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By now, you’ve certainly heard of the Edel Gathering. I’m not even quite sure if it would be appropriate to tell you how excited I am for this. This is a family blog, after all.
Now to buy some shoes. Are these too much?
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Haley is one of the speakers this year, and methinks she might chat about her book a bit. But, I just don’t know. #speculation If you want to be one of the cool kids and be in the know, stop over here and enter to win a copy of her living liturgically book: Feast!
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If I told you Lent was fast approaching, would you believe me? If you said “no,” you’re straight cray. Google it, friend. Anyway, whether you choose to believe me or not, I am demanding you check out this new app from Catholic Relief Services. It’s called the CRS Rice Bowl app for iPhone and Android. Features:
All the resources needed to make Lent a more personal experience in a relevant and convenient way are available on the CRS Rice Bowl App. Users can schedule delivery of daily reflections to their mobile device, set and track progress towards a personal Lenten goal, view simple meatless recipes to prepare on Fridays, and read or watch stories about the people whose lives have been changed through the program. The App is free and can be downloaded from the iTunes and Google Play Store or at crsricebowl.org/app
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Thank you all so much for continuing to pray for Ellen. Here is a little update that I feel I owe ya:
Back in December, Ellen has a bizarre episode where she stopped breathing and we had to call 911 and take her to the ER. Everything checked out totally normal, and we chalked it up to a freak occurrence. A few days later, she had another similar episode, although this time she remained breathing. Visits to the ped, neurologist and cardiologist all checked out fine again.
This past Friday, she had another episode, and now are are in the process of a battery of tests to rule out more serious concerns. So far, everything is coming back normal. And I am sure your prayers have something to do with it. Right now, we are just praying that a doc finds something (something minor, preferably), so we can get to the bottom of this.
It’s the same thing every time: she is totallllly normal, then she stops, points to her mouth frantically, won’t speak, turns red, moans and groans, then falls asleep for about 12 hours. She wakes up thirsty, but otherwise, totally normal.
Mike and I feel like it might be an allergy or a panic attack. The docs don’t agree, but they also cannot find any other cause.
So, prayers, please?

This kid is a fracking trooper.
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Happier Things. #instalife
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Keeping with the happy: I got myself a gym membership complete with childcare and every sort of gym/spa amenity you can imagine. Ever since I was 16, I have always owned and used a gym membership. Then we had kids and you know how it goes. So, I am back in the game, and this is the nicest daycare spa ahem gym!! that I have ever been a member of. Every single day I can go and drop off my kids, work out, and then sit in a sauna. Sure. Why they hell not?
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Only one minor hiccup at the gym yesterday. I picked the kids up from the daycare, and I told the older lady working it that I was going to nurse Sam before heading out. So, I walked over to the rocking chair and,
“Oh. We’d prefer if you did that in the hallway.”
“(???) Sure, no problem.”
“Here. Do you need a blanket to cover up?”
“Nope. I’m good. Thanks.”
“Here. Take this blanket to cover up.”
“Yes. Why, thank you.”
:::continued to NIP without a cover:::
Honestly, I don’t get all hot and bothered by situations like this. If I was being asked to leave, yes, hot and bothered. But, her requests, while I didn’t agree with them, didn’t strike rage in my heart. I realized I wouldn’t get anywhere by arguing, and I wasn’t in the mood to be The Voice of Breastfeeding in that moment, so I smiled, nodded and did whatever I wanted to do anyway. It ain’t against the law.
Chalked it up to a generational thing. Whaddddevurrr.
Linking with Jen – party planner boss.
.
.LiL

Oh. My. Gosh. Those shoes!!!
Can’t wait to see you this summer!
Praying for your little one! It must be so tough to not know the cause yet. Hang in there. Thanks for the app rec, downloading now.
Those crazy requests don’t bother me either. And I react the same way, “Oh, ok…” Do my own thing nicely and move on with my life. Like in the hospital when they tell me I have to stay awake as long as the baby is in my room and I cannot nurse in bed while sleeping and the light must be on…”Oh, ok…” Turn off the light when the nurse leaves the room and snuggle up next to nursing baby in the bed.
Your poor little girl! And your poor parent hearts! I will pray that all of it gets figured out asap.
Um.. I’ll take those shoes.
Oh and thanks for the Lenten app tip. It looks pretty awesome.
My prayers for all of you. It is so scary when it’s your child and there’s nothing you can immediately do about it. Hang in there and if your not getting answers I strongly reccomend the drs at U of M. They were Fantastic at getting to the bottom of Bills problems and they have a whole wing dedicated to little ones. Prayers and love!
Those shoes…I can’t decide if I wan to look at them or throw up haha
Prayers that they figure something very minor out for you guys:-)
Those shoes! Oh my goodness, those win the internet. Now double sorry I can’t attend the gathering this year.
Please keep us updated about Ellen, this is not something you must write off as a fluke! You might consider taking her to U of M Motts Hospital. I am sure they would get to the bottom of this!
Those shoes look like something from The Bloggess!
Those. Shoes. You would absolutely win.
And I’ve totally looked into getting a gym membership solely for the childcare so that I can have time to go to the bathroom by myself this summer… But all of ours charge $5/child/day – what nonsense is that??? I’m not paying $20 PLUS membership fees to go pretend to work out but really just sit around watching TV and maybe take a shower!
What fancy gym? What fancy gym? We joined lifetime and I am obsessed with it. BUT, it sucks because the weather has been so terrible, I feel abusive for taking the kids out in it, so I am mostly just going at night now. Also, the conference. my heart breaks that I can’t go :(