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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~ 

Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter

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This is the essence of Evie: happy, with a touch of impishness.

 These gorgeous photos are courtesy of my mother-in-law. She takes the best pictures when she visits. While she was here last weekend we went apple picking, which was lots of fun, and the perfect backdrop for photos. When I grow up I want to take pictures like her.

 

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 This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.

 The rabbits have become much more friendly lately. This one sat on Zach's lap for a while, enjoying hugs and kisses from two very affectionate little people. We have one female due to give birth (hopefully) any day now, provided tragedy doesn't strike, which is most exciting. The other doe is due next week.

Evie ate nearly that entire apple! She grabbed it from me after I picked it, and never let it go.

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 Tony can be such a stinker for photos. I see the above look frequently.

The chickies with their Grandma D.

Chasing the bunny. She gets close and then he darts off, which makes her angry. It is hilarious to watch.

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I love the moments (seconds?) of tenderness between these two.

Digging out of my little hole

Whew. Sick kids for the last month and a half and I am one lousy blogger (please don't remind me that I wasn't much of one before, I haven't forgotten). To make myself look even more pathetic, we're going with some reposts from good old Instagram to add a little color to this post.

Things are looking up now, though, and Zach is on summer break, which always makes life better. Since we have been sick for so long, we decided to stay home for the break, and do what we have never really done before - explore more of our area. Almost every break we are driving here and there, and during the trimester Zach is really too busy to do much besides study and take a thirty minute break with us at the playground (I would say that that is an exaggeration, but if you averaged it all out, I think it might even be being generous). Last summer break we stayed home, but a brand spanking new baby kind of put the kibosh on much going out and about.

Speaking of, we have the big numero uno to celebrate on Tuesday! I can't believe this sweet thing has been with us a whole year. 

Her fine, blonde hair.

 On Friday we had the great blessing of attending a Solemn Mass said by our Bishop at a nearby parish. We went there for the Ascension and the music was absolutely beautiful, so you can imagine my excitement at the prospect of a "Solemn Mass" with two choirs and two organs! 

I have never seen Bishop Matano before, and am really grateful that we had this opportunity. He gave the best homily I have heard in a long time, and at the end of Mass gave the most beautiful speech, begging for vocations, and reminding the congregation that the priesthood is irreplaceable, and without priests we will not have the Eucharist, and without the Eucharist we will become a Godless nation. Zach and I are still talking about it. You can tell that he is a true shepherd; he has that charisma that draws people to him, and inspires them. There were many priests and seminarians in attendance, which gives me such hope for the future of the Church. It was wonderful. In the music department we were treated to Gregorian chant. They sang Lotti's Regina Caeli, which I absolutely love. Even Tony could tell that something was special. Mass was just under two hours long and he was very good (I think that the Knights of Columbus in their regalia was a good distraction, too). 

When we got home we enjoyed roast beef, a potato-tomato-squash dish, and zucchini lime spelt flour cupcakes. The cupcakes were excellent, though I will admit that the best part was the frosting - cream cheese based frosting is weakness of mine.

Climbing stairs. In big girl pajamas. I can't handle it.

In case anyone reads this soon, my Mom is at the hospital right now with complications from a miscarriage, and I would appreciate prayers for her, please.

Love,

Jess

It has finally started warming up! Slowly, very slowly, but I will take whatever I can get. Tony has been enjoying being able to go outside and play, which makes me happy, too. I have even managed to get laundry out on the line a few times! I put Evie's diapers out there twice and actually noticed a difference in the stains (the bad ones are from the few weeks that Tony used them). I was so pleased. 

Finals officially started yesterday, but last week felt like finals because of that physics test Zach had to take. Praise the Lord, he passed it, which eliminates one extra aggravation, though another one has since cropped up. 

I hate ranting again, but part of my ranting is educational for anyone who isn't familiar with acupuncture degrees...

There are two degrees offered in acupuncture - the MSA (Master of Science in Acupuncture) and the MSAOM (Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). The Oriental Medicine part is the use of Chinese herbs.

There is only one person who has graduated with the DC and the full MSAOM from here. (Ironically, his name was also Zac.) It is a ton of work, and can be really difficult to coordinate class schedules from both programs, so most DC students just do the acupuncture. Zach started the MSA in September, and began the herbs part in January. Last week he was informed that he can't continue the herbs portion unless he modifies his DC schedule, pushing his transition to clinic back another trimester. 

What?!

Last trimester it was supposed to all be worked out for him to take a couple of classes the tri after his DC class is taking them. They aren't necessary to him entering clinic, and the dean said they would accommodate him - as they should, given that he is one of their best students, and one of the only people who actually has enough drive to do it all. So he has spent a whole trimester working hard in this herbs class, only to find out two weeks before the tri ends that it has either been completely in vain, or he has to essentially take a tri off of the DC to continue (which he isn't going to do, because it isn't that important, but it's unbelievably maddening). He has a meeting on Thursday with the DC dean, which will hopefully be a little more enlightening. In the mean time, please say some prayers.

Do you know what this is?

If you guessed a sheepskin you would be right! After successfully tanning the deerskins, Zach put an ad online asking if anyone had sheepskins they would be willing to give to him. One lady emailed and said that she would have two, and if he would come get them, they were his. They are currently sitting in the chest freezer waiting until the break is over, but hopefully they will turn out well! (Don't ask me what we're going to do with them, because beyond simply using them as blankets, I'm not sure.)

Love,

Jess

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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Last week we took a walk to the playground. It ended up being much colder than we anticipated (I didn't wear a hat or a decent jacket and greatly regretted it), but it was so lovely to see the sun shining (from the outside). 

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He doesn't look happy because I was taking a picture. This is my sister, Emma, reading The Cat in the Hat before bed. It was the cutest thing ever. (And strange to see my child being read to by one of my little sisters.)

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Teething has caused some napping issues for Evie. It's hard on everyone, but twice last week she fell asleep in funny places. The picture below is where she sat while I cut out her Easter dress. She was chewing on a piece of fabric and just sacked out.

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 On Sunday I was having a meltdown. All of this cold and the snow that's been on the ground since Christmas has worn me out. So, Zach took me to get a .99 latte at Dunkin Donuts. We sat inside, with both of the babies, and it was lovely. Lifted me right out of my slump. Yesterday Zach was telling me that it is supposed to warm up (30's and 40's - yay!) this weekend, praise the good Lord in heaven.

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 My sweet lovebird. Her outfit, courtesy of Grandma, arrived just in time to wear for St. Valentine's Day. I have just realized that those little leggings and onesies and shirts are the best outfits for growing babies. She has nearly outgrown the 9 month sleepers that she only recently grew into. And it isn't just because the cloth diaper gives her a larger than normal tush. She's simply too long.

 I couldn't resist snapping these while she napped earlier.

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These two make me happy, happy, happy.

 He was dying to go outside and shovel snow, so his Grandma D took him out and was able to get some awesome pictures.

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Hey, Jack. Over here.

 This sequence of events was rather amusing to me. Jack adores Evie. He loves to climb on the bed if she's sleeping, he plants himself on her blanket on the floor...he's incredibly patient with the tugs (and in Tony's case, whacks).

 Kisses.

Enough, enough.

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 I hate posting cellphone pictures when I have a nice camera, but I didn't have my camera outside earlier. That poor bush is weighed down with icicles.

 Tony calls them "bicicles."

Another few inches came down last night. The snow seems to never end. At least they are more prepared for it here, as opposed to the poor southern states that are getting lots of snow.

Linking up with the ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

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These sweet smiles help me through the hours when she just wants to be held. Dear Angel of Teething Babies, please, hurry this one along!

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 We had a snow day yesterday! For the first time this trimester, the school closed because of the snow. We greatly enjoyed the extra time with Zach, and Evie even napped long enough for the three of us to go outside and play!

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The boots. His determination to keep from smiling. Perched upon the freshly vacuumed stairs.

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 We live in an area with many, many Amish farms. I'm always amazed by their clothes hanging out in the middle of winter. I wish I was so dedicated to using my clothesline.

This cow was just asking for a picture to be taken as I was leaving the farm where we get our milk. Despite my great dislike for the usual annoyances that come along with snow, as long as the roads are clear, it is incredibly beautiful.

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Joining Rosie at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

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Watching her brother. One of her favorite activities.

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 We have snow...since last Friday. (I will spare you the story of how snow continually ruins my life. Between the freezing temperatures and the snow, I'm dreaming of a tropical getaway.) Tony finally decided that going outside was worth putting a snow suit on for. I braved the balmy high of 7 degrees to snap these photos.

 It's a challenge to catch him looking at the camera.

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 These boots have become Tony's favorite article of clothing. I ordered them last week, and nearly every morning he has come to my room wearing them. He will wear them all day long. If he's putting them on himself they often end up on the wrong feet. I put a pair of thick wool socks on him if we're going out and they keep his feet pretty warm. Definitely dry.

I agonized over which style to get - the Sunshower or the Stomp. Kamik didn't list what the differences are, so the more attractive colors won. I think that the Stomp boots have wider leg openings, but we have skinny legs, so...

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And, because I didn't take many pictures this week, we will end with Jack.