tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49087208951714990672024-02-19T01:05:52.680-05:00making HAPPY happenAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-82492584172410178852014-02-02T01:12:00.000-05:002014-02-02T01:12:33.243-05:00"Why don't you write on your blog anymore?"I get asked this question all the time. To be honest, I'm not sure.<br />
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I know part of it was that we could never go anywhere or do anything without a little voice inside my head saying, "Oh take a picture of this! Take a picture of that! It would be a good post for the blog!"<br />
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I was ready to just enjoy the moment. To be in the moment. Not trying to take pictures of the moments.<br />
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But the thing that keeps bringing me back, is the desire that I have to share what I think, and what I feel. About anything. Not about the flowers Derek got me, or how in love we are. Although, if you dare to look back to the beginning of this blog, you might throw up.<br />
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Well instead of rambling about my thoughts and opinions (i'll let you off easy this time), I will give an update! Probably to cyber space because I don't know that there is a soul out there that still reads this thing.....because there is nothing to read. Oops.<br />
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<b>What have the Walkers been up to?</b><br />
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We moved back to Utah from New York the beginning of September. I was heart broken. But now that we're here, I've come to appreciate our time we've had with family. I don't know that I'll ever get over that great city and the even better friends we created out there. They were like family, and we will always love them. BTW - I'm coming to visit in a couple of weeks! Shake Shack. Be there, or be Square. I want to hug and kiss your beautiful New York faces.<br />
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<b>What are we doing here?</b><br />
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Derek is working in Real Estate development and investing in Salt Lake. He loves his work. He spends much of his time reading books on books on books and is such a hard worker. I didn't realize that when I married him, I'd be in a polygamous relationship with Derek, and books.<br />
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I decided that if I couldn't live in NY, I would work for an airline that would fly me out there whenever my heart so desired. So...I applied for a job at JetBlue a couple weeks before we moved here, had an interview days after we arrived, and started work a couple of weeks later. I love it. If you ever need a travel buddy, I'm yours baby.<br />
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<b>Do you guys have </b><strike>kids</strike><b> a dog yet?!</b><br />
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As you probably have already seen, we got a dog! He's the sweetest guy. He's going through an awkward teenage phase, getting a beard (seriously, it's hilarious), his changing voice (that he is so proud of and thinks he needs to bark at everyone and everything), and some other not so cute changes that will be cleared up come his neutering appointment in March.<br />
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<b>Where do we live?</b><br />
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We live in an apt in Murray while we find a home. Any suggestions on where to buy? We don't have a clue where we want to live. Somewhere between Draper and Salt Lake. Do we get a new home? Or an older home with character? A starter home? Or a house we can grow into for 10+ years? A home with a basement apt for renters? Or a home that's all to ourselves so we don't have to share walls or floors or ceilings or ANYTHING with ANYONE ever again? Can you tell I'm ready for some privacy? ;) I just want to sing and not worry anyone can hear me. And play the piano without worrying I'm disturbing the neighbors. And go to sleep without hearing conversations, or other things, that I'd rather not be falling asleep to. Ya get me?<br />
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Well, there you have it. We're back in Utah, and would love to explore Utah, food, and events with you.<br />
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Who's in?<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-16323975163799362122013-10-24T23:21:00.000-04:002013-10-24T23:21:13.767-04:00Love More, Judge LessWell Derek made a push tonight that I write again.<br />
I've also been itching to say things that tend to occupy my thoughts.<br />
Things that I should maybe keep to myself.<br />
No, that culture thinks I should keep to myself.<br />
But why keep them to myself?<br />
Because that's what most people do.<br />
We are afraid we are alone in our thoughts.<br />
We are afraid we are just strange, that we are different.<br />
That something is wrong with us, with our marriage, that we might be judged.<br />
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Personally, every time someone is honest with their feelings, I love them. So deeply, that I want to hug them through my computer screen and tell them they are just like everyone else. But so different because they are the only ones that have the guts to say how they feel.<br />
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Take my cousin for example. Over the last few years she has opened up about her experiences. Her most recent share <a href="http://www.thehealinggroup.com/herstory-yellow">here</a>. Read it and try to tell me you don't respect her. I dare you. Then read <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303902404579149542886151358.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth">this</a> article about her and her husband in the Wall Street Journal.<br />
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You respect her because she is honest and real. Now imagine if we could all do that. Wouldn't we feel a little more like brothers and sisters and children of God here on this earth to support and lift each other up? Don't you think that if we were all a little more open that people would be slower to judge?<br />
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I grew up an extremely judgmental person. In fact, I didn't start thinking about any of this until 2 or 3 years ago. If someone swore, they were a bad person. If a girl wore a bikini, she was bad. Smokers, drinkers, those who didn't make it to church every sunday, or ever. They were all bad. And as a result, I was better than all of them. Right?<br />
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Wrong. We all know, and we all say that judging is a sin. But why do we all do it?<br />
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I hated how I felt when I judged. Not because I knew it was wrong, but because it feels bad to look down on others. It isn't uplifting. It isn't inspiring. It doesn't help us to grow and better ourselves.<br />
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The more that people opened up about their experiences, their stories, themselves, and their feelings, the more I realized that everyone has a story. Everyone has a heart. Everyone comes from different situations. None of us are better than the other. We all have our ups and our downs. I learned that if I get to know someone, there is a 99% chance I can love that person. I learned that all of those smokers, drinkers, swear-ers, inactives, immodest clothing wearers, were not all bad after all. In fact, most of them are probably better people than myself.<br />
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Judge me or love me, but promise me that we can all work together to love more and judge less. Cause we are all the same, really.<br />
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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/AVvXsEi6NXglS60BvCrPB02zCBP3a62eodogv9evO26zNu38SNHB68wkEWfCIsN9W8b2yURpij6noEGAi6_nP7Dnt5jXoDOWPu0_XvEJIta06RdE_Ho66ClsWiYwH6-kaHnYFjL6QtScyYiDdDFo/s1600/il_570xN.472486504_tnzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NXglS60BvCrPB02zCBP3a62eodogv9evO26zNu38SNHB68wkEWfCIsN9W8b2yURpij6noEGAi6_nP7Dnt5jXoDOWPu0_XvEJIta06RdE_Ho66ClsWiYwH6-kaHnYFjL6QtScyYiDdDFo/s400/il_570xN.472486504_tnzo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/154811876/love-more-judge-less?ref=&sref=">via</a></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/AVvXsEhdZ1bpcOMR3jbB9j7TKQ60WhPClp2Gp5eUrggb07UncOtZtSkMyFztim1hSSVpjVapIKXFqOLxGhXIYQMZH6BQjKa13tfUsAnfTtfuTGmPpLDbS3O-76XJLGKHsLiMgosP1LQwaJH6366i/s1600/Mommy-Wars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZ1bpcOMR3jbB9j7TKQ60WhPClp2Gp5eUrggb07UncOtZtSkMyFztim1hSSVpjVapIKXFqOLxGhXIYQMZH6BQjKa13tfUsAnfTtfuTGmPpLDbS3O-76XJLGKHsLiMgosP1LQwaJH6366i/s400/Mommy-Wars.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wholemom.com/inspiration/love-judge-less/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ATmhfK3qZbavni-LJ30LjJJHSs_z1dbrlwIHy7DukewnGqXW0ONvdq1TefxMUqKI9niQvk6gFOLfSRyK5Hckkzs7QgQPgP235xDHaOlyGCDltN6necqw6WHS-pnlquHG47xWJUYBMnPR/s1600/tumblr_l4vsqd9LP21qbph9lo1_400_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ATmhfK3qZbavni-LJ30LjJJHSs_z1dbrlwIHy7DukewnGqXW0ONvdq1TefxMUqKI9niQvk6gFOLfSRyK5Hckkzs7QgQPgP235xDHaOlyGCDltN6necqw6WHS-pnlquHG47xWJUYBMnPR/s400/tumblr_l4vsqd9LP21qbph9lo1_400_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nurainalicharan.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-you-judge-less-you-love.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM-tX-B_oMJdKmChSkL2J1GTQOcgkJaa46r18-m7w_d68OihZGcmbpgVIAWdcaO-81cTmVoQrLNeOVPINQWdriJ0VIAZ9bY9aRUfjJ5-ryymFOK5nQoYES8rsKTUXE09lkSAEaqTc8wP4/s1600/tumblr_l36qx1Mbkq1qzgc8bo1_400_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM-tX-B_oMJdKmChSkL2J1GTQOcgkJaa46r18-m7w_d68OihZGcmbpgVIAWdcaO-81cTmVoQrLNeOVPINQWdriJ0VIAZ9bY9aRUfjJ5-ryymFOK5nQoYES8rsKTUXE09lkSAEaqTc8wP4/s400/tumblr_l36qx1Mbkq1qzgc8bo1_400_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nurainalicharan.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-you-judge-less-you-love.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-60873857218642419952013-04-20T21:26:00.002-04:002013-04-20T21:30:21.593-04:00Friends, steak, sticky rice, and more!<div style="text-align: center;">
The other night we had the most fabulous meal with some of the most fabulous people. And I'm dead serious when I say the most fabulous meal and the most fabulous people. </div>
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We learned that President Holman and Derek both served their missions in Thailand.</div>
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We were invited over for the biggest Thai feast of our lives.</div>
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We honestly thought we had died and gone to heaven.</div>
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They had all of Derek's favorite Thai food, and truly the best steak I've ever had in my whole life.</div>
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And to top it off, they had Haagen Dazs ice cream and mango sticky rice for dessert!!</div>
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That's Lucy, my idol, hiding behind the computer...</div>
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Cute kids presenting the food.</div>
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I can't for the life of me tell these two apart in primary. So we spent a good part of the night figuring out ways that I could tell them apart. </div>
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Michael presenting his sisters. Haha!</div>
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I'm grateful for good kids like these in primary. I loved hearing "Sister Walker, Sister Walker!" all night long. Such a treat to spend the evening with them and a few other members of the ward.</div>
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I tell Derek every week after seeing Lucy that I hope I can be half the mother and woman she is someday. Anybody in our ward would say the same I'm sure. What an amazing lady.</div>
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I doubt they'll ever see this, but if they do, THANK YOU HOLMANS!! We love you!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-12102344017756694252013-04-11T23:04:00.001-04:002013-04-11T23:05:53.588-04:00Carnegie Hall, Vegas, cramming visitors, and decisions!Between work for the both of us, Derek finishing up his last semester of school, and me picking up another class in search of what I want to do with my life, we have kept very busy. And you know we have been busy when we miss our usual shows throughout the week and when I haven't watched Ellen in almost two weeks! But I love staying busy. I feel like I am so much more productive with my free time when the rest of my day is filled with things.<br />
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We're getting down to the wire with having to make some big decisions. Derek will graduate in May, and our lease is up in June. We are on the hunt for where we want to live and what we both will do. Soon enough we will have news of a move to a new city, or a stay in New York City! We're getting anxious. It's an odd feeling to have no clue what life will hold for you in 2 months from now. Sometimes it's annoying, but lately it's been fun. I have learned it's all in the attitude. I used to wish we could just have it figured out already. But lately, I'm loving the adventure and living in the now.<br />
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A few weeks ago my sister and mom were in the city for a choir tour trip. I tagged along a bit and we watched her perform in various places.<br />
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My mom just can't get enough of us and came back for more Amereka (Amanda + Derek) time! ;) Except for this time she brought 8 people with her. And if you're shocked to hear we had that many guests, you don't want to know how many she wanted to bring. Ok, don't pretend. You totally want to know. Thirteen. THIRTEEN. Mean Amanda had to say no. And instead of feeling guilty like I thought I would, I was quite pleased with myself for saying no and saving us all from a bit of insanity. For those of you who don't know my mom, this might sound crazy. For those that do know my mom, it's totally normal. Back me up.<br />
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For general conference weekend we headed to Vegas with the Walkers. It was so nice to head to warmer weather. We had a blast! We got to jet ski, paddle board, go on a bike ride, watch the sun rise, watch conference, get pampered at the spa while the boys were at priesthood, and celebrate Jacobs birthday!<br />
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These boys could play football all day.<br />
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And these boys could talk Real Estate all day.<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-36949129432199104262013-03-22T22:44:00.000-04:002013-03-22T22:44:03.207-04:00Endometriosis ConferenceThis is for my fellow endometrians, and those that are interested just because! PS...10% of women have it, but most don't know they have it. So educating yourself on this can't hurt.<br />
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I recently attended a worldwide endometriosis conference that was held in NYC. How lucky I am to be here! It was fantastic. They had a whole day dedicated to educating patients about endometriosis, how to cope with it, and options for getting pregnant when the time arises. There were so many things I had no clue were even an option!<br />
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We feel so blessed that there is help and support out there. How lucky that we have doctors that care and are educating themselves on these things that are still so unknown and incurable. We met so many great doctors that specialize in all aspects of endometriosis. We learned about fertility, sex, the bowels, psychological effects, pain management, and more. I never thought I could be so excited to learn about intestines. :)<br />
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Here are the amazing doctors that took it upon themselves to make endometriosis a priority in their research and careers.<br />
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These pictures were taken during the Q&A sessions that really opened our eyes and helped us to realize that we are not alone. So many others are hurt and affected by this and feel just as in the dark as we do. If you feel this way too, you are not alone! It's also important to remember that endometriosis has an effect not only on you, but your family too. Especially your spouse.<br />
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And just to clarify, I am not a doctor. Obviously. So if I use incorrect terminology, please excuse me. I'm going to share the best I remember and the best to my knowledge. I'm also here if you just need a hug or support. :)<br />
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I'll briefly go through the different topics one by one and you can pick and choose if some topics are more interesting or applicable than others. I hope I can share some piece of information that might be enlightening or answer some questions you may have for yourself or someone you know. I haven't included everything we learned, because it was so much info and might be a little much for just wanting basic knowledge on the subject. Feel free to email me at <span style="color: #cc0000;">amandawalker90@gmail.com</span> with any questions you have and I can share with you what I learned or help you research any questions you might have!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>DIAGNOSING ENDOMETRIOSIS</u></span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Requires surgical biopsy</li>
<li>Very difficult to diagnose</li>
<li>Misdiagnosis</li>
<ul>
<li>Often mistaken for other disorders or diseases.</li>
<ul>
<li>appendicitis</li>
<li>ovarian cysts</li>
<li>irritable bowel syndrome</li>
<li>colon cancer</li>
<li>ectopic pregnancy</li>
<li>ovarian cancer</li>
<li>sexually transmitted diseases</li>
<li>etc</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Symptoms</li>
<ul>
<li>painful periods</li>
<li>chronic pelvic pain</li>
<li>infertility</li>
<li>painful sex</li>
<li>painful bowel movements</li>
<li>urinary pain</li>
<li>bloating</li>
<li>nausea</li>
<li>constipation</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>SURGERY</u></span></b><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>CONSERVATIVE SURGERY (surgery without removing any organs of the body)</li>
<ul>
<li>Laparoscopy</li>
<ul>
<li>laser (burning), scraping, or excision</li>
<ul>
<li>I had mine scraped. Most people I've met had the same (or laser). Turns out this is a very temporary pain relief, but what doctors often resort to because it's the safest option for them. It shockingly doesn't fix anything though! Your endometriosis pain is almost guaranteed to come back within 6 months to two years. I had my surgery in January of 2012, and my pain returned in August of 2012. </li>
<li>Excision surgery is the only thing to truly remove your spots of endometriosis and to really improve your chances of getting pregnant and getting rid of pain. Many studies have shown patients becoming pregnant within two months post excision surgery.</li>
<li>It's extremely easy to miss spots in any of these surgeries. Find a doctor that cares and is going to do a thorough job!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Hysterectomy</li>
<ul>
<li>Not recommended as first option. Only done in severe cases.</li>
<ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>IBS OR ENDOMETRIOSIS OF THE BOWELS?</b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Endometriosis is often confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome</li>
<li>15-20% of patients with endometriosis have it on the bowel.</li>
<li>Symptoms of IBS</li>
<ul>
<li>Abdominal pain or cramping</li>
<li>Gas</li>
<li>Bloating</li>
<li>Headaches</li>
<li>Fatigue</li>
<li>Backache</li>
<li>Pain during sex</li>
<li>Reduced sexual desire</li>
<li>Urinary problems</li>
<li>Symptoms often occur after a meal, when stressed, or during menstruation</li>
</ul>
<li>Symptoms of Endometriosis on the bowel</li>
<ul>
<li>Painful bowel movements</li>
<li>Constipation</li>
<li>Diarrhea</li>
<li>Bloating</li>
<li>Gas</li>
<li>Alternation constipation and diarrhea</li>
<li>Intestinal cramping</li>
<li>Nausea and/or vomiting</li>
<li>Abdominal pain</li>
<li>Rectal pain</li>
<li>Rectal bleeding</li>
</ul>
<li>Something important to remember is that some may only experience one or even none of these symptoms, whereas others may experience all of them.</li>
<li>80% will have improvement in their bowel symptoms after excision of their endo</li>
<li>Those who think they may have endometriosis on the intestines... Great news! We discovered an amazing doctor that specializes and deals with specifically this! I'm so excited. </li>
<ul>
<li>Ken Sinervo, MD, MSc</li>
<li>KenSinervo@comcast.net</li>
<li>www.CenterForEndo.com</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>FERTILITY OPTIONS</u></span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Egg Freezing</li>
<ul>
<li>This is still fairly new knowledge, but they have found pretty great results.</li>
<li>This is a good option for those without a partner and are unable to freeze an embryo.</li>
<li>Was originally used for cancer patients before starting chemo treatments.</li>
</ul>
<li>Embryo Freezing</li>
<ul>
<li>This is a very personal thing for each individual, but they discussed this as an option as well as egg freezing. Studies show higher success rates with embryo freezing than egg freezing. Not all frozen embryos are usually used, so some may feel this is wrong. </li>
</ul>
<li>IVF</li>
<ul>
<li>The same thing is done for all three of these, except with IVF, they implant the embryo without freezing it. This is for people looking to get pregnant now. </li>
</ul>
<li>These are all very expensive, but options that have very high success rates. How lucky we are that doctors have this knowledge to help so many start families!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>ETC NOTES</u></b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>SUPPORT</li>
<ul>
<li>This might seem silly, but supporting your daughters, sisters, and friends in figuring out whats wrong and how to get help is very important. In going to this conference, I think we both felt like we'd walk out with a sense of relief. I wouldn't say we left feeling relieved, but definitely grateful for all that we learned and grateful to have a better understanding of what is going on with my body. About an hour into the conference I felt like crying. I blamed it on hormones, or thought maybe I was just feeling a little tired. When the first Q&A began, the first girl got up and cried through talking. She was followed by more tears. And the next Q&A continued with some more tears. Hearing that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control it is in no way comforting. But it is comforting knowing there is help. They made it a point to talk to the mothers of girls with painful periods. They emphasized how important it is to listen to your daughters. Don't tell them "we all have cramps" or "it's all part of being a girl". They say that so often girls are told this and go their whole lives not knowing, when so long ago they could have been helped.</li>
</ul>
<li>GETTING TO A DIAGNOSIS</li>
<ul>
<li>Mention endometriosis to your doctors if any of these symptoms sound familiar to you. It is so easily overlooked. The earlier it is caught, the better! Be persistent!</li>
</ul>
<li>PAINFUL SEX</li>
<ul>
<li>I didn't think I had enough notes about this to make it it's own thing, even though this was a big part of the conference, but this can be a very sensitive and emotional thing to deal with. They made sure to emphasize that SEX IS NOT WHAT IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE. Media destroys people expectations of sex. Talk with your spouse. If you feel better physically during certain times of the month, schedule sex during those times. Do what is best for YOU. Learn about painful sex and endometriosis WITH your spouse so he can understand where you are coming from.</li>
</ul>
<li>PREGNANCY RISKS</li>
<ul>
<li>I didn't want to make this a big deal, cause I don't like to dwell on this. Obviously it scares me, and I don't think it should be worried about until the time arises. But it is important to be aware of. So here is a list of what comes at a higher risk in those with endometriosis.</li>
<ul>
<li>Preterm delivery</li>
<li>Pre Eclampia</li>
<li>Caesarean Section</li>
<li>Antepartum bleeding/ placental complications</li>
<li>Growth Restriction</li>
<li>Stillbirth</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
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Phew! I made it. I hope you made it too. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to go to this conference. We learned so much. I hope I was able to enlighten or help somebody in any way at all. Again, if you have any questions feel free to email me and I'd be happy to help how I can! I have lots of contacts for doctors and specialists from the conference if you're interested as well.</div>
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xoxo,</div>
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Amanda</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-49352998982328457922013-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:002013-03-09T17:41:57.818-05:00Un-exercised talents<div style="text-align: center;">
Those that know me well know that I love to sing.</div>
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And if you really know me well you know I love to belt.</div>
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And if you REALLY know me, you've had to listen to me belt.</div>
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I love singing. I used to sit at the piano and sing my heart out when no one was around.</div>
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Which brings me to my sad situation. (Que. violins)</div>
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Since going to college, singing in such a passionate way was not really an option unless I was ok with neighbors on every corner knocking on walls to get me to shut up. Well it's now been almost 5 years of apartment living, which also means 5 years of not singing my heart out. Some might say, just do it! Well in every apartment we have lived in since being married, which is two, you can hear through walls and floors so well that you can hear someone peeing. You can hear how their days were. You can even hear them making babies. We never knew if we should giggle or puke.</div>
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As I was listening to Wicked (yes, I still listen to that) it took everything not to let it all just come spilling out. I let out a few seconds here and there, but I just couldn't relax and sing. And it drives me crazy. No ivories to tickle, and no privacy to sing along. </div>
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Needless to say, I'm excited for the day when we don't share walls in every direction so I can pound those keys and sing until my fingers and vocal chords ache. Or have a car so I can be one of THOSE drivers that looks like they think they are on stage with over 10,000 people singing along and applauding like you're the greatest singer to walk the earth.<br />
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Check out these cuties and how music moves them.<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-74246618889250036852013-03-06T09:30:00.000-05:002013-03-06T11:55:54.358-05:00Spring fashion<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like winter has had it's turn.</div>
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It's time for Spring to say hello and stay a while.</div>
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I catch my mind wandering to thoughts of picnics in Central Park, BBQ's on the island, kayaking the river, sunglasses and sandals, and most of all, no more dry skin and hair! My goodness. I don't know if the transition from Thailand was the kicker or what, but our skin, lips, and my hair have not been very nice. Dry dry dry. </div>
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While designing throughout the day, I've lately been peeking at warm weather pretties and other accessories. These are some favorites. A bit out of my price range, but a girl can dream right? Or thrift and shop for cheaper look-a-likes. </div>
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Loving sandal wedges lately. They are more comfortable and easier to walk in!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno9fUtlnJiH6paezNjB1FNMpNY1O5uGgCaJ-wBOHQECKcoQCZb7ynBcMesQY60loYErlogxAXs5kD6cC_SJZv1OXvnmPBxrw8wCYFImGu-idGbglelkYlFYiBSN3_1xF45P1gb3v_Igb9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+7.42.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno9fUtlnJiH6paezNjB1FNMpNY1O5uGgCaJ-wBOHQECKcoQCZb7ynBcMesQY60loYErlogxAXs5kD6cC_SJZv1OXvnmPBxrw8wCYFImGu-idGbglelkYlFYiBSN3_1xF45P1gb3v_Igb9/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+7.42.13+PM.png" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dv-by-dolce-vita-jobin-sandal/3427682?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Cognac&resultback=0">Nordstrom</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiHtu5qh8nCalqW_nL8HYLJq5IQ6MVheG5Jd7BJQLLO7k9y7RT83Ij2gkRvo9YEEJjN9MZJfLGhrRKxOPnKD9Swt-9ByT7a9tFoVxHBNnrt-urY7ZMWefYWcMuEjZMbbq9hU9c4GYksEv/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+7.44.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiHtu5qh8nCalqW_nL8HYLJq5IQ6MVheG5Jd7BJQLLO7k9y7RT83Ij2gkRvo9YEEJjN9MZJfLGhrRKxOPnKD9Swt-9ByT7a9tFoVxHBNnrt-urY7ZMWefYWcMuEjZMbbq9hU9c4GYksEv/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+7.44.55+PM.png" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sam-edelman-sasha-wedge-sandal/3485388?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Neon+Coral+Snake&resultback=0">Nordstrom</a></td></tr>
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Had a Michael Kors obsession the last couple of years. Loving their new watches! Especially this one.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO3LjnEpeOTiaOckp3P5v6iK8z9PPJFT0YBoga6zyLkvfOlt20DSyfWR2ojsnBatzDnjOEt5Xolhy1QC4bDH3T_2u9RG-qRdMmvEN9mq_aZAiXw4_jGL-DjxrZvyipz4rncky1Mv8jBd2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+6.37.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO3LjnEpeOTiaOckp3P5v6iK8z9PPJFT0YBoga6zyLkvfOlt20DSyfWR2ojsnBatzDnjOEt5Xolhy1QC4bDH3T_2u9RG-qRdMmvEN9mq_aZAiXw4_jGL-DjxrZvyipz4rncky1Mv8jBd2/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+6.37.30+PM.png" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/p/Michael-Kors-Michael-Kors-Double-Wrap-Leather-Watch-Golden-Horn-VIEW-ALL-WATCHES/prod16030013_cat7502_cat145_/?index=8&cmCat=cat000000cat145cat7502&isEditorial=false">Michael Kors</a></td></tr>
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Cute casual summer dress.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiltHkuiz2TB-P6lEUtEBBnmXMwPyo8008OluBv-PNry3ftEil-xdBL8-0OIYi-WaKuN9YB90IZQUWXs7QraQxdXA4fumExFFHVfWR5g-S0eoNcGASQE8ELSHf24Trms8DKdSfEb8QL32i/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+6.59.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiltHkuiz2TB-P6lEUtEBBnmXMwPyo8008OluBv-PNry3ftEil-xdBL8-0OIYi-WaKuN9YB90IZQUWXs7QraQxdXA4fumExFFHVfWR5g-S0eoNcGASQE8ELSHf24Trms8DKdSfEb8QL32i/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-03-04+at+6.59.50+PM.png" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mod-lusive-chiffon-overlay-maxi-dress/3450601?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Blue%2F+Ivory&resultback=0">Nordstrom</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">What are your warm weather must haves? Any other Michael Kors lovers out there? </span></td></tr>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-72306843481854076262013-03-03T09:30:00.000-05:002013-03-03T19:16:30.676-05:00Knicks game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Since moving to NYC we've become Knicks fans. We've talked about going to a game over the last year but didn't get around to it until this month! I searched for the cheapest tickets I could find and jumped on them. It was fun! But we would say that the atmosphere was much less thrilling than the Energy Solutions Arena. We think it's the low ceilings. And the fact that the fans are all in the dark maybe? Regardless, it was a fun MSG experience!</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>GO KNICKS!</b></span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-33836038567171124712013-02-28T09:30:00.000-05:002013-02-28T09:30:01.907-05:00Superbowl partyWe've made some new friends, and they are absolutely great! There is at least one student in each couple, we're all poor, and most of us are from the West Coast. We are building relationships that feel like family away from home and we love it. We decided to invite a couple over for the Superbowl. Then it turned into two couples. Then a couple that originally said no, changed their minds and decided to come. Then last minute we invited a neighbor boy that was recently baptized. Then it just turned into a big party in a little apartment! It was a blast!<br />
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I made some enchiladas, others brought drinks and food, and we talked and laughed the night away. Let's be honest, there were only a couple of people that actually watched the whole game.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spelling Ravens. Obviously.</td></tr>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-4873764921646488102013-02-25T02:32:00.002-05:002013-02-25T15:26:26.247-05:00SAWADEEWe recently returned from the greatest adventure of our lives. Thailand was incredible and we are already anxious to go back. We backpacked to all corners of the country by train, bus, and airplane. I ate things I never thought I'd eat. We did things we never thought we'd do. What an eye opening, incredible experience it was.<br />
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Seeing the members tear up when "Elder Walker" walked in the room was a feeling I'll never forget. Watching the current Elders look up to him and value his opinion. Being served by these people who have close to nothing. It has changed us forever and was an experience we'll never forget.</div>
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I have also never felt so hideous yet so beautiful. I'd be covered in salty sweat, my hair like a lions mane, and Thai kids and teens would flock to us and photograph us like we were celebrities that just stepped out of a shiny black limousine. Not only would they take pictures of us, but they would wait in line to take pictures with us. We couldn't help but giggle and pretend like we were really all that great.</div>
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I hope you're ready for the biggest picture overload of your life. </div>
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But before we start, let's have a moment of silence for all of the many pictures that were lost. Pictures with members, pictures of after church parties, videos of the sweet members waving hello and having fun, a bbq with all of Derek's favorite members and friends from Thailand, pictures of an elephant walking over me, video of the elephant pretending to step on me with Thai school groups screaming and laughing because I was from New York. I may have said a naughty word and shed a few tears when I discovered they were gone. Heartbroken is the only word to describe how I feel.</div>
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........................................................... Ok, you can turn your music back on now and get back to reading. Thank you for joining me.</div>
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Ready. Set. Go.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LONG NECK VILLAGE. They're Christian! I never knew!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ELEPHANT TRAINING. We made great new friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">JAMES BOND ISLAND. Or as the Thai say, "James Bone Island"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">COOKING CLASS</span></div>
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Phew! You made it! I hope you aren't too overwhelmed. And to think this is only a glimpse of our pictures. Thanks for being excited with us. It was an experience of a lifetime and I wouldn't have chosen to have it with anyone other than my best friend. We can't wait to go back!</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558127185304131807noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-14662629237288763042013-01-05T17:00:00.000-05:002013-01-05T17:44:08.135-05:00A very white Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We absolutely loved spending our Christmas holiday in Utah. We were missing snow here in the city and were hoping for some in Utah. Well, we got snow. Four days of it! It was great to spend time with family and see those gorgeous mountains again. We feel so blessed to both have such wonderful fun families. </div>
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On our way from Walker's house in Bountiful to the Hallsted's in Cedar Hills, we stopped by our humble old place in Salt Lake. It was such a crazy feeling. It almost felt like we'd never left. I honestly cannot believe it's been a full year. How has time gone by so quickly?!</div>
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We spent Christmas Eve with my family with this stunning dinner set up and mattresses all set out for our big slumber party. We enjoyed traditional pot stickers and orange chicken, then did our white stocking for Jesus tradition, had a fantastic lesson by Papa Bear, watched the Nativity, then Polar Express. My family has so many traditions to squeeze in that are all so fun!</div>
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Hyrum somehow always made himself comfortable right on top of Derek. It was so cute. I'm so glad that Derek is such a good older brother to that boy, especially with brothers having been on missions.<br />
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Papa Bear in his new Christmas pajamas. Coolest pajamas ever. And ever so fitting, wouldn't ya say?<br />
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Papa Bear with his best pal, Phoebe.<br />
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We got a kick out of these twin boys. They came out and looked hilarious together. Same glasses, same pajamas, same hair, same socks, both with a watch. It was too funny.<br />
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Papa Bear's present to himself! Ha! We're still not sure what inspired the overalls, but boy howdy I think they're great.<br />
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I must mention, my little sister Hannah (bottom right) sewed all of these pajamas. Amazing.<br />
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The American Girl Doll she has always wanted and never got cause she always cut the hair off of all her dolls. My Mom is thinking that now that she's almost 16, she may be old enough to know better. ;)<br />
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Just Dance 4. These boys surprised me with how into it they got. So entertaining.<br />
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SO MUCH SNOW up at the Walkers.<br />
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Fun with friends.<br />
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Visiting sweet Papa (Derek's grandpa) at the care center. Sure love that man.<br />
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Look closely at the puzzle. It's a family picture from our wedding. That was our Christmas gift to Joni and family and it actually ended up being a lot of fun to do!<br />
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Fun in the Walkers gym. I think I have loads pictures of these boys playing football in the gym from every time we visit. With terrible lighting every single time.<br />
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Get Air in Kaysville. This was another time when I realized my body and mind are getting older. Things get scarier and more difficult. It's quite frustrating.<br />
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Ice skating in Provo. We ran into one of the Kid History dads. It was fun to hear his real voice without the voiceover of a kid.</div>
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<br />Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-5394939256631654482013-01-03T23:34:00.002-05:002013-01-03T23:39:20.141-05:00Jamaica workationI was lucky enough to watch these cuties in Jamaica for a few days.<br />
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</div>
<div>
<br />
And even luckier to have this guy come along.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br />
We loved hearing their little footsteps in the morning to come snuggle with us.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We adore those kids. They make us hope for twins. Cutest twins ever. Watching Derek with those kids makes me so excited to see him as a daddy someday. </div>
Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-61041424785878059412012-12-19T22:38:00.004-05:002012-12-19T22:41:34.158-05:00The attack of the Asian in shop 363<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve had a pretty good experience while here in the city.
We have felt safer than we ever did in Salt Lake, and the people are generally
so kind and helpful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until the other day of course. I had an experience I was sure would make me
hate New York forever. Needless to say, I got over it the next day when so many
good people again proved to me that there are more good citizens than bad in
the City.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dear friend Kaitlin was in town last week from Arizona.
Wednesday was our day to spend together out in the city. We got dressed up all
cute, or as cute as I possibly can with my terribly awkward grown out hair,
took lots of pictures, went to the temple, got sushi, and of course, shopped
Canal Street. Well, TRIED to shop Canal Street. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that is where our adventure begins…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived to Canal street as the sun was setting with a few
things in mind of what we were looking for. I went with a list my mom had given
me to buy for her for Christmas presents, and Kaitlin with a list for herself,
as any tourist should do. I quickly found my list and met back up with them to
help Kait shop for a satchel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We came upon a store, a store I’ll have nightmares of
forevermore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like so...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=N&tbo=d&rls=en&biw=1206&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=flUFtJKjf1SXFM:&imgrefurl=http://fashionlawwiki.pbworks.com/w/page/11611148/Canal%2520Street%253A%2520%2520From%2520%2522Five%2520Points%2522%2520to%2520%2522Counterfeit%2520Triangle%2522&docid=br86shOR2ZufBM&imgurl=http://fashionlawwiki.pbworks.com/f/1238782536/Canal%252520street%252520shop.jpg&w=384&h=288&ei=NYfSUKWwK4XG0AHX_oC4Bw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1&sig=102259894074353284859&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=189&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:163&tx=411&ty=270" target="_blank">via</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kaitlin ended up finding a beautiful pastel pink purse. I always, and
will always, admire and long for a cute purse when I walk Canal Street but
rarely leave with anything, cause let’s be honest, we don’t have a money tree
and the word tuition is still a large part of our vocabulary. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kaitlin got a good deal on the purse, but not as good as the
deal the sweet, or so we thought, Asian lady threw out at me if we bought a
second bag. “I give you good price. You buy second bag, I give you for fifteen
dollar. Good price. Good price.” I expressed to her that I wasn’t interested in
the same pink bag as my friend. She asked about other bags. There was one bag I
had eyed previously that I was fighting the desire to buy. Well I justified
enough good reasons and got the bag I wanted for almost as good
of a deal. Well, ALMOST.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now here is how the purchase went down. Brace yourselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before buying the bag I noticed some yucky marks on the bag.
The lady claimed she could get it off “no problem”. I stupidly handed her the
money as she was supposedly fixing my purse. It looked great. The yuck was
gone. Magic. Well a couple minutes went by as Kaitlin looked around the little
shop a bit longer, until Kathy, Kaitlin’s mom, noticed the purse had been ruined
by whatever the lady wiped on the bag. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my mind I thought, no problem. I’ll show her, she’ll
apologize, switch my purse out for another black one just like it, and we’ll go
on our merry way. I don’t think I’ve ever been more wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I showed her the bag she had ruined. Without hesitation she
tells me, “Store policy. No return. Only exchange.” Again, no big deal, I’ll
just exchange it for another one just like it. Problem being, they didn’t have
another purse like it. But I didn’t just want any purse. I
couldn’t afford to just buy just any ol’ purse. I bought that one cause I
really liked it and it fit our camera great. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frustrated, but very calm, we all took turns trying to
explain that she was not being fair. She had just ruined the purse and she
needed to give my money back. I don’t know if she expected me to just lay
myself on the ground and let her walk all over me. She started this game, and I
was going to finish it fair and square. I started out with 100% confidence she
would give in and refund the money. Boy was I wrong, AGAIN. I wasn’t about to
leave with the loss of 20 bucks. That’s precious money when you’ve got a
husband in grad school!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 30 minutes went by, and other customers started to
question what was going on. The lady began yelling, calling us idiot, crazy,
stupid, wouldn’t look at me when I tried to speak to her, and began to get
aggressive. Other shoppers learned of the situation, became frustrated, and
tried talking to her. No luck. She began to get rude and aggressive with other
innocent shoppers that had nothing to do with what was going on. I decided that
if she wanted to play this game, I’d play right back and I began talking
customers into leaving and not shopping there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another customer came in to buy 20 dollars worth of
merchandise, so Kathy came up with the genius idea to make that our exchange
and the customer could just pay us. The owner was furious and would not allow
it because it was “against store policy”. It made absolutely no sense. Let me
remind you that she is the owner of the store and there is hardly anything
legal about these shops to begin with. She was rude to the customer, mishandled
the lady’s stuff she was buying, and broke it. I became so frustrated that she
was treating so many others so badly over a situation having to do with me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next thing we know she is screaming at us, “Get out of my
store! I’m going to lock you in here!” At the time the idea of getting locked
in terrified us. Later on we realized we could have pulled a buddy the elf and
decorated the store, called the cops, they’d get us out, and she’d go to jail
for kidnapping us. Sounded so perfect later that night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling panicked since the lights had been turned off and
she appeared to be locking us in, I quickly grabbed a bag of the same value,
and used my phone light to guide us out of the shop. We calmly walk out without
discussion, get about 20 feet away, when we hear footsteps running at us. My
heart started pounding. We tried to just keep walking but next thing I know I
was being grabbed and yanked all while she is yelling, “You’re stealing! You
stole my purse!” Talk about embarrassing. Luckily people around could see what
was really going on and didn’t think I was an actual thief. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She gave the bag a big yank at the same time I was letting
go. It was an accident, I swear. A convenient one may I rudely add. She fell to the ground, got back up and
came at me swinging the purse. Luckily Kaitlin ran to grab cops parked near by.
She quickly told them what happened while the Asian family of 3 ran away after
seeing the cops. The cops ran after them, held a guy they thought was maybe the
husband, but they had the wrong guy. Crap. I thought we had lost.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was still determined to make this right. Not because 20
dollars is the most important thing in the world, but because of how badly she
treated so many people. It made my heart pound and my stomach sick. I was over
the 20 bucks at this point.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well after much explanation to the cops, it didn’t seem much
could be done because they didn’t see what had just happened. One of the cops
walked back to the cop car with me and asked some more questions about the
situation. When we got to the car, he surprised me by saying, “I’m going to get
your money back. Maybe double. Don’t you worry.” He took down my information,
the store number, and we further discussed my schedule the next day. I was
working all day and didn’t have a way of coming down to meet him. He kindly
offered to bring the money up to me on the other end of Manhattan. Wow. SO
NICE.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left feeling a little better, yet still with a heart
beating a million miles an hour. The more I thought about what the cop did, the
more I wondered if he was just saying he’d help me out to get us out of his
hair and get on his way. Obviously he has better things to do. He’s a NYC cop! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the next day I was at work when I got a text from an
unknown number. “I’ve got your money. Where are you at?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He kept his word!! I wasn’t even excited about the 20 bucks,
I just wished I could have seen her reaction when he showed up. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re the coolest! I’m at work on the Upper West Side.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“K I’m on my way to you.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was for reals. I was texting a cop that had just done
the nicest favor and set this crazy lady straight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When he arrived, he so kindly volunteered to bring the money
up since the kiddies were sleeping. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
GET THIS. Not only did he get my money, he also decided
after she started “being pissy” with him, that she needed to learn a little
lesson. He charged her for attacking a customer and she has to appear in court.
Say waaaaa?! So cool. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After he told me and I said goodbye and closed the door, I
practically skipped down the hall. After a few seconds, I began feeling
terrible about myself for being so happy about her having to give my money back
and go to court. I called Derek to ask if I was a bad person, he said no, so I continued feeling giddy about what had happened. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope that she learns her lesson and doesn’t treat other
customers the way she treated me and others that night.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rought night. Good story. Good friends. Seriously, shout out
to my awesome bestie Kaitlin and second mom Kathy for sticking with me through
the craziness. Sure love them. We had a good memorable 12/12/12.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where were you on 12/12/12? Did you do anything to
celebrate? Hopefully your 12/12/12 was a little less traumatic than mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a pic I snapped at the beautiful Time Warner Center mall on Central Park. Christmas in New York is as dreamy as it sounds.</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>And whatever you do, DON'T SHOP AT 363. </o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-41218685612924923162012-12-04T00:28:00.001-05:002012-12-04T00:28:13.574-05:00Alive. Barely.Ok ok that may be a bit dramatic. But seriously, we are busy little bees over here. We've had company after company and the day after our company ends next week, I'm off to Jamaica for work. Then the day I get home, I literally don't even leave the airport. Derek will meet me there and we'll give getting to Utah on standby our best shot.<br />
<br />
My mother deserves a little shout out here. We would not be able to fly anywhere if it weren't for her working so hard for JetBlue. Thank you Mom!<br />
<br />
Just a few short days after we get home from Utah we are off................... to THAILAND!!! I'm just a teeny bit excited. Whatever.<br />
<br />
Between work, school, hurricane clean up, the primary program, teaching new Christmas songs, company staying with us, finding jobs, figuring out insurance, the holidays, being sick, and whatever else life has decided to throw at us, I'm officially pooped. I keep thinking, "I just need to get through this week and then things'll slow down a bit". Yeah right.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Remind me why adulthood seemed so appealing as a kid? Woof.</span><br />
<br />
As crazy as life has been, we really have had some fun experiences lately.<br />
<br />
The Thanksgiving Day parade.<br />
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Thanksgiving dinner at Derek's cousin's beautiful home in NJ. We loved our time with their family. Those kids are so entertaining and fun.<br />
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Hurricane Sandy clean up. My special sister in the back. Closed eyes pictures are so funny to me.<br />
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I'm really starting to believe that life only gets crazier. I have always been convinced that life will slow down a bit "once school is over", "once I'm married", once once once. Well I think I'm a little smarter than that now. I hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I keep pushing off my last gratitude post until I feel I have time to get out a good, deep, thoughtful, whopper of a post. But remember how I said I'm getting smarter? Well I think I am smart enough to know that isn't going to happen anytime soon. So you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.<br />
<br />
Not that I expected anyone to throw one.<br />
<br />
As much as those gratitude posts wore me out, I really enjoyed being forced to sit down and really think of what I was grateful for. Holy cow! I am so blessed. With some trials we've been going through the last while, it has been harder to recognize blessings as easily. I have felt blessed all along, but man alive it's much easier to get frustrated with life when trials seem to drag on.<br />
<br />
I've had some time to think, and I think that I would like to make my final gratitude about experience. I know I said I wouldn't do something deep, and here I go. I promise I won't go too crazy.<br />
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Experience is what makes us who we are. Experience builds character. It defines our values, our beliefs, and relationships. It creates opinions. It makes for competition. It pushes us to do better the next time around. Sometimes experience hurts, sometimes it's quite enjoyable, but it is ALWAYS defining us. Something I have learned and continue to learn is that I can choose how I let my experiences define me by the way I choose to deal with them. If I don't think about them as much, I may not learn as much from them.<br />
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I am going to stop myself now before I ramble your little ears off. But do you get the gist?<br />
<br />
Oh hey, it's Derek's birthday!!!!! We have celebrated little bits here and there over the past few days. I sure love that guy. He's 24. Old fart yeah? Can't believe it. I love you so much sweetie.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I know, so unlike me to not do a big long mushy post on his birthday. I'm sure Derek isn't too sad. Haha.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
Oh and did I mention my grandparents are staying with us right now? We're so lucky!<br />
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Oh yeah... Jk. I'm seriously stopping this time. Thanks for reading my ramblings. :)<br />
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XO and welcome to December! I still don't get how we're already in december. Somebody has got to be messing with time.Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-52530201898170227922012-11-25T02:20:00.000-05:002012-11-25T02:20:25.252-05:00My absenceI promise my final gratitude is coming. I'm just <strike>a bit</strike> a lot overwhelmed right now. My camera fell off the bed last night and broke and now we're hurrying to get it fixed before Christmas trips and Thailand, I am up at 2:30 AM finishing batches of cookies my sister and I are SUPPOSED to be making together, in between batches I'm desperately trying to figure out primary for tomorrow, I have a huge homework assignment due Monday, I have missionary packages to get sent off, we have to figure out a whole years worth of tithing before church in the morning (slackers, I know), we have to find new phone plans, switch banks, and the list goes on...and on. I may have broke down last night, and am holding back tonight. If I am alive later this week I'll post.<br />
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Some highlights of our week. Helping with Sandy cleanup, Brooklyn Bridge walk, and enjoying music and talent from family.<br />
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Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!</div>
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And I hope your holidays have been a little less crazy than they have over here.</div>
Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-68863306620375918642012-11-22T00:11:00.000-05:002012-11-22T00:11:51.090-05:00Doctors and healthWhat would we do without doctors and modern medicine and knowledge? I wouldn't be where I am without it. I didn't grow up rushing to the doctor. My mom taught us to take care of ourself. So to this day I have a hard time getting myself to go to the doctor. I always feel like things will take care of themself. I almost feel wimpy going to the doctor. Actually, not almost. I do. And I'm not sure why.<br />
<br />
But my husband has helped me to learn that it's ok to go to the doctor. And with my endometriosis journey, it has been so extremely helpful. Without doctors, I would not have known what was wrong and would not have been able to have my surgery.<br />
<br />
In writing this post I've thought back on the month after my surgery. Such a rough time being apart from Derek and out of work for so long, but there were so many memories made and so many things to be grateful for. Like this cute girl...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F1HM1fQ17qYWsxZJcNgTc7NTnEndp4pCkDR89mBuNnBneoiQs8yyUucUqGlg7DFtHsGLXHTKHDcTE9ffXwQyCEtKiRd7qHAv69IKuoeXVJUYZajWWRe9yWNP-ZTXj8pm_JMs_q7sHhFZ/s1600/IMG_2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F1HM1fQ17qYWsxZJcNgTc7NTnEndp4pCkDR89mBuNnBneoiQs8yyUucUqGlg7DFtHsGLXHTKHDcTE9ffXwQyCEtKiRd7qHAv69IKuoeXVJUYZajWWRe9yWNP-ZTXj8pm_JMs_q7sHhFZ/s640/IMG_2410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This brings me to my next thing I'm grateful for. My health. Derek is probably rolling his eyes right about now, cause sometimes it seems like my body hates me. But I can walk. I can see. I can hear. I can taste. I can smell. I can hug. I can kiss. I have hair to do. I have eyelashes to put mascara on. I can eat on my own. I can go to the bathroom on my own. I can breathe on my own. I can laugh. So many things to be grateful for. Right now is a good time for me to be acknowledging these things, cause my body and my health have been getting me down. I have an out of place rib that 10 trips to the chiropractor can't fix, my endometriosis is coming back more and more every day, I just finished antibiotics for a UTI, and a couple other things we're still working on figuring out. Sometimes I feel defeated, and exhausted. Until I read things like <a href="http://sterlinaclegg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THIS</a> blog. But especially <a href="http://sterlinaclegg.blogspot.com/2012/09/lifes-greatest-lessons-arent-learned-in.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> post. Awesome right? I'm so healthy and strong. And so blessed.<br />
<br />
There is so much to be grateful for.Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-15530688325153925062012-11-20T00:49:00.001-05:002012-11-20T00:53:13.537-05:00Designing and sunsetsI feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be back in school. I thought I was done forever, but the idea of design courses had been on my mind for quite some time. We were able to pull some extra loan money for me to take some courses and I'm loving it. It's always hard to leave a few minutes just after Derek gets home, but im always glad i talk myself into going. Photoshop has blown my mind. It's like a world of its own. <br />
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If you follow me on Instagram (@mandywalk), you know I'm a sucker for sunsets. I love anything nature, but when the sun paints that sky I fall in love all over again. God is good. And a fantastic artist. <br />
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Notice the sunset reflection on the buildings. Incredible. This picture doesn't do it justice.<br />
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Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-89057100755611143472012-11-18T02:19:00.000-05:002012-11-18T02:19:25.770-05:00Sisters and friends<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Warning:</b></div>
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Major picture overload and serious lovin' going on over here today.</div>
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You know you love it.</div>
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<b>16:</b> I'm so grateful for 4 beautiful sisters. They are all such good examples to me of what girls and women stand for.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Brynn's passion and love for things is beautiful. She feels so deeply and loves so deeply. Everyone (boys especially) that knows her falls in love with her. I admire her respect for herself. She doesn't feel like she needs to be like other people. She is her own person and that is what everyone loves so much about her. She has the most gorgeous curly hair. And that natural beauty. My goodness. One of my favorite things about "The three little girls" is they are so natural, naturally beautiful, and don't try to be like other people. They are so real, fun, have the best personalities, and are loved by everyone because of these things. We have some seriously good times when we're all together. There is never a quiet moment cause we all have too much to say to each other.</span><br />
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Haley is totally herself and doesn't care what anybody thinks of her. She holds strong to her values and is so good. She is the smartest thing there ever was. She loves learning, has the prettiest long blonde hair, the most precious beautiful freckles all over that cute face, and has an awesome laugh. She laughs so easily too making her too fun to be around. The older she gets, the funner she gets. We talked on the phone about the silliest nonsense the other day for quite some time and I reflected on it for quite some time. Sure love that girl.</div>
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And a perfect "blonde" picture...</div>
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Hannah is just too fun. And boy does that girl have good sense of fashion. And she definitely doesn't get it from me, because if you look even just a year back on Facebook or this blog and you will know very well that I haven't had the best fashion sense. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">**No need to really go look back for reference. Just believe me. We're trying to leave those days behind us.</span> We're working on it. Hannah is the craftiest most talented little lady I've ever seen. If you have a baby girl, you must take a little looksy through all of the fun things she sells. I am dying to have a little girl to accessorize in Hannah's talent. She is also so much fun to be around. And has the loveliest longest leanest legs you've ever seen. Lucky girl. Wow, lot's of L's. She is also SO good with kids. All kids love her and are drawn to her. What a natural mommy. She'll be my number one babysitter. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Mckenna is the best sister in law. So glad she's now stuck with me. She is so kind and fun. And so giving. She is always so nice to let me borrow things I have forgotten when we stay there. So glad to have a sister to share stuff with finally! She's my favorite singing pal. We have so much fun singing around the piano. And thanks to my MIL's piano talent we can enjoy singing together. Mckenna is a musical theatre wonder. We have had so many good laughs together. Especially thinking back to our sleepover days when Derek and I were engaged and we would stay up talking late at night. Or sometimes she'd just stay up talking and laughing to herself while I slept. ;) Funny stories behind that one. Sure love that girl and am so glad she's my sister.</span></div>
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I'm also so glad that all of my sisters can be such good friends. My sisters love Mckenna. We all feel like sisters and it makes me so happy. Love those girls. Some more sister pics.<br />
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After some crying :) Can't believe how young everyone looks.</div>
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So posed, but everyone all together. I'm thinking this Christmas we need to take some pictures.<br />
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Sisters + mom and Yujin.<br />
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<b>17: </b>I'm grateful for good friends. I don't know where I'd be without them. I went through some pretty funny stages throughout Junior High and High School. I moved to Utah mid-JH and my number one goal was to fit in and be cool. I was immediately drawn to and accepted into the "popular group" which I wouldn't say was the most uplifting group to be a part of. I finally broke away and made some uplifting, good friends. I honestly would say 9th grade was my all time favorite year of school. We had the funnest group of friends. Then we all went to high school and made new friends, but were still friends. I then transitioned through a few different groups of friends. Still "friends" with all of them but didn't stay as close as I wish I would have. It then came to be my Junior year and cliques and close groups were forming and I was more concerned about making sure everyone had a friend than I was about fitting into a certain group, until I realized how important close friends were. I became close friends with the sweetest group of girls, most of which are currently out on missions. So proud of those girls and love them all so much. Some are moms, some are business women, and most are missionaries. They are all doing such good things with their lives. I miss them all dearly, but love the time that we get to be together.<br />
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I also don't know who I'd be without my old roommates. Moving off to college, learning to live with lots of girls, working, going to school, and dating is all a lot to make someone crazy and roommates get the <strike>best</strike> worst of the craziness. They were always such good examples to me. I sure love them and am grateful for them in my life. We have so many great memories.<br />
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And of course two of my non-high school best friends in the whole world Kaitlin and Yujin. They are like my sisters and I love them dearly. I don't where I'd be without them.<br />
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High School friends weekend getaway.<br />
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Roommates.<br />
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<br />Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-67733607725924377632012-11-16T00:55:00.002-05:002012-11-16T00:55:49.379-05:00Family lovin'<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 14</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I am so grateful for my family. I don't know what I would do without them. They are the craziest people I know, and I love them so much for it. There is never a dull moment. They are the only people I can be my crazy self around. We have so many inside jokes and good laughs together. I miss them, but love when they get to come visit. I love catching up over the phone and hearing about boyfriends/girlfriends, dances, tests, friend drama, and whatever else they feel like telling me. The other day they "face-timed" us to show us the snow fort they made in the backyard. Makes me so happy. Sure love my crazy family.</span></div>
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We're missing Ammon here. We are obviously trying to pretend he is there.</div>
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And another with us all present. Not too crazy about this picture but whatevs.</div>
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<b>Day 15</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I am grateful for such wonderful in-laws. They are so fun, loving, and feel like they have been family forever. We have so many good laughs when we're with them. They sure know how to have a good time. We have created so many fun memories with them that we'll never forget. They also have a killer sense of humor. Sure love them!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake was "too cool" to smile at this point in his life. :) Cutie.</td></tr>
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If you want to know the truth, I'm excited for these gratitude posts to be over. I miss talking about what I want to talk about. I probably should have just done this on Facebook or something. Sorry y'all. Be grateful. And can you believe Thanksgiving is in a week?! How is this happening. I'm so excited.Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-17924171457380438872012-11-13T23:20:00.000-05:002012-11-13T23:20:26.950-05:00Season of loveThe colder it gets here, the more romantic it seems to get. I swear they put something in the air. I was walking around the fun seasonal shops at Bryant Park tonight and felt myself falling more in love with Derek the more I walked. Funny thing is, he wasn't even there.<br />
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After his class he met me for dinner in the park. This was our view. We had a little personal heater to keep us warm while we enjoyed a delicious burger. Such a perfect evening. My all time favorite thing to do is go to a sit down dinner with my honey. Not only because I don't have to cook, although that doesn't hurt, but because I feel so much more connected to him every time. It's such a good bonding experience. It's the only time we can really sit down with no distractions and just focus on each other. And it's a great excuse when your groceries cost almost as much as going out to eat does.<br />
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Moral of the story: I am grateful for the times we get to go out to dinner together. Love it so much.<br />
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Oh, and because I'm sure you care. We discovered my skinny jeans fit Derek better than myself.<br />
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<br />Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-33101531017265780402012-11-12T22:51:00.000-05:002012-11-12T22:51:16.160-05:00Respect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have so much respect for those who serve and have served our country. They sacrifice so much for us. They don't do it for money. They don't do it for fun. They do it for love and pride for our country.</div>
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I'm especially grateful for my brother and soldier. I never really comprehended American pride until my brother chose to serve in the military. </div>
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I had never really thought to thank a soldier before until being with my brother when he is in uniform, and so many are so gracious and kind. So many thank him, pay for his food, or do a kind deed to show their gratitude. It was so extremely touching and I couldn't believe I had never thought of that before. I am now always sure to thank a soldier when I see one and I hope to be able to buy a meal, or do a kind favor for more in the future.<br />
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So grateful for him and all of those who serve and have served our country.Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-71603041218793877792012-11-12T00:10:00.001-05:002012-11-12T00:10:22.708-05:00I can breatheToday I'm doing days 10 & 11. I've been so excited for this post.<br />
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I am thankful that the primary program is overrrr!!!! Holy cow. I without question will appreciate our kid's primary teachers after this calling. That was so exhausting. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to be the chorister. Being the chorister is a lot of work. But it's so worth it. Those kids spirits are so innocent and sweet.<br />
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After sacrament meeting we had a party. I got to hold babies and eat fudge. Talk about the perfect primary. Two of my favorite things.<br />
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I'm also grateful to be so close to so many beautiful sites and scenery. This FDR memorial is on the bottom tip of our island. I can't wait to go back at sunset with the camera. It has an incredible view of all of manhattan and queens. I believe you could live in NYC your whole life and still not see all of the sites. </div>
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Annnnd. For your entertainment. We get a pretty good laugh out of this.<br />
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Hope your weekend was wonderful!Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-86108344267090812042012-11-09T23:24:00.001-05:002012-11-09T23:24:23.671-05:00The sound of musicDay 9: I am so grateful for this man's musical talent. It is one of the many things that caught my eye from way back in the day. He is so incredibly talented. I hope someday I can figure out how to share his music with you. <div>
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One of my favorite things to do is put all things aside, and sit on the couch or sit in bed and play and sing together. It often helps us de-stress and come back to what matters most.<br /><div>
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Day 8: I also <strike>have to</strike> get to catch up from yesterday. </div>
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I am grateful for naps. Especially lately. I've never been much of a napper, but this week has been exhausting to say the least and I've been able to sneak in a few naps. They've been a highlight. </div>
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Any nappers out there? Do you find the shorter the nap, the better? I've always felt like long naps only make me more tired. I like a short 20 minute nap. Not that I've done that this week, but in general I prefer shorter.</div>
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Happy Friday!</div>
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Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-71346847135129886902012-11-07T23:49:00.003-05:002012-11-07T23:49:53.023-05:00Teamwork Today I'm feeling grateful that my sweetheart involves me in all of his schooling. Tonight he is so very sleepy after a long day of hard work. Isn't he cute when he sleeps?<br />
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I am so flattered when he asks if he can practice his presentation in front of me. Or if I can read through a paper. Or talk through an idea for a project with him. It makes me feel respected and valued.<br />
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I sometimes catch myself feeling jealous and wishing I could be the one in school. But I know we are a team. We couldn't do this without each other. He has worked so hard to be able to build a good future for our family. He studies so hard, is always learning, and is so determined. What 23(almost 24!!) year old has served a 2 year mission, gotten a bachelors degree, and is almost done with their Master's Degree? Smarty pants.<br />
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He is the epitome of focus, hard work, and dedication. I sure love that boy and am so grateful for his hard work and willingness to include me in all of his studies.<br />
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This is what the city looked like today. It was a complete blizzard. As beautiful as it is, I hope that those without power and homes were able to keep warm. I'm so grateful we were able to come home, turn on the heater, and snuggle up to Modern Family.<br />
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<br />Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908720895171499067.post-20376125121274891592012-11-07T01:49:00.001-05:002012-11-07T01:50:30.561-05:00To my beloved public transportation It's late, and I'm falling asleep, but I'm keeping my promise.<br />
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Everything I think of that I want to share requires some explanation and I need something quick tonight. So I think something that is pretty self explanatory is my gratitude of public transportation. I love it so much. I have become passionate about public transportation.<br />
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Having a car was wonderful, but I really can't say I've missed it all that much. And that is one of the beauties of this city. I am not given a chance to miss it because public transportation is so available. It makes for such a simpler sustainable life.<br />
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I was terrified of the idea of riding the gross, stinky, humid, scary, subways when we first moved here. But it is so normal now. It's just life. It's not a crazy out of the ordinary adventure. It's just the way life is. How we get around. We don't need cars. We don't need fuel to survive, and that feels great.<br />
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Disclaimer: The subways aren't scary. You get used to the smell. They are overwhelming at first, but they really do make sense once you get used to it.<br />
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Now for some public transportation visuals, for fun, and just in case you didn't know what public transportation looks like. Jk.<br />
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<br />Derek and Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851799881035644631noreply@blogger.com0