tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31374260837946127322024-02-07T04:11:53.075-05:00Life with AG, Avi-Kate, and Samson in a college town..."There's something unique about being a member of a family that really needs you in order to function well. One of the deepest longings a person can have is to feel needed and essential." ~Fred RogersAndy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.comBlogger496125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-40184800229588358882014-10-06T22:19:00.004-04:002014-10-06T22:19:41.189-04:00Where to Start...Life. It has a funny way of slipping away from you and before you know it a year has passed since the last time you wrote. In many ways I needed a break. A lot has happened in the last two years and I've needed to process and reflect on what has happened around me. In many ways not knowing where to start and the thought of blogging terrified me. However, enough time has passed and I am in a much healthier place these days. I'm ready to blog again and document our life this way because I do so love being able to re-read where we have been and where we are headed. Please, bear with me as I shake off the dust and clear the cobwebs. I've got to find a rhythm for posting again but I promise to get back on the bandwagon. I'm sure I'll post some on what has transpired over the last year but I don't really want to set expectations on that for myself. We'll just see when and where my heart goes with all of this. Without much further ado here's where we are headed...<br />
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Home<br />
We are still living in our same house. It's hard to believe that we've been here now for over 7.5 years! Time moves so quickly. This past summer one of our old trees in the backyard split in half and in order to take it out we had to remove four additional trees. Our once super shady backyard is now very bright! The upside to this is that the mosquito problem that we've had for years is now virtually non-existent. It also means that for the first time since we've been here I'll be able to have a vegetable garden this next spring.<br />
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Andy<br />
We are elated to announce that Andy will be starting a new job in different industry next week. He has been working in the tax industry since we met. We've prayed for a long time that something would come along that would allow him to switch gears and move out of it. And in the last two months God brought about an unexpected opportunity. It feels odd to be walking in uncharted territory and yet we are at peace with where we are being led. I'll share more about this and how we got to this point in another post because it is most certainly something I want to document.<br />
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Me<br />
So many things to say here. :) The biggest change for me in this last year is going back to work. I absolutely love my job, what we do, and the people I work with. Again, I plan to document how I got to where I am because it is worth documenting in another post.<br />
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AG<br />
Five and a half and getting closer to six every. single. day. He started Kindergarten in August and is thriving at school! We decided to put him on campus at Berry Elementary and have felt deeply affirmed that he is in the right place over the course of these last two months. He amazes us daily with all the different things that he is learning. He continues to be all boy and a sports fanatic just like his Daddy. Once again, he's playing soccer this fall and Andy is coaching his team. I'm not sure who enjoys it more but I absolutely love watching the two of them on the field together.<br />
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Avi-Kate<br />
Our sweet and sassy mess as I affectionately call her. She's got a lot of spunk and reminds me daily of my sister, Caroline, when we were growing up. In August, she started school at Berry at the Child Development Center and she is blossoming right in front of our eyes. She loves being a 'big girl' who has her own friends and gets to do fun things like paint, play, read, and sing. Her only disappointment with school is that she can't ride the bus every day like her older brother. Ha. We remind her daily that her time is coming.<br />
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Samson<br />
Middle age in dog years and likes his routine. He's living the dream lounging around the house and in the backyard. And always enjoys a car trip when it takes him to the farm where he can roam to his heart's content.<br />
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Running<br />
Many a post on this subject coming up in the next few weeks. I'm still doing it and learning a lot along the way. Andy and I have some pretty ambitious race goals set for this next year and we are currently training for a half and a marathon back to back. We've got our race schedule for 2015 for the most part set and I'm really excited about what we've got on the books. Two of which are really big runDisney accomplishments.<br />
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College Family<br />
Lots of transition here! We had a huge wave of our students graduate this spring so we are in the process of regrouping. Our group had become quite large and it should look much smaller this year due to our senior class this spring. With everything in limbo the last two months with Andy's job we haven't done our usual dinners to kick off the year. However, now that we know what the next few weeks look like as Andy transitions to his new gig we are excited about starting things back up with our students.<br />
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There you have it. A surface level post but hopefully it sets things up for me to dive back into this in the coming weeks. Back again soon...<br />
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-53364704728671965112013-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-15T08:00:02.040-04:00Third time is the charm...I hope...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In December of 2010 we spent a week at Disney with AG seeing all the holiday splendor and it was so beautiful. It was a great trip but it was also hard because all three of us were sick. (I was also 3 months pregnant with Avi-Kate.) Since then we've tried to go back to do all the Christmas stuff again just not sick. And the last two years we've had to cancel for various reasons. As it is last year everyone but Avi-Kate came down with a stomach virus...so I was grateful we ended up canceling. I told Andy that I can't keep planning on a Christmas trip and then having to cancel it. So here's hoping that this year we actually make it to Disney! Once again the kids don't know this trip exists but they have been asking daily when are we going back to Disney so the timing couldn't be better! For this trip we have a voucher to try Wyndham's Vacation Club at Bonnet Creek and we are curious to see how it stacks up next to Marriott's. Then we'll finish the last two nights at one of Marriott's Vacation Club resorts. We are going to try a new to us Marriott by staying at Harbour Lake. (At some point we plan to do a trip and stay here when it is hot so that the kids can take advantage of the amenities...they have a pirate ship water feature, putt-putt course, etc.) This will be the first trip where we have to pay for AG and I'm sad that our kid free days are numbered. Oh, well it had to happen sometime. Avi-Kate has another year of being free before we have to pay for her too. Our plan is to take advantage of this and get our monies worth out of the fact that we have to pay for AG while Avi-Kate is still free. </div>
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This trip is going to be really low key and we are going to do everything that the kids want to do. Andy and I will be back in January for race weekend so we'll get to ride our favorites then. Also, it looks like we'll get to overlap with my dear friend, Evan, and her crew for a day. Last fall our trips lined up like this and we had an absolutely perfect day together. I'm really excited about getting to spend some time together with all our kids in one of our favorite places. I've booked a few dining reservations and analyzed the crowd forecasts to maximize our park time so the kids get to see everything they want. We are trying to really hard to prioritize trips like this right now when they are so little because they LOVE everything about it and get completely wrapped up in the magic of it all. Avi-Kate is going to be beside herself because in this last year she has come to love all of the princesses. Andy and I can't wait to see their faces and watch them take it all in. So here's hoping that in less than fifty days we'll all be at the happiest place on earth enjoying some much needed family time with our gingers.</div>
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Every year we go I pick up an ornament with the date on it...this is a special one from 2011 because it commemorates the Magic Kingdom 40th anniversary. And we also pick up an ornament or two for each child based on what they've loved that year.</div>
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I love seeing the castle like this. And I love the fact that we get to see it lit up in January for Marathon weekend. It's so beautiful to run towards it as you are running down Main Street U.S.A. </div>
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(Sigh) Is it time to leave yet?!? These pictures make me wish we could pack and go right now. Thankfully at the rate that the weeks are flying by it'll be here before we know it. :)Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-9599657610001192222013-10-14T15:21:00.000-04:002013-10-14T15:21:10.400-04:00Fall To Do List...A month ago I started thinking I needed to do this post again and I got it all set/prepped and then didn't get back around to it. BUT here I am a month later still wanting to post it and hoping it helps get me ready for these last few months of 2013. Good intentions...I promise I really had them and I really am working hard to find my blog groove again. My goal today/this week is to work on finalizing my holiday notebooks. I made one last year for the Christmas season and LOVED having it. I've already found myself wishing I had it made up. In all honesty I should have already made a Fall/Thanksgiving one and my Christmas one. Ideally next year I'd like to get these made over the summer so they are ready when school starts and I don't have to worry about them. Anyways, here's this year's To Do list with my notes in red. If you want to read last year's list look <a href="http://keepingupwiththeedwards.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-planningto-do.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Launder down comforter, autumn duvet and shams.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Pulled out the fall/winter bedding for the master bedroom last month and got the bed made up. There is something nice about changing it up every six months or so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Buy new flannel sheets/Christmas sheets for the kids beds. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Last year it never really got cold due to our lack of having a real winter and so I never got new flannel sheets for our bed. On the flip side last year we did buy AG some Grinch flannel sheets for his twin bed and he LOVED them. Well, this summer when we flipped the kids rooms and moved AKs to the twin bed AG had a major meltdown because his sister had now inherited his twin Grinch sheets. (He's now in a queen!) So we promised him that we would get him another set when Pottery Barn Kids started carrying them again...well they should be here sometime this week. Hallelujah! I had to do some work to be able to track them down but both kids will be nice and warm this winter in their favorite sheets. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Review housekeeping routines; adjust as necessary. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">I'm in the process of reviewing all of this...what worked last year is not working this year. Granted things have changed and life looks different with a husband who is working from home 95% of the time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Check on snow gear: boots, jackets, pants, hats, gloves, etc. If anybody needs new things, purchase or order them now. (Not a huge priority but it doesn’t hurt to have stuff on hand in case we get snow.)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Same goes for winter pajamas and slippers. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">The kids start wearing footed fleece pjs late in October till at least March. Due to the fact that they wear footed pjs I haven't worried so much yet about them having slippers. Part of the reason we keep them in footed pjs is because our house is old and is mainly wood/tile floors. (Both of the kids bedrooms have hardwoods.) Anyways, I purchase fleece pjs a season ahead when they are clearanced out so I pay a fraction of the cost. AG's retail for around $35 a pair and I pay around $10 while Avi-Kate's retail around $22 and I pay around $6 a pair. The other perk to this is I have them on hand whenever we need them. These have been washed and are ready to go in the drawers. It's suppose to get to the low 40s later this week and we will for sure be putting the kids in them then. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Tweak the menu plan to reflect the season - heartier meals, fall fruits and veggies. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">While painting yesterday Andy and I made a list of meals we need to make that we haven't had in a long time/fit the season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Schedule a work-in-the-yard Saturday to rake, clean up garden debris, store outdoor furniture, etc.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> The leaves and acorns haven't begun falling yet around us so this will be come a priority in the coming weeks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Plant spring bulbs (snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, tulips) before the ground freezes. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">I need to pick some up at the store when I pick up mums/pansies for the pots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Plan a fall foliage jaunt for one Sunday afternoon to Berry.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Prepare homemade cocoa mix, mulling spice bundles and replenish tea drawer as necessary.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Visit the farmers market for autumn keepers: apples, onions, potatoes, squash.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Plan Fall Break Trip.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Not this year...due to life and the chaos over the last few months we are having a stay-cation. Hence the reason why I'm blogging mid-day in my pjs and the kids are snuggled on the couch watching a movie. We are doing some work projects around the house and doing some fall-ish activities with the kids...it's been a nice long weekend so far.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Schedule cars for regular maintenance.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Acadia is due for a tune-up...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Plan out football game weekend plans for UGA homegames.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Ha. This hasn't gone the way I thought it would this year BUT that's okay. It's been a learning curve and very insightful. As our kids age it gives us lots to figure out/process as far as what we want to do with our tickets.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Plan a night to visit the county fair.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Coosa Valley Fair was last week and we opted not to go on purpose because of Avi-Kate. She wants to ride EVERYTHING these days but she'd be limited due to her height. And she doesn't really understand why she can't do stuff. (Plus AG tends to be more reserved/cautious while AKs is more the daredevil...so she'd want to ride things that AG wouldn't!) Hopefully next year we can try this with the kids.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Stop by Starbucks for a fall treat. :) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Done. The day after the LSU game I had no voice from screaming so on the way to church I had to get a hot apple cider. It was perfect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Head to Starbucks the week before Thanksgiving to buy 2013 Holiday ornaments.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Put away summer outside activities. (Pool, water table, etc. Winterize sandbox)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Inventory craft supplies and note what needs replenishing. (Keep in mind holiday projects with the kids and long dark winter days ahead.)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Stock up on cold and flu season necessaries: vitamins/supplements, herbal teas, honey drops, medicines.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Make birdfeeders with the kids to hang in the tree out back so they can watch the birds from the big window in the den.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Last year I collected a whole bag of pinecones from the farm to do this project and we never got to it. Hopefully we can do this once the leaves fall off the cherry tree in the back. (It's right outside the picture window in the den and will provide a nice spot for them to 'bird watch'.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Arrange fall mums, asters and pumpkins around front steps. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Needs to be done ASAP. Should have been done before Mtn. Day...hoping to do this with AG today or tomorrow while he's on fall break.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 18pt;">* Begin a holiday planner - assemble Thanksgiving and Christmas lists, etc. </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18pt;">Excited about making this year's planner(s) now that I have a </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Silhouette machine to do all the cutting</span><span style="line-height: 18pt;">. More on this later when I get it finished. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Fall family picture session.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> I need to get this on the books with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/texturephotographics" target="_blank">Carrie Jo</a>. Thankfully, we see a LOT more of her these days now that Andy is working with her Dad. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Fresh pinestraw for the outside beds.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Launder cozy throw blankets; store in large basket handy to gathering areas.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> A few weeks back I found a large canvas bin with handles that is perfect for all our fleece blankets. It is now tucked behind the chair in the den and easily accessible.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Set out fall book basket. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://keepingupwiththeedwards.blogspot.com/2013/10/den-update-and-fall-book-basket.html" target="_blank">Done</a>. I've already started thinking about what I need to add to it for November.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Set out autumn decor including table linens, candles, garlands and candles with seasonal filler. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Started working on this a few weeks ago but it's kind of at a standstill since we are in the middle of painting several rooms at the moment...pictures to come.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Decide on Halloween costumes early, allow for any orders/delivery time.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> AG has requested to be a Braves baseball player and Avi-Kate changes her mind every. single. day. I wish this was already done but I need to finalize stuff this week. In years past I've been more on top of this.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Set up a gratitude tree ahead of Thanksgiving. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Been mulling how I want to do it this year...still thinking this one out but I have several possibilities. PLUS this year I can use my Silhouette to help me it. I'm thinking I'll work on this while I'm doing holiday notebook stuff this week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Make and freeze pie crusts and sugar cookie dough for the holidays.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Buy Christmas stamps at the end of October.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Fall toys rotated out of the attic. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">We are due for a rotation in the next few weeks before Thanksgiving. Now that we don't keep any toys in the den (minus the current seasonal Little People playset that stays on the bookshelf) I don't feel like I'm going crazy/over run with toys in the living spaces.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Find a skinny, pre-lit alpine tree for our Jesse Tree ornaments. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Last year I used a small tree and placed it on our kitchen table...worked great for last year. However, this year we downsized the kitchen table to a cafe table and the old table is in the attic. Which means I've got some reorganizing to do when it comes to where we put stuff. I may hold off another year on the alpine tree and just use the tree we had last year but put it somewhere else since it can't sit on the kitchen table. In addition, now that we don't have all the kids toys in the den I've been talking to Andy about us getting a small, skinny pre-lit tree to put in the den for the kids to decorate. (Our live tree that we cut down goes in the front of the house in the dining room so that people can see it from the street.) AG likes this idea and has talked about setting up his monorail around the tree in the den. :) We'll see what I come up with.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Start decorating for Christmas before we head out for Thanksgiving since we will be gone to Disney on vacation following Thanksgiving Day.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Growing up this would have bothered me greatly but the older I get the more I enjoy pulling all this stuff out and getting in the spirit early. (I may or may not on occasion already be listening to some Christmas music on my Pandora Station while cooking dinner.) It won't be all done but there is a huge chunk that I can start on before we leave. That way when we return we can get our live tree and do the outside that first weekend back. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 18pt;">* Visit Bath and Body Works to get hand soaps for all the sinks and a fall candle.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> Hand soaps purchased already and put out. Candles...I purchased three late this summer and got a ridiculous deal. I got three candles for $22 between sales + coupons + store credit. I was quite pleased. I need to go purchase my winter/Christmas soap that I love so much. A coupon arrived the other day and I need to make a trip to the mall to go pick up what I want before the run out. For the fall I love to use Sweet </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Cinnamon Pumpkin and for the holidays I love to use Winter Cranberry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 18pt;">* Inventory food and organize the freezer.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> Need to reorganize and I need to </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">replenish</span><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> my stock of foods on hand in the freezer. I have plans this week to make soup bases and freeze them. And our new Publix opens Wednesday and I'm beyond excited about being able to shop at Publix frequently now. (Especially with the holiday season upon us!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf5f00; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Map out fall semester Family Dinners with the college family. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;">Done and I've already got tentative dates for a few of them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #82393c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">* Prepare for Mtn. Day Weekend (Berry’s Homecoming of sorts.)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"> Mtn. Day was great and we enjoyed having friends and family over all weekend.</span></span></div>
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Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-12738916324067809482013-10-03T17:40:00.000-04:002013-10-03T17:48:49.564-04:00Den Update and Fall Book Basket...I meant to post this weeks ago at the beginning of September and you see how well that went so we'll just call this our 'Fall Book Basket'. And on top of that I meant to post these pictures back in August...seeing the theme that is my life right now?!? Anyways, we flipped the kids bedrooms around and moved Avi-Kate out of her crib. When we did that we moved ALL the kids toys in to their rooms and out of the den. (Hallelujah!) In all of this we moved one of the bookshelves in to the den. I am loving having this shelf in the den now. It's twin stayed with the rest of AG's stuff and holds the rest of the kids picture books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila-vIP-rvSvjSrurq_P_AR9Q13OCJ6ioIeAJaTez8rrEnTi6jTGYmSupAeO6_aB9xekbRzFaLtX64oTS2tAqSgdspo_egmp-h_jBqyFgCYV5gI_Q5nlygmD9-GBmJodLn2L8GF57sIgws/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila-vIP-rvSvjSrurq_P_AR9Q13OCJ6ioIeAJaTez8rrEnTi6jTGYmSupAeO6_aB9xekbRzFaLtX64oTS2tAqSgdspo_egmp-h_jBqyFgCYV5gI_Q5nlygmD9-GBmJodLn2L8GF57sIgws/s400/IMG_7867.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This shelf holds the kids most favorite authors in the top left corner. (Willems, Falconer, Dewdney) The red bins hold board books and small toys for the kids to play with. Finally, the top right corner holds a seasonal/monthly selection of books aka my book basket. For years I've wanted a designated section that I could change out every month or so. Currently on the shelf we have the following titles plus this <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=900002&e=storeproduct&pid=55411" target="_blank">Little People Playset</a>:<br />
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If You Give a Moose a Muffin</div>
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Fall Leaves Colorful and Crunchy</div>
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The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat</div>
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Ten Little Pumpkins</div>
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It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse!</div>
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The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin</div>
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The Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night</div>
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The Busy Little Squirrel</div>
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The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything</div>
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Fall Pumpkins Orange and Plump</div>
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Fall Harvests Bringing in Food</div>
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Animals in Fall Preparing for Winter</div>
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Fall Weather Cooler Temperatures</div>
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Fall Apples Crisp and Juicy</div>
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Apples for Everyone</div>
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Pumpkin Circle</div>
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Fall Mixed Up</div>
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The Fox and the Falling Leaves</div>
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We're Going on a Leaf Hunt</div>
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Awesome Autumn All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun</div>
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Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf<br />
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A few weeks back they had all of the seasonal Little People sets on sale and I was able to pick up last year's version of the Pumpkin Party set for $10 instead of $35. I was also able to snag two Christmas sets to add to the Nativity sets we already have. More on those when I get them out later in November.</div>
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Since we took this picture we've relocated our diplomas back to over the desk that is back to being on the other side of the den now. We've also picked out a new paint colors for the den, back hall, front hall, and kitchen. The den and hallways will be a shade darker than the color in the kitchen. Both are a soft muted grey. We've painted a test on the walls and we love the results...now if we could just get around to finishing it. Ha. Story of my life. I had Andy rehang the large bulletin board and it is now over the bookshelf. I covered it with some extra fabric I had on hand and hung up a plethora of pictures of our college family. The wheels are turning in my head to decorate the top of the shelf for Christmas and the bulletin board. I'm contemplating putting our Jesse Tree Ornaments and Advent Activities here. I still have a few weeks to mull it over so we will see what I come up with. The other idea we are talking about is putting a small tree in the den this year. (I've wanted to do this for years but we haven't had the space with all the toys in the den.) Now that we've rearranged the layout I think we might be able to swing a small tree and let AG put his monorail around it. He was pretty excited about setting it up around the tree and having a tree that he can help Avi-Kate decorate with their ornaments. Lots to do and mull but I'm excited about all the possibilities. I love this time of year. </div>
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And here's a shot of the bulletin board that I posted on my Instagram...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dpc8JuNQoepHH6g6mH26Kz2Qr3WfqS2Wk_Sd53JMXuA3b36JEWJU8s6qOTs6hBxKi3VpcDve9GFutxkUzUBspQjru8NE1IW1joyJ1Jak8P-_KjSbEp-WtVynf2cq_YuMOY9_ZoN6yizS/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dpc8JuNQoepHH6g6mH26Kz2Qr3WfqS2Wk_Sd53JMXuA3b36JEWJU8s6qOTs6hBxKi3VpcDve9GFutxkUzUBspQjru8NE1IW1joyJ1Jak8P-_KjSbEp-WtVynf2cq_YuMOY9_ZoN6yizS/s320/IMG_1237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-16148488605481265342013-10-02T11:05:00.000-04:002013-10-03T11:07:17.158-04:00Wordless Wednesday...Berry Football Edition. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Berry vs. LaGrange JV Sunday, September 15th. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqYSV5mFx_rsd1lq6-_RfSCmenf_aE5nmOaD3qSXhwg-UBTbIVFL7syrv3XzenucD3Co5TNpawKsQ2rK_sJuLhOMe6i0Nt99qPd6cZznlFim4X2BUfUWGXSFuXBOD9AbUz4s3wab8eQRN/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqYSV5mFx_rsd1lq6-_RfSCmenf_aE5nmOaD3qSXhwg-UBTbIVFL7syrv3XzenucD3Co5TNpawKsQ2rK_sJuLhOMe6i0Nt99qPd6cZznlFim4X2BUfUWGXSFuXBOD9AbUz4s3wab8eQRN/s320/IMG_1516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-4671971209147566892013-10-01T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-01T08:00:10.712-04:00Running Goals...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goals. I've spent a lot of time the last six months or so reflecting on this last decade of my life as I head into my 30's and thinking about what I have accomplished and what I want to accomplish. (With a lot of that reflection landing on running...this post has been rolling around in my head for months now. Literally.) There are days that I still sit back humbled and amazed that I've completed two half marathons because in reality I never thought I could do it. I've learned a lot and realized there is so much that I want to accomplish when it comes to running in my 30's. </div>
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In my late 20's I started running on and off depending on lots of various factors. I've done well considering I've been trying to learn a sport that was foreign to me and trying to be mom to two small kids. My focus for my 30's is to dream big and really work on improving my times. Up till now my goal has been to attempt and finish without any care to my time. I simply wanted to be able to say that I did it. For my 30's I want to say not only did I finish but I finished well. That I improved over previous performances. I want to become more dedicated to this sport that I love and hate all at the same time some days. This winter I will attempt my last two race weekends with the mindset of I just want to finish. Starting in August we'll have both kids in school all day and my ability to train will change dramatically. Andy and I will actually have the opportunity to run together! That never happens. I'm pretty excited about the possibility of being able to train together but also being able to run during the day while the kids are in school. Even better I'll be able to drop both kids off in the morning and then run on campus at Berry.</div>
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My running bucket list includes being able to say I have a medal from every major runDisney race. Which is no small feat and will take some serious time, planning, coordinating of schedules, and training BUT I feel it's completely doable. Within that Andy and I have several runDisney goals that we'd like to complete before our 10th Wedding Anniversary in 2016. So, here we go:</div>
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--Complete the Goofy Challenge...this means you run both a half marathon and a marathon on the same weekend. (Half on Saturday with the full on Sunday.) You are awarded three medals for this accomplishment...both medals for the individual races and a third medal signifying you did both races back to back. We are slated to run this in January and my goal is just to finish. I could care less about my time. Again, my ability to train and train well will improve later in 2014.</div>
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--Complete an Inaugural runDisney race...I'm slated to do this in February by running both the new Enchanted 10K and the Glass Slipper Challenge. (More about the Glass Slipper Challenge <a href="http://keepingupwiththeedwards.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-not-run-193-instead-of-131.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) This particular event weekend I'll be running with Andy's sister, Caroline. Considering that I will hopefully have completed a half and a marathon a mere five weeks earlier my goal again is to just finish. Since I've completed a half I'm really not worried about doing the 10K and half back to back for this weekend...unlike some days when I think I have completely lost my mind to attempt a full and a half back to back.</div>
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--Run a Disney race with my dear friend, Evan. We both have a deep love for racing in the parks and it's a goal of ours to actually race together as opposed to being at an event that we both happen to be running. We've talked about possibilities for the future and have a few ideas. I'm quite confident we'll complete this before we both turn 40. Right, Evan?!?! :) Maybe the <a href="http://www.rundisney.com/blog/articles/a-princess-and-a-pixie/" target="_blank">Pink Coast to Coast Challenge</a>? I'd love it if our friend, Erin, would join us for whatever we end up running.</div>
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--If Andy and I survive the Goofy this winter our goal for the winter of 2015 is to do the Dopey. (Completing a 5K, 10K, half, and full over four days with <u>6</u> medals to your name if you do!) We are tentatively planning on this with the goal of really evaluating this after we run Goofy.</div>
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--Coast to Coast/Dumbo Double Dare...runDisney has a highly coveted medal, the Coast to Coast, that they award if you run in events on BOTH coasts (DisneyLand and Disney World) in the same calendar year. Coast to Coast is tricky for us due to having season football tickets with UGA. The Disneyland Half Marathon is always Labor Day Weekend. This year they added a 10K and created a new challenge, Dumbo Double Dare, if you complete the half and 10K. Next year UGA will play Clemson at home Labor Day Weekend and so we will be in Athens. Which is fine...there are a few things I want to happen before we do Coast to Coast. I want to really be in a running groove in order to train ALL summer for a half. (Right now I much prefer winter running.) If we are going to fly all that way I want to be able to compete and compete well. I don't want to just 'finish'...I want a good time. Next I really want to know the parks before I run out there. Part of the reason I love running at Disney World is I know and love all the places I'm running. I constantly have memories running around in my head about past trips and experiences. Ideally, I'd love for us to take a family vacation out there and really explore the parks. Plus, I want us to take advantage of enjoying <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/disney-california-adventure/cars-land/" target="_blank">Carsland</a> while AG is still in to Cars. The earliest we could attempt this will be 2015 giving us plenty of time to work on all of these things before heading west to run.</div>
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--Food and Wine Half Marathon...this is a night race and is done in early November. Due to when it is run we have to try and schedule it around football. It is possible that we might be able to attempt it in 2014. If they keep it the same weekend that it is currently scheduled then next year UGA will have an away game. Lots of moving factors with this one and we aren't planning on it yet...just keeping it in the back of our minds. </div>
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--Tower of Terror 10 Miler...currently this race is scheduled for the first weekend in October. I have a feeling this will probably be the last runDisney event we check off our list due to the date. The first weekend in October is always Berry's homecoming weekend, Mount Day Weekend, and we never miss it. As it is, next year UGA has a home game that weekend. Plus, it'll require training all summer for it and again, I have yet to get in to running in the summer. </div>
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--Ideally, Andy and I would love to complete a marathon to start our 30s. (We'll both be 30 in January before Andy turns 31 in February.) And we'd like to complete Dopey and Coast to Coast before our 10th wedding anniversary. Those are our three major race goals between now and 2016 to do together. I'm not sure if we'll tackle them all but I'm really looking forward to the challenge and the possibility of it all. Grateful that two years ago I took the plunge and decided to take up running because it has completely changed my perspective on so many things. </div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-60430619100944333042013-09-30T15:10:00.001-04:002013-09-30T15:10:39.075-04:00Changing of the seasons...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I absolutely love fall and I absolutely love fall in our town. The above photo was taken on a run last year on our street. Breathtaking, isn't it? I am eagerly awaiting the next few weeks as we slowly slip in to cooler nights and the trees around us begin to put on a show. Now that we are in to September I started pulling out everything related to the upcoming season. My goal for this week is to get things organized around the house and switch some stuff out. On my agenda is getting the fall themed books, rotating toys, changing out bedding, and looking at my fall to do list.<br />
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Sad...I started this post at the BEGINNING of this month and now it's the LAST day of this month and I'm finally around to finishing it. (Sigh) This is just the season of life we are in. Everything is going 90 to nothing with me hoping I get everything done only to realize an entire month has come and gone. At this rate it'll be AG's birthday in a mere week or two. (Reality is that it's not till January but at this pace we'll be there before we know it or I'm ready.) On the flip side this is my favorite time of year. I love everything about the next three months. And I can't wait to take runs in our neighborhood when the trees look like this again.<br />
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So, I got the books on the shelf in the den, fall decor out, changed the bedding in our room, and have yet to tackle my fall to do list. We'll see what I get done this week. I'm praying it's productive and I can get back in to a blogging groove. For now, I'll get this posted and start fresh and pray that I find my groove!Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-15090701713339536892013-09-04T23:12:00.000-04:002013-09-04T23:12:02.971-04:00Weekend at Hilton Head Island.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe that we are now in September and more than that I can't believe how little I've blogged this year. I've pondered a lot why that is and why I have been so apathetic. I love it and I love being able to look back on past seasons in our lives...and yet, most days this year I have yet to document our life in this moment. 2013 has been a hard year. It has been an emotional year with some pretty deep moments. Some of these moments in time I may be able to blog about and other moments might not ever get recorded here. If you are still reading this know that we are good and the kids are good. It's been a hard year but God has been gracious and has sustained us. </div>
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This past weekend we went with Andy's mom and sisters to Hilton Head Island. This was the first time our immediate family had been to Hilton Head and we LOVED it. We stayed at Marriott's Barony Beach Club and it was fabulous! Within the last year they had remodeled the pool area and it was AH-Mazing. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or the adults. It will most definitely be on our list of Marriott places to return to. (I seriously wouldn't mind if we went back yearly.) I loved that it was only 5 hours from Rome and that it was easily doable for a long weekend. For this trip we went Thursday night to Monday afternoon. I left wishing that we had been able to stay a full week. Next time! :)</div>
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We took advantage of the lower crowds and spent time each day at the beach and pool. I loved that our room overlooked the pool. In the afternoons we were able to leave the little girls up in the room napping with an adult while the older two swam all afternoon. I even managed to read an entire 400+ page book cover to cover over the weekend. Which is quite the accomplishment these days with small kids. I remember the trips we use to take to the beach before kids and I would read multiple books in a week. One day again...when they are older, right? :) Here are some pictures on the beach and at the pool... </div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-36573793871991725972013-08-10T15:13:00.000-04:002013-10-03T17:13:15.826-04:00August Book Basket...Since August is back to school month here in Georgia we are going with a school/ABC themed collection. A smattering of this and that with a few favorites thrown in for good measure. I'm already itching to start compiling books for September, October, November, and December. I really do love the second half of the year because the weeks pass quickly and we go from one season/holiday to the next. Plus, it means the return of college football. :) Anyone else eagerly looking forward to the next few months?<br />
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Anyways, here's what we have for this month:<br />
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Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney<br />
Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney<br />
Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer<br />
The Best Teacher Ever by Mercer Mayer<br />
The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola<br />
Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann<br />
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall<br />
Miss Nelson is Back by Harry Allard and James Marshall<br />
Miss Nelson has a Field Day by Harry Allard and James Marshall<br />
If You Take a Mouse to School by Felicia Numeroff<br />
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz<br />
I'd Choose You by John Trent<br />
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn<br />
Best First Book Ever by Richard Scarry<br />
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The Hullabaloo ABC by Beverly Clearly<br />
Alphababies by Kim Golding<br />
Capital! Washington D.C. from A to Z by Laura Krauss Melmed and Frane Lessac<br />
Journey Around Boston from A to Z by Martha Day Zschock<br />
P is for Passport A World Alphabet by Devin Scillian<br />
P is for Peach A Georgia Alphabet by Carol Crane<br />
ABCs of Baseball by Peter Golenbock<br />
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault<br />
The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg<br />
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-5206836789708387942013-08-10T11:21:00.001-04:002013-08-10T11:21:17.512-04:00Chipper's Game...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of last season Chipper Jones officially retired from baseball and it was the end of an era. He spent his entire career in Atlanta with the Braves and when you think about that, in this day and age, it's pretty impressive. Not to mention the fact that he had an incredible career in Atlanta and is destined to be enshrined at Cooperstown in a few years. AG's first true favorite baseball player was Chipper and we had a hard time all winter helping him grasp the concept of retirement. We knew that when the Braves decided to retire his number we would make plans to be there. Well, while I was in Orlando for the Princess Half in February Andy was buying tickets for Opening Day and Chipper's Retirement. </div>
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We told AG for months that we were going to this game and that he would get to see Chipper one last time at Turner Field. He was beside himself with excitement on the morning of June 28th and spent the day gathering everything he needed to take to the game: </div>
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We left that afternoon with plenty of time to get down to the stadium and walk around before the festivities started. The kids were pumped and ready to go.<br />
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AG's Heyward t-shirt was starting to get a little short on him and we told him he could get a new one at the game. He opted for a red Freddie Freeman t this time. (We've since retired the #10 Jones shirt that both kids have worn and passed the Heyward t to Avi-Kate. One of the few things that we are able to pass from kid to kid!)<br />
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Andy and AG standing next to the stadium...they removed this section of bricks and gave them to Chipper as one of his gifts to thank him for his contributions to the Braves over the course of his career. </div>
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We had great seats with a great view. Of course, they put Chipper's number ten in the outfield and AG's pumped when he saw it. AG was also excited that he had a nice view of the Coke bottle and the Moo-Cow.<br />
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Getting everything set up for the pre-game ceremony. It was neat to see former Braves in attendance since it was also Alumni weekend. Andy and I kept pointing out different people to AG and saying, 'we use to watch him play for the Braves when we were little.'</div>
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Deep in concentration as he watched the pre-game ceremony on the tv in our section. He was in awe of the whole thing.</div>
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The man of the night. He started playing for the major league Braves in the fall of 1993 and I was a few weeks shy of ten years old. He's been such a huge part of the organization these last twenty or so years that it's been really weird this season to look over and not see him at third base. </div>
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Pumped up and ready to see Julio Teheran take on the Diamondbacks. It was also bittersweet because this was the first time several former Braves were back in ATL since the offseason when they were traded. Included in this trade was one of our favorite Braves, Martin Prado. BUT we have been really, really pleased with who came to Atlanta as a result of the trade. Specifically Justin Upton and Chris Johnson. </div>
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It was a beautiful night to watch the sunset over the stadium with the city off in the distance. Love our city.<br />
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Avi-Kate enjoyed some quality snuggle time with her G-Daddy during the seventh inning stretch.<br />
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AG was excited to hear 'Welcome to the Jungle' blaring at the top of the ninth and watch Kimbrel run out of the bullpen. We love to watch Kimbrel pitch and it's electrifying to be in the stadium when he runs out.<br />
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Braves got the win to shutout the Diamondbacks 3-0! Teheran wanted to get 10 strikeouts in honor Chipper's #10 and the Kimbrel got his 23rd save to that point in the season. It was a great game. </div>
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These last two pictures make my heart happy. I'm glad we got to take the kids and enjoy it with my parents. I remember learning about the Braves and the game of baseball in early elementary school. I can remember my Dad waking me up one night in the fall of 1991 and running downstairs with me so that I could see the Braves as they made their playoff berth. That year they went from the worse to first and began their domination of the National League East for the next 14 years. Here's hoping that this years team continues to play deep in to the playoffs. I haven't been this excited about a Braves roster in a long time and they are playing lights out. Reminds me of the teams I grew up watching and I'm sure AG will carry memories from this season well in to adulthood.<br />
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-75161591254260693282013-07-17T13:47:00.000-04:002013-07-17T13:47:05.022-04:00Words for Wednesday...Christmas in July Edition.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These two have declared today Christmas in July...earlier they watched Charlie Brown Christmas and now they've moved on to The Grinch. :) It's funny to look at this picture and see how much they've changed since last December. Anyone else longing for the holidays or are my kids the only ones?!?Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-31197912869857385112013-07-16T12:00:00.000-04:002013-07-16T12:00:03.116-04:00July Book Basket...Since this month is dedicated to the beach and traveling I decided to do a 'water/beach' theme for the month. I came to the conclusion that I need more 4th of July books in our personal library but I'm not sweating it this year since I just did a complete history/America themed basket in May for our trip to Williamsburg. Note to self for next year. :)<br />
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Sailaway Home by Bruce Degen<br />
The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole<br />
The Magic School Bus at the WaterWorks by Joanna Cole<br />
Curious George Goes to the Beach by Margaret and H.A. Rey<br />
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell by Lucille Colandro<br />
Sheep on a Ship by Nancy Shaw<br />
Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long and David Shannon<br />
Greetings From the 50 States by Sheila Keenan<br />
Olivia Forms A Band by Ian Falconer<br />
Coconut Mon by Linda Milstein<br />
The Jolly Mon by Jimmy Buffett and Savannah Jane Buffett<br />
Vivienne and the Giant Boots by Patrick FitzSymons<br />
The Big Big Sea by Martin Waddell<br />
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle<br />
Wally the Whale Who Loved Balloons by Yuichi Watanabe<br />
The Fish Who Could Wish by John Bush and Korky Paul<br />
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Like I said yesterday, we are in the process of completely reorganizing several rooms and moving things around. One of the things that we did is move one of the bookshelves that Andy made a few years ago to the den. It has six cubby spaces and some red collapsible bins to hold small toys/board books. One cubby contains some of the kids most loved authors including Mo Willems, Ian Falconer, and Anna Dewdney. The other open shelf is now my designated 'book basket' space. I've been wanting to have a designated shelf/space for themed books for awhile now. (Like the last few years!) However, it just didn't work till now. I really wanted it to be in a common/shared space in the house and not tucked away in one of the kids rooms. That way we can pull them out to read together on the couch. Since we moved the shelf in to the den the kids have spent more time pulling out the books and making use of them. (Which makes this teacher's heart very happy.) I also put on the shelf two ocean themed puzzles on the shelf for them to use. I can see us making good use of this as we head in to the second half of the year. I have a vast collection of themed books for the months ahead and I look forward to displaying them.<br />
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Pictures to come! Once I get everything the way I want it. We are still quite disheveled at the moment. I'm also mulling painting this fall. I ready to change up some of the colors in the house...Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-78444095602286973562013-07-15T15:57:00.001-04:002013-07-15T15:57:43.307-04:00It was time......to change things up around the house.<br />
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I had gotten to my breaking point with the way things were arranged in our family room and was ready for a change. Up till now the bulk of the kids toys were stored in half of the family room. However, due to the narrowness and the depth of the room the kids toys were really starting to take over everything. Everything. And this is with me rotating toys in and out of the attic on a frequent basis. So, we got to thinking about things...<br />
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Another problem we were starting to look to problem solving was what to do about transitioning Avi-Kate to a big girl bed. She hadn't tried to climb out but it was bound to happen in the near future. Transitioning with AG was SO EASY because his room has a built in niche that a twin mattress fits in to perfectly. We only bought one bed rail and he never fell out of the bed because he was walled in on all four sides. It was amazing. In Avi-Kate's room we have the queen size guest bed with girl themed bedding. I wasn't crazy about sticking her in this bed yet just because it is so high off the ground and she wouldn't be able to get in/out of it by herself...plus I didn't want to have buy more bed rails! I really just wanted to stick her in AG's twin bed but I didn't want to buy twin girl bedding when I just bought her queen size bedding a year ago. And then it dawned on me. All of my twin college bedding is in perfect condition and just hanging out in the attic. So...we've taken the plunge and flipped the kids bedrooms! AG was not excited at first and Avi-Kate was confused because she was still happy in her crib. The biggest reasons we went ahead and did it were 1.) We were going to the beach for a week and Avi-Kate was going to sleep on a twin bed all week. We didn't want to come home after a week in a bed and move back to the crib. Let's just keep moving forward. 2.) We wanted to do it before AG starts back to school so that he has time to adjust and we can get the house ready for the upcoming year. Due to the insane amount of rain we got the week of July 4th we spent the holiday flipping the kids rooms and then went on vacation. Now that we are back I've got a little less than three weeks to get everything situated the way I want it. AG starts school August 5th! We need to figure out bedding for AG but at the moment he's content with clean sheets and the down comforter. Buying bedding for him wasn't a big deal to me because we figured when we moved to the next house he'd most likely end up in a bigger bed...not like spending money for twin girl bedding that she may use for a year or two at the most. I'm currently mulling several different possibilities for him. The only thing we know for sure is that we have to buy him a set of Grinch flannel sheets this fall from Pottery Barn Kids since Avi-Kate has inherited his twin Grinch sheets. And that will be a problem if she gets the twin ones and he doesn't have a new set because he loves sleeping on them. Last winter I had to wash them and then put them straight back on the bed because he insisted on sleeping on them till well after Christmas.<br />
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By moving the kids rooms and taking down the crib we were able to move their toys in to their rooms. With plenty of space for them to play and spread out without overtaking the family room. Hallelujah! Ideally, in the next house we'll have a designated play space room/nook. The family room is much more spacious now and doesn't make me claustrophobic. We rearranged a few pieces in it and I have some ideas for new art on the walls. Andy wants to paint the kids rooms and I'm thinking about painting some of our common living spaces. We've been in this house now for over six years and I'm ready for a new color palate. The only room that is guaranteed not to be touched is the dining room. The cranberry red isn't going anywhere! Which is a good thing...I think Andy would flip if I suggested painting over it since red is such a hard color to paint. ;)<br />
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So, while I'm flipping, cleaning, reorganizing, and purging I'm also mulling paint ideas and decor. I'll start posting pictures once I get things back in order but I am really, really happy with how things are turning out at the moment.<br />
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I'm also sorting clothes and looking to do a massive purge of baby gear/clothes. We have several consignment sales coming up in August/September and I'm seriously mulling putting stuff in both sales to clear stuff out. We only have so much room and because the kids are not the same sex there are very few things that we save for AKs to wear that were AG's. It's kind of sad to me to think about getting rid of the baby stuff but I'm really content with our lives right now and the season that God has us in. Looking forward to moving ahead to see what all he has in store for us.<br />
Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-28351394359061309532013-07-03T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-03T07:00:06.206-04:00Words for Wednesday...AG's First Movie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took AG to his first movie at the movie theatre! We've been wanting to do it for awhile but we also wanted to pick something that we'd all enjoy. Monsters University was a perfect choice! Two nights before it was released we had family movie night and watched the first Monsters movie and made these fun treats...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXLGCStRTxf6qx9wTwju6qFN0eSuLQCR1Bphv1f60YNo-M96eGVn41A3LQeoIAqawhWrH_ChbewVI9Sh82aifttV_pdWh42UvY6W1Rtca_bNpQHzVGJuaBrHCxfLgpXEoHynovjs3mJZc/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXLGCStRTxf6qx9wTwju6qFN0eSuLQCR1Bphv1f60YNo-M96eGVn41A3LQeoIAqawhWrH_ChbewVI9Sh82aifttV_pdWh42UvY6W1Rtca_bNpQHzVGJuaBrHCxfLgpXEoHynovjs3mJZc/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Friday that it was released we got a babysitter for Avi-Kate and we took AG to dinner and a movie. He was pretty pumped about the whole experience and loved every moment. I think the funniest part of the whole experience was looking over at him during the previews laughing his head off and Andy having to tell him to laugh softer! Haha. That and a close second would be seeing him sit in the seat with the massive refillable bucket in between his legs as he happily ate his way through the whole movie. We loved the movie! It was great for kids and parents alike. I look forward to owning it whenever they release it. Not sure when and what Avi-Kate's first movie will be but Andy and I look forward to doing something similar when she gets just a wee bit bigger. </div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-54359154241120654502013-07-01T16:46:00.000-04:002013-07-01T16:46:11.399-04:00Family photos and a few words...In May our family photographer, who happens to be a dear family friend, came to town and said she wanted to do an impromptu photo shoot. I was happy to oblige even though Andy was long over due for a haircut and wore a cap in all the pictures. Carrie Jo is so talented and I love the way she manages to capture who my kids really are in that moment/season. Once again, she did a phenomenal job and I love the way they turned out.<br />
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Head on over to her <a href="http://texturephotoblog.com/?p=5557" target="_blank">blog</a> and see for yourself...<br />
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We did photos in our church's building on Broad Street and around our building before heading over to <a href="http://oakhillmuseum.com/" target="_blank">Oak Hill</a> to finish taking pictures there. Oak Hill was the home of Martha Berry and it's now a museum. I have a running list of places that I want Carrie Jo to capture family photos of us and they aren't just limited to Rome. It was fun to cross two places off said list! I'm really hoping we get the chance to do fall family pictures at the farm this year.<br />
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Anyways, here's just a few photos but you can find more on her blog and facebook page. :)<br />
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Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-19066114079060778652013-06-28T11:53:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:54:29.104-04:00Happy Birthday Nanny and GiGi!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In our family there are lots of dates that overlap or are right next to each other. Our mothers' birthdays are both next to each other falling on June 26th and June 27th. So, here's to both of you! Thanks for being such wonderful grandmothers and loving our kids so much. We love you both more than you know!</div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-38396714172056635742013-06-25T12:22:00.000-04:002013-07-01T12:23:17.845-04:00Halfway to the holidays and hoping this year is better...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love the holiday season. It is by far my favorite time of the year. Really, the second half of the year is my favorite because one thing quickly leads to the next with it all culminating with Christmas. This year was HARD. Our kids were sick all winter with them both being really sick at Christmas and all the way in to the new year. Since then AG has had his tonsils out and Avi-Kate has had ear tubes put in her ears. I'm hoping that this year is better and that they can enjoy the holidays this year because this year was not fun for them or us. Poor Avi-Kate didn't even care to open her presents on Christmas morning and the year before she was only 6 months old and had no clue what was going on. We didn't even manage to get a good Christmas pj picture this year...I snapped one because I felt compelled to but you can tell AKs is hating life in it. So, I'm hoping and praying as we head in to the second half of the year that this year will be better and that they will be well and enjoy the wonder that is the holidays in the coming months. </div>
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The last happy picture that we have before the wheels fell off and the both got sick.</div>
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Avi-Kate is miserable in these next two photos...poor thing was so sick and we didn't realize at this point how impacted her hearing/speech was due to how bad her ears were.</div>
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AG came down with croup and ear infections...on our way home from the pediatrician.</div>
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And these are a few of my favorite things...brown paper packages tied up with ribbons.</div>
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New ornaments to commemorate the year...Alice for Avi-Kate and Peter Pan for AG.</div>
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Vintage Pinocchio because it's Andy's favorite Disney movie and an ornament that AG made at school.</div>
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Everything is better with hundreds of Christmas lights glowing in a quiet house late at night. </div>
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2013, I pray that you are better than 2012 and everyone is healthy. Here's hoping...</div>
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-35213709341422747042013-06-19T14:46:00.000-04:002013-06-19T14:46:01.370-04:00Words for Wednesday...Die hard fan at 4 edition...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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AG's reaction to the Braves come from behind win in the 9th on Saturday. If this doesn't epitomize die hard fan status I don't know what does. In reality I should have videotaped it because his reaction was priceless. Either way a picture is worth a 1,000 words and this is definitely one of those photos.Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-51404960946677435032013-06-14T16:26:00.004-04:002013-06-14T16:26:54.742-04:00Time to re-evaluate my home management system...Back in <a href="http://keepingupwiththeedwards.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-we-stay-sane-and-slightly-organized.html" target="_blank">September</a> I did a post about how I stay organized during the year. And that system worked great till the holidays and then everything spontaneously combusted. This spring I felt slightly disheveled and all over the place. (My house reflects this at the current moment as I'm trying to reclaim my space!) After reflecting back on the year I've come to a few conclusions...<br />
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-I still like using a file folder system to help me manage life from week to week...like any system it needs some tweaking.<br />
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-Since I run my system August to July it's to start figuring out what I want to do for the upcoming year.<br />
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-I feel that part of the reason I wasn't able to get back on track was due to how sick my kids were this winter. Honestly, everything was put on hold as we were constantly dealing with one or both kids being sick. Add in some outside extenuating circumstances, running two half marathons, a stress fracture, and unemployment it's no wonder I couldn't keep up with everything. <br />
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My current To Do list includes the following:<br />
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-Brainstorming planning sheets for said folders...last year I used templates that I found for free online and I purchased a weekly ripoff calendar that I stuck in each folder. I'm trying to decide if I want to take the time to design my own or just repeat what we did last year.<br />
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-Scout out and buy supplies. I may replace my folders this year if I can find something that I like. If not, I'll reuse what I have and just get new labels for them.<br />
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-I need to rework my desk. It needs a complete overhaul. Ideally, I'd love to claim the desk in our master bedroom as mine because I love the size of it. (It use to be an old library desk/table and has one drawer.) However, it's too big for the den, where my current desk is located, and Andy needs the desk in our room for work since he telecommutes everyday now. One day it'll be my craft table...most likely when we have a different house.<br />
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-I feel like I need some sort of home management binder but I am not sure. I like the idea of one, however, I don't know if I'm crazy to try and add another element to my daily routine or if I should wait a bit on it. I'm currently in the process of rereading all of <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/organization/" target="_blank">Dawn's</a> posts on home management/File Crate System/organization for ideas and inspiration.<br />
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The plan is to work on this over the next few weeks and get everything ready to go for the first of August. I'll post more as I make decisions and get my system for the year in place. In addition to this I've already started thinking about my holiday binder for the year. For years I had read about <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2011/10/my-2011-holiday-planner.html" target="_blank">Dawn </a>using one to help juggle everything during the holiday season and the teacher in me who loves a good system/notebook/something to craft/office supplies loved the idea of such a thing. However, I never got my act together to make one until this <a href="http://keepingupwiththeedwards.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-planner-2012.html" target="_blank">past year</a>. The only that I would change is when I make it. This past year I made it the first of December and while it was invaluable during the season I wish I had made it months earlier. Ideally, I'd love to make my notebook for the holiday season this summer and then pull it out when the season is upon us. (With one less thing to hassle with/make/do.) The other reason for this is that I'd love to have a section either dedicated to Thanksgiving or make a separate notebook that is Fall/Thanksgiving since we tend to have lots of special activities that revolve around that season as well. Still mulling this but I love, love, loved having it for Christmas this past year! It was amazing to have a spot for all our Christmas receipts that was organized. As presents arrived we would just stash packing slips in their designated spot. After Christmas it made it easy to give people receipts for exchanges, etc. It was just a nice way to have things recorded and organized for the season. We'll see what I come up with. This year I have a Silhouette and I'm itching to use it to make stuff holiday cut outs. :) Can you blame me...they keep posting Christmas themed items in their weekly clearance shape sale. This post has gotten to be quite wordy and I need to do some chores. Hope everyone has a good Friday and a great Father's Day weekend.Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-61627833458982772872013-06-11T22:39:00.000-04:002013-06-11T22:39:13.209-04:00Why not run 19.3 instead of 13.1?!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today runDisney opened up registration for the Princess Half Marathon and the eagerly anticipated Glass Slipper Challenge. For the Glass Slipper you run a 10K on Saturday and then the Princess Half on Sunday for a total of 19.3 miles. Earning yourself a medal for each race plus a third medal to commemorate completing the challenge of doing both back to back. Registration opened at noon and the Glass Slipper was sold out before 5pm. Crazy. I'm not sure what's more crazy how quickly it sold out or the fact that I am signed up to run 20 miles in two days. I guess I'm hoping it's redemption for all the things that were out of my control this year. (Sinus infection and a stress fracture. Not to mention a 100% humidity and a starting race temp of 70 degrees at 5:30am.) So, here's to new hardware and new goals, new mileage and new race gear, running and eating at the happiest place on earth, and new memories. I'm excited. </div>
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Looking forward to tackling another runDisney race with my sweet sister-in-law, Caroline.</div>
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Excited to be able to share another Disney experience with my dear friend, Evan.</div>
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Looking forward to bringing home not 1 but 3 medals this time around!</div>
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Alice and crew. Home to my favorite pit stop before running out of Cinderella's Castle during the race and the always tasty frozen raspberry lemonade for post-race enjoyment.</div>
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Being able to say you ran in the Magic Kingdom while thousands of people cheer you on is absolutely priceless.</div>
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Guess it's time I lace my shoes up and go for a run...I've got to get back on a schedule.Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-58071568075346517472013-06-06T17:03:00.000-04:002013-06-06T17:03:00.887-04:00So God made a farmer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I often talk about the farm...it's one of our favorite places in all the world. Life takes on a different rhythm when we are there. It is a place where we can slow down and recharge. It's a place with beauty as far as the eye can see. Fields and fields of gently rolling hills covered in crops. Pastures with cows scattered amongst the fields of crops. Where rustic structures meet modern day. Where you actually use the phrase, 'ride in to town'. And some of the most breathtaking sunsets I've ever seen have been painted. I'm grateful we have such a unique place to raise our kids. I always look forward to time spent there. This weekend we are headed down to celebrate Avi-Kate's birthday and spend sometime just being. Life is simpler. As long as I live I will never tire of the simple beauty that surrounds me when we are there. Here are a few snapshots from when we were there in May. </div>
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Field of corn...it's been several weeks since we've seen it and I'm betting it's huge now. </div>
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Sun setting over the cow pasture in front of the farm house.</div>
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The road in front of the house. </div>
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Stories on the sleeping porch with Nanny. </div>
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Farmhouse. It's the house Andy's mom grew up in.</div>
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Sweet, deep sleep at the farm due to working and playing hard. </div>
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A trip to town can include checking out the chicks and ducks at the local hardware supply store.</div>
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There's always an opportunity to get your hands dirty.</div>
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Our dog is happiest when he is roaming the farm and playing with Lou. (One of Andy's cousin's dog.)</div>
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Cows in the distance next to a field of corn. </div>
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I feel like this poem, made famous (again) this winter in the Dodge Ram commercial, sums up life at the farm.<br />
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So God made a farmer.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it." So God made a farmer.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year.' I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain'n from 'tractor back,' put in another seventy-two hours." So God made a farmer.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So God made a farmer.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark. It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week's work with a five-mile drive to church.</div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.1875px;">
"Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.'" So God made a farmer.</div>
<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-59087155680609928122013-06-05T19:20:00.000-04:002013-06-05T19:20:07.637-04:00Words for Wednesday...Avi-Kate is 2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Happy, happy birthday to our sweet, spunky, fiercely independent, determined, fearless, and adventuresome second born. Life with you is certainly a joy and each day brings something new. We are so grateful that you are part of our family. We love you and your beautiful ginger curls more than you know! Happy 2nd birthday, Avi-Kate! We can't believe how quickly you are growing up.</span></div>
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Practicing her cupcake eating a few weeks ago in preparation for her upcoming festivities.</div>
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A few candid shots of our spunky girl at AG's last soccer game a few weeks ago...</div>
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More about her birthday this next week...we are off to the farm tomorrow for the weekend to celebrate. Looking forward to swimming and celebrating a very special two year old on Saturday.Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-61447311169518737792013-06-03T23:35:00.000-04:002013-06-03T23:35:15.476-04:00Family Update...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My friend, <a href="http://terobertson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin</a>, did a family update post this week on her blog and it was motivation to get my act together. So much has happened these last few months and it's time I got back in to my blogging groove. Here's a little of what we have been up to:</div>
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Andy</div>
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Has signed on to run a service bureau for a former client of his and will now be telecommuting from home when he doesn't have to travel. This should make for a highly interesting summer since we'll have both kids at home. At least during the school year when he worked from home AG was in school during the day. I'm hoping we find a balance over the course of the next few weeks. Regardless, we are grateful for this opportunity and some other things that seem to be coming together. Soccer finished up and Andy had a great time coaching AG in his first soccer season. Andy has also taken up Crossfit and is loving it. </div>
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Katie</div>
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I'm in desperate need of getting my act together when it comes to my blog...I've never been this sporadic with it. In other news I'm doing some stuff on the side with These Southern Roots and am hoping to dedicate some much needed time to it this summer. In addition, I'm also trying to revamp some of our household organization systems for the upcoming school year. My goal is to work on this stuff this summer so that I can get the kinks worked out before AG starts back to school in August. I'm still very involved with hospitality/events at our church and that keeps me busy. Running...I took most of the spring off to let me left leg heal from a stress fracture. I've run a handful of times since February and it looks like I'm healed. (Hooray!) When I have run it is pain free in my leg...granted my endurance isn't what it was but I can handle that if it's pain free. My goal for June is to slowly ease back in to running on a consistent basis. No crazy mileage or fast pacing just easy, consistent runs. Andy and I are looking at a big race goal for the winter season to complete together. (It deserves it's own post.) Training for that will start in July so easing back in to a running schedule is key for this month. Around the house...it's a mess! I've got several projects going on and need to take a few days to get caught up and on top of things. It's currently driving me crazy but I'm slowly tackling it and getting a bunch of stuff reorganized/purged/cleaned out. </div>
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AG</div>
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Getting to be such a big kid. Can't believe he completed his first year of preschool and that we are one year away from having a kindergartner. He had a blast on vacation and enjoyed learning/asking questions about everything. Continues to be a diehard Braves fan and enjoys telling anyone who will talk baseball with him about his team. I'm hoping to work on some special activities with him this summer while he is home. My goal is to get organized so that we can do projects together several times a week while Avi-Kate naps. He's really looking forward to going to the beach with my family in July and Andy's family over Labor Day weekend. Andy and I are tossing around several ideas for his fifth birthday this winter. Ideally, we'd like to do something special at certain milestone birthdays...we are still trying to figure out what this looks like but I like the possibilities.<br />
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Avi-Kate</div>
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I really can't believe that in less than 48 hours she'll be two years old. She has changed so much in these last few months. I am so grateful that we had surgery when we did. Her speech and vocabulary is really starting to take off. (And for that I praise the lord.) She is a sweet, independent ball of energy that is always in motion doing something. Girlfriend loves her art supplies and is quite content to color masterpiece after masterpiece. She loves to cook in their play kitchen and take care of her babies. And she absolutely adores her big brother. (The feeling is mutual.) She loves to do whatever he is doing and spends most of the day trying to keep up with him.<br />
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Lastly, I love these two photos that I took of AG and our niece, Ronnie, this past week on vacation and had to share them. They've changed so much since the last time we were in Williamsburg. (It had been 2.5+ years since the last time we were there.)<br />
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<br />Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-63229351716394051172013-05-22T09:52:00.002-04:002013-05-22T09:52:54.565-04:00Words for Wednesday...Like Father Like Son...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Growing up Andy's dad was his soccer coach till he was in middle school and now the tradition continues. AG and Andy just completed their first season together this past Friday. Makes my heart happy. </div>
Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3137426083794612732.post-47535930359180122312013-04-28T23:13:00.001-04:002013-04-28T23:13:22.135-04:00And it dawns on me......that in a few short weeks AG will be home all day with me and Avi-Kate. Don't get me wrong I'm excited about summer vacation. BUT it will mean that I need to restructure my day and how things get done. It's also going to mean that I need to have activities lined up for us to do throughout the week. AG loves doing things hands on and so I need to get myself organized and prepared for what lies ahead in the coming weeks. I also feel like that while AG is young we do need to have some hands on materials for him for our trip to Williamsburg to make connections. I started researching possibilities and have yet to find anything that is developmentally appropriate and well put together. Most likely I'm going to make my own 'lap book' for him to work in. We'll see what I come up with. And while I'm on school type activities I am probably going to have to do some sort of Tot School this summer for AKs because she is quite insistent that she be included in whatever 'Bubba' is doing. On the upside she colors/holds writing utensils much better than AG did at this age. She is also starting to prefer her left hand when she holds a crayon/pencil. Last night, while out to dinner with my parents, I watched her hold a crayon with her right hand...try to color...then switch to her left hand because she like it better. She did this repeatedly every single time she switched crayons. This left handed mom is slightly optimistic that maybe I won't be the only lefty in the family.<br />
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It also dawns on me that...<br />
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I need to get with it on the birthday party planning for Avi-Kate. I can't believe she is going to be two in a month. Over the weekend I was looking at my calendar and realized that in all reality I need to have said party planned/ready to go before we leave for Williamsburg so that I'm not scrambling when we come home.<br />
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Here's to a productive next few weeks...not to mention the ideas I've schemed up to do around the house. :)Andy & Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397583875731522987noreply@blogger.com0