tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60211442762977188712024-02-19T06:50:33.062-08:00nashville narnianDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04470952610741270559noreply@blogger.comBlogger726125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-84422620404768225092020-11-29T09:27:00.025-08:002020-11-29T09:31:39.096-08:00Thanksgiving 2020 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHltrT0z7c/X8PUnJIA9lI/AAAAAAAAC_E/ev8Yij20CrYJI403FZtzd_LvmmVtaTvFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_MG_3810.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHltrT0z7c/X8PUnJIA9lI/AAAAAAAAC_E/ev8Yij20CrYJI403FZtzd_LvmmVtaTvFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/_MG_3810.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjAWNKhXwAc/X8PUmsL2dDI/AAAAAAAAC-4/CUT79gqFnZU54mskDTed6uUrZtbj_70WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_MG_3792.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div>I haven't blogged in a long, long time. I have been spending my life on instagram, I guess. It feels appropriate to give you a life update but I will spare you the mellow-drama of 2020. It's been hard. It's been good. It's been for growing and stretching and figuring out what is important. We have learned so much about ourselves and our deepest, darkest fears and needs. We have cried. We have moved. We have gone on hundreds of walks and played numerous board games. But, one thing we haven't done enough is express our gratitude. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fkNr1b3YHg/X8PZgabK2bI/AAAAAAAAC_8/aFIC4D2IE5cXJ-oVkefGYkKAY4FBcsARQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_MG_3831.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="435" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fkNr1b3YHg/X8PZgabK2bI/AAAAAAAAC_8/aFIC4D2IE5cXJ-oVkefGYkKAY4FBcsARQCLcBGAsYHQ/w289-h435/_MG_3831.JPG" width="289" /></a></div>To be honest, I haven't given thanks much at all this year. I'm grateful for my family and my new home and, begrudgingly, my job. But it's become the norm to focus on all that we've lost in 2020. Lost time with friends, weddings getting pushed back, vacations canceled, plans changed. I've consoled my children over canceled play dates. I've sat in quiet rooms, daydreaming about parties. I've scheduled too few FaceTime hang outs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We've spent many Thanksgivings at my in-laws and my mother-in-law always does such a great job of feeding us and dressing up her dinner table so beautifully. Due to the virus, we stayed home and I cooked up a feast of roasted asparagus and carrots with parsley, dressing, mashed golden potatoes, a 20 lb turkey and homemade gravy. Apple pie bars with pumpkin pie and freshly whipped cream. It was memorable and sweet and made all the sweeter with our guests, my brother and his wife who moved to Nashville a little over a year ago. We love having them around. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The future is so uncertain but, if I've learned anything this year, it's not to take the present for granted. Enjoy every single second you have with the people you love because you never know if it might be your last. Maybe that's morbid but I'm speaking more of government mandated shut-downs than death. This season has taught me that gratitude and laughter really are the best medicine. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Blessings,</div><div style="text-align: right;">Lindsy</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sksoHWeJ3rk/X8PUoY2KvXI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/4BCNX-5lrlIIU3qtiQZJvEhMhIAEKRiZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_MG_3880.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sksoHWeJ3rk/X8PUoY2KvXI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/4BCNX-5lrlIIU3qtiQZJvEhMhIAEKRiZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/_MG_3880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-24403625101025756092019-02-15T10:49:00.000-08:002019-02-15T10:49:08.201-08:00Nana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbtizBrej6NAtRV2BcO0O9peRSctsQI8Kmw03nClcsSY4UyPMLnsbmQZWK_0awbiGIcnfTCM35I7yNCt9wqegQChNDWJaXRIhz6JuzWffYbE21nYmKLinVd6u5Za_ba4Cqna2kgbPAw4/s1600/IMG_1422.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbtizBrej6NAtRV2BcO0O9peRSctsQI8Kmw03nClcsSY4UyPMLnsbmQZWK_0awbiGIcnfTCM35I7yNCt9wqegQChNDWJaXRIhz6JuzWffYbE21nYmKLinVd6u5Za_ba4Cqna2kgbPAw4/s1600/IMG_1422.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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On January 7th, just a few months after her 81st birthday, my nana passed away in Vancouver, Washington with my Papa by her side. Born in West Virgina on October 16, 1937, Opal Sue was a spit fire. She was a shy girl. Kind and fun. She met Papa at school. I believe it was love at first sight, for him. They married young and had my dad and, later, my Aunt Yvonne.</div>
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She loved babies more than anyone I have ever met and I'm surprised she didn't have more children. Her health was always a concern. She was tough as nails but she was frail. She spent a large part of my youth trying to figure out why she was so tired and why her back hurt. When it was just me and Andrea (before my youngest sister, Karli, and brother, Bryce, were born) we spent many weekends with Nana. She took us to VBS a few summers. We would jazzercise and take long walks, work in her garden and bake healthy cookies. She was extremely health conscious. She was basically vegan by the time she and Papa retired to the tiny town of Ocean Park, WA in the late nineties. </div>
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My sister said something so profound. She said that Nana had the ability to make everyone feel like her favorite. That's what I see in that first photo.</div>
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She loved us all so well. </div>
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Her funeral was a beautiful, humble affair. We went out to the church she and Papa attended and the service was beautiful and sweet, straight to the point. My favorite part was the video of beautiful West Virginia. Although they never lived there again after my dad was a baby, they went back often and loved it so much. They are West Virginia, deep in their bones. That love for the woods and mountains runs deep in our family. </div>
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During her funeral, I couldn't speak. I choked on my tears and didnt know what to say that hadn't already been said. We miss her. We just really, really miss her. </div>
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Until we meet again, Opal Sue. Love you, Nana. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe4qZRO0t7QEu4Y8kUX1N5a0CmU2pvwa5hw_NUxlwY8a5ROunXRD4flz-26U-2Bc8EF0nfFvWbYzvUYNBBbhaAlad97Fd1s9FUUNQoBURFWILq8m-ZgIzgc3SHoSyvmYHY96floCgEmE/s1600/Copy+of+Nana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe4qZRO0t7QEu4Y8kUX1N5a0CmU2pvwa5hw_NUxlwY8a5ROunXRD4flz-26U-2Bc8EF0nfFvWbYzvUYNBBbhaAlad97Fd1s9FUUNQoBURFWILq8m-ZgIzgc3SHoSyvmYHY96floCgEmE/s640/Copy+of+Nana2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-75288248642045178432018-06-22T18:04:00.001-07:002018-06-22T19:09:11.747-07:00The Sinner's Prayer<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was in college when I realized that "The Prayer" wasn't in the Bible. I remember feeling deceived. Offended, even. It seemed wrong that so much of my idea of Christianity was wrapped up in whether or not someone had prayed The Sinner's Prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I </span>havent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> heard anyone pray the prayer for a very, very long time. I thought that, maybe, it wasn't something we did anymore. Until I joined Daniel at some of the huge Christian music festivals and was surprised to hear many evangelist preachers leading thousands of people in one of the most important prayers one might ever pray in their life. Often it was awkward. Other times, it felt cheap and contrived. Sometimes, it felt powerful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We pray the prayer to commemorate an action of our hearts. To make an occasion of it. Like taking traditional wedding vows, The Sinner's Prayer is a hymn or a mantra that has been spoken over and over again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started reading a children's Bible with my boys every night this week. To my surprise, both boys have loved it. I mean, it really is a wild an exciting story. We've made it through Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Joshua and now David. And tonight after a few questions, Liam said, with the most genuine sincerity that he loves God and wants to go to heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What? Okay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We haven't even gotten to that part yet, dude. We're just reading about humanity failing over and over and God doing some powerful and really weird stuff. But somehow, he gets it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My passionate, loving boy. Tonight you gave your heart to the one true God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to the Kingdom, son.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFF6jHYYMrVn2Mg9-hTG8QlFFjXM1lpPJ9HgWUIvnrM00IapDtRd3xBKuXoSFzCP_MJllHVkAsknq_yy2qo2RE2YVfo5CS_0eh1pdiEjoDn7Ibpknb4Fe-KY4Jl934z7ZdB1s3gKN8SQ/s1600/IMG_6860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFF6jHYYMrVn2Mg9-hTG8QlFFjXM1lpPJ9HgWUIvnrM00IapDtRd3xBKuXoSFzCP_MJllHVkAsknq_yy2qo2RE2YVfo5CS_0eh1pdiEjoDn7Ibpknb4Fe-KY4Jl934z7ZdB1s3gKN8SQ/s640/IMG_6860.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">and, okay, I guess "The Prayer" kind of is in the Bible...</span></span></div>
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Romans 10:9-10</span><span style="font-weight: 500;"> </span></span></h3>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-10-9" id="en-NIV-28198" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">If you declare<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28198A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28198A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28198B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28198B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and believe<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28198C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28198C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in your heart that God raised him from the dead,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28198D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28198D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> you will be saved.</span><span class="text Rom-10-10" id="en-NIV-28199" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-10-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-10-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And then this song was on when I came downstairs after he fell asleep. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lKw6uqtGFfo" width="640"></iframe><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Who am I that the highest King</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Would welcome me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I was lost but He brought me in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh His love for me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh His love for me</span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Who the Son sets free</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh is free indeed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a child of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes I am</span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Free at last, He has ransomed me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">His grace runs deep</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">While I was a slave to sin</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus died for me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes He died for me</span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Who the Son sets free</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh is free indeed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a child of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes I am</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">In my Father’s house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">There’s a place for me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a child of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes I am</span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I am chosen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Not forsaken</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I am who You say I am</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">You are for me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">Not against me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: inherit;">I am who You say I am</span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-23418100669299732362018-06-13T12:21:00.002-07:002018-06-14T07:02:50.310-07:00The RecapWe did it.<br />
<br />
Over 7,000 Miles.<br />
20 Days.<br />
16 States.<br />
3 Dudes.<br />
1 Mama.<br />
1 Dog.<br />
<br />
We saw Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky! (and Tennessee!)<br />
<br />
We saw parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, great uncles and aunts.<br />
<br />
We stayed in 3 state parks and saw the Grand Canyon.<br />
<br />
We ate a ton of burgers.<br />
<br />
We slept in tents and the van, on guest beds and air mattresses.<br />
<br />
We didn't see or do everything we wanted to but we got pretty dang close. We miss our house and our chickens and our beds. The rest of the summer will be pretty quiet but hopefully the memories and fun will sustain us. Just 7 weeks until Liam starts 1st Grade and Ronan starts FOUR days of preschool. (How are they SO BIG?!)<br />
<br />
Have a great summer, yall!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4CXSQARbrZFtafMP_roGMdDnUCvUaQNA2M_qAX_b_XE9IyHp9pz1xa8yoqbvPv1AUcVtCuV1wnFXNDBKon-9bJo1Cnc7N9Y9oiSQjMeARNhkh4MNgj7JhyMLTqV1a46put3Aa3bLXJE/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7o0LEaHj9w7roT6FYfUx8W6hRkg5q6trooXVCoAvIqQrTKwNCqzDVSzsPIvzAan3HKOFgrEyWk2wyG0Xv_0gR8lwKgcty8gCTellPv4WAp_ahY7v0GS21Et4rRxDp2isuyNlqdaM6jk/s1600/IMG_0010.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7o0LEaHj9w7roT6FYfUx8W6hRkg5q6trooXVCoAvIqQrTKwNCqzDVSzsPIvzAan3HKOFgrEyWk2wyG0Xv_0gR8lwKgcty8gCTellPv4WAp_ahY7v0GS21Et4rRxDp2isuyNlqdaM6jk/s640/IMG_0010.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWnv_lS4yM4P-DJgz8Q_UWhyphenhyphenUf7GR-9k_7v21aGOdNCHr4gF2BU5SYihlIuD-s4JUOUc1gZrOhbX0i7u4kZO-P5jzgXmaRo78Z1ExvLs6HiP2yOK3E4nSJrsmbeq4b3fdM8y1aQ8otuk/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWnv_lS4yM4P-DJgz8Q_UWhyphenhyphenUf7GR-9k_7v21aGOdNCHr4gF2BU5SYihlIuD-s4JUOUc1gZrOhbX0i7u4kZO-P5jzgXmaRo78Z1ExvLs6HiP2yOK3E4nSJrsmbeq4b3fdM8y1aQ8otuk/s640/IMG_0946.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BBQ at Miss Linda and Grandpa Bryan's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhLr0UseLiQMbM5Ilfv1SsDc6i9p9tN89dw3GiEbdi4m-3Tz9ZmSTx_HNxobVuu9ZrcAEEsy_KuN7ZP5_evCXqhZthBc5vUKRyVzNod6-0M36wk75yBhy9gLU_9RoqoBrrdUvxnUewDw/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="514" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhLr0UseLiQMbM5Ilfv1SsDc6i9p9tN89dw3GiEbdi4m-3Tz9ZmSTx_HNxobVuu9ZrcAEEsy_KuN7ZP5_evCXqhZthBc5vUKRyVzNod6-0M36wk75yBhy9gLU_9RoqoBrrdUvxnUewDw/s640/IMG_0011.JPG" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico-Arizona Border.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJXFGatDK-1eKLEjgVVIU3xCgf8UoRknDiduyY1tqIXjX5vlLtDSmLzW5inILSAs41RdnVeEQQktrYCMmf46yjf_Rff8CqGvt6TnRC7LdauYC6FhG02MO6_dtF2vmU1Hy2b5ekt9BkY4/s1600/IMG_0014.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJXFGatDK-1eKLEjgVVIU3xCgf8UoRknDiduyY1tqIXjX5vlLtDSmLzW5inILSAs41RdnVeEQQktrYCMmf46yjf_Rff8CqGvt6TnRC7LdauYC6FhG02MO6_dtF2vmU1Hy2b5ekt9BkY4/s640/IMG_0014.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations, Eric and Lori! Malibu, CA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi6kjuciyEEkb9wPtMVfqMbMnIVgol3z0IaLjhaLSoU1cljV679NEXE69l4Rflz4SZNG578BWKeLpNOkwunWgEZCK6nOTiBnDMI2-JVTisIC4j2V3qL6kucDoAJ3Ffe2rkSTVoooFPfg/s1600/IMG_0018.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi6kjuciyEEkb9wPtMVfqMbMnIVgol3z0IaLjhaLSoU1cljV679NEXE69l4Rflz4SZNG578BWKeLpNOkwunWgEZCK6nOTiBnDMI2-JVTisIC4j2V3qL6kucDoAJ3Ffe2rkSTVoooFPfg/s640/IMG_0018.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweEgDIApcXF4SI-5KLE49NGJ2TZvcwWbcAWnmam3tQqnUMb4P-ncfejVQF6B8Yx7LZHWqty_GWJTJ1RilQQM7r-hO8kXOmqpXQF2_3DBfBLIc9Czz7WafWiISn2SpVIWYKdy40v46erE/s1600/IMG_0019.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweEgDIApcXF4SI-5KLE49NGJ2TZvcwWbcAWnmam3tQqnUMb4P-ncfejVQF6B8Yx7LZHWqty_GWJTJ1RilQQM7r-hO8kXOmqpXQF2_3DBfBLIc9Czz7WafWiISn2SpVIWYKdy40v46erE/s640/IMG_0019.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Coast Highway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8Ic-39vDNbud_3ilM6995LVP3FuhvQ4UfEqmxM4jRKfmnjz__Ft7eQep8P3mW_bl3Ee-zdg8bXSP4rNxKhPpdlFVxd3-wV3YtcMN8x2Xh1yxRBN3vdLgjGdCxSJ1Ichy-S4u8l3Mq5c/s1600/IMG_0020.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8Ic-39vDNbud_3ilM6995LVP3FuhvQ4UfEqmxM4jRKfmnjz__Ft7eQep8P3mW_bl3Ee-zdg8bXSP4rNxKhPpdlFVxd3-wV3YtcMN8x2Xh1yxRBN3vdLgjGdCxSJ1Ichy-S4u8l3Mq5c/s640/IMG_0020.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland, Oregon</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMNsbCDvR8XU2hmRgySouzP9arZqOoTFEU4AtQAXlVw77nMvx5FmRjlIl6cmI4tKSMLmfHX7aJc8QGMOnlzuYDrhtIR4GzxiT3z6_lN-Tf4NyAXyYUq6CCc507rM4KXAt6B5D3PHObm0/s1600/IMG_0021.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMNsbCDvR8XU2hmRgySouzP9arZqOoTFEU4AtQAXlVw77nMvx5FmRjlIl6cmI4tKSMLmfHX7aJc8QGMOnlzuYDrhtIR4GzxiT3z6_lN-Tf4NyAXyYUq6CCc507rM4KXAt6B5D3PHObm0/s640/IMG_0021.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITDtmXMDwPEvEkHsvJYi__GuF5OuoSxbQye1ItO4fKHP9Oi_jyTHvO2BBvrGr2l9MNa4NvtN-qUGOOlVv0Wnu3f99i7Wyr9qu9BBPHed3xa7NoKcnb86e2ClfllPe1cLE81EVgSj9W6M/s1600/IMG_0022.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITDtmXMDwPEvEkHsvJYi__GuF5OuoSxbQye1ItO4fKHP9Oi_jyTHvO2BBvrGr2l9MNa4NvtN-qUGOOlVv0Wnu3f99i7Wyr9qu9BBPHed3xa7NoKcnb86e2ClfllPe1cLE81EVgSj9W6M/s640/IMG_0022.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegPxmCj8IxVca_Q5kOHDI_wKwc_TShdlSWxqxHkglWuMO6OQthKl1FNtwZBg-4wbmNnyLdchZXzn5MvYXWv3Jflcuq9mx6a171AkkHKEieq6L9roZhbOVZ8-Oc1nUrT-Vl4rRUe-5a2Y/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegPxmCj8IxVca_Q5kOHDI_wKwc_TShdlSWxqxHkglWuMO6OQthKl1FNtwZBg-4wbmNnyLdchZXzn5MvYXWv3Jflcuq9mx6a171AkkHKEieq6L9roZhbOVZ8-Oc1nUrT-Vl4rRUe-5a2Y/s640/IMG_0936.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My paternal great grandparents : GV and Sue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI93lxQxRUuAMgJJOQDqvFSMDSAF0fpBvzXttPguPIo5FYRnGWnoZRzr46BsQZKBbUvqvUWeSWpJLxWeuqViBnUOeJ1DrVU1IOkN-2CAzafwk9Tste8r63vHDvEbraWONYkzPGGwB62No/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI93lxQxRUuAMgJJOQDqvFSMDSAF0fpBvzXttPguPIo5FYRnGWnoZRzr46BsQZKBbUvqvUWeSWpJLxWeuqViBnUOeJ1DrVU1IOkN-2CAzafwk9Tste8r63vHDvEbraWONYkzPGGwB62No/s640/IMG_0959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad (a.k.a. "Grandpa Bryan")</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhyphenhyphenUiocN11FWL0FIUg08WlXY-HntlymQR02s9IVUh5kRBvDGgSDisbiOzSJSjxDOL2x60HPNfUEyDJmjuzKSfcpVwAxR3urZ0v5kbSzKcfDC5FBBsG38_lw9vutKt8kuFm9Bx-a2ycJk/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhyphenhyphenUiocN11FWL0FIUg08WlXY-HntlymQR02s9IVUh5kRBvDGgSDisbiOzSJSjxDOL2x60HPNfUEyDJmjuzKSfcpVwAxR3urZ0v5kbSzKcfDC5FBBsG38_lw9vutKt8kuFm9Bx-a2ycJk/s400/IMG_0024.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl1X7Ncuq5VTD1F_Dy_GYTQu2-URH8pkYgtxCpVRvBxvSW3jFCYTfwr0Xz9kCRyIkIPsLZzkq0N7f-Q-QF2PQVpepISmgwCvsejH-FOd3jiyJ6LNjLPWsIzU_jNnsNKVJt4AqF0S25BY/s1600/IMG_0023.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl1X7Ncuq5VTD1F_Dy_GYTQu2-URH8pkYgtxCpVRvBxvSW3jFCYTfwr0Xz9kCRyIkIPsLZzkq0N7f-Q-QF2PQVpepISmgwCvsejH-FOd3jiyJ6LNjLPWsIzU_jNnsNKVJt4AqF0S25BY/s400/IMG_0023.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3R8ZuDmAmOpH-yzXp8zacaoHvdgoPqpTTynbECtPD5dxCg0EzCx8SfCnVe2m-R-dN5QmWuI8pb6jbIIAC8FkjPDZ9E45q4egUtw0jYWrQ-HorbStWLMDNZSB2Gi_r4KXITqs3liOe0/s1600/IMG_0027.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3R8ZuDmAmOpH-yzXp8zacaoHvdgoPqpTTynbECtPD5dxCg0EzCx8SfCnVe2m-R-dN5QmWuI8pb6jbIIAC8FkjPDZ9E45q4egUtw0jYWrQ-HorbStWLMDNZSB2Gi_r4KXITqs3liOe0/s640/IMG_0027.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nana and my sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRGTVLY63uSfOYL4BF3qQvsdnN7pa6G0ujyGfcHRAdikPgMsaH1HlfqCpdPSz20XYNfZpb2Kb6a6FFzVHB6CePGgGo0_XFTRrprMrM7y7q-BATjg1Ez36KwcS8QRhyphenhyphengQyKyHJmYJN1k8/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRGTVLY63uSfOYL4BF3qQvsdnN7pa6G0ujyGfcHRAdikPgMsaH1HlfqCpdPSz20XYNfZpb2Kb6a6FFzVHB6CePGgGo0_XFTRrprMrM7y7q-BATjg1Ez36KwcS8QRhyphenhyphengQyKyHJmYJN1k8/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariner's Game with Dave Niehaus</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJYHFcbaxNw8uMQSOohoXmSCwL6t4EaYytWPIkYF6vC-qw03G2Q5-vMACcVXnGDjx7vE0nLgNMIijCNMp2NSpoLcRtIzwlN-VdR5_O0rhG_uPSjyGrbeByqgWc8-p1si3qZUKW_KaWoQ/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJYHFcbaxNw8uMQSOohoXmSCwL6t4EaYytWPIkYF6vC-qw03G2Q5-vMACcVXnGDjx7vE0nLgNMIijCNMp2NSpoLcRtIzwlN-VdR5_O0rhG_uPSjyGrbeByqgWc8-p1si3qZUKW_KaWoQ/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go M's!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kh5npikz-yv_EEqjdkR7-maH7OCcCgF8yXZIlM0aNbA7v7s7W7DNLrHQ7XB5O4kYJLFgiT9tG1d8UwPASw0JVNgXpy1vpIn8GC5wmi-RHxZQ5Vtuc2Zt6KrtQsHEK_V6FqPCQkRhR4s/s1600/IMG_0030.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kh5npikz-yv_EEqjdkR7-maH7OCcCgF8yXZIlM0aNbA7v7s7W7DNLrHQ7XB5O4kYJLFgiT9tG1d8UwPASw0JVNgXpy1vpIn8GC5wmi-RHxZQ5Vtuc2Zt6KrtQsHEK_V6FqPCQkRhR4s/s640/IMG_0030.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson and Quinn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD8sX06_VfRto0_ItnV5utK-TR8-Tn8tOAxdBrdns6-nPC53bzHVN-zq2U7EIZp_sBf-7d8tGgxtfhWO2hNnXphuFvyXtZpCSZyLn_oBnCSIPhQkM5b1JuK1isJLf3An6r6DQQxEJ1lY/s1600/IMG_0034.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD8sX06_VfRto0_ItnV5utK-TR8-Tn8tOAxdBrdns6-nPC53bzHVN-zq2U7EIZp_sBf-7d8tGgxtfhWO2hNnXphuFvyXtZpCSZyLn_oBnCSIPhQkM5b1JuK1isJLf3An6r6DQQxEJ1lY/s640/IMG_0034.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool Day with Uncle Casey and AA</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk5EQi4W2fs9Czll4t5xRsasXEpIyEQJ-D018JVFw_gGGyTkdZqMzm7vt-Ol6LGFL3QncJqKhK8g6HR0yDqObgDTFGI1RB_zxvEXksJCzF9iHOMYDKoJFn-d6gOEZes9FKrX_YGgf99U/s1600/IMG_0035.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk5EQi4W2fs9Czll4t5xRsasXEpIyEQJ-D018JVFw_gGGyTkdZqMzm7vt-Ol6LGFL3QncJqKhK8g6HR0yDqObgDTFGI1RB_zxvEXksJCzF9iHOMYDKoJFn-d6gOEZes9FKrX_YGgf99U/s640/IMG_0035.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Yogurt in Tigard, OR</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvLEm98ZLPiMPx4t3L7SkLeXNDs9yUq25S1hatpNZ0e0hxPS1EpWebH2UTQFh4_ZTvfvMsChSINCu1TqZ66y0JI0VH099a-j7HbVO-jqZNw1aqh3Pk8XXVQuNXnfqhkf1tX2QDVmAq74/s1600/IMG_0036.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvLEm98ZLPiMPx4t3L7SkLeXNDs9yUq25S1hatpNZ0e0hxPS1EpWebH2UTQFh4_ZTvfvMsChSINCu1TqZ66y0JI0VH099a-j7HbVO-jqZNw1aqh3Pk8XXVQuNXnfqhkf1tX2QDVmAq74/s640/IMG_0036.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey, Mack and Merrick (at Rob + Sara's) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmYwWMZb0TGHPP3bJyxURDM1AT4-8sJSVPDhhmiurJpAPPd3uBTQsuUg6PoKKTMWQH-oDotBedi1sTgOoth31F7cpxwQ-LYOA2etY5txrn6hKKGt22iob5CmWOxe6pEwu__N2o5lKXj4/s1600/IMG_0037.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmYwWMZb0TGHPP3bJyxURDM1AT4-8sJSVPDhhmiurJpAPPd3uBTQsuUg6PoKKTMWQH-oDotBedi1sTgOoth31F7cpxwQ-LYOA2etY5txrn6hKKGt22iob5CmWOxe6pEwu__N2o5lKXj4/s640/IMG_0037.HEIC" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kissing my boy in Portland, OR</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3ZorwRNKgvuFBR1K01ZvtkzE3nDdh6hhdn4O4qU-ZjUcA7w3ZM7JQg6tW3cI30c6MZ9AmYsqLI1XvF6WNVUQfhL7fQyDrWLMI752pu8R-E9zeSIvmTW5B8w663SpDbGJORlXy1S2eYs/s1600/IMG_0038.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3ZorwRNKgvuFBR1K01ZvtkzE3nDdh6hhdn4O4qU-ZjUcA7w3ZM7JQg6tW3cI30c6MZ9AmYsqLI1XvF6WNVUQfhL7fQyDrWLMI752pu8R-E9zeSIvmTW5B8w663SpDbGJORlXy1S2eYs/s640/IMG_0038.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baghdad Theater in Portland, OR to see Solo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZEX3H1Eku4r39bx_w4gjSQg6BhwyF_NZTnPP7w4aOQqSPjrYejIIEi0gmxXSwiswVAqdP3DHW-uPvjr4q2WHrG2GivSrLVK-eawzbOnWR6PGK4e1PL95sIHP8MdiVpTROdPVKT-OnwI/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZEX3H1Eku4r39bx_w4gjSQg6BhwyF_NZTnPP7w4aOQqSPjrYejIIEi0gmxXSwiswVAqdP3DHW-uPvjr4q2WHrG2GivSrLVK-eawzbOnWR6PGK4e1PL95sIHP8MdiVpTROdPVKT-OnwI/s640/IMG_0039.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend and host, Danielle</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXssz6Al-2She5ArV3adoeHNvwXkcnsLhgH9dQHkVkXO7HIWticRkvhQdpXfp86iCiUzjlctbfVvkBBeO2qM52LdYVHeU-vS2T68uk_m3Pgk2gu8UQwzm-j1JwWD_A091X28ySsxu97No/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXssz6Al-2She5ArV3adoeHNvwXkcnsLhgH9dQHkVkXO7HIWticRkvhQdpXfp86iCiUzjlctbfVvkBBeO2qM52LdYVHeU-vS2T68uk_m3Pgk2gu8UQwzm-j1JwWD_A091X28ySsxu97No/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington Park Zoo. PDX.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKyu1MWBsuz9ACtnKO4V5W9qvRRu6XzzC7C7rVcvjk5uMcoMzXMYIFZdg9jcVlu81PRDnSUNlVfmuCkrab57_f6-O7i_XdfKnc46csAxtUMYAFmz3jiF82vtsgzo0uuGCXU-xr9PCVHo/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKyu1MWBsuz9ACtnKO4V5W9qvRRu6XzzC7C7rVcvjk5uMcoMzXMYIFZdg9jcVlu81PRDnSUNlVfmuCkrab57_f6-O7i_XdfKnc46csAxtUMYAFmz3jiF82vtsgzo0uuGCXU-xr9PCVHo/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granna at the Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aBNoz3DZfLQx_2XqNTB5HCrelUH9cKlkRZuaeym5WBAMEqk__QqkBusz2-lvoA7bVYyeB_dHYZnA8HN0gSz6hjZa0u7siNQ8NN1L_KmLFf_uYyhh2s3wrUBMeFcZjs7Two4_Rws4uz4/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aBNoz3DZfLQx_2XqNTB5HCrelUH9cKlkRZuaeym5WBAMEqk__QqkBusz2-lvoA7bVYyeB_dHYZnA8HN0gSz6hjZa0u7siNQ8NN1L_KmLFf_uYyhh2s3wrUBMeFcZjs7Two4_Rws4uz4/s640/IMG_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Ben</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRr49hBw54f9_RSW4m69YDNd1u3ov0Evvq5C8uxmqqDFrgG7QmNSw6snVOpQA1h4VebBh_Xr5e4ydlUFzs_EpFvM9wI8XPScAaixxVV2aJVEyU4b9MRL6CwJaqvA3TLh43EzTfqav_uw/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRr49hBw54f9_RSW4m69YDNd1u3ov0Evvq5C8uxmqqDFrgG7QmNSw6snVOpQA1h4VebBh_Xr5e4ydlUFzs_EpFvM9wI8XPScAaixxVV2aJVEyU4b9MRL6CwJaqvA3TLh43EzTfqav_uw/s640/IMG_0043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Friends and neighbors, Doug and Kim - at Matriarch in Tacoma, WA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_binAz61M5hovY8DibuZsjTvwSriAIEKHdMjKsX4W5e-OGz8aam_Hh1f_A3bl8gJtP0Ww2cFvw5G5IPHSbWBDVYEGiZweyOkoImT1jV3fgaJI5CLIOefKOrouMq458fUbrtaTt-0Xf4/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_binAz61M5hovY8DibuZsjTvwSriAIEKHdMjKsX4W5e-OGz8aam_Hh1f_A3bl8gJtP0Ww2cFvw5G5IPHSbWBDVYEGiZweyOkoImT1jV3fgaJI5CLIOefKOrouMq458fUbrtaTt-0Xf4/s640/IMG_0044.JPG" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grandpa John, Bryce and Karli with the boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in Utah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OiFDifdaKvwqkvnSb2OSuBBNvgRNt9_sBI-2zWqQbr6BVngN-sA3VSjq8PYrR9_HzDZ4hZ5yvjf1sGwb6Y5xelIzShxF020TpsTecaRdOlCSmTG2de32p0cBQx8uQ1Vn_Dr_MpyIASI/s1600/Williamson+Fam+-+for+print+-+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1525" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OiFDifdaKvwqkvnSb2OSuBBNvgRNt9_sBI-2zWqQbr6BVngN-sA3VSjq8PYrR9_HzDZ4hZ5yvjf1sGwb6Y5xelIzShxF020TpsTecaRdOlCSmTG2de32p0cBQx8uQ1Vn_Dr_MpyIASI/s640/Williamson+Fam+-+for+print+-+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fam</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-5241056195624789202018-05-31T10:23:00.002-07:002018-05-31T10:33:43.432-07:00Read Fam Road Trip : Day 6 Pacific Coast<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">If you've never driven the Pacific Coast Highway, do it now. Drop everything and start planning your trip. It is the most picturesque drive in the world. We stopped every 20 minutes to get out and take photos. It took us many, many hours to get to Eureka at which time we got Donuts instead of lunch. (Road trips, ya know?) I'm not entirely sure how many times we stopped or how long we drove but it was an adventure, to say the least. One stop that we captured was Chandelier Tree in Leggett, CA. You can drive through a redwood. Or, rather, you can <i>try</i> to drive through a redwood. The opening is 6'8" x 6' and I'll share a video later on whether or not a Ford Econoline fits. We also stopped at Trees of Mystery, the place with the enormous Paul Bunyan and Babe. I stopped here with my family when I was 12 and I still remember it well. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="text-align: justify;">We </span>didnt<span style="text-align: justify;"> have cell service so Google Maps </span>didnt<span style="text-align: justify;"> work. We </span>didnt<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span>really<span style="text-align: justify;"> know how far we had to go or where the next restaurant was. I was a little anxious about it but I gave it all up and enjoyed the ride, the unknown, the adventure of it all. It was actually really nice to turn off the devices and just take it all in. Even the boys obliged. No screen time until we hit I-5 at Grants Pass. It was a really sweet day. </span><br />
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Everyone, even Ronan and Liam, want to do this trip again. We keep talking about how "next time" we want to stay here or do this or that. It's been a wonderful trip. We're now showered and well fed and spending the next two weeks with friends and family before making the trip back home to Nashville. </div>
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ALSO: We've been taking video and plan to make a little mini-doc about the trip. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wNZse54ksrhSTFUTGLCdmC05rcSKaIM4_MefqFlcMD5qOiOkVArMZN6K8-BkpU-854gvOANEqKBZM5h1ethF6d1ECMnBvNNTmoxcKvYqxN2ypDcun7hCoyROKUlWnPCFxJzxnegJueM/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wNZse54ksrhSTFUTGLCdmC05rcSKaIM4_MefqFlcMD5qOiOkVArMZN6K8-BkpU-854gvOANEqKBZM5h1ethF6d1ECMnBvNNTmoxcKvYqxN2ypDcun7hCoyROKUlWnPCFxJzxnegJueM/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn0me6jJWc1wvaGEuSmBrl_6cB8cbkUtg_8M5jGOtiOi9xPeozJ_HKO-pDpXE0_dANitzdhT6ispI3pkgjU5hVQf2bTXZ78nnxJENENCYjUL2NqGib3drn1zipVP6YjQkWtGkf-BN5XM/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn0me6jJWc1wvaGEuSmBrl_6cB8cbkUtg_8M5jGOtiOi9xPeozJ_HKO-pDpXE0_dANitzdhT6ispI3pkgjU5hVQf2bTXZ78nnxJENENCYjUL2NqGib3drn1zipVP6YjQkWtGkf-BN5XM/s400/IMG_0906.JPG" width="266" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a hollowed out Redwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chandelier Tree at Leggett, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to keep these boys entertained on a 14 hour drive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donut Mill, Eureka, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZieQf1mTKjAdCW2H2INZmg_MvfIal_dOya1wuyuC7K0L9GCdY4Tq6nmykDznd6qCwUFC1ugh9uiEX82H5kb0dbeFPjDn6ucKTFhV2INxdi9S1Wb06tsUw6vmYnQIRK_NeYis7j5QWmo/s1600/IMG_6196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZieQf1mTKjAdCW2H2INZmg_MvfIal_dOya1wuyuC7K0L9GCdY4Tq6nmykDznd6qCwUFC1ugh9uiEX82H5kb0dbeFPjDn6ucKTFhV2INxdi9S1Wb06tsUw6vmYnQIRK_NeYis7j5QWmo/s320/IMG_6196.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Big Green!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees of Mystery, Redwood Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Beach, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Portland!</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-6764754236257802462018-05-31T09:37:00.003-07:002018-05-31T10:40:47.855-07:00Read Fam Road Trip : Day 5 California<div style="text-align: justify;">
My neat freak ways are impeding the joy a bit. I forgot how dusty campgrounds are. Like, if they could all be grassy or gravel (shoot, even pavement) I would be a fan. But when your 2 year old is sprinkling dust on his legs, his brother's afro and the dog, and your allergies are bugging you, you might freak out a little, too. Just me?<br />
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Day 5 was driving, lots of driving. Our only stops were Pismo Beach and San Francisco.<br />
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Pismo Beach was cloudy and quiet. We walked the dog and got a poke bowl. We were cold and we had lots of ground to cover so we kept driving.<br />
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We arrived in San Francisco around 4pm. We parked on Steiner, right by the Painted Ladies. We met some locals. We oohed and ahhed over this city. I haven't been since I was a teenager, (with Dan, at a youth conference, actually!) too young to truly appreciate its perfection. Maybe you disagree, but I loved San Francisco and if it were not so dang expensive I might move there in a heartbeat. I love a city with green space, so full of parks, walkways and bike paths. People were out enjoying the cool, sunny weather and it was electric. The Presidio and the Golden Gate Recreation Area are breathtaking. It's no wonder you cant live here for less than $1 Million.<br />
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We camped for our last night in Jackson Demonstration State Park. Dan researched this stop but we lost cell reception an hour before we got there so we weren't entirely sure we were in the right place. Gorgeous and desolate with winding roads, it was a great find. We got there and parked near the OVERNIGHT CAMPING sign. However, at dawn, we discovered it said NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING, as seen below in the photo that Dan took the next morning. That explains why we couldn't find the payment and registration booth. Or why there was no running water. Whoops.<br />
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It was a chilly night but we slept very well. And the <strike>campground</strike> "Picnic Area" was grass. Praise the Lord! We were up at 6am and back on the road at 6:30 to the hit the PCH, the last leg of our trip.<br />
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</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-52606089053906189692018-05-29T09:26:00.001-07:002018-05-31T10:41:47.169-07:00Read Fam Road Trip : Day 4 California<div style="text-align: justify;">
After <a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">sunset at the Grand Canyon</a>, we continued west to Kingman, AZ and stayed in a motel on Route 66. We got cleaned up the next morning and back on I-40. We have a wedding to get to! One of Dan's dear friends from touring, a show promoter in Phoenix, was married at a California State Park on the coast. The reception was a catered affair at a group campsite. We brought our dog and our dirty kids to a wedding reception. How cool is that? </div>
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We spent some time on the beach. It was in the high 60s, much cooler than our trip has been. I dressed the boys in the warmest clothes we brought. If we ever do this trip again (which we are talking about upgrading the van and doing this again in 4 years when Ronan "graduates" kindergarten) we want to come back to Leo Carillo State Park. </div>
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Today, we are driving up Highway 1, taking in the sights of the ocean (it's too cold to swim), stopping for coffee in San Francisco and camping just south of the Redwood Forest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn at an empty campsite at Leo Carillo State Park</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-11586242254006911142018-05-28T10:02:00.000-07:002018-05-31T10:34:16.761-07:00Read Fam Road Trip : Dan 3 Arizona and the Grand Canyon<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Today was the day of all days. The best day of the roadtrip. The day when the sights get a little more interesting and the temperatures get a little cooler. The day our boys get to see the most beautiful place on earth.<br />
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Let's start from the beginning. Our campground in Cedar Crest, New Mexico had a strictly enforced quiet hours from 10pm - 7am. The 10pm part was easy as all of us were in bed at 8pm. However, our kids who are usually up at 6:15 CST, were up at 5:15 am Mountain Time and so they watched videos in the van for nearly 2 hours while Dan and I tried to sleep and then quietly pack up our camp site. I told Liam to shut up in a horrible hissing voice and I think he will be in therapy if nothing else than for that one moment. I apologized later at the Starbucks in Albuquerque and he forgave me but the damage is done. </div>
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So, at precisely 7:13am, we pulled out of Turquoise Trail and headed west! We saw hot air balloons in Albuquerque, lots of dessert and Trading Posts and then Dan surprised us with one of his favorite spots. Just off I-40, on the New Mexico-Arizona border, there are some shops with epic cliffs to climb. </div>
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The boys loved it and we even let Indie off-leash for a bit and she climbed with us, too. We stayed there for nearly an hour, climbing up and down and trying to see how high we could get. </div>
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We continued on, with time to spare, so we stopped at every cheesy Route 66 spot we could find. Fake dinosaurs, the Wigwam Hotel, an old theater, the Holbrook train station. It was all so gloriously decayed, abandoned and endearing. </div>
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We continued on to Flagstaff, one of my favorite towns. I love this quirky little town. It reminds me of Banff, Alberta and Portland, Oregon. The people are weird and the scenery is beautiful. We meandered the busy streets, feeling very much like we were one mile closer to the sun. We were short of breath and sunburned when we finally headed north for the Grand Canyon. </div>
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The South Rim is only about 75-90 minutes north of Flagstaff. We rolled the windows down and sang along to terrible pop music, the wind in our hair. We arrived at the Grand Canyon around 5pm. Now, it must be known that the only other time that Dan or I have been to the Grand Canyon was mid-week in January. It snowed on the drive up and we were two of 3 people who camped there that night (that I know of). One busload of tourists came in at sunset, another at sunrise. We wandered the village, alone. We shopped at the gift shop, alone. The cafes were closed. The trail was scarcely populated. But today? Oh, my friends. Today was NY City on New Years Eve. Today was downtown Nashville at CMA Fest. The Grand Canyon on the Memorial Weekend is buzzing with activity! Cars are parked on the streets because lots are full. It's mayhem but it's honestly not as bad as I suspected it might be. So, we dined at a restaurant first. Full bellies = happy Reads. I haven't shared this yet but I have set a goal to run Indie, our dog, 3 miles per day, every day on this trip. Today, I waited until we got to 8000 feet altitude, at 6pm, after dinner, with a deadline to see the sunset. But, you know. Whatever. I ran as fast as I could, my heart pumping out of my chest, dragging my poor dog behind me. But, I did it. </div>
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I met up with my crew and we walked to the Bright Angel Trailhead. Liam was too tired to really emote anything and Ronan asked, more than once, "Mama, where are we?" and we all cracked up. Photos were taken, prayers were prayed. We soaked it in until it got cold and dim. Then, we walked our babies back to the van and looked at each other and smiled. </div>
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Honestly, one of the best days of our lives. </div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-408699594104046572018-05-27T08:51:00.001-07:002018-05-31T10:34:36.485-07:00Read Fam Road Trip : Day 2 OKC to Albuquerque<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were up at 6:30am. It was a humid morning. I took Indie for a run and Liam wanted to join. It was beautiful to see the sun coming up over the lake and Liam proclaimed his love for me, the trip, the lake and “everything” on our 1.5 mile jog. I ran another 1.5 on the main road. The area surrounding Stanley Draper Lake is … confusing. It looks like it’s being developed, but not with lake houses or restaurants. It looks like they’re building a greenway. We did see many long distance runners and bikers during our visit but otherwise the area is desolate. Super odd considering it’s Memorial Weekend.</div>
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We packed up camp and hit the road. The day was mostly boring and hot. Very hot. Amarillo was 100 degrees. It was sweltering and bone dry when we visited Cadillac Ranch. Spray paint cans littered the area and the boys scrambled to find working cans. Liam left his mark “ L - i - a - m” while Ronan did exactly what a 2 year old would do. Pick up cans and drop them. Liam and Ronan may have a future in graffiti art. That was not Dan’s intention for taking us there. </div>
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Our campsite at Turquoise Trail was far less primitive than the night before, but, being a desert, the “free coin operated showers” were barely a trickle. At $15/night for flushing toilets and a dirty plot to lay our heads, I cant complain.</div>
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Today we’ll see Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, two of my very favorite places on earth. I cant wait to share this with my family.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-33442774036939171082018-05-26T09:35:00.000-07:002018-05-31T10:34:45.539-07:00Read Fam Road Trip 2018 : In the Beginning / OKC<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several years ago we spent a few weeks in the Northwest and it was a very sweet time. We were just a family of three. </div>
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A few months ago, I got a phone call from an old friend. A now <i>engaged </i>friend who wants me to photograph her wedding! It's two weeks after Liam finishes school. Perfect timing for a trip out west. </div>
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When we started to plan the trip, I thought it might be more affordable than flying. It's not. At all. What could be a 10-14 day trip will take 3 weeks + we'll spend over $1000 in gas. BUT! We are suckers for a good adventure so that plan marched on. As we started to develop our ideas, I dreamt of taking my boys to the Grand Canyon. <a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2012/01/grand-canyon.html">Dan and I went about a month before we came parents</a> and it is still one of our favorite trips of all time. </div>
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So, Liam finished kindergarten and we loaded up Dan's van. Dan bought this van last year and I was very anti-gas-guzzling-van but we have all grown to love Big Green very much. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan, Liam and Ronan at the Mississippi Riverfront in Memphis, TN</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAOwW5uMdAayxNOYQMZuTtohJuy9696zL9dG4IYYVxFGpYAL5PJ6w2iYqE6dpQYoabc1t9Uf2ikUTk46RXHjvAeTy2hu3l_JEWF78hVNdVax0SY40dpY1oTV-96eaLyRCqJxdKoHrtJE/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAOwW5uMdAayxNOYQMZuTtohJuy9696zL9dG4IYYVxFGpYAL5PJ6w2iYqE6dpQYoabc1t9Uf2ikUTk46RXHjvAeTy2hu3l_JEWF78hVNdVax0SY40dpY1oTV-96eaLyRCqJxdKoHrtJE/s320/IMG_5944.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8JkHWjPh4bCPJYuioZvBhSmkqATQQqCL6bD_tlphwcXpwrYQLr05rmBfVueSXZPubPVNQy9nATDHAWRtN_lqI4EW6SMsgttHJGWbb6DyJYiTc7cEO_OaA2NiuqPW3tQShyphenhyphenBeLM0uWvo/s1600/IMG_5946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8JkHWjPh4bCPJYuioZvBhSmkqATQQqCL6bD_tlphwcXpwrYQLr05rmBfVueSXZPubPVNQy9nATDHAWRtN_lqI4EW6SMsgttHJGWbb6DyJYiTc7cEO_OaA2NiuqPW3tQShyphenhyphenBeLM0uWvo/s320/IMG_5946.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our first day was one of the longest days we'll spend on the road. We drove for 10 hours to camp outside of Oklahoma City, at Stanley Draper Lake. It was $8/night and very primitive. Just about 40 tent sites with one spigot and one outhouse. It was beautiful and remote and full of bugs and humidity. We stayed warm all night and I woke up early to take Indie for a jog. Liam came with me. He was beaming and told me over and over again how much he loves me and loves this trip. He asked if we would be home in 4 days. I told him 20 days and he screamed with glee. (Praying that sentiment lasts the full 3 weeks). </div>
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Today we're on the way to Albuquerque, NM! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WqXBM0nyUVbIKKCqjwGubBxQvlUxubgSqYbGj6igAaKWLJ9h96o-JPShhbrk4VxrKy3tImSFz1je_QQP8zeT0QMmf9zs84M7hE8vhOjmXS_FBKDmWx_FSIh3trW0r4l3Y-JDlhwzeUk/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WqXBM0nyUVbIKKCqjwGubBxQvlUxubgSqYbGj6igAaKWLJ9h96o-JPShhbrk4VxrKy3tImSFz1je_QQP8zeT0QMmf9zs84M7hE8vhOjmXS_FBKDmWx_FSIh3trW0r4l3Y-JDlhwzeUk/s640/IMG_0753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Liam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Fam Road Trip :</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-2018-in-beginning-okc.html">Day 1</a> OKC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-2.html">Day 2</a> New Mexico</span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-dan-3-arizona-and.html">Day 3</a> The Grand Canyon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-4-california.html">Day 4</a> California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-5-washington.html">Day 5</a> Pismo Beach and San Francisco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nashvillenarnian.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-fam-road-trip-day-6-pacific-coast.html">Day 6</a> Pacific Coast Highway and Oregon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-87238358405939605392018-05-20T11:19:00.000-07:002018-05-20T11:19:03.753-07:00National EMS Week<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's National EMS Week and I have an untold story that is so dear to my heart.<br />
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Our boy wants to be a police officer, EMT or fire fighter. He is only 6 but I know he can do it. He loves to help others and has such a tender heart inside of him, to save and to rescue. He is alive today because of EMS workers - and not how you'd think. </div>
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This morning, on the way to school, we were talking about the future. He said he wants to drive an ambulance and rescue people from fires. I talked to him about his "first parents" and how they had to call an ambulance to get to the hospital so he could be born somewhere safe. He was quiet. I asked him what he was thinking and he said he was thinking about saving people from fires. (He does not like to talk about his adoption, so we dont very much). I followed up with some praise about how brave he is and how much he is loved.</div>
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You see, our boy's first parents didn't have a car. They lived in a dirty garage. They called an ambulance when she went into labor. There were many, man red flags about the situation but there was no sign (yet) of abuse or neglect. So the nurses, for all I know, did their job to care for birth mom and baby. It was, in fact, the EMTs who called child protective services (CPS) and not the Labor and Delivery nurses. The EMTs called CPS because of the condition of the home. I'm not sure if they went inside to help birth mom get into the ambulance. I'm not sure what they saw or why this house, these people, or this situation stood out from the countless other homes they visited. One of them, an angel, reported that it was dirty and unfit for a newborn baby. This was September in the Pacific Northwest. Not warm, but not yet cold. I'm told they were living in a garage that did not have heating. It was damp and cold when a social worker would drive them there when Liam and his first mother were discharged from the hospital. His first parents had just moved into this place 2 weeks before his arrival.<br />
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I am forever indebted to these EMTs. Without them, my son, our little Liam, may not be alive. He could have gone home to freeze or starve in that garage. </div>
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God Bless EMTs. I would be thrilled if our boy chose that career path.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-78020059377830868322017-08-21T12:58:00.002-07:002017-08-21T12:58:29.693-07:00Total Eclipse 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYQ3HBRp7dwYvnH3R2hMWQMwoj5F_-1-QRhEIbkH4rypNVs4qyoCvQSfe7ZSDkzt3LyoHz4fiuOwUqrxDf7m6k6J8Rx-ucGvRK8-wnW5Dn-8hZQcYglKggC_os84ih8fjwZmGsfk5ar0/s1600/IMG_8153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYQ3HBRp7dwYvnH3R2hMWQMwoj5F_-1-QRhEIbkH4rypNVs4qyoCvQSfe7ZSDkzt3LyoHz4fiuOwUqrxDf7m6k6J8Rx-ucGvRK8-wnW5Dn-8hZQcYglKggC_os84ih8fjwZmGsfk5ar0/s640/IMG_8153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The eclipse was incredible! And it truly was dark, like dusk, for 2 whole minutes. Ronan slept through it all but we enjoyed some backyard shenanigans, moon treats, a firecracker and plenty of insta-stories. The city pretty much shut down. School was closed and lots of people took the day off. It was a magical day and we had a blast. I wonder how we'll celebrate the next one?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-22230507497690940822017-07-10T11:20:00.002-07:002017-07-10T11:25:01.207-07:00We're Moving In<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we set out to find a home, we were not sure what we really wanted. We had spoken with a realtor and mortgage broker but our search hadn't started. We were all over Zillow and Redfin. All the time. One day, in January, Dan sent me a link to a house that was listed as a 2 bed 1 bath and I replied with something like : "Too small. I'm not even going to look." and he was like, "Trust me. Just look." Low and behold this little house was [literally] the cheapest house in Nashville. It was 3 miles from's Liam's school and it actually had 3 bedrooms, 2 dining rooms and a sunroom. It was a foreclosure so I asked our realtor about it. She told me we had 4 days to make a bid. Dan wouldnt get to see it because he was returning home in 5 days (of course). So, I took a look and I liked it! We made a big. A generous bid, 18% above asking price - but still the cheapest house in Nashville :) We found out the next day (Dan still hasn't seen it) that we won! It was ours. It was a long, long, long process for reasons I wont get into but on May 12, 2017 this little diamond in the rough was ours! We've spent the past 2 months tearing out walls, painting, mudding, tiling and we're still no where near being done but we've decided to move in. We have a refrigerator in our guest room and there's literally no floor in the dining room but we can make it work. We're soooo excited! Here are some of our <i>before</i> and <i>during</i> photos. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first photo I took of the house - the only day it snowed in 2017.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-627409529595051302017-06-12T06:00:00.000-07:002017-06-12T06:18:00.748-07:00Reverse : R+F Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I was young and into my early twenties, I would get compliments on my skin all the time. Even random strangers would comment on how beautiful my skin was. Then one day, it stopped. I think the years of tanning, dehydration and, of course, age took their toll. Then pregnancy. Let's just say I'm not so radiant anymore. Wrinkles and spots and weird blotchiness (that I guess I can blame on Ronan?) are a big concern. </div>
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My skin regimen was mediocre. I washed, exfoliated and moisturized about once a day. Nothing special. But, I needed more. I needed something to reverse some of the damage and get me glowing again! So, I got to try <a href="https://www.rodanandfields.com/" target="_blank">Rodan + Fields</a> to see what all the hub-bub was about. With R+F, there are no parties, you just try their products! That's why you probably see those before and after pictures all over the place. Their products work. Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me walk you through the super-easy process.</div>
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I started with a quick <a href="https://annieroberts.myrandf.com/Pages/OurProducts/GetAdvice/SolutionsTool" target="_blank">CONSULTATION</a> on Rodan + Field's Solution Tool (literally 4 questions) and was paired with the "Reverse" regimen. I liked the sound of that because I would like to age in reverse a little bit and get back to, like, the skin of my 24-year old self. The package arrived super quick! Possibly faster than Amazon. I got a Deep Exfoliating Wash. It's a gritty cleanser that makes my skin instantly smooth. Then, Intensive Brightening Toner and dual active brightening complex which is a tube with retinol and a tube with vitamin C that you put on last. Then, I put on coconut oil but only at night because my skin is COMBINATION AF. Like, if I dont moisturize my skin will flake off and if I do I am greasy. It's a bit intense with the exfoliation, salicylic acid and retinol so you have to ease into it. I only used it every other day for about two weeks and then once a day for 4 more weeks before using it more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDPlzp7zgpQwvcwnjU8QTVSP55z64lTzwbpAfypFGg-INX-46mXLp0iadeUWKZLfQkXVDCybe6Ub2A3FTMCw4H37maavb6-4m-E6mBT5jVtbLDRQBUCskk7GYxLLlsi1HFczV-86T8ug/s1600/RF+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDPlzp7zgpQwvcwnjU8QTVSP55z64lTzwbpAfypFGg-INX-46mXLp0iadeUWKZLfQkXVDCybe6Ub2A3FTMCw4H37maavb6-4m-E6mBT5jVtbLDRQBUCskk7GYxLLlsi1HFczV-86T8ug/s1600/RF+After.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Make-up. No Filters. No Edits. 10 Weeks after starting Rodan + Fields Reverse.</td></tr>
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I love taking a few extra minutes to spend time on myself. Those 2 minutes of skincare are about all I have most days. Ha! It only took me a week to notice the dramatic results. I'm 10 weeks in and I'm wearing less and less make-up each week. My pores are smaller and my complexion is more consistent than its been in years. I feel fresh faced and confident again. It's worth the investment. The kit was around $200 but I'll probably only need to purchase it every 4 months (3x/year). #worthit<br />
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<a href="https://annieroberts.myrandf.com/Pages/OurProducts/PCProgram" target="_blank">Click here to read about the Preferred Customer program</a> for an extra 10% off and free shipping with a one time $19.95 enrollment fee.<br />
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Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heyannieroberts/" target="_blank">Annie</a> on Instagram!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-4266819673732722322017-05-09T10:30:00.005-07:002020-11-29T09:37:43.024-08:00Even Though He Looks Like Me<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ronan is almost exclusively wearing Liam's hand-me-downs these days. I've been having flashbacks. Dan and I were following Ronan yesterday as he toddled around the neighborhood in Liam's blue sandals, grey shirt and khaki shorts from 2013. We were commenting on how surreal it was; how familiar. The boys really do look so much alike. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuEmJCYIaN0MOU8fySPP9MgiuxCJuxBV0ZQgRwJaeBQYDQn8Qdczl5UpUReShsZIhfthHwhw3Gg5yR-KBFsSbJpbFBd_bZGPOauBJqGAIteu1DJxUXsIPG5OQ9YbTRKEz960NJnWZxOI/s1600/read+bros+at+19+mo.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuEmJCYIaN0MOU8fySPP9MgiuxCJuxBV0ZQgRwJaeBQYDQn8Qdczl5UpUReShsZIhfthHwhw3Gg5yR-KBFsSbJpbFBd_bZGPOauBJqGAIteu1DJxUXsIPG5OQ9YbTRKEz960NJnWZxOI/s1600/read+bros+at+19+mo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">top: Ronan at 18 mo, bottom : Liam at 20 mo.</td></tr>
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This past weekend, I took a solo trip up north to run a half marathon. On that trip, I listened to podcasts while the boys napped and watched movies. One podcast, <a href="http://www.adopteeson.com/" target="_blank">Adoptees On</a>, was created by a college classmate of mine. She is an adoptee who has an extraordinary story about connecting with her birth family as an adult. As a result, I've been digging into adoption these past few days. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcyGfbdDoMaJnbgAgyrG6NhdJr7w0yYzsJkX7n7ph5n7slBppsBq1ik-Ve1Ic6LTzmSuAIJ36eRuWr1TB52jPaLOt3X7d7btGXTm5U2ArGi3Ee40NjKVXzu0-MMYYQirOLtaRRLUL5O4/s1600/liam+age+5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" width="640"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcyGfbdDoMaJnbgAgyrG6NhdJr7w0yYzsJkX7n7ph5n7slBppsBq1ik-Ve1Ic6LTzmSuAIJ36eRuWr1TB52jPaLOt3X7d7btGXTm5U2ArGi3Ee40NjKVXzu0-MMYYQirOLtaRRLUL5O4/s640/liam+age+5.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
Through this process, I keep thinking about my boys and how much they look alike! I keep thinking about how Liam has my temperament and I totally understand his little idiosyncrasies. When we brought Liam home, we knew he would fit in. We knew that if we adopted him he would never have to tell a soul if he didn't want to. Not all adoptees have that and I figured it was a good thing. But, the more I listen to the adoptees stories, I am realizing that no matter how much he looks like us or acts like us, he may feel adopted for his entire life. I'm learning that adoption is trauma. No matter how abusive or brief, a child is connected to his flesh and blood. Adoption takes a child from its mother, the person that this child LIVED INSIDE OF. Is there anything more traumatic?<br />
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I'm realizing that Liam needs to know where he came from, no matter how much he fits in with us, no matter how broken his origins are. So, I'm reaching out to his mother a little more. I want him to know her someday. I want him to meet his father - if I can ever get a hold of him. Am I afraid? A little. I'm afraid that his origins are so, so broken that he will associate himself with that and it will hurt his identity. I'm <u>not</u> afraid that he will like them. He probably will! And who am I to decide that <i>that</i> is unnatural or not okay? It's perfectly natural. I raised him as a my own and I love him but he's not really, truly mine (and neither is Ronan). My children belong to God. Liam is allowed to feel however he wants to feel and if he ends up meeting his mother (whom he hasn't seen in 5 years) and feeling connected to her, I wont be threatened by that. (If he rejects me and Daniel, I will! But that's a whole other blog post for a later date.) I am preparing my heart for it. For him to love his birth parents. I hope that he does. I hope they get their lives together and become better versions of themself.<br />
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Adoption is complicated and messy but my brilliant, simple, impulsive, loving boy tells his story like this just yesterday, "I was alone and I lived with other parents and they didn't know how to take care of me and now you're my mom and dad!". Then, happily goes back to eating his orange sherbet and laughing at Ronan.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-29989238415200534072017-04-24T09:23:00.001-07:002017-04-24T09:24:56.463-07:00Love Others<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpaQJt0RoCKvLt7-q1DnXMJB7ZIOHnI4eb9bOeHPTNJjIIil1EJBa10BkdHDrPxHks65W8A59dxdXbmHZt1RNYeLmK4T4AXqANeck1iUA0wuYpiC_s0l_xbIHEiEpRlzcpFy2fXlbaHI/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpaQJt0RoCKvLt7-q1DnXMJB7ZIOHnI4eb9bOeHPTNJjIIil1EJBa10BkdHDrPxHks65W8A59dxdXbmHZt1RNYeLmK4T4AXqANeck1iUA0wuYpiC_s0l_xbIHEiEpRlzcpFy2fXlbaHI/s640/IMG_9451.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I found this photo. It's from about 1 year ago. Ronan was about 7 months old. I was still nursing and I had just run the Music City half marathon. I was still feeling a little chubby but all my clothes fit and I was in great health. Sure, I had a little baby weight but I dont see it now. I'm still about 8 pounds heavier than I was before I got pregnant but I'm about 10 pounds lighter than I was in this photo. In a few days I'll run that same half marathon and I anticipate I'll shave about 30 seconds off each mile this time around. My mental health is great, despite a mountain of stress that is : 3 jobs and buying a house. But when I stop focusing on myself and my own "probelms", when I pour into my family, friends and neighbors, I am full. I am happiest when I'm not thinking of myself.<br />
John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Loving and accepting myself has allowed me to love and accept others more fully and readily. What a trip, right? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-78275994791089819732017-03-28T11:07:00.000-07:002017-03-28T11:56:57.471-07:00It's the End of March<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzPT-ccFJDQRZuUNqml218V05zl_HqB1CZdbXpkn5rptpp5zUwbFOmByXeJww1KVmdKAXilEHG8OwEiwiPc_3DZL4bd1RMV9ElW-n2Mnd1c2TaGQ3YJGug6fYOO0lEDTHVz60OIh2aOo/s1600/ronan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzPT-ccFJDQRZuUNqml218V05zl_HqB1CZdbXpkn5rptpp5zUwbFOmByXeJww1KVmdKAXilEHG8OwEiwiPc_3DZL4bd1RMV9ElW-n2Mnd1c2TaGQ3YJGug6fYOO0lEDTHVz60OIh2aOo/s1600/ronan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big baby, growing up too fast.</td></tr>
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I have to admit, life has been busy and the desire to write has been replaced with work and play and probably too much Hulu. I can't really believe that we're 3 months into 2017 and it's the end of March and have I been hibernating or something? We're literally 25% through 2017 and I feel like I was just counting down to New Years Eve last week. So, in all the hullabaloo, all I have time for is one of these <i>life lately</i> posts from blogosphere circa 2013. I'm ashamed to admit that I've been working on it for a week. Dont judge.<br />
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<b>LIFE LATELY</b></div>
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There's something about winter that I simultaneously love and hate. I love the coziness of the season, the time of rest and restlessness, the expectations are low and I truly let myself hibernate for a few weeks. But I always long for warmth. I long for parties and pools. I miss the hot, sweaty days and the 9pm sunsets. Although we had a mild winter, I'm truly enjoying the spring. My days have been filled with training for another half marathon, editing photos, taking the boys to parks and playdates, and hours at the computer for one of my three jobs. Yes, three! I am still running my photography business, event planning and in December I started working part time for a marking company. I love it, but it's made for a busy, busy life. Much busier than I've been lately. It was a big adjustment but I find myself at my best when I'm being stretched, even just a little. </div>
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<b>READING </b></div>
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<i>Tweak</i> by Nic Sheff is story about a young man with a "normal" yet privileged upbringing who struggles with methamphetamine addiction. Around the holidays, I entered a book chain mail of sorts and was sent this book. I recognized the story within the first few paragraphs. I have read another version of this story about 5 years ago! When we first got Liam, our pediatrician recommended "Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff. I loved the book but didn't get a lot out of it and wasn't sure why a doctor wanted me to read it. Now I understand. I'm getting so much out of Nic's story and understanding narcotics addition more than ever. Coincidentally, I'm realizing more than ever that Liam will need the help of a great community and a whole lot of prayer. These tendencies are biologically part of him but I know that miracles can happen. </div>
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<b>LISTENING</b></div>
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I joined the 21st century and subscribed to Spotify. I am loving <a href="https://www.facebook.com/acceptanceband/?fref=nf" target="_blank">the new Acceptance album: <i>Colliding by Design</i></a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/03hVtUfmQW3fhMbYoliIod" target="_blank">Jimmy Eat World's <i>Integrity Blues</i></a> is like <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4kbCJT1fq9qM9X0ykV0hMy" target="_blank"><i>Futures</i></a> meets <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5CejJ312VhtA4lDEoUuYAG" target="_blank">Chase this Light</a> </i>(which is a very obscure reference unless you, like me, have been following Jimmy Eat World since 1999). As for new music? I dont listen to much but I have enjoyed some of the poppiest pop like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars. Sometimes you just need a little pop music, right?</div>
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<b>BUYING</b></div>
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Speaking of being busy... we're working on buying a house! We found a foreclosure in the exact style we like (early 1900s) with hardwood floors, a mantle, a cute attic and a big backyard. It was too good a deal to pass up so we made a bid and won! It has not been an easy process so far but we're enjoying it as best as we can. We have HUGE plans to completely remodel the bathroom, update the kitchen and replace some flooring before we move in. It will be a process but we're so excited!</div>
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<b>WEARING</b></div>
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I have, honestly, been wearing jeans every day. I've adopted a very basic wardrobe that makes me want to throw away anything "extra". I love the simplicity. I also got my hands on a dark green "leather" and "lambswool" (read: fake) jacket that I LOVE. I can't ALWAYS wear black, white and denim.</div>
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<b>LOVING</b> </div>
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My family. They are just the absolute best. We're miles past the days where Ronan is boring and Liam is bored. We're all having a lot of fun together and the boys are just growing up too stinkin fast. It's bittersweet realizing that they're not very little anymore but so sweet to see the<i> people</i> they are becoming. Liam has been cleaning the whole house every few days. He gets this burst of energy and starts to organize and tidy EVERYTHING. He's also doing great in school. Ronan still adores his mama and gives me the best cuddles. They are both fairly independent but always make time for mama and daddy. Daniel and I love to talk about the house and all the plans we have for it, even if it ends up in a fight about the budget or what type of tile to get. We thrive on these kinds of projects together. </div>
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It's been a great season. I can't believe it's almost April!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UFWyV8gV3EwLK32vbWcLqdarxWIFn9l776MjO8nBmDisuGBWAnGbtVAHM8DUgL7uACrZnkIdIVO31me9d0k9niuF4aDexbrx6O4Fqb6uEDB0lrEodQ8aZB7NgLR8zQKs7gmZdTrwen0/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UFWyV8gV3EwLK32vbWcLqdarxWIFn9l776MjO8nBmDisuGBWAnGbtVAHM8DUgL7uACrZnkIdIVO31me9d0k9niuF4aDexbrx6O4Fqb6uEDB0lrEodQ8aZB7NgLR8zQKs7gmZdTrwen0/s640/IMG_1157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet Liam with a bag full of sweets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0SO6zH-f7clHbJNcFaaJzq0BVOwTQ5PCfiFoPf46mffM0btEY0O0T5z47wO1dutyzWjaRvH0BrpSldm85cFaTIa5tGb94CAqIojfwMqkETT5-6s3Yfm1PB5Qe_KNK6Pz8Ac54vdKk1U/s1600/LMRPhotos-Acme-162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0SO6zH-f7clHbJNcFaaJzq0BVOwTQ5PCfiFoPf46mffM0btEY0O0T5z47wO1dutyzWjaRvH0BrpSldm85cFaTIa5tGb94CAqIojfwMqkETT5-6s3Yfm1PB5Qe_KNK6Pz8Ac54vdKk1U/s400/LMRPhotos-Acme-162.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan stepped in as a model on a recent styled shoot of mine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniXb58T3GrBBoaQeL8RMQxXKpeqoAOVKNlxjko5j8NgYaug7wt1_RGzKoomwcsm5o828KDnKFWVH7uUtSOiqWzllJTlBnJTwhE3p1503Ro29iS4BMTn655sWwRUUQdntt4fztHKOc5VY/s1600/LMRPhotos-Acme-160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniXb58T3GrBBoaQeL8RMQxXKpeqoAOVKNlxjko5j8NgYaug7wt1_RGzKoomwcsm5o828KDnKFWVH7uUtSOiqWzllJTlBnJTwhE3p1503Ro29iS4BMTn655sWwRUUQdntt4fztHKOc5VY/s400/LMRPhotos-Acme-160.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with a big ol camera like ours is no easy task.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLBvNmafFvXOqS5lOPm8p29CzaweH-ixjPApWjBolY1KfwCjhk9wTult8gg8Do5mnzKmSYH-lhtDzIWHrEE_dm3nRLAWJW7gX2jIzmtKA4CW1A60sATc5Dt0fOxz0citG0G_TaSKeaZs/s1600/Dan+and+Ronan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLBvNmafFvXOqS5lOPm8p29CzaweH-ixjPApWjBolY1KfwCjhk9wTult8gg8Do5mnzKmSYH-lhtDzIWHrEE_dm3nRLAWJW7gX2jIzmtKA4CW1A60sATc5Dt0fOxz0citG0G_TaSKeaZs/s1600/Dan+and+Ronan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Ronan in the bathroom that we're tearing out in just a few weeks.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-82460440564129761912016-12-28T14:07:00.002-08:002016-12-28T14:07:47.893-08:00Resolutions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zoLYxLK6terGoTLU4B7MF4jstfaYpDzqr8IEsI-3AVS97Z-Rl-Kjx1dN7vO39muYJrJVD6e6sZSg81GHESIYvgLcRJMeefRQYtUkSNaMrfwlNuZyjhyphenhyphen9HuF6a6qkjP7pRbPU74l0fcU/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zoLYxLK6terGoTLU4B7MF4jstfaYpDzqr8IEsI-3AVS97Z-Rl-Kjx1dN7vO39muYJrJVD6e6sZSg81GHESIYvgLcRJMeefRQYtUkSNaMrfwlNuZyjhyphenhyphen9HuF6a6qkjP7pRbPU74l0fcU/s640/IMG_1163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I end every year pretty much the same way: addicted to sugar, addicted to shopping and desperate to get back into a routine. I admit that I enjoy starting afresh but I also hate when Christmas ends. Our homes look barren when the tree and lights come down. Our bank accounts are empty, our refrigerators are empty and we ourselves can sometimes feel empty. Part of me wants every day to feel like Christmas; eating cookies with reckless abandon, giving gifts, singing carols, not a care in the world. I walked around downtown Nashville with my sweet little family on December 26th and I fought the sadness with hope and anticipation for the new year. I have goals for our family and for my business. They motivate me; they give me life. I have one resolution, something I've been working on ever since we embarked on this new way of life, when we paid off our debt and started living on a [much] smaller budget. I resolve to no longer worry about our finances because God has proven, over and over and over, that not only will our needs be met but He wants us to have the desires of our heart. I'm going into the new year incredibly grateful for all God has done for my family, every trial and every joy. I also resolve to let Liam take more pictures. He's amazing!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos by : Dan and Liam. Madelines and Cappuccino by : <a href="http://www.hqsnashville.com/" target="_blank">Headquarters</a>. Photos taken in Sylvan Park, Nashville, TN.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-9541473889836523052016-10-21T11:14:00.002-07:002016-10-21T11:14:27.317-07:00Quirky<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dan and I have loved thrifting together since before we were together. We were definitely in that early 2000s quirky T-shirt phase for a while. (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLhcsr9BK9l/?taken-by=danielcantread" target="_blank">Maybe we still are.</a>) But now I'm looking for quirky trends and vintage pieces to incorporate into my very basic wardrobe. So, when I saw these wide leg, high-waisted pants for $4 I thought, "Well here's an opportunity to try a trend without breaking the bank." These pants would work with heels and a fitted sweater, a crop top and clogs...Anything, really! Scroll down to see them paired with my white leather jacket. But for today, I threw on my new fall booties and the T-shirt that makes my eyes pop and BOOM. PHOTOSHOOT.</div>
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Guys, it's been a long time since I actually liked photos of myself. It's not the 10 lbs of baby weight or the postpartum skin marks and hair loss (ugh) but I just wasn't feeling too proud of myself. I wasn't feeling <i>bad</i> about myself but I also wasn't feeling good about myself either. I felt quirky... like these pants! Like, are they cool? Are they lame? Are they relevant or vintage? What are they doing with their lives?<br />
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I am these pants.<br />
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So, look at the happy lady in these photos. Sometimes new boots and weird pants are all it takes. Getting out with a friend to take pictures and sip a coffee is mood-changing for me. Sometimes even life-changing. I need to do it more, for sure.<br />
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<small> T-shirt : H&M. Pants: thrifted. Coat: Free People. Boots: Lucky Brand (DSW). Photos by <a href="http://www.wild-and-precious.com/2016/10/lily-jade.html" target="_blank">Blair McLeod</a>.</small><br />
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<small><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">I'm sure I'll get questions about my hair, too, so here's what's happening: Dan did my roots (as per usual these days because he's gotten so good at it!) and then a couple days later I put in Nordic Blonde with a lavender toner. I love the way it turned out!</span></small>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-13497633606618767122016-10-10T17:59:00.001-07:002016-10-10T19:07:46.456-07:00A Letter to Ronan on His 1st BirthdayRo,<br />
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I just put you to bed on the night of your first birthday, in the crib next to your big brother's twin bed. You demanded cuddles by nuzzling into my chest as you pulled on your ear. Your room was dark and big brother rocked in the rocking chair nearby as I swayed back and forth to what Pandora was playing on the <a href="https://www.pandora.com/station/play/2069054165181746737" target="_blank">Sleepytime Tunes</a> station that we love so much (a string quartets rendition of "Dont Stop Believing" perhaps?). All I could do was thank God for you. You were exactly what I prayed for, (and even if you hadn't been, and dont turn out to be, I'll still love you) a sweet baby, a happy boy. I've had babysitters and strangers actually thank me for you. Everyone adores you. You are our sunshine and our comic relief. You are such a gift to this family. You are a big one year old now but before you take too many steps on your own and start growing up way too fast, I'll cherish these moments when I'm rocking you to sleep. I love you, Roney.<br />
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Happy birthday! and many morrrrre...</div>
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Love, Mama</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-19010179771376515942016-10-08T19:05:00.004-07:002016-10-08T19:05:59.420-07:00Ronan's 1st Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLa29CGmwpQs8BrFeL-AqCQ8eu1wnCdf5J32LiIKUgJghEDM8qhjFqpQG679foNPoCTKPeEl_Fbpc56o5S-IlSyrcJteMxSI6-1gfuCVUuQvV9xpSchGnMTe-zYPAxC-XjUGtPG5Wx8A/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" width="640"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLa29CGmwpQs8BrFeL-AqCQ8eu1wnCdf5J32LiIKUgJghEDM8qhjFqpQG679foNPoCTKPeEl_Fbpc56o5S-IlSyrcJteMxSI6-1gfuCVUuQvV9xpSchGnMTe-zYPAxC-XjUGtPG5Wx8A/s640/IMG_0045.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Our baby turns one on Monday! He got to eat cake twice this weekend because we had family in town that couldn't stay for his little party today. He shied away from most of his guests but he was prayed for and doted on and MAN we just have such a great community here. Also, Meema and Papa got Ronan this AWESOME motorcycle and he wasn't quit ready for it. Here's a photo of him on said motorcycle. He wasn't excited about his cousin and his big brother pushing him around on it. I think Dan captured it perfectly:</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-64807555041047564662016-10-08T18:41:00.001-07:002016-10-08T19:10:58.810-07:00A Trip to the Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When we moved to Nashville two and a half years ago we had planned to travel more. With so many great cities and beaches just a drive away, the opportunities are endless. Only, we haven't done much traveling. Now that Liam is in full time school (M-F, 8a-2p) we decided to get out of town during his fall break. Nashville is slowly changing seasons but we weren't ready to give up summer. Ronan's birthday is just around the corner so when I sent out his birthday invite to some friends who lamented about missing it because they were in Florida.... I got on AirBnb. Well, they invited us first. I didn't invite myself. But we're so glad they did! They have 4 kids, we have 2, their father(in-law) had a big house with the BEST POOL, and we cooked together and beached together and it was just so fun. Definitely a great budget vacation. Airbnb is the absolute best. We all came back a little sunburnt and very tired. Our kids are beach-babies for sure. Florida, we'll be back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCczq4SBTNri7orkNkgZIjLtnNf2loxzpaFXgJsYYIQf3tDb_QPJ9AMbeBC5zm-mAuoHFZyYic-jX8XtLEY8wesYPUMxXxgfATrKPpFrMN3hCrlJoOOkv2gdbe4R-zJs27XmnRv-pIWY/s1600/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCczq4SBTNri7orkNkgZIjLtnNf2loxzpaFXgJsYYIQf3tDb_QPJ9AMbeBC5zm-mAuoHFZyYic-jX8XtLEY8wesYPUMxXxgfATrKPpFrMN3hCrlJoOOkv2gdbe4R-zJs27XmnRv-pIWY/s400/IMG_9965.JPG" width="266" /> </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-80390860245821602592016-09-21T09:48:00.000-07:002016-09-21T10:24:00.638-07:00Doing Good<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajEHyN3vl4BFAlWgyiyIq2T7PcYGL8ZD7jy_jeU3QgD-G0lQAwya6MHqG151wsJEf9tfbohDUR2mJwVdpyIydZtfXr0O7VUkcyr6H22t_DHNxUqIcffC-e5qOLn8bNg8BSKvOOcypoZk/s1600/IMG_9840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZkdtu9OrrKeSHvQaC7GOWI9o1Y3HuBiyr4Prc57adjJl6eKalBPAFcB0f5e9s4jdNdyLQJWWqj_x8I1AP4dyGfRHh-W-RzVHvclPmNpzPAyP80cV9eDN3floTuOuB8IRrMwNzxeguN8/s1600/IMG_9838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZkdtu9OrrKeSHvQaC7GOWI9o1Y3HuBiyr4Prc57adjJl6eKalBPAFcB0f5e9s4jdNdyLQJWWqj_x8I1AP4dyGfRHh-W-RzVHvclPmNpzPAyP80cV9eDN3floTuOuB8IRrMwNzxeguN8/s640/IMG_9838.jpg" width="640" /></a><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajEHyN3vl4BFAlWgyiyIq2T7PcYGL8ZD7jy_jeU3QgD-G0lQAwya6MHqG151wsJEf9tfbohDUR2mJwVdpyIydZtfXr0O7VUkcyr6H22t_DHNxUqIcffC-e5qOLn8bNg8BSKvOOcypoZk/s640/IMG_9840.jpg" width="640" />I get stressed and anxious about the future, finances, how long our car will last, when can we afford to buy a house. But, I'm content. Life is so freakin good right now. I have a job that I love, a business that's growing, two healthy and happy kids, a husband whose career is on the cusp of something big. Yet, I struggle with contentment. My contentment should not be in money and successes. My contentment should be in non-tangible things. Grace and peace, things hard to come by in these hyper-political and volatile days in the US of A. Things are bad out there. They're really, really awful and when I let myself get wrapped up in the presidential election and Black Lives Matter and the FDA and human trafficking and ALL the wars EVERYWHERE, I just want to give up. I want to run away with my babies and live in the woods and shut it all out. But, there is good, too. There is so much good. There are people helping their neighbors and raising their kids the best they know how. </div>
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I am finally ready to do more. I want to be stretched a little. I want to stress out about things that really matter. I'm going to facilitate a coat drive at Liam's school and help with their Thanksgiving lunches. I'm getting a part time job, to give our family a little breathing room; to pay for the groceries and the gas, possibly take more vacations and buy crap that we dont need. I wont have as much time for play dates and trips to the zoo but those weren't fulfilling to me anyhow. I want my kids to see their mom working for things that matter. That's the good that I can do. How about you?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-65792881887308788172016-06-27T13:57:00.005-07:002016-06-27T15:26:39.804-07:00Things to Consider When Hiring A Wedding Photographer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most of the time when you're planning a wedding you're in uncharted territory. Unless you have 15 daughters or you're a professional wedding planner, you probably have little to no idea what you're doing. Too often, problems arise between client and photographer that are totally avoidable. Here are some tips and things to consider when hiring a wedding photographer...</div>
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<b>1. What's your budget?</b></div>
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Most photographers list their prices or their starting prices. Most wedding photographers dont have packages for less than 5 or 6 hours so when you see "starting at $2000", this means that they'll cover the basics of your event (ceremony and some reception) but you're probably not getting any extras (like a second shooter or an album) for that price. Don't skimp on your photo budget - but dont think that you need someone there all day either. 8 hours should cover just about everything. 10 - 14 hours would document YOUR ENTIRE DAY and if that's what you want, you'll need to significantly increase your budget. Photographer's prices <strike>are</strike> should be based on their experience and their gear. I, personally, charge less because I'm not a gear-head. I dont own every $2000 lens that Canon makes so I typically rent that gear which means savings for my client while still providing a great product.</div>
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<b>2. Do you like their style?</b></div>
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Look through their site. What do you like? Why do you like it? Do you like the composition of the photos? The color? The style? The poses? Let them know exactly what you like - and what you dont! This will ensure a better finished product.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9ulvcqkGvgAYKIFM1UwxxXFmnciM3OgGbNCKqMuSpwwIm2e2p5qT8DmEz6Tb6S-IrehClvhJ_JTqktkmISxTv3y1MYuwd0Eb80myQPIIT_Mphqo_3RvJZCrqLTXedqiaRnYuNEpMvC4/s1600/LMR-icon-Hermitage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9ulvcqkGvgAYKIFM1UwxxXFmnciM3OgGbNCKqMuSpwwIm2e2p5qT8DmEz6Tb6S-IrehClvhJ_JTqktkmISxTv3y1MYuwd0Eb80myQPIIT_Mphqo_3RvJZCrqLTXedqiaRnYuNEpMvC4/s1600/LMR-icon-Hermitage.jpg" width="640" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b>3. How does their style suit your event? </b></div>
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Too often a photographer will post an abundance of those light and airy outdoor shots of the happy bride and groom in perfect light under perfect, peaceful conditions. But how does that photographer do with low light? Or spur of the moment shots like the bouquet toss? Look for these things in their portfolio. </div>
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If you're planning a dark and intimate reception, find a photographer that works well in low light. If you want a dimly lit room, you may need to consider the fact that a flash will be going off every 10 seconds to accommodate for photos. If you want a photographer that uses natural light, you may need to crank up the lights - which, of course, alters the mood of your event and can drastically change the guests experience. On the flip side, if you're doing an outdoor wedding in full sun, make sure your photographer is comfortable with that, too.</div>
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<b>4. Have you made enough time in your schedule for the photos you want?</b></div>
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If you want plenty of family photos, make sure you family is on time and consult with your photographer about what you want and how long it might take. If you want some beautiful, intimate portraits of you and your spouse, but you're only giving them 15 minutes between the ceremony and the reception you may need to readjust your schedule. Here's what a typical 6 hour day looks like: fake some getting ready shots and detail shots (30 minutes), do a first look and some family portraits (1 hour), shoot the ceremony (30 - 60 min), take portraits and wedding party photos during cocktail hour (1 hour), get the first dances, toasts and cake cutting (2 hours) and since no one wants photos taken while they eat the photographer can't really do a lot during dinner service. So, 5 or 6 hours can be done but it goes by quickly! I personally am much more comfortable when I have 8 hours. Wedding photographers, by nature, are pretty good and getting a great shot with little time but carving out some time in your day specifically for photos will benefit everyone!<br />
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Just a note: Keep your expectations in check when you hire a photographer. Don't give them 1000 Pinterest ideas (that we've seen 100x each). Wedding photographers are artists; Let us do our thing. </div>
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What else do you consider before hiring a photographer?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021144276297718871.post-11800839182256411112016-05-11T12:17:00.001-07:002016-05-11T12:17:31.852-07:00Rick + Alli : Downtown Nashville Winter Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Congrats, Rick and Alli! Cheers!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1