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From Our Front Porch Looking In


Easter 2014 was filled with plenty of chocolate, food, family, and ample tantrums. Lady woke up to her Easter basket (as did d. and i, but that's not nearly as exciting, is it?) and a little egg hunt. She loved it, obviously. Then, she promptly ate half of her candy. At 8 o'clock in the am. Awesome. Church was a sugar-crash-induced-tantrum (one right after the other).

After a lengthy nap, we crashed the Paiser's house for dinner and another egg hunt. There's just something about being with family on holidays, isn't there?

But, the festivities weren't done yet. Because I'm not (nor will ever be) as good as my mom - I had procrastinated dyeing eggs. So, when we got home that evening we hurriedly boiled a few eggs and colored them. There's nothing that challenges the control freak in me like dyeing eggs with a (nearly) two-year-old. But, we survived, and had a blast rolling the eggs down the hill (slope) on our back lawn. In true Harrison fashion, girlfriend hurled the eggs and crushed them in her hands.

Really, though, I didn't hear a word that was spoken in church. But, I did hear the primary kids sing "He Sent His Son." And, that was the perfect reminder. Because of Him, we get to be this chaotic family forever. And that's what Easter is really all about.






 



^^crappy blurry pictures brought to you (once again) by yours truly^^


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I've been ranting about change, limbo, and uncertainty for awhile around these parts. And, it's official. Big changes are coming to the Ackerman family: we are about to take on Stamford, Connecticut. 

Dustin's company is relocating us back east, I'm sure they don't know what they have in store for them. This Idaho grown family is nervous, excited, and anxious (though, for those who don't know, dustin served his two year mission in the new york, new york north mission - this included stamford. he's excited to go back). We are obviously super bummed to leave family (i've said a million times over how lucky we are to live so close to all of our family!) and our old and new friends. Thank goodness for Skype and phones. Oh, and planes, of course. 

Buuuuuuuuut we are also insanely, crazily excited.

While I'm a mix of messy emotions. Not that this is new to me, but things are getting emotional up in here. A few things on my mind:

1) We are excited for change, new people, and new experiences. As in, everything will be brand new. 
2) I still can't spell Connecticut without spell check. Honestly. So, I'm resigning myself to never, ever, writing my address. 
3) Packing is the worst. Ever. I'm sure I won't start for a good long while. 
4) My hair is going to be a sight this summer. Helllllo humidity!
5) I can't stop chanting "Stamford, Connecticut!" (thanks, andy.) 

Updates to follow. You know, midst the packing. And partying. And styrofoam everything. Wish us luck! 



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Girlfriend started out the week sick. Leading to double ear infections. Which obviously lead to cling-to-legs-in-desperation mode, spit out the antibiotics endlessly, and whining (oh, the whining). And, now, it seems as we start to wind down from the sick bug, this illness has propelled her (what previously seemed to be slow) transition to terrible-two's, to settle upon us like, now. Right  now. I can't even tell you how many times I've been told, "No!" and, "Stop.It!" today. Today alone. Abby has no clean pajamas, and I'm pretty sure her face is covered in her dinner still (which she ate roaming around the apartment, because she refused to sit in her seat). Also,  instead of a bath this morning, I brushed the chocolate pudding out of her hair, and disguised the remainder in pigtails. And, yes, she ate chocolate pudding before noon.

It's been a long week. (thanks aunt morgan for making it so much fun, despite the difficulties!)

Today, I read a post of another mother. She was admitting that her new life with a baby was difficult. Midst her gushing over her baby, she was confessing the difficulty that comes with a newborn baby (almost embarrassed, it seemed). I think that sometimes in this cyber world we have at our finger tips, other mom's seem to bask in the joy of motherhood. And, while I do think the reward it priceless, it is still hard work. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. But, sometimes it is easier to focus on the sunshine and rainbows; regardless, it is difficult - for so many reasons.

I got asked the other day if I missed going to work. My answer: sometimes I miss a paying job. I went to work. I did my job. I was rewarded with tangible payment. It was satisfying. But, I still work. Everyday I work.

When I talk to women who work outside the home (no right or wrong, guys.) I seem to mumble, "I just stay home..." To which they reply, "Oh. That must be nice." And then I get this feeling that I am not a contributing member of society, that I'm not pulling my own weight.

But, I am. My work is important. And, it is hard work. Never ending. Because of that, it is alright to admit once in a while that I've had a long day, that I'm tired because: my work is hard. It is priceless and rewarding, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But, I don't "just stay home." I work.

I guess after a week like this one, I needed this. Watch it.

"In speaking of mothers generally, I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers. The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work...Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island.

Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones." -- Jeffery R. Holland

Please know that in no way am I complaining about my role as a mother, neither am I bragging. As much as it is difficult, it is far more rewarding. Let's be honest: I wouldn't have lasted had there been no rewards. I'm far too much of a wimp for that. That sassy toddler is the best thing to ever happen to me. I mean, she made me a mom.


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^^the ulrich clan + miss abby^^

When Dustin and I met, I was working for an awesome doctor, who had awesome staff. It was a party everyday (most days). Scott was the PA at the office. He was funny, easy to chat with, and he had the most adorable family and wife. (had? has. not past tense. still, has the most adorable family.) 

Anyway, after we had been dating for awhile (d. and i), the office made it perfectly clear it was time for a formal introduction (these guys kinda watched me grow up). Before D's entrance, Scotty announced, "I'm so excited to meet my best friend. We are going to be best buddies." And then, Dustin was informed of their relationship status. 

And, really, friends like the Ulrich's are the best kind of friends. When we lived closer, we dropped by, unannounced, chatted, watched movies from Redbox after the kids had gone to sleep (like lame married couples do), got way too competitive during March Madness, and you know - the rest. They helped us move. Scott was there through it all at the office: Lady's surprise expectancy, the pregnancy ups and downs, and then they doted on Miss Abby and have spoiled her rotten ever since. Some our fondest memories include the Ulrichs; I don't think that's coincidence. 

Though we don't see them often enough now, they are the friends you call at the last minute, and when you see them again, it's like nothing has changed. It's like we are all hanging out in their roach infested rental again, not in their brand new house. And, like Scotty said last weekend (during an unexpected drop in): "I knew I made a good choice...In my best friend."

I think, now that I'm getting older (not wiser, just older) I really have come to value good friendship. 
The Ulrich's rock our socks off. Risking cheesiness: friends like these are really one in a million. 

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Confrence weekend was spent in Island Park with the whole Ackerman family. It was super duper fun, and a blast as expected. Also, as expected, Lady refused to sleep. And, finally crashed in our bed both nights. (see above) What can ya do? 

Luckily, we woke up to the faces of our favorite people in the world. The weekend was spend eating, playing games (read: ticket to ride, apparently the holy grail game of the ackerman family as of late), eating, laughing, eating, and some lucky individuals even got treated to Abby's beauty parlor. Lucky them. 

It was the perfect relaxing weekend, and so good to be surrounded by those we love most again. And, really, I didn't mind all the snow - not when it's as gorgeous as it is in Island Park, Idaho. Really, it as the perfect farewell weekend to our home state (more on that later, i promise). 


^^she's trying to teach him to crawl. failed attempt, in case you didn't guess. but,  it does look like she has a promising future in wrestling if nothing else works out.^^

^^biscuits + chocolate gravy. a tradition, and one that will keep on keepin' on through the generations. it's exactly what it says it is: chocolate (not very sweet) gravy with biscuits. for breakfast.^^

^^again, the gravy through the generations.^^

^^we took a little snowmobile jaunt. after which girlfriend through a ginormous tantrum because she was forced to get off the machine. I'm pretty sure she would've (and almost did) sacrifice a few fingers to stay on longer.^^


^^abby's beauty parlor. by forced appointment only. must have incredibly high pain tolerance.^^


^^all the games^^


^^sunday afternoon. you know you've had a fun weekend when...^^

^^grandkids. with the best grandparents.^^

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About Me

Hi! I'm Alyssa, the voice of this blog. I'm a passionate homebody, lover of Diet Coke, good books, and laughing until I cry.

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