tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31166510079043002012024-03-05T15:37:07.574-08:00MelissathanMelissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.comBlogger724125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-91858764006549482872020-01-03T11:50:00.000-08:002020-01-03T11:50:15.056-08:00January 2, 2020We decided to ring in the new year with a fun family trip! With the Christmas money from my mom and Doug, we went to an indoor waterpark resort. We had a good time! I'm grateful for mom's generosity with Christmas gifts. It will be a trip to remember!Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-15907242688974869092018-12-30T14:45:00.001-08:002018-12-30T14:45:15.000-08:00Anden Jonathan KershawOur baby is here! Anden was born on November 21, 2018, at 8:04 am. He is such a sweet little boy and we love him so much!<br />
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I wanted to share my birthing story.<br />
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On Monday, November 19, I was having a lot of Braxton hicks. I started noticing them around dinner time and realized they were coming every 10 minutes apart. They weren't coming strong, so I just casually kept an eye on the clock and went to bed. In the morning they were gone, but I had a feeling that this baby was coming soon. I had read all my other birthing stories and realized that with Aveya, my labor started a lot like how this one was going, so I felt like I should be ready for when things actually started progressing.<br />
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On Tuesday, I started feeling pretty intense contractions. I noticed they were coming in the afternoon, but they weren't consistent. I told Jonathan that I was going to take it easy the rest of the afternoon, and let the kids watch a few shows on the tablet while I tried to relax on the couch. I had tried to get them to chill with me and read books together, but after the kids climbed on me (and fought about who could sit where) and a few hits to the gut, I couldn't take it anymore. By dinner time my contractions were finally consistent(!!) but they were only 20 minutes apart. I had the idea to call my mom because with my little sister, Holly, my mom had a lot of contractions but didn't listen to her body and (long story short) gave birth on the side of the road on the way to the hospital. That's about all I knew of the story. I was getting frustrated because these contractions were hard but not consistent but I didn't want to relive that story, so I called her and asked for the details. Turns out my mom had contractions throughout the whole pregnancy (so did I, but mine were obviously mostly Braxton Hicks with a few real ones every now and then) and then the night before she had Holly, they were coming hard every 10 minutes all night. She told me she just laid on the couch all night and waited for them to start coming closer together. Then in the morning, my dad asked her what her plan was (it was Sunday morning) and she told him they were still 10 minutes apart and she wasn't moving until she knew this was the real deal. Well, he hopped in the shower to get ready to go to church, and my mom got up to do something and realized she was transitioning! And then the rest is history... she had the baby on the way. So my take home was, I didn't need to wait until they started coming 5 minutes. If I knew this was the real deal, get to the hospital.<br />
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After dinner, I took a bath and contacted the girl who we had set up to watch the kids in the middle of the night. I told her that I was thinking it would happen today. We decided to go to bed early because I knew it was going to be a short night, and I wanted Jonathan to get as much sleep as he could. I didn't sleep much, my contractions were getting hard but still only 10 minutes apart. By about 1:00, I was done waiting for them to get harder or longer or closer together. So I got up and had three contractions in about 5 minutes. I woke Jonathan up and he called the babysitter while I called my OB office. I don't know why, but for some reason, it said the number I called was invalid. I had never had that happen before, and I didn't know what to do! So I called the hospital I was going to go to and they transferred me to the OB on call I told her they were coming hard and almost 5 minutes apart. She asked what I wanted to do, and I told her that I wanted to just come in, so she said she would meet me there. As I was having these issues trying to get a hold of my OB, Jonathan was having issues trying to get a hold of Danica Motes (our nighttime babysitter). She said she always hears her phone, but after 5 or 6 calls she didn't answer. Jonathan called her husband and he answered first time (which apparently is unusual that he heard his phone). haha.<br />
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On the way to the hospital my contractions were hard but really far apart, so Jonathan and I were able to carry on a decent conversation. When I got there, I was put into the triage room and hooked up onto the monitors and checked. I was only 2.75!! My contractions were coming hard, how was it that I wasn't dilated further!? The triage nurse kept saying things like "if we admit you"... (eye roll) I wondered if I jumped the gun, but knew that I was in labor. I told Jonathan that if they sent me home, I would just go walk around the lobby for an hour. I was not going to go home! They finally admitted me since I was higher risk labor (since I was a V-BAC and all).<br />
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The contractions were still really hard, and my nurse said that I should try to get some sleep... uuuhhh, I'm in labor, I'm not going to sleep. But I stayed in the bed for a few hours, and then said I didn't want to stay in the bed much longer. I asked the nurse if they had a birthing ball. She left to go get it and I really couldn't stay laying down much longer. I got out of bed and when the nurse got back she was surprised to see me up. She kind of reprimanded me for getting out of bed without her help. I was a little surprised, I didn't have an epidural at this point, why wasn't I allowed to move around? As I was on the ball, I asked when I was allowed to get an epidural. **I had decided before I went into labor that I wanted an epidural, partly because I didn't want to take the time to prepare for labor (the method I love using takes at least an hour a day of preparation, and I didn't want to use my time that way... I'm kinda busy with my kids...) and partly because I wanted to have a back up just in case I needed an emergency c-section, so that I could be awake to see my baby.<br />
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Next thing I know, the anesthesiologist was on his way and I started getting really nervous. (I've never had an epidral before, and one of the major reasons I hadn't is because I'm so scared of a needle in my spine!) He got his stuff ready and talked me through what was going to happen. As he was numbing me, I kept bouncing as if I were getting poked in the sides. The anesthesiologist said that I shouldn't do that once I got the epidural. I got the epidural and I started feeling better but things didn't get better. My blood pressure plummeted and they had to keep a close eye on me (another reason I didn't want an epidural).<br />
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As soon as I got the epidural, my water broke and then things started moving! Within 45 minutes I was 9.5 with a little lip. Everyone started gathering and getting things ready. I asked my OB (who I had never met BTW) if I could push in a different position then on my back. She said absolutely not. That was a little frustrating, because I asked at one of my appointments if I could push in a different position. She said it depended on how my epidural took, if I could move my legs, but that I might be able to. I still could move my legs, but they didn't even want to let me try. I was a little frustrated.<br />
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Well, then it was time, I started pushing, and 45 seconds later he was born! This is the best moment! He was on my chest and I was so in love! His hands were up by his face and he was scratching his face, so I put my finger in his hands and he held my hand! It was the best!<br />
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All in all, from the time I was in "real labor" (they count that when you are dilated to a 3) to the time I was holding Anden it was about 2 and a half hours! Crazy fast!<br />
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Anden Jonathan Kershaw was born at 8:02 am, and he was 7 lbs 9 oz 20 1/4" long! So So in love!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-yXhrnC38yzw1pq04s_zXb2L5nXdtn3_fjf9CxPkaAKu_9c6NMBRB08w2sWwq-JL6XdZ-nm7IzIYneSEnzNdM3oOI6V2lr27Psp32QM0SEBNXeJ1PkgNWRyBsSWSJQxf2KOW7lc213P1/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-yXhrnC38yzw1pq04s_zXb2L5nXdtn3_fjf9CxPkaAKu_9c6NMBRB08w2sWwq-JL6XdZ-nm7IzIYneSEnzNdM3oOI6V2lr27Psp32QM0SEBNXeJ1PkgNWRyBsSWSJQxf2KOW7lc213P1/s320/IMG_4051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boys <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqSPpf4F0xFnNj-bTGYuHq4gA2D6auw4U-RoTOdDNgrZ5e4MrAAz1VjGFGniS9KbT-xgWtlhZR6yOlGu56SwY3yhe1l3CTbGdqVL735HhGIadwzZZZKsKkZc0WMVC7rHMkZeVVHlrJM9g/s1600/IMG_4172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqSPpf4F0xFnNj-bTGYuHq4gA2D6auw4U-RoTOdDNgrZ5e4MrAAz1VjGFGniS9KbT-xgWtlhZR6yOlGu56SwY3yhe1l3CTbGdqVL735HhGIadwzZZZKsKkZc0WMVC7rHMkZeVVHlrJM9g/s320/IMG_4172.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves holding my hand. It calms both of us down :)</td></tr>
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-91890740340788176752018-11-12T18:04:00.000-08:002018-11-12T18:04:38.642-08:00HalloweenThis Halloween we did another family costume. Jonathan and I dressed up this year (last year we didn't dress up, but having a perfect pregnant belly made it impossible not to dress up).<br />
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Cambria decided that she wanted to dress up as Elsa from Frozen, so we all dressed up around her request. This will probably be the last year we will be able to convince everyone to comply with Cambria's dream Halloween costume. Corbin dressed up as Kristoff, Aveya was Anna, I was Olaf (the snowman) and Jonathan was Sven (the reindeer). We had a great time dressing up!<br />
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I got some fake hair for Cambria so she could have a big long braid. I had way too much fun doing her hair. It turned out that Aveya had long enough hair for two little pig tails, so cute!!!<br />
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Halloween in this neighborhood is seriously the best! Everyone sits out on their driveway with their friends and a big bowl of candy. Trick or treating starts around 6:00 and it's dead by 8:00. The kids went around the block (with both mom and dad) and then said they were both done. I wanted them to go for longer, but nobody wanted to keep going. I was so surprised! Cambria and Corbin actually really enjoyed handing out candy! So that was fun!<br />
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Here are what everyone is wanting; pictures.<br />
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-89621295301723118822018-09-09T18:58:00.001-07:002018-09-09T19:17:24.136-07:00Jonathan's birthdayJonathan's birthday kind of snuck up on me this year. I was not prepared like I was last year, but last year was the anomaly. He's pretty easy to please, which takes the pressure off.<br />
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This year, I gave him the morning off (he often wakes up with the kids so I can get a little more sleep... isn't he so great!?!) and made omelets, toast, and OJ. We had stake conference today and Aveya wasn't having it... she did not want to sit in the meeting, so I got to walk the halls. The other kids did really well, so he was actually able to listen (which is better than we could say for the last month or so of church, it's not unusual for both of us to be out in the foyer with a different child, and Cambria sits by herself...). Happy birthday to him!<br />
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I was pretty exhausted (now that I'm in my 3rd trimester, I'm feeling very tired) so I took a nap, and tried to get Aveya to sleep (didn't happen). Then I worked on dinner and dessert! We had sweet potato and black bean enchiladas, nachos, salad, and root beer. Then we had chocolate mousse for dessert!<br />
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As far as presents, he's the hardest person to shop for. He doesn't like stuff, has no hobbies, and doesn't give me any fun ideas... He does have a bike though, so I gave him some bike gear and a new, very slim wallet.<br />
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All-in-all, I think it was a good day.<br />
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I sure do love that man! He seriously is the best dad and such a great husband. I'm so glad he's mine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing "happy birthday" to himself with the kids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's modeling daddy's new helmet. </td></tr>
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-69938229150148854762018-09-09T18:48:00.002-07:002018-09-09T18:48:42.070-07:00Corbin's birthdayI have a big 4-year-old boy! He is old enough to really relish the birthday glory! The main thing he said to me was "mom, can I _____ because it's my birthday?" He got to do a lot of fun things that he usually doesn't do, which he loved.<br />
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He stayed home from school because he had a fever the night before. He didn't act sick, but he was feeling pretty warm.<br />
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He got to wear his pajamas all day, and watch shows, and eat almost as many canned peaches as he wanted (I capped it at 3 or 4 little-individualized snack packs). We had a great day!<br />
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He asked for a cake with candy on the inside, cookies on the outside, frosting and whipped cream. So, why not indulge him for his birthday?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He took a long nap because he wasn't feeling well, poor kid!</td></tr>
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-36998668127306699432018-09-09T18:41:00.000-07:002018-09-09T18:41:07.417-07:00Corbin is a Preschooler!Corbin had his first day on the Monday after Cambria started. He is still speech delayed, so he gets to ride the bus! I was a little nervous about how that would go considering when we walked around on the bus on his orientation day he wouldn't even step on it without clinging to me the whole time.<br />
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On his first day, Cambria rode the bus with him (because her bus stop is 4 houses down and they pick up at the same time and drop off in the same location). He walked on without a backward glance, and came home with a smile on his face!<br />
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The first week was a little rough, Corbin didn't engage much (I got a note from his teacher), but turned out that he gave himself a fever by Friday. I think he stressed himself out, to the point that he made himself sick. I haven't gotten another note from his teacher, so I'm hoping that means that he's starting to engage in class more.<br />
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Turned out that Jonathan's first day of teaching as a tenure-track professor was Corbin's first day too! I had to take that photo opp.Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-54198738851864653562018-08-26T13:34:00.003-07:002018-08-26T13:34:34.028-07:00Cambria's in Kindergarten!This was a big week for us! School started... well, Monday is Corbin's first day, but last week we had orientations and parent meetings, and Cambria had her first day.<br />
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Cambria has been so excited to start kindergarten! On Wednesday we visited her school and classroom, she was a little wary but was jumping around as we left. I think she's going to like it once she gets to know the kids in her class. Her teacher seems to be very kind and understanding!<br />
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She is riding the bus! Can you believe that? At first, I thought there is no way I'm letting my 5-year-old on a bus by herself! But there are a few 5th-grade girls in our ward that have taken her under her wing. One of which is at the exact same bus stop. That made me feel much better. Plus, waiting at a bus stop is SO MUCH EASIER than picking up and dropping off! (not to mention that the pick-up and drop-off situation sounds like a horrible hassle at this school. It's not designed for a lot of traffic, so there's lots of traffic jams and stuff.)<br />
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Can I just say that having Cambria gone from 8:30-3:30 is a long time?! I wasn't expecting to feel that!</div>
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She's so big! </div>
<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-37234894012799511642018-08-17T11:12:00.000-07:002018-08-17T11:12:00.477-07:00lessons learned from therapy<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided around December 2017 that it would be good to go to therapy again. Things had gone south again, I was having anxiety attacks and it wasn’t something I knew how to deal with. I found a therapist that was absolutely amazing!</div>
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Now that I have moved away, I obviously am not seeing her anymore. So I wanted to make a list of things that I have learned while going to her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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1. First of all, not every therapist is created equal. My last therapist was such a help to me and really taught me so much. The other two I had paled in comparison. I’m sure they were great therapists, but just not what I needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. My biggest take home was the realization (and complete acceptance of) this concept: my worth is infinite. As I’m typing this, all the lessons from Young Womens comes back and I think “well duh!” But let me explain! I knew that was true, but I didn’t believe it. Why? Because every time I looked at my sink at the end of the day (or even my table) and I saw dishes that were from BREAKFAST still sitting there, a little voice in my mind would say “you are such a bad home maker. You can’t even take care of a simple thing like dishes” bla bla bla. And I would believe it. How could I be all that awesome if my kitchen looked like that? That was just one example, but I would do this with a lot of areas in my life. I just yelled at my kids = I’m a bad mom. I don’t play with them as much as I think so-and-so does = I’m a bad mom. <br />… you get my drift. Well I had a breakthrough while in therapy. God loves me right where I am. He loves me PERFECTLY just as I am. And if I get the dishes done that day, although that’s great, it doesn’t make Him love me more. The same is true the opposite way, if I don’t do the dishes, He doesn’t love me any less. Nothing that I do (good or bad) changes the way that He feels about me, or my worth as a human being (or spiritual being). <o:p></o:p></div>
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3. To go along with #2, I stopped using the terms “good mom” “bad mom” or anything like it. It doesn’t matter how many tallys on my “mom board” I have. I feel so much better if I just stop tallying all that I do. Just try to do good, and let the chips fall and not worry about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Both of those things are basically talking about my thought processes and how I use self talk. I learned a lot about those two things. It’s important to step back and check my thinking. I found a fantastic <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jody-moore/be-bold-mama/e/45963314">podcast </a>about thought processes that I want to explore more, but it was such a mind blowing way of dissecting our thoughts that I just have to share it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. I learned that I repress “bad” emotions. “I shouldn’t feel this way”… my therapist said over and over: all emotions are ok, not all responses are ok. Which then we played with (going back to #2) All of me is ok, but not all of my behaviors are ok. Which, again, is a freeing thought. <br />It’s OKAY to feel anything that you are feeling, in fact, if you suppress it, it doesn’t ever go away, but if you feel it and sit with it for a while, then it will dissipate and you can move on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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6. I also learned some coping strategies for when I start feeling anxious. (the whole reason I started going). Mainly some self talk ques, and breathing techniques. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There were other things, but they were personal and not so universal. I feel like these things above could possibly help others as well. I really feel like every single person would benefit from learning some of these techniques. I often say I feel like everyone needs therapy, but there are other ways to learn how to check your thinking and stuff. I’m so grateful I was able to go, and learn so much. It definitely changed my life, and I hope it continues to. <o:p></o:p></div>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-73692278758590502142018-08-04T17:49:00.002-07:002018-08-04T17:49:31.673-07:00I'm backHi all!<br />
It's been wayyyyyy too long! I always have really good excuses for my lack of blogging. This time it's a computer that doesn't really work. It still doesn't work well, but I'm just going to go with it...<br />
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I have a really good idea for a blog post, so stay tuned.<br />
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In the meantime, since my last blog post we have moved from Indiana to Ohio, I turned 30 (so did Jonathan... both of our celebrations were epic), I'm expecting baby number 4, we found out he is a boy, ... ... and so much more!<br />
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Here's to trying to periodically do this more often.Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-92125882004229458022017-11-12T18:03:00.001-08:002017-11-12T18:03:05.164-08:00First primary program! <p dir="ltr">Cambria participated in her first primary program! I couldn't help but feel all the feelings as I saw her sitting up on the stand. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It's amazing to me how starkly different each child feels in front of people. Each child is unique, but somehow you get the same "types" of kids in every program 😊. Cambria sat next to one sunbeam who had the bright eyes and huge smile on her face the whole time. The other one took the more shy approach. They were all so cute! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Cambria seems to be very obedient in a classroom setting. I couldn't help but feel pride as she sang almost all the words to all the songs (which, by the way, was all her. I didn't work on the songs at all with her) and confidently said her part. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Many of my closest friends are moms to sunbeams, (and they are all the oldest kids too) and I couldn't help but look and see the pride on their faces too. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It's moments like this. Yay for good moments as a mom 😊</p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-84771547077528969632017-09-03T18:21:00.000-07:002017-09-03T18:21:10.902-07:00my haircutI kind of cut my hair on a whim.<br />
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As I was on my trip, I realized how much time my hair demanded (which I didn't give it on the trip, and it just looked bad almost all the time). One day I started thinking about it and decided that I wanted to cut my hair. I started researching on pinterest and found one style that I loved! It was short and it was curly!<br />
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I wanted something that was cut with the intention of it being styled curly. I've never had a cut like that, and thought if it was cut to look good curly, then I probably would style it curly.<br />
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So without further ado:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before: (It's so long I can't even get all of it in the pic)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love it curly! It's not the best pic, but I really love it curly!!</td></tr>
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-8787639461634204202017-09-03T18:13:00.000-07:002017-09-03T18:13:15.424-07:00Food and AnxietyAbout a year ago, I started accepting the fact that something was up, that how I was feeling didn't fall within a "normal" (for lack of a better word) emotional spectrum. I started going to therapy and after a few sessions, I asked my therapist what she thought of me. She told me I definitely have anxiety. She said I am very tightly wound.<br />
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A few of my friends had started making some major changes in their diet for one reason or another. As I was talking to one of them she said that she did an in depth study of the Word of Wisdom and got some very clear instruction for how she needed to change her family's diet. That got me thinking, and praying. You know the phrase "you are what you eat"? Well, as I thought about things, I felt like the food I put into my body probably has a lot more to do with how I feel than I was giving credit for. I started lightly researching food and emotional health, with not much luck. So then I felt like I needed to study the Word of Wisdom, like my friend had.<br />
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As I studied, I also received specific instruction for what I needed to change in my eating habits. Mainly, I needed to add more variety and increase my consumption of vegetables. I jumped in with both feet and it lasted for about a month. But I was pregnant and we were on a grad student budget. Once I saw how much it cost to eat that way, I went back to the way we ate before with the idea that we would jump back in when we started our post-doc and I was no longer pregnant.<br />
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We started eating more veggie-heavy meals after Aveya was born, and have been ever since. I didn't put the two together, but my anxiety was also pretty low. Well, we went on vacation for 5 weeks and my diet drastically changed. By the end of the trip I was an emotional mess, and this week (the first full week we've been back) I've been one big ball of anxiety and nerves.<br />
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Again, I didn't put the two together till maybe yesterday. But I think I have received a confirmation that I am what I eat, and I can attest to the fact that I feel better when I eat better. For me, it comes out in my emotional health, for some others it may come out in energy or something else.<br />
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So here's to healthy eating, and getting back into the swing of eating better.Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-84196792166286625902017-08-29T18:33:00.001-07:002017-08-29T18:33:20.826-07:00Corbin's BirthdayCorbin's official birthday is tomorrow, but Jonathan will be gone all day, so we decided to celebrate today.<br />
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I can't believe he's 3! He is such a happy boy. He is starting to talk a lot more which just adds to his "I want to make you laugh" personality. He is so thoughtful and caring. We are so glad he's part of our crew!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As soon as we were up, I wanted to start on waffles. He wanted to help.<br />For some reason, he seems so big in this picture. Jonathan commented that he's growing up, to which he replied "yup, just like Daniel Tiger!" (he watched an episode all about Daniel Tiger growing up and being a big helper)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaX3W4Kfzj4Vxf4QK6FGObIn6KK60VuOw_2_jTYACz8mIru9oRZ3j_CB9lAiEzCcJj6BjfmKVr4XFiYq6Gu1Wb645OK0vFwUBfVIAAWi-X8mxb6i22gNSDANwybTnMosJtzgoNCTGl8xx/s1600/20170829_080219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaX3W4Kfzj4Vxf4QK6FGObIn6KK60VuOw_2_jTYACz8mIru9oRZ3j_CB9lAiEzCcJj6BjfmKVr4XFiYq6Gu1Wb645OK0vFwUBfVIAAWi-X8mxb6i22gNSDANwybTnMosJtzgoNCTGl8xx/s320/20170829_080219.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy suggested we open one present in the morning. The only gift that was wrapped was the one Cambria bought for him and helped me wrap yesterday. So that's what he got to open.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCs7SixEdBwf8ToRPizpFNkpqlb556b9SJnmzTmnWtPSnkd93U7a4YTeoX05Z3mApxCkRaFojQs7FTMnH52gN9dfrHbgdk57m8-BEgVAfPKuKzXLf7HmA5aoqzjPx-XP2Hnyeq30QzIr/s1600/20170829_080301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCs7SixEdBwf8ToRPizpFNkpqlb556b9SJnmzTmnWtPSnkd93U7a4YTeoX05Z3mApxCkRaFojQs7FTMnH52gN9dfrHbgdk57m8-BEgVAfPKuKzXLf7HmA5aoqzjPx-XP2Hnyeq30QzIr/s320/20170829_080301.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told him to say thank you to Bia and then this happened. They really do have a sweet relationship.</td></tr>
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Not pictured: I had a friend come over and cut all my hair off! I'll probably blog about it later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDBC1sHp9Y997-u0QyXIdIAkHo510r2eG4lWa6KLd427vkqrgGP3IBzePBZWDN3cEECRJ5VtKK-UI2XTQ_5guZSr3Fq940xkDdixTkJdUvbSHFfmJYFUubtUSh3qoxEDWxe-dRrroQxD8/s1600/20170829_145906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDBC1sHp9Y997-u0QyXIdIAkHo510r2eG4lWa6KLd427vkqrgGP3IBzePBZWDN3cEECRJ5VtKK-UI2XTQ_5guZSr3Fq940xkDdixTkJdUvbSHFfmJYFUubtUSh3qoxEDWxe-dRrroQxD8/s320/20170829_145906.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after quiet time I made frosting for his cupcakes. He was right by my side. Right where he likes to be. <br />Bonus: he got to lick the beater... and the bowl...</td></tr>
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Not pictured: Hot dogs for lunch! We also went to the park. It was good to get out of the house. He is starting to get brave enough to play by himself. He still would rather me be right there with him, playing. I did actually do that for a few minutes. Go me!<br />
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After the park Daddy came home a little early and played with the kids while I got Hawaiian haystacks ready for dinner. That is literally the only dinner meal my kids will actually eat. I make a lot more food than that but they take one bite and then they are done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPOikbWU_uxrzUjxjAP5VQuuFsWOn5qwNxxqjGiwE-pq-GimOa932qfP7WOPBi_9vxcqjGPIh3LWTYNzxsQqIGFYrrXRTj5_6aEzWvum-IGHLfXdZQLoxRIwPcD8z63y9smNpNbbP0iZg/s1600/20170829_192013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPOikbWU_uxrzUjxjAP5VQuuFsWOn5qwNxxqjGiwE-pq-GimOa932qfP7WOPBi_9vxcqjGPIh3LWTYNzxsQqIGFYrrXRTj5_6aEzWvum-IGHLfXdZQLoxRIwPcD8z63y9smNpNbbP0iZg/s320/20170829_192013.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had floats (edible bubbles... it doesn't get much better than that) and needed something to put candles in... so we had cupcakes too. Thankfully neither of the kids finished either dessert, so I don't think they were too flooded with sugar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKQdALt1CZEvFZp5Nfxt8IieUtuCmMDK6RmHDnQlYleK7BWjV9OR_1YzqitgAT94Ufpz7JWxuENB0JpprOMXM9RvHmjmnQJqpBVdBuqPGqEHf4HgrKi9JGfV2Odtv9JX6AnwrZYQZQXrj/s1600/20170829_192149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKQdALt1CZEvFZp5Nfxt8IieUtuCmMDK6RmHDnQlYleK7BWjV9OR_1YzqitgAT94Ufpz7JWxuENB0JpprOMXM9RvHmjmnQJqpBVdBuqPGqEHf4HgrKi9JGfV2Odtv9JX6AnwrZYQZQXrj/s320/20170829_192149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"show me your bubbles!"<br />
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I'm not sure why, but the quality of the pictures dramatically decreased with these ones. Sorry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv1VtlE9zN5DOzm5wsydcKSwDHI0BqRvRGNk9QZLj9vHgpVZNcwXDyGJmujuPpYY4J4CFIefRfJ79s_A1zRbfU43JIZklc8QJHrnEKLzn_STOnX_GWZTysFfESgmkDR5kucOHEjkq1WXi/s1600/IMG_2017-08-29+19-40-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv1VtlE9zN5DOzm5wsydcKSwDHI0BqRvRGNk9QZLj9vHgpVZNcwXDyGJmujuPpYY4J4CFIefRfJ79s_A1zRbfU43JIZklc8QJHrnEKLzn_STOnX_GWZTysFfESgmkDR5kucOHEjkq1WXi/s200/IMG_2017-08-29+19-40-33.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"oh-ho! Me-me own playdoh toys! And playdoh!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAjUKQaxRl9VkVjiHEoNSP1irGcmjYkAGPU4LLXvGQeEYPZECfiOLjXc_MMvOZygAB5GL74fcmYGEVcItgYc12el4GLPSPzLQoz3lrVcMnGrFGu1ncQXHJNw_Y-mXb6QiCoYedhQV1kCG/s1600/IMG_2017-08-29+19-37-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAjUKQaxRl9VkVjiHEoNSP1irGcmjYkAGPU4LLXvGQeEYPZECfiOLjXc_MMvOZygAB5GL74fcmYGEVcItgYc12el4GLPSPzLQoz3lrVcMnGrFGu1ncQXHJNw_Y-mXb6QiCoYedhQV1kCG/s200/IMG_2017-08-29+19-37-17.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me trying to get in some pictures too. Corbin got soap (as many bubbles to dump into the sink at one time as he wants!!!) and playdoh toys. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJzb0Muid8PXIM6KQTQGx1KC0lNOjEB_cx58tux78EiWRd9UBFlIEYnZ-_ISdvWwJz_lTqyBHQ82_Ql9-Kuz4ixJ1ELO5Xq5DE4A-7MXDGDSCl1PJZDjiCGp1sDaaHAHfM5Or6mUUhW8Q/s1600/IMG_2017-08-29+19-39-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJzb0Muid8PXIM6KQTQGx1KC0lNOjEB_cx58tux78EiWRd9UBFlIEYnZ-_ISdvWwJz_lTqyBHQ82_Ql9-Kuz4ixJ1ELO5Xq5DE4A-7MXDGDSCl1PJZDjiCGp1sDaaHAHfM5Or6mUUhW8Q/s200/IMG_2017-08-29+19-39-22.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Grandma Fletcher, and Grandma and Grandpa Kershaw for the cards!</td></tr>
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Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-87237404946435175352017-08-27T18:21:00.000-07:002017-08-27T18:21:05.874-07:00Summer Trip 2017This summer we had planned to go spend some time with Robert and Ruth in Georgia, and Dave and Jenny in Virginia Beach. That was planned to last all of one week.<br />
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Well... our trip ended up being a bit longer than that. I decided pretty last minute (a few weeks before leaving) that I couldn't stay away from Utah. We planned to go for Christmas, but that wasn't going to fill my needs now. So we booked tickets to head to Utah, so that I could to my cousin's wedding in Alberta during my trip to Utah. At first I was thinking I would just take Aveya and we could go and come back over a few days. But then push came to shove (cheaper airline tickets, a desire for my kids to strengthen relationships with their cousins... etc) we decided that me and the kids should fly to Utah for three weeks and then fly directly from SLC to Atlanta where Jonathan would meet us and drive us to our originally planned vacation (to Robert and Ruths, and then to Dave and Jenny's). As we were in Utah, Jonathan found out about an opportunity to go to a work conference in Rhode Island that started on the day we planned to drive home from Virginia. What the heck, why not add another 5 days to our trip...<br />
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Our trip ended up being 5 weeks. It was long! But we had a good time. There were some highs and lows and everything in between. We had some unexpected expenses (Jonathan had a tire blowout on the way to Georgia and ended up replacing all 4 tires, even though we took the van to a shop and got an all clear that things looked good... yeah... we probably won't be back to that shop. We also had a crazy adventure getting to Utah, our flight was canceled due to storms, and Frontier couldn't fly us out for another 4 days or something crazy, so we spent all day trying to find a flight to Utah that day.... that was a lot of money, but we made it!) Even with all the crazy, we saw blessings, and recognize that we have been taken care of more than we probably realize.<br />
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blah blah blah... here our the pics!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBEejajP8MWin4k_D0yO1fRmagYuzqKWjwDiVI1gbfAD4naX7YiGn7Blt3plO5lKRVBozQdbtjh5jyilfZyGwPOmVrORveJ8Eqs_D-QIjO3L7mHYy2DpcbboWA3x_AHB3ct1HTA5Clotf/s1600/20170722_113634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBEejajP8MWin4k_D0yO1fRmagYuzqKWjwDiVI1gbfAD4naX7YiGn7Blt3plO5lKRVBozQdbtjh5jyilfZyGwPOmVrORveJ8Eqs_D-QIjO3L7mHYy2DpcbboWA3x_AHB3ct1HTA5Clotf/s320/20170722_113634.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture from our 24 hour trip to Utah. After we found a flight, we found a free indoor playground close to the Airport. That killed some time and energy! Both of those things were needed.<br />(We woke up at 3:00 AM to make our 6:00 flight, which was canceled, and after all was said and done, rolled into my sister's house at 2:00 AM Utah time, we had been up, and traveling for over 24 hours... blah!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOIX6uDJ1fHcd4-SMTy27WvNuFbn6EgaxOI0jUan_-sTT_b8KYhLeybURWSav41GCMgEfFplH6VTthCVhTV4NwCO15IgjhXrbLeRfDsjsVT_yoFg_hPt6049Y8gwioJHurR_0cmDHm2YI/s1600/20170724_184115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOIX6uDJ1fHcd4-SMTy27WvNuFbn6EgaxOI0jUan_-sTT_b8KYhLeybURWSav41GCMgEfFplH6VTthCVhTV4NwCO15IgjhXrbLeRfDsjsVT_yoFg_hPt6049Y8gwioJHurR_0cmDHm2YI/s320/20170724_184115.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aveya with her cousin Ezio, he's only a month older than her :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnseMK3QQJBDrtuXO_E9VSKst3c55e5IAWQa3lfRxmHglOVC0jf-5fnRJqnyLU7ZddnngC6XP6FYARobpIbJi1RonWGTZfyIapUEVhz6U0E5MCO98IT-Xo5Ai3EYjUErioyxOqHWN4rvG/s1600/20170727_024633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnseMK3QQJBDrtuXO_E9VSKst3c55e5IAWQa3lfRxmHglOVC0jf-5fnRJqnyLU7ZddnngC6XP6FYARobpIbJi1RonWGTZfyIapUEVhz6U0E5MCO98IT-Xo5Ai3EYjUErioyxOqHWN4rvG/s320/20170727_024633.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kids shared a bed the entire trip. They did surprisingly well. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ls2zTm899ep14Ksjy8PvYAcSbhsLQfXPe1zOayamRD5y1kzZhEIYcfDri4Q8e2RATdBy2BefXnmgBJseohewY4dC1jNrTRJ5hi_bv43xZAoBw9DMM2XPwG00A1mw7o2WX67Fv5YqluKE/s1600/20170727_132709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ls2zTm899ep14Ksjy8PvYAcSbhsLQfXPe1zOayamRD5y1kzZhEIYcfDri4Q8e2RATdBy2BefXnmgBJseohewY4dC1jNrTRJ5hi_bv43xZAoBw9DMM2XPwG00A1mw7o2WX67Fv5YqluKE/s320/20170727_132709.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids with the Brown family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm60guk4DJD7KD_j2jtNIzaYiKxvx9eqnG0vd4F-sGZulOcXoi9NCm2-_qlr1zmztY4YTmsWMewvmjX1h95ARJ9_dEV7eibqkw1NL5Eeo1vp3Cw2U-NUoJ-gUKjcnJ9IJ58zPwmXY18CLJ/s1600/20170729_073722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm60guk4DJD7KD_j2jtNIzaYiKxvx9eqnG0vd4F-sGZulOcXoi9NCm2-_qlr1zmztY4YTmsWMewvmjX1h95ARJ9_dEV7eibqkw1NL5Eeo1vp3Cw2U-NUoJ-gUKjcnJ9IJ58zPwmXY18CLJ/s320/20170729_073722.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan spent a weekend backpacking with a friend! From what he told me, he had a good time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogR4indcu2OqlbANTPJbEX4k0l-r0ZksYDOuOqedwFKGJ1NKgRwBiJKznujfgOaTG8BgkaGjJn4AlcVWdTuT5JD7e4jCBWKZTvAFij8G4imrC4v615OQavV-Bkhx3BwQgvlDE1bZrsvzA/s1600/20170729_201042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogR4indcu2OqlbANTPJbEX4k0l-r0ZksYDOuOqedwFKGJ1NKgRwBiJKznujfgOaTG8BgkaGjJn4AlcVWdTuT5JD7e4jCBWKZTvAFij8G4imrC4v615OQavV-Bkhx3BwQgvlDE1bZrsvzA/s320/20170729_201042.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cute newlyweds! The wedding was beautiful!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9fDUw1lZlhX8SvgOU7rAlZSEV3OpoJLXfuBdx1fQLR2CgQKsBrODf-C8GY0BxtRhSpBjv2FKY-IOqaXL0EOT0s8Qk9soHGgnleUWuBt5v2jKoXa-s5yc6eMOVxvP7y7ASpFzEOKYeO9x/s1600/20170726_115235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9fDUw1lZlhX8SvgOU7rAlZSEV3OpoJLXfuBdx1fQLR2CgQKsBrODf-C8GY0BxtRhSpBjv2FKY-IOqaXL0EOT0s8Qk9soHGgnleUWuBt5v2jKoXa-s5yc6eMOVxvP7y7ASpFzEOKYeO9x/s320/20170726_115235.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to make it a point to spend some one on one time with each individual family in Utah. This is Corbin and his cousin River. They played really nicely. Which is saying something, because he would rather hang out on my lap while I visit, then be with kids his own age. (Shaylee was Cambria's constant friend in Utah. She often came with us on whatever adventure we went on. It was sweet!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR0VQaAFC42d4RfkVIkgR1bdKulG7R_aOAwJxAmclWqZ1PZ1Qw7Ui1X4pwXiTr9EJMGS6EJ7_L6d8iPtHHjgKaEQnv2c2-qJPoalelmzQihNEu1oUL5O0ygJorWJQMTrOg8zm7GGO471j/s1600/20170730_144615%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR0VQaAFC42d4RfkVIkgR1bdKulG7R_aOAwJxAmclWqZ1PZ1Qw7Ui1X4pwXiTr9EJMGS6EJ7_L6d8iPtHHjgKaEQnv2c2-qJPoalelmzQihNEu1oUL5O0ygJorWJQMTrOg8zm7GGO471j/s320/20170730_144615%25280%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lawlors have to squeeze games in whenever they can. I'm glad I could play with my cousins too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqW17nK8PoTge2am3YAOFOXev_JHGHPrb2nFp5RQl32EuG_el5hOjGAtPxdPv-AFtLOaqEbmFRY_HbHLIfkjaBTL1yiwyI1sT8vUcAjhppxFAuYDwQ5pDf0zsqVmU25jWwt8E4zMB822D/s1600/20170730_124557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqW17nK8PoTge2am3YAOFOXev_JHGHPrb2nFp5RQl32EuG_el5hOjGAtPxdPv-AFtLOaqEbmFRY_HbHLIfkjaBTL1yiwyI1sT8vUcAjhppxFAuYDwQ5pDf0zsqVmU25jWwt8E4zMB822D/s320/20170730_124557.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed with my Grandma and Grandpa when we were in Canada. They have momentoes from all their travels around the globe. Shaylee's listening to the ocean. (I believe this shell was found in Fiji)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25ycD8NEK8Ki9s7jJgZvv_bS3qb7s2UO1XoLOxOIjGkwSBFag_A9hyphenhyphenNF3kCYMxRr037e0Z1SAKTve24oCPWdoU7n4y_AkzvlZQYUs96zjExLoOl6Xhsmaa3YkuBntRhmvPRA4KnpStMKU/s1600/20170731_202207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25ycD8NEK8Ki9s7jJgZvv_bS3qb7s2UO1XoLOxOIjGkwSBFag_A9hyphenhyphenNF3kCYMxRr037e0Z1SAKTve24oCPWdoU7n4y_AkzvlZQYUs96zjExLoOl6Xhsmaa3YkuBntRhmvPRA4KnpStMKU/s320/20170731_202207.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every time I go up to Alberta, I have to make sure to stop and visit Danae's grave. Cambria is named after her and Aveya was born on her birthday. I believe they will always have a special connection with her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_PH1TE2E9tJs38DYPXccHD8UYkN9-05sU5cCojGBPnPPEGqY6ZCgZRgVQKcPS3yY-W9FNab8juXXVQ5ydrr8EfuJOd04c11hraMQm3AZaeUeTdtRyF_7Sw4UgKKngZIZnIMYr6R_kuAi/s1600/20170807_154726%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_PH1TE2E9tJs38DYPXccHD8UYkN9-05sU5cCojGBPnPPEGqY6ZCgZRgVQKcPS3yY-W9FNab8juXXVQ5ydrr8EfuJOd04c11hraMQm3AZaeUeTdtRyF_7Sw4UgKKngZIZnIMYr6R_kuAi/s320/20170807_154726%25280%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also tried to get out of the house and do fun things this trip! (I took my inspiration from you, Erica!) This is BYU duck pond. Word from the wise, if you want to see ducks eat the bread you offer, go somewhere else. haha! They had no interest in the food we brought!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkFFYTH3o0R5seceVzp-Z4XW94VgyHCnDa1Mc98dJpD2e4OZlFA22yYr8OFZ1ybJ0JV1lJtsrPhqi-rRYgxySw5xv0h0t5DTgxBHccneZbud9c8gJkDY-rUkXjJ3vPFy1jYCbWshTLmPC/s1600/20170807_155004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkFFYTH3o0R5seceVzp-Z4XW94VgyHCnDa1Mc98dJpD2e4OZlFA22yYr8OFZ1ybJ0JV1lJtsrPhqi-rRYgxySw5xv0h0t5DTgxBHccneZbud9c8gJkDY-rUkXjJ3vPFy1jYCbWshTLmPC/s320/20170807_155004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids loved watching the ducks anyway!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH-7ajVH864S8Dt1rcer1nHPrKFq3WXghwfEYP4xnJYRhSIRRa2CjExstZQ-nQqvbLNEiVRBF2xgVVBJ4w2dRRMaw_7zD7d6kG4c6BHsUmE7Y3nmGZWhUnPT5j5u_uCV3FmRjgTgY-wt6/s1600/20170807_155620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH-7ajVH864S8Dt1rcer1nHPrKFq3WXghwfEYP4xnJYRhSIRRa2CjExstZQ-nQqvbLNEiVRBF2xgVVBJ4w2dRRMaw_7zD7d6kG4c6BHsUmE7Y3nmGZWhUnPT5j5u_uCV3FmRjgTgY-wt6/s320/20170807_155620.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my 8 year old nephew. Sometimes he looks 12. NBD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK8ytqkZnGAioBNM62h37I31T65RCMv0UvqHibA4BzoxkFGMT4swGjmt0-aqy6NYA4jFMrbjiZEoJ8sVti8_UIYfYmk9koR2Ehq8Dz4SvjbOPK4udQLuKq7lU8kdONQFK0Dvq-vhl48Qw/s1600/20170808_094611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK8ytqkZnGAioBNM62h37I31T65RCMv0UvqHibA4BzoxkFGMT4swGjmt0-aqy6NYA4jFMrbjiZEoJ8sVti8_UIYfYmk9koR2Ehq8Dz4SvjbOPK4udQLuKq7lU8kdONQFK0Dvq-vhl48Qw/s320/20170808_094611.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two... there's one cousin who is right with them in age, but he wasn't there. I can only imagine the mischief they will get into as they get older :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nx1sycxhKz_2ytskbKvdzMCsdKC46pT1m_tbnZfMdsXkF-jPO5TtdkxGpJlFiOzp9LHN0SI1HX7siYcJ19pGBbkelc8eAVG9YGn5T66SZFrbIGXlNp0yptgWZsvWy_xkRafdvlpaDrhs/s1600/IMG_6586111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nx1sycxhKz_2ytskbKvdzMCsdKC46pT1m_tbnZfMdsXkF-jPO5TtdkxGpJlFiOzp9LHN0SI1HX7siYcJ19pGBbkelc8eAVG9YGn5T66SZFrbIGXlNp0yptgWZsvWy_xkRafdvlpaDrhs/s320/IMG_6586111.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merek LOVES babies, and he's so sweet with them. He doesn't talk much, but he's very clear that he wants to hold the baby. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQVseG90Vn2mQmAzk_bqKG5ZS0bk-wXBGUlUpoe7qB6KrT-UIoJDhLt6HSQT7EkLAd8NKq-w2kNy2YXkkF-gxca-JFjC4YXPL_D6GB-STKdX5ke_HSsGwi6HjKOhefDfZgKZSv41onqJ5/s1600/IMG_434611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQVseG90Vn2mQmAzk_bqKG5ZS0bk-wXBGUlUpoe7qB6KrT-UIoJDhLt6HSQT7EkLAd8NKq-w2kNy2YXkkF-gxca-JFjC4YXPL_D6GB-STKdX5ke_HSsGwi6HjKOhefDfZgKZSv41onqJ5/s320/IMG_434611.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springville splash pad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2LlNUD5R4QFZKNmwAAMO-Gp0DjkfnNhWXqb7ZIrDWiRbQFKNAlhvf3CmH7vOVh2cU8lc9jb1BhRBG8cyynhhH8yJKjNN-cDPPcCXO6yON0MCOQlMvpWyG6CEbzK1h8f7ydz4UgaGcIQH/s1600/20170810_165206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2LlNUD5R4QFZKNmwAAMO-Gp0DjkfnNhWXqb7ZIrDWiRbQFKNAlhvf3CmH7vOVh2cU8lc9jb1BhRBG8cyynhhH8yJKjNN-cDPPcCXO6yON0MCOQlMvpWyG6CEbzK1h8f7ydz4UgaGcIQH/s320/20170810_165206.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corbin actually played in the water. I think this is a first. For real! He gets really nervous around water that sprays... or that sits in a pool... just water in general, unless it's in the bathtub.</td></tr>
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I didn't take too many pictures in Utah, there were so many cameras flashing all the time. I figured I would just get their pictures. But I never do... sigh...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJpqCdqAnAvaBUAhT7b5bro5xQjA0yBPURrW6Kk82h3_USSbj2sgJGi0tM3vrD6LMDow90A0BYiA8VdKdgwqYRCEzuOj1ylIqO1zWHEQLRuCqaeeBGJfhHbPXj6DS5G6XSSphtfdlJiA/s1600/20170813_195742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJpqCdqAnAvaBUAhT7b5bro5xQjA0yBPURrW6Kk82h3_USSbj2sgJGi0tM3vrD6LMDow90A0BYiA8VdKdgwqYRCEzuOj1ylIqO1zWHEQLRuCqaeeBGJfhHbPXj6DS5G6XSSphtfdlJiA/s320/20170813_195742.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzPG8VgyxwyilZ_-eIHqUKywrd5kRa-F0rNS2aERWst7s0iKSBwAFsHrzsq65IveNZIvUE9JeKTeuPHzj9D3ipbBLacl7PlDnGYqXkJhB-DpcyohDcwFYvr7i6OnYgo5gnDEXmpbLLqg8/s1600/20170813_195829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzPG8VgyxwyilZ_-eIHqUKywrd5kRa-F0rNS2aERWst7s0iKSBwAFsHrzsq65IveNZIvUE9JeKTeuPHzj9D3ipbBLacl7PlDnGYqXkJhB-DpcyohDcwFYvr7i6OnYgo5gnDEXmpbLLqg8/s320/20170813_195829.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys were matching. this wasn't intentional. Neither one are great picture takers, so this is the best we got.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4QcRwIqnPeyHBJ65SW_X1kD1Sw4a5HiMeXUy18l61UCmrYrg-v6uoK7FP-mwkYaTuNTW8nDO2ojRRt9WVEFHCygR6EWLAIYbzIjtCGa4k_X2SCB2HXoZ3c7LkMU1Vi6TUHcjo6FD4obb/s1600/20170814_144440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4QcRwIqnPeyHBJ65SW_X1kD1Sw4a5HiMeXUy18l61UCmrYrg-v6uoK7FP-mwkYaTuNTW8nDO2ojRRt9WVEFHCygR6EWLAIYbzIjtCGa4k_X2SCB2HXoZ3c7LkMU1Vi6TUHcjo6FD4obb/s320/20170814_144440.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert works at a fire station. I'm so glad we got to check out the fire trucks! Corbin loves fire trucks!<br />Georgia Kershaws with Indiana Kershaws :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIlOvVJw6NtujmclPnSYUxfyNsoxJsdOTg6S-qsIw8VYKvT1Wpr3nbtAjwE5hncz5NV-h8X5PBgMwhbayy9hs3qiHN8C6KDePxMnnpgqjriTdiQaBaOA53v1_koFg5UtcbiQXRB2zYDrz/s1600/20170814_144510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIlOvVJw6NtujmclPnSYUxfyNsoxJsdOTg6S-qsIw8VYKvT1Wpr3nbtAjwE5hncz5NV-h8X5PBgMwhbayy9hs3qiHN8C6KDePxMnnpgqjriTdiQaBaOA53v1_koFg5UtcbiQXRB2zYDrz/s320/20170814_144510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle is so proud of her photo bomb ;)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JY2ZwbgspNFIb72tXYCcFXPy2L-wyCGe1yUb1Qi4JfvzkTJ5dV1_XiJfqB53eJ9oGr_NeoZoVFd5vhMW5Y8AJh2duTWWgIkcZZGZP1S32iO5RZHV44n4DJIajxP5zq2wxf0nTg0EL8Ov/s1600/20170814_151825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JY2ZwbgspNFIb72tXYCcFXPy2L-wyCGe1yUb1Qi4JfvzkTJ5dV1_XiJfqB53eJ9oGr_NeoZoVFd5vhMW5Y8AJh2duTWWgIkcZZGZP1S32iO5RZHV44n4DJIajxP5zq2wxf0nTg0EL8Ov/s320/20170814_151825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBoM4Icw46Z-X3PotH1Xy3UtcWrHPMFxrlIjqDjuvsGMCVNct-hxeLPIE3xb1SCZiaGbsBE3IMJvo6F3P_6CL4mLASOTszqERunonyQRVut3czGfsXUkbtt1EXxmDswYnc5U77GXkbuMt/s1600/20170814_151837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBoM4Icw46Z-X3PotH1Xy3UtcWrHPMFxrlIjqDjuvsGMCVNct-hxeLPIE3xb1SCZiaGbsBE3IMJvo6F3P_6CL4mLASOTszqERunonyQRVut3czGfsXUkbtt1EXxmDswYnc5U77GXkbuMt/s320/20170814_151837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this pic haha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuFztHqfNThW9Guz6aDB1gfdK3LCWvByXMKXYXiJOud-hY9h7GfgJTz8GHBJD1P8V4BrUaZi9XXJMWJ704VQomogD_Ib1JZfD-qZp83SIMTYQmt2weMDsIgc4crduOvg0aMyTJF791-Ed/s1600/20170815_164923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuFztHqfNThW9Guz6aDB1gfdK3LCWvByXMKXYXiJOud-hY9h7GfgJTz8GHBJD1P8V4BrUaZi9XXJMWJ704VQomogD_Ib1JZfD-qZp83SIMTYQmt2weMDsIgc4crduOvg0aMyTJF791-Ed/s320/20170815_164923.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo proof that he actually got out and got wet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqMYjIHrwQ54Y4oaxr0v_y4blk6NFYRVIgZmSS7CBNUA-mIT6FRyijIIb_epjwEQQG1VmRxVrZJpt05b6qcXv5waEod4kAJsy8hVn0NmKIzx3u8BX0WtC1mDC1NxD9fNbJLSZDX1LCmar/s1600/20170816_072153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqMYjIHrwQ54Y4oaxr0v_y4blk6NFYRVIgZmSS7CBNUA-mIT6FRyijIIb_epjwEQQG1VmRxVrZJpt05b6qcXv5waEod4kAJsy8hVn0NmKIzx3u8BX0WtC1mDC1NxD9fNbJLSZDX1LCmar/s320/20170816_072153.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding hands. This gives me hope that their relationship will be good once they learn how to control their big emotions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3TnXXYUtBTUozUo9PktJhXWfWxD4jNexCR4BkdRGLnpPI3oygJbfNNf41eucSqB9qWvgIztz8Ct82vj8e7-HygzEUcfXlhQU9ILWN0mrT1Q3tYLo-udgIY15zJH5rMQ3yBDL67Fw_41O/s1600/20170817_172135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3TnXXYUtBTUozUo9PktJhXWfWxD4jNexCR4BkdRGLnpPI3oygJbfNNf41eucSqB9qWvgIztz8Ct82vj8e7-HygzEUcfXlhQU9ILWN0mrT1Q3tYLo-udgIY15zJH5rMQ3yBDL67Fw_41O/s320/20170817_172135.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl, and water. She loves it! Sand is good too</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Dave is so great with kids! So is Jenny, I just don't have any pics with her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambria and Kami. They hit it off real quick. Kami has dress-ups and princess stuff... Cambria was all over that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDku5YJ0Jp5r2Ceze_rVEiuHszysxtNhxVWM2PNDMhM47RBNTFy3n6uoH8tlhGGd4NLUAKutGkEYce0anXw7_qIgpK3g6cNnoaj9COi_ccpRn_tvMDRBhy42_rPEaK39hSFckuT87MpNof/s1600/20170818_154618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDku5YJ0Jp5r2Ceze_rVEiuHszysxtNhxVWM2PNDMhM47RBNTFy3n6uoH8tlhGGd4NLUAKutGkEYce0anXw7_qIgpK3g6cNnoaj9COi_ccpRn_tvMDRBhy42_rPEaK39hSFckuT87MpNof/s320/20170818_154618.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the aquarium. Proof that I actually went on this vacation... I don't often remember to get in the picture. #momproblems</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevgYbAOr6mHgxohJwlpqIsazLopniTPSQLWdjfbxyUxlYIlTZLV0DRkDGdvQUqjs1Q_fd_PSGvFhT1Vu5cqNcCjSZ88og9s3k7rgeUVX_MZ4biIXRF2GBp8Fwf9W-5FJvR8TL_7UbwF7o/s1600/20170818_154401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevgYbAOr6mHgxohJwlpqIsazLopniTPSQLWdjfbxyUxlYIlTZLV0DRkDGdvQUqjs1Q_fd_PSGvFhT1Vu5cqNcCjSZ88og9s3k7rgeUVX_MZ4biIXRF2GBp8Fwf9W-5FJvR8TL_7UbwF7o/s320/20170818_154401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvKxKe-BL-vKnOaDk2542giqQ1nAykU1OwJqYZGYiuSuLfkZ6fQ4DPUeDalVi_e2uDeVVYj1IoL-LsRXCLFAwsJzeuoPInU3jOnLEbEKtTc-u2DMqLXngcthfK_iYo1FYXWhy8Plen7vL/s1600/20170819_082548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvKxKe-BL-vKnOaDk2542giqQ1nAykU1OwJqYZGYiuSuLfkZ6fQ4DPUeDalVi_e2uDeVVYj1IoL-LsRXCLFAwsJzeuoPInU3jOnLEbEKtTc-u2DMqLXngcthfK_iYo1FYXWhy8Plen7vL/s320/20170819_082548.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambria was excited to catch a fish until it started squirming. Then she didn't want to get too close.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2wA_o9_q8g84cfbiEGxbbWcHE4wuofzEga4ndrh2NUBJ-YrCc6rT5a-eJ_JVVfIE7-lLCWzdhnCkNThLShL17Cu-kxcRw3DC13XDljCmtBqnd0OqveqCTT-Xhd7xiqWk_ZxskBPY4LVb/s1600/20170821_163029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2wA_o9_q8g84cfbiEGxbbWcHE4wuofzEga4ndrh2NUBJ-YrCc6rT5a-eJ_JVVfIE7-lLCWzdhnCkNThLShL17Cu-kxcRw3DC13XDljCmtBqnd0OqveqCTT-Xhd7xiqWk_ZxskBPY4LVb/s320/20170821_163029.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our posed solar eclipse picture. You don't need to know that we watched the eclipse out the side of a mall parking lot. You also don't need to know that this pic was taken in the shade... much after the eclipse ended...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtBt1TepSBQ74r159opbdNpZB0zizcGtACuJlkDRSLjoaSOE-Hawb7EP9AUnruey6v2t3wTc6BgnJDDes5-pW2QpyQIJIVsKkKTSiv8i72R8RqC5sJAYa2n9E9SQ0-IRubu8W1iACWg-d/s1600/20170824_120433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtBt1TepSBQ74r159opbdNpZB0zizcGtACuJlkDRSLjoaSOE-Hawb7EP9AUnruey6v2t3wTc6BgnJDDes5-pW2QpyQIJIVsKkKTSiv8i72R8RqC5sJAYa2n9E9SQ0-IRubu8W1iACWg-d/s320/20170824_120433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pedicures with the girls! I love my last summer hurrah toes!</td></tr>
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-39940672166689486742017-06-21T13:18:00.001-07:002017-06-21T13:18:52.510-07:00I just wanna be a hairstylistoh hello blog! It's been a while!<br />
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I want to tell you a story. Once upon a time... just kidding... but get ready, I have a feeling this is going to be a long blog post. I have a lot of thoughts rumbling around.<br />
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First off, let me start by saying that I'm a dreamer. I always have been, I've always had very lofty dreams. One dream that I've had since I can remember is to become a hairstylist.<br />
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When I got to high school. I had found a lot of different passions at that point. Most of which had something to do with musical theatre. I was very preoccupied with pursuing and engaging in all things music and theatre. When it came time to decide what to do with my life I had put hair school out of my mind. I wanted something that would force me to move away from my family for a short time so that I could grow up and not be so dependent (immediately after high school), and then something that I could support a future family with if I needed to. Hair school didn't fit into either category, so I never pursued it.<br />
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Here I am now, 6 years after I have graduated with my Bachelors, wishing that I had this skill. Wishing that I would have made it happen when I was ready to fork out a ton of money for education, and had the time to have a full time job to gain the skills needed to be confident.<br />
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To be fair, I'm not wishing all the time. I'm too much of a dreamer to be kicking myself for something I didn't do 10+ years ago. Besides, I learned a lot from the experiences that I gained. I'm so grateful (especially) for the decision I made to pursue the bridal business for a little while. I'm a much more confident seamstress because of it. But now I'm just dreaming of a way to make hair happen.<br />
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That's the end of the story; now here's the beginning of my thoughts... the reason for this blog post. (I warned you that it would be long!)<br />
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If I had the skills to cut, color, style etc hair, then I would have something to do that would give me a creative outlet. Something that I could pursue that I'm crazy passionate about. I would have that time set into my schedule to develop meaningful friendships with adults (all different kinds of adults) I could have friends come to me on the weekends and chat with me for an hour or so. I can only imagine what that would do for my emotional health!<br />
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I have skills that give me a creative outlet, but most of them require alone time, which is scarce and not something that I need, I need to find things to do with other people! They are often very long projects, and often require money at the beginning of each new project. But with hair... after I gained the skills, it would give me something to be creative about that didn't require any money out of my pocket (that I wouldn't get back anyway). It would give me some much needed social interaction, and it would only take a few hours for each new project! Win-win-win!!!<br />
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I've talked to Jonathan about this (after moving on from my most recent dream of becoming the next Hillary Weeks). This seems like something that would be good for me for so many reasons. I've dreamed about this so seriously that I even looked into hair schools here. There are two neither of which are that great (from what I've been told). One is $18,000! It has two options: a full time option that would take 10 months, or a part time (evening class) option that would take 20 months. The other hair school is about half that much money, and not as good (so I hear). They only have one option; full time, during the day for 10 months. Now if that reality isn't a dream killer, I don't know what is. Full time school really isn't an option right now, and 2 years of night classes and $18,000 is a lot!<br />
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Last Friday, Jonathan and I went on a date. The conversation moved to hair school. We started brainstorming how to make the things I want a reality, realistically. What I really want is to gain the skills to cut (and color and style etc) people's hair in my home.<br />
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Jonathan started wondering if there were any other way that I could gain those skills. We talked about learning from YouTube videos (which I actually have already learned a lot), and getting some sort of apprenticeship with someone who is a hairstylist out of their own home. He mentioned that I may not need to know all the stuff that I may learn in hair school considering my goals. As I thought about that, I thought it might work, but there's a lot to consider. The main drawback is credibility. How could I convince someone to trust me with their hair if I don't have the credentials. I'm not too concerned about that here, I already have some friends who are willing to let me try to cut their hair(!!!!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!!!) and if I do a good job, word will spread, and I might be able to get a good amount of people to trust me. But what about when I move away? How do I get this business (for lack of a better word) going again without the credibility of the license. Then there's also the legal side of it, I'm not sure if I could charge people if I don't have a license. Although I wouldn't charge much, I would like to make sure I'm not in the hole for the supplies and stuff.<br />
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Another drawback is the question about how I would actually gain the skills. In a perfect world, I would have gone to hair school, then worked in a salon for a few years so I could have actually gained the necessary skills. Then I would have opened up a salon in my home and been amazing. But unfortunately, that's not in my deck of cards anymore. Could I actually gain the skills without hair school? All the skills to cut all different types of hair, head shapes, textures, and thicknesses? To color all different colors and using different techniques?<br />
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So... if anyone is still reading. What are your thoughts? Is there a way I can work around hair school? Should I just consider hair school worth the investment of time (both my time, and time away from my family) and money? (There's no way that I would get a return on that investment... I wouldn't make that money back.) I know plenty of women who felt like going back to school to get a graduate degree of some sort was worth it, and they made it work. Should I make it work? For those who are hair people: is there a lot in hair school that you learn that you don't use as an in-home stylist? I really need some direction here, so if you have thoughts, please share them :)<br />
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For your viewing pleasure... Here are some of the most recent hair cuts I've given...<br />
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<br />Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-44471887926868118642017-04-12T20:13:00.001-07:002017-04-12T20:13:49.453-07:00Glimpses<p dir="ltr">I have been getting glimpses of the mom I want to be peeking out of her hiding place. The mom who had spur-of-the moment dance parties, or the mom who plays with her kids and genuinely has fun doing it. The mom who is silly and can make her kids laugh.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I've been praying for help in this part of motherhood. I know it's in me, I'm a fun person, who likes playing pretend, and doing things that most kids like doing (play dough, coloring, dancing). But I've not really been able to let go and enjoy motherhood for a really long time. It feels so good to have fun with my kids. It feels so good to see their smile because I'm doing something with them that makes them smile. I'm grateful for grace, the Savior is making me more than I am, and renewing parts of me that have been hiding for a long time. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Xa6zh_b-7kDXUE5gqvPG1rSDxp6T9TFSqlWo_AMbUXCnWq25qETEAtYbYpqIuTDr9UHiHxIfKGez-zQCvaaxSLAG361Pp2o_XCUq5tguaVlb_DZBOviUk8L9XxqIDNk89VCv3yGQgZR/s1600/20170330_164833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Xa6zh_b-7kDXUE5gqvPG1rSDxp6T9TFSqlWo_AMbUXCnWq25qETEAtYbYpqIuTDr9UHiHxIfKGez-zQCvaaxSLAG361Pp2o_XCUq5tguaVlb_DZBOviUk8L9XxqIDNk89VCv3yGQgZR/s640/20170330_164833.jpg"> </a> </div>Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-37989031711174275792017-04-12T17:14:00.001-07:002017-04-12T20:00:53.279-07:00Keeping it real: bedtime<p dir="ltr">Last night it took us 4 hours to get the kids to sleep! One or both of us were constantly working on getting the kids to sleep! We are trying to keep the two older kids in the same room. We've tried this on and off their whole lives and never consistently kept it up. (We are still wondering why we feel like this is a good idea). This week we've tried to just sit with them in the room without a night light till they fall asleep. Some nights it quirks well, last night it didn't matter what we did they just got crazy and disobedient.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Here's to that being the worst bedtime, and not taking that long tonight.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Update: bedtime was awesome tonight! Blessings! </p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-35340250089064872702017-04-11T15:20:00.001-07:002017-04-11T15:20:48.513-07:00Keeping it real: what makes us happy<p dir="ltr">Jonathan and I talked the other day about activities that bring us happiness. Honestly, it took me as little while to find things that I could do with the kids on a regular basis that bring me joy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We talked about things that Jonathan could do to fill his bucket. Things that he could do by himself. (He often serves till he drops...) that was even harder! I'm not sure if we found any thing that he wanted to do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So this is real life: we have lost a small (but very important) part of our lives. Here's to changing that.</p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-21528011073962223882017-04-05T19:23:00.000-07:002017-04-05T19:37:15.557-07:00It's UndeniableHeavenly Father is in the details of my life. He cares deeply, and is making Himself manifest in so many areas of my life.<br>
<br>
He has been in every step of our journey, and we have really noticed it in the last few months. I don't want to make this post too long, so I'm going to bullet point a few things:<br>
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<ul>
<li>Jonathan got an internship with General Mills last summer, the company that he thought he wanted to work for ever since he started in Food Science. </li>
<li>As we were there we thought we were going to end up there (I was looking at schools, housing, wards... the whole bit). But then we found out about a position opening up at BYU. Academia was never part of the plan, or on our radar. As we prayed about staying at General Mills, each one of us independently felt like we needed to try for BYU.</li>
<li>When we came back home to Indiana, and made it a serious matter of prayer and thought about how that would happen logistically. We were a little nervous to turn down a great opportunity for the hope of something coming into fruition later. </li>
<li>As Jonathan thought about it, he knew he didn't want to continue down the current research path he was on, but didn't know what else would be interesting enough to make a career out of. As he prayed about it, thoughts and inspiration came flooding to his mind, thoughts of research topics that he hadn't thought about before. </li>
<li>If he wanted to switch research fields, then the need for a post-doc was essential. But graduating in May and potentially starting in August didn't leave much time. Then the thought came to try to defend his dissertation as early as possible and get a short term post-doc. </li>
<li>As he looked into post-doc positions at other schools, he felt like he should ask a recently hired Purdue faculty (doing research in the field he was interested in) for recommendations of good places to apply, and if doing a flexible post-doc was even an option. She basically offered him a position on the spot.</li>
<li>Jonathan got an interview with BYU, even though there were many qualified candidates that applied (we were told by a few BYU faculty).</li>
<li>He felt good about how the interview went. </li>
<li>Fast-forward to February 2017. I was due with Aveya on the 23, Jonathan originally planned to defend in the middle of the month, but some of his committee members couldn't make it, so they rescheduled for February 21! That turned out to be a blessing, because Aveya came on the 13. I was recovered enough to go to his defense (something I REALLY wanted to do).</li>
<li>There were some amazing miracles and tender mercies associated with Aveya's birth. Things ranging from saying a silent prayer on Saturday night (Feb 11), just complaining a bit... "I really don't want to deal with being pregnant and this hip pain for another two weeks. If it's not going to be too crazy for Jonathan, can I have this baby early?" then starting contractions within minutes of that prayer... to being able to teach gospel doctrine by myself through my contractions, to all the help I had through my slow c-section recovery, to my kids not being jealous of Aveya... to the miracles of modern medicine, that although Aveya was sideways, she was born healthy and safely, and I was safe as well. </li>
<li>We have been struggling with this 2 year long phase Cambria has been in. She's been so defiant, and hard to parent (to not delve into too many things). I've really struggled with controlling my temper and trying to find ways to get through to her. Any parenting strategy that we have tried seemed to not work. But we got so many answers during General Conference (people keep telling us that we need to be more firm, but as I try that, I find it puts me in a bad place, and it isn't effective. But I felt overwhelmed by all the talks about treating people with love. Love is always the answer). We also started reading a <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542640-peaceful-parent-happy-kids">parenting book</a> that has been really awesome! As we have applied the little that we've read, it seems to be working! And it's in line with the things we heard and felt in General Conference!</li><li>I have gotten into a motherhood rut, but with some sincere begging in prayer, I have had a few wonderful moments with each kid. I've had better days this week than I've had in a very long time. The enabling power of the atonement is real! And that's a miracle! </li>
</ul>
As we wait to hear back from BYU (we won't hear back till May at the earliest), sometimes I get impatient, ok, most times. But after this weekend, and realigning my perspective, I know that it will turn out the way that it's supposed to. Heavenly Father has a plan, and he has been guiding us in undeniable ways.Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-15818491025476061602017-02-21T17:49:00.000-08:002017-02-21T17:49:47.167-08:00Aveya's birth storyJonathan is so good at writing in his journal. He wrote down Aveya's birth story on the day she was born. He got most of the story recorded, so I'm going to have him tell us the story in his own words. <i>Anything italicized are notes I added. </i><br />
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<b>Monday, February 13, 2017</b></div>
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Today is Aveya’s birthday! Melissa was having contractions about 20 minutes apart for most of the day yesterday. Around dinner time, they were 5 minutes apart for about an hour <i>but they didn't feel too intense</i>. When she called the midwives, they told her to take a bath. The bath helped things slow down, so we thought that it was just a false alarm. About two hours after we (I) went to sleep (thankfully, it was uncharacteristically early), Melissa woke me and said that we needed to go, and that she was in active labor. <i>I never slept. We were in bed by 9:30, but Aveya was SO ACTIVE, so I couldn't relax. Then when she started calming down the contractions started coming hard! I called the midwife again and told her they were intense. She told me to come in. So I called a friend who has seriously been such a life-saver. I had asked them beforehand if her and her husband could stay the night if I went into labor at night (I had someone planned for a middle-of-the-night call, but this was so early in the night that i just asked them because I was texting them around dinner asking them to put the kids to bed if we had to go in) </i>I am so grateful for Morgan and Kristen Ruesch, and their willingness and cheerfulness to come over and stay at our place for the night. It was such a blessing. (<i>Kristen had helped me at least half a dozen times in the last month and a half or so, so the kids were very familiar with her)</i></div>
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I am grateful that the kids slept through the night for them and that Corbin didn't freak out too much like we were worried he might (apparently Cambria helped comfort him, so sweet.) I am also grateful for the priesthood. Melissa asked for a priesthood blessing before we left. Morgan and I administered to her. In the blessing, I blessed her body that it could do what it was designed to do. I blessed her mind that it could be strong and that it had been prepared by her preparation. I also blessed her with peace. In the blessing, I also said that everything would be ok. Although it may have sounded like we would have a vaginal birth that we wanted, that wasn’t necessarily what I felt. We got to the hospital around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_645816042" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">midnight</span></span>. The midwife checked and Aveya was still sideways <i>and I was dilated to a 6.5 and fully effaced</i>. We were both disappointed, especially Melissa. We were both blessed with peace though. I am grateful for c-sections and that they can help babies and moms in otherwise dangerous situations have a healthy, safe birth. Melissa was wheeled to the OR, and I joined her shortly later. It turns out that Aveya had even turned again, and was completely feet first when they pulled her out. They said she was kicking even as they took her out. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">My experience with pain meds in labor: I hadn't ever had them before, but oh man! I can understand why people get them. I didn't feel as prepared for this birth as I was with the others (oddly enough, even though Corbin's was so early, I still felt very ready for labor with him). And as soon as I found out that I needed to have a c-section, I wasn't welcoming the contractions like I usually do. I kind of got more and more frustrated that I had to feel another one as each one came. If I was going to get a spinal, then I wanted one NOW. They told me that as soon as the medication kicked in, I would probably feel tired, considering the time of night we were there. When I got in the OR, I got a little nervous. One of the reasons why I haven't ever gotten an epidural before is because I'm so nervous to have someone stick a huge needle in my spine and potentially paralyze me. The anesthesiologist was amazing though, he talked me through everything, and told me how I was going to feel before I felt it, which eased my mind significantly. As soon as he had the spinal in, I felt like I was on cloud 9! It was amazing :). I did feel nauseous several times, not fun, but he just upped my anti nausea medicine and I felt better. The rest of the time was a blur, I was trying not to listen to the doctors on the other side of the curtain, the idea of them right there, cutting me open wasn't something I liked thinking about. Then it hit me like a load of bricks, I was tired and I physically couldn't keep my eyes open. I didn't try to keep my eyes open until I heard that Aveya was out. I heard her cry and that was the weirdest, most amazing combination of emotions and feelings. I had the same feeling I had with the other babies I've had, the pure, instant love. The desire to see her and feel her skin to skin. But at the same time I couldn't help but think "is that it? I didn't do anything! There was no work on my part to bring her here, but she's here!"</span></span></i></div>
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Aveya Leanne Kershaw was born at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_645816043" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:52 am</span></span>. She weighed 6lbs 10 oz, and was about 18.5 inches long. It was special that she was born on Danae Gough’s birthday. <i>for those who don't know, Danae is my cousin who was killed in a car accident about a year before Cambria was born. Nae is such a special girl, and I feel like it was a tender mercy that my contractions didn't come till closer to midnight, considering how fast everything happened so that she could share Nae's birthday. </i>Cambria shares her middle name, and now Aveya shares her birthday.</div>
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It is hard to describe the feeling after seeing her for the first time. I just couldn’t stop smiling. I was so happy that she was with us, and so grateful that everyone did so well. <i>I actually cried when I saw her (something that I hadn't done before) but I felt the same emotions with her as with the other kids (just in awe at how beautiful and perfect and how in love I was with her). </i>I am grateful for the medical staff, and for their expertise, professionalism, kindness, and understanding bed-side manner. I am grateful that Aveya seems to be a strong nurser. I am grateful that I was able to rest a little last night and during the day, although I’m not sure if sleep ever really came. I am grateful for the quiet moments that Melissa and I got to spend together just with our new, beautiful baby. I am grateful for the feelings I have when I hold her and see her eyes. I am grateful that Melissa is doing well physically and emotionally. It was so special to see the kids see and hold Aveya. Cambria especially was so loving and tender and she held and looked at Aveya. It was so sweet. Corbin also was gentle and loving. I am grateful for the miracle of life and the role of families in the plan of salvation.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">for you viewing pleasure... </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at that tired momma. Tired but so happy!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corbin meeting his little sister for the first time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegKpMqzoo9_BBavQyZ7kRk-4ujjqbYseg1MpJcRibHNEYCBsvCzdIaDluhRox2HHyHhbcjCi8uHVEwvNgPqeO_SgZRF9Tq00Io2J-Jv346VZE_JiY6tCIRFzlYLpO1Tn-GyLxB9e_HK9F/s1600/20170213_162558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegKpMqzoo9_BBavQyZ7kRk-4ujjqbYseg1MpJcRibHNEYCBsvCzdIaDluhRox2HHyHhbcjCi8uHVEwvNgPqeO_SgZRF9Tq00Io2J-Jv346VZE_JiY6tCIRFzlYLpO1Tn-GyLxB9e_HK9F/s320/20170213_162558.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that smile! I have a feeling they are going to be bff's </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wmvakrb0KHPm2_J-Ma3d2R4x8LFrODQjjbMkNy5JFBHx3r6u4PtLjJCxHpTXvVzHM9Y8G7M2QAYEO98fG6FosEWk4dZJfbRcfslRdEtnW86xWTqPkVr5yPI7qawReB2rnEw18lu2bRVK/s1600/20170213_162630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wmvakrb0KHPm2_J-Ma3d2R4x8LFrODQjjbMkNy5JFBHx3r6u4PtLjJCxHpTXvVzHM9Y8G7M2QAYEO98fG6FosEWk4dZJfbRcfslRdEtnW86xWTqPkVr5yPI7qawReB2rnEw18lu2bRVK/s320/20170213_162630.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"all the girls!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOCzLtOnRFrJnsvjDoxWIHy26g8nHMtS-y1PtMvJLrujYHpqqQU3oS7iQFJSUOCJfEhkQ9eruWxOKhVeUBvrM7ycF05kNKYuS7G2j45UwsYk06-cX4R-7h4x4Vi6VfB0PDAtKXWUyzjIL/s1600/20170213_163126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOCzLtOnRFrJnsvjDoxWIHy26g8nHMtS-y1PtMvJLrujYHpqqQU3oS7iQFJSUOCJfEhkQ9eruWxOKhVeUBvrM7ycF05kNKYuS7G2j45UwsYk06-cX4R-7h4x4Vi6VfB0PDAtKXWUyzjIL/s320/20170213_163126.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first pic as a family of 5!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K0RaZGf_o2V_EzwM1_NuVJJBsh_N_Q59r4wqbAQ4jazBAMKxMWThAwkfGMPXo_pk0H2ERF99cHx3VMydLiw-SzbdQjpS4bn7aMB1EBR82SRluF-OlaKxHcEfCtjru9PnT3TueF2vQsJE/s1600/20170215_133725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K0RaZGf_o2V_EzwM1_NuVJJBsh_N_Q59r4wqbAQ4jazBAMKxMWThAwkfGMPXo_pk0H2ERF99cHx3VMydLiw-SzbdQjpS4bn7aMB1EBR82SRluF-OlaKxHcEfCtjru9PnT3TueF2vQsJE/s320/20170215_133725.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She posed herself</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkQgNjFn1Log9iErziz73CEM2uArsZiosYzz2kUAPT2pC1XapY2jP45h0iV7_QqVBmG3hVbUbpnC4YgKg2fhd-gkpR7jRg_Gl3eD1mz3Wr3Y1x5nEUENyXYimOYXOKRchZ9VDh2ZkUy3J/s1600/20170216_185821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkQgNjFn1Log9iErziz73CEM2uArsZiosYzz2kUAPT2pC1XapY2jP45h0iV7_QqVBmG3hVbUbpnC4YgKg2fhd-gkpR7jRg_Gl3eD1mz3Wr3Y1x5nEUENyXYimOYXOKRchZ9VDh2ZkUy3J/s320/20170216_185821.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going home from the hospital!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ3EJp9t5LaaAOaZhVzsoD1ZL-ZKirYCBp55ZZ3wOd14RhIKau_s0ZJ-cSt8me4_8sbumVcZWA_Gcj84ah-UgFef3kZnyLT5-ZK2PA1chWwSTBB4uEXMWJpFmhrd7gAGJWCzZY14QFOFz/s1600/20170217_133957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ3EJp9t5LaaAOaZhVzsoD1ZL-ZKirYCBp55ZZ3wOd14RhIKau_s0ZJ-cSt8me4_8sbumVcZWA_Gcj84ah-UgFef3kZnyLT5-ZK2PA1chWwSTBB4uEXMWJpFmhrd7gAGJWCzZY14QFOFz/s320/20170217_133957.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love newborn smiles!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span>Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-8702820039510703672017-02-19T17:33:00.001-08:002017-02-19T17:33:54.679-08:00So grateful<p dir="ltr">So much has happened in such a short time! I had a baby (both story coming soon) and I'm trying to recover. <br>
I have so much to be grateful for. I'm grateful for modern medicine, I'm grateful that Aveya is healthy and such s good baby! I'm grateful my body is healing well. I'm grateful fir ask the support my ward family has offered. But most of all I'm grateful for how Jonathan had stepped up and taken care of EVERY aspect of our lives. He's taken care of the kids, made meals, kept the house in order, taken care of me, made special Valentine meals, and made candid birthday special. All while being sick and losing sleep due to crazy coughing fits. Oh yeah, and he defends his dissertation tomorrow, so he's had that <u>hanging</u> over his head all week too. He truly is such s wonderful husband, and I am the luckiest, most blessed girl to have him.</p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-49678494275326411932017-02-12T18:15:00.001-08:002017-02-12T18:15:15.740-08:00Cute growing up kids<p dir="ltr">The things that come out of Cambria's mouth sometimes make me laugh! Today, after we put her to bed, she was calling for Jonathan. He didn't answer, that usually what we do, and she said "is anyone home?" Lol! I don't know where <u>she</u> got that phrase :)<br>
She also told us (while pretending that she was a missionary) that she was serving her mission in Indianapolis, and was born in Dallas. That girl picks up on things! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Corbin is starting to string two and three words together! It helps so much! We can understand what we wants a little more. It's great! </p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-62742543156145698502017-02-10T18:56:00.001-08:002017-02-10T18:56:31.231-08:00Cute Cambria<p dir="ltr">Today Cambria wanted to talk to Aveya. She got really nervous, and almost didn't do it. But she had the biggest smile on her face when she was done! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Today she said she was a baby (this has been a common game around our house) and then started to cry really loud and obnoxiously. I told her that's not how babies sound. Then I went back to videos of her as a baby, and Corbin too. It was so cute to relive those precious moments that I had with each of them as newborns. It was really fun to see them watch videos of themselves too.</p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-36834369999629438672017-02-07T20:09:00.001-08:002017-02-07T20:09:44.802-08:00Cute kids<p dir="ltr">I love how Corbin taps his chin when he's thinking.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I love that Cambria came and cuddled with me in bed after my nap.</p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116651007904300201.post-92068908185453672032017-02-05T19:08:00.001-08:002017-02-05T19:08:16.825-08:00Cute siblings<p dir="ltr">Cambria and Corbin's relationship is developing to be so cute! Today Corbin didn't want me or Jonathan to put his pajamas on. So Cambria offered. Then her inner mommy came out and it was funny to see myself in her parenting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">They were also playing in a big box earlier <u>today</u>. Cambria was pushing Corbin around and pushed the box under a chair and almost hit him in the head. She stopped, and Corbin ducked down. And she pushed the box all the way under. It was so funny to see his problem solving skills develop. And so cute to just see his little head disappear as they approached the chair! </p>
Melissa Kershawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445765643501556592noreply@blogger.com0