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Thursday, April 24, 2014

A lesson in what not to say...

Stole this from Holly at Oh Baby, Baby (if you haven't read her blog, make sure you grab some a box of tissues first!) and just had to share it!

This is RESOLVE week-infertility awareness.  1 in 8 struggle to some level with fertility issues.  I saw this post on "Still Standing Magazine" and had to share to put things into perspective for friends/family/strangers that don't understand infertility and how comments sound to us...


"So, what do you think people would say to you if you were paraplegic instead of infertile? (author unknown)

1. As soon as you buy a wheelchair, I bet you'll be able to walk again!
2. You can't use your legs? Boy, I wish I was paralyzed. I get so tired of walking, and if I were paralyzed I wouldn't have to walk anywhere!
3. My cousin was paralyzed, but she started shaving her legs in the other direction and she could walk again. You should try that.
4. I guess God just didn't mean for you to be able to walk.
5. Oh, I know exactly how you feel, because I have an ingrown toenail.
6. Sorry, we don't cover treatment for paraplegia, because it's not a life-threatening illness.
7. So... when are *you* going to start walking?
8. Oh, I have just the opposite problem. I have to walk walk walk - everywhere I go!
9. But don't you *want* to walk?
10. You're just trying too hard. Relax and you'll be able to walk.
11. You're so lucky... think of the money you save on shoes.
12. I don't know why you're being so selfish. You should at least be happy that *I* can walk.
13. I hope you don't try those anti-paralysis drugs. They sometimes make people run too fast and they get hurt.
14. Look at those people hiking... doesn't that make you want to hike?
15. Just relax, you'll be walking in no time.
16. Oh do my legs hurt, I was walking and walking and going up and down the stairs all day.
17. I broke my leg skiing, and was on crutches for weeks, and was worried I'd have a permanent limp, but I'm 100% healed.
18. I'd ask you to be in my wedding party but the wheelchair will look out of place at the altar.
19. You're being selfish, not coming on the hike with us, and looking at all of my track & field trophies.
20. Don't complain, you get all the good parking places.
21. If you just lose weight your legs will work again.
22. If you would just have more sex, you could walk!
23. You don't know how to walk? What's wrong with you? Here let a real man show you how to walk!
24. You are just trying too hard to walk. Give up, and then you'll walk.
25. Here, touch my legs, then you'll walk!
26. Just take a vacation, and the stress-break will be sure to get you walking!
27. When *we* were young we only had to worry about having to walk too much.
28. And I bet a paraplegic going to a bookstore doesn't find books about paralysis stacked next to all the books on running...

So here's a little hint. If someone you know tells you that she's trying to get pregnant and it's taking longer than expected, DON'T tell her to just relax. Don't tell her to adopt and then surely she'll get pregnant with her own child. Don't say, "At least it's fun trying!" Scheduling sex with the person you love isn't fun. Getting vaginal ultrasounds every other day and intramuscular injections in your derriere twice a day isn't fun. Finding out every single month that - yet again - it didn't work this month either is Just. Not. Fun.

 DO tell her that you're sorry she's going through such pain/grief/frustration. Do tell her that you're glad she told you. Do tell her that, even if you don't bring it up (because you want to respect her privacy and understand that she might not feel like talking about it sometimes), that you're there for her if she ever wants to talk or vent."

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

My life lately... in pictures

So, ain't nobody got time to update the blog on the reg, so here's our life lately in pictures, enjoy :)

Max is actually part monkey - or a future Cirque de Solie (sp?) acrobat

Emma had a tea party at Princess Class


I painted a picture with friends at one of those drink wine and paint places

Brandi and I are quite the budding artists

current-ish BMI & Body Fat % - up about 2 points, whomp whomp!

Thank you Pinterest for these super cute Valentine's M & E gave to their classmates

we went on an adventure to the Waco Zoo



Played at the park and in trees

Blew dandelions - is that what they're called?

Love this pic :)

The little brother got engaged!

Made some zoodles (I'll do a whole other post on that)

Memi and Gabe went and ate at the house I grew up in - it's now a restaurant - weird!

Lea and her crew rolled into town over Spring Break

Jason and I got to see Jimmy Kimmel Live in Austin for SXSW!

Lady Gaga was the guest - meh - wish it would have been Willie or Snoop

Went with the Bodies' to Sea World


Lea and Olivia at the Shamu show

Made these signs as teacher gits for Lea's kids

Had a playdate at the Blue Baker and the kids got to make their own bread

made this wreath for a new friend

Yeah, I look awesome! Updated before pics - you know, cause I'm going to work out this time!

I never know what to do with my hands!

My genius and artistically skilled daughter colored this gem, unassisted, yeah, she even found the peach skin color - this girl amazes me daily!

Can't leave Max out - he can already read at 3! Ok, well nor really ;)

We have started to go into his room nightly to remove all the cars so he can actually sleep at night

That is, if he even makes it into his bed - what a weird-o!
Speaking of weird-o's, Max and Emma apparently LOVE eating frozen mixed veggies for breakfast


Speaking of Frozen, my kids (like every other kid in America) are OBSESSED with the movie, and ALL of the songs therein. Here they are belting it out at the Waco Zoo.

Went on a sewing retreat with my girls and made this for Emma to wear for Easter

I LOVE it!
I also made Emma a quilt (well, most of one anyway)

Max tried bubble gum for the first time - and subsequently got it ALL over himself

We attended a Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt at our friends house - they were listening to the story of Jesus's resurrection while the grown ups hid the eggs - Max even answered a question (correctly) about who Judas was - proud mommy moment :) I guess playing with the resurrection eggs are paying off! I'll make another post of all our Easter festivities.

Welp, that's about it. Not pictured is Max and Emma playing soccer with their team, the Rockets, coached by none other than daddy. They are maniacs on the field, seriously, can anyone say World Cup 2034! (or whenever that thing rolls around). My phone was full and wouldn't let me take any more pics or videos, but I plan to get some fo' sho' this Saturday! #soccermom Peace out Tuesday!

-Candice


Reunited and it feels so good...

Sooo, bad blogger of the year award goes to... moi! Sorry 'bout that. I'm just not the type to write something for the sake of writing something, and truth is, there really hasn't been a whole lot to write about these days, not to mention Spring Break and just life in general. BUT, I am super pumped about recently reuniting with my BFF! Even though we haven't spoken or seen each other in 5 years, I still call her my BFF and always will. Truth.

9th grade Homecoming dance

I reached out to her and was so excited to that she wanted to reconnect as well! Turns out, she's pregnant with her first child!! She invited me to her baby shower and I could not have been more excited! I whipped up some bibs, cute little onesies, and my very first baby blanket, along with a few of my favorite baby/mama items! I love babies!!!
I was nervous that it might be weird, but those fears were quickly squashed when I was finally able to give her the hug I'd been wanting to giver her for SOOO LONG! We kinda just picked up where we left off, well as best we could with a 5 year gap and with a bizzillion people all around. It was nice, and I can't wait to go back once baby Myka is born next month!


I have a lot of regret though. Regret that I was so selfish and prideful. That I waited so long. That I didn't have the courage to just reach out sooner, to put hurt feelings aside and focus on what really matters. Having a friend who has been with you since you were just kids, knows everything about you, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and who you share endless memories, inside jokes, and secrets with, is a rare and precious gift.

My 16th birthday, aka first time in a limo!

fun times with balloons

Churn that butta! Dan's 17th? Birthday at Joe's Crab Shack

I think this was the day she moved to Houston :( Hence the fake smiles
My bachelorette party
Maid of honor speech at my wedding


on her wedding day :)

Danielle, I thank God everyday for you and for the many years we have had together as BFFs, and pray that there are many, many more to come :) Thanks for being my friend best friend, oh and please don't be mad about the Joe's Crab Shack pic ;)