tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37348844260438414862024-03-13T09:03:03.445-07:00The WhittlesAndrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-76624498186459552072016-01-02T06:37:00.001-08:002016-01-02T06:40:00.167-08:002015<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Wow what a year we have had! <div>Andrew: Is a graduated man and working hard as always. He is also looking forward to finding a new job for 2016!</div><div><br></div><div>Starrie: Is staying at home with the kiddos and leading a very busy life! Especially now that Jocey is in school, Vivian is Vivian haha and there is a new baby to get used to.</div><div><br></div><div>Jocelynn: Is killing it at being a Kindergartener, Big Sissy and awesome daughter and friend. This year she learned to read, and hit all her milestones! She is exceptionally smart and loves to learn about everything.</div><div><br></div><div>Vivian: Is so proud to not only be a Little Sissy but also a Big Sissy! She is hitting all her milestones and is talking so well and much more clearly. She is so polite and always says sorry when she feels bad. She is so dang energetic, silly and spunky, it's hard to keep up with!</div><div><br></div><div>Oliver: Is such a sweet boy and is doing great on his sleeping and feeding skills! Being a little 1 month old is a tough gig and he is doing it with flying colors. He laughs, smiles, babbles and holds his head up.</div><div><br></div><div>We are looking forward to this new year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W0-p6kEDGBs/Vofgfhhh31I/AAAAAAAAKus/kf8OoORXfB0/s640/blogger-image--1469369402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W0-p6kEDGBs/Vofgfhhh31I/AAAAAAAAKus/kf8OoORXfB0/s640/blogger-image--1469369402.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_yytoBCyAo/Vofgjx1tdtI/AAAAAAAAKvE/CSJrdqq4tq0/s640/blogger-image--338728568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_yytoBCyAo/Vofgjx1tdtI/AAAAAAAAKvE/CSJrdqq4tq0/s640/blogger-image--338728568.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgRUwcDOzeU/Vofgk5Rv37I/AAAAAAAAKvM/xnWHjrV1KLE/s640/blogger-image-1585336320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgRUwcDOzeU/Vofgk5Rv37I/AAAAAAAAKvM/xnWHjrV1KLE/s640/blogger-image-1585336320.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xg7EYbF5avE/VofgmSgZ6SI/AAAAAAAAKvU/KQaaV5rSceQ/s640/blogger-image-1322251518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xg7EYbF5avE/VofgmSgZ6SI/AAAAAAAAKvU/KQaaV5rSceQ/s640/blogger-image-1322251518.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KVF_zoL3_x8/VofghRhMYcI/AAAAAAAAKu0/30JUhHgkQ6I/s640/blogger-image-746382004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KVF_zoL3_x8/VofghRhMYcI/AAAAAAAAKu0/30JUhHgkQ6I/s640/blogger-image-746382004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJDPPNhGqQY/Vofgo0YwOaI/AAAAAAAAKvk/kLgcA1WciKM/s640/blogger-image--1407361244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJDPPNhGqQY/Vofgo0YwOaI/AAAAAAAAKvk/kLgcA1WciKM/s640/blogger-image--1407361244.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KVF_zoL3_x8/VofghRhMYcI/AAAAAAAAKu0/30JUhHgkQ6I/s640/blogger-image-746382004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-120cZfz24PQ/VofgivZb6II/AAAAAAAAKu8/617e3ezdgKs/s640/blogger-image--720916259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-120cZfz24PQ/VofgivZb6II/AAAAAAAAKu8/617e3ezdgKs/s640/blogger-image--720916259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-120cZfz24PQ/VofgivZb6II/AAAAAAAAKu8/617e3ezdgKs/s640/blogger-image--720916259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CuU0Etoyh-E/Vofgndnh3iI/AAAAAAAAKvc/gLRdCNWKJTY/s640/blogger-image--685050755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CuU0Etoyh-E/Vofgndnh3iI/AAAAAAAAKvc/gLRdCNWKJTY/s640/blogger-image--685050755.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-81813313368753449582016-01-02T06:08:00.001-08:002016-01-02T06:16:21.978-08:00Jocelynn's Labor StoryMy baby girl just turned 6! I'm really having a hard time with the reality of that and am trying to enjoy each moment with her. In doing so I realized that this blog does not have her labor story. After rummaging through my diaries I found a vague entry of her labor. It's better than nothing though!<div><br></div><div>Before the hospital:</div><div>At 36 weeks along I was dilated to 5cm (on my birthday, Dec. 14, 2009) I went to the hospital but there was no progress. I walked around at a 5 for over 2 weeks. On the night of December 27 for some reason I thought my water was leaking, but was worried if it wasn't I would not be admitted.</div><div><br></div><div>The Hospital:</div><div>I arrived at the hospital around 10:30 p.m. And was dilated to 6cm so they ended up keeping me. It was weird because I felt no pain or contractions, even though I was having them regularly. After several hours of labor the next morning I got to 8cm, still having no pain. I was scared that I would have pain while pushing so I got an epidural, which also did not hurt. After that, at 9cm they broke my water. They told me to go to sleep while my body finished dilating, when I woke up about an hour later I was fully dilated to 10cm. I pushed for an hour and a half, still had no pain and remember feeling so hungry! Finally, on December 28th at 10:35 a.m. little Jocelynn was born! Weighing 7lbs 12 ounces and 19 inches long. Born at 38w 6d. I still remember thinking about how warm she felt as soon as they layed her on my tummy right after delivery!</div><div><br></div><div>My Thoughts:</div><div>I've always regretted getting that dang epidural! I didn't need it! And I really had wished I ate a larger meal before going to the hospital.</div><div>I needed 1 stitch for a tiny little tear on the inside. I had extreme swelling the first few days and it was hard walking due to heaviness.</div><div>My first delivery experience was wonderful, even if I'd wished I did some thing differently. There is nothing that compares to experiencing child birth for the first time! Seeing my Jocey's face for the first time really put into perspective how much love you can instantly have for a tiny little baby and person! I am so grateful she is our first!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7aA3poSDiWM/VofZ4Xzej7I/AAAAAAAAKuc/qevcqA5Ba8c/s640/blogger-image-1553148730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7aA3poSDiWM/VofZ4Xzej7I/AAAAAAAAKuc/qevcqA5Ba8c/s640/blogger-image-1553148730.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-55089714637994479432015-11-28T23:09:00.001-08:002015-11-30T04:16:53.652-08:00Ollie's LaborI wanted to write down my labor story with Ollie so that I do not end up forgetting what happened later on.<br>
<br>Earlier in the day:<br>
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On November 2nd, in the middle of the day I was having contractions on and off but they were not very close together and ended up stopping if I got up or walked around for a little. Later that night we went to Andrew's mom's house to eat some dinner, after dinner I suggested to Andrew that we go on an hour long walk to see if we could get anything started. Even if nothing was going to start, I wanted to go to the hospital because my hip was hurting pretty badly. During the walk I had several contractions but of course they would stop as soon as I stopped walking and or sat down. After the walk we went back to pick up the girls and decided to go down to the hospital for my hip. We stopped at home first to get the girls ready for bed so that coming home would be easier and threw our hospital bags in the car "just in case". The whole way down we told the girls we were probably not staying at the hospital and that we would just show them where I would be once the baby came etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
Hospital:<br>
Once we got to the hospital at around 10 p.m. I got in my gown and told them about my hip, they wanted to monitor for an hour just to make sure everything was ok with baby. As soon as I got in the bed the nurse came in and checked me, I was at a 4 and 70% effaced! We were pretty surprised because I had been at a 1 and 50% for 7 weeks. After the hour had passed I progressed to a 4+ and once again we were caught off guard and admitted. Vivian was very concerned for me while I was getting the IV and Jocelynn could not contain her excitement. Later, Andrew's parents came and got the kids. After 2 hours I was pretty much a 5 still and my cervix was pretty posterior, so we decided to break my water to get things going a little faster, this was at 2 a.m. During the next 50 min I was really starting to feel it and started to get anxiety that things might turn out like Vivian's delivery. I got to the point where I couldn't focus and started crying and basically screaming uncontrollably, the nurse came in and checked me at 2:50 a.m. and I was at a 7. I thought I could get through it, but when the next contraction came at 3:00 a.m. I asked for the epidural. Around 4:00 a.m. the nurse came in to put in a catheter, but I ended up being 10 cm and fully effaced, which was surprising and scary. Scary because my epidural was only working on one side (never had that happen before) and surprising because I have had 12 and 13 hour labors in the past so I was prepared to be in labor for much longer. At 4:15 a.m. we got ready to push and at 4:37 little Oliver was born. He was born at 38w 2d, on November 3rd and was 8lbs 1oz, 20 inches long. The first thing I said when I heard him cry was, " Oh my gosh he even sounds like a boy!" and then we both almost started crying.<br>
My placenta took a good 25 minutes to come out (and that was with painful kneading on my stomach for all that time), once they got it out I am pretty sure they cleaned my uterus out, so I haven't bled much and it was also my first time ripping during birth. The recovery has been a little more rough then my other two.<br>
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My Thoughts:<br>
I cannot believe I cut my labor time in half this time, it seems like it came and went so much quicker!<br>
I am so glad that It all happened the way that it did, it was a great experience for me and I feel so blessed that everything went well. <div>Babies are little miracles, it blows my mind how different each labor is and what is required to get them here. We love our Ollie baby!<br>
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<br></div>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-68656509969647762112015-08-03T20:56:00.001-07:002015-08-03T21:27:45.536-07:00MermaidsOnce again I decided to make my girls costumes for Halloween this year. I was out of ideas when it came to princess' so I asked Jocey what she would like to be. She was very insistent that she be a mermaid, and of course Vivian agreed.<br />
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All the mermaid costumes you could buy, in my opinion, hardly resembled a mermaid and looked like a regular dress. So to Pinterest I went, but still no one had made anything I particularly liked. I decided to combine a fabric I saw one place, with a tail I saw another, a shell bra that had a dead link on its tutorial, while also adding my own touches.</div>
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Materials I used:</div>
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2 Nude Dance Leotards</div>
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2 yards of two different colored Tulle</div>
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1 yard Fish Scale Fabric from Amazon </div>
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1/4 yard Purple Dance Wear Fabric</div>
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1 yard Stretchy Purple Sequin material</div>
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Some stuffing</div>
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Basically I drew my own shells for the bra, sewed right sides together, flipped inside out, stuffed them, sewed them shut and then I hand sewed the lines into the shell bra. After that I attached the bra to the leotards with my machine for duarability and added the sequin material around the back connecting each side of the bra. I cut the leotards in half (horizontally) and serged the edges, cut my mermaid scale fabric, fit it to their waists and sewed it to the leotards. Later I cut the bottom of the scale tail into a triangle and attached straight cut ruffled tulle to the sides of the triangle where I had cut. Last I added tulle to the tops of the tail for a completed look.</div>
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The best part is there are no zippers, buttons or snaps, just stretchy goodness. And because they're so stretchy there are no issues with walking or running!</div>
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My girls have already played in these and they're in love!<br />
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-46884623972423242162015-08-01T10:39:00.001-07:002015-11-28T23:12:16.936-08:00Pregnancy Comparisons<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I think it is fun to do some pregnancy comparisons. So here are a few.<br />
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<b>Morning Sickness and Gender</b><br />
Jocelynn: Girl, Sick until just under 30 weeks, throwing up everyday<br />
Vivian: Girl, Sick until after she was born, throwing up almost everyday<br />
Oliver: Boy, Nauseated until 15 weeks, bearable with very little throwing up<br />
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<b>Cravings </b><br />
Jocelynn: Sweets<br />
Vivian: Sweets<br />
Oliver: Bland, NO SWEETS-blech<br />
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<b>Starting Weight</b><br />
Jocelynn: 130 lbs<br />
Vivian: 143 lbs<br />
Oliver: 153 lbs<br />
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<b>Ending Pregnancy Weight</b><br />
Jocelynn: 150 lbs, total weight gain 20 lbs<br />
Vivian: 162 lbs, total weight gain 19 lbs<br />
Oliver: *updated* 172 lbs, total weight gain 19 lbs<br />
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<b>Deliveries/ Complications</b><br />
Jocelynn: Dilated to a 9 w/o epidural and little pain. I was scared to push, got an epidural (at a 9) and had her vaginally. 13 hour labor.<br />
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Vivian: Dilated to a 6 w/o epidural. She pooped in her water, was facing posterior, I was in horrific pain and got the epidural at a 6. Labor then stopped, I was put on pitocen, I pushed her out in a few contractions vaginally, without her head ever getting into the right position. NICU team was present at time of birth. 12 hour labor. Later I found out I had a dermoid cyst the size of soft ball that weighed 5 lbs on my ovary which most likely contributed to such a horrible labor. That was removed 8 months later via c-section.<br />
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Oliver: TBA<br />
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<b>Weeks at Time of Delivery</b><br />
Jocelynn: 38 weeks 6 Days, Not induced<br />
Vivian: 38 weeks 5 Days, Not induced. Did not make it to scheduled induction.<br />
Oliver: *updated* 38 weeks 2 days<br />
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Every baby is so different. You think you know what your future has in store for you, but you really don't. At least that's how I feel! Here are some pictures of Oliver from 5 weeks ago.<br />
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The Money Shot.</div>
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Face, Leg, Shoulder. His feet are in his face.</div>
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His whole leg.</div>
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<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-74095930706917722002015-08-01T09:59:00.001-07:002015-08-01T09:59:15.401-07:00A long time coming<div>
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OH Wow! I haven't posted on here in ages, I view this blog as a personal family diary that my kids can look back on as well as myself.<br />
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2015 has been such a year of wonderfullness! Andrew graduated with his Bachelors Degree from Broadview University in Business Management at the end of December of 2014. And has now started his MBA this last May.<br />
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After his graduation in December, we felt very strongly it was time to expand our family. So in March we found out we were pregnant! And later in May found out we are having a little BOY. We are so very excited, but also scared and in shock, because all new things can be quite scary. His name is Oliver and I am currently 24 weeks pregnant and feeling his little movements.<br />
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Jocelynn has perfectly completed Pre-School, and is super smart. Jocelynn is just one of those angel kids who always obeys, has a heart of GOLD, looks out for everyone and only asks for love in return. She will be starting kindergarten here in the next few weeks!<br />
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Vivian is a normal 2 (almost 3) year old who is very curious and very very aggressive when it comes to learning new things, trying to help out and loving you. She is intense. But very motivated and kind. We never knew screaming would be a gesture of love.<br />
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Well that's enough of an update for now! Of course here are some pictures!<br />
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<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-83863754935535915872014-09-09T19:10:00.000-07:002014-09-09T19:10:10.442-07:00Jocey and Vivian<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jocey is going to be 5 in December. Where did the time go? She is our sweet soft spoken girl.</div>
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School:</div>
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Jocelynn started school at the end of August. She goes 2 days a week and absolutely loves it. Her teacher is really good at always doing a craft and has a very interactive learning style. Jocey love's love's love's it. She can write several words from memory including her and her sisters names. Her handwriting is very good for her age. We always knew she was smart and it is really nice to see her progress and for her to have such a good outlet for her creativity.</div>
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Personality:</div>
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Jocey is fun loving, crazy, one of the kindness people you will ever meet and very "wise beyond her years." We can have long conversations with her, snuggle her, play pretend or even just listen to her sweetly deal with her little sister. She is extremely friendly to all children and enjoys playing for hours with anyone, whether they are her age or not. If you're willing to play, she is happy. We are so blessed to have her as our oldest child.</div>
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Favorites: </div>
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Frozen, playing pretend, helping mom clean, COOKING AND BAKING, having her arm and back tickled, snuggling, drawing on white boards, putting on "make up", skirts and going to school.</div>
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Vivian will be 2 next month. She is our rambunctious, wild and crazy child.</div>
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Home:</div>
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Vivian loves her one on one time with mommy ( and sometimes daddy ) when sissy is at school. Vivian loves getting into everything and dumping all toys everywhere. She is very hands on. </div>
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Personality:</div>
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Vivian screams a lot and uses very loud pitched voices. It's just her personality. She is a cheese ball, the funnier the smile the better. She loves to feel like she is being taken into consideration and heard. She talks quite a bit, but chooses not to when a lot of people are around because she knows sissy will talk for her. She is head strong and refuses to get punished for anything, unless you say no to her in a deep scary voice. She can be one of the craziest kids and also one of the sweetest. She is always up for kisses but not always snuggles. And she loves saying "I love you."</div>
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Favorites:</div>
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Frozen (even more so than Jocey), being sung to, rocking in a rocking chair, pizza, mexican food, any kind of soda, wrapping babies, kissing babies and CANDY!!!!!<br />
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Jocelynn and Vivian love each other so much, but can get on each others nerves very quickly. They like to pretend they are having babies together. If one of them gets one thing the other has to have something similar so they can be twins. All. The. Time. It's adorable. We love them so very much.</div>
Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-38925121961488661722014-08-06T20:22:00.000-07:002014-08-07T08:31:14.117-07:00Princess Aprons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are the cutest little dress ups that are super practical and your kids wont grow out of them in six months. I also liked these particular ones because kids don't have to take their clothes off to wear them.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BujDqb1y5A/U-LoiAGmqdI/AAAAAAAAFVY/PvPqVDkkLrs/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BujDqb1y5A/U-LoiAGmqdI/AAAAAAAAFVY/PvPqVDkkLrs/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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The first step is to cut out a doubled piece of fabric that is 20 inches wide and 16 inches tall. Like shown above. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-91XHGvi2lug/U-LocfC25rI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/wSR9aec4WWM/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-91XHGvi2lug/U-LocfC25rI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/wSR9aec4WWM/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then you want to surge (optional) and sew (as close to the surge line as possible) 3 (2 long sides and 1 short side) of the 4 edges of both pieces of fabric put together. It will feel like you're sewing a pillow case.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cE6_CByWLWA/U-LkHYv2sjI/AAAAAAAAFUc/uWk0ihRFV68/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cE6_CByWLWA/U-LkHYv2sjI/AAAAAAAAFUc/uWk0ihRFV68/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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Then flip all the fabric right side out to look like the picture above. Iron and put to side.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEVz5gydy54/U-LnsfTXxjI/AAAAAAAAFVI/QPTmpK2jxvs/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEVz5gydy54/U-LnsfTXxjI/AAAAAAAAFVI/QPTmpK2jxvs/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" height="402" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the top part of the apron you need to cut out a doubled piece of fabric again, this time 10 inches wide and 7 inches tall.</div>
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If you want a non rectangle shape for the top draw a little sweetheart neck and cut out. It should still be the same measurement as the rectangle top, just shaped differently. For the rectangle surge and sew the 3 sides, this time 2 short sides and 1 long side. For the sweetheart neck line, surge and sew the 2 sort sides and on sweetheart sew about 1/4 of an inch in while following the shape. As shown above.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGX3RDzNxEw/U-Lj_71ie_I/AAAAAAAAFUE/UudWek8JDtU/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGX3RDzNxEw/U-Lj_71ie_I/AAAAAAAAFUE/UudWek8JDtU/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="417" width="640" /></a></div>
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Flip right side out, iron and set aside.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWdg0FmHWfk/U-Lq4Rbh2OI/AAAAAAAAFVk/xV1oel4jArc/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWdg0FmHWfk/U-Lq4Rbh2OI/AAAAAAAAFVk/xV1oel4jArc/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the Aurora piece I cut out a doubled piece of fabric, like the one above and sewed all the sides other than the top long side ( which should be the same 10 inches wide, to fit with top piece of apron). Flip right side out and iron.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lusYCjh18BU/U-LrvmUlVCI/AAAAAAAAFVs/GP2vbai7bs0/s1600/photo+1+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lusYCjh18BU/U-LrvmUlVCI/AAAAAAAAFVs/GP2vbai7bs0/s1600/photo+1+(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lay both raw open edges of the top piece and triangle piece on top of each other.</div>
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Pick up your skirt and surge the top part that was left open for a finished look and to prevent fraying. Use a LONG straight stitch and sew right under the surge line. Once you reach the end of your fabric leave long strings on the end of fabric so you can pull them and ruffle the bottom skirt.</div>
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Once you have ruffled your fabric to the length of of the top piece of the apron ( about 10 inches) pin it to the top piece and triangle piece that you laid on top of each other earlier. All raw/surged edges should be pinned together. Sew on top of ruffled edge about 1/4 inch down. Make sure all fabric is flat under the ruffles and you're not snagging anything.</div>
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Once you have secured you stitching flip over and you should have this! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIQN9u_wSzA/U-L6sxfUuyI/AAAAAAAAFWo/YZH4dTrqX_g/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIQN9u_wSzA/U-L6sxfUuyI/AAAAAAAAFWo/YZH4dTrqX_g/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the back of one of them, just so you can see what it looks like. I took the seam on the back side and surged the excess off so it was 1 clean line instead of 3 different fabrics sticking out. Then I sewed what I surged, down flat. But I am OCD like that so its optional.</div>
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Add a 16 - 18 inch piece of ribbon for the neck ( burn edges of ribbon so there is no fraying ) and add at least a 46 inch piece of ribbon to evenly go across the top of skirt ( over the seam line ) and over the back edges, leave an even amount to tie. You can also add 2, at least 10 inch pieces, of ribbon for the neck on each side to tie, rather than having a neck loop so it's more adjustable.</div>
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Here is the comparison to SimplyRoyalDress on Etsy.</div>
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<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-77108624886936705522014-07-24T23:34:00.001-07:002014-07-24T23:41:44.469-07:00Busy HandsI made the girls Elsa and Anna dresses for dress up and for Halloween. I seriously cannot be more proud of how these turned out! I ALMOST made a tutorial for the two dresses, but I like to make things up as I go and It was time consuming enough, that by the end of these projects I was thinking I just want to enjoy what I made uniquely for my girls.<br />
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Finding the right materials was honestly the most annoying part, and then the right colors. After that I literally took whatever shirts the girls fit into right now and used that as a "base pattern" for all my ideas. That's how I could make the costumes fit them so perfectly.<br />
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Its funny to talk with people, and for everyone to ask, how I do this stuff without a pattern? My answer is always that my brain simply cannot handle a pattern. It is SO confusing to me and all the times I have used one I usually find a quicker easier way to do it, without sitting there the whole first day carefully cutting out my pieces (holy crap that takes forever to me). I kind of want to start something where I make the most simple patterns ever that have practically no explaining on how to put the project together. I think that would be super cool. I do mess up occasionally the first time around, because I rush or I do not think through all my ideas. Which is good because then I log away in brain what doesn't and what does look good/right/good enough.<br />
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I really appreciate all the nice things people have said to me about my sewing either on here or through other social networks. It makes me want to open up a shop one day (If I can ever find out what I like to sew all the time!)<br />
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Anyways here are their dresses and the comparisons to the actual dresses on Frozen:<br />
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<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-70598834748089289092014-06-04T10:45:00.000-07:002014-06-04T17:22:03.232-07:00Here's the thing...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Andrew and I are starting a healthier life process. We have decided to be better about portioning our meals and all that jazz. We really could never stick to dieting, so we are just slightly adjusting things. Last year we decided we were spending way too much money on take out so we have been cooking in 4-5 days a week (no fast food <u>ever</u> unless we are on a trip or its a special occasion) only eating out on Friday's and Saturday's. I also stopped drinking any soda on the weekdays and have been doing that for 4 months now, Andrew is just starting on this one. Although this has saved us a ton of money, and I mean shload, we have decided it is now time to start cutting down on portions during our at home eating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We went to the store and bought fresh broccoli, summer squash, lettuce, grapes, apples, potatoes and whole bunch of fresh stuff. I cut the broccoli and summer squash up, blanched and portioned them into freezer bags. We also buy fresh meat, pound it all out, portion it and freeze it so we are not over eating. Another HUGE weakness we have is bread.... So I am only making enough for 4 people or just 1 roll each. Also, NO BAKING DURING THE WEEK DAYS.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> || We are making sure we exercise at least 3 days a week ||</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">These are all things we can do and are not over bearing to accomplish. Little changes here and there really do make a difference in our pockets and how we feel as a family. But lets be honest Friday's and Saturday's are still fair game to whatever Like I said, we don't diet. </span></div>
Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-26967407474506893162014-04-23T07:33:00.002-07:002014-05-02T19:37:13.155-07:00twenty fourteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2014 Thus far has been a pretty good year other than a few hiccups along the way. We have had quite a few changes around here in this family (mostly growing up changes with the kiddies) . We have been doing our best to be better parents and better people in general. On a side note ALL my "projects" pictures disappeared on here and I have been mad about it for a few months now. And also the blog is under construction. Anna needs to help me make it all cool again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Jocey: She is seriously the smartest child. So inquisitive, grammatically correct, and can hold a conversation with you for hours if you'd let her. She absolutely LOVES Vivian and is always trying to get huggies and kissies from her. Jocey helps around the house 24/7. Even when she was sick about a month ago, she was throwing up at the toilet and accidentally got some on the floor on her way in and she started crying, asked for a rag so she could clean it up. We had to explain to her several times that it was OK and mommy and daddy would clean it up for her. She is just really sweet and is sooooo ready to start pre-school in the fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vivian: OH my goodness.... This baby is quite the little handful. She is very curious/mischief as I have said many times before. She is absolutely convinced that if she hits, bites or does anything off color that she can make it all better immediately by giving you a kiss. It's a super awesome way to say sorry but, Viv you're old enough to get some time out for these things, all though your offer is pretty tempting. She is extremely mobile and active. She could stay outside all day if she had anything to do with it. She loves Jocey, but is usually the one starting the drama. Vivian is also 18 months and is in nursery now which is awesome! Speaking of 18 months Vivi stopped nursing 2 weeks before she turned 18 months and she is doing great. she still only weighs 18 pounds, but she is a petite little gal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Valentines Day with daddy's flowers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They love rocking each other on this chair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Selfies, as always from Jocey. Photo credit: Jocelynn Whittle (while taking a million more with moms phone)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Discovery Park weekends with a little Purple Turtle snack on the way home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Watching cartoons with daddy in the morning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">No more nursing's first meal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Earlier before the basket hunt on Easter. No big deal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy boo boo at Ginny's house on the swing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sorry most my posts about these two happen on Instagram these days. We hardly get on Facebook anymore!</span></div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-50308876787133928542013-12-27T23:35:00.001-08:002014-05-02T19:48:07.064-07:004 years old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jocelynn Autumn is 4 years old!</div>
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Favorite Movie: Cinderella</div>
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Favorite Food: Bananas</div>
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Best Friend: Sarah</div>
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Jocelynn is VERY talkative and is ahead for talking, understanding and sentence formations. She has an incredible imagination and motherly touch. She is a very hands on child and loves most activities. She is helpful and sweet. We are so happy she is ours! We love you Jocey babe! Happy Birthday!</div>
<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-59088169781355663882013-12-27T23:34:00.001-08:002013-12-27T23:34:04.905-08:00Family Pictures 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">This year we had our friend Anna do our pictures and they turned out great!</span></b></div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-5209984981520197122013-12-27T23:29:00.002-08:002014-05-02T19:48:29.684-07:00late 1 year old post!<div style="text-align: center;">
Vivian Celeste turned 1 on October 15th!</div>
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She can walk, say mama, dada, nod yes, say yes, climb, dance, sing, give kisses, hugs, plays with her sissy and many more things!</div>
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She really hates being thrown up in the air, being left alone, eating normal food, not having the attention on her etc.</div>
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We love her and cannot believe she is 1! Especially since she is still in 6-9 month clothing and weighs 17 pounds!</div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-90239363139093228772013-12-03T20:12:00.000-08:002014-05-02T23:30:43.359-07:00Tree Skirt<div style="text-align: center;">
This year via the request of Andrew, I am making stockings and our first tree skirt * we have been married 4 years and this is our first tree skirt, don't judge!*</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=1890641499&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=2946796&link=aHR0cDovL21hcnlqb3NjbG90aC1kZXNpZ24uYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLzIwMTMvMTEvY291bnRkb3duLXRvLWNocmlzdG1hcy1jdXN0b20tdHJlZS5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Here</a> </span>is the site I used for the cut out of the main skirt.</div>
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I used a pre-made piping and added super wide red ribbon for the back ties.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1.3 yards red chevron fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">36 inches (at least, this amount only makes a knot)wide red ribbon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5.5 feet pre-packaged Scarlet piping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fray check (for cut ends of ribbon)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Plastic cup for center tree opening measurement</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Chalk pencil for half circle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What I did:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Made all the cuts as site instructs above</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Surged all edges of fabric (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Pinned and sewed piping along all edges</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4. Spaced and sewed on ribbon and fray checked the cut ends</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYUFLdwipSk/U2SM-X4YZwI/AAAAAAAAESs/fV0se6CS4ig/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYUFLdwipSk/U2SM-X4YZwI/AAAAAAAAESs/fV0se6CS4ig/s1600/tree.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-54139721868223074992013-10-11T12:53:00.001-07:002014-05-02T23:33:48.352-07:00Girl Pascal<div style="text-align: center;">
For Halloween Jocey is going to be Repunzel! So I thought, " Hey, I want Vivi to be Pascal!" However, I cannot find that costume ANYWHERE. So me, being me, decided to make it. I am super stoked about this costume!</div>
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Materials:</div>
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Old footie pajama's that were my 11 month old's size</div>
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1 yard of Green Fleece</div>
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1/4 yard White Fleece (or just enough to make eye balls)</div>
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1/4 yard Pink Fleece ( or just enough to make a bow)</div>
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1 small sheet of Black Felt for the pupils</div>
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Flexible Wire to put in the tail</div>
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1/4 " Elastic for the hood</div>
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12 inch green zipper</div>
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Green thread</div>
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Small amount of Batting</div>
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You cant really get an almost 1 year old to not take a blurry picture!</div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-58735527329306384642013-09-05T11:55:00.005-07:002013-09-05T11:59:26.070-07:00UpdateToday I was sitting around thinking of all the stuff that has happened this year and it has been packed with lots of things! Let me update you on the past few months.<br />
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Andrew: Has gone off all carbonation and caffeinated soda's. He has lost 6 pounds in a month from just doing that! GO ANDREW! Andrew had his 23rd birthday on the 28th of August. I decorated the house and made him breakfast, we also went to the temple and up to the canyon with a few of our friends. It was a pretty great day. He is also in DOA ( Dean of Admissions) training at work this week, which is a huge THUMBS UP! He is almost done with his 3rd quarter this year which means 5 more quarters left and 1 internship before he graduates! We are sooo excited!<br />
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Starrie: I am still recovering from surgery, mostly just sore. I can't really work out yet which is a bummer, but I lost 11 pounds! 3-5 of which was the derrmoid, the rest is most likely from my hormones getting back to normal. Other than that I clean and take care of the girls, basically 24/7.<br />
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Jocelynn: She is super independent and is becoming more and more helpful as the days go by. She has little chores/favors that she does for me which include, taking the trash upstairs, cleaning up her room, watching sissy (while I'm in the shower), watering and helping weed the/her garden and wiping the bathroom counter top. She also gets on her little stool and helps me cook/stir things. I am thinking of getting her the little kids kitchen helper set, so she can be more involved. She is super smart and knows a lot of church stuff, she has given a few talks and prayers in primary already. If you want to get her to love you, just talk about temples with her. She's got a whole spiel.<br />
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Vivian: Totally could walk if she wanted, but she gets too scared and does not trust herself. She is also really independent. Jocelynn taught her how to clean up the toys and Vivi totally does it all the time now! She also thinks that she can just crawl upstairs and play in their room for hours on end without being bothered. She can get bored pretty quickly, so she is starting to occupy herself. Her favorite things are the trash, bowl cupboard, being messy,getting behind the rocking chair and throwing shoes down the stairs. She is so stinking smiley, you can get a smile out of her any time of the day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-9VUUsweRM/UijTGe90t2I/AAAAAAAABCw/gnkz7mcvYzc/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-9VUUsweRM/UijTGe90t2I/AAAAAAAABCw/gnkz7mcvYzc/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Face Mask</div>
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Making brownies</div>
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Playing in daddy's birthday balloons</div>
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Rice cereal is better to play in, then to eat. Sink bath!</div>
<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-88404639429672757282013-07-17T20:23:00.001-07:002014-05-02T23:36:40.696-07:00High Chair RedoI've had this project on my mind for quite sometime. And I finally did it. This high chair is from my mom who bought it 15 years ago, I think it needed a little update.<br />
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Supplies:<br />
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Satin Rustolium spray paint<br />
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Laminated aqua chevron fabric (fabric mill)<br />
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Non-slip grip fabric (Joann's)<br />
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Elastic<br />
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Stapling gun<br />
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Time and patience<br />
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Basically I took the whole thing apart spray painted the whole metal frame, sewed slips for the old rubber handles and sewed / stapled the chevron fabric on. Then screw everything back together and voila! A beautiful new high chair!<br />
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Old High Chair</div>
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New High Chair</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-Xg9qnk6JY/U2SOY0gxDdI/AAAAAAAAETA/0kgToIp_QkE/s1600/hc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-Xg9qnk6JY/U2SOY0gxDdI/AAAAAAAAETA/0kgToIp_QkE/s1600/hc.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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And its Boo Approved!</div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-82326216794063040202013-06-29T09:44:00.001-07:002013-06-29T09:44:16.766-07:00My little boo boo has learned to do quite the amount of things these last weeks! I am super de super excited for her!<br />
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She fully broke through her 2nd tooth.<br />
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Learned how to CRAWL! <br />
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Pulls herself up to couches and walks around the edge.<br />
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She has learned to say "yaya"/ "dada" which both mean she wants Andrew.<br />
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She coos, squeals, makes random noises, laughs, fake coughs and much more!<br />
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At 8 months Vivian is turning into being mischief , but lets be honest I knew that ever since I was about to have her. We also like to say that Vivi has "little sister syndrome". Meaning, she feels the need to not do anything because Jocey will do it for her. Which is why she has not crawled until now. Little sister syndrome also means that Viv is a tattle tell and can be whiney at times. Luckily her and Jocey absolutely adore each other, and she is such a sweet smiley girl!<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dbozbRyWHaY/Uc8OzvNIAsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/XL7qz3bC170/s640/blogger-image-1981959847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dbozbRyWHaY/Uc8OzvNIAsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/XL7qz3bC170/s640/blogger-image-1981959847.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FMyqSRbGeNY/Uc8O3wCd-OI/AAAAAAAAA_c/PTh3NWumBB0/s640/blogger-image-168180437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FMyqSRbGeNY/Uc8O3wCd-OI/AAAAAAAAA_c/PTh3NWumBB0/s640/blogger-image-168180437.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k5mk50eOpRA/Uc8O0_ljUcI/AAAAAAAAA_M/4Ham-s4yCFY/s640/blogger-image--914472521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k5mk50eOpRA/Uc8O0_ljUcI/AAAAAAAAA_M/4Ham-s4yCFY/s640/blogger-image--914472521.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vBOcwlk9r3g/Uc8O2XJn5aI/AAAAAAAAA_U/0OKY4eXrPpQ/s640/blogger-image-428934511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vBOcwlk9r3g/Uc8O2XJn5aI/AAAAAAAAA_U/0OKY4eXrPpQ/s640/blogger-image-428934511.jpg" /></a></div>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-57229656792773539692013-06-24T15:44:00.001-07:002013-06-24T15:50:34.637-07:00Surgery<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>WARNING GRAPHIC SURGERY PHOTOS</b></span><br />
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Oh my Lanta have I (Starrie) been through the ringer this week! <br />
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Last Saturday,the 15th, I had excruciating pain in my left lower abdomen. Andrew took me to the ER and after an ultrasound we found out I had a type of lesion on my left ovary, they were not 100% sure what it was so they highly suggested I go to my doctor the following Monday. I had strict orders to not go to church, no heavy lifting and to know I would need surgery ASAP.<br />
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After getting referred to a surgeon, on Tuesday, I met with Dr.Rees and he informed me that it was a softball sized dermoid cyst sitting on my left ovary. It's also called a non cancerous tumor that continues growth (up to the size of a cantaloupe) and has to be taken out by surgery. They also contain hair, nails, skin and teeth because they come from your reproductive organs. Regular cysts are small and the body eventually gets rid of them usually creating no further problems.<br />
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Friday was my surgery and it took about 3 hours because the dermoid was tangled with my ovary. They had to take it out C-section style. I was extremely nervous because I've never had surgery before for anything. Everything went well and I am doing great. I was totally out of it all Friday and only remember being extremely nauseous and I kept passing out. Apparently I was jumbling all my words around and tuning into random conversations. <br />
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That's about it. Also Andrews cousin Josh was in the hospital the same day to get his appendix taken out so he stopped by for a visit.<br />
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Here are some pictures. View at your own discretion.<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-38H_8lRsAkE/UcjLyoASQMI/AAAAAAAAA-M/uCRXzQRsMyU/s640/blogger-image-524960144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-38H_8lRsAkE/UcjLyoASQMI/AAAAAAAAA-M/uCRXzQRsMyU/s640/blogger-image-524960144.jpg" /></a></div>
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Giant nasty dermoid cyst/ tumor. Don't worry it was just sitting right under my skin.</div>
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After it was cut open, you can see the hair in it.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PAylr1yPits/UcjL3ncs67I/AAAAAAAAA-c/1oCfYUp-E5U/s640/blogger-image-1618609405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PAylr1yPits/UcjL3ncs67I/AAAAAAAAA-c/1oCfYUp-E5U/s400/blogger-image-1618609405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Awe I am no longer drugged up and out of it.</div>
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Cute little Josh in his bottle cap glasses. Surgery buddies!</div>
Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-61557467992760156852013-06-17T17:37:00.003-07:002013-07-25T11:49:49.245-07:00Its official!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><b>JOCELYNN IS POTTY TRAINED!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">I did not want to officially say anything until she had no accidents and was poop trained. So here we are! No accidents since June 5, poop or pee. Jocey is full on in underwear (other than at night, not necessarily because of accidents. Mostly to be safe. ) and tells you when she has to poop, she still has to be asked to go pee otherwise she holds it for hours and hours. But that is A OK with me. Anyways just wanted to share the super exciting news with everyone, because you know this is a huge milestone and I would argue the hardest part of parenting thus far!</span></div>
Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-83710970228293301812013-05-30T23:39:00.000-07:002013-05-30T23:45:10.597-07:00A Beginning To Potty Training... Win!So the last few weeks Jocelynn has been asking all about potty training! But she has not been 100% mentally ready until now. Every night for the last month Jocey has personally prayed to Heavenly Father each time asking if he will please please please help her get potty trained. Last night before Jocey went to bed she told me this," Mommy I want to get potty trained so that I can have my Barbie movie, can we please use the piggy timer and get me potty trained?" Me: " Yes Jocey... we can try again (half brushing it off my shoulder)". So we had a go at it <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">AGAIN</span></b> today. Although she is not fully potty trained she is peeing on the toilet trained as long as we go to the toilet every 30-45 min. She cant wear real underwear until she has done this for 3 days in a row, so she is in Pull-Ups until then. But it is a awesome improvement and I AM ECSTATIC!<br />
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What we did:<br />
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<ul><li>Bought a piggy timer to set every 30-45 min for a reminder.</li><li>Stayed home ALL DAY.</li><li>Got some Dora the Explorer Pull-Up's. (Totally against them in the beginning but they ended up working nicely for Jocey) </li><li>Let Jocey eat and drink whatever she wanted all day.</li><li>Called daddy after every-time she went pee.</li><li>We used basically all the concepts of potty training in a day.</li></ul>Accidents = 2 (1 poop, 1 pee)<br />
Going to the bathroom on the toilet = 9 (all pee)<br />
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I expect getting her to poop on the toilet is going to be a struggle, but this is such an improvement and she is so determined all of a sudden to get this done. I am one proud mama and Andrew is a proud daddy! I'll write another post when she is no longer in the transition stage.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jP0DGAx6YZ8/UahG9W-8OJI/AAAAAAAAA9E/BcXLvuEiApQ/s640/blogger-image-1894081901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jP0DGAx6YZ8/UahG9W-8OJI/AAAAAAAAA9E/BcXLvuEiApQ/s640/blogger-image-1894081901.jpg" /></a></div>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-81534378223822487292013-05-15T19:46:00.005-07:002013-05-15T19:47:34.042-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Today Jocey, Vivi and I all went to the park for 2 hours with one of my bestest buds Sage and her son Thor. Then we came home and gardened. It was a great day. I am pleased. Ver</b></span><b style="color: #6aa84f;">y pleased.</b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEC4xAeVnb4/UZRISP7Ao3I/AAAAAAAAA8s/rtIOLM0zrhc/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEC4xAeVnb4/UZRISP7Ao3I/AAAAAAAAA8s/rtIOLM0zrhc/s320/024.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JB0J-8yZ380/UZRITgrN6gI/AAAAAAAAA80/dq8Azf-3mt0/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JB0J-8yZ380/UZRITgrN6gI/AAAAAAAAA80/dq8Azf-3mt0/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-52697711491623648512013-05-06T18:37:00.003-07:002013-05-06T18:41:05.629-07:00Time, Sweet Sweet Time.<div style="text-align: center;">
So in case you did not already know we de-activated our <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Facebook </span></span>account for the time being.</div>
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<b>Why? </b>Well we were both sick of dumb people and tired of wasting time on that time sucker.<br />
<b>Who?</b> Well Andrew is the one who suggested it, gave me a weeks notice and BAM it was gone.<br />
<b>When?</b> "Well we are not re-activating it until the middle of June", says Andrew.<br />
<b>Thoughts? </b>We thought we would be miserable or it would "feel weird" not being on Facebook social media, but we were brave and went through with the de-activation. We have LOVED it. We only accidentally went to the site out of habit once or twice. We deleted the Facebook app off of our phones so that's not a problemo. And we really don't talk or think about it. Also, I (Starrie) am still on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Instagram </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">under @starriewhittle and I am also still doing the blog thing. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In our new founded undistracted time we have been doing the following:</span></span><br />
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Learning to scoot</div>
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Reading books with daddy</div>
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Baking delicious chocolate chip cookies</div>
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Reading the "Ginny Book" aka scriptures</div>
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(Ginny is what Jocey calls her great grandma Bunker)</div>
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Making Texas Sheet Cake from scratch</div>
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Having some sissy time</div>
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We have always done these things, but it's just nice to not have any distractions while doing them. I am really hoping to finish the high chair re-do that I have been planning/working on for a while.</div>
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<br />Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734884426043841486.post-51145052691736890882013-04-27T21:43:00.003-07:002013-04-27T23:34:20.052-07:006 years <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mikey (as Andrew calls him) has been gone from us for 6 years now.</div>
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It seems like it has been nowhere near this long.</div>
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Andrew thinks about Michael everyday and misses him more than anything. Michael dying was extremely hard on Andrew and it is still hard to remember the good times without getting emotional.</div>
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I (Starrie) have personally felt Michael's presence in our home frequently and I feel as though he is a sort of a guardian angel on our family. I know that him and Andrew were very close especially the last 6 months before his death, which is why I think I may feel that connection.</div>
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It is hard to explain to Jocey who he is and to not just expect her to remember him as I or especially Andrew does. It's hard to explain the concept of heaven to a 3 year old. I know she has at least felt Michael and more than likely other members of our family, but is just too little to let us know how and when she does. I know she does by the things that she has said.</div>
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We are grateful for the gospel in our lives because we know that we will see Michael once again. Andrew was able to do his work for him on October 22, 2010. Which is not only our 1 year wedding anniversary date, but also the day Andrew and I had our work done. Michael is close to our hearts often and we look forward to seeing him again or as Andrew has said, "I cannot wait to be greeted with the same hug that Michael gave me the day before he died."</div>
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We love you Michael, please continue to watch over the family and help us celebrate your life!</div>
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Jocey giving uncle Michael a drink of Dew</div>
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Andrew and Starriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09684607374577095027noreply@blogger.com0