tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14373053519129498692024-03-12T19:19:30.510-07:00Tattooed MamaloguesMegan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-82134334304492569822011-12-11T22:13:00.001-08:002011-12-11T22:16:51.358-08:00Getting back into the gameI have not posted much of anything for a long while. Before I post something more intense I'll go ahead and post some recent iPhone pics. <br />
Let's see, random days of beautiful weather, fixing up the Christmas tree, gave the baby girl a haircut, oh and made the deans list at school. <br />
Stay tuned for a regular blog soon. Promise! <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HGzGzw_fAYs/TuWcTVWJiLI/AAAAAAAABho/5dQW5DoNpiE/s640/blogger-image--1609229027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HGzGzw_fAYs/TuWcTVWJiLI/AAAAAAAABho/5dQW5DoNpiE/s640/blogger-image--1609229027.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L3YRuXJuAPI/TuWcTsDC7vI/AAAAAAAABhs/u7vjAj4Zuvw/s640/blogger-image-1123809483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L3YRuXJuAPI/TuWcTsDC7vI/AAAAAAAABhs/u7vjAj4Zuvw/s640/blogger-image-1123809483.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UAlw1eS48_g/TuWcTrzeqeI/AAAAAAAABh4/FaLlGHrY5zo/s640/blogger-image--1594599575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UAlw1eS48_g/TuWcTrzeqeI/AAAAAAAABh4/FaLlGHrY5zo/s640/blogger-image--1594599575.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8XJsXZ1mubs/TuWcT9fLoCI/AAAAAAAABiA/Wtu0wDevm5g/s640/blogger-image--958336032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8XJsXZ1mubs/TuWcT9fLoCI/AAAAAAAABiA/Wtu0wDevm5g/s640/blogger-image--958336032.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pQql-3ZphIY/TuWcUL9GvHI/AAAAAAAABiI/PQ-r446Sc38/s640/blogger-image--60735688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pQql-3ZphIY/TuWcUL9GvHI/AAAAAAAABiI/PQ-r446Sc38/s640/blogger-image--60735688.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNsODPTzTFg/TuWcUdIk1-I/AAAAAAAABiQ/Ljk3mT2Eb94/s640/blogger-image-252746617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNsODPTzTFg/TuWcUdIk1-I/AAAAAAAABiQ/Ljk3mT2Eb94/s640/blogger-image-252746617.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_qRIJ1A9XM/TuWcUr3WfDI/AAAAAAAABiY/G-SJU3boRGY/s640/blogger-image-1519742197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_qRIJ1A9XM/TuWcUr3WfDI/AAAAAAAABiY/G-SJU3boRGY/s640/blogger-image-1519742197.jpg" /></a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-45650878570394602992011-06-29T09:13:00.000-07:002011-06-29T09:13:09.762-07:00Just for the heck of it...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXcsRqz_LJY/TgtI7JSAppI/AAAAAAAABgc/vnsx0S7iYzM/s1600/EDWARD+SHARP+Home" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXcsRqz_LJY/TgtI7JSAppI/AAAAAAAABgc/vnsx0S7iYzM/s320/EDWARD+SHARP+Home" width="320" /></a></div>A little end of weekend and mid week re-cap. The husband and I made our little family some black bean and avocado burritos, and spinach salad for dinner Sunday, so good. I've been really excited that my kids have embraced spinach and yes we have completely introduced, and used Popeye as a way to help with that (no shame). Earlier in day I did a little "mommy time" and went shopping in Thousand Oaks, where all I did was find some shoes for school (boring all white), and long sleeve white shirts for under my scrubs (because of my tattoos) saw that coming, lol. Ended my shopping day by doing some grocery shopping for the family at TJ's.<br />
I've been down in the dumps lately due to my laparoscopy surgery, but since then have been feeling SO much better. More energized, which means not feeling so depressed due to being so lethargic, therefor eating better, therefor losing a little weight already. So yay for me! haha. Much needed I'm telling you. I've just been feeling so gross lately from being all bloated and nasty from the surgery.<br />
I also saw my Primary Dr. yesterday where she let me know my O.B. Dr. removed some cysts from my ovaries. So hopefully that helps some with the pain. She also did a butt load of blood work to check my thyroid levels. Its all good things I see, and I'm feeling like I'm in a much better place than I was a month or two ago.<br />
After my appointment and nasty blood work, I headed over to the Farmers Market where I picked us up some Tamales and gluten free Coconut Macaroons (delicious!). Today will be spent playing with the kids, doing laundry, and packing us up for a 4 day weekend in the High Desert. I've also got school orientation on the 1st! Eeeek!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby girl chomping down on her spinach. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNT9PuXrj6w/TgtLNeMEWdI/AAAAAAAABgg/DdSryOTu2nQ/s1600/weekend+dinner" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNT9PuXrj6w/TgtLNeMEWdI/AAAAAAAABgg/DdSryOTu2nQ/s320/weekend+dinner" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lovely Sunday dinner. (Go Red Sox!) <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NakaO9CUjZY/TgtNEsq1P-I/AAAAAAAABgk/SIomwWpsKtY/s1600/shopping+day+weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NakaO9CUjZY/TgtNEsq1P-I/AAAAAAAABgk/SIomwWpsKtY/s320/shopping+day+weekend.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday shopping, perfect California weather. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reatlfUo0NY/TgtNTycfzPI/AAAAAAAABgo/_7rd-jGtY48/s1600/perfect+snack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reatlfUo0NY/TgtNTycfzPI/AAAAAAAABgo/_7rd-jGtY48/s320/perfect+snack.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daytime snacks! Trying to be good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-de8xTVhUNOE/TgtNc1FdAfI/AAAAAAAABgs/mdVkkMj8vYs/s1600/mini+orange+cranberry+tea+scones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-de8xTVhUNOE/TgtNc1FdAfI/AAAAAAAABgs/mdVkkMj8vYs/s320/mini+orange+cranberry+tea+scones.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treats from Trader Joe's. Gotta mix it up. =)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-79353199246926597752011-06-22T22:15:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:15:41.213-07:00Certified!For those who don't know my husband is in the Air Force, and for the last year he took on a special duty job of Recruiting. This basically means he's been in the Air Force long enough and did well enough to take on a Special Duty job, which he picked Recruiting. Its not an easy job what so ever, and not the most ideal BUT it was a way for us to come home to California after living away for so long. We wanted our kids to be able to live near family. My kids are so incredibly close with my parents. Plus, its a 4 year job of NO deployments. So when we found out that we were being stationed to Simi Valley, Ca......only an hour and forty five min away from my folks, I was so excited. <br />
Okay so point of this post is after a year of recruiting my husband has finally been certified! For training purposes after tech school they make them recruit for a year before being completely certified. So I'm dang proud of him because the first 6 months was extremely hard on him because he was being trained, and in the middle of it we were dealing with out youngest daughter being very sick. I'm so happy to see where he is at and going in his military career. He has grown so much as a person and despite his job being hard he still does what he needs to do to make us as a family feel we are still number one. Now he can concentrate even more on his actual schooling, because he has grand plans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVA3DLRNb3M/TgLJ1ckEsiI/AAAAAAAABew/xaKA_sMCSkM/s1600/Josh+is+certified+june+21+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVA3DLRNb3M/TgLJ1ckEsiI/AAAAAAAABew/xaKA_sMCSkM/s320/Josh+is+certified+june+21+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided to celebrate over lunch. Silly face! Love him<3 </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBLzlaQsrc/TgLJ0EVHOhI/AAAAAAAABes/KJ0u_IFZcxE/s1600/Jake+and+Josh+playing+games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBLzlaQsrc/TgLJ0EVHOhI/AAAAAAAABes/KJ0u_IFZcxE/s320/Jake+and+Josh+playing+games.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to end the evening after dinner at 'The Habit' Jacob kicking his daddy's butt at a racing game. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-8121737720932588562011-06-18T18:35:00.000-07:002011-06-18T18:47:09.258-07:00Lake Havasu, ArizonaSince I've been stuck in the house and on the couch for the last 4 days, I decided to finish up some photo editing from our family trip to Lake Havasu, Arizona. I was so happy to be able to go with all the kiddos and husband together for the first time. <br />
I've spent a lot of good memories out on that Lake, and I'm excited to now be creating new memories with my own little family. <br />
Here are a few pictures from our trip. xoxo. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5T0gN8YwSo/Tf1SheUORJI/AAAAAAAABcQ/gNsOUrVt8_s/s1600/_DSC0816.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5T0gN8YwSo/Tf1SheUORJI/AAAAAAAABcQ/gNsOUrVt8_s/s320/_DSC0816.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and Claira</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QcLWMKIXgU/Tf1Sh0nW7CI/AAAAAAAABcY/0l8Rt6KDTyI/s1600/grandma%2Band%2Bclaira.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QcLWMKIXgU/Tf1Sh0nW7CI/AAAAAAAABcY/0l8Rt6KDTyI/s320/grandma%2Band%2Bclaira.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and Claira by the Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGjc841X9E/Tf1SiENqblI/AAAAAAAABcg/tXnl7pfvzZM/s1600/daddys%2Bhat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGjc841X9E/Tf1SiENqblI/AAAAAAAABcg/tXnl7pfvzZM/s320/daddys%2Bhat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt with daddy's hat on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q41OiQWgKxE/Tf1SiaNaxEI/AAAAAAAABco/iioqmzAHcMI/s1600/jake%2Band%2Bmatt%2Bin%2Bthe%2Blake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q41OiQWgKxE/Tf1SiaNaxEI/AAAAAAAABco/iioqmzAHcMI/s320/jake%2Band%2Bmatt%2Bin%2Bthe%2Blake.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys on the Lake</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jBn0Xl02k8/Tf1SidbGs7I/AAAAAAAABcw/lwXCqNYiS4c/s1600/jake%2Bon%2Bthe%2Blake.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jBn0Xl02k8/Tf1SidbGs7I/AAAAAAAABcw/lwXCqNYiS4c/s320/jake%2Bon%2Bthe%2Blake.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXBShF0FSMQ/Tf1Sjm_u0oI/AAAAAAAABc4/iTgXqhtqMRo/s1600/baby%2Bgirl%2Band%2Bmommy2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXBShF0FSMQ/Tf1Sjm_u0oI/AAAAAAAABc4/iTgXqhtqMRo/s320/baby%2Bgirl%2Band%2Bmommy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Claira in the pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_OOcV1sbvg/Tf1SjnsGVWI/AAAAAAAABdA/nO62RGGaagE/s1600/claira%2Bsplashing%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_OOcV1sbvg/Tf1SjnsGVWI/AAAAAAAABdA/nO62RGGaagE/s320/claira%2Bsplashing%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splish splash!</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BQsOgG1vTY/Tf1Sj_Q9Z3I/AAAAAAAABdI/9B6bMppcJsA/s1600/mom%2Band%2Bkris%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BQsOgG1vTY/Tf1Sj_Q9Z3I/AAAAAAAABdI/9B6bMppcJsA/s320/mom%2Band%2Bkris%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVTcTgr4hmQ/Tf1SkWXZMWI/AAAAAAAABdY/kBtp8y7fcWY/s1600/bathing%2Bbeauty%2Bclaira.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVTcTgr4hmQ/Tf1SkWXZMWI/AAAAAAAABdY/kBtp8y7fcWY/s320/bathing%2Bbeauty%2Bclaira.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymGgzfpExcE/Tf1SlxH4ZdI/AAAAAAAABdo/mTOo3OI6xXw/s1600/Lake%2BHavasu%2BCalifornia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymGgzfpExcE/Tf1SlxH4ZdI/AAAAAAAABdo/mTOo3OI6xXw/s320/Lake%2BHavasu%2BCalifornia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-TafKM-1wE/Tf1SmI6-zcI/AAAAAAAABdw/1karzZdpAGE/s1600/daddy%2Band%2Bclaira%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-TafKM-1wE/Tf1SmI6-zcI/AAAAAAAABdw/1karzZdpAGE/s320/daddy%2Band%2Bclaira%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bpool.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUspgQcXhoY/Tf1SmXD6EEI/AAAAAAAABd4/-cMBoojgkPY/s1600/claira%2Bpicking%2Bflowers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUspgQcXhoY/Tf1SmXD6EEI/AAAAAAAABd4/-cMBoojgkPY/s320/claira%2Bpicking%2Bflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POb26KAlo74/Tf1SmrXz_oI/AAAAAAAABeA/7PBBb5vMzII/s1600/claira%2Band%2Bthe%2Bflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POb26KAlo74/Tf1SmrXz_oI/AAAAAAAABeA/7PBBb5vMzII/s320/claira%2Band%2Bthe%2Bflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9oyA6VEpw0/Tf1Sm1Rx_rI/AAAAAAAABeI/2rN5byCgdWY/s1600/the%2Blake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9oyA6VEpw0/Tf1Sm1Rx_rI/AAAAAAAABeI/2rN5byCgdWY/s320/the%2Blake.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzCoW__J2UI/Tf1Snnd1JpI/AAAAAAAABeQ/1Y6n-wASQrc/s1600/The%2BSand%2BBar%2Blake%2BHavasu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzCoW__J2UI/Tf1Snnd1JpI/AAAAAAAABeQ/1Y6n-wASQrc/s320/The%2BSand%2BBar%2Blake%2BHavasu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sand Bar, Lake Havasu AZ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47uyTyoUnhM/Tf1Sn6TIgtI/AAAAAAAABeY/DUSFY_zGHbg/s1600/the%2Bcrew%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bsand%2Bbar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47uyTyoUnhM/Tf1Sn6TIgtI/AAAAAAAABeY/DUSFY_zGHbg/s320/the%2Bcrew%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bsand%2Bbar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out on the Sandbar. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYXDDPjYvXA/Tf1Sp-Lg7PI/AAAAAAAABeg/IHvBz81snN0/s1600/claira%2Band%2Bmommy%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYXDDPjYvXA/Tf1Sp-Lg7PI/AAAAAAAABeg/IHvBz81snN0/s320/claira%2Band%2Bmommy%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Claira at Pirates Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deFspZPQtJY/Tf1SqO9waHI/AAAAAAAABeo/F_pHkgJSBvk/s1600/claira%2Band%2Bthe%2Bducks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deFspZPQtJY/Tf1SqO9waHI/AAAAAAAABeo/F_pHkgJSBvk/s320/claira%2Band%2Bthe%2Bducks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claira talking to the ducks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-53733865279290894342011-06-16T14:09:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:04:16.497-07:00M.I.A. and iPhone pic updatesA bit of M.I.A. for good and bad reasons. Good reason...I was on vacation with my whole family in Lake Havasu Arizona. I used to go when I was younger every summer and finally had the opportunity to take my husband for the first time, along with our kiddos. We got back Tuesday evening, 4 days earlier than we wanted only because I had surgery Wed morning. That would be the bad. <br />
I had my second laparoscopy done, because of my endometriosis. They also found some more cysts, bleh. My first laparoscopy was done about 5 years ago and since then my pain just hasn't seemed to go away even after having 3 children. I'd like to note that I was so blessed and lucky to have my kids, I know, especially since more often than not it can cause infertility. So despite the odds, and what Dr's told me in the past I was blessed with 3 amazing children. Now that I am done, we are looking into more treatments since I cant seem to shake the pain. <br />
I've began changing my diet more because there is obvious truth in what foods can do, and how they react with endometriosis patients. One major thing I've found difficult is taking out caffeine....and my beer:( So I've limited myself, along with trying to drink more water, take out red meats, some wheat, dairy and just plain fattening foods. <br />
Any woo, the surgery is over and I am stuck at home in MAJOR pain! Much more than my first surgery. I was also cut in 3 spots this time. Hopefully in two weeks when I see my Dr. we will have a better idea on what we would like to do, if anything. I guess he sent something he cut out to the labs...not sure what that's about. I also need to be tested for hypothyroidism apparently. Ugh, more tests! Despite the pain, I am glad its over. <br />
I will end this blog with some iPhone pic updates until I get around to editing my photos from the trip<3
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdImqz7o1c/Tfuk6VKa9MI/AAAAAAAAA9U/HKd3y9Uz6YQ/s1600/havasu10" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdImqz7o1c/Tfuk6VKa9MI/AAAAAAAAA9U/HKd3y9Uz6YQ/s320/havasu10" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSpTK4zy7vE/Tfuk6lbj0bI/AAAAAAAAA9c/TvoYyTWPTuc/s1600/havasu11" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSpTK4zy7vE/Tfuk6lbj0bI/AAAAAAAAA9c/TvoYyTWPTuc/s320/havasu11" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URs6m7LzuTs/Tfuk8qIku1I/AAAAAAAAA9k/AOIdjgcs5MU/s1600/havasu12" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URs6m7LzuTs/Tfuk8qIku1I/AAAAAAAAA9k/AOIdjgcs5MU/s320/havasu12" /></a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-8841692659235130852011-06-02T14:36:00.000-07:002011-06-02T15:18:16.343-07:00Memorial Day Weekend Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgv7vnUSaCM/Tef86pNtF_I/AAAAAAAAAN8/1Oq-yEBkiR0/s1600/_DSC0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgv7vnUSaCM/Tef86pNtF_I/AAAAAAAAAN8/1Oq-yEBkiR0/s/_DSC0405.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I know I am a little late on this, but we had a pretty fantastic Memorial Weekend. We kicked off the holiday early by having my husband's sister and her husband over for dinner Friday evening. The husband grilled hamburgers and the kiddos enjoyed some pizza. Saturday we stayed home and did just about nothing, which was awesome. Sunday was an awesome filled day with lots of laughs, the husband grilling, and a few really good friends over. Loooved it. The weather did not disappoint either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weekend was of course not over as Josh still had Monday off. Yay! He surprised us by taking the kiddos and I to the park for a picnic. Then we let the kids run around the crazies for a while before taking them home and putting them to work...washing the car with daddy. =) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It seems like we are always running around on weekends and seem so busy that staying in town and close to home was perfect for us. We could tell the kids really enjoyed it as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope everyone else had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend as well<3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpsPpU5JhhI/TegAWHr4hpI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Cbmf80fy7ss/s1600/_DSC0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpsPpU5JhhI/TegAWHr4hpI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Cbmf80fy7ss/s1600/_DSC0424.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-52840449506081598182011-05-26T10:47:00.000-07:002011-05-30T17:09:36.895-07:00Thank you May for being awesome.This month has seemed to fly by! Its been filled up with good times. Took a Vegas trip at the beginning of the month, good times of course. More recently my husband and I took a trip up to San Luis Obispo for a weekend getaway.<br />
A few friends of ours were renewing their vows with a lovely beach wedding at Avila Beach. The weather was absolutely beautiful and just a perfect day for a wedding. The reception was at The Madonna Inn. I've only heard of how cool this place was before, and had never had the chance to see it myself. It did not disappoint, it was amazing. After the reception Josh surprised me by taking me up to Morro Bay to walk on the beach, and walk around the cute little beach town. It was perfect. We drove back to San Luis Obispo, had dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen and then went out to some bars in town with friends and danced our asses off all night. Seriously a perfect day! The night was ended by us all rejoicing in the fact that we survived May 21st...."The Rapture 2011." :)<br />
We were able to stay two nights at the Vandenberg AFB Inn. Cant beat 38 bucks a night for a decent hotel room. The next morning we got up had breakfast in Lompoc where our waitress was a family member of one of Josh's coworkers (family breakfast discount, score!), and off went to pick up the kiddos.<br />
Its definitely weekends like that where I feel completely blessed to have Josh in my life. Also not to mention how lucky we are to be back home where we can have family support, and get a chance once in a while to have time to ourselves. And what a perfect way to spend the weekend but together admiring the beauties of the Central Coast and all it offers.<br />
We both agreed next time we MUST check out the Hearst Castle. :)<br />
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Here are some photos from our weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XjeMXtHB_rM/Td6RHXsG-bI/AAAAAAAAANs/KHaz7-X0VKc/s1600/Morro+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XjeMXtHB_rM/Td6RHXsG-bI/AAAAAAAAANs/KHaz7-X0VKc/s400/Morro+Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UlOLmRnclI/Td6Q6jsRM7I/AAAAAAAAANY/S7oTJ60z92U/s1600/_DSC0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UlOLmRnclI/Td6Q6jsRM7I/AAAAAAAAANY/S7oTJ60z92U/s400/_DSC0126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FbGPZYZjkk/Td6Q0gvpKoI/AAAAAAAAANU/5vxCoW6UbOM/s1600/_DSC0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FbGPZYZjkk/Td6Q0gvpKoI/AAAAAAAAANU/5vxCoW6UbOM/s400/_DSC0112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kSHAzxlx2c/Td6RFZXE45I/AAAAAAAAANk/nlRFYSyRUlc/s1600/pretty+in+red+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kSHAzxlx2c/Td6RFZXE45I/AAAAAAAAANk/nlRFYSyRUlc/s400/pretty+in+red+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7L2LAC9BYA/Td6QOnBNQPI/AAAAAAAAANM/eRYaBJXsmbo/s1600/avila+beach+pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7L2LAC9BYA/Td6QOnBNQPI/AAAAAAAAANM/eRYaBJXsmbo/s400/avila+beach+pier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-57676574307467147812011-05-10T16:40:00.000-07:002011-05-10T16:40:42.806-07:00Selling a Nikon Lens and Solid Silver Flute.Hello! Not a really interesting post, but a post none the less. I just wanted to let everyone know I am selling a few items on Amazon.com.<br />
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Letting go of my beautiful Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 AF-S DX lens. Comes with a box, hood, front and back lens, original packaging and paperwork.<br />
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I am also selling my Gemeinhardt 3SB open hole SOLID SILVER Flute. I'm selling this bad boy super cheap! So if anyone knows anyone who plays and would like to take her off my hands please check it out.<br />
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Just go to Amazon.com and look up the items. Mine are both the cheapest on the used list. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-17-55mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Nikkor/dp/B000144I2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305070438&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-17-55mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Nikkor/dp/B000144I2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305070438&sr=8-1</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gemeinhardt-3SB-Flute/dp/B000BU4Y9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305070764&sr=1-1-catcorr">http://www.amazon.com/Gemeinhardt-3SB-Flute/dp/B000BU4Y9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305070764&sr=1-1-catcorr</a><br />
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Pass this along to your friends please!<br />
Thanks,<br />
MegMegan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-41989436522380500532011-03-20T15:19:00.000-07:002011-03-20T15:24:19.569-07:00St. Patricks Day and such.My St. Patrick's Day was not filled with drinking and drunkenness, but instead was spent at the Mayan Theater with my husband seeing Alkaline Trio, Dead Country, and Cobra Skulls perform. It was a late anniversary gift to ourselves. Good times:)<br />
The rest of my weekend was spent with the kids, and was able to see some family on Saturday. Josh was supposed to be able to pick the kids and I up from my mom's in the desert to go back home to Simi Valley, but there is a crappy storm happening. So instead of him driving in the storm we will be hanging out at my mom's one more night. I guess we can handle that:) I am ending my week by passing my first BIG test for my Real Estate course! VERY happy with my score, and feeling damn motivated! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">This week in iPhone photos</span></b> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hly3E-oP_C4/TYZ7qD3D4-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/Wx1LDL0yn1c/s1600/5544544680_811ae83dbd_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hly3E-oP_C4/TYZ7qD3D4-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/Wx1LDL0yn1c/s320/5544544680_811ae83dbd_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Claira's first french braid! :D<br />
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Our Alkaline Trio Tickets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DDWjPxXdsrs/TYZ7vq9MRBI/AAAAAAAAAMk/LXVr-DDF2Rs/s1600/5544547472_a739eddb48_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DDWjPxXdsrs/TYZ7vq9MRBI/AAAAAAAAAMk/LXVr-DDF2Rs/s320/5544547472_a739eddb48_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> My NEW STEVE MADDEN BOOTS! LOVE!Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-61553619396046518102011-03-13T10:13:00.000-07:002011-03-13T10:13:40.699-07:00Spring forwardWhat a week! Thank goodness for my mother. She is an amazing woman whom is always here for me. It's times like this that I thank God we live back in California and are able to be near family again, and do things that normally we probably would not do if we still lived in Louisiana. The kids are so used to seeing their grandparents and aunts & cousins all the time. I love it more than anything.<br />
My mother was awesome enough to stay at our place from Monday till Saturday helping me out with the kids. Yesterday her and the boys packed up and left for her place until Thursday morning when Josh, Claira, and I go the desert. They plan on going to the movies, and playing outside at my mother's as much as possible I'm sure. Thursday I have a hair appointment (it's been 5 months!), and that night Josh and I are going to L.A. to see Alkaline Trio which also so happens to be St. Patty's Day. It will be an eventful evening I'm sure. <br />
Spring forward happened this morning....yay! The weather has been especially beautiful lately.<br />
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So, I am hoping to take these few days of a much less chaotic household to organize the house a bit, do some shopping (w/Claira) that I normally can't do with all the kids, get a good amount of studying in, and just plain try to enjoy myself despite the fact that I do miss my boys terribly. Point is...its girl time with my little lady! :)<br />
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Might do some toe nail painting, and spring clothes shopping. Its almost bathing suit weather! <3<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rr8oNluz1qY/TXz2y92i1QI/AAAAAAAAAMA/ZeIFjjsNrGk/s1600/_DSC0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rr8oNluz1qY/TXz2y92i1QI/AAAAAAAAAMA/ZeIFjjsNrGk/s320/_DSC0006.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>This picture was taken while my mother was here.Claira is such a Grandma's girl. She woke up this morning, looked at where normally my mother would be sleeping, and said, "Where's Gamma?" I love that they are so close, considering how close I was with my grandmother. She was my world. Luckily my mother loves nothing more than being called grandma, and doing all sorts of grandma duties.Not everyone has grandparents like that in their lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LwYVkBumvTM/TXz4GDc04TI/AAAAAAAAAME/FtPkBwePZvw/s1600/_DSC0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LwYVkBumvTM/TXz4GDc04TI/AAAAAAAAAME/FtPkBwePZvw/s320/_DSC0088.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WWfKg576QSk/TXz4Iya4EKI/AAAAAAAAAMI/DocgJkmZyzs/s1600/_DSC0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WWfKg576QSk/TXz4Iya4EKI/AAAAAAAAAMI/DocgJkmZyzs/s320/_DSC0089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KfFDfZYKb24/TXz4JwX4QiI/AAAAAAAAAMM/EqTreYlcmAk/s1600/_DSC0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KfFDfZYKb24/TXz4JwX4QiI/AAAAAAAAAMM/EqTreYlcmAk/s320/_DSC0097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is our neighbor's cat. I don't know her name. I don't know why she loves hanging out in our yard, other than because the kids get excited whenever she comes around. We don't feed her. I'm not even that nice to her. She used to hang out in our garage and try to come in the house even. I believe the people who used to rent out this home possibly let her in the house. Not happening though kitty, sorry.=/<br />
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I snapped this picture of Jake while he was following the cat around the yard. This is the way he smiles for the camera lately..no teeth, just this cute smirk. I cannot believe he will be 5 years old April 3rd. My first born is getting so big. I need to start planning his B-Day party, especially because the next few weeks are gonna fly by. Vegas is only a few short weeks away, and I think we are having Josh's niece Alyssa over to stay next week for her spring break. Hoping to plan a few things for her to do while she's here.<br />
Now, back to coffee drinking, a little blog reading.....and hoping to get my study on. <3Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-91556486118365737562011-03-06T10:27:00.000-08:002011-03-06T10:27:44.867-08:00Say hello to my new friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9xG_uvu7v84/TXPQWfZPoAI/AAAAAAAAALQ/2YMQlejlwXY/s1600/6696_Apple_MacBookPro-13inchopen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9xG_uvu7v84/TXPQWfZPoAI/AAAAAAAAALQ/2YMQlejlwXY/s320/6696_Apple_MacBookPro-13inchopen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Momma got herself a new Macbook Pro<3 I love her dearly. Took my little buddy Matthew to the Apple store with me yesterday to pick her out. Matthew was a bit disappointed to see there were NO apples at the Apple Store. Poor dude. He settled for some apple juice from Starbucks later however:)<br />
So good end to a pretty boring week. Next week should be interesting for me.<br />
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Hoping this weather stays nice, because the kids are having a blast hanging out in the backyard lately. Gotta love this Southern California weather sometimes. <br />
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</a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-47047149568351175882011-03-03T12:02:00.000-08:002011-03-03T12:02:27.992-08:00Well FrickSo Monday my laptop decided to take an official crap and die on me. It's had recent issues but decided to come back alive. There is no saving it now...she's really gone :-/ So here I am on my iphone. The timing is bad considering I've been in the middle of studying, and taking quizzes online. Now that I NEED a new computer, and not just "want" one, I don't exactly know what kind I want now. It's going to come down to a Dell or Mac. I do know however, I want another laptop. In reality I want a laptop AND an iPad someday:D <br />
So besides the issue of no computer this week has been uneventful. A little house cleaning, reading, playing with the kids and even some working out....elliptical style. Looking forward to another chill weekend in Simi with my little family.Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-23785945012110643542011-02-27T10:18:00.000-08:002011-02-27T10:19:35.122-08:00Work itSpring is making its way and all I can think about is the fact that my ass has not set foot in a gym since moving back to California. We were completely spoiled with a FREE gym while living on base in Louisiana. Not only did we have a gym on base, but it was practically across the street from our house. It stared at us while looking out our living room window, and was in walking distance. I was a lucky lucky girl to have it for right after having Miss Claira Marie. I was completely dedicated and lost all my baby fat within a few months. It has been a YEAR since moving here! After Claira got sick last year I sort of lost my motivation, and stress just took over. I have not gone running...I have not been a diet....I need help. Soooo I now have one of my favorite gym machines in my own home! HOORAY!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iK8FiCSvSX4/TWqTxT0yLzI/AAAAAAAAAKU/2bxHFaIro44/s1600/elliptical+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iK8FiCSvSX4/TWqTxT0yLzI/AAAAAAAAAKU/2bxHFaIro44/s320/elliptical+machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I also would like to get a few work out "games" for the xbox kinect. If anyone knows of good ones, please let me know! I think I need to get some small weights too. This girl needs to go on a little diet as well. I am not a big girl by any means, but I have been eating badly. I've got lots going on in March and would like to look decent in a dress. Soo here's to hoping I get my shit together in the next few weeks!Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-18538500966918153682011-02-26T10:54:00.000-08:002011-02-26T10:59:15.392-08:00LONG weekSomething about this week has just felt really long. The kids seem to be on another level of crazy. It's either that or I am just extra stressed with studying. Good thing these kids are SUPER DUPER cute, or I might go completely insane:) <br />
Had the chance to go to my mom's with the kids and have a nice little visit for a few days. I also was able to get a tattoo session in and finish my Birds of Paradise flowers on my inner arm. NOT a fun spot, but my arm is almost finished. Hooray! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fegp6-y-Q6k/TWlKqq54d2I/AAAAAAAAAIw/nz3sF41Dm8w/s1600/inner+arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fegp6-y-Q6k/TWlKqq54d2I/AAAAAAAAAIw/nz3sF41Dm8w/s320/inner+arm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On the way to the shop I decided to get a small tattoo in honor of my time lived in the south and my friends I miss terribly. And of course, the sweet tea I miss! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EFzoao72lPk/TWlLFv05EtI/AAAAAAAAAI0/B5wa0jMofW8/s1600/sweet+tea%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EFzoao72lPk/TWlLFv05EtI/AAAAAAAAAI0/B5wa0jMofW8/s320/sweet+tea%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Decided to leave my mom's place yesterday before a storm came in that is supposed to bring the High Desert a good amount of snow this weekend. Bummed out that once again this winter we are missing a few snow days there=/ We needed to get back because we were missing daddy though. <br />
Last night Josh ordered our usual pizza for the kids (Friday night pizza night), along with surprising me with a small personal pan veggie w/ pineapple pizza for me. It's the small things sometimes <3 <3<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CzXOL7ksS2I/TWlL4FpoN0I/AAAAAAAAAI4/8DCWHIzISng/s1600/veggie+pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CzXOL7ksS2I/TWlL4FpoN0I/AAAAAAAAAI4/8DCWHIzISng/s320/veggie+pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This weekend will now be filled with continuing to study Real Estate, and hopefully get close to finishing up my first book. I've come across a few really hard Units. Hoping all the information sticks. I am so eager to finish these classes.Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-37535106456661467962011-02-22T22:08:00.000-08:002011-02-22T22:08:23.626-08:00March is around the corner..I started off this year telling myself THIS was going to be my year. I didn't exactly know what that meant, I just knew I wanted to make positive changes and had a feeling good things were to come. So far this has been true. The month of February brought a new person into my life. Someone I have wanted in my life since the day I knew he was alive. My half brother, Cody. <br />
We have been e-mailing back and forth a bit, and I am beyond excited that HE too wants to be in contact with me. I am looking forward to seeing where this relationship goes. Hoping we can meet sometime too. <br />
Along with this new blessing in my life, I also celebrated my 6 year wedding anniversary. 6 years! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WM_WcYEBR4/TWShEr6u6XI/AAAAAAAAAIg/K10ELsROQXE/s1600/josh+and+I+hipsta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WM_WcYEBR4/TWShEr6u6XI/AAAAAAAAAIg/K10ELsROQXE/s320/josh+and+I+hipsta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The husband is treating me to a tattoo session. So I'll be heading the High Desert tomorrow to have Mr. Ronnie @ Ignition Tattoo work on my inner arm. To be honest I am NOT looking forward to it considering my last session on my inner arm was so painful. Got to get it done!<br />
Just got back from San Diego this past weekend. Spent 2 nights in Old Town San Diego. Went to the Shout House one night in down town. AWESOME duel playing piano bar. Good times. Old Town is a really nice place to hang out. Great food, good times.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PnHpAids-4/TWSi0OYAdXI/AAAAAAAAAIo/GkCzYq2wPvE/s1600/20110222_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PnHpAids-4/TWSi0OYAdXI/AAAAAAAAAIo/GkCzYq2wPvE/s320/20110222_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Mexican food at 'Miguels' in Old Town SD!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgTf6xCvIos/TWSjjNp0igI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1f_l5_mPS-g/s1600/20110222_42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgTf6xCvIos/TWSjjNp0igI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1f_l5_mPS-g/s320/20110222_42.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Old church right next to our hotel in SD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bXp_vV6JdQ/TWSir0soa5I/AAAAAAAAAIk/rnWcymyLsuE/s1600/20110222_130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bXp_vV6JdQ/TWSir0soa5I/AAAAAAAAAIk/rnWcymyLsuE/s320/20110222_130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brought Jake and Matt home a little guitar each. Jacob fell in love. Has been playing with it non stop for the past few days<3</div><br />
Lots happening in March. Alkaline Trio concert in L.A. March 17th. Also a Vegas trip at the end of the month. Woo Hoo!Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-33375720372162199892010-12-31T10:03:00.000-08:002010-12-31T10:12:43.198-08:00Goodbye 2010 The beginning of 2010 was full of excitement, stress and sadness. We moved away from all the friends we had made in Louisiana back to Southern California for Josh to start his new job as a Air Force recruiter in Simi Valley. Even though we were about to finally be only less than two hours from family, we were still left with having to find a home in an area we knew nothing about. This was also our first time renting a home off base, so the pressure was on. We accomplished what we needed to, and now live in a cute 3 bedroom smack in the middle of Simi Valley. Josh was then thrown into his new job, and we began our adventure into his four year tour with recruiting.<br />
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</div> For the first time in a long time we were able to visit with family on the weekends, and even got to do some family trips. I was finally able to take my kids to Lake Havasu, AZ. A place I personally went to with family all the time during the summer growing up. The kids got to experience the lake, and going on the boat and playing in the hotel pools. I did not know it at the time, but I was about to experience one of the scariest times of my life. <br />
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Claira got slightly sick at the end of the Havasu trip which continued to slowly follow us after going home as well. Early after dealing with Claira having roseola we learned she had not only had staph, but it had gone from her blood into her bones. She was also suffering badly from an abscess that had wrapped itself around her spine, and was pushing up on her spinal canal. Thankfully the abscess was quickly removed after an emergency surgery was done after being sent to UCLA from Northridge Hospital. Longest few months of our life as our baby girl was in and out of UCLA Hospital, with a picc line in her arm where I had to learn to distribute strong antibiotics into it for over two months straight. Baby girl came out strong, and we got to take her home on August 18, her first birthday. What a joyous day that was! We have been more than thankful for the amount of support and prayers we've received from family and friends. <br />
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September began to feel like everything was normal again. Jacob started Pre-K, and he's been doing so well. He really enjoys being in school, and has made some good friends. I love it when he comes home from school and I get to see all the things he has made in class and hearing stories about what they've been doing. He is getting so big, and I am so proud of his accomplishments. I cannot believe he will be in Kindergarten next year. Kind of makes me sad, but excited for him at the same time. Of course that means my middle boy, Mr. Matthew is getting ready for preschool. Every time we pick Jacob up from school he makes it very clear he wants to be there, and even talks to Jake's teacher and friends about his excitement:)<br />
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All in all the kids have had a good year considering they have been able to see family so much which is something we were unable to do while living in Louisiana. Although we certainly have missed our Louisiana friends which I consider family<3 <br />
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From the end of October to now it has been jam packed with good times, like Josh and my first recruiting annual, to times of sadness where we've lost some near and dear family members. Losing loved ones is always hard, and nothing can replace them. So I try and often reflect on the good times spent with these loved ones, and remembering the things they have taught me. <br />
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A year full of ups and downs, and many lessons learned along the way. I am thankful for the amazing family we have, and the old and new friends we've spent time with along the way. Here's to 2010 and to all the new memories we will make in 2011.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TR4dBf0zI8I/AAAAAAAAAHY/28fo6dFN0_k/s1600/family+picture+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TR4dBf0zI8I/AAAAAAAAAHY/28fo6dFN0_k/s320/family+picture+2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-11116061266846192352010-09-06T11:09:00.000-07:002010-09-06T11:09:51.497-07:00And the fun begins!Its official, baby girl is walking. She's a wabble little butt, but she wont stop or slow down! HaHa I love it. <br />
Despite a slight set back the last few months nothing seems to slow this little gal down.<3<br />
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Makes me a little sad that my last little baby is walking. Claira's first year has gone by so fast ;( <br />
I'm such a proud momma.<3Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-64216164864381774682010-09-03T10:29:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:49:19.669-07:00Tough CookieHere we are almost two months after our first trip to the hospital with Claira. Last month we ended up back at UCLA Children's Hospital for another 8 or 9 days after taking Claira in for an extremely high fever. She was already scheduled for a routine MRI, but she ended up being admitted after they realized she had become extremely neutropenic. This means her white cell counts had dropped to a scary level. Her infection levels had gone back up as well, which of course the Dr's were not happy about.<br />
The Dr's were concerned that the medication she was on had caused her to become neutropenic, so they decided to take her off everything, and would see if her white cell levels would start to come up on their own. A few days go by, and were still in the hospital and the only answers we were getting was that he levels had kept dropping, and were pretty much at a 0. Her hemoglobin levels had been extremely low for a few months now as well, which concerned Dr's. <br />
The decision then was to go ahead and do a bone marrow biopsy on Claira to check for just about everything under the sun. The night before her biopsy I was nervous but I knew that Claira was just fine, and that it was just the antibiotics that had have caused her cell counts to drop. Claira came out of her biopsy just fine, smiling at the Dr's and jabbering away. They kept telling us how sweet and wonderful she was, and what a strong little girl we've got. All things Josh & I knew of course ;)<br />
It was August 18th, Claira's Birthday and we were waiting in her hospital room for results on the biopsy. Josh was working, but I was lucky to have my friend Jackie there by my side when Claira's Dr. came in to the room and let me know her preliminary results came back wonderful. They saw no more abnormal cells, nor any cancer cells of any kind. The Dr hugged me, and told me this pretty much confirmed it was the antibiotics. Its slightly rare that the antibiotics that she was on could cause that effect but it has happened before. She was just a rare case apparently, and it went right along this whole rare situation with her abscess, and staph. <br />
Other wonderful news we received on her birthday was that her white cell counts had gone up some. She was still neutropenic, but they were higher than they had been the entire time she was in the hospital. We we were so excited! They also let us know we could take her home, as long as we didn't take her out anywhere except for Dr's visits. Best Birthday present ever! We were so excited to take our baby girl home, along with taking the boys home too. <br />
Claira's inflammation & infection levels were still up so they had to figure out another medication to use that would not effect her bone marrow, causing her white cell counts to drop any further. We got home and I was taught by her nurse how to give her medication into her picc line with a home pump. Once again Claira adapted just fine, and was playing like nothing had happened. She has been thriving, and taking steps again. You would NEVER know looking at her that anything was wrong. She is so amazing.<br />
Its now Sept, and things are really looking up. We had another Dr's appt at UCLA and was told she is no longer neutropenic, and her infection levels have lowered. They are still not right where the Dr's want, but it looks like she may only have to have the picc line in for another week or two, which means she's almost done receiving antibiotics. Her hemoglobin levels are still very low, which means she's still anemic. The Dr's say she has chronic anemia as of right now but we'll deal with that after she's all off meds, and see where her counts are at that point. <br />
They will be doing another MRI next week, and we will see where she's at, and HOPEFULLY her picc line will come out, and this will all be behind us! I am so incredibly blessed to have the family I do, and to have 3 beautiful children. The last few months have been hard on our family, but we have come out stronger and appreciate all the prayers and thoughts that we received from family & friends everywhere.<br />
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</div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-78496681317484404202010-07-18T11:20:00.000-07:002010-07-18T11:49:51.012-07:00Rough Patches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TENHZEbAACI/AAAAAAAAAGE/dKFFbBktnM0/s1600/limbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TENHZEbAACI/AAAAAAAAAGE/dKFFbBktnM0/s320/limbs.jpg" /></a></div>Its amazing how a few small things can snow ball into something major.<br />
I took Claira into the Dr's on the 17 of June for a check up, along with the boys. All was well except she had a slight case of 'Thrush' in her mouth. I never dealt with that before but they assured me it was easy to treat. Other than that she was very healthy.<br />
We we went out of town that following Monday with my parents and sister.Around Thursday I noticed Claira had a fever, but it was low grade so I assumed she was teething since she showed no other sign of being sick. We went home Friday, and by Sunday morning her fever broke. By that evening we noticed a slight rash, and by Monday morning it was everywhere. We went in to see her Dr. and apparently she had whats called 'Roseola.' Once again, something the boys had never had. Its a viral thing so you need to let it run its course. Luckily all it does it make kids cranky from the fever, but other than that nothing. The rash itself didn't really bother her. In Claira's case it was text book, and the rash was gone within a few days and we were back to normal. That was until the first of July rolled around.<br />
Once again we were dealing with high fevers, but nothing else. I assumed it was the roseola still, not really knowing that anything else could be occurring. I took her in to see her Dr. but her ears, chest and even urine check all came out clear. Her appetite was a little different too, but I assumed with the fevers she wasn't feeling so well. Her appetite decreased so much within one day I had to take her into the ER that Monday so she could get some fluids, and blood drawn. Fluids seemed to help, and the blood work came back that she was slightly anemic. The ER Dr. didn't feel it was enough to keep her in the hospital, but that we definitely should follow up with her Dr the next day about her blood work.<br />
We went home thinking she still much have some viral thing, and it was hard to shake. I gave my cranky little daughter a bath that evening, and noticed on her lower back it seemed a little puffy or swollen. I wasn't convinced it was something major and that I was just being paranoid.I mean after all, it wasn't bruised or anything. I could tell however that she was increasingly cranky, and uncomfortable. I assumed her body was aching the same way you do when having a flu, or bad cold.<br />
I called the Dr's office the next morning, and we were told that we needed to go get blood work done again. They wanted to double check whether she was anemic. While I was sitting at the hospital with a very cranky child who by this time was only letting me hold her in certain positions, I get a phone call from the ER Dr. I missed his call and left a message asking me to make sure I call her Dr about the blood work because they seemed to have found something new. I thought, why are they getting on my case about this whole anemia thing. By the time I made it back to her Dr's office they let me know that over night a bacteria had grown, and is continuing to grow in her bloodstream. They sent me home, and told me I needed to return the next morning to see what the second blood culture showed.<br />
The next morning Claira and I were getting ready, and she would not even crawl for me anymore she was in so much pain. I had NO idea what was going on anymore. It just seemed within a few days she went from trying to walk and taking steps, to not even wanting to crawl OR sit up for me anymore. She just wanted to lay flat. She was very lethargic and not taking bottles anymore.I was at a loss. By that afternoon we were sent to Northridge Hospital because we were told that Claira had some sort of staph growing in her blood. <br />
I also mentioned to her Doctor, along with the new Doctor at Northridge that her back seemed weird to me the other day. She went from being cranky and uncomfortable to crying in pain every time I picked her up, or changed her diaper.The Dr. looked at her and agreed it did seem a little puffy but he wasn't too sure about it. Later that day, he agreed to do an MRI on her after her Ultra Sound came back showing there something her back. It could just be something superficial, but they wanted to make sure.<br />
At this point however, it was clear Claira had full blown staph in her blood and they were concerned that she had MRSA type staph in which case it could be very hard to treat as it has become too resistant to most antibiotics these days. I still did not know at this point how serious things were because she seemed so healthy just weeks before. She went in for MRI later that afternoon. In the meantime Claira was being treated for the staph through IV. They started her on Vancomycin which I was told was a very strong antibiotic, and often used on MRSA. That night the Dr came into our room and asked to speak to me.<br />
They let me know that it was not MRSA, but in fact MSSA which is much easier to treat. He then needed to show me the MRI results, and explained that the staph had spread to a large part of her back, and that she had grown a large abscess which had wrapped itself around her spine. He had a very worried look on his face when he began showing me that the abscess was pushing on the spinal canal where the spinal cord was. All he told me was we need to remove this or it will get to the spinal cord, and after that...he wouldn't finish his sentence. He then said, "I need to transport you to UCLA Medical Hospital as soon as possible so that the specialist there can better take care of her, and get her into surgery."<br />
Within an hour I was in an ambulance to UCLA, where Claira and I were set up in the PICU and she was being prepped for once again another MRI, and they began another IV where she had blood drawn and was getting fluids and antibiotics. This is where I really started thinking to myself, what the hell is going on?? How did this happen? At this point my daughter was in so much pain, and tired that she was screaming and screaming. The nurses and Dr's took her off to the MRI, and Josh & I literally passed out in a few chairs that were left in the PICU for us. We woke up a few hours later with Claira in the room sleeping in her bed. <br />
We sat patiently waiting for Dr's to come talk to us. In the mean time her nurse let us know another major concern was the fact that her white blood cell count was extremely low, and with out them she would not be able to fight off any diseases that came her way. They were not sure whether she had low counts before or after she got the staph. They also did not know whether the abscess came first or not as well. It was even more alarming to hear that the infection disease team was on her case, and wanted to speak with us as well.<br />
MRI results came back quickly, and it was confirmed she needed surgery immediately. The idea was to go in and remove the fluids & abscess. This would be difficult because it wrapped around her bones and it was a fragile area in a baby. Luckily we were at the best hospital we could be at, and I was confident that everything would go well.<br />
We waited hours in the waiting room downstairs. By my side was Josh, my mother and aunt & uncle. I also knew I had so many friends, family and even strangers praying for my baby girl. Finally we were told we could go to her room where she was sleeping still and recovering from her surgery. We learned that the surgery itself went very well, and they were confident they removed alot of the issue. We ran into another problem however, and that was the fact that the infection had got itself into her actual bones. <br />
Claira would need long term antibiotics, and the infection disease team along with her Dr's were trying to figure out the right antibiotics to fight off this infection. A Picc Line was put into Claira's line, which is connected to a large vein that would allow us to give her antibiotics through that. <br />
The whole process was very intimidating to watch, and Josh & I were very nervous about bringing our baby home with this "thing" coming out of her arm. They explained how to clean it and how extremely important it is to not let it get infected. The only thing that really mattered to us though was that Claira was showing such improvement already, and because of this picc line we would be able to take her home soon.<br />
Her white blood cell count had also gone up so much within 24 hours after her surgery. This to us, alone with all the Dr's made us think she most likely had a low count due to the infection. This was great news to hear. As far as the abscess itself and the staph no one could tell us how they thought it all occurred. We heard from just about every Dr. words like, "strange" and "weird." They had no idea why this thing grew in that area of her back, and no one knew how long it had been there. I did however, have two Dr's tell me that if it wasn't for me showing a slight concern about Claira's back that they probably would not of even noticed the puffiness in her back and probably would not of done the MRI as quickly as they did. I thought to myself at that moment, the small things DO mean something bigger at times.<br />
We have three children all of which are under the age of four. Both of my boys have had issues with their ears. Both have tubes, and Jake even had his adenoids taken out. He had a speech delay due to hearing problems from being sick so much. As hard as them having ear infections were I knew they would eventually grow out of them, and that at least its something their Dr can detect easily. In Claira's case, she has been a completely healthy child from day one. So when she continued with these fevers I almost ignored them thinking well its a viral thing and it needs to run its course. What I learned was because she showed no sign of ear or chest problems something else was up and that's when the small things really come in to play and MEAN SOMETHING. My mind has gone in circles about this whole ordeal. I've though if I just noticed something sooner, or done something different this would not have happened. Its one of the hardest thing we as parents go through...so much worrying! I'm not sure if this experience will make me an even more paranoid mother, or what. I have learned being a parent is all about balance and gut instinct. <br />
I have no idea how long Claira will now have to be on these long term antibiotics, and we have no idea if something else will occur due to her immune system. The goal is to get the infection out of her bones, and to remove anything else gorwing in her blood.We have no idea how long she had the staph, where it came from, or what all occurred first. We have to continue to meet with the infectious disease team, and her Dr's once or twice a week at UCLA Hospital so they can continue to run tests.At home we give Claira two types of antibiotics every 8 hrs through her picc line. Hopefully nothing new comes up and we will have all of this behind us soon. They are not sure if she will have any long term effects from all of this.<br />
I know this however, my daughter is one of the strongest little peeps I know. She went from almost walking to barely crawling. Went through three MRI's, a surgery and many many times of being poked and probed within just one week, and is now home crawling around the house and managing to STILL get into her brothers things.She may be slow, and not back to her old self but I know it wont be long because she is one tough cookie! During this whole time she continued to smile which kept Josh and I in good spirits. She is the reason I did not cry ONCE while she was in the hospital. Except for once when the Dr told us her surgery went well and they thought she would be recovering well. These were tears of joy. <br />
Time is precious. Family is precious. I already have know before I have amazing little humans, but this experience has brought me even closer to them all, and has changed my little family. I could see that in times that were rough, and we didn't know how it all was going to work out, Josh and I were a good team. He was there for me as I was there for him. My parents came in and helped so much with the boys. They have returned home, and have shown so much love for their little sister. <br />
Jacob knows and understand his sister is "a lil sick," and has some owies. They care and watch out for her safety. What an amazing team the three of them make. What an amazing family I have. I have never felt so blessed in my entire life. Claira's strength has shown me there are so many possibilities out there, for all of us.<br />
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<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;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TENGvapgotI/AAAAAAAAAF0/kHp_hnJd40s/s1600/20100714_203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/TENGvapgotI/AAAAAAAAAF0/kHp_hnJd40s/s320/20100714_203.JPG" /></a></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-86953583462389569872010-03-25T13:02:00.000-07:002010-03-25T15:05:55.159-07:00'The Gits' documentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegitsmovie.com/images/gits_photo_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://www.thegitsmovie.com/images/gits_photo_01.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome documentary about the band 'The Gits' and their lead singer Mia Zapata, who's life was cut short in such a tragic way. She was an amazing lyricist, singer and just plain amazing person. This documentary was full of people who loved Mia, and are still grieving the loss of their dear friend. Mia touched a lot people in her life, and I am thankful for coming across her music. Love them.<3</div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-80815026757865495002010-03-19T11:47:00.000-07:002010-03-19T11:47:46.582-07:00Goin goin back back....I'm slightly late on this....but we are back in CALIFORNIA! The kids and I have been staying at my mom and dad's place for over a month now. Mom, the kids and I drove 3 days in the truck to get here. As much as I want to say the drive was aweful...it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Matthew was the hardest to get to settle down sometimes. Claira got upset when she was hungry, and towards the end of the day. All in all it went ok..however, my mother would prefer NOT taking a long trip like that with the kids for a long time.=) <br />
The kids miss their daddy of course, and so do I but we have all been doing pretty dang well I would say. Josh just graduated from his school in Texas. He just got back to our house on base in Louisiana today. The plan is for me to fly out to Louisiana April 20th. Then we will finish up Josh's out processing and get on the road (just the two of us), heading back to California. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PAlnDY9cI/AAAAAAAAAFU/xGD1Sq16o_A/s1600-h/20100316_96.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PAlnDY9cI/AAAAAAAAAFU/xGD1Sq16o_A/s320/20100316_96.JPG" vt="true" /></a>Claira is seven months as of yesterday. She is eating like crazy these days. Enjoying just about everything as far baby food goes. She just about has crawling down...but still prefers "low crawling" lol. She is doing really well at sitting up, although she still cant do it for really long periods of time, and cannot get into a sitting position from laying down yet.Her favorite babbling sounds are "dada" and "baba." I cannot wait for Josh to see how big she has gottin<3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PConTzjlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/v7pxLSKS_Ao/s1600-h/20100305_140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PConTzjlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/v7pxLSKS_Ao/s320/20100305_140.JPG" vt="true" /></a>The boys are having a blast being able to go outside and run a muck. Here they are in the backyard eating sandwhiches. It was still pretty cold when we first got here, but lately its been so warm and sunny. We are loving it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Besides catching up with old friends, enjoying family, getting tattood, and just plain enjoying being home I am looking for a place to live for my family. We are moving to Simi Valley, California in May.So far after checking out Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks last week, I love it there! Good weather, clean place, good shopping, hiking, great schools...a not bad place to be for the next 4 years I say. I had the chance to look at some homes while visiting and so far there is one house in particular that I think would be a good fit for us. Good size backyard and front yard, decent size house for the 5 of us. Hoping it works out. I know we will find the right place for us. I'm just trying to be patient.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PE22iFefI/AAAAAAAAAFk/J6G_KRjEZAA/s1600-h/20100315_20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PE22iFefI/AAAAAAAAAFk/J6G_KRjEZAA/s320/20100315_20.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Had the chance to check out my sister's new place in Santa Monica last week as well. She's got this big ass cactus in their front yard. She loved the place right away after seeing this. The whole place reminds me of my grandparents house in Redlands from when we were little. Minus the cactus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PFTT8-CwI/AAAAAAAAAFs/4o9Qh_xI5Qk/s1600-h/20100315_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S6PFTT8-CwI/AAAAAAAAAFs/4o9Qh_xI5Qk/s320/20100315_22.JPG" vt="true" /></a>Working on going back out there in the next week or so to go bike riding and hanging out at the beach. Oh and have I mentioned she's only 35 to 40 min away from Simi Valley? Love it. Now if I could just get my other sister Kristy to move close! Oh and my mom REALLLLY loves it there..so maybe maybe we can get them all out that way as well. <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-74881244196748974912010-01-31T14:19:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:22:46.360-08:00Matthew and his two year markMatthew turns two on Feb 2nd. I should say I cannot believe my baby boy is two, but to be honest he feels and acts older to me! This child amazes me sometimes. I love to just sit back and see him soak everything in that he can. I know this often comes with the second child. He wants to keep up with his older bro. Lets see, what is Mr. Matthew up to these days.<br />
He enjoys bossing us around, including telling us how to sit and where to sit.He especially does not like when we sit in his favorite seat by the computer.His fav. song to sing is Twinke Twinkle Little Star, which he is NOT afraid to bust out and sing in public. He seems to learn new sayings and phrases everyday.<br />
Favorite color is currently orange. I suppose I'm not surprised since he pretty much can eat oranges and peaches all day.Loves dinasours!! Loves puzzles! Gives the sweetest kisses, but can just as easily turn around and decide its wrestling time, and you are his next apponent.<br />
Our next venture as soon as we get settled into Ca, and into our own place will be potty training.Look out everyone, the Cardenas family will soon only have ONE child in diapers.<br />
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We decided to celebrate Matt's 2nd Birthday a week early, since Josh was leaving for school. Matt and Jake enjoyed a cake, cupcakes and ice cream! Jacob, Josh & I sang Happy Birthday to Matt and we had a nice little family day.<br />
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</div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-368688215461591562010-01-22T15:12:00.000-08:002010-01-22T15:12:16.320-08:002009 Came and Went...The last time I posted something the boys and I were living in California while Josh was deployed. I had no clue at the time that August of 2009 would bring me another wonderful baby...and a girl at that. 2009 came and went really fast for us as a family. We moved back to Louisiana in January, and I started a new semester at BPCC. I did really well with my classes and decided to get a summer class in before our little lady got here in August. Along with all the excitement of bringing in a new bundle of joy into this world, Josh also found out his recruiting package was excepted and we were moving back to California....sooner rather than later. Our new home as of May 2010 will be Simi Valley, Ca.<br />
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</div>Claira Marie Cardenas was born August 18. She was perfect and healthy, and I had the best birth with her out of all three of the kids.She is thriving so well, and has such a sweet personality. Its been so much fun having girl stuff around the house. The boys are completely in love with her, and are always wanting to make her happy. I have also seen a change in Josh. Those two have such an intense bond. She has become such a daddies girl. <br />
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Another wonderful thing that was brought our way since moving back here is Jacob was put into speech. He started just a few months before he turned 3, and was tested a full year and 10 months behind.I say this was all wonderful because back home in Ca I was not getting the response I wanted about his speech as I did here. I knew he was behind, but it was still hard to have it broken down to me in that way. He has his days, but for the most part he has been trying so hard and is doing so amazing. He was tested again about a month ago on his development since then and he is now around 5 months behind they say. He still has some articulation issues in which we may have to address even further. We also had Jacob start pre school which he has been loving, and continues to see his speech therapist at his school.That has made it easier on me as well.<br />
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Matthew is my non stop boy. Always on the go, and so eager to learn. He feeds off Jake and wants to do the things his brother is doing. So if Jake sings his abc's and twinke twinke....then Matt will be singing it as well. Its adorable.Matthew's first words were "Sponge Bob", and "Stop It." Leave it to him to not just say a single word but two words.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oQjmhEJVI/AAAAAAAAACA/214W72DBg6A/s1600-h/20091016_17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oQjmhEJVI/AAAAAAAAACA/214W72DBg6A/s320/20091016_17.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1obKgTFimI/AAAAAAAAACI/jxCJc-7vuoY/s1600-h/20090606_74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1obKgTFimI/AAAAAAAAACI/jxCJc-7vuoY/s320/20090606_74.JPG" /></a>It seems as though 2009 went by SO fast. It really was filled with great times though. Both of my sisters were able to come out and visit at two seperate times. Whitney came out in the summer time with my mom, and we had a wonderful time.We went to a few different places while they were here but mainly just enjoyed eachother, and hung out at the pool a few times. I of course was getting larger by the minute with my ever growing belly.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oexx0cy1I/AAAAAAAAACQ/976-PE9KCkQ/s1600-h/barefoot+%26+pregnant+25wks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oexx0cy1I/AAAAAAAAACQ/976-PE9KCkQ/s320/barefoot+%26+pregnant+25wks.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Kristy came out to meet up with Mom in August, for the arrival of Little Miss Claira.As much as I couldn't do a ton of going out I still really enjoyed their company and was SO greatful to have family here. It was especially hard to see them leave, because we knew we weren't going home for Christmas this year.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ofMpbuvxI/AAAAAAAAACY/nswDwceoZ1c/s1600-h/20090903_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ofMpbuvxI/AAAAAAAAACY/nswDwceoZ1c/s320/20090903_4.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ogv16JiRI/AAAAAAAAACo/Y6vDH3a_Y2U/s1600-h/20090531_49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ogv16JiRI/AAAAAAAAACo/Y6vDH3a_Y2U/s320/20090531_49.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oggoR8XtI/AAAAAAAAACg/7BIG2a4Qngc/s1600-h/20090531_34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oggoR8XtI/AAAAAAAAACg/7BIG2a4Qngc/s320/20090531_34.JPG" /></a>Earlier in the year I had a visit from my aunt & uncle as well, as they were passing through. They take road trips as often as they can and were on their way to New Orleans (jealous). My mother COULD of gone with them, but was SO nice to stay here and watch the kids so Josh & I could have a night to stay in Dallas over night to see No Doubt in concert. Where we also got to eat at a nice cajun place...it wasn't New Orleans, but it was pretty damn good.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ohJcne5_I/AAAAAAAAACw/OcPR4go3YEk/s1600-h/20090531_52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ohJcne5_I/AAAAAAAAACw/OcPR4go3YEk/s320/20090531_52.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ohbDWGVoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/lcLgahRBf18/s1600-h/mardi+gras+bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ohbDWGVoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/lcLgahRBf18/s320/mardi+gras+bowl.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mardi Gras Bowl. Yummmmy!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oh5ZnJ8YI/AAAAAAAAADA/_bhZisX7DZc/s1600-h/20090531_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oh5ZnJ8YI/AAAAAAAAADA/_bhZisX7DZc/s320/20090531_11.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here with my aunt Rayna & Uncle Ross, along with my mom.<3<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the sweetest things that happened to me this year was when my friends Kyleigh and Megan put on a surprise baby shower for me! I hadn't planned on having one, and was completely surprised when they did this for me.Josh didn't even know about it! I should also mention that they were both pregnant as well. We all were within weeks of eachother. We even had the SAME ob dr. The whole office and nurses knew us, and it just made the whole process so much more fun, and was an experience not many go through with their good friends.<3<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ojT05c4ZI/AAAAAAAAADI/KvI7uIziDsQ/s1600-h/20090726_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ojT05c4ZI/AAAAAAAAADI/KvI7uIziDsQ/s320/20090726_31.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ojf5k8a7I/AAAAAAAAADQ/PhUnuuYtk9Y/s1600-h/20090726_45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ojf5k8a7I/AAAAAAAAADQ/PhUnuuYtk9Y/s320/20090726_45.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we all are at my baby shower. So much fun! We were getting pretty huge! haha.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If that wasn't enough this last November we all got together to celebrate my 27th birthday along with celebrating our now, NOT being pregnant anymore.The night consisted of a girls dinner, meeting up with the guys at a bar, then hitting up a club....a special club, lol. Had a great time.Oh and did I mention some mustache tattoos were thrown in there as well. Bestie tats.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1okUtXPqHI/AAAAAAAAADY/0ldkTGasQpc/s1600-h/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1okUtXPqHI/AAAAAAAAADY/0ldkTGasQpc/s320/163.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stach tat...along with my short time with blonde hair. It was pretty hot if I may say.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1okobfizYI/AAAAAAAAADg/5fR9RVEo2kk/s1600-h/kayleigh+and+i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1okobfizYI/AAAAAAAAADg/5fR9RVEo2kk/s320/kayleigh+and+i.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kayleigh & I at Chilis...having our margaritas. My first one since having Claira.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ok325bmeI/AAAAAAAAADo/yKKkF_4afng/s1600-h/kyleigh+n+meg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ok325bmeI/AAAAAAAAADo/yKKkF_4afng/s320/kyleigh+n+meg.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kyleigh & Megan having their margaritas as well.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1olEkwYLoI/AAAAAAAAADw/bn8mCTVKRsk/s1600-h/post+preggo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1olEkwYLoI/AAAAAAAAADw/bn8mCTVKRsk/s320/post+preggo.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The three of us ladies.Mama of two on each side and a mama of 3 in the middle.<3<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of Josh's biggest accomplishments during 2009 was passing ALS (Airmen Leadership School). It was 5 weeks long, and was an extremely rough time for him. He doubted himself some, but in the end he did so well. Our friends and family all knew he could do it, and were all so proud of him. For his graduation dinner we got to get dressed up, and had a nice dinner with all his peers. It was a nice night, especially since Josh and I rarely get to go out with out the kids.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ooFgx-nmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Sl4A_29k5CQ/s1600-h/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ooFgx-nmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Sl4A_29k5CQ/s320/029.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My handsome husband & I at his ALS Graduation.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One week later it was Christmas. Josh & I made a ham, and enjoyed the day with just our little family. The kids were spoiled with gifts of course.Over all a good holiday.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ooyvMIOFI/AAAAAAAAAEA/IUX9Z3Gx7vg/s1600-h/makin+cookies+w+my+matt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1ooyvMIOFI/AAAAAAAAAEA/IUX9Z3Gx7vg/s320/makin+cookies+w+my+matt.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oo56ntyfI/AAAAAAAAAEI/671TaPtyMY4/s1600-h/matt+baking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oo56ntyfI/AAAAAAAAAEI/671TaPtyMY4/s320/matt+baking.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1opINpj6gI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/qcHjhKK_cKQ/s1600-h/jake+cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1opINpj6gI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/qcHjhKK_cKQ/s320/jake+cookies.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1opOh1tOVI/AAAAAAAAAEY/eLFlB9eXZLQ/s1600-h/claira+and+her+1st+cookie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1opOh1tOVI/AAAAAAAAAEY/eLFlB9eXZLQ/s320/claira+and+her+1st+cookie.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baking cookies this year with the kids was so much fun! They all really enjoyed it. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1op5DYTuiI/AAAAAAAAAEg/4GSHMltB-oU/s1600-h/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1op5DYTuiI/AAAAAAAAAEg/4GSHMltB-oU/s320/020.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slightly spoiled Christmas morning.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oqK_Z2zzI/AAAAAAAAAEo/afgiGGRCxuA/s1600-h/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oqK_Z2zzI/AAAAAAAAAEo/afgiGGRCxuA/s320/092.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A disturbing picture of Josh eating a rather large piece of the Ham he made.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oqk3dBU_I/AAAAAAAAAEw/OfBRIwq29fI/s1600-h/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IPM6hOp8UfE/S1oqk3dBU_I/AAAAAAAAAEw/OfBRIwq29fI/s320/107.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claira & her first barbie doll. 2009 coll. addition.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well 2009 came and went, and here we are 5 days away from Josh leaving to Texas for his recruiting school. His school will be 2 months long, and he is getting pretty excited and nervous as well. He really hates being away from the kids for so long. My folks are driving out here next month, so they can drive back to CA with the kids and I. So they are opening up their home once again for the kids and I while Josh goes to school. After he returns back here he still needs to do all his out processing and get the house ready for TMO to pack things up and get em out of here. The plan is for me to fly out here in April, with out the kids. Help Josh out with some things, then have us drive our second car back to CA together. We are actually looking forward to a drive back...with out the children. I will be so happy to get them there next month. <br />
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</div>February is going to be a busy month for us. My folks will be here by the 10th. My friend Megan Clark is getting married on the 13th and I am a bridesmaid! So excited for her! Its going to be this amazing punk rock/rock & roll wedding. They are going all out. Its also going to be the last full day that I will be here before moving. We are heading out early on the 14th. I shall be spending Valentines Day on the road with my folks and kids. Then two days later I will be on the road on mine and Josh's 5th wedding anniversary.We of course don't want to be spending that day apart, but such is life.We will all be back together again soon.<br />
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2010 is going to be full of lots of changes and I am ready for those changes for my family and I.<3Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-10794287302460296722008-06-13T16:16:00.001-07:002008-06-13T16:23:43.339-07:00Friday the 13th!The work week is over. Whit's graduation was last night, it went really well. Long, but the boys did really good. We had a small melt down with Jake but it passed and he did good. Matt was great of course.He got a little hungry towards the end but was awake and happy when we went down to meet whit after everything was all over. She said she had a good time at grad night too.<br />Whit's grad party is tomarrow at noon. So that should be nice getting the family together.<br /><br />Wish Josh was here though to spend it with us. I didn't get to talk to him last night which sucks. I only get to talk to him for like 10 minutes but I still like to hear his voice at least.<br /><br />So it Friday the 13th! Hope to go to Cask & Cleaver tonight with the girls from work. We'll see how my Mom is feeling. Not sure if its gonna happen. I wen't to Ink & Iron last weekend so we'll see how she feels about letting me off for the night. I feel bad when I have her watch the kids anyways. But it would be nice to get out and have a good time with the girls. Kristy says she will watch Matt so we'll see.=]<a href="http://www.chicken-scratch.ca/chickenfriday13_2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="330" alt="" src="http://www.chicken-scratch.ca/chickenfriday13_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437305351912949869.post-26797879933728541982008-06-12T06:50:00.001-07:002008-06-12T06:51:06.269-07:00American HardcoreJust now, I've finished watching a documentary called <a href="http://www.sonyclassics.com/americanhardcore/">American Hardcore</a> about (as you can probably guess) the hardcore punk scene of the early to mid '80s in America.This movement was spawned out of a frustrated desire by young America to go against their context. Someone once said that during times of social unrest, the best art flourishes. Ronald Regan had just been inaugurated as President of The USA and 'good old American family values' had become commonplace again; the Right was getting in.Hardcore punk was seen as an anti-movement, whereby everything was lean. It was about getting as much energy and emotion across to your audience as possible in as little time as possible. In fact, hardcore is distinguished by minimal song lengths. Notoriously, it was fast - there was a lot to cram in so lyrics were spit out and guitarists barely had time move their fingers. To the ignorant people, this was just noise. To those in the know, this was bliss, this was energy & this was a release.Like the songs, the scene did not have time to fully develop, and by the mid-'80s, it had all but died out; at least the first wave. Many people involved in the scene, most famously Ian Mackaye [<a href="http://www.dischord.com/band/teenidles">The Teen Idles</a>, <a href="http://dischord.com/band/minorthreat">Minor Threat</a>, <a href="http://www.dischord.com/band/fugazi">Fugazi</a>], decided to get out and completely burn their ties with the scene. By this point in its history, hardcore had become synonymous with violent riots, an association many were not comfortable with. going back to Ian Mackaye once again, he later used to personally eject people from Fugazi shows who were doing things that could be conceived as violent.Megan_Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672249001329882717noreply@blogger.com2