tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23155558707711198602024-03-13T09:23:04.801-05:00The Clanahan FamilyMeagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-16057831742066135882015-02-16T06:31:00.005-06:002015-02-16T06:31:53.102-06:00"Love" Posts :: Houston Moms Blog<div align="center">
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Honestly, I don't know if anyone reads this thing anymore but I do like to update it every now and again with my <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> posts, if nothing else than for posterity :) It has been a ROUGH few weeks around the C Household, multiple sicknesses {flu, strep, sinus infections, and double ear infections}- I love the wonderful weather we can experience in January and February in Houston but it's a KILLER on the body with 50 degree swing in temperatures every day. That said, I am praying we are all on the mend. This week is jam packed and I need to be on my a-game.</div>
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Last week I shared two posts with the <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> readers :: one was a totally spontaneous, super sarcastic post about The Bachelor {total guilty pleasure here} and the other had been planned for quite awhile - the story of our marriage. It's quite possibly my most transparent sharing to date and I was scared to death at the reactions I would get. Mercifully, every one was so kind and encouraging with a lot of people saying "Me too!" Whew. Someone asked me why I feel compelled to be open about our struggles. The only succinct reason I can come up with is that simply I feel called to. Our story is not in vain and if it helps one person feel not alone, then it's worth it. I believe God gave me a tiny voice to share for a reason if that makes sense at all. Anyway, the two posts couldn't be more different :) If you want to check them out, see below!</div>
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<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/love-actually-when-marriage-isnt-the-fairytale/" target="_blank">Love Actually {When Marriage Isn't the Fairytale}</a></div>
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<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/if-my-son-was-the-bachelor/" target="_blank">If My Son was The Bachelor </a> </div>
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{Big thanks to my sweet friend <a href="http://addmoresalt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jenn</a>, fellow HMB contributor for the starting point on this one!}</div>
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Hope y'all have a great week!</div>
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Per usual we took our annual family pictures this past December. I am convinced that if I didn't force these upon the family that I would rarely appear in a picture with my kids :) That said, it's not exactly my favorite thing to do --- I completely overthink, overdress, and overstress. But I am always thrilled when I get the images back and then thank God that I don't have to do it again for 364 more days. Ha! </div>
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But if I am going to do pictures, it's a huge treat to have <a href="http://www.kendramartinphotography.com/" target="_blank">Kendra</a> take them. Sadly she moved away this past May and I have missed her so much. But when she posted the two dates she would be back this year to take photos in Houston, I jumped on it. Literally - like in 2 minutes. Even if it was a brief time, it was SO good to see my sweet friend again. She loves my kids so much and they love "Aunt Kendra" too! Kendra, I love you and thank you for capturing literally thousands of images over the past 4 1/2 years. It's an incredible gift to us, just as you are to me. {To see Kendra's post & a sweet message today <a href="http://www.kendramartinphotographyblog.com/2014/12/greenville-photographer-love-family-sooo-sooo-soo-soo-soo-soo-much/" target="_blank">click here</a>}</div>
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Here are a "few" of my favorite (hey, she sent me 100, it's hard to whittle it down!!!)</div>
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I always read <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erika</a>, <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/" target="_blank">Andrea</a> and <a href="http://graceandloveblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Narci's</a> Friday Favorites but I've never linked up. However, the kids are still sleeping, we have a lazy morning, and my work is almost done for the week - so why not?</div>
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<b>1. <u>Girl's Trip to Fredericksburg</u></b> :: Y'all. I am still on a total high from a trip to Fredericksburg with my 2 BFF's. We've literally tried to plan this for years but someone was always pregnant, nursing, in the hospital, taking care of a kid in the hospital, the list goes on and on. Finally the stars aligned and we had the best.weekend.ever. Seriously. Late dinner Friday with wine (of course), then we shopped and hit up the wineries all day Saturday, followed by another delicious dinner. We were in no rush to get back so we laid around in our PJ's on Sunday morning for a couple of hours, had a late breakfast and then finally departed. The trip was so good for my soul. And as well as I thought I knew my girls, spending 48 hours together allowed us to get to know each other even better. It's a God-given friendship and we are already planning for our trip next November!</div>
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<b><u>2. Boots and Vest weather </u></b>:: Houston NEVER gets this cold, this early in the season. But since I've had vests, scarves, and new boots taunting me in the closet ever since Nordy's anniversary sale, I couldn't be happier that it's cold. Matt now knows my new uniform is a combination of those items plus leggings. Heaven! If you haven't gotten your hands on these JCrew Factory puffer vests, you really should. They have still have the <a href="https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/blazers_outerwear/outerwear/PRDOVR~02533/02533.jsp?color_name=black" target="_blank">tweed one</a>, plus they've added <a href="https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/blazers_outerwear/outerwear/PRDOVR~92465/92465.jsp?color_name=bohemian-red" target="_blank">some other colors </a>from the last time I checked the site. Dang it. {P.S. The tweed is not on sale, but the other colors are marked down significantly. Jump on it! They are the perfect weight to keep you warm but not sweat your booty off indoors} Oh, and we can't leave out the <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/barefoot-dreams-bamboo-chic-drape-front-cardigan-nordstrom-exclusive/3112763?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=White%2F+Pewter+Ombre&resultback=373&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A" target="_blank">blardigan</a> - best.sweater.blanket.ever. I don't know why it took me a year to purchase this but it is a dream. I know <a href="http://www.theperfectcatchblog.com/" target="_blank">Chelsea over at The Perfect Catch</a> totally is nodding her head in agreement, right Chels? We share a deep love of all things scarf, vest, and <a href="http://pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest Told Me To</a> approved :)</div>
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<b><u>3. Boot socks</u></b> :: I finally got my hands on some adorable boot socks. I love the added flair. I went with a more classic lace pair like <a href="http://shop.lushfashionlounge.com/products/lace-trim-boot-socks?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&gclid=CJX1-Lag-sECFUqCMgod0EUAtg" target="_blank">this</a> {although I bought mine in Fredericksburg} So cute!</div>
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<b><u>4. Christmas Shopping </u></b>:: Matt and I are bound and determined to finish Christmas shopping by December 1st. This would be a huge accomplishment considering I was THAT mom at the toy store last year on Christmas Eve. I want to sit back and enjoy this season. The twins are super excited and at 4 1/2 they are at the perfect age to really "get" it. Cannot.wait. Santa has already scooped up a few things and we're making a dent in the rest of our family/friend list. Yay! And again I could not be more thankful for Amazon prime :)</div>
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<b><u>5. Advent Devotional Calendar</u></b> :: And we can't forget the true reason of the season. One of my fellow <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> contributors, Becky, created this wonderful Sacred Christmas Advent Calendar. It arrived this week in the mail and I was so excited to share it with Matt. We plan on doing it together in the evenings for a little quiet time versus playing on facebook or the iPad. Thanks, Becky! I highly recommend the calendar especially after seeing it in person - but hurry, only about 7 more days to get it before Advent begins. You can order it <a href="https://sacred-holidays.myshopify.com/collections/all" target="_blank">here</a> and for $20.00, I think it's a BARGAIN.</div>
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Happy Friday, everyone! Or as it is known in my house, "Sushi Friday!"</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Please note :: I did not receive any compensation for the links above. They are just products I own and love!)</i></span></div>
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I'm over at <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> talking about the myriad of emotions that comes with closing the door to having more kiddos. It was probably one of my most transparent and honest posts to date --- and thus I was extremely nervous to put all of that out there. But people could not have been more kind with their comments and so many people related to those emotions. What a relief and a big "whew"! It's always great to know you aren't alone in the crazy :) Here's a little excerpt::</div>
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My child-bearing years are over.</div>
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It has taken me months to begin to process this realization. Longer than that to even write about it. If I ramble, forgive.</div>
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We.are.done.</div>
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Right before the twins turned three, the blanket of exhaustion fog began to lift, and I saw we could actually do life – like go places {happily}, do normal things like hit up the grocery, and be on our own for extended periods of time. And in that moment, it also brought the question of “<a href="http://www.clanahanfam.blogspot.com/2013/05/attempting-to-tackle-big-question.html" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #06ddcf; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Well, one more?</a>”</div>
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And I thought through that. Like all the time. And came to the conclusion that these <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/abcs-of-me-meagan/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #06ddcf; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="ABC’s of Me :: Meagan">two sweet ones</a> were enough for me.</div>
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<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/mourning-of-no-more-children/" target="_blank">Click here to read more....</a></div>
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Thank y'all for reading!!! It means so much.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago, my sweet friend Chelsea (and fellow </span><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/about/meet-our-contributors/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog contributor</a><span style="text-align: left;">) over at the </span><a href="http://www.theperfectcatchblog.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Perfect Catch</a><span style="text-align: left;"> blog put out a call for a Scarf Swap 2014. Since I'm pretty sure my fall/winter uniform is going to mainly consist of scarves, skinny jeans, and boots, I jumped right on that train. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"></span>{Gahhh, for some reason my link up button isn't cooperating this morning. I'll try again this afternoon!}<br />
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And oh my goodness, I'm so glad I did. I got the SWEETEST scarf partner, Katie @ <a href="http://katiesperk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Perks</a> blog. {You really need to check out her blog too - she has some yummy recipes on there that have made my way into my meal plans for the next few weeks.} </div>
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Anyway, she totally outdid herself. I am into everything buffalo check these days, so you can imagine my excitement when my package showed up. {Chels may have put a bug in her ear, too - just guessing :) } PLUS, she sent the sweetest package of "Thinking of You" notes, Juicy Couture nail polish in Treat, and little containers of Halloween play-doh for my kids. Katie, THANK YOU!!!! Loved everything and can't wait to rock the buffalo scarf when it drops another 10 degrees. If I can wait that long :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YD6xj0CjRjM/VE-3IPdTO_I/AAAAAAAAD_4/TJuZ6cbYywM/s1600/scarf%2Bswap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YD6xj0CjRjM/VE-3IPdTO_I/AAAAAAAAD_4/TJuZ6cbYywM/s1600/scarf%2Bswap.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Thanks for hosting, Chelsea! I'm thinking there has to be a spring equivalent to a scarf so we can do this all over again in a few months. Too fun!</div>
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Happy Scarf Day!</div>
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I am beginning to accept that at this season in our lives, regular blogging just isn't going to happen. There are just not enough hours in the day, and that's ok. I still read my favorite bloggers regularly and get my "dose" in the a.m. But as for me throwing out any sort of content, it's beyond my energy level. </div>
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That being said, there are definitely a few things that I still want to make sure I document, if nothing but for posterity's sake. One of those things is all things cardio-related for Quinn. That being said, I am so grateful to God that I've had nothing to report for 8-9 months. (If you follow me on facebook, you probably already know this update - my apologies for repeat content).</div>
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This past Monday we had her cardiology check up. Basically a full work up of EKG, chest x-ray, echo, consult with our cardiologist and more. </div>
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Y'all. I just can't explain what I feel before these appointments. </div>
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The uneasiness always sets in a few days before. I feel it in every fiber, every bone, and with every breath that I take. It can easily consume my thoughts if I don't consciously push them away. I see this child almost every waking minute and I know she's a walking, talking, crazy miracle. But what lies beneath?</div>
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We never know.</div>
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After a fun and inspirational morning at iBloom (more on that at a later date, but dang, what a blessing in my life this year), the twins and I headed out for lunch and then met Daddy for the Ryan drop off so I could attend the appointment with Quinn.</div>
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And like always, this child just blew me away with her grace, her smiles, her laughter, and NO TEARS. She seriously is just about the best patient I've seen. I don't openly brag much about my kids, but man, I am so proud of her tenacious spirit. It's beyond anything I could ever be.</div>
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Per usual, she was absolutely still during her lengthy echo (about 50 minutes long) and never cried out one time, even when I knew she was getting hungry and tired. We finally saw the doctor after about 2 1/2 hours and received wonderful news.</div>
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While her heart still looks "bad", and parts are "bad", it's still working GREAT for her. She is clinically doing wonderfully and developmentally tracking well. I could hardly hold back tears when the cardiologist told us that we earned another 9 month "hall pass". It was answered prayers.</div>
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See, the thing is, at some point the "bad" won't work "great". It will begin to weaken her heart and necessitate multiple repairs, including stenting out her pulmonary arteries to increase oxygen flow, replacing her Pulmonary Valve (right now only done in the U.S. with open heart surgery), and perhaps a few other things to assist her right ventricle.</div>
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And we don't know when the "bad" will come.</div>
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But we cannot focus on that. I have to continually remind myself of that, otherwise I would be gripped in absolute fear all of the time. And that would do my children (or my husband, or me for that matter) any favors. So today, we take the victory. One step, one appointment at a time. And thankfully and hopefully, the next one is a long NINE months away. Time to keep steppin' on.</div>
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P.S. This past month, we also celebrated the three year anniversary of Quinn's two open heart surgeries, or her "new heart days" as we call it. Three years? I don't even know how that is possible. In one instance, it seems like a lifetime - almost like it happened to someone else. And then the next, I can be brought back to those emotions, the smell of the hospital, the ding of the elevator, the swishing sound of the respirator, and the pumping of the ventilator. Oh my, little girl. You've come so far. </div>
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Love to you all, </div>
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A few weeks ago, I wrote this post on "I'm proud to be a Mean Mommy" for Houston Moms Blog. While a few didn't exactly catch the tongue in cheek reference, I'm still a proud "mean mom" ;) Most days. </div>
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<b>A quick excerpt:</b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As a </span><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-wahm/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="A Day in the Life…of a WAHM">WAHM</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">/</span><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/a-day-in-the-life-draft/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="A Day in the Life…of a SAHM">SAHM</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">mom, I am responsible for much of the weekday discipline. Clearly, it’s not my favorite – but I so strongly feel it’s a huge part of my job as a parent. </span><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am 100% all about the wonderment of childhood, those magical moments where you can’t believe this is actually your life, and their absolute joy to show me their newest creations. </strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But in between those incredibly rewarding times, I also have high expectations for my children. I am grooming them to be responsible, confident, and loving adults one day. Preferably productive members of society that can function outside the confines of our home. Gulp. And they aren’t going to achieve that if I am constantly permissive and passive in my discipline."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Read more <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/im-proud-to-be-a-mean-mommy/" target="_blank">here...</a></span></span></div>
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Y'all. This summer has just about sucked the life out of me. It has been a GREAT one, full of vacations, trips to grandmas' houses, Vacation Bible Schools, swimming, and so much more. But not gonna lie, 4 months off was TOUGH. Totally out of my routine. And as much as I love my littles, it is totally time for them to rejoin the preschool ranks - they start Preschool 4's TODAY! How did that happen? Anyway, here is a brief catch up of what I've been doing over at <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> the past couple of months. {Side note: super exciting events coming up in the fall. Would love for you to join us!}</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/forever-5-minutes-late/" target="_blank">Forever 5 Minutes Late</a> ::</span> <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'News Cycle', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">7:45am ::</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">My tow-headed twins finally make their way downstairs, and as expected begin making all sorts of unreasonable demands. You know, like actual food I have to cook. Or defrost. Whatever. One asks for a banana. It breaks in the peeling process. This is unfortunate, yes. To the said child, it’s the WORST THING EVER THAT HAS HAPPENED IN FOUR YEARS OF LIFE. Tantrum ensues. Child ends up in time out. Hasn’t eaten breakfast yet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">:: 8:00am ::</span> Child has recovered from the banana trauma. Sort of. Requests a new banana because the other one is permanently deformed. I hesitate to give the new banana – but my head is starting to pound, and I’m not sure how much more fight I have left in me over A BANANA. Child scores new banana and has another point in the win column in the “wear Mommy down” war.... <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/forever-5-minutes-late/" target="_blank">Read More Here</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/reasons-seasons-and-lifetime-of-friendships/" target="_blank">Reasons, Seasons, & Lifetime of Friendships</a> ::</span><span style="font-family: 'News Cycle', arial, sans-serif;"> Years ago, that may have bothered me. The girl who thought her social calendar should always be full, the need to be surrounded by “friends” for a sense of value. But now, I feel so grateful that I have my <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lifetime</em> friends. We have cried together, weathered every type of possible storm, hysterically laughed over inane things, shared births, mourned deaths, loved on, cooked for, called regularly, and everything in between. I would not be the woman, the mom, the wife, or the friend that I am today without these amazing ladies. They span the time horizon from preschool and diapers, through high school, into college, and now into this journey of mommyhood. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/reasons-seasons-and-lifetime-of-friendships/" target="_blank">Read more here...</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/why-grocery-shopping-gives-me-hives/" target="_blank">Why Grocery Shopping Gives me Hives</a> :: </span><span style="font-family: 'News Cycle', arial, sans-serif;">Why. Oh, why? The impulse of buying a PayDay or Rolos was difficult to avoid in the B.C. days. Now the check out lines have displays of everything a child could want, from candy to toys to even Hello Kitty chapstick. If I’ve managed to maintain even a shred of sanity in our shopping trip, it’s destroyed as soon as the toddlers start rifling through every bar of chocolate goodness. “But Mommy, they have M&M’s!!! Puh-leaze, just one special treat???” So while trying to unload the carts in a semi-organized fashion, I’m also peeling children off of display cases and admonishing them from touching everything with their grubby hands. Clearly I know why the grocery store marketers do it, but it’s just so darn unfair to us after already playing the game of survival of the fittest. They could at least have a Xanax display. </span><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/why-grocery-shopping-gives-me-hives/" style="font-family: 'News Cycle', arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Read more here...</a></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. </span><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/5-tips-for-raising-a-strong-willed-child/" style="color: #555555;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5 Tips for Raising a Strong-Willed Child</span><span style="font-family: News Cycle, arial, sans-serif;"> :: </span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'News Cycle', arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/quinns-special-heart-chd-awareness/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Quinn’s ‘Special’ Heart {CHD Awareness}">She’s a fighter</a>, that one. And for that I’m glad. I believe her strong-willed personality has served her well in her young 4 years. But it has also given me a fair amount of grey hair and wrinkles. Not to mention the times I’ve wanted to bash my head against the wall because it would be less painful than jumping into the ring with her again. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/5-tips-for-raising-a-strong-willed-child/" target="_blank">Read more here...</a></span></div>
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Happy End of Summer! Hope to be back more often - ya know, with real, live posts ;) </div>
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Summer is flying by! I can't believe it's almost the middle of July. Anyway, life is just humming along for us - entertaining kiddos, day camps, swimming, staying up late, working, and of course, writing for <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">HMB</a>. Just wanted to share this latest post with y'all. It's near and dear to my heart and while you know I'm typically an open book, this one was SUPER personal for me. I almost deleted it to be honest.</div>
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But I'm so glad I didn't. I have heard the most positive feedback from parents of smalls and bigs alike...and the underlying thread is NO CHILD SHOULD BE DEFINED BY THEIR STATURE. Tiny or not. Little ears hear everything. I'm as guilty of this as anyone. I'm quite sure in social gatherings I've said things that could have been hurtful to a momma. We are all doing our best to raise children who believe they can achieve anything. Let's have positive dialogue! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Guess what? They don’t know that. Not right now. They are blissfully unaware and happy children. They don’t see height or weight or color of skin. They see <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kids</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why can’t we as adults see that? Why must we comment on physical attributes and think it’s okay to make comments to their parents? For some reason, society sees it as acceptable to make comments on a child being small and somehow twisting it so it’s the parent’s fault {or makes them feel even worse because <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">trust</strong></em> – I already feel guilt like I’ve done something wrong or not enough}. I would NEVER dream of making a comment to a parent about a child who looked a little overweight. <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Never</em>. Neither would you. So why is it okay to talk about stature? I would much rather have strangers and friends alike comment on my child’s behavior, social, or cognitive development. “Gosh, your daughter is just always smiling!” Or, “My goodness, your son is incredibly friendly.” Because they are. They are good kids. They are smart kids. They are athletic kids. They are loving. They love God."</span></div>
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<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/small-stature-kids/" target="_blank">Click here to read more....</a></div>
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For two weeks, the DADS are taking over <a href="http://www.houstonmomsblog.com/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a>! If you aren't already, you definitely want to follow along this series. It will make you laugh and cry, and most of all, make you super appreciative of all the wonderful dads in Houston. Matt's post went up yesterday and I loved every.single.word. Seriously. He blew me away. Thank you, babe, for being willing to post and share! You are the best husband and father ever! Here's just a sample of his top 7:</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Baby wipes are the bomb.</strong></div>
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If there is one thing I won’t and did not skimp on, it was baby wipes {diapers too, but not my point here}. Never would I ever think that such a simple, moist, square shaped towel would be capable of so much. Baby poop on a baby bottom…baby wipe. Ketchup on a t-shirt…baby wipe. Milk stain on a couch…baby wipe. Booger-crusted nose {mine or my kids}…baby wipe. And, these things are dirt cheap. Why spend five-bucks on a tube of Clorox wipes for your kitchen when you can spend $11 on a GIANT BOX of baby wipes. And thank you, Amazon Prime. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/7-things-ive-learned-to-love-about-being-a-dad-2/" target="_blank">{Keep reading here....}</a></div>
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Dear Ryan & Quinn,</div>
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I've had to stop myself so many times today to write this post... mostly because it doesn't seem real. TODAY YOU ARE FOUR YEARS OLD. Bless. Yes, I know the days are long, the years are short (yada, yada) but it's true. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding two newborns in my arms. Yet, when I look back over the blog from your first two to three years, it's already a blur. How is that possible???</div>
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This much I know is true: God blessed your Daddy and Me times infinity with the absolute privilege to raise you. You are both precious beyond measure and we don't remember a time when you weren't in our lives. (Except when we are trying to find a babysitter for a date night ;) )</div>
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I don't want to make this too lengthy, for I fear words will fail me and tears will fall ferociously.</div>
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<b>Ry, let's start with you.</b><br />
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What can I say, little man (you hate that, sorry - BIG man)? You light up my days. Your expressions are out of this world. You are a negotiator. You are a people pleaser. You haven't met anyone you don't like. Thus, "The Mayor" title. You remember all of your friends and their special characteristics in your prayers each night. You wake up happy. You (mostly) go to bed happy. If you could subsist on beige foods only, you would be happy. Except edamame. You love some edamame. You have a big obsession with all things Ninja Turtles these days, which I don't totally understand, but your daddy is pleased. You love playing outside, playing soccer, throwing any sort of ball (and your arm is dead on, son). You are also a little bit scary smart. Just when I think you aren't paying attention, you'll throw a curve ball. You starting writing your name out of nowhere. Gahhh, you are finally potty trained (you're welcome for that piece of info 14 years from now), you pick out your own clothes, dress yourself, and amazingly you match most of the time. You beg for "one more this, and one more that"... and most often I cave. I can't help myself. You are smart, you are lovable, but at the same time, becoming all boy - wiping off your lips as soon as you ask for a kiss :) You are such a good brother and are the first to say "I'm sorry!" in the heat of battle. You still love your cars and trains and anything that moves or makes noise. You also have the attention span of a 16 year old boy. Seriously, scary. I could probably leave you in front of the tv all day and you wouldn't move. Yikes! But at the same time, you are taking in so much and you love to leave the house and go our next adventure. Ry Guy, my love for you is unsurpassed. I could not have asked God to bless me with a better son. I love you so much. Thank you for 4 wonderful years. </div>
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<b>Quinnie,</b><br />
Oh, my Quinn. You are one of a kind. You are the sweetest, kind-hearted little girl I know. You want people to be happy. You want to serve others. You clean up the playroom without asking (for real). You love quality time - you NEED/CRAVE people at all times, if nothing but to rub your back or telling you are doing a good job. You love God. You are tremendously smart. Your memory freaks me out. You can remember what you wore to a birthday party a year and a half ago, and although it fits, you don't want to wear it because "Mommy, that's xxx's birthday party outfit. I need something else!" You are all girl. You change 3-4 times per day. I'm thankful that my washer is still functioning. You love nothing more than a dress and leggings with either a bow, braid, or pigtails. Nothing else suffices. You abhor jeans and will only wear shorts when it's really hot or gymnastics time. Speaking of the gym, you LOVE it. I had no doubt. You were meant to swing from every bar, jump every obstacle, and do forward rolls until you are dizzy. Quinn, not gonna lie - you can sometimes be drama but as we teeter on the brink between three and four, you are WAY more in control of your emotions than you were even 6 months ago. Time outs are a rarity now - but when they happen, they are for just cause :) Most of the time, you act like the big sister. You like to be in control and direct the antics in the house. Ryan follows for the most part, lucky you :) You love princesses, dressing up, anything girly - but at the same time, you aren't afraid to get a little messy, swing a little higher, sweat a little more. You are, and have always been, a fighter, in the best sense of the word. Your health is great and we praise God for every day we have with you.Quinn, I love you so much. You are my heart.<br />
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Oh, my babies. You hate that word, actually. Babies. But you are. And you always will be. Yes, I suppose you are my "big kids" now, although that is a bit of a tough pill to swallow at the moment. Four. Four. Yikes and yes. We are having so much fun these days and I love to have full-on meaningful conversations with you.<br />
Just today, we were in the car and suddenly starting talking about the sign for "Grandpa", which led to "where is Grandpa?", which led to "Where is Heaven and why can't I reach Jesus?", which after much conversation, finally ended with "Mommy, did you know Triceratops has two horns?". Ha. Only from the brains of toddlers. Or should I say kids now? I'm not sure I'm ready for that.<br />
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Y'all are the light of our lives. Keep shining. Don't let anyone or anything dim the spirit you have because it is so darned beautiful. We love you - more than you can even imagine or fathom. </div>
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All our love and Happy Birthday my sweet and crazy 4 year olds, </div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-48184133489992953502014-06-01T19:54:00.002-05:002014-06-01T19:54:28.866-05:00I want my daddy! A Houston Moms Blog post<div align="center">
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Well, I haven't been here so much but I'm still over here :)</div>
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Latest post for Houston Moms Blog: <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/i-want-my-daddy/" target="_blank">"I want my Daddy!!!"</a></div>
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Oh, my poor blog. So neglected. At any rate, we took 4 year pictures a few weeks ago with my sweet friend, Kendra (a little early - twins turn on Tuesday, aghhhhh). She has taken the twin's pictures since the day they were born... literally. She is moving to South Carolina soon and I knew I just had to have her capture R&Q for this milestone. Kendra, we love you and we will miss you guys soooo much. Hopefully this won't be the last time the kiddos are in front of your camera. You did such an amazing job. Sorry about the picture overload --- I have 160+ to choose from! Ha! Editing these pictures was truly a labor of love. Visit <a href="http://www.kendramartinphotography.com/">www.kendramartinphotography.com</a> to see more of Kendra's pictures! </div>
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As part of wrapping up <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> "Infertility Awareness Series", I put together a little etiquette guide of <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/infertility-an-etiquette-guide-of-what-not-to-say/" target="_blank">things not to say</a> to your friend struggling with infertility --- and the ONE BEST THING to say. Check it out there and don't forget to read about <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/tag/infertility-awareness/" target="_blank">all the awesome, inspiring, heart-breaking, and hope-filled stories</a> from last week. It was a true honor to be able to share our story. </div>
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April 21st is the beginning of National Infertility Awareness Week. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that Matt & I struggled with infertility for several years prior to the birth of the twins. Along the way (back in the archives of 2009 and 2010), I wrote a lot about our journey. However, I've never really gotten the whole story down in one place. So when the <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a> decided to do a week-long series to provide hope and awareness, I was thrilled to be a part of it. And a little scared :) I'm pretty much an open-book but it's always a little frightening to put it all out there for the world to see. Or our little corner of the world. And HUGE kudos to my husband for allowing us to share so many intimate details. You're the best, babe! LOVE YOU!</div>
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Anyway,<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/finding-hope-in-the-heartbreak-infertility-awareness/" target="_blank"> here is my post</a> from yesterday. My prayer in sharing is that at least one person will find they are NOT alone in this battle. It's one of the most difficult things we've ever been through but the rewards and blessings were so worth it. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Follow along </a>this week as other moms share their stories as well!</div>
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Oh, this little space has been so neglected lately. Life in the fast lane I suppose. Still writing though and this past week I've been busy over at <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a>. I would love for you to check out a couple of new posts:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1) Moms, Today is YOUR Day: </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it has been A WEEK. You know the ones. The weeks where you question if you managed to do anything productive, took the quickest showers of your life {if you got one at all}, skidded into the preschool line just seconds before the end of drop off time, never got dinner on the table in time, made meals that only your husband would eat, forgot to pack at least one item for the kids every day, and jumped into bed for mindless TV right after the kids were down, neglecting said husband and friends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, just me? <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/moms-today-is-your-day-to/" target="_blank">Click here to read more...</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) Gather 'Round the Table: Family Dinner Tips</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then came the laziness/craziness. Trying to cook during the “witching hour,” watching every second click by on the clock until my husband made his way home, and create suitable meals that all would appreciate almost sent me straight to a padded room, preferably with a <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/the-perfect-white-wine-sangria/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="The Perfect White Wine Sangria">white wine sangria</a> in hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But one night my precious 3 year old uttered these words – “Mommy, we eat ALL TOGETHER???”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He wanted to. He yearned for that togetherness, as did my daughter. So I pulled on my big girl panties and decided it was time to figure this out. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in it. I did. <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I do</strong>. I just needed a little adjustment time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So slowly and steadily we began to incorporate family dinners into our weekly routine. <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/gather-round-the-table-family-dinners/" target="_blank">Click here to keep reading...</a></span><br />
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Two posts in one day? Well, I never...</div>
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Anyway, as I was posting earlier, I saw that I never updated the bloggy world on Q's results. And just thought I would share a few random things we've been up to - if nothing but for my memory :)</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.clanahanfam.blogspot.com/2014/01/here-we-go-againteam-quinn.html" target="_blank">Quinn's Results</a> - Came out better than we imagined. Basically we are still in watchful waiting. The doctor did see some worsening, specifically of her right ventricle which is now mildly dilated from the extra leakage in the plumbing (there are fancier words but that suffices for now). At any rate, we'll need to take care of that at some point - which if it were to happen now would be open-heart surgery. Yet so many advances are happening so we are crossing our fingers that there will be a less-invasive procedure once it is needed (he's predicting age 10-13 but we'll see). Her pulmonary arteries are still narrow but mostly unchanged from the last MRI, so we are looking at hopefully a couple more years before we need to stent those out. And finally her pulmonary valve remains "bad" but good :) So strange. At any rate, it's working ok and doing it's job. It was an extremely emotional and long day but Quinn was a total champ the entire time. She amazes me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brother ate breakfast with his best friend and hitched a ride to school with him. Takes a village, people. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was here waiting for the doctors and anesthiologist - no food or water for 14+ hours and a perfect angel.<br />
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2. Quinn is all about girly stuff these days - I mean, she always has been in some respect but it is in FULL FORCE. She wants sparkly nails, always wants to wear pink, dresses up in her 4 princess gowns each day, has more jewelry on than me, and I am just waiting for her to say she wants her ears pierced. </div>
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3. This one I didn't see coming - Ryan has always been so easy-going when it comes to clothes. I just simply laid them out and he was fine with whatever. First, he started drawing a line in the sand at jeans. Then came the day that he would only wear Turtle, Dinosaurs, or Numbers shirts. God bless. He only has about 5 total which means all hell breaks loose when they are all dirty. So I Febreeze them. I'm not ashamed. </div>
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4. We celebrated Valentine's Day very quietly - just our family. A few little gifts for the kids, a special lunch out, and then Matt and I had steak & shrimp after they went to bed. A nice departure from the chicken and mac 'n cheese fare I am usually subjected to. </div>
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5. Matt and I had a fun, adults-only, fancy evening out at the Katy Chamber of Commerce Gala. It was so much fun and so nice to get dressed up. Almost felt like prom :) Big thanks to Gigi and Steve for making the drive from the Big D to watch the kiddos. </div>
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6. The next day was GORGEOUS so we decided to head to No Label Brewery in old Katy for a few beers and music. Totally kid friendly and such a blast. </div>
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6. My friend Ashley and I, along with a couple of others, hosted a sip 'n see for our bestie Erin and her new little girl Reagan. Love these girls - they are my people!</div>
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7. We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Austin to celebrate my niece K-Bug's 1st birthday. I'm so in love with this little girl and so glad we could all be there. The party was at The Little Gym and R&Q had a total blast being the "big kids" for once. </div>
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8. More to come - still have another trip to Austin to post about - we finally celebrated Christmas with Matt's side of the family. In February. Yeah. Now my kids think that Santa is pretty much a year-round thing :) Honestly, we've just had a lot going on - mostly all good - but some things (like blogging regularly) have had to take a back seat. We are in a season, I suppose. I have so much more I want to write about but a certain job would actually like for me to get some work in while the house is quiet and I don't have Umizoomi blaring in the background.</div>
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So excited that I can finally announce that I am a Contributor for the <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a>. It's a great group of mommas who write fantastic posts every day for the women of Houston (and beyond, of course!). I am humbled and thrilled to be included --- and a little scared :) </div>
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My first official post hit this morning - every contributor does one called "The ABC's". Let me tell you, it is HARD to write about yourself. I can write about my life or our crazy happenings without any thought at all but to put yourself down on paper - well. I had about 8 edits and 2 total redo's. At any rate, <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/abcs-of-me-meagan/" target="_blank">here it is</a>. If you are a Houston momma, I encourage you to follow <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Moms Blog</a>. I think you will love it!</div>
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Always,</div>
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In honor of Congenital Heart Awareness Week (Feb. 7th - 14th), I am over at the <a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/" target="_blank">Houston Mom's Blog</a> recounting our story of Quinn's heart journey. What a difficult, blessed, heart-wrenching, and amazing roller coaster it has been. I hope you'll pop over and read our story - and some other incredible stories up on their blog today! Thank you, Houston Mom's blog, for taking a day to tell the stories of our children. Happy Heart Week!</div>
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<a href="http://citymomsblog.com/houston/quinns-special-heart-chd-awareness/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the post.</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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I do have some more fun posts drafted but this one is being impressed upon my heart at the moment for obvious reasons. Tomorrow (Thursday), we will once again head down to Texas Children's Med Center for a three-part MRI of Quinn's heart. I talked about it <a href="http://clanahanfam.blogspot.com/2013/12/theres-good-newsand-then-not-great-news.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Bottom line, they saw a couple of potential "issues" in her last echo and want to check them out more intensively. When you say MRI, you picture a big tube and you are slid in and out, and you are on your way. Not so much with this one. It's a lengthy procedure, lasting 2-4 hours, and requires full anesthesia. Let me disclaim: It's nothing like open-heart surgery (twice), but anytime you send your baby under, it's disconcerting to say the least. And the results that may come - well, I can't even go there yet. The unknown is the worst. Heart kids are deceptive. If you had seen my child playing with her brother and their closest friend in freezing temperatures at the playground the other day, you would have a very hard time believing that a "different" heart lies beneath. It's pretty incredible.</div>
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That being said, I wanted to share a couple of amazing experiences as of late with Quinn. I know there will be cynics, but I know God, and I know His Power. I know His Healing and I know His Comfort.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago, I brought up the appointment to Quinn. Nothing graphic or even mentioning the word "hospital". Just letting her know that soon we will head to the heart doctor and have an appointment. She took it all in stride, nodded, and ran off to play.</div>
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A couple of days later, I was laying in her bed at naptime finishing up her story. Out of the blue, she said, "Momma, look at my stand up line." So I replied, "Yes, baby, I see the line. Remember, that's where they worked on your special heart." She nodded and then said, "Momma, sometimes I go to the hospital. And I take a nap there. And whenever I wake up, you are there. Then we go home and I feel good again."</div>
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It took everything for me not to bawl right there but I agreed, "Yes, honey. That sometimes happens. And God is always with you too."</div>
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Fast forward to this morning and I was about to help her change for school. By help, I mean toss the clothes to her while she decides what she wants to wear :) My fashionista.</div>
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As we were sitting on the couch, we talked again about the appointment. Again, no mention of tests or hospital. At this point, I'm still trying to figure out how to prepare her without scaring her or overloading her with info. So I just try to do the basics and cross my fingers. And I promised her that after school today I would paint her nails a very special color so they would look pretty for the doctor. (She loves fingernail polish and this is a pretty good reason to have a special treat)</div>
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She looked at me with a dead serious look and said, "Mommy, I know. I will go inside something that sounds like a washing machine.
But it's not scary. It just sounds like a washing machine. And then I take a
nap." I questioned her and asked her what she meant about the washing machine because I thought she may be confused. I asked her if she was talking about our washing machine (I mean, why would she be, but she's 3 so who knows???) and she literally almost rolled her eyes at me and said emphatically, "NOOOO, Mommy. The washing machine. At the hospital. That washing machine."</div>
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Friends - the last time Quinn had an MRI or any sort of procedure was in October
2012. She was barely 2 years old. They put her to sleep with me before she even saw
the "washing machine". How this child knows this and has PEACE about her nap is
beyond my understanding.</div>
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This much I know. Somehow she has recollection and that Jesus was holding her through that last experience and calming any fear she was having at that moment. I can't tell you the tears I shed this morning (privately) just recounting those simple words from a child that is 3 1/2 years old. </div>
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And I can't tell you the comfort that I feel now just knowing that she has this underlying sense of peace. She knows it will be okay. What a blessing. Our God is so good.</div>
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Will you join Team Quinn in prayer tomorrow at 9am? Will you pray that Quinn has a peace that surpasses
all understanding and that her little 3 1/2 year old mind will process the test
and the confusion the best it can? Will you pray for us as we once again entrust
her little precious heart with the professionals? Most importantly, will you
pray that the findings will allow us more time before intervention. And may I be so bold as to request that her heart function is
unchanged?</div>
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We love you all and thank you for continuing to wrap your arms around us on this journey. As we head into CHD Awareness Week (Feb. 7th-14th), please pray for all those other families who are on this ride with us: the rollercoaster that is being a heart family. Many blessings to you all. </div>
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We'll update you after we get the results from the "washing machine" : ) </div>
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Much love,</div>
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As I mentioned during my <a href="http://www.clanahanfam.blogspot.com/2013/12/family-pictures-2013.html" target="_blank">2013 Family Pictures post</a>, we really didn't get any great pictures of the kids individually or even a great one of them together. By the time I got the family pictures I wanted, the sun was quickly going down and the light wasn't great. So EARLY this past Monday, I dressed up the kids again (they were THRILLED), to take pictures in 38 degree temperatures as a surprise for Daddy. I ended up having to ruin the surprise last night because of a surprise he was doing for his mom, so I had to show him the pictures. <div>
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I am so glad they turned out well --- I just can't believe how grown up they look. Quinn's hair has actual curls - curls, people. This is a big deal. Most of it fell by the end of the shoot but it still looked cute. Ry Guy needs a little hair cut but his baby blues kill me. As we were looking at them last night, Matt turned to me and said, "Gosh, can you imagine what they are going to look like in a few more years?" AGHHHH, no, and pass the Bailey's. Cheers to you all and my little ones. Or not so little.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, really. Is she 13????</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pointing out a truck driving down the street. What-ev. It's cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah... this was at the end of the shoot. They were DONE.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They really look like twins here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from our "Clan" to yours!</td></tr>
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In Him,</div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-12181235359177211792013-12-18T06:29:00.001-06:002013-12-18T06:29:15.079-06:00Visit to the "North Pole" - Santa 2013<div align="center">
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For the 3rd year in a row, I took the kids to Bass Pro's Winter Wonderland for Santa pictures and toy fun. We were sad that Daddy wasn't able to go with us but time was growing short and I was afraid by this weekend that poor Santa's "North Pole" would be overrun with little people. We had a special surprise we had to work on early Monday morning for Daddy's Christmas (he may actually still read this thing so I won't say yet what it is but hopefully it works out!), so we were at the wonderland by 10:05am. For the record, to be up, moving, and all dressed that early on a non-school day is almost like a Christmas miracle.<div>
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It also was a miracle that Quinn let me curl her hair. Which promptly fell about an hour later. Quinnie has some beautiful, shiny, blonde hair but dang! It is so fine and won't hold curl to save it's life. I am endlessly trying different combinations to keep her hair out of her face for school but inevitably they all fail and she comes home with an assortment of paint, markers, and glitter speckled throughout it every day. I am waiting for it to get a bit longer and then maybe, just maybe, I can learn how to braid it somehow. But I've learned a couple of things: first, I have NO clue how to "do" little girls' hair. I never can get a straight part to even make acceptable piggies. Second, fine hair is just impossible. I am used to my thick, coarse hair that just needs a little spray to be pulled back. Maybe it will grow less fine as she grows? As usual, I digress. Back to Santa.</div>
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Anyway, the kids were SO excited. They really "get" the whole Santa thing this year and it's so fun to see and hear. Now when they see something they want, they either say "Oh, I need to tell Louie! (our Elf)" or "I better ask Santa!". It's been great for bribing good behavior. Not going to lie.</div>
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Quinn looks a little hesitant in the Santa pics but she really wasn't at all. I think she just looks overwhelmed because of the "elves" shaking their bells and yelling (politely asking?) her to look at the camera. Our Santa has a rule of only one child on the lap --- apparently he has a bad knee --- but he's so realistic looking that we keep going back. And his pictures are free so you can't beat that.</div>
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After visiting with Santa, we played inside the Wonderland for a good 45 minutes. I will say Bass Pro knows what they are doing. All sorts of trains, remote control cars and "monster trucks", stations for writing letters to Santa and building Lincoln Logs... after seeing Ryan enjoy the train SO much, I was dang tempted to buy their electric train. Resisting, resisting. He has a huge assortment of wooden tracks and trains - I think we need to wait a bit on an electric one. Maybe birthday?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line for Santa. They hadn't actually seen the big guy yet until the front portion of the line cleared out. This is Ryan getting his first glimpse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq8raHfpMVY/UrGR18z3BMI/AAAAAAAADuk/cqCb43l9tYw/s1600/santa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq8raHfpMVY/UrGR18z3BMI/AAAAAAAADuk/cqCb43l9tYw/s640/santa+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinn's new diva pose. She does this half smile, head tilt thing all the time now. I don't know how to tell a 3 year old to look straight and hold your head up so we are rolling with this for now ;) And I'm pretty obsessed with her outfit. I've never bought MJ before but I've been shocked at how much use we've gotten out of the pieces. And they wash so well! Plus those pants are about the softest material - I wouldn't mind a pair myself for pjs :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trains!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving monster trucks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinn loved herself some monster trucks. She loved ramming into her brother's car. Shocking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remote control cars - I had to drag them away from this activity. They loved racing each other.</td></tr>
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I had such a great, relaxing day hanging out with these two crazies! They just make me laugh. After we finished up with the toys, we headed through the mall and passed by the Rainforest Cafe. Outside there they have a mechanical elephant and crocodile. They were enamored by the elephant and kept running to say hi to him. Then they made the mistake of doing the same with the crocodile except just as they were getting close, that little stinker kinda jumped and opened his mouth wide and snapped his jaws. I thought the kids were going to pee in their pants from fright. Clearly, I don't like to see them upset, but I couldn't help but sorta (ok, really) giggle at their horrified expressions. They ran away squealing and both jumped in my arms at the same time. For the record, each of them weighs well over 30lbs so my days of carrying 2 are over. Oh my. I am still laughing thinking about it. It's probably not that funny as you read this - maybe a "you had to be there moment"? On our way back to the car they avoided the front of the cafe entrance like the plague. Which may work out to my advantage because I hear eating there is overpriced anyway :)</div>
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We sang Christmas carols all the way home and I caught myself several times with tears in my eyes as I glanced in the backseat and see these wonderful little people so happy and singing their hearts out. My cup runneth over. It's the most wonderful time of year indeed and only promises to get better. Today is their class Christmas party and tomorrow is the preschool program. I have a strong feeling that a few more happy tears will be shed between non and then. </div>
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Merry, merry!</div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-30632012523782464062013-12-17T06:55:00.002-06:002013-12-17T06:55:53.068-06:00Family Pictures 2013<div align="center">
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Oh, how I LOVE picture day - deciding upon coordinating outfits, wrangle toddlers into said clothing, attempt to comb my hair and cover blemishes, and pretend like we are having a wonderful time. :) Needless to say, fall picture time is not my most favorite time of the year. Personally, I cringe thinking about having my picture taken so it's just uncomfortable. Not gonna lie, I usually have a glass of wine to loosen up prior to pictures. (Just one, Mom. I'm not sloppy in your Christmas pictures)</div>
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At any rate, it's a must every year because Lord knows if we didn't pay someone to take a pic of the 4 of us, it probably wouldn't happen. This year we got a couple of good family portraits but unfortunately the sun went down really quickly and we weren't able to get good shots of the kids together or individually. I'm so sad about that that, mostly because the kids were actually being really good. Gave me hope that future picture days wouldn't be so terrible. Or that I've learned bribery is the quickest way to a toddler's smile. Must rectify that situation soon. I'm sure R&Q will be thrilled.</div>
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Anyway, here are a few of our favorites:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-117XDejFchk/UrBHL5jQ5yI/AAAAAAAADsg/yz5aMVfDPjI/s1600/McClanahan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-117XDejFchk/UrBHL5jQ5yI/AAAAAAAADsg/yz5aMVfDPjI/s400/McClanahan4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually our Christmas card picture - I love the colors and look! Everyone is smiling AND looking at the camera! Miracles do happen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUwieG2-POE/UrBHP2wTTCI/AAAAAAAADsw/bK4bicLmYW8/s1600/McClanahan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUwieG2-POE/UrBHP2wTTCI/AAAAAAAADsw/bK4bicLmYW8/s400/McClanahan3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just think this one is hilarious. Ryan is great at smiling on command and is pretty natural about it. Quinn - well, my little girl is a little more dramatic and either ducks her face into her chest and strikes this little diva shy smile or just won't. Like you can't crack her. It's adorable and incredibly frustrating. Not gonna lie. So I believe this was our attempt to get her to smile naturally. Even Ry was getting in on the action, "Quinnie, say CHEESE!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ha24r3PxaGc/UrBHRUeqB-I/AAAAAAAADs0/1jTI827E2tI/s1600/McClanahan7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ha24r3PxaGc/UrBHRUeqB-I/AAAAAAAADs0/1jTI827E2tI/s400/McClanahan7.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honestly, I have no idea on this picture - I think that Ryan was delirious and being a dinosaur. Quinn kept jumping up and down while smiling which I'm sure the photographer just loved.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOT6DeY8lsM/UrBHZc7oG5I/AAAAAAAADtM/euwUvs2AEH4/s1600/McClanahan14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOT6DeY8lsM/UrBHZc7oG5I/AAAAAAAADtM/euwUvs2AEH4/s400/McClanahan14.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm totally in love with this one. My 2 handsome boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooKuoL24Xig/UrBHbUe_TcI/AAAAAAAADtU/j2tGF7ioezw/s1600/McClanahan15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooKuoL24Xig/UrBHbUe_TcI/AAAAAAAADtU/j2tGF7ioezw/s400/McClanahan15.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's not get too deep but I love this picture and what it represents. My two miracles, who have taken me on a journey (see the path - I know, cheesy) that I never could have expected - or dreamed it would be this good or so much fun. And we've done it all hand in hand. They are my life (along with this guy above and below of course :) Love you, Matty!)</td></tr>
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So as much as I cringe getting these pictures done (please tell me I'm not the only one who gets incredibly stressed and frustrated!), I am always thrilled to have captured this moment in time of our lives. I could just cry looking back at our first Christmas pictures as a family of four when the twins were just 6 months old and could barely sit up. Now I can't get them to sit down. Oh, the time... can't go down that rabbit hole because you'll find me in a puddle crying somewhere. </div>
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Merry Christmas, y'all, from our family to yours!</div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-36176262323345393542013-12-10T20:59:00.002-06:002013-12-10T20:59:24.975-06:00There's good news...and then not great news.<div align="center">
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First of all, I hate that my little blog has died this fall due to a number of circumstances. Main goal of 2014 is to bring it back to life. But that's here nor there at this moment.</div>
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Long story short - Q had her 6 month cardiology check up this past week. It was actually performed on 2 different days, thanks to a 4.5 hr back up in the echo room. So we rescheduled the actual echo for first thing on that Friday morning. She did wonderfully both days - amazing us both with her strength, bravery, and humor. Here's a quick pic:</div>
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Our cardiologist told us he would call mid-afternoon Friday with the results --- of course, doctors are human and by 7 I was pretty sure we weren't going to hear anything until Monday. I sent him a little email, something along the lines of "no news is good news?" with a precious little smile emoticon :) . I heard back from him fairly quickly in which he stated everything was "status quo" from her last echo and that he felt ok with seeing her again in 6 months. OUR 6 MONTH HALL PASS. </div>
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That's what we strive for as heart parents. </div>
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Yet elation was short-lived. Not 45 minutes ago today (Tuesday), I got a follow up phone call from Dr. S. and upon review of the echo, reviewing her age and history, they want to do a repeat heart MRI. It actually is a 3-part MRI and takes upwards of 4 hours and requires for her to be put fully under the entire time. There are a lot of other details in there and what they are looking for specifically but I'll spare you. The main thing is they are checking out the Pulmonary Artery and it's ability to pump blood to the lungs, plus the right side of the heart, PLUS her pulmonary valve.</div>
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It was a tremendous shock to receive the call tonight. We know at some point, more intervention is coming. We just don't know when. And that's why we stand on edge with these appointments. Because I don't have the crystal ball that allows me to peek into her heart. </div>
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This may seem a little dramatic for "just an MRI" --- but trust, for a toddler it is not. It's a serious procedure, requiring anesthesia, and all sorts of other concerns. The doctor recommended it for January/February as to not disrupt the holidays. We are ok with that and will likely schedule mid January. Last time she had an MRI, it was horrifying (I literally watched and held my baby's hand as she was put under and her eyes rolled back in her head. Unlike anything I've ever seen). </div>
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Will you pray? Will you pray for this MRI to be completely diagnostic and just keeping tabs on what her heart is doing right now? Will you pray for Quinn to continue to be the brave warrior she has been? Will you (selfishly) pray for me to keep my spirits up? I know people are going through sooo much worse - but I had gone into this 6 month ignorance period and now I feel like I've been hit over the head again. I feel flashbacks to her open-hearts in 2011 and become scared to death.</div>
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Whatever the outcome, the God that I know is GOOD. And He is Faithful. And He hears our cries.</div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315555870771119860.post-26036715060341355292013-11-05T15:42:00.001-06:002013-11-05T15:42:05.226-06:00Preschool 3's Pictures<div align="center">
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SOOOOO far behind on posting. I have a multitude of reasons but blogging has just taken a backseat this season - and while I miss it, that's ok. So much to catch up on... Halloween, 10 year anniversary, trip to New Orleans, and so much more.</div>
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At any rate, quickie picture post on the kids' school pictures. I'm kinda in love with them. And the kids almost look like they love each other :) So grateful for their special bond.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcaFMFtlcqw/UnllRbrmRZI/AAAAAAAADrY/MNQe45Smmb4/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcaFMFtlcqw/UnllRbrmRZI/AAAAAAAADrY/MNQe45Smmb4/s640/IMG_0001.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mQhsaL91CA/UnllSygN_rI/AAAAAAAADrk/xb8h-h8RAq8/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mQhsaL91CA/UnllSygN_rI/AAAAAAAADrk/xb8h-h8RAq8/s640/IMG.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q looks so protective. And the hand holding. Be still my heart.</td></tr>
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And for comparison's sake - this was last year. Oh my, Quinn's hair has grown! Ryan looks a little less "baby" but I don't think he changed as much as she did. Precious kiddos.</div>
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Meagan @ The Clanahan Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761112127559135875noreply@blogger.com0