Baby Blessing Photos

Here are some photos I took yesterday that I love, love, LOVE! I feel I am getting a better eye for a good photo and that makes me happy.

These are photos of our good friends who blessed their little boy twins yesterday. I took pictures as they got the boys ready for church and some at the family party after the blessings. You can click the photos to make them larger.

The first one is my favorite. Are they a GAP ad or what?

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A Conversation with Matt and Emilie

He glanced over at her.
"So. Are we going to start in on the South Beach Diet tomorrow?"


"Ummm....I guess so."
she remarked as she ate the apple pie straight from the pie plate for breakfast.

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Now My Heart is Full

Two amazing things happened to me in they past two days which filled my heart with joy and peace. I thought I should share.

1. On Easter Sunday we went to church and our friend, Matt, gave a talk on the Resurrection. I must start by telling you a bit about Matt. In his teens and early twenties he was a professional tumbler. He did all sorts of tumbling and gymnastics and amazing feats on the trampoline. Then one day during practice he had an accident which rendered him paralyzed. He is now in a wheelchair and his wife assists him in many daily activities which we all take for granted.

As he read from the bible and relayed the account of the Resurrection of Christ, he was moved to tears. And as he spoke about the promise that because Christ mas made whole, each of us will also, someday, be resurrected and made whole. Then he said, "Brothers and sisters. Imagine what this passage means to me. Every day each of you can witness my daily trial to be confined to this wheelchair and someday I will be made whole and walk again." I cried like a baby. The Spirit of Christ radiated from Matt and I was completely moved. He gave such a powerful testimony of Christ and the resurrection. And my testimony grew because of his humility.

2. Yesterday my hubby went to the Laundromat to wash our King size down comforter. He took his laptop to study while he waited for the blanket to wash and dry. While he was there a man in his 50's approached him and said,

"Could you use any help with anything?" and handed Matt a roll of dollar bills.

And Matt said, "Sure. But.....do you need anything for this? Can I help you with something?"

And he said, "No. Just wanted to help somebody and make there day a little better."

And then he walked out of the Laundromat and drove away in his truck. Matt looked down at his hand and it contained $100 cash. This is such a blessing for us. As you may know, we are trying to move across the country by June 1st. And we have no extra income coming in to finance that move, and the estimated moving costs are $3,000. I have been wracking my brain to think of how to get some money. And today, this amazing man helped a stranger for no reason. Just to make his day a little better. Blessings to that man. Amazing.

And the best part is...we drove to Logan today and the entire time in the car we tried to think of ways we could Pay It Forward because of that man's kindness. We will be sure to throw some love back into the universe soon.

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Keyword Search: Passion

I picked up a set of these from Etsy today and I can't wait to get them and incorporate them into a mini album about my passion for reading.

Don't they just take you back to your Grade School days? I am, of course, especially excited about the orange ones.

The total cost? $3.49

I also picked up a set of 3 of these cool little pins made from real discarded library microfiche. The microfiche forms the plastic layer, with origami paper or deco paper beneath showing through the clear portions. How cool is that? I've got a great jacket that will be a nice home for these little buttons. Can you tell I'm feeling very "library" today?

Wanna have some fun? I challenge you to go to Etsy and do a search by typing in one word that is a passion of yours.

You never know what goodies you will find!

And please share your Etsy finds {and the word you searched} in the comments of this post.

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HAPPY EASTER

From the toddler who wouldn't smile and the baby who smiles with her lips sucked in.
{ At least they're holding hands. }

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Easter Hunt with Friends

This afternoon we had an Easter Egg Hunt with some of our friends and their kids. The Keelers, the Griffiths and the Foleys. It was tons of fun and all of the children shared the egg finding very well. Afterwards we had mini cupcakes and cookies and talked. It was such a fun day, but I have to say, that as I talked with our friends and watched the kids play in our backyard I was completely hit with a pang of sorrow that we are leaving.

And of course we will make wonderful friends in Delaware, but they could never replace these amazing friends whom we have come to love so much. After everyone left I went downstairs and cried a bit. It's going to be harder than I thought.

In a related story. Did you know you can search for scrapbookers in your area through crestingkeepsakes.com? Well you can. They have as scrapbooker database where you can just type in your zip code and find scrappers near you. I fully plan on using this gem in a few months.

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Wear a Mr. Rogers Sweater Day! Join In!

Here are me and my girls at McDonalds this morning. We are all wearing cardigan-like sweaters. My motivation is the fact that yesterday was Mr. Rogers' 80th birthday. And although Mr. Dress-Up from Canadian Public Television could kick Mr. Rogers' butt, it has not dampened my respect from the soft spoken Mr. Rogers.

Here's what you have to do to join the blog party.

1. Wear a sweater in honor of Mr. Rogers any time this weekend before Monday.

2. Watch the following clip from You Tube, that invites everyone to join in on this Pittsburgh-based, worldwide opportunity to say "thanks" to a great man.

3. Take a photo of YOU in your sweater and post your photo on your own blog and leave the link below in the comments. Tell me and others, by leaving a comment how you intend to "make the most of this beautiful day".
And if you're a scrapbooker you can link your blog address to Stacy Julian's blog for a chance to win a copy of her fabulous book Photo Freedom.
I made the most of this slightly blustery day by inviting some girlfriends and their kids to go out to lunch at McDonalds with me. I always have this weird High-School fear of calling friends to go out. Like I am a chubby girl asking a popular boy to the prom. But today I got over it and assumed they would love to hang with me and my monkey-children. Who wouldn't? And it was tons of fun!

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Documenting My Day

If you know me very well you'll know I'm not very much into "tagging". That is answering long lists of if I prefer wheat toast to white and when the last time I shaved my legs. But recently my friend Misty tagged me on her blog in the most delightful way. She documented a day in her life from start to finish and took pictures the entire day. This is so fabulous because it can totally become a scrapbook page later and it's always a good indication of what's happening in your life to document just one single day. Rock on Misty!

And so I present to you...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Wake up at 8:30. Matt let me sleep in since it's Spring Break.



Finish a replacement layout for Creating Keepsakes. The first one got lost in the mail between here and Draper. How is that possible? I can't show a real picture since it's an assignment for the 4 Product Challenge, but here are some generic scrap supplies to ease your pain.



Make cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We are relishing this delight since soon it's back to South Beach Diet.



Load up the girls and head to CK Media. Drop off layout and leave a quick note to say hi to Britney M. The receptionist gives Ella a cute little St. Patrick's Day card with a baggie of chocolate gold coins attached. Ella is in heaven.



Stop a Church Distribution Center to buy Matt some new scriptures for his birthday. Buy Ella and I each a picture of the Logan Temple that I have never seen before. It reminds me of how it looked out of my bedroom window at night when I was a teenager.



Return home and create a layout for the March 15th ScrapFaith challenge. The challenge is to scrap spiritual rebellion. Really like how this turned out. (click to see it larger)



Take Evangeline outside for a little fresh air. Took a few photos of her frolicking in the out of doors. She loved cruching dried leaves in her little hands.



The girls take naps while I make a Chocolate Eclair birthday cake for my dear friend Emily's birthday. I whip the cream too hard and it turns to butter. Suddenly my 4 layer cake becomes a 2 layer cake. I take it in stride and press forward. We deliver it to her house and have a great time chatting with her and her husband while Ella and Eva play with their boys.



Return home at 9:30 and Matt puts the girls to bed while I examine our ice maker. The ice has begun to taste weird and I can get a little freaked about my ice-water tasting perfect. We may have to replace some unseen filter. I give up.



I check my email while Matt watched the ever-nerdy and constantly airing MythBusters. Things explode, myths are busted...Matt's happy.



We snuggle into bed to watch Top Chef...one of my favorite shows. Asleep at 12:00 am. A relatively early night for us.



I tag everyone who is reading this and has a blog. Just grab your camera and document your day. I'll be watching your blogs!!! {Da-Da-Dummmmmm!}

P.S. Tomorrow is National Fragrance Day so don't forget to slop on your favorite perfume/cologne!

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An Orange and a Toothpick

Fifi had her 1 year check up on Monday. Everything went fine and she got some painful shots (never fun). When we were talking about her mobility I mentioned to the Doctor that Ella was walking at one year old and Fifi doesn't really even try to balance standing still. Was this normal?

Our Pediatrician's answer is sure to go down in Ahern history. Fifi can't possibly walk since her height is in the 29%, her weight is in the 13% and her head is in the 94%!!! Wowza! No wonder the kid can't walk yet. She's trying to lug around a huge noggin on a tiny little stick body!

Her pediatrician says she will start walking when her body catches up with her head.

It's like an orange and a toothpick! Need I say more?

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New Team. New Song. New Hair.

I have accepted a position as a Staff Reporter on a New Team that I am very excited about called Craft Critique! What is CRAFT CRITIQUE? We are a collective of experienced crafters (some professional, most not) with strong opinions to share on the craft supplies you want to learn more about. That's right...you could get the real deal on products before you spend your precious money on them! I am thinking it will be an amazing experience and a great resource for scrappers. To see the announcement blog post and see who else made the team click here.

I added a New Song to the 'ol playlist and I am loving it. I haven't had a chance to check out this band too extensively, but I am liking this song a ton. They are called The 88 and the song is called Coming Home. ( Launch the stand alone player if you want to be able to choose which songs you hear. )

I picked up some New Hair in the grocery store hair dye isle this week. I decided I am tired of having "safe" hair and I dyed it a kooky dark cherry red color. Since we're all sick, I haven't really had the opportunity to take it outside and feel like a Super-Vixen yet, but I plan to.

Here's a pic of the family yesterday for St. Patty's Day. Fifi's green cords didn't make the crop of the shot, but she was decked out. My apparent growl was to try to make Ella smile. The result? It only kind of worked and, as you can see, I look kind of creepy. As if I plan on eating these poor children later. Oh well. Love me anyway.

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It's a Great Day for the Irish!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here in the Ahern household, we take this holiday pretty seriously. Not only because of our Irish roots, but also because both of our kids came home from the hospital on St. Patrick's Day after their birth!

Click Here if you're just dying to read the History of the Aherns (a.k.a. Lord of the Horses). And check out our wicked-cool Coat of Arms pictured left.

But I'm pretty sure you may be more interested in this. My Irish Soda Bread Recipe. It's quick, easy and delicious! If you're not a bread maker don't worry! There's no yeast and it's goof proof!

Make it tonight!



Ahern Irish Soda Bread Yields 1 loaf

3 cups bleached all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour or substitute with ¾ c. flour + 2 T. cornstarch
2 T. granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
3 T. unsalted butter (2 tablespoons softened + 1 tablespoon melted)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or substitute with 1½ c. milk + 1½ T. lemon juice or vinegar

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk flours, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in large bowl. Work softened butter into dry ingredients with fork or fingertips until texture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork just until dough begins to come together. Turn out onto flour-coated work surface; knead until dough just becomes cohesive and bumpy, 12 to 14 turns. (Do not knead until dough is smooth, or bread will be tough.)

3. Pat dough into a round about 6 inches in diameter and 2 inches high; place on greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or in cast-iron pot, if using. Place the loaf on a cookie sheet and cut a cross shape into the top.

4. Bake at 400 until golden brown and a skewer inserted into center of loaf comes out clean or internal temperature reaches 180 degrees, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.

Note: this bread is always best warm. When it cools it loses some of its magic so make it right in time for dinner!

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Random Tag

I was tagged ages ago by the cute Kimberly and I am just now ready to throw down my 7 random facts. Sorry it took me so long Kim!

1. Two years ago I took a Bluegrass Banjo class. And yes, I own a banjo.
2. I am really really really good at crane toy machines.
3. My least favorite song of all time is "Horse With No Name". I hate that song.
4. Yesterday I seriously thought about throwing out all of our dirty dishes and just buyng new ones.
5. My skin does not scar. I should have about a million, but I only have one scar on my leg from getting accidentally stabbed with a steak knife. (long story).
6. Thursday has always been my favorite day of the week.
7. I really hate to write with pencils. If forced, I will use a mechanical pencil.

And because all blog posts should include a picture, here's a digital layout I made this week using all freebie products from Sugarplum Paperie. LOVE this store and I did buy a bunch, but thought it would be fun to show you what can be done in 30 minutes and with zero cost. Love that!

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Becoming One is Not So Fun

It's official.
The Grim Reaper has descended onto our home and is just waiting for this wicked flu to collectively do us in.

Today is sweet Evangeline's first birthday and we all awoke sick, fevered and achy. Despite it all, I did manage to make special pancakes in the letters of the girls' names* with accompanying hearts. Fifi loves pancakes and so the effort was worth it.

*Mommy tip: use a turkey baster to suck up the batter and squeeze it onto the grill for more controlled letter and shape making.



Below is my favorite picture from this morning. Matt and Ella in agony and Fifi basking in the birthday glow. Forgive Fifi's state of undress. We had just removed a snot covered pair of pj's from her in preperation for a birthday bath.



And this shot I call, "Considering the Butter"or maybe even "Passionate About Butter".
(My mother would be proud.)

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Quote of the Day

Ella: I don't want to sit by Eva...she's stanky!"

Me: "Being a family means loving each
other even when we're STANKY."

{Can I get that cross stitched on a pillow?}

.

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102.1 degrees

that's the average temperature of the sick members of our family.
I will blog again when I return to the living.

special thanks to emily foley for her saving grace in watching ella for copious amounts of time these past 2 days so I could nap. you rule.

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A New Family Member

She arrived quite unannounced.
Ella found her in the dairy case at Walmart.
She was lost and missing her family.
She came home with us.
I made her a cheeseburger for dinner last night and she even said the blessing on the food.
She sat in a place of honor at our kitchen table.
She joined our family prayers last night.
Ella says her hair is pink and sometimes blue.
She is small. She sits in the palm of Ella's hand.

Her name is Cassie.
Ella's first imaginary friend.

( img src )

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Etsy

Do you all know about Etsy? I thought most people knew about it, but my girlfriend Heidi just learned of it and said to me "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" So here it is. I am telling everybody. Etsy is like eBay, but most of the goods for sale are homemade.

It's pretty cool to just go and browse around. And one of the best things is that you can search items by color. You know I search for orange about every day. I signed up for a shop about 6 months ago and never had time to make anything to sell, but I am thinking I may renew my commitment soon. It would be great to earn a bit of extra money as we prepare for our cross-country move.

So go and check it out and if you find anything amazing...leave a link to it in the comments!

Here's something cute I found.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10160627

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Recently...

Reading...



Listening to...


Craving...

Anticipating...



Devouring...



Dreading...


Chuckled at...


Feeling...

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Going to Sesame Street

My wonderful friend, Alison, has a season pass to the Discover Gateway Children's Museum. She invited me and my friend Emily to take all of our kids to the Museum today. They are having an exhibit about the human body by the Sesame Street characters. I told Ella about it yesterday and for 24 hours she has been telling people she was going to Sesame Street. THE Sesame Street. I was so worried she would be disappointed. I should not have worried.

Upon arriving I realized it was THE Sesame Street since they had recreated the actual street in the Museum. It was amazing! Here's Evangeline sitting on the steps of Maria's door and Ella and her friend playing with some of the characters.


They also had an super-fun ball playground where kids could put balls into different areas and watch them shoot across the room in huge clear tubes. The best one by far was like the drive-thru bank machines. When the kids would open the tube it would blast air at them. Here's Ella getting blasted.


Evangeline was getting pretty frustrated since she was too little to play in the ball area. She had to just chill in her stroller next to her little friend and watch.


We then went to the Discovering Water area which was just the greatest. Evangeline could actually reach the smaller end of that exhibit and loved splashing her little hands in the water and felt like a big kid.


Ella's favorite part was an exhibit on the heart. When you pushed and pulled this lever the big hearty above her would pulsate in a very real and therefore creepy way and make the bu-bum...bu-bum sound. She was enraptured. Eva was eventually tuckered out by all of the fun and went to sleep.




There were about a million more things we saw and played with, including an exhibit entitled "Poo" which documented the travel of food through the digestive system and out of the body. I'm going to spare you the details of that one except to mention that there were sound effects.

The entire Museum was enchanting and I highly recommend going to this exhibit, although it is very pricey to attend. After we ate lunch, the girls and I went for a bit of shopping and came out of a store just in time to see the timed fountains begin a musical dance. It was just beautiful. There was opera music playing and the water leaped from the ground in unison. Ella was completely in love and I found myself moved by the beauty of it as well.


On the way home as we drove in the car silently, Ella suddenly said,

"Mommy. My heart feels happy."
I am so glad I took her to Sesame Street.

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