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Hartley Hooligans Hero Halloween!
In typical Hartley fashion, we may or may not have gone a wee bit overboard on Halloween yet again this year. Â We like to blame it on peer pressure, as our neighbors all do the same damn thing, but in...
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Getting A Grasp
Claire Elise  ~  11.4.2015 during Occupational Therapy  ~ #ballislifeDictionary.com defines the word grasp as follows:graspverb (used with object)1.to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the...
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Time Warp
December 7, 2015I don't know what it is about early mornings when I'm sleep deprived and exhausted both physically and emotionally that really gets my mind goin'. And by goin', I mean crazy talk. The...
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I love you every step of the way
A few nights ago, I dreamt that Lola could walk.We were on a trip together, and I was holding her in my arms as I often do. Apparently just the two of us went to run an errand, and while there, I...
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CODE YELLOW!
(NOTE: Â Real Feta is considerably less red in the head/claw region than the chicken pictured above.An impostor chicken was used for the "LOST!" poster, as real Bok was MIA.)On the morning of January 8,...
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Thankful Thursday ~ BBC Radio
Yesterday I was interviewed by Julian Marshall of BBC Radio regarding microcephaly and the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus which is believed to be causing microcephaly in newborns whose mothers were...
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CODE YELLOW... THE SAGA CONTINUES!
When we last left you, our cocky companion, Bok, was teetering on the edge of his destiny, unsure of whether to go toward the light or return to Earth with his BFF, Lola. Â It was touch & go for...
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The Perfect Cheer
Back around Christmastime, I had the pleasure of seeing my friend, Danielle (& her family) from high school. One of her daughters -- Mady -- is a cheerleader at a nearby school that Cal's team...
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Finding The Light
Growing up and living in Kansas my entire life, I have always loved sunflowers. Since Scott & I have been together, he has often given me sunflower bouquets. They are stunningly gorgeous, unique,...
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Feel Better Friends
This past week, we were completely BLOWN AWAY when these Feel Better Friends arrived on our doorstep, courtesy of our new friend, Michele Llamas-White. Â She had contacted us months ago and expressed...
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TEN
Today you are 10 years old, my darling Lola. I can barely wrap my mind around the fact that you have graced this earth with your sassy presence for a decade now. Â How can that be? Â Is it that whole...
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Finding Answers
It isn't a secret that Us Hooligans have been MIA lately, and for the first time ever, I am perfectly OK with it. My most recent blogging hiatus was so needed after a CRAZYYYYYYY winter/spring with all...
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Thankful Thirsty Thursday
So, a few days ago, this happened... again! Â (My longtime followers might remember THIS VIDEO I posted on YouTube back in July 2013.) Â We were between feedings, and both Scott & I stopped to get a...
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We've got answers!
9.30.16 Â ~ Â Microcephaly Awareness Day with my homegirlsI am embarrassed that it has been MONTHS since I last updated my blog. Â You guys know me well enough by now to know that when large amounts of...
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Self Care (in La Paz, Mexico!)
I remember after we had Claire, feeling very much like I should not ask ANYONE for help. Â I wanted people to know that I could handle two kids, and to me, at that time, asking for assistance with...
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I'm at it again...
You're welcome in advance for not sharing every single one of my completely-fucked-up-to-the-point-you-would-be-concerned-for-my-actual-health-and-well-being dreams with you on a daily basis. Â I'm not...
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Thankful Thursday
Today I am thankful that Natalie, Chris & Gerald took the time to share our family's story recently. Â I have updated my blog's Media page with our most recent interviews, but I wanted to share them...
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Nipples galore!
*NOTE:  PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG POST!!!!!  (Read below to see why!)Me & Pocket  ~  3.29.17HEY, GUYS!  You might remember the below picture I posted on my personal Facebook page and my Hartley...
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Better
Two nights ago, I dreamt that Claire spoke her very first word ever. It was not my usual type of dream because I didn't dream she was radically different or more advanced. I dreamt she was exactly as...
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Claire's Night to Shine
On Friday, February 9, 2018, our sweet Claire, whom we never thought would ever get to take part in "normal" high school activities, WENT TO THE PROM. And not just any prom... she went to the Tim...
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Bottles & Buckets
Lola ~ April 22, 2018Last night as I was feeding Lola her bottle, I remembered something important I wanted to share with all of you. Let me back up for a minute...When Claire was born almost 17...
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I SEE YOU.
To those of you feeling underappreciated, overlooked & unloved... I SEE YOU.To anyone feeling lost, hopeless, depressed, anxious and heartbroken... I SEE YOU.To my friends who have lost children...
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Rest in peace, sweet Claire...
Claire Elise Hartley July 25, 2001 ~ December 17, 2018[Post from Facebook on December 18, 2018]We are absolutely devastated to have lost our sweet Claire last night. Her body systems shut down,...
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Rest in paradise, my darling Lola...
Lola Grace Hartley April 28, 2006 ~ October 12, 2019[Post from Facebook on October 12, 2019]Early this morning, with a full moon shining in our PICU window, our sweet Lola ascended into the Heavens to...
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My Daughter, The Warrior
Last week, I donated some clothing to our local DAV. I didn't really think of which route I would be following to get there, but I ended up having to drive right by the hospital where we lost our sweet...
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