tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72292883115453331332024-03-13T22:08:45.306-07:00A crooked walk with TheeAshley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-12129550048957748062014-07-28T16:20:00.003-07:002014-07-28T16:25:00.309-07:00This is the day the Lord has made!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versetext" id="ps118-24" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Psalm 118:24 </b>This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> in it.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I have waited 29 years for this day to come. </span><br />
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<span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saturday, June 28th from 11-1, The Shoppes on Main hosted a benefit for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The amount of work that went in to the 2 hour event was incredible but so worth it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The community came together in big ways. The donations were generous. For a disorder that is so rare that your regular every day Joe never heard of it, the amount of support and care was inspiring!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The Mayor of Mount Joy took the time to not only be proactive about raising awareness in our community but he also took the time out to really care... and to help our (those affected with and by Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita) voice be heard. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Mayor Tim Bradley proclaiming June 30th Arthrogryposis Awareness Day in Mount Joy, Pa</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">For me, June 28th was more than raising money. It was finally being heard. I felt as if I've been screaming at the top of my lungs for 29 years and finally was heard. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">I've always been stuck in in the middle of being either too disabled for somethings and not disabled enough for others. That seemed like it changed that day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Now... I can't take all the credit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">This lady...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother got the ball rolling years ago. The things she had to fight for for me is admirable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Share and be aware: A letter from my mother. </span></b><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;" /><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">"I’ve donated money for many great causes. I’ve worn colors to raise awareness for heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and LGBT rights, which affect many of my friends and family. I’ve worn colorful bracelets for causes too varied to mention. Now I ask you, my friends and colleagues, not for your money, but for your mindshare. It’s rare I share</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px;"> my personal story, but in preparation for June 30, National Arthrogryposis Awareness Day, here goes.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i>I won’t speak for every woman who gives birth, but many take conception and child birth for granted. We decide we want to have a baby, we get pregnant, and we expect that nine months later we’ll deliver a perfectly healthy baby. I was no different. I had it all planned. Because I experienced challenges with my reproductive system from an early age, I was on a tight schedule. I thought if I got pregnant the summer before my Junior year in college, I would deliver after Junior finals and would be able to juggle a baby and my final year of college with planning and finesse. It never occurred to me that after what seemed like a perfectly healthy and textbook pregnancy I would go into full labor six weeks prematurely and give birth to a daughter with multiple health challenges, the primary being a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />For those of you who know me, I do love a long story, but I like to write in bullets. Here’s how the first five years of my daughter’s life went, not excluding six major surgeries.<br /><br />1st opinion: Your daughter is not going to survive.<br /><br />2nd opinion: Your daughter is going to survive, but she is going to be severely mentally disabled. (Children’s Hospital at University of Tennessee, Knoxville)<br /><br />3rd opinion: Your daughter is going to have normal cognitive skills, but she will never be able to walk or care for herself. (Orthopedic Specialist Group, Orlando, FL)<br /><br />4th opinion: Your daughter will be able to walk, but only with aids such as braces and crutches. (Shiners’ Hospital, Philadelphia)<br /><br />5th opinion: Your daughter will be able to walk with no aids with a regular physical therapy regime. (Children’s Hospital of University of Pennsylvania)<br /><br />6th opinion: Surgery will allow us to release her elbows to allow for limited range of motion and development of daily living skills. (Thank you, Dr. Gerr and A.I.duPont Children’s Hospital!)<br /><br />Early Childhood Psychologist: Your daughter has above average IQ and needs to be challenged with early entry to Kindergarten<br /><br />School district: We are not equipped for special needs child. Your daughter will not be able to attend early entry Kindergarten.<br /><br />School Board: Your daughter can be enrolled in early entry Kindergarten; however, we are not equipped for special needs child. Your daughter will need to attend class for developmentally delayed children at separate campus.<br /><br />PA State Congressman: Your daughter WILL be mainstreamed and enrolled in early entry Kindergarten. There will be an aide to ensure she has the support she needs to fully participate in the Kindergarten program. (It’s amazing what a little influence from the ACLU will do.)<br /><br />It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, scares, surgeries, and battles with “the system”. Most doctor appointments began with me spelling Arthrogryposis. The most respect I ever had for a doctor was when he actually took his medical encyclopedia and looked it up. Imagine going to a physician for help and he has never even heard of the condition, much less knows how to help address it.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">Arthrogryposis, or arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), is a generic term used to describe the presence of multiple congenital contractures. The word arthrogryposis, arthro, joint, gryp, curved, literally means curved joint (implying that it is fixed or stuck in the curved position). Thus, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita means curved (fixed) joints in many (multiple) areas of the body, which are present at birth (congenita). A contracture is the limitation of movement of a specific joint, in other words, a joint that does not have a full range of movement. The contractures in most forms of arthrogryposis are usually non-progressive and involve more than one body area. The word congenital simply means that the contractures are present at birth; that is, they have occurred or been produced before birth.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />The good news for me was that the worst it would ever be was at birth. The bad news was that it was a rare condition, not genetic, and plans of treatment were not standard. I had to search for answers and for doctors who could provide my daughter with as normal a future as possible.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />I’m happy to say that [29] years later, my daughter, Ashley, does live independently and is mother to my beautiful and perfectly healthy granddaughter, Aria. Her limited range of motion in her arms prevents her from scratching her head, reaching into top shelves, raising her hand in praise – but years of not taking “no” for an answer mean a life of independence for her.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />[Twenty-nine] years ago I did not have access to a computer, or the internet. I had to go to the library and I lived on the phone tracking down resources and possibilities. Today, I’m happy to say there is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of this disability and providing avenues of support for the families of children born with AMC, <a href="http://www.amcsupport.org/index.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amcsupport.org/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>index.html</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />Saturday, June 30, is AMC Awareness Day. Ashley and I ask each of you to participate, wear blue, and help raise awareness of this physical challenge. Find out if there are children who are in your community who are challenged with this condition. Their resources are not abundant; they travel far for assistance. Do this not only for those who are affected by it directly, the children and the medical community who support them, but for the community at large so we can be more fully educated and increase our sensitivity to diversity.</i></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />'AMC is not a roadblock, it is simply a different path.' - Kaman"</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">Her courage, fight, love and determination combined with God's awesome grace is what made me the woman I am today... and I will forever be grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It took me a long time to see my disability as a blessing. I still struggle to see it at certain moments on a daily basis but I do know it's been a gift to many and I've been blessed from it as well.</span><br />
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I am so thankful to my support group. My list is too long to mention them all (which p.s. I awesome. God has blessed me with a huge list of family and friends who have supported me. Not everyone has that. I DO NOT take it for granted) but I do want to take a minute to focus on a few who made this particular day a success. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">Jackie Werts. This woman has been a huge blessing this year to me and Aria. She's given me a job where I can still focus on Aria and all her needs. She's given me a friendship that has been filled with nothing but support, loyalty, and love. She's a boss who cares about her coworkers and she's a friend who'd give the shirt off her back if she saw you needed one. I have nothing but respect for this woman (and her kids are too stinkin' cute). I am so grateful she let me do this benefit at The Shoppes on Main and was so supportive of it all. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">The vendors in The Shoppes on Main were awesome. Some worked tirelessly the night before helping me set up for the event. Some worked tirelessly during and after the event. Many generously donated products.. products that they worked hard on. I couldn't ask for a better group of strong and supportive women to be my coworkers. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">This family. I met Sarah when I was pregnant with Aria and went to OT and PT to prepare myself for Aria's arrival. From day 1, Sarah was my own personal cheerleader. The support from this family has been astounding, I don't even know how to put it in words. Sarah baked the most delicious cupcakes for the event and even accidentally dyed herself blue doing it! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">My AMC family. I have never officially met anyone else with Arthrogryposis. My heart was so full meeting with these kids and their families. I am so grateful they came out and were able to enjoy the event honoring something that has affected their lives. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">Last, but not at all the least, my family. They tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. The love of a family is one of God's greatest blessings and let me tell you, God blessed me big time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">June 28th, 2014 was a long time in the making and I saw God's hand in it all. This is just the beginning. I got the community of Mount Joy's attention and the Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett's attention....</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">This was the day the Lord had made and I rejoiced and was glad in it!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Thank you to all those who supported the event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
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Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-19483711646956822652014-02-10T09:59:00.000-08:002014-02-10T10:59:08.816-08:00The proof is in the puddingSocial Security wants me to prove I am still disabled.<br />
<br />
...I know.<br />
<br />
Bear with me.<br />
<br />
One of the many ways they do so is to send a mound of paperwork for you to fill out. The paperwork consists of questions that not only REMIND you that you are disabled (juuuust in case you forget) but get too personal and leaves you with no shred of privacy.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
I am an ass.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlTH3qltaRU/Uvkg_38SS8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/7prLXgIiQMo/s1600/0210140952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlTH3qltaRU/Uvkg_38SS8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/7prLXgIiQMo/s1600/0210140952.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is my response to the one question about my daily activities ("Please list in great detail what you do in a typical day, for example: I get up around 7a.m, take a shower, get dressed, make breakfast, etc" )<br />
<br />
"I wake up around 7:30, try to pull down my pants with my dressing stick just in time not to pee myself. I then make breakfast for both me and my daughter and just about every time I either spill something or burn myself. I then shower the both of us and get dressed where I usually end up just about strangling myself with my bra because of the way I need to put it on via my dressing stick. I get my daughter ready and thank God that she's able to do most of it by herself now. I then go to work where I struggle with almost every task I am given. I hope to God my whole shift I don't have to use the bathroom because I sometimes get stuck for a long time fighting my pants. I then go home, make dinner where I, again, either spill something or burn myself... and then prepare myself for bed. "<br />
<br />
Then they ask, "What are your hobbies and interests?"<br />
<br />
...................????!!!<br />
<br />
I had to refrain from a few more smart ass remarks. One was enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
I am tired of having to prove myself all the time. I have to prove that I am a functional disabled human being every.. single.. day. I then have to prove that I am fully capable to take care of Aria and myself. Then as soon as I prove myself it's time to prove that I am actually disabled. Where is the balance? Why can't society see who I am really? An independent disabled woman who struggles; a functional handicapped person. In my experience, you either get labeled fully capable or fully incapable. I either have to prove I am capable or not... and when one is proven the other isn't accepted.<br />
<br />
I am both.<br />
<br />
I am capable... and I am incapable.<br />
<br />
If disability sees that I am not drooling and bedridden, they may take what I have already earned from working and have paid into SS. If they see me as "drooling and bedridden", they may deem me as unfit to parent. In the State of Pa, there are no laws protecting me as a parent. I am constantly having to prove myself worthy of many titles.. Mother, worker, handicapped....etc.<br />
<br />
The only label I don't have to fight for is "daughter of the King". No matter what, I will always be His... and that sure makes the rest of my burdens a lot easier to deal with. I struggle sometimes. I fall often. He is ALWAYS with me and I ALWAYS feel His love... even when I may not feel it from the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
<br />Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-61813100953794409062013-02-06T09:11:00.000-08:002013-02-06T09:11:47.779-08:00Frozen Yogurt Mini Cones<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lately I have been asking Aria what she wants to eat, instead of just making something and shoving it in her face. MOST of the time she chooses pretty healthy... though sometimes she asks for things at odd times (e.g. chicken and french fries for breakfast). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This morning wasn't any different. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Aria, what do you want for breakfast???"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Um... uh.... ICE CREAM!" </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"How about some eggs?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No no, Momma... Ice cream, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, she's got her head in the cupboard looking at the mini ice cream cones I had bought. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGakywPUzL8/URKKRi_WNLI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MkhKsLG1L-s/s1600/IMG_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGakywPUzL8/URKKRi_WNLI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MkhKsLG1L-s/s320/IMG_2727.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How can you say, "No." to this face!!??? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, I decided to get creative and the end result was <i><b>not only</b></i> ridiculously easy but delicious and <b><u>healthy</u></b>!!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frozen Yogurt Mini Cones</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yogurt of choice (I used strawberry... I think next time I will try greek yogurt) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joy mini cup cones (as many as you'd like)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sprinkles (optional)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lv8U0wg9qGQ/URKKUx-rHOI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ArpwKKye-78/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lv8U0wg9qGQ/URKKUx-rHOI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ArpwKKye-78/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dpozsrsisM/URKKTkotzHI/AAAAAAAAAGw/kCv7rfeKhTM/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dpozsrsisM/URKKTkotzHI/AAAAAAAAAGw/kCv7rfeKhTM/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fill cones with yogurt.</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U-sDX6l6f8/URKKZtOjEwI/AAAAAAAAAHo/siSsN3ZsWLQ/s1600/IMG_2741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U-sDX6l6f8/URKKZtOjEwI/AAAAAAAAAHo/siSsN3ZsWLQ/s320/IMG_2741.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Places cones on a plate or baking sheet.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3b_ucDfbRE/URKKaebv8tI/AAAAAAAAAHk/tSpm3QZ9-pg/s1600/IMG_2746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3b_ucDfbRE/URKKaebv8tI/AAAAAAAAAHk/tSpm3QZ9-pg/s320/IMG_2746.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Place plate or baking sheet in freezer. Let it sit for 1 hr.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See??!!! Easy!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't add sprinkles this morning because it's breakfast but I don't see why you couldn't add them to an afternoon snack!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7lHFH7SIN20/URKKWlKLkSI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rHmw-k2Ai-Y/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7lHFH7SIN20/URKKWlKLkSI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rHmw-k2Ai-Y/s320/IMG_2735.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKONofdPDmc/URKKYdprOcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kHG7MgfJ720/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKONofdPDmc/URKKYdprOcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kHG7MgfJ720/s320/IMG_2736.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E047NXZ26hM/URKKZvjOpXI/AAAAAAAAAHg/6A_EMQgpogk/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E047NXZ26hM/URKKZvjOpXI/AAAAAAAAAHg/6A_EMQgpogk/s320/IMG_2744.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think it's safe to say we have a very pleased costumer. I'll be doing this again!</span></span><br /><br />Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-16353563026815603682012-10-04T15:06:00.000-07:002012-10-04T19:40:07.160-07:00In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month<div style="text-align: center;">
There’s something I wanted to tell you but don’t know where to start
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish my words could save you from deceptions of the heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess the first thing I would say is, always recognize your worth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I’ve never said before, you’re too precious to accept any hurt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make no mistake, your heart will break, sometimes he’ll let you down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But make sure his desire is to ease your pain when he causes you to frown</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And if he <i>ever </i>hits you, I mean the very first time he lifts his hand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You turn around and leave right then, because he is not a man</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I’m so sorry I never showed you, by the way I lived my life,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what it truly means to be a valued, loved and cared for wife</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You never should have witnessed the beatings I would take</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I could do it over, oh the many changes I would make!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trust me, never, ever feel that you must stay there for the kids</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just think of how terrible it was for us every time I did</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Think of how you wished that we had struggled all alone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Than to live in fear, no sum was worth the terror inside our home</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baby girl, please know that I loved you more than I can ever say</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I would do anything to have never failed you in this way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HE had the problem I realize now and I need for you to know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You played no part in my bad choice, be at peace, move on and grow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pray you never fall victim to fear, my dearest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
keep your head up and be brave</div>
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My last prayer is that you’ve heard my words</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an echo from the grave….</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Danee Riggs</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I don't need a month to be aware of it. I am reminded every day that I am a survivor and when I look at my beautiful little girl I am reminded that I must do everything in my power to make her aware. I hope to raise her with awareness of the warning signs, raise her to love herself and her Heavenly Father, and most importantly that she can always come to me no matter how bad the situation. I hope I can instill in her an unbreakable confidence in her self worth. I don't have all the answers on how I'm going to implement my plan to raise a confident and yet grounded girl but I will try my best. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've seen the commercials for a few years on Dove's movement for self-esteem. I've admired their efforts since day one of the campaign but now having a little girl... I'm even a bigger fan. They have the right concept. There is a universal increase in beauty pressure and a decrease in girls' confidence as they grow older. It's a shame because we are all created in His image and He is beauty; He is amazing. Every girl, every woman, is beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beautiful</span><br />
<div class="dndata">
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">1. having</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beauty" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">beauty</a><span id="hotword">; </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">having</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">qualities</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">give</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">great</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">pleasure</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">satisfaction</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">see,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">hear,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">think</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">about,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">etc.;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">delighting</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">senses</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">mind:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">beautiful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">dress;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">beautiful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">speech.</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="luna-Ent">
<span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">2.</span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword"> excellent</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">its</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">kind:</span> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">beautiful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">putt</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">seventh</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">hole;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">The</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">chef</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">served</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">us</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">beautiful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">roast</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">beef.</span><br />
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<span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">3.</span></span></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword"> wonderful;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">very</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">pleasing</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">satisfying.</span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent">
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword">I tell Aria every night as I put her in her bed that she is beautiful, she's smart, and that I love her. She is beautiful and will always be beautiful. </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword"> God never uses one’s outward physical appearance to determine beauty.
When the prophet Samuel examined Jesse’s sons in search of the next king
of Israel, he was impressed with Eliab’s appearance. God told Samuel:
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”. Nothing in a person’s outward appearance impresses God. God looks upon the inner beauty, the beauty of one’s heart. </span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent" style="text-align: center;">
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> This is what true beauty looks like..</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="hotword"> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHEfw_eUgO0/UG3iggQwXtI/AAAAAAAAADI/W148POzM5Wg/s1600/IMG_2570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHEfw_eUgO0/UG3iggQwXtI/AAAAAAAAADI/W148POzM5Wg/s400/IMG_2570.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look from your child that says you are their everything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PbarNAaWYc/UG4E2FArL4I/AAAAAAAAAEU/1H8mQfSqJNE/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PbarNAaWYc/UG4E2FArL4I/AAAAAAAAAEU/1H8mQfSqJNE/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being silly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu2M2FxNj_Y/UG4Ak527PUI/AAAAAAAAADg/GE8KAFZLtf4/s1600/IMG_0793+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu2M2FxNj_Y/UG4Ak527PUI/AAAAAAAAADg/GE8KAFZLtf4/s320/IMG_0793+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart of a Grandparent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSrA8cdVYI/UG4CAfo9FYI/AAAAAAAAAD0/u4YWMSi-RJ8/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">a<img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSrA8cdVYI/UG4CAfo9FYI/AAAAAAAAAD0/u4YWMSi-RJ8/s320/IMG_1415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing your disability who's boss.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CllBSkPumk4/UG4CBT9DRVI/AAAAAAAAAD8/k2ZczJrjqrg/s1600/n513255530_572047_2611.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CllBSkPumk4/UG4CBT9DRVI/AAAAAAAAAD8/k2ZczJrjqrg/s320/n513255530_572047_2611.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship based on unconditional love and support.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pf_vZMY8pSU/UG4CB8rctPI/AAAAAAAAAEE/zfZo70yWTV0/s1600/youngme.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pf_vZMY8pSU/UG4CB8rctPI/AAAAAAAAAEE/zfZo70yWTV0/s320/youngme.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mother's fight for equality for her little girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UO-Lr_E8LYA/UG4AAAo28_I/AAAAAAAAADY/8iHFsEEvPzM/s1600/5898977186_73762665b2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UO-Lr_E8LYA/UG4AAAo28_I/AAAAAAAAADY/8iHFsEEvPzM/s320/5898977186_73762665b2_b.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The laughter of a child.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="luna-Ent">
<span id="hotword" name="hotword">Our society has a very distorted and shallow idea of beauty. And if you don't see it as being a "big" problem, tell that to the teen girl who got plastic surgery to fix her ears, nose and chin. She was teased about her physical appearance since she was 7. 7!!! Kids shouldn't be concerning themselves with such petty things.... and where do you think these kids learn their behavior from? Parents. Every time you giggle about someone's "big belly" at the local Wal-Mart, you are setting an example for how your children are to behave. Or if you yourself are the bully and pick on your kids outward appearance or odd behavior... they see that and absorb it in to use at a later time. </span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent">
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword">And those bullies? Most turn into abusers...</span></div>
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword">54% of students said witnessing physical abuse at home can lead to violence in school. It's a viscous cycle. Domestic violence in the home can create bullies in the school that then can create more domestic violence in the home later on in life. </span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent">
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword">We need to raise awareness. We need to prepare our children for not only their personal future but society's future. </span></div>
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Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-33947265529564277682012-09-04T20:46:00.000-07:002012-09-05T13:33:25.544-07:00But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joshua 24:15 "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for
yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your
forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in
whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve
the LORD."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As Aria gets older and uses her words more effectively, I realize just how important Joshua 24:15 is. I WILL serve the Lord. I WILL do my best to raise Aria to serve the Lord. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lately, I've been in search of employment in order to find a decent home for Aria and I... a home that Aria deserves... a home where we'll be safe and comfortable so we CAN serve the Lord. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll be honest, it's been exhausting. I feel there is an angry clock running behind us. We have only until Nov to figure something out. To date, I have 17 job applications out there and have contacted triple that amount of apartments. Most apartments want your yearly income to be $17,000... I'm at half. I’ve applied to a local affordable housing complex and they turned us down
because we didn’t make enough. They told us if we were able to have someone say
they pay us (but not really) a certain amount of money a month then we could meet the income
requirements. It felt a bit dishonest. Why is it that I wasn't surprised??? There are too many people that are taking advantage of the "system" and it makes it hard for those who legit need a boost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Listen... I am NOT looking to be spoon fed. I just need a boost. I am willing to work. However, if SSDI deems me disabled and unable to work, why do I have to work to stay afloat? Now.. please don't hear me wrong. I love to work. I especially love it when I get to work with people. I'd much rather work to earn my living. Society makes it difficult for me to work. I can be slow sometimes... I once was fired from a job because I couldn't "push three wheelchairs at a time to make the transferring process faster". So, if SSDI deems me "unable to work","affordable" housing should actually be affordable and accept me...?? One would think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know of someone who has lived in affordable housing with an under the table job and a boyfriend who makes $20 an hour but because she claims she's single and hides his boots when there are house checks, she gets to take vacations to Disney every year and buy her kids Ipads. And when I see things like this, it really makes it hard for me to serve the Lord. My anger and frustration gets in the way of serving the Lord. My raw emotions get in the way of serving the Lord... and it's not fair. It's not fair to the Lord who gave/gives us so much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I need to step back... take a deep breath... and be thankful... be genuinely grateful for the blessings He has given me and I honestly can say I am. I've made quite a few ugly mistakes in my life. I've sinned something serious in my early 20's. I've been forgiven and He has always been with me even when I wasn't. He loves me and Aria and wants the best for us both. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this all mean???!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I plan on working harder to serve the Lord even when life seems to get in the way. Every moment is a great moment to serve Him and I hope that you too will work with me in serving Him and not letting life get in the way.</span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On a lighter note: This is by far my favorite moment in life... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ea0hOxJK2EY/UEe20ctJU0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/anT9RBfGqcU/s1600/311766_342628405826176_150382456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ea0hOxJK2EY/UEe20ctJU0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/anT9RBfGqcU/s320/311766_342628405826176_150382456_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-9361059479726958302012-03-14T10:22:00.000-07:002012-03-14T10:22:51.780-07:00Mmm mmm s'more!I stumbled across an amazing looking pie the other day on Pinterest. Seeing as how I am watching what I eat (most of the time), I decided to come up with my own version.<br />
<br />
A <i><b>135</b></i> calorie a slice version (depending of course on how big your slice is) of a S'mores Pie.<br />
<br />
How could it not taste like cardboard, you ask?<br />
<br />
<i>Magic.</i> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwVs0UQTLWc/T2DHnwgdI0I/AAAAAAAAACA/xtrQMT1Gy24/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwVs0UQTLWc/T2DHnwgdI0I/AAAAAAAAACA/xtrQMT1Gy24/s320/IMG_1048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1a5q4tusbtE/T2DHqI5xc3I/AAAAAAAAACI/KUAJ_dozw8c/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1a5q4tusbtE/T2DHqI5xc3I/AAAAAAAAACI/KUAJ_dozw8c/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lA-NJSXxXUc/T2DHsWX5vMI/AAAAAAAAACQ/hRIY_eummNU/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lA-NJSXxXUc/T2DHsWX5vMI/AAAAAAAAACQ/hRIY_eummNU/s320/IMG_1063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ashley's S'more Pie<br />
<br />
Low fat Graham crackers(as much to layer the bottom of your crust)<br />
1 Reduced fat Pillsbury pie crust<br />
1 jar of Fluff<br />
3 tbsp Hershey's Dark cocoa powder<br />
1 bag of dark chocolate chips<br />
1/2 cup Skim milk <br />
<br />
Cover the bottom of the pie crust with graham crackers. Bake pie as directed on the package. While it's baking, heat your skim milk in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until dissolved. Drop the heat down to low and melt 3/4 the bag of chips.<br />
<br />
Take pie out of oven and set oven on broil. Poor the melted chocolate into the pie crust. Cover the top with fluff and stick it back into the oven. 5-7 minutes depending on how dark you like your marshmallow.<br />
<br />
<br />
Need I say s'more?<br />
<br />
;)Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-18467382799235557342012-03-01T09:45:00.000-08:002012-03-01T09:45:58.611-08:00Well, this seems like a nice place to hang out for a while...WARNING: This may or may not be TMI for some.<br />
<br />
Oh, well!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Nothing like spending an hour plus stuck in Kmart's bathroom to really lift your spirits. Occasionally, my clothes and I aren't on good terms. Some days we struggle. This past Tuesday was one of them. Like a dummy, I drank a TON of water before I left to go study and pick up a few things from the store. Once I got to Kmart, my bladder was screaming obscenities and I heeded it's demand.<br />
<br />
Before I continue, let me give you an idea of what I'm working with...<br />
<br />
A- The bathroom stall was small. I've seen better accommodations in prison. (This was the "handicap" stall)<br />
B- The temp in there felt like the heat was blasting at 90 degrees.<br />
C- It smelled like death.<br />
<br />
Now, these 3 environmental factors aren't conducive for me pulling my britches up. 5 minutes go by and the heat alone is making me sweat. 20 minutes go by and I'm halfway there but the struggle has drenched me in sweat making it more difficult to slide my pants up.. as time goes on it gets harder and harder for me to have any Christian thoughts. I start getting mad and thinking about how long I'd do in jail if I just walked to my car with my butt hanging out. Ok, so probably not a good idea... Then I think, well if someone comes in, I'll just ask for help. (This hasn't been the first time I got stuck in a bathroom. Last time my date left thinking I sneaked out. Fun times..)<br />
<br />
20 more minutes go by and nobody. <br />
<br />
Now, my choice is to cry... so I cry... and cry... and while I cry, I pray.<br />
<br />
<i>Dear God,</i><br />
<i>Please, please... help me. </i><br />
<br />
As I'm crying my body starts to cool down, making me less sticky, and after another 10 minutes I try again.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<u><b>SUCCESS!!</b></u><br />
<br />
God listens to us... He loves us... The power of prayer is so great and this is my testimony of it.Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-55693451330105510652012-01-30T13:17:00.000-08:002012-01-30T20:25:49.736-08:00Love and everything it should be<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mother's Song</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a Traditional Lullaby</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My heart is like a fountain true<br />
That flows and flows with love to you.<br />
As chirps the lark unto the tree<br />
...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So chirps my pretty babe to me.<br />
<br />
There's not a rose where'er I seek,<br />
As comely as my baby's cheek.<br />
There's not a comb of honey-bee,<br />
So full of sweets as babe to me.<br />
<br />
There's not a star that shines on high,<br />
Is brighter than my baby's eye.<br />
There's not a boat upon the sea,<br />
Can dance as baby does to me.<br />
<br />
No silk was ever spun so fine<br />
As is the hair of baby mine.<br />
My baby smells more sweet to me<br />
Than smells in spring the elder tree.<br />
<br />
A little fish swims in the well,<br />
So in my heart does baby dwell.<br />
A little flower blows on the tree,<br />
My baby is the flower to me.<br />
<br />
The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball,<br />
You are my sceptre, crown and all.<br />
For all her robes of royal silk,<br />
More fair your skin, as white as milk.<br />
<br />
Ten thousand parks where deer do run,<br />
Ten thousand roses in the sun,<br />
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,<br />
My babe more precious is to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCDvxvZtxkQ/TydtLwJ5MtI/AAAAAAAAABw/fdNahOhW77E/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCDvxvZtxkQ/TydtLwJ5MtI/AAAAAAAAABw/fdNahOhW77E/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>Aria Noel</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The past few weeks have been particularly trying. Another semester has reared it's ugly head and is showing no sign of remorse. Aria's confusing nights for either a rave or a game of "I can scream louder and higher pitched than you and make you feel like an intruder has just busted through our door to come steal me"... and my social life?? If my life was to be graphed on a chart, my social life line would look like a roller coaster plummeting to the Earth at 90mph with no sign of the next incline. My only interaction with the adult species has been at church (which was interrupted by my screaming child) and the GLORIOUS once a week lunch dates with my dear friend, Julie. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now before I continue, let me get some things straight. My "social life" is not the be all and end all in my life. Let's not read too much into my rant and think, "Oh my! Her social life is so important to her and her poor child... waaa waa waa blahh blahh blaahh" If you already don't know, listen and listen good. I LOVE MY DAUGHTER. SHE IS MY INSPIRATION TO BE A BETTER HUMAN BEING. SHE IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've had a few people tell me that I need to be careful of what I say (as if I am serious) when I joke about Aria being put into a local food donation box so that she can be shipped to another family. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Come on! Really?! Be more worried when I stop making those jokes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ok, moving on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The other night, as I was snuggling and singing Aria to sleep, an overwhelming thought came into my mind. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><i>This love I feel for Aria...as overwhelming as it may seem to me... is just a sliver of what our Heavenly Father feels for us. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...and then I wept. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. </i></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">God loves us so much that He gave us Jesus, who loved us so much that He laid down His life for us. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">That is a whole lot of love. I thought to myself, "I can't even begin to imagine what that feels like." And as I held Aria a little while longer, I thought to myself, "Yes, I can." We all have that one person that we love so much that words can't describe it. We can all begin there and we can all be grateful for that awesome love He has for us. That's love and everything it should be. </span></div>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-70973647561461566652012-01-17T19:52:00.001-08:002014-03-04T12:44:40.563-08:00"How do you wipe your butt" and other stupid things people say to me<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Here is a list of stupid questions/remarks people have said to me. I know that people say there are no such things as stupid questions... for those people I'll sugar coat it and call them "inappropriate questions".<br />
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<li><i>"How do you wipe your butt?"</i> - I believe that this question really shows the cruelty and lack of empathy one has for human beings. The best part of the question has always been the sly smirk and giggle that follows. I am so happy you are thrilled with yourself to ask such a question. Kudos to you. Maybe next time I should invite that person to watch so that they can sleep better at night because apparently the question is so imperative to their well being. </li>
<li><i>"Your child is so beautiful!! You know all things considered..." :::staring at my arms:::</i></li>
<li><i>"You do really well for yourself, don't you? Good job! It's good to see you out." </i>- Um... Thanks?! Did I not get the memo where I was supposed to stay in the tower and ring the bells? Oh.. my bad. (I got this one from a random cashier at Costco.)</li>
<li><i>"Is it contagious?"</i> </li>
<li><i>"I'd date you but I'd be embarrassed. My friends wouldn't understand."</i>- Trust me, sugar. If you aren't man enough to follow your heart and not your friends, I don't want you. </li>
<li><i>...and the list goes on. </i></li>
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Now, before I seem like a bitter soul, let me just say this... I am aware that most comments that drive me bonkers are people's way to either make themselves feel less awkward or they truly believe in their hearts that what they are saying is sweet and thoughtful... possibly having poor communicative skills. I have learned to deal with such ignorance my whole life and I plan on having to deal with it for the rest of my life. I know that Aria will most likely have to deal with it as well and <b><i>that</i></b> makes me sad. </div>
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I am hoping that bringing this to light, people may try harder to be aware of what comes out of their mouths. Everyone is different, yet we are all the same. We all feel. Let's treat each other with kindness and compassion. And I will make it a point to try not to be a smart ass when someone fails to remember their compassion.</div>
Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-91684417842288203782012-01-12T19:53:00.000-08:002012-01-12T20:01:05.623-08:00Brownie batter anyone?<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBQIv6k27f8/Tw-pgtNvkHI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Q_e3AXn0iSY/s1600/IMG_0363%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBQIv6k27f8/Tw-pgtNvkHI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Q_e3AXn0iSY/s400/IMG_0363%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, I made some changes to the last recipe I posted (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip) and made a Brownie Batter Dip (I added 3 tablespoons of Hershey's dark cocoa powder to the recipe)... I imagine this is what heaven tastes like. Then I took it to the next level and baked it at 350 for 35 minutes. I feel guilty that this tastes so good and is healthy!! </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; clear: left; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">This diet thing isn't so bad. :) For dinner I had a Sweet Potato Tuna Melt... amazing and filling. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</a>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-69512147881941416852012-01-10T17:35:00.000-08:002012-01-10T17:37:25.221-08:00Don't laugh at me...or anyone else.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I stumbled upon this book today and I wished all kids were made to read this once a week. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kids can be mean. I do believe they are a product of their environment a.k.a parents. If parents would teach tolerance and empathy of differences, I bet there would be less bullying in our schools... and maybe I'm pushing it but maybe even less hate crimes. I am not saying this book would change the world but possibly the message would. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me share a personal story with you. </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I think of the word “school”, I automatically get this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. It feels as if I’m in the movie Alien and an alien is trying to erupt out of my stomach. Being born with a disability made me a constant target. I might as well have had a flashing neon sign over my head that said, “Pick on me. I love it!” The bullying in high school haunts me today. I can’t hear the word “dinosaur” without wanting to throw up. My heart breaks when I see the news and hear about a bullied teen taking their life… but I get it. I’ve been in those shoes and it hurts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bullies in Valley View High School gave me a nasty nickname that hurt deep down in my soul. T-rex. One minute word made a colossal impression on my life. I dreaded when class would end because I knew it was time to walk the hall to the next class. I am certain that my anxiety would have been less if I was walking the “last mile”. Boys would literally hunt me in the halls as if they were in the movie Jurassic Park and I was the dangerous Tyrannosaurus rex. These young, piddling punks would pretend to have guns. They would pop out behind lockers and shoot. “Get the T-rex before she eats us!” They then would scatter, laughing and taking a little bit of my soul with them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I learned to cope by eating my feelings. I’d go home and eat the fattiest food I could get my hands on. If it was fried and a carbohydrate, it was consumed. When I went to college, I thought it would be over. I thought those battles were over. One day, I overheard my dorm neighbor tell her friend that I looked like a T-rex trying to buckle my seat belt. (Earlier that week I rode in her car for the first time to pick up some groceries.) The anguish I felt while walking the halls of high school came flooding back. I felt like an already unstable dam had broken and consumed a small town within seconds. I was crushed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Bullying has been a big part of my life and I still battle myself and the past on a daily basis. I still get anxious when some young kid stares at me so intently that I want to offer him a tissue to wipe his drool. I’ll never be able to watch Jurassic Park, again. I even threw out some dinosaur pajamas that someone gave my daughter. The hurt is still there and probably won’t go away in this lifetime. It helps ease the pain to know I am not alone and that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and who made me to serve a purpose here on earth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></div></span>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-21905673657236826672012-01-09T16:02:00.000-08:002012-01-09T16:02:09.416-08:00Diet: day 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, in my attempt to get in shape, I've found these two recipes online and discovered that they are not only healthy but delish!!! </span><br />
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<div style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cookie Dough Dip</span></span></strong></div><ul style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 1.538em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 cups chickpeas (1 can, drained and rinsed)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pinch of salt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tsp pure vanilla extract</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup nut butter (I used PB)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup milk of choice </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sweetener (see note below, for amount)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup dark chocolate chips</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup oats </span></li>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All I have to say is, "Ooh...my...lanta!" Like eating raw cookie dough??? (Who in the heck doesn't?) This is an almost guilt free indulgence and tastes as if it were loaded with calories and fat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning I made a delicious smoothie for Aria and I. It was so filling and delicious! </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PB Banana, Apple, and Spinach Smoothie</span></span></strong></div><ul style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 1.538em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 banana</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup oats</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 apple diced</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups ice</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups fresh spinach</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Blend and enjoy!!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kt_OdEP_nQQ/Twt2TqSQX7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/uRu2WMWyYYo/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kt_OdEP_nQQ/Twt2TqSQX7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/uRu2WMWyYYo/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229288311545333133.post-52382668793584256252012-01-09T13:08:00.000-08:002012-01-09T13:24:25.367-08:00Introduction<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was born with birth defects known as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) and Gastroschesis which one had nothing to do with the other (It was like lightening striking twice). AMC is a rare congenital disorder that causes multiple joint contractures and can include muscle weakness and fibrosis. It affects 1 out of every 30,000 live births. The disease derives its name from Greek; literally meaning 'curved or hooked joints'. The AMC mainly affects my upper extremities causing limited range in motion, muscle weakness, and some varying joint discomfort. Gastroschisis is another rare congenital disorder in which a defect is present in the wall of the abdomen. There is no membranous sac covering the organs and the intestines therefore allowing the bowels to spill into the outside of the body. Thankfully, with many prayers and being hospitalized for a month, I was cleared to go home. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though my physical setbacks made life a little more difficult, my determination and desire pushed me. In school they tried putting me in Special Education classes even with my IQ testing above average. My family fought for me to attend “normal” classes with the “normal” kids and won. Sadly enough this was not my first nor would it be my last battle with being treated like everyone else. As I got older the obstacles that I faced were plenty. The bullying in Middle and High School were appalling. The name that haunted me through those halls were “T-rex”. Boys literally hunted me in the halls. They would pretend to have guns and pop out behind lockers then shoot and run away laughing. I'm twenty-six years old now and it still hurts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-indent: 48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-indent: 48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In 2003, I ventured out into the "real world" and attended Mansfield University. I won’t pain you with the gruesome details but let’s just say, I failed my first attempt at being a college student. Between the new found freedoms, poor time management, lack of motivation, and the literal hill I had to climb every morning to even set foot into a class equated in failure. I went onto getting a few back-breaking minimum wage jobs and struggled with both the physical and financial aspects of it all. </span></div><div style="text-indent: 48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-indent: 48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fast forward to today and with my new role of Motherhood/Role Model, I have a new found desire in life; a second chance at life. I don't plan on wasting it!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My intentions- I am starting this blog so that someone can <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">lear</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">n from my experiences as a disabled single mother who's had some hardships, miracles, and many lessons... hopefully I may get a few good laughs</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Facts about me- </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just finished my 1st semester back in college and in 2 days I'll be starting on my second. I've also just started a diet/exercise plan 3 days ago and I'll be posting a few worth while ideas. My daughter is the sweetest thing since honeycombs. I know she gets that from me. ;o) My passions in life are as follows... Jesus Christ, Aria, singing, and making people laugh. </span></div>Ashley Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970751744463268140noreply@blogger.com2