tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34677305269291399862023-11-15T22:19:16.831-08:00the sweetnessJacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-74571791225781001832016-11-28T06:18:00.000-08:002016-11-28T06:22:14.917-08:00Holiday Traditions And Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again! Where do I even start? It sure has been a while since I've posted anything on this dusty old blog. While things have been quiet here, they definitely haven't been quiet in real time - life keeps roaring by at breakneck speed, bringing new changes around every bend.</div>
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The biggest change in our family, that you've probably spotted in the above pictures, is a new family member. I'm excited to introduce Syreca - she is a family friend who needed a safe, stable place to stay for a while. Syreca is such a joy, and we all adore her. She's brought a lot of fun and laughter into our lives - things are never boring around here (not that they ever were!)</div>
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I love the holiday traditions our family has created over the years. Pumpkin picking before Thanksgiving, baking special once-a-year treats, Advent devotions with the kids, picking out a live Christmas tree and decorating while listening to Bing Crosby and the Mannheim Steamrollers, candlelight Christmas Eve services at church... I love it all and just wish it didn't go by so fast! This year will be extra fun as we enjoy these traditions for the first time with Syreca.</div>
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One of the things I look forward to the most every holiday season is putting together Christmas cards to send out to all our friends and family. <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/" rel="nofollow">Tiny Prints</a> offer some of the most beautiful holiday card designs with endless customization options, and their customer service is always top notch! </div>
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I really love the design we picked out this year (we've been learning that it really is amazing how far <i>just a moment</i> of peace can get you when life is noisy, busy and chaotic!) This particular template allowed for several pictures, utilizing space on the front and back which I really appreciated. I love the surprise of the bokeh glitter envelope liners when you open the envelopes!</div>
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If you're doing some Cyber Monday shopping today, you can <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/promo/tiny-prints-coupon-codes-promotions.htm" rel="nofollow">get up to 50% off EVERYTHING on the Tiny Prints website today using the code: HAPPYMONDAY</a> - check it out!</div>
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<i>This post was in partnership with Tiny Prints; all opinions are my own.</i> </div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-2772862040648834042016-03-15T19:05:00.001-07:002016-03-15T19:05:43.906-07:00Golden Hour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What started as a bone-chilling, damp, foggy morning turned into a pleasant afternoon, and then an absolutely gorgeous evening. It felt really good getting out of the house for a little walk and some playground time.<br />
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Matt brought his mini-drone to play with. It always draws a crowd of interested kids.<br />
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I recently exchanged my old Nikon D80 for a Sony RX100 Mark IV. It feels really weird holding such a tiny camera after lugging a big DSLR around for so many years. I feel very attached to my old Nikon - its original purpose was to distract me from the heart ache and bitterness of losing our first baby after a miscarriage, and has seen me through the births and milestones of three healthy babies, and so many other huge life moments. That being said, this little Sony is winning my heart. It's truly amazing to be able to take RAW images and 4K video on a camera that's tiny enough to fit in my pocket! It captures the light beautifully.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-70270832699028104802016-03-02T06:23:00.000-08:002016-03-02T06:24:21.050-08:00The Sick Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every winter, it's inevitable - everyone gets sick at the same time, and in that awful mix of sickness, snow storms and cabin fever I find myself feeling horribly claustrophobic and ready to run away.<br />
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We're running out of ways to entertain ourselves after almost a week of consecutive snow days and sick days. So we made a movie! About being sick! (Be forewarned, there's a lot of runny nose action - not recommended viewing for the squeamish or germophobic.)<br />
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It was a fun project for this week. I know nothing about putting together video, but as I fumbled slowly through the editing process I found I loved how different it was from taking and editing photos. I needed a good challenge! </div>
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I think we're finally pulling through this awful virus, and the sun is back out today after a very snowy start to our week. March may come in like a lion, but - it's MARCH! Spring is practically here. I'm so excited.</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-36396631183873638972016-02-04T08:00:00.002-08:002016-02-04T08:00:53.727-08:00Hello, It's Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="text-align: start;">...I was wondering if after all these months you'd like to see...</span></div>
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...Two really mediocre pictures from Christmas Eve. (Womp womp.)<br />
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I had to pull out my SD card for another project this morning, and found it really funny and sad at the same time that there were only 10 pictures on the card, all from Christmas Eve, which means:<br />
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1. I didn't take any pictures of Christmas Day, or Matt's birthday, or Oona's second birthday.<br />
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2. I haven't picked up my camera in a really long time.<br />
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3. I haven't touched this blog in a really long time.<br />
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Life got really busy after Christmas. The biggest change is that I just got a part time job! I'm not quite ready to talk about it on here, but it's an exciting turn of events for me. My life is not at all like I imagined it would be as a kid, and that's something I sometimes get anxious about. However, I have to say I'm kind of enjoying being surprised by each unexpected twist of the road.<br />
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I think things will be quiet here for the rest of winter. Matt and I have an exciting trip planned for April which I'm excited to document here, and with the return of spring and summer always comes a renewed interest in taking photos so I don't think this is the end of blogging for me, just a short hiatus as I get adjusted to some big changes in life.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-21483693774740822432015-12-16T12:29:00.000-08:002015-12-16T12:35:27.148-08:00On the Edge of a Decade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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9 years ago was our wedding day. We were both so nervous, and so young! (I was 20, he was 25!) We were broke, and there was no Pinterest when we got married, so our wedding was very simple (Wal-Mart wedding cake! No joke...) and not very photo-worthy (in fact, the few pictures we have are really horrible, which still makes me incredibly sad every time I think about it.)<br />
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When I listen to friends and family's wedding plans, and see their beautiful photos and how well they plan everything out, I realize how weird in today's culture Matt and I were as we stepped into married life - we were two very poor, shy virgins with zero pizazz and a lot of awkwardness who decided to step forward in faith that God would honor the blessings he promises to two people who honor <i>Him</i> in their relationship. It was <i>so</i> important to Matt to honor God with our relationship from the very beginning. I can not even start to express how thankful I am for that about him. It has meant everything, and has been a rock I have leaned on over and over when times have been tough.<br />
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I tease him every so often for how "unromantic" he was in our dating relationship (his proposal consisted of handing me my ring in his old F-150,) and how horribly awkward it was to have our first kiss be in front of all our family and friends at our wedding (I'm cringing thinking about it!) But what he <i>did</i> give me, was the very real assurance that fancy words and stylish weddings meant nothing to him in comparison to how much honoring Jesus in our lives together meant. That's why I chose him. That's why I still choose him! It's why I have every hope and confidence that we'll be together till death separates us. And I can attest, with all sincerity that YES - God does keep his promises. His blessings are real and so much more valuable than any physical or material thing in the world.<br />
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(Though I always will be a little sore about my (lack of) wedding pictures...) ;-)<br />
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(And if you do decide to wait until your wedding to kiss, and it's HORRIBLE, don't panic too much about it - a little practice and you're golden.) ;-)<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-51736975110421813672015-12-13T18:17:00.000-08:002015-12-14T05:29:22.613-08:00We're Going On A Tree Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another weekend over, another week closer to Christmas, a cast free baby and a new year!<br />
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These are some pictures from two weekends ago, when we went to a local tree farm to cut a tree, (something we have not done since we moved to Michigan almost 3 years ago!)<br />
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The pictures made me laugh out loud as I edited them, because they are SO deceiving. You would never believe while looking through them that Oona threw a major, loud, ugly tantrum for about 90% of the time. Or that Olive and Silas wouldn't stop fighting over who got to sit in front of the sled, who got to pull the sled, who's tree was "better..." As we got ready to <strike>get the hell out of there</strike> leave the farm after tying the tree up to the top of the van, Matt and I each shut a sliding passenger door, and as the eardrum-popping noise of three children wailing angrily died away a guy in the car next to ours yelled "WHOOO-EEEEE, I SURE AM GLAD I'M PAST THOSE DAYS!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I laughed.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-14564955957097328942015-12-11T13:33:00.004-08:002015-12-11T13:33:46.823-08:00The Last Mile's The Hardest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>This girl's tenacity and determination never fail to awe me. She's a champion.</i></div>
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"How's it going with Oona?" I get asked this a lot. The answer is: "it's complicated."<br />
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I look back on the last 10 weeks with a mixture of pride and shock - "yeah, we did this!" And, "Oh my gosh, how are still we doing this?"<br />
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To be honest, we're having an especially hard week as I write this, which may be the reason I feel like I need to write, which conflicts me because I don't want to just write when things are bad. I don't want to give the impression that it's ALL been bad. There's been a lot of grace. There's been a lot of incredibly powerful, wonderful lessons learned. There's been some empowerment, and a lot of being broken and humbled.<br />
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But there is some bad. Lately, Oona's been suffering a lot, and it's hard to join her in that while not being able to do anything to really help. She can't sleep. We're woken up several times a night to screams of mighty frustration as an itch or cramp tortures her. Sometimes a little soothing gets her back to sleep. Other times it's so bad her body is rigid and tense, and she won't relax for hours. There's a constant wondering of "could we be doing something different to make it better?" To give her ibuprofen with her tylenol or not? Are we doing her pillows the best way? Should we give her the bottle she's demanding that she really doesn't need? Do we let her cry for an hour, or get her up so everyone else in the house can sleep? Matt and I are extremely exhausted, and it brings out the worst in us.<br />
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When I'm REALLY tired, I start getting irrational. I feel it creeping up on me, the way you start to feel icky when a cold or flu is coming on. I get jealous of people I love. I get bitter about how unfair things seem. I get snappy and impatient when I should be gentle and understanding. I get extremely anxious that everything important around me is going to fall apart, and it will all be my fault. I start irrationally feeling like everyone is counting on me to meet their needs, and I don't have enough of myself left to give to anyone, and all is hopeless.<br />
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We've got 18 days left with the cast. We're in the last stretch, yet these next two and a half weeks feel insurmountable to me in this moment. So I'm trying to be really intentional about inviting Jesus into this weakness, even as my sinfulness and anxiety rapidly try to erect walls of self-dependence in an attempt to keep Him out. Funny after all these years, and all that my brain knows about needing Jesus when we're weak - it's when I'm weak that I seem to continually shut Him out. "It's my problem. I can fix it myself if I do <i>a,b and c..." </i>My heart has a hard time trusting and believing that He'll walk beside me, that He is who He says He is.<br />
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18 days left, and I'm trying to embrace them with hope and faith in the promises of God, instead of wishing them away.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-41143553889735188332015-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:002015-11-20T06:00:09.153-08:00Christmas Cards With Tiny Prints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAH-68Kwsw0BrvdEH8B8RLU71BE9_uv3bL7NfcKrQj8qHwvkgnlkbNXa16Gpqkwdux_DAMIJFwLFZOmGCAL-85gIARedsEsXf9xBYJd4T6awnzSj18YITYVERdeYQ_AK4Ciot8XOlR_Dw/s1600/tp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAH-68Kwsw0BrvdEH8B8RLU71BE9_uv3bL7NfcKrQj8qHwvkgnlkbNXa16Gpqkwdux_DAMIJFwLFZOmGCAL-85gIARedsEsXf9xBYJd4T6awnzSj18YITYVERdeYQ_AK4Ciot8XOlR_Dw/s1600/tp4.jpg" /></a></div>
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After Oona's diagnosis and surgery rocked our sense of normalcy, we have since found a new "normal" - it's a more exhausting, chaotic kind of schedule and we're all still adjusting. Because of this, I thought Christmas photos and cards would be impossible to pull off this holiday season.<br />
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We just so happened to luck out with the weather in October - 70F, sunny days for over a week straight in west Michigan at the end of fall is really rare! We rushed the kids to the beach on one of these nice evenings to grab some photos. It was all rushed and kind of chaotic, (hmm, kind of like life right now...) but I <i>really</i> love the pictures we got. I especially love how all the kids wore different shades of purple to match Oona's cast. These photos will always remind me of these crazy, grace-filled days with our kids.<br />
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I was thrilled when <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/">TinyPrints</a> reached out to me this fall to try some of their fabulous <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/holidays/cards-invitations.htm">personalized, holiday stationary options.</a> We ordered our <a href="http://life-is-sweetness.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-card-family-photos.html">cards from them last year</a>, and the quality is just fantastic. They seriously have so many beautiful designs and templates this year that trying to narrow down our choices was a real challenge!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0cM_tQf3lIkrOal_uOELB6rIdwiTwKmurTmnObJsDwIRUexIshzsF3HrwhC3JL5EWoLZNY1fX7cNW-vc2b46nZoH2dFPYhvwTECCAURFOHk_jMqK9CJUctQbcfasVajVoHrJNurncAg/s1600/tp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0cM_tQf3lIkrOal_uOELB6rIdwiTwKmurTmnObJsDwIRUexIshzsF3HrwhC3JL5EWoLZNY1fX7cNW-vc2b46nZoH2dFPYhvwTECCAURFOHk_jMqK9CJUctQbcfasVajVoHrJNurncAg/s1600/tp3.jpg" /></a></div>
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We ended up going with the <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/product/69197/holiday_greeting_die_cut_snowflake_card_cheerful_holly.html#color/02/pid/69197/paper/2">"Cheerful Holly" die cut snowflake card</a>, in Hazlenut. Look at that gorgeous floral print! *Swoon.* I love it in all three of the colors <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/">TinyPrints</a> offers it in! The best part is that it's the perfect ornament size, and is something family and friends can keep for years to come. (I hate throwing photo cards away every year, and love the idea of having the photos on an ornament!)<br />
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This year I also wanted to try out the matching envelope liners (an add-on when you purchase your cards,) and <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/product/65211/personalized_postage_stamps_richly_trimmed.html">personalized postage stamps.</a> These little details are such easy ways to make your Christmas cards look extra special! I think family and friends will get a kick out of seeing the small Freys on a postage stamp this year. ;-)<br />
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If you're in need of creative, high quality photo cards and accessories this year, I highly recommend checking out <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/">TinyPrints</a>! I can personally vouch for their fantastic customer service, unique designs, and fantastic, quality photo printing! (They're running some great holiday promotional deals right now too - hop on it!)<br />
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<i>* Thanks <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/">TinyPrints</a> for partnering on today's post! Opinions are my own.*</i></div>
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-84391989906641671532015-11-18T02:10:00.000-08:002015-11-18T02:10:02.733-08:00Water On Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had an incredibly powerful low pressure system roll in last week. It brought a ton of wind, rain, (and a headache for me! Am I the only person who gets storm headaches?) It was a couple of really dark, stormy days in Holland. I saw some pictures of the massive waves on Lake Michigan from friends on Facebook and decided to take a quick trip to the state park last Friday evening with Olive, to try to get some pictures myself.<br />
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We picked the perfect time to visit. We caught the most dramatic, amazing sunset I have ever seen since living here (or elsewhere, for that matter!) There was this incredible panorama of storm clouds leaving, and a fiery bright ribbon on the horizon over the lake where the sky was clearing, (it gave the illusion that the lake was on fire, it was that bright,) and in between the two were massive, low hanging orange, pink, red and violet clouds. The wind was incredibly strong still, (and cold!) and sand was pelting our skin. The waves were huge! I had never seen the water so high on the lake. Lake Michigan, man...it has such a personality. One day it can be as still and glossy as a sheet of glass, another day you might see 20 foot waves, and in the winter the whole landscape freezes over into an alien looking place. It's never boring, and it's always beautiful.<br />
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<i>Today we take Oona back to the children's hospital for her 6 week cast change! While it's awesome to have reached this half-way point in her Spica cast treatment, it's daunting to have another 6 weeks to go. Praying for an easy procedure and comfort for our Oonie today and the rest of this week as she adjusts to the new cast.</i>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-2176584283452584612015-11-16T09:12:00.001-08:002015-11-16T09:12:10.056-08:00Market At Virtue Cider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love helping my sister out with her shows, especially around the holiday season. There's a lot of energy and fun buzzing about all the makers as they set up their booths and show off their wares. This time the market was held at <a href="http://virtuecider.com/">Virtue Cider</a>, in Fennville, MI. It was a beautiful location, in a beautiful country setting (and the cider I sampled was amazing!)<br />
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I'm always button-poppin' proud of Grace and her ever improving, evolving style of ceramics. I love her feminine flair and pattern mixing. She has an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GracieGCeramics?ref=s2-header-shopname">Etsy store</a> now, if you want to check it out! (Her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/256477536/ceramic-mug?ref=shop_home_active_2">floral mugs</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/256473766/handbound-book?ref=shop_home_active_8">hand bound journals</a> would make excellent Christmas presents for that hard-to-shop-for person we all have in our lives!)<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-27077899614637068092015-11-07T15:20:00.000-08:002015-11-07T15:20:01.965-08:00A Much Needed Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the first time since Oona's surgery, we all got out of the house for an outdoor family adventure. It was such a wonderful Saturday that I had to share about it!<br />
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We made the very short drive over to the Outdoor Discovery Center right here in town, which we had never been to as a family before. What an amazing place! There is so much to see and do. There are several elk on the property, as well as a birds of prey area where you can see everything from a peregrine falcon and bald eagle to owls and kestrels. (All the birds on site were injured and are unable to survive in the wild anymore.) There are two awesome playgrounds and endless trails through beautiful ponds and wildlife. There's also an educational Native American site where you can explore life size teepees and wigwams! And the best part - it's free admission!<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-83426262108635154782015-11-01T09:00:00.000-08:002015-11-01T09:00:59.936-08:00Trick Or Treat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Halloween 2015! My documentation skills are getting more and more mediocre! By the time we got a picture of our family dressed up, Olive had ditched us to trick or treat with her friend, and we were soaked and freezing (it rained the whole time!) I'm glad we managed to get out, in spite of the circumstances. The best part of trick or treating is getting to say hello and laugh with friends and neighbors. This was our first time trick or treating in our own neighborhood, and it was a lot of fun!<br />
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We dressed up as Hoodwinked characters this year - Matt was the wolf, I was Granny Puckett, Olive was Red, Silas was Japeth the Goat and Oona was supposed to be Boingo the bunny, but she wasn't feeling the bunny ears last night.<br />
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So much candy! 90% of it should really go right in the trash, but our wills are so weak!<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-7673578885414278752015-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:002015-10-22T09:48:12.771-07:00Oona 2.0 (2 Weeks In.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again, after another long absence! Everyone's just fine, it's just been a long (still ongoing) adjustment and between exhaustion and numerous distractions I've become horrible about updating on any platform besides Instagram! (If you don't follow me already over there, my username is @jacquelinef - I'm a huge fan of Instagram and try to post at least once a day!)<br />
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I've been calling Oona "2.0" because in some ways she seems like a totally new kid now, though in the most important, intrinsic ways she's still our same old Oonie.<br />
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I've had several people ask me what's been the hardest part of this journey, and without a doubt the worst of it was the anxious waiting period before the surgery. Not knowing what to expect always makes me anticipate the worst, and then I become a nervous, emotional wreck. Olive was also a nervous wreck as we waited for the surgery, having occasional nightmares and emotional breakdowns as she worried about the impending surgery. By the time the surgery date arrived we were more than ready to just get it over with!<br />
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<i>Oona's last walk, going across the skybridge to Helen Devos Children's Hospital.</i></div>
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<i>Oona with her lucky mustache, playing before surgery.</i></div>
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Oona's surgery was at the Helen Devos Children's Hospital, in Grand Rapids. We were blown away with the quality care she received there. All the staff, from nurses to anesthesiologists were great with Oona and with explaining every step to Matt and I. They allowed our pastors (all three came!) to sit with us up until she was rolled into the operating room. They had the most fun play room right next to the operating room that Oona could play in while we waited.<br />
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The second worst part of this journey was kissing Oona goodbye as she went into surgery. I almost couldn't post this picture because it makes me cry whenever I look at it. I found out for the first time how indescribably awful it is to watch your baby rolled into a room for surgery, knowing you can't go too. I know I'm incredibly lucky and blessed to have had such healthy kids, and that there are <i>so many</i> brave parents who have to go through this numerous times. My heart breaks for them, as well as applauds them for the huge amount of courage it takes!<br />
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Compounding my feelings as I watched Oona roll into the O.R. was knowing that when she came out, she'd be in the Spica.<br />
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We were told to expect Oona to be in surgery between 3-4 hours. Her surgeon was expecting to have to make three separate incisions and scrape around the ball of her hip and the socket in order to get it back in the right place. He also prepared us for the possibility of having to shave off the top of her femur if re-setting her hip proved extra difficult.<br />
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So imagine our shock, when not fully 2 hours into her surgery her doctor came out to the waiting room where we were sitting to tell us that he had been able to easily set her hip with just one small incision to loosen the muscles and ligaments around her hip! He told us it was extremely rare to be able to set a walking toddler's dislocated hip so easily, and that in the last 18 years he's been practicing, he had seen only one other case like Oona's 18 years ago! It felt like a miracle to Matt and I. While Oona would still have to be in the Spica for 3 months, her recovery pain would be extremely minimal and the actual cast would not be quite as extreme as we had been prepared for.<br />
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When Oona came out of the anesthesia, she was freaked out and emotional, but as soon as we were able to hold her on our laps she calmed down and eventually was her same old self. Matt and I were a little overwhelmed with how awkward and <b>heavy</b> the Spica was (it added about 8-10 pounds to Oona,) and I did have a moment or two where I felt panicked <i>"how are we going to do this?!" </i>We just kept going back to what we had seen the Lord do for Oona through surgery, and trusted that He would work this out for His good in His time.<br />
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<i>Oona in her special, loaner car seat that allows her to ride in the car with her cast.</i> </div>
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<i>Waiting for XRays and CT scan.</i></div>
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The last two weeks with the Spica cast have had their ups and downs. I'll start with the positives:</div>
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-Diaper changing, which requires a very different method than normal diapering, (Google "Spica cast diaper changes" for more info,) has gone <i>way smoother</i> than I ever expected. We are lucky that Oona's cast is lined with plastic, which is easy to clean up whenever we have the occasional leak. We have been <b>vigilant</b> (meaning, slightly obsessive) with keeping her changed often and dry. After every change, we spend time blowing everything dry with a hair dryer. Yes, it looks ridiculous! But so far, no odor at all, and Oona has not had any sores or rashes, (thank You, Lord!) </div>
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-Sleep has mostly been better than expected! This was a huge answer to our prayers, as going into the surgery we were already sleep deprived (Oona would wake up at least twice a night) and we were expecting sleep to be worse with the Spica cast. Believe it or not, sleep has overall been a little better with the cast. We've had a few really horrible nights where Oona was having leg spasms, which is normal coming out of surgery with such a big cast, but most nights she sleeps comfortably from 8 to 6:30 with one short nap during the day. The trick here was getting the right pillows in the right positions to keep her cool and comfortable. The first week, we had her on a bean bag which could be molded around her head and hips in a way that she was very supported, but last week we moved her to a wedge pillow under her head and back with two regular pillows supporting her legs. This has kept her cooler and allowed her more room to shift around a bit during the night.</div>
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-Matt built Oona an amazing wooden rocking chair with a tray, that has changed our lives! The way Oona's cast is positioned she can not sit up straight in a regular chair, which meant she is either reclined on a bean bag or sat on our knees. Meals were a nightmare, as you can imagine, and Matt and I were sore from supporting her most of the time. The special chair allows her to sit up at her own table top, as well as rock! She spends most of her time in her chair. If you are reading this and have a child going into or already in a Spica cast, I highly recommend looking at <a href="http://www.ivyrosespicachairs.com/">Ivy Rose Spica chairs</a>. They are very similar to what Matt built for Oona, and will make this whole experience SO MUCH BETTER. Pinky promise!</div>
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-We were able to get Oona in her stroller, with the help and support of a couple of pillows, which has meant we can go out for walks! This cheers her up more than anything else. She loves being outside and when we figured out we could still go on family walks, I took a deep breath and sighed "alright - we can do this thing!"<br />
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-While I don't know for sure if this is attributed to the Spica cast treatment, we've noticed Oona's vocabulary has exploded in the last two weeks! She's speaking in simple sentences now, and communicates much more than she ever did before.<br />
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While the positives have been numerous and definitely outweigh the negatives, here have been our challenges:<br />
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-Boredom. Oona gets bored so easily. She's never cared a whole lot for TV (she has been paying more attention since getting into the cast, but not more than 20 minutes or so at a time.) She's received so many wonderful blocks and legos and small toys, but she gets tired of them quickly. That period of time between 4pm and 8pm is <i>awful</i> as she just wants to do the things she can't and the only consolation is having Matt or I carry her. Which leads me to...<br />
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-Time management. I feel like if my attention and time equals 100%, the kids are requiring 120% and I constantly feel like I'm failing one of them (or Matt.) Trying to get dinner on the table, homework done, and keeping Oona content is hopeless battle. There's a lot of evenings where I have to tell myself "ok, we're in survival mode right now, and it's not going to last forever, so pizza delivery isn't going to ruin the children!" ;-)<br />
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-Trying not to spoil Oona. I wouldn't care so much about this, except three months is a long time to be in a cast, and I want to keep our standards as normal as possible, for all of our sakes! It's harder on Matt and I than it is on her. Often this looks like walking away from her while she's throwing an epic tantrum. I feel sorry for her limitations, so it makes me feel like crap, but I know my feeling sorry for her is the worst thing for her. She doesn't need that! There's been so many hard lessons during this process! I'm choosing to be thankful for them.<br />
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-Physical exhaustion for Matt and I. I don't know why, but even though the kids are sleeping ok (knock on wood,) we always feel so tired. My body is sore from lifting and carrying Oona around (she weights close to 40 pounds right now,) and I can feel the strain in my back, chest and shoulders. Matt is exhausted mentally with work and heavy responsibilt<br />
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-Getting out of the house. Yes, we can take Oona out in the car and stroller, but she can't do normal things like sit in a cart at the food store. This means that either Matt or I stay home with her while the other does errands, unless it's the weekend and we can go together. I hate this, because I know Oona loves to get out, but I just can't manage her and the other kids out of the house by myself right now. We also really miss doing things like going to church on Sunday mornings, or the morning women's Bible study I usually attend, but I can't leave Oona in the nursery with her cast. It's another trial that requires me to keep focusing on the big picture - yes, this is a long time, but there is an end in sight. We can make it.<br />
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-Marriage. Ha, this one is uncomfortably personal, but Oona's surgery and treatment and all the changes have definitely given our relationship some challenges. Our fuses have been shorter than normal. We don't get any time alone. I am very guilty of feeling bitter at times that his life continues fairly normally with work and outside-the-house activities/responsibilities while I've had to give up pretty much everything to give Oona the round-the-clock care she needs. I hate that I fall into that, but I'm a sinful human who needs a lot of grace.<br />
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Sorry to anyone still reading for how lengthy this has become! I guess to sum everything up - it's been a bumpy road, but the Lord has used everything about this process to show us in incredibly personal ways how much He loves us. We are learning so much, and we feel humbled. Oona's going to be ok, and Matt, Olive, Silas and I will be too. I'm thankful that He chose for us to go through this as a family, because I can see His goodness through it all. Thanks for reading!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-9845081399541797442015-09-28T08:23:00.002-07:002015-09-28T08:23:29.424-07:00Well, That Changes Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went into the doctor's appointment without a bit of anxiety or foreboding. Sure, Oona had taken a lot longer than her siblings to learn to walk, and she still struggled a bit with keeping up with the kids due to a little limp, but she <i>was</i> walking - and running and jumping and all the other things 18 month old girls can do. Her pediatrician told us it might be a "hip issue" and referred us to an orthopedic doctor with Devos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids. I was born with hip dysplasia, which was easily corrected with 9 months in a harness, so I assumed if Oona had a hip issue, she also would be put in a harness or a brace, or perhaps since she was already so mobile she would just undergo physical therapy...<br />
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Therefore, when the doctor brought her x-rays in for us to look at and told us Oona would need immediate hip surgery, including a possible a femoral osteotomy, followed by three months in a full body cast, followed by up to a year in a restrictive brace, well...perhaps you can imagine how Matt and I felt. It was like someone had kicked the air out of us.<br />
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I walked around in shocked kind of stupor for a week. How were we going to do this? How was Oona going to get through this? My mind couldn't stop racing ahead, imagining prematurely the awfulness of what surely lies ahead - saying goodbye to my baby as she's rolled back to a 3 hour surgery with strangers, watching her wake up to the shock and horror of not being able to move, watching her deal with post-op pain and drugs, watching her come home and deal with the frustration of being bound to a heavy, fully encompassing cast, and worst of all - watching her grieve not being able to do what she loves best: running, climbing, dancing and jumping. Googling other people's stories about toddlers in Spica casts hasn't helped the dread very much - lots of stories of depressed babies, sleepless nights due to painful muscle spasms, and lots of horror stories about the difficulty of keeping the casts dry and clean due to difficulty of diaper changes with the cast.<br />
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I'll be honest - this whole thing, it's a nightmare, and we're still in a weird state of grieving while simultaneously trying to be positive. Three months is a long time, but it will come and go. There's comfort in knowing there's a definite start and end to the treatment, if that makes any sense. We can plan around it, and make adjustments for it. And we're so thankful that the dysplasia was caught NOW and not when she was older and at higher risk of needing more surgeries and intervention. I'm thankful that when Oona is ready for school, she'll be able to run and jump with her friends <i>without a limp</i>. I'm thankful that she's healthy and strong and feisty. I don't know <i>how</i> we're going to do the next three months<i> </i>but I know we <i>will </i>do it, and it will all work out for the best.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-18736757413881970272015-09-09T10:32:00.001-07:002015-09-09T10:32:43.920-07:00First Day of First Grade!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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May it be remembered, that Olive's first day of first grade was the nastiest, rainiest morning we've had in Holland in quite a while. We had to be at the school at 7:35am on the first day, and between us still being groggy and the rain pouring down, and the sky still being really dark, and the first day jitters we were both feeling - we didn't get any fancy, "first day back" photos. We did however get a quick snap of Olive next to her VERY OWN, SHINY NEW LOCKER. She's so proud.<br />
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Olive's class is in a brand new building this year, so that added to the first-day-chaos. While the coming and going was a little crazy, her first day as a first grader couldn't have gone better. She was beaming when I picked her up, and had nothing but glowing reviews of her classmates and teacher. We're excited about this new school year!<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-7520246787918511542015-08-31T09:28:00.000-07:002015-08-31T09:28:33.346-07:00Baby W.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend I was given a rather spur-of-the-moment opportunity to try my hand at newborn photography! (Yikes!) This was something totally new for me, and going into it I felt overwhelmed with pressure. Luckily the subject was the son of one of my closest girlfriends, and it ended up being a fun (sometimes hilarious) afternoon. Baby W. is such a handsome little sweetheart!<br />
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I was surprised how good it was <i>for me</i> to dust off my camera last weekend and remember my old love and fascination of it. Taking pictures for people I love is, I'm finding, one of my favorite ways of expressing love for them. I think I had forgotten that. I think I've also been forgetting how much I enjoy photography as a creative outlet. Taking pictures for others quickly demonstrates to me how <i>very</i> little I know, and how much more I'd <i>like</i> to know about my camera.<br />
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In a season where I have to choose very carefully what to invest time in (as time is in such limited supply,) these are good things for me to realize and think about.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-69735552008927254522015-08-31T09:13:00.000-07:002015-08-31T09:13:17.175-07:00In The Pottery Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been a horrible blogger lately. I don't even know how I feel about that! I've been thinking about the future of this space a lot recently, and still have more questions than answers, but that's for another post and another time...<br />
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That's just to say - I rarely pick up my "big" camera anymore. Instagram is my jam these days, and weeks go by without giving this space or my clunky camera a thought. I was kind of jarred out of this pattern last weekend when two opportunities popped up for me to dust off the old Nikon, and I'm excited to share a bit of those experiences with you here.<br />
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First up... My sister Grace is a potter. Over the last two years she's really made some huge strides towards her goal of supporting herself with her craft. I'm obviously extremely proud of her! She inspires me in more ways than I can count. She asked me to take some photos for her up and coming website/online store and I was happy to help.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-14409010233163308292015-07-29T12:06:00.000-07:002015-07-29T12:06:32.299-07:00Around These Parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The summer is zipping on by. It has felt mostly like a foggy blur, but when I take a moment to breathe and reflect, we've actually achieved a lot during this season.<br />
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Our proudest family achievement: Silas graduating to underwear. ;) I am so proud of him, and there may have been a few happy/relieved tears on my end. (I hate toilet training and always hit that point of: "oh no, this one will <i>never</i> get it" before the big breakthrough happens.)<br />
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We've managed a few picnics, and more than a couple of made-by-scratch cakes have been made. <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/02/09/lemon-blueberry-layer-cake/">This one</a> and <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1065388">this one</a> = MAJOR winners that you should try immediately.<br />
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Most of the time these three fight like cats and dogs. OCCASIONALLY, we get these brilliant moments of love, harmony and kumbayah. Like the morning last week when they put together their own "Sweet Shop" and sold $60 cupcakes to Matt. These are the moments I LIVE FOR.<br />
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We've had a lovely, welcome heat wave the last couple of weeks, which has meant lots of time playing in the yard with friends and water.<br />
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If I could have just one wish granted, it would be for more frequent date nights/mornings/afternoons with my husband. Dates have been few and far between, but I'm thankful for the evening we spent in Grand Rapids watching Josh Garrels at The Intersection, and for our almost-all-day jaunt to Detroit to pick up kitchen odds and ends at IKEA. Romance = holding hands, sipping hot coffees in a totally quiet minivan without anyone shrieking at us that they need to pee or "are we there YET?"<br />
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Michigan is so darn ugly in summer, you guys.<br />
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But seriously, I soak up every sunset I get to see - it never gets old. A favorite memory this summer was hiking Laketown Beach's dunes to watch a sunset with Grace. There's an exhilarating freedom in being able to drive to places like this on any given week night. We're spoiled rotten.<br />
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Freedom - I've felt more free this summer in several ways than I've ever felt in my adult life, and I'm grateful. I've done things that would have used to frighten me to even think about (like a paddleboarding class on Lake Macatawa, and barre classes at the gym!) For the first time as an adult, I've worn sleeveless shirts and dresses all season and didn't worry about what anyone else was thinking, (including my noisy inner critic.) I've put in countless miles with the kids walking all over town without ever feeling afraid. I've learned to love drinking my coffee black. I said "no" to things that I knew weren't going to be good for my family and I, and shoved the guilt out of my brain.<br />
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It hasn't been the easiest or most fun summer, but I think it's one that I will remember proudly.<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-68338066192898633702015-07-10T10:01:00.000-07:002015-07-10T10:01:59.123-07:00Olive Says...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Mom, don't you want to have another baby?"<br />
"Not really..."<br />
"But Mom, don't you miss pumping?!"<br />
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"Mom, were you born during the time of slavery?"<br />
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<i>Overheard fighting over a toy...</i><br />
"You give me that back or I'll see you HANGED!"<br />
(Thanks Disney's "Pocohontas" for that new phrase.)<br />
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"Dad, can we tell the manager that it's Mom's birthday tomorrow?"<br />
"What manager?"<br />
"You KNOW - the big bald manager at church!"<br />
(The fact that our 6 year old apparently doesn't know the word "pastor" reflects awesomely on Matt and I, we know we know...)<br />
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Speaking of birthdays, this was my most favorite gift this year...<br />
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"Do we have to put peckins in the frosting?"<br />"The what?!"<br />
"PECKINS!"<br />
(She meant <i>pecans.</i> We will forever call them "peckins" now in this household.)<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-79816056744027296852015-07-10T09:46:00.000-07:002015-07-10T09:46:13.446-07:00Go On, You'll Like It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Go jump in that water, Mom. Go on! You'll like it!"<br />
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"Go hop in that boat Dad. Go on, you'll like it!"<br />
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We caught the debut of a new side of Silas (that we're not sure we like) while visiting Grand Haven a couple of weeks ago. We don't know where or how he came up with it, but we could not stop laughing about it. I'm picturing him (cringingly) as the future smart-aleck teenage boy, taunting his friends to do stunts that they know they shouldn't. Oh, Silas.<br />
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Sometimes you just need to get out of town, even if you LOVE your neighborhood and city. We spontaneously ran up to Grand Haven one night recently for tacos and beach time, and it was good for all of us. It's <b>not</b> easy taking the kids out any where these days, but we find that we all feel refreshed afterwards when we make the effort. Grand Haven is such a great place to spend a summer evening. We need to make the drive up there more often.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-14801955396689332312015-06-19T13:37:00.000-07:002015-06-19T13:37:26.277-07:00Making // Sculpey Clay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I took a bunch of polymer clay with us on our NC trip to use with Olive, and once I started playing with it I couldn't stop. </div>
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I made a necklace, (seen above) inspired by <a href="http://cupofjo.com/2014/09/three-fall-outfits/">the one I spotted on "Cup of Jo" last fall</a>. I thought about glazing the beads, but I ended up liking the natural, matte finish. I'll be wearing it all summer.</div>
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Inspired by <a href="http://thesarahjohnson.com/2015/02/19/how-to-marble-coasters/">this tutorial</a> I had seen several times floating around Pinterest, I made coasters and a little ring dish for my dresser. As I was mixing the clay to make the marble patterns I started feeling discouraged that I was doing it wrong and that they'd look too silly to ever use, but once I painted the edges with some gold leafing paint and glazed them I couldn't believe how much I loved them! They're punchy and bright and just fun. I enjoyed making the ring dish too, but it took a lot more clay than the coasters. </div>
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Now I'm wracking my brain for more ideas of things to make with my leftover bits of clay. Any ideas? I'd love to hear them!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-59679324749054515602015-06-18T08:20:00.000-07:002015-06-18T08:20:41.400-07:00Chaos Before Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been noticing "chaos" is quickly becoming a prominent theme in our life and environment this year.<br />
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For instance, there's the chaos that is roadwork-season in Michigan. The whole city feels torn up this summer, with more road work than I've ever noticed going on at one time around here, and to make it worse there are multiple big construction projects going on in town that make their own mess and traffic congestion. It's easy to get frustrated and disgruntled by the mess and traffic, but I recognize that all the chaos is leading to a much improved city that I will doubtlessly enjoy and appreciate in the future.<br />
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Then there's the chaos in my mouth - (ha, awkward segue apologies!) I had the worst orthodontic adjustment this morning (a 30 minute appointment turned into a 2 hour appointment, and it was so uncomfortable that I'm dreading the next adjustment already!) I'm back to wearing the super-attractive rubber bands this month as well (sob) and the whole thing has left me feeling really discouraged, as I have at least 6 more months of braces left and it's been a year already of feeling really unattractive and awkward. YET - when I see how much better my teeth look already, I know the chaos is worth enduring, because the result will be so worth it...<br />
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...Which reminds me about the chaos in my house. The kitchen remodel, much as we suspected, is going to be a slow, messy, very inconvenient job. It is <i>such a mess</i>, and there's no escaping or hiding it! It is so tempting to get frustrated, ungrateful and irritable about the inconvenience and ugliness of our house right now - YET, I know the hard work and frustration will be more than worth it when eventually the project is done and we're enjoying a bright, fresh kitchen.<br />
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I've had all these things on my mind, and I can't help but see the similarities going on in my personal life right now. This season in our family is <i>so chaotic. </i>A 6 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old are so very needy, and need such very different things - all at the same time, too. Husbands and wives are needy too, and it's been increasingly hard to spend time together and cultivate fun and friendship with each other with so much going on all the time. Sometimes I get so frustrated and discouraged. I talk down to myself constantly, that I'm failing in the most precious, important areas of my life. Sometimes I feel like the chaos is too much and I want to just run away. How easy it is to lose perspective, and how naturally comes our inclination to "give up" when things get hard!<br />
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The other day Olive was asking me how squirrels see things (don't ask - she's going through a philosophical phase at the moment...) I tried to explain that squirrels see things very close to the ground because they're so small, and things look very differently from our taller perspective. Sometimes I feel I see things like a squirrel, and I wish I saw things more like Jesus. He sees the intricate workings and weavings of past, present and future. He sees the whole story, and I feel like I'll be stuck on the same page in the middle of the book forever.<br />
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My conclusions from all this pondering? It's really all worth it<i>,</i> this chaos, and I've got to keep reminding myself of that. The sacrifices being made now will pay off big time down the road, if we continue to endure the hard work at hand.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-65905321676242746922015-06-17T10:49:00.000-07:002015-06-17T10:49:19.985-07:00Boone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We just returned from a week in the NC mountains. We rented a cozy house that was just isolated enough to make us feel adventurous, (while still only being 15 minutes from the grocery store.) My parents and siblings drove in from Raleigh to spend some time with us. We hiked, we ate, we laughed in the hot tub, and we ate some more. Matt even squeezed in a little fly fishing and caught a trout! It was a great trip, and the time went by way too quickly. Some of my favorite snapshots of the week...</div>
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Let's do it again next year!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-13251909935830302022015-05-31T15:02:00.000-07:002015-05-31T17:52:47.353-07:00Simplify / Prioritize<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been feeling extremely convicted lately to slow down, simplify and prioritize what's truly important to me. I've talked a bit on here before about my struggles with postnatal depression and anxiety. While I'm doing way better now, it still rears its ugly head when things get stressful around here - and things get stressful often! I'll leave it at that. ;) I am searching in and out for ways to make my life less stressful and more joyful.<br />
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Minimalism, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433119888&sr=1-1">Kondo</a>-izing, simplicity - all are <i>so trendy</i> right now, but an aesthetic is not what I'm seeking. I'm looking for peace and health in my home and my habits that will transfer to my body and daily life if that makes any sense.<br />
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I started today by cutting down my blog reader to just the few that are important to me. I love blogs. LOVE. THEM. They are my escape, an outlet of communication in a world I feel isolated from when I'm stuck at home, and of course they are a huge source of inspiration. But it's all become too much noise lately. I get distracted easily. I become discontent <i>really easily</i>. Something has to change, because in spite of my love of the blogosphere, I think something there has been robbing my joy.<br />
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I have plans of limiting internet time to once a week, tightening our budget, and setting big goals in lots of areas of life - eventually. Today was a tiny step. I hope it's the beginning of a successful walk towards a healthier, more joyful life.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467730526929139986.post-61357829082356605942015-05-28T15:34:00.004-07:002015-05-28T15:34:50.714-07:00Scratchy Beard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's nothing more fun, apparently, than being attacked by Daddy's sharp-as-sandpaper 5 o'clock shadow...</div>
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Silas elbows in for his dose of pain with a side of beard burn...</div>
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Oh these guys...</div>
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I kind of like them a lot.</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0