tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84595510107106388082024-02-22T00:48:00.824-06:00#hajekblogA young mom's adventures in life, love and raising 2 little ones.Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-41570855366288995412014-06-28T15:48:00.002-05:002014-06-28T15:48:59.789-05:00How has it been a year?<div style="text-align: center;">
How has it been an entire YEAR since my last post???</div>
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I swear, every month or so I think to myself "I really need to write something." and every time, I forget! (I blame it on the loss of brain cells from two pregnancies.) ................Oh yeah, in the time that's passed since the last post, I found out I was pregnant, gave birth, and now have a 3 month old baby girl! Two under two...it's greeeeat.....most of the time ;)</div>
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So, let me formally introduce the blogworld to my sweet, little lucky charm, Holly Beth <3</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland Elizabeth Hajek - 03/17/2014 - 7lbs 4oz - 21"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Holland has been absolutely fantastic. It was a rough first couple of months with all the all nighters, but I'm happy to announce that for the last few weeks she's been sleeping sweet and sound all-night-long.</div>
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She's happy and healthy! We did have to make a visit to Driscoll Children's Hospital for an ultrasound of her hips, because there was a slight concern from her doctor, but I got the call yesterday that everything is completely normal and there is no longer a reason for concern.</div>
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Big Sister, Harper is loving having a real, live baby doll. She likes to help mommy and daddy by handing us bottles, trying to help put on her bib and bringing diapers and wipes....she likes to give her a paci too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy big sister!</td></tr>
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I'll have to admit, I was a little bit worried about Harper would take it. I've heard horror stories about jealous older siblings, but she really has been great. We work really hard to give them equal attention. Of course, with Holland being so tiny, sometimes she just requires more, but we try to involve Harper in what we're doing for/with Holland, or at least explain why we're having to do whatever it is that we're doing.</div>
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Speaking of explaining things to Harper, that kid understands SO much! I can give her detailed instructions, and she'll follow them to the T (<i>which is more than I can say about her daddy ;)</i>). She loves to gab away too, saying new words every day. I can't wait til I can carry on a real conversation with her!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVUYPkFLJJlpcm8k2547LRhuOj4Rjj-vcIn8Jna9hGwfjFoA-dtawUOVav12W3XNd_wJ7usjG1QLOivlIALfyb0lm34TEOhAvsKG9Gy8v_beflLa5V-ZIVUca1on7B-6kCDZhMJkq7hg/s1600/holland+nb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVUYPkFLJJlpcm8k2547LRhuOj4Rjj-vcIn8Jna9hGwfjFoA-dtawUOVav12W3XNd_wJ7usjG1QLOivlIALfyb0lm34TEOhAvsKG9Gy8v_beflLa5V-ZIVUca1on7B-6kCDZhMJkq7hg/s1600/holland+nb.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Holland's newborn photo session with Mommy!</td></tr>
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#hajekblog #harpergrace #hollandelizabeth #hollybeth</div>
Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-67876948142458236822014-06-28T15:25:00.002-05:002014-06-28T15:25:16.234-05:00Herbal Essences Naked VoxBox from Influenster<div style="text-align: center;">
This lucky gal was chosen to receive the Herbal Essences Naked VoxBox from Influenster!</div>
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My box included trial sizes of Shampoo & Conditioner, and a full size bottle of Dry Shampoo - all from <b><i>Herbal Essences</i></b>' new <b><i>Naked</i></b> line. <b><i>Naked</i></b> products are free of heavy residues, parabens and dyes. They also have a refreshing minty scent! </div>
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My box came in a few days ago, so I've had the opportunity to begin using the products. I've used the shampoo and conditioner once and the dry shampoo twice. Dry shampoo is definitely a must-have, it's a quick and easy way to get rid of that greasy look/feel, which is important when you live in South Texas where the humidity is always 100%!<i> (Seriously, how are we not having to SWIM everywhere?)</i></div>
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Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-86081912414622836962013-06-17T14:55:00.001-05:002013-06-17T15:22:44.335-05:00Update on Life/Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum/ Palmolive Soft TouchI have got to get better about keeping up with this thing! It looks like my last post was on our Anniversary, 03/27/2013, so let me try to remember what's happened since then.<br />
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I guess I'll start with the technical stuff. I joined Influenster a couple of months ago, which is a product testing site. So far I've received a $400 Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum to test, free of charge, as well as 2 full-size bottles of Palmolive Soft Touch. The Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum is a 16 week program which I began on 05/13/2013, so I started on my 5th week today. I'm supposed to post a blog about the experience every 4 weeks, but I missed the mark last week! So far I haven't really noticed any thickening, but I still have 11 weeks to go, so we shall see! As for the Palmolive Soft Touch I received, I'm a believer. I am a firm believer that washing dishes by hand gets them way cleaner, but I always hate how my hands feel afterward. My hands get dry and flakey, and my nails get soft and brittle. Since I began using Palmolive Soft Touch, I've noticed a HUGE difference. My hands feel soft and moisturized, and my nails feel like they're getting stronger. Once I run out of my full-size bottle, I'll definitely be buying more. Did I mention it smells great too?<br />
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Link back to the Fysiko website: <a href="http://bit.ly/YfBo6O" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/YfBo6O</a></li>
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Link back to the Fysiko review page: <a href="http://bit.ly/XHai4P" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/XHai4P</a></li>
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The other thing I've received from Influenster over the last couple of months is the Spring Fever VoxBox, that little treasure chest has be a-mazing. It included a pack of imPress Broadway Nails, Secret Gel Deodorant, Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Gel, a yummy, smore flavored, Tasty Kake, and an NYC New York Color Appleicious Lip Balm. Seriously, if you're not already enrolled in Influenster, what are you waiting for?<br />
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What else has happened? Harper cut her first tooth...and then her second just a couple of weeks later! Baby teeth are THE cutest thing ever!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously. How adorable are those little teeth?</td></tr>
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She also loves to stand up and has learned how to sit back down on her own, and she loves walking along the couch/tables/anything she can hold onto. She's a little daredevil and keeps trying to stand up without holding onto anything too...this usually result in her ending up on her butt!<br />
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We also celebrated Brad's grandpa's 80th birthday and the entire family was there!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, Harper was dressed for the occasion!</td></tr>
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I'll continue with Father's Day in the next post!<br />
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<br />Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-82252405623226974712013-03-27T15:29:00.002-05:002013-03-27T15:41:42.409-05:00I stand for love.The issue of marriage equality cuts me to the core. I personally believe that everyone is equal, and everyone has the right to marry who they love. As far as I'm concerned, <b>MY</b> Jesus loves everyone, <b>MY</b> God beautifully crafted every single one of us, and, as we approach this Easter weekend, the most important point of all is that<b> OUR</b> Jesus died <b>for everyone</b>.<br />
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For every single one of us.<br />
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There were no stipulations.<br />
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There were no strings.<br />
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God's mercy and grace is nondiscriminatory.<br />
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That being said, if you don't agree with me, I don't love you any less. We are all entitled to our own opinions and I think things would go further if people would just have civil conversations. You can still be friends and not agree. Some of those dearest to me are wholeheartedly opposed to marriage equality. I still love them. I still respect them. <br />
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What makes me crazy is seeing how fellow Christians approach the issue. The way I've seen many Christians act about this goes against everything we have been taught. I grew up in a private Christian school. I've been a Baptist for as long as I can remember. The strongest message I have always been taught is that "God is Love". My Bible says "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2) So, why do we do it? When were we bestowed the divine right to pass judgement on others? I must have fallen asleep during that sermon.<br />
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Jesus says in John 13:34 "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." How has he loved us? Unconditionally. He goes on in Verse 35 to say "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." When all you do is tell someone everything you think they're doing wrong, is that showing them Christ's love?<br />
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There are so many people in my life, who I love so dearly, that are gay. Having literally grown up around some of them, I am a firm believer that homosexuality is not "a choice". Luckily, most of these people in my life embrace who they are and are open about it, but others are resentful and hate that it is something they can't "overcome". It is the latter that have solidified my opinion on whether it is a choice, or not. It is also the latter that break my heart. It hurts me that our society has made it so difficult for people to be comfortable in their own skin. Whether it's due to their sexuality, what they look like, or how much money they make. We, as a whole, have become this judgmental monster...we actively seek opportunities to judge people. I, too, am guilty of this.<br />
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I see a lot of Christians use the argument that gays have chosen a sinful lifestyle. We ALL choose sinful lifestyles every single day. My Bible says that sin is sin and no sin is greater than another. Heck, 1 John 3:15 says that if you hate someone, you are a murderer. You know that really pretty girl that you just hate, because you wish you looked like her? Yeah, you basically murdered her....oh, and it was because you're envious of her? Mark that as another "Deadly Sin" you just committed. Even if being gay were a choice, who are we, as Christians, to decide what they are and are not allowed to do? I cannot tell you how many times I have heard "[He/She] is gay and still goes to church! Can you believe that? Why bother, right? They're going to hell anyway, lol" Seriously? Are we just turning people away over their sin now? Is it now up to us to determine who is makes it in? Guess I slept through that sermon too. I chose to over-eat today, that's Gluttony, another "Deadly Sin"...I guess I'll just stop going to church now. There goes my daughter's chance at Private School! And why is the thought of someone going to hell something to be laughed over?<br />
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Yes, the Bible does clearly state that homosexuality is a sin, along with those other silly sins I've been mentioning, but it does not clearly state that you cannot get married because you're a sinner.<br />
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Sin is sin.<br />
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"...I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners." - Mark 2:17<br />
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He came for the Sinners.<br />
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We are all Sinners.<br />
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Moral of the Story: At the end of the day, I stand for love. This country was built on the basis of freedom of religion. I believe that within that falls freedom of love and the right to marry whomever you choose.Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-16428654745520159622013-02-20T15:38:00.000-06:002013-02-20T15:38:15.974-06:005 Months The most common baby advice I've always heard is "Enjoy every moment,
because they'll have their own family before you know it."....girl, is it
true.<br />
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Harper is 5 months old today. Can you believe it? It literally feels like just yesterday I was looking into her sweet little eyes for the very first time. Today she hardly even resembles the baby I saw that day. Everything about her has changed so much; growing more and more beautiful, more and more intelligent, every single day.<br />
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Her hair is much lighter now than it was then; her eyes are a different color. Every inch of her has so much character, she actually looks like a mini toddler. She still has a tiny little body, but her arms and legs go on for miles.<br />
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The most exciting thing about her (so far) is her giant personality. She likes to get a taste of anything she can get those hands on. She'll jabber on for hours, if you let her. Her laugh is infectious. Almost anytime you look at her, she's guaranteed to have a big, toothless smile on her face.<br />
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She's starting to snuggle with her toys and she can almost sit up on her own. She loves to sleep on her side, in the most awkward, uncomfortable-looking position ever. She tries to crawl, but doesn't quite have the coordination down just yet. She thinks our dogs are hilarious and she loves her morning cartoons.<br />
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I'd be lying if I told you I don't have emotional breakdowns on a daily basis. Sometimes when she cries, I cry. Not because I'm frustrated, but because her cry sounds so different than it did those first couple of months...I miss it. Sometimes I'll just be sitting there staring at her and start crying, because I don't know what I could have possibly done to deserve her. Sometimes I miss hearing her in-womb, so I'll listen to the clip I recorded at the hospital, just before I had her...and I cry. Sometimes I cry, because I'm worried it's all just a dream and I'm going to wake up and she won't be there. Heck, I still can't read her all of I'll Love You Forever, because I cry so much I can never get through the last few pages.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, the breakdowns aren't always sentimental: Just the other day, she had such a big "blowout" diaper that the only thing I could do was cry, because I didn't even know where to start...it was everywhere. Actually, this is almost always what the non-sentimental breakdowns are over. lol<br />
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So here's to our sweet little muchkin, who we can't imagine life without. Stop growing up so fast, please.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."</td></tr>
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-Until next time.<br />
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<br />Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-81529312880523266102013-02-05T18:50:00.000-06:002013-02-20T15:04:33.180-06:00How time flies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I cannot believe that the last blog I wrote was before my child was born...she will be 5 months old in just 2 short weeks. Wow.<br />
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I suppose there's a lot to catch up on, this will be mostly pictures.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>September 2012</u></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7KOUwBvYQCvs6h7QsQT88BeMdgGHmMJaMZp-PYAWjECyzfFlW1Q1qxtMRe2X92v7GzcON1a1cJIuxWAr8ZePKrdqqls9mUi2okeAnHAe10SHH7oAfXuY_ZoGaE4FaEjbvWuv6nt6AQo/s1600/020513110628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7KOUwBvYQCvs6h7QsQT88BeMdgGHmMJaMZp-PYAWjECyzfFlW1Q1qxtMRe2X92v7GzcON1a1cJIuxWAr8ZePKrdqqls9mUi2okeAnHAe10SHH7oAfXuY_ZoGaE4FaEjbvWuv6nt6AQo/s400/020513110628.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper's very first picture...goo and all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9Fp0LbxK7oOCrPQXC8q_h6_khU-quKuqEIQdSzzPT5-NqB2rIUQWIYaB2GVPkucrcGw58UizXOCx7mRrKSsFj9s2RMCNiIoh8-hpRPJQf3IJX506okDQVsvYhuHH3sL1zFsLwYUiSq0/s1600/IMG_20120920_114227_KPT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9Fp0LbxK7oOCrPQXC8q_h6_khU-quKuqEIQdSzzPT5-NqB2rIUQWIYaB2GVPkucrcGw58UizXOCx7mRrKSsFj9s2RMCNiIoh8-hpRPJQf3IJX506okDQVsvYhuHH3sL1zFsLwYUiSq0/s400/IMG_20120920_114227_KPT.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time holding that little munchkin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFM4QYDHBotY3CnEpRJV3U3g0O2SboEqw2yw-XNeXK67LErcHQzeNc77rBBQT0DkxPG8rGcmKxNuSjIvP6xdHY4Tii-dVU2iUecowW4ZuprwTJ_r9XpN7UMtca0Y2DBrWKDbyh5tBNoE/s1600/092012160808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFM4QYDHBotY3CnEpRJV3U3g0O2SboEqw2yw-XNeXK67LErcHQzeNc77rBBQT0DkxPG8rGcmKxNuSjIvP6xdHY4Tii-dVU2iUecowW4ZuprwTJ_r9XpN7UMtca0Y2DBrWKDbyh5tBNoE/s400/092012160808.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She instantly had Daddy wrapped around her tiny little finger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Approximately 1 week later, her newborn photos were taken by Rachel Scott.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Check her out, she's really awesome: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RSphotog" target="_blank">Scott Photography</a>)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpp0-cOFMGVERkvj4xC3ZFWljluE-f2K3ewCDXBe357JZLtcm9G_0qr1bU2n5lE8S7vVeB3i5TbBVxVfH3Mg_wUiVXIYe-rqkqmSfe2Z8N_2L7KkU51aeETMSPaWN81aqKo0umUhPCQM/s1600/IMG_1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpp0-cOFMGVERkvj4xC3ZFWljluE-f2K3ewCDXBe357JZLtcm9G_0qr1bU2n5lE8S7vVeB3i5TbBVxVfH3Mg_wUiVXIYe-rqkqmSfe2Z8N_2L7KkU51aeETMSPaWN81aqKo0umUhPCQM/s400/IMG_1019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was such a little trooper. P.S. I made that banner ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ5Jj4VeZ8ygjE9Kd8IalOkw9YAQb44fTZscM7ikZK90j636AYAFo5b770OimSYUSPHQiOoO0tgNlgsN3rT8EJuzATiTTlFJL-uzUl0qcJYH91n9aLUO2GbyASFr61a7dHoHvw3v0mpg/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ5Jj4VeZ8ygjE9Kd8IalOkw9YAQb44fTZscM7ikZK90j636AYAFo5b770OimSYUSPHQiOoO0tgNlgsN3rT8EJuzATiTTlFJL-uzUl0qcJYH91n9aLUO2GbyASFr61a7dHoHvw3v0mpg/s400/IMG_1094.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny little toes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-size: 13px;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">October 2012</span></u></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKGxLIP1SlkKrY7rkiU82tYWVn3WM58nR2A2T5x9ObBmrHI591-AaNUnfjXRsjZg7v2IBxMiyzsQ8LwRtMuwvV7fE9s-D2X_JyLD7G_6r48ef2l6TVVOu-j0mVkSfX5kPVpf6v2J4GRU/s1600/44559_361932580563238_1909711126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKGxLIP1SlkKrY7rkiU82tYWVn3WM58nR2A2T5x9ObBmrHI591-AaNUnfjXRsjZg7v2IBxMiyzsQ8LwRtMuwvV7fE9s-D2X_JyLD7G_6r48ef2l6TVVOu-j0mVkSfX5kPVpf6v2J4GRU/s400/44559_361932580563238_1909711126_n.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2012 Pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8KGFiZ1DBkXu_-94NSmd7-eD5edfa9AWhHjfpAfGWRdzk02dIRSe8VadWhxC6V-6ZjjyycO9ONsZrtc9j_qyl2pd1f1BK722izikvmO9z4MICrpY0dsk8iS47RSv2Zdxu-s2HfE33U4/s1600/396230_361905663899263_2023073037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8KGFiZ1DBkXu_-94NSmd7-eD5edfa9AWhHjfpAfGWRdzk02dIRSe8VadWhxC6V-6ZjjyycO9ONsZrtc9j_qyl2pd1f1BK722izikvmO9z4MICrpY0dsk8iS47RSv2Zdxu-s2HfE33U4/s400/396230_361905663899263_2023073037_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little Minnie Mouse! She was a big hit trick-or-treating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>November 2012</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
November was very exciting, particularly for me. Not only was it the end to Election season chaos, but I also cooked Harper's first Thanksgiving meal. Of course, she couldn't eat any, but still.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOojqZsKaLxjQxcZAoipnQket9tU1eFS_nfEa_Mkq8NlHpBUKV_ihmwhr5m5T-MFRYCpKLWqaj8s8Uxy3ikKvSDksBd2jTMmYTiuxNirr0632KnfPymnH4PKw1GEmPTX7LZrZdk1Cc-I/s1600/cbfbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOojqZsKaLxjQxcZAoipnQket9tU1eFS_nfEa_Mkq8NlHpBUKV_ihmwhr5m5T-MFRYCpKLWqaj8s8Uxy3ikKvSDksBd2jTMmYTiuxNirr0632KnfPymnH4PKw1GEmPTX7LZrZdk1Cc-I/s400/cbfbaby.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper's kiss from the Congressman after the big win on Election night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECw0tbMQvcxBs2ybKA7AUN-qiM-RzAphX8VNYFGMwG6Jo5-hY0J8TOPYMy26Ur8F2i8ejYLh6CFKdMfuEVxMGTsnkDeovp2EAf2CGn8r99zmGpz6p8Dqu9B22o1gu2XDkIGg7FclFGQ8/s1600/IMG_3750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECw0tbMQvcxBs2ybKA7AUN-qiM-RzAphX8VNYFGMwG6Jo5-hY0J8TOPYMy26Ur8F2i8ejYLh6CFKdMfuEVxMGTsnkDeovp2EAf2CGn8r99zmGpz6p8Dqu9B22o1gu2XDkIGg7FclFGQ8/s400/IMG_3750.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish this outfit could fit her forever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOGbjb_IHAcvu-pDOrPsVRu26sUSwJhqKMgVuxI20eT1CxJgEoFcAJf82UnDQWqGXiCgewW3HO2neaJTq9GiaxohhlAfvFI6tduhWnqfwdAvtVzSViRb0UHrYkftSAkxbYD9pQPs0Eko/s1600/63880_370045003085329_639949635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOGbjb_IHAcvu-pDOrPsVRu26sUSwJhqKMgVuxI20eT1CxJgEoFcAJf82UnDQWqGXiCgewW3HO2neaJTq9GiaxohhlAfvFI6tduhWnqfwdAvtVzSViRb0UHrYkftSAkxbYD9pQPs0Eko/s400/63880_370045003085329_639949635_n.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet little Turkey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, now to boast over my amazing Thanksgiving decorating and cooking....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf99O5PLFwKNdWlvqpiOzIqyAVplCx_lgSkAV_sOOi_OLzOgT0_ZUmb3bQsKzB_wwVO4as08x-jn91dHBCWja8Ylbz67oXN6e_aGabvEDOyAfT7p5N0AlotLrp2HP1554XkM_6wA0JHg/s1600/522306_369786766444486_696208303_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf99O5PLFwKNdWlvqpiOzIqyAVplCx_lgSkAV_sOOi_OLzOgT0_ZUmb3bQsKzB_wwVO4as08x-jn91dHBCWja8Ylbz67oXN6e_aGabvEDOyAfT7p5N0AlotLrp2HP1554XkM_6wA0JHg/s400/522306_369786766444486_696208303_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Thanksgiving without Duck Dynasty on in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBc3vrTGGAAZqM3J6tsO1IbBU7sMNAzsL0JIzchMzdEN1ojB8qOO02uw2qlZG9hdk45ZNqsK7EIugNh5fQKhM_LJ9NMLmFplLZ4vxjV_U_MfVhaXB7J6GiROi7Jl3tgFrQ1whjhIFsuw/s1600/27906_369816779774818_857396349_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBc3vrTGGAAZqM3J6tsO1IbBU7sMNAzsL0JIzchMzdEN1ojB8qOO02uw2qlZG9hdk45ZNqsK7EIugNh5fQKhM_LJ9NMLmFplLZ4vxjV_U_MfVhaXB7J6GiROi7Jl3tgFrQ1whjhIFsuw/s400/27906_369816779774818_857396349_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxt434RSt0bqr_xFzNTp5puXX5nO2kFH24Uy996UTFfUn87TbNGbngvvLPcRTyQOOd_vcaSjl_xvxAgxEemCXBXp5dBEVXZXHT8iahxATN3chIjK8SGMwFXb65Ahzd9RQvhZUw1_Frkj4/s1600/112212195524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxt434RSt0bqr_xFzNTp5puXX5nO2kFH24Uy996UTFfUn87TbNGbngvvLPcRTyQOOd_vcaSjl_xvxAgxEemCXBXp5dBEVXZXHT8iahxATN3chIjK8SGMwFXb65Ahzd9RQvhZUw1_Frkj4/s400/112212195524.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp8Kt8J7qDLAd2HDqX-JaRyW3QcX3BEqpK-LcZFcmZMeX5T4MSZWWQw7HzkFIRb7i6l87E2lKaxqbktdUk34gbUTAxtxnS1Srb_3N-OdlS_afgtl7golZPb8bxtPK9cEaU1tCL-W-g5U/s1600/112212195925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp8Kt8J7qDLAd2HDqX-JaRyW3QcX3BEqpK-LcZFcmZMeX5T4MSZWWQw7HzkFIRb7i6l87E2lKaxqbktdUk34gbUTAxtxnS1Srb_3N-OdlS_afgtl7golZPb8bxtPK9cEaU1tCL-W-g5U/s400/112212195925.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a wholllle lotta' leftovers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFFrw7-QMJzrXLAMkfHZyquf9_zl8g0hViCCFx7rErtfCuMrfqu3Oxj8KQRbro8dcMnw9eD96nD6YhsrotWjDc7NT0GBIVMNzUggUofIc1cB2XJFLQJjJqoF4YPyC_TyhMiqkiye72w8/s1600/263724_369816459774850_1154233066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFFrw7-QMJzrXLAMkfHZyquf9_zl8g0hViCCFx7rErtfCuMrfqu3Oxj8KQRbro8dcMnw9eD96nD6YhsrotWjDc7NT0GBIVMNzUggUofIc1cB2XJFLQJjJqoF4YPyC_TyhMiqkiye72w8/s400/263724_369816459774850_1154233066_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to the fireplace mantle, this is my favorite thing to decorate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>December 2012</u></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQO6DqUEC1Lsjcy0tCl0_i_ckf10BVvEU-syxTwhnVk0vQfrS_0Bh_2BgMW_dc84_faySj0GDwqLdNXybDtUIjLScVz0jjhBiYE4ZzCVfKp2wGw2MB-jUR8XhI4GucGUjTbzRz8-GWQ8/s1600/556896_375439545879208_144227230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQO6DqUEC1Lsjcy0tCl0_i_ckf10BVvEU-syxTwhnVk0vQfrS_0Bh_2BgMW_dc84_faySj0GDwqLdNXybDtUIjLScVz0jjhBiYE4ZzCVfKp2wGw2MB-jUR8XhI4GucGUjTbzRz8-GWQ8/s400/556896_375439545879208_144227230_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas decorations may or may not have gone up Thanksgiving night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAypOkyCU71rNA1FxScBFAo5zBNJVru7ZQU0pbqmLBwhVJX7LBs-Y1TJfztmSEQvcHRx9nWgvR47FbGkZiSF1ar4IuTV7ifcHSGZJDvLqj_DzLJ7WDqai3WxVAPWTrVG-dTQa5ug7zjI/s1600/73270_375671132522716_927725907_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAypOkyCU71rNA1FxScBFAo5zBNJVru7ZQU0pbqmLBwhVJX7LBs-Y1TJfztmSEQvcHRx9nWgvR47FbGkZiSF1ar4IuTV7ifcHSGZJDvLqj_DzLJ7WDqai3WxVAPWTrVG-dTQa5ug7zjI/s400/73270_375671132522716_927725907_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper's Elf on the Shelf - Ellie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FTbn9r2LhfUgGkODUcK3rKI5UUrWfqFaDfBJr5dBjuxm321x0y8UsP6Gm_bB25rWS_DHGIBsG5CIGLkma2XC8_sVQBNc5sntCwdlgjlse1e3M0h1J0BcLz6XHzChIhVhF9w-CTlgWo0/s1600/230225_382308061859023_314718178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FTbn9r2LhfUgGkODUcK3rKI5UUrWfqFaDfBJr5dBjuxm321x0y8UsP6Gm_bB25rWS_DHGIBsG5CIGLkma2XC8_sVQBNc5sntCwdlgjlse1e3M0h1J0BcLz6XHzChIhVhF9w-CTlgWo0/s400/230225_382308061859023_314718178_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her first picture with Santa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnA4Q6dPN9IRazDbQ1hSMZrbK9CDv_h3SkVcZ0jRd4_OUPSU0EMOKzvOh4wfeM1_7BLKkeRHukMCJdcXUBr2N5VKkR3pZs0iAhb-Qh0DHAU-1oo0cSjM92A7OLTCjm8_zYlXJQ7LCrMc/s1600/261461_3482157831429_2103850335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnA4Q6dPN9IRazDbQ1hSMZrbK9CDv_h3SkVcZ0jRd4_OUPSU0EMOKzvOh4wfeM1_7BLKkeRHukMCJdcXUBr2N5VKkR3pZs0iAhb-Qh0DHAU-1oo0cSjM92A7OLTCjm8_zYlXJQ7LCrMc/s400/261461_3482157831429_2103850335_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That face...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsZZ1VA5-LT3MKXOvIX61UT6_83DP-yvPcsoPpdowgF7fxO4WezPbP0Ey1H1dEZ0Zxw6UdTQpyvGDDu1pRJ0-dERcubTlxJwrJ26M3rc-VA-cL1fP_Slkbzpos0-vHkoqENKHtz5KR1M/s1600/735038_388883657868130_1614571221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsZZ1VA5-LT3MKXOvIX61UT6_83DP-yvPcsoPpdowgF7fxO4WezPbP0Ey1H1dEZ0Zxw6UdTQpyvGDDu1pRJ0-dERcubTlxJwrJ26M3rc-VA-cL1fP_Slkbzpos0-vHkoqENKHtz5KR1M/s400/735038_388883657868130_1614571221_n.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little gingerbread girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoAoBRMiYqsIGZzFV2066n8Zn5hepxqGDyxNsn1F0-ZfG06jsdFVFKyYrbRC1HNcQA9jcd_PSwybZY3uEVaJhrcYUQK3NBzwLUA5oTNrUmyD6QuUO7O_Roz3xGPxCaGRfYlGBmpg3kYc/s1600/15930_10200316825782535_1354311643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoAoBRMiYqsIGZzFV2066n8Zn5hepxqGDyxNsn1F0-ZfG06jsdFVFKyYrbRC1HNcQA9jcd_PSwybZY3uEVaJhrcYUQK3NBzwLUA5oTNrUmyD6QuUO7O_Roz3xGPxCaGRfYlGBmpg3kYc/s400/15930_10200316825782535_1354311643_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite present :)</td></tr>
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Harper's custom onesies made by: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/overthemoonbabyboutique?fref=ts" target="_blank">Over The Moon Baby Boutique</a></div>
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Harper's custom bows made by: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amys.bowtique.1?fref=ts" target="_blank">Amy's Bowtique</a></div>
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Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-91674485498033115192012-09-14T21:32:00.000-05:002012-09-14T21:32:40.032-05:00The Gift of Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PAmZ9Rvu-EB7U3l5f11y4DZ4Vb003wIH5jbLU8CeVs1iKxXJKP-BdfzLMy0zrxcl0xuQOhB_iCdHTfgcLadzQTp4tbsy2nAGU1fwYmqIZC0rkxTtZpsrUpkRK1T34ynZFG43oKq6NZI/s1600/152066924887779627_qJFpmqYr_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PAmZ9Rvu-EB7U3l5f11y4DZ4Vb003wIH5jbLU8CeVs1iKxXJKP-BdfzLMy0zrxcl0xuQOhB_iCdHTfgcLadzQTp4tbsy2nAGU1fwYmqIZC0rkxTtZpsrUpkRK1T34ynZFG43oKq6NZI/s400/152066924887779627_qJFpmqYr_c.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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The last couple of weeks have been a little crazy. Last week, I was out of work most of the week, because I was having quite a bit of contractions and for 2 days I had a horrible migraine...which warranted an extra trip to the doctor. Last Thursday the doctor had me go in for my migraine, because she wanted to make sure I wasn't having any blood pressure issues. Everything was a-okay. I went back the next day for my normal visit and she said I was dilated to a 1, with no effacement.<br />
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Sunday night I started having really horrible, close contractions, but they fizzled after about 2 hours. Monday I was still having them fairly regularly, but also had a couple of other symptoms that were worrying me, so I called the doctor and she advised that I go ahead and check-in to Labor & Delivery at the hospital. They checked me out (Still dilated at a 1, but had moved up to 50% effacement) and after about 3 1/2 hours, they sent us home with a bedrest order. Boo.<br />
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Today I had another regular appointment, still dilated at a 1, but now effaced at 70%...so at least something seems to be progressing! The doctor also said that my belly was measuring a bit larger than last week, with no weight gain. So, she sent me next door for a sonogram to see how big the baby was. Dear God, I was hoping she was too big so we could schedule an induction! No such luck. She's perfectly normal, with a weight of 6lbs 6oz...which is actually a tiny bit under the average weight for 38 weeks, but only by a couple of ounces. I guess it's just the way she's positioned that's making my belly look bigger. Poor thing doesn't have anymore room in there! I'm just happy that it looks like she's going to be a fairly small baby....she'll fit in all those tiny cute clothes longer!<br />
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In the abundance of alone time I've had lately, I've had a lot of time to think about all of those last little things that need to be taken care of. Mostly the practical stuff, like putting the final touches on Harper's room, doing some last minute shopping for things we may need, making sure all of our bills are paid in advance (Lord knows Brad does would not even know where to start!) and making sure everything around the house is caught up. I've literally washed every piece of laundry in this house....even the things that were already clean. I'm in a laundry craze right now. Brad has been such a huge help too, I wash/dry/fold/hang, he runs it all up and down the stairs! It's a good deal :) I've also had LOTS of time to get familiar with Lifetime Movie Network! I can't decide which day is my favorite: Pick-A-Flick Monday, Tainted Love Tuesday, Women Who Kill Wednesday, True Movie Thursday or New Movie Friday. I'm watching a movie called Cyberstalker right now!<br />
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Aside from the household tasks and all of the Lifetime movies, I did have time to think about some important things also. Mostly about how blessed I've been and how I do not have one complaint about my entire life, but thinking about all of that made me realize how much larger Harper's abundance of blessings is going to be. I've lived my life as an only child to a single mother who's worked harder than I'd think humanly possible to always make sure I had everything I needed and wanted. Sometimes she gets a little down on herself for me growing up without a father, but I can honestly say that never once in my adolescence did the thought even cross my mind and now, in my adult life, it's still not really a thought in my mind. I just always knew that I had a mother who cared for me and knew that was all I needed.<br />
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Not only am I an only child to a single parent, but I'm also an only niece to my Aunt and I'm, well, was, an only grandchild to my only grandparent. Obviously, the whole no father thing also meant I never knew my paternal grandparents...I honestly don't even know if they were alive at any point during my lifetime. As for my maternal grandparents, my grandfather passed away on January 13, 1986...exactly 1 year and 1 day before I was born (January 14, 1987), but through my large extended family of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on, cousins and great-aunts and uncles (another blessing I'm grateful for) I've had the pleasure of hearing numerous stories about what an amazing man he was and it makes me feel like I do know him. Luckily, I did have the opportunity to grow up knowing an amazing grandmother. Unfortunately, we lost her when I was a freshman in high school, but I am so thankful for the years I had with her. Although, I must admit, losing her at such an awkward stage in my life wasn't the easiest thing I've been through.<br />
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Now, I didn't say all of that to make you sad, but to put emphasis on why, exactly, all of those little details make me so much more excited for Harper to be here. My point is, if I turned out good (I like to think I did!) even with having so few close-family members in my life, I can't even fathom how awesome Harper's little world is going to be! She's going to be born to a mommy who has been praying for her since she, herself, first started dreaming of growing up and getting married, and a daddy who she doesn't even know is already wrapped around her little finger and we hope to, God-willing, give her siblings to grow up with. She'll also have THREE amazing grandmas to love on her, one really amazing grandpa, and she's even going to be able to know her great-grandparents! She's also going to have FIVE aunts who are all dying for her to make her appearance and 2, soon-to-be 3, uncles, who I'm sure will help spoil her. She already has a few cousins waiting on her, and hopefully in the next few years she'll have a few more!<br />
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I will admit, it does get a little exhausting having so many people to keep updated every time we have additional news on the pregnancy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm just so thankful to have an amazing family by blood, by law and by the grace of God <3Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-28465501096925702462012-08-19T22:05:00.000-05:002012-08-19T22:05:26.126-05:00An Overdue Update<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I just realized it's been a little over a month since my last post! Unacceptable, I know. I don't even know where to begin with the whirlwind that has been the past month. I guess I'll do my best to keep things in chronological order.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7/21/2012:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had my first Baby Shower and it was absolutely fabulous! It was hosted by 2 of my great friends, Brady & Cassie...along with 2 surprise co-hostesses, the lovely Michelle and Cassie's momma! I'm so happy with the turnout. I was able to see a few friends I haven't seen in years, along with a good sized group of my amazing family! Here are a few pics :)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNJURIutZ_nQ3ziOAjHBwgdQCDQ2PWTVizDLchfoO5AeGIpyywLQeOR4A7tz48X8WUU6njMroLNGRFiQBLa3pe9_RTHPwUDBVtVLG7vmxIDrn_mr17vNcrbaRgOBxzxZWh4AqAiR5_XE/s1600/072112145848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNJURIutZ_nQ3ziOAjHBwgdQCDQ2PWTVizDLchfoO5AeGIpyywLQeOR4A7tz48X8WUU6njMroLNGRFiQBLa3pe9_RTHPwUDBVtVLG7vmxIDrn_mr17vNcrbaRgOBxzxZWh4AqAiR5_XE/s320/072112145848.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pretty corsage that Brady made.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArwdi17Sml4mqCC1VW_jTMGJeFpcihqt-Tmv7vMxRuYfXQhyol1VocuuQU70iOiTl_atjm-5DCWQG3ISqjt4GGXlz8Ip7Fn40xVO9OF-J8Nlr7lCxa4RGK654Jx2fR4f0qlDjb_tKheE/s1600/072112150213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArwdi17Sml4mqCC1VW_jTMGJeFpcihqt-Tmv7vMxRuYfXQhyol1VocuuQU70iOiTl_atjm-5DCWQG3ISqjt4GGXlz8Ip7Fn40xVO9OF-J8Nlr7lCxa4RGK654Jx2fR4f0qlDjb_tKheE/s320/072112150213.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassie made this cute onesie/washcloth/etc. castle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G__HLMqD-2YsH0bHn8yFfcQYXb2Ps0jdDyy9rE34kTgKfuDcAIUJkCnfLhqKI3cLZLkJ92UG-BZDH16wmyhh4M5eeovpAXI8XN6hZO1n-bDKe-cbuDGkzmeYnx9gXU2Z2m5H8qPlTrE/s1600/IMG_5026.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G__HLMqD-2YsH0bHn8yFfcQYXb2Ps0jdDyy9rE34kTgKfuDcAIUJkCnfLhqKI3cLZLkJ92UG-BZDH16wmyhh4M5eeovpAXI8XN6hZO1n-bDKe-cbuDGkzmeYnx9gXU2Z2m5H8qPlTrE/s320/IMG_5026.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady made this arrangement - it matches Harper's room perfectly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuhnO4pLWWwange5h64OUOyigJ0K26r3LQF9LL2WEP3VIp8Tr8GD8mJrqF4iQZdaNA_pboZ1a_QFjk2evOMz9kohvrRbn2_I1DQtWhiEXWHRr0-fGuKu0lAsycK2PkOROJwqbtDgU_HE/s1600/IMG_9674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuhnO4pLWWwange5h64OUOyigJ0K26r3LQF9LL2WEP3VIp8Tr8GD8mJrqF4iQZdaNA_pboZ1a_QFjk2evOMz9kohvrRbn2_I1DQtWhiEXWHRr0-fGuKu0lAsycK2PkOROJwqbtDgU_HE/s320/IMG_9674.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom's contribution - this cute little princess cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXa7yKdYWA90SMATu-7DbKzdRsXB1T_dFj7FxxHadIaO5hUUeBKKsNdOHrr4_r8sIsT92ssgY5nd4HvveaQNMtBNorE1_fgySsjUw5I-ssDihsjiJPLLqxbTWQUIKF-eYp_Ei4UI85J8/s1600/IMG_20120721_233108.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXa7yKdYWA90SMATu-7DbKzdRsXB1T_dFj7FxxHadIaO5hUUeBKKsNdOHrr4_r8sIsT92ssgY5nd4HvveaQNMtBNorE1_fgySsjUw5I-ssDihsjiJPLLqxbTWQUIKF-eYp_Ei4UI85J8/s320/IMG_20120721_233108.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend, Patricia, made these adorable little shoes. Her mom also made a crochet blanket for Harper, but I don't have that picture handy :(</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLPiYa8f4xENJB-EIInmcBwtlls-klEoYHvtxwwX7kaAVpSxyAI812AeaVnk4ydy2o0bzmNpddXRoNtJEkzkiun-MhE7ot8pnOaWlwqGl2pzjRH_gsQHgeHmRvPg4CFnyCcjqVX2XPY/s1600/IMG_20120722_002855.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLPiYa8f4xENJB-EIInmcBwtlls-klEoYHvtxwwX7kaAVpSxyAI812AeaVnk4ydy2o0bzmNpddXRoNtJEkzkiun-MhE7ot8pnOaWlwqGl2pzjRH_gsQHgeHmRvPg4CFnyCcjqVX2XPY/s320/IMG_20120722_002855.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassie, her mom, and Michelle all pitched in on this amazing Pack'N Play!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfSF6p2GsDW9uy9iSyRs3BjEifOfDDi0ME_Mx2_jki46qr1E7io-Iag5RCghcrmZrIgltQpY5E1RpbiaH2vRtDrZUnd4QF1QlypS65YWZtslq-SEajdlIyGt-Fsnfi9Rj423NTYwmixk/s1600/IMG_7247.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfSF6p2GsDW9uy9iSyRs3BjEifOfDDi0ME_Mx2_jki46qr1E7io-Iag5RCghcrmZrIgltQpY5E1RpbiaH2vRtDrZUnd4QF1QlypS65YWZtslq-SEajdlIyGt-Fsnfi9Rj423NTYwmixk/s320/IMG_7247.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a ton of other gifts too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZq0tI3rOFGTUQhxUtKA7XiBM9AcSPxuVLiSAjFZbZ9xQxIt05ozkraVpiqPBcNtcNGaiZ30x2unhhWmhyZ-ru7WOnDGDWnJwBymaHczKbN21g3YqzTD9RaNFr4qQCBd-EJoMqZp2bFA/s1600/545375_324447904311706_1660575215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZq0tI3rOFGTUQhxUtKA7XiBM9AcSPxuVLiSAjFZbZ9xQxIt05ozkraVpiqPBcNtcNGaiZ30x2unhhWmhyZ-ru7WOnDGDWnJwBymaHczKbN21g3YqzTD9RaNFr4qQCBd-EJoMqZp2bFA/s320/545375_324447904311706_1660575215_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many things to open!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA-Te6JwabM46rKLYEpo0zfuIYISLSGHZgK_mLrf7KEWB8p2TrNDg1SYPbDVpVAPQv5Jl8a0txO45nVaHX-knVYnPCI6Gvlm-tPW2a8sDS7K5IQXPUEZ5e5xElsFQWK-qt5e-84VNImI/s1600/427541_324447930978370_1775390163_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA-Te6JwabM46rKLYEpo0zfuIYISLSGHZgK_mLrf7KEWB8p2TrNDg1SYPbDVpVAPQv5Jl8a0txO45nVaHX-knVYnPCI6Gvlm-tPW2a8sDS7K5IQXPUEZ5e5xElsFQWK-qt5e-84VNImI/s320/427541_324447930978370_1775390163_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pin The Baby On The Belly" got really awkward, really fast!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Wx5PNKixYF24Y9baKEnO2OHDmc4T_-xQGWKQDY1ziyp0EpHp0g6ylBE3CK0wnD84AEfS4PjMgVoZf8jsrQ9tr74Qi9zeWi8x4CykDTi_I5ZkSvO5N9CJ6-XMSlje8TJev2QVcJxQGo/s1600/428844_464968626854424_1011139712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Wx5PNKixYF24Y9baKEnO2OHDmc4T_-xQGWKQDY1ziyp0EpHp0g6ylBE3CK0wnD84AEfS4PjMgVoZf8jsrQ9tr74Qi9zeWi8x4CykDTi_I5ZkSvO5N9CJ6-XMSlje8TJev2QVcJxQGo/s320/428844_464968626854424_1011139712_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful cousin, Caitlin. I just realized our dresses coordinated!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvNdpvmvdOtXIDnWSIZmQq50-ktDyT_bY3Xc401Pscb-DyepUEvUom9rgaGHeTwscyd9a6z0L1uv63ps2LemE9Cc9UL65H-Q01I4W62jBJmRmw3oDg0ENcP80TMDGmCac9O3kcsOA0wc/s1600/547926_324436917646138_2038731389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvNdpvmvdOtXIDnWSIZmQq50-ktDyT_bY3Xc401Pscb-DyepUEvUom9rgaGHeTwscyd9a6z0L1uv63ps2LemE9Cc9UL65H-Q01I4W62jBJmRmw3oDg0ENcP80TMDGmCac9O3kcsOA0wc/s320/547926_324436917646138_2038731389_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Don't look at my face.) Harper's Grandma Cheryl & Aunt Katelyn!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zUS3suPcjj_k_2pA_pJE_lMM-2-koV_Te4zfxnDL47USoJ1qYhXMHzOGNO6hsUzXrIrCA_6r5EZSlPvrTM7uS4qnNUx_KsExRz8KsHY2FQAg0nuL3Myp_LFUyMsyzHbPEAXX0_6Kw94/s1600/481970_324447920978371_689671867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zUS3suPcjj_k_2pA_pJE_lMM-2-koV_Te4zfxnDL47USoJ1qYhXMHzOGNO6hsUzXrIrCA_6r5EZSlPvrTM7uS4qnNUx_KsExRz8KsHY2FQAg0nuL3Myp_LFUyMsyzHbPEAXX0_6Kw94/s320/481970_324447920978371_689671867_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my good friends, Sara & Aubrey.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm still trying to round up more pictures from this shower! If you have some, send them to me!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8/4/2012:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had my second Baby Shower, which Brad was actually able to attend with me. This one was hosted by his mom, Cheryl, and sisters, Lauren & Katelyn. It was great! Most of Brad's family was able to make it, along with my family and some friends I hadn't seen in ages! It was a paaaaacked house! The most exciting part was that we got to meet Brad's oldest sister and two of her daughters for the first time ever! It was so special that all 5 of his sisters were able to be there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This shower was cupcake themed, because Brad's mom has decided that Harper's nickname is going to be "Cupcake". Speaking of, I think this little Cupcake needs to come out of the oven already! I'm ready to ice her in adorable outfits and bows!!! Brad's mom and sisters did an amazing job with all of the decorations! It was definitely something straight off of Pinterest!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfddVH6A7iN3SYbBf4J0DIGbLrojfLgagNhXTL5fK-1Y-CH2Az2Z1fBee8FzchMLmSwasUYtMGl-SC3roH0siS1WMceNEh44ph5tAw3E47eCd2HrQAJUYHEV3l_8TUtNVpHAgTkB4v5U/s1600/313283_3060143441333_376077822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfddVH6A7iN3SYbBf4J0DIGbLrojfLgagNhXTL5fK-1Y-CH2Az2Z1fBee8FzchMLmSwasUYtMGl-SC3roH0siS1WMceNEh44ph5tAw3E47eCd2HrQAJUYHEV3l_8TUtNVpHAgTkB4v5U/s320/313283_3060143441333_376077822_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved the cupcake cups around the lights! (There's my belly in the mirror!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjIy4pX6PWf8a8c8G30-j6_b7lVPrpcpAKMuRNFzlzGH8os3muF7fVH8IfYBUJlF7DPqDmtODdJGFneOyHgnwMYnsyPQJAVNcj07b67d1jJ1mK3bTxDYJn64_geHaCA9eBWHvsMl7wuE/s1600/386924_3060147881444_815020971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjIy4pX6PWf8a8c8G30-j6_b7lVPrpcpAKMuRNFzlzGH8os3muF7fVH8IfYBUJlF7DPqDmtODdJGFneOyHgnwMYnsyPQJAVNcj07b67d1jJ1mK3bTxDYJn64_geHaCA9eBWHvsMl7wuE/s320/386924_3060147881444_815020971_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game supplies and prizes!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY-smPazvNpRaTnZwZ5rz7OQyHyYlZggpX73QyI-0wuEVDqZcVeJtWyCtGazeu3zdm_4_7U6EUtxUF6entUVJiQ7Xsq6yBw2cwBPszfbbdze2SGG9lOOWlfKOT-aSjyrZE8xYcEay6sg/s1600/481958_3060140721265_1411550213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY-smPazvNpRaTnZwZ5rz7OQyHyYlZggpX73QyI-0wuEVDqZcVeJtWyCtGazeu3zdm_4_7U6EUtxUF6entUVJiQ7Xsq6yBw2cwBPszfbbdze2SGG9lOOWlfKOT-aSjyrZE8xYcEay6sg/s320/481958_3060140721265_1411550213_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many cupcake towers!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWi_CxW3Bzuh5Boj-cm6J1JqncC5qfBc-3LSk0RV8Pg6LXmK4ctbgkTAymnI36dmu9bz3JVBQjO656oGKkSL-zotadAqKZGKj9tc9mVyCTbLLD71RuK7rdT7g2xrekv6v8K-eN2iz16Y/s1600/484565_3060146241403_2102340180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWi_CxW3Bzuh5Boj-cm6J1JqncC5qfBc-3LSk0RV8Pg6LXmK4ctbgkTAymnI36dmu9bz3JVBQjO656oGKkSL-zotadAqKZGKj9tc9mVyCTbLLD71RuK7rdT7g2xrekv6v8K-eN2iz16Y/s320/484565_3060146241403_2102340180_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the sandwiches were shaped like cupcakes!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYssyC1FX-V0IihCIbKj2waznl8CxSeSUGiRBc3B0iycBXGgz1uqY4ULf3juY5LoSiOyL-siZ4gUyqt8WusatjGx6Tjd9nrdqYuPLyDnzwY2RnnV-DvdaHrvBLyApvOR0doR4CLrsBOVA/s1600/080512005150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYssyC1FX-V0IihCIbKj2waznl8CxSeSUGiRBc3B0iycBXGgz1uqY4ULf3juY5LoSiOyL-siZ4gUyqt8WusatjGx6Tjd9nrdqYuPLyDnzwY2RnnV-DvdaHrvBLyApvOR0doR4CLrsBOVA/s320/080512005150.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Cheryl made this ADORABLE diaper cake!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO3_UwZEb_E4VxIPGGs-333ipIclRNSq0mw0TnDJ62BUjo-Q6qa-CLasJvmBrxzNC5efvOr9bkFLAKoc0pYyX6hvtkoTONg-pJE9ABH3JzbkSgehKZ5KDFT9ACVEe0wR0A1L7xlV_nbg/s1600/080512004651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO3_UwZEb_E4VxIPGGs-333ipIclRNSq0mw0TnDJ62BUjo-Q6qa-CLasJvmBrxzNC5efvOr9bkFLAKoc0pYyX6hvtkoTONg-pJE9ABH3JzbkSgehKZ5KDFT9ACVEe0wR0A1L7xlV_nbg/s320/080512004651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cute! Lauren made the banner!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DTvEeps1RT0dPVkcRjSJG9fyctWcVtKSCxVfrrm7aJmh0mRAPoEEbdJZ49LkfcZKqZLAE_S_uH2luN6cpl5YK78x4VHcv-H-570_BEoitd_aqmBZRbW5HU82Uy-JNaKa8vxlPKd7dgQ/s1600/080512004747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DTvEeps1RT0dPVkcRjSJG9fyctWcVtKSCxVfrrm7aJmh0mRAPoEEbdJZ49LkfcZKqZLAE_S_uH2luN6cpl5YK78x4VHcv-H-570_BEoitd_aqmBZRbW5HU82Uy-JNaKa8vxlPKd7dgQ/s320/080512004747.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beverage Station!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuqS9j5kQtoUaHb7Ydiiu-OXXGeeqlCDw0BE7ReTsxJuv-Zv0z5rKfbAm6s5u-dryh_omCDq5U-wIir7yYzuUVPBbuFMuYC7avuron6kwe1fF09NNGGewwBsGpt5GuBMmWekbhqDTHKw/s1600/IMG_3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuqS9j5kQtoUaHb7Ydiiu-OXXGeeqlCDw0BE7ReTsxJuv-Zv0z5rKfbAm6s5u-dryh_omCDq5U-wIir7yYzuUVPBbuFMuYC7avuron6kwe1fF09NNGGewwBsGpt5GuBMmWekbhqDTHKw/s320/IMG_3422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful hostesses!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XSPdWgbFWQ0inC1xlslECD7PojjYpInxe9O3u0R4tahyphenhyphenlKSx_tUd8wdKQVQ2erdCJW4ZyedMTG-r7aFAfpb8sBrG7xRBPZDA9HfEBlu1qC5RLGnRvM_Kb1em6GMOfe_VqE-a4hadB8Q/s1600/293120_4309381142519_557016652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XSPdWgbFWQ0inC1xlslECD7PojjYpInxe9O3u0R4tahyphenhyphenlKSx_tUd8wdKQVQ2erdCJW4ZyedMTG-r7aFAfpb8sBrG7xRBPZDA9HfEBlu1qC5RLGnRvM_Kb1em6GMOfe_VqE-a4hadB8Q/s320/293120_4309381142519_557016652_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Brad's oldest sister and 2 of her daughters. This was our first time meeting her and our nieces in person! We can't wait til we get to see them again!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-5AK0ijtRCL2-p8pTFiRg_3c-0b7NKauDVEZKs9aLMfI9mY0yr9oyQNPrtWrWzkXt2DfzWuXON9v91U7S6vMqpAWuWM9417CSvWEbVSJ90Qp8WJybxymXh-Nn79T1fRO-cJEB1_khqA/s1600/IMG_4810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-5AK0ijtRCL2-p8pTFiRg_3c-0b7NKauDVEZKs9aLMfI9mY0yr9oyQNPrtWrWzkXt2DfzWuXON9v91U7S6vMqpAWuWM9417CSvWEbVSJ90Qp8WJybxymXh-Nn79T1fRO-cJEB1_khqA/s320/IMG_4810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper's Great-Grandma, Marilyn!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoRsq-oBhKDeYs7uLsNZRL1xo3psDAB5lQAJi-DICvOGw4MbucNaATXNS12W1qRepCfDw9V2jCQVm3FI8IFlTEqLPP0WnodII-EEa74mKozujUeBa6xWkhsPXUNBlbf9Mm0bAAcrUHL0/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoRsq-oBhKDeYs7uLsNZRL1xo3psDAB5lQAJi-DICvOGw4MbucNaATXNS12W1qRepCfDw9V2jCQVm3FI8IFlTEqLPP0WnodII-EEa74mKozujUeBa6xWkhsPXUNBlbf9Mm0bAAcrUHL0/s320/IMG_5996.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is definitely getting framed! My Honey Bunny with all FIVE of his sisters! 2 Hogans and 3 Hajeks!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoEGDhdm4FPMjgKHNDgsoZhJJuAs6N_ZUVHwFbBnWg6Fh7cZ2rMuaQf7dsdU6NXpS0CpK7-HWFgDkWtgHExZ-xOIK7S18qq5ghAIJZnDlRc-kM3yjGJspOI0KO7olk_U6TINC0SYVKmI/s1600/482106_4309376022391_433534014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoEGDhdm4FPMjgKHNDgsoZhJJuAs6N_ZUVHwFbBnWg6Fh7cZ2rMuaQf7dsdU6NXpS0CpK7-HWFgDkWtgHExZ-xOIK7S18qq5ghAIJZnDlRc-kM3yjGJspOI0KO7olk_U6TINC0SYVKmI/s320/482106_4309376022391_433534014_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad and his excited Momma!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the story: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Shower #3 actually happened yesterday, but there will be more on that in the next post! I still have to gather up pics and upload them. Let's just say, one person's gift definitely stole the show and resulted in me crying like a baby...which led to other people crying, because I was crying...there will not be pictures of my ugly crying face, lol</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am so thankful to everyone who has contributed to, and attended, the showers. This pregnancy has been such an amazing experience for Brad and I. All of these parties have definitely made me much more excited for her to be here! I can't wait for her to meet all of the loving people who can't wait to be a part of her life! I guess it's just one of those things that's bittersweet though, as much as I want her to be here, I know I'm going to miss being pregnant. I was just talking to my good friend, Alexia, about how I'm pretty sure I'm going to have an emotional breakdown over not being pregnant anymore. There's just something about it. Even with all of the aches, pains, nausea, fatigue and feeling like a cow, it's all so worth it every time I feel her wiggle in my belly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's been such an amazing journey and, at the end of every day, I know this has all been God's plan all along. Everything has just fallen into place so perfectly. Although I'm still very sad over our first pregnancy not carrying through, I feel like that experience has made me cherish this one so much more. It's not something that just happens. This time around it's just so apparent that this is the time for us to be parents. Brad and I have grown a lot over the past couple of years. Both of us had kind of been avoiding the subject of getting pregnant again. Then, in December, shortly before Christmas, we finally talked about it again and found that I had been avoiding it, because I just thought he still wasn't ready and that, when he was, he would come to me about it, and he had been avoiding it for the same reason...on top of his fear of not knowing how we would handle the emotional hardship if we lost another one. So, after talking for awhile, we realized that we were both ready to take that risk again. The funny thing is, in God's apparent sense of humor, about a week after that conversation....voila! We found out I was pregnant on January 24th and had our first Prenatal Appointment on February 16th, at which point the doctor determined that I was 8 weeks pregnant...which means we conceived a little over a week after that conversation. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QHenUyNkda_OPxvj0w5u5aTIvOfWKiYaVSi9qtwQ0aKp7mixwO9OY-Un6-31VFReLwRJ_UJkuyh9YQRZ2xTkgWZjyNTM9aKtMYHEouqmG0TqyEPBiVl6OAl7d9NLPuxiCCipT55O_GE/s1600/208960_324435657646264_1267623124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QHenUyNkda_OPxvj0w5u5aTIvOfWKiYaVSi9qtwQ0aKp7mixwO9OY-Un6-31VFReLwRJ_UJkuyh9YQRZ2xTkgWZjyNTM9aKtMYHEouqmG0TqyEPBiVl6OAl7d9NLPuxiCCipT55O_GE/s320/208960_324435657646264_1267623124_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I "told" Brad we were expecting. It was a Tuesday evening, I was at home and he was at work and I sent him this picture with no explanation. About 2 seconds later he called, I could HEAR his ear to ear smile, and said "Is that what I think it is?!?!?". I said yes and he immediately asked if he could start telling people...I told him no, not yet. lol</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Of course, there was that initial "fear" when we first found out, even though we were definitely very excited. Those thoughts did start running through our heads as far as finances and everything go, because everyone always talks about how expensive babies are. I called our insurance and, as it turned out, we actually have amazing coverage when it comes to pregnancy. Then, when my January paycheck came at the end of the month, there was a very nice surprise...I got a significant raise. That was one of the first things that really put my mind at ease that everything was meant to be and would be okay. We waited til March to actually tell people we were pregnant, just in case. Around that time, Brad got a small raise at work also. He actually just got an additional, much more significant, raise this month and was accepted into a manager training program with HEB. So, hopefully he'll be getting a nice promotion in the near future :) It's just like every time something happens that causes a little bit of stress, something else happens to counter that and completely put our minds at ease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On another note, over the past couple of weeks I've also slipped into Fall mode! Fall is my favorite season and, although I know August is still Summer, I start going Fall crazy as soon as August comes around! I got some new, gold curtains for our downstairs windows and spruced up our Fall wreath. It used to be all cream-toned flowers, but I added some rust tones in there! Once I finish up the mantel decor, I'll take a picture of the decorated mantel with the gold curtains on the side. I even put in my big Fall Scentsy order last week...I'm officially stocked up on my favorite Fall scent!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've always made sure to decorate at least a little bit, but now that Harper's almost here I think the decorating is going to get a bit more extreme. I want to make sure she remembers always having a beautifully decorated home!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWsDvJXSO51_c5BmMJzCV-x4fhI-GT5f3zTEpWZ3xguchyphenhyphen4ugXBp2x_zS0oWNg7CUgxqdFOCnnJYSnEpZA8aBP3EasUG-F_q7SOxtA6KAbEnHqxh2iDesTXPHH1rJTZiQTPboQDWSkxY/s1600/269687_331106683645828_1781570074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWsDvJXSO51_c5BmMJzCV-x4fhI-GT5f3zTEpWZ3xguchyphenhyphen4ugXBp2x_zS0oWNg7CUgxqdFOCnnJYSnEpZA8aBP3EasUG-F_q7SOxtA6KAbEnHqxh2iDesTXPHH1rJTZiQTPboQDWSkxY/s320/269687_331106683645828_1781570074_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, the Fall doormat is out too :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tonight, I'll say goodbye with an up-to-date belly pic! Enjoy!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFzDBOryJA8EHHcgAsnDpCppQhyDeZTUvWHwUkJh2-tj8u2Iy98YSHxOhSAv1rolV8NauvefLwdt5POXnWKEGerdpIPrN2SCOAxbl5kg9P0Lcov8RHnz-HNdmJbHBXlhZTn5OnmNdYd4/s1600/402857_333766036713226_2096020257_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFzDBOryJA8EHHcgAsnDpCppQhyDeZTUvWHwUkJh2-tj8u2Iy98YSHxOhSAv1rolV8NauvefLwdt5POXnWKEGerdpIPrN2SCOAxbl5kg9P0Lcov8RHnz-HNdmJbHBXlhZTn5OnmNdYd4/s320/402857_333766036713226_2096020257_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's very round!</td></tr>
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Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-34095688856990968412012-07-16T21:16:00.000-05:002012-07-16T21:16:46.510-05:00The anticipation is becoming unbearable!Words cannot describe how anxious I am for this antsy little bugger to be here!<br />
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Here are some of my favorite shots from last weeks sonogram.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTqlSvYYBtqgqWtgEdf03qJMj23extJ17JcFx6lXSNs8HFlpDN__5xbtBcE-TdiE_BOFgKTLlxq7rfs91QnaqWzPj63z1pd1UxzbIe7R6cswYK73r7k78h5lcKEciqmL1eO6FAq31Rmc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTqlSvYYBtqgqWtgEdf03qJMj23extJ17JcFx6lXSNs8HFlpDN__5xbtBcE-TdiE_BOFgKTLlxq7rfs91QnaqWzPj63z1pd1UxzbIe7R6cswYK73r7k78h5lcKEciqmL1eO6FAq31Rmc/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She has her daddy's little nose.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplLNya_tV8IEJwdgaSV1hZVBL-jPKbhtBLFX75s8nG6Urpwxh6wlbjDlDjydLmzKiUMic5ZHHYAXzVVHoKUbFHLKzCVdQVqEusIwrT2LZ8QSswRZUp0KHYwk9NLkWOrsVA0ZVIM3j1wo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplLNya_tV8IEJwdgaSV1hZVBL-jPKbhtBLFX75s8nG6Urpwxh6wlbjDlDjydLmzKiUMic5ZHHYAXzVVHoKUbFHLKzCVdQVqEusIwrT2LZ8QSswRZUp0KHYwk9NLkWOrsVA0ZVIM3j1wo/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> She was opening and closing her mouth so much, it looked like she was talking!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87BFpj-4OFUL5I-CalyLzIx8qtAfds42Avb8plTKSgbHZrAzNuBlIS2-gLEOB5McXheRB2DWDT7Ab4m5YCewbNQEKlx4TFn6XcG_a5nEBMcN483m3z3zwDMNkGG362NFMRpFXpRKOCPc/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87BFpj-4OFUL5I-CalyLzIx8qtAfds42Avb8plTKSgbHZrAzNuBlIS2-gLEOB5McXheRB2DWDT7Ab4m5YCewbNQEKlx4TFn6XcG_a5nEBMcN483m3z3zwDMNkGG362NFMRpFXpRKOCPc/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This one is slightly terrifying, but she was yawning and you can see her tiny tongue!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_XjH8SYDQ7JPkAS_aGM-1_6xrVfyaa8g7Cv43jJ_33F8XXzjJ7fivhNoyui752bMn-KHxroZF2We43RJSVn1iakMY-WZUgwYF0uytAanBwTgpcZpj_WXE8sW1V0ilMZRKzzE-hm0z9I/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_XjH8SYDQ7JPkAS_aGM-1_6xrVfyaa8g7Cv43jJ_33F8XXzjJ7fivhNoyui752bMn-KHxroZF2We43RJSVn1iakMY-WZUgwYF0uytAanBwTgpcZpj_WXE8sW1V0ilMZRKzzE-hm0z9I/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This was one of the clearest shots that came out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can even see her eye slightly open.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTbSGT65oQXx8mHi6qnjnJq6hXEbZ3ydcd9aCIhXJL9zuM21sTaF3c7o7wtOq2UUGxdsnEm-v6nR-AymzSE3lLTPc4BDQg3-eotIYI0Be2eRrWXZfILO2j0PLagHixdNGjTfDNfAXfSo/s1600/hand+on+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTbSGT65oQXx8mHi6qnjnJq6hXEbZ3ydcd9aCIhXJL9zuM21sTaF3c7o7wtOq2UUGxdsnEm-v6nR-AymzSE3lLTPc4BDQg3-eotIYI0Be2eRrWXZfILO2j0PLagHixdNGjTfDNfAXfSo/s320/hand+on+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She kept putting her hands on her face.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCrcRdxl_1f5XuYEtYW6E4wY6f_y0v-rEr290KYnE-2q5laLGa2XMtMU-1TlYOn8nc5Jj9g2XpxDzDZg-LqtoCseskKg6u9N54UvNcIPchb3HUiFSwANIlkTZPWwo5JAch1kEacolfow/s1600/little+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCrcRdxl_1f5XuYEtYW6E4wY6f_y0v-rEr290KYnE-2q5laLGa2XMtMU-1TlYOn8nc5Jj9g2XpxDzDZg-LqtoCseskKg6u9N54UvNcIPchb3HUiFSwANIlkTZPWwo5JAch1kEacolfow/s320/little+feet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tiny little toes <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And now for my absolute favorite:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sucking her thumb for us...you can even see the little bubbles!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our little acrobat is squirming around right now...I think she knows I'm talking about her!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, finally getting an idea of what her pretty little face is going to look like isn't the only exciting thing that has happened over the last week; her bedroom is coming together too! Brad, our moms and his sister, Katelyn, all helped get the room painted up for me. It turned out absolutely gorgeous! 3 walls are yellow and the 4th (where the crib will be) is a beauuutiful purple! The purple paint even had a fabulous name: Cloudberry. Clouuuudberrrry! hehe It's just so funny to even say!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">With all that painting that got done, this weekend all I wanted to do was decorate! Over Saturday and Sunday I hung up the artwork, etc, that we have so far. I also had Brad place the furniture where I wanted it. I still have some fun things to do with drawer-fronts on the 2 dressers. I'll post pictures of the Clouuuudberry wall once the crib/curtains/etc are all set up.....to give you the full effect ;) For now, you get pictures of the rest of the room. It's still a work in progress, but we're pretty proud of it!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk53jQ47_F1SJOXjLrxsEhsyXCMEBw6PriQquuLYicgLeDz4uRQHC-E_p__VZDZ1cWR-rRSjk0Tj-rNOFsQLlzpx68OeOeGYi5YxQRdCQM8qcDIcv_pHO3FTvlPWinQutITrVFNQKyS34/s1600/room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk53jQ47_F1SJOXjLrxsEhsyXCMEBw6PriQquuLYicgLeDz4uRQHC-E_p__VZDZ1cWR-rRSjk0Tj-rNOFsQLlzpx68OeOeGYi5YxQRdCQM8qcDIcv_pHO3FTvlPWinQutITrVFNQKyS34/s320/room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> Our fabulous 50's chairs! One is a deep purple and the other is</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">a deep pink. I still need to paint the legs a metallic gold. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu1NuqFX_CCkbMky_9hAh2LxrZq_UcgkWNOrEgPSZuaAqhcbhY5Mt-DPDC0JBfq3EDghzWNyVhw35soK85_yHlAiiknDkJOUEP1t5Z5qGkcAiH9Yn_6orU4oD-FYl-OvzHP6uZ1OQpzM/s1600/room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu1NuqFX_CCkbMky_9hAh2LxrZq_UcgkWNOrEgPSZuaAqhcbhY5Mt-DPDC0JBfq3EDghzWNyVhw35soK85_yHlAiiknDkJOUEP1t5Z5qGkcAiH9Yn_6orU4oD-FYl-OvzHP6uZ1OQpzM/s320/room+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hopefully these built-in bookcases will finally reach their full potential!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I also want to do something fun with the back of each shelf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If all goes according to plan, they should coordinate with the drawers on the furniture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEx8I27XZngEn1WS-einpTBlj5VoxsGxKKooh41XJmJhNIB6JaehunoXGGKQMu01HKwwdQxk8ecPihtMeYJNc-1yDzWwDa2wAleITW1IlwBee2XRlpCZcfp055zCvfhVf9jV5UtnMgI/s1600/room+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEx8I27XZngEn1WS-einpTBlj5VoxsGxKKooh41XJmJhNIB6JaehunoXGGKQMu01HKwwdQxk8ecPihtMeYJNc-1yDzWwDa2wAleITW1IlwBee2XRlpCZcfp055zCvfhVf9jV5UtnMgI/s320/room+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Here's a closer shot of the artwork. I bought the 2 pictures from HomeGoods at</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Rim in San Antonio. Brad's mom bought the matching bulletin board from a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">HomeGoods in Dallas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Brad's mom found this adorable little wicker shelf at an antique shop</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">here in Corpus Christi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She's going to be such a diva with all of her little sock shoes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiCfaFJQenH7uSR-qbHenrfEUaAoIrPXDheaFqNZD1uZyBd5_cpcZPmoW6TxWo2rg-hzcN5mu0B1Zf1KU04GdsV4xXIXDa4nqJY3RCI3hJ_8PlP9IA4bteoelVjlGqTZjjwzA_lg_cTc/s1600/room+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiCfaFJQenH7uSR-qbHenrfEUaAoIrPXDheaFqNZD1uZyBd5_cpcZPmoW6TxWo2rg-hzcN5mu0B1Zf1KU04GdsV4xXIXDa4nqJY3RCI3hJ_8PlP9IA4bteoelVjlGqTZjjwzA_lg_cTc/s320/room+6.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> This is the other set of pictures I got at HomeGoods.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pczSG5uZkGpFHQ_D7s7s5JpTvYM9r_nxEFkaMSav1ywT-ymtd0IquRW2CaVJvg4U9HXl4Et6X8eWodpw9fqeHNOlbzhCgjO6qISMpt00IKBuTXdUfZHzNKPNqnfBJUBelen2oi_wDFg/s1600/room+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pczSG5uZkGpFHQ_D7s7s5JpTvYM9r_nxEFkaMSav1ywT-ymtd0IquRW2CaVJvg4U9HXl4Et6X8eWodpw9fqeHNOlbzhCgjO6qISMpt00IKBuTXdUfZHzNKPNqnfBJUBelen2oi_wDFg/s320/room+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's a good shot of the other little vanity/dresser. This is what</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">we're going to use as the changing table. (The little decals on the mirror</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">match the bedding set.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, and look what seems to have snuck it's way into the room last night:</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">..............Brad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">His explanation was: "It's a girl!!! See, she's pink!!!!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, Brad! I can't live with him, I can't live without him! He confessed to me last night that he "took some pictures of the room to show off at work, because it's coming together preTTy well." I asked him who he showed it off to, his answer was "Anyone who would look!" Sigh. He's always reminding me why I love him so much!</span> </span></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-2478974294225911802012-06-29T21:29:00.001-05:002012-06-29T21:32:03.286-05:00Amazon Baby<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I had my 27 week prenatal appointment today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good News:</b> I passed my Glucose Test with flying colors! (Yay me!) This means I don't have to take the yucky 3 hour test.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Questionable News:</b> Dr. Hyde said my belly is measuring a bit bigger than it should be for 27 weeks. At my 25 week appointment the measurement was in line with what's normal, but I exploded over the last 2 weeks! Since I haven't gained any weight, that only leaves one explanation........amazon baby. It's not really anything to be alarmed over. It could just means that I'll most likely be having her sooner than my due date of September 27th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We'll be having our 4D Sonogram next Thursday, which I'm extremely excited about. I can't wait to see who our little angel looks like! As of today, we'll actually end up having 2 sonograms on that day. The 4D, of course, but due to the amazon baby theory, I'll need to have another regular sonogram that same day to see just how big she is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I just can't believe how quickly everything is happening. It feels like just yesterday we were finding out I was pregnant and, now, it's possible we might have our precious little blessing in as little as 8 weeks! At this point, the feeling is that she will be coming at least a week early, possibly sooner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This picture is from 6/27/2012. I'm pretty sure I've gotten bigger over the past couple of days. Just to give you an idea of how huge I am, consider that my hand is resting on the front of my leg!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In other news, unrelated to the pregnancy, I got a pretty drastic haircut today! My hair had just gotten so long and unmanageable, I finally decided to chop it off. I'm pretty happy with the outcome :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5jVNAk7hyVBEAUUrqhuFRcw2XGISel-Kks_rLo0U8aLijARvHUS2VoyfD14r4bdROjs2w0pcXoSfoCT1_AxS9uRA7iLDmGsdG4cpk1jACqlY8wznSg_OFBOLrIFy74K6Y3zYVjoUWuk/s1600/Photo+on+2012-06-29+at+20.29+%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5jVNAk7hyVBEAUUrqhuFRcw2XGISel-Kks_rLo0U8aLijARvHUS2VoyfD14r4bdROjs2w0pcXoSfoCT1_AxS9uRA7iLDmGsdG4cpk1jACqlY8wznSg_OFBOLrIFy74K6Y3zYVjoUWuk/s320/Photo+on+2012-06-29+at+20.29+%234.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Excuse my terrifying face, there's a severe lack of make-up!</span></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-29883990277894068592012-06-14T19:34:00.001-05:002012-06-14T19:36:27.974-05:00Girl, oh girl!<span style="font-size: large;">These last few weeks have absolutely flown by! Brad and I had our 25 Week Prenatal Appointment today. Part of today's appointment was a Glucose Test....yuck. Have you ever had something so sweet it burned? That's exactly what it's like!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I've decided to go ahead and share our 20 Week sonogram pictures of Harper. I absolutely cannot wait til we get to see her again! We should be having a 4D sonogram in the next couple of weeks where we'll actually be able to see what her sweet little face looks like <3 I'm still betting she's a little mini-me of Brad!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Her little profile looks just like Brad.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[She's looking at you!]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZLhIDQaw9rMTJ-INRkXQWVXn4jmaf6PpZSJ1mGD_lHZ8L5Jg1lZMBbQFfzffc_vuaI44U_RJht7RBEnClz5C9c27BTC2MyEAjBol8aLIUFpr0EEH6J03oTh1_IpIQoHfCU2c6KKHqSc/s1600/060212212035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZLhIDQaw9rMTJ-INRkXQWVXn4jmaf6PpZSJ1mGD_lHZ8L5Jg1lZMBbQFfzffc_vuaI44U_RJht7RBEnClz5C9c27BTC2MyEAjBol8aLIUFpr0EEH6J03oTh1_IpIQoHfCU2c6KKHqSc/s320/060212212035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Tiny little arms.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Can't wait to play with those toes!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Last, but not least, the bump. (It's bigger now, than it was in the pic.)]</span></div>
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<br /></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-84708216898875063252012-05-18T15:15:00.001-05:002012-05-18T15:17:46.926-05:00Mother's Day Madness<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I've been letting this poor thing fall by the wayside! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mother's Day has come and gone, and it was definitely one of the most well-orchestrated yet. Who knew that getting married made the simplest things so complicated to plan out? Brad's sister and brother-in-law came down to spend Mother's Day weekend here, since they hadn't been able to come down from Dallas in months. This meant that Mother's Day festivities with his mom were going to need to happen on Saturday, instead of Sunday, since they would need to be heading back pretty early in the day on Sunday. Hallelujah.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was so nice not having to figure out both moms on one day....Lord know my mom demands a ridiculous amount of attention from me on days like this! Saturday, we had lunch with his parents, his sister and her husband. For her Mother's Day gift, his sister and I had been on a covert mission over the last month secretly working on a photo book. I had to sneak into their house and snatch pictures of the kids from the day they were born, til now, then Lauren worked on designing the book and getting it all put together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, all along I figured his mom would get super sentimental and most likely tear up a bit, but none of us expected her to start full on crying! She cried so much, it made me tear up! Nonetheless, it was absolutely sweet, Lauren did an amazing job putting it together, and his mom was so appreciative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Brad with his mom and sister after a great lunch at Fajitaville!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">[Brad's "Then & Now" section of the book. Look at cute little baby Brad!]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> [One of my favorite parts - "10 Reasons Why You're So Loved"]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday, since Brad had to work, I drove my happy little self to Alice to spend the day with my mom. We did a whole lot of nothing...and loved every minute of it.We started the day at Agua Dulce Baptist Church, where Pastor Chris shared a perfect Mother's Day video...they even had snacks! After church, we had lunch at Nortex Bakery and it was SO good. I hadn't eaten there in years; it definitely gave me nostalgia! After about a 3 hour nap we went to the Alice movie theater and watched Dark Shadows, which was not at all what I thought it was going to be. After the movie, we went on a mini-shopping trip, then I came home to get to bed for work the next morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After such an eventful weekend I was completely w-o-r-n o-u-t! I can't forget that this was also my first Mother's Day weekend also, well, technically ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[After lunch on Saturday, I came home to this beautiful little surprise from Brad <3]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Brad's mom wasted no time in beginning to spoil her soon-to-come grandbaby.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[She's also decided that her nickname will be "Cupcake".]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[Aunt Lauren isn't wasting any time either!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[My mom went totally summer crazy with all these little suits! Also loving the Scentsy monkey!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brad and I have begun taking part in the spoiling also! We've been going baby-crazy with our shopping over the last week. I've actually found a couple of really good deals too. It's just so hard to not buy EVERYTHING WE SEE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">[We had our eyes on this turtle for months. It's the first thing that made us really hope for a girl.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">[How adorable is that gaudy little bib? Can you believe I got it for <b>$3.51</b>?!?!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">[Keeping with the monkey theme.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8htDOnLwWeVmdXdIwxvDK_EpFOIezlejSIQvauThfiyapV-okp2zH7tLC1k6XsO3OPItUtWn_ZQSco-bER5RsRpuHIQlfnE61Y51Cv-4ruCvl5_-mE1huGlmBG2IrshDAPD2M6A47yE/s1600/FallCrawlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8htDOnLwWeVmdXdIwxvDK_EpFOIezlejSIQvauThfiyapV-okp2zH7tLC1k6XsO3OPItUtWn_ZQSco-bER5RsRpuHIQlfnE61Y51Cv-4ruCvl5_-mE1huGlmBG2IrshDAPD2M6A47yE/s320/FallCrawlers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">[Cute little crawlers in perfect fall colors! (That's brown, not black)]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> [Keeping with the cupcake theme!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> [I am OBSESSED with these little sock shoe/headband sets from Dillard's!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am bound and determined to get every color. Plus, for $5.99 per set, you can't beat it!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> [We stumbled across this cute little sleeper at Kohl's on sale for <b>$3.23</b>!]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still can't get over how much of a whirlwind this whole journey has been and now that we're more than halfway through it is even more crazy. I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that we will have a baby shortly after summer! Ah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, by the way, did I mention</span> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">we're having a girl</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">?<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">?<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></b></span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-718666022536365932012-05-06T13:42:00.000-05:002012-05-06T13:42:11.949-05:00Our First Purchase for Baby!We officially bought our first piece of "furniture" for little Baby Hajek!<br />
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I had been peeking around at high chairs for a couple of months, but wasn't really happy with anything I saw. I've always dreamed of having a pretty, antique, wooden high chair when we had a baby. So now that having a baby is a reality, I wanted to make sure to find the chair I'd always imagined.<br />
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I had been looking and looking to no avail and then, last Saturday, I found it! My mom and I were antiquing and came across the perfect little chair. The funny thing is that, just the night before, Brad and I were just noticing that since our dining set only has 5 chairs, it was like there was a spot reserved for Baby!<br />
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This is the chair we got. It was already completely sanded down.</div>
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I'm excited to refinish it into our own :)</div>
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What's perfect is that the style is very similar to our dining set. So I'm wanting to stain the tray and footrest the same shade as our tabletop, and then paint the rest an antique, off-white, just like our table and chairs. (See below)</div>
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It should fit in perfectly :)</div>
<br />Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-27380415680518028592012-04-16T21:48:00.001-05:002012-04-16T21:51:30.687-05:00March Madness.....and April's not looking much more sane!<span style="font-size: large;">Ayiyiyiyi, I don't even know where to begin! I've literally been trying to post something for WEEKS! Here's a quick run-down of March: Baby Announcement, Brad's Birthday, Mother-In-Law's Birthday, Best Friend's Birthday, <b>Our 2nd Anniversary <3</b>, and 3 different trips to San Antonio within a 7 day time span. Whew! I'm sure I'm still missing some things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Bradley James turned <b>29</b> years old this year! I cannot believe he's almost 30! You would've sworn he was turning 10 with all the ridiculous birthday presents he got. He was definitely the most excited about the electric guitar his mom got him...he's been wanting one pretty badly for the past couple of years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few days later I got home to an amazing surprise/early Anniversary present. Brad and his mom & dad conspired together to completely surprise me with his parents early Anniversary present to us, a brand new washer and dryer! I've mentioned before how I get wayyy too excited over practical things like vacuums, so you can imagine how much more excited I was about our first washer and dryer! It has been so amazing to be able to just wash things as they get dirty, rather than letting a few loads build up to make the wash trip worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So about the 3 trips to San Antonio...it was crazy. On a Friday I drove up for my beautiful Brittany's bachelorette party and came back home on Saturday. On Monday, I drove back up with my mom for my Great-Aunt Lynn's memorial service and funeral, we came back Tuesday. Then, on Friday, Brad, Sookie and I drove up for Brittany's wedding weekend/our (belated) Anniversary weekend. It was my bridesmaid debut and I loved every minute of it........and cried every minute of the ceremony!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFrsZHa-ddfPi8ZWkvRAxckA3DB4rc_RQC7VI1JqEUjx6DJr4HP9UuhQhZek1pZfuxOK4kJbB_pr2SfAqxLPbLE9i2F-tsKF4aRf95rNUr8IaTbhqDjb1ZUcZ9YBthYDw2TicFBkv3uc/s1600/156533_10150653737006638_645791637_9594312_387676902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFrsZHa-ddfPi8ZWkvRAxckA3DB4rc_RQC7VI1JqEUjx6DJr4HP9UuhQhZek1pZfuxOK4kJbB_pr2SfAqxLPbLE9i2F-tsKF4aRf95rNUr8IaTbhqDjb1ZUcZ9YBthYDw2TicFBkv3uc/s320/156533_10150653737006638_645791637_9594312_387676902_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The beautiful Bride!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Baby Update: We have another appointment this Thursday. In about 3 more weeks we'll have our 20-Week sonogram.....to find out the gender!!! I absolutely cannot wait! Although we'll be happy with either, we're secretly hoping for a little baby girl. We've already picked a girl's name, but are still having discussions about a boy name. What we <i>have</i> agreed on for each is a nursery theme!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH591MEpcrSW9PixLyFZl5fm1dXoDoZFzQazPcdbDlZmf6dgMcjRWhyphenhyphenn86q1JRHhAcrwgaFVBRu_MToV8fsR6VOCChiIykfe_FYe3Ma3q4G9Jk29wUwL5sBEPSyK_zerSi7ZV4evmMWzg/s1600/pTRU1-7832677_alternate2_dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH591MEpcrSW9PixLyFZl5fm1dXoDoZFzQazPcdbDlZmf6dgMcjRWhyphenhyphenn86q1JRHhAcrwgaFVBRu_MToV8fsR6VOCChiIykfe_FYe3Ma3q4G9Jk29wUwL5sBEPSyK_zerSi7ZV4evmMWzg/s320/pTRU1-7832677_alternate2_dt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If it's a boy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5Fb4XCBPfXT5L5JmAWQVcKuCSRjsSLvy0aF7E8WH1WlT6DKi__vhqAmeTorGMvRRB582sQ8lEmm5GPFANupFaQbfARtRusZIGE9BCJTlPKAUckwxUYGPzkoem1cUVJ4q6wHw8tZKwu0/s1600/pTRU1-12012794dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5Fb4XCBPfXT5L5JmAWQVcKuCSRjsSLvy0aF7E8WH1WlT6DKi__vhqAmeTorGMvRRB582sQ8lEmm5GPFANupFaQbfARtRusZIGE9BCJTlPKAUckwxUYGPzkoem1cUVJ4q6wHw8tZKwu0/s320/pTRU1-12012794dt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">If it's a girl!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've also started buying things to use at baby showers. Namely, these little guys (see below)! I went ahead and bought a few in both colors, because I didn't want to risk them being gone if we waited til we found out! Plus side, if it's a girl, we can use all of them since it's a pink and blue theme anyway!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UVrhN4gdjL0UbjtGjPU_scPbOOw8sR4phsXl-OQ2-ZvPg1WPq3bymstXXsOZ6CYZwyjmNdzVIP8ztDXdz9UHr4xI8sTPlr19kKwuM-oPJZhDI8mMWprQuXLmMgcuqvodGRsNF9nZ-W4/s1600/tn-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UVrhN4gdjL0UbjtGjPU_scPbOOw8sR4phsXl-OQ2-ZvPg1WPq3bymstXXsOZ6CYZwyjmNdzVIP8ztDXdz9UHr4xI8sTPlr19kKwuM-oPJZhDI8mMWprQuXLmMgcuqvodGRsNF9nZ-W4/s320/tn-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Aren't they the cutest things ever?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also in baby news, my mom is officially baby crazy. She's been helping me "nest"! We've spent the better part of the last few weekends making our apartment patio beautiful. This last weekend we planted 5 more plants, put out a solar powered water fountain and laid down carpet grass. Here are the little goodies she brought this weekend!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts2xWE3wxosvpD0KVkfwrvMyhYcWtm8QloRVRcw0pX0InShY60KGFowMfZySG1vWw4fKGgG4_xcPN7mfoqjZ3NeC-X74RH4VAS0mhVRVRZv3SHN_B0jOWwc2mTN-FA0EwrgYGLnlLtpA/s1600/tn-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts2xWE3wxosvpD0KVkfwrvMyhYcWtm8QloRVRcw0pX0InShY60KGFowMfZySG1vWw4fKGgG4_xcPN7mfoqjZ3NeC-X74RH4VAS0mhVRVRZv3SHN_B0jOWwc2mTN-FA0EwrgYGLnlLtpA/s320/tn-4.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuR2-bQb6fASb-F9rmaSHxTyH8_x4BfWyb1EvkmUqf9Nc2mdKuRaoi3cm0mvBAI2XBXopkMCr1OJNoBvEqJYlM2jSMinRy5yEWyK3j_6OCt5fFViDHi4t6tBDYQMDHibbZt2RHlL5vgU/s1600/tn-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuR2-bQb6fASb-F9rmaSHxTyH8_x4BfWyb1EvkmUqf9Nc2mdKuRaoi3cm0mvBAI2XBXopkMCr1OJNoBvEqJYlM2jSMinRy5yEWyK3j_6OCt5fFViDHi4t6tBDYQMDHibbZt2RHlL5vgU/s320/tn-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglB-odnOUGDEimX5Kj0KRnfxhJizvs3iO-HP4vljKIkw5PbkjgpQOmfccVmewCAcxiPoZB89g92Bc0U3E2nr9QOLzh1soUkZIT8CZxFD7vWpZGgZByyvelQM4BP__-rRubN-pJQu_r-0/s1600/tn-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglB-odnOUGDEimX5Kj0KRnfxhJizvs3iO-HP4vljKIkw5PbkjgpQOmfccVmewCAcxiPoZB89g92Bc0U3E2nr9QOLzh1soUkZIT8CZxFD7vWpZGgZByyvelQM4BP__-rRubN-pJQu_r-0/s320/tn-3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love the sound of running water...and I love these cute little gnomes even more!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's baby's first little present she got a couple of weeks ago. This little guy is adorable! </span> </span> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh7dx9aLGesomGatK-9onQ_2YinF2o5bd8EJgp_cbC9Ie4amBtjMu4mkqW4zsGwcYi7rZU4M3KYWbUTG3ELhodbaR9H-9oxGedyMhwyYavWInuDvp5QAfHlXpzmEN4mmk4o-G6y04KGU/s1600/tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh7dx9aLGesomGatK-9onQ_2YinF2o5bd8EJgp_cbC9Ie4amBtjMu4mkqW4zsGwcYi7rZU4M3KYWbUTG3ELhodbaR9H-9oxGedyMhwyYavWInuDvp5QAfHlXpzmEN4mmk4o-G6y04KGU/s320/tn.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-59043457358105706142012-03-02T19:44:00.001-06:002012-03-02T19:45:52.270-06:00I'm so happy 'cause I'm a gummy bear, GUMMY BEAR!(If you have no idea what the title is from, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0w5oGVwJ_Q">here</a>. Slightly vulgur, extremely hilarious!)<br />
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Well it's been a very hard secret to keep for the last month and a half, but Brad and I are happy to finally tell the world that we are expecting! We found out on January 24th.......after I took about 7 pregnancy tests in one day...just to be sure. Yes, it was a little bit ridiculous, lol<br />
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We had our first prenatal appointment on February 16, and the next is on March 19th. Yesterday was our first ultrasound and there are no words to describe how amazing it was. I was completely expecting the baby to just be a little glob on the screen, which is why were were so surprised to see a BABY! I know that sounds weird, but we were not at all prepared to see a little tiny human already. <br />
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What was even more exciting is that the mini-person on the screen decided to entertain us. When the ultrasound first started, everything was still. A couple minutes later that little image was dancing around. It was so unreal to see the little arms and legs moving around and bending. I wish I could buy an ultrasound machine to have at home, so we could watch our little baby wiggle around every day!<br />
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Minor Details: Since my "cycles" are so irregular, the doctor is going by fetal development alone. So according to Baby's development, size, etc., he/she is approximately 10 weeks and 1 day. So, I'm technically 12-13 weeks pregnant. I still can't get over how confusing that whole system is! Based on that info, she has given me an estimated due date of September 27, 2012.....just in time for the holidays!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WEfW0DRBXZmH_Z_hLIJuQ6akQ-ehQz4g65VmqXHgo51i1aLyMyKz-ecckpyD4O6wskipfz4v5_lqu7Ozy6KUvaWDQMXwXBQmvl15tlFZx6RUf-ZuVmsy4WOUs2iTt9vToE8tIQIlmb4/s1600/428239_243225425767288_100002394986568_508676_694825616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WEfW0DRBXZmH_Z_hLIJuQ6akQ-ehQz4g65VmqXHgo51i1aLyMyKz-ecckpyD4O6wskipfz4v5_lqu7Ozy6KUvaWDQMXwXBQmvl15tlFZx6RUf-ZuVmsy4WOUs2iTt9vToE8tIQIlmb4/s320/428239_243225425767288_100002394986568_508676_694825616_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Our little Gummy Bear!</span></span> </div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-57927925515366681112012-02-27T13:51:00.000-06:002012-02-27T13:51:21.881-06:00When did I turn into an old lady?What happened to the days of counting down the seconds til my Tax Refund came in, because I just couldn't wait to blow it on meaningless items? A new wardrobe? Why yes, I think I need one. That gorgeous purse at Dillard's? Sure, I think I can find a way to justify it as a necessity. A straight week of expensive dinners every night? Brad and I do need to spend more time together.<br />
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Nope, this year I apparently turned into a homemaker...a grandma homemaker. Sure, there are a couple of dresses and shirts I'd like to get, and there's that Brahmin purse I've been fighting the urge to buy, but what have I just been dying to buy this year?<br />
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A steam mop.<br />
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Yup, a steam mop. A Shark Steam Mop, to be exact. That baby is a beast! We bought it last night at 10:30pm, and at 12:15am what was I doing? That's right, steaming the floors......and I could not have been more excited to do so.Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-68721954162153820502012-01-08T16:17:00.001-06:002012-01-09T09:32:38.183-06:00So, I have a few recommendations - Part OneI recently finished re-reading <i>Captivating</i> by John & Stasi Eldredge for about the sixth time. I can't help it. It seems like every time I re-read it, it brings something new to life inside of me. It's a book about how woman is the "Crown of Creation"; the icing on the cake of God's masterpiece. It addresses every self-loathing thought every woman has ever had; those feelings of not being good enough, of not being beautiful enough, of not being <i>captivating.</i> As well as the feeling we get of being too much and not enough, all at the same time. It also addresses what we look for in men, what we <i>need</i> in men, and what we should <i>require</i> of the men in our lives. Now, before you start thinking it's just a woman, who probably doesn't live by a word she preaches, sitting there giving you false hope of what life could be...it's not. One of the most attention-keeping things about it, is that it's a husband and wife writing. She gives a woman's perspective on these issues, then he jumps in with a man's views, fears, and reasons why they do what they do.<br />
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It never fails, no matter how many times I read it, there are parts that always bring me to tears. I can personally connect with about 97% of the book, and I can think of so many women in my life that it would be such a benefit to. I personally think every woman should read it, and if you're in a serious relationship, your man should read it too! Brad has about one chapter left and it has been making such a difference in our relationship since he began reading it. This last go round, I read through it with a highlighter in hand. Everything I felt described, or applied to, an area of our relationship....I highlighted. So, as he's been reading through it, he knows that those particular areas are very important to me. I'm not a very confrontational person, so that has been a very useful tool.<br />
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Here are a few of the parts I highlighted:<br />
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<i>A woman in the presence of a good man, a real man, loves being a woman. His strength allows her feminine heart to flourish. His pursuit draws out her beauty.</i><br />
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<i>Woman is cursed with loneliness (relational heartache), with the urge to control (especially her man), and with the dominance of men (which is not how things were meant to be, and we are not saying it is a good thing - it is the fruit of the Fall and a sad fact of history)...Aren't your deepest worries and heartaches relational - aren't they connected to some<b>one</b>?...We are not inviting - we are <b>guarded</b>. Most of our energy is spent trying to hide our true selves, and control our worlds to have some sense of security.</i>..When a woman falls from grace, what is most deeply marred is her tender vulnerability, beauty that invites to life. She becomes a dominating, controlling woman - or a desolate, needy, mousy woman. Or some odd combination of both, depending on her circumstances.<br />
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<i>We hide behind our makeup. We hide behind our humor. We hide with angry silences and punishing withdrawals. We hide our truest selves and offer only what we believe is wanted, what is safe. We act in self-protective ways and refuse to offer what we truly see, believe, and know. We will not risk rejection or looking like a fool. </i><br />
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<i>Whether we tend to dominate and control, or withdraw in our desolation and hide, still the ache remains. The deep longings in our hearts as women just won't go away. And so we indulge. We buy ourselves something nice when we aren't feeling appreciated...We imagine meaningful conversations or difficult ones where we speak brilliantly...<b>Where do you go instead of to God when the ache of your heart begins to make itself known?</b> Spending too much money, gambling, bingeing, purging, shopping, drinking, working, cleaning, exercising, too many movies, sitcoms, talk shows, even our negative emotions can become indulgences. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Even if you can't relate to those last few, please read the following carefully. It is crucial for a woman to know. </span><i><br />
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<i>Satan fell <b>because</b> of his beauty. Now his heart for revenge is to assault beauty. He destroys it in the natural world wherever he can. But <b>most</b> especially, he hates Eve [woman]...She is captivating, uniquely glorious, and he cannot be. She is the incarnation of the Beauty of God. More than anything else in all creation, she embodies the Beauty of God. She allures the world to God. He hates it with a jealously we can only imagine...The Evil One also hates Eve because she gives life. Women give birth, not men. Women nourish life. And they also bring life into the world soulfully, relationally, spiritually - in everything they touch...Eve is his greatest human threat, for she brings life. She is a lifesaver and a life giver...Eve incarnates the Beauty of God <b>and</b> she gives life to the world. Satan's bitter heart cannot bear it. He assaults her with a special hatred....He is the one who has dogged your heels with shame and self-doubt and accusation. He is the one who offers the false comforters to you in order to deepen your bondage. He is the one who has done these things in order to prevent your restoration. For that is what he fears. He fears who you are; what you are; what you might become. He fears your beauty and your life-giving heart. <b>You really won't understand your life as a woman until you understand this: You are passionately loved by the God of the universe. You are passionately hated by His Enemy.</b> </i><br />
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"You are passionately loved by the God of the universe." <b>Wow.</b> That sentence, in particular, brings me to tears every time. How amazing is that? How often has that thought even crossed your mind? Those ten words alone should give you such a different outlook on life. Here are the next few sentences:<br />
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<i>And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration. For there is One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your broken heart and restore your feminine soul. Let us turn now to him.</i><br />
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Here are a few more parts that stood out to me...<b>regarding men</b>:<br />
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<i>A woman becomes beautiful when she knows she's loved. Cut off from love, rejected, no one pursuing her, something in a woman wilts like a flower no one waters anymore. She withers into resignation, duty, and shame. The radiance of her countenance goes out, as if a light has been turned off...As women we long to be loved in a certain way, a way unique to our femininity. We long for romance...Our hearts yearn to be loved intimately, personally, and yes, romantically. We are created to be the object of desire and affection of one who is totally and completely in love with us.</i><br />
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<i>The essence of a man is Strength. A man is meant to be the incarnation - our experience in human form - of our Warrior God. A God <b>who comes through for us.</b>..Isn't that what we, as women, long to experience from our man, and from the men in our lives?...We long for the protection masculine strength offers. To have them shield us from physical harm, yes. But also to have them shield us from emotional harm...Strength is what the world longs to experience from a man.</i><br />
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<i>Be careful you do not offer too much of yourself to a man until you have good, solid evidence that he is a strong man willing to commit. Is he walking with God in a real and intimate way? Is he facing the wounds of his own life?...A lot of questions, but <b>your heart is a treasure...offer it only to a man who is worthy and ready to handle it well.</b></i><br />
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Hopefully this gave you enough to go out and grab the book. It's important to me that every girl/woman I know read it....I wish I would have when I was a teenager! So I leave you with this: You <i>are</i> beautiful. You <i>are</i> worthy of love. The God of the universe finds you lovely...He wants a relationship with you. <b><i>He is captivated by you.</i></b><i> Settle for nothing less, my loves.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3mID1hTXRWXCxyRW_1-pWdv8KjpslzQ2Syq94cUFZq0KknBAoxuSpICTjwO7gmovkRrHFr6670dIc37Gf3gz7P6_znbPv-iq2OaORKY050Av3A7kqd178k9y1ZT0K17iI7ZZBpcQWgk/s1600/4F21HXXXXX-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3mID1hTXRWXCxyRW_1-pWdv8KjpslzQ2Syq94cUFZq0KknBAoxuSpICTjwO7gmovkRrHFr6670dIc37Gf3gz7P6_znbPv-iq2OaORKY050Av3A7kqd178k9y1ZT0K17iI7ZZBpcQWgk/s320/4F21HXXXXX-10.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-84065884925723701932011-12-27T16:40:00.003-06:002011-12-27T16:48:17.742-06:00A Christmas StoryI'm proud to announce that Christmas 2011 went off without a hitch and the festivities aren't even over yet! We still have to have our belated family time with the Hajek clan in George West. Lindsay, Santa Clause will be coming back to town! I'll also be sharing a little more Christmas cheer tomorrow when my best friend, Erika, comes to see me! I hope she loves her Christmas present!!!<br />
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First off, I'd like to showcase our Christmas decor. This was my first time full-on decorating our home for Christmas. We've had a Christmas tree every year, of course, but that's always been the extent of the cheerfulness of our humble abode. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhqldktq9udDkoBi8w8gTnmUM_c82TbZYNysBkbNGNyR0K4XBanDMqwN_X3NKZK3s-XUuKM3QfqQnuXxUVA9OvwJwSkpeecYfxsdmv87xUUswbN8F0jqMsPp_cgL9xCW7esvCQui04dk/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhqldktq9udDkoBi8w8gTnmUM_c82TbZYNysBkbNGNyR0K4XBanDMqwN_X3NKZK3s-XUuKM3QfqQnuXxUVA9OvwJwSkpeecYfxsdmv87xUUswbN8F0jqMsPp_cgL9xCW7esvCQui04dk/s320/4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our lovely 7-1/2' Christmas Tree. Yes, I know it could have used more lights!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm79FimHaPabL1LellILhZIaIfTug93LxofD-ps33oOXvtM9FtX3NWkbG2RAD3N1V2ouwbxz4fcDGVSxAevgAqllmjYBrlGyA62O_6SCYoQ-EpnaQVXGw5MPFQv2v3sdJQfO1ahw3Jlk/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm79FimHaPabL1LellILhZIaIfTug93LxofD-ps33oOXvtM9FtX3NWkbG2RAD3N1V2ouwbxz4fcDGVSxAevgAqllmjYBrlGyA62O_6SCYoQ-EpnaQVXGw5MPFQv2v3sdJQfO1ahw3Jlk/s320/5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> I was so excited to have a fireplace to decorate this year too!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4PiZdXzF98w24PzWDfBlg4nd84pfY1r_wwy0itJ9qSt1m-lerkBcFysI45Qv3Aggo4BA2Tz3SlBCxBQ6W4MwO4pfJw2vtMRK_kYuVXbyl603ZGUg9YRb6tfUinUkeZQCDCxq_8FtmkI/s1600/112711141637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4PiZdXzF98w24PzWDfBlg4nd84pfY1r_wwy0itJ9qSt1m-lerkBcFysI45Qv3Aggo4BA2Tz3SlBCxBQ6W4MwO4pfJw2vtMRK_kYuVXbyl603ZGUg9YRb6tfUinUkeZQCDCxq_8FtmkI/s320/112711141637.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My mother gave us this hutch last Christmas. </span></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Brad's mom gave us these sweet little Christmas dishes this year. </span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">They turned out to be the perfect little combination!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now to move on to the good stuff! Brad doesn't do very well at the whole "waiting to open presents" thing. So, we had to improvise. Friday night we opened our stockings and I went ahead and let him open a present too. He picked the box that held his new brown leather Vans. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For those of you who don't know him, the phrase "close toed shoes" does not exist in his vocabulary. It's always flip flops, flip flops, flip flops. However, when we were up in Longview back in October for his sister's wedding, I refused to let him run around in flip flops! So we took a little trip to the mall and were able to compromise on some grey Vans Classic Slip-Ons. Needless to say, </span> </span>they are now his favorite shoes.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj8AdE5VNRfqLKKmCg3BdeF5pwBcEojf5DZ6Ch9UDl4OLKMIkZSTxwkSZygF4SPO1r_o8O_OiBP5pKdOZj0QOdsFZkrKCRMkiAbqYTmnqjJGtAKP3oh112oU30TZn4fYMwo_yjZwG2S4/s1600/390131_199420823481082_100002394986568_395843_143540716_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj8AdE5VNRfqLKKmCg3BdeF5pwBcEojf5DZ6Ch9UDl4OLKMIkZSTxwkSZygF4SPO1r_o8O_OiBP5pKdOZj0QOdsFZkrKCRMkiAbqYTmnqjJGtAKP3oh112oU30TZn4fYMwo_yjZwG2S4/s320/390131_199420823481082_100002394986568_395843_143540716_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: xx-small;">Apparently Brad decided on a Hello Kitty theme for my stocking.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm not complaining!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcxjGsT4uGJ31cqgQ68ZgPcBlUjjcZYe2_Nzrscr78aLeRI6Nqj8f0EIzg8P3bDho3NHcy3y3OE6ypcd0fsrfS8AysXY5mblye0K0wotMbdu8zL4vPr8eFYNGT67GBUbaEo8Lzlwk4-I/s1600/122311224053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcxjGsT4uGJ31cqgQ68ZgPcBlUjjcZYe2_Nzrscr78aLeRI6Nqj8f0EIzg8P3bDho3NHcy3y3OE6ypcd0fsrfS8AysXY5mblye0K0wotMbdu8zL4vPr8eFYNGT67GBUbaEo8Lzlwk4-I/s320/122311224053.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Excited about his new shoes!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next day, Christmas Eve-Morning, it was off to his mom's house to open presents with his parents and little sister, Katelyn! He had to work from 11:00a.m.-8:00p.m. and his family was heading to his grandparent's in Victoria for Christmas Eve, so we had to do it early. We got all kinds of goodies! I got a scarf I had been wanting, Coach Poppy perfume (it smells divine), a Hello Kitty coffee table book, some money and a gift card. Brad got a cool new phone, clothes, a book and a few other things. His family also loved the gift we had picked out for them! Unfortunately, there was a down-side to the morning. His other little sister, Lauren, and her husband Blaine were unable to come down. They had just been down for Thanksgiving and that long drive from Dallas to Corpus Christi is a little too much to make more than once within such a short time frame. I wanted to take a picture of everyone making sad faces to send her, but time got away from us. This was her very first Christmas away from home :(</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFF1oWesmq-TuWfbWPAFnMBt4GNFw7Kl48QqXnqnXcucv3JC5Ap_gNvdlscwSiZieB_GMWGdKB_Ri2bw0BN50yFVQtUford85klb1GzoO-vfPmrL2aHLqzJSzJeO0XF4gnc70qo27zI0/s1600/122411093229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFF1oWesmq-TuWfbWPAFnMBt4GNFw7Kl48QqXnqnXcucv3JC5Ap_gNvdlscwSiZieB_GMWGdKB_Ri2bw0BN50yFVQtUford85klb1GzoO-vfPmrL2aHLqzJSzJeO0XF4gnc70qo27zI0/s320/122411093229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> His parent's house on Christmas Eve Morning. It was magical.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMbwo0cBOkZ6Qm9IDAVrMnwE3R4_bxD6xlOYwbsBlU1y6ivnZbo9exKTSK0gUoKqJGrEtMXQDO88O4fhWPicVJ6DzgghGWgU-ZRNDQCTDLYlURzIFIF82dsIT5LUbJieh0yDs8Ojmjg/s1600/2011-12-24_09-30-57_894_KPT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMbwo0cBOkZ6Qm9IDAVrMnwE3R4_bxD6xlOYwbsBlU1y6ivnZbo9exKTSK0gUoKqJGrEtMXQDO88O4fhWPicVJ6DzgghGWgU-ZRNDQCTDLYlURzIFIF82dsIT5LUbJieh0yDs8Ojmjg/s320/2011-12-24_09-30-57_894_KPT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Brad giving Charles some attention!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoYH9P7JQQ2KK7j9crfzxIEAs-KT9NTGoLVqTGMAJNV_1LyDjAwdrPzMsR5z4UGqZuygbuImbc35QFCIKqEc_psAO02nKDVSg6gqibLIqlMicFWa25UkWynr-0zcIZ2ifvw9GZigxXtY/s1600/122411101136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoYH9P7JQQ2KK7j9crfzxIEAs-KT9NTGoLVqTGMAJNV_1LyDjAwdrPzMsR5z4UGqZuygbuImbc35QFCIKqEc_psAO02nKDVSg6gqibLIqlMicFWa25UkWynr-0zcIZ2ifvw9GZigxXtY/s320/122411101136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Brad's mom teaching him how to play Holiday Town on Cityville.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Now I know where he gets his video game addiction from!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-kwixmceaKbpv7xFTO1yYBJhMV50_3-PMebwQLQ5QkIuCLXeTZsaee1TZ5i5qrGs6I-IWLEMaozSOrcDebhiayCdl1zwUuBtSq8iLsbWotZC6emsA1pHsJq5U9Zc6FZTE_uIYsyf1JU/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-kwixmceaKbpv7xFTO1yYBJhMV50_3-PMebwQLQ5QkIuCLXeTZsaee1TZ5i5qrGs6I-IWLEMaozSOrcDebhiayCdl1zwUuBtSq8iLsbWotZC6emsA1pHsJq5U9Zc6FZTE_uIYsyf1JU/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every year Brad's mom gets us a new ornament. </span></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is the sweet little baby she gave us this year!</span></div><br />
Christmas Eve afternoon, while Brad was at work, I made a trip to Alice to spend some time with my mom. She was originally supposed to come to our place for the evening, but the weather was pretty icky and I didn't want her driving in it.She was really tired too, so it worked out best for me to go there. Plus, I got a homemade lunch out of the deal. What's better than that?!? We exchanged gifts and she loved what we got her. I really loved my gifts too! Namely the Sperry's and Season 1 of Ahh! Real Monsters!<br />
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Later that evening, Brad and I got home at about the same time and he was just itching to open the rest of his presents, so I finally gave in. I gave him the previously mentioned Vans, a Star Wars shirt, 2 Transformers (<i>Did I mention he's almost 30?</i>), a Lambicht gift set, and I know I'm still missing a couple of things. He also opened the presents my mom sent for him, which were a blue pair of Vans and a really nice wine tool set.<br />
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As for my gifts from Brad, he's never been a great shopper. He always gets me the most random gift or two, it's just too overwhelming for him. So you can imagine how surprised I was when I saw all those little boxes under the tree with my name on them! He did so well! He gave me a beautiful black and gold bracelet with rhinestones from Dillard's, 2 new additions to my charm bracelet from James Avery, the Taylor Swift - Journey To Fearless DVD, Kung Foo Panda 2 (<i>Did I mention I'm almost 25?</i>), and a big bottle of my favorite perfume in the entire world, Princess by Vera Wang.<br />
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Out of all the gifts he gave me, the perfume was the most treasured. I know I had mentioned to him that I had run out, but he's not one to remember those kinds of things. So I squealed when I opened that last box that had the perfume inside. Here's my corny little story as to why the perfume was the most special gift he gave me: It was the weekend before Christmas of 2007. My mom and I were in San Antonio for the weekend doing some last minute shopping. We went to Sephora at La Cantera Mall to grab a few things she needed. As we were walking into the store, she noticed the beautiful bottle holding this fragrance and stopped to smell it. We went about our business, gathering the things she needed, and as we were about to get in line to pay she asked me to go grab a large bottle of the perfume. When we got back to our hotel room she gave it to me as an early Christmas present. I, of course, put some on right away and put the little crown cap on my finger as a ring. Brad and I had been talking for a while at this point, as friends of course, I knew he had feelings for me, but I was still unsure of how I thought of him. That night, we were texting back and forth with random small talk and for one reason, or another, it just hit me that I really did have feelings for him. A couple short weeks later we began dating and, well, you know the rest of the story.<br />
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So, ever since that night, I've always associated that scent with my then new found love for that cute boy who is now my handsome husband.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2mrqqe0DlWcG1PBciGuMwhiR8RE8TFAzEjaMj5dTW7wDq_gelJvD2aswFPz5ZNBAe6ua0_T7jhfYD9v1DTrq1yWr9uhGulWMPsEcbzFXVfIPG3t72ox3AP3EsHEWcWvCx1xWsnOVTbo/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2mrqqe0DlWcG1PBciGuMwhiR8RE8TFAzEjaMj5dTW7wDq_gelJvD2aswFPz5ZNBAe6ua0_T7jhfYD9v1DTrq1yWr9uhGulWMPsEcbzFXVfIPG3t72ox3AP3EsHEWcWvCx1xWsnOVTbo/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our new shoes from my mom!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xVKqRTBCzY/TvpGWvGcK_I/AAAAAAAAAFg/E4mkgfDy0ks/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xVKqRTBCzY/TvpGWvGcK_I/AAAAAAAAAFg/E4mkgfDy0ks/s320/8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My pretty bracelet. (No, my wrist is not as huge as it looks in this pic.)</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgOrs59zPah7hu5_nyce44aM9zJQdWuCi_dJ92z6GcCnkAXHbc22Xk2vUtu_2N1P5lRkCW6y5ch5IaZFpODTI51ss1YA6MdT8DZOmhJQ3EQInKmZRIZPWqM_52374Lt6rB0LgU591ad0/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgOrs59zPah7hu5_nyce44aM9zJQdWuCi_dJ92z6GcCnkAXHbc22Xk2vUtu_2N1P5lRkCW6y5ch5IaZFpODTI51ss1YA6MdT8DZOmhJQ3EQInKmZRIZPWqM_52374Lt6rB0LgU591ad0/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cannot wait to pop these in!</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93LGMH3ZmBs/TvpG680ZE1I/AAAAAAAAAF4/4kXRCNW6T4Y/s1600/IMG_20111224_211511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93LGMH3ZmBs/TvpG680ZE1I/AAAAAAAAAF4/4kXRCNW6T4Y/s320/IMG_20111224_211511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Vera's going to have to learn to share with Poppy, because I love them both!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since we were unable to go to Victoria and spend Christmas Eve with his entire family, we opted to head up for a few hours on Sunday. Although we missed all of his aunts and uncles, cousins and their babies, we did get to spend more time with his parents and grandparents, and we did still get to see his cousin Lindsey for a little bit. It's always nice to be able to just relax with family! </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3AlcRA3hK8o637RuLduIdx8fQzWuYkhg7f0LQZP6fSTI0b8IM0oIcX6mkWS0n-ZyeTr3xI1wd6cebWFrE6erZn1ZqcOo6AFSxyOc1Qmkf052mr69gjpIGnKdeelfcW80BtuaOoRYNrk/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3AlcRA3hK8o637RuLduIdx8fQzWuYkhg7f0LQZP6fSTI0b8IM0oIcX6mkWS0n-ZyeTr3xI1wd6cebWFrE6erZn1ZqcOo6AFSxyOc1Qmkf052mr69gjpIGnKdeelfcW80BtuaOoRYNrk/s320/10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Brad and I at his grandparent's house on Christmas Day.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I wish I were more photogenic!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is one last little gem to leave you with:</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDII16-UQNeQ32PN8xPJETjBlLQEhy0MIHX723bfyNS2oE74BaO9qipr-FPxJaeNFqPk-cfrDbAbFkqLcY35qon9EKEtvAlXSd8T0jJTqLLTa-5-87R_NWA3577BqUzgog5ww1SdvWJvzQ/s1600/122011142353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDII16-UQNeQ32PN8xPJETjBlLQEhy0MIHX723bfyNS2oE74BaO9qipr-FPxJaeNFqPk-cfrDbAbFkqLcY35qon9EKEtvAlXSd8T0jJTqLLTa-5-87R_NWA3577BqUzgog5ww1SdvWJvzQ/s320/122011142353.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>This was taken in 1986 when Brad was 3 years old.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">How cute was he? I guess he's still alright ;) </span></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459551010710638808.post-80011590998187308332011-12-22T16:36:00.000-06:002011-12-22T16:36:05.749-06:00New Beginnings<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stumbled across my blog earlier today, only to realize my last post was from July of 2010. Oh how time has passed. I honestly thought I was only 3 or 4 months behind on my blogging.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I read through the handful of blogs I had posted, I realized how drastically things have changed in the last year and a half. I decided that rather than resuming my posts, I would create an entirely new blog site. After all, I have had so many new beginnings since then and how better to keep up the trend than to say "Out with the old and in with the new"?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here's a quick little update of the time that's passed between the last post on my old blog and this, the first post on my new one:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First off, I would like you to meet Sookie. She is our sweet little baby girl. Of course, by "sweet" I do mean she loves to destroy mommy's shoes, purses and basically anything else she can get in her little mouth. However, all she has to do is flash that poor little puppy face and all is forgiven. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCIrkEath3gIhf6ldld8t9BJjV6qcsjVh_xWIYTmYAVCb6CGFezkSrfkGds5T8Xe9JXdD9I2E2nDqle7SH9smzt6fOVswFuTcfTVf38U7tXjvNED6itAl_mp8X8hEIwpt_4kzsGBwG3k/s1600/317158_182889628467535_100002394986568_354225_1638529208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCIrkEath3gIhf6ldld8t9BJjV6qcsjVh_xWIYTmYAVCb6CGFezkSrfkGds5T8Xe9JXdD9I2E2nDqle7SH9smzt6fOVswFuTcfTVf38U7tXjvNED6itAl_mp8X8hEIwpt_4kzsGBwG3k/s320/317158_182889628467535_100002394986568_354225_1638529208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My precious little girl. (She's a Jack Russell Terrier by the way.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Next on the list is my job. As my last post mentioned, I was working on a political campaign for Blake Farenthold who was the Republican candidate running for the Congressional seat for the 27th District of Texas. Well, he won. As much faith as I had in him and as much as I prayed, nothing could have ever prepared any of us for an actual win. He defeated the 28 year Democratic incumbent, Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz. Congressman Farenthold flew our staff to Washington, D.C., the first week of January 2011 for his inauguration as a United States Representative. That trip was priceless. Did I mention it was my first time flying...EVER? </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The work year has been a complete roller coaster! It's been go, go, go since day one and there doesn't seem to be any slowing down in sight. I'm just thankful to be getting a couple days off for the Christmas holiday!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'll add a pic from DC when I get on my laptop!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">My husband, Bradley, has 4 beautiful sisters. Their names are, in order by age, Katy, Lauren, Katelyn and Lindsay. I mention this now, because there will be plenty of references throughout the posts.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lauren recently graduated from Texas Tech University where she was a fashion design student. In May we went up to Lubbock for her Senior Fashion Show. It did not disappoint. Not only were her pieces amazing, but she won a national award for her Men's Jeans design. Along with this award was a trip to Colombia and Guatemala to visit manufacturing plants, the winners even had about a dozen of their winning items "mass" produced. It was such a great experience for her!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwr8RaXBIYc6wGIF8HsY9szqT60nGFLZQw7bAF8pcOTHeTvCat_1D-o-1-chV-ASlCITarqTQrCJljVYSsqfzoaONuFa302xMSBzRDaio4HgllUqDZK_FVtvxy2yWuZrpiVJ3n8hj7Ek/s1600/225487_10150247471912790_670282789_8701362_63283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwr8RaXBIYc6wGIF8HsY9szqT60nGFLZQw7bAF8pcOTHeTvCat_1D-o-1-chV-ASlCITarqTQrCJljVYSsqfzoaONuFa302xMSBzRDaio4HgllUqDZK_FVtvxy2yWuZrpiVJ3n8hj7Ek/s320/225487_10150247471912790_670282789_8701362_63283_n.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lauren - Receiving the award plaque for her Men's Jeans design.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe2bc5BV4iteoIKni5UnAkEzPWZw_CUbtCS_ZgvFCOgi9Uc58xNwEIOtu_WnEwbV9gHNS7zf5oPao7-Wv-h5UkbXM7PLYDLdId0nRQ6MIrfd9s5pNi1U90NA9nq-CbftMEI5k0pFMJ_4/s1600/225327_10150247472257790_670282789_8701372_3972995_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe2bc5BV4iteoIKni5UnAkEzPWZw_CUbtCS_ZgvFCOgi9Uc58xNwEIOtu_WnEwbV9gHNS7zf5oPao7-Wv-h5UkbXM7PLYDLdId0nRQ6MIrfd9s5pNi1U90NA9nq-CbftMEI5k0pFMJ_4/s320/225327_10150247472257790_670282789_8701372_3972995_n.jpg" width="158" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> The winning style in action.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">In August I made a trip back up to Lubbock in August with Brad's mom to help move Katelyn into her new apartment. It was definitely a fun filled weekend. Everyone's inner interior designer came out and the final product was a masterpiece!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJBbchjAAo-ifNIjVSKQIQRAdLisPBNjAPysk9eOmMKj8p3IG_78nEHyhq5KsCK9rovpJyTnQeFXYCm7SjQatVhQMCiz9-b4ZSAOlvpFmGnF_uhhEggzpsfIL1RkLe1ao4fZnM40raSY/s1600/297215_1762656084960_1795852324_1229679_604426328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJBbchjAAo-ifNIjVSKQIQRAdLisPBNjAPysk9eOmMKj8p3IG_78nEHyhq5KsCK9rovpJyTnQeFXYCm7SjQatVhQMCiz9-b4ZSAOlvpFmGnF_uhhEggzpsfIL1RkLe1ao4fZnM40raSY/s320/297215_1762656084960_1795852324_1229679_604426328_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Kate's cute little bedroom.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlP846Nb_fuzadESFBLfJHebGi8-FbYpsVFMZLEeE0DVXhL36Qxw3hDbbQ3QWkpLNExQjOus0JNzHq3uhrHtDbRAY1GYUpqzQx3-g-RsFfZC_L-K7JCWLkvloD1dpf7-SRznwzS1nHSo/s1600/304340_1762672845379_1795852324_1229692_1223880589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlP846Nb_fuzadESFBLfJHebGi8-FbYpsVFMZLEeE0DVXhL36Qxw3hDbbQ3QWkpLNExQjOus0JNzHq3uhrHtDbRAY1GYUpqzQx3-g-RsFfZC_L-K7JCWLkvloD1dpf7-SRznwzS1nHSo/s320/304340_1762672845379_1795852324_1229692_1223880589_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">...and her matching bathroom!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nfC80rzp__lqSzYUYQd0D13QhUXUSct75MIrAKqrOW78oiutOhowdbcpa4ks7TzwSGWJHG8TJwUc3YUzMKKs-s4j15ApeANIwP6CXtZGb4p-gjHBL7ctlVpkYtztMam9nfxMTF2hy6Q/s1600/299982_1730674645444_1795852324_1194271_1983880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nfC80rzp__lqSzYUYQd0D13QhUXUSct75MIrAKqrOW78oiutOhowdbcpa4ks7TzwSGWJHG8TJwUc3YUzMKKs-s4j15ApeANIwP6CXtZGb4p-gjHBL7ctlVpkYtztMam9nfxMTF2hy6Q/s320/299982_1730674645444_1795852324_1194271_1983880_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lauren demonstrating the new living area!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUWIPiW2JJa3DobLhIO8k9MiqiO2WutFbTFn2JdsJ2cl8KNPrPo-jfFpN0Fzi1WaoepRl0HIGGd4BiIUA0bYTxxma1_eARKfeaNCnbiUu-9OAJ0INj_p9GBEvAtzcN_fEZ8kRr4N4asQ/s1600/310582_1738268955297_1795852324_1202551_3791967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUWIPiW2JJa3DobLhIO8k9MiqiO2WutFbTFn2JdsJ2cl8KNPrPo-jfFpN0Fzi1WaoepRl0HIGGd4BiIUA0bYTxxma1_eARKfeaNCnbiUu-9OAJ0INj_p9GBEvAtzcN_fEZ8kRr4N4asQ/s320/310582_1738268955297_1795852324_1202551_3791967_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Katelyn's first day of her Sophomore year at Texas Tech University!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">About two weeks after the move-in, Brad's family made a trip back up to Lubbock for Lauren's graduation. Sadly, we were both on the clock that weekend and weren't able to make it. We're still so proud of his little sister though!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuHr8yBfty8A7gsR7NMsAq7wsBQ45z3CM0Gp6FR53Ku5FO6GjOOLHVOmjCcNOhrI_gI5TgKJLW8vhwYqItCtT7oEvP8hbVm7mAL55CowNWrlqG9eCHsx4AB3FN3ZU8ShUnq29JRGv5Ao/s1600/281818_1702563102673_1795852324_1148055_3203405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuHr8yBfty8A7gsR7NMsAq7wsBQ45z3CM0Gp6FR53Ku5FO6GjOOLHVOmjCcNOhrI_gI5TgKJLW8vhwYqItCtT7oEvP8hbVm7mAL55CowNWrlqG9eCHsx4AB3FN3ZU8ShUnq29JRGv5Ao/s320/281818_1702563102673_1795852324_1148055_3203405_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lauren and her fiance Blaine on graduation day!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just two short months later it was time for our next road trip. This time, Bradley and I made the long drive to Longview for Lauren and Blaine's WEDDING! It was hands down the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. They are so in love and it was just amazing seeing that love flourish into the next stage of their life together.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLKFHxz4qc5TL0v_V6e4t0aj-JwjrVQZ1rTrskT8RCUVLhDPSC1O4o4LbH4BPZOUN0SPsTglOupHs4WcFodGSAekXW-LFwMc8Ff3GDTQTuPDn3bbKqOiHsLqpBeAP1YMI0a5Ot9xE8IU/s1600/318508_10150454249542790_670282789_10364663_168175344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLKFHxz4qc5TL0v_V6e4t0aj-JwjrVQZ1rTrskT8RCUVLhDPSC1O4o4LbH4BPZOUN0SPsTglOupHs4WcFodGSAekXW-LFwMc8Ff3GDTQTuPDn3bbKqOiHsLqpBeAP1YMI0a5Ot9xE8IU/s320/318508_10150454249542790_670282789_10364663_168175344_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The big kiss!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday of the year. There's just something about the season in itself, I just get that "homey" feeling when November rolls around. There's also the element reliving how much you have been blessed over the year and being thankful for your friends and family. This year was probably the most calm Thanksgiving we've ever had. It was just, perfect. We had lunch at Bradley's parents house. Lauren and Blaine were there, along with his parents and grandparents. After lunch, we went home for our post-turkey coma and then my mom came to spend the afternoon with us.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzShZlB3szV8R61JFphgMf_Washvm0ULdRXdD958UksNgfZS6fsuUYOK-Z_v-fngdIgTbgFCWg4mtzReKbJev6uLGia1zA03RMx0p6mDbFkpbXYAjRLiT93k9qNpBkjHzSr-DM0wi1SI/s1600/374098_1978576122826_1795852324_1368003_2029987392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzShZlB3szV8R61JFphgMf_Washvm0ULdRXdD958UksNgfZS6fsuUYOK-Z_v-fngdIgTbgFCWg4mtzReKbJev6uLGia1zA03RMx0p6mDbFkpbXYAjRLiT93k9qNpBkjHzSr-DM0wi1SI/s320/374098_1978576122826_1795852324_1368003_2029987392_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Getting ready to enjoy our feast!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Finally, we're catching up with our timeline of the year! Last weekend, on December 17, Brad's sister, Katy, and one of my very best friends, Brittany, both graduated from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Katy graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology and Brittany graduated with her Masters in Education. I'm so proud of both of them!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77Iykz6DSY5izEW4IfShRDgMoMV-ZsvmRxXbeCI09EzoFgXybpaTlMUA9SNJH42LlSZhQGPv7FHgRdN-Y9qkWuzX0kXnXYVZEzfBo5X6iUJpA48vJlw-2f3QYd6l24dgRDrcpS7fExmg/s1600/387183_2398468000683_1220513551_32183537_201046395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77Iykz6DSY5izEW4IfShRDgMoMV-ZsvmRxXbeCI09EzoFgXybpaTlMUA9SNJH42LlSZhQGPv7FHgRdN-Y9qkWuzX0kXnXYVZEzfBo5X6iUJpA48vJlw-2f3QYd6l24dgRDrcpS7fExmg/s320/387183_2398468000683_1220513551_32183537_201046395_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our newest graduate - Katy Hajek!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOgmzhBwakWxiu7G_I3gAEJ6OJ0BQ_b07vzZNt5tGu8RkB1wGSBsRELmRwOjyQJP179nH1FiEQ89gtP-9iHR2P2SSkbF9VH_bZ7gckQaSE_cBerp663syBqyrV9KeJrr_-3RcxEydDs/s1600/383751_195849280504903_100002394986568_385290_82444860_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOgmzhBwakWxiu7G_I3gAEJ6OJ0BQ_b07vzZNt5tGu8RkB1wGSBsRELmRwOjyQJP179nH1FiEQ89gtP-9iHR2P2SSkbF9VH_bZ7gckQaSE_cBerp663syBqyrV9KeJrr_-3RcxEydDs/s320/383751_195849280504903_100002394986568_385290_82444860_n.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Not the best pic, but here's Brittany fresh off the stage!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So now we are completely caught up on the last year! I have a couple more posts to come regarding my recent craftiness, that will be a post in itself, and a post about the upcoming holidays! Hopefully I can actually keep up with this thing from now on! I envy my friend Sara for being able to keep up with hers so well.</span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Felicia Ray Hajekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488576651182765414noreply@blogger.com0