tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30919641937438851252023-11-16T02:33:24.407-05:00Butler Family BugleMelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.comBlogger773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-58487866679902161712016-11-16T06:44:00.004-05:002016-11-16T06:59:13.587-05:00Thanks for the Information<div style="text-align: center;">
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Found this little note taped to my toilet this morning. I guess I'm glad she decided to draw a picture instead of just leaving it in the toilet for me to see.</div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-85111174308544445692016-11-16T06:33:00.000-05:002016-11-16T07:00:53.814-05:00Stink<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a simple story of a simple-minded dog that got sprayed by a skunk and stunk up the house. In desperation the dog's owners gave the stinky dog a bath in marinara sauce and petite diced tomatoes. Now the dog is orange and smells like a pizza.
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-81785445406748556352016-11-15T16:39:00.000-05:002016-11-15T16:41:54.029-05:00Nature<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I have had a rough couple of weeks. Nothing tragic, just some stressful things that caused me to take pause and feel sorry for myself for a few days. It is easy to get into a funk about life sometimes and to totally forget to count your blessings. For me, one of the best ways to get over said funk is to get outside. Last weekend I had a chance to do just that.</div>
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The family drove down to Staunton, Virginia to visit the Frontier Culture Museum and then we took a lovely little hike to the Natural Bridge. The air was crisp, the leaves were still pretty, and it was nice to enjoy the simplicity of being outside with the kids. It was just what the doctor ordered. The day was not without the typical Butler challenges. There was definitely a vomiting incident and the kids fought like cats and dogs, but Atley only disappeared once and that was only at Cracker Barrel, so it was all good.</div>
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The Frontier Culture Museum is a living history museum composed of small farms and re-enactors depicting different time periods in U.S., European, and African history. </div>
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West African Farm circa 1740's</div>
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1600's Yeoman English Farmhouse</div>
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1700's German Farmhouse</div>
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1740's Colonial America Farmstead</div>
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1850's American Farmstead</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSfZdVAIU1SZDWmuONr91Xt6uJdR37rsQ9J6cYSDdqpWTZyQXImALYzOZBHo-GJqacwjo56Jy5Pb2QgXDeSZukn0rE0UgCN2B0uAw4S84O19CyVQUl_SljwJCz5RucnlOIsaxW7TN8bSJ/s1600/SAM_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSfZdVAIU1SZDWmuONr91Xt6uJdR37rsQ9J6cYSDdqpWTZyQXImALYzOZBHo-GJqacwjo56Jy5Pb2QgXDeSZukn0rE0UgCN2B0uAw4S84O19CyVQUl_SljwJCz5RucnlOIsaxW7TN8bSJ/s640/SAM_2831.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Natural Bridge, Virginia. Thomas Jefferson bought this landmark from King George for $2.40. No wonder we won the Revolutionary War. Watch out for FALLING ROCK!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyiO6pTloREyAhKMT5CXq9SXwHZAe7RNSq9yb0uG39lCYWq_HKT0qhnzngrg1QRZij_xvyJAgOX_G5-REmNoISLpExQL87QeApVqYcRsl2m-B9FE7wrkZ2zxh-FHXjFx5Y8AoR7Xfwsst/s1600/SAM_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyiO6pTloREyAhKMT5CXq9SXwHZAe7RNSq9yb0uG39lCYWq_HKT0qhnzngrg1QRZij_xvyJAgOX_G5-REmNoISLpExQL87QeApVqYcRsl2m-B9FE7wrkZ2zxh-FHXjFx5Y8AoR7Xfwsst/s640/SAM_2835.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqZYvlZetFoDAPNgeSCz92dgM2S_DEO4Ps_k1vyelu3MHhIgNatI0U97Uny4GbiJ5m2Ccm0BvJlu2CXebPezGMCwbtgD0CUOSesAcfh2bORmOBhRrTOUuuKdNADMgZnGJmMK895K0YNia/s1600/SAM_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqZYvlZetFoDAPNgeSCz92dgM2S_DEO4Ps_k1vyelu3MHhIgNatI0U97Uny4GbiJ5m2Ccm0BvJlu2CXebPezGMCwbtgD0CUOSesAcfh2bORmOBhRrTOUuuKdNADMgZnGJmMK895K0YNia/s640/SAM_2836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgQZiZpFycxloAjdRRBSvEjj7YqEKAzMxsLhPFr7xfe6Pu1KK6GcN6fQNHC5sFPkDjn6rq_68D2Q3pXMbwK5pKJfl5RuH7PLqlLWIg56kCBCL0zlb5bft82QarZFn1LxDTkYNDs58d11Q/s1600/SAM_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgQZiZpFycxloAjdRRBSvEjj7YqEKAzMxsLhPFr7xfe6Pu1KK6GcN6fQNHC5sFPkDjn6rq_68D2Q3pXMbwK5pKJfl5RuH7PLqlLWIg56kCBCL0zlb5bft82QarZFn1LxDTkYNDs58d11Q/s640/SAM_2837.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Harley's face is an expression of her disappointment in the majestic waterfall we promised.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPELwKWtgveAdAwquG1iWAqJU1Ld6QYkBH8gLG2JP7bWAkdtqmXTRtJRtSjkoSbQfq3N9VF3lXyQRyGOn3eHvj5Lnkhs05JC-12yPt3nFY0m5NFAP6DfrhjRdCqlc1CVcKuk_iJnoeCtK/s1600/SAM_2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPELwKWtgveAdAwquG1iWAqJU1Ld6QYkBH8gLG2JP7bWAkdtqmXTRtJRtSjkoSbQfq3N9VF3lXyQRyGOn3eHvj5Lnkhs05JC-12yPt3nFY0m5NFAP6DfrhjRdCqlc1CVcKuk_iJnoeCtK/s640/SAM_2838.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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A leaf as big as your head. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHD0K5-Xv45ECQoWWuy-maXEM5j54svRM0S3r6ZIKM05p1d3grSmW71xYnHnCIb8R6Z_hkxv3jIzi1oM68oV4EIXNZbinbeH1Qpu5kz77LBmiwZH-2Sp9farwcyCtPF5jpwATXrCHS05c/s1600/SAM_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHD0K5-Xv45ECQoWWuy-maXEM5j54svRM0S3r6ZIKM05p1d3grSmW71xYnHnCIb8R6Z_hkxv3jIzi1oM68oV4EIXNZbinbeH1Qpu5kz77LBmiwZH-2Sp9farwcyCtPF5jpwATXrCHS05c/s640/SAM_2839.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUjOl6amGEDGFu278p0BAis7lkk3t1p5qDKBKjchrIRqiv8f8ofo44Rl1M-um7nHfIS3buRv_xkgbKqk1J_pVO9IhWKgJrZCZZshEzmCXkym3wIbn4u0tjYA3QX6cU7i4EuymF8h3YFrR/s1600/SAM_2840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUjOl6amGEDGFu278p0BAis7lkk3t1p5qDKBKjchrIRqiv8f8ofo44Rl1M-um7nHfIS3buRv_xkgbKqk1J_pVO9IhWKgJrZCZZshEzmCXkym3wIbn4u0tjYA3QX6cU7i4EuymF8h3YFrR/s640/SAM_2840.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Cliff jumping.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-56011717218897497922016-11-15T15:03:00.002-05:002016-11-16T07:02:10.703-05:00Halloween 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4v03PZrMDjr0TVhT5paTYtWbWPmkZHs0CwfkVvYCZDjwuW5baJZ5qWlbzj6ryMexvyqNoPSBNo-WbacGmEyZTaHNIW7mmvKCFQQ2mckmEg7WVUgUFOJ_4st-O86q92PDIZvvxEnYAPs9/s1600/IMG_5468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4v03PZrMDjr0TVhT5paTYtWbWPmkZHs0CwfkVvYCZDjwuW5baJZ5qWlbzj6ryMexvyqNoPSBNo-WbacGmEyZTaHNIW7mmvKCFQQ2mckmEg7WVUgUFOJ_4st-O86q92PDIZvvxEnYAPs9/s400/IMG_5468.JPG" width="353" /></a></div>
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Annual picture by Mr. Pumpkinhead</div>
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I like the decorating part of Halloween. I love the candy part of Halloween. I even like the Jack 'O Lantern part of Halloween, but I don't really love the whole dressing up part of Halloween. My kids always pick the most bizarre costumes. No princesses or superheroes in this house. That being said, I don't know why I found it sort of heart breaking that Atley didn't want to dress up this year. In fact, he wasn't even with us for the school trunk-or-treat festivities or the church festivities because he had other "commitments". Granted, that was true but, WHAAA! That sucks. He tells me he is practically a man. A very tiny unorganized man, who still needs to be reminded to shower, but a man none the less. Anyway, here are our Halloween pictures, sans Atley in costume. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FfVZmp75kSL2NPijQRvjEl_kLb1mm9LBtF1GrIoijJTsPRiiRDx424IW-LhhcuVJtNkmpLGdeEHmo_D0_p-r22P9_nHWA9AEiBKv3us4ZFQo3AS5cmj5bXWcgl9bIoFz3ft4_IG2wa5c/s1600/SAM_2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FfVZmp75kSL2NPijQRvjEl_kLb1mm9LBtF1GrIoijJTsPRiiRDx424IW-LhhcuVJtNkmpLGdeEHmo_D0_p-r22P9_nHWA9AEiBKv3us4ZFQo3AS5cmj5bXWcgl9bIoFz3ft4_IG2wa5c/s640/SAM_2748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriuFeVbY1BOjRaF94GtevMfNAwXj9iBIOVDd7XWJklBzMY4OstDmNOd8DOXEAs5CFTltKqHBfddoCwfF7cYebl45Y1aePU1bJCQND67lUDH-SDzg5Xe2Xz7d0LNdiddSaqN0FZaNwNaaT/s1600/SAM_2750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriuFeVbY1BOjRaF94GtevMfNAwXj9iBIOVDd7XWJklBzMY4OstDmNOd8DOXEAs5CFTltKqHBfddoCwfF7cYebl45Y1aePU1bJCQND67lUDH-SDzg5Xe2Xz7d0LNdiddSaqN0FZaNwNaaT/s640/SAM_2750.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fPZheu3rRHKK8k8mpdoKWgSR2_32mOJlPG1V4fSWCbIVH9QWwR3yeKjl4Cft3uCD_ygX_Xow-vhh1AubScaXSxwDtuoT8VcIScRJZb32KxunfNO1faMDR1wMSEBdh07MF6-Cf3tNfCPI/s1600/SAM_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fPZheu3rRHKK8k8mpdoKWgSR2_32mOJlPG1V4fSWCbIVH9QWwR3yeKjl4Cft3uCD_ygX_Xow-vhh1AubScaXSxwDtuoT8VcIScRJZb32KxunfNO1faMDR1wMSEBdh07MF6-Cf3tNfCPI/s640/SAM_2756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAW8yzKkNSDRVVUrDZ3028vxDquH_9MDUpENXjrmGyFInWvhyTfVhuGTKhVexWUsT-gDIimvDLjQX1SrupDUKl807yTxdM1pkbd7NaTfWKL9wcifvsFKGkJgWq-0jOXx0afz2-GgAYduK/s1600/SAM_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAW8yzKkNSDRVVUrDZ3028vxDquH_9MDUpENXjrmGyFInWvhyTfVhuGTKhVexWUsT-gDIimvDLjQX1SrupDUKl807yTxdM1pkbd7NaTfWKL9wcifvsFKGkJgWq-0jOXx0afz2-GgAYduK/s640/SAM_2710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46U9mxjFvRZoKKGy5I6Eby1bVtlhCtby1jRoFQy_N_0sMsXsyoVBnXktVI-eK-BmACVSvlMF4G3FFThLcF3SYjIQ4JENOOY3g8mrQWbSe6eZu9oea-EGgeHTt05_uUulxkLkaBfyDFt2U/s1600/SAM_2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46U9mxjFvRZoKKGy5I6Eby1bVtlhCtby1jRoFQy_N_0sMsXsyoVBnXktVI-eK-BmACVSvlMF4G3FFThLcF3SYjIQ4JENOOY3g8mrQWbSe6eZu9oea-EGgeHTt05_uUulxkLkaBfyDFt2U/s640/SAM_2711.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
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Is there anything cuter than a praying Sumo? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEXlRePsBGE0zgYFbP9F49KZPxpOZtXcky7kBkotySFIkWdZuKCbMKcgXQfeuZlPQ82fcjK9SFNntj405NjrBK4QuCK0JBWWFqLa9_nfisAGgfjmMNRHe6I9tdV9pCXz5bXFehIUY9pmP/s1600/IMG_5526+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEXlRePsBGE0zgYFbP9F49KZPxpOZtXcky7kBkotySFIkWdZuKCbMKcgXQfeuZlPQ82fcjK9SFNntj405NjrBK4QuCK0JBWWFqLa9_nfisAGgfjmMNRHe6I9tdV9pCXz5bXFehIUY9pmP/s400/IMG_5526+%25281%2529.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
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Harley and I did get to dress like twins for orange and black day at school. I guess that was fun. Although looking at this picture of myself makes me think perhaps my name is Mrs. Pumpkinhead.</div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-53372963298579094992016-10-10T14:41:00.002-04:002016-10-10T14:58:39.201-04:00Grandpa G<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY-hWfs4OGiuEfnv_g4ziH6IRzq6qQOh0uzpmJfcI8nBVoobcqZcIgIegBch0FknJWH5NSrrdNM7bH-X2GihMljGhueh5PnaKv6atdT2Wss-MnXd5chb1Q9bnO8SN9MRCi_tTiEqnBzYn/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY-hWfs4OGiuEfnv_g4ziH6IRzq6qQOh0uzpmJfcI8nBVoobcqZcIgIegBch0FknJWH5NSrrdNM7bH-X2GihMljGhueh5PnaKv6atdT2Wss-MnXd5chb1Q9bnO8SN9MRCi_tTiEqnBzYn/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When I was in the operating room getting ready to deliver
Harley Belle, a nurse, in a valiant effort
to distract me, asked what I was going to name my soon to arrive
baby girl. I told the nurse her name would be Harley. The kind nurse then asked me where I came up
with such a unique name. I explained
that it was my grandfather’s name, and that, boy or girl, this baby would be
called Harley. To further ease my nerves,
she continued her diverting chatter and asked me about my grandfather. She
said, “You must think a lot of this gentleman if you are going to name your
child after him.” Without hesitation, I replied that my grandpa was the most
loyal and hardworking person I knew and that if this little girl had those same
attributes, she would do just fine in life.
The nurse wholeheartedly agreed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the second summer in a row I lost a grandfather. On
August 5, 2016 my grandpa, Harley Gilleland died. I witnessed the suffering and
humility that death brought to a man whom I assumed was larger than life. I am again comforted in the knowledge that
families are forever and I will see him again.
I was fortunate enough to be in his company during the last few weeks of
his life. I had to return home to Virginia a few days before his passing and it
was devastating to have to leave. I knew
I would never see him again in this life. Of course, in his permanently logical
manner he expressed to me his desire that I not return for the funeral. I can still hear his gruff voice saying, “You
don’t come back for a funeral, Lis. It’s just too much, Hon. You go home and be
with Scott. We’ll be fine.” Trying my best to control my emotions I
kissed him on the forehead and choking back my sobs I told him I loved him as I
rushed out of the hospital room. My only
solace was in knowing he would soon be out of pain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The morning he died I woke up early and looked out of my
window to the small rose garden in my front yard. It was in shambles, having been neglected
most of the summer while our family traveled.
I knew grandpa’s roses would never be so unkempt. The phone call came as I sat shamefully
staring at my weed ridden garden. I knew in that moment all I could do to honor
my grandfather, the exemplary gardener, was to get to work. I pulled on my boots and spent the duration of
the day trying to salvage my uncared for roses. I felt he was near me the whole time, which is
probably why I chose to keep working long after my hands and back were
unbearably sore. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My grandfather’s yard and garden is famous in our small
town. He and grandma never shied away
from a moment of hardwork. Their home
and yard was always in a state of flawlessness.
My grandfather was a perfectionist, unlike any I have ever known. In fact, when I got my first car I used to
take it to grandpa’s house to wash it. My excuse was that his driveway was so
much bigger than our own. But, the
reality was, I knew grandpa would never be able to tolerate how I was washing
my car and would soon take over the task. Within a few hours, he would have my
car looking show room ready with a fresh coat of wax and air in all the
tires. This transformation would take
place all while I watched from the comfort of the garage, drinking my pop and
eating the cookies that grandma would inevitably provide when anyone came
around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first real memories of my grandpa were when I was in the
first grade. My parents and I were living
in Nevada where my dad was working for a gold mine. They sent me to Colorado for a few weeks that
summer and the summer after that, before we moved back to Colorado permanently. Grandma and Grandpa had an enormous bed, at
least it seemed enormous to me. It was certainly
big enough for all three of us to sleep in each night comfortably. I remember thinking if I ever got a bed this
big I will have all I ever wanted out of life.
But before we crawled into bed at night Grandpa and Grandma always kneeled
down beside it and grandpa would pray. I
would sneak a peek from under my bowed head to watch grandpa from across the king-sized
chasm. It was fascinating to watch this
tough man bow his head and pray each night. He would express his gratitude for
what he had been given and pray for me and other members of our family. In
those sweet moments, as a five year old girl, he taught me how to talk to God,
express gratitude and humbly ask for His divine guidance and protection. I have
seldom missed a nightly prayer since those days. The gift of prayer has been one of the most
powerful lessons I could have ever learned in this life and it came from the
example of my grandfather. After prayers,
the three of us would pile into bed and watch Johnny Carson or Benny Hill. I
would fall asleep with the comfort of grandpa’s deep laugh and the smell of his
after shave coming from the pillow next to mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of my fondest memories were being in the mountains with
him. He would tell us ghost stories or accounts
of his boyhood as we sat around the campfire at night. All the grandkids would
listen in complete silence, because he was the strongest, bravest man we knew
and we adored him. We would hike around
the mountains surrounding the cabin and grandpa would encourage me to pick up
and squeeze the animal droppings between my chubby fingers to discern whether the
scat was fresh or not. Of course, I was
assured that this was for our safety, or to help in the tracking process when
it was hunting season. I loved to drive
in Grandma and Grandpa’s truck up to the mountains. Grandpa always played Julio Iglesias in the
cassette player and he would sing along with a Spanish accent. His favorite trick was pretending the brakes
were out in the car. Although, I had been a victim of the joke repeatedly, I
was continually terrified as we rounded each bend of the treacherously steep
mountain pass. Each time he convinced me
that this occasion was the real deal, until Grandma would finally say, “Harley
that’s enough!” and grandpa would look at me smiling and say, “Did I scare ya
Lis?” He even tried this trick once when
I was on the motorcycle with him. I was
sitting in front of him and we were riding down to the river. We were traveling down a small hill with a
large rock at the bottom. Suddenly, Grandpa
claimed he had lost his brakes and complete control of the motorcycle. We were gaining speed and heading straight
for the boulder and what would ultimately be our demise. I was screaming and he
was yelling that this was the end. I did
what any 7 year old would do when faced with certain death, I grabbed the
handle bars and yanked them as hard as I could away from that rock and then attempted
to jump off the motorcycle. Well, this
choice almost caused us both to crash and in a miraculous maneuver Grandpa
managed to keep the bike upright and me safely on board. However, I was
promptly removed from said bike and given a swift spanking and lecture for
grabbing the handle bars. This
punishment was followed immediately, by an almost painful bear hug and an apology
for scaring me so badly. History
repeated itself almost thirty years later when riding an ATV with Atley. Grandpa and Grandma were on the four-wheeler
behind us. I attempted one of Grandpa’s old tricks. Atley got nervous and yanked
the handle bars of our ATV, almost causing us to careen down the side of the
mountain. I promptly removed him and
told him he had to walk back. I was furious and terrified. Grandpa and Grandma
put Atley on board with them and Grandpa told me I was way too hard on the boy. I decided not to remind him of the motorcycle
spanking of ’85. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my parents moved to Bolivia, Grandma and Grandpa
graciously let me move all my stuff into their house so I still had “my room”
to come home to when I visited from college.
Every time I flew home Grandma and Grandpa were always there waiting to
pick me up. I think they arrived at the
airport hours before my plane was supposed to arrive and because it was
pre-9/11, grandpa would be at the very top of the jet way peering anxiously
through the crowd. When he saw me he always grabbed my bag and then I was once
again gathered into that tight bear hug. I would take a deep breath of his aftershave
and feel the comfort of finally being home again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could write pages and pages of a life time of memories
with my grandpa, like the way Grandma and Grandpa visited early every Christmas
morning to see what Santa brought. I
could talk about how Grandpa was always ready with a jacket for me when I
looked cold or that scratchy army blanket when the jacket wasn’t quite enough
to warm me up. I could reminisce about
how he was always ready with a handkerchief or a package of Smarties at the
most opportune times or the moment he caught me making out with my boyfriend in
front of his house. I could pen all
those trips to the mountains to cut and haul wood in the fall, the sound and
smell of grandpa’s saw and the methodical way we all worked as a family to fill
the trucks with firewood for the winter. I could write about the time we all went to
Las Vegas and I made Grandma and Grandpa walk miles and miles or the time they
came to visit me in Atlanta and their favorite part of the trip was the golf
cart ride around the pond near our house, or their trip to Tucson to visit me when
we were caught up in a very un-Arizona-like torrential rain storm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My most precious memories are the times I saw tears in his
kind strong eyes. They appeared once on the day I got married, another time
after I sang in church three summers ago. He grabbed me on my way back to our
pew and with tears in his aging eyes told me he loved me. And finally those tears appeared again one
night when we were gathered around the campfire. He expressed how much he
wished my oldest cousin Tia could be there with us after she had passed
away. He loved us and managed to show
us, not through words but by his loyalty to our family. Whether we were right
or wrong, he was always on our side. He
loved my grandma and set an example to all of us about what a lasting relationship
should look like. His influence is a constant in my life. He taught me to enjoy
the beauty of nature and enjoy the simplicity of Sunday drives and visiting on
the front porch. I think of him each time
I am tempted to shirk on a job. I remember how he never gave anything but his
best. I think of him each time I kneel
by my king sized bed to pray. I think
about him when I work outside in my yard.
He is in my head when I am stacking wood in the backyard and my pile
seems a little lopsided. I see him in my Harley Belle’s stubborn determination
and blunt sense of humor and I am so thankful she is his name sake. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you Grandpa and I sincerely thank you for all you
taught me, for raising my amazing mother, and for loving my Grandma with all
your heart. You are missed daily. <o:p></o:p></div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-75879160148219754192016-07-07T18:57:00.002-04:002016-07-07T22:56:23.463-04:00Disney Cruise Family Reunion<div style="text-align: center;">
We just returned from an amazing vacation/reunion aboard the Disney Dream with the Butler family! All 29 of us went, courtesy of Ma & Pa Butler and it was really an unforgettable experience.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The day before the cruise we met up with cousins at Downtown Disney in Orlando. We saw a movie, enjoyed a boat ride on the lagoon, shopped, and got caught in a torrential downpour. I'm so thankful I re-thought that white t-shirt I was planning to wear.</div>
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<b>Day 1</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We all had different boarding times, based on when we checked in online. We got on first, because I'm an eager beaver like that. When you walk on board they introduce your family and I may have gotten a little choked up as the Butler Family was introduced into the Grand Atrium of this beautiful ship.</div>
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Nash was a nervous wreck. He has a boat phobia, so we took him straight to the buffet and he hardly worried again. What can I say, the food was unbelievable!</div>
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In true Atley form, he immediately found a map and memorized the lay-out of the ship. It is so nice to never have to know where you are, when Atley is around. </div>
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After lunch the kids played the Mickey's Detective Agency scavenger hunt game, which we all regret not having more time to play and explore.</div>
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The boys learned how to play LIFE while Scott watched some soccer as we waited for the arrival of our cousins and the mandatory evacuation drill. Speaking of the evacuation drill, there are steel doors throughout the ship that can be shut to prevent fire or flooding from spreading. As we were finishing our evacuation drill Scott saw a mysterious switch high on the wall that he just couldn't help but touch. A huge door emerged from the walls separating families and sending people into a panic. I barely grabbed Nash in time to keep him with us. This is such typical Scott behavior. He once pulled a fire alarm at a parking garage in Salt Lake making my mom and aunt run for their lives.</div>
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The view from our balcony enabled the kids to see if our luggage was being loaded.</div>
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Soon the ships horn played <i>A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes </i> and the Sail Away party began. It was adorable. </div>
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The movement of the boat made me worry I would get sea sick so I immediately took a few too many Dramamine, which made me super sleepy. I was dozing during dinner and fell asleep in the after dinner show which I am certain was awesome. I went back to the cabin to sleep it off, while the rest of the family went to a magic show. I didn't take anymore Dramamine.</div>
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<b>Day 2</b></div>
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The next morning we watched the ship port in Nassau while eating a lovely breakfast in the Royal Palace.</div>
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Scott talked me out of making the kids take a historical tour of the city but I wanted them to have a little taste of culture anyway. We compromised on the Straw Market. Harley insisted on getting her hair braided just like a native.</div>
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We all enjoyed a fresh chilled coconut, and explored the narrow streets of the city for a couple of hours before getting back on board our floating paradise.</div>
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We enjoyed the spectacular views of Atlantis and the Caribbean as we headed back out to sea.</div>
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We took family pictures before dinner and enjoyed another five course meal. The service was phenomenal. They catered to every crazy whim our children had and totally took care of their needs while we enjoyed dinner at the adult table each night. The kids also could not get enough of the Oceaneer's Club, where they did everything from cooking, crafts, video games, cartography and much more. </div>
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Throughout all the busyness of the first two days the kids also managed lots of time out in the pool and consumed their weight in ice cream each day. They loved riding the Aquaduck around the ship and so did I. </div>
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They also couldn't get enough of the chocolate before bed and the strange creatures that were left for them each night.</div>
<b>Day 3</b><br />
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Today's breakfast was spent outside on the deck watching our approach to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. It was adorable! </div>
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This is grandma and Atley enjoying a race down the water slides into the ocean at Castaway Cay. It was a photo finish but clearly Atley won, grandma! </div>
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One of the highlights of the trip was our snorkeling excursion. We not only got to hand-feed sting rays but we also got to swim and snorkel with them. Harley had no problem snorkeling for the first time. In fact, she was just like a little fish. I had trouble paying any attention to the stingrays, for watching her in the water.</div>
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Of course, there was more ice cream on the island!</div>
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The kids raced crabs, played with Olaf, posed for pictures, splashed in the ocean, and finally collapsed in exhaustion on the splash pad. </div>
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That night was pirate night on the ship. We all changed into our pirate gear and enjoyed an amazing pirate show, dance party and fireworks display on deck.</div>
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Did I mention there is also a movie theater on the ship? We watched <i>Finding Dory, The BFG, and Captain America </i>while sailing. </div>
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<b>Day 4</b></div>
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We spent at sea. The kids played in the pool. We watched some fantastic shows and played Disney trivia. The kids enjoyed more time in the Oceaneer's Club and of course, they had more ice cream. Harley visited the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique and was transformed into a mermaid. The make-over included face paint. When her fairy god mother asked what she wanted, Harley politely requested stripes, so she would look like a "warrior mermaid". That's my girl. We also did some dancing with the Daisy and Donald!</div>
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<b>Day 5</b></div>
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After having breakfast together, we all went our separate ways. There were some more tears shed in our car as we drove away from Port Canaveral. </div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-45084037921280558462016-05-09T12:51:00.000-04:002016-05-09T12:59:16.964-04:00Harley's Frogtastic 6th Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">
Harley almost always has big plans. She also has very unique ideas about how she wants those plans followed. A couple of months ago I tried to sell her on the idea of a unicorn birthday party. I found this guy who owned miniature ponies, just the right size for a bunch of 6 year old girls to ride. He was willing to paint them rainbow colored and attach unicorn horns onto their fat little heads. Be still, my heart. Can you just imagine all these pretty little girls dressed like princesses riding unicorns around our property? No. Well, apparently Harley couldn't catch the vision either because she insisted on a FROG themed birthday. I learned a long time ago just to roll with it, because when she gets an idea in her head, there is no convincing her otherwise. </div>
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It turned out to be lots of fun, lots of work, but lots of fun. We hosted about ten kindergartner's and their parents. As luck would have it, it was also the first day it hadn't rained in two weeks. </div>
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Here is a step by step guide for the one other person in the universe, whose daughter wants to throw a FROG birthday party!</div>
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Step 1: Invitations</div>
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I made these on Picmonkey and had them printed at Target.</div>
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Step 2: Plan an activity for the children until all the guests arrive</div>
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No one shows up at the same time for a birthday party, so, I always plan some sort of quiet activity until all the guests arrive. I printed out some frog coloring sheets for the kids to color while they waited for the other guests. Plus, they also used this time to decorate their own party bags.</div>
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Step 3: Introduce the theme of the party. </div>
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Of course, we read a <i>Froggy </i>story. I also used this time to let the kids know what they would be doing for the next hour and a half and what our expectations were for their behavior. I know, always a teacher.</div>
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Step 4: Game Stations. </div>
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Thank goodness the boys were super willing to be in charge of games. When planning party games, remember Oriental Trading is a birthday parties best friend. </div>
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Nash ran two game stations: </div>
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<i>Hop Frog: </i>The kids tried to get their plastic hopping frogs to land on a lilly pad. </div>
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<i>Fly Catcher: </i>For this game I laminated a bunch of clipart flies and the kids used sticker finger toys to capture as many flies as they could.</div>
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Atley was in charge of Bouncy House Safety and he ran the...</div>
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<i>F</i>rog <i>Spit Station:</i> Using two tables about 20 feet apart the kids sucked up water with their squirting frogs from one cup and transferred it to another cup.</div>
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Step 4: Decorations and Food</div>
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I used a lot of tissue paper to create flowers and buntings. We also had fresh flowers, mostly from the azaleas still blooming in the yard. We drank SWAMP WATER and ate FROG EGGS, along with pizza and cupcakes. </div>
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Step 5: One last HURRAH! </div>
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Finally we went on a FROG EGG hunt. The boys hid 144 eggs all over the property and the kids went berserk trying to gather them all. They were all running so fast I failed to even capture a picture. </div>
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It was a happy and memorable day. Nothing brings me more joy than granting the outlandish wishes of my children, even if they don't include unicorns and princess dresses.</div>
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When all the guest left we opened presents, everyone was so generous. Harley exclaimed, "Wow, I must be pretty popular!" </div>
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We love you Harley Belle and we cannot wait to see what you come up with next year! Also, thanks brothers for being so helpful and accommodating to your baby sister.</div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-16487771211577828882016-04-26T10:01:00.002-04:002016-04-26T10:01:44.903-04:00Good Night Cub Scout, Good Night Cub Scout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-1704329039360503332016-04-25T14:20:00.000-04:002016-04-26T08:11:22.184-04:00This Week's Happenings<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In an effort to be a more consistent blogger and add a little more to my heaping plate, I am going to attempt a weekly update of our goings-on. So, here goes nothin'.</span></b></div>
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Spring is blooming all around us, The azaleas and the impatiens in my yard are so very lovely. Yesterday morning before church the sun was shining bright and the kids ran outside to play as soon as they awoke. I lay on the couch watching them in the morning sunlight. Their heads bobbing by the window and laughter pealing through the yard. Birds fluttered by with their mouths full of sticks and straw to land in the ferns hanging on my front porch. They worked furiously to build their nests while I lazily watched nature and my children in all their glorious beauty. I didn't need a camera for the scene before me. I'm certain I will forever remember their sweaty red faces scampering by with the colors of spring as the backdrop to their adventures. I will always hear the laughter and joy ringing through the poplars and oak trees in my heart. My soul was filled with an overwhelming gratitude for motherhood and the beauty of this glorious world. </div>
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Five minutes later they were back in the house fighting, tattling, and calling each other an idiot. Their noses were snotty and their eyes red from the haze of pollen in the air, but it was fabulous while it lasted. </div>
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Speaking of pollen, my kids have a knack for getting the lyrics to songs wrong in the funniest way. We were driving to girl scouts last week and Tom Petty's FREE FALLIN" song came on. Harley was belting it out like she was on Broadway and when she reached the chorus, in perfect pitch she says, "Now I'm BEE, BEE POLLEN!" I think it is our new anthem for spring. Here is another funny one. You know that song from Lion King that is in a tribal African language? My kids are convinced that the first lines of that song are, <i>PENNSYLVANIA, FELIZ NAVIDAD! </i>Finally, Adele's <i>When We Were Young. </i>When the background singers, sing <i>"when we were young", </i>my kids hear, <i>INEBRIATE, INEBRIATE.</i></div>
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This week Atley went on his first over-night camp out sans his father. I was a nervous wreck and constantly checking my phone for a message from the hospital or even the police. He made it back in one piece and had the "best time ever!" Atley has the "best time ever" frequently and I wish I could bottle his enthusiasm for all the mundane tasks in my life. I'd take a swig every time I was feeling like, well, myself. He is an eternal optimist and my inspiration!</div>
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The last couple of weeks have been Boosterthon at school. Most nights I came home complaining that it was a cult, but when the festivities culminated in a FUN RUN, (like there is such a thing), I saw the error of my ways. Harley, Nash and I ran our hearts out and dad came to cheer us on from the sidelines.</div>
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Scott is coaching Nash's baseball team this spring. It is a pretty hard core responsibility with no shortage of critics, but he is great with the kids and I'm sure the wins will start coming eventually. Nash loves playing catcher, which is super stressful for his mother who not only has to keep the score book but agonize over every errant pitch and the runner on third looking to steal home plate. He is uber competitive, to a fault, but there is nothing cuter than him in a pair of baseball pants. </div>
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As I mentioned earlier Sunday was such a beautiful day that I packed a picnic and change of clothes for after church. We went to Chancellorsville Battle Field (where Stonewall Jackson met his demise). We had a picnic in a hay field that 150 years prior was littered with the bodies of 14,000 soldiers. Do you think that is morbid? Anyway, we also took a driving tour of the battle, which I LOVED! I am a serious Civil War junkie and so is Atley. The others not so much. They went along with my plan but when I mentioned how fun it would be to pick a different battlefield every Sunday, I got several eye rolls.</div>
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You know when you are at a funeral or maybe just a family reunion and all the kids tell stories about dad or grandpa. I have a feeling that the day Scott discovered Craig's List might be one of those stories. First, let me preface this story with this. Scott is the least impulsive person I know. So, when he does something impulsive, I just roll with it because it is kind of exciting. Last week he told me he bought a boat off of Craig's list. Wow! Exciting right? So, he and Atley set of to retrieve it. Well, let's just say this vessel is not exactly sea worthy. What is perhaps even more humorous is the picture of Scooby Doo, painted on the back with the words, "RUT ROW"! After a few days of "restoration" I think it has been determined that we will be selling the RUT ROW for parts. Now he is scouring Craig's List for a camper, or as I like to call it, THE MYSTERY MACHINE!</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-19119953787443720732016-04-21T08:28:00.002-04:002016-04-21T08:34:29.210-04:00Spring Break 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
You know what is absolutely awful about spending Spring Break in a place that is warm and sandy and full of sunshine and baseball? You lull yourself into thinking that it is actually summer and then suddenly the week is over and BOOM! you have three months of school left, totally depressing. But, we are back in full swing and dealing just fine. We are resilient like that. We spent spring break down in Jacksonville with my dad and I packed as much into those 5 days as I possibly could. First, on the itinerary was beachin'. We went twice and it never gets old.</div>
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This is Ponte Vedra beach, where seashells and hammerhead sharks abound!</div>
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Second stop on the Spring Break express, St. Augustine, America's first Spanish settlement. St. Augustine was settled by Ponce de Leon, so, no trip to the city is complete without a big drink from the fountain of youth. I am happy to report that my children are officially never growing up. We also spent time at the old fort and admiring the lovely ancient live oak trees drenched in Spanish moss.</div>
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One of our favorite stops was a Popsicle treat at the famous HYPPO. These flavors are super unique. I enjoyed a pineapple basil Popsicle, while Atley had a honeydew basil treat and Harley and Nash had strawberry cilantro. Not for everyone but certainly worth a taste.</div>
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We caught a Washington Nationals spring training game in Port St. Lucie. We had front row seats and even got a couple balls. The boys were in heaven being so close their heroes.</div>
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Not able to bear the thought of our vacation ending we spent the night in Charleston, SC on the way home. Charleston has always been one of my favorite cities and the weather was beautiful and the food fantastic. We explored market square and took the kids on a Ghost Tour, where we heard stories about Black Beard the pirate and much more. Both Harley and Nash ended up in our bed for a couple of nights.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-80386608763212999882016-04-06T13:06:00.003-04:002016-04-06T13:06:57.848-04:00Easter 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Easter Celebration always begins with our traditional Seder the Sunday or before Easter. I love the Seder because it is a very special way to remember our Savior as we begin Holy Week. Plus, I think of all our family traditions, the kids adore the Seder most of all, which makes my heart very happy. This year we were all sick but we forged on anyway, albeit in pajamas and with wild hair. For detailed instructions about how to host an Easter Seder visit our Seders past, <a href="http://dcbutlers.blogspot.com/2015/03/our-annual-easter-seder.html">HERE</a> or <a href="http://dcbutlers.blogspot.com/2014/04/easter-seder.html">HERE!</a></div>
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We only made time for one Spring/Easter craft (this whole working thing has really cramped my style), but I think it is adorable.</div>
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The Saturday night before Easter around 9;30, just after everyone had showered and gotten ready for bed, Harley reminded us we desperately needed to color eggs and since she is in charge, that's what we did!</div>
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Sunday morning the Easter Bunny came and I tortured the children by making them take pictures in their Easter finery, before partaking of our Easter feast, which for some reason, always consists of a supermarket cake. This year's was particularly precious!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48WdT7sSS_dlEB0_vg3jK7eAD2aZwRj-ij1xedoW-XxhGy4O3wm5e4x_f5zKFZgsPzJdK4AgBJudFtKu1d_IqFYlZgeRuxz2eZ37uCI7Y0uHg2L8D02DXEHCmjsryqXyHzGS40gjQS0_r/s1600/SAM_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48WdT7sSS_dlEB0_vg3jK7eAD2aZwRj-ij1xedoW-XxhGy4O3wm5e4x_f5zKFZgsPzJdK4AgBJudFtKu1d_IqFYlZgeRuxz2eZ37uCI7Y0uHg2L8D02DXEHCmjsryqXyHzGS40gjQS0_r/s640/SAM_2196.JPG" width="537" /></a></div>
<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-71622331269358614342016-02-06T15:05:00.001-05:002016-02-06T15:05:27.798-05:00Valentine Cards 2016<br />
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<a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-very-funny-valentine-how-to.html">CREDIT</a></div>
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To check out cards or get ideas from Valentine's past click<a href="http://dcbutlers.blogspot.com/search?q=valentine"> HERE.</a></div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-16751443947818650412016-01-31T16:46:00.000-05:002016-01-31T16:46:24.495-05:00Nash Is A Poet<div style="text-align: center;">
Today marks the 11th day we have NOT been in school because of the weather. YAY! for me, but alas tomorrow we have to return to a life of work and responsibility. Nash received an assignment from his teacher during our little snow-cation to write a poem about winter or snow. I just had to share his adorable thoughts on the subject.</div>
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<b><i>Snow is cool. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>It makes us miss school.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>It comes from the sky.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>To catch it, I'll try.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>I love snow,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Though it makes the wind blow.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>The ground becomes white.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>It's a beautiful sight.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Snow is cool,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>But I kind of miss school.</i></b></div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-13032478258681749642016-01-26T15:14:00.000-05:002016-01-26T15:29:04.885-05:00The Anatomy of a Virginia Blizzard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rmqe7rF8ljmqxM-jBw00RKd_bCLKyY1YIDFqSQEUtKpZ_77ySO74eEjB6v5FKZIT7BFmioJx1LEs8VvQZsU4-7-8ZXNQR5MMOairTIaKqbAbeHLMLKkI7_0zh4NiM9vYgib1zessWI6o/s1600/jan2016+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rmqe7rF8ljmqxM-jBw00RKd_bCLKyY1YIDFqSQEUtKpZ_77ySO74eEjB6v5FKZIT7BFmioJx1LEs8VvQZsU4-7-8ZXNQR5MMOairTIaKqbAbeHLMLKkI7_0zh4NiM9vYgib1zessWI6o/s640/jan2016+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our home, mid-storm, Saturday January 23, 2016</div>
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We haven't been in school for six days and it is unlikely we will return tomorrow or possibly even the next day. Why? Because we were gifted 28 inches of snow and some around us were even blessed more graciously than that. I know everyone out West laughs at the way the city shuts down, but that is probably because they have never been to the East Coast. They probably don't understand the windy little streets with no shoulder. The lack of wide open spaces and the abundance of people. The thousands of miles of road and rail tracks. Just take my word, as a former Colorado-an myself, this much snow is really crippling and SO MUCH FUN!<br />
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Wednesday night Nash had a basketball game. When we went into the gym there was a little rain falling, but when we came out it was snowing pretty hard. There was only about 1/4 inch on the ground but the roads were treacherous. Scott and I were in separate vehicles and his truck could not make it up the hills and around the curves of the road near our home. So, the five mile trip from the gym to our door, took well over an hour and resulted in us ditching Scott's truck and him climbing in with me. Now, this <b>little</b> storm seemed to panic all of the DMV (DC, Maryland, & Virginia) because we knew something much larger was looming for our weekend. Bright and early Thursday morning, I set out for the grocery store. I wasn't the only one. There was no bread and only 3 half gallons of milk left in the store. I stocked up on our family's necessities, donuts and canned cheese, disappointed I was leaving sans bread. As I was walking to my car, a bread truck pulled into the parking lot. I can only describe the scene as bedlam. It felt like we were in a German breadline at the height of World War II. The bread truck driver just started tossing bread to the masses and women caressed it while weeping like they were truly on the brink of starvation and that loaf would sustain them for one more desperate day. Mind you, the storm hadn't even started. It was surreal. I got my loaf and convinced the driver to throw in a pack of hamburger buns to boot. Next stop, Home Depot, for paint. I needed something to keep me busy during the long storm. It was equally chaotic and sad as I watched grown men weeping over snow shovels and ice salt, just like their female counterparts.<br />
Then the snow came and kept coming for 48 hours straight and it was beautiful and the world was so still and peaceful. I have never been so thankful for a cozy warm home, electricity that stayed on, junk food, fireplaces and Netflix. We dug out sometime on Sunday and a snowplow finally, semi-cleared our street sometime on Monday. The kids helped dig. They built snow men, had snow ball fights, made snow ice cream, did a lot of sledding and drank gallons of hot chocolate, and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace. They played together and fought with each other. There was lots of laughter and a few tears, especially when Atley started comparing Nash's body to that of a Teletubbie. I got my living room and dining room painted. I binged watched so many episodes of <i>One Tree Hill</i>, that I can't really remember where my life ends and character Brooke Davis' begins. Did I cheat on a Calculus test in high school or was that Brooke? I honestly don't know anymore.<br />
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Anyway, here are some pictures/videos of Winter Storm JONAS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6tr7AZy5PDb5zExEWNma0KLs-eT2d5SAzO5oi5Dl0EktFwW5hxZ7549ycEhiFdERKGg1xqaG0rKTiv3rmeiIi1hP1Rybv7p3fsPbxiPHMk5eYfL8ptBbk0fH3q4a_VbcGGWn0EbjwsYZ/s1600/jan2016+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6tr7AZy5PDb5zExEWNma0KLs-eT2d5SAzO5oi5Dl0EktFwW5hxZ7549ycEhiFdERKGg1xqaG0rKTiv3rmeiIi1hP1Rybv7p3fsPbxiPHMk5eYfL8ptBbk0fH3q4a_VbcGGWn0EbjwsYZ/s640/jan2016+040.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Today we made SNOW ICE CREAM:</div>
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8 Cups Fresh Snow</div>
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1 Cup Milk</div>
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1/2 Cup Sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp. Salt</div>
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1 tsp. Vanilla</div>
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Sprinkles</div>
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Collect Snow </div>
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Mix</div>
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Sprinkle</div>
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A few videos of our sledding adventures!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/su69zcBtcE4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/su69zcBtcE4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-22349348665297710972016-01-06T11:03:00.000-05:002016-01-31T16:47:58.012-05:00New Year's in Hotlanta<div style="text-align: center;">
We spent New Year's in Atlanta with Scott's family. It was the first time we had all been together in years. It was super fun for all of us, but especially for the kids to get to spend time with their cousins.</div>
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The boys each had a specific thing that they were dying to see while we were in Georgia and well, Harley just had to tag along. Amazingly, she generally does it without complaint. Atley's top priority was the Delta Flight Museum. He was in heaven. We also took him by the hospital where he was born and our first home. Cue, <i><b>Memories</b>, </i>from CATS. </div>
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Nash wanted to visit the brand new College Football Hall of Fame. It did not disappoint. When you arrive you type in your college team and the super high-tech exhibits change based on your team and preferences. We loved it.</div>
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Of course, my priority when I visit any city is food. In Atlanta that has always meant The Varsity and now Truett's Luau, built by Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy. I may have had Truett's Luau more than twice in three days. For breakfast the Macadamia Nut Pancakes were to die for.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-64997781895997497692015-12-29T10:22:00.000-05:002016-01-31T16:48:15.451-05:00Christmas 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a lovely, wonderful, magical Christmas. Granny was here to spend the week with us and we kept her very busy. We spent a night in Williamsburg, VA visiting Busch Gardens and celebrating the holidays and Nash's birthday at Great Wolf Lodge. It was fun for all of us except Scott who lost his phone on the scariest roller coaster ever, The VERBOLTEN!</div>
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Christmas Eve was spent with our good friends The Johnson's. We ate, reenacted the Nativity, ate, Granny bought the kids a pinata, and we ate.</div>
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Christmas day was quiet. We were all tired from the previous few day's festivities. We actually, had Mac & Cheese for Christmas dinner. Most of our day was spent being entertained by Scott as he attempted to get Atley's new drone out of a tree. The kids spent the day playing with their new toys and a trip to the movie theater to finally see the new STAR WARS movie. </div>
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To ease the tinge of sadness that always arrives the day after Christmas, we drove to Delaware to watch one of our favorites, Jimmer Fredette play basketball. We even got to meet up with him and former BYU pitcher Kolton Mahoney after the game.</div>
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Harley's favorite part of the day was getting her face-painted and the battle balls.</div>
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Here is wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!</div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-70297561058772083982015-12-14T22:51:00.002-05:002015-12-14T22:51:19.622-05:00ICE at National Harbor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Harley literally crawled into the fountain during the water show and had to be yanked out. She was completely mesmerized. Good thing it was an unseasonably warm winter's night because she was soaked to the bone. </div>
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One place it was certainly cold, a balmy 9 degrees, was inside this year's ICE exhibit. The theme was from the movie <i>Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!</i></div>
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We love Christmas time, especially in the D.C. area!</div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-59422132044881119932015-12-14T22:24:00.000-05:002015-12-14T22:27:06.034-05:00Happy Birthday Boys!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I love these two A LOT!</span></b></div>
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Harley made Nash the most thoughtful book full of all his favorite things, Big Nate, Angry Birds, and the Baltimore Ravens. So sweet! </div>
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Tonight we celebrated the birthday of two of my favorite people. I won't get too mushy about the husband. I will just say he is a great husband, a great dad, a great provider, a great cougar fan, a great popcorn and pancake maker, a great fixer of anything, a great karaoke singer, a great Mountain Dew drinker and a terrible impersonator but I thank him for still trying and for always making me laugh.</div>
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My sweet baby Nash. My beautiful baby boy. My baby that refused to open his eyes for at least a week. My dark-haired angel. You are the heart of our home. You are our dancing bear and our sports fanatic.You are a peacemaker and you have the kindest soul of anyone I have ever known. You are keenly aware of the needs and desires of others and gladly put yourself second to help another. You are such a hard worker and a natural leader. You have been given some tremendous gifts from your Heavenly Father, that not only influence the members of your family but all those who come in contact with you. We feel so privileged that Heavenly Father sent you to us. We love you forever and always! </div>
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Happy 9th birthday Jo Jo Pet!</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-34486853145614883362015-12-14T21:28:00.002-05:002015-12-14T21:31:10.518-05:00A Camel, A Shepherd and A Wise Man . . .walk into a bar.<br />
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No just kidding! Those were actually roles played by our children in the Church Nativity.</div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-9173028220962716222015-12-14T21:20:00.002-05:002015-12-14T21:20:40.219-05:00Gingerbread Houses 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You have probably heard me complain about this tradition before but I'm not going to complain this year. You want to know why? Because I hot glued the houses together before we decorated them. The kids could eat all the icing and candy they wanted, just not the houses themselves. It worked beautifully because, honestly, who really likes gingerbread anyway! Well, actually the dog apparently loves gingerbread seasoned with hot glue, because the houses were destroyed within 10 hours of construction and there was an abundance of dog barf under the Christmas tree. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Shout out to my favorite gingerbread houses from IKEA. I make a special trip there every year just to pick up the gingerbread kits and it is well worth my time.</div>
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<br />Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-44657887213564905892015-12-14T21:07:00.001-05:002015-12-14T21:10:19.157-05:00'Tis the Season of the Elf<div style="text-align: center;">
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Ispy turned our window into a winter wonderland. Apparently, he is a BYU fan. He brought us tickets to see ICE and introduced the kids to Snoballs, of which they were not fans.</div>
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Ispy showed off his engineering skills by rigging a tire swing out of a Mason jar ring. One night he ran into some trouble when our evil cat trapped him in her kitty food. He fashioned a cardboard Rudolph that he rode through the house. He even created his very own "Kiss"ing booth. </div>
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Ispy is always mischievous and left us a few naughty little notes.</div>
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One night he brought one of his favorite reindeer all the way from the North Pole for the kids to enjoy and then he turned one of our doors into Frosty the Snowman! </div>
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He brought us the beautiful book entitled, <i>A Christmas Spider's Miracle</i> along with some golden icicles to go along with the story and for the kids to use on the Christmas trees. </div>
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Well, I don't know about you Ispy but I am exhausted and we still have 11 more days until Christmas.</div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-38786395344362607702015-12-01T13:13:00.001-05:002015-12-01T21:41:38.197-05:00Thanksgiving 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the first time in seven years we actually stayed home and I cooked Thanksgiving Dinner. Much to my surprise it was actually pretty nice and relaxing. The kids made pilgrims and tee pees for our place settings. Never mind, Harley's Klan hood, we had a disagreement about pilgrim hats and she obviously won the argument.</div>
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The weather was beautiful so we spent an afternoon at George Washington's boyhood home, Ferry Farm, on the banks of the Rappahannock. We saw George's <i>cherry tree, </i>tobacco plants, and played with the cotton blossoms. By the way, the Ipad that appears to be permanently attached to Atley's arm is actually part of the tour.</div>
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At home the kids and Scott worked on the log chicken cabin that they have been building and had plenty of time on the tire swing Scott rigged for them in late September. </div>
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And Harley taught us all about the first Thanksgiving by making a bracelet with beads that represented all sorts of important things.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-4687568931824230872015-11-29T17:46:00.002-05:002015-11-29T18:33:20.361-05:00Giving Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have an abundance of blessings. I certainly don't deserve all that I have been given and I could undoubtedly write a long list of the many things that I have to be grateful for but I really want to focus on a few specific blessings.<br />
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Let me make a long story even longer. When I was a little girl I loved dolls. I may even have 63 Cabbage Patch Kids in a plastic bin in my garage. As a child all I ever wanted to play was "Mother" and my greatest desire was to someday have children of my very own. As I got older and wiser, I realized that I might need a contingency plan or something to fill up my time, if children were not part of the equation. In fact, I think Scott might have married me under the impression that I was headed to law school. But after step one of "the have children plan" was a success, (find a husband) I told him I wasn't really into the whole law school idea and I graduated with a teaching endorsement attached to my Political Science degree. Honestly, I thought teaching would be the best job to have if I ever had the children I wanted.<br />
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(Side note to my future female posterity. Get your education! Even if you never work outside of your own home your education is invaluable.)<br />
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Feeling a little embarrassed, I must admit, that even in college when I envisioned my future I didn't imagine myself sitting in a law office raking in cash or even teaching in a classroom not raking in much cash. I always imagined a kitchen full of kids eating cookies and drinking milk. However, actually, having children seemed to be a little out of my control. I had some minor health issues that several doctor's told me would make it difficult if not impossible for me to have children of my own. After 5 years of marriage, and 4 years of teaching, we found out Atley was on his way. I was so excited. The culmination of my childhood dreams were at my doorstep and then I panicked. Scott and I had decided that I would stay home with the children when they were small. It always sounded like a great idea but suddenly, being a full-time mom seemed so much more daunting than I had ever anticipated. I was worried about our finances, whether I would be good enough, whether I would even like the baby. Could he possibly measure up to my Cabbage Patch Kids? Even my classroom in an Atlanta ghetto seemed like a much less scary place than a kitchen full of kids. Despite my fears and my acknowledged inadequacies I knew I needed to stay home with this new baby and any more that may follow. I wasn't sure how it would all work out. But, things have a way of working themselves out when you attempt to do what you feel inspired to do. Sometimes it would have been very nice to have an extra income. Frequently, I wasn't good at motherhood and I frequently still fail, but fortunately Atley and the two others that came later, were every bit as cute as my Cabbage Patch dolls. It wasn't always easy. It was more often than not, thankless and a little bit like living out the <i>Ground Hog Day</i> movie. But, I can say without uncertainty that being home with my children has been the greatest blessing of my life. I gleaned so much joy from the 11 years that I stayed home with them. I know that it isn't something that can work for every woman. Everyone's circumstance is different but I hope that my own daughter and my son's will recognize the value of a stay-at-home-mom even as the world that we live in de-values that role.<br />
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So, when Harley started school, I was a little lost. All of my babies were gone for more than 8 hours a day. The days of playing "mother" seemed to be gone and I was in a little bit of a funk. Not to say that my children no longer needed a mother but what they needed from me had changed dramatically and quickly . Being home without them all day wasn't nearly as fun as I thought it might be. After about a week I knew I needed something else beside the dog and the cat to fill up my days so I took the necessary steps to become a substitute teacher. I felt a need to be needed. I know, I'm so needy. My first assignment was at the kids school and an unexpected blessing came the day after my first substitute job. I was offered a permanent position and just like that I was working again at my children's school-same schedule, same breaks. I certainly, hadn't planned to return to work full-time so quickly but it felt like the right thing to do, so I went for it. It has been a bit of an adjustment, but wonderful just the same. I am needed by little "E" who suffers from daily seizures. She is a light and a joy in my life each day. I am needed by "S" who only speaks Spanish, is autistic and has ADHD. I would gladly bring him home to live with me forever. I'm grateful that, again my Heavenly Father has entrusted me to care for His little one's. I feel like the opportunity came as a direct result of the sacrifice we made for me to stay home while the children were young.<br />
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I am so grateful for my children, for the years that I was able to stay home with them, for a husband who supported my decisions, for the new and exciting opportunities in my life. I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who is mindful of our desires and needs and in seemingly miraculous ways brings about unexpected opportunities. He recognized the greatest desire of a little girl in a very small town and made a way possible for her to achieve those dreams and desires.He didn't send me the large family I once wanted, but he sent me three children so full of life most days it feels like I have 12 or 13. I am especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ who made it possible for me to be forgiven of my tremendous inadequacies as a mother, a wife, a teacher and a human being. <br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-246791751879709472015-11-03T08:57:00.000-05:002015-11-03T08:57:26.038-05:00October & Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are many necessary steps that must be completed before we actually get to go Trick-or-Treating Halloween night.</div>
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Step 1. DECORATE</div>
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For us that means creating Pumpkinhead for the porch, eating donuts, drinking cider and watching, <i>Spookley the Square Pumpkin </i>while going through the decorations of Halloween's past.</div>
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Step 2. FALL FESTIVALS</div>
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Including school parties, a trip to the pumpkin patch and a least one Trunk-or-Treat!</div>
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Step 3: THE CARVING OF THE JACK 'O LANTERN</div>
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STEP 4: TRICK-OR-TREATING </div>
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(But only after a minimum of 5 costume changes throughout the month)</div>
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Yeah, we thought it was weird that Atley got two cans of Root Beer while Trick-or-Treating too.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091964193743885125.post-66100963344528674422015-11-02T13:01:00.002-05:002015-11-02T13:01:17.400-05:00First Sign of Fall: Apple Picking<div style="text-align: center;">
When the farmers say that the apples are ripe enough to be picked, we know that my favorite season of all is upon us, Autumn. This year the kids and I trekked much farther into the Blue Ridge Mountains than usual, to pick our apples. It was a beautiful drive and a lovely day and the apples were huge and delicious.</div>
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When we were finished picking, we made our favorite apple crisp, completely destroying the kitchen in the process but it was certainly worth it.</div>
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Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708664485849321803noreply@blogger.com0