tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21808237629191813842024-03-13T02:15:51.539-06:00The Sweet Life of Zac and SarahSarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-53157038037154931852015-09-16T12:11:00.001-06:002015-09-16T12:11:34.583-06:00Bless This Mess Giveaway...My friend, Melissa, has this insanely successful blog. Well, to be honest, everything she does ends up being pretty successful. I always go to her blog for recipes and inspiration on anything homey and domestic. And today, she happen s to be doing a giveaway that I would like to win. Check it out <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2015/09/our-kitchen-plans-reveal-plus-a-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Here</a>.<br />
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She asks what our idea of the "American Kitchen" is, and all I can think of is my family. My kitchen gives me the opportunity to show my family-- several times a day-- how much I love and care for them, because that is where I do. When I am cooking for them, nourishing them, and feeding them, I'm able to physically manifest how much I care for them.<br />
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Wish me luck in the fridge giveaway! And hey, enter for yourself! Because the only thing better than me winning would be for a friend to win!Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-88675014359936931162015-05-18T14:11:00.002-06:002015-05-18T14:12:32.875-06:00Baby Lilly's Birth Story...I don't even want to know when my last post was. Did I even write up anything when I was pregnant? Well, who cares now...because I have a darling 6-week-old baby girl. And it's about time I wrote up her birth story before I forget anything else. So here it goes!<br />
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Preface: I have this friend in church named Beth. She is one of those super-swet people that everyone loves because she is just so freaking nice. And we found out we were pregnant right around the same time...our due dates a mere 4 days apart. Mine was April 6th, hers the 10th. This was her 4th pregnancy, 5th child as compared to my 3rd. So as we neared the end of our pregnancies, I asked, "do you tend to go into labor earlier than your due date or later?" to which she responded "early." Great. With my track record of 41+3 and 40+3 and having to be induced, I had to come to terms with the fact that she was going to have her baby first. Even though I was due first. It took a few weeks for em to be okay with it. So I also made Beth promise me that she would text me on her way to the hospital. I couldn't bear to find out she had her baby by way of Facebook. So she graciously obliged. But back to me...<br />
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Sunday morning, April 5th, (which also happened to be Easter) I woke up around 3 a.m. with some pretty hardcore contractions. They were about 7 minutes apart and weren't too painful, but there was no way I could sleep through them. I kept timing thinking if I hit 4 minutes apart, even once, I was calling the hospital. I was so done being pregnant at this point. But 7 minutes apart, every time, until about 8:30 when I decided to get up and fold the three baskets of laundry in the nursery. And of course the contractions slowed right down and eventually came to a stop. So we went on with our day, finding the eggs the Easter Bunny hid around the house, watching General Conference, the kids getting a sugar buzz from all their candy, braving the SNOW to go to Uncle Tim's and Aunt Elaine's house for Easter dinner, and visiting with all of the Thomas side of the family. I napped a little, too, to make up for the 5 hours of contractions that morning. I guess the contractions didn't completely stop, because I had quite a few while we had dinner with the family and I guess they were painful enough that most of the women (and nurses) in the room made note of the time and duration of each one. But I ignored them...I don't go into labor on my own. I was being induced on Saturday the 11th and that was that.<br />
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So when we got home from Easter dinner (I made Zac drive my car because sitting was getting rather uncomfortable and I did NOT want to drive...I wanted to curl up in the seat on my side), we watched some tv with the kids and Zac put them to bed. And then I got the text from Beth. "Hey! I've been having some pretty regular contractions. Heading to the hospital." See? True to her word. That's why everyone loves her. So I wished her luck, said I was having some, too, but not consistently, and jokes maybe I would see her there tomorrow. I pretty much collapsed on the couch and didn't move until I went to bed at 10, still contracting every now and then, but not consistently. My mother-in-law (whom I alerted to the frequent, yet sporadic contractions) said she would have her phone on and to keep her updated. She was sure it was going to happen. I humored her and said I would let her know if anything changed, and went to sleep.<br />
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At 1 a.m., I think I almost woke up the whole house with an "AAHHHH!" contraction. That one was a doozy. It took a few more to really wake me up and realize I was having really painful ones again. Not just strong this time, but painful. So once again, I watched the clock as a few more went by. 7 minutes, 10 minutes, 6 minutes, 13 minutes...they were all over the place. But I couldn't go back to sleep and I'm pretty sure my writhing in pain was disturbing Zac's sleep, so I went out to the couch. I tried bouncing on my birthing ball, walking, leaning up against the counter, making a mountain of pillows on the couch to lie on...but nothing was helping with the pain. I texted Jaylene around 3:30 and let her know the contractions were back and freaking hurt, but that I still doubted it was anything to be concerned about since they weren't consistent. I hung out in the living room another hour and a half and got a response from Jaylene just before 5:00. She said she was coming over as soon as Madison was on her way to before-school seminary. I didn't argue. I still doubted I was actually in labor, but if nothing else, Jaylene would rub my back and make me feel better.<br />
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But around 5;30, I decided to call the hospital. Just to call and see what they said. Maybe they would have me come in and check me and maybe I made some progress. I was barely at 1 cm dilated and 80 percent effaced at my appointment the Thursday before. So I called and spoke to this really sweet nurse. We chatted for a while...she got my personal info and looked me up, she asked about my other two labors, we talked about how it was my due date, how my mother-in-law was on her way over and she was capable of watching Logan and Kaylee...and I think the best part was how she talked me through the contractions I had while on the phone with her. I couldn't talk through them anymore, so she noticed when I would have one and would just very sweetly coach me through it. After speaking with her for a while, she asked why I didn't want to come into the hospital just yet and I said it was because I was afraid of being sent home and looking dumb for thinking I was in labor.<br />
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Nurse: Pregnant women don't look dumb, sweetie. Is your husband awake?<br />
Me: No.<br />
Nurse: Well, do me a favor and go wake Prince Charming up. In the 10 minutes we've been on the phone, you've had 3 contractions you haven't been able to talk through.<br />
Me: Are you sure?<br />
Nurse: I'm sure. You're having a baby today!<br />
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So I woke Zac up, got dressed, Jaylene walked in the door, and we went to the hospital. The 6 minute ride there was awful. Who knew a car could be so uncomfortable! I was pretty much moaning the entire time. Freaked Zac out pretty bad, (Keep in mind my other two labors were scheduled inductions, so this was all new territory for us!) We got to the hospital and parked and I headed toward the doors while Zac got my bag. At one point I kind of doubled over in the parking lot and eventually grabbed onto a handicapped parking sign. I had figured out that upright was the best way to handle a contraction, but I usually needed support, too. This became a recurring theme through the rest of my labor.<br />
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Inside the ER entrance (it was just after 6 am, so it was the only way in), the receptionist just smiled as we made our way past her and I said "I'm having a baby." I wasn't in the mood to stop and chit chat. I knew where I was going and to hell with anyone who got in my way. As we moseyed on down the corridor to the elevators, one nurse asked "Sweetie, do you need a wheelchair?" to which I responded, "No sitting." and kept walking. Or waddling, I guess.<br />
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We made it to the second floor where the nursing staff was ready and waiting for us. We went right into a room where I got changed and we waited for the Calvary...basically my midwife, Jessica. She got there around 7 and checked me...I was 6 centimeters dilated so it was definitely happening. She suggested I labor in the tub for a while since I was refusing pain meds. I agreed, so they filled up the tub and I got in. It was such a great relief that I was mad at myself for not thinking of it while I was at home! I honestly don't know how long I was in there. Frankly, most of the details and time gets a bit hazy here. I had a nursing student check the baby's heart rate every once in a while. I complained about my awful heart burn and they brought me a shot glass of something sour that knocked it right out, they put a hep-lock in my hand (which I begged them not to, but it's hospital protocol), Zac texted my mom and told her if she wanted to come she should, I said "Hypnobirthing is stupid and doesn't work," Jaylene texted Zac to tell him the kids were off to school and asked if she could come to the hospital, and then things started to feel different in my pelvis so we called the nurse. She had me walk back to my room to be checked and I had to stop a few times down the hallway because the contractions were really awful. When I got to my room, my midwife checked me and said I was at an 8. She also said she could feel the cushion of fluid right there and if she broke my water, I would be done with this whole laboring nonsense in about 10 minutes.<br />
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Me: Right, but once you break my water, it's going to hurt.<br />
Jessica: Breaking your water doesn't hurt.<br />
Me: No, I know. But the contractions are going to get a lot worse. And they already hurt. And I'm tired.<br />
Jessica: Okay, but it will be like 10 minutes of intense laboring and then it will be over with.<br />
Me: Okay, fine.<br />
Jessica: On an unrelated and unprofessional note, did you watch Scandal this week?<br />
Me: No, sorry.<br />
Jessica: Okay, try and catch up on it while you're recovering.<br />
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So she broke my water. Oh, Jaylene was there at this point. My mom was still MIA. I didn't want to stay in bed because lying down was the worst and I needed to be standing...So I got back out of bed and had a whopper of a contraction. Thankfully Jaylene was there, because I grabbed right onto her. I think I was trying to put her in a choke hold, but she had the advantage of not being in pain or pregnant, so she just held onto me and helped me work through it. That happened a few more times before my midwife said, "Okay, how are you going to push? What position do you want to be in? Because it's go time."<br />
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I thought about it for a second and said "I don't know. I don't care. What's easier for you?" Because as I was thinking about it, I realized I never had an option before. With Logan I had an epidural and didn't feel a thing, so they positioned me. With Kaylee, she came so fast, my doctor wasn't even there. I also started to freak out at this point because I realized I never learned how to push. Again, with Logan, I couldn't feel anything and I don't really know how I even pushed him out. And with Kaylee they were all telling me not to push and she came out when I rolled over. So at this point I was in full-blown panic mode (i.e. Transition) and kept saying "I don't want to" and "I can't" and "I don't know how."<br />
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Jessica: Pushing is just like pooping. Pretend to poop.<br />
Me: I don't want to poop!<br />
Jessica: You won't poop. There isn't anything in your rectum.<br />
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She lied.<br />
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But I pushed once. And then I pretty much gave up.<br />
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Me: I can't do this! I don't know how! I don't want to!<br />
Jessica: One more push, Sarah. The head is right here.<br />
Me: I don't want to!<br />
Jessica (though it may have been Jaylene): You hate being pregnant, right? One more push and you won't be pregnant anymore!<br />
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And that was all it took. Baby was out and crying and everything looked great!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmilsC0nf3a_tdpAo8NBwy3Ya0rUr86iUFPbfS9yiPntvy4uy9GhP9JIqlXk9m9PoFhZ8bU8q_zkJwJOEwcx4nxQnr1gaw5p3zLpv8o8g3YjjLVZQJkCmHFSN_75Thcn16HO0XWybkUw/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmilsC0nf3a_tdpAo8NBwy3Ya0rUr86iUFPbfS9yiPntvy4uy9GhP9JIqlXk9m9PoFhZ8bU8q_zkJwJOEwcx4nxQnr1gaw5p3zLpv8o8g3YjjLVZQJkCmHFSN_75Thcn16HO0XWybkUw/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" /></a><br />
She was born on her due date at 10:06 am weighing 9 lbs 2 oz, 20 3/4 inches long.<br />
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We waited for the kids to get home from school to see her before we named her, so when Zac brought them to the hospital that afternoon, we all agreed on Lillian Danielle.<br />
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The last 6 weeks have been pretty great as far as Lilly is concerned. She is a good sleeper, a great eater, and really isn't too fussy. She prefers to be held, but isn't above the rocker or the lounger. She sleeps 4-6 hour stretches at night most of the time and is starting to smile when she is awake during the day. We love her to pieces and really can't imagine our lives without her!<br />
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<br />Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-24916345926265426262014-05-19T07:20:00.000-06:002014-05-19T07:20:45.624-06:00So Much For Updating...Heh. Remember when I said I'd be better about blogging? Back in February? Yeah. That didn't happen. But what has happened since then (in no particular order...no, wait. That's a lie. This is mostly chronological since my last post):<br />
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1. I was called as the YW President in the Canandaigua Ward.<br />
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It was a crazy thing. The bishop called me into his office and sat me down...I was figuring he was going to release me from my calling (non-lds readers can take that as "unpaid, volunteer job") as the Young Women organization's secretary because the YW President was moving. So the conversation went something like this:<br />
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Bishop Warner: So, as you know, Barb is moving.<br />
Me: Yes.<br />
Bishop: And when a president leaves, her presidency is dissolved and a new president is called. Then she calls two counselors and a secretary.<br />
Me: Uh huh..<br />
Bishop: We're going to need a new president. Who do you think it should be?<br />
Me: Um...isn't that your job to figure out?<br />
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...I proceeded to throw out some ideas of people who would keep me on as secretary, but he pretty much shot down all of my suggestions.<br />
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Bishop: So what about you?<br />
Me: Um, I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but this? [Motioning to myself] This is not leadership material.<br />
Bishop: I beg to differ. So take some time, pray about it, and tell me who we are calling as your counsellors and your secretary. Congratulations, Sister Steele.<br />
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So yeah. That happened. And it's been hard and at times I feel like I'm drowning, but I have an AMAZING presidency who gets crap done. And I love those girls so much. I'm in a good place.<br />
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2. I half-quit, half got fired from the YMCA. I really started hating it there. Like LOATHED going into work and working with one or two particular people. It was crushing my soul. And after taking on the responsibilities as the YW president, I'm SO GLAD I'm not there anymore. Because I would die.<br />
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It was an interesting experience, having never been fired from something before. My "supervisor" (self-assigned title) and I haven't gotten along since I was hired. Just a personality clash. It really started wearing on me. So incident after incident, we both kept reporting the other to our boss. I think our boss just got sick of it and said I needed an attitude adjustment. Which wasn't wrong. When I couldn't stop complaining, she asked for my letter of resignation. I didn't give it...I just left. Which was probably the wrong way to go about it, but I hated that place so much in the final weeks I was there. So I still have a bad taste in my mouth with the whole being partially fired thing, but it was one of the best things that could have happened. Especially since I actually have time and a desire to work out there now instead of just going there to work! Oh, and I get to spend more time volunteering at school and at home with these beautiful babies.<br />
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3. WE WENT TO TEXAS. Which deserves its own post. Which I will get to some day. But in the mean time, I will just tell you that I loved every second of spending a straight week with my very best friend in the whole world. Guys. Danielle Baer Williams is my soulmate. I'm so lucky to have her in my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwLPQVMZ2PLyJvpSbIO4DfTpcfhbHR72R541QGEMoITG3nTu0G6vpx0mICPuoll0QjbY8na1aSd2scxElrRcG-TDTKzp-_3GzZHPPNIUqoEiOMNOSHyXZ1BFQYmK9mGqxYmSUaUh3qDc/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwLPQVMZ2PLyJvpSbIO4DfTpcfhbHR72R541QGEMoITG3nTu0G6vpx0mICPuoll0QjbY8na1aSd2scxElrRcG-TDTKzp-_3GzZHPPNIUqoEiOMNOSHyXZ1BFQYmK9mGqxYmSUaUh3qDc/s1600/image_2.jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a>4. We have a new addition to the family. No, not the dog. I posted about him last time. This addition is 12 years old and her name is Bailey. Over a year ago, Zac and I both felt pretty inspired to start taking foster parent certification courses through the county. Fast-forward to the beginning of March when our final home-study was being completed and I found out that one of my Young Women (in the aforementioned Young Women's program) was taken into foster care because her circumstances at home were not good. We were asked if we were willing to take her since we had a previous relationship, but our caseworker advised against it simply because our licensing wouldn't be complete for another week. So we didn't and she was placed in a different foster home. But fast-forward 5 weeks and whatever home she was in "wasn't working out." So we were asked to reconsider. And now we are trying to figure out how to parent a 12-year-old who has never been parented before in her entire life. It's an interesting adventure. This picture is from her first day of school in Canandaigua.<br />
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So now you're caught-up-ish in the goings on of the Steele household. Future plans and upcoming events? Probably getting the puppy groomed. I'm getting my tonsils and adenoids out on Thursday. It's going to be awful, I'm sure. We are talking about a summer vacation...possibly to Washington D.C. since a) I love being a tourist b) It's a reasonable drive and c) Logan has taken an interest in early American history, most notably with old documents like the Declaration of Independence. Oh, and d) it's close to an Ikea AND a Cafe Rio. Boom. <br />
<br />Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-49330709368019877622014-02-10T08:38:00.000-07:002014-02-10T08:38:14.990-07:00Oh, Hello, Blog Old Friend...Yeah, I haven't blogged in forever. No apologies. I've been busy. So to recap the last 13 months of me NOT blogging, here are 13 random updates in no particular order:<br />
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1. We retired the Swagger Wagon and brought home "Ruby" the Freestyle. She is pretty legit.<br />
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2. Zac and I spent a weekend last November in Albany and it was awesome. We are hoping to take the kids for a weekend sometime and get to teach them a little bit about the state capitol. </div>
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3. I finished my "Jade" manuscript and started another 2 projects...one I did at a writer's retreat that Julie Berry invited me to. (Yes, I'm name-dropping). The other manuscript I banged out during NaNoWriMo. It was my first time participating and I met my month-long goal and ended up with 73,000 words. It's not finished yet, but pretty close. </div>
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4. About a hundred of my friends got married over the summer of 2013. </div>
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5. Both kids started attending the Canandaigua School district. Logan in 1st grade, Kaylee in UPK at the Y. </div>
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6. March of 2013, my very best friend and her 3 beautiful kids came and visited us. (And we get to go visit her next month in Texas!!! But my kids don't know we are going, so shhhh. Good thing they don't read this blog.)</div>
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7. I had 2 nephews and 1 niece born. They are all pretty amazing. </div>
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8. We celebrated our 10-year high school reunion Bloomfield-style in Julie Driscoll's parent's driveway and had a bon fire in their backyard. </div>
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9. The kids and I really enjoyed summer in Canandaigua. </div>
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10. I lost 40 lbs. Then put 10 back on over the holidays, but still. </div>
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11. I started writing/interviewing for Mormon Artist Magazine</div>
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<a href="http://mormonartist.net/interviews/sarah-dunster/" target="_blank">(One of my more recent interviews)</a> I've gotten to know some really stellar people. </div>
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12. I was called to serve as the YW Secretary in church...a calling which I'm about to be released from only to take on another calling which is shaking me to my core.... more about that later. But it will be a good thing. </div>
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13. And last but not least, we added a new family member. Chewbacca. He is the best puppy. He is calm and happy...doesn't really lick or jump. Was housebroken in like 5 days. And only chewed one shoe. He's a keeper for sure. </div>
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Here's hoping I'm better at blogging this next year :-)</div>
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Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-66797324249211734212013-01-26T09:43:00.002-07:002013-01-26T09:43:56.676-07:00"And I Miss You..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ugh. Sad post time. Seriously, don't read this if you're in a happy place.<br />
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So I had a good chat with Mary Therese this morning. It was quick because the kids were in the car. But I said hi, caught up on some life happenings, told her I missed her. Told her the anniversary of my Grandpa's death is just around the corner, too. But then I told her how that anniversary isn't as sad to me, because Grandpa had lived a long, full, happy life. No doubt hers had been happy, too. But not nearly as long as it should have been.<br />
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So then I got in the car and made my way back home and started cleaning the house, my Pandora radio station playing. And this song came on. And you all should know me well enough by now that when I hear a song that is applicable to whatever my current mood it, I latch onto it. But this one is a triple-whammy.<br />
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It's called "From Where You Are." Oy.<br />
It's by Lifehouse (one of MT's favorite bands). Double oy.<br />
When I watched the video, I found out it was produced by Allstate's Teen Safe Driver program and at the end, the video is dedicated to teens who have lost their lives in accidents and to all those who loved them.<br />
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Like I've said before...some anniversaries are happy; some are sad. And then there are those that make you want to hug your loved ones a little bit tighter.<br />
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Miss you, MT.Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-31550874692027776802012-12-31T13:18:00.001-07:002012-12-31T13:18:28.547-07:00Christmas 2012We had a wonderful Christmas this year (even in spite of my annual grinchiness). We had Thomas family Christmas on the 23rd at my Aunt Karen's house. The kids were spoiled out of their minds. And for the first time in many years, my Aunt Bobbi joined us. It was almost like we were a complete family again. <br />
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When Zac and I got back from our anniversary stay at Belhurst Castle, we spent Christmas Eve at my in-laws' where we made bank in the present department. Probably my favorite gift (next to my new BJs membership) was from my MIL...a "Willow Tree" nativity set. I'm in love. I almost look forward to next Christmas when I can set it up :) Oh. I also got a stainless steel bucket from my father-in-law. Not sure why, exactly, but I'm having fun with it. I'm trying to use it for something different every day. Today it is transporting Christmas decor from the living room to the storage closet. <br />
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Christmas morning was wonderful. My parents came to our place to partake of brunch and the joy from the tiny children opening their presents. Again, spoiled. We rounded out the day by spending time with Savannah and Brandon before their return trip to Utah. <br />
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So there it is. Christmas 2012 in a nutshell. And now for pictures: <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-b84RomzkpnyOgusEM6YZ_B2HfEbnyQyHvtRML3Hkw93mlqGAgHpjuMA_Cc2gjMzRjUeeoG6OPBBtOcmQvCJbYmosGTbLeaY5OMd1EaObx1d1OhmhzfOz575ctB8NdttiUguVs4CHIY/s640/blogger-image--1547124894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-b84RomzkpnyOgusEM6YZ_B2HfEbnyQyHvtRML3Hkw93mlqGAgHpjuMA_Cc2gjMzRjUeeoG6OPBBtOcmQvCJbYmosGTbLeaY5OMd1EaObx1d1OhmhzfOz575ctB8NdttiUguVs4CHIY/s640/blogger-image--1547124894.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4pNgnMGPSIEYbhbP25B94u9zBbSDOMMdrEu_5NJ1u1bsuX7g8zdb1pNvsVlDrIDbDCniojTqHiEmrsllkxeD5mfinttE1ilKJh4LLRAbgtH4MteryxO6D4353g3FmYJBWgS02ms7BFc/s640/blogger-image-1970794670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4pNgnMGPSIEYbhbP25B94u9zBbSDOMMdrEu_5NJ1u1bsuX7g8zdb1pNvsVlDrIDbDCniojTqHiEmrsllkxeD5mfinttE1ilKJh4LLRAbgtH4MteryxO6D4353g3FmYJBWgS02ms7BFc/s640/blogger-image-1970794670.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIOZbXt2_ZcVVCLxBQeadileRMYeRORRVbcLwhREULl9c1VTkfWabdengGi7owp__Rh9Dmy12lhyn3DOFsrUC2lzqpIqbU7W5VSLH1GUlEr2pXm88GpQsQzEiQRrSnprotICMbumoda4/s640/blogger-image-563220416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIOZbXt2_ZcVVCLxBQeadileRMYeRORRVbcLwhREULl9c1VTkfWabdengGi7owp__Rh9Dmy12lhyn3DOFsrUC2lzqpIqbU7W5VSLH1GUlEr2pXm88GpQsQzEiQRrSnprotICMbumoda4/s640/blogger-image-563220416.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1hgXNE-kpMgMSAyhF0RxyWWIpM1f2Tqtkb-B2FrEqy9UvnMts456RmUKXs1y_9rVtQ-9u5BwHDUgNQA5F0Th1a8mBhtqKFD18hWbqlOVH8o2zZa-deK7eGOiXRIHFKCrVvIMkpP9Z6Q/s640/blogger-image-566063645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEAYGyaxOtqE9OjNE0FedVCfANXBi2wjGGmneFlzm_tcdH9NKVwY8PJL2UlLHp1W4H8gPa7w5WAJH3eR-KFwvQjYB3x0mk4NEhP4YsV7rbvNzXcXxTRwMjYe5-PQV53TKDg1yOtU85Wo/s640/blogger-image-1589384595.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN1CzQRDeVo7p_EakQFGcm2wRhxh-WScf-T9BENOW4qdipCeuLU9gEq0_1_WjgeqSabgXBMhu0eraWVhcQObVWyK6prhbHAkuJxAuxzJnC81Fm4kdAGsZ4UjkTh3hf7venJQbs6b6YiE/s640/blogger-image-708854509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN1CzQRDeVo7p_EakQFGcm2wRhxh-WScf-T9BENOW4qdipCeuLU9gEq0_1_WjgeqSabgXBMhu0eraWVhcQObVWyK6prhbHAkuJxAuxzJnC81Fm4kdAGsZ4UjkTh3hf7venJQbs6b6YiE/s640/blogger-image-708854509.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-87221990689454576342012-11-22T23:37:00.000-07:002012-11-22T23:37:42.052-07:00Simply Thankful...The last few days, I have been thinking about how truly thankful I am to have my kids. My two incredibly smart, funny, happy, healthy children. They are my world, and I don't know what I would do without them.<br />
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Wait. That's a lie. I DO know what I would do without them. I would sleep more. I would go on more vacations with my husband. Have more "me time." Like peeing alone, or showering alone. I'd have more money. I wouldn't be driving a minivan...I'd probably have something much nicer and newer. I probably wouldn't have mac and cheese three times a week. I wouldn't get the "Dora the Explorer" theme song stuck in my head on a daily basis. I would buy clothes that are dry-clean only in a heartbeat. And I would have a marginally cleaner house.<br />
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But you know what? All that stuff...it doesn't compare to Kaylee tip-toeing into my room at the crack of dawn, putting her chubby little hands on my cheeks, and saying "Morning. I love you. Can I have a Gogurt?" Or how when Logan steps off the school bus in the afternoons, he runs full-speed right at me to give me a hug and tell me about his day. Or when they are saying their prayers at night and say things like, "Heavenly Father, I thank you for my mommy and how much she loves me."<br />
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I have experienced far too many tiny coffins in the last two years. Too many babies that have entered this world for too brief a time. I have seen friends of mine coping with the loss of a child, learning how to deal with a void in their family. And it breaks my heart. There hasn't been a single baby lost that I've known, that I haven't shed tears over. Spent hours grieving for. Spent days praying for their families they have left behind. And not knowing what to say or to do, because... what can you say or do?<br />
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So this year, this Thanksgiving, I am simply thankful for my Logan and my Kaylee. Yes, they drive me crazy at times. But I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. They are my life, my joy, my loves.<br />
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<br />Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-65877457830717738372012-10-09T19:43:00.001-06:002012-10-09T19:43:21.914-06:00Rearranging...I've been rearranging a lot lately. I get bored, so I move furniture, I put up new pictures, I buy new throw rugs. <br />
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So my latest conquest has been our bedroom. The layout is a touch annoying...there is only one logical place to put the bed. And the bed has been there for over a year. So I got creative. <br />
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The head of the bed now rests against the window. <br />
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Crazy? Perhaps. I wasn't sure if I would like it. But as it turns out, I have found many little perks that make the new bed location just that much better. <br />
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For one, there is the symmetry of the night stands, wall outlets, and lighting that we've never had before. <br />
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Two, Zac and I like to be cold when we sleep. So having our heads by the windows that we can open and let in. a brisk night breeze is fantastic. Which also leads me to<br />
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Three- along with the "liking to be cold" thing, there is nothing I dislike more than a hot pillow. So with the two pillows I have, I can keep one next to the window which chills it very well. So when I wake up, as I do frequently, I can swap out my warm, slept on pillow for a "Chillow," if you will. Ask my brother-in-law, Matt, about that one. I think he copyrighted the phrase :)<br />
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This evening, I just found another bonus to being close to the window. The window sill now houses my water bottle throughout the night, keeping it chilled like it came right out of the fridge. With the convenience of not having to travel to the kitchen. <br />
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Best idea I've had in ages. <br />
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p.s.- I know the red curtains don't match. I'm working on that ;)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bOokQ8mkqqv2ZLvi-DJTCeLay5ZOVg9CveQROU7fy0mIuEXXI6QgmZpq2MUJaLcZp6Mzr3bTByY5ek8m2eK7bc9UcnbMWUqhEx7AIHzjrhMm9Dd0Fa1WJMF2jTTb686cyCNeOiVv6TM/s640/blogger-image-243854080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bOokQ8mkqqv2ZLvi-DJTCeLay5ZOVg9CveQROU7fy0mIuEXXI6QgmZpq2MUJaLcZp6Mzr3bTByY5ek8m2eK7bc9UcnbMWUqhEx7AIHzjrhMm9Dd0Fa1WJMF2jTTb686cyCNeOiVv6TM/s640/blogger-image-243854080.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircKzdJb-G7dtZLLLU0tuLUrHt7h-zlLmB0-PD4oHq1LXlWBFZMOIjmFELZ_x73Yq9WaCevsC70CCDA-D97RUHEASvK0oISj14ndlpqcVCKNjw3V7hpz1REPo1IP2PeY_TjYUBPd_3MYo/s640/blogger-image-1905273714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircKzdJb-G7dtZLLLU0tuLUrHt7h-zlLmB0-PD4oHq1LXlWBFZMOIjmFELZ_x73Yq9WaCevsC70CCDA-D97RUHEASvK0oISj14ndlpqcVCKNjw3V7hpz1REPo1IP2PeY_TjYUBPd_3MYo/s640/blogger-image-1905273714.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-2423778076837252442012-10-09T18:46:00.001-06:002012-10-09T18:46:41.037-06:00September/October iPhone Photo Dump...A trip to the children's museum, riding the carousel, painting pumpkins, eating gelato and other delicious treats, and the "Guitars and Stars" concert with Momma Steele (where I got to see Lonestar and Martina McBride...and like 3 other country singers I don't know, but liked anyways!). It's been an eventful 4 weeks. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgxe45MmapeV_NDdJFRSvXZkcJWufLlWAGLxojx5lrKeLt4vm5QvRHgeKmarzlZfGghdaoHveyprFBTVUGWOdedL3Nl4zYys6f4AxoqD-R_IoHF1xB0eEscyhvgfLwdgC2eCjMHT2S8Q/s640/blogger-image--42557824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgxe45MmapeV_NDdJFRSvXZkcJWufLlWAGLxojx5lrKeLt4vm5QvRHgeKmarzlZfGghdaoHveyprFBTVUGWOdedL3Nl4zYys6f4AxoqD-R_IoHF1xB0eEscyhvgfLwdgC2eCjMHT2S8Q/s640/blogger-image--42557824.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPdiTwJHvVDdF2gGizCcQ7PCfTmmpY2btQprKrMJRGArbyx-Fj3qumeMo_Sk7RL0BcuxhQiCLnEgKlbpGbep2IQIUGgNSwACmSA_CrcVGjfERroBw7-Ml3rbGY4oHP5b10bMRy84oboE/s640/blogger-image-1184877724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPdiTwJHvVDdF2gGizCcQ7PCfTmmpY2btQprKrMJRGArbyx-Fj3qumeMo_Sk7RL0BcuxhQiCLnEgKlbpGbep2IQIUGgNSwACmSA_CrcVGjfERroBw7-Ml3rbGY4oHP5b10bMRy84oboE/s640/blogger-image-1184877724.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZLTSrhf3poIGV9piNqhGrcOyZav-msAj1f6F7lCLNF_qfG8rsT7sRdeq6FY9IsyT9QXJ_pj9QBQzUeJozZS3pmrF37J5lLB_BSITMzYEHjcOVa6hvswPl0D3atI17bLktx_z_wLJRig/s640/blogger-image--763357550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZLTSrhf3poIGV9piNqhGrcOyZav-msAj1f6F7lCLNF_qfG8rsT7sRdeq6FY9IsyT9QXJ_pj9QBQzUeJozZS3pmrF37J5lLB_BSITMzYEHjcOVa6hvswPl0D3atI17bLktx_z_wLJRig/s640/blogger-image--763357550.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRna0M1AFLlXXJWAFgs9Zqtjpdb3jQQ6v7CXxqh86125isLbnEWSF4mvVUT0XSFbQEUIiIsvHqMXtBvbQPAAWFeOg87C2JqnsZE9ChiZv9EsCZQpN1KnwU0o4-pN8uA8XoseV94L5hQS0/s640/blogger-image--791535991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRna0M1AFLlXXJWAFgs9Zqtjpdb3jQQ6v7CXxqh86125isLbnEWSF4mvVUT0XSFbQEUIiIsvHqMXtBvbQPAAWFeOg87C2JqnsZE9ChiZv9EsCZQpN1KnwU0o4-pN8uA8XoseV94L5hQS0/s640/blogger-image--791535991.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y5d9BY0KNymkxjvLOvpFz72dkb-wcoEPP1_rzBuvQe17oDWDLcTU6vxUjjBVYGRtxX2kCc7p4J_W_ju7S36L2QjZgjDwMv1_LfdCXBQSaLq0qOw-y56RKbXCh6d_TKEp60D3yYTZSks/s640/blogger-image--1570174328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y5d9BY0KNymkxjvLOvpFz72dkb-wcoEPP1_rzBuvQe17oDWDLcTU6vxUjjBVYGRtxX2kCc7p4J_W_ju7S36L2QjZgjDwMv1_LfdCXBQSaLq0qOw-y56RKbXCh6d_TKEp60D3yYTZSks/s640/blogger-image--1570174328.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejuSzOAzmG5Aqfif4cwdBTAZ8y_nOHIqE5Bq13_d06iZG073M7LVIMbExGNPoTNFS9oaeWmLss_uzWoH5U-x50KIPNFUgH0z0-25Si11qTa-mD3bCDIx5rT2iDFBZsDLXvcQeNjewrp4/s640/blogger-image-1046657363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejuSzOAzmG5Aqfif4cwdBTAZ8y_nOHIqE5Bq13_d06iZG073M7LVIMbExGNPoTNFS9oaeWmLss_uzWoH5U-x50KIPNFUgH0z0-25Si11qTa-mD3bCDIx5rT2iDFBZsDLXvcQeNjewrp4/s640/blogger-image-1046657363.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqE-q6rCtTqGB738XmHbHQbX_NnNgTAMWTy2W1ja6NIjkGdtp8dD2w10YOchi7zb8TANufSOdMNUwX7_KYIgvxMF7I8vV03kB43Lp8dfG7yqF-vGVyTmJNbQv6srv6vnYL_SSlS3yqsQ/s640/blogger-image-335030881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqE-q6rCtTqGB738XmHbHQbX_NnNgTAMWTy2W1ja6NIjkGdtp8dD2w10YOchi7zb8TANufSOdMNUwX7_KYIgvxMF7I8vV03kB43Lp8dfG7yqF-vGVyTmJNbQv6srv6vnYL_SSlS3yqsQ/s640/blogger-image-335030881.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-82779395694114411472012-09-20T08:51:00.001-06:002012-09-20T08:51:40.674-06:00A Day At The Grove In Pictures...Logan was still on 24-hour fever watch and stayed home from school again yesterday. But since he was feeling better, we met up with Grandma Jaylene for a picnic and hike through the Sacred Grove over in Palmyra. It was a bit breezy, but a lovely day. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQZMMivLz9Rv3W3JkmQt7wzJWA5xHpNkPQzRERKq3-ogEVnvLjt6GtfWmSL_75kXub2rOJUL8sC5M5IK_MNFufvB3KDo_CLHIiPxFV1WFBBlyBQrknq66EE51bHWsfm_0zdRjQeAERJU/s640/blogger-image-84559764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQZMMivLz9Rv3W3JkmQt7wzJWA5xHpNkPQzRERKq3-ogEVnvLjt6GtfWmSL_75kXub2rOJUL8sC5M5IK_MNFufvB3KDo_CLHIiPxFV1WFBBlyBQrknq66EE51bHWsfm_0zdRjQeAERJU/s640/blogger-image-84559764.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUpEjjJ2e19-1CnthaTk2EtAt86-I5Khj1sZBxWp8R_cBxITxGHLoMwAxOMUYNVfOpDoJZ0koAvVgsEV5DEcTvV1vt_T7F53gqGSiEzteaTmoxLrjU45Hj-DJmHK4g4A050BblNRz18g/s640/blogger-image-602857354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUpEjjJ2e19-1CnthaTk2EtAt86-I5Khj1sZBxWp8R_cBxITxGHLoMwAxOMUYNVfOpDoJZ0koAvVgsEV5DEcTvV1vt_T7F53gqGSiEzteaTmoxLrjU45Hj-DJmHK4g4A050BblNRz18g/s640/blogger-image-602857354.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla5UU7gvh6nLTGIvmOGIK_Ya3jLlxd3iBNe4C4shn86smePyFE0Drw6PaZkaC2Vx1Kp6aIf4qmWRmXr5G8x9NLNBjjjTCt1IHcTO_1zaGUbuxDsEYqnFBcKV777RIsxWYRo9gcQrqLP0/s640/blogger-image--2039338265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla5UU7gvh6nLTGIvmOGIK_Ya3jLlxd3iBNe4C4shn86smePyFE0Drw6PaZkaC2Vx1Kp6aIf4qmWRmXr5G8x9NLNBjjjTCt1IHcTO_1zaGUbuxDsEYqnFBcKV777RIsxWYRo9gcQrqLP0/s640/blogger-image--2039338265.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPaNQQVKVZafE_rD9f_7uII9UJUfqxkCWgc7-XAaP-eo5gHZpXSuLadHb1Wfw8LbFZ4_JV5wa-yjA7urewBbw_g6Yaq7tvx0U3I5wA5wG1oHPWfWQ1Z6kAHxg0rbatjA59cjtWAB2ZK0/s640/blogger-image-2144380269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPaNQQVKVZafE_rD9f_7uII9UJUfqxkCWgc7-XAaP-eo5gHZpXSuLadHb1Wfw8LbFZ4_JV5wa-yjA7urewBbw_g6Yaq7tvx0U3I5wA5wG1oHPWfWQ1Z6kAHxg0rbatjA59cjtWAB2ZK0/s640/blogger-image-2144380269.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mxNSwzxlBSXmwEd0OWYGWlt2aIF6AkiG7Jzlp8RS0pYscn-Y-j1iSfKdQzEFVuH01KFaYWcOwI6VS9ZuX29t5F8Np5-rNVDGfmkH9IHSTzGzslil82mjXP-qPAZ0OFV6kwR_dSjK48A/s640/blogger-image--1270368397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mxNSwzxlBSXmwEd0OWYGWlt2aIF6AkiG7Jzlp8RS0pYscn-Y-j1iSfKdQzEFVuH01KFaYWcOwI6VS9ZuX29t5F8Np5-rNVDGfmkH9IHSTzGzslil82mjXP-qPAZ0OFV6kwR_dSjK48A/s640/blogger-image--1270368397.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32c7c5FpWidUquok-p23qgIm5kJUOz8aegQsZvC_q1lLhIJ6M9mcsyc1_lP3WemKB1fJdvPQa9BB8eUsA5xOjlqgFe6pNBDw0HqNVdNzvYJap94Q1c25y_cvDgNdFyVzSR0ADsXBs9mw/s640/blogger-image-17284403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32c7c5FpWidUquok-p23qgIm5kJUOz8aegQsZvC_q1lLhIJ6M9mcsyc1_lP3WemKB1fJdvPQa9BB8eUsA5xOjlqgFe6pNBDw0HqNVdNzvYJap94Q1c25y_cvDgNdFyVzSR0ADsXBs9mw/s640/blogger-image-17284403.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WtX56dMWBGTFprhEDkd9Ru4UJ0Owz6ybFlE6G5LKdr7tbW55cv5Lx_Lnm36kWBZwNEfiPBG-WM5mKGaeBJr44xjQXzySYjNB7cXaJJDkbxG7iYAPvNZzMDGE0pLvTK9SKIb0sPamqeg/s640/blogger-image-2022912881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WtX56dMWBGTFprhEDkd9Ru4UJ0Owz6ybFlE6G5LKdr7tbW55cv5Lx_Lnm36kWBZwNEfiPBG-WM5mKGaeBJr44xjQXzySYjNB7cXaJJDkbxG7iYAPvNZzMDGE0pLvTK9SKIb0sPamqeg/s640/blogger-image-2022912881.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zJvT9dHFx5BitwOh0ZNJf8JS6Fbu6npnCHCg-rmErfQ1xqdfVwGK-mRKOcLHaXB8WORgIOzBIWb66Wqoi30tqQk-Zx8PUO3zgTtCMu84lNQTnqZsQXs-Y4ukHIC_vfEMoMGodMvPrJs/s640/blogger-image--2069587894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zJvT9dHFx5BitwOh0ZNJf8JS6Fbu6npnCHCg-rmErfQ1xqdfVwGK-mRKOcLHaXB8WORgIOzBIWb66Wqoi30tqQk-Zx8PUO3zgTtCMu84lNQTnqZsQXs-Y4ukHIC_vfEMoMGodMvPrJs/s640/blogger-image--2069587894.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6nyhnvqm4h8n9S7NEBdAZ9F9OcaTeggOunrhAlOJTXE6vP0WKVDrKqZiH2TX1M7OqXc03ESKsc9ESLxKf4uvbhB76Hk4bAeEVl7f7JkFLKItcrascN4rz5-yTFBSp-LlwVXxGSmscMk/s640/blogger-image-1201410060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6nyhnvqm4h8n9S7NEBdAZ9F9OcaTeggOunrhAlOJTXE6vP0WKVDrKqZiH2TX1M7OqXc03ESKsc9ESLxKf4uvbhB76Hk4bAeEVl7f7JkFLKItcrascN4rz5-yTFBSp-LlwVXxGSmscMk/s640/blogger-image-1201410060.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtL_W2UBzJ4JFnhzwRVFxf8vdYzk9kSrCEShhS3fk80ukYQowIV66PYljKeyxpzoJAZSTUZVAAHL_UArv_BRLkKctwSovNtB2Ca-FB8dTWn1XCMLV-bdTCAoPUI03KIT2J0GuWpn2gLY/s640/blogger-image--1261103236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtL_W2UBzJ4JFnhzwRVFxf8vdYzk9kSrCEShhS3fk80ukYQowIV66PYljKeyxpzoJAZSTUZVAAHL_UArv_BRLkKctwSovNtB2Ca-FB8dTWn1XCMLV-bdTCAoPUI03KIT2J0GuWpn2gLY/s640/blogger-image--1261103236.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXjMU-AWuMe5at4FhzxQV3oQ3m1fPX5DNbD73jD_XQiu3UKNi8sUv4kXV_uHkzpehfMgUnMg1I2x5Uz_B9lXFX4AFsPN4hhMR5hwGZfAB7GBOUypmhPyiRaVe_qQ1yEJcG_tnD_Ee1bw/s640/blogger-image-121415382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXjMU-AWuMe5at4FhzxQV3oQ3m1fPX5DNbD73jD_XQiu3UKNi8sUv4kXV_uHkzpehfMgUnMg1I2x5Uz_B9lXFX4AFsPN4hhMR5hwGZfAB7GBOUypmhPyiRaVe_qQ1yEJcG_tnD_Ee1bw/s640/blogger-image-121415382.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-71004886396861485602012-09-09T19:20:00.001-06:002012-09-09T19:20:22.511-06:00Wowzers...That last post I did was kind of a downer. And over a month ago. My bad. Let's try for some uplifting, positive blogging this evening, shall we?<br />
<br />
Ok, wonderful things that have happened since that terrible day:<br />
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1. Zac is doing really well at the dealership. We hit a few rough weeks where his paycheck was in the triple digits (I'm not kidding. It was less than $500.), but he seemed to bounce back from that remarkably well and we are all caught up on bills! YAY!<br />
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2. I got a week off from work!!!! The Y does a "shut-down" week for maintenance every September. So I had Labor Day through tomorrow off!!! It has been awesome.<br />
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3. The week I had off at work could not have come at a better time because that is the week that Logan started KINDERGARTEN!!!!!! My baby boy is growing up so fast, I can't believe it. But it has been kind of nice to have all this girl time with my Kaylee while Logan is at school doing all kinds of grown-up things. Kay and I just lounge around, go to the park, go to the library, paint our nails, quilt at Grandma's....heaven. (Until I go back to work. Blah.)<br />
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4. We found out that I'M GETTING A NEPHEW!!!!! Liz is having a baby boy!!!!! She wanted a girl so badly, but I had a feeling she was carrying a boy. I'm excited that Logan will have a boy cousin to game with! Er, play with. So you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm pinning away all the baby boy shower ideas I can find on Pinterest!<br />
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5. Next to Kindergarten, this is probably the most exciting news. (No, I'm not pregnant. Though Logan's teacher is!) Back to me. There was a contest I entered on the YAtopia blog. It was being hosted by Entranced Publishing, and the top 5 contestants were offered an eight week editing class for their FULL manuscripts with full-time editors from Entranced. For those of you that don't know a ton about the publishing world, I'll just tell you that it's an incredible- and rare- opportunity. For those of you that are familiar with the publishing world, Entranced is an e-publisher launching in April of 2013 and they are building their client list. So guess who was contestant 3 of 5 that was selected???? THIS GIRL!!!!!! I had to submit my book pitch in 100 words or less. That was it. Well, and it had to be better than all the other people that entered. But GO ME! And just because I won the editing course, doesn't necessarily mean they will make me an offer. But this opportunity can only help and improve my manuscript, so I'm ecstatic.<br />
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6. I'm dieting. Well, not so much dieting as paying attention to my caloric intake and output. I am involved in three different weddings next summer. And I have about 50 lbs that I'm not going to be taking to said weddings. So if I can stay on top of my game and lose 1.5 lbs a week on average, I should be able to meet my goal. I have this really sweet iPhone app that takes all the guesswork out of the calorie game. I'll let you know how it goes.<br />
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I guess that's all for now. Expect an iPhone Photo-dump here pretty soon ;-)Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-1068046128869507742012-08-01T16:39:00.000-06:002012-08-01T16:39:07.053-06:00Crap-tastic...That's the kind of day I'm having. A Crap-tastic one. It was so horrible, I stayed an extra hour and 15 minutes at work just so I could do the menial task of stuffing envelopes at my desk and not have to talk to or deal with anyone.<br />
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First of all, I'm tired. Like sleep-deprived tired. Because I get up every three hours to bottle-feed three orphaned kittens. (Thankfully I have a few nights of reprieve this week.)<br />
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Second, Kaylee is a moron. She does things that Logan never in a million years was dumb enough to do. Like coloring on the walls. Sure, Logan did it once, but he learned that you NEVER do that. Kaylee has done it like 5 times. But that's not what makes her extra dumb. What makes her extra dumb it that she shoved one of these up her nose this morning.<br />
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<a href="http://www.beadshack.com.au/catalog/images/9mm%20Pony%20Orange%20Opaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.beadshack.com.au/catalog/images/9mm%20Pony%20Orange%20Opaque.jpg" /></a></div>
Yep. An orange pony bead. Right up the left nostril. Too far for me to get with my finger. Tried to go after it with tweezers (while frantically calling my mother-in-law....after all, she had 9 kids. She was bound to have experienced the situation before). But Zac finally worked it out by pushing it down from the outside.<br />
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And speaking of Zac, he is also on my crap list. Because who goes ahead and spends EIGHTHUNDREDFRIGGINGDOLLARSTHATWEDON'THAVE on a stupid tablet? HMMM??? I was under the impression that we were saving for a down-payment on a house, but apparently a tablet (which is a cross between a laptop and an iPhone...which we both have!!!!!) is a much more practical purchase.<br />
<br />
AND THEN, Zac called to inform me that he was on his way home to take the kids so I could go grocery shopping alone. Great. Much appreciated. UNTIL I GOT HOME AND HE CALLED SAYING HE COULDN'T COME GET THEM. So now I'm home. With my two kids that are driving me crazy. With NO FOOD IN THE HOUSE AND NOI'MNOTGOINGTOTAKETHEMSHOPPINGWITHMEBECAUSEIWASTOLDIDIDN'THAVETOANDIFITAKETHEMWITHMEIMAYMURDERTHEM.<br />
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Tomorrow, all very well may be forgiven and there is a pretty good chance my angel children will return. But until then, I'm ready for a drink. Rant over.Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-10396694660948978612012-07-23T08:44:00.001-06:002012-07-23T08:44:38.947-06:00And I Shall Call This Post "Untitled..."I can't really go on the Facebook today. I have yet to watch the Bachelorette finale (but I have a Hulu date with Dani to watch it tonight). And I'm afraid to open my Google Reader for fear of spoilers. But part of me has this innate need to be on the interwebs for at least a portion of the morning, so I suppose I will blog. So highlights of the last week:<br />
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The Hill Cumorah Pageant was in full swing. We went Tuesday and Friday. The kids loved it, as did we.<br />
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<img height="238" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/616526_10151109698909610_510438569_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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The only thing not so great was that Kaylee was TERRIFIED of Jon. He played Lamen and has that nice beard and 'stache...and she wouldn't go anywhere near him. But she loved watching Aunt Rosie get married to Nephi. Yep, my in-laws are kind of big deals.<br />
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Wednesday was Zac's birthday. It was rather uneventful. Until Kaylee started SCREAMING about her ear hurting for about an hour. So we ended up heading over to Urgent Care at 7:00 pm to find out she had a double ear infection, brought on by a cold. Which I now have.<br />
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Thursday I woke up feeling like crap, but was still gladly anticipating Zac's birthday present...we had 16th row tickets to see Jim Gaffigan. I laughed so hard, I cried. Twice.<br />
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<img alt="JimGaffigan_1.jpg" src="http://d2om8tvz4lgco4.cloudfront.net/archive/x798866912/g12c0000000000000001921116187a46c0a3e580798c0d4db0ccd68a7a9.jpg" />
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Friday I was miserably sick.<br />
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Saturday was Kaylee's birthday and party. It was a Tangled theme. There were bounce houses and cupcakes and an endless supply of sugar. More on that later.<br />
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Sunday, I left church after the first hour because I felt so miserable. I slept for the better part of the afternoon, and ended up over at Zac's parents' house for a "July Birthday Dinner" where we celebrated Brandon's, Zac's, Kaylee's and Jaylene's birthdays.<br />
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Today, I am still sick. So I'm going to go lie on the couch and not move until I have to muster up the strength to go to work. Until next time....Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-30177307663810379252012-07-11T08:26:00.001-06:002012-07-11T08:26:16.483-06:00iPhone Photo Dump....There may be some real gems in here. Let's see what story my phone will tell from the last month or so....<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eWQ3q1iKrRmdZHj4bB-P-7haoaw3TNd5gq4CYW9O0qLq_1aNIHuUQ49ZvRZyW6MbwxnGEtiE2tJhqwvGmp57kNaIgJRhTkxYmdQOTEbHvUkEJaagx2ifYhDDHhTBGCaz8KzHHwA00_E/s640/blogger-image--536473650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eWQ3q1iKrRmdZHj4bB-P-7haoaw3TNd5gq4CYW9O0qLq_1aNIHuUQ49ZvRZyW6MbwxnGEtiE2tJhqwvGmp57kNaIgJRhTkxYmdQOTEbHvUkEJaagx2ifYhDDHhTBGCaz8KzHHwA00_E/s640/blogger-image--536473650.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt4Ie2HxmwhfR9i4ToTZtaZWzTA71pab8J53pyu6yN7mXi0PrPLSruDnfaPTIqNROXmuo0CcsD7RpeZEk5Z7jriwmXQgIaHxhusylZKUQWKD7t_lBQxP_zg0Zk7J-wR-67qnBJg0yTI4/s640/blogger-image-1674349079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt4Ie2HxmwhfR9i4ToTZtaZWzTA71pab8J53pyu6yN7mXi0PrPLSruDnfaPTIqNROXmuo0CcsD7RpeZEk5Z7jriwmXQgIaHxhusylZKUQWKD7t_lBQxP_zg0Zk7J-wR-67qnBJg0yTI4/s640/blogger-image-1674349079.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhEkKqrpBYt-VHIY5SSa4odkXNoVxZ2YiqttZefLuFl2eXDuzq_yZU4Vsxg_YnwA946A9R7zcdduQodHcTPr5b_AInCOBrRzlnyWtHUZFkF7hHweWxwU1H09C0e06iczazqo6Vup_dCk/s640/blogger-image-741611289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhEkKqrpBYt-VHIY5SSa4odkXNoVxZ2YiqttZefLuFl2eXDuzq_yZU4Vsxg_YnwA946A9R7zcdduQodHcTPr5b_AInCOBrRzlnyWtHUZFkF7hHweWxwU1H09C0e06iczazqo6Vup_dCk/s640/blogger-image-741611289.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuULLfSdavvXeuhd3iW-pshKEI4IIaS4kbaBDzrhZmOPITkVcmVXDt-2NxQyrEOwTtrWmyegUs6utUIXmAw9M173KzvRGlNjrhqNrWSoA30UAAH3xBJHlznW6lj9uaZB0KSTlcAYuFQM/s640/blogger-image--64971397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuULLfSdavvXeuhd3iW-pshKEI4IIaS4kbaBDzrhZmOPITkVcmVXDt-2NxQyrEOwTtrWmyegUs6utUIXmAw9M173KzvRGlNjrhqNrWSoA30UAAH3xBJHlznW6lj9uaZB0KSTlcAYuFQM/s640/blogger-image--64971397.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerA5xr-h_32HqXY4hOVTBwaKNYVboXHynyIIY_x8WMm-E0BOtWjwupNAecyrI5yjL1cI2yeembpcDMojZylJbUvzw7rzKkZns16QimvScI-dL-z51Wv4p9tAGvW2Ep5ADnnaBmWwwq2E/s640/blogger-image-1051158740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerA5xr-h_32HqXY4hOVTBwaKNYVboXHynyIIY_x8WMm-E0BOtWjwupNAecyrI5yjL1cI2yeembpcDMojZylJbUvzw7rzKkZns16QimvScI-dL-z51Wv4p9tAGvW2Ep5ADnnaBmWwwq2E/s640/blogger-image-1051158740.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1p6_entaunK4Xg4TuWhA5Typ4YHRQZ8wF4vLR2VO4mr5mqQmzwfgtQkSUTkLoVF6bLxkLF4YTI_8exHrFE3urYc0WU_rAzuUMUMliuVRedNKJlp7pZKeAHQ-MylHyHUjeJt_TFKwHiM/s640/blogger-image--1527528146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1p6_entaunK4Xg4TuWhA5Typ4YHRQZ8wF4vLR2VO4mr5mqQmzwfgtQkSUTkLoVF6bLxkLF4YTI_8exHrFE3urYc0WU_rAzuUMUMliuVRedNKJlp7pZKeAHQ-MylHyHUjeJt_TFKwHiM/s640/blogger-image--1527528146.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKAY4XZ-fI_8jy88kIvGk8iPE_mtqGelF0lETPX8UPTl34J9ZFBKFlN46jTa39X5B72WqMZuFK9QszdjBm2z_KmW_0mObLuikM0VL4GC3Ob5yh9Y0qFd96x22gkJY_BJ-v990__QOX6c/s640/blogger-image--903749560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKAY4XZ-fI_8jy88kIvGk8iPE_mtqGelF0lETPX8UPTl34J9ZFBKFlN46jTa39X5B72WqMZuFK9QszdjBm2z_KmW_0mObLuikM0VL4GC3Ob5yh9Y0qFd96x22gkJY_BJ-v990__QOX6c/s640/blogger-image--903749560.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNqFUmwUndPnZGitU1840YNRMLY6jyBgZb-5k-mQEPIM1xJiwfpkwNhzmCfgXuI5JFy6zLK_gDqjrXpEzexmX0kAHYw5J6UUPtXEZS5aqJn5usr5rKhucvMKrHk6_gxvGszq0W_BAyDg/s640/blogger-image--587380447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNqFUmwUndPnZGitU1840YNRMLY6jyBgZb-5k-mQEPIM1xJiwfpkwNhzmCfgXuI5JFy6zLK_gDqjrXpEzexmX0kAHYw5J6UUPtXEZS5aqJn5usr5rKhucvMKrHk6_gxvGszq0W_BAyDg/s640/blogger-image--587380447.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwSL8NUjNvEHXniDw68OeopWvRW1W2iS0dF5laiW4dpEQpb2-1QsRbG3lK_Be-zep2xQU5jM4nW8Vo0VwKEQXNHm3oD-0xeWuanosCcWtriodj95DnqF4K0dHnsCl7ubd239SR4AyAmY/s640/blogger-image--875781584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwSL8NUjNvEHXniDw68OeopWvRW1W2iS0dF5laiW4dpEQpb2-1QsRbG3lK_Be-zep2xQU5jM4nW8Vo0VwKEQXNHm3oD-0xeWuanosCcWtriodj95DnqF4K0dHnsCl7ubd239SR4AyAmY/s640/blogger-image--875781584.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-82067856765860196402012-07-11T08:13:00.002-06:002012-07-11T08:13:59.131-06:00Playing Catch-up...Sometimes I feel that's all I do. It's an awful game which I really want to not be part of my life. I've had to catch up on everything from sleep, to laundry, to work, to dishes, to the blog. And it's exhausting!<br />
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First: Sleep. Since my trip to Utah, I swear I've just barely gotten caught up on sleep. I tried to force myself to stay in East Coast time while there (haha, emphasis on TRIED), but it was hard. Especially with all the late-night chats I got to have with Zac's cousin, Emily. I freaking love that girl! So I'd stay up until like 1:00 a.m. Utah time (3:00 a.m. here) and roll out of bed around 6:30 a.m. to get ready, fight traffic, and make it to my conference by 8:30. But it was SO. TOTALLY. WORTH. IT.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Second: Laundry. While living in apartment after apartment never having my own washer and dryer, I got in the habit of making sure we had enough clothes to only have to go to the laundromat once every 2 weeks. Then I would go and do like 16 loads of laundry. I assumed that habit would change once I had my own washer and dryer. Turns out unless I habitually do one load of laundry a day, "I get so far behind that I can see my own butt." (Thanks for that one, Carol.) Sometimes I can get away with doing two loads a day and skipping a day in between, but I feel that unless I ingrain it into my routine, I don't do laundry for like 6 days, then run out of clothes, wash everything, dry everything, then get all bent out of shape when I have 8 loads of laundry to fold and put away. It's maddening. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Third: Work. This could have sub-categories. WORK out: I was training for a 5K and it was going really well. Then I went to Utah. And I've only run once since I've been back. And then I bought tickets to go see Jim Gaffigan with my hubs for his birthday...and the show happens to be the same night as the run. Guess where my priorities lie. WORK work: I have a presentation to do at work. It's not a huge deal, so I kind of slacked. Then the meeting was postponed, so I feel like now that I have extra time, I should beef it up a little. Writing WORK: Oh baby. I have some catching up to do here. You'll understand once I post about the writer's conference. But this is probably the work I'm most looking forward to (and stand the best chance of) catching up on. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Fourth: Dishes. I don't think I need to say anything about this. They're there. They're dirty. They never end. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Fifth: this blog. DONE! (Well, with the exception of the WIFYR conference post. And a photo dump. Stay tuned...)</span>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-60443833236761107972012-06-13T11:07:00.003-06:002012-06-13T11:07:48.985-06:00Kati Didn't Win, But You Did......Shaybaybobay!!!<br />
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Huh. Lucky comment number 5. The odds were totally in Savannah's favor. But, to the winner go the spoils, so congratulations! Send me an email to sarahkaysteele at gmail dot com with your address and I can get that sent off to you!<br />
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Thanks to everyone for voting...Kati came in second place for the wedding giveaway. But the couple who won got it with 1400 more votes...so it wasn't even close. Sad day. It will still be a beautiful wedding!Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-3290711586115656862012-05-29T21:11:00.001-06:002012-05-29T21:11:45.294-06:00GIVEAWAY!!!Hey readers. You know how I love me a good giveaway, right? Well try this on for size: I'M DOING A GIVEAWAY OF MY OWN!!!!<br />
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You may or may not recall my obsession with a certain book series about 3 years ago...<a href="http://www.breedespain.com/books.html" target="_blank">The Dark Divine Trilogy by Bree Despain</a>. Well, I won a series of giveaways that Bree did and managed to win signed ARCs pf all three books. And I actually won two contests for the first book, <u>The Dark Divine</u>. Meaning I won two autographed copies. And guess what-- I'm giving one of them away!!!!<br />
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<img src="http://www.breedespain.com/images/TDDcoverLink.jpg" />
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One of my oldest and dearest friends, Kati, is trying to win a wedding package from a local country club here in upstate New York. She is competing for votes against 9 other couples. People are allowed to vote once every 24 hours through June 10th. And she needs votes. So you vote for her, you get an entry to win a SIGNED copy of a RARE Advanced Reader Copy of <u>The Dark Divine</u>.<br />
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So to enter my giveaway:<br />
1. <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/webgcweddinggiveaway/contests/198234/voteable_entries/49287980" target="_blank">Go here.</a> "Like" the Webster Golf Club page (don't worry, it's a safe, local organization. They won't spam you or post things to your wall.)<br />
2. Vote for my friend Kati's story, "Love Comes When You Least Expect It."<br />
3. Come back here and leave a comment saying you voted for her!<br />
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*Bonus Entries*<br />
This contest will go through Sunday, June 10th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Since you can vote for Kati's story once every 24 hours, you can come back here and leave a comment every time you do so. That's one entry a day for the next 12 days!!!<br />
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You can also snag yourself an extra entry for sharing this blog post on your blog or on Facebook...or heck, even both! Just leave separate comments here saying you did, giving you up to two extra entries.<br />
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I'll be using random.org to pick the winner, so go. Vote. Help my girl win. And you get an autographed book!!!!Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-57262667993483791042012-05-28T07:24:00.001-06:002012-05-28T07:24:30.214-06:00My Gift To You...And after that long post, here is my Memorial Day gift to you: a photo dump from my iPhone!!!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWgTfVKo2iVoWLROhLyhuOqOXrZM0Oe0OWr8oYfe3DJMlPLWZUShu6T_3hyphenhyphenuJwemJpKXPjYhmagZ5sKf3McZR0Hpk6_QfgtJAJ4rnH_iuQ1lH8Cg9vyzT6XvZPuRv2Fj6qooRYQCnwfA/s640/blogger-image-99952371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWgTfVKo2iVoWLROhLyhuOqOXrZM0Oe0OWr8oYfe3DJMlPLWZUShu6T_3hyphenhyphenuJwemJpKXPjYhmagZ5sKf3McZR0Hpk6_QfgtJAJ4rnH_iuQ1lH8Cg9vyzT6XvZPuRv2Fj6qooRYQCnwfA/s640/blogger-image-99952371.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26lowaMcLM1rug5td-KZsBJ91378SwF_9XdeNPGMJD_goJNJyf6ydzgkNXalX2jTLxLUtnHVTT8J23BB8pkjguKYgL20EyF7lxtUPa-d_20-v4VIZGWmT8_0JKQPTlFdSGhENKFWgak8/s640/blogger-image--385179163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26lowaMcLM1rug5td-KZsBJ91378SwF_9XdeNPGMJD_goJNJyf6ydzgkNXalX2jTLxLUtnHVTT8J23BB8pkjguKYgL20EyF7lxtUPa-d_20-v4VIZGWmT8_0JKQPTlFdSGhENKFWgak8/s640/blogger-image--385179163.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAYTseAg4J4mO8tS5kvxmMExYwdpuGcawM8lLr253fQZK8ZswGuKdJCsVO67qMgbSnkOECGsWpzfJBfsAIFG7WfhN1479BgajlX5qDusCZF67IICBGCWEhd1rxJyjtaiapz-RxdVVhlI/s640/blogger-image--2085879649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAYTseAg4J4mO8tS5kvxmMExYwdpuGcawM8lLr253fQZK8ZswGuKdJCsVO67qMgbSnkOECGsWpzfJBfsAIFG7WfhN1479BgajlX5qDusCZF67IICBGCWEhd1rxJyjtaiapz-RxdVVhlI/s640/blogger-image--2085879649.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35uBOIntg2pgXIHrxnGxHRztGo9yND_0zTa-1EFwM6IBVI6qUHVgLq5qQXw7dRIR9r_jttmO20WOrCUBJyBCnEQ4chlSeM4Bq4PhbHnCWM9CmMWFNmqRBsCUkJs1cZ9QKrqLxfqIwyHk/s640/blogger-image--717435037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35uBOIntg2pgXIHrxnGxHRztGo9yND_0zTa-1EFwM6IBVI6qUHVgLq5qQXw7dRIR9r_jttmO20WOrCUBJyBCnEQ4chlSeM4Bq4PhbHnCWM9CmMWFNmqRBsCUkJs1cZ9QKrqLxfqIwyHk/s640/blogger-image--717435037.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-50132107211445725752012-05-28T07:10:00.001-06:002012-05-28T07:26:43.530-06:00It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...We all know I despise Christmas, right? I think that has been well-established on this blog before. So...what holiday is my favorite? Truth is, I have two. The first is Black Friday. And yes, in my book, Black Friday is a holiday. Thanksgiving leftovers (namely turkey sandwiches), an insane amount of shopping, and everything in stores more than reasonably priced? Love it. <br />
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And my second favorite holiday is today, Memorial Day. Now I need to clarify which Memorial Day I'm talking about for you, my readers, as there are two kinds of Memorial Days...the East Coast Memorial Day and the West Coast Memorial Day (and East Coast Readers as well as West Coast Readers). You see, out west, Memorial Day is weird. No parades, no special sales, and people gather- in the masses- IN CEMETERIES. Sure, I get going to headstones of your loved ones and leaving flowers. But out there, it's weird. People take their camp chairs, picnic blankets, food, gas grills, radios....and sit around grave sites all day long. I kid you not. It's freaking weird. <br />
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It's the East Coast tradition that I love. And I'm especially partial to the celebration that happens in my tiny hometown of Bloomfield. Bloomfield is so small, it kind of feels like one big family. So the downtown Memorial Day celebration is like a big family picnic. First, everyone lines Main Street and South Ave (the Thomas Family typically congregates at the corner of the two by Pickle Park and the funeral home) (the Steeles are usually less strategically sitting by the old Headlee house which is silly because the marching band never plays down that stretch. They do their drum line thing until they round the corner past the fire hall.) <br />
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Then after the parade, the entire town heads to Elton Park for the presentation of a wreath at the memorial statue, the reciting of the Gettysburg Address by a 5th grader, and a 21-gun salute. And while all of this is going on, you can typically get hots and hamburgers at the Methodist Church parking lot, or chicken barbecue at the Congregational Church across the street. <br />
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The cemetery is, like out west, full of flowers and those remembering their loved ones (Military personnel or not). However, I feel that a much more reverent attitude is present here. People go in, reflect, place wreaths and flowers in remembrance, and quietly leave, allowing others to do the same. It's not a party, it's peaceful. Out west, it's just weird. <br />
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However you spend it, I hope your Memorial Day is wonderful and that you take a few moments to reflect and remember those who have served our country. <br />
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Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-75388996887458963882012-05-18T12:36:00.000-06:002012-05-18T12:54:24.772-06:00Why I Don't Blog Anymore (And Why I Should...)Oh, hey blogosphere. Long time no see. And this is why: I started this blog when we were living in Utah. When we were thousands of miles away from our family who wanted to know what we were up to. And then, as you may know, we moved away from Utah. The blogging slowed considerably when we moved to Seattle, for a lack of ways to post and a lack of things to post about. We were unemployed, struggling to find work. It was very depressing. So then we moved back to New York. Back to our family for whom I originally started the blog. Back to all of those wonderful, dear people who get to experience my craziness and life-happenings on a daily basis.
But what about YOU? Yes you, dear, loyal reader. I assume you still care (or are at least curious) about me, my family, my life. Why else would you be reading my little old blog? So I need to keep that in mind. Keep YOU in mind. And, well, since this blog doubles as my journal, I guess I need to keep my posterity in mind. So. A quick catch-up since my last post in February (ACK!).<br />
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<b>MARCH</b><br />
Logan was sick with a cold. Which lead to an ear infection. Which landed us at Urgent Care one night at 6:30. And while we were in Urgent Care, I decided to go all insane fever spike and passed out. They admitted me, found that I was dehydrated, blah blah blah. I'm fine.
We started a standing dinner date on Thursday nights with my grandma. The kids and I definitely look forward to it every week!
March also brought my childhood friend Nikki's bachelorette party at Turning Stone Casino. It was a fun night away from the kids!
The Steele's dog, Jessie, also passed away in March. It's been weird to have to explain that to the kids. See, when my grandpa passed away in January, I don't think it phased them all that much. I hate to say it, but they didn't know him all that well. He wasn't part of their daily lives like he was mine. But Jessie was. Not a day went by that they didn't see her or play with her. So that was a whole new thing to deal with. Oh, and I became obsessed with Downton Abbey.<br />
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APRIL</b><br />
Easter was nice. The weather was beautiful. The kids ate too much candy. Family dinner was wonderful, as usual.
My very best friend, Dani, has her third baby on the 11th. She was almost as big as Logan...little Natalie was 9 lbs even. She was admitted to the NICU for a few days because she had a pretty traumatic birth (what about that process isn't traumatic???!!) and was having trouble breathing. But many many prayers were sent their way and she was home within a few days.
We had some really nice bouts of weather. It was 80 degrees for a few days. And then a blizzard hit and we had a snow day. Silly Rochester.
Back in April, I also applied for a fellowship grant for my whole writing thing. I don't know if I mentioned it here or not, but I am attending the 9th annual Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference in Utah next month (check it out!<a href="http://www.wifyr.com/" target="_blank">www.wifyr.com</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.wifyr.com"></a>) and this year they are giving away a $1000 grant to a promising writer to help launch his or her career. Fingers crossed!<br />
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<b>MAY</b><br />
May has been busy! I can't believe it's already more than half over with. May 5th was Nikki's wedding. It was at Steamboat Landing and was beautiful! Then a week later came Savannah and Brandon's wedding...which was absolutely wonderful!!! The weather was perfect, the reception was decorated beautifully, the colors she chose just popped on everyone....it really was splendid. The only thing I would have changed was my trip to the ER...
Yeah. Most of you know what happened, but again for posterity: I'm anemic. I have been for a while. So if I don't take my supplements or eat enough iron-rich foods, it's bad for business. I also have a habit of running around like a crazy person for hours upon hours and not drinking enough water. Put those two bits of common knowledge together and add them to me feeling queasy and not eating anything of substance for a few days and you have a recipe for disaster. At 8:30 Saturday morning, my friend Marcie came over to do my hair for the wedding. It was going to be a waterfall braid with a bunch of loose curls and a flower. Gorgeous, right? Well as I sat there in my living room getting my hair curled, I just didn't feel right. And I quickly realized that was how a felt back in March when I passed out at Urgent Care. So I said, "Marcie, I think I may pass out." The next thing I know, I hear someone say, "is your daddy home?" kind of panicked. So I thought to myself, <i>I don't live with my parents...</i> and I opened my eyes. I was on the floor, face down. That didn't make sense. And my face and my hands were wet. And there was a puddle of black...no red...liquid. Blood. My blood. All over the floor. Streaming from my head. <i>Oh, the panicked voice was Marcie's. She is talking to the kids and looking for Zac.</i> So Zac came out and freaked out a little. At some point, Jaylene showed up and the two of them took me to the ER (after Urgent Care sent me there saying I would need a head CT) where I ended up with 7 stitches in the top of my head and the gash above my left eye glued closed. But I avoided the head CT and actually made it out of the ER in record time. They knew I had a wedding to get to so they worked super fast. They even washed the blood out of my hair for me so when I got home, I just threw some mousse in and let it do its wavy thing.
The temple sealing was wonderful. The story Brother Milroy told about the little girl who had visited the Bountiful Temple open house was super touching and simply amazing. I loved every second of being there with Savannah and Brandon as they were sealed for time and all eternity!!!! And I couldn't be happier for one of my best friends and her new husband!!!!!
This merry month of May also brought another round of illness for the kids. Just yesterday, actually. They were both puking and miserable for the better part of the day. And Logan stayed home sick today, too. But I still managed to get into the school for his Parent/Teacher conference. Since I didn't have one at the beginning of the year, this was my first one for him! Well, first one ever. It was great. His teacher, Mrs. Hammond, said the most wonderful things about him and how impressed she is by him. It was so nice to hear that he is doing so well in school and that she sees him as being right on track for Kindergarten! Yay, Logan!!!
So, there it is. The last 3 months in one simplified post. I'm going to be better about posting. I promise. Maybe.Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-37994899149396125722012-02-16T06:35:00.002-07:002012-02-16T07:03:36.790-07:00Awesome Things That Happened This Week...I know it's Thursday which doesn't seem to be a sensical day to post about awesome things that happened thus far this week (and yes I just made up the word "sensical"), but it's been a pretty good few days bunched together and I just wanted to write about it. You know, for those days that will come where it feels like good stuff hasn't happened in a while. So...here goes.<br /><br />1.) I got a new job! I'm still working at the YMCA doing my toddler/youth programs, but I also was hired on to work at the front desk! It will be more hours (which is nice for the paycheck, but a tinge sad for the mommy-children time), but the kids are in SUPER good hands at the (included) daycare and it's only for 3 or 4 hours a day. And I join them for snack time so I feel pretty good about it.<br /> 1.) a.) Kaylee goes to the YMCA daycare now WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE! She HATED it for the longest time....even when I would go to work out for 45 minutes, she would scream the whole time. But something mysterious happened and now she just goes and is happy to be there. That's an awesome thing in my book.<br /> 1.) b.) I've only worked four shifts at the front desk now, but I feel like I am catching on to things pretty quickly. It's a little stressful having to know the answer to EVERYTHING (or at least knowing the extension of the correct person who would know an answer you don't...), but yesterday I felt like I answered 60% of the things asked of me without having to check with someone else. It was a good day.<br /> 1.) c.) I'm meeting new co-workers. One of whom is Asha. I have a feeling we will be good friends for quite some time. This girl is hilarious and possibly deserves her own post.<br /><br />2.) I got new shoes! (This could probably be another sub-category of number 1 since they are work shoes, but, you know. NEW SHOES!) I ordered them on Amazon. They are Crocs, but thy are dressy Crocs. They are adorable and fit like a dream. And they even have bling. Don't have time to get a picture up, but they are "Olivia"s and I love them.<br /><br />3.) We got our federal return!!! Awesome!!!<br /> 3.) a.) Zac and I think we may have enough of a return to spend frivolously on a vacation for the two of us! <br /><br />4.) I'm planning Savannah's wedding and it's coming together SUPERBLY if I do say so myself. And by "planning," I'm serious. I'm pretty sure the only thing Savannah is going to have to do is show up. Oh, and she had to get her dress. Which is GORGEOUS!!! AWESOME!!!!<br /><br />5.) You may recall my affinity for the Dark Divine series. The third and final book comes out next month. I was able to get ARCs of the first two books (before they were printed and released to the public) through contests and other such luck and figured I would just have to wait for The Savage Grace. FALSE. By some strange miracle, a package was delivered to my in-laws' house on Tuesday from Random House. Containing an ARC of The Savage Grace. I about DIED. Now if only I could find the time to read it....<br /><br />6.) I lost 3 lbs. Super awesome.<br /><br />7.) My kids are being used for a press release for the Rochester Ronald McDonald House on Friday. Not necessarily awesome for me, but they get a few seconds of fame. So I'm filing that one under "awesome."<br /><br />I guess that's enough awesomeness for now. I don't want to make y'all jealous :-)Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-22799209495754575262012-02-09T11:07:00.004-07:002016-07-01T10:40:48.307-06:00Excuse Me While I Go All Political...I try to keep most of my politically-minded opinions out of my blog. I don't like starting fights that I can't debate face-to-face, so I usually go my merry way and post snide comments on Facebook. But I feel like I just need to give a shout-out to the GOP nominees for a second. First, some of Ron Paul's platforms aren't so bad. Like the one about wiping everyone's debt away. But, let's face it. In the long run, his policy ideas are going to keep him out of the White House. Santorum...well, honestly, I don't know a thing about him. I don't think many people did until the Iowa caucus. I've heard good things, but honestly haven't done any research on him. Gingrich? Kind of a scumbag. And then we have Mitt Romney. (Do you hear that heavenly choir of angels every time you say his name like I do?)<br />
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I'm voting Romney all the way. True story: I registered Democratic in high school, mostly because I enjoyed watching "The West Wing." I changed my party affiliation this past summer so I would be eligible to vote for Romney in the primary. And the general, God willing. Now I'm not going to get into every single reason why I am so pro-Romney (and no, it's not simply because we belong to the same church), but I wanted to share this post that I was about to compile and put on Facebook but didn't after I saw a friend of a friend had posted already, so I shared his. Enjoy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHABc_bBvQwP5HMphktg5zK0RcWgZb3R8jJV4qZrOlYiyE762b6_2ZkGCH68ApfeWyuWZa192XVyFznyQU_BckxOyJzilyk59iPIZ9QWqIm4TSpJoIg8skHSI4IihirMa39EPkXoVKkQ/s1600/420392_3221956957528_1524570618_2988530_165868153_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707201999977354210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHABc_bBvQwP5HMphktg5zK0RcWgZb3R8jJV4qZrOlYiyE762b6_2ZkGCH68ApfeWyuWZa192XVyFznyQU_BckxOyJzilyk59iPIZ9QWqIm4TSpJoIg8skHSI4IihirMa39EPkXoVKkQ/s320/420392_3221956957528_1524570618_2988530_165868153_n.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 211px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
"Regardless of who your current favorite candidate is, this is interesting.<br />
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"Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared. She had attended a rave party in New York City and gotten high on ecstasy. Three days later, her distraught father had no idea where she was. Romney took immediate action. He closed down the entire firm and asked all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to help find Gay’s daughter. Romney set up a command center at the LaGuardia Marriott and hired a private detective firm to assist with the search. He established a toll-free number for tips, coordinating the effort with the NYPD, and went through his Rolodex and called everyone Bain did business with in New York, and asked them to help find his friend’s missing daughter. Romney’s accountants at Price Waterhouse Cooper put up posters on street poles, while cashiers at a pharmacy owned by Bain put fliers in the bag of every shopper. Romney and the other Bain employees scoured every part of New York and talked with everyone they could – prostitutes, drug addicts – anyone.<br />
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"That day, their hunt made the evening news, which featured photos of the girl and the Bain employees searching for her. As a result, a teenage boy phoned in, asked if there was a reward, and then hung up abruptly. The NYPD traced the call to a home in New Jersey, where they found the girl in the basement, shivering and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a massive ecstasy dose. Doctors later said the girl might not have survived another day. Romney’s former partner credits Mitt Romney with saving his daughter’s life, saying, 'It was the most amazing thing, and I’ll never forget this to the day I die.'<br />
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"So, here’s my epiphany: Mitt Romney simply can’t help himself. He sees a problem, and his mind immediately sets to work solving it, sometimes consciously, and sometimes not-so-consciously. He doesn’t do it for self-aggrandizement, or for personal gain. He does it because that’s just how he’s wired.<br />
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"Many people are unaware of the fact that when Romney was asked by his old employer, Bill Bain, to come back to Bain & Company as CEO to rescue the firm from bankruptcy, Romney left Bain Capital to work at Bain & Company for an annual salary of one dollar. When Romney went to the rescue of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he accepted no salary for three years, and wouldn’t use an expense account. He also accepted no salary as Governor of Massachusetts.<br />
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Character counts!! (and yes...that's worth reading again!)"<br />
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Granted, this is ONE story that happened in the mid-90's. I'm not trying to win him votes based on a single act of heroism. I'm just trying to point out the type of man he is in general. I'm sure if I had the time and could ask every individual or organization he has helped over the years, there would be ENDLESS touching and powerful stories. I'm simply taking one instance to point out the type of man Mitt Romney is. He doesn't viciously slander his opponents. He is selfless. He is an honest, God-fearing man. And he is a man who loves his country and views every person in it as his brother or sister. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">So say what you want about the obscene amount of money he makes. (And doesn't pay a majority of taxes on.) Think what you will about his religious affiliation. Whatever your opinion may be on his politics, you have to give the man credit for his outstanding and Christ-like character. That is the kind of man I want leading my country. He is a great man and can make us a great country again.</span><br />
(Verified on Snoopes.com <http: snoopes.com="">; . Here's the link: <a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/search.asp">Romney Search</a><br />On Romney's character....<br />By: Kristi Smith Johnson)<br /><br />Oh, and if you have ten minutes and want to see even more reasons why I am pro-Romney, check out this video. This was produced in 2007 when he made his first presidential bid. I think we need him even more now. <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_eKIm6zrhp0?fs=1" width="459"></iframe></http:>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-45383409058681622982012-01-23T00:44:00.001-07:002012-01-23T00:48:14.496-07:00I Don&apos;t Know About This, Guys...I've had something on my mind for a while lately that I'm hesitant to post to Facebook, simply because of the misunderstandings that can occur and the gazillion unnecessary "OMG Congrats!" and "likes" it would receive. So I turn to the trusty (and sometimes neglected) blog for my insane ramblings. So here goes. <br />
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We have been talking about when it would be most convenient to have another baby. (Gasp! Shock! Awe! Wonder!) Turns out we have been blessed as a pretty fertile couple and the moment we even say the word "pregnant," we are. Which is super cool in my book. <br />
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So yeah. It has been coming up in recent conversation. About two months ago, I said we were THINKING about talking about having another baby. And I think we have stepped forward and are now TALKING about an addition. But no rush. A lot of things need to happen first. Like health insurance. And extending our lease vs buying vs finding another house come September (even though I may have to be dragged out of here kicking and screaming because I NEVER want to leave). And having a fully potty-trained Kaylee. So yeah. Things need to happen first before anything serious takes place. But that's not what has me all shaken up. <br />
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What has me all shaken up is one word: Multiples. <br />
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Could you even IMAGINE twins? I didn't really ever think about it much. That is until every other person I know is popping them out. Seriously. It's like an epidemic. A cute, sweet, wonderful epidemic. But still. And I'm not exaggerating. First names of everyone I know who has had or will be having twins recently: Jennie, Beth, Sarah, Robin, Beth, and Amber. And those are just the ones that I know of. <br />
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That's twelve babies. Between 6 girls. That's a soccer team and mascot birthed by a basketball team and mascot. And that's just BONKERS. <br />
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Now to all of those new and to-be moms of twinners, you are AMAZING women! But quite frankly, you scare me! And so do your babies! <br />
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So to summarize: I've had babies on the brain lately. Or, I guess in the back of my mind. And when every third person I know Is having twins, it scares me a bit. And I hope that if I put this fear out into the universe, I will be pleasantly surprised to find out I will be having only one baby in the next one to two years. <br />
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Thanks for reading the rantings of a crazy person. Please enjoy these complimentary and totally random pictures from my iPhone. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqYF1JATBBMtAecHpWTak4IgSXcUj_VFZgW4Gdb2x6ZdSvNwUI7RonzrkyQbYu03vj8DNs0aviMKSQSlIVKhnmyfUZoaonL576vZhz8Rs4IPiDd8Rj7CCsmpKnV7WfmUDIH6iJGO1vMY/s640/blogger-image--1361614352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqYF1JATBBMtAecHpWTak4IgSXcUj_VFZgW4Gdb2x6ZdSvNwUI7RonzrkyQbYu03vj8DNs0aviMKSQSlIVKhnmyfUZoaonL576vZhz8Rs4IPiDd8Rj7CCsmpKnV7WfmUDIH6iJGO1vMY/s640/blogger-image--1361614352.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8efymreOTyNGnf3OUtkPCIO7oVmeAoHKIoAVyuJaobPFsJU-iNWWYZJCet3_p3PjXhGppUnJItZuvMfm5smgaXuvXIvwT-KqgeyoYcNgmg5a7dYQpOT9QQQYuHesOE_VmDD7ZW9NTpxQ/s640/blogger-image--760593299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8efymreOTyNGnf3OUtkPCIO7oVmeAoHKIoAVyuJaobPFsJU-iNWWYZJCet3_p3PjXhGppUnJItZuvMfm5smgaXuvXIvwT-KqgeyoYcNgmg5a7dYQpOT9QQQYuHesOE_VmDD7ZW9NTpxQ/s640/blogger-image--760593299.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsJaM4DspeaPyFHu3rPkkFR5ptafBgf0LgK26N-KT62jJCJV_stq7YDKW4lOJs7RzbiUSlL4RfYsLH4D39Tol0FiCQDmTSGOo9EYwxn4MwvZGZZtuV3aoRhwfAo5mjHWCnfHpDIrx7yk/s640/blogger-image--619038025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsJaM4DspeaPyFHu3rPkkFR5ptafBgf0LgK26N-KT62jJCJV_stq7YDKW4lOJs7RzbiUSlL4RfYsLH4D39Tol0FiCQDmTSGOo9EYwxn4MwvZGZZtuV3aoRhwfAo5mjHWCnfHpDIrx7yk/s640/blogger-image--619038025.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBmukYLYQR9m6gHG7LsbTveqZRBrKwrEmymC9qDYAZ8pra846CGDp4shHFfWBnZOZbJVzTG0ZW3VQN5f1wVXH9UApSIM7cjgW9zIzAQCTsrV3QuPiqPuxIR9D6TN7G1OnQ94zm7cz1oo/s640/blogger-image--1126543448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBmukYLYQR9m6gHG7LsbTveqZRBrKwrEmymC9qDYAZ8pra846CGDp4shHFfWBnZOZbJVzTG0ZW3VQN5f1wVXH9UApSIM7cjgW9zIzAQCTsrV3QuPiqPuxIR9D6TN7G1OnQ94zm7cz1oo/s640/blogger-image--1126543448.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ey9OEQVKlrU64tKEmhfvVlaFwK_YT5IaFgM_QjXiBXl5kualPXUDZVkeWnoEEBCGCU2RajNfhde_Cuvp56UMOIHPiUNBg50pbqhqVPwd3sqVb7XbwGc8ia-GRhLCYZhgjIDJHl78eGs/s640/blogger-image-2106251430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ey9OEQVKlrU64tKEmhfvVlaFwK_YT5IaFgM_QjXiBXl5kualPXUDZVkeWnoEEBCGCU2RajNfhde_Cuvp56UMOIHPiUNBg50pbqhqVPwd3sqVb7XbwGc8ia-GRhLCYZhgjIDJHl78eGs/s640/blogger-image-2106251430.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-60685175842296329852012-01-13T12:45:00.001-07:002012-01-13T12:45:49.459-07:00Snow!!!Winter finally decided to join us here in Upstate New York. Sad for me, but all sorts of exciting for the little'uns. <br />
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I have a video, but I don't think I can upload it from my phone. So you get pictures instead. The kids wanted to go outside, so once they suited up, they ran right out. Well, the waddled best they could in their new snow suits they got for Christmas.<br />
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So Logan almost immediately plopped down and started making a snow angel and Kaylee just laughed and squealed. Then "snow ball" making ensued, followed by a good ten minutes of exploring.<br />
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The whole trek outside probably took 18 minutes (about the time it took to get them bundled up in the first place) which is about what I expected. By the time they came in, their hot coco was the perfect temperature and they got to tell me all about playing in the snow. <br />
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And I had to pretend I wasn't watching them from the back door the entire time, grinning from ear to ear :)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40phv8H2hyZ_UZv_v9J0LPHArCBhBSkRl6U-d0IfQ82bZvMtdl-t82KW-DCLO8HCZKLtkzWPirmu0aiaEMVqbpSpaH7CqPx-lgIjyFH4j2VqouydypKIjukEJ-vOaRr40xR7pfM_-tWY/s640/blogger-image-1641888606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40phv8H2hyZ_UZv_v9J0LPHArCBhBSkRl6U-d0IfQ82bZvMtdl-t82KW-DCLO8HCZKLtkzWPirmu0aiaEMVqbpSpaH7CqPx-lgIjyFH4j2VqouydypKIjukEJ-vOaRr40xR7pfM_-tWY/s640/blogger-image-1641888606.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgApCxeEEU7YRDmZ2xThs56iQgoKuYae6dc6AqKJcKZ9mQ3q1XDfRwkIj2jNLd1Vc0z9oNDeS5yqdGljyRV57fDmBBORmh1t2T3aB_1Hi-Ta2t1J8na_uhfz19LACL2rSXGWfZdpge7Y/s640/blogger-image-1859283025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgApCxeEEU7YRDmZ2xThs56iQgoKuYae6dc6AqKJcKZ9mQ3q1XDfRwkIj2jNLd1Vc0z9oNDeS5yqdGljyRV57fDmBBORmh1t2T3aB_1Hi-Ta2t1J8na_uhfz19LACL2rSXGWfZdpge7Y/s640/blogger-image-1859283025.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180823762919181384.post-29287888844059125652011-12-12T20:31:00.002-07:002011-12-12T22:05:52.960-07:00It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas...If you've been a faithful reader of this blog for a while now, you've probably picked up on the fact that I really don't like Christmas. And by "don't like," I mean "despise." Having small children who get excited about it is making my disdain for this stupid holiday not quite so vicious, but I'd still rather the holiday progression go from Thanksgiving to my birthday and not deal with this whole Christmas business at all. <br /><br />But that being said, I'm never one to turn down a holiday get-together with good friends, food, and a craft. So tonight the kids and I headed to Sonya and Craig's for pizza and gingerbread house/cookie making. Logan and Kaylee had a great time with their buddy Onora...when they weren't falling off of chairs or being attacked by Sonya's new kitten :)<br /><br />Nikki and Todd were there with some of their brood, too, so the older kids spent about two hours on their gingerbread houses. They looked great and gave me some inspiration for the construction that will be taking place next Friday when Savannah is home :D<br /><br />The highlight of the night was probably when the kids all started opening their gingerbread kits. I was in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner and Craig came in with the bags of frosting mix. He got out the mixer and started making the frosting and said, "what do you want to bet that Sonya will walk in here in about a minute saying, 'I didn't know we had to MAKE the frosting!'" Sure enough, about ten seconds after he said that, the girl comes in the kitchen and says, "Craig, the kids are saying we are supposed to make the frosting! I thought it was just in there all made!" Craig and I just looked at each other and cracked up. Those two are so good for each other. <br /><br />Thanks for forcing me into the holiday spirit friends. <br /><br />And here are some pictures...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwBn7J94mHrAym9DaGBveq_OyM1l2GWcTMv1P1_H1kiDqNSnwcACCr40cn6Jueys_37K-qbd4-fntN9Wq5a-CxTWjZwrwkgw2KMzKyFSNnmwMGx37Elgr64k7JmfSVGZOGxWym-Spo6M/s640/blogger-image--831176682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwBn7J94mHrAym9DaGBveq_OyM1l2GWcTMv1P1_H1kiDqNSnwcACCr40cn6Jueys_37K-qbd4-fntN9Wq5a-CxTWjZwrwkgw2KMzKyFSNnmwMGx37Elgr64k7JmfSVGZOGxWym-Spo6M/s640/blogger-image--831176682.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu3PMZumLt8ihUEF2OS_iLhiLZFfLNpi5X5PA0bCGSpNGPv_3RUAnJJSQQrDGtpRLwXSujVq9ltVFWK0dKMMYfOMJXo_-nt8ZrDJbvv4BQUZrE65FQCR4b2O7frjbFUKDXvRbr8CPKMg/s640/blogger-image--1327659952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu3PMZumLt8ihUEF2OS_iLhiLZFfLNpi5X5PA0bCGSpNGPv_3RUAnJJSQQrDGtpRLwXSujVq9ltVFWK0dKMMYfOMJXo_-nt8ZrDJbvv4BQUZrE65FQCR4b2O7frjbFUKDXvRbr8CPKMg/s640/blogger-image--1327659952.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgHoimYgO4S3ZgUuOydaavq15ljfGS1_kYP0rjNYjv9T30WHF9es_tANJAVlGLIpXLVU1qFoQtOaWXpe-HnoXLy2DdYrPpYknApVr2yYnZsrcijprQkDHrXVfahHo30TtQIRsMmnoOaU/s640/blogger-image--1431497929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgHoimYgO4S3ZgUuOydaavq15ljfGS1_kYP0rjNYjv9T30WHF9es_tANJAVlGLIpXLVU1qFoQtOaWXpe-HnoXLy2DdYrPpYknApVr2yYnZsrcijprQkDHrXVfahHo30TtQIRsMmnoOaU/s640/blogger-image--1431497929.jpg" /></a></div>Sarah Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520707316481087712noreply@blogger.com0