tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14340474681148224752024-03-13T21:19:52.598-07:00Emmy Mom--One Day at a TimeA lifestyle blog with a realistic but glass-half full approach. Everything from Photography, crafts and DIY, food, product reviews and family life can be found on this blog. This blog is PR friendly. Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.comBlogger2120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-22906852889414581442018-07-27T07:17:00.003-07:002018-07-27T07:17:58.353-07:00The Windfall App - A Fun Summer Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Winning the lottery would be an amazing good thing, right? For Marina all of her problems seem like they will be solved when she wins the mega jackpot in the new popular lotto, she never could have predicted how completely it will change her life.<br />
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I was given a copy of <a href="https://amzn.to/2mOIJM9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Windfall App </a>by Teresa Richards in exchange for a honest review.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The Book</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Marina Berghman is a classical piano prodigy with parents who’ve had her life mapped out since she was in diapers. But their plan leaves no room for her secret love of alternative rock, or Sean, the edgy guitarist who recently moved to town. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Windfall-App-Teresa-Richards-ebook/dp/B07FXZXXZJ/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1532700843&sr=8-1&keywords=the+windfall+app&linkCode=li3&tag=emmoondaatati-20&linkId=79627747f7d6e047da6efebbba21ac80&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07FXZXXZJ&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=emmoondaatati-20&language=en_US" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=emmoondaatati-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B07FXZXXZJ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When Marina buys a lottery ticket on her eighteenth birthday via the new Windfall app, she expects it to be nothing more than a rite of passage. But she wins—the grand prize of five thousand dollars a day, for life. Suddenly given the means to break free from a life she never felt in control of, she’s quick to cut her family ties and turn her back on everything she knows.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But her lottery win was no lucky break. Her prize comes with strings attached, and Marina soon finds herself at the center of someone else’s life or death game. When she discovers evidence linking her dad to the intrigue, she turns to Sean for help. But he’s harboring secrets of his own.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Now Marina must sort out who to trust and who’s pulling the strings, before her prize turns into a noose.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">My Review</span></b><br />
I really enjoyed this book. If it was a movie, it feels like one where a lot of suspenseful music would be playing in the background. Things appeared good, but you as the reader just feel this sense of foreboding that the main character seems to not fully realize. It was fun trying to guess and piece together what was going to really happen along the way, and I was not able to figure it all out! I love the unique background of the main character and the way the author described the book's setting in San Francisco, it made me really want to visit the city and I felt like I was getting a VIP guided tour of the great spots to hit while reading.<br />
This is a perfect summer read that will keep you turning the pages wondering how it is all going to turn out. This is also a clean book free from graphic language or imagery.<br />
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** The Author is hosting a great giveaway for a YA Book Bundle! Click the link to enter for a chance to win!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The Author</span></b></center>
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--Find the Author Teresa Richards at the following</center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.authorteresarichards.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a>// <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorteresarichards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>//<a href="https://twitter.com/byutm33" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>//<a href="https://www.instagram.com/authorteresarichards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></center>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">
Buy the Book</span></b></center>
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-7677503360758347822018-05-29T09:25:00.002-07:002018-05-29T09:25:24.880-07:0010 Things to Smile About This MonthIt is the last Tuesday of the month which means it is time for 10 Things to Smile about. This is when I look back and find 10 things that made me smile during the month. I love doing this, especially on the hard months as it helps me keep an eternal perspective.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">10 Things to Smile About in May</span></b></div>
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1. Being invited to a Cinco De Mayo party with friends<br />
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2. Watching Alex perform in her class play<br />
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3. The Hope of America Performance<br />
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4. Mother's Day and how much my family spoiled me<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40387665530/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="eggs benedict"><img alt="eggs benedict" height="1024" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/40387665530_48152534b3_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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5. Ryder turned 8! <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/42148367282/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="captain America birthday cake"><img alt="captain America birthday cake" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/951/42148367282_579e46fc0a_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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6. Watching Ryder in karate<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/42148367122/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="karate"><img alt="karate" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/42148367122_72717960d9_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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7. Utilizing the Movie Pass and going to lots of movies with Eric<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/42434672021/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="at the movies"><img alt="at the movies" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1729/42434672021_491d214427_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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8. Finally doing a photoshoot again. <br />
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9. A good spring season, and it ending and us having a couple week of break<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41443282465/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="soccer"><img alt="soccer" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1737/41443282465_ce41dc3858_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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10. May flowers (and thunderstorms!)<br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-73550535583436442762018-05-25T08:12:00.001-07:002018-05-25T08:12:18.580-07:00Friday Five: Cub Scouts, Screen Time and the Summer Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have some fun plans for Memorial Day weekend. Here is my week recapped in 5 thoughts and 5 pictures.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. One week! My kids have one week of school left, well technically not even a full week since Monday is a holiday. I cannot believe this school year is almost over. Yesterday would have been their last day if we were still in California. I have felt a little sad looking at all of the end of the year parties and 5th grade graduation pictures, I have felt sad for what Alex is missing out on. <br />
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2. This week Ryder had his first Pack Meeting for Cub Scouts. I got the badges off of Lucas old uniform just in time, though it might still have this troop number from California. He is actually really excited about Scouts. <br />
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3. This week I have been editing a lot of pictures, I almost have the newborn session finished that I took last week. I definitely plan on finishing it today. Then just to update my website and all of that fun stuff. <br />
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4. Alex had her last soccer game of the spring season last Saturday. They lost, but she played amazing the last little bit when she was put in at keeper. After we had at team party, it was fun and I think we will be good sticking with this team this fall. <br />
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5. We are going to be starting a new screen time policy this summer, otherwise I know some of my kids could waste away the entire summer if I let them. They can have screen time in the morning while I am sleeping in, I love having older kids, and then after that there will be a checklist of things they have to do before having any more screen time for the day. My SIL does this, and definitely taking some inspiration from her.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41443282775/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="silly boys"><img alt="silly boys" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1741/41443282775_82dde8c7c9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41443282465/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="soccer"><img alt="soccer" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1737/41443282465_ce41dc3858_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/28472116298/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="editing newborn pictures"><img alt="editing newborn pictures" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1729/28472116298_7d2e6f5b10_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41443282025/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Stormy sky"><img alt="Stormy sky" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1731/41443282025_d9d9acb5e8_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/28472116018/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Cub Scout Pack Meeting"><img alt="Cub Scout Pack Meeting" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/28472116018_bb459f2a01_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-41964162587330994002018-05-18T11:01:00.003-07:002018-05-18T11:01:33.044-07:00Friday Five: Birthday's A Musical, HomeHappy Friday everyone! Hope you have a fun weekend planned.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. Ryder managed to survive waiting one more day to celebrate his birthday (Mother's Day was hard for him). He had a great birthday and we were able to open presents early, since Eric got home early, and then went out to dinner at Culvers. I cannot believe he is 8 years old.<br />
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2. All this week Alex has been participating in her class play. She did an awesome job and actually had three roles, including singing a solo. She didn't want me to see her solo before, but I was at a dress rehearsal and so then was able to give her some tips on her movements while singing. I don't think I would have been brave enough to do a solo at her age. <br />
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3. Alex also had a soccer game on Saturday, they ended up tying. She had an amazing save at the end to persevere the tie. She played a great game despite the rain for the second half. <br />
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4. This week has been a bit hard for me... for the first time since moving I have just really missed my friends back in California. Alex's old class is doing a lot of end of the year stuff and getting ready for their 5th grade graduation. She is doing great in her school year, but I am sad for her missing out on that with the kids she had gone to school with since kindergarten. <br />
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5. Lucas said he wants to get his Eagle Scout before the program ends next year. I hope when it comes down to the work and things he needs to do he remembers he is the one that said he wants to do it. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40387665530/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="eggs benedict"><img alt="eggs benedict" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/40387665530_48152534b3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40387576340/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Mothers Day 2018"><img alt="Mothers Day 2018" height="420" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/969/40387576340_c97893ea83_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/42148367282/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="captain America birthday cake"><img alt="captain America birthday cake" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/951/42148367282_579e46fc0a_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-1178055248452889972018-05-14T07:01:00.000-07:002018-05-14T07:01:15.216-07:00A Special BirthdayThere were tears yesterday, lots of genuinely sad tears. "Why can't I open my presents today?" Last year, for the first time, Ryder and I shared Mother's Day and his birthday. This year my day came first, and his excitement and anticipation was more than he could bare. <br />
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Today- today finally my son is your special day, your 8th birthday.<br />
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Ryder had a spectacular entrance into the world, <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/search/label/NICU" target="_blank">coming 8 weeks early</a> when we were over 600 miles from home. <br />
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When we finally arrived home a month later, the adventures continued, troubled feedings, horrific reflux and low iron levels; but we loved him.<br />
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When he finally was able to sit up the reflux seemed to magically go away, though still to this day if he laughs a lot he will get the hiccups-every single time.<br />
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Time seemed to fly.<br />
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Life was filled with joy and the cleverest sense of humor. He could stack a tower of thin blocks perfectly at 1, could hit a ball with a bat at two, he just continue to grow and amaze us.<br />
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I have always said he seems to be a combination of his brother and sister. First approaching things a little tentatively, a little unsure, a little shy even- but once in jumping in fully and succeeding at the things he does. <br />
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He is one who knows what he wants once he knows it, but sometimes has a hard time figuring out what that is. <br />
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He is still my cuddle bug to this day, and as my children are growing older and taller than me, I truly love having one who still wants to cuddle. <br />
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Now he is eight, I can hardly believe it. Next month he will get baptized and I know it all just seems to go so fast from there. <br />
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Too my youngest, my baby. I love you and hope you have a truly wonderful birthday. Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-57318589858749972292018-05-11T10:35:00.001-07:002018-05-11T10:35:47.423-07:00Friday Five: Hope of America, Cinco De Mayo, SchoolHappy Friday! What are your Mother's Day plans?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. Our school year is winding down and I cannot believe it, time really has gone so fast. The kids all had a good school year and I think next year will be even a little better and easier for them since we won't be switching schools and moving halfway through the school year. <br />
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2. Ryder earned his first stripe on his white belt in karate. Once he gets enough stripes he will advance to yellow belt. Last time they broke boards, it was fun to watch. <br />
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3. On Saturday we went to some friends house for a Cinco De Mayo party, it was a lot of fun and Eric and I took 2nd place in the Cornhole contest, which we got so close to totally winning.<br />
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4. This was my last week of helping in my kids' classroom as the year is winding down. It was great to be able to help though it did make make miss our old school and how much I knew the office staff, the teachers, just everyone. But we have only been here half a year I just need to be patient.<br />
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5. Last night we went to BYU to watch Alex perform in the Hope of America performances, it was with other 5th graders from about 20 different schools. It was an incredible performance that truly honored this country. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-14097972710243346642018-05-04T09:34:00.000-07:002018-05-04T09:34:36.112-07:00Friday Five: Spring, Karate and the Titanic May the 4th be with you! Won't be watching any Star Wars movie tonight, finally going to see Infinity War. What are your weekend plans?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. Yard work.. that sums up this week pretty well. Did so much of it yesterday. Our yard is looking better and better but still feels like such a long way to go. We are trying to fix it right and not just a quick fix as it will make life so much easier in the years to come. It would help if I really knew anything about plants and what half of the stuff planted in our yard is!<br />
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2. Alex had a soccer game Monday night and they won 10-1. We haven't had a lot of wins this season, so while I was begging to feel bad for the other team it was also pretty dang awesome. <br />
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3. Ryder got his Karate uniform this week. He is loving it and last time even got bonus tickets for being the student to the day! Glad he has found something he enjoys doing. <br />
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4. When I was checking out our book club book from the library, I also checked out two random books. Not only was it until I finished one and began the second that I realized that both are historical fictions about the Titanic. Kind of makes me want to watch the movie again.<br />
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5. Speaking of movies we are finally seeing Infinity War tonight! Have been doing everything I can do avoid any spoilers!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-53966746359854738322018-04-30T07:44:00.002-07:002018-04-30T07:44:52.474-07:00The Glamorous Life of a Mediocre Midwife I love reading and do it a lot. Often I can predict the entire plot right from the start, when I find a book that throws me for some loops I love it! I was recently given a copy of <a href="https://amzn.to/2rbEeNi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Glamorous Life of a Mediocre Midwife</a> by Crissy Sharp, which took me on a ride that I loved!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Glamorous-Mediocre-Housewife-Strawberry-Estates-ebook/dp/B07BKR31Y4/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1525099231&sr=8-1&keywords=the+glamorous+life+of+a+mediocre+housewife&linkCode=li3&tag=emmoondaatati-20&linkId=ab8f98733a9d021554f46ca8e55f4394" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07BKR31Y4&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=emmoondaatati-20" width="250" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Book </span></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=emmoondaatati-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B07BKR31Y4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=emmoondaatati-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B07BKR31Y4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Lotty Brooks’ days consist of avoiding thoughts of her failing marriage, changing diapers, and trying not to eat chocolate brioche for breakfast and lunch. However, everything changes when her perfect, lakeside Montana neighborhood begins bustling with crime and she seems to be the target. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Jason Brooks wants to know what happened to the woman he married. Lotty’s a mere shell of her former self. When she becomes the focal point of neighborhood threats, and the town seems to question her innocence, he must decide how well he knows his wife. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">As Jason and Lotty try to get to the bottom of the threats and find those responsible, they’ll need to remember what they once loved about each other. Otherwise, they may lose everything and everyone they care about.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b>My Review</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);"> Lotty's life is falling apart and now their once quiet neighborhood has become overrun with crime, </span></span><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);">much</span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);"> of which points right back to Lotty. The book takes you for a ride with great twists and turns as Lotty tries to prove her </span></span></span><span style="color: #181818;">innocence and decide if her marriage is worth saving. </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"> I got sucked into the book very quickly and immediately found myself pulling for Lotty and her husband, wanting things to work out. The book continued at a fast pace and surprised me with twists I did not expect or predict, which I love when a book can do that! </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"> The book is what I call a clean book- free from graphic imagery and language. If you love a good clean murder mystery with relatable real characters, then I definitely recommend this book. This book made my "Can't Put Down" list.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: large;"><b>The Author</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"> <a href="http://www.crissydsharp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a>//<a href="https://twitter.com/crissydsharp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>//<a href="https://www.facebook.com/crissydsharp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818;"><br /></span>Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-4482531463263377652018-04-27T08:12:00.001-07:002018-04-27T08:12:07.443-07:00Friday Five: Doctors, Yard Work and a LakeHappy Friday! Here is my recap of this week in 5 thoughts and 5 pictures<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. My kids have only 25 school days left! I cannot believe this school year is almost over. It has been a crazy one, split between two different schools and two different states, but it all went so quickly. <br />
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2. On Sunday my brother and his kids came over for dinner. It was great visiting with him and I am happy we live fairly close now.<br />
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3. This weekend was a lot of yard work. Lucas mowed the lawn for the first time in his life. We had to buy a lawn mower when we moved here, in California we had a landscaper, so didn't have any yard tools. Don't tell my mother, but there is something almost satisfying and fun about getting out and doing yard work... though we have a ton of it as the last owners of the house totally let the yard go, which we didn't realize since we bought the house in the middle of winter. <br />
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4. Today is my yearly checkup... though I must confess it has been more than a year since I have gone to the doctor. So good about taking my kids, not always so good about taking care of myself.<br />
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5. I finally made it to the library and got a library card. Already checked out and finished the book we are reading for Book club, now to read the other two books I checked out.. I do love reading!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-88211010332085248812018-04-20T10:12:00.000-07:002018-04-20T10:12:02.908-07:00Friday Five: Spring Break, Temple, CousinsHappy Friday everyone! I am back with Friday 5!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. I kind of fell off the grid there a bit, missed a week with spring break then last week just never got to the Friday 5. It has been a fun and crazy couple of weeks.<br />
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2. We spent spring break with Eric's family as his little sister and her family were in town. It was sort of like our yearly summer reunion just in the spring time. The girls would have been perfectly happy and fine just hanging out together the entire time. Each is the only girl in their family and so love spending time together. We call them the Big Three. The boys get along great too, but definitely need some more structured activities at times. <br />
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3. Alex had several soccer games, including the first one that she was not able to play in. Utah needed one more form for her to be technically released from her California team (though she already had been), it was a big headache a lot of last minute calls and tears, but she was able to play in the second game.<br />
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4. Alex also had three bands concerts this week (one of which she missed because of soccer). It was sort of surreal and really awesome seeing her up there playing the flute. Many of my favorite memories from high school revolve around band. <br />
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5. Eric and I got the Movie Pass, where for $10 a month you can see up to one movie a day. We love it and on the weekends after the kids go to bed usually go and see a movie. We have seen way more movies than we otherwise would have. Including the Quiet Place, the first scary movie I have seen in many years. I really liked it. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures </span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40873086604/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="sushi"><img alt="sushi" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/858/40873086604_00b1c1a6e3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-23903785172103766312018-04-02T08:44:00.001-07:002018-04-02T08:44:16.710-07:00Ten Things to Smile About This MonthThe last Tuesday of the month I always look back to find 10 things that made me smile. Last month, well the last Tuesday slipped past me, so I am sharing this today.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">10 Things to Smile About in March</span></b></div>
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1. Eric's birthday</div>
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2. Going to the Home and Garden show with my MIL and SIL</div>
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3. Spending a morning with just my oldest </div>
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4. Pretty sunsets (and family)</div>
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5. Crazy hair day</div>
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6. Finding new fun places to take the kids</div>
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7. Girl Scout cookies </div>
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8. Living close to family, so they can come to school events </div>
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9. Spring flowers and weather </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/26102147387/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="flowers"><img alt="flowers" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/26102147387_6bd2a7f40f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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10. The basement bathroom getting finished! </div>
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-36283773215752342692018-03-30T09:58:00.001-07:002018-03-30T09:58:25.389-07:00Friday Five: Getting Older, Easter, Spring Break Happy Good Friday everyone! I hope you are ready for Easter and the wonderful hope and peace this season brings. Here is my Friday 5.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. This week I have discovered one huge benefit to a real winter... no yard work. Now that spring is actually coming, there is so much yard work to do. I think the previous owners let things go at the end, which we are discovering now that everything is coming back alive. <br />
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2. This week at school Alex went to the maturation program. I have definite memories of mine in school. Yes, it sometimes freaks me out that she is getting old enough for things like that.<br />
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3. I am so excited for this Easter weekend. Not only is it Easter but it is my church's semi-annual general conference. I always feel so much peace and hope while listening to the messages and talks this conference weekend. It truly helps me remember what this life is about and what I want for myself and my children. You can watch it for free here-- <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2018-general-conference?cid=HP_TU-13-3-2018_dPFD_fCNWS_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng" target="_blank">LDS Conference</a>--<br />
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4. Eric's little sister is coming into town for Spring break. It will be like our yearly summer reunion just in the spring! Looking forward to it.<br />
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5. The bathroom in the basement is done! Eric and his Dad did such an awesome job! It is so nice that the boys finally don't have to use our bathroom. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41074909372/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="icecream"><img alt="icecream" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/795/41074909372_c69af3f08c_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/39309192850/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Chicken lollipops"><img alt="Chicken lollipops" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/890/39309192850_0d340dacbd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/39309192670/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="DIY bathroom"><img alt="DIY bathroom" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/39309192670_12ea205143_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/41118099121/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="weeding flower bed"><img alt="weeding flower bed" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/41118099121_59131904af_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40223348995/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="playing a homemade board game"><img alt="playing a homemade board game" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/820/40223348995_9695fca7cd_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-41997091011957205452018-03-23T12:03:00.001-07:002018-03-23T12:03:11.048-07:00Friday Five: Paint, American Idol, ZombiesHappy Friday everyone! Spent the morning at the orthodontist with my son, so Friday 5 is finally making it live.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. It is hard to pick out paint colors! We are going to paint the outside of our house, and I thought I had colors I liked, but then I was using the Sherwin Williams site to see what the colors would look like on our house and now I am worried the colors are too dark. There is a house in our neighborhood that I like and I actually knocked on their door one day, to ask what their colors are but no one was home. <br />
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2. This week was a weird week, some days were so busy and other days there was hardly anything to do. I actually turned on American Idol (on Hulu), as I was curious to see what it would be like. Seems just the same as it used to be. I thought they would maybe change some things up. <br />
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3. Lucas has no school today and we celebrated by him getting his bottom braces on! We did actually go out to breakfast at iHop before so his day wouldn't be all miserable. Though I do love his new orthodontist. <br />
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4. It is supposed to snow again this weekend. Spring is pretending like it is going to come and then we get a surprise storm, but nothing like the east coast, so I won't complain.<br />
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5. Ryder did his "living book character" at school this week. He was nervous about it the morning of, but he did awesome and realized there was nothing to be nervous about in the end. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40264102834/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="ninja warrior"><img alt="ninja warrior" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4780/40264102834_2322771f2d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40264102694/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="lots of stuff at Target"><img alt="lots of stuff at Target" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/808/40264102694_ee50d8d1c9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/26102147387/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="flowers"><img alt="flowers" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/26102147387_6bd2a7f40f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-47511397315390262732018-03-16T08:55:00.002-07:002018-03-16T08:55:17.973-07:00Friday Five: Parent Teacher Conferences, Book Fair, HomeHappy Friday everyone! Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, do you have any plans?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. This week was parent teacher conference week for the grade school. Both Ryder and Alex had great reports from their teachers and are doing really well. Ryder is reading above grade level and making friends. Alex's teacher said besides doing so well academically she is so kind to everyone, including those who are hard to be friends with. That made me so proud to hear.<br />
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2. We started the week with beautiful weather and ended with snow. So crazy. Lots of flowers are starting to come up, I hope they survive the cold we now have. <br />
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3. This week was the book fair, I worked at it with another mom during the teacher preview time, only one teacher came in in the two hours we were there, so we just sat and talked. It turns out she is my age, grew up in Wisconsin, I grew up in Illinois- we have a common friend from our teen years, she also went to BYU, etc. etc. It was crazy how many similarities we had.<br />
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4. Our youth group went last night and helped with a special needs youth group. There are a group of teens who go every week and are buddies with these amazing special needs youth. As I sat there watching the teenagers who have chosen to take time every single week to come serve, it gave me so much hope for the future. There are good kids out there.<br />
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5. We have been getting estimates this week to paint the exterior of our house, and holy cow it is going to be expensive. Anyone found a money tree yet?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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Hope you have a wonderful weekend.Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-41811868949012253702018-03-09T09:23:00.001-08:002018-03-09T09:23:56.343-08:00Friday Five: Birthday, Bathrooms and Sick BoyHappy Friday everyone! This is going to be a busy full weekend, but hopefully will be a good one. What are your weekend plans? Here is my week in 5 thoughts and 5 pictures<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. This last weekend we actually had a rare weekend with no soccer. Alex loves soccer and so I don't really mind all of the time it takes, but it definitely is nice to have some weekends off. <br />
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2. This week was Eric's birthday! We celebrated by going out to dinner with his parents and cake and ice-cream of course. Ryder helped me decorate his cake this year. <br />
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3. All of the presents Eric got were related to food. Which, if you know him is very fitting.<br />
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4. Last night we went to Lowe's and got the rest of the things we need to finish the bathroom downstairs. This will be the first time in about 7 years that the boys will have their own bathroom and won't be using ours. It will be so nice.<br />
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5. Ryder was sick this week, just a low fever and no other symptoms. Thankfully a one day thing. The day he was home was also the day the plumbers were here at the house getting some stuff ready for the bathroom and replacing all of the toilets in our house. We had what Eric liked to call 'toddler toilets'- now we have much nicer bigger ones, good for the big people in our house.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40711323361/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="buying supplies at Lowes"><img alt="buying supplies at Lowes" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4784/40711323361_640f7c6bf1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-5064706671417005042018-03-07T08:50:00.001-08:002018-03-07T08:50:32.075-08:00Last Year of Being YoungI remember as a kid thinking 40 sounded so old. Now, well 40 is nothing. Today my husband starts his last year of his thirty's and he doesn't seem old to me, because if he was old than I would have to be old too.<br />
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Time is such a funny thing.<br />
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But on today's my husband's birthday, 39 almost 40 doesn't seem old at all. <br />
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I truly am blessed in that my husband really is my best friend. I love that we just enjoy hanging out together, I love that it doesn't have to be anything crazy or complex but we just love being together.<br />
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I love the father that he is. He truly is such an incredible Dad. He is there for the kids, he loves them unconditionally, but he is also a parent and teaches them and helps mold them to be good people. Yes, Alex has him wrapped around her finger, but even holds her accountable.<br />
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I love how hard he works to provide for our family. He has had many long hours, dealt with jobs and things that were just incredibly hard, but he never quit- never gave up. Just continued to work had and take care our family.<br />
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I love his big laugh, even if it has embarrassed me a time or two, but that it comes so frequently and that he brings so much joy and happiness to our family and those around him.<br />
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I love how big and tall he is and how safe I feel in his arms.<br />
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I love that I will be able to spend eternity with him and the efforts, battles and sacrifices that he makes daily to lead us to that goal. <br />
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To my husband on your special day-- Happy Birthday! I love you!<br />
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<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-87596064974008432102018-03-02T10:53:00.002-08:002018-03-02T10:53:32.419-08:00Friday Five: Plumbers, Book Club and Snow<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>--this post contains an affiliate link, which let's be honest I hardly make any money from--</i></span></div>
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Did you think I wasn't going to do my Friday 5 today? It is a late start, but here it is<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. It is a late start because well Friday's are late starts. The middle school starts late and the grade school gets out early. Really does throw off the entire day. Plus today a plumber came over to talk about what things need to get done so we can finish the bathroom in the basement. Luckily my father-in-law was here, as he definitely can talk shop better than I can. It will be nice for the boys to have their own bathroom instead of using ours.<br />
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2. I had book club last night. We read <a href="http://amzn.to/2FLyzof" rel="nofollow">The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead</a>, it was really good and definitely a good Book Club book with lots to talk about. I hosted and had lots of snacks and goodies, I love party foods!<br />
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3. This week at church for the youth we had a get to know your game. Lucas did not want to participate and literally left, just wandering around the hallways. Afterwards, he said he realized he should have come in.... baby steps. He truly is doing overall so good and a totally different person than when he was little and suffered from so much anxiety. <br />
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4. We were supposed to get a major snow storm this weekend, but now it seems like it is just going to all be rain. It kind of makes me sad, but it is March, so winter should be coming to an end. I am sure I will get my snow fill next winter.<br />
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5. Our house is almost all set up, we still have some boxes in the garage and pictures that need to be hung, but it definitely feels like home.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-29599205432645362992018-02-27T08:48:00.001-08:002018-02-27T08:48:18.247-08:00Ten Things to Smile About This Month I went back and looked and this is my 106th 10 Things to Smile About! It is crazy that I have written so many, but I am so grateful that I take the time every month to look back and see what made me smile.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">10 Things to Smile About in February</span></b></div>
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1. Stating to Eat the Alphabet again<br />
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2. Going dancing with Eric!<br />
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3. Fancy Family Valentine's Dinner<br />
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4. The Olympics and my kids' version of the Olympics<br />
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5. Living close to family<br />
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6. Alex doing awesome at soccer, she really has been playing at the top of her game lately<br />
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7. Snow and it finally feeling like winter (Yes someday this might not make me smile but it does for now)<br />
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8. This picture<br />
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9. Going to Zion's National Park<br />
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10. Spending a fun day with the family in between soccer games<br />
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What made you smile this month?<br />
<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-24935556229360573982018-02-23T10:08:00.001-08:002018-02-23T10:08:04.133-08:00Friday Five: Snow, Zion, SoccerHappy Friday everyone! Are you watching the Olympics? Buried in snow like we are? Hope you have a fun weekend planned.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. Snow- that could sum up our week. We have had the most mild winter, and now- well it is trying to come in all it's glory. <br />
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2. Alex had a soccer tournament in St. George, a usually very warm and even hot place, on her game Monday morning, it snowed during the game! We could not believe it. The snow made it awful for getting home that day. What would have usually been about a 3 hour drive home (from Cedar City where we were staying), became close to a 7 hour drive.<br />
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3. They didn't do that good in the tournament but Alex did great and had an awesome save on a penalty shot. <br />
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4. I have been having fun watching the Olympics, have not got much done all week, but hey they only come around every four years, so it's all good.<br />
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5. This weekend we also went to Zion's National Park. I had never been there. It was awesome and luckily not snowing the day we went, in fact the weather was perfect. It truly is amazing and inspiring all of the different types of landscapes and nature in the world.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-45807050800239091952018-02-16T08:36:00.003-08:002018-02-16T08:36:59.680-08:00Friday Five: DMV, Eating the Alphabet, Valentines DayHappy Friday everyone! It is a holiday weekend for most, do you have any fun plans? Here is my week in 5 Thoughts and 5 Pictures<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. We actually got some snow again this week, not much and it melted before the day was over, but fun to watch it snow.<br />
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2. We had our <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/2016/02/family-friendly-valentine-dinner.html">Fancy Family Valentine Dinner</a>- it was a bit different this year, partly from being in a new house. I will share pictures next week.<br />
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3. It was Parent Teacher Conference week for the middle school. Lucas is doing great and all of his teachers really seem to like him. I am so grateful he is doing well with the move in the middle of the year. It definitely has <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/2018/01/first-day-in-new-school.html">not always been easy</a>, but now things are going good.<br />
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4. We started eating the alphabet again! I had to meet Eric at lunch to get the Charger registered, so then we went out to lunch and went to an A restaurant so we could start again. We will definitely have to play catch up at some point as we are way behind now, but I am excited we are doing it again.<br />
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5. Last Saturday, Eric and I went out to dinner and then to a Valentine's Dance with Eric's parents. It was so much fun and I forgot how long it has been since we have been dancing. Definitely made us realize how out of practice we are, but also how much fun it is. We want to take a dance class together.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-4560057551584382052018-02-13T05:30:00.000-08:002018-02-14T14:47:27.877-08:00Finding Unique Gifts <div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">--This post is written on behalf of UnCommon Goods. All feelings and opinions are my own--</span></i></div>
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With Valentine's Day fast approaching, finding the perfect gift may be on your mind. Or maybe you don't do the whole V-day thing, but there will most likely be a time that you are looking for the perfect gift for someone.<br />
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We all have that person in our life who is hard to buy for, the one who has everything, or is just really picky. That is why I love <a href="http://blog.uncommongoods.com/2017/meet-sunny/?utm_source=blogger&utm_term=emmymom2" rel="nofollow">Sunny, the Expert Gift Guide</a> at <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uncommon Goods</a>.<br />
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Uncommon Goods has a ton of unique gifts, and Sunny makes it possible for you to search by interests.<br />
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You start by saying who the gift is for and if they are a baby, kid, teen, etc.<br />
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Then you pick from a list of things they are into and it gives you a great list of unique gifts. For every item you star, it will then help refine your list and show similar items. <br />
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I searched for my teen son, who is into reading, math, science, gaming-- just all kinds of nerdy stuff, and I love these glasses<br />
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We all have our own water cups we like to use, and sometimes his will get used by other people, so if he had one of these, we would all know it is his. </div>
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<a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/images/items/26600/26638_1_640px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://www.uncommongoods.com/images/items/26600/26638_1_640px.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I was honestly amazed at the variety of gifts, and so many unique things. Plus you can just search the old fashioned way by categories, like <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/home-garden/home-decor?utm_source=blogger&utm_term=emmymom2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">home decor</a>. </div>
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I think this may become a go to site for me for looking for unique ideas. In just a few minutes, I had a page with several things I could get my son for his birthday or Christmas. </div>
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I also picked out some things for my husband, (don't miss the <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/for-him/gifts-for-husbands/gifts-for-husbands?utm_source=blogger&utm_term=emmymom2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Gift For Husbands</a> or for you men <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/for-her/gifts-for-wives/gifts-for-wives?utm_source=blogger&utm_term=emmymom2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Gifts for Wives</a>) but I don't want to show them here as I would give away the gift I am going to get him! And I may have even found a few things I want...</div>
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Where do you find unique gift ideas for those hard to buy for people? </div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 158px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 832px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 158px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 832px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-52329514581761313232018-02-12T09:26:00.000-08:002018-02-12T09:26:17.833-08:00A Billionaire's Sweet Valentine <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sGizcYqnJDW0En-SdjQQJp1qqylZcLdI325gFfmczA5LHk8O6InKF3qYylRjvgNS8b295vdv0g0SlcSNGcVILv5VcHPqHGPy-4-6SzvWup8oM53FD5J6Mft-vuwTBGl-CHerwVJ0sB21/s1600/BookReviewDisclosure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="600" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sGizcYqnJDW0En-SdjQQJp1qqylZcLdI325gFfmczA5LHk8O6InKF3qYylRjvgNS8b295vdv0g0SlcSNGcVILv5VcHPqHGPy-4-6SzvWup8oM53FD5J6Mft-vuwTBGl-CHerwVJ0sB21/s200/BookReviewDisclosure.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Valentine's Day is this week! Are you excited? Could care less? This week on my blog will be all about Valentine's Day, starting today with a book review <a href="http://amzn.to/2CgHXge" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Billionaire's Sweet Valentine by Laura L. Walker</a>. I was given a copy of this book to review.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Billionaires-Sweet-Valentine-Holiday-Contest-ebook/dp/B0794PGVBK/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&linkCode=li3&tag=emmoondaatati-20&linkId=2262b5fc301ad5abf4a8dadf6c388412" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0794PGVBK&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=emmoondaatati-20" width="259" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Book</span></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=emmoondaatati-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B0794PGVBK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit;">All Penny Merrill wants to do is run her own sweet shop in beautiful and ritzy Scottsdale, Arizona, but her money-hungry mother and conniving stepfather are making it nearly impossible to keep her dream alive. When Penny finds an advertisement for a Valentine's Day contest for Arizona's Cutest Couple, with the winnings being enough to enable her to hold on to her floundering business, she comes up with an idea that just might work--if she can find the right man for the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Commercial contractor Preston Ames is starting to develop feelings for Penny, and even though he's been through enough heartache to know that he should avoid her at all costs, he can't keep himself from visiting her sweet shop everyday. When Penny asks him to participate in a crazy scheme so that she can overturn her stepfather's underhanded business ploy, Preston is tempted to run the other way. But one look into her soulful blue eyes and he's a goner. Little does he know that just one picture will turn Penny into his sweet Valentine.</span><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But when the fact that Preston is a billionaire comes to light, and Penny and Preston compete against another couple whose heartache transcends all of their misconceptions about love, will they do the right thing? And in the process, discover a bond that is greater than they thought was even possible?</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Review</span></b></div>
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If you want a feel good quick easy read that will get you in the Valentine's spirit, then you will love this book. an starting a relationship with a lie every lead to anything good? Penny is in desperate need of money and tricks one of her best customers into participating in a Valentine's Day contest with her. </div>
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I will admit, right from the start I knew how this book was going to end. However, there were some twists and story development that I did not expect and enjoyed and it gave the story a fun unique feel. If you are looking for a sweet little romance, that will leave you smiling, I recommend this book. The book is a clean book, free from graphic imagery and language. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy The Book</span></b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=emmoondaatati-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0794PGVBK&asins=B0794PGVBK&linkId=7fa15a81b1f8b0da873d610dcd187068&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-68481173406428268282018-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:002018-02-09T09:39:11.397-08:00Friday Five: Olympics, Cookies, And ChurchHappy Friday everyone! I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5 Thoughts</b></span><br />
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1. The Olympics start today! The winter Olympics have always been my favorite. I love almost every event! I remember as a kid, going to the pond near our home and iceskating, pretending like I was a figure skater, when in reality I could hardly skate backwards.<br />
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2. Alex had New Beginnings this week, an event at church that welcomes the girls into Young Women's that are turning 12 this year. It is so crazy to me that she is going to be 12! I will be in there with her, as I was just asked to serve in Young Women's as the Laurel Advisor, over the 16-18 year old girls. <br />
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3. Eric and I went out for sushi last week and the place was so crazy as some of the rolls were really good, but others were just down right gross. Definitely will be looking for other sushi places.<br />
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4. Alex was disappointed in last weekend's soccer game when she didn't get to play goalie; but when she played forward and ended up scoring two goals and assisting on a third, then she wasn't feeling so bad. They definitely love having her on the team.<br />
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5. Ryder went over to my in-laws the night of the New Beginnings Program, as he would have been so "bored" going to it. His cousin Quinn was also there and those two just had a great time the whole night. I am grateful that we get to live by family now.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40138345822/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="sushi"><img alt="sushi" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/40138345822_95a3a2be21_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40138345572/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="cookies"><img alt="cookies" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4661/40138345572_f9a2e8da6a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40171088141/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="BYU gear"><img alt="BYU gear" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4653/40171088141_f2ecde62c2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-65570195884775597942018-02-06T08:43:00.000-08:002018-02-06T08:43:15.735-08:00Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Mistcloak I am a huge Brandon Sanderson Fan. Before I read his books, I wouldn't have considered myself a fantasy fan, but after I read the Mistborn series, I was hooked. Sanderson does such an amazing job developing his characters and settings that it just draws you in. My husband (he actually introduced me to the books) and son Lucas are also huge fans, and after Lucas read Mistborn, he wanted a Mistcloak.<br />
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For Christmas, my mother--in-law made him a Mistborn Mistcloak.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/28323711689/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="How to make a Mistcloak"><img alt="How to make a Mistcloak" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/28323711689_732dffdb41_b.jpg" title="Mistcloak" width="623" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40071779472/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Sanderson Mistcloak"><img alt="Sanderson Mistcloak" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4705/40071779472_4e5bb2cd58_b.jpg" width="736" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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My mother--in-law hasn't read Mistborn (but trust me she has heard plenty of conversations about it). She did a lot of research online, wanting to make something more authentic for Lucas.<br />
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I asked her for some tips on how she made the Mistcloak that I could share with you, and this is what she told me<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>How To Make a MistCloak</u></span></b><br />
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Initially she tried to make the tassels from a light woven fabric, sewn to another strip for lining, but they would never lie straight, so she ended up switching to fleece or brushed-nylon. An advantage to this material is that edges won't fray.<br />
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She made three layers, offset by nearly an inch, so that the row underneath would hang in the space where the the two in front of it separated a bit. She used this many layers so that it felt "enveloping" like the book describes.<br />
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After a few trials- she took a large piece of dark grey fleece cut the length she wanted and cut it in 1 1/2- inch strips nearly all the way up, using a rotary cutter. When she cut the strips, she stopped before reaching the end of the fleece, leaving a 4-inch uncut header at the top. She used this header section to sew to the lining of the inside of the cape section.<br />
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For the top, she used a cape pattern she had, cutting it part way down. This is where the strips began and were sewn to an inner lining before putting it together.<br />
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She did do one cheat, and used a metal clasp, as she did not have time to find a wood one in time for Christmas. We are just pretending it is made of wood painted to look like metal. (If you have read the books, you know why the Mistcloak would never have a metal clasp)<br />
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He absolutely loves it, and was so thrilled when he got it Christmas morning. It often isn't easy figuring out what to give a teenager for Christmas, so this was perfect gift. <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40071777792/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Sanderson Mistcloak"><img alt="Sanderson Mistcloak" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/40071777792_965869b457_b.jpg" width="689" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/28323723309/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Brandon Sanderson Mistcloak"><img alt="Brandon Sanderson Mistcloak" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/28323723309_5abc3feb0a_b.jpg" width="653" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/39205034985/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Mistcloak"><img alt="Mistcloak" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/39205034985_3d6a560187_b.jpg" width="646" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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It truly was a labor of love, but it is a present that he will forever cherish. </center>
<br />Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1434047468114822475.post-61388070167185840072018-02-02T07:49:00.002-08:002018-02-02T07:49:54.724-08:00Friday Five: Ground Hogs Day and Book Clubs Happy Friday everyone! Sharing 5 thoughts and 5 pictures to recap the week.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Thoughts</span></b><br />
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1. Alex played her first indoor game with her new team. She played on the field a bit the first half and then played keeper the whole second half. She had a great game and I think she will be really successful on this team. <br />
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2. It really is amazing how many little things (and sometimes big things) you end up needing/wanting when you get a new house. I keep thinking my list is done, but then I will add something else. Need a magic money tree.<br />
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3. Today is Ground Hogs Day! Eric I will be going out tonight to celebrate our anniversary of when we got engaged -- you can read the post about our engagement <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/2014/02/a-groundhog-day-worth-repeating.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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4. We are so close to getting fully unpacked, just need to push through and get the last boxes done. It is a lot of the more random stuff that you don't use all the time that needs to be finished, so easy to just want to ignore it and do other more fun things.<br />
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5. Last night I went to a book club, there is a community FB page and someone said they wanted to start one. I didn't know anyone, but it was a great time and I am excited about the books we will be reading and being part of this group. I will be hosting it next month.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5 Pictures</span></b><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/40010102552/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="living room decor"><img alt="living room decor" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4702/40010102552_9744072bd3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45462138@N02/28263572739/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="playing the flute"><img alt="playing the flute" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/28263572739_ce90720d66_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
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Emmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675419215475635276noreply@blogger.com0