tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90861739678905086512024-03-13T11:03:59.604-04:00The Rife ObservatoryLeah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-44107450597650752512014-10-30T10:12:00.000-04:002014-10-30T10:12:10.651-04:00lessons...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's amazing how my almost three-year-old teaches me how to be present in even the most simple moments. To stop and look at the little details that I often miss, and to react in pure joy and amazement at the beauty surrounding me each day. He teaches me to rest, to run, to be honest with how I feel, and to stop in wonder.</div>
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Thankful for the lessons I learn from him, and thankful I get to be his mama.</div>
<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-67812805199006241772014-10-03T14:48:00.000-04:002014-10-03T14:48:51.947-04:005 years...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five years ago, today, Landon and I were married in front of his home on a cold fall day. These past years of marriage have been full of love, laughter, fighting, crying, adventures, tough moments, beautiful moments, and so many memories.</div>
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We both have grown a lot since that moment we said "I do." We learned that marriage is hard work sometimes, and other times it's a breeze. We learned that, even when you don't feel like loving, you still choose to love your partner because love is a choice. We learned that communication is key for us, and it's something we always are going to work at. We learned that we are an equal team, and the only argument we should be having is who gets to sacrifice for the other first. We learned that when Christ is at the center of our relationship, we see our partner through eyes of unconditional love.</div>
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I love that Landon and I see eye-to-eye on pretty much everything, and if we don't, we figure out how to compromise. We enjoy a lot of the same things, and we both have a drive towards simplicity and a restlessness to explore and travel.</div>
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I love that Landon writes me a note almost every morning he leaves for work. He's not a writer, nor a man of many words, so he will stand there in the kitchen for 5 minutes thinking of something to write. He loves me and knows that words mean a lot to me, and so he pushes himself to do something he normally wouldn't. That's one of the many reasons I love him.</div>
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I love that he has taken complete care of me through two rather rough pregnancies when I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed, or take care of our toddler at night. He truly sacrificed his time and energy for me many, many times over.</div>
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I know that Landon loves and respects me more than anyone ever has, and I feel extremely valued by him. He knows all of my struggles, and he accepts me as I am. He tells me not to focus on the specs in my life that I seem to focus on, but to step back and see the bigger, beautiful things happening.</div>
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I really, truly enjoy marriage. I get to travel through life with my best friend, and we get to watch each other grow, and we have a witness to our lives. So much has happened in these first years of marriage...I am so excited to see what will happen in the coming years.</div>
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<i>I remember feeling so excited, I couldn't hardly sleep that night before.</i></div>
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<i>I remember waking up to a brilliant blue sky.</i></div>
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<i>I remember dressing in a beautiful bedroom and peeking outside at the spot we would say our vows.</i></div>
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<i>I remember walking through the tall grass to the little country bridge where you were waiting for me.</i></div>
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<i>I remember hugging you, eyes wet, as I realized this was the day I never had to be parted from you again.</i></div>
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<i>I remember waiting between the barn and the workshop as guests waited, and music played.</i></div>
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<i>I remember the cold, oh how I remember it. But it didn't dampen our spirits.</i></div>
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<i>I remember hearing "Northern Lights" by the Bowerbirds play as Autumn, Daniel, Hannah, and Ben walked down to aisle to stand with us.</i></div>
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<i>I remember the moment of the song when it swelled and I turned the corner and walked toward you.</i></div>
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<i>I remember shivering as I stood on the front step holding your hands.</i></div>
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<i>I remember I couldn't stop smiling at you.</i></div>
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<i>I remember my dad reading from his black, worn bible.</i></div>
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<i>I remember vowing to love you always.</i></div>
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<i>I remember the kiss.</i></div>
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<i>I remember the joy of finally being yours.</i></div>
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<i>I remember the joy of the reception, being surrounded by our dearest ones.</i></div>
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<i>I remember hot apple cider and spiced cake.</i></div>
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<i>I remember corn hole, hillbilly golf, and the smell of a warm fire.</i></div>
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<i>I remember our first dance, and how you actually did a choreographed bit with me.</i></div>
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<i>I remember smiling so much, my face hurt.</i></div>
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<i>I remember running through a line of our dear ones as birdseed rained down.</i></div>
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<i>I remember driving away in the old Buick, and cars following and honking in true Rife style.</i></div>
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<i>I remember switching cars at the church, then driving off to start our lives together.</i></div>
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<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-31483403942908399982014-10-01T09:56:00.000-04:002014-10-01T09:56:18.650-04:00last hike...<div style="text-align: center;">
After my grandpa's graveside service, our extended family gathered for one last walk around the farm together. It was such a sweet time remembering so many years of memories. I won't write a big explanation, just post some pictures instead.</div>
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Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-34193996563643949662014-09-25T10:15:00.000-04:002014-09-25T10:15:59.584-04:00saying goodbye...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not good at goodbyes, or truly expressing how I feel in a single moment of time. It takes time and thought to really understand my feelings, or else they come out in a blurting, jumbled mess. I thought it would be simpler to write them down.</div>
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Yesterday my grandpa passed away. It wasn't unexpected, but it was still sad. After my grandma passed away when I was a teenager, I didn't see as much of grandpa as I had previously. But as a child, I saw a lot of him and my grandma. Reflecting on his life and my siblings and I growing up knowing him has brought up a lot of memories. A lot of emotions come up, especially when I think of my grandma. She was very dear to me and my sister and brothers, and we have a lot of good memories of her and grandpa and their farm in northern Indiana. So the most logical thing I can think of to do, to properly pay my respects, is to list some of these memories here.</div>
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*The humming from grandpa's dentist office, and the smell of wood floors there.</div>
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*A styrofoam cup, half-full of coffee, with lipstick marks on it.</div>
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*A warm sweater hanging on an an office chair that spun around and around.</div>
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*Playing on the typewriter in grandma's office, and flipping through her rolodex.</div>
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*Leaning back in the dentist chair as grandpa checked for cavities.</div>
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*Grandma leaning against the door to the examination room, talking with my mom and dad while us kids got our exams.</div>
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*The slippery, wooden, curving staircase in the farmhouse.</div>
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*A bookshelf where many an afternoon was spent reading as adults talked downstairs.</div>
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*The smell of crackling bacon as grandpa stood making breakfast for us grandkids.</div>
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*Playing skip-bo on the farm table.</div>
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*Dressing up in grandma's jewelry and putting on her lipstick at her vanity.</div>
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*Hannah and I sitting with grandma watching Jaws and hearing her shudder at the scary parts.</div>
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*A bee sting, screaming, running to the farmhouse, and grandma running beside us.</div>
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*A deep smell of perfume as we were squeezed into a hug</div>
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*Sitting nervously on stage with my violin, and finding my grandparents in the crowd smiling at me</div>
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*Tweed jackets, and khaki pants</div>
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*A mole on a cheek, and a comment of "That's my beauty mark, like Marilyn Monroe."</div>
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*The scratchy, sweaty days making hay with grandpa at the wheel of his tractor.</div>
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*Riding in a green pickup truck on a wide bench.</div>
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*Painting a wooden fence with Hannah and grandma walking out to take our picture</div>
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*Watching bats fly in and out of the barn.</div>
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*Black angus cows.</div>
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*Hunting for mushrooms on chilly days.</div>
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*Hikes, forts, games, all in the woods for hours on end.</div>
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*Warmth from a wood burning stove.</div>
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*Whitewater rafting in Montana and watching grandpa smile as we paddled along the river.</div>
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*Wearing socks in an big pool with a rough bottom.</div>
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*A basement, so scary to little eyes, we barely dared going down there.</div>
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*Tubing down the toboggan run.</div>
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*Watching a truck take an evening drive, grandpa driving and grandma sitting beside.</div>
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*An old, out of tune piano in a sitting room.</div>
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*Monday night family dinners around a farm table.</div>
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*Postcards from Hawaii, Montana, Mexico, and other travels.</div>
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*A Bible verse made out in small letters on the back of an envelope.</div>
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*Pictures of grandpa holding his catch from fly fishing.</div>
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*Grandma's dancing eyes, and the crinkles at the corners.</div>
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Sometimes memories don't come as easily, and I shut my eyes and try hard to remember. I am afraid I will forget one, or it will somehow slip away. I am thankful for the ones I have though, and I am thankful to have known my grandparents, as some people aren't as fortunate. As we all say final farewells this weekend, I will mentally take it all in, as we take final walks around the farm, as we stand at grandma's gravestone once again, as grandpa is laid to rest beside her, as family meets together in places where memories were made and years passed.</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-91688605472372878492014-09-10T10:00:00.001-04:002014-09-10T13:45:51.035-04:00johann's home birth story...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wanted to share Johann's home birth story since I shared Finn's on here almost 3 <i>(can it be that long?)</i> years ago.</div>
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<i>Disclaimer: This happened 3 months go, so the specific details may be a bit fuzzy for me to remember. :)</i></div>
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This pregnancy and birth experience was totally different than Finn's. We chose to plan a home birth with our second baby, and <i>loved</i> our experience. Our midwife was amazing, and the level of care we received was unlike anything we had ever had before. Choosing a home birth was a really great choice for our family, and I will never forget it.</div>
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Johann came on a rainy Wednesday morning on June 4th, 2014. I had told Landon that if I could choose, I would pick a cloudy, rainy day to give birth since it seemed relaxing and calm. We had decided to do a water birth, so we had our tub and all the equipment set up in our bedroom right beside the window.</div>
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After some off and on contractions on the 3rd, my water broke around 3am on the 4th. I texted my midwife since I wasn't exactly sure at the time if my water had broken and felt bad waking her up. She called me back and we talked about things. I tried to go back to sleep, but was so excited I couldn't manage to doze off. Contractions were semi-regular, but nothing strong yet. Landon had been going into work around 4:30am those days, so we decided he should go and I would call when things got more serious. (In hindsight, we should have started setting the equipment up and he should have stayed home.) I called him at 5am and wanted him home. :)</div>
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My contractions were getting closer together and more intense, but still not strong enough I thought. I was in touch with my midwife, and around 7am, she asked if I wanted her to come. She listened to me breathe through a contraction, and I told her I thought she could wait a while. (Little did I know, she was already contacting her assistants and planning on driving down to hang out at a coffee shop right around the corner. She could tell I was maybe a <i>little</i> further along than I thought.)</div>
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Meanwhile, Landon was rushing around filling the tub, getting Finn ready to go to a friend's house, and rushing to my side when I went through a contraction. I would just like to stop here and say how <i>amazing</i> my husband is. Not only did he fully support me through a challenging pregnancy, and encouraged me to eat well, and took care of me for 9 months, but he was a total champ during the birth day. One thing we didn't realize was all the prep work that would need to be done on our end, and he was rather busy the whole morning.</div>
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My dear, lovely friend, Ballard came to pick up Finn around 7am, and I still remember her shouting up the stairs "Love you Leeum!" as she whisked Finn out for the whole day. (Another perfect thing was that Wednesday was Ballard's only day off of work and grad school, and we had been praying somehow I would give birth on a Wednesday.)</div>
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Around 7:15am, I texted all our close friends and family I was in labor and it may be happening later in the day. Due to some miscommunication, the tub was still not ready for me to get in, and we had run out of hot water. Poor Landon was boiling water on the stove, and running up to help me through contractions in between. Around 8am, I got into the tub which felt <i>amazing</i>. The rain was pouring outside, there were soft rolls of thunder, and my birth music was on. I snacked on cheese and veggies, and tried to breathe through each contraction as they came on stronger and closer.</div>
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Landon called the midwife, who we had been in touch with off and on, and told her I was ready for her to come. She and her assistants were only a few minutes away at a coffee shop, and they arrived around 8:30 or 8:45am. I remember her walking in and looking at me, and saying "Yep, you're at a 10 for sure!" And I was thinking "Whaaat?"She asked if I wanted her to check me, and I said yes. As she was checking me, she told me I could be pushing if I felt like it. This took me by surprise as I never felt the overwhelming urge to push like I did with Finn.</div>
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The next half hour was a blur, but the contractions were strong, the assistants were so kind fanning me and giving me water, and my midwife was encouraging, direct, and so, so good at her job. I pushed for awhile, changed positions, pushed his head out, then had to get out of the tub so my midwife could assist him out. It all happened so fast it seems, and before I knew it, I was able to hold my baby boy as I knelt on the floor of our bedroom. Johann Sailor was born at 9:48am, and Landon and I were so amazed at how fast he decided to come. He was very healthy, and strong, and chubby, and the birth team did such a good job getting him checked out, and helping me get settled and tucked into my bed. It was a fast and intense labor, but the whole experience was amazing for us. We couldn't have had a more wonderful midwife and team, and it was such a treasure to be able to deliver our son in our home.</div>
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Some days, I tell Landon "I can't believe we have two kids!" It seems so surreal. The last three months have been a big adjustment, but every time I look down at my sweet Johann and see him smile, my heart melts. It is such an honor to be mama to two amazing little boys.</div>
<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-80290204069142204542014-09-08T16:37:00.000-04:002014-09-08T16:37:49.231-04:00hello, again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I'm back! Here's a little peek at what my days are like now. I have two boys! Finn will be 3 soon, and Johann just turned 3 months! Life has been all sorts of crazy/busy/fun/hard these days. But it's been so amazing watching our family grow and change.</div>
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After burning out a bit with being pregnant and having a new baby, I took the spring and summer off from updating on here. While it was unintentional to leave this little corner of the internet all alone for awhile, it turned out to be a much-needed break. It also allowed me to sort of refocus on what my goals are for this blog and using my time in general.</div>
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For the last few years, Landon and I have been aiming towards simplifying our life. </div>
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We have realized our goal of a simple life is a journey, and one that's constantly evolving and adapting. I want to use this space and my time writing on here as an outlet for all the ideas and actions we take to get closer to our goal. Because of that, I am going to aim to write with more intention and focus on how we are trying to practically live that out, alongside the usual family updates, of course.</div>
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Life is too short to waste, and I hope we can savor every minute of it! I can't wait to get back into writing here and there about how we are trying to do just that.</div>
Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-73361491843242062562014-04-04T14:30:00.001-04:002014-04-04T14:30:49.569-04:00lately...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*I picked up some wonderful tulips at Whole Foods today. They spruce up our table so much and remind me that Spring is really here, even when the weather doesn't seem to agree.<br />
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*I also splurged on an adorable onesie for our new wee one coming soon. It's a sweat-shop-free ethically made garment, and I just love the print and color. I snagged it from Whole Foods when we were there this morning. Buying things for this next baby gets me so much more excited to meet him or her.<br />
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*Snacking on some delicious muffins while I relax this afternoon. I found <a href="http://fitandhealthywithdebbie.blogspot.com/2012/10/banana-oatmeal-breakfast-muffins.html">this amazing recipe</a> and have used it many times over the past few months. Flour-less, sugar-less, and pretty much just awesome.<br />
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*Excited to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Blue-Bike-Intentionally-Chaotic/dp/1400205573">this book</a>! My friend mentioned she picked it up from the library, and I gave it a shot as well even though it's a pretty new book and I figured I'd be out of luck. They had it and I was so happy! I love <a href="http://tshoxenreider.com/">the author</a> and how she writes, and after reading her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VVKFYSN5H76KPZG7RSN">last book</a>, I can't wait to see what she writes in this one.<br />
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*Things are going well with life and pregnancy. I am around 32 weeks now, and feeling pretty good overall. The baby moves a lot, and it's amazing to think there is a wee one inside my tummy. I have been busy gathering birth supplies, baby gear we need, and organizing the areas of our home that need some attention. These next two months are going to fly by, I just know it!<br />
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Happy spring everyone!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-54008267525352018472014-02-14T14:27:00.000-05:002014-02-14T14:27:17.414-05:00thoughts on love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't really care for Valentine's Day all that much. It's become very commercialized, overdone, and cliché. But...I love that it sort of forces me to reflect a little on love, my marriage, and what all that means to me.<br />
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This last year has proved so much different for Landon and I than we ever thought possible. We hit a pretty low spot in our relationship back last late winter. Having a child threw off a lot of our norms, we were "newly" married (less than 5 years) and still figuring each other out, and both of us being introverts and communicating in completely opposite ways made arguments less than productive.<br />
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After hearing some amazing friends share their story of how they got marriage counseling, we decided to seek some out for ourselves. Best. Decision. Ever. We are now in a completely better place than ever before. We talk more, communicate more effectively, and I think I have fallen even deeper in love with Landon as a result. Praise God!<br />
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So, in honor of Valentine's Day, here are some things Landon and I have learned along the way...with many more to come!<br />
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<i>*Communication</i></div>
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This pretty much overlaps on every aspect of marriage, whether it is non-verbal or any other sort of communication. This one is key! Keeping those lines open is so important for Landon and I.</div>
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<i>*The only argument you should have is over who is going to sacrifice first.</i><br />
This is the one phrase from our counselor that is burned into my brain. And I love it! As Landon and I have come to an understanding of mutuality in our marriage vs. the traditional view, this has proven so true for us. It's not about who is in charge or who has the final word, it's about self-sacrifice on both sides.<br />
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<i>*Talk through the hard things.</i><br />
I have a bad habit of trying to will Landon to read my thoughts when I am frustrated. :) I now know that's just not possible! Now, we try to share how we are feeling, even if it may sting a little. The more honest and open we are, the more fights we avoid. Communication, folks.<br />
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<i>*Find encouragement from other marriages.</i><br />
We are so fortunate to be surrounded by a large group of people who have awesome marriages. And the beautiful part? They are all different and unique! We love learning from and hearing couples that have got some things figured out. <br />
We love how my boss and her husband seriously make each other laugh...like for real! And they have been married twice as long as us.<br />
-We love how our friends from small group finish each others' sentences and share stories like none other.<br />
-We love how Landon's parents still go to high school basketball games on a Friday night even though they don't have any kids at home anymore.<br />
-We love how some of our other friends from small group who have been married less than a year are cuddly and take little moments for a quick kiss or a quick hug. It's a great reminder to keep doing those things even though we've been married a bit longer.<br />
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<i>*Keep faith at the center of our marriage.</i><br />
For us, this one is big. Our faith plays a vital role in our relationship and we each are taking time to make sure we are focusing on a relationship with God.<br />
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We are looking forward to many more years of marriage, growing closer, and trying to be good examples for our kids. It hasn't been easy, and it won't necessarily get easier, but we are bound and determined to stick it through together.<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-59571708655223668852014-02-11T08:59:00.000-05:002014-02-11T08:59:14.130-05:00so many reasons...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/09/11/39/09113979ca5f7ec938579709b5e96080.jpg?crlt.pid=camp.lsKD1lhuqtx8">via</a></td></tr>
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I am finding this so true these last few days.<br />
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*Landon bringing home cookies to bake together.<br />
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*Watching Finn sled down a hill with his Gramps and me racing beside them.<br />
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*Spending the weekend with some amazing friends sharing thoughts and food.<br />
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*Hearing a lot more birds singing this morning as I woke up.<br />
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*Making music with some talented folks.<br />
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*Having a heavenly Father I can talk to about the things on my heart.<br />
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*Listening to Finn talk to people and explain that he is hungry for pizza.<br />
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*Feeling this wee one kick over and over again.<br />
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*Looking ahead to a wonderful week as Landon and I celebrate together.<br />
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*Watching Finn get so excited when Landon gets home from work.<br />
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In the moments when it seems like life is too crazy, all I need to do is step back and see what really matters.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-90635567884241535462014-02-04T15:32:00.000-05:002014-02-04T15:32:25.104-05:00fair trade february: sweet treats...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6qbo3StO9o/UvFKMH4l1II/AAAAAAAADyc/pw6rNHMRHWE/s1600/2.4.14-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6qbo3StO9o/UvFKMH4l1II/AAAAAAAADyc/pw6rNHMRHWE/s1600/2.4.14-1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I mentioned in <a href="http://therifeobservatory.blogspot.com/2014/01/coming-in-two-days.html">this post,</a> Landon and I are focusing on fair trade chocolate, cocoa, and coffee for the month of February. Our main goal is to become more aware of where these products come from, and challenging ourselves to learn about the production processes of each.<br />
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To start with, we bought some fair trade coffee and cocoa at a local health grocery store. The options were surprisingly limited at the store we went to, but we left with products that claimed to be fair trade...and the prices definitely reflected that!<br />
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The coffee is SO good! We love the flavor, and while we don't consider ourselves coffee snobs, it tastes a whole heck of a lot better than the generic brands we are used to. And even better than Starbucks' fresh brew, which I don't really care for.<br />
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We got a can of cocoa since we were hosting a dinner party over the weekend and chocolate cupcakes were on the menu. Then today, I decided to make <a href="http://www.delightedmomma.com/2012/05/flourless-zucchini-brownies.html">these</a> flour-less dark chocolate zucchini brownies, and used cocoa instead of chocolate chips. Delicious!<br />
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Buying fair trade will definitely cut down on our cocoa and chocolate consumption this month, as the price is higher. But I think that's a good thing in the long run. We don't need to be eating a lot of sweets anyway, and being intentional about something as simple as cocoa powder really makes me start thinking about other things in my life.<br />
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My next goal is <a href="http://www.thedarksideofchocolate.org/">to watch this documentary</a>. I'm sickened by the thought that maybe there are sides to our favorite candy and chocolate bars that are inhumane and oppressive. But I want Landon and I to learn about it and be aware of what exactly goes into the cocoa industry.<br />
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I also read <a href="http://firstalt.coop/fairtrade/">this post</a> today, and loved the points made.<br />
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Do you have any good articles on the fair trade industry, or cocoa or coffee production? I'd love to hear about them!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-56534401959064721342014-01-31T11:30:00.000-05:002014-01-31T11:30:31.077-05:00it got crazy up in here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend was a giant adventure for us...we potty trained Finn!! It was the craziest 3 days of. my. life. We started on a Friday morning, and "finished" on a Sunday night. For most of those days, I didn't think Finn was getting it at all, but by Sunday night, he was telling us he had to go potty, and would run to the bathroom to go! (I put finished in quotes because we really aren't done...he still has occasional accidents, and we have to clean up some not so fun undies sometimes, but overall we are so impressed with how he is doing.)<br />
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It was very stressful at some moments. I'm sure being 23 weeks pregnant didn't help with the emotional side of things, but Landon was so patient with Finn and pretty much took over the training when I couldn't deal with one more accident. Finn seems so much bigger to us now, and seeing him wear his big boy undies is so exciting. We ditched diapers completely, so even at night he is in his underwear. As long as we limit his liquids a few hours before bedtime, he does pretty well through the night.<br />
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As a parent, I've realized that once you think you've got it figured out, something comes along that really throws off your groove. Patience is huge, and it's something I'm learning and re-learning each day. :)<br />
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So here is to 4 more months of no diapers before our next wee one arrives!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-83955100008638906232014-01-30T16:05:00.000-05:002014-01-30T16:07:21.784-05:00Coming in two days...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since last year, I have become more and more interested in Fair Trade products...what they are, what that means, and where our food really comes from. I'll confess, I didn't know that much about what it meant other than from what I had read on the backs of food labels in the grocery.<br />
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After reading some great articles like <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/chocolate/">this one</a> by Tsh at <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/">The Art of Simple</a>, I started hearing more about the fact that some of the products on our shelves are not sourced ethically, some even using child or slave labor.<br />
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One of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/">Rachel Held-Evans</a> wrote <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595553673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=racheleva-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595553673">this book</a>, and while reading it, I heard how Rachel and her husband did a fair trade month at their house, specifically focusing on chocolate and coffee. That really inspired me to try something similar in order to become more educated.<br />
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Then, my midwife, in counseling me about nutrition, challenged Landon and I to buy higher quality chocolate and mentioned ethically sourced/fair trade as great options, and advised us to do a little research on our own.<br />
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So, for the month of February, Landon and I have decided to only buy ethically sourced fair trade cocoa powder, chocolate candy, and coffee. It's more like a challenge for us to become educated, as we don't know a whole lot about this world. We'll probably start somewhere like Whole Foods or Earth Fare and hit the internet if we can't find anything we like or fits these categories.<br />
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We are starting very small...only a couple products, but I think given the fact we love chocolate and coffee, these will be great items to start with and see where it takes us.<br />
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Also, as a disclaimer, the fair trade part will apply only to products we buy for our pantry, like cocoa powder or cookie dough with chocolate chips for instance, or candy for Valentine's Day. I realize it would be difficult for us to apply this if we chose to go out to eat or support our favorite local cupcakery as we aren't sure of their cocoa or coffee sources. But, I think this project will be a good starting point for us to get us thinking and help us become more intentional about the things we purchase.<br />
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Finally, if any of you have done something like this and have a lot of resources for me to check out, please send them my way! And, if you want to join along with us in some way or another, please feel free and let me know what you are going to be doing as I would love to hear.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-6223838654750479912014-01-29T10:54:00.000-05:002014-01-29T10:54:52.522-05:00loaded breakfast...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since I am pregnant, good nutrition is a huge emphasis these days. Starting off with a good breakfast is key for me at least, since it curbs any nausea and gives me energy to tackle the day. Lately, I've been making loaded oatmeal for Finn and I to enjoy in the mornings. We like to add fresh apples, raisins, sunflower seeds, almonds, raw honey, cinnamon, and coconut oil. It's a filling and wholesome start to our day, and it really does curb the cravings for not so healthy snacks. I am always looking for yummy breakfast ideas since eggs can get a little boring after the 5th day in a row. :)Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-83396462942775507522014-01-24T09:24:00.001-05:002014-01-24T09:24:47.380-05:00bathroom progress...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before. I didn't like how dark it looked.</span></td></tr>
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Well I have been making a lot of progress on our bathroom refresh. As you can see from the before photo, our bathroom was very dark with the brown curtain and blue rug. We don't have any windows in our bathroom, so it's naturally a lot darker in there.<br />
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As part of the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346">January Cure</a>, my goal project for this month was doing a simple <a href="http://therifeobservatory.blogspot.com/2014/01/bathroom-refresh-inspiration.html">bathroom refresh</a>. We ended up going with a bath mat and curtain from <a href="http://www.westelm.com/">West Elm</a> (love that store!) since they were having a bath sale last weekend. As we compared the two mats we liked the most in the store, Landon and I both landed on the <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/mrk-horizon-stripe-bath-mat-b1184/?pkey=cbath-mats&cm_src=bath-mats||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Horizon Stripe Bath Mat</a> in clearwater. Then, we splurged a bit on a quality <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/waffle-grommet-shower-curtain-b579/?pkey=cshower-curtains&cm_src=shower-curtains||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Waffle shower curtain</a> since we really wanted something that could last for years and go with any color scheme we end up with. It all ended up being like a late Christmas gift, since we used our leftover gift cash to pay for most of it.<br />
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So far, we love how the look is turning out. The bathroom seems so much brighter now, and I love how it feels more spa-ish when I walk in. While I am still hunting for something to place above the toilet in a bare spot, if I end up not figuring that out this month, I am still so happy with what we've done.<br />
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Yesterday, I cleaned out and organized our sink vanity. That thing was filled up with tons of junk and leftover toiletries, and now it's stream-lined and there's a spot for everything. I love a clean bathroom!<br />
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Now, we'll be spending a lot more time in this room as we're potty training Finn this weekend. Perfect timing. :)Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-23307589081490143662014-01-23T09:45:00.002-05:002014-01-23T09:45:53.818-05:00thoughts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I loved watching Finn play in the snow earlier this week. He took the top hat we used for our snowman and decided to make it his own while he tried to bike around in the snowy driveway.<br />
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This week has been so nice with not a lot of commitments. We are taking it nice and easy around the house. Tomorrow we are *attempting* to start potty training Finn. That means a Target run tonight to get about 15 pair of toddler underwear. Life is an adventure with a two year old, let me tell you.<br />
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Landon and I are so content with life right now. I know I have said it before, but we have been talking about it a lot lately. I don't know exactly why life seems good. We aren't wealthy, we don't have a huge home, and our daily activities don't involve crazy adventures or wild trips, yet somehow we love where we are at right now. Seasons of contentment seem to come and go for me, which I would love to change and be content all the time. Something that comes with age, maybe? Just reflecting on that these days, I guess.<br />
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Well it's gorgeously sunny but rather chilly outside today. So I will be staying in and trying to knock out some things off the good ol' to do list. Enjoy whatever you are doing and wherever you are on this fine Thursday.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-25139242411245425952014-01-17T11:23:00.001-05:002014-01-17T11:23:40.525-05:00today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is so pretty. The sun is shining, the snow is crisp and white, and it's a beautiful reminder of how gorgeous winter can be.<br />
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*Listening to:<br />
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*Drinking:<br />
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Lots and lots of water. My goal is between 70 and 90 oz. Being pregnant takes a lot of work!<br />
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*Eating:<br />
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Lunch with a sweet friend. We'll be having bean and bacon soup, spinach salad, and zucchini bread.<br />
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My bathrobe and yoga pants...going to be changing soon. :)<br />
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*Working on:<br />
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A wedding job to get out today. Such a sweet looking couple!<br />
Cleaning and organizing our room as part of the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/weekend-chores-flowers-bedroom-cleaning-wardrobe-organizing-the-january-cure-assignment-12-199222">January Cure</a>.<br />
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*Feeling:<br />
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Lots of baby kicks. This wee one is a busy little thing.<br />
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*Looking forward to:<br />
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Spending the weekend with Landon's parents. They will be here tomorrow and Sunday. We have gotten a treat of seeing both of my parents in the last few weeks, and now we'll get to spend time with Landon's. Having family so close is such a blessing!<br />
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Happy Friday everyone. May you rest well this weekend, and spend it with those you love.<br />
<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-24791536591612237682014-01-11T15:35:00.001-05:002014-01-11T15:35:45.908-05:00halfway there...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am 20 weeks along already! It's slightly hard to believe, but when I think back to September when I took the pregnancy test as soon as I could, it seems like forever ago.<br />
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Things have been progressing well so far. We had an ultrasound right before Christmas and the baby looked good and healthy. Landon and I disagreed on finding out the gender this time...he didn't want to, and I was leaning very much toward finding out. But since it was this big of a deal and we didn't see eye-to-eye, we decided not to find out. I will admit I was pretty emotional that day as we left the ultrasound, but two days later, I wasn't really thinking about it. Imagining what a girl would be like, and then imagining what a boy would be like helped me get over it as I loved both scenarios equally in my mind.<br />
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I have been feeling pretty good these last 5 or 6 weeks. Every now and then I will have a nauseous day, but I feel like those terrible days are gone for the most part. Thanks to our dear chiropractor, I have little to no back pain, and getting back into yoga has really helped keep me active on days where it's hard to feel motivated to go outside and walk.<br />
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Landon and I are really excited about this wee one on the way. I keep trying to imagine what a family of four will be like, and it's hard to picture right now. We are always so focused on Finn and what he is doing, that throwing a second one in the mix seems crazy. But I love watching families with two children and how they interact as they shop or eat out. They are so precious.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-13175202632463093922014-01-09T12:54:00.002-05:002014-01-09T12:58:00.406-05:00bathroom refresh inspiration...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Fvp5GQetg/Us7hO_dr-BI/AAAAAAAADvA/C-CqVq2mGwY/s1600/curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Fvp5GQetg/Us7hO_dr-BI/AAAAAAAADvA/C-CqVq2mGwY/s1600/curtains.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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An assignment for the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346">January Cure</a> I'm participating in is to <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/you-can-do-it-pick-a-project-to-cross-off-your-list-this-month-january-cure-assignment-5-198858?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Cure+14+-+Day+5&utm_content=Cure+14+-+Day+5+CID_ea3595a464a984afb5bc692db982a3d0&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_term=You%20Can%20Do%20It%20Pick%20a%20Project%20to%20Cross%20Off%20Your%20List">pick one item</a> off of the project list I created at the beginning of the month. The goal is to finish this assignment before the end of January.<br />
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For my project, I decided to do a bathroom refresh of our master bathroom upstairs. Since a lot of my projects I wrote down were cleaning and organization related, and since a lot of the other assignments will be geared towards those this month, I wanted to pick something I normally wouldn't do.</div>
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Our bathroom is pretty awesome already as the owner updated it before we moved in. But I wanted to add just a few touches to make it even better.</div>
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So here are my goals for our bathroom refresh:</div>
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*Clean out and organize the giant vanity. There are a ton of half-used products, old medicines, and random junk that has accumulated over the past year.</div>
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*Buy a new shower curtain that Landon and I both love. Ours is ok now, but it's very dark, and I don't care for the colors all that much.</div>
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*Buy a new bath mat/rug. We are currently using on that I made three years ago, and it's gotten dingy. I want an actual bath mat that will absorb water well and one that won't show dirt very easily.</div>
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*Fill in an empty space above our toilet. There is an empty hook currently residing there from a previous tenant, and I want to fill it with either a small crate for toilet paper, or a small piece of artwork.</div>
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*Make homemade lotion for beside the sink, and homemade shampoo for the shower. My mother-in-law gave us some pump tops for mason jars, so I'll just those two for this project. I found an easy <a href="http://muffindiaries.com/2012/10/20/book-review-and-a-diy-project-homemade-lotion/">lotion recipe</a> online, and I am hunting for a simple castille soap-based recipe for the shampoo.</div>
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From my inspiration boards, you can tell I'm going for a natural, simple look. I want to keep our bathroom as light and airy as possible since it tends to get dark in there.</div>
<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-89859811920207992582014-01-07T11:50:00.000-05:002014-01-07T11:50:51.479-05:00winter days...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Highlights from the past few days:<br />
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*10 inches of gloriously beautiful snow. Also, sub-freezing temps that are colder today than those at the South Pole. Ridiculous! It's been keeping the frozen wonderland very pretty though. We have ventured out a few times, and Finn loves it!<br />
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*Eating better than we did during the holidays. January is always a great time to refocus on eating well. My midwife would be proud of my attempts these past few days. I've significantly upped my water intake, I've had dark leafy greens for almost every meal, and we got some high quality hormone-free beef to enjoy in some delicious roasts, soups, and whatnot. Eating well really impacts my energy levels, and my body loves the good food.<br />
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*Vegging. Like, a lot. Finn can work his PBS Kids app better than Landon or I, and he enjoys cuddling up and watching some shows while I work or read. We do limit his screen time, so he also has been playing very well on his own during his non-ipad hours.<br />
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I finished, with a ton of help from Landon, cleaning all of our floors yesterday. The <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346">January Cure</a> has been so refreshing to participate in, and I already know we will accomplish a lot this month. It's so nice to look around and see the fresh floors and the flowers on our table. I am excited for each day's assignment coming up!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-75174972141531496522014-01-03T13:24:00.000-05:002014-01-03T13:24:14.735-05:00brighten...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346">January Cure</a> assignments for today through Sunday was to buy fresh flowers for our home. With the extremely cold weather predicted this weekend, some flowers are really nice to add to the indoor brightness. Finn helped me pick these out from our local grocery store, and I love how they look on our table. Maybe this will become a regular thing around here.<br />
Happy weekend, everyone!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-5490096418226333912014-01-02T11:21:00.000-05:002014-01-02T11:21:10.701-05:00a break, new year, new news...<br />
Yes, it has been awhile since I've posted here. A lot has happened since September, so I will fill you in. Life got busy fast, and I just needed a break for a little bit.<br />
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The biggest piece of news is that I am pregnant with our second baby! Here's a peek at my 18 week bump.<br />
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I got pretty sick again this time like I did with Finn, so I was out of order for a few months while my dear husband cooked, took care of our boy, and took care of me. But I am feeling myself now, and super excited for this wee one coming in June! We are planning a home birth, and loving every minute of our experience so far.<br />
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Finn turned two in November, and he is growing into a little boy each day. He is talking in small sentences, using clear words more often, and is a good helper in the kitchen. Love that kid.<br />
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We had a great holiday season, with parties, family time, good food, and so many memories made. It's easy to be inspired and positive this time of year, and it makes me grateful for all the blessings in our life.<br />
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Now that January is here, Landon and I are hoping to be intentional about this new year. I don't like making resolutions, rather goals. We have a few big ones in mind, and some little personal ones. More than anything though, I just want to enjoy each day and try to live them to the fullest.<br />
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One goal I have is de-cluttering and re-organizing the house...a common New Year's task, but a worthy one, I believe. I have signed up for <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy's</a> <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346">January Cure</a>, and I am really eager to start on the assignments. Today, I am doing a walk-through to note anything that needs attention in our home. I'll be making a project list and working off of that. I know for sure our garage needs an overhaul, and the bathroom cabinet could use a good cleaning out. This is my first time participating in this cure, but I'm excited that it will give me some great ideas to use all throughout the year for a fresh, clean home. Back with updates on the cure this month.<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
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<br />Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-86170093563261614162013-09-27T09:35:00.000-04:002013-09-27T09:35:50.268-04:00an anniversary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five years ago today, a handsome boy from Ohio, who flew over 2000 miles to Oregon, proposed to his girl in a field over-looking the Portland airport at night. She said yes, and they've been together ever since. It was the perfect setting, the most romantic gesture, and a story to tell children and grandchildren for years to come.<br />
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Celebrating our engagement anniversary today. Landon's taking off work early and we've cleared the entire afternoon to spend time together...our most favorite thing to do.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-65322949350102573762013-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-26T09:41:52.109-04:00little moments...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When life gets so busy that I forget which things I need to make priorities in my life, I see an image like this in our home and it brings me back to reality.<br />
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There's nothing sweeter than watching my husband parent our son in a loving, patient way. I see so much of Landon when I look at Finn, and I see how Finn looks up to his dad and admires him greatly. It makes my heart so happy when I see them together.<br />
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Life can easily become caught up in new gadgets, latest trends, money, materials, status. But at the end of the day, all those things don't <i>really</i> matter as much as building relationships and setting a foundation of kindness, love, and morals for our children.<br />
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I will be savoring these little moments as I see them, and always remember these early years in Finn's life. I am a truly blessed mama and wife. God is good.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-32116591352142339792013-09-25T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-25T09:00:01.552-04:00DIY toms makeover...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone gave me a pair of toms a couple years ago, and I wore them a ton...so much that my toes started wearing holes in the ends of the shoes. I started looking at some new models online and almost bought a new pair, then hearing my husband's voice of frugalness in my head, I thought about trying to save some dough and see if I could refurbish my old ones first.<br />
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Fortunately for me, the toe-hole-wearing-out problem is a common one, and there are tutorials of plenty online. I decided I'd make a go at recovering the ends of my toms, and if it proved to be a horrible mess at the end, I'd buy some new ones, feeling satisfied that I had at least tried my best.<br />
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After reading some advice and tutorials, I bought some fabric glue and a remnant of printed canvas material, and set to work.<br />
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I sewed a straight seam on one end of the fabric and cut out two pieces. I lined up the sewn seam with the diagonal front seam on the shoes, then glued everything on. I feel like my fabric glue was either cheap or just not working well, so I broke out my super glue to give the edges a good solid stick.<br />
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I won't give all the steps because it was a <s>pretty</s> completely thrown together project. But, they turned out decent-ish, and if I can get them to last another year, I'll be happy. Part of me was a <i>tiny</i> bit disappointed I liked the turn out since that meant no new toms for me right now, but the more I wear them around, the more I love them. It feels good to make something last just a little longer, and being able to spend some time crafting does a body good.Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086173967890508651.post-82628766219102774842013-09-24T09:35:00.001-04:002013-09-24T09:35:47.016-04:00mama style: fall is here!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfV2MT7TFVs/UkGTN7U4y1I/AAAAAAAADq8/J9phILhJlxk/s1600/9.24.13-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfV2MT7TFVs/UkGTN7U4y1I/AAAAAAAADq8/J9phILhJlxk/s400/9.24.13-1.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweater Dress, H&M<br />Tights, Target<br />Boots, Charlotte Russe</td></tr>
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I am so excited for fall!!!! It's my favorite time of the year, and it's the best season, in my opinion. Apple cider, bright skies, crisp air, pumpkins, warm fires, layering clothes, my boots, flannel, spices, crunchy leaves...I love it all.<br />
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While it's officially fall here, the mornings are really cool but the afternoons are still wonderfully warm and comfortable. We are enjoying this gorgeous weather and making the most of these beautiful days.<br />
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We did a mini photo shoot on our patio on Sunday since we got dressed up a little more to head to church. Finn was happy to help out. I love him in his little flannel. :) <br />
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Here's to all the mamas out there. You are beautiful and lovely!Leah Rifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05843324234310268331noreply@blogger.com1