-05:002014-08-16T12:14:22.441-05:003 Little Joys Shining In The DarkThis week has been R-O-U-G-H. On Tuesday I told my husband that I was already over the week. So of course, it only got progressively worse from that point on.<br />
<br />
Nothing earth shattering happened, it was just a week filled with sickness, no sleep and lots and lots of toddler drama because of it all. It's now Saturday. The week is just about over but apparently no one told the dark cloud hanging over our house.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But...</span><br />
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Every cloud really does have a silver lining. Sometimes even a few beautiful bright spots. If you choose to see them and focus on them, they will bring you joy in the middle of the chaos. They are truly gifts from God as He is the light that breaks through the dark. I choose to see His light. Then the big, ugly, dark, scary cloud becomes just a distant shadow and eventually, just a fading memory. But His light not only brightens our dark days, it also guides our steps, lights our path and leads us full of hope into His unending joy.<br />
<br />
Nothing about this week was life-altering, but it's hard to choose joy in a really hard place if you've never done it in your small, daily struggles. So, I'd love to share with you my joys in the midst of this dark week.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Joy #1 </span></b></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In the middle of the sickness and no-sleep drama, Zoe up and decided she wanted to learn how to use the potty. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Ya'll, I was NOT optimistic. All I could think about was the added stress, exhaustion, and of course, massive clean-up. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't have been more wrong. Zoe was ready, willing AND able. By the second day she didn't have a single accident and she's always willing to try. You all should celebrate with me because I'm down to just one kid in diapers! </span><br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Joy #2</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We all think our kids are adorably awesome. And it's especially exciting when someone else thinks so, too. This week we were asked permission to use a cute video of the girls jumping in a crib together for a marketing piece. I will post the links and/or piece when it becomes available, but here is the the video they took a snipet from.</span><br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/103466433"></a><br /></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Joy #3</span></b></u><br />
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The biggest highlight of my week came from a complete stranger. Yesterday we had to make a run to the store to get another humidifier. Since we were exhausted and starving, we stopped to eat dinner on the way home. It was early, so hardly anyone was in the restaurant, and we had our own little corner.<br />
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As we were finishing up and I was spoon feeding Zadok some bananas, a lady stopped at our table on her way out. She said, "Hey ya'll." We all said, "Hi," and I turned back to feeding Zadok. Then she grabbed my attention. She looked at Eriek and said, "I just wanted to pay you a compliment, well, actually I wanted to pay your wife a compliment."<br />
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My head snapped around as I stared at her in confusion, wracking my brain as to what she could be talking about. I guess the kids were being good, maybe that was it. But they were also covered in ice cream. But a compliment? I must have had a very dumbfounded look on my face, spoon paused mid-air full of mushed banana dripping over the jar.<br />
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She smiled really big and said words the words I never saw coming, "A few minutes ago when you got up from the table, you kissed both your girls on their heads. It was just so loving and beautiful."<br />
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All I could do was blink. <br />
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I have been told my kids are cute. I have been told (once or twice) that they are well behaved. I have been told they are sweet, they are smart, they play well together. Which is all wonderful and I enjoy immensely. But never have I been complimented on how I <b><i>loved</i></b> my kids.<br />
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It was so profound and coming after a day of being stressed and frustrated at those very same kids. And here she stood, telling me that I loved my kids well. This woman's simple words left me baffled, and then began to refresh me and fill me with an unspeakable joy.<br />
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In the middle of hard, in the middle of stress, in the middle of a very dark week where I doubted myself, my patience, my endurance, my strength and my ability to parent, this stranger <i><b>only</b></i> saw my love.<br />
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Tears are still streaming down my cheeks right now. Small words from strangers can impact like a tidal wave. Thank you lady. You made my dark day radiant. I hope I can pass it forward.<br />
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What joys have you experienced during your dark days?<br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-1933522871824669772014-08-14T23:06:00.002-05:002014-08-14T23:09:28.308-05:00I Can See Clearly NowI've written several blog posts in my head over the last week but with a busy schedule, sick kids, potty training and hardly a lick of sleep, well, they never made it out of my head. A couple may be lost, trapped up there forever. One may have fallen out of my ear as I attempted to get 20 minutes of consecutive sleep last night. <br />
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But amidst the chaos and exhaustion that feels like a lead weight dragging me to the bottom of the pool, I started to see a little more clearly.<br />
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As we began to tumble deeper into our pit of toddler and baby fatigue, news seemed to be crashing in from every direction about pandemonium breaking out around the world. From the most recent Gaza War, the massacres in Iraq, the upheaval of Ferguson, Mo., the loss of our favorite actor that made us laugh in these dark times, to so many friends who seem to be battling one thing or another right now.<br />
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It can be overwhelming, depressing, terrifying. But in the thick of all of this, we have to make a choice.<br />
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We can choose to block it out, pretend it doesn't exist, move on with our day before we get upset.<br />
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Or...<br />
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We can choose to take action. If you don't know how to go about making a difference, start with some of these simple yet effective ideas: <br />
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<ul>
<li>Write a letter to Congress. Don't know how? <a href="http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/letterscongress.htm" target="_blank">This article will show you. </a></li>
<li>Donate to one of these organizations on the ground in Iraq that are making a difference right now.</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/iraq-crisis-appeal/index.aspx" target="_blank">Christian Aid</a></li>
<li><a href="https://partners.opendoorsuk.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=491" target="_blank">Open Doors</a> </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Pray. And pray. And pray some more.</li>
</ul>
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On Sunday evening several of us gathered at church to pray together over the situation in Iraq because it was heavy on our hearts. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj"><b> </b>There is something powerful, encouraging, enlightening and moving when everyone takes turns praying out loud in a group of people. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj"><b>"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” -Matthew 18:20</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj">My sweet friend, <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/p/the-ignorant-parent.html" target="_blank">Danielle</a>, made an agenda for our prayer time so we could be wise and intentional in how we prayed. It was very helpful for me to direct and focus my prayers outside of the group as well. I want to share it with you in hopes that it will help you, too. Reformat it for the appropriate people or issue that is heavy on your heart. Invite other people to join you.</span></span></span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj"></span></span></span>Worship, thanksgiving, and asking for God's will <br /><b>"<span class="text Matt-6-10" id="en-ESV-23293"><span class="woj">Your kingdom come,</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-10"><span class="woj"> your will be done,</span></span></b><span class="indent-1"><b><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></b><span class="text Matt-6-10"><span class="woj"><b>on earth as it is in heaven." -Matthew 6:10</b></span></span></span></li><br />
<li>Prayer for the persecuted church and others afflicted<br /><b>"<span class="text Matt-5-4" id="en-ESV-23239"><span class="woj">Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4</span></span></b></li><br />
<li>Prayer for the ISIS- justice, conviction and conversions<br /><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj">"</span></span></span><span class="text Matt-5-44" id="en-ESV-23279"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" -Matthew 5:44</span></span></span></b></li><br />
<li>Prayer for the response of the church worldwide<br /><b>"<span class="woj">In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16</span></b></li><br />
<li>Prayer for the preparedness of His people for the times ahead <br /><b>"</b><span class="text 1Pet-3-15" id="en-ESV-30423"><b>but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always
being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason
for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" -1 Peter 3:15</b></span></li>
</ol>
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As I started writing this blog, I opened another window on my computer to search for something and found shear <b>JOY</b>! I stumbled upon this article: "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/world/middleeast/joy-in-us-at-news-that-yazidi-plight-is-easing.html?contentCollection=world&action=click&module=NextInCollection&region=Footer&pgtype=article" target="_blank">Joy in U.S. at News That Yazidi Plight Is Easing</a>"<br />
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This is so excited because this is a specific group I have praying for as my heart was burdened for the people stranded on the mountains. But supplies have been received and protectors have been escorting <b>THOUSANDS</b> of refugees to safety! Praise God that He hears and answers our prayers! There is still much to pray for and the battle will be long, but it is encouraging to see prayers being directly answered. It gives me hope and faith that other prayers we lift up will be answered as well, even if we don't see it in a news article.<br />
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I have been up for the better part of every night this week. But as tired as it's made me, it's also provided me time and perspective. As I pray worried mommy prayers over my little ones in the darkness of night, my thoughts quickly turn to those with little ones that have had to flee in a moment's notice. As I worry about my kids not getting a full night's rest, I pray for the moms whose laps are their child's pillow and whose arms are their child's only shelter. <br />
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I think about how desperate and scared I would feel in their shoes. And I realize that is exactly how we should pray for them, as if we are in their very shoes. <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-20" id="en-ESV-23745"><span class="woj"></span></span></span><br />Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-29681956006879099212014-08-02T09:40:00.000-05:002014-08-02T09:40:23.537-05:00The Ignorant Parent- Letters to Elizabeth<i>The Ignorant Parent posts are a series that some friends and I thought would be fun to write from our different perspectives on various topics. Our goal is to encourage you when you need to be lifted up, to show you hope in every situation, to let you know that you are never alone and to glorify God with the stories that He has written for our lives. For more background on who we are and how we know each other, <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/p/the-ignorant-parent.html" target="_blank">check out our bio page.</a></i><br />
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The other day I asked Elizabeth to <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ignorant-parent-ironman.html" target="_blank">write from her heart about her journey to race in the Ironman</a>. She finished her first one in Lake Tahoe last summer. On Sunday, she will race again. This time in Boulder, Colorado, alongside her husband, Travis. <br />
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Today, the girls and I wrote letters to Elizabeth to encourage her for this big day and to let her know just how much she has encouraged us through her faithful journey to the finish line.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Amy</u></span><br />
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Dear Elizabeth,<br />
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How inspiring it is to watch someone take on the world. I know you believe yourself to be just your normal joe-shmoe doing an IronWOMan, but you’re not. You are:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Courageous</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Strong</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Faithful</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Inspiring</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Motivating</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Captivating</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Encouraging</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Joyful</b></div>
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And above all, you are showing us what it means to really “run the race” for God. You have shared with us your struggles, and you have displayed that your strength has come solely from the Father. And like God said to Paul, <b>“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)."</b> You are fully living a “Paul” life and <b>“boasting all the more gladly about (your) weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on (you) (2 Corinthians 12:10).”</b><br />
<br />
You may not feel physically worthy of this celebration, but your trials and tribulations through this training for this race make the journey a success! So, Elizabeth, I celebrate you. I congratulate you for being willing to put yourself through the pain in order to run, swim and bike for Christ. This is a journey He has set before you, and you have not shied away from His desire for you. And you will be blessed!<br />
<br />
Enjoy the moments of struggle. They make the end result all the more sweeter! I love you Sister-girl.<br />
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Your Sister in Christ, Amy<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Danielle</u></span><br />
<br />
To my sweet, strong sister in Christ:<br />
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<b>"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant..." - Psalm 34:1-5</b></div>
<br />
Elizabeth, you embody, you emanate these verses! When I pray for you, for your race, for your swim, bike and run, I envision your radiance, your love, your strength, your dedication, your faith, your desire for His glory above all.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."</b></div>
<br />
If you never told me, I would never know about your insecurities, your weaknesses, your questioning, your doubts... If you never told me your times, your place, I would never know you are slower than others or finish close to last or feel weak... Because to me you are leading the pack, you are so strong, because you ARE. You are a leader! You are so strong, and so strong in your faith!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad." </b></div>
<br />
If you never told me, I would never know your struggle, and I would never see His success, His victory, His glory! If you never told me, I would never be able to share in it, to join you in exalting Him!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!"</b></div>
<br />
Elizabeth, He loves to watch you race! He loves your obedience in it, He loves that you seek Him in it, that you pray, that you memorize His Word, that you come to know His deep love for you more and more with every stroke, every pedal, every step. And in it, His radiance shines through you!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.<br />Those who look to Him are radiant..."</b></div>
<br />
Tahoe was just the beginning of the story. Boulder is this chapter. Only He knows what He is planning to write next in this inspiring story of your life! I know you will be faithful, I know you will say "yes", and I know you will continue to inspire us to be more faithful, to be more obedient, to be stronger and to be Boulder (<i>pun intended</i>) in the stories He's writing for our lives too!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"...finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>but also to be willing to act. On with it, then, and finish the job!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Be as eager to finish it as you were to plan it, and do it with all you now have."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>- 2 Corinthians 8:10-11</b></div>
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I love you! I'll be watching your radiant face cross the finish line, I'll be oh.so.glad, and we'll exalt His name once more together!<br />
<br />
Love, Dani<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Laura</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Oh my sweet Friend,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You amaze me. Not because you are doing an Ironman... for the SECOND time (<i>although that's still crazy amazing!</i>) but because you trust God so BIG that you would take a flying leap of faith and trust Him when He asks you to do something light years out of your comfort zone, maybe even your reality or possibility zone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">You amaze me because you trust Him even when things look like they're falling apart. You praise His name even when you can't see the finish line. You believe Him with your whole heart even when you think you cannot go on.</span><span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-ESV-29438"><b> </b></span><b><span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-ESV-29438">"I
know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every
circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I</span></b><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><b> can do all things through Him who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:12-13</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> You amaze me because even though it's hard for you to publicly share your journey, you do because you know God wrote you this story to share, to be a light to others, to glorify His name.</span><span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj"><b> "...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You amaze me because you have always tried to see life through our eyes as well, so you could better understand what we were going through. </span><b>"T<span class="text 1Cor-9-22" id="en-ESV-28546">o the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.</span></b><span class="text 1Cor-9-23" id="en-ESV-28547"><b> I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." -1 Corinthians 9:22-23</b></span><br />
<span class="text 1Cor-9-23" id="en-ESV-28547"> </span> <br />
<span class="text 1Cor-9-24" id="en-ESV-28548"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: small;">You amaze me because your big day is almost here, and even amidst nerves and emotions, your heart is steady. God goes before you and has made your path straight. You are ready to run, friend. This is how you have trained, and I know this is how you will run:</span></sup></span><br />
<span class="text 1Cor-9-24" id="en-ESV-28548"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </sup></span><br />
<b><span class="text 1Cor-9-24" id="en-ESV-28548">"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-25" id="en-ESV-28549">Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. S</span><span class="text 1Cor-9-26" id="en-ESV-28550">o I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. B</span></b><span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-ESV-28551"><b>ut I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." -1 Corinthians 9:24-27</b></span><br />
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<span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-ESV-28551">Every stroke, every pedal, ever step He has already written into your story. Trust Him now with the results. It's time to enjoy the ride.</span><br />
<span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-ESV-28551"><br /></span>
<span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-ESV-28551">Love you sweet sister, </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-ESV-28551">La</span><br />
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<br />
<i>Elizabeth wants her Ironman to have an impact on others beyond her
immediate reach. Please consider joining us in donating to the A21
Campaign. Your donation will help bring healing and justice to a young
girl who has been forced into sex trafficking. She can have hope because
your gift will help give her a voice. Your donation is important in the
fight for freedom and will help sustain every day care (food, clothing,
shelter) and legal obligations such as court fees, medical tests and
expense for representation.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Follow this link to <a href="http://www.thea21campaign.org/content/all-donations/gjkoyx?permcode=gjkoyx&linkid=329" target="_blank">make an online donation today</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-51474012458773665002014-07-31T09:49:00.005-05:002014-07-31T09:50:45.957-05:00The Ignorant Parent- Ironman<i>The Ignorant Parent posts are a series that some friends and I thought would be fun to write from our different perspectives on various topics. Our goal is to encourage you when you need to be lifted up, to show you hope in every situation, to let you know that you are never alone and to glorify God with the stories that He has written for our lives. For more background on who we are and how we know each other, <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/p/the-ignorant-parent.html" target="_blank">check out our bio page.</a></i><br />
<br />
Today I asked Elizabeth to write from her heart about her journey to race in the Ironman. She finished her first one in Lake Tahoe last summer. On Sunday, she will race again. This time in Boulder, Colorado, alongside her husband, Travis.<br />
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Her words are beautiful and heartfelt. Sport is such a great analogy for life. I think God likes to use it much like He does with the parables- teaching us in easy, tangible ways that will impact us and give us a greater knowledge and deeper wisdom of who He is.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Elizabeth</u></span><br />
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<i><b>My Weakness: Where Christ will Shine</b></i><br />
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I started to use triathlons to boost my confidence and gain some health benefits along the way. That's always been the main drive. The first time, I had just had a baby and needed it physically and mentally. When I signed up for Ironman, I had some health issues that had turned my mind into a black hole of anxiety and brokenness. I needed to take my focus off the hard days of life, to think about something other than healing myself everyday and doing all I could just to feel well.<br />
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I am here to win. This life. For my God I desire to the depth of my soul to see others be passionate about the life God has planned for them every day, every detail. To feel how the tiniest steps of obedience in loving others and Christ affects ALL of us. I pray ridiculously that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or hope. Not sure why, but I want to go FAST. I want to believe this body is capable. In fact, I am not even average. I am bottom five nearly always. But every once in a while, something happens, and I get a tiny taste of speed and power. It's exhilarating! And even if it's an entire year before I experience it again, I keep trying, pushing, believing God will eventually bring a new level out of me. I know His greatness is in there in all things. I pray and work so hard to be faster, to be more than last place, bottom of the pack. I TRY SO HARD. I use this body the way God made it, but truly the only thing I can do is show up and start the training. Not one of us is built the same. We are all unique. I am crushed and exhilarated all at the same time when my speed is the same as always, but I just did something I shouldn't have been able to finish.<br />
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<i>Elizabeth crossing the finish line in Lake Tahoe in 2013.</i></div>
<i style="text-align: center;"><br /></i>
I have seen the same tiny glimpses of His majesty and power in my life spiritually. The same carrot keeps me seeking Him regularly because when you grab hold of it, you don't want to let it go. Usually reading, writing or meditating on scripture, if I take down my wall and have a little faith that He is using it, He tells me something about where I am in life. To grow in love with Him, to read that He delights in me and believes I am worth the sacrifice to allow a relationship into my life, that is the reason I am alive....Well that takes purpose. It takes discipline. It's never easy to find the time. And if I let go of the noise of the world and pay attention, God shows me how He is a part of it all. Just look for it, it's the tiniest thing that sings to you and seems insignificant to others.<br />
<br />
Every swim stroke, pedal stroke, and foot step I am offering to God. I know I am not capable to do this without Him. I feel weak and incapable of finishing any workout, but I believe He wants me to. I overcome my insecurities, my doubts. I say NO to giving in when He has more. And always (<i>what has taken me years to understand and believe</i>) God smiles. He rejoices. Because this is how He has chosen to show me I am worthy. To think I am amazing enough to be loved, whether I am fast or not. It doesn't matter. For yet while we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Not because we were lucky enough to make it to the podium, or finally go out with the fast group. He loves us as we are, where we are. Nothing we do will change that.<br />
<br />
I don't feel like I chose this for my life. In fact, I would say it was the least likely thing for this girl to pursue. I was not ever an athlete. I could not swim without holding my nose (<i>it was a one-armed breast stroke</i>). But I could visualize the peace and rhythm of myself swimming. I would walk when we were suppose to run at school. I still walk into gyms, look around and feel weak. I see others and think God made them stronger and that this fitness/health life and family is easier for them. I watch other moms serve, entertain, organize, craft, and think it's easier for them. I read books and blogs and think they are so smart. I feel this way, but what I believe is that I matter somehow, too. Just like a simple prayer, Bible verse, kind act from a friend or smile from a stranger matters. God is using those simple acts to show you His love. To say you are His BEST. He worked generations upon generations to make you for this time and place. No other parents could have brought you to this world. His plan for you and all the generations it took to create you was laid into play long ago.<br />
<br />
I have learned to be open to those divine moments when God is leading my hand. He is always directing us when we desire to go His way and nothing will keep it from happening. "What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against (Romans 8:31)?" Turn off the noise and watch for God daily. I don't always listen though. But I know God is for us, so even my own stubbornness or misunderstanding can not be against.<br />
<br />
So what I have just come to realize is that I have always felt like God was going to do something "big" in His name with me. Mainly because I want to see His power displayed on earth and have a reason to believe more than with blind faith and little glimpses. The big thing...it's already in the works. It starts when you say "yes" to doing the thing you think you cannot do. And then live by faith, for Him to complete it. A tiny step, turns into something big. I am reading <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/05/when-sparkly-safe-faith-is-no-longer.html" target="_blank">Rhinestone Jesus</a>, and I got caught up in how big her story and work for the kingdom is. And then it hit me: none of it would have happened if she hadn't started her blog, writing. With no real way to see how God was going to use that simple thing and turn it into a HUGE thing. When I signed up for my first Ironman, my son, in the middle of a melt down, said, "Mom, I am so glad you did the right thing. On your phone just now, you did the right thing." Praise God for that with me.<br />
<br />
We all need to know when we step out in faith, do the right thing and follow the path you're on, it's the right one. It's yours. You are the only one who can be on it. Don't feel bad for sticking to it or believing in it. You're already shining, beaming with a win. We all win together.<br />
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<br />
<i>Elizabeth wants her Ironman to have an impact on others beyond her immediate reach. Please consider joining us in donating to the A21 Campaign. Your donation will help bring healing and justice to a young girl who has been forced into sex trafficking. She can have hope because your gift will help give her a voice. Your donation is important in the fight for freedom and will help sustain every day care (food, clothing, shelter) and legal obligations such as court fees, medical tests and expense for representation.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Follow this link to <a href="http://www.thea21campaign.org/content/all-donations/gjkoyx?permcode=gjkoyx&linkid=329" target="_blank">make an online donation today</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-44019435703654646252014-07-28T17:33:00.000-05:002014-08-12T22:35:45.406-05:009 Lessons Learned On Our Road Trip<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">On the way from Texas to Iowa, we had it all planned out. </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">We had tons of brand new games and ideas to keep us busy. (<a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/07/road-trip-game-plan.html" target="_blank">See our Road Trip Game Plan</a>.) </span>We stopped three quarters of the way, woke up and played at a water park inside a hotel. We just had a short cruise the second day and were at Grandma's in time for dinner. It was actually easy, laid back, fun and seemed to go by pretty fast.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
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<i>They thought the duct tape binoculars were a load of fun!</i></div>
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<i>They didn't totally get the whole I Spy Bingo thing,<br />but they thoroughly enjoyed coloring with the dry erase markers then<br />erasing everything.</i></div>
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<i>The magnet boards and toys were a HUGE hit.<br />They played with these, trading toys, for about an hour and a half.</i></div>
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<i>We found a hotel online right along our route with a fun indoor water park.<br />That was a great morning activity following a full day in the car.</i></div>
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<i>They are toddlers, so yes, there were toddler moments,<br />but for the most part, they were like this and enjoying themselves.<br />They both told us they had fun on the trip. I call that a win.</i></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The way home was a very different experience. We had three sick kids and were up at 4:30am soothing the baby the morning of departure. After several nights of little to no sleep, we were already running on fumes but committed to getting all the way home in one day just to be back in a controlled environment and on a routine as soon as possible for the kids... and us big kids, too. So this is how the trip home looked (notice there are no pictures):</span><br />
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1,100 miles<br />
22 hours awake</div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">17 hours of driving</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">8 pit stops</span></div>
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6 dollars in tolls</div>
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5 states crossed</div>
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3 tanks of gas</div>
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2 near poop debacles</div>
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1 navigation mishap </div>
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Made. It. Home.</div>
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Since we experienced the full gamut, I think I can safely say we learned a few things along the way.<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Plan Ahead</b><br /><br />It was SO much easier on the way to Iowa because we had a game plan and an itinerary. We budgeted in time for pit stops to run around, stretch our legs, use the restroom and feed the baby. It was a pretty clear cut itinerary, but there was plenty of room for flexibility if we needed to veer off course for any reason. On the way home, we were just fighting to make it while our brains were still currently functioning. We were trying to hustle and move along the pit stops, but as every parent knows, that will give you the complete opposite result with small children. So bottom line, plan an itinerary for your trip, BOTH ways.</li>
<li><b>Pack Healthy Food</b><br /><br />We brought a cooler stocked with water, tons of fruit and two meals. Plus we had a bag of dried fruit and other snacks. Both ways we ate breakfast on the road and either lunch or dinner, stopping for the other. This cut down on cost, saves trip time, and gives the kids another activity to keep them busy in the car. We all tried to load up on water throughout the drive (and a little caffeine for the drivers), which helps you feel better when you arrive. You don't want to load up with fun surprises of super sugary snacks and juices. You are just setting yourself up for failure to sugar load your kid who is trapped in a 1x1 square foot seat with no walls to bounce off of. Meltdowns will most certainly ensue.</li>
<li><b>Surprises</b><br /><br />A few fun surprises will go a long way to keep kids from getting bored and realize they are locked into their seat and cannot escape for long periods of time. I prepared quite a few that I showed you in our <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/2014/07/road-trip-game-plan.html" target="_blank">road trip game plan</a>. But several of them we didn't even get to on the way there, so we had some left for the trip home. Plus, at our first pit stop on the return trip, we let them pick out a new book and they were SO excited. We read for most of the first part of the day.</li>
<li><b>Boredom</b><br /><br />I am here to take away any guilt of thinking you have to entertain your kids the entire trip. Let them be bored for a while. We left early in the morning, waking the kids up to go. They ate breakfast and proceeded to zone out for nearly two hours. They weren't complaining and seemed to enjoy just resting to the hum of the car, so we let them just be. A few times they would stop what they were doing and just stare out the window. Then suddenly excited dialogue would break out over something they saw or something they were thinking about. It's fun to see where their minds go.</li>
<li><b>Technology</b><br /><br />It seems like technology is our best friend and worst enemy these days. It offers education, entertainment, distraction, busyness and sometimes a longed for silence. Like most things though, technology is great only in moderation. The days we have a little extra tv or screen time at home, I notice my kids are whinier, begging for more and harder to satisfy with other things. On days we have less, they are much more content, creative, and generally get along better. We did watch some movies in the car, but we had a limit to two a day. Actually, Zoe slept through nearly all of them. The girls seemed to have the most fun singing, reading new books, coloring and playing with little toys. At the end of the trip, both girls said they had a lot of fun, so I know we made great memories. In fact, Zoe keeps asking if we can "all go bye-bye in car" again.</li>
<li><b>Potty Breaks</b><br /><br />It is good to plan in potty breaks, however, be warned: <b>DO NOT</b> ignore a potty break request because you are making good time, even if they "just went." This WILL backfire and possibly require an immediate cleaning of one or more children, clothes and car seats. We had thrown a little potty in the car for emergencies, in case we were in the middle of nowhere and a #2 struck. Thankfully, we did not need to use it. But we had two close calls on the way home- one from our potty trained toddler who amazingly held it to an exit like a pro and another from the baby who became randomly fussy after a fresh change and feed. Fortunately my mommy sniffer came to the rescue and a blowout was very narrowly avoided.</li>
<li><b>Fill Er Up</b><br /><br />Every time you stop, fill up with gas, even if you're at a half tank. There are stretches of road in this great country that don't have gas stations for hundreds of miles. And kids are distracting. You may not notice until it's too late. And then on a hot summer's day, with a car full of kids, no gas station in sight, no cell signal... well, I'm so glad we didn't have to live that nightmare.</li>
<li><b>Expectations</b><br /><br />Set realistic expectations. Kids are not perfect and cooperative all the time on a good day, at home, in their environment. So they are almost guaranteed not to be in the confines of a seat for 17 hours. Roll with it, be flexible, prepare yourself with extra mercy.</li>
<li><b>Grace</b><br /><br />When you are weary, exhausted and emotionally compromised, remember your kids will be even more so. Take a deep breath, exhale, offer grace. You got this.</li>
</ol>
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-59564069877678673982014-07-20T11:45:00.005-05:002014-07-24T15:22:45.537-05:00Zadok Attack<br />
Our little man is now on the attack. Grandma was his first victim. Watch out, you could be next!<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/101228459">Zadok Attack</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user16831054">Laura Hulseman</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-26432990973198953652014-07-17T13:46:00.000-05:002014-07-24T15:22:57.194-05:005 Videos That Will Unleash Your Inner SuperheroToday my family was so gracious to take the kiddos and dump me at a coffee shop so I could have some alone time, breathe and maybe write one of the ten blog posts I've started but haven't had a chance to finish between road trips and sick kids.<br />
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So what productive thing am I doing with this valuable time away? I got totally sucked in to watching videos. I just wanted to sit still, sip my coffee (with caffeine I might add!) and waste a little time... <i>because I could</i>. This girl here doesn't have cable and most hours I'm elbow deep in snot, playing pretend, putting someone down for a nap, calming down a crier, or making and cleaning up a meal.<br />
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What started as just watching my friends Facebook posts of fun videos while sipping my exquisite non-fat latte, quickly led me to looking up all kinds of amazing feats of craziness. You may have heard me mention it before, but I have a not-so-secret ambition to one day be a superhero.<br />
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My cape wearing days didn't start at the usual toddler age. I might have been a little closer to 30. I mean, I already enjoy leaping from tall buildings in a single bound, plunging to the water faster than a speeding bullet and kids have often pointed up at me in the sky and said, "It's a bird, it's a plane... it's Laura diving!" Okay, well, maybe not quite, but platform diving can give one aspirations of becoming a superhero. So as my kids have begun to don masks and capes, I get the itch to join them. After all...<br />
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As I'm watching these videos this morning, I started getting sucked into these amazing feats of strength, adrenaline and pure craziness and well... that superhero inside desperately wants me to get back in shape so I can try this stuff! Going from one to three kids in 13 months was all the working out I could handle. But now we're starting to be able to breathe again and I think these videos may provide me some motivation to get back into the swing of things. Enjoy and unleash your inner superhero friends. Although, most of this you shouldn't try at home... unless you're these guys.<br />
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<b>5. Because these guys are insanely strong.</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=668165976610599">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mudandadventure">Mud and Adventure</a>.</div>
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<b><b>4. Kacy Catanzaro- American Ninja Warrior... indeed.</b></b><br />
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<b><b>3. Damien Walters- free runner, stuntman, gymnast. This guy is amazing.</b></b><br />
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<b>1. Because this stuff is just plain crazy</b><br />
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Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-76859636943306899052014-07-14T09:53:00.000-05:002014-07-14T09:53:43.804-05:00The Igorant Parent- A Prayer For YouThe Ignorant Parent posts are a new series that some friends and I thought would be fun to write from our different perspectives on various topics. Our goal is to encourage you when you need to be lifted up, to show you hope in every situation, to let you know that you are never alone and to glorify God with the stories that He has written for our lives. For more background on who we are and how we know each other, <a href="http://laurawilkinson.blogspot.com/p/the-ignorant-parent.html" target="_blank">check out our bio page.</a><br />
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Today we wrote prayers for the insecure, the longing, the anxious, and the weary souls out there. We wrote a prayer for ourselves because these are the things we are struggling through right now. And we pray that if you are struggling, too, that you might be encouraged and that these prayers will become your prayers.<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth</span></u><br />
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If you are struggling with insecurity...<br />
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God thank you for your delight in my
everyday life. Thank you for loving me as I am and guiding me as I grow
in glorifying you, and understanding your ways for me. I pray and am
seeking you to grow my confidence and trust in myself and you. God, your promise says the same power that raised Christ from the dead is
alive in me. The same spirit is alive in my spouse, friends, and strangers. God I pray to have that confidence. To believe I am
special, with purpose. That the good and the difficult in my life is
being worked out for YOUR good. Father fill me with your good, overload
my spirit with confidence so that I don't compare my path and gifts to
others. Allow me to rejoice with their victories and give praise to you,
for the plans you have for us as individuals and collective souls. Let
me be so in awe of what you're doing through me and others that our
spirits begin to soar. And the generations affected. Close my mind to
insecurities. Close my mind to things that are not of you, grow my love
for myself and others through a clear understanding of your love and
delight in me.
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For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you
from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ. (2 Peter 1:8 HCSB)<br />
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In Jesus' name, Amen.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Danielle</span></u><br />
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Father God, this prayer is for the woman whose heart is longing for more, whose desire is to do more, whose dream is to see more of you, magnified and glorified through her life. This prayer is for me, and (I pray) it might be for the one reading it too.<br />
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I want to live the extraordinary. I have big dreams, big hopes, big ideas, but the seemingly small is my reality. The ordinary is what I live.<br />
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And yet, all throughout your Word, you remind me that the ordinary is extraordinary. The least is the greatest in your kingdom.<br />
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When I want to travel to the ends of the earth, thank you for reminding me "...that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in [Christ's] name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem," the city of closest proximity to the disciples (Luke 24:47).<br />
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When I want to leave my corporate career and become a missionary, thank you for reminding me "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man" (Colossians 3:23 and Ephesians 6:7).<br />
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When I want to serve families here, there, and everywhere, thank you for reminding me how important serving my own family is, because "... if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith..." (1 Timothy 5:8).<br />
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When I want to spend my days making disciples of all nations, thank you for reminding me of the little disciples you have entrusted to me each day right here. "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).<br />
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And when I want to do more for you, thank you for reminding me you have done it all for me. It is a gift. It is not something I can earn. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works..." (Ephesians 2:8-9).<br />
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Father, I don't think you've said no to my dreams, hopes, and ideas; you have said, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). You've said obey, trust, love.<br />
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I ask for your wisdom, a deeper knowledge of you, and your will in my life. Help me to obey, help me to trust, help me to love.<br />
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Thank you for reminding me: the big and extraordinary can be found in the small and ordinary.<br />
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Thank you for your great, extraordinary love for me! Thank you for reminding me always, it is enough.<br />
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In Jesus' name, amen!
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Amy</u></span><br />
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Dear anxiety-filled-terror-stricken-brand-spanking-new Mom,<br />
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This prayer is for you. And me.<br />
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Father God,<br />
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You are the Father of all creation. You can count every hair on my head (Matthew 10:29-31), you know my name, you made my heart and you created within me a soul to know You (Jeremiah 1:5). Today I come to you in honest fright. You entrusted me with a gift beyond words, a great blessing the size of Texas. You gave me a daughter, precious and new. And I am terrified.<br />
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Father, you have written the roles of women throughout the books of the Bible. It is natural to care for children, raise them up in your Spirit with your Word written on their tiny hearts. You have directed us in how to teach our children. It’s all there in the lessons of your parables and the words of your own Son, Jesus. So then, why do I feel so inept? Why am I so scared?<br />
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My life has wholly changed, forever. You have shown me the depths of your love in one itty-bitty life. And it’s knocked me clean off my feet. I wonder what my life will be like in a year, two, even ten. I would like to ask for your holy guidance in how to live a life pleasing to you that will teach my daughter your grace and love.<br />
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Father God, I also want to ask that you help me take one day at a time. And when I wake, I have a heart like David, a man after yours (1 Samuel 13:14). Show me how to love like Christ, so that I can be an example to my child and she can be salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16).<br />
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Lord, I have been talking with you for a while now; talking about changing my life to mirror your desire for me. For too long, I have tried to fit you into my life instead of fitting my life to you. I need to stop talking and start doing. I have been scared to give up the old in exchange for the freedom of the new. You have said you will provide, and I know you will. And you have shown me the story of Jonah and what could happen if I deny your will for my life. I will follow your path. Just help me take the first step.<br />
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Father, there are many just like me that don’t know what tomorrow will bring with this new life. Help us to rely on you alone and not our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Help us to trust in what you can make of our lives when we get out of the way.<br />
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I pray this prayer to you in your Son’s precious name, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Laura</u></span><br />
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For the weary soul who longs for rest...<br />
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God I'm tired, I'm burned out, I'm useless. My weariness has run my patience dry, grace rarely exists for others and I can no longer define mercy. I get angry at the drop of a hat, I say “no” more often than I laugh, and I get easily frustrated when things don't go as I want or expect them.<br />
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Teach me to be thankful in times of frustration. Teach me to find joy in my kids' chaos. Teach me to have grace in times of trouble. Teach me to have mercy on others regardless of my circumstance. Teach me to enjoy dropping the reigns of control so I can find excitement in trusting you with reckless abandon. Stretch me to love in words and actions beyond what I am capable. Stretch me out of my comfort zone so I might grow mightily out of my safety zone and into a role that will glorify You. Stretch me and mold me out of my life plan and into your kingdom plan.<br />
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God, I no longer want to try and squish you into my plans and dreams and give you lip service. I want more. I want to abandon my plans and live for Yours. Your plans are far greater than any I could ever dream up. And your rewards are far greater than any this world can offer.<br />
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But God I pray for these things, then as I open my eyes, I see my reality before me and immediately the fatigue of everyday hits me like a brick wall. Suddenly the hope of change seems to disappear in an instant.<br />
<br />
Lord, I'm starting to see that it is in the fumes of exhaustion, in my brokenness, in my complete and total end of myself that I can begin to truly rely and depend on you. In that moment, it becomes obvious I need to trust you because I cannot dig my way out on my own.<br />
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God, help me to find contentment in these tired moments. When I can be content and trust you in the trenches, I know I can trust you in any situation.<br />
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"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:11-13<br />
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Lord, when I can find contentment in any situation and trust you with the details, I know I will begin to find true rest... in you.<br />
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"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:29-30<br />
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Thank you Lord, for the hope, fulfillment and peace you offer that surpasses all understanding.<br />
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In Jesus' name, Amen.Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-21299708486702863462014-07-10T23:31:00.000-05:002014-07-10T23:31:31.099-05:00Road Trip Game PlanToday is the day! We've been counting down the days until we leave for our big (17 hour) road trip to Grandma's house! <br />
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I grew up going on road trips, and I think they're a lot of fun, a grand adventure. When I suggested it to Eriek, he looked at me like I was certifiably insane. He kept reminding me that we have three children (3, 2, and 5 months). Therefore it must be deemed impossible, or just plain nuts, to attempt such a certain catastrophe.<br />
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After analyzing every possible way to get to Grandma's house, the road trip was the most feasible, so we committed to it. Eriek immediately turned white and may still in a mild state of shock and fear. Although it seems to have settled into a comfortable state of denial. He may have to get treated for PTSD after we get home.<br />
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However, I am a most positive and determined individual, well, perhaps stubborn is a more accurate description. So I poured every spare minute into hunting down ideas to keep our toddlers entertained without melting their brains to mush via 17 hours of movies (<i>which Eriek may or may not have suggested we do</i>).<br />
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Armed with Pinterest, I gathered items and made several fun things to occupy the girls and hopefully make the trip fun and memorable. I'll let you know once we get to Grandma's how it <i>REALLY</i> all plays out, but until then, I'll give you a snippet of some of the things we have come up with. <br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Countdown Calendar</span></u><br />
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We mentioned about a month ago to the girls that we were driving to Grandma's house. After that, every time we got in the car, Zoe asked if we were driving to Grandma's house and would get upset when we said "No." So, We decided to make a simple little calendar that the girls could help cross off each day as we got closer. It helped A TON, and it seems to have gotten them even more excited. You'll notice we didn't bother with dates. But the girls can count a bit, so we just put how many days were left. Although we're now leaving a day earlier, but they didn't mind at all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNU8BWkcnn-DiUCYA6MhixRPb4YyzwATq93UhS_lihi8lsctawm70jPyH5bEigRn-6KHjetUN2fDroLD96zD6L1OwMLnKQl6h2jf6bLzB4G1yryYez6AXxp67ovj7Dgh_sjd7QU1x-nY/s1600/countdown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNU8BWkcnn-DiUCYA6MhixRPb4YyzwATq93UhS_lihi8lsctawm70jPyH5bEigRn-6KHjetUN2fDroLD96zD6L1OwMLnKQl6h2jf6bLzB4G1yryYez6AXxp67ovj7Dgh_sjd7QU1x-nY/s1600/countdown.JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"> How Much Farther?</span></u><br />
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I LOVE this idea! It's a visual to help the girls understand how much farther we have to go until we reach Grandma's house. It's supposed to help keep the dreaded "Are we there yet?" hounding to a minimum, but even if that doesn't work, it seems to be a fun teaching tool.<br />
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I made our minivan complete with family inside ready to travel! I printed up a picture for each segment of the trip, and as we see the pictures or get to that point on the journey, we'll move the minivan past that picture. Everything is hanging by a paperclip so they can be easily moved, however we already discovered that our minivan went crashing into landmarks, so I re-secured everything with clothes pins.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.momsminivan.com/how-much-farther.html" target="_blank">How Much Farther Idea from Momsminivan.com</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VJ5_9ZE2wUOVEt_QwX1wZe7mh41UbDHagvdSKOInIGD-QRPoBftq8xi5N29_rIC7e9eCRdaFIS0JoG12SPaLqS1aS_Y6ZzFvMkQmlrtNSohvRqN39PY_mvw6FRxLtw9OuCjFeRJeVbPc/s1600/Minivan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VJ5_9ZE2wUOVEt_QwX1wZe7mh41UbDHagvdSKOInIGD-QRPoBftq8xi5N29_rIC7e9eCRdaFIS0JoG12SPaLqS1aS_Y6ZzFvMkQmlrtNSohvRqN39PY_mvw6FRxLtw9OuCjFeRJeVbPc/s1600/Minivan.JPG" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>We're ready!</i> <i>At least our pictures are happy even if our attitudes might not be.<br /></i></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHGkKVLe7FbynOmWkC1iYKfmryWSR2tzkNqk4RdMECXU3dipcpCx2qlQTFfm3iNJIvUdykfPtk6sMz6jZZeckJKcDV73GPrn-YUT4l-Rkjj5JcOVa2oPwN0dJPMhZl6d-PJafdqtaV-ec/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" height="240" width="320" /> </div>
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<i>Each main segment of the trip is represented.<br /></i></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTSp-FEyoGPx20R1AEf45eMFOGxfaR1eIe4brRxakDh5emk6AqBXzcGsusxGIfoFulpMbpHrS2irNEG9O-zSurA_kd_R04bXyubNVB3kHhYuYPWbOMGhflVO9cBFDh-7FmbBhfBZQZUD2/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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<i>Our target- Grandma & Papa Dave's house!</i></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Trip Map</span></u><br />
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I found this great free printable of the states over at <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/08/we-traveled-with-kids-and-survived-to.html?m=1" target="_blank">I Heart Organizing</a>. They can color in the states or just follow along the route I drew in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5qBv8qM_GQG9_HBoTYLb9XR10Jbbfp8YICiHXUnvy73cm5JVrcYVXizYRCkPJoA6_OLnL0UDtkTHX83bRVljIxus5cDegOKdGoKXJxzo5ciUjvvDtgG6bda2X5vCsF4u2Sj3GNyEiMAy/s1600/TripMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5qBv8qM_GQG9_HBoTYLb9XR10Jbbfp8YICiHXUnvy73cm5JVrcYVXizYRCkPJoA6_OLnL0UDtkTHX83bRVljIxus5cDegOKdGoKXJxzo5ciUjvvDtgG6bda2X5vCsF4u2Sj3GNyEiMAy/s1600/TripMap.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">I Spy</span></u><br />
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Of course we had to include I Spy for the girls! It's like a road trip right of passage. I found these great free printables at <a href="http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/2010/06/preparedness-project-travel-bag.html" target="_blank">Prepared Not Scared</a>. And I saw the adorable DIY binoculars at <a href="http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/2012/05/16-hour-road-trip-with-toddler-and_24.html" target="_blank">DIY Home Sweet Home</a>. The girls picked out the duct tape and I went to town with a couple of toilet paper rolls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgplmCxcKesqIA4fKRECxD8n5PPNnrYvQST3OzkAAXvIUCfpIGAdfTg9w0s4Amk17LYa9eKaorkmFvrt7btmDBBvaQWOX1gWmhKBN0J2gpUBpI2yeAJKmvMkMbCS2SuYLZVhYZlSTbS9E/s1600/ISpy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgplmCxcKesqIA4fKRECxD8n5PPNnrYvQST3OzkAAXvIUCfpIGAdfTg9w0s4Amk17LYa9eKaorkmFvrt7btmDBBvaQWOX1gWmhKBN0J2gpUBpI2yeAJKmvMkMbCS2SuYLZVhYZlSTbS9E/s1600/ISpy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Dry Erase Markers</span></u><br />
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It seems so simple, but it's brilliant. I'm not even sure where I read the idea, but thank you to whoever suggested it! I found these little dry erase markers with erasers on the top at the dollar store, and they work great on sheet protectors. So the girls can cross off things they see on their I Spy games or color on the states or just doodle, erase and redo. Love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BTs9FbUy4Ze9236Tvb-NPvUIgdJ14t_lyUsvCQtY3d4C-8Y2WSzbC5dMlrOEowXfkhZOd2wxcarCMIQc_bayk9C5pLZRrCDowRauTzpf4c3dotX76WMvXtQlTDT99N1a_QwdRhZiZ_Zp/s1600/MagicEraser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BTs9FbUy4Ze9236Tvb-NPvUIgdJ14t_lyUsvCQtY3d4C-8Y2WSzbC5dMlrOEowXfkhZOd2wxcarCMIQc_bayk9C5pLZRrCDowRauTzpf4c3dotX76WMvXtQlTDT99N1a_QwdRhZiZ_Zp/s1600/MagicEraser.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Magnetic Travel Trays</span></u><br />
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So another simple, yet brilliant idea is the magnetic travel tray. You take a cheap cookie sheet and it you can use magnetic toys on it so they don't fall every two seconds in the car, plus it doubles as a lap tray for coloring, eating, playing, etc and things won't roll off because of the edges. I found a simple was to make it pretty and fun over at <a href="http://mykindofmakeover.blogspot.com/2011/07/magnetic-travel-trays.html" target="_blank">My Kind of Makeover</a>. I found all the toys at the dollar store and slapped magnet strips on the bottom.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Lacing Cards</span></u><br />
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I think this is a great idea for little ones learning fine motor skills. <a href="http://activityvillage.co.uk/lacing-cards" target="_blank">Activity Village</a> had awesome free printables of all kinds of animals. I let the girls pick which ones they wanted.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Neck Pillows</span></u><br />
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I have no idea if these will work well in the car, but they were adorable. My girls love elephants, so at the very least, they will play with them. And I had to get Zadok a matching pair of straps.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Glow Things</span></u><br />
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<a href="http://www.whilehewasnapping.com/2013/07/kids-on-road-activities-for-toddlers.html?m=1" target="_blank">While He was Napping</a> had some great ideas. Unfortunately I ran out of time to make the play dough balloons and pom pom stuffers, but I scooped up some glow bracelets and necklaces from the dollar store for driving at night. They love flashlights and all things glow, so this is sure to be a hit! I just hope it doesn't backfire and keep them up longer.<br />
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So there you have it, the highlights of our game plan. The Little Man has some knew toys I'll break out on the trip, too. And yes, we did some fun new movies for the girls: Mary Poppins, Horton Hears a Who, and Ice Age Melt Down. Plus their favorites just in case. <br />
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Don't worry, I will definitely post about the trip if we survive to Iowa. If you'd like to follow along with our real-time shenanigans, though, follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Wilkinson/107352742721012" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/Lala_the_diver" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
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And all prayers are greatly appreciated... especially for Eriek! Ha!Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4105396960256062035.post-85634541125366173632014-07-02T20:23:00.001-05:002014-07-02T20:23:12.712-05:00Like A Girl<div style="text-align: left;">
I am a girl. And I was just like the young girls in this video who didn't yet understand the insult. I was the girl who won pull up contests against the boys in elementary school. I was also the girl who was told numerous times that she wasn't good enough, that she was too tall or too old or too... whatever.</div>
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At first they made me doubt. Then they made me angry. Eventually they became fuel to my fire.</div>
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I run like a girl. I jump like a girl. I lift weights like a girl. I dive off three story buildings like a girl. And I win Olympic gold medals like a girl.</div>
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I now have two little girls that I want to raise to see the beauty in being all that a girl can be in whatever path she chooses. In our house, we're rewriting the rules.</div>
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Thank you <a href="http://www.always.com/en-us/home.aspx" target="_blank">Always</a> for making this video to rewrite what it means to be "Like A Girl."</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23likeagirl&src=typd" target="_blank">#LikeAGirl</a></div>
Laura Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13367677306859657231noreply@blogger.com0