tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37966520466509815432024-03-05T23:37:56.906-08:00The French-British Allianceselway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-73320861648420455512013-10-21T03:59:00.002-07:002013-10-21T03:59:51.532-07:00The birth story of Anastasia Lucie <br />
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Here, she is, finally! Our lovely Anastasia was born on September, 24th, 2013 (a Tuesday) at 16:05, two blocks from my mother's apartment in Paris, on a beautiful, warm, and sunny Autumn day. She is so beautiful! She has big chubby cheeks and a heart-shaped mouth, dark hair and rather serious looking eyebrows. Her ears are masterpieces.<br />
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We decided that we could no longer afford to wait for her appearance as Levi's departure was closing in, we decided to induce labor. I had done a lot of research this time around, and I really wanted to have as natural of a birth as possible. I was even toying with the idea of having a home birth with the birthing pool, but I thought it would be pushing it, considering we are staying at my mom's and her apartment would not lend itself well to such a plan.<br />
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However, I was fortunate enough to be able to secure a spot at a very nearby maternity which happened to have a very good reputation. I had all my appointments, including ultrasounds and lab tests, which is extremely rare in Paris. You normally go to a different place for each of these and you have to book your appointments well in advance. Something interesting I found out - and frankly disturbing, is that they encourage expecting mothers to have 3 different ultrasounds, one for each trimester. When I asked the technician about it, she explained that in France, a woman is legally free to abort the pregnancy until the very end. So, if they detected the slight problem or raised concern about what they were able to observe during the ultrasound, the parents could choose to terminate the life of their unborn child.<br />
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Let's get back to more joyous subject: so, after Levi dropped Eve and Sophie off to school, we set off for the maternity after making sure that they weren't too busy that morning. We arrived before 10:30 and by the time we went through admissions, we were in the birthing room by 11. My midwife checked me and told me I was dilated to a 3. She explained to us the process of inducing labor: she would first break my waters, see if that would get the contractions going, then I would have an IV put in and the nurse would administer pitocin, starting with a low dosage and increase it every hour or so until I would be completely dilated and baby ready for transition.<br />
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I was confident it would go rather quickly as I had had contractions weeks before, from the time I was 34 weeks pregnant. Plus, during the last two-three weeks of pregnancy, I had been drinking red raspberry leaf tea and taken supplements of evening primrose oil (yeah, I was getting a bit desperate, but I had also done some research that revealed that both of these plants helped ripen the cervix and prevent tears and damage during labor).<br />
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So after getting set up, Fanny (my midwife), broke my waters and 20 min later, the nurse started the "wonder-drug". The nurse, named Claire, was rather sarcastic and at times I wasn't sure if I should lauggh or be offended by some of her puns. She was in charge of the least agreable part of the whole process: setting up the IV. I had a very unpleasant, almost traumatic experience with IVs during Sophie's birth, as the nurse made 4 attempts before getting it right...and believe me, the last thing you need when you are trying to concentrate through the pain of contractions is to be poked several times in both arms. So, when Claire's first attempt failed, I thought to myself: "oh boy, here we go again!" But she got it the second time around and I forgave her.<br />
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I was able to bear the contractions at the beginning: I had downloaded birthing relaxation tracks on my phone and they helped me get into the zone. By the 3rd increase of dosage (up to 60 ml/h), I lost my concentration and was finding it hard to focus on my breathing. Luckily I was able (and allowed) to move around despite the IV and the monitoring devices attached to me. The hardest part of labor last a couple of hours and I was ready to beg for the epidural - I could tell Levi wanted me to get it as he could not bear to see me in pain ( the poor dear, right?), but Fanny was very encouraging and persuasive. She kept saying that I was very close to having the baby. I think the worst of it all is NOT KNOWING how much longer it would be. I simply could not find a comfortable position, whether I was standing, leaning, bouncing on the birthing ball, crouching, and I seriously thought it would go on forever.<br />
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Finally when Fanny last checked me, I was dilated to an 8 and she confirmed that it would go very quickly from then on; all of a sudden, I lost my cool and got scared: I had never before experienced the real pain of labour as I had epidurals for both Eve and Sophie. Fanny told me that if I went to the bathroom, it would make room for the baby's head to come down. I told her there was no way I would make it to the restroom, so she brought a basin. As soon as I sat on it, I felt the urge to push - I thought I was just going to the bathroom when I realized that it was her head I could feel coming down!<br />
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Fanny exorted me NOT to push and I screamed back that I HAD TO push. In a last effort and upon her exortations to move to the bed, I raised myself up and off of the basin, but I could not make it onto the bed. Levi and Fanny helped lay me down on the floor and urged me to push, breath, push again, and she was out.<br />
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The ombilical cord was surprisingly short, so the midwife could not place Anastasia on my chest without cutting it, but she assured me it had stopped pulsing. As soon as I held her, I felt elated. I had felt no pain from the delivery and I just could not believe it was over. I was helped onto the bed whilst Levi held our baby in order to push the placenta out.<br />
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She weighed 3,920 kg or 8,65 lbs and measured 50,5 cm or 19,88 in: my biggest baby yet. She looked perfect, not at all like a newborn: she came out clean and hardly even cried. I loved not being incapacitated by the anasthesia and feeling my legs. It made my recovery much quicker, so this was by far my best birthing experience.I should add that during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, I drank rasperry leaf tea and took evening primrose oil supplements. I really think that those helped make my recovery faster and easier.<br />
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We just could not agree on her name: I loved the names Catherine, Claire, and Lucie, but they were just not good enough for Levi. In France, you have 3 days to declare the baby's birth. So while I was still in the hospital, Levi went to the townhall with the best name we could agree on, but having second thoughts, he called me with a book of names and started going down the list. We didn't get past the letter A.<br />
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Anastasia is a tribute to my slavic origins (think of the Russian princess), but as I recently learned, it comes from the Greek and means "resurrection": I love it! I also love the meaning of Lucie: light. Levi was sold on it and we've agreed that we simply cannot have any more girls as we struggled so much to find a name for this one.<br />
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Her sisters absolutely adore her and want to hold her all of the time. She truly is a light and joy in our family.<br />
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-51204105016388058392013-09-12T06:42:00.001-07:002013-10-07T14:24:06.031-07:0039 weeks - pregnancy update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time goes so slowly for a pregnant woman, but it seems to stand still by the time she reaches the final stage of pregnancy. I have plenty to keep busy: two kids, errands, paperwork to fill out, send, and file, cooking and cleaning, grocery shopping, personal study and reading, making sure everything is ready for baby...and yet I count down every day, hoping that the next will be the time of my deliverance.<br />
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I don't know why I am so surprised I am still waiting for this baby to come: Eve and Sophie both came well after their due date...I guess, I was hanging on to the hope that since this was my third pregnancy, the baby would grace us earlier, the path having been already made for her.<br />
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At my 34th week appointment, my midwife got me thinking that the birth was imminent: I was 1 cm dilated and had had a few contractions. She even wanted me to go to the maternity ward to be monitored. I realised soon after I left that she simply did not take into consideration forgetting that this was my third pregnancy. That following week, convinced that the baby was due any day, I rushed to get her "trousseau" or hospital bag ready, made sure I had all the paperwork filled out and ready for hospital admission, and made some necessary arrangments to ensure a smooth back-to-school for Eve and Sophie, should the baby arrive before or during that time.<br />
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Then the waiting began. I had a lot of contractions, off and on. I even felt the baby come down, but it was never it. We had a few false alarms, I even went to bed with my make-up and contacts (yes, the vanity!) thinking that if I had to go into the clinic that night, it would cut down the time to get going.<br />
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Fast-forward 5 weeks and we're still waiting. The waiting is getting more frustrating with every passing day. You see, Levi is due to go to Florence, Italy to start a sculpting program on the 30th. I was hoping that the baby would come early so he would get to spend some extra time with her and it would cut down our grace period before we could join him later, in Italy.<br />
<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-37212871111639561772013-08-13T06:33:00.001-07:002013-08-13T07:40:53.364-07:00Chez tonton (At my uncle's)What I love most about being back in France is the chance to spend time with my extended family. I took them for granted growing up, and I enjoy getting to know them better. I realize how precious our reunions are, especially with the frequency of our moving around. I love my uncle and his wife dearly: they are some of the kindest and loving people I know. Here we are enjoying a Summer day in their garden.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My uncle Antoine, my brother Igor, and my mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls were so happy to be reunited with my great-aunt's dog, Cricri. My great-aunt passed away this year and my uncle kept her dog, along with his 2 dogs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom, my aunt Dominique, and my cousin Arthur</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's quite popular with the girls, plays the guitar, and studies engineering: got the smart genes alright!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ADfrZAFLMsiRbpjeSiEeUq43bmplrqYBmtbhswAj_ypiPtAOLw1IA4nVBTQCxWPtkXW-SfyslPtmAV9UIT4op4LO1xMtdRVDUDi1ZgZ8Btwmm6BA3-Z9Pi5fOJGTUXavHQHqxIHIw4/s1600/IMG_20130803_174613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ADfrZAFLMsiRbpjeSiEeUq43bmplrqYBmtbhswAj_ypiPtAOLw1IA4nVBTQCxWPtkXW-SfyslPtmAV9UIT4op4LO1xMtdRVDUDi1ZgZ8Btwmm6BA3-Z9Pi5fOJGTUXavHQHqxIHIw4/s320/IMG_20130803_174613.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention that my uncle and his family live in a beautiful mansion, North of Paris? Yeah, I drool over it every time we visit. It comes with an amazing fire place, and a nice size garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLmq0cu8ZIhgp1F8w3TDTOe9ppeBfCldiGx_LuIcg49qfZfx4EoUwiTu0mYTWMInQMv0_3CePOEIi55sano2bRu2LkOLlOwK2Pge_YS1fer8HYoTb8oIgTryckJj4__hpPNgUqvyIvno/s1600/IMG_20130803_194416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLmq0cu8ZIhgp1F8w3TDTOe9ppeBfCldiGx_LuIcg49qfZfx4EoUwiTu0mYTWMInQMv0_3CePOEIi55sano2bRu2LkOLlOwK2Pge_YS1fer8HYoTb8oIgTryckJj4__hpPNgUqvyIvno/s320/IMG_20130803_194416.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture of my aunt: she's a talented architect and has a very nice and positive personality. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscEMt2Ff4MFUQd24NC8_BQOxS3ueCFTsO8nLLjU3r7h3yBbDjpKBM2gaCNvorTksUbn3PFy7-T-phAch6pwmv8wKliP13PdDwuNDvxExVeknHCCdGQ7c8uPrsAV2ah_Aqw0_quxmrBqs/s1600/IMG_20130803_202521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscEMt2Ff4MFUQd24NC8_BQOxS3ueCFTsO8nLLjU3r7h3yBbDjpKBM2gaCNvorTksUbn3PFy7-T-phAch6pwmv8wKliP13PdDwuNDvxExVeknHCCdGQ7c8uPrsAV2ah_Aqw0_quxmrBqs/s320/IMG_20130803_202521.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to Eve and Sophie is my other cousin, Guillaume (William, in French), also studying engineering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLK4XMv31-vvW-TnuQg_utsq6_SnWS5uqVlFAxpfMNoXtncZrLnQ-GhghHXMTMx6gQh5N1n-4Iq3GZrCKaj4fV6BmiWu-CtJWjRFdF0emtSeHw6VgTpAhNd-g-khgyKkKYI02gAUAqxw/s1600/IMG_20130803_202809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLK4XMv31-vvW-TnuQg_utsq6_SnWS5uqVlFAxpfMNoXtncZrLnQ-GhghHXMTMx6gQh5N1n-4Iq3GZrCKaj4fV6BmiWu-CtJWjRFdF0emtSeHw6VgTpAhNd-g-khgyKkKYI02gAUAqxw/s320/IMG_20130803_202809.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl could not help but hold or pet Cricri, down to the very last second.</td></tr>
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selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-63172401315017854042013-08-13T04:58:00.001-07:002013-08-13T04:58:12.704-07:00Le Jardin des Plantes (The Garden of the Plants)The <b>Jardin des Plantes</b> is the main <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_garden" title="Botanical garden">botanical garden</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" title="France">France</a>. It is one of seven departments of the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9um_national_d%27histoire_naturelle" title="Muséum national d'histoire naturelle">Muséum national d'histoire naturelle</a>. It is situated in the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5%C3%A8me_arrondissement,_Paris" title="5ème arrondissement, Paris">5ème arrondissement</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris" title="Paris">Paris</a>, on the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rive_Gauche" title="Rive Gauche">left bank</a> of the river <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seine" title="Seine">Seine</a> and covers 28 hectares (280,000 m²).<br />
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The grounds of the Jardin des Plantes includes four galleries of the Muséum: the Grande Galerie de <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution" title="Evolution">l'Évolution</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineralogy" title="Mineralogy">Mineralogy</a> Museum, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology" title="Paleontology">Paleontology</a> Museum and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomology" title="Entomology">Entomology</a> Museum. In addition to the gardens there is also a small <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo" title="Zoo">zoo</a>, founded in 1795 by <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardin_de_Saint-Pierre" title="Bernardin de Saint-Pierre">Bernardin de Saint-Pierre</a> from animals of the royal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menagerie" title="Menagerie">menagerie</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles" title="Palace of Versailles">Versailles</a>. <br />
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Founded in 1626, the garden was not planted by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_de_La_Brosse" title="Guy de La Brosse">Guy de La Brosse</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIII_of_France" title="Louis XIII of France">Louis XIII</a>'s physician, until 1635 as a medicinal herb garden. It was originally known as the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_du_Roi" title="Jardin du Roi">Jardin du Roi</a>. In 1640 it opened to the public. After a period of decline, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Colbert" title="Jean-Baptiste Colbert">Jean-Baptiste Colbert</a> took administrative control of the gardens. Dr. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy-Crescent_Fagon" title="Guy-Crescent Fagon">Guy-Crescent Fagon</a> was appointed in 1693, and he surrounded himself with a team of brilliant botanists, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Pitton_de_Tournefort" title="Joseph Pitton de Tournefort">Joseph Pitton de Tournefort</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_de_Jussieu" title="Antoine de Jussieu">Antoine de Jussieu</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Laurent_de_Jussieu" title="Antoine Laurent de Jussieu">Antoine Laurent de Jussieu</a> and his son <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrien-Henri_de_Jussieu" title="Adrien-Henri de Jussieu">Adrien-Henri</a>.<br />
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(Wikipedia) I thought it might be interesting to know the history behind this amazing garden that contains so much history and science.<br />
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I took Eve and Sophie to the Menagerie (or zoo), and we enjoyed discovering statues and majestic trees at every corner. I love to take them to places I went as a child and answer their questions about my childhood.<br />
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selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-55913258608639955782013-08-13T04:05:00.001-07:002013-08-13T04:05:33.040-07:00Le Jardin d'Acclimatation du Bois de BoulogneThere is so much to do in Paris, even for families and children. For example, there is a great amusement park called the "Jardin d'Acclimatation" with puppet show, carrousels, expos for children, train ride, and more that is located in the Bois de Boulogne. The Bois de Boulogne is a giant wood on the eastern side of Paris and has been coined one of Paris' "lungs", along with the Bois de Vincennes, situated on the opposite side of the city. They both have lakes, children's park, and zoos, and plenty of things to do and see.<br />
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I took the girls to the Jardin d'Acclimatation and despite the fact that a storm cut the fun short, it was worth every minute.It was the first rain we had in several weeks and we walked under it and enjoyed it as much as the park itself.<br />
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-39749420230943167172013-07-25T05:43:00.000-07:002013-07-25T05:43:09.727-07:00In the heat of ParisI swore I would NEVER be caught pregnant in the summertime. Then again, it's not the first time I have contradicted myself. I am now 32 weeks along and although I feel better than in previous pregnancies at this stage, the heat wave we have been swallowed in drains all my energy and if I have survived thus far, it's by taking up to 3 cold baths a day. Air-conditioning is a luxury and a rarity in Parisian housing, and since we live on the 6th floor, we get a lot of sunlight and all the heat rises up to our dwelling. I miss the sea breeze and freshness that we were lucky enough to enjoy 2 weekends ago.<br />
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The kids are out of school since July 6th and it's up to me to come up with some brilliant ideas to occupy them. Eve and Sophie are very content staying home and playing on their own, but considering that we are at a pretty rich cultural center of the World, I feel it is my duty to take them on adventures in the most beautiful parks, gardens, museums, and streets of Paris.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument dedicated to Joan of Arc, by the Parc des Tuileries and the Louvre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This waterfall was one of my favorite Summer spots as a child. It's in a little corner of the Parc Montsouris, a mere 5 min walk from home. I love sharing these fond memories with my girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pont Alexandre III and some peniches on the Seine</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, Lenine used to reside in this building prior to the October Revolution</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many statues that adorn the Parc Montsouris</td></tr>
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-34620661372724367092013-07-21T05:46:00.001-07:002013-07-21T05:47:35.832-07:00More pictures of our trip to England<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/AVvXsEiXnxwwEyPdZlFvGyCxtrZXi-CuUNH-MvxOi_AZ65lXzseE7D_qbLt6034earonjggt_PzDX9FGrLW5jhZ_lMxZMyure_mMM1FF7E9UNBAor4OMyTq228tTP-6y6BzWz0ObtHKfiMsStO0/s1600/IMG_20130712_184243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnxwwEyPdZlFvGyCxtrZXi-CuUNH-MvxOi_AZ65lXzseE7D_qbLt6034earonjggt_PzDX9FGrLW5jhZ_lMxZMyure_mMM1FF7E9UNBAor4OMyTq228tTP-6y6BzWz0ObtHKfiMsStO0/s320/IMG_20130712_184243.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found the BEST park right by the Leas (seaside in Folkestone) with a pirate ship, a giant fort with slides and this swing that slides down a wire from side to side. The kids spent hours there having the time of their lives. The entire time, I thought: the person who designed this park must really love kids. I find England to be quite family-friendly and there are a lot of young parents - as opposed to Paris, where people wait until much later to have children and although the French are really good at providing a wide range of activities and good elementary education, life is still very expensive and that discourages people to have more than 1 or 2 kids.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPIVzGERK7c2zjHv-9BDuLxtzPTygryBM4cNGrnQM_bwTAilBKCW3l1ow7li2uVl6jmMAj08bDxcSAvmFzXSL8lgpuwgING07Yrd8EhiLVxdLyEmDu5GKEjyO5wNsM6o3K4yC0GiVGlA/s1600/IMG_20130712_122536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPIVzGERK7c2zjHv-9BDuLxtzPTygryBM4cNGrnQM_bwTAilBKCW3l1ow7li2uVl6jmMAj08bDxcSAvmFzXSL8lgpuwgING07Yrd8EhiLVxdLyEmDu5GKEjyO5wNsM6o3K4yC0GiVGlA/s320/IMG_20130712_122536.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't swim in the English Channel: the water was freezing despite the heat. I probably would have had if I had not been 30-week pregnant: I've always dreamed of swimming across the Channel. We spent most our time at the beach collecting seashells and building sandcastles. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7RGeXIgcXp9OTQuiAJJlC717z8NGD6DYGqNmUskR7qPY3n9o2pQTYpEvTTvMaSpraWc8nlTRDPbi_3c7i5UofbFxl7fmtZ2oLuk6hcxnm7mGr0RgWoRzlwTMx5EX4lK-kzTDkJv3Nzs/s1600/IMG_20130712_161311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7RGeXIgcXp9OTQuiAJJlC717z8NGD6DYGqNmUskR7qPY3n9o2pQTYpEvTTvMaSpraWc8nlTRDPbi_3c7i5UofbFxl7fmtZ2oLuk6hcxnm7mGr0RgWoRzlwTMx5EX4lK-kzTDkJv3Nzs/s320/IMG_20130712_161311.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We shopped for kids clothes at Asda: clothes are so much cheaper than in France. We bought everything they might need for school and Levi worked on his food storage (mostly English crisps and Cadbury chocolate bars).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ06qNuXMcVToSIR8aw-mANphrH_FhQ21nWKjf1iKollsyEQWbQOFpZofE1NkOf_IkPb-ujgMR-1_Y_83a070PhOH9cX2txUMhxTs-TANDFIhWD-zOj12ts7_oVXj3fZXnE2ISwN-q0E/s1600/IMG_20130711_161612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ06qNuXMcVToSIR8aw-mANphrH_FhQ21nWKjf1iKollsyEQWbQOFpZofE1NkOf_IkPb-ujgMR-1_Y_83a070PhOH9cX2txUMhxTs-TANDFIhWD-zOj12ts7_oVXj3fZXnE2ISwN-q0E/s320/IMG_20130711_161612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to load on the ferry. Eve and Sophie are such good sisters and are so affectionate. Here's also a glimpse at the baby bump at week 30.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWrhw1ruE1fAipbLrdULnIRN-bKhyphenhyphenc3VrP_jB0HfssADOGAFc8M4DXbebSHNj5LOpMctBqAaZLik6h7-3hvbNN3mbdeR0sB807HOT36V0FNk1nBacsK3WWtoLJ587FSLeUUouscfg8CE/s1600/IMG_20130711_211318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWrhw1ruE1fAipbLrdULnIRN-bKhyphenhyphenc3VrP_jB0HfssADOGAFc8M4DXbebSHNj5LOpMctBqAaZLik6h7-3hvbNN3mbdeR0sB807HOT36V0FNk1nBacsK3WWtoLJ587FSLeUUouscfg8CE/s320/IMG_20130711_211318.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ocean Inn - waiting for their order of pub-made Mac&cheese with beans. They still beg to go back for lunch and dinner.</td></tr>
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-39894052091227417282013-07-17T06:53:00.003-07:002013-07-17T06:53:46.514-07:00Escapade to the British CoastLast weekend, Levi took 3 days off to take a break from the city and visit family in England. We rented a car and drove to Calais, where we took the ferry to Dover. The ferry had a 2-hour delay, which happened to be good for us as it took us longer to get out of the Parisian traffic (le Peripherique). We enjoyed the green pastures and quaint architectures along the way. I loved being on deck while waiting departure. There was a nice cool breeze that was so refreshing after a quite hot week in Paris: the kids were a bit cold and decided to go into the family lounge with Levi. The boat took 1h30 to get to Dover and we drove along the coast until we found a lovely family B&B in Dymchurch, 2 min from St Mary's Bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Calais from the Ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Union Jack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Cliffs of Dover</td></tr>
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I was amazed at the beauty and comfort of the place...out back there was
a little canal with ducks surrounded by greenery, and on the other side
of the canal, there was a field where a herd of sheep was grazing.<br />
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Famished, we looked for a pub to get some grub. We had asked for some recommendations from our host and followed his directions to The Ocean Inn, conveniently located by the beach. We enjoyed some really good roast beef, lamb, and Yorkshire pudding. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A proper British roast dinner @ The Ocean Inn</td></tr>
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-67328024661015924422013-07-05T10:02:00.000-07:002013-07-05T10:02:18.568-07:0010th Anniversary as a Latter-Day-SaintToday marks my 10th birthday as a convert in the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's hard to say or imagine where I would be or what I would be doing with my life had I not made this life-changing decision to get baptized. The spiritual growth I have experienced in the past 10 years can only be measured by others who have known me and interacted with me and by my Savior who knows my heart and my intentions. I hope that I have become more like Him: I try so very hard to act as if He were standing next to me, to see others, especially strangers, through His eyes, with His love, and I wish I could do more to alleviate the pain and the suffering each individual lives in the secrecy of their heart.<br />
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Life has so much more meaning with the perspective I have gained from the restored Gospel. There is still a lot I need to gain a testimony of, and I make a point of not falling into the normalcy or routine of religious activity. My faith is meant to be a motivation for action, not just a religious affiliation. If I can just leave each person I meet a little better, a little happier, then my life is worth living.<br />
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I have realized that more often than not, it's easier for me to be kind, patient, and forgiving to others I do not know personally; therefore, my challenge is to have these attributes at home with my husband, my children, my siblings, my in-laws, and my mother. I take them for granted quite a bit, although I regularly realize how much they bless my life, and that they do have to put up with me too.<br />
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In retrospect, the one thing I have been neglecting over-time is missionary work. I know what it's like to be on the other side, the stereotypes, the thought process of individuals who are not members of the Church and can perceive us as quite arrogant in our boldness of speech. I have kept my missionary work down to example and service, yet I have failed to open my mouth too many times. I have projected thoughts and doubts into the other individual's mind, expecting him or her to be uninterested at best. Who am I to judge who is ready or not to hear about the source of my happiness, confidence, and optimism?<br />
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I have developed a paranoia of friends and acquaintances from my life before-baptism to find out about my membership. I have feared consequences of publicly announcing my beliefs online - via Facebook or other network site. I expect a future hunt and massacre of all known LDS in the likes of the Shoah or the St-Bartelemy. This begs the question: if such event were to happen, what would I do? renounce my faith or go underground while my dear brothers and sisters in Christ would face all kinds of persecution? If there's one thing that money cannot buy it's character - unwavering character. I hope that if I have learned one thing in the past 10 years, it would be to value and develop character. <br />
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So today, I pledge to more freely share verbally my beliefs when the
occasion presents itself. I will pray daily for opportunities to share
the Gospel and for Heavenly Father to direct individuals to me and vice
versa. Life is too short to be selfish about the truth and love the
Gospel of Jesus Christ offers. selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-56639311808903205712013-07-04T12:09:00.002-07:002013-07-04T12:09:35.757-07:00And we're off! First stop: Las Vegas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It hailed the day we left! Go figure. Tying up our 12 suitcases in the bed of our rental truck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth riding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last Cafe Rio</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Thanks to Levi's sister who works for Virgin Atlantic Airlines, we got super cheap tickets from LV to London Gatwick. We rented a truck from Lehi to LV, flew to London and took the Eurostar to Paris.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see Levi's crutch...he was still healing from a broken leg, an injury that happened during a soccer game back in January (so 4 months earlier)</td></tr>
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It all went very smoothly until we had to get our luggage from the Gatwick Airport to the train platform. One majoy thing went wrong: the lift (or elevator) was broken and I was useless in my pregnant condition, except for tending the girls while Levi, his Dad and sister (who met us at the airport) carried 12 big bags/suitcases down 3 flights of stairs. Then we had to chuck the luggage into the train in under 1 minute before the doors shut. If it weren't for the cavalry (Levi's family) we would have missed our train to Paris.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Leefa knows just the right thing to keep 2 little girls going: chips, chocolate, and candy: she was a lifesaver.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see Levi's exhaustion in that look?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She kept jumping up and down from the sugar rush :)</td></tr>
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selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-69836797552264655862013-07-04T11:48:00.001-07:002013-10-21T04:09:54.552-07:00Dave-Style Wedding the Weekend Before we left for France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of Levi's mission companions (in the Marseille, France Mission) has remained a dear friend of ours. A few days before we were bound to fly out to France, he showed up to announce that he was engaged...and getting married the next day! We set all our packing aside to make sure we would be there: turns out we sold our car 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony, had Luke (Levi's brother) drop us off at Thanksgiving Point Gardens (great choice for a small private wedding ceremony, by the way), hoping that we would be able to hitch a ride home. It was insane, but so worth it! Dave's good friend offered us a ride to the dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJYu61GW_pw4yDxg7YcYATaKzRmVktbAoeSbOhs1HFyiPFpn1RuIfw2sv0YRonz0mLP78HW8bGCJ4lnx6vpLoYlrJH2NByc2aRWVrnI9y4O6P-pN0IWYraIQexIL5OZB1C-bHXRO9u1c/s320/IMG_20130412_174144.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are so happy for Dave: Whitney is such a sweetheart! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot believe she found a dress in less than 72h (yes, that's the length of their engagement)!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLW-38-NGGx-z9dVvl1mz0Gt9JfL2mE7KxhIG1RTsmvQwEWzu8OT2IuSOrQKPGORBsD8hFr07VUduMgKTnC7bcSW9gc2TrtYGvGZjUo2Slv48PgIpSenfcgogV2ROtvwEQ1MGt03I7zQ/s1600/IMG_20130412_204638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLW-38-NGGx-z9dVvl1mz0Gt9JfL2mE7KxhIG1RTsmvQwEWzu8OT2IuSOrQKPGORBsD8hFr07VUduMgKTnC7bcSW9gc2TrtYGvGZjUo2Slv48PgIpSenfcgogV2ROtvwEQ1MGt03I7zQ/s320/IMG_20130412_204638.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry Eve and Sophie, he's officially off the market!</td></tr>
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-8724328370366967562013-07-04T11:14:00.000-07:002013-07-04T11:19:44.793-07:00Surprise visits at dear friends on the way back to UtahOn the drive home, we stopped by to see some dear friends of ours from our first married/family ward in Provo. First we stopped in Aurora, CO, then spent the night at Fort Collins to see another family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSnVRVt3dhFficZc84dxfPyCskO5R2bRmBE3k03eip5kAlzDS-Yuo0eXkue0rSQZ54yxexHWtZFNhBOM21UaDuvSOPYZBvYFfxW4gDO9mlgyJpui8TExDOqM196Eid8wbzna91_00dn4/s1600/IMG_20130407_191000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSnVRVt3dhFficZc84dxfPyCskO5R2bRmBE3k03eip5kAlzDS-Yuo0eXkue0rSQZ54yxexHWtZFNhBOM21UaDuvSOPYZBvYFfxW4gDO9mlgyJpui8TExDOqM196Eid8wbzna91_00dn4/s320/IMG_20130407_191000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, imagine trying to get 7 kids to stay still for a picture...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuQEFzjrcUZJ0f-_QC5CHVSiGIBPIrbF092VlXcHgusLvE2F9nta5LbdxSuK53qyTNpMPr9enQij2D6PoMoWmQaZ6LQ8hpBpyrruMONAacANI3S4JlS93S3MZCneLEkjqqIKlrdf4vTw/s1600/IMG_20130407_191145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuQEFzjrcUZJ0f-_QC5CHVSiGIBPIrbF092VlXcHgusLvE2F9nta5LbdxSuK53qyTNpMPr9enQij2D6PoMoWmQaZ6LQ8hpBpyrruMONAacANI3S4JlS93S3MZCneLEkjqqIKlrdf4vTw/s320/IMG_20130407_191145.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zabel and Jermaine - such sweet and fun people - I'm so glad I got to see them, even if it was just for a couple of hours.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia35EA5vcCqfyKzWuo_b5g7irtTTC0bNBx_sX6TMmZjbnl-WS3vGCsk3OZUdblqsLvZQoOYmPPKi9DwXwYFWOGmGEHXzA0GHZS8woXlpgfDA3nS1do-a_9NwuEyrq-V6KQc0t5VJU5KSY/s1600/IMG_20130407_214831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia35EA5vcCqfyKzWuo_b5g7irtTTC0bNBx_sX6TMmZjbnl-WS3vGCsk3OZUdblqsLvZQoOYmPPKi9DwXwYFWOGmGEHXzA0GHZS8woXlpgfDA3nS1do-a_9NwuEyrq-V6KQc0t5VJU5KSY/s320/IMG_20130407_214831.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben & Summer - Summer once was my running partner: I have such strong bonds with my running buddies, it just ciments a friendship like nothing else...especially running a certain half-marathon in the pouring rain. </td></tr>
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I wish I could just travel and visit all of my dear friends to get a chance to catch up and see how they are all doing, see how they've changed and settled, and especially how happy they are. I am so lucky to have such friends that I could just stop by and visit even after years of not seeing each other. Thank goodness for Facebook ;)selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-13667231315180572382013-07-04T11:08:00.002-07:002013-07-04T11:08:31.516-07:00Flash visit to family and friends in Colorado A week or so before we were flying out, I drove to Colorado Springs to visit my sister and her family. Eve and Sophie miss their cousins so much!<br />
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-56967563438594725142013-07-04T10:58:00.001-07:002013-07-04T10:58:16.099-07:00Saying goodbye to some of our family...<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/AVvXsEhLSrQh1ZjGvv_1K3rVt9S-oCzEfcvvC41QE4Epax-KwIOuuD16QRtQU63SjA1NY0DJSiuTIB-S7pnc2ocrAb9M1dzcgGvTft8Z1zRogHiOaza-YitEd6-s7Uw3WFOJey4zD_ZV7MY1kd4/s1600/IMG_20130321_172329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSrQh1ZjGvv_1K3rVt9S-oCzEfcvvC41QE4Epax-KwIOuuD16QRtQU63SjA1NY0DJSiuTIB-S7pnc2ocrAb9M1dzcgGvTft8Z1zRogHiOaza-YitEd6-s7Uw3WFOJey4zD_ZV7MY1kd4/s320/IMG_20130321_172329.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie and Elijah - they were getting along so well!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5aq2WWPN5ntLz_GY85XIl0-FgdRZ_WS_UlbAf86dQsEAkVtLqAAY4YIAPsUjrUD1DTKdex218ydbzhYxklxv0sAT6xg5KPz8yb26ExhN2Dd-FAvkTNZLXg7lxmEAyt49MD-CIHHtXuA/s1600/IMG_20130321_173821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5aq2WWPN5ntLz_GY85XIl0-FgdRZ_WS_UlbAf86dQsEAkVtLqAAY4YIAPsUjrUD1DTKdex218ydbzhYxklxv0sAT6xg5KPz8yb26ExhN2Dd-FAvkTNZLXg7lxmEAyt49MD-CIHHtXuA/s320/IMG_20130321_173821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah - shares Eve's explosive personality and energy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCI5EB5mX5DmQzQbC2YwNlehIhsDBP-6aQIObP4usIhFYjlhK8J5G3ECMuwep87Bw6l1FZ2XeQyJ0ZUL_T-jmsEteK1bEJytwz2O08Aissr0Am_13FIpclkZdoA9QYqHH1Jt8boYJRfE/s1600/IMG_20130215_163504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCI5EB5mX5DmQzQbC2YwNlehIhsDBP-6aQIObP4usIhFYjlhK8J5G3ECMuwep87Bw6l1FZ2XeQyJ0ZUL_T-jmsEteK1bEJytwz2O08Aissr0Am_13FIpclkZdoA9QYqHH1Jt8boYJRfE/s320/IMG_20130215_163504.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leelee the Beloved</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Nvc7sfyT0eCeZhln85PDfufYPpNVVJM9cnL_8Ttacoj35DXu_G3OJ21iR-6MusLDVwN_CcX0jT1Yzs1OJH1ZhKtcS_XJiUrJXL2m432LgaBrQ0U7XQ0mFxvZ4yQS92KvEq2ylzhmSw/s1600/IMG_20130215_161744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Nvc7sfyT0eCeZhln85PDfufYPpNVVJM9cnL_8Ttacoj35DXu_G3OJ21iR-6MusLDVwN_CcX0jT1Yzs1OJH1ZhKtcS_XJiUrJXL2m432LgaBrQ0U7XQ0mFxvZ4yQS92KvEq2ylzhmSw/s320/IMG_20130215_161744.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite Eve and Leelee's age gap, they are best friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CVfgbJzYfb-1Cum8o45fObyBU5ZYasma4nDZDwP4ITAF0yyW3FWYCeTOyOAG_zzaCKWOy6gEnFLZ8nJL5HKNUUXf8Md4rmzJ-a1bGPGNhVjneBIrHa0e5jpIyh8g84lLlmRD5fhXKCE/s1600/IMG_20130330_123339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CVfgbJzYfb-1Cum8o45fObyBU5ZYasma4nDZDwP4ITAF0yyW3FWYCeTOyOAG_zzaCKWOy6gEnFLZ8nJL5HKNUUXf8Md4rmzJ-a1bGPGNhVjneBIrHa0e5jpIyh8g84lLlmRD5fhXKCE/s320/IMG_20130330_123339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got to meet Uncle Luke, visiting from Australia. Here, he's explaining the best strategy to Easter egg hunting, a.k.a. The Hunger Games @ Thanksgiving Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6c_C7VZMU1Zs6pO1Lbd2zHc7tkjnM3nlmGuXOL1QwMCKjnR8QX-SMQ4A3UNHU2fzxAaJZIBuWDfRUbpY2luKRssPTjNWnwz6JLVclUqYYEy0PG4c93Xv8ztM5Y8xHMedIo-0WeVN9lk/s1600/IMG_20130402_125616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6c_C7VZMU1Zs6pO1Lbd2zHc7tkjnM3nlmGuXOL1QwMCKjnR8QX-SMQ4A3UNHU2fzxAaJZIBuWDfRUbpY2luKRssPTjNWnwz6JLVclUqYYEy0PG4c93Xv8ztM5Y8xHMedIo-0WeVN9lk/s320/IMG_20130402_125616.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some brotherly time on Temple Square or art critiquing</td></tr>
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<br />selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-21937391781838867952013-07-04T10:40:00.000-07:002013-07-04T10:40:00.812-07:00The Adventures Continue...After an extended sabbatical from the blog, I thought it was time to pick it up again. So much has happened in the meantime that I will not try to play catch-up, but I might post some flashbacks of the best moments.<br />
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So we have been living in Lehi, Utah for the past couple of years since moving back from England. A year had barely past that Levi was already talking about moving back to Europe. I would not hear any of it, so to counteract his talks of worldwide travels, I would find ways to make him understand that we were finally settling down. I first bought a pet: a beta-fish - ok, ok, it's not as permanent as a dog or cat, but it was a start ;) Then I bought more furniture and home decorations, contacted a real estate agent, and had a mortgage pre-approval for the next step. I spent hours online looking at properties in the area and drove by the homes that interested me the most. But for some reason, I couldn't feel right about it when I tried to project myself 10 years in the future and living in the Utah Valley area. Eventually I realized I wasn't ready to settle down yet. <br />
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It's so ironic because I loved our ward, met amazing people, and the kids had great friends in the neighborhood and couldn't fathom leaving them, but it wasn't meant to be: after months of praying, thinking, thinking, and discussing with Levi, it was clear that we needed to follow our hearts. I also desired to be closer to my mom and for the girls to attend school in France. At the end of the day, I cannot even rationalize our move, so I am going to stop trying.<br />
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We arrived in Paris on April 17th, 2013. Levi got a job offer on the 19th. Nothing short of a miracle, really. Oh, I forgot to mention that I was 5 months pregnant at the time of the move :) I was able to register immediately at a maternity clinic 2 mins away from my mom's home, where we are currently staying, and although paperwork takes forever, life has been good and we are happy with our decision.<br />
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So, there you have it. Now time for some pictures!selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-14326759557079711372012-01-29T20:49:00.000-08:002012-01-29T20:49:48.884-08:00Girls Night Out, Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiuKQukFIUOMm1Ir32aOL-XLB9zQtIeE_fcmPJMif0X7k8OnlWEC4AX1bMEM71Jr9zCL8QJ3qKlAcYJdsaMBJedSekzH9w2LcdpTitG4DG_bd2imHAiw-b8HhzkjYQOx-QvRABc03dwQ/s1600/Dec2011+&+Jan2012+569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiuKQukFIUOMm1Ir32aOL-XLB9zQtIeE_fcmPJMif0X7k8OnlWEC4AX1bMEM71Jr9zCL8QJ3qKlAcYJdsaMBJedSekzH9w2LcdpTitG4DG_bd2imHAiw-b8HhzkjYQOx-QvRABc03dwQ/s320/Dec2011+&+Jan2012+569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was so good to see Jen and Joanna, both great friends from our first family ward in Provo! They were there for us through thick and thin and our kids were best friends until life took us to different locations. These friends made all the difference when I just needed to talk and figure out what being a mother was about. Jen was visiting from California and we just couldn't pass up the chance to meet up and have a reunion. Too bad Rachel (another awesome friend from the same ward) couldn't make it from Oklahoma. Oh well, we'll have to do a redo...cause we can't get enough of girl-time!selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-64019308925835470442011-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:002011-11-30T18:05:48.516-08:00New goalsOk, so who wants to hear about my new goals? Yeah, I know it's a bit early for goal setting, but I figure it will get me in the right mindset :) So this year I have been doing a lot of running! I finally figured out how to run faster and won 1st place in two 5 Ks. I have an amazing running partner who runs with me three times a week at 6:30 AM and I go to the gym provided by our apartment complex to do interval runs on the treadmill and lift weights on the days I do not run. All in all, I feel really good and it permeates my overall mood, as I am a much happier wife and parent.<br />
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So, now that I have run plenty 5Ks and 10Ks, a couple half-marathons, and a few full-length marathons, I feel like I need to crank it up a notch. I mean, it's time to find a challenge to push myself even further. So...I am going to start training for triathlons. My ultimate goal would be to become an Ironman...but I have a ways to go :)<br />
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In the meantime, I feel that I am passionate enough about fitness and nutrition that I would like to educate others on how they can improve their lifestyle through better fitness and nutrition...hence, my second goal: to become a certified personal trainer. In order to do that, I first need to be CPR certified, which I can do through the Red Cross or the American Heart Association for $90 on a Saturday (6h course). Then, I need to apply for a legitimate online course for personal trainers (I chose the ACSM or American College of Sport Medicine) which cost approximately $500, including study materials and cost of exam. Once I have my certification, I think I would like to apply for a job at 24 hour fitness (I LOVE their gyms and I've had really positive experiences with their trainers!). Maybe I will eventually build up my own clientele and start my own business, focusing on runners and triathletes.<br />
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The year 2012 sounds promising already.selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-67862759015853027862011-10-21T10:32:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:32:11.749-07:0028 years in the makingBirthdays are a great way of reminding us that there's more to life than just living. My birthday is sparking some existential questions, such as: what have I accomplished with the time I have been given? whose lives have I touched? Whose lives have touched mine and influenced who I am today? Where am I going professionally?<br />
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Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to set goals for myself...the loftier the goal, the more determined I am. I gauge my success in life with my reaching goals: running marathons, getting to a certain weight, finishing a project, having read certain books, traveling to certain areas of the world, being debt-free by a goal dated. These are all worthy goals, but they are more than a checklist: each goal we set for ourselves has within itself the potential to form and refine our character. To reach a goal, you need to develop qualities such as discipline, patience, determination, thrift, and knowledge. <br />
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As someone who struggles to recognize my self-worth, the danger is to be so consumed with the desire to reach a certain goal, that I lose sight of the bigger picture...I fail to recognize the progress, to enjoy the experience; hence, I have to rely on the help of my Heavenly Father in order to remind me that my life as a divine purpose that is not dependent on "major accomplishments", rather, it is reinforced by the little actions and thoughts that fill my every day life.<br />
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I know a handful of people who have lived quiet lives that do not seem significant in the eyes of society, because they have not held positions or received awards for their contribution; however, they are the few who touch lives for good and have a profound influence on the shaping of others' choices and character. One of my heroes was Mother Teresa. Although she did receive quite a bit of news coverage towards the end of her life, she had already spent a lifetime in service, caring for the outcast, the untouchables. She was not serving for the world to see how saintly she was, otherwise she would have given up while still a youth. She truly desired to be Christ's hands and to dedicate her life to serving those that stand in need of service.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1UdONqhCuRbWarF5bUYHGZxE2uljLpsySjInlhhGo0gELbkr_DBjbrQWak8ImczutlNncv84EmvWoas3WyEXtn_qRQgdU8XCx6eoq6csse2eTaoLkIs9uxRjkHxoz_H6yMghICdpFmQ/s1600/Mother-Teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1UdONqhCuRbWarF5bUYHGZxE2uljLpsySjInlhhGo0gELbkr_DBjbrQWak8ImczutlNncv84EmvWoas3WyEXtn_qRQgdU8XCx6eoq6csse2eTaoLkIs9uxRjkHxoz_H6yMghICdpFmQ/s320/Mother-Teresa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If I could have just one wish for my birthday, it would be that I could follow her example and find satisfaction in knowing that I was able to serve in the stead of my Savior, to avoid making hasty judgments and just lose myself in the service of my family and friends, making room for more as strangers cross my path. I do not need to go to India or Africa to relieve the poor and the needy...they are all around us, they could be my next door neighbor. While I serve, I still have to be careful with where my heart is, because human nature is really good at making us believe that it's all about us, even when we are serving others...thank goodness for prayer and for the Spirit!selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-46181978088484184392011-06-25T13:32:00.000-07:002011-06-25T13:32:18.313-07:00American Fork Canyon Half-MarathonToday, I woke up at 3:30 AM, got my running gear on, and headed out the door. I drove under the stars on deserted roads to the American Fork High School where all runners were to meet. There, we boarded on school buses that took us up the canyon. There is something depressing about driving on the race course and realizing that 13.1 miles is a long ways.<br />
I was sitting at the front of the very first bus which left at 4:15 AM. I met a really nice mom of 2, whose kids have the same ages as mine and it was great to talk to someone before the race. This is the first time I ran on my own; in the past, I used to run with my sister or her in-laws, and Levi ran a marathon with me once. So, I enjoyed this woman's conversation, so much so that I wish I had taken her phone number and asked her to become running partners.<br />
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The starting line finally appeared, with its line of port-a-potties and a DJ to entertain us before the start. It was located at the Tibble Fork Reservoir and even though it was still dark, the snow-covered surrounding mountains were lighting up the place, giving us an idea of the breath-taking views we would see while running.<br />
It was quite cold, being so early in the morning and in the canyon. I was patting myself in the back for wearing my sweat pants and hoodie over my running shorts and t-shirt. I proceeded to warm up and stretch, especially my left leg as I had been experiencing pain in my hamstring for the past few weeks. <br />
While I was doing so, the DJ kept interrupting the music to make announcements and recommendations, especially concerning potty breaks. After the fourth time, I was thinking: "Ok, we got it. You don't want us to go in the bushes or use the camping ground potties. We're not children...just let us focus on the ordeal ahead and put on some good music!" Seriously, he kept on reminding us about it.<br />
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It was getting close to the start of the race (6 AM) and I had to take my outer layer off and put it in the bag labeled with my name and race number, in order to give it to the volunteers who would take it to the finish line for me. I then proceeded to find a pacer for my goal time (1:45 or 8 min/mile), who runs the race on pace to help other runners pace themselves to finish by their goal time.<br />
The horn blew right at 6 and I shuffled our way through the starting line until the crowd of runners spread enough for me to run. As it thinned out, I was able to pick up more and more speed. The beauty of this race (aside from the scenic route) is that it's all downhill until mile 9, so I could really let gravity work in my favor. Plus the wind was in our back, pushing us forward.<br />
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By mile 2 I was in the groove. I was running under 8 min per mile and feeling comfortable; however, I started feeling a bit sick. Yesterday, I was experiencing some sharp abdominal pains and I was afraid I would have to forgo the race, but when I woke up this morning, I was feeling fine. So, the pain was coming back and I started praying because that's what I do when I find myself in a desperate situation.<br />
I asked Heavenly Father to alleviate the pain and allow me to finish this race that I had worked so hard for. I know, it was a selfish and proud request, but at that point, I couldn't give up and I couldn't go on without His help. I kept thinking of the scripture: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", and slowly but surely, the pain diminish enough for me to focus on my pace again. At times, it would creep back, but I would push through it by repeating my moto: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", over and over again. It was so bad, that I was afraid of ingesting anything offered at the aid stations, along the race.<br />
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I just cruised through the first 9 miles, until we got out of the canyon, and then the course flattened. I kept glancing at my wristwatch to keep track of my time and kept my pace on the 8 min mark until mile 11. My thighs were getting really sore and I couldn't make them go faster. I had to stop to get some gatorade and a gu pack to have some extra energy for the finish, and started running off again. We could see the Mount Timpanogos Temple (where Levi and I got sealed), which was an indication that we were getting close to the finish line, the American Fork High School. I swear the miles get longer as we go! The last one seemed to never end, but finally, I could see the balloons and the organizers' tents.<br />
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I crossed the finish line after 1:47:51 of running. A personal best. It was two minutes over my goal time, but I had never run that fast for that long before, so I was extremely pleased. They handed out a Finisher's Medal and I proceeded to get in line for my free breakfast (French toast, yogurt, and fruit, with chocolate milk) and a free massage (yay!).<br />
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I was looking around for the woman who sat next to me on the bus, and also for my friend Joanna who had signed up for the race. Just as I was leaving, I heard someone call out my name. It was Joanna! Joanna and I used to run together right after I had Eve and it was so good to see her today.<br />
I got in the car and called Levi to tell him the news and drove home barefoot as my feet were aching (I might lose a couple of toenails). The funny thing is that as soon as I got home, the abdominal pain started again and I have been lying in the fetal position ever since! The Lord really answers prayers...I should have asked for permanent healing :)<br />
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The race was in support of those fighting cancer and I had the honor of wearing the name of a neighbor and friend battling prostate cancer. It made this race so much more meaningful and I wish him a full recovery! <br />
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Next goal: Run the Layton Marathon in under 3:40 in order to qualify for Boston!selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-15839010437160503332011-05-07T13:14:00.000-07:002011-05-07T13:14:17.036-07:00OK, here's what you missed...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQIkXU5gmPuYf5UpHT-55PnNAXuu8rPSB67HFwOlcp5LveXXN-COvSrzCkia7oVZn3uVKCUo136KDVq4ZwyhRsqo8WFYYwd8VP9VnXwPULfVk1nkcDIVEGdgpRl7cc27YoYjvw3ZvjDs/s1600/April_2011+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQIkXU5gmPuYf5UpHT-55PnNAXuu8rPSB67HFwOlcp5LveXXN-COvSrzCkia7oVZn3uVKCUo136KDVq4ZwyhRsqo8WFYYwd8VP9VnXwPULfVk1nkcDIVEGdgpRl7cc27YoYjvw3ZvjDs/s320/April_2011+067.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-yk6QuKY8HX2iUx4aXE-rOh_2lhwYWCoZiP436N5kw9a-PxBgYiWmuF0tei8Qe_KrGzCalSZDU2L-kFD0vESoxZxK-9r2I-QIjbGbPnM61D9aPY4sPEgQ8O1u7v4I6dI_UQC4mGHO84/s1600/April_2011+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-yk6QuKY8HX2iUx4aXE-rOh_2lhwYWCoZiP436N5kw9a-PxBgYiWmuF0tei8Qe_KrGzCalSZDU2L-kFD0vESoxZxK-9r2I-QIjbGbPnM61D9aPY4sPEgQ8O1u7v4I6dI_UQC4mGHO84/s320/April_2011+062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP4JCzGpaw9RxhJevVayd8MFawQ6HBjwelV8lgD3qguOqDy0BHj8VPidhZeo5T3R5uSFqfVb70wgHm8BwT8PRfmi_ApTNYGRqum39PdR5wl2Eiwc_AI0yfFQLZ8_SPdi77YEq8rWYEUg/s1600/April_2011+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP4JCzGpaw9RxhJevVayd8MFawQ6HBjwelV8lgD3qguOqDy0BHj8VPidhZeo5T3R5uSFqfVb70wgHm8BwT8PRfmi_ApTNYGRqum39PdR5wl2Eiwc_AI0yfFQLZ8_SPdi77YEq8rWYEUg/s320/April_2011+064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Levi tried out for a football (soccer) team in Ogden, BYU-level, and didn't get in because they were looking for younger players (18-23): ouch! But I was so proud of him for giving it his all: the try-outs took 2 days and the pitch (or field) was atrocious (muddy holes everywhere).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8ogmEAMMWCfaQVO5PrWT3i3nb47cvKGsnCJwgfxU-Wz51M7kggO04FP3nyBPxd-vocKT4uxNtM5lfo3nUTCVzYst3yE9p_MWwiSc8hfMP6W4Rx2Eer7QwwvfhPuYsiXlDed_-JnQnyQ/s1600/April_2011+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8ogmEAMMWCfaQVO5PrWT3i3nb47cvKGsnCJwgfxU-Wz51M7kggO04FP3nyBPxd-vocKT4uxNtM5lfo3nUTCVzYst3yE9p_MWwiSc8hfMP6W4Rx2Eer7QwwvfhPuYsiXlDed_-JnQnyQ/s320/April_2011+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7h4SKhVBNBpJr2q_M-oNNcR_v6hkcppy4_Sw4zuCwy_NHhJNoIpKgYP1jtLx22x3nezwMzmpZpbuaRAeuUejgXVMcQplmj9gLiGdtCmgwVm_qWwpJOLriV2C5nps50mMGgMDSLFMhDw/s1600/April_2011+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7h4SKhVBNBpJr2q_M-oNNcR_v6hkcppy4_Sw4zuCwy_NHhJNoIpKgYP1jtLx22x3nezwMzmpZpbuaRAeuUejgXVMcQplmj9gLiGdtCmgwVm_qWwpJOLriV2C5nps50mMGgMDSLFMhDw/s320/April_2011+088.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We went out to see Mia (Levi's sister) perform at BYU in Jane Austen's Persuasion. She was brilliant and so witty. We double dated with Levi's brother and his wife: good times. It's great to see Mia act for the first time and do something she is good at and passionate about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl-UaH2pPqRHNeH7a2TKk0Xe16XMHsfXifMWzHAuFQ_Z0ktixuXRhXWJjEX-fHE_Muw9WOrijOX4vjq6aRtSN3epck7fkFM6V1_f6vhhoxQ1UR40TYr_FM6bmfeyhu10XtWHAbmpjVkA/s1600/April_2011+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl-UaH2pPqRHNeH7a2TKk0Xe16XMHsfXifMWzHAuFQ_Z0ktixuXRhXWJjEX-fHE_Muw9WOrijOX4vjq6aRtSN3epck7fkFM6V1_f6vhhoxQ1UR40TYr_FM6bmfeyhu10XtWHAbmpjVkA/s320/April_2011+185.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cxzcvSZ5J3tmnZKcfZspLslE66vRES4n8Bvc4882eVCvFU-NAo-QynKGFPJDnnQHFDuM8cqBU7-dLHNOdY8AVnzT7KzEnrTYYbYxhsvGMJmou4JlGE5rm6QSAugh7KlMzzrp8gKKHig/s1600/April_2011+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cxzcvSZ5J3tmnZKcfZspLslE66vRES4n8Bvc4882eVCvFU-NAo-QynKGFPJDnnQHFDuM8cqBU7-dLHNOdY8AVnzT7KzEnrTYYbYxhsvGMJmou4JlGE5rm6QSAugh7KlMzzrp8gKKHig/s320/April_2011+186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We also went to the Dinosaur Museum, conveniently located 1/2 mile from our home at Thansksgiving Point and loved discovering more about those giants. Another bonus point for Auntie and Uncle :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWU7zugNjowkIrYqK3sHyfi4MQYdWZdqQdHVBUAbI53KBP9bY36dOpEuOh74kDIJLHb9qNiTfPuxo6NrXQcB9GcLPtPzIxGWJsc9KoMpJg4k2QNYO80Q1h1wSZ-Mufb5LXT0sdhXTXRk/s1600/April_2011+239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWU7zugNjowkIrYqK3sHyfi4MQYdWZdqQdHVBUAbI53KBP9bY36dOpEuOh74kDIJLHb9qNiTfPuxo6NrXQcB9GcLPtPzIxGWJsc9KoMpJg4k2QNYO80Q1h1wSZ-Mufb5LXT0sdhXTXRk/s320/April_2011+239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADbedk-Ex33-TX58EpxI0zXdDErq8Aq5dxjTizK0w8zeEK-FK3xSl8T8xrOuKxCcewMuJSc8qh8Fnk8SgveAP6RJfGJ4mCnW77lFDtdDF1gtE9ZJ_In7tcDcwnVhN3BsKLgzQXJnb20s/s1600/April_2011+237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADbedk-Ex33-TX58EpxI0zXdDErq8Aq5dxjTizK0w8zeEK-FK3xSl8T8xrOuKxCcewMuJSc8qh8Fnk8SgveAP6RJfGJ4mCnW77lFDtdDF1gtE9ZJ_In7tcDcwnVhN3BsKLgzQXJnb20s/s320/April_2011+237.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>All good things must come to an end and their parents having returned from Hawaii, we celebrated Cyan's B-day at a local Hawaiian restaurant.selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-90815218595652654842011-04-03T09:03:00.000-07:002011-04-03T09:06:50.544-07:00Can you believe that it is April already? We had a couple warm days and today I woke up to snow...again! This weekend, it's General Conference and I am getting a spiritual overdose: I am so glad I have six months to familiarize myself with the talks given in such a short period of time. How wonderful that we have three new temples built! It's like building lighthouses throughout the world that will bless people everywhere, whether they be members of our church or not.<br />
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We've been very busy these past couple of weeks and I will post on that later on...right now, I'm busy: talk to you after Conference :) Would you like to join me? Here's the link: <a href="http://www.lds.org/">www.lds.org</a>. I promise you that you will feel edified and strengthened by words of truth and wisdom.selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-42838739278358757542011-03-20T14:41:00.000-07:002011-03-20T14:41:35.521-07:00Levi's Birthday and an amazing date!<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/AVvXsEhlskJGlRmZ6WAEaFKOnVHbWdiS70QCH3k72MgQi8zroU0Y8zD9ZoQ3l3nFsABMTaQ565Yi7CsMKGyIfEnIh71z3Ahf65coac1xbxcDchuNaCmY2Baxz21998zBNOYC9tYoSThcRD2SEUc/s1600/March_2011+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlskJGlRmZ6WAEaFKOnVHbWdiS70QCH3k72MgQi8zroU0Y8zD9ZoQ3l3nFsABMTaQ565Yi7CsMKGyIfEnIh71z3Ahf65coac1xbxcDchuNaCmY2Baxz21998zBNOYC9tYoSThcRD2SEUc/s320/March_2011+078.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levi's present (don't you love the Eiffel Tower I found?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We had a good time celebrating Levi's 29th birthday. It truly was the first time that I made an effort since we are not so much struggling financially as when when we were students. We went to a Thai restaurant with Joel's family and came home for cake and presents. I gave him a blown up picture of the London Temple that we took when we were there and framed it. Levi's been catching up on his artistic skills and since he's expressed the desire to write and illustrate children's books, I got some blank books from the BYU bookstore for his birthday as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_QaUawp_pMZ9KpYOJMe95AB89Z8p-zYlwJyVfpDG6LFnxwWGchfzms_jIPbyvDq7MNm_aqw3kxPp29OmQVXuNkdgdwW7khTj-MnMBTMGm5BcK3-Qv0HRfAMI_j4Fiv0ASnw7LybuWf0/s1600/March_2011+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_QaUawp_pMZ9KpYOJMe95AB89Z8p-zYlwJyVfpDG6LFnxwWGchfzms_jIPbyvDq7MNm_aqw3kxPp29OmQVXuNkdgdwW7khTj-MnMBTMGm5BcK3-Qv0HRfAMI_j4Fiv0ASnw7LybuWf0/s320/March_2011+080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls making faces while waiting for Daddy to come home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KyMdlmkYTJ1mYBEza1fBJf3Y8DS5BHBMFg2K6rzjyIU0PcRMkBmqMMYfbvfztg9lVnsg5Q7t5JRDmuuJ23R62JDDQJMA2kr2mSPl4a12-VX3CqqvGmvYHa_Jy_JZ8UYobvjXUfaCTO8/s1600/March_2011+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KyMdlmkYTJ1mYBEza1fBJf3Y8DS5BHBMFg2K6rzjyIU0PcRMkBmqMMYfbvfztg9lVnsg5Q7t5JRDmuuJ23R62JDDQJMA2kr2mSPl4a12-VX3CqqvGmvYHa_Jy_JZ8UYobvjXUfaCTO8/s320/March_2011+082.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eve's drawing of our family (with an addition?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_6tz8ULrBJI7y3OXQ3C0gubOl6RKcoRwJRUY_vnNrWWXFO-ddtybJnbq7ineRyE6Xp8jfz0-pL0ViLA9l4xWJ2746vZKYH5GYt3oNBRoUSEyxwMjh-L5MYZXDPLV9HChd7q4pC-IAGI/s1600/March_2011+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_6tz8ULrBJI7y3OXQ3C0gubOl6RKcoRwJRUY_vnNrWWXFO-ddtybJnbq7ineRyE6Xp8jfz0-pL0ViLA9l4xWJ2746vZKYH5GYt3oNBRoUSEyxwMjh-L5MYZXDPLV9HChd7q4pC-IAGI/s320/March_2011+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai food is our favorite!</td></tr>
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Last night, we went on our first date in 8 months! Mia, Levi's sister, was organizing a charity event on BYU campus to bring awareness on abuse and inspire us to stand up and act if we were witnessing signs of possible abuse, like what you would see on the show "What would you do?". It was the BEST date ever! She arranged for Alex Boye, one of the Mormon Tab. singers to come and perform. Alex is actually a friend of Paul's (Levi's older brother) and knew Levi and Mia growing up. He's from England and moved a few years back to join the choir. His performance was mind blowing and included splits and impersonations of Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Richie, etc. The event ended with a dance on jazz music. It was a ball so I got spoiled with a formal dress. Here is a link to the Daily Universe article on it:<span class="messageBody"><a href="http://universe.byu.edu/node/14769" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span> http://universe.byu.edu/node/1</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>4769</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPM6_56a1L4NDF7KNCH3C5ASxWKjqqVE21K_jbvCmdS_RiPpaY39d-KgVdik0LP3qPZrzyAtxAu-jV6MdXLf4dHwiy58mvuluqc_Ij1Vw9DjJTRPHDhyphenhyphen15Yb0OVNGzLMe1EumHkckl8o/s1600/March_2011+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPM6_56a1L4NDF7KNCH3C5ASxWKjqqVE21K_jbvCmdS_RiPpaY39d-KgVdik0LP3qPZrzyAtxAu-jV6MdXLf4dHwiy58mvuluqc_Ij1Vw9DjJTRPHDhyphenhyphen15Yb0OVNGzLMe1EumHkckl8o/s320/March_2011+116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia's speech was inspiring!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBYwXBO7YgC1b72zHaw5Dd6hyQ1Drw1zI_9HjXvNLY405CjmE_BP2SkzlDHwaFg-Goa23dCt3Ot_icFNb4s_99tMJ4oxCOyupy8iDXhI08xBbdY4XYLhAJlymBcst2SXHa37f3Wj7xFA/s1600/March_2011+118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBYwXBO7YgC1b72zHaw5Dd6hyQ1Drw1zI_9HjXvNLY405CjmE_BP2SkzlDHwaFg-Goa23dCt3Ot_icFNb4s_99tMJ4oxCOyupy8iDXhI08xBbdY4XYLhAJlymBcst2SXHa37f3Wj7xFA/s320/March_2011+118.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex Boye: what an entertainer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdOLkR02PYWXg2fn8Auf2tNLe4kLET_6rLUZlGfTCOuC_NeURQPnCgUbOS3MSKn5LSL7oL3wzs3oyH0_H_YFpuiVgAvscxSi15xJeOxOPWRcdvce-9IsqcDDAGCULo_U17vxWnt1cawg/s1600/March_2011+124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdOLkR02PYWXg2fn8Auf2tNLe4kLET_6rLUZlGfTCOuC_NeURQPnCgUbOS3MSKn5LSL7oL3wzs3oyH0_H_YFpuiVgAvscxSi15xJeOxOPWRcdvce-9IsqcDDAGCULo_U17vxWnt1cawg/s320/March_2011+124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmuxfKMKwTGhe9ZO_bz1nseYo_N-1QFZetGo5soGXH4JSM7m-Z28icxrUTwxmzi7SDmSoTmTNGIt1Ehj6imIR5cnqgs7ve-IhSfhpgdnSj5O8Z5mDffttub9XNDv9iXgTYXq70wvs-mQ/s1600/March_2011+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmuxfKMKwTGhe9ZO_bz1nseYo_N-1QFZetGo5soGXH4JSM7m-Z28icxrUTwxmzi7SDmSoTmTNGIt1Ehj6imIR5cnqgs7ve-IhSfhpgdnSj5O8Z5mDffttub9XNDv9iXgTYXq70wvs-mQ/s320/March_2011+125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-6357421319677529402011-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:002011-02-25T14:16:56.777-08:00London, Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdTU7fZDOvuESZYL-046-_D2EGZtKPh0qF-AVjp35aHkNAuBHbGlVvBEKiMTzArhOpS8x-4CtbHVE0fwWJGG0euxacFVfN9QW-ofV2iq2eB9vuCxc6frR4WiaNBv8Dye6vsPb-o0syy4/s1600/February_2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdTU7fZDOvuESZYL-046-_D2EGZtKPh0qF-AVjp35aHkNAuBHbGlVvBEKiMTzArhOpS8x-4CtbHVE0fwWJGG0euxacFVfN9QW-ofV2iq2eB9vuCxc6frR4WiaNBv8Dye6vsPb-o0syy4/s320/February_2011+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> A week before we left for the States, I had the chance to spend a day in London where I met with one of my best friends who was on her way to Paris coming back from Vietnam. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I found out the night before that she was stopping in London and didn't really plan this trip: I love doing something in the spur of the moment!<br />
<br />
It was so liberating to go on this adventure on my own, no kids on tow. As much as I love being a mom, traveling and exploring a city like London with young children is more a nightmare than a dream come true! So I left early morning, without a diaper bag or PB&J sandwiches or sippy cups, feeling like I had forgotten or lost something. <br />
<br />
Since I had some extra time before meeting up with my friend, I took the Underground and went to the British Museum (which is free, by the way) and took some random touristy pictures:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrAA-5M0pFcv6v1KYWtLM9BxnVV48UHtFS4Mlk3QsE6Pq2t53XWwBVV7781lFzyD0Vl6EOKaiY6_DgStq9CodIqEUmlV3lcYPj0HfLkz4cE_pP538biJd5JOkVWosEMAemPs8Y-4lrO0/s1600/February_2011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrAA-5M0pFcv6v1KYWtLM9BxnVV48UHtFS4Mlk3QsE6Pq2t53XWwBVV7781lFzyD0Vl6EOKaiY6_DgStq9CodIqEUmlV3lcYPj0HfLkz4cE_pP538biJd5JOkVWosEMAemPs8Y-4lrO0/s320/February_2011+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional double-decker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q7Vg4ALeAL9NuAKchyphenhyphen_sA6-u9HPK3zASl7agjkcxIbNr4OImJEMX7e5qnBIDnQVHJDwBZjaO29sWRoynWiG9qIWuBMSPMpofEnFwoSTYdqzLipq-mn4AFpXBKX-P6usP3bhDooyCBmk/s1600/February_2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q7Vg4ALeAL9NuAKchyphenhyphen_sA6-u9HPK3zASl7agjkcxIbNr4OImJEMX7e5qnBIDnQVHJDwBZjaO29sWRoynWiG9qIWuBMSPMpofEnFwoSTYdqzLipq-mn4AFpXBKX-P6usP3bhDooyCBmk/s320/February_2011+029.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Pancreas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKkBZnW8VSqA47bMfdtDRpG2f2w2vbKWgBstfcqxqyqtSZN-RXa5l7rRAvvHbMTV-49gsU-1MSJj437PVG4TdVKYXoi-oCgRSso6wVqwLj1nd15OHH-VsZrOp2ibxj5zbofAUA-bo9NQ/s1600/February_2011+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKkBZnW8VSqA47bMfdtDRpG2f2w2vbKWgBstfcqxqyqtSZN-RXa5l7rRAvvHbMTV-49gsU-1MSJj437PVG4TdVKYXoi-oCgRSso6wVqwLj1nd15OHH-VsZrOp2ibxj5zbofAUA-bo9NQ/s320/February_2011+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDCBzsZnV7aOUPCS6RXlOD53Td8EIkkLyi8I9IhcDbyRRo7StKjRSX0uP1PoCFJpwfyY0pS9zVxHHiYndwn1BJftUC4Rwdbn2IB_KsA9tAWbuATpDU9nvMtilnlSe3H2wTdUiovyYO8/s1600/February_2011+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDCBzsZnV7aOUPCS6RXlOD53Td8EIkkLyi8I9IhcDbyRRo7StKjRSX0uP1PoCFJpwfyY0pS9zVxHHiYndwn1BJftUC4Rwdbn2IB_KsA9tAWbuATpDU9nvMtilnlSe3H2wTdUiovyYO8/s320/February_2011+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Gandhi</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Once we were reunited, we opted to go to China Town, which consists of one street in the middle of town, where we ate at a sushi restaurant. The menus were written in mandarin, so I was not quite sure what I was ordering, but my friend, being a regular, helped me out so I would avoid ordering something too exotic ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxwq_75w6QzkgWSo9m7RgSIQaK-SZMeIh4fDCooup50aYn0kzXPR2r0SFV5dYhY9KJnQuuhrRdmvJd2dKa_-oI6qqnCx_ukM0HomLuFkld18K122FizWh3t-r8IF6Ua-c6U0JovvWWcQ/s1600/February_2011+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxwq_75w6QzkgWSo9m7RgSIQaK-SZMeIh4fDCooup50aYn0kzXPR2r0SFV5dYhY9KJnQuuhrRdmvJd2dKa_-oI6qqnCx_ukM0HomLuFkld18K122FizWh3t-r8IF6Ua-c6U0JovvWWcQ/s320/February_2011+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dear friend and her brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv0cVtZsNIEXq_Pd2h8qhDYoUSYpHKYRiPZS8902N4NGCNwmc1P2kGdahYQPyoF0gICoptAIe9DljCXAZ7d8SWJCHM53uq0gbkp3USu1fQDt0i5r1eg3-2YjHTrLMAHHRWVANrzZ7vKw/s1600/February_2011+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv0cVtZsNIEXq_Pd2h8qhDYoUSYpHKYRiPZS8902N4NGCNwmc1P2kGdahYQPyoF0gICoptAIe9DljCXAZ7d8SWJCHM53uq0gbkp3USu1fQDt0i5r1eg3-2YjHTrLMAHHRWVANrzZ7vKw/s320/February_2011+047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQw6b8rpOupnYItM9DY7nW2KDOizrM9RdFlQlJNmZS-6bAobwzXehDzW_P8z9x3Bk4nW2e9DqMfI6AfCt2d2IunF-aoyxQwMgQTJ_GrD2ffwEHfljbh-OoVWWU9j_I7ZGq3mBvpNwMiA/s1600/February_2011+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQw6b8rpOupnYItM9DY7nW2KDOizrM9RdFlQlJNmZS-6bAobwzXehDzW_P8z9x3Bk4nW2e9DqMfI6AfCt2d2IunF-aoyxQwMgQTJ_GrD2ffwEHfljbh-OoVWWU9j_I7ZGq3mBvpNwMiA/s320/February_2011+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> After a great lunch and even better conversation, we strolled in the main avenues and ended our promenade in Harrod's. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9jGfaDXWqwWX5b9otDqXABkALKU3Q2BgoAKDe-fQkaSr_xwQnwf9ur6rlHZ2WBCsZzMOo5piIVZFRIjhFiOYuijV6lWke78sauY7TYRJTAj_lUdpYKbOb7_d76X2R7WhyItNg9VJ7F4/s1600/February_2011+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9jGfaDXWqwWX5b9otDqXABkALKU3Q2BgoAKDe-fQkaSr_xwQnwf9ur6rlHZ2WBCsZzMOo5piIVZFRIjhFiOYuijV6lWke78sauY7TYRJTAj_lUdpYKbOb7_d76X2R7WhyItNg9VJ7F4/s320/February_2011+059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYFJR_OfMGq-sZ3ntStZ1kpgXKB2K26x460Q57EoB-34ewEEXmJeXJxVq8PLtyTtHIY0kKUgu9NRnSx4USRO38ABi1uoqs3M2ojYyPn37vqIgUSvgwN8-wBQ-DHBOpSq0Qi0w6NEiUa4/s1600/February_2011+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYFJR_OfMGq-sZ3ntStZ1kpgXKB2K26x460Q57EoB-34ewEEXmJeXJxVq8PLtyTtHIY0kKUgu9NRnSx4USRO38ABi1uoqs3M2ojYyPn37vqIgUSvgwN8-wBQ-DHBOpSq0Qi0w6NEiUa4/s320/February_2011+055.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FYI: this phone booth had a terrible stench of pee, so I had to hold my breath for the picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIIel-RcSToNg82DjBfkXYwG6wqwokRNqEEPnEUO3F_SX9vaIsomUKBLRfnHohjcIrK_eP1WOMxWeiR7FJwikHnFXHOLQig01PTulLtaXCRHG8JH75IAqbtCOW3iftcMUM_w4F6AY4nY/s1600/February_2011+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIIel-RcSToNg82DjBfkXYwG6wqwokRNqEEPnEUO3F_SX9vaIsomUKBLRfnHohjcIrK_eP1WOMxWeiR7FJwikHnFXHOLQig01PTulLtaXCRHG8JH75IAqbtCOW3iftcMUM_w4F6AY4nY/s320/February_2011+064.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain in Harrods with a display of raw fish (?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Harrod's is the chicest store in London and it has a strict dress code. You are not allowed to wear your backpack, you have to carry it in your hand. This is what I found on Trip Advisor: It prohibits: "...ripped jeans, high cut Bermuda or beach shorts, swim wear, athletic singlets, cycling shorts, flip flops or thong sandals, dirty or unkempt clothing." Furthermore "Any extremes of personal presentation are prohibited as are bare feet and exposed midriffs." Ironic that Harrods may SELL some of these same fashions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOTf0kSgwtQ29iCqVUirzavlPZOWClJUCLymYPotE48EPFci7nL-xtSLvnHO43RDl_so7uwZ2APcDVNqRC8RukfiNhejUqvJcNXDjVNKqj9Y1Y2Ptolx7M5GGm2yWGSGCo7QvVGkUs9w/s1600/February_2011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOTf0kSgwtQ29iCqVUirzavlPZOWClJUCLymYPotE48EPFci7nL-xtSLvnHO43RDl_so7uwZ2APcDVNqRC8RukfiNhejUqvJcNXDjVNKqj9Y1Y2Ptolx7M5GGm2yWGSGCo7QvVGkUs9w/s320/February_2011+066.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dreamy princess cake: look at the price tag, close to 3,200 dollars!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIkdCNnh37Qq3rGK_DEbNRN0NzEKl4QOu20Y4NwTJsJaatrk0Etb58kTFRbV92mKTYkoASKzttSS8deWDU6mwbLBR7sXpszALjuk3S4-haCq7cv4i6hkh3sroHUeXT0SPJJ9Khr5CO6k/s1600/February_2011+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIkdCNnh37Qq3rGK_DEbNRN0NzEKl4QOu20Y4NwTJsJaatrk0Etb58kTFRbV92mKTYkoASKzttSS8deWDU6mwbLBR7sXpszALjuk3S4-haCq7cv4i6hkh3sroHUeXT0SPJJ9Khr5CO6k/s320/February_2011+067.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate shoes and purses: to die for!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PFQh5iGq04QfGqlZuuZ5Od4_vWLt6hpzOUK_3EyCfamGx3vHWFW4MG_qVbNXkUS2l73tEwv4etyV_EdRxdDYs5xv4-ANbZZvSd6uEQZJPPxnuKPVNIkrJJSGSIszxNHw8xLj5V3WKUI/s1600/February_2011+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PFQh5iGq04QfGqlZuuZ5Od4_vWLt6hpzOUK_3EyCfamGx3vHWFW4MG_qVbNXkUS2l73tEwv4etyV_EdRxdDYs5xv4-ANbZZvSd6uEQZJPPxnuKPVNIkrJJSGSIszxNHw8xLj5V3WKUI/s320/February_2011+069.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit made out of marzipan (this one is for my sister who loves marzipan)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Finally, we bought some Harrods cheesecake and since it was close to closing, it was buy one get one free!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kwfDLnhZPFgddH4xZQ64VvnM7sWTUQREKGwsZAL58d5XhtMVRnKo5zG590ksB_OHluBQS2eBeKbHD_-pHUxZPo2mBK13GHPr9oEj3dW52NkVFnNRtM6totWCe92whhEUDzrKyM27aAA/s1600/February_2011+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kwfDLnhZPFgddH4xZQ64VvnM7sWTUQREKGwsZAL58d5XhtMVRnKo5zG590ksB_OHluBQS2eBeKbHD_-pHUxZPo2mBK13GHPr9oEj3dW52NkVFnNRtM6totWCe92whhEUDzrKyM27aAA/s320/February_2011+070.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saved a piece for Levi who stayed home with the kids while I was having fun! Thanks, love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There is so much more to see in London, but that was all I was able to do in one day. I would love to go back and spend 3-4 days discovering London, but it's even better if you go with someone who is familiar with the city.selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-85365119839093229132011-02-24T20:34:00.000-08:002011-02-24T20:34:05.698-08:00Have you ever eaten a coconut?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCJ0hyphenhyphengmo3vudxlkU05SJ8fZRcMWP5QsU39UyFrQhz6W9GtciYy4fs9P5JYd1WDOGAXdSa20aElCGzwqti17UWv-GVDxaHy-AtAbXzzeNvvo5j1R6YJmEdq1XGvLG0eARrV8yI4P09o/s1600/February_2011+203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCJ0hyphenhyphengmo3vudxlkU05SJ8fZRcMWP5QsU39UyFrQhz6W9GtciYy4fs9P5JYd1WDOGAXdSa20aElCGzwqti17UWv-GVDxaHy-AtAbXzzeNvvo5j1R6YJmEdq1XGvLG0eARrV8yI4P09o/s320/February_2011+203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last night we went grocery shopping as a family. We were on our way to the cash register when I spotted a case of coconuts and that sight took me back to when I was 7 and my father brought a coconut home. I was fascinated as I watched my dad break it open, pour the milk into a glass and chipped the inside a piece at a time. Since then, I have loved coconut in all of its forms and shapes: pina-colada, coconut curry, coconut macaroons, etc. So, in the spur of the moment, I grabbed a coconut in the hope to create the same experience with Eve.<br />
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I think that's what I love most about being a mother: I can rediscover the world with my children and find a renewed interest and fascination for little things that have lost their value over time. I get excited when I think of all the things that I can introduce my children to.<br />
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So, I am curious to know, what is it that you love doing with your children? what activities remind you of your childhood? What is the latest thing that you watched them discover?selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796652046650981543.post-29977948933431580692011-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:002011-02-23T15:01:54.451-08:00Back in the USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN_LpoQLfVntfjyRqVs02cGOAPo0ylfeIFBlWNwV9PiuDAOWmsREAfmLExj19Do4_pzeGHCjQc0Sz4G_I6FgODNaX2l0BEB_MGVGW8udH9ncOOXCQOI2ogHU5hKChbFP3ZPl6qW3zJ8o/s1600/paul_hewitts_october+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN_LpoQLfVntfjyRqVs02cGOAPo0ylfeIFBlWNwV9PiuDAOWmsREAfmLExj19Do4_pzeGHCjQc0Sz4G_I6FgODNaX2l0BEB_MGVGW8udH9ncOOXCQOI2ogHU5hKChbFP3ZPl6qW3zJ8o/s320/paul_hewitts_october+154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ok, I know. I am the worst blogger EVER. I will be truly amazed if anyone even acknowledges this new post as I am sure you have all given up checking on my sad little page.<br />
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Most of you know by now that we have moved back to the States. After spending Christmas in Paris with my family, Levi and I did some soul-searching and some intense praying. Removed from our situation in England, with me overworked and Levi undermotivated to study, we took a hard look at the past 6 months and realized that our family was paying too great of a price, especially once Levi came to the conclusion that he could not see himself working as a doctor. He would come home from school and instead of being excited or passionate about what he had learned that day, he would say: "I saw the most disgusting thing today" or "I cannot picture myself touching people on a regular basis". Finally, we knew that we would eventually move back to the States, so if Levi decided that he was not going to finish Med School, then there was no point for us to remain in England (except for the amazing Warwick branch).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9qgH_bHaYTYG_FJKK4nvmKjpctNVv7OGOD9UNpOEIeVdjp8GaEiRfmsP4b1xhKjoTLoAnFUvjdfkuLhqIbo-RosCxg-krFrzwbt0AMhqiQ8X1DqtbACafqlYSH48ibKhWIFV-lld22o/s1600/January+2011+267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9qgH_bHaYTYG_FJKK4nvmKjpctNVv7OGOD9UNpOEIeVdjp8GaEiRfmsP4b1xhKjoTLoAnFUvjdfkuLhqIbo-RosCxg-krFrzwbt0AMhqiQ8X1DqtbACafqlYSH48ibKhWIFV-lld22o/s320/January+2011+267.jpg" width="240" /></a>Miraculously, Levi found a job in Utah and was invited to interview. It was at that point that we rushed to get some tickets to SLC and started packing. The day before we left, I got terribly sick with the flu and I almost passed out when we were checking in at the Gatwick airport. The flight was a blurr and it took me a week to recover. Thankfully, Levi's brother put us up until we found a place of our own so I was able to rest. I had never been so sick to the extent that I lost my appetite and lost 4 pounds that first week (don't worry I gained it all back :( ).<br />
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Levi got that job and we moved to Lehi. I am still getting used to the area: I get lost almost every time I go to the grocery store! Not a week had gone by when I got hit while driving on the freeway. Our car was totaled, sandwiched between two cars, as the car behind me projected us into the car in front of us. Miraculously, the girls and I walked out of it safe and sound, except for a whiplash that receded in the days that followed.<br />
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So for the past couple of weeks, we've been hunting for another car while driving in a brand new rental car paid for by the party-at-fault's insurance. It was incredibly hard not to justify buying a new car and making payments and even harder to go from this new 2010 Nissan to the 98 Honda that we finally found on KSL.<br />
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When I tell our story to people, such as our new neighbors, I always end up saying: "Our family does not know how to simplify". I feel like we've had adventures and trials to last a lifetime, but our struggles pale in comparison to some, such as the family in our new ward whose new baby boy had to undergo a heart transplant at 3 months and whose life hangs by a thread every time he is exposed to germs, who had to go to the hospital because he had a cold. The baby has to take steroids that basically disables his immune system so that his body does not reject the new heart he has been given.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZH-VArw8Vx0mZgpPRnM88H7C9NnZhrYkLXeA65H3U9YtHvF35E4d8k4cToDmeHH6aSv4l3bo4F-D4ObN7F9c6ElV4CptSpfuxmcBBxIG0wZ9YirAOdkabWwn28cYEvpZvn23qwM_PyQ/s1600/paul_hewitts_october+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZH-VArw8Vx0mZgpPRnM88H7C9NnZhrYkLXeA65H3U9YtHvF35E4d8k4cToDmeHH6aSv4l3bo4F-D4ObN7F9c6ElV4CptSpfuxmcBBxIG0wZ9YirAOdkabWwn28cYEvpZvn23qwM_PyQ/s320/paul_hewitts_october+075.jpg" width="320" /></a>After all is said and done, I feel extremely blessed and I realize how much I have learned from our experience in England, and how much I have yet to learn. We are very happy to be back in Utah, although we miss our little branch. It was the hardest thing to leave the great friends we have made and realize that our church participation will not quite be the same. In our neighborhood alone, I counted more that 5 chapels within a mile radius and I remember how we had to take 2 buses to get to church in Warwick. Our prayers are with the members of this branch who sacrifice a lot to make it to church on Sunday.<br />
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I apologize for our prolonged silence and for not announcing our return, but we felt it would be best to come back by the back door as we were not very proud of ourselves to give up on our plan A without even having a plan B.selway2005http://www.blogger.com/profile/07746176500260885579noreply@blogger.com11