tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46511645395305113602024-03-14T06:04:58.997-05:00Babe on a BargainThoughts and plans of a momma on the hunt for deals, steals and cheap thrills so her money and time can go towards things that matter....Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-54324654145083062282013-07-09T23:10:00.000-05:002013-07-09T23:10:06.614-05:00Moving<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello, sweet friends!! </div>
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I've moved :-) I've loved my time here at Babe on a Bargain, but I'm ready for a new focus.... or at least a new tag line :-) </div>
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You can find us at <a href="http://sweetlifez.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Life Z</a></div>
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More sweat, more beautiful babies, more focus on making this life amazing.</div>
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xo </div>
Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-29410229997750750602013-06-16T00:02:00.001-05:002013-06-16T00:05:49.780-05:00FatherMy Father's Father was part of the first generation of his Family born in America. The Maslankowski's had immigrated from Poland, had their name shortened by a boss who felt 12 letters was 6 too many to mess with, and had made their way to Chicago by the time John Florian Maslan met my Gram- a gorgeous Italian whose family was none too happy about her marrying an older man... especially one from POLAND!<br />
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Gelda Panateri and John Maslan</div>
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So lovely. </div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">My Mother's Father was born into a large family between the coal mines and farm fields of Southern Illinois. He was a rowdy boy who wanted to run away and become a 'Bo-Ho' :-) He was too young to be drafted for the war, and while the older boys were away he snagged the heart of the town beauty and moved from the red dirt town of Mulkeytown, population 200, all the way to the big city of St. Louis.</span></div>
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Sarah Francis Annear and Owen Dean Furlow</div>
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So Gorgeous.</div>
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My amazing Father was born in Chicago- in the midst of 5 other brothers and 1 Sister. Between Big City Shenanigans, the Vietnam War, getting tossed then re-admitted to ISU and convincing the sweet 17 year old Freshman to skip class for a burger at Steak and Shake, he turned into quite an awesome man. When I think of what I have from him- my love of music and dancing, my <strike>crazy wild </strike>fashion sense, the constant craving for change and to be on the move... not to mention my dark hair and eyes, Maslan nose, and love of rye bread,... I'm hopeful I inherited all that and more. My daddy can speak to anyone, and walk away with a new friend. He's kind. He makes everyone feel included and part of the fun. He's got a keen sense of the Greater purpose and a knowledge and wisdom of what is True and what is simply filler. I love him and can remember singing and dancing in our kitchen, riding bikes, playing the trumpet, singing hymns in the car, and driving lessons in our enormous chevy caprice classic. Dancing with him at my wedding, holding on tight at his momma's funeral. crying in his arms about Abe's diagnosis. He's held every grand-baby within hours of their birth. </div>
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how beautiful my mom and dad are- he so dark and handsome, she so fair and pretty in her mini-wedding dress. </div>
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We are who we are because they were who they were.... pronoun crazy, but you get it, right? </div>
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I am so thankful for the Father's I have known, the Father I have, the Husband who is an amazing Father :-)</div>
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Wishing all the daddy's in the world a wonderful day tomorrow! </div>
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xo</div>
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. Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-82178840086288904822013-06-13T00:08:00.001-05:002013-06-13T00:08:31.183-05:00Here<div style="text-align: center;">
My COMPUTER is HOME!!!!</div>
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whew. i was going through withdrawal. noticing little twitches and aches as I used the Husband's computer, working hard not to download, upload, or forget to close the 7 tabs i like to keep open at all times.... don't want to miss anything, ya know?? He was all good about sharing... so long as I didn't drop a crumb within a 3 foot radius, have my ever present cup of coke zero within spillage range, etc etc. just kidding.... mostly :-)</div>
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Any who. It's back... and wiped clean. </div>
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right. </div>
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no pictures, no data, no nothing.</div>
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I had last backed up (right? girl you look good, whydon'tcha back that thing up) my computer in november of 2012. I'm trying not to cry about it... but i'm crying. That means that 7 months of my babies life in pictures is gone. They tried everything short of the $800 machine somethingorother in Arizona.</div>
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Fine. I'm fine. fine. </div>
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There's too much to try and cram in a catch-up post, so I'm just starting here and moving forward. </div>
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I'm here. </div>
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I'm breathing deeply. </div>
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I can walk as fast as I can run.</div>
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Ok, not *<i>exactly*</i> but pretty darn close. </div>
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I ran a few times in the last few weeks and my hips <b><u>hurt</u>. really hurt. </b> and so, because I'm working on making wise, future conscious decisions, I've decided to return to my speed-walking roots... and by roots I mean that somewhere in my past I used to walk quickly and I'm doing it again and so therefore... whatever. </div>
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roots. </div>
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I love <a href="http://wwww.mapmyrun.com/" target="_blank">wwww.mapmyrun.com</a> It allows me to go where the mood ( and the crazy derecho wind) takes me and see how far I've gone once I come home. Yes. I know there are apps that would tell me that mid-walk/run, however, I'm focusing more on not focusing <---- you get it, right? so I come home, relax, and after a bit, check my mileage. Turns out that tonight I walked 2. 73 miles in 29:22. yep. and my hips feel GOOD! it's a win win!! Another win?? My trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Heart-Monitor-Watch-Silver/dp/B001U0OFDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371096684&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+heart+rate+monitor" target="_blank">heart rate monitor</a> let me know that I had burned 339 calories in under 30 minutes! chatted with the neighbors, came in, did a bit o lifting and got the babies to sleep. </div>
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As I was holding my big kid close on the couch, soothing out the awful bedtime blues we've developed, I tried to wrap my head around walking vs. running. You'd think that i would have learned this lesson many, many moons ago- physically and mentally. Running *seems* glamorous. The bodies are gorgeous, the shoes are colorful and sleek, the wind in your hair, the heart pounding playlists, the crazy themed 5 & 10Ks . Nike and Pinterest don't have the slick, glossy slogan blazing ads for walking. </div>
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and a little, small, hurting, sad and angry part of me said that this- this running stereotype that leaves out the grit and the pain and the hours of dedication, blisters, fractures, and mental strength. this surface glimpse- this is what a neuro-typical life is like... and walking, this slower paced, glam-less life is for those of us who were dealt a different hand. a non-neuro typical life. </div>
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wrong. that's wrong. You can't run? </div>
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Who cares?!! </div>
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<--- me obviously, at times, but I'm GETTING OVER IT. </div>
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I am thankful to walk. Physically, I am so very, very thankful for legs that work, for lungs that keep me oxygenated and a heart that pumps and arms that swing and the SWEAT that comes when I walk quickly. </div>
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Mentally- I am thankful for this life that I have.</div>
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I am thankful for my amazing, amazing babies. </div>
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I am thankful that they are teaching me over and over and over (because I am apparently the slowest learner of this subject ever in the whole world, or at least tonight) that this life is what you make it. That YOU make the playlist. YOU buy the shoes - Holla!! and YOU set the pace. </div>
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go forth, sweet friends, and make it amazing.</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-53481218316841321922013-05-26T23:40:00.002-05:002013-05-27T16:40:11.395-05:00there you go- edit edit edit <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once again, I typed while tired 'TWT'... and left a few things out :-) I didn't send some poor person a random pic from pinterest... I sent them the message at the bottom of this post. The picture was all for me! </div>
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So I'll try not to be so brief tonight- i think my last post led a few people to believe we had RANDOM ticks in our home!! Jumping from the ceiling into Bodies hair <<----- not the case :-) Bo and his cousin Mark had been playing down by the creek, digging in who knows what, playing with all of God's wondrous creations... and came home with ticks!!! i really, really, really don't like them. at all. not even a little bit. I now know that tweezers will do the trick, YUCK, and that I'm not afraid to set things on fire in the house... just ticks, but you get what I'm saying. no ticks. I'll burn 'em up. quick like. </div>
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This weekend we had some of my aunts on my mom's side in for a visit- We attempted a 'girls picture'</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cpYkxw8llvAWw7SzzwkbH15MruQoGijypxO1U3eVZvRCEdXaXB6zc-HepccKa4SDRfphazrmx9x90l2Cl29ZaUB7Adz3Jh6TunL1-uiEaUvXo7WBvbNfdyWjZnjUxMMLFeMp3E_wFiM/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cpYkxw8llvAWw7SzzwkbH15MruQoGijypxO1U3eVZvRCEdXaXB6zc-HepccKa4SDRfphazrmx9x90l2Cl29ZaUB7Adz3Jh6TunL1-uiEaUvXo7WBvbNfdyWjZnjUxMMLFeMp3E_wFiM/s640/IMG_2738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aurelia was kicking and squealing and laughing, which made all of us laugh... ok, I may be grimacing, but ya know, it's a bit tricky to hold on to 30 pounds of wiggling Bell!!</div>
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Abe LOVES it when we take pictures of ourselves- we reverse that camera and start snapping! </div>
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we take a LOT of pictures...</div>
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a Lot a LOT of pictures :-)</div>
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I love that he loves it! </div>
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Bodie is getting really good with his Nerf guns! He's also getting REALLY TALL!!! ok, not *really* tall... but he's growing quickly. My amazing middle man! </div>
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We had a lot of fun with cousin Christopher- he was amazingly patient, chasing a football/boomerang/airplane at least 756,389,402 times!</div>
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LOOK at that face!!! such a clown! </div>
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My cousin Jen and her sweet son Parker surprised us on Saturday and came to join the party! I miss this girl so much... she's a strong momma. </div>
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This is pretty much how we all felt by this afternoon- so full of fun we couldn't keep our eyes open!! </div>
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The <a href="http://babeonabargain.blogspot.com/2013/04/arts-and-craps.html" target="_blank">arts and craps project</a> is DONE!! The slot is at the top ...it's a card box... :-) I had painted the boxes and tacked the ribbon and flowers on at the beginning of April but had never finished it! Since the Wedding is next Saturday I thought I had better get it done!! you know you own a penguin ball! </div>
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If you've been around me for more that 45 seconds you probably know that I have children. Being Generous, if you've known me for more than 24 hours, you probably know that some of my children have special needs. You may have heard, seen, or read a post or comment about the words you choose... and how the <i>off the cuff</i> use of the word 'Retard' as derogatory slang is pretty much enough to make my heart stop... for just a second. I think to myself 'how is this ok? who, really, thinks that this word is just fine to use??' It came up again tonight on social media... in a person's post, someone who often comments on my posts from the <a href="http://www.r-word.org/" target="_blank">Spread the Word to End the Word</a> campaign. so, I calmly sent them a message... worded politely. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">hey! hope you're having a good night- I don't know if you've seen any of my posts- I work with an organization that has a 'spread the word to end the word' campaign. We try to educate and inform people to choose a word other than 'retard' or 'retarded' when they are mocking someone/something... Basically, when you use the word 'retarded' you are making fun of someone, who through no choice or fault of their own, has different abilities- like Abe. People say ' i didn't mean it like that'... when you use that word, your telling your children, your friends, your community, that it's a fine word to use, and that the perpetuation of that stereotype and disrespect is acceptable. Abe can't speak, so I'm speaking up for him. Have a great night.</span></div>
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Then I found the below sign on Pinterest</div>
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a good reminder for me. I encourage people to speak up ALL the time but find it so hard to do myself. No more. </div>
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Happy Memorial Day! Thankful for all who have served. </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-32025271968581120792013-05-24T22:39:00.003-05:002013-05-24T22:39:47.880-05:00TICK<div style="text-align: center;">
I have field-tripped up a STORM here lately! At one point I could no longer remember if it was Abe's or Aur's movie- Bo's zoo day or Abe's park- Second Grade Sea Creatures or Kindergarten Celebration.... oy. </div>
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we left the movie after about 20 minutes... not our thing. Went to see Daddy- so happy :-)</div>
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made some crafts... and c.d'.s for the teachers that we love!! We had over 20 gift packets ready to go!! </div>
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middle man's ice-cream! we had a great time at the children't museum and the zoo! </div>
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highlights!!!</div>
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and speaking of hair- we pulled 4 ticks out of Bodie's head... YUCK!!!! they must be prevalent this summer!! </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-85881811957036551152013-05-19T22:36:00.001-05:002013-05-19T22:36:14.673-05:00close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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my son, my Abe.... he loves mud. he makes his own- handy and independent of him, no? I'm taking the stance that this is building up his immune system. don't tell me if I'm wrong :-)</div>
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<a href="http://babeonabargain.blogspot.com/2013/04/arts-and-craps.html" target="_blank">arts and craps again!</a> penguin is all ready to go for school ... Abe likes to take his head off, will most certainly let him at 3:10 pm tomorrow. </div>
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remember how <a href="http://babeonabargain.blogspot.com/2012/12/40-days-day-14-technically-15-whatevs.html" target="_blank">Bo wouldn't smile or look at the camera</a>??? not so much any more! I love, love, my days home with my babies.... I might be ready for a walk ( to California) by 6 pm, but I will treasure these memories and dog pile snuggles with them. </div>
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cheese!!! We're awake far too early here... but The Husband is busy, busy with end of school year, end of spring season, so we all wake up and hang out to-ge-ther. </div>
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sometimes you just need a snuggle right. now. My Bell is not too shy to tell me when and exactly how she would like to be nuzzled- see her little hands? here momma, she says with her sweet hands, kiss my cheek and hold me tight. love. love. love. </div>
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friends- we are good. we are taking this <a href="http://babeonabargain.blogspot.com/2013/05/boy-o-boy-o-boy-my-boy-stx209.html" target="_blank">medication business</a> in stride. we are looking toward the future. we are praying. we are staying calm and close to one another. </div>
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doesn't mean I don't freak out every now and then... simply means I trust the future to God's hands. </div>
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xo </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-73609093022726305512013-05-17T00:11:00.000-05:002013-05-17T00:11:28.308-05:00in the hallway... keeping busy<div style="text-align: center;">
too tired for much tonight- </div>
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<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/sponsor-arbaclofen-stx-209-study-for-children-with-autism-and-fragile-x" target="_blank">http://www.change.org/petitions/sponsor-arbaclofen-stx-209-study-for-children-with-autism-and-fragile-x</a></div>
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Because this is how we ride the merry go round. </div>
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together.</div>
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over 1000 signatures in less than 24 hours- whether this is <b>the drug</b> for Abe or not... it is a miracle pill for many. Please read my friend Holly's post below.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">3 1/2 years... When a drug trial ends...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">3 1/2 years ago really wasn't all that long ago, yet it feels like a life time.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">3 1/2 years ago, Parker (who has Fragile X Syndrome) was 10 1/2. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #898f9c; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">3 1/2 years ago Parker could barely talk.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago Parker left massive bruises on my body daily.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago Parker could rarely make it through a day of school without a complete meltdown.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago Parker couldn't go to the movi<br />es.<br />3 1/2 years ago Parker couldn't go to the pool.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago Parker couldn't tell me about his day, his wants, his needs.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago Parker couldn't tell me he loved me.<br /><br />3 1/2 years ago, I took a chance. I enrolled Parker in a drug trial by Seaside Therapeutics. A drug called STX209, later to be named "Arbaclofen"<br /><br />While it may seem easy to make the decision to put Parker into a drug trial he clearly qualified for, it wasn't. It's scary as hell to make that decision. With this one, the decision was made a little easier because this drug was a tweaked drug of Baclofen, something that had been on the market for years. I knew the long term side effects. I knew, long and short term, it would not hurt him. So, we did it.<br /><br />Every 2 weeks for 16 weeks we drove to and from Chicago, 4 hours each way, 8 hours round trip. Usually for a 15 minute check up. Sometimes for longer for cognitive testing, paperwork (that damn Vineland takes forever), blood draws, etc.<br /><br />The first visit it took almost a full hour to get Parker from the van in the parking deck into the Fragile X clinic. I was not not only exhausted but covered in bruises when we finally made it in the door. While many people walked by as we sat on the hall floor together either in tears or pep talking or me trying to remove my arm from his mouth... this was normal to us. Nothing about this frustrated me or was out of the norm. This was just our life, this was the life we knew but were hoping to change.<br /><br />The drug trial proved to be life changing. It was a double blind trial, nothing changed during the placebo time... everything changed when he went on the real thing. For the first time ever, my son said, unprompted, not mimicking but on his own "I love you mom" (you can read about it here). I held him so tight and cried. 10 1/2 years and worth the wait to hear it repeated over and over since that night.<br /><br />The drug had received approval to go into an extension - because so many patients had the outcome of such incredible improvement. The extension was to last until we had FDA approval and the drug was available to everyone with the hopes of FDA approval in 2013 or 2014.<br /><br />During this time, I traveled to Massachusetts and met the incredible and dedicated staff at Seaside Therapeutics. I worked with the press to show the incredible changes this drug made in Parker, tv, newspaper, magazines... all of it. If a phone call, letter or email was needed to the FDA or government, I was on speed dial. I made it happen. Parker was improving every day, even today... he still continues to improve. I often gave the example that Fragile X had left Parker living life in a box with the lid tightly sealed on. This drug took off that lid. It let him out of the box and no matter it took, no matter what I had to do, no matter who I had to call, email, travel to see - even if it meant stealing - I would never make him live life without this drug again. I would never let anyone put that lid back on the box with him inside. I made this promise to Parker.<br /><br />I was asked during an interview, "Does Parker know that these pills help him?" Every morning and every night, the boy who used to fight taking his medicine asked for his pills. Did he know? Clearly. He knew.<br /><br />In the past 3 1/2 years, I have watched my son blossom into an incredible young man who is now 14. A young man who still faces the struggles of Fragile X but to a much lesser degree. A young man who rarely ever physically attacks me and when he does, in moments of sheer despair, it is nothing compared to the aggression of his past. A young man who is incredibly active in school, significantly increasing his workload. A young man who can go to the movies, to the pool, to the store, out to dinner. A young man who has become part of our community in many of the same way his friends are. A young man who can tell me when he's hurt, sick, scared, happy, excited, what he wants to eat, what he wants to do, when he is cold, when he is hot, who is friends are... a young man who can tell me he loves me.<br /><br />I knew that Seaside was having trouble financially. We had seen staff go. We had been told there was financial difficulties. We were told if the study needed to end we would get 4-6 months notice. We never stopped believing we could make something work. Seaside never stopped believing they could make something work.<br /><br />For 3 days this week, Parker is at Outward Ingersoll with his 8th grade class. He has been doing everything from canoeing, to learning how to tie knots, to first aid, to tracking to climbing walls and walking rope bridges. Today was day 2. For the 2nd day in a row, the young man who hasn't been able to wear jeans since kindergarten has worn jeans to school (long pants were required for this trip). He has successfully with the help of his friends, been a part of every activity and successful. This is something he could not have done 3 1/2 years ago.<br /><br />Today, as I am getting FB messages and texts with parents who are there witnessing his accomplishments, updates filled with pride, I never saw the email coming that said, "They are ending the STX209 trial immediately."<br /><br />That's it. It's over. Seaside will be analyzing the date from the placebo-controlled trials and will continue to work for FDA approval if these trial show benefit that is sufficient for approval. So, yes a tiny slimmer of a glimmer of hope but nothing that will happen right now. Nothing that will stop the medicine from ending in the next couple of weeks and in all honesty, from what I've learned of FDA drug trials/approval... I'm not holding my breath.<br /><br /><br />I am thankful to Seaside, the doctors at RUSH, the study coordinators -they have given me a real look inside my son for 3 1/2 years and I love what I see.<br /><br />My heart is so broken, hope has been replaced with fear and pain. There is NO WAY I can explain to him why the pills will be gone. There is no way for me to stop what is about to happen. There is no way for me to prepare him, myself, his sister, his friends, our family for what could happen next.<br /><br />I have to do what I swore I would never do again... put him back in the fragile x box and close the lid. I am so angry that I have dedicated so much time and heart into this... I have convinced other people to start the trial. I talked my best friend into putting her son on it. And now, not only do I have to see the pain of my family, the confusion of my son, the lid go back on his box... but I have to watch my friends go through it too. I have to watch an entire community of people I love and would do anything to make their lives better for hurt. All I can do is watch. I can't fix it. I can't take away the pain. I can't do a damn thing. Nothing.<br /><br />I am so scared of what the future now holds for Parker. I am pissed off that I know I will have to watch him regress. I will have to watch him live with the confusion of why I am not fixing this.<br /><br />Parker starts high school next year. A new school. A new teaching team. And no drugs.<br /><br />There are other clinical trials and I will look into them. That means driving back to Chicago every 2 weeks, 8 hours round trip, $100 in gas each time and a day off work. Not exactly in the budget of a single mom but something I will figure out if the right trial is available. A new trial with an outcome I cannot guarantee to be better. A trail of a newly formulated drug that I will have to go into not knowing how it will affect my son long term.<br /><br />Tomorrow, tomorrow I will pull myself together and start discussing options. Tomorrow I will focus on hope again for the families impacted by this and a way to help them cope with the - what I can only foresee as devastation - that awaits us as we are titrated off the current drug and left with nothing. We have amazing teams at the Fragile X clinics who will work with us, help us find the next step in the path for our children. They are dedicated and want the very best. I believe in them to help guide me.<br /><br />But today, today I cry and I can't stop. I have tried. I need to cry. I hurt more than I can put into words. I need to cry. The fear of the pain of watching the regression that could take place is just overwhelming. The fear of losing the young man I've enjoyed so much for the past 3 1/2 years.<br /><br />For the next few weeks, I will do my best to fight back my tears while Parker is awake. To treasure every single second with him where he can talk to me. To tell as many jokes with him as he can tolerate because he loves jokes more than anything. To talk about the Bulls, the Cubs and whatever sport team he wants until we've covered everything about them. Record every word in my memory and pray to God he doesn't lose his ability to communicate.<br /><br />My hope right now is that he has matured enough in 3 1/2 years and made progress that was credited to the drug but was really him. Time will tell.<br /><br />All I can do now is wait... and pray that with this change I don't lose the young man who was let out of that box. He shouldn't ever have to have the lid put back on.<br /><br />I promised him. I promised him I would never let that happen. I promised him.<br /><br />I failed. I am so sorry. So very sorry.<br /><br /><br />To learn more about Fragile X Syndrome visit the National Fragile X Foundation at <a href="http://www.fragilex.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.fragilex.org/</a></span></div>
Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-26997962140287542882013-05-15T23:26:00.004-05:002013-05-15T23:26:38.294-05:00boy o boy o boy.... my boy. STX209<div style="text-align: center;">
left field- it came out of left field. An email informing us that the STX209 drug trial that Abraham has been participating in for the last year is ending... now. right now. secondary to funding. </div>
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From what I can gather- there were 2 arms of this study, 1 for Fragile X, 1 for Autism. The Autism study had loads and loads of participants, loads of backers... and poor results. Because there was no proof that the arbaclofen made any sort of clinical difference in the lives of these children, the backers pulled their funding. The compilation of data for the FX arm is not yet completed... preliminary information tells a completely different story- progress, speech, cognition, positive changes in every day life. </div>
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Fragile X, Fragile X, Fragile X.... you still haven't heard of it? Apparently neither has anyone else. Fragile X is genetic. It's molecular in nature. It's caused by an expansion or repeat of our DNA sequence... and this drug seemed to abate some of the symptoms- social anxiety, fearfulness, panic.... </div>
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This is a copy of my post from April 11th, 2013</div>
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<span class="userContent" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Tonight's spring concert was AMAZING!!! My handsome Bo and his Kindergarten class sang about being green, while Abe and his Second grade class sang about the Ocean and Played Xylophones <i class="_4-k1 img sp_6h2d3l sx_3701da" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yH/r/ZJnGbZOGdGW.png); background-position: 0px -869px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></span></div>
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Last year, there is NO WAY in the world that my big kid would have been able to 1. leave FOR school after 630 pm 2. Get out of the car at SCHOOL when it's almost dark outside 3. Be fired up and excited to be in the classroom with his p<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">eers in the NIGHT TIME 4. WAIT in the hallway 5. Stand on the risers with his peers and use his 'go talk' device to participate in the concert 6. Play a XYLOPHONE with his amazing aide and peers in front of a packed gym 7. Wait patiently while the kids in the other 2nd grade took their turn on the xylophones 8. Make it home HAPPY and through the entire process without a MELT DOWN!!! I know i've said it about 5 billion times in the last week... you know why we work so hard with ALL of our children? Why we try EVERYTHING no matter how many times we may have failed at it before???? Why we continue to believe that every single cent we can contribute to research and education makes a difference??? This. this is why. xo</span></div>
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So. I was sad... we've made huge strides this year- we've changed communication devices (advancing to a device that allows for more spontaneous speech productions), we've participated in many many social events that we weren't able to before- a packed gymnasium for a basketball game, chuck-e-cheese for a birthday party, Grocery shopping on a Saturday morning.... I could go on. I could stay sad. I could worry. </div>
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Here's my plan </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-80532827438262647642013-05-15T00:42:00.001-05:002013-05-15T00:42:03.866-05:00el-e-phant<div style="text-align: center;">
i ran... and lifted. and found a small inch of motivation to not eat the entire sleeve of oreos. </div>
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1. baby girl's leg is better :-) </div>
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2. big kid's medicine is evening out :-) :-) </div>
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3. middle man read me a few stories tonight :-) :-) :-) </div>
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This<a href="http://www.alexandani.com/the-elephant-expandable-wire-bangle.html?attribute=196&option=1516" target="_blank"> bracelet</a> from <a href="http://www.alexandani.com/" target="_blank">Alex and An</a>i was part of my mother's day gift: </div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbf7f7; color: #222222; font-family: 'Proxima N W02 Reg'; line-height: 22px;">"The elephant walks through life with family close by in a loyal and dedicated manner. Extraordinarily protective, elephants are known to stand up for others encouraging the values of camaraderie, perseverance, and unity. With a trunk up for luck, wear The Elephant Charm to inspire others to pursue their passions and embrace the power of teamwork.</span><span style="background-color: #fbf7f7; color: #222222; font-family: 'Proxima N W02 Reg'; line-height: 22px;"> " </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fbf7f7;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Proxima N W02 Reg;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">and when I say it was a part of my gift, I mean I ordered it, gave it to the husband, and was a joyful receiver Sunday morning :-) I also love the pajamas, water bottle, and candle I picked out! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Proxima N W02 Reg;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Have a happy Wednesday- Trunks Up!</span></span><span style="background-color: #fbf7f7;"></span></div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-52407123723192051092013-05-13T21:52:00.000-05:002013-05-13T21:52:02.604-05:00birds<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoBcA7PJWRY" target="_blank">This song</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">When life leaves you high and dry, I'll be at your door at night</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">If you need help, If you need help</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">I'll shut down the city lights, I'll lie, cheat I'll beg and bribe </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">To make you well, To make you well</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">When enemies are at your door, I'll carry you away from war</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">If you need help, If you need help</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Your hope dangling by a string, I'll share in your suffering</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">To make you well, To make you well</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Give me reason to believe, That you would do the same for me</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And I will do it for you, For you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Baby I'm not movin' on, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You will never sleep alone, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And long after you're gone, gone gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">When you fall like a statue, I'm gonna be there to catch you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Put you on your feet, Put you on your feet</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And if your well is empty, Not a thing will prevent me</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Tell me what you need, What do you need?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">I surrender honestly, You've always done the same for me</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And I will do it for you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Baby I'm not movin on, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You'll never sleep alone, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And long after you're gone, gone gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You're my backbone, You're my cornerstone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You're my crutch when my legs stop moving</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You're my headstart, You're my rugged heart</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You're the pulse that I've always needed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum my heart never stops beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Baby I'm not movin on, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You will never sleep alone, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Baby I'm not movin on, I'll love you long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you, for you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">You will never sleep alone, I'll love you long, long after you're gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum baby don't stop beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">Like a drum my heart never stops beating</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">For you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And long after you're gone, gone gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">I'll love you long after you're gone, gone gone</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">And if that's not a Mother's Day song, i don't know what is. And he chews gum while he sings.... amazing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sJk-YUWWo0eXKjjMDmRrEri7hWAAWChGKQdowAR5vYI7qxpsy27ymLj50sWUPesYP4T82R4cjnLQWaqfraKaht-EAGZxW7yNBGT02Gem-xI8s1RgrVilUHMAvGH5UA3KoWaqGcbNFwM/s1600/cool-Bob-Ross-birds-painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sJk-YUWWo0eXKjjMDmRrEri7hWAAWChGKQdowAR5vYI7qxpsy27ymLj50sWUPesYP4T82R4cjnLQWaqfraKaht-EAGZxW7yNBGT02Gem-xI8s1RgrVilUHMAvGH5UA3KoWaqGcbNFwM/s640/cool-Bob-Ross-birds-painting.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
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thank you, Bob. </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-72333225022025550362013-05-12T23:11:00.001-05:002013-05-12T23:11:51.366-05:00desert: sand :: the last 4 days: ridiculous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello there, kind friends- watcha been doing??? We've been busy!! <----- that's rather repetitive, needless information, however, it feels even more true than usual tonight. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7WdU1rtZnm_5efu5oMwF0jAH1PV1jhK60GxY8Ivct9SPogBb4114AqqF811dEmsdVIyFQKZbvfb-OAuKO6-Z_k2G0x3dpHaRSYSemjl6SLqWpDGsmKMJ_jEWYYq41P4pGGRTlQOCok/s1600/IMG_6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7WdU1rtZnm_5efu5oMwF0jAH1PV1jhK60GxY8Ivct9SPogBb4114AqqF811dEmsdVIyFQKZbvfb-OAuKO6-Z_k2G0x3dpHaRSYSemjl6SLqWpDGsmKMJ_jEWYYq41P4pGGRTlQOCok/s640/IMG_6296.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I guess I like to keep many, many things in our closets... because when wednesday night rolled around and I had to remove it all- OY!!!! I <u>knew</u> we'd have to have every. single. little. thing. out of the bedrooms... I just didn't realize exactly how MUCH stuff that would be. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvKYgQcLao08mT8ua4r5jv6ioyHchRxmN5xEM0Ng66nKF59lioHByLwe_Hu78DTiPRLKC-d_04edxuyRhmHEDUzt2LafA78HtugpuvCD0KlIhetdJ3bFVXvfaOPUtUCZF5juhn0forU0/s1600/IMG_2437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvKYgQcLao08mT8ua4r5jv6ioyHchRxmN5xEM0Ng66nKF59lioHByLwe_Hu78DTiPRLKC-d_04edxuyRhmHEDUzt2LafA78HtugpuvCD0KlIhetdJ3bFVXvfaOPUtUCZF5juhn0forU0/s640/IMG_2437.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The kids LOVED having all of our beds in the living room- it brought back many, many memories of Christmas in July... no time to explain, suffice it to say that this occurred at <a href="http://www.truman.edu/" target="_blank">Truman</a>, was very fun, and got us in a boatload of trouble. </div>
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This was all fiiiiiinnnnneeee and dandy... Until Baby girl pulled the footboard (rooms had to be cleared, furniture chaos) of our enourmousfreakingheavy bed over on her sweet legs, and we spent Wednesday night in the ER. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjQZIqpLmBhNj4GImqi0t46L943WqKrbBrVLj4tvsP19jnZ3yYemSQNOWikJRrx2W6NzV0z2QdvMhwM69bJ6Q1UqoqHuCj-aDccoEHzqg2lvgiduAolGcLfBFF0NfqExx-8DSIWfpH54/s1600/IMG_2451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjQZIqpLmBhNj4GImqi0t46L943WqKrbBrVLj4tvsP19jnZ3yYemSQNOWikJRrx2W6NzV0z2QdvMhwM69bJ6Q1UqoqHuCj-aDccoEHzqg2lvgiduAolGcLfBFF0NfqExx-8DSIWfpH54/s640/IMG_2451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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this is how we look at 4 a.m.... waiting patiently to be discharged home. Nothing broken, thank goodness!!! still can't run or jump but walks, mostly, without a limp!! Thursday was busy- regional track meet, kids who hadn't slept the night before, etc, etc.... we spent a lot of time that evening hanging out on the mattresses! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrBVhYWCtfEUT43iCn9YINl6CTqvyJ0tV-bbynqTBiNYqBZF4aBeVNhhWYsS-p1fnFkrsTohkhRNuJ4SZ9BZFah8HYdoKYyym3eQc0rvHx5RCFKk9nz8549nJDzTVY3F-ODlj_yA1V_c/s1600/IMG_6292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrBVhYWCtfEUT43iCn9YINl6CTqvyJ0tV-bbynqTBiNYqBZF4aBeVNhhWYsS-p1fnFkrsTohkhRNuJ4SZ9BZFah8HYdoKYyym3eQc0rvHx5RCFKk9nz8549nJDzTVY3F-ODlj_yA1V_c/s640/IMG_6292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friday was work from 5:45 to 9:30 and off to our Md appointment at Rush in Chicago at 10!! </div>
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big kid and I wore our blue to support some amazing friends with <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00018/DSECTION=symptoms" target="_blank">Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis</a>. This little bump that baby girl had made me think of and pray for our friends who deal with severe joint pain and difficulty walking/running/jumping every day. </div>
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We returned home to new carpet, and since the crib had been taken down- it was NOT going back up. Sweet Bell amazed us, as always, by totally rocking the transition to her big girl bed!!! No tears, no drama, we read our books and she goes to sleep.... amazing. </div>
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Amongst all the cleaning, B came across this card I had saved from our Oregon trip- sweet memories at Canyon Beach! The <a href="http://www.crepeneptune.com/" target="_blank">Crepe's here</a> were drool inducing. </div>
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Saturday was our 4th annual Mother's day <a href="http://4.17.232.139/parks/Miller-Park-Zoo/about-the-zoo.htm" target="_blank">Zoo</a> trip!! This was at the end... the babies were tired ( i say that like it's the reason no one was looking at the camera... hahahaha :-)) We had a wonderful time! </div>
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We came home and the Husband and baby girl crashed- big kid was content to hang out for 20 seconds at a time then would come running to the kitchen to see what was happening with Bo and I! I take this as a testament to how tired we all were- Bj and Aur slept for 2 hours in a rather LOUD, hectic environment :-) </div>
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We've been using our window markers quite often- this is the message I woke up to Today :-) Middle man is getting better and better at spelling!! Went to meeting, had lunch, TOOK A NAP * amazing, loved it, want more of it*, then off to Julie's for some Mom's day celebration with the Z side of the family! </div>
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We're transitioning medications... our sweet, happy son is anxious and pinching and grabbing and unable to be calm in his own skin. i'm sure the chaos in our home helps immensely, said the mom of no child ever. working on getting it all back together this week. pray for us. </div>
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xo </div>
<br />Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-12677010652043984302013-05-08T00:10:00.001-05:002013-05-08T00:10:46.029-05:00OooooOooOoOOooooo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well- there's that. The house we were looking at was sold less than 4 days after it hit the market. Not surprised, a bit disappointed. BUT- ( you like 'em, you cannot lie) our ceilings are now painted, our flowers are planted, new carpet in on friday, deck staining on for saturday... yep. Practically a new home here. </div>
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Big kid and I crashed last night- so much so that I didn't even know this photo was on the camera until I uploaded everything tonight! He's feeling my pulse... or not, who knows, but it makes me smile because he is so, so, so very precious to me. </div>
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Sweet love at the flower shop, making 'BIG BUBBLES!!!! OH WOW!!!!'</div>
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a growling tiger!!!! rooooooooaaaaaaarrrrrr!!! Bodie boo loves to have his face painted!!! big kid getting bounced all over creation in the back ground :-) </div>
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you don't look like this when you paint???? why not???? geeeesh... and you can't even see the dots on my glasses. </div>
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why aren't i tired at night? </div>
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motivation</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-46044572670510611682013-05-07T00:17:00.000-05:002013-05-07T00:17:32.444-05:00paint<div style="text-align: center;">
we painted our ceiling. </div>
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we didn't argue... do we win something??? I feel like 'home improvements with your spouse' fall into the same category as 'playing spades with your spouse'.... usually you should be on different teams.... simply for safety's sake :-) My father in law painted the edging, My mom came and planted flowers- It takes a village to raise the Zelezniks!! </div>
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We have carpet being delivered on Friday... and a home possibly on the market by Sunday!?!? </div>
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holy cow. </div>
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I'm cashed out- worked from 6 am to 11am, painted for 3 hours, worked for 3 more hours, ran to B-town, bought some carpet.... which was named weekend escapade....., ran home, ate supper with the P's who had our babies ALL day long, came home, tubbies, night time, painted some more. </div>
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cashed out. </div>
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see you tomorrow, word friends. </div>
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xo</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-63749188320759834262013-05-05T23:39:00.000-05:002013-05-05T23:39:19.819-05:00starting again, again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hallo- (sounds sort of Australian... which I'm not, but they are all chill, right? they don't worry too much about such a long blogging hiatus. again. ) </div>
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Working backwards, we've been busy- </div>
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Great Gram turned 96!!!! wowza</div>
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sweet, sweet, babies. tired out and cuddled up. </div>
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can you see the stripes??? I'm a very consistently inconsistent <a href="http://www.bananaboat.com/products/10878.aspx?cat=1&curBrowseBy=Usage" target="_blank">sunscreen</a> applier. </div>
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on the <a href="http://www.rosemarybeach.com/" target="_blank">beach</a>- it was AMAZING... and we didn't plan the black and white thing... for real :-) we're just in sync! but we don't really love in sync or backstreet boys... but we know some people that really, really, really DO!!</div>
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my girls. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPGTBdDYzvEWtjWqmHxGA9CGVsd3CQTBeTS7d7ygUabKaxHmo076lYJbml2ADOfwiza_Jk17WB38qGS-EmvzwwVKsu2BKAwLohrWpkMv4Y-qNpjZg69MRlhugSTSuCFaanmQK2qPqS0I/s1600/IMG_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPGTBdDYzvEWtjWqmHxGA9CGVsd3CQTBeTS7d7ygUabKaxHmo076lYJbml2ADOfwiza_Jk17WB38qGS-EmvzwwVKsu2BKAwLohrWpkMv4Y-qNpjZg69MRlhugSTSuCFaanmQK2qPqS0I/s640/IMG_2220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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my <a href="http://www.fragilex.org/" target="_blank">X</a> family- at the walk- from many, many states and 2 countries!!! We raised over $32,000!!!! NO WAY!!! it was amazing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt1wVFKk9JjWHujmvfAfASZz295W_nDOOzJAD6MIj5HnsETkHO9e7Kjebzef9NSmSApZZAmV5do4JSnPFtmjw98lTPjsZfzAtr8dXvZkKAS5KNexY7oEgwZmhV7kkxGBPq5kt21jyrE0/s1600/IMG_2178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt1wVFKk9JjWHujmvfAfASZz295W_nDOOzJAD6MIj5HnsETkHO9e7Kjebzef9NSmSApZZAmV5do4JSnPFtmjw98lTPjsZfzAtr8dXvZkKAS5KNexY7oEgwZmhV7kkxGBPq5kt21jyrE0/s640/IMG_2178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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talk about amazing? Friends and family that ordered Papa John's - at work, for lunch, for the entire elementary school's staff, for supper, with us, miles away from us.... the over $1000 we raised for this fundraiser is part of the overall $32K.... speechless! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7evD07JXThWWjqOmK6wuDyck0-KXAUkgjMqVC03ibWyYWIhFkJldicwqkynTGweczTo0FsVMBAW24nSK_iXQBNCoJpKZjBnEelelCckJ_HWBA94cUuQdmf7Q0oQmP-dKRh6r07vOqvvE/s1600/IMG_2140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7evD07JXThWWjqOmK6wuDyck0-KXAUkgjMqVC03ibWyYWIhFkJldicwqkynTGweczTo0FsVMBAW24nSK_iXQBNCoJpKZjBnEelelCckJ_HWBA94cUuQdmf7Q0oQmP-dKRh6r07vOqvvE/s640/IMG_2140.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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good people, everywhere. The folks at the <a href="http://lpa.leroyk12.org/" target="_blank">LPA</a> undertook a massive bracelet fundraiser with us- aren't these fantastic?? We've sold 116 so far... </div>
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and that takes us to today. More or less. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6XXWhAu8QnK4IdDEVYsjzoKeIniXmdUa8858_cZ7FcHajC9OZz-WFnfycsUf3TAyfPupAtUDh5UXug3dATVTCJ6I1ZRsE4C7BY7154j368I9O1ZtSfMqjlmM4S4W5_IVzkQwPN7jtgg/s1600/AngMerc11x14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6XXWhAu8QnK4IdDEVYsjzoKeIniXmdUa8858_cZ7FcHajC9OZz-WFnfycsUf3TAyfPupAtUDh5UXug3dATVTCJ6I1ZRsE4C7BY7154j368I9O1ZtSfMqjlmM4S4W5_IVzkQwPN7jtgg/s640/AngMerc11x14.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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a little bit of <a href="http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=product&storyID=1077&productCategoryID=1000" target="_blank">Brian Andreas</a>- and a thank you to my Angels.... keeping me awake, teaching me about life.</div>
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xo</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-43777490984379438672013-04-09T23:38:00.002-05:002013-04-09T23:38:43.543-05:00Tueeesssdddaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You know how I was super fired up and amazingly blessed because we had raised $900? Multiply that by a bajillion (or about 3.75)... We're at $3,385 for <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamZ-WalkforFX2013-amyzelezni" target="_blank">TEAM Z!</a> and $6,456 overall for the walk!!!! It's amazing. And we still have 10 days to go. Every. single. cent. matters. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUtIQZ-fSXUK3ePBClCMjg5UThjsOwXS0bzAAi8p4RQAm6nEAQ17D7fXcNZYCndv8w7Jbxh89O3OrYiFhnsfgxBO6Ca6aN3aCDGwh5j0BNmPptfAGLcivc8D_JnCiTSF6Y4a4vbUpx3A/s1600/1654_10200950675518054_642317906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUtIQZ-fSXUK3ePBClCMjg5UThjsOwXS0bzAAi8p4RQAm6nEAQ17D7fXcNZYCndv8w7Jbxh89O3OrYiFhnsfgxBO6Ca6aN3aCDGwh5j0BNmPptfAGLcivc8D_JnCiTSF6Y4a4vbUpx3A/s640/1654_10200950675518054_642317906_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is what my mornings look like- Work out early, come home, refill water, make homemade Vanilla Chai Latte-ish drink, <a href="http://oldspice.com/en-US/products/product/103/old-spice-fresh-collection-antiperspirantdeodorant-fiji/" target="_blank">my favorite tropical deodorant</a>, and a different scent each morning :-) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteNb2V7g54HLgRH4ZPEs1rnwc111Be5Z75XOoU19uMimjjf16IXhIWGmJh_5OKapYjFzCo2d6y5pUJB-xdsgbqcKz-9D4Ut6MMeLvL79AnJWBomWKd6J-RZyzY5NVtNXNcY_MBURheHk/s1600/IMG_2120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteNb2V7g54HLgRH4ZPEs1rnwc111Be5Z75XOoU19uMimjjf16IXhIWGmJh_5OKapYjFzCo2d6y5pUJB-xdsgbqcKz-9D4Ut6MMeLvL79AnJWBomWKd6J-RZyzY5NVtNXNcY_MBURheHk/s640/IMG_2120.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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HEY! i painted my front door... inside and out. I'll show you some more pics soon, I LOVE it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHfbTxsBmYkeE45SBRYnEpUGEHqHQPm0dvX-4qJsLxxiqpZAHm0U7UBX9-owZDerCi84-ASkcbl4msWYyDXfJ3v1msBCKt3_xJuxEtV_1YqaJXoKIhcQUIoCa0TtPOryauDQ-z5OnTj8/s1600/IMG_2119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHfbTxsBmYkeE45SBRYnEpUGEHqHQPm0dvX-4qJsLxxiqpZAHm0U7UBX9-owZDerCi84-ASkcbl4msWYyDXfJ3v1msBCKt3_xJuxEtV_1YqaJXoKIhcQUIoCa0TtPOryauDQ-z5OnTj8/s640/IMG_2119.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We had a much needed get together with friends... These glasses were an inheritance :-) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcrUDt67qNimIouGgvtQ1U990UoYtUzldXPR8XICWeQCC7LN6f97YSSwQMHSCL68rGKyBi5U15Yeq4G810VEI_a-VpHTwj8oyt9hkGQcVHRoCD9gaXysiJohx1q4PofpDpd-9m4N2EW4/s1600/IMG_2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcrUDt67qNimIouGgvtQ1U990UoYtUzldXPR8XICWeQCC7LN6f97YSSwQMHSCL68rGKyBi5U15Yeq4G810VEI_a-VpHTwj8oyt9hkGQcVHRoCD9gaXysiJohx1q4PofpDpd-9m4N2EW4/s640/IMG_2118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh, this boy. He falls asleep with his head mashed into yours, you move and his sweet head slips back... soon we move him to the side to lay and fall into a deeeeep sleep before we move him to bed. you see how big he is? The Husband is 6'2" and a solid 200 pounds. Abe is 8. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuACAfQddMQXjntBTRCFjtWuYIsrMX2x0d3H3rTrWp8QTZg6Qd9CIabYHX-m_5qOUrDLdIsaC4d8euG_DtSN1naRpOIq8hGbpIhuu3L1K1oFlO1PlM1HsZ4g5IpdNoKtrWEHQfDLe6p30/s1600/IMG_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuACAfQddMQXjntBTRCFjtWuYIsrMX2x0d3H3rTrWp8QTZg6Qd9CIabYHX-m_5qOUrDLdIsaC4d8euG_DtSN1naRpOIq8hGbpIhuu3L1K1oFlO1PlM1HsZ4g5IpdNoKtrWEHQfDLe6p30/s640/IMG_6142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pray for us. We need wisdom and grace and peace. We'll do the same for you. </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-1102833311783796592013-04-04T23:56:00.001-05:002013-04-04T23:56:47.540-05:00rise up<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to give money to worthy causes. I love to donate to my friends fundraisers, to support <a href="http://www.stjude.org/" target="_blank">St. Jude</a>, <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/" target="_blank">March of Dimes,</a> <a href="http://www.arthritis.org/" target="_blank">The Arthritis Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/" target="_blank">Autism Speaks</a>, <a href="http://www.alsa.org/" target="_blank">United ALS Association</a>, <a href="http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/" target="_blank">Wounded Warrior</a> and so on. I feel good giving what I can, when I can, in hopes of helping one of our friends, one of their babies, or even a COMPLETE STRANGER live a better life</div>
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i HATE asking for money. What, exactly, don't I understand?? Do I think my friends don't love to donate to worthy causes??? Do I think they care not for me, our babies, others who live lives affected by <a href="http://www.fragilex.org/" target="_blank">Fragile X</a>?? i don't know. It's hard for me to do... but. BUT! I'm getting over that :-) </div>
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This year we celebrate the 10th annual Walk for Fragile X, in Canton, Il. We received Abe's diagnosis on September 19, 2006. We attended our first walk in April of 2007</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlYyAuCEgUQTkJ6wbeZu-pLQz9VM3E4YOs4c44gEzNdIG_C5qqFhfUkPoSb47UDl15NB0MmwBZ7tjRQnfsz7QrQ6yvrim2zXLLxSOS-Dh1SYFGwvZawxykDGgB5nLY3G94G7tIFnbHiE/s1600/206425_1033624849808_1557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlYyAuCEgUQTkJ6wbeZu-pLQz9VM3E4YOs4c44gEzNdIG_C5qqFhfUkPoSb47UDl15NB0MmwBZ7tjRQnfsz7QrQ6yvrim2zXLLxSOS-Dh1SYFGwvZawxykDGgB5nLY3G94G7tIFnbHiE/s640/206425_1033624849808_1557_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're in there somewhere...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog_6KRhXx7MRyxAvqHBHCNUeXwF9pULvid4EJYq9fXm9A7h09As8A8C1oFBQH6W_6HHl9zie6xdQMKVg5uS3Wyp-wEuvI_MRBvl_Bahw8FvaUl5BJxePMCF343v6_hkvuZZ5aNkzGLJE/s1600/2692_1111897126566_5337772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog_6KRhXx7MRyxAvqHBHCNUeXwF9pULvid4EJYq9fXm9A7h09As8A8C1oFBQH6W_6HHl9zie6xdQMKVg5uS3Wyp-wEuvI_MRBvl_Bahw8FvaUl5BJxePMCF343v6_hkvuZZ5aNkzGLJE/s640/2692_1111897126566_5337772_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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see me back there with short hair, purple coat and glasses? No idea where our other 2008 pics are...</div>
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this was year #3, 2009- look how little my babies are!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUEAWg1jew6Sj6B7gUdDm6oAJQohnLpi1dh8RAnEdJo1A2U7SOsqSusBDcvFVeFLVQSO1fLpqR3bQHAjQDNUw410W5l8-D0J0cHzhHQtaTFREPF1Wn_gD9jvxlzBYUO5tb7r1mjAIa-A/s1600/2842_1147362158251_546397_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUEAWg1jew6Sj6B7gUdDm6oAJQohnLpi1dh8RAnEdJo1A2U7SOsqSusBDcvFVeFLVQSO1fLpqR3bQHAjQDNUw410W5l8-D0J0cHzhHQtaTFREPF1Wn_gD9jvxlzBYUO5tb7r1mjAIa-A/s640/2842_1147362158251_546397_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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getting bigger in 2010... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXHxSZVL_ykeMq6gaJp3nbxWeBosgPCI5twQGQMsbw0M8HbyPqNJTjjrcruFLa2xw5FI1X5DplgheWCdTiH8wv5ggXOqPtsXYngbSg0fUSXCnBWy3inYSn7T_QlPCTVHO_-wMaxYMZ0Y/s1600/2842_1147361998247_4480970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXHxSZVL_ykeMq6gaJp3nbxWeBosgPCI5twQGQMsbw0M8HbyPqNJTjjrcruFLa2xw5FI1X5DplgheWCdTiH8wv5ggXOqPtsXYngbSg0fUSXCnBWy3inYSn7T_QlPCTVHO_-wMaxYMZ0Y/s640/2842_1147361998247_4480970_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have no idea what happened to 2011.... But here's a few from 2012!!</div>
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a few fantastic FX mommas! </div>
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The kids and I by one of our signs! - do you see baby bell squeezed in tight between our boys?? </div>
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I always encouraged people to come to the walk, buy a t-shirt, give an item to be auctioned off etc.... but never collected donations. </div>
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This year I am. In the span of 24 hours we have raised almost $900. And we're not stopping. </div>
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Do you know how much research and drug trials and advocacy and informational packets cost?? Every single dollar helps. </div>
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So :-) </div>
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If you'd like to help us raise money for the National Fragile X Foundation- please click the link below! Feel free to order a t-shirt through t<a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/registration/event_options/2461" target="_blank">his link</a>- you'll choose the shirt you'd like, then you can choose to have that portion of the proceeds go to a specific team in the drop down box- TEAM Z!</div>
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If you don't want a t-shirt, but would still like to donate go <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamZ-WalkforFX2013-amyzelezni/fundraiser/amyzeleznik" target="_blank">here!</a></div>
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Thank you- to every single person who gave today! For each donation, big or small! I'm amazed, I'm humbled, I'm going to bed feeling blessed.</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-89655299339469208932013-04-04T00:07:00.000-05:002013-04-04T00:07:02.398-05:00Arts and Craps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0QWzT5tEAVg6shUB7CuBDHnpMb6MCA3D0L3p4CZGhijryt5D_iJ0nFBqqWNsgEzc2beSS3FCxjYZCjZidFEcm0TloFsJKm432my7OD8e3z00d7i-DkjP4AMuXSJIMWtPxkXfUArf-FA/s1600/IMG_2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0QWzT5tEAVg6shUB7CuBDHnpMb6MCA3D0L3p4CZGhijryt5D_iJ0nFBqqWNsgEzc2beSS3FCxjYZCjZidFEcm0TloFsJKm432my7OD8e3z00d7i-DkjP4AMuXSJIMWtPxkXfUArf-FA/s640/IMG_2107.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
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This was yesterday- and blurry, for <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/" target="_blank">International Autism Awareness Day</a>! My bathroom photography skills have <u style="font-weight: bold;">not</u> improved in my bloggin' hiatus... I'm just going with the fact that you can't see the blemish on my forehead quite as well in this blurry shot, therefore, the <i>soft focus</i> was so on purpose ;-)</div>
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I've been redecorating/Paring down/lightening up for spring! </div>
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I call this my 'chicky shelf'- the bird pic and 2/3 of wall art are from <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a>, vase is from my sweet friend, Nell, and the gorgeous pic of my baby chicky girl is from <a href="http://www.laceyhowardphotography.com/" target="_blank">Lacey</a>! The pic on the left is me skin to skin bonding with my sweet girl the day she was born.... in between puking <--- real life, not so much movie spin! </div>
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Watch out!!! Crafting in progress!! This will soon be a card holder for my SIL's wedding! Many, many moons ago I was working with a sweet little guy named Jim. He has autism.... and He is AMAZING. He taught me more about speech therapy than 6 years of classroom instruction ever had. He was SO EXCITED to do crafts with me!! He would ruuuuuuunnnnn out of the therapy room to his momma and say 'LOOK!!! We did Arts and CRAPS!!!" and since he was oh-so-very-correct, his wonderful momma and I never once tried to correct his choice of words! </div>
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I am thankful beyond measure for Jim and his family. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they were put in my life as examples- His mom and dad showed me how to parent, how to advocate, how to support and encourage a child with special needs. I never, never once thought that his parents were anything less than over the moon in love with Jim and his brothers and sister. I remember smiles and giggles and praise. I remember calm strength and an iron will to find the very best they could for their son, to shape the world into a place where Jim could thrive. </div>
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It's my hope that I am living a life like they did. Some day down the road, some one, some where, is going to have a child with special needs. They're going to cry and grieve and rage. Then... maybe they'll think of me. Maybe they'll remember that we were<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> happy </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and that our lives were full of sunshine, giggles, and praise. I hope that they'll think of our happy babies, the places we went, the activities we do, the love that we have for each other... and they'll know that they can do it too. </span></div>
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<br />Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-92179056888846892872013-04-02T22:59:00.000-05:002013-04-02T22:59:20.442-05:00Happy day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 8th Anniversary to one of my favorite couples! </div>
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no.... <a href="http://www.irishkellys.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Molly</a> and I aren't married- but our family would be totally amazing if we were :-) And technically, August was our <u>18th</u> anniversary.... <a href="http://www.truman.edu/" target="_blank">225 Dobson Hall, Kirksville, Missouri</a>! </div>
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She and Jim were married 8 years ago today! Tonight I enjoyed a little humus and pretzels in their honor, along with a homemade vanilla chai latte in my mug :-) I wish them 8 to the 8th power more years of happiness.... i don't have any idea what that means, but I feel compelled to throw math verbiage in whilst speaking of the Molly ;-) </div>
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My bebop is enjoying pre-k. Here she is a few weeks ago, doing some Yoga in the Gym. Go back with the rest of the class??? NO thank you :-) </div>
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my rotten middle man- and YES, our tree finally made it outside over break!!! WHOOOO!!! This little boy is learning like crazy- between in-depth civil war discussions and chatting about the true meaning of Easter, he's helping me grow my momma muscles. I love his curiosity- I hope he holds on to it his entire life!!</div>
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Today was <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/" target="_blank">international Autism Awareness</a> day. My big boy does not technically (as in the Devo Ped did not give him one) have an Autism diagnosis- although he flaps and spins and hums with the best of them, he is VERY social <---- in his own way and on his own terms, of course :-) BUT- Autism looks a lot like Abraham... AND, even though my baby girl did NOT (as in the Devo Ped said it wasn't Autism) receive an Autism diagnosis... Autism looks a lot like Aurelia. </div>
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SO- while it's not something we technically live with, it's something we are very, very well acquainted with. The slogan for today was "light it up BLUE" - and I can't think of anything bluer than my son's eyes. </div>
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Being a momma is tricky- for ALL mommas, not just those with children with special needs. Living is hard.... good, amazing, full of joy and wonder.... and still hard. Thinking today of those who live with an Autism diagnosis. Praying for balance and peace. </div>
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<br />Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-61489307989282631572013-04-01T23:48:00.001-05:002013-04-01T23:48:32.446-05:00April- Get it!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope your Easter was crammed full of wonderful.... </div>
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I can't believe how quickly February and March passed (total old person remark), but whoosh! blink of an eye and it's APRIL!!!</div>
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Did you ever see such a beautiful bunch of babies??? </div>
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Spring break was great- we spent a LOT of time doing things we love- i.e., I stayed in my pajamas as often as possible, and Abe washed every dish in our house. multiple times. </div>
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Do you see it???? I finally captured the foam rocket at the exact moment it flew from his launcher- possibly at his sister, possibly not. </div>
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baby girl spent quite a bit of time in the Daddy Man's boots. I do believe they equaled at least 1/2 her body weight, so she was mighty tired by the time she took them off! </div>
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that's my 'O MY GOODNESS IT'S APRIL AND I STILL HAVE 10 THINGS FROM MY JANUARY 'TO DO' LIST' face.... </div>
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April = much going on, much to be accomplished, much to be enjoyed. </div>
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See you tomorrow for day 2.</div>
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<br />Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-75486161166890177792013-01-31T23:02:00.003-06:002013-01-31T23:02:55.064-06:00Gratitude- :-) <div style="text-align: center;">
Today is the last day of my gratitude challenge- I've missed MANY days- but that's coolio :-) no stress about something that I want to use to relieve tension and help me focus, focus, dominocus. I'm grateful for the opportunities to type- when they comes, for the chance to write a bit at night when the kiddos go to sleep and my brain starts to wander. </div>
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Today was corporate takeover day #1 at work- Old company came and packed every.thing. up. including the coatrack....</div>
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New company comes tomorrow and hopefully, it will be a seamless transition <--------- hahahahahahah ohmagoodness, i almost said that with a straight face :-) It's gonna be wild and full of obnoxious amounts of paperwork. Some people will no longer be employed full time, some people increased their hours. oof. what a day!! </div>
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Here are my plans for February. </div>
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I've made all sorts of lists this month- things I love, things I want to change in our current home, what we want in a new home, what I want for my children in the coming year, what I want for my marriage, what I'm grateful for here and now, what amazes me about my babies, what makes me laugh and smile and dance.... in other words, everything under the sun. </div>
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Here are three things that, to borrow a bit from Oprah, I know for sure-</div>
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1. exercise makes me happy</div>
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2. Now that I know about <a href="http://www.soma.com/store/browse/shelf.jsp?cat=Vanishing+Edge&catId=cat20004" target="_blank">vanishing edge underwear</a>, I refuse to ever, ever, have visible panty lines</div>
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3. We are ALL a work in progress.... keep going. </div>
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Thanks to my lovely kindle, i read a new book last night and had 2.75 hours of sleep total out of the last 42 hours.... so I'm off to bed and wishing you a wonderful February :-) see you soon!</div>
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xo </div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-77760695052773319752013-01-30T23:30:00.001-06:002013-01-30T23:30:35.290-06:00Gratitude- my one and only<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was most definitely an ice-cream sort of day. 4 cones to go- 1 for Dad, 1 for each child... which really meant 1 for Dad and at least 1/2 to 3/4 for me as Big Kid likes to feel it but feed it to someone else, Middle B doesn't eat the cone, and Baby A gets full.... yum :-)</div>
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Yesterday I posted the lyrics to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJnuWn0wDI" target="_blank">Between the Raindrops by Lifehouse</a> - finding the joy in the midst of the downpour. Finding the good- we're better than alright. That's us. He and I. 'Hold on and take a breath, I'll be here every step'.</div>
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texts to tell me that he loves me. </div>
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'There's nothing I would change, knowing that together everything that's in our way.... we're better than 'alright'"</div>
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Together. </div>
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busy day, peeps. again tomorrow and not even 5 hours before the alarm goes off. </div>
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xo</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-40370421205144405232013-01-29T23:42:00.001-06:002013-01-29T23:42:59.063-06:00gratitude- the day before the day before it's done. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT9DCZgCJohlDzHQ2XJopwMi56Y3PVIaPk1WnnCBf89P1-7Mw5Fbyqi6vW4buLmiVAtiN-sNveV1PsUSALKqLBsbrmhefiQIsj0sj1y52ZE0zDKZpAl915XGFdeEfcIpgwywAJnAnMGY/s1600/IMG_5350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT9DCZgCJohlDzHQ2XJopwMi56Y3PVIaPk1WnnCBf89P1-7Mw5Fbyqi6vW4buLmiVAtiN-sNveV1PsUSALKqLBsbrmhefiQIsj0sj1y52ZE0zDKZpAl915XGFdeEfcIpgwywAJnAnMGY/s640/IMG_5350.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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tooooo busy, with his brother's neon <a href="http://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10021&item=86217" target="_blank">Theraputty</a>, his hot chocolate, and the <a href="http://pbskids.org/" target="_blank">PBS kids</a> app on the iPad. Too busy to smile... love the chocolate on his cheek. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasc4THjekFtNlG4T539oJsZny1a2LTlN73TImlmQbBgSaIKmWhDMwGitnWh_bwLmm7eHkmIfjCzME_czo0aOgVUNO59-_eQDy8XSi6JBoXLyqq3pyIuddkYqJQ-AhKGqAU7dHQLsO6LA/s1600/IMG_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasc4THjekFtNlG4T539oJsZny1a2LTlN73TImlmQbBgSaIKmWhDMwGitnWh_bwLmm7eHkmIfjCzME_czo0aOgVUNO59-_eQDy8XSi6JBoXLyqq3pyIuddkYqJQ-AhKGqAU7dHQLsO6LA/s640/IMG_5353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Too busy smelling? feeling? contemplating life in the perfect sunlight in his sister's room, to smile- or taste the luke-warm chocolate that I put in his cup... eventually he tried it :-) since the majority ended up back on the counter I'm going to guess it wasn't his favorite, even though he LOVES chocolate in it's solid form.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX9-MmyEH-6Jcfya8IkEZ-FqVy76ym2xIVMgthi9lyHQzehyB98xYWnL7p7wDw2Ctaib9LX8U7I5m9k7Rp1TEEWpwYT190GogUYtvZRw5LdFMwoS_YLGbfRVPEJIV8cYn3qyG73Ahxg0/s1600/IMG_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX9-MmyEH-6Jcfya8IkEZ-FqVy76ym2xIVMgthi9lyHQzehyB98xYWnL7p7wDw2Ctaib9LX8U7I5m9k7Rp1TEEWpwYT190GogUYtvZRw5LdFMwoS_YLGbfRVPEJIV8cYn3qyG73Ahxg0/s640/IMG_5358.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Toooooo busy matching momma's beads to her panther sweatshirt, climbing the changing table, stealing her brother's lukewarm cocoa... too busy growing to smile right now, momma. </div>
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I'm so thankful for this new job. for the time it gives me at home with my babies. for the reminders to find joy and amazement in the little things- the sweet smudge on the cheek, the sunlight on his beautiful blond hair, the sideways ocean blue glance and chocolate kisses. </div>
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I know that where we are right now.... it's fleeting. and some of the very hard, very sad.... it will pass, and quicker than I might think. I know that some will stay. always. I am grateful for the sweetness in the small moments. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8qhfY-eYqllphyphenhyphenR4HEtjk7KpuABbc8Ap3eKz8DziQIUgP9tv-_i13IgwHouoY4tu-lh0o8SUdE_5f3HuJ_4gtw9XrKHGMJaz_rkz3a4-8L8TK-wfbqCmdpDYrZqAVFTrJJeW6ICWXVk/s1600/IMG_1880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8qhfY-eYqllphyphenhyphenR4HEtjk7KpuABbc8Ap3eKz8DziQIUgP9tv-_i13IgwHouoY4tu-lh0o8SUdE_5f3HuJ_4gtw9XrKHGMJaz_rkz3a4-8L8TK-wfbqCmdpDYrZqAVFTrJJeW6ICWXVk/s640/IMG_1880.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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really... I warned him. You see how high my eyebrows are??? Representing with my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centralilfx?fref=ts" target="_blank">Walk for FX</a> shirt- this year is the 10th anniversary!!! wowowowowow! </div>
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Stats</div>
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1. Sweat time -70 minutes- volleyball.... we lost. all games. yep. </div>
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2. Calories burned- Some where between 200-300. My heart rate monitor doesn't work so well when I attach it on my shoe- big bummer because my last one still tracked perfectly from it's perch atop my laces!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWX8bjpPWDTnbsrE3XneWXXD6ZAbd0DynBqH8llayPrdh_V9IBVFTadZWur8STzexX_ojqsROtVcyKBOdWALwaCMGQrqWoaGk7lxUR9o6snKNZK0h2BXhDTPcjibQf_e32CxXza31ezg/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWX8bjpPWDTnbsrE3XneWXXD6ZAbd0DynBqH8llayPrdh_V9IBVFTadZWur8STzexX_ojqsROtVcyKBOdWALwaCMGQrqWoaGk7lxUR9o6snKNZK0h2BXhDTPcjibQf_e32CxXza31ezg/s640/IMG_5357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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while the kids had hot chocolate, I mixed a via packet with a cocoa packet and 10 oz hot water- delicious!!! </div>
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Look around<br />There's no one but you and me<br />Right here and now<br />The way it it was meant to be<br />There's a smile on my face<br />Knowing that together everything that's in our way<br />Were better then all right<br /><br />Walking between the raindrops<br />Riding the aftershock beside you<br />Off into the sunset<br />Living like there's nothing left to lose<br />Chasing after gold mines<br />Crossing the fine lines we knew<br />Hold on and take a breath<br />I'll be here every step walking between the raindrops with you<br /><br />Take me now<br />The worlds such a crazy place<br />When the walls come down<br />You'll know I'm here to stay<br />There's nothing I would change<br />Now were back together<br />Everything that's in our way<br />Were better then all right<br /><br />Walking between the raindrops<br />Riding the aftershock beside you<br />Off into the sunset<br />Living like there's nothing left to lose<br />Chasing after gold mines<br />Crossing the fine lines we knew<br />Hold on and take a breath<br />I'll be here every step walking between the raindrops with you<br /><br />There's a smile on my face<br />Knowing that together everything that's in our way<br />Were better then all right<br /><br />Walking between the raindrops<br />Riding the aftershock beside you<br />Off into the sunset<br />Living like there's nothing left to lose<br />Chasing after gold mines<br />Crossing the fine lines we knew<br />Hold on and take a breath<br />I'll be here every step walking between the raindrops with you</div>
<br style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/l/lifehouse/</span><br />
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-21763393496358356772013-01-28T22:30:00.000-06:002013-01-28T22:30:13.823-06:00Gratitude... where are we???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello!!! ....- WHOAH!!! I took a bit of a hiatus- why? </div>
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Because my life was starting to feel a bit like the picture below- </div>
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very happy, but out. of. control.</div>
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going, going, going. </div>
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laughing, laughing, laughing... but not, at all, in focus. </div>
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So... i took a break. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A90csj0eh_ikdXJPuQDVzmOF6x7_UZZ10m0ONI3kb2t9Yy8eUJ7OOeFKix29iE5X1ytZJB4X8HmVBNUvrCRR1y77PFC0fhB3iOSKewhpo0yPr3b03qUQA2Rg9YNOy1wvgp0TD6ZMuMo/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A90csj0eh_ikdXJPuQDVzmOF6x7_UZZ10m0ONI3kb2t9Yy8eUJ7OOeFKix29iE5X1ytZJB4X8HmVBNUvrCRR1y77PFC0fhB3iOSKewhpo0yPr3b03qUQA2Rg9YNOy1wvgp0TD6ZMuMo/s640/IMG_1870.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwc0qTvjMJvGTvzCckKMj1iQe9NQNdzR1cL2E45fykyF9uVbAgGniBVVA7WtaAufsfrC_cvxZBpsLoR5JMjehI6l3anY3qfcM_vK59rVvEg7lujTn3_RPorQYFKjkSoKbwSmnsKmLEVo/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwc0qTvjMJvGTvzCckKMj1iQe9NQNdzR1cL2E45fykyF9uVbAgGniBVVA7WtaAufsfrC_cvxZBpsLoR5JMjehI6l3anY3qfcM_vK59rVvEg7lujTn3_RPorQYFKjkSoKbwSmnsKmLEVo/s640/IMG_5367.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I learned about avocados and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannin" target="_blank">tannin</a>- - the bio-molecule that is stored in high amounts inside the avocado seed and, when exposed to air, turns red... science is so cool :-) <---- said the happy nerd. This picture has NO point... except that I love it. and that's enough. </div>
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Why is it I still don't know where to look when taking <strike>sweaty obnoxious </strike> gorgeous self pics??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3A8e7ETZaS1OKFeEGDXAJyCm8ST8lSyrq9S_n6Aw-PJx6tCG7Ccd3Z3YOX8X4nn06hbZb3dco-xeiwsqOH92l8cRvUtuIbhyphenhypheny4x0UNv2j_k9z-VUNWHxZO_qukF5CbD23JwvaU2AtfQ/s1600/IMG_1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3A8e7ETZaS1OKFeEGDXAJyCm8ST8lSyrq9S_n6Aw-PJx6tCG7Ccd3Z3YOX8X4nn06hbZb3dco-xeiwsqOH92l8cRvUtuIbhyphenhypheny4x0UNv2j_k9z-VUNWHxZO_qukF5CbD23JwvaU2AtfQ/s640/IMG_1866.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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and why aren't my eyebrows symmetrical? </div>
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I've been doing a LOT of this- thanks to <a href="http://www.fitnessblender.com/" target="_blank">www.fitnessblender.com</a> and our fantastic <a href="http://www.replex.co/" target="_blank">Replex</a>. </div>
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Stats for the day:</div>
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1. Sweat time- 51 minutes! finished couch to 5k week 3, day 2- with my own modifications to make it a little harder but not enough to kiiiiiillllll me. Lean arms on fitness blender, as well as 5 minute sprint a lap, walk a lap, and a 5 minute Ab workout. </div>
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2. Calories burned- 554!! you know how it is... running kicks my butt. for real. and it's still sore... now. for real. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvkVkD5eme5Q_cQcxlQa6ntJCyxZM5HBZ7TN2_bxpcolckED2FDBsYQvISkBldtgAB3YCA8brVjGQ8biMbqoH8ltdwN4Sn6iR4rztJZwex9MYvuOR4TA5LvZ8AH58ZbCrlCi0fGLIxQ/s1600/269352_10200437986381146_1839387890_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvkVkD5eme5Q_cQcxlQa6ntJCyxZM5HBZ7TN2_bxpcolckED2FDBsYQvISkBldtgAB3YCA8brVjGQ8biMbqoH8ltdwN4Sn6iR4rztJZwex9MYvuOR4TA5LvZ8AH58ZbCrlCi0fGLIxQ/s640/269352_10200437986381146_1839387890_n.jpg" width="438" /></a> </div>
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Dad and I went to a super fun <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_rules_for_ninepin_no_tap_bowling" target="_blank">9 pin no tap </a>(uh huh.... I had NO IDEA!) fund raiser for Fragile X set up by my amazing friend <a href="http://itswhoiam-fx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Holly</a>... actually, it set up by her 2 wild and crazy friends- how AMAZING is that???</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYkvRVf2LJPWLWiy1TiBWqHzNFZMfEcW_UlXwn7ArZTGluuL_aqP23f4voBZq3svDOvPV2d-Mvj3WoddJzTEeFhstz1jl1wX8CbYZqKwjD6HzNCZjWxtni6-zCUhpdMSm_0CPJnfZ34U/s1600/IMG_1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYkvRVf2LJPWLWiy1TiBWqHzNFZMfEcW_UlXwn7ArZTGluuL_aqP23f4voBZq3svDOvPV2d-Mvj3WoddJzTEeFhstz1jl1wX8CbYZqKwjD6HzNCZjWxtni6-zCUhpdMSm_0CPJnfZ34U/s640/IMG_1854.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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anywho- here's my serious bowling face... did NOT help, I found out that I still really stink at bowling... and Holly with her Strike in the background! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XI8SiGUqdB3_dX_evrVSwUM3344ZDjg2VWArT2GKv_Owo-W7htiymMpuDaoMtlqNZCAM6DxERNKLmzbuXwvg9K1PXdh4NtX6dn9RKZqVLNgbCLtQqkDIb9CAAf0Ml2iSmwvLbr-cHRM/s1600/IMG_1831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XI8SiGUqdB3_dX_evrVSwUM3344ZDjg2VWArT2GKv_Owo-W7htiymMpuDaoMtlqNZCAM6DxERNKLmzbuXwvg9K1PXdh4NtX6dn9RKZqVLNgbCLtQqkDIb9CAAf0Ml2iSmwvLbr-cHRM/s640/IMG_1831.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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no smiles from silly boy when I volunteered in his classroom... but look at those gorgeous eye lashes!! he is so stinking <strike>pretty </strike> handsome!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf6Ztg9wpXoSjGUCnGXFYTBBkJLsJVKm_HxJyklBRHcN-L2fW67_Jl6wfFVIodit6hmj0qy3nPyL8MP0SVPrrZIaiXrLiEGsRMk7LmypF5FWnQ7fbs8lkWe5AnNbp1poojad6C3ws6SQ/s1600/IMG_5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf6Ztg9wpXoSjGUCnGXFYTBBkJLsJVKm_HxJyklBRHcN-L2fW67_Jl6wfFVIodit6hmj0qy3nPyL8MP0SVPrrZIaiXrLiEGsRMk7LmypF5FWnQ7fbs8lkWe5AnNbp1poojad6C3ws6SQ/s640/IMG_5370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We spend a LOT of time together... close together. anything that happens, wherever it happens... we do it together :-) with a spatula. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hEPeH8hkV4rVJmhqg6PnLygOivJK533jS1SIlkBwaI3YWR6BBUquMhReFTAOMQQ09DbBdsKKwmLSWmF3f08Xutv0jkXU0LV-8-k1_PJ81hUFFeZ5cJpZHzBJQPwDRMed6C-a428g0Ew/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hEPeH8hkV4rVJmhqg6PnLygOivJK533jS1SIlkBwaI3YWR6BBUquMhReFTAOMQQ09DbBdsKKwmLSWmF3f08Xutv0jkXU0LV-8-k1_PJ81hUFFeZ5cJpZHzBJQPwDRMed6C-a428g0Ew/s640/IMG_5374.JPG" width="292" /></a></div>
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sweet baby has decided she must be on my lap... always. and yes, that is pretty much a gallon of chemical wonderfulness in a love's cup that I sluped up throughout the day... aaaaaannnnnnndddd a medicine bottle that the peanut is chewing on. Mother of the year. </div>
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I am thankful, thankful, thankful, for the reminder that I need to take time to take care of myself. I tell people at work ALL THE TIME 'you have to give yourself time to heal' 'you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of anyone else' 'you are <u>the heart</u> of your family, and if the heart is not healthy, the body can't function' <---- i've done a wonderful job of ignoring this when it comes to myself. I'm working on this. I'm working on figuring out a way to fit things in, to have time to workout and not feel guilty, to take time to be quiet and ALONE and not feel like i've abandoned ship. ... i'm working on it. </div>
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long post. thanks for reading :-) </div>
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pray for each other. </div>
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xo</div>
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<br />Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-82774110590798649572013-01-16T23:09:00.000-06:002013-01-16T23:09:31.302-06:00Gratitude- Day 11. SHOES!<div style="text-align: center;">
I've found the mother lode of awesome velcro-sneakers for my big kid!!! <a href="http://www.zappos.com/boys-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wF6AtcEggECuxWQAQPAAQTiAgUBEhgPAg.zso?s=goliveRecentSalesStyle/desc/#!/boys-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wE6AqEOegLXBIIBArsVkAEDwAEE4gIGARIYDwIH.zso?s=goliveRecentSalesStyle/desc/" target="_blank">Zappos</a> came through for us- now all i have to do is decide which cool kicks to get him! The easiest way I've found to truly judge his foot size is by trying on a pair of sandals- do they fit? too big, too small? close? So- we ordered <a href="http://www.landsend.com/pp/boys-action-sandals~248833_-1.html" target="_blank">these</a> from Land's End and will double check his tootsies before we choose! </div>
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Pretty cool, eh?? </div>
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We had a good day. Busy, busy at work, home, then off to grocery shop and dinner out (the kids, anyway) at <a href="http://www.dairyqueen.com/" target="_blank">Dairy Queen</a>! They LOVED it! We don't do fast food much at all, and we rarely eat inside a restaurant, finding take out much more convenient - so this was a double bonus</div>
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with ice cream on top!! </div>
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I'm working really, really hard on being less 'in charge' of outings like this- it's hard for me to relax and not try and keep all of our hands to ourselves, bodies from leaning and touching, voices at a reasonable level etc. etc. and not become completely <a href="http://babeonabargain.blogspot.com/2013/01/gratitude-day-7-outing.html" target="_blank">STRESSED OUT</a> by the time we leave. Tonight I told myself to caaaaaaaaaallllllmmmmm down.... be easy. smile and find the good <--- and it was awesomely easy to do! In line, Abe immediately went up to an older woman who was there with her two middle-school aged grandchildren- he leaned on her, smiled, rolled down her sleeves (pushed up sleeves, along with unzipped coats, are a HUGE 'fix it quick' situation for my kiddo right now), and smelled her neck- she was rather short :-) So the second time he did this (after I'd corralled him back the first time and thwarted a middle attempt) I said something along the lines of 'oh goodness! Abe, do you think we know this kind lady? You must think she smells really good!! Here, son, come back here by me!' She said 'Hi Abe, my name is Doris! It's nice to meet you! You smell really good too!! These are my grandchildren Taylor and Michael- what's your brother and sister's names?' :-) :-) :-) So we chatted- and they came by our table to say goodbye- heart happy! </div>
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something else that makes my heart happy- look at this sweet baby when he was just 2 years old! Bo is so grown up... hard to believe he'll be 6 in just about a month! </div>
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During the meal we put the food out in front of them and didn't say another word regarding eating, not eating, mess, etc... We want ALL of our children to have good manners. We want ALL of our children to be comfortable no matter the situation, and that, often, involves knowing how to act appropriately whether you're eating at a picnic or at a Thai restaurant. BUT... but, but but- we want all of our children to be independent, free thinkers, who <b><u>enjoy life</u></b> more than they care about 'fitting in' or following a certain norm. I never want to correct my children with the tag line of 'what if so and so saw you, what would they think!!' or 'I'm so embarrassed by x, y, or z'. Being so noticeably different in so many ways has helped me move past much of the importance I placed on other's opinion. <---- does that make sense? in other words, it doesn't matter to me that Abe spit out just as much chicken as he consumed because he was TRYING something new! I don't care if Bohdan eats in small, quick little bites because he wants to eat like an Aardvark and his IMAGINATION is outstanding! Aurelia's repetitive exclamation of 'oh wow! it's good!!' is FANTASTIC because that's 2 2-word phrases together!!! </div>
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blurry photo in the back of my car- half faces and all- notice the ice cream... uh huh.... just a smidge messy by the time we got home... just a smidge!</div>
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big kid and his bag-o-beans decided to sit and enjoy the cereal aisle today- Elmo and SuperWhy! two of his favorites :-) He probably would have stayed here all night! </div>
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Stats- Another successful morning workout is in the books! </div>
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1. Sweat time- 40 minutes, run, stairclimber, and <a href="http://www.fitnessblender.com/" target="_blank">Fitness Blender</a> 's Lean Arm Workout... killer.</div>
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2. Calories Burned- 434! Whoot! </div>
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I hope that you (and when I say you, I mean us <---- :-)) find the good in the whacky, the happy instead of the stressful, and the friendly faces in random places that make life beautiful.</div>
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xo</div>
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Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4651164539530511360.post-9510977624381064062013-01-15T23:09:00.001-06:002013-01-15T23:09:15.865-06:00Gratitude- Day 10- keeeeeeep going<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm alive :-) but now it's late and the alarm goes off way too early so here are my stats-</div>
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1. sweat time- ran in the gym with the 3 little bits for 45 minutes, played rec volleyball for 60 minutes- we didn't stink quite so badly this time around :-) thank goodness</div>
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2. calories burned- total- 395- not bad :-)</div>
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later peeps- thanks for all the encouragement! always nice to know there are others working hard out there to make their piece of this world amazing- and wake up far too early in the morning to get their sweat on! </div>
Amy Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02771757514672411782noreply@blogger.com0