tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69839497702670587402024-03-13T12:32:08.086-04:00Livin' the DreamMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-7490934769775398532014-04-07T14:38:00.001-04:002014-04-07T14:38:38.157-04:00Oh hello, BlogAlright I felt in the bloggy mood today, and I figured it was time for an update. It's almost been a year (yikes). We have been living in Chesapeake, VA for about 8 months. Had a crazy weird transition as we waited for our house to be finished last summer, and moved in a couple of weeks prior to school starting. It was a pretty good situation considering it could have been much worse! We did have to wait a few extra days to get into our house due to some errors on the part of our lender, ahem...but it all worked out! We love our new home. We love our quiet neighborhood and kind neighbors. We love our school. As with all moves and transitions, it's not been an easy one for all of us: I think Ellie took it the hardest followed by me. Kids internalize things so much differently than we do, in fact, just when I think everything is on track, a conversation will happen with one of the kids and I realize just how much my children miss their friends and life in MD. Gradon even asks us when we get to go back to the 'blue house'. He remembers things too!<br />
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We have been attending a dance studio thirty minutes away that has been a bit of a disappointment. I had high hopes in the beginning, but so far it's not lived up to my expectations. We'll be trying a different one this summer for a program for Ellie and see how she likes it. We have also not had much luck finding a swim program for Sophia, which is annoying, she really loves it. I think we are also going to get her back into gymnastics. She has been taking tap this year and has been loving it! It really suits her energy. I'm really pleased she's been enjoying it. Ellie misses competitions...a lot. I've got to find something else for her, and another outlet for her to meet some friends. It's hard to come into a new school in third grade, the 'mean girl' attitude seems to already have found it's way into some of the girls at school and I can't believe how unkind nine year olds can be to each other. I think she's doing ok, but it's been a rough year.<br />
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Our ward is fine. There are a lot of great people in it, but so far we've yet to build any real friendships. LOTS of military, in all fields. Lots of doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, etc. Lots of kids, lots of young people. I feel like we are all in our own little pool trying to keep a float. It's a different ward, one unlike I've ever been in, but we're still new, and again, it takes about a year to transition, so I'm going to keep my chin up. Our ward hasn't been as welcoming as I would have hoped. I also have two callings, weird, but that's just how this ward works. Not a lot of people accept callings, so many of us have more than one.<br />
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Chris has been doing well this year, I can't believe how well he's navigated intern year. He's done really well taking care of us and finding time to spend with us. We've even had the chance to have some fun date nights...it's been good. Next year will be a different story entirely I think, but I'm hoping it won't be as bad as some people say.<br />
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In September we'll be welcoming on last little person to our family. Our little 'caboose'. I'm 18 weeks along this week, and I've held this pregnancy close to me this time and not shared the way I normally would due to a few factors, we miscarried when we first moved here last fall and it really affected me, and I'm a little overwhelmed by the idea of this fourth baby. Next year for Chris is going to be nuts, and I hope I can manage four all by myself. I don't have that community of good friends like I did in MD to help me out like I would have if we were there, which is hard. I know all will be well, I've felt for a while there was one last little person to join our family, I just was nervous to go forward with it. But I'm not getting any younger, so here we go! I'm getting more excited about the baby, we find out on the 15th the gender, and all three kids have strong opinions. Gradon wants a brother, Sophia wants a sister and Ellie changes her mind. She's overwhelmed too by it, she sighs and says 'I'm going to be a big sister to three, it's going to be so much work' toooo funny. She sees the time involved with all these little people.<br />
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As for other projects, I'm getting ready to start Gradon's baby book. Yes I know, I'm totally behind! But I think I need to get it done before the last baby comes! I've been going through pictures enjoying his growth over the last few years. He's such a sweet, charming, smart little man. My photography work is very slow. The market here is flooded and I just don't have the energy to fight to stand out. At least not right now. I offer a good product and I'm reasonably priced, but I have three kids and a busy husband and that's just my priority. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm meant to pursue this, sometimes I feel like no matter what I do I can't seem to make any headway, but I know I love it and hopefully at some point I'll be able to put more time and energy into the business.<br />
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So that's us right now. Growing our family and staying a float! Looking forward to what the next few months will bring.<br />
<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-63293553555037305502013-06-25T22:58:00.001-04:002013-06-25T22:59:30.168-04:00Hello SummerHello Summer, nice to see you. Hello blog, nice to see you again too. So, here's the Cochran update: We sold our house in <i><b>four days</b></i> back in May, right before Chris' graduation, the house went under contract the day before my parents came into town. We were very grateful it sold so quickly, we felt like it was a huge blessing to be in contract before the families came into town. The graduation ceremony was wonderful. We had a great big BBQ at our house with all of our friends. I still can't believe that my husband is a doctor, or that we are now starting residency! We had a great time with both my family and Chris' family. We are so glad they came to share this momentous occasion with us.<br />
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We closed on the house, on June 18th, packed it up, and now we are living with friends until our house closes. I am very grateful to these wonderful people who have opened their home to us. So far it's been pretty smooth sailing, I'm trying very hard to help around the house, cook, and keep our trash and noise to a minimum. My kids are loving playing with the boys who live here, and so far we are enjoying it. Sophia started swim team again, and she is doing so well! She has been shaving off time her two events, freestyle and backstroke every week! I am so impressed with her tenacity.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">summer time play in the backyard where we are staying. lovely, right?</span></div>
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The past few days I have been feeling very melancholy. I could NOT put my finger on why, sure my husband is living in another state while we wait for our house to be built, sure I'm homeless living on the hospitality of others with three children, we are leaving a good school and neighborhood that my kids love, we have been saying goodbye to dear friends, leaving our dance studio, and our ward, and the list goes on....<br />
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However, I couldn't put my finger on WHY I have been feeling so blue, until tonight. Tonight I picked up Ellie and her little friend Natalia from one of their dance classes. They have been dancing together for three years. Ellie and Talia are best friends. Talia's mother has become one of my best friends in the universe. I dropped off Talia and was driving back towards our old neighborhood, and then it hit me, <i><b>nothing is going to be the same. </b></i>I am still in this town, still taking my girls to dance, going through some of the regular motions of my life, but the entire dynamic of my world has changed and it's still changing. I feel like I am desperately trying to hold on so tightly to my old life, but that time is over. I have to start looking forward and thinking differently about where I fit in, about building a new life. My heart is a little broken and I am trying hard not to be too sad.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ellie and her dear dance friends.</span></div>
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So now I have a label for all my emotions and an explanation for all these difficult feelings. Hopefully now I can move forward and figure out how to have a fun meaningful summer. I want to enjoy our last bit of time here before we move to VA in August. I've decided I need to make a list of things I want to see (and photograph) before we go. I think that will help me close the chapter on our time here, and help me hold onto the good memories.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Our new house being built in Chesapeake, VA!! </span></div>
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*all photos taken with an iphone 4s or ipad*Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-69306420924748325522013-01-25T13:40:00.000-05:002013-01-25T13:41:38.179-05:00Valentine Mini Sessions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Offering some lovely mini sessions in February at the beautiful Love Life Images Studio in Savage Mill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Space is limited so book soon. Saturday, February 2nd!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-13347564080730935872013-01-21T21:05:00.002-05:002013-01-22T11:10:44.908-05:00JanuaryHello friends, it's been a while. It's mid January and again I have no idea how to play catch up with my life in blog land. So, I'll start with the news that is most pressing: Chris matched on December 13th. He matched Orthopedic Surgery in Portsmouth, Va. Even as I write that it's still a little unreal, 4 years in the making and lots of dreaming hoping and praying waiting for the results. We were a little shocked by the news, when we moved here the plan was to head west after med school for residency. Chris really wanted to go to San Diego and complete his residency with his brother who will be one year ahead of him in the ortho program. We talked about and looked forward to the time when we'd be closer to more of my family and enjoy California living. So when the day came for our big news Chris called me around 6:45 in the morning, the conversation went something like this:<br />
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<i>Chris: Hi Honey, I have my email with the match, what do you want to me to do, read it now or wait until I get home in a few hours and we can open it together? (pause from me) Me: open it now. So he read: "Orthopedic Surgery Portsmouth Virginia."</i><br />
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My heart at that moment leapt in happiness and also sank in sadness. I remember the tone of his voice, almost disbelief! He wanted Ortho so much, but he wanted to go to San Diego just as badly. I was in shock, and sad he didn't get exactly what he wanted. Unfortunately he was in a common room when he checked his email that morning so he didn't have the freedom to talk or (cry) as I thought he needed to, so he waited until he came home that morning to vent and talk.<br />
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Here we are a little over a month later, and I think he's happy: he got the specialty he wanted, and I am relieved to say the least that we have our path. In my heart I kind of knew that San Diego may not happen. These last few months when I would try and envision myself in San Diego things always got in the way, like it just wasn't clear, and I felt unsettled. I also knew that we couldn't stay here in Maryland- Chris felt like the program here would not be the best place for him, and so the great compromise is that we are moving again, but to Virginia. It's crazy. Heavenly Father is putting us where he wants us to be, and it's going to be a fun new adventure. We are starting to look for homes, and schools and gyms and dances studios and it's exciting but also scary. We know lots of people out in the area from our aviation days but I am so sad to leave our dear friends here. Luckily we are only about a 4 hour drive from Columbia and the temple so I feel we will be making a few trips back here, which makes my heart happy.<br />
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The kids are doing well. Ellie is probably taking the news the hardest, she is sad to leave her friends and our amazing dance studio. But we will find a good place for her. Our other big news over the holiday is that Ellie was baptized! What a wonderful sweet spiritual day we had together. Both sets of Grandparents came out for the event and it was truly one of the best days of my life! My sweet little Ellie was so excited to be baptized, and knew why she was making the decision, she wanted to be a member of Christ's church, and follow his example. She is my little light, I really love her.<br />
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Ellie and her Daddy. Such a wonderful day.</h4>
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Both sets of grandparents, my sweet Sister Anna, Andy, Teresa and their kids.</h4>
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Sophia wants to start swimming again, so we are looking into swim teams down in Virginia. She's enjoying school and is learning a ton. She is full of life and spunk. She is turning into quite the girl. She also loves her dance team and is enjoying her own routine.<br />
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Gradon is talking up a storm and still loves trains cars and anything with wheels. Me? I'm trying to wrap my mind around selling a house and being an east coaster for another 5 years. I'm working a lot and enjoying my calling at church. I've made some goals for my new year and so far things are going well. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself, and work smarter and not harder. I am trying to be more positive and accept myself in the 'now'.<br />
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We had a great holiday with lots of family in town. My sister also came out for the baptism and it was fun taking her to see lots of fun sites in the DC area. My kids loved having their grandparents here, we played lots of games and enjoyed their company. One of the days I worked Chris and Andy took the grandparents to the B&O railroad museum. Everyone had fun. They also visited Edgar Allen Poe's grave, but took no pictures. I was bummed to have missed out on that trip.<br />
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Gradon, Kalina, Ellie and Sophia at the B&O railroad museum.</h4>
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Sophia and Grandpa</h4>
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Christmas was great. My birthday was quiet this year, it was on a Sunday this year so we ate a nice dinner at home. I was able to finally make it to NYC with some friends a few days before my birthday, it was a fun trip!( I'll post some photos from that trip in another post) I hope I get to go back soon. New Year's Eve I had a fever and was in bed early. I usually crash like this at the end of the year, I just wear myself out! So no big party plans or fun things to report that night.<br />
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So, here we go, 5 months away from Chris' graduation and six months away from a move and the end of the school year. I'm very grateful for where we are headed. I've got a lot of work to do between now and then. I'm going to try not be overwhelmed and take one day at a time.<br />
<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-16214673362556654932012-11-15T09:42:00.000-05:002012-11-15T09:42:14.135-05:00It's NovemberHOW? How is it November? It's cold out there, and I am as usual way behind. My husband keeps checking his email for updates from my blaaahhhg. Sorry dear, they aren't there, I am swamped. I don't even know HOW to catch up. So let's start here and move forward with a few back story pictures maybe to fill in where we have been, where I have been...so here goes. Moving forward.<br />
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It's November and of course a month of thanks. I have such a full heart right now it's hard to put into words how grateful I am for my little life, for my sweet family, wonderful husband, incredible friends and my faith. We had a hurricane out here recently, Sandy? She did a lot of damage to dear people up in New Jersey and New York. The photos and reports were truly epic, and yet here we just got lots of rain and a couple of days home from school. I feel so blessed that we were protected during that crazy storm. The eye of the storm passed over Baltimore, just miles from us. Crazy I tell you, crazy. We have a safe dry, happy home filled with love. I am thankful.<br />
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Ellie is doing so well again this year. She loves her 2nd grade class, and is dancing three nights a week and an occasional acro class on Saturday mornings. She just can't get enough dance. This weekend I am taking her to the <a href="http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=BNBSC">the ballet</a> with some of our bestest friends. We will be watching Romeo and Juliet by the San Francisco Ballet. I can't wait. I am seriously giddy. She is turning eight in a week. I can't believe it! I asked her what she wanted this year, if she wanted a party or to go to the ballet and she picked the ballet. She is growing up. I am amazed at her sweetness and depth. I love her to pieces. I'm planning a fun photo shoot for her, eight is great and must be captured accordingly!<br />
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Sophia. She is my tenacious unconquerable kindergartner. She really loves school and is learning so much. My second child has never really enjoyed lesson time with me, and I was a bit worried about her starting school without a lot of reading skills, but she has grown so much in the past few months, and is doing so well. I'm quite pleased. She is dancing and competing on the little Petite Team this year and just got her first costume, it's so pretty! And it's blue. Sophia is thrilled about that. My girl is coming into herself well. I do adore her little self.<br />
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Gradon. Oh my what a boy he is. I love being his mom. He is such a mamma's boy. He loves loves loves trains and cars. He loves to throw clean laundry and dirty laundry all over my bedroom floor and use laundry baskets as cars. It's wonderful. He loves to play outside and read books. He insists on giving hugs and kisses to anyone who comes and goes to and from our home, he's very sweet and affectionate. Lately he has been joining me in the early morning trek to the bus stop to drop off the girls for school. He is fascinated with the number of cars that pass by on our street, and thinks the bus is pretty awesome.<br />
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As for Chris, our fearless doctor-to-be, he's trudging through the last months of school. We find out in less than a month where we will be headed for residency. It's hard to believe we are at that point, I feel like it was just yesterday I was talking to my sister in law (who's husband just graduated and moved to San Diego) about how long medical school felt to me....and now it's almost over. I am not sure where we will be, but chances are it won't be here, which has brought me a lot of sadness. Who would have thought I'd love it this much? That I'd call Maryland home. It's hard to think about leaving, so honestly I push it far away from my everyday thoughts. We have a good life here, but I have to believe that we will go where we need to be...<br />
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Me? I'm busy being a wife, mother, teacher, primary president, and photographer. It's a busy life. I feel like I need to slow down, and am working on getting rid of stuff that causes me stress. =) I feel very blessed to be where I am, to be learning and trying to be better, and aware of the blessings around me. The holidays are here, I hope to enjoy them fully with my family and friends. Here are a few pictures of the kids taken on a lovely afternoon in October:<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-37250964393238255432012-07-06T15:17:00.002-04:002012-07-06T15:17:30.294-04:00Hello Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">So my blog has officially turned into a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>blahggg</b></i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span> Boring-- lifeless -pathetic. I embrace this and assure my three loyal readers that we have been super busy. Really busy. I have things to write about and pictures to post and yet there are piles around me that demand my attention. Here is a small snippet of our summer so far. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Summer is here and I don't feel that deep *sigh* I have been yearning for...maybe because we are doing this: </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGlPFZNCQ48/T_ctKLloVgI/AAAAAAAACL0/YrwJfJSdKYM/s1600/sophia1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGlPFZNCQ48/T_ctKLloVgI/AAAAAAAACL0/YrwJfJSdKYM/s640/sophia1.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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Swim Team. 6 days a week.</div>
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Last year our neighbors begged us to join. I was skeptical and didn't want my mornings and summer occupied and scheduled. I was wise to postpone swim team. It has totally taken over my life! I have to say that Sophia's swimming has improved so much! She loves going to practice every morning and loves her team. Saturday mornings we are up early to make it to meets at 7am. My baby doesn't get up until 8, so this is a challenge for us all, especially me! But it's been super for us, and great for Sophia.</div>
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Back in May we took a fun trip to Baltimore for Chris' birthday. We had a fabulous dinner at Roy's Hawaiian. On his birthday I put together an incredibly fun luau surprise birthday for him, <i>and then I took no pictures of the party. </i>I think I took one photo with my phone, or maybe two. It was one of the craziest things I have done in a long time, and it was so fun. He was so surprised. The food was amazing, roasted kahlua pig, fresh fruit, huli huli chicken, rice, coconut cake, a mango and pineapple mocktail, and fun decor including grass skirts and leis. Chris' brother's family was in on the surprise great night, totally worth the energy.</div>
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We also enjoyed a trip to Baltimore as a family for the Star Spangled "Sailabration", the 200 year anniversary of the war of 1812, and the composition of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. It was one of the best times I have had in Baltimore, exploring tall ships, walking along the waterfront, enjoying glimpses of the Blue Angels screaming across the sky. I miss the sound of jets. =) I love that we live in an area where there is so much rich history. I didn't realize how much Baltimore was a part of the events of the Revolution. Fort McHenry is right here! It was where Francis Scott Key wrote our nation's anthem. I feel so grateful to be able to visit these incredible sites that are a part of our nation's past. </div>
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Chris is busy learning about Orthopedic surgery. Right now he is in Viriginia, enjoying the work at Portsmouth. The Ortho team is small and this has become very appealing to Chris, and the people there are very good to work for, I keep telling him to like Bethesda more. =) Next month he will be in San Diego which is where I think he really wants to be, his brother Grant is in the program there and is very happy. </div>
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Last week for the 4th of July we joined him in Virginia and enjoyed a brief trip to Virigina Beach. It was a great time, my favorite part being the fireworks display at night on the 4th. My kids loved the beach. I love the 4th, one of my favorite holidays for sure!!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I've been doing more with my photography business, enjoying a few sessions here and there, and I may even have the chance to do a wedding or two in September! Totally fun. I have lots of ideas and thoughts about that, but I'll save those for a later post. </span></div>
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I had the honor of photographing my friend Susan and her business partner Adrianna for their blog. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzv4unppsto/T_c2ituJRpI/AAAAAAAACN8/JHdPX1-mlwA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzv4unppsto/T_c2ituJRpI/AAAAAAAACN8/JHdPX1-mlwA/s640/1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">S& A are amazing craft-y women whose blog inspires crafters everywhere to use their precious quiet hours of the day working on fun projects like these:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/2012/05/skirt-weekish-2012-kick-off.html">http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/2012/05/skirt-weekish-2012-kick-off.html</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">It was a super fun session, and I loved hanging out with them. Adrianna lives in Thailand (!) she was here briefly for a special visit. Being able to be a part of their precious fun time was a treat for me.</span></div>
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Check them out, they are crazy talented- <a href="http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/">http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/</a>.</div>
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That's all for now friends, more summer-y blog posts to come. </div>
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<br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-90454501790258319852012-05-13T17:04:00.001-04:002012-05-13T17:05:27.626-04:00TodayIs for mothers. Happy Mother's Day to my dear mother, who raised me with high expectations and strong values. Who sought the very best education for me, and persevered to help all of her children achieve their potential. I admire my mother for her strength of character and her knowledge of right. My mother is the queen of art and culture, she taught me to revere beautiful things and to seek after them. She is a cultivator and nurturer. My mother is unwavering, kind, loving, talented, silly, funny and wonderful. There is no one like her in the world. I'm so glad she's mine. Happy Mother's Day Mom, you are simply fabulous. I love you!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-83855222359915567112012-05-04T12:00:00.001-04:002012-05-04T12:00:20.551-04:00May Musings<div style="text-align: center;">
It's May and we've been a busy crowd here. I have been so busy lately my head is swimming. We have 24 something days left of school left. What????! I don't understand that. Ellie has her last dance competition for the season this weekend in Chesapeake Beach. Sophia's last month of preschool is counting down. The girls have their dance recital the second weekend of June. Chris is in the thick of surgery rotations. I think we have both discovered the inevitable, he is going to be a surgeon. He really is. I think this is very wonderful and exciting and terrifying! My expectations for medical school have been fulfilled in a way, its been a whirlwind of intensity for us, I knew it would be hard, but I didn't know how fast it would fly by, I didn't realize just how quickly we would need to start thinking about the next step. Can I just say I am so PROUD of my husband. I know we aren't supposed to say that we are proud, but I am. I don't know if you know our story and why we are doing this so late in life, but if you knew our story you would be proud of him too. We have a little while before we know for sure what we will be doing in the medical world, but I am pretty positive this is the path we will be taking. </div>
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I have an exciting announcement. I created my photography webpage this week. It's pretty. It's simple. I am really excited about it. Its a little pebble that I have thrown into the huge ocean of photographers in the world, but I am pleased with it and pleased with where I am headed. I must say that learning the 'business' side of this is enough to discourage anyone...especially someone like me who just wants to take pretty pictures for people. I've got to be smart and practical as well. If you have a minute check it out. </div>
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<a href="http://maggiecochranphotography.com/">http://maggiecochranphotography.com/</a></div>
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Here a couple of pictures we took at Brookside Gardens when my parents were here. I love that place. I think every time I discover something else that is a treasure.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygdlP64LeQU/T6P72hLwKsI/AAAAAAAACG0/h7ARcY_Pvlk/s1600/My+Girls!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygdlP64LeQU/T6P72hLwKsI/AAAAAAAACG0/h7ARcY_Pvlk/s640/My+Girls!.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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My Dad had a birthday yesterday. I love my dad. He is the greatest. Happy Birthday Dad! We sent him a little treat to his work. I know he loves his birthday.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-13515717955245452242012-04-27T21:26:00.003-04:002012-04-27T21:27:11.565-04:00Baby Girl SessionSeveral weeks ago I photographed this precious little newborn. This baby was a dream. Such a dream. I had a great time. She was so tiny and new and sleepy. She snuggled right up in any blanket we put her in and did her job well. Thanks Tara and Dan for letting me photograph this little sweet girl.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-8418804910460625682012-04-20T14:11:00.000-04:002012-04-20T14:12:19.104-04:00Outer Banks For a long time I have seen pictures and heard about this amazing magical place called the Outer Banks. Once we moved here to Maryland I knew that we had to try to get there for a trip before we moved away. Last year I started scheming on how I was going to get there, and finally a situation presented itself, my parents were coming for a spring visit and I talked them into joining us for the trip. With Chris' schedule being so crazy and him really unable to take time off to travel with us, it was a great idea. The six hour drive back and forth would have been painful without them, and it was great to have them along to share the experience.<br />
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We headed down for spring break, and we were only there for three days. Looking back on it now, one more day would have been really nice, driving back so soon was kind of torture. My kids cried when they got in the van, 'can't we just stay one more day'? I wish we could. Our full beach day there, day two was heaven. The weather could not have been better, light breeze, warm, sunny in the afternoon, perfect. My girls and little boy had a blast. Ellie is my shell seeker. She spends her time searching for beautiful treasures. Sophia is my socialite, making new friends and planning adventures. Gradon, was my little satellite, roaming just so far away so that he could see me, and then run back for a hug. Grandpa snoozed and read the paper. Grandma popped in for a visit later in the afternoon. *sigh* I sat and watched and walked the beach a little. It was amazing. </div>
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We arrived early evening on Tuesday. We went right to the beach. The next morning we had a lovely breakfast and headed out again!</div>
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In the later part of the afternoon my kids headed to the indoor pool with the grandparents and I took the baby up for a nap. Our first evening we ate at this fantastic local eatery: <a href="http://thekilldevilgrill.com/">The Kill Devil Grill</a> where we ate the best crab cakes of our lives. Really. The best. We all agreed. We liked it so much we went back for lunch before we left. Everything was tasty on their menu, and their service was great. If you are ever in Outer Banks, you must try it! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ellie leaping in the afternoon sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> The morning we left the hotel was sooo cold and stormy. The kids begged to go down to the beach one last time. </span></div>
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On our way out of town, we stopped at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm">Wright Brother's National Park</a>. Now, you know our family, we are an aviation family, so we had to stop for a visit. I didn't realize just how much the story of Orville and Wilbur would impact me. These men were in love with the dream of flying. They were determined and committed to their dream. The Wright Brothers were originally from Ohio, and traveled to the Outer Banks because of the weather and empty beaches.One of the stories that I liked the most about the Wright Brothers was their commitment to their family and religious values. The day before their successful flight was a picture perfect day for flying, the weather conditions were perfect! But it was a Sunday. They promised their father they would never fly on a Sunday. So they didn't fly. The next day Monday December 17, 1903 was not a beautiful day. It was windy and colder, but still a day to attempt their flight. They were successful that day, and that made an impression on me.<br />
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We had a wonderful trip! There is something ridiculously calming about the ocean and the beach. I hope we can get back to the beaches of North Carolina again. I don't know that we will, but my kids had an amazing time. It was wonderful to share these moments with my parents.<br />
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<br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-48152941186961387382012-04-02T18:51:00.002-04:002012-04-02T18:51:49.865-04:00Getting so bigI am finally getting caught up with some of the posts on my blog, and I must mention my little boy who is now 20 months old. I can't believe this summer I will have a two year old. Actually already he is turning into a fabulous two year old. His favorite word is 'NO'. He is very emphatic about voicing his opinion about everything. He is still particular about who he prefers, (me mostly) but he loves his daddy and sisters too. Still in a constant state of motion, he runs everywhere he goes. I have tried my best to get some decent pictures of him but mostly what I see is this:<br />
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He has discovered throwing and hitting and pushing and jumping, and besides his shoe and hat fetish, he is pretty much all boy. He loves to play outside and I can tell this spring and summer we will be enjoying a lot of time out there together. I love this little man. I love that he climbs on my lap with a book and turns on my radio to rock it out. He is such a funny little man.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-59363453119412245052012-04-02T09:45:00.002-04:002012-04-02T09:46:08.788-04:00Cherry Blossoms in DCWe've had an usually warm and early spring. I am sure you are having the same experience this year. I kind of wanted a little more winter, even a snow storm, but I am happy that spring is here, and the blossoms are amazing. I have had more daffodils then ever this year in my yard every day new ones bloomed. I loved driving around everyday looking for new trees that had opened. It seemed like this year it was a bit of an explosion, one two, then everything was blooming.<br />
At the end of March a few of my favorite friends and I drove down to DC to the Tidal Basin to enjoy the early cherry blossoms. It was a very cool overcast morning. We struggled to find parking but finally found a great spot. We walked around for a while and then enjoyed a picnic on the grass. All of our kids had fun. Sophia did NOT want me to take her picture at all, but luckily I convinced her to take a few. It was a lovely day. I love this time of year.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-55745317413224228852012-04-02T09:27:00.003-04:002012-04-02T09:27:55.171-04:00Half Marathon Take 2March 17th was my most recent race, the USA Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I was really excited about this race when I signed up for it, and then winter happened and my training got all messed up. I had been so sick this winter. I was constantly fighting illnesses. Luckily, I had just ran a 1/2 back in November, so I wasn't starting from scratch, I just wasn't able to work on my speed as much as I would have liked, and I was, at the end, behind on my long runs. I would have liked to have one more week under my belt, but that's the way it goes.<br />
I was so excited the night before the race I couldn't sleep. I was exhausted, but my mind was going crazy. I was talking to my friend who ran the full marathon that day and he said that is typical for runners. Race day was a beautiful day, clear sunny, and a bit cold. 36,000 runners turned out that day for the race. I was doing pretty well on my over all time, in fact, until mile 11 I was set to beat my current race time, but I hit a wall and I lost a lot of time over the next two miles. I think this was due to my lack of training this time. I finished strong, but I finished slightly behind my 2:30 time. I wasn't disappointed, I was happy I finished and realized more than ever that no matter what, I can accomplish something I put my mind to, even with being so sick all winter. My friend Jodie also ran the half, she was a friend of mine from Naples. It was fun to meet up with her after the race and re connect. Chris and the kids were there to support me and cheer me on. It's a pretty amazing feeling to greet your family after a long race. My girls are pretty awesome and think it's amazing that I run so far in these races.<br />
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I think after my two experiences I like the smaller races better, they aren't so crowded. I am thinking more about a full marathon soon. I never said I would do it, but I am feeling like I should...I think. =) I am taking a break right now from training and enjoying spring with the family. I am not worried about my workouts and the next race. I think that will change soon, but right now I am enjoying some down time and no stress about thinking about training. Tomorrow we are heading to North Carolina and the Outer Banks. I am so excited!! I have been wanting to take a trip here for a while now. My folks are going with the kids and I, should be a great trip.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-81334684987729719152012-03-13T16:52:00.001-04:002012-03-13T16:53:47.666-04:00March Birthday Girls<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know March is almost halfway over? I know because my little Sophia turned five yesterday. FIVE! What is going on??! She is totally five, and so amazing. I can't believe how grown up and funny she is, and so sweet and sensitive and so intuitive and aware. We have lots of fun together. I must tell you about the surprise birthday party that my <a href="http://kitchenballerina.blogspot.com/">oh so amazing friend</a> and I threw for our girls. Thursday afternoon my oh so amazing friend calls me up on the phone and asks me, 'what are your plans for Sophia's birthday?' I basically told her we had nothing planned, no party, just cake and ice cream with family on Monday. We began talking and finally concocted the most brilliant plan, a joint birthday party to be held in 36 hours. And so it began, crazy planning for a 4 year old and 5 year old to be's birthday. It was so fun. We came up with a fun and sweet rainbow theme. The girl's loved it, and also, it was a surprise for the girls. Sophia was so surprised. Do you see her coming up the hill with her polka dot coat?</div>
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So surprised!</div>
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Hunting for magical rainbow gems.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ksqKjWcM4gQ/T1-u1RVFywI/AAAAAAAAB9A/OuaTNMUBAGY/s1600/Sophia+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ksqKjWcM4gQ/T1-u1RVFywI/AAAAAAAAB9A/OuaTNMUBAGY/s400/Sophia+cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Cupcake time! Do you see our little friend next to Sophia? She was the other birthday girl. We love her. =)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04YlKv_zsLg/T1-uOtQ6-AI/AAAAAAAAB84/fEtB35R6R-M/s1600/MEC+Sophia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04YlKv_zsLg/T1-uOtQ6-AI/AAAAAAAAB84/fEtB35R6R-M/s400/MEC+Sophia.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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We make these crazy cute rainbow cupcakes, painted rainbow manicures for the girls, had a gem treasure hunt, awesome goody bags, and other good things. I was pleased with our efforts for putting it together in 36 hours. She came home after the party and hopped on her scooter and brought the balloons along on top of her handle bars. Crazy funny.</div>
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Monday her birthday day, we had a busy day. I was the co op parent at preschool, and we had a fun time learning about dinosaur fossils. We took a special treat to her school, ice cream sandwiches- which Sophia loved sharing with everyone, all the parents, anyone we saw after school... I think we fed 30 people ice cream sandwiches. I love her giving heart. Monday night she requested lasagna for dinner, and I made this crazy blue swirly cake a spin on an idea found on Pinterest. It reminded Chris and I of Van Gogh's Starry Night, and so it was named. It was pretty, the swirls almost looked like glass. I hated to cut it! =)</div>
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Great weekend of birthday celebrations. Here are some of birthday pictures I took of Sophia. As usual she wouldn't let me take very many, she was in a big hurry to play outside. What a silly girl. "Love that pirate smile."<br />
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Next up, my half marathon on the 17th, and Chris starts his surgery rotation at the end of the month. Ellie has another dance competition coming up and my parents are coming out for a visit. We have some excellent plans in the works. We are going to visit DC and Baltimore and something I have been dying for: we are going take a beach trip to the Outer Banks in NC for Spring Break. I can't wait. Lots of great stuff coming around the corner...</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-57861441328863486782012-03-08T08:44:00.001-05:002012-03-08T08:44:27.138-05:00I Heart Faces Entry: Beautiful B&W<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my first ever entry to <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2012/03/photo-challenge-march/">i heart faces</a>. I love getting great ideas and tips from their website. This image was taken about three weeks ago at a newborn session. We got this great photo at then end of the session when he finally dozed off to sleep.</div>
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Three weeks ago I photographed this little darling. He was just seven days old at the time of the session. You never know what is going to happen when you walk in the door of a photo shoot, especially with babies. I was surprised that he didn't sleep for me very much, only about 10 minutes at the end of our time together. It wasn't a big deal, he just laid quietly for me and looked around. He is probably the most alert little newborn I have ever seen. He was so sweet and we got some good stuff. Big sister made a brief appearance just long enough for me to catch her sweet little hand in one shot. Precious.</div>
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<br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-7389728043802673102012-02-16T14:14:00.000-05:002012-02-16T14:14:18.990-05:00Sweet Session<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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I had a great time at my most recent session last week. My little friend just turned 4, and her mom wanted images to celebrate this milestone. This little girl was so easy to photograph, she was calm, and fun and willing try anything I asked! At the end her mom pulled out a cute purple parasol and we got some really fun images. Totally fun session that went by way too fast.</div>
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<img height="64px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2DnMTQVjnM/Tz1VEB0KujI/AAAAAAAAB7c/cAJ-b54nAsU/s400/MVP24-webbw.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 638px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 260px; visibility: hidden;" width="96px" />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-72886286725244114652012-02-16T08:48:00.001-05:002012-02-16T08:48:51.142-05:00Love Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Valentine's Day. Such a wonderful day! Even when I was single I loved Valentine's Day. Tuesday was awesome. I woke up, dropped Sophia off with our friend to go to dance, had a fantastic work out (I hadn't been to the gym in a few days due to ANOTHER bout of strep throat), went to the grocery store, the dollar store, and Wal-Mart. Sophia and I made a fun lunch together after dance class. I prepped one of our favorite meals: lasagna for dinner. When Ellie came home from school we made a fun candy card for Daddy, made his favorite cherry chocolate cake (his mom's recipe) and looked forward to his arrival home. Ellie also had dance that night and she loved making a card for her dance teacher. Both the girls had parties at school, and brought home a bounty of cards and sweets. The girls got treats and balloons and all kinds of goodness from Chris and I. </div>
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Fun day. I have a new <a href="http://success.adobe.com/en/na/sem/products/lightroom.html?kw=p&sdid=ESDNI&skwcid=TC|22181|lightroom||S|e|11274985942">present</a> that Chris gave me, it's pretty awesome. It's gonna make editing photos so much faster and better. Now if I can just convince him to get me a new camera... ;). </div>
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We had a great day. Hope you did too!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_p-B8RvFnI/Tz0Fb5k6t2I/AAAAAAAAB6M/kFfe9PFIi04/s1600/Gradonvday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_p-B8RvFnI/Tz0Fb5k6t2I/AAAAAAAAB6M/kFfe9PFIi04/s400/Gradonvday.jpg" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-53583794043188375972012-02-14T08:24:00.002-05:002012-02-14T08:26:35.804-05:00February<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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I love February! Love it. Hope you are enjoying your winter. We are enjoying lots of warm temperatures and no snow. Last week we thought we were getting a storm and well this is what we got. Total bummer. I am still hoping for one storm and a snow day before March. I just don't know if we are going to get it.<br />
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Onto the goods. Gradon is 18 months. How? I don't even know. I do know that he is tearing up my house and is into EVERYTHING. I thought I had a lot of work to do around here, he has totally been rocking the boy role in our home. I love him to bits. He is the funniest little boy. His favorite words are 'GO" (very loudly), cracker, shoes, MAMA (also very loudly) and Boom. Hilarious. He loves shoes, books, animals and music. He loves to READ! I sit down on the floor, and he backs his little self up onto my lap and expects lots of books. I love this right now. *so much* He also loves to hit and throw things. He thinks hitting is hilarious. We do NOT. We are working on that. His new nickname is 'Turbo', simply because that boy does not walk, he runs everywhere he goes. He is also ridiculously friendly. He says 'Hello' to everyone. Everyone. And has no idea what personal space is, he wants everyone's attention. Cute, cute boy.<br />
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Also, I have been shooting a lot! I had an incredible session this week at one of my favorite places with a new client. It was a dream. I will post some of those soon.</div>
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With all of this wonderful weather we have been having we had the chance to go on a afternoon outing with some of our favorite people to the Horse Center here in town. What a great place! I must go back. Sophia was in love, and so was the boy. He wanted to climb into the stalls with the horses several times. It was a good day.<br />
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Things are going well around here. I have about 6 weeks to my next race, another half marathon, this one in DC. Chris is finally finished with his OB/GYN rotation, one of the worst in my mind to this point except internal medicine. He has psychology next, which should be pretty low key, and after, probably the busiest one to come, with the worst hours, surgery. (Which by the way is something he is really interested in) so on we go.</div>
This summer begins his optional rotations and we will really narrow down his specialty and make some big decisions.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-64487027501066258562012-01-22T22:45:00.002-05:002012-01-23T00:30:32.638-05:00Hello Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We finally got some snow late Friday night. The girls woke up and immediately put on their gear and headed outside. I had to beg them for this picture, they were too busy throwing snowballs, sledding down our neighbor's hill and enjoying the winter outside.</div>
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Gradon loved it too. Really. He did not want to come inside. He was fascinated by the cold white ground. He did not like it when his mittens fell off! He wandered all over the yard pointing and talking and giggling. It was great.</div>
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I do like winter. I like it for the snow days and pretty moments like this. I think my body and mind need the change of seasons, it helps me to really appreciate spring. I like the change of landscape. I love how the kids crave the snow and the magic of discovering a snowfall the night before. Once March rolls around I am ready for blossoms, bulbs and breezes. But, I'll take a few snow days until then. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0KgpE_M9WI/TxzUB9dnB3I/AAAAAAAAB5A/IQu_1go_Edg/s1600/hydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425px" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0KgpE_M9WI/TxzUB9dnB3I/AAAAAAAAB5A/IQu_1go_Edg/s640/hydrangea.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-478359202321782582012-01-22T22:38:00.002-05:002012-01-23T00:30:55.499-05:00Bumble Bee and a Day with 1st Grade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ellie was one of five students in her 1st grade class to qualify for this year's 'Bumble Bee' spelling competition. There were 20 students total, 5 from each class. I was so excited for her! I was so happy I got to watch her, all the the children did a great job, what great practice for them when they compete in the real spelling bee! She did very well and made it to the top four spellers. The word she missed was 'important'. It was by far one of the hardest words of the morning, three syllables, there were only two words as hard the rest of the day. Ellie was disappointed she missed it, but it was a great experience. She got a special certificate, and one of her friends from her class was the winner. She did a great job, I was so proud of her!</div>
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This month we also went on a special field trip to the <a href="http://www.mdsci.org/">Baltimore Science Center</a>, one of our favorite places! Ellie has been studying the planets and the solar system in her class, and it was a treat to go to the planetarium and learn about different stars, planets and aspects of the universe together. We got to watch a special interactive show that helped us see where the different stars and planets sit in the sky. It was really fun and interesting. I studied astronomy one semester in college, and it was fun to review with Ellie some things I learned long ago. I think one of my favorite solar systems is still Orion, the Hunter. I love Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, which is part of the constellation Canis Major, one of Orion's two hunting dogs. Ellie liked the queen on her throne, Cassiopeia. </div>
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We had a great visit! I love being able to go with her on these little trips. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltnrXJLF_y8/TxzNso4K3dI/AAAAAAAAB4o/RuyM7TGVG9M/s1600/ellie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" nfa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltnrXJLF_y8/TxzNso4K3dI/AAAAAAAAB4o/RuyM7TGVG9M/s400/ellie.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-4009435745077466772012-01-12T09:17:00.001-05:002012-01-12T09:18:40.136-05:00Hi<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like I need to start over. It's barely the middle of January and I feel a bit defeated. Last Sunday night I came down with the most intense and virulent stomach flu I have ever had. </div>
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It was terrible. Chris, E and G all had a few symptoms but I for some reason it hit me the hardest. We thought Sophia would not come down with it, but sure enough she did, yesterday, almost as bad as I had it. We are taking it slow today.</div>
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Tuesday night something really sad and hurtful happened to me. It has taken me almost two days to get over it, and I am still not OVER it but I am better. I keep trying to believe inside my head that whoever it was that did this thing to me may be a good person- but mostly I am just angry.</div>
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I honestly feel like I have been blind sided. Is this the tone for my new year? I hope not. I have more plans for this year including another race in 10 weeks. I haven't been able to train consistently this month. That freaks me out. My body is not going to like running 5 miles this Saturday. I just have to do the best I can with what I've got, right? Move ahead? Move forward. I feel like catching a plane and flying somewhere beautiful and warm. Like this place:</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Capri, Italy with Chris, June 2009. If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, or to Capri, you need to go. It will change your life*</span></div>
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I have to say that my friends have been amazingly supportive while this has been going on. They have been calling and checking in, they have dropped off juice, gatorade, crackers, chocolate and even flowers.I know that I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends. I know I will get through this rough patch. I just can't take another illness.
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I did realize last night that this past winter/sickness/craziness I haven't been taking enough photos and videos of the kids especially Gradon. Here is G being his cute self. He is such a funny boy. We love him.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-12584879467142013112012-01-04T11:18:00.001-05:002012-01-04T11:39:32.174-05:00Happy New Year!Only a couple days late! We are on day four of the new year and we still aren't fully functional. Christmas is put away, and the house is back to normal, but I guess I feel a little cheated with my Christmas break this year, being sick for most of it and only getting Ellie home for one week wasn't enough! Today she is home with strep, ugly stuff, but I think I am grateful for the slower pace this week and the fact that I have her home with me until tomorrow. Did you know that it was 14 degrees this morning? Brrr. So glad I didn't have to walk Ellie to the bus! =) If it is that cold we really should at least have some snow! Speaking of snow, we did have some flurries yesterday. I have a cute story about Sophia- on Monday she brought home a wishing lantern that she made at preschool. On the side was a wish written down, her wish? 'I wish for snow'- how cute is that! Tuesday we had snow flurries in the morning and it made my heart really happy. Now if we could get some to stick on the ground it would really be thrilling!<br />
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So, goals, we always talk about goals for the new year, right? Well our family has some good ones and I have a few too. My first is coming up in March, <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/usa/usa-splash">another half marathon.</a> I really loved my last race, and want to do two this year, and keep my training up, and improve my time. We also want to get to the temple EVERY month. We realized with our busy schedules that we aren't going to be able to go together every month, but one of us needs to be in the temple, so we are going to do our best to get there, one of us, every month. The kids have goals too, simple things about their behavior and attitudes. I have got to get Sophia reading before Kindergarten, Ellie was so prepared for school and I want to make sure Sophia is ready too.<br />
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This year has amazing potential. I look forward and I am nervous about the future, but I know it is all in Heavenly Father's hands. I have already started preparing myself mentally for change, for the possibility of a move in a year, it is going to be hard on me but I know if it is the right thing for our family then it is what we need to do. Living here I have felt more stability and happiness than I have felt in a long time. Life is easy here, we have amazing friends, fantastic schools for the kids, a wonderful neighborhood, a fantastic ward family, and so many more wonderful things. It would be hard to leave, but that is part of life sometimes.<br />
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So, here my little Gradon, he is getting so big! He is a really funny little boy. He is learning and doing so much, he wants to be part of whatever is going on, and has the cutest smile and personality. The girls and I have been playing a lot of games lately to pass the time while Ellie is home. One of the games they love to play is Bananagrams, a fun word game like scrabble. Gradon likes to play too, by taking everyone's tiles and putting them back in the little banana bag. Happy New Year Everyone!<br />
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It was two bunches of lovely flowers, tulips and lilies, a great spin class in the morning followed by brunch cooked by the hubby, a surprise play-date for my kids by my awesome visiting teacher, a relaxing pedicure, dinner at one of my favorite places, dessert, and a great movie date. </div>
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The hubby gave me one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Wireless-GPS-Enabled-Monitor/dp/B0011UNMIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325352984&sr=8-1">these</a>, for all my running and training. So awesome! It was a wonderful day. </div>
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I got lots of texts and calls and felt very loved. This next year is going to be another great year full of opportunities, I can feel it!<br />
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I hope you and yours have a Happy New Year!<br />
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</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983949770267058740.post-76498718138283936232011-12-29T14:47:00.002-05:002011-12-29T23:51:45.958-05:00Christmas Wrap Up<div style="text-align: center;">
The annual Christmas Eve "Feastival" was delicious again this year. We really enjoy Andy and Teresa's tradition of choosing the menu on Christmas Eve based on family favorites. This year's menu included: pigs in a blanket (Kalina's choice) hot wings, (Andy's), crazy jello salad and cookie salad (Teresa's choice), marinated flank steak (Ellie's), mashed potatoes, (Sophia's), caramel brownies (Chris) and pizzetti, a Neapolitan tradition around Christmas time (which are fried mini pizzas) with home made dough, sauce and fresh mozzerella as my pick. Andy and Teresa invited another family over for dinner and they brought perogie's and cheese pizza. Round everything out with a veggie tray and lots of crackers and cheese and we were heartily stuffed. I didn't take any photos of the food again this year. I think we are all too distracted eating and talking for me to pick up my camera.</div>
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After the meal we enjoyed some Christmas carol singing, talents by the cousins, and Andy talking to the kids about the first Christmas. Kids unwrapped their new pajamas and it was time to head home for bed. Great night!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn7wUxA4Re4/Tv1Au-UJ-cI/AAAAAAAAB1A/9mfOeTx8yJk/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn7wUxA4Re4/Tv1Au-UJ-cI/AAAAAAAAB1A/9mfOeTx8yJk/s640/tree.jpg" width="425px" /></a></div>
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Christmas Day was lovely- I really enjoy having Christmas fall on Sunday, we got up, opened stockings, ate a yummy breakfast and got ready for church. The sacrament service was lovely and inspiring, and then after one hour, we were back in the car headed home to finish presents. Gradon slept all morning so he didn't experience Christmas until after church. He wasn't too concerned with all of it anyway. The girls helped him open his presents. He got a new scoot bike from Santa which he hopped on for a few minutes. Ellie's favorites of the morning were her new roller-blades and her new sleeping beauty doll. Sophia's favorite gift was her complete Jessie the Cowgirl dress-up set, complete with hat and sparkly red boots. She did ask me why Santa didn't bring her the 'donkey' and a rope too, I said that Santa thought the 'donkey' and rope weren't good choices this year for gifts. <i>(Lol)</i> As always Santa was very generous with Mrs. Claus this year. I am a lucky girl. I love my new camera bag.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqsQCFYrAYI/Tv1AoD5G7lI/AAAAAAAAB00/G2Ov72vl7ts/s1600/Kids2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqsQCFYrAYI/Tv1AoD5G7lI/AAAAAAAAB00/G2Ov72vl7ts/s640/Kids2.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>
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Wednesday night we made it to the temple to see the lights. The kids loved it, and were so excited to see all the colors and the nativities from around the world and the decorated trees. I enjoyed taking pictures of bokeh lights-lots and lots of bokeh. =) I will spare you all of the pictures I took, but here are a few of my favorites.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYXfQIGp9n4/Tv1BMVmXOSI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/y8BUFhvMRXU/s1600/temple+bokeh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYXfQIGp9n4/Tv1BMVmXOSI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/y8BUFhvMRXU/s400/temple+bokeh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The kids have been asking for snow everyday this month. Sophia asked me today if it was going to snow this year, I told her probably not. Well, it is December 29th and outside my window there are little tiny flakes falling. She is so excited. It's been a great holiday. I am gearing up for a big birthday tomorrow and a relaxed New Year. I am excited about what the year will bring.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560207843286232192noreply@blogger.com0