tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340961049519814492024-02-06T19:33:45.593-08:00our sweet messushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-59604058152092392482016-01-23T19:23:00.001-08:002016-01-23T19:23:19.187-08:00J.O.Y.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
what do you do when you are given 30 days to relocate your family, and your move date falls the week before christmas?!<br />
<br />
first, you scream, cry, pout and lose your mind for (ehem!) a while!<br />
<br />
then you pull it together and set up your christmas tree anyways!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6Jv8H9pv87ob1jFw79bz7fvXjEH0cLrlLhyXYyCLMQeVw0F9hmKYmdVzZnJzbydQBiogZmxSC4AOXdfB5Kt4fkZyIV0bF3GhkwAk8IZtkHtCiYiwTwsQZxTdhc5gSDzDdzNX2aLJPRI/s1600/PEGP1044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6Jv8H9pv87ob1jFw79bz7fvXjEH0cLrlLhyXYyCLMQeVw0F9hmKYmdVzZnJzbydQBiogZmxSC4AOXdfB5Kt4fkZyIV0bF3GhkwAk8IZtkHtCiYiwTwsQZxTdhc5gSDzDdzNX2aLJPRI/s400/PEGP1044.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ztjmpqRspdPVNeUWsqT2yYJOOqTBLMLwxhZwjfKXA2Lm_JGM4YYAXlx5oJFACVUtXllRvx1SVViKdxJCXnNQGr0FqkVn3cp5APA0DbFZumhB3AGTWdqg51nEvETx7bTUu09UfJcAGmk/s1600/WYSA7285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ztjmpqRspdPVNeUWsqT2yYJOOqTBLMLwxhZwjfKXA2Lm_JGM4YYAXlx5oJFACVUtXllRvx1SVViKdxJCXnNQGr0FqkVn3cp5APA0DbFZumhB3AGTWdqg51nEvETx7bTUu09UfJcAGmk/s640/WYSA7285.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
next...the night before you move, you shove said tree into the back of your trusty mini van and sneak into the new place at night to set it up again to surprise your super-duper-flexible kiddos who have moved more times than they can count!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k2B1SwHgyDkDx6ChMnn_Hy9ol49SZyXkPVfZ2SplfVzjr2GiIM7Rqi23rTuM_w14yPF-auR-hNEL_0u4xFw9tSFwc68GHVfGM1sKaGMCs8zgeNuzjCdBtk650evrYGmPl2Q2EVI8028/s1600/IMG_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k2B1SwHgyDkDx6ChMnn_Hy9ol49SZyXkPVfZ2SplfVzjr2GiIM7Rqi23rTuM_w14yPF-auR-hNEL_0u4xFw9tSFwc68GHVfGM1sKaGMCs8zgeNuzjCdBtk650evrYGmPl2Q2EVI8028/s400/IMG_5281.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
lastly...when you realize that there is are blocks of JOY literally a short walk away from your new place...you make it your family photo (and motto!!) for the new year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4zjhzjjCpQWtPB7Ef7WhojZodGhr2aQVqG_lLktHZPQNGdx2Je1daaqb_ztwxGiD_kEJiIOLEqUFoMOBn9ZsQ74tEOi3X06PMZoG1GXD1Lpv-NcsZDp0-vcapKf7SPJ3zAeRlWRvV_Y/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4zjhzjjCpQWtPB7Ef7WhojZodGhr2aQVqG_lLktHZPQNGdx2Je1daaqb_ztwxGiD_kEJiIOLEqUFoMOBn9ZsQ74tEOi3X06PMZoG1GXD1Lpv-NcsZDp0-vcapKf7SPJ3zAeRlWRvV_Y/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
God is good...ever and always!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-80892467660334199822015-09-14T15:14:00.003-07:002015-09-14T15:17:26.287-07:00backtoschool!year three of attempting to homeschool our sweetmess...<br />
<br />
first...we smooshed one last looong, restful and AMAZING trip to LA for endless fun, friends and beach time!!! (pt dume is the BEST!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hCGf6Fpg6VnM_Y9Jeer1EkhEsQ14D4HExJlF2JfLvn15hUgJMU3OWm5QDVCdsEajEQvmcVYrnY_hlyGqjjWaMib1xar6g5kb7fjjw06aFhOiGfzFnzy-lnJeuIUDPLbvVMJQwGMYPQI/s1600/IMG_3957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hCGf6Fpg6VnM_Y9Jeer1EkhEsQ14D4HExJlF2JfLvn15hUgJMU3OWm5QDVCdsEajEQvmcVYrnY_hlyGqjjWaMib1xar6g5kb7fjjw06aFhOiGfzFnzy-lnJeuIUDPLbvVMJQwGMYPQI/s320/IMG_3957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
our first day of school started with this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH1HhU2LqS3xhuDkqHRByJijW7laGS5qow2UPrU58GhkGwRG9OAN9vziu4IVxsTxWr8WpIUs6mruNxJksFcPAqGyZf90fkZfNsuSEu3N1ydXSCapGpMzV4JPK-SsoLwKV2rzWH9EaAiw/s1600/IMG_3973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH1HhU2LqS3xhuDkqHRByJijW7laGS5qow2UPrU58GhkGwRG9OAN9vziu4IVxsTxWr8WpIUs6mruNxJksFcPAqGyZf90fkZfNsuSEu3N1ydXSCapGpMzV4JPK-SsoLwKV2rzWH9EaAiw/s320/IMG_3973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
our fav breakfast joint in fresno!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfDS_4rry5YHXf81XIaZRv-iSPgR2Rdkluza270XOn78Nj4H2VsedCGx2bsGhgPamOp9eMVR2fUe7OoDJlOZYMUqd6ToPJPSUs86NCFSBhpJgFc7LbXE9WrNc9kRmsyoGhttS-LD9MKs/s1600/IMG_4040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfDS_4rry5YHXf81XIaZRv-iSPgR2Rdkluza270XOn78Nj4H2VsedCGx2bsGhgPamOp9eMVR2fUe7OoDJlOZYMUqd6ToPJPSUs86NCFSBhpJgFc7LbXE9WrNc9kRmsyoGhttS-LD9MKs/s320/IMG_4040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
first day of school pics of these precious ones!! 4th grader!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURScEj9D1_y46nzKVOQlqnT7XeWeoWPSx9CAqIeQfCluugqXBt-2src0S1JoCDmv8zRiO43Zzaua_ZtiDSR0Nxauaai2GK8NCE-ESJ4rgkP8ybajujuFhN81IAddOrT-FrDRUM9jD6xY/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURScEj9D1_y46nzKVOQlqnT7XeWeoWPSx9CAqIeQfCluugqXBt-2src0S1JoCDmv8zRiO43Zzaua_ZtiDSR0Nxauaai2GK8NCE-ESJ4rgkP8ybajujuFhN81IAddOrT-FrDRUM9jD6xY/s320/IMG_3994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyuUjP1RsU8PgHTbX_CY9w7yAasXfK5VgXW385iv0aL4EMPl63tSfTFHUl-iYx4och2ucmodFJmYD1Oh0DdNLwDUJ5eskRdDAn-CsZ955RkaQDatT98h9-Pn1jICAe8XL3dRja6idhM/s1600/IMG_3995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyuUjP1RsU8PgHTbX_CY9w7yAasXfK5VgXW385iv0aL4EMPl63tSfTFHUl-iYx4och2ucmodFJmYD1Oh0DdNLwDUJ5eskRdDAn-CsZ955RkaQDatT98h9-Pn1jICAe8XL3dRja6idhM/s320/IMG_3995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
2nd grader!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6th grader!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and our 7th grader!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XBp6iPdewDj9voxaFT-e9lQ1z_JTSZlayoFnZOtpQjb6wwvilgrp946xYTLtc6anCeOhWd-JBnlbdT-je7plO3KHy0kGXQN8tmRelmTP1xG9tNjzsYYaLiGSvs_j5gSK7Su63_z01hk/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XBp6iPdewDj9voxaFT-e9lQ1z_JTSZlayoFnZOtpQjb6wwvilgrp946xYTLtc6anCeOhWd-JBnlbdT-je7plO3KHy0kGXQN8tmRelmTP1xG9tNjzsYYaLiGSvs_j5gSK7Su63_z01hk/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
our fun first day ended with this...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a mild concussion from (ehem!) trying to jump onto an exercise ball! after a quick ER visit, we were reassured that she would survive!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the massive goose egg (right side of her head) went down WAY before her double black eyes went away! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz7w6RVMfa_SPaJ_hkOxHgMNr1QIZxyLuHZYr91fh44OK7hPIfq9m95IFK6JPLEfI0wL03hFYTdbxvKomCAtzKjjf8E0PFrzWdfYvkzxEK7CQ3oGNd1GW-w9_-mHPuhJToidMCQXwrG0/s1600/IMG_4032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz7w6RVMfa_SPaJ_hkOxHgMNr1QIZxyLuHZYr91fh44OK7hPIfq9m95IFK6JPLEfI0wL03hFYTdbxvKomCAtzKjjf8E0PFrzWdfYvkzxEK7CQ3oGNd1GW-w9_-mHPuhJToidMCQXwrG0/s320/IMG_4032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
all in all, a wild start to year three!!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-39451359568787295342015-08-06T10:54:00.001-07:002015-08-06T10:54:26.676-07:00happy first day of august<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInj9MCDb1a9d8ftp2BpwCBMpGaAMIDEORJJs7Nt-VV-V2ubtF7mPLP_FbaJUw5bN9vKy897jyCC10E_lOGFvWysWJqV3alWzlQTi8ViNkZwIM0sT0X26vY4-SNFCYY_l2wZ9UhjrpjpI/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInj9MCDb1a9d8ftp2BpwCBMpGaAMIDEORJJs7Nt-VV-V2ubtF7mPLP_FbaJUw5bN9vKy897jyCC10E_lOGFvWysWJqV3alWzlQTi8ViNkZwIM0sT0X26vY4-SNFCYY_l2wZ9UhjrpjpI/s320/IMG_3740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
did you know???? its been literally a year since i posted anything to this silly family blog!?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVppCMAZAVeWeH0DrofbbkwBxmBt2NH_-hI4SyXJ1wH75zafpdQNN4OVgrUocRUDJOwEK5SqYpomUnrl4MioGt_4LjZ7Y6fxvXWj5e0-A_u_C_ju8LDCdJN1eh0iIJJVA1_Hs_9pZANjM/s1600/IMG_3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVppCMAZAVeWeH0DrofbbkwBxmBt2NH_-hI4SyXJ1wH75zafpdQNN4OVgrUocRUDJOwEK5SqYpomUnrl4MioGt_4LjZ7Y6fxvXWj5e0-A_u_C_ju8LDCdJN1eh0iIJJVA1_Hs_9pZANjM/s400/IMG_3743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
i was really sad initially about this truth. how could i let SO much time slip by without capturing in words and photos all that is oursweetmess?!<br />
<br />
but i have come to remember some sweet words that i read once, long ago...my lack of documentation of all that fills our days is proof that i was fully in those moments...not taking even a second of time to stop and write it all down! hopefully the blog posts in my mind will stand the test of time!<br />
<br />
for now...here is a moment of celebration...our family has a funny tradition of celebrating the first day of august! it started years ago when i was looking for an excuse to make a cake! after making a homemade chocolate cake (yummy recipe from my mom!) my kids asked what the cake was for...who were we celebrating?<br />
<br />
i thought about it...saw the calendar, and declared, "We are celebrating the first day of august!"<br />
<br />
it stuck!<br />
<br />
now living in the central valley where it is nearly illegal to turn on your oven, baking anything is pretty much akin to SUICIDE! so...we have taken to ice cream creations...like this ice cream cookie sandwich!<br />
<br />
Messy, but yummy!!!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-85624002520339538662014-08-25T16:43:00.001-07:002014-08-25T16:43:06.246-07:00underwater basketball???did you know??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwaZnN-5SQlh5cU_0cdUlzU9n1cgEAUcWCeImzFWTDg5wp7hfZZZTb1DCsLI6KTOXlOZb_8jlz_OdDKZjOsnhPrt1wrdVHXbL4x7KAm7T0XvJvbnXoJIFp48FxtQGHqkMQpvDcLLdvuk/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwaZnN-5SQlh5cU_0cdUlzU9n1cgEAUcWCeImzFWTDg5wp7hfZZZTb1DCsLI6KTOXlOZb_8jlz_OdDKZjOsnhPrt1wrdVHXbL4x7KAm7T0XvJvbnXoJIFp48FxtQGHqkMQpvDcLLdvuk/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
that if you fill a balloon with water you can play basket ball underwater!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqmIkC2TmpC8jGV-JE4C1_Pkfv_zJWakbN-qHH2ESvHx_0fL0wp1Z9oH5NdZA7VW-zwAJgzKlvPPlIwmLANNZQPlupQg66MwEfN-bIWQ4PTZgQb6Cd0L3vA8V27JKbITFpY19WA1H9AM/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqmIkC2TmpC8jGV-JE4C1_Pkfv_zJWakbN-qHH2ESvHx_0fL0wp1Z9oH5NdZA7VW-zwAJgzKlvPPlIwmLANNZQPlupQg66MwEfN-bIWQ4PTZgQb6Cd0L3vA8V27JKbITFpY19WA1H9AM/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
we've added it to our list of super fun ways to beat the endless central california heat :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMNzqJnVJiVRNseVtkveA3i5lePOydDXKPmL9CIAeTZPRBtv4IypkQbtUupuuStDrJe1ykAlKAcnoiNufYAl1rffYSrIUkHlZXjv9YawyzS7hOC2nGz9vQqUAuZF7oopyEr7ZJbIXvT0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMNzqJnVJiVRNseVtkveA3i5lePOydDXKPmL9CIAeTZPRBtv4IypkQbtUupuuStDrJe1ykAlKAcnoiNufYAl1rffYSrIUkHlZXjv9YawyzS7hOC2nGz9vQqUAuZF7oopyEr7ZJbIXvT0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXmmidynpbbLLnk1w5HPkZ4ntITmY9iHipCb4XrnaGecStX1zBx1X6BOjv0Xfjc04Edkv7InArb6Y72zSfqHs0UUP8U4U0VOsFhMA5K_tWZl4KOyyKEPZrFt8AIiLI0m2lpsodieZ5Fc/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXmmidynpbbLLnk1w5HPkZ4ntITmY9iHipCb4XrnaGecStX1zBx1X6BOjv0Xfjc04Edkv7InArb6Y72zSfqHs0UUP8U4U0VOsFhMA5K_tWZl4KOyyKEPZrFt8AIiLI0m2lpsodieZ5Fc/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuBKmWobmRUDA8u40J7kD8HQBIqCdj8lQZocNUVpHgBtyIRcQnHabsQysfPzrmdeb9sUznHfYTPYznOLUoZ0h65mviSYeDetYtJU46P5JCufCRzXkrWtfG_m7OXOxL8e8644JFF72ZR0/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuBKmWobmRUDA8u40J7kD8HQBIqCdj8lQZocNUVpHgBtyIRcQnHabsQysfPzrmdeb9sUznHfYTPYznOLUoZ0h65mviSYeDetYtJU46P5JCufCRzXkrWtfG_m7OXOxL8e8644JFF72ZR0/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
sweet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC9ZjyJIgqLJKhzbob8u1cW2AWr2zrz31UUi-Ph1E_K2VqS3UGEfVn2Bl-0dHFCoPUsTLnRjak5X8iAgjLqQPAsh8fqO5xEEvnR_jzFgdsL_ue1vySBGH_6XpAIJLy_MY77sZutLZa1E/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC9ZjyJIgqLJKhzbob8u1cW2AWr2zrz31UUi-Ph1E_K2VqS3UGEfVn2Bl-0dHFCoPUsTLnRjak5X8iAgjLqQPAsh8fqO5xEEvnR_jzFgdsL_ue1vySBGH_6XpAIJLy_MY77sZutLZa1E/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
hours of fun!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-13197200921205129712014-08-20T14:39:00.002-07:002014-08-20T14:39:29.650-07:00El! Ay!...and when you return from said oregon road trip, exhausted from packing and unpacking your sweetmess 10 times in 10 days and the city in which you currently hang your hat is STILL over 100 F nearly 24 hours a day, what then?<br />
<br />
what is a momma of four homeschooled "humans in training" supposed to do? i mean, really people?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdPMOOm0-5raM-2A0we9NrGGfv0Ky8GMQgOgSjnfTEubOFcH8xlrsh_PJwWP7OlDV8F1nvoDG_eus3_3J45fL1zzVaF_3AoC3vjpB8BedF8C_b01F2nvJSoXBv074GJuW3cweRYxEHk/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdPMOOm0-5raM-2A0we9NrGGfv0Ky8GMQgOgSjnfTEubOFcH8xlrsh_PJwWP7OlDV8F1nvoDG_eus3_3J45fL1zzVaF_3AoC3vjpB8BedF8C_b01F2nvJSoXBv074GJuW3cweRYxEHk/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
well, first, you style your hair in your best "up do"...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0m7ngzSrn0Sb_XOtZGfO1jgCXDy8ZK7TO0sXOdDQ3RfscMA_iiP3B8y0zitHvB_AfX4RmYk8zgF257N3tjf7DynuHbJKjZQt2w7_No3USq02U-omRQ-ZzPXgbmQ-IVjFmo1K4Eeba0s/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0m7ngzSrn0Sb_XOtZGfO1jgCXDy8ZK7TO0sXOdDQ3RfscMA_iiP3B8y0zitHvB_AfX4RmYk8zgF257N3tjf7DynuHbJKjZQt2w7_No3USq02U-omRQ-ZzPXgbmQ-IVjFmo1K4Eeba0s/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
and then you load up that trusty mini van and head south....till you get to pt. dume! (think half dome, but at the edge of zuma beach in north malibu!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94MW-KRfmfBrGdvUlrrb27ZQajVMvoYBCjdb9cHMAS3K1A3kn54fRUdKwesyUb48nQwmAUTJ8syzq7hUTdEVS3o30vn4U8e_yoB1NZu7RUz592svkcsDfLeFD9Jh9yucr65TgIXrwrlk/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94MW-KRfmfBrGdvUlrrb27ZQajVMvoYBCjdb9cHMAS3K1A3kn54fRUdKwesyUb48nQwmAUTJ8syzq7hUTdEVS3o30vn4U8e_yoB1NZu7RUz592svkcsDfLeFD9Jh9yucr65TgIXrwrlk/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
and once you have watched dolphins and seals play in the surf and soaked in all the sand and sun one little body can contain...you hit a local burger joint with 8 kids, 12 and under, for wild fun! (including a splits contest! nathan rocked the straddle splits!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyJ2Z3Qe9RsBAgoenO7Yi8cUXnqlMCEkhbvDiLfmrTYjHg7ipFVtP68mjd0mEJuNNn2hEZVcHCuA7Kg-8QwbEGP4U5_u9ErdwRIsXBKJSo4NcteXdeEhS6SzmApEj3u0ZrN3wOHKEWeU/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyJ2Z3Qe9RsBAgoenO7Yi8cUXnqlMCEkhbvDiLfmrTYjHg7ipFVtP68mjd0mEJuNNn2hEZVcHCuA7Kg-8QwbEGP4U5_u9ErdwRIsXBKJSo4NcteXdeEhS6SzmApEj3u0ZrN3wOHKEWeU/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
since "back home" is still way too hot, you stay the WHOLE week in an AMAZING house that is graciously offered to you while your dear friends {the owners} are on vacation!! that way you have loads of time to climb trees with friends, play at all your old favorite parks, enjoy the views while you lay flat on your back doing NOTHING...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh0frRi64JX86JSFHsZb-Nk5jf3TASvKG3QgBpJ6_seNhzL9JjVLGRbEHr883qkqIRkSayqiFqyoOL6MT6sRebywI2Ysc_dq2PZmwRIXRDl_GCZodCcvAiEiQr3GJqBNJoR-GV3XqqhU/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh0frRi64JX86JSFHsZb-Nk5jf3TASvKG3QgBpJ6_seNhzL9JjVLGRbEHr883qkqIRkSayqiFqyoOL6MT6sRebywI2Ysc_dq2PZmwRIXRDl_GCZodCcvAiEiQr3GJqBNJoR-GV3XqqhU/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
and conquer a long standing fear of heights!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCxgUELiuUDrgFBDJL4V-fgSlLrrwQY9duz8q340us2NCeQgSZdlHppnVdyxPJ2xzwVGhjWjLWt3EEtQF3SSMhxmoQhdJoidjHmXdF0tcxZ-YxHwhllzdOEyfYIL3CSHiUqsoaw_fCNI/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCxgUELiuUDrgFBDJL4V-fgSlLrrwQY9duz8q340us2NCeQgSZdlHppnVdyxPJ2xzwVGhjWjLWt3EEtQF3SSMhxmoQhdJoidjHmXdF0tcxZ-YxHwhllzdOEyfYIL3CSHiUqsoaw_fCNI/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuW6y_JKe1bIhbb7uRT4brUx7zIXPkhUjoPKn-8UJr77Fksm3RQLJ3of8wu6UidFshofvMahNZJ-oOtBiRbuxWg_HuCcLBJwSQSpPalmlVZ-Fk6FLBFgO3yL5eqro8hFU46fxxeimc5o/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuW6y_JKe1bIhbb7uRT4brUx7zIXPkhUjoPKn-8UJr77Fksm3RQLJ3of8wu6UidFshofvMahNZJ-oOtBiRbuxWg_HuCcLBJwSQSpPalmlVZ-Fk6FLBFgO3yL5eqro8hFU46fxxeimc5o/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
(yup! that's right folks, those are <i>jeans</i>...in august!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-lfnPU9_addLEcgwzmk7wCUZ5Nl3nvOA_qlMJIC9oozCO7Be6m6bE-OUmXDUQ-OkIREZzs_P4TLPiUCsJUu0mzOm7WN6UIYY2YInsoNfdfBNW_eaAmvEDXHp_IJwhD0zFxPrD5uhd70/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-lfnPU9_addLEcgwzmk7wCUZ5Nl3nvOA_qlMJIC9oozCO7Be6m6bE-OUmXDUQ-OkIREZzs_P4TLPiUCsJUu0mzOm7WN6UIYY2YInsoNfdfBNW_eaAmvEDXHp_IJwhD0zFxPrD5uhd70/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and no vacation would be complete without a little face painting with good friends!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b13agiGYu-L2rj8P1he01PwUpnfdE5Na4i8qDWJUzmPDOY3i9hFSG0CoZuMB2yhXVwQdPvLdW6CSyobx_mD9aPv8KrHM01WDLGManSplaDbM5xZkl9XDYtjYJYvBS9ew7aAqc_kR7aQ/s1600/IMG_1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b13agiGYu-L2rj8P1he01PwUpnfdE5Na4i8qDWJUzmPDOY3i9hFSG0CoZuMB2yhXVwQdPvLdW6CSyobx_mD9aPv8KrHM01WDLGManSplaDbM5xZkl9XDYtjYJYvBS9ew7aAqc_kR7aQ/s1600/IMG_1842.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
If you've not yet experienced the street lights exhibit at the LACMA, really, you must go! (i know a few folks you could stay with!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyYZ5aaU4Z7Z2NK1zyVryj0eGYp8MFAdLZeJmH92dgoA2TK5qEkcLkTmkUxOeDF4hj441PKm0QrTj1VQLHHsTdCvsejD6p1nDMINwsuCwqrXQY9IUfdOqmxA5piRS-TFuXUd0CeQPCWk/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyYZ5aaU4Z7Z2NK1zyVryj0eGYp8MFAdLZeJmH92dgoA2TK5qEkcLkTmkUxOeDF4hj441PKm0QrTj1VQLHHsTdCvsejD6p1nDMINwsuCwqrXQY9IUfdOqmxA5piRS-TFuXUd0CeQPCWk/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
and while you are visiting the exhibit, the try playing hide and seek in it after the sun sets, with 12 kids!!! a total blast! but, count heads before leaving...we nearly left one behind!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcuOaVpJsqH-a_h5NLXdwj2lzMhASXLvLAbltzE-DB-ZIQgKOp52LVN_blnhVcO9yYllWhK1UxdOTBIAfgBT9p8VYLMDs8me8kEfcXTrlTiZgxNJUKLL3cAQTpOmYcgyK6Lkon6RVzKM/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcuOaVpJsqH-a_h5NLXdwj2lzMhASXLvLAbltzE-DB-ZIQgKOp52LVN_blnhVcO9yYllWhK1UxdOTBIAfgBT9p8VYLMDs8me8kEfcXTrlTiZgxNJUKLL3cAQTpOmYcgyK6Lkon6RVzKM/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
lastly...in order to best prepare yourselves for re-entry back into the reality of life in the dry, hot central valley, a few rounds of twister in the old neighborhood are a must! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q9UvDy0aLmFxZc2JdJ5es-1paYyfrFg34t9i6JslI_D3SMtFDuSvKP2YBCZyhUNr5_V6Tvy4CQnjEJR4S2n0t4ubVdfRoQalJnezeMBqetF30M469WNkI_ng1UuD4HoIPN6R3Xkx0VQ/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q9UvDy0aLmFxZc2JdJ5es-1paYyfrFg34t9i6JslI_D3SMtFDuSvKP2YBCZyhUNr5_V6Tvy4CQnjEJR4S2n0t4ubVdfRoQalJnezeMBqetF30M469WNkI_ng1UuD4HoIPN6R3Xkx0VQ/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
as we crested the grape vine and descended back into the new life He has graciously called us to i shed a few tears over the life i had been called to leave behind. but there were also tears of joy as God reminded me of how many ways He has already refined our family into more of His likeness during the past 12 months.<br />
<br />
His grace IS always sufficient.<br />
His mercies ARE always new.<br />
His ways ARE always perfect.<br />
His will IS always right for my life...even this, even now, even here...in stinking hot fresno...and so we WILL rejoice!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-80166094314321857012014-08-11T16:53:00.004-07:002014-08-11T16:53:51.069-07:00fair-N-height<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvoGpMypwN2WDuL1T0-0ZfQs3S-RmQVXTGE8LafqoDljjd9H2PI-EphWZcXnmQrYR2uWhz9MfMaQONqPW7zoXC1uoLYjiCkpPEZd83yV06MWCzWW0k6Y2qnAScv1Rb2YxNyHX005wvxc/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">what do you do when its been over 100 degrees F for over two months, including at midnight!?!?<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvoGpMypwN2WDuL1T0-0ZfQs3S-RmQVXTGE8LafqoDljjd9H2PI-EphWZcXnmQrYR2uWhz9MfMaQONqPW7zoXC1uoLYjiCkpPEZd83yV06MWCzWW0k6Y2qnAScv1Rb2YxNyHX005wvxc/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
first, you go slightly crazy. then, you pack up your circus and take your show on the road...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjfOcw55qC837UEsG6XDqDw3hKaKq4AchXl1kZKqI2lg4Tuu43K7Poca8GOYYsoW8qNcrzfoOCwEQX4n_WqXyCn3-uSc6TqovD7YjWPnN1ZK83PCjqwsfdIU8vqdgOTm9EKqMSdMrXNA/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjfOcw55qC837UEsG6XDqDw3hKaKq4AchXl1kZKqI2lg4Tuu43K7Poca8GOYYsoW8qNcrzfoOCwEQX4n_WqXyCn3-uSc6TqovD7YjWPnN1ZK83PCjqwsfdIU8vqdgOTm9EKqMSdMrXNA/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
a really long road that leads up the Oregon coast!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV14XqTVonD6D3QW5IHfbVoN_PUOJtPHRq8ylG8r0cbE5NHjFthY7T0TqfKiQmBMve0a3MWwW7Pdg0q1KV5MHQQWNwAtlFDYE6yy1FV0VOzAW5N59js2MtGqTy_6rAMpr82X0dWtPGSQ/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV14XqTVonD6D3QW5IHfbVoN_PUOJtPHRq8ylG8r0cbE5NHjFthY7T0TqfKiQmBMve0a3MWwW7Pdg0q1KV5MHQQWNwAtlFDYE6yy1FV0VOzAW5N59js2MtGqTy_6rAMpr82X0dWtPGSQ/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsws8BaqKh5F0SZYAgeQXZApCgBG0T-ryown44UV8XlPAuRGR9SCBlDj9Po1FZ_LqRtOBzIT0_78F0L7nNZ8ZSLD-qTBFJT1g5A2Ibnx3fGZSYh7T87BFdqV7eqQNRdOV1ZUT4rp77mTw/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsws8BaqKh5F0SZYAgeQXZApCgBG0T-ryown44UV8XlPAuRGR9SCBlDj9Po1FZ_LqRtOBzIT0_78F0L7nNZ8ZSLD-qTBFJT1g5A2Ibnx3fGZSYh7T87BFdqV7eqQNRdOV1ZUT4rp77mTw/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
and a wildly long road trip would not be complete without cousins!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaxIzaTj4IZLz3-lQIEvxk4SDYsN__WpwxhPL-uCQik1GJFRZXoPd-GfivoirBV93v0ryyR4pl6HPMikbkgXdJH-a3RD-5cclPBmpjdjyq7Pmu48qsGmw8LGS54U3w0iqK6D91jQ8ues/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaxIzaTj4IZLz3-lQIEvxk4SDYsN__WpwxhPL-uCQik1GJFRZXoPd-GfivoirBV93v0ryyR4pl6HPMikbkgXdJH-a3RD-5cclPBmpjdjyq7Pmu48qsGmw8LGS54U3w0iqK6D91jQ8ues/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
and long, quiet runs on the silently loud beach...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSkNgTG1M3KKkuE3-XY8nS_WrlYb-K6qNv2wAvjuVC1RIBTpPlZmApi2AGK2n00wNBH5IprN-kMIX0MObjaYWjVGRrhtVCKZuR8PCJwWcs5rl3xy0WX99Pmnfecs6SCrU6HumV3idgQo/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSkNgTG1M3KKkuE3-XY8nS_WrlYb-K6qNv2wAvjuVC1RIBTpPlZmApi2AGK2n00wNBH5IprN-kMIX0MObjaYWjVGRrhtVCKZuR8PCJwWcs5rl3xy0WX99Pmnfecs6SCrU6HumV3idgQo/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrI2f4JNvuVYxjT3ADA7VvZbo_h-115lF_mkWp4XjiCZN3RKAGGiy6xCFS6ykNXOMl6qOKe-StIsImRVbTnmSzEfgsdOBVcQBEKrXzqI6evhHoI0JxqNjk75v49vRC7p4u_xQ8O06Ev8/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrI2f4JNvuVYxjT3ADA7VvZbo_h-115lF_mkWp4XjiCZN3RKAGGiy6xCFS6ykNXOMl6qOKe-StIsImRVbTnmSzEfgsdOBVcQBEKrXzqI6evhHoI0JxqNjk75v49vRC7p4u_xQ8O06Ev8/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
plus endless, precious moments with the world's BEST family!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkgWHEwUP6L9usHh8kWaq_DImNSmZzeH78wZWrxryGtDgUinl9TJInI1saIRbfM8D8NP_5hjK4vEnLRtlqmFiFJ4b_TAhno8ciF8zwID8kb89m151Ixfb2cqEfWt0g4tYi9By9P6UamE/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkgWHEwUP6L9usHh8kWaq_DImNSmZzeH78wZWrxryGtDgUinl9TJInI1saIRbfM8D8NP_5hjK4vEnLRtlqmFiFJ4b_TAhno8ciF8zwID8kb89m151Ixfb2cqEfWt0g4tYi9By9P6UamE/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSomUHYX-VBQNU90YtB2DVtx6k1i5c-BzbWp4IuFEtl1piTeg1LXzeuaqQ2_n5y-ui_EUO9IgmvFKYrgI1QU1WiJc2VS9TfN-VRevITtsjgp3eXbGNjn7UNUd3dYVVIVNuK5OZx7ZPNv0/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSomUHYX-VBQNU90YtB2DVtx6k1i5c-BzbWp4IuFEtl1piTeg1LXzeuaqQ2_n5y-ui_EUO9IgmvFKYrgI1QU1WiJc2VS9TfN-VRevITtsjgp3eXbGNjn7UNUd3dYVVIVNuK5OZx7ZPNv0/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
ahhhhhhhhhh!<br />
healing.ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-41108761696351947572014-08-02T16:51:00.002-07:002014-08-02T16:51:40.048-07:00un LOVE able"Stop touching me!" "Don't! Stop!" "Stop looking at me!" "Stop! Stop! Stop!"<br />
<br />
that's my back ground noise these days...<br />
<br />
how do you love someone that behaves in such an UNloving way SO much of the day?!?<br />
<br />
it's constant. unending. a low level noxious stimulus...like someone standing an inch from your face asking you "why?!" one thousand times in a row.<br />
<br />
it's no wonder i scream at the top of my lungs by the end of the day (or by noon!) so often.<br />
<br />
imagine sitting at your work place and coworker in the next cubicle whines and complains the ENTIRE day! how annoying would that be!?<br />
<br />
i was sitting here, growing frustrated at the constant bickering and fighting and whining and tattling that is my "work day", judging them all to be "unlovable"!<br />
<br />
that's when the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear...<br />
<br />
"you are JUST as unlovable."<br />
<br />
oh.<br />
<br />
and there's this...<br />
<br />
DESPITE my unloveliness; despite my willful disobedience; despite my woefully sinful heart...<br />
<br />
Christ died for me.<br />
<br />
for me!<br />
<br />
for you!<br />
<br />
for mysweetmess!<br />
<br />
for all the unlovables.<br />
<br />
(truly!) amazing grace!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-74367272805640777612014-05-30T21:01:00.000-07:002014-05-30T21:01:08.882-07:00last day of school!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi7qUtNK6BAIAMzEhLLLcedgocEeQ7NaMd_xmdB_BMihnqCQ-aCkMYXCig40Bj28cvyKdJxJgEGO9wXHddxmR4cjLBeBErwZXop19kJ1HfwmDCLWxldbSShc9OSKEyCTKxrKUXYUyTAo/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi7qUtNK6BAIAMzEhLLLcedgocEeQ7NaMd_xmdB_BMihnqCQ-aCkMYXCig40Bj28cvyKdJxJgEGO9wXHddxmR4cjLBeBErwZXop19kJ1HfwmDCLWxldbSShc9OSKEyCTKxrKUXYUyTAo/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
(our very first day of homeschooling...seems like SO many months ago! )<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCFV6Z_SzJJdqIIrw1ydfKkMCGjo4Z-JXJTiNl851tmcSqOWdmSZwxwTKqVmmgILQkPtnZa1MT5_AHJ2AdzTrpAjs2J0W5JSVdJvSPvmuwWMK9P-0PKws4YZ-QhPwNUQhETymkmbg418/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCFV6Z_SzJJdqIIrw1ydfKkMCGjo4Z-JXJTiNl851tmcSqOWdmSZwxwTKqVmmgILQkPtnZa1MT5_AHJ2AdzTrpAjs2J0W5JSVdJvSPvmuwWMK9P-0PKws4YZ-QhPwNUQhETymkmbg418/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a><br />
our year was filled with crazy-wild-fun-painful-rough-hysterical moments<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FD4LjkmClFUXzWBKdm889mefBB6oqrmXfTw_C8g316WzCnp7GihHPqJ7aneHsIoYsehMgGlLstlezV0wBKH5BZNu0bxfc9V4UH-ppBxnFTb7AfFTS93bRv0uttFr8_MDY631LnMee0g/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FD4LjkmClFUXzWBKdm889mefBB6oqrmXfTw_C8g316WzCnp7GihHPqJ7aneHsIoYsehMgGlLstlezV0wBKH5BZNu0bxfc9V4UH-ppBxnFTb7AfFTS93bRv0uttFr8_MDY631LnMee0g/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
and...each day was filled with His presence...and He gently, faithfully carried us through all 187 days (oh yes! i counted!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs8pUBA26Ats9i0cQuo8iVye2rYCxvRbINrnwEOM3pI1GZapZQoD0_bUdBhVpOoJ-T6IONtt0xPcei6lPcvdzSzpPOUFu_QE2fyawYdIXb0tPBwO2lFEzK79hDpSaoDzW04eTqG_lU0s/s1600/IMG_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs8pUBA26Ats9i0cQuo8iVye2rYCxvRbINrnwEOM3pI1GZapZQoD0_bUdBhVpOoJ-T6IONtt0xPcei6lPcvdzSzpPOUFu_QE2fyawYdIXb0tPBwO2lFEzK79hDpSaoDzW04eTqG_lU0s/s1600/IMG_1558.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
(my wildly sweet "mess" on our early morning bike ride during our last week of school!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
we ended our year of learning at home the way we started it...snuggled close together, the sun rising on our faces, lifting our praises to "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5Rnd-FpLBBX7KFzI25llfyefdGTye27kyFPTYFpL31Wv0rMLqdeieFiy49-lwLByyJ6nl93GFpay12gvRcROxDB95T5WXGjt3rTwYx_acH1Eel0w7pmmospq3Hzfs1cEE1wAMRiC3Y/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5Rnd-FpLBBX7KFzI25llfyefdGTye27kyFPTYFpL31Wv0rMLqdeieFiy49-lwLByyJ6nl93GFpay12gvRcROxDB95T5WXGjt3rTwYx_acH1Eel0w7pmmospq3Hzfs1cEE1wAMRiC3Y/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Thank You Jesus!<br />
<br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-12495126122240151192014-05-13T16:38:00.000-07:002014-05-13T16:38:58.591-07:00just this..."what messes our life up most — is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like"<br />
-a. vosskamp<br />
<br />
(read the whole blog at aholyexperience.com...the one dated may 8th...for mother's day) ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-66056610134862656702014-04-30T20:08:00.002-07:002014-05-30T21:01:47.641-07:00the last day of month eight of homeschooling my sweet mess is coming to a close.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiARPwLwIKGSRdUK40-rUZb_UXVTJDBRAkdRnAou2Sk23W99tV3apkb82rdxffagfBkJ2euGPbRpaTVQyfrPw42tZ-oLYBpLiyppRYo-mCKQ7XquvLyBx18tm-vrKr-wnQhLyPjV5tfPQ/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiARPwLwIKGSRdUK40-rUZb_UXVTJDBRAkdRnAou2Sk23W99tV3apkb82rdxffagfBkJ2euGPbRpaTVQyfrPw42tZ-oLYBpLiyppRYo-mCKQ7XquvLyBx18tm-vrKr-wnQhLyPjV5tfPQ/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXRyhq2pjoOCCkWltgjsSWeRHwQniUS1cXQB0g3a3TUZiazYGURyDGMXgWvbd6onBJJ3FIzlt4xb9bKYb1MuN4hO5mxb00O8LWEh3uwIjHfLL8-dsOVYFyHkTbYSdAv-6yYoJCkYd9H0/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXRyhq2pjoOCCkWltgjsSWeRHwQniUS1cXQB0g3a3TUZiazYGURyDGMXgWvbd6onBJJ3FIzlt4xb9bKYb1MuN4hO5mxb00O8LWEh3uwIjHfLL8-dsOVYFyHkTbYSdAv-6yYoJCkYd9H0/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzzckUMHoqkm7Vj2nrV3XcyCJVSaFbWlaZMrLiv9_Nj3q9XSM-eZc2feeNI9_tF37Q8lNdRwPDPxtFtcWHkybhDLyXh8NdEMggize5LWKsjuiMwBJdo49IC_GfWL3MInSgOsr-rYuWzE/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzzckUMHoqkm7Vj2nrV3XcyCJVSaFbWlaZMrLiv9_Nj3q9XSM-eZc2feeNI9_tF37Q8lNdRwPDPxtFtcWHkybhDLyXh8NdEMggize5LWKsjuiMwBJdo49IC_GfWL3MInSgOsr-rYuWzE/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe9TEnMvwjLGQId4PMjkx6hpZa6yUokv0lbHWrus9307D9Q8wEWI94oJOtnPyh17rD_gUcEVpKWcmDB4mipWPxMZFCppN-YBaYtrzoivyhHtGyFZAJLgeWnfqgAu794W1m5duLCV1STw/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe9TEnMvwjLGQId4PMjkx6hpZa6yUokv0lbHWrus9307D9Q8wEWI94oJOtnPyh17rD_gUcEVpKWcmDB4mipWPxMZFCppN-YBaYtrzoivyhHtGyFZAJLgeWnfqgAu794W1m5duLCV1STw/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-3NenrTXGdzme6Dc2u_SNiTbDQMowu067H8kal5qUTI4X0t_WqT4eAD4N4em1SqpboWsKDx-Qs0EvjwPFpjycPcqS2FEc_k5RSvpQA0soBhasqYepnyePxG8VWBRO7LDR11Ffcc1-t8/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-3NenrTXGdzme6Dc2u_SNiTbDQMowu067H8kal5qUTI4X0t_WqT4eAD4N4em1SqpboWsKDx-Qs0EvjwPFpjycPcqS2FEc_k5RSvpQA0soBhasqYepnyePxG8VWBRO7LDR11Ffcc1-t8/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtmAB3MMGWnxmyw0lXq1sCtN75-aO4qDEhPULOtiftmWDicsypSGrQMFMDovnITfDP27nfozZ5sW3buKesS6g0mvhhYg1fjkOGSx4Acqvp7S1i6HNlpmtvHQYnE8fmmbVq2bgthcs5OY/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtmAB3MMGWnxmyw0lXq1sCtN75-aO4qDEhPULOtiftmWDicsypSGrQMFMDovnITfDP27nfozZ5sW3buKesS6g0mvhhYg1fjkOGSx4Acqvp7S1i6HNlpmtvHQYnE8fmmbVq2bgthcs5OY/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e6QIGmydcTES2Qdk9scuo4Hd_7ijz59iQ0iXE7NPE7i1eh3BDbLr-sSrI6QO6qsKzqzaVpjF7NxdOJsRwZIvFI4YuODjNtn1t97NiOwlBS-wkcZOSLmZFlcnmlAC_2n3ch1eH9p-p98/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e6QIGmydcTES2Qdk9scuo4Hd_7ijz59iQ0iXE7NPE7i1eh3BDbLr-sSrI6QO6qsKzqzaVpjF7NxdOJsRwZIvFI4YuODjNtn1t97NiOwlBS-wkcZOSLmZFlcnmlAC_2n3ch1eH9p-p98/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJOJW8DT9y1BmWJu7I9k0A9myHPRDofPZH376PQAcKd5OrsTvIWlXFlKDv3zrPBMsPj-brL715TQZx2ibGrTCb0zbCwroz8RoYoSZRlwtzo9SxKBwiYorXast-zQpnJegPI-UuufeKvs/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJOJW8DT9y1BmWJu7I9k0A9myHPRDofPZH376PQAcKd5OrsTvIWlXFlKDv3zrPBMsPj-brL715TQZx2ibGrTCb0zbCwroz8RoYoSZRlwtzo9SxKBwiYorXast-zQpnJegPI-UuufeKvs/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkGjWLsn0mCy5CT7y0znOjyRFzi5Q9QbiEY7EDApxr9lZ3tCG-w6LR8JjTusd-9nrnOmTI44DlNzBxbZ5WInMR-tg5scsdd4KPkXQ8M84ZVjeQptZoUw2Ybixeeg84AVC3thgorXsm5w/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkGjWLsn0mCy5CT7y0znOjyRFzi5Q9QbiEY7EDApxr9lZ3tCG-w6LR8JjTusd-9nrnOmTI44DlNzBxbZ5WInMR-tg5scsdd4KPkXQ8M84ZVjeQptZoUw2Ybixeeg84AVC3thgorXsm5w/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYlfI3Y4WGUezdtuGfAylqyiyS37kAG22s1jm7BJSWx18ZybaQIkPlx8UkkVZPIwTnsBPrkkicgGTWutpSS9YMOLYJZncfluTf0sAQHXo2YMX52lc3W_KeNnKp4heZmDgVjlaXdfL0mg/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYlfI3Y4WGUezdtuGfAylqyiyS37kAG22s1jm7BJSWx18ZybaQIkPlx8UkkVZPIwTnsBPrkkicgGTWutpSS9YMOLYJZncfluTf0sAQHXo2YMX52lc3W_KeNnKp4heZmDgVjlaXdfL0mg/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wwRylOiXKTPvm4vr32m5IMFI-AgBViCv2-v7Y_C3-Gmd4KK4-3b9BW3lN5DHCVP8ZFoOYEpBajBBDj3nhLWobIT3Lhm7sIsFZNSaPSbcgqtJpsT5R-Dwn9YrEzAXzmnZSl3H89y33RI/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wwRylOiXKTPvm4vr32m5IMFI-AgBViCv2-v7Y_C3-Gmd4KK4-3b9BW3lN5DHCVP8ZFoOYEpBajBBDj3nhLWobIT3Lhm7sIsFZNSaPSbcgqtJpsT5R-Dwn9YrEzAXzmnZSl3H89y33RI/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i'm speechless.ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-48536372720477526682014-03-24T16:31:00.002-07:002014-03-24T16:32:24.525-07:00time<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"The best use of time is to freely love.</span><b><br />
</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The best way to love is to spend time.<br />
The best time to love is always right now." -A. Vosskamp</span><b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j1xjx5V3h3iVK9j15P7NuyKa_9wUFM6UWWlhG6MIQ07xJQHuo9hZwX_2sEl_n1ffMBUahrV2UQf5w97OAk2gQJUak46M8HdNZ_PQMrM6rU0e5TZIM4i3BszwlACQypLa2nbIK9pSUdc/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j1xjx5V3h3iVK9j15P7NuyKa_9wUFM6UWWlhG6MIQ07xJQHuo9hZwX_2sEl_n1ffMBUahrV2UQf5w97OAk2gQJUak46M8HdNZ_PQMrM6rU0e5TZIM4i3BszwlACQypLa2nbIK9pSUdc/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></b></div>
ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-90156819179442405352014-02-14T11:38:00.002-08:002014-02-14T11:38:52.743-08:00on being ten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDTpAWUxLohdBskm6gKFLgt7XZqJi9XkppRHrtDMkj36AEfF6cDKD5G12CWipsJ1Sscjwhoq4SCUcv0ikreSjHpJ619LQMGXd02Kak1z-a5nIVmVGHmNDCS6uIsdU6kPR5lkYKNRk_vM/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDTpAWUxLohdBskm6gKFLgt7XZqJi9XkppRHrtDMkj36AEfF6cDKD5G12CWipsJ1Sscjwhoq4SCUcv0ikreSjHpJ619LQMGXd02Kak1z-a5nIVmVGHmNDCS6uIsdU6kPR5lkYKNRk_vM/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
our number two hit double digits last month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzm4eapfD98yJ43w3VHW2LpgFXDCUf48vKZQ6Ae7zg3u9_mUvW0aBPqPAnCKwpSw7ryaDU1n4Fwenf-DsweRyASJ-ErgXKC8TQ1Uw3kY9M-PgtlTlHGHkRfx68TW7Xt35slh8gj5JdGU/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzm4eapfD98yJ43w3VHW2LpgFXDCUf48vKZQ6Ae7zg3u9_mUvW0aBPqPAnCKwpSw7ryaDU1n4Fwenf-DsweRyASJ-ErgXKC8TQ1Uw3kY9M-PgtlTlHGHkRfx68TW7Xt35slh8gj5JdGU/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
and he is becoming more of a jokester every day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl9VDn0IAuvUDPttrWnr5LSlItTt-OBa_YYOiAShqjlq5Ud5T_b4Il5jkVgZNPeBwTwvuiex36gLFGgndqfaOErBnmmUYCGKqRFZm4qU7RV_gaEhVqpLXoWbmfAQ5CMsHRyl_GdEOag0/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl9VDn0IAuvUDPttrWnr5LSlItTt-OBa_YYOiAShqjlq5Ud5T_b4Il5jkVgZNPeBwTwvuiex36gLFGgndqfaOErBnmmUYCGKqRFZm4qU7RV_gaEhVqpLXoWbmfAQ5CMsHRyl_GdEOag0/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
he celebrated in his own unique way...ice skating with a buddy (and his kid brother...a sweet gesture to be sure!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxg1GKuZGsnOKhaBlbI4HpAhSqnPeDmjeFmvoUA7YlqWrP_mxLu6WVG2nwS399fzAnVJgcwdusSk9E9p_oQCC0x0QQMaKmXtNiZP73mxzatBI2nr6RjJgyWvGqZ8AeSIbg4HLDg9J1dQ/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxg1GKuZGsnOKhaBlbI4HpAhSqnPeDmjeFmvoUA7YlqWrP_mxLu6WVG2nwS399fzAnVJgcwdusSk9E9p_oQCC0x0QQMaKmXtNiZP73mxzatBI2nr6RjJgyWvGqZ8AeSIbg4HLDg9J1dQ/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
i have no ice skating pics, because his daddy took him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HBsrnNfDYQG62mzafzfri8m1ohaiq4OQh4BObNpHZdwOxkYYAYTGhT0o0Gn9ynsG7fXVdFvCIZVb61HHNlghMw_-2hDSr-GxKni4hN1ITety2QZ6g0dmxc4mVGzyD0zisikNtvZse-k/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HBsrnNfDYQG62mzafzfri8m1ohaiq4OQh4BObNpHZdwOxkYYAYTGhT0o0Gn9ynsG7fXVdFvCIZVb61HHNlghMw_-2hDSr-GxKni4hN1ITety2QZ6g0dmxc4mVGzyD0zisikNtvZse-k/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
since entering a new decade, he has been quoted as saying, "i feel SO much older now, mom"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn6faB2hBdbDKObybVyIcIYHBp0nUHPq6aY1SuIt0HJtgz7CCP59zR9ZDTukpdGGZjyK7dbbhj3Tw0i2SqOMHqJkri9DzJuCvit78u4xz_ke78mVwKaZ4OvH128qoU5h6a4QTvyCwoKM/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn6faB2hBdbDKObybVyIcIYHBp0nUHPq6aY1SuIt0HJtgz7CCP59zR9ZDTukpdGGZjyK7dbbhj3Tw0i2SqOMHqJkri9DzJuCvit78u4xz_ke78mVwKaZ4OvH128qoU5h6a4QTvyCwoKM/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
we also took him to an amazing indoor trampoline place...complete with a huge dodge ball area! what more could a ten year old boy hope for!?! Happy number ten buddy!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPE3khx8Qg7pznyB9ntgVpII0EEEDoZq7_xkiMlM5HSKu8JBkeDXMP3D0lO7HEh1pInJ3v6A1Kt4Zq2aW4kPUtIxkaFhIniQVAI-E3Pj3-uIl14yKR8sOiQjoO-lmA_3DLsGU8K-qAg4/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPE3khx8Qg7pznyB9ntgVpII0EEEDoZq7_xkiMlM5HSKu8JBkeDXMP3D0lO7HEh1pInJ3v6A1Kt4Zq2aW4kPUtIxkaFhIniQVAI-E3Pj3-uIl14yKR8sOiQjoO-lmA_3DLsGU8K-qAg4/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
but, my most favorite quote of his so far:<br />
"wow! it's light enough outside to kill a chicken"<br />
(said one morning as i was waking him up in his bed!)ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-44731379565274492662014-01-31T20:08:00.002-08:002014-01-31T20:08:35.444-08:00no wordsjust this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77PZcbK_LqSlHZkum5QfM6-NBu1-uwde3qONtBB_8FEJf_3ImBttmr556K2rThqp534VodZsJ04i9yltEXPAsosZHkvs9Cw9PDaxpxZ8dLLiazviWXqp-hrpg6ZYvmaH3NrQhs0RbCkI/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77PZcbK_LqSlHZkum5QfM6-NBu1-uwde3qONtBB_8FEJf_3ImBttmr556K2rThqp534VodZsJ04i9yltEXPAsosZHkvs9Cw9PDaxpxZ8dLLiazviWXqp-hrpg6ZYvmaH3NrQhs0RbCkI/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
and this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9DudOKjAU4xFWg1MpeOxz9VIf1AkRc-WrazMI9bMQzx2C7OJ3GuE-dddp4ZLUmKqPyhGclQSvN4cwaOw0w-EDqhxhkZi50C-_yb7Jj9PvcyiucAu5gr9kn77MwKaixAOa_5Odb2D1Js/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9DudOKjAU4xFWg1MpeOxz9VIf1AkRc-WrazMI9bMQzx2C7OJ3GuE-dddp4ZLUmKqPyhGclQSvN4cwaOw0w-EDqhxhkZi50C-_yb7Jj9PvcyiucAu5gr9kn77MwKaixAOa_5Odb2D1Js/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
these girls CRACK me up!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-28736394648255100332013-12-31T22:34:00.000-08:002013-12-31T22:34:06.222-08:00stomach acheT.R.I.P.E<br />
it's what makes New Year's Day extra special...i'm told.<br />
it's what is currently stinking, um, i mean, cooking up in my kitchen as i type this.<br />
as
we enjoyed our last few hours of 2013, my sweet, dear, loving
(mexican!) husband decided to run to the store and buy all that one
would need to make menudo. (no, not the 80's boy band, the traditional
mexican cow stomach soup!) doesn't it look like a dirty dish rag!! i told the kids it was cow intestine...apparently it is actually cow stomach. oh. my bad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiv0-xTbfknwvqR1lnr_HcRgl6-fVkKPdoPda4EaTJE3jg8UNkjAMgLHKixPM5T04Fk_JL7YsbqjCW9jQuqtyipAFRQt1KoHL87ovyABlfkr2GjwCIcPn3YzMsdesAK0fLf31Eyj3Lts/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiv0-xTbfknwvqR1lnr_HcRgl6-fVkKPdoPda4EaTJE3jg8UNkjAMgLHKixPM5T04Fk_JL7YsbqjCW9jQuqtyipAFRQt1KoHL87ovyABlfkr2GjwCIcPn3YzMsdesAK0fLf31Eyj3Lts/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
the recipe says it needs to cook for 8
hours! as i type this, it is 8:15pm, and the guy is still cutting tripe!
so, let's be generous and say he gets it to boiling by 9pm...yup, that's
right! my worst nightmare! (second only to being covered in ants!) we
get to wake up to the smell of simmering cow stomach, people!!!! (bonus: while i was typing this up, the massive pot of cow parts boiled over onto my less-than-awesome glass stovetop range, filling the kitchen with the smell of burning stomach-fat-water-stuff!! sooooo gross!!!<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAo1VoIfqOihO0Nn0MdzCh2VAkby5F4r4F23C_KLQPkvZ_jOKcq8RTGEyj5bNVxPAVhAPdx_7MjG4Rubnr8to21lchA3BnOXVqU1GmizBSAY44ZasE8J0sIegtdrlOYNbLrmqxEIUeOE/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAo1VoIfqOihO0Nn0MdzCh2VAkby5F4r4F23C_KLQPkvZ_jOKcq8RTGEyj5bNVxPAVhAPdx_7MjG4Rubnr8to21lchA3BnOXVqU1GmizBSAY44ZasE8J0sIegtdrlOYNbLrmqxEIUeOE/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
to be fair, i have tried this delicacy before, so i feel justified in my little rant. :)<br />
and, lest i forget how incredibly awesome my guy is, i should add that he promised to make me a stomach-less menudo as well...(he says he will just put chicken in mine! LOL!) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s4L1ZIYzjZ-T-MquZRcLJ0lSHqYvE-PdKDAsHPdIvUU1sE40Dx_zc3ZJag0MhqZdwwDzRu4Md4t36lx99KHaovVptGnxV03ynNyoWbOHfAKtyugb9vsd9xo3HLXdRSXXGNjOKsR3_Yc/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s4L1ZIYzjZ-T-MquZRcLJ0lSHqYvE-PdKDAsHPdIvUU1sE40Dx_zc3ZJag0MhqZdwwDzRu4Md4t36lx99KHaovVptGnxV03ynNyoWbOHfAKtyugb9vsd9xo3HLXdRSXXGNjOKsR3_Yc/s640/IMG_1185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
on that happy note...here's my ending to this amazingly full 2013 with more of our thankfuls and some holiday photos... #220 christmas decorations, complete with our very first mantel! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
#221 making lemonaide from our life's lemons!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkaR02rzA1DBIwwK7ibJC1khnGG6JTNomu_pRMjszdTXIcySJbD0nLd9n1sNnc5JeoFGYaTsW_VQy1ogKPOXzAzlRJZI-gYX1vHxRRExNo63l4YJO_jxlUJTp1u02Cpw7j679tJejJRM/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkaR02rzA1DBIwwK7ibJC1khnGG6JTNomu_pRMjszdTXIcySJbD0nLd9n1sNnc5JeoFGYaTsW_VQy1ogKPOXzAzlRJZI-gYX1vHxRRExNo63l4YJO_jxlUJTp1u02Cpw7j679tJejJRM/s400/IMG_1187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-HueXxTjS9WSREus01UvtEaZHD3zLFtY4yHDrL2dObAGTE7Q5PbzxkbBgIVNzMDSS410xD1uxPCVZ0xxzJyh7mmYjzsXOyBe0dK07G2593KdlyWK5t2TaP-8tADRrQlYV9TE0JbSbOc/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-HueXxTjS9WSREus01UvtEaZHD3zLFtY4yHDrL2dObAGTE7Q5PbzxkbBgIVNzMDSS410xD1uxPCVZ0xxzJyh7mmYjzsXOyBe0dK07G2593KdlyWK5t2TaP-8tADRrQlYV9TE0JbSbOc/s400/IMG_1190.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
#222 making christmas cookies for our neighborhood<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUAeARNNUHfFOxHVocXhrDNn5FyIbR-SmufT2ebuJ-DKt7EzdjoUdTqOptYn52v8dHIRDtH5hRiSTkFqUwqKqJdjKuJb-J_5cLJzzJJGFSp2g9YvksaIBldW-0olw74zmEEsHN3mMJ7o/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUAeARNNUHfFOxHVocXhrDNn5FyIbR-SmufT2ebuJ-DKt7EzdjoUdTqOptYn52v8dHIRDtH5hRiSTkFqUwqKqJdjKuJb-J_5cLJzzJJGFSp2g9YvksaIBldW-0olw74zmEEsHN3mMJ7o/s400/IMG_1191.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
some of us broke and then ate more than we gave away. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaRAmcswfT_1rlDdVqbo6XiWZR2MUWUG9IDq67qJ14dWmI1aUqPIo5OhWiKYGi0Hx9hbKyFG3JpBHCUa-mXICTk2Q8gb-PBm7Nslo2jOpTwse06XtkfZ3BIueFQeXTQORmIWTDyLeEmM/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaRAmcswfT_1rlDdVqbo6XiWZR2MUWUG9IDq67qJ14dWmI1aUqPIo5OhWiKYGi0Hx9hbKyFG3JpBHCUa-mXICTk2Q8gb-PBm7Nslo2jOpTwse06XtkfZ3BIueFQeXTQORmIWTDyLeEmM/s400/IMG_1194.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7NwiInKFqiCxQ5vtWqNsSFVwD4k5Mi-gSuzTlYataZrjbmkAlY_kMe36dEMKE8Zb9nQwsmcX5PIVleStz1hJf1F5r4842sKFsOJRiYB4aUSweUdp9kzGAKDTZsc2wKwb8Dh-uDLJJQM/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7NwiInKFqiCxQ5vtWqNsSFVwD4k5Mi-gSuzTlYataZrjbmkAlY_kMe36dEMKE8Zb9nQwsmcX5PIVleStz1hJf1F5r4842sKFsOJRiYB4aUSweUdp9kzGAKDTZsc2wKwb8Dh-uDLJJQM/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zcWIJ1UKeZt_ltVD-D9NeJHntSnLD49toOBlZSFvQHfBqnNXuxoSrBiC6Jy6CELs4bFFBGKzMDbUJhYSPKFaycehCKOjJMriazM-FlWhSg2tkj9z0OpzGqHc55VxNBXRQEOgfvI1DM/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zcWIJ1UKeZt_ltVD-D9NeJHntSnLD49toOBlZSFvQHfBqnNXuxoSrBiC6Jy6CELs4bFFBGKzMDbUJhYSPKFaycehCKOjJMriazM-FlWhSg2tkj9z0OpzGqHc55VxNBXRQEOgfvI1DM/s400/IMG_1198.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
#223 christmas morning: enjoying fun gifts from thoughtful friends and family;<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVWrBfXWx6_iXi6m2WNYJzSldyzI17mCQDep17a706elSpW9ZLYcohST8obW9TfKWuSuYKI_loSsBanKAfWyvk_h4cZMmy6h7dFS2h0-bgdRKiPN2S1EC_bYDhcth7tPrUHRz7VFEgFU/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVWrBfXWx6_iXi6m2WNYJzSldyzI17mCQDep17a706elSpW9ZLYcohST8obW9TfKWuSuYKI_loSsBanKAfWyvk_h4cZMmy6h7dFS2h0-bgdRKiPN2S1EC_bYDhcth7tPrUHRz7VFEgFU/s400/IMG_1199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
and warm chai with gooey monkey bread!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs6EKrbaeU1z5TxsaBb2mNxPbNibfrB3zJdvsbOZAuwzYlshPYtQJjN1zPsH2L1JkKDWTT4X7XLLp3QMa9rmLivEFKpdOzQUeAoT6lSy35QRYIr-QXPNUDDXrEtZf2q4LZBLUJHt1AAA/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs6EKrbaeU1z5TxsaBb2mNxPbNibfrB3zJdvsbOZAuwzYlshPYtQJjN1zPsH2L1JkKDWTT4X7XLLp3QMa9rmLivEFKpdOzQUeAoT6lSy35QRYIr-QXPNUDDXrEtZf2q4LZBLUJHt1AAA/s400/IMG_1200.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
#224 santa's tiny little helpers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcURqg4cIPzGOXZmU3rCyei-Zn836zoy2DTPVpKfKDSj0UI5pNPNoH_MQUmfSQ5DnawFw1wfnIsoYZVqTOFWiXFppIgcv6UMbFRed1-C0oX3FD_w4HfV9t6p0MfRbMvvD0Swo3C7rsOU/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcURqg4cIPzGOXZmU3rCyei-Zn836zoy2DTPVpKfKDSj0UI5pNPNoH_MQUmfSQ5DnawFw1wfnIsoYZVqTOFWiXFppIgcv6UMbFRed1-C0oX3FD_w4HfV9t6p0MfRbMvvD0Swo3C7rsOU/s400/IMG_1201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
#225 (a family first!) watching the next generation take over the christmas cookie making!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF59LQSOGnllqdzLLs7xPTxZrtf6scnpFbrrLA-OEY0-88pzjriM2PL2xyj4VG5XFswrB_ZBfQRaDjS22WyQgmUfzhRX5yg-TYq-dHOGFfXoruARIRmv62t13VQlNWcXgHaBpU4Vo9EpY/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF59LQSOGnllqdzLLs7xPTxZrtf6scnpFbrrLA-OEY0-88pzjriM2PL2xyj4VG5XFswrB_ZBfQRaDjS22WyQgmUfzhRX5yg-TYq-dHOGFfXoruARIRmv62t13VQlNWcXgHaBpU4Vo9EpY/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
emma, selah and elia did a yummy job!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdK_BzspqllJzhTTgJA0eKZBl4UEQ7kj8PRASHwzlIpfRoI7IDp3q_nw_qaoj2NeF5H8W9vILFfTrEC8L1iarTtSg-GriZ5ixZLfVreysrXllwZ3Iw9hiPQHFejV1AZPrVwlFqd8Eh10/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdK_BzspqllJzhTTgJA0eKZBl4UEQ7kj8PRASHwzlIpfRoI7IDp3q_nw_qaoj2NeF5H8W9vILFfTrEC8L1iarTtSg-GriZ5ixZLfVreysrXllwZ3Iw9hiPQHFejV1AZPrVwlFqd8Eh10/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9t5ysJX58_iOPx0g7SgNrZya_vhHw9amEsmrK6Yjj484JYIvjAJIdPmEb-VSn1O2ZjOf-2UTYLEY5_wi-OQBZ-Uy1347FAvh54xwBFYUMwUw9YLpsh4InZh7YK4XBXdpODJiLjZ8hMw/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9t5ysJX58_iOPx0g7SgNrZya_vhHw9amEsmrK6Yjj484JYIvjAJIdPmEb-VSn1O2ZjOf-2UTYLEY5_wi-OQBZ-Uy1347FAvh54xwBFYUMwUw9YLpsh4InZh7YK4XBXdpODJiLjZ8hMw/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
#226 cousins learning to sew...Gram was the teacher! A precious memory for me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMYBIrlnlims-Pf3r5zU7KWrAmP_dIytGK3fkiBlA3urENJ1-uQti8uPT9DWZO4t8bMlFYfXGzguDqoBg9wiMQcfVLfnomdMWyVB0NGQ2TZdBiY-kfbarLnA0Gon_HuxTil3TO4r0BSE/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMYBIrlnlims-Pf3r5zU7KWrAmP_dIytGK3fkiBlA3urENJ1-uQti8uPT9DWZO4t8bMlFYfXGzguDqoBg9wiMQcfVLfnomdMWyVB0NGQ2TZdBiY-kfbarLnA0Gon_HuxTil3TO4r0BSE/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
#227 when my six year old entertains herself for hours while i unpack from a long trip :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk5k5qhx5xYvX0FRHZ26rp7_endE_0r0BvQxWnmB6YcV1tNFdZJPZcT_E8Vs0V6du6EMjwpAOnHgvuPD6UJWAdpGl_Ofh9iaJfCooaiA_4R8HRW3yTRUqJB1_ApC3M5QMjhuMO21b2Po/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk5k5qhx5xYvX0FRHZ26rp7_endE_0r0BvQxWnmB6YcV1tNFdZJPZcT_E8Vs0V6du6EMjwpAOnHgvuPD6UJWAdpGl_Ofh9iaJfCooaiA_4R8HRW3yTRUqJB1_ApC3M5QMjhuMO21b2Po/s400/IMG_1215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
and these...our last photos of 2013...four priceless faces and four tender hearts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
oursweetmess!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg8WECZ0bmmD6vDyHFTsY62zlDoy2neOhwYHT9hB3JjWYlzk2Xe6NmfWpVINGuEKaKhogDEsKvz3u9WyxY7_rZXjRM-z3ql83-n1R2aTR_1ioR16lrV4PiHw4D0S6aQwKu5-XZESPdoc/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg8WECZ0bmmD6vDyHFTsY62zlDoy2neOhwYHT9hB3JjWYlzk2Xe6NmfWpVINGuEKaKhogDEsKvz3u9WyxY7_rZXjRM-z3ql83-n1R2aTR_1ioR16lrV4PiHw4D0S6aQwKu5-XZESPdoc/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-70773288227234957652013-12-14T11:52:00.000-08:002013-12-14T11:52:00.701-08:00speed of life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd6-OP0uTBD8qXLgyQcc953jwSoYUd0YtAs5FRxdzz4hA_3sox4F3gDEFN6mSmrFS6b44gSqgbNEYJYnSREWLY32W9SZ02PuH03KR8GZt-57Gk-iudHs6PqwQE7jz-Gm0dVNfeTaeaAk/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd6-OP0uTBD8qXLgyQcc953jwSoYUd0YtAs5FRxdzz4hA_3sox4F3gDEFN6mSmrFS6b44gSqgbNEYJYnSREWLY32W9SZ02PuH03KR8GZt-57Gk-iudHs6PqwQE7jz-Gm0dVNfeTaeaAk/s320/IMG_1083.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
ready? here's what and where we have been up to over the past month....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrncx1ejc0unHFLvnlG6zXhxo1Bs2w4Az_0szp1LRFqlu2s2s3fU3TffYNz_MFqeFtlbtCYTvfRJnmdRAkYQ9kMkYMeNaICy4RvsoNgzH5gnvBq-xenaWyyPJnveKA7rFQzOqeSuNNsyc/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrncx1ejc0unHFLvnlG6zXhxo1Bs2w4Az_0szp1LRFqlu2s2s3fU3TffYNz_MFqeFtlbtCYTvfRJnmdRAkYQ9kMkYMeNaICy4RvsoNgzH5gnvBq-xenaWyyPJnveKA7rFQzOqeSuNNsyc/s320/IMG_1085.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
science creations that were more fun to do than to clean up (who knew water and flour can turn into clothes ruining cement!?)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0t8UjRwnt1iKP4ByqBIdfhtf3eVdPTSgpNce_FXQrvO7Rrq7g31MrqwwwgcK0ebLeuksm5ZGtAID-2Ol7Hf7aJuENzaj73ZmWuR0a7YWiRDOlLVDcQD_8VsPYnPg3GK0QvofVGN_Eg/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0t8UjRwnt1iKP4ByqBIdfhtf3eVdPTSgpNce_FXQrvO7Rrq7g31MrqwwwgcK0ebLeuksm5ZGtAID-2Ol7Hf7aJuENzaj73ZmWuR0a7YWiRDOlLVDcQD_8VsPYnPg3GK0QvofVGN_Eg/s320/IMG_1086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfB0iICG6daNT5zI7I6ifeCWNeb_bAlzQUUiQxSpxPwTwJiXlykh_Lsrnpb0vQvFd6qTxnkkiQoHd79wcNGbQtuHV8wil0OEaqeJIGGrbpnSfd8SSgRIEzfvI9SSCnFduS3YCJkmgdCPs/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfB0iICG6daNT5zI7I6ifeCWNeb_bAlzQUUiQxSpxPwTwJiXlykh_Lsrnpb0vQvFd6qTxnkkiQoHd79wcNGbQtuHV8wil0OEaqeJIGGrbpnSfd8SSgRIEzfvI9SSCnFduS3YCJkmgdCPs/s320/IMG_1087.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SyRQzYccg1aR_im-ysMxdwWbPmZ5SgOOdQHNfsCa7X4W4x6kh-ThCC9E2MrgUQj-yzSBsK7TQwWRjkXhNxDxZGQ4flTfxJ73uqFvMYU5IttFaoPKZ1_3DriScza04S05pkdpdjAYFYM/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SyRQzYccg1aR_im-ysMxdwWbPmZ5SgOOdQHNfsCa7X4W4x6kh-ThCC9E2MrgUQj-yzSBsK7TQwWRjkXhNxDxZGQ4flTfxJ73uqFvMYU5IttFaoPKZ1_3DriScza04S05pkdpdjAYFYM/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
playing in the setting sun, soaking in each warm moment<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DHnM8C-d77s15UVyZnIwV9_CLlm6iavSj_7jEP5cEM1OJP9HQg6r7NTrXagCzX7WwjA1AOL4s9DcHcMRNhlsidEXZwgTDPnAeY-s-hGrXaEjc0qlnfbzLzn7kgV-QZywNLfqeLpjGTs/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DHnM8C-d77s15UVyZnIwV9_CLlm6iavSj_7jEP5cEM1OJP9HQg6r7NTrXagCzX7WwjA1AOL4s9DcHcMRNhlsidEXZwgTDPnAeY-s-hGrXaEjc0qlnfbzLzn7kgV-QZywNLfqeLpjGTs/s320/IMG_1090.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNRNMDq1VcSL7W_c5nZx7cc7i9VOEfjCRBT32JgMyqb_ZHeILBXjhTdCOnZyRHVXf0X7Or1HVZ8AxfLLjY6aF_YgnJ2lSsfrVj4eaN5R9o9u6_sO0Tfx7syRbyaG1YAtRbMgVg8bhxo4/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNRNMDq1VcSL7W_c5nZx7cc7i9VOEfjCRBT32JgMyqb_ZHeILBXjhTdCOnZyRHVXf0X7Or1HVZ8AxfLLjY6aF_YgnJ2lSsfrVj4eaN5R9o9u6_sO0Tfx7syRbyaG1YAtRbMgVg8bhxo4/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
naming our thankfuls in nor cal...enjoying</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcewyN1QHi8XAaSjm3T4qreDvnQxJLI4BDrwMds-alKfOFFm4hDUtRT7_oro3jq3PZKPAiaDFW3I4N8DsOEXFSvmNWgDJSp2AGemX0mw8DHGg27aTgCsCSg9W9CFIi5cPWRJAIdvb-xcc/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcewyN1QHi8XAaSjm3T4qreDvnQxJLI4BDrwMds-alKfOFFm4hDUtRT7_oro3jq3PZKPAiaDFW3I4N8DsOEXFSvmNWgDJSp2AGemX0mw8DHGg27aTgCsCSg9W9CFIi5cPWRJAIdvb-xcc/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
endlessly good times with family! (i am a lame foto taker...that tractor is filled with my four and their precious Papa!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd5YW0cjyHehdXxaxuqUrASgPO_MmnOwA18A5VbcVucw411-UFj6d30yBb2L28vpl-hxRk4sksZr2kU3tbjtESMQ__zbc5H_1V_SagDd2l7s7LABzohNwLkqKHx0bhvO9-jHORCRvxYc/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd5YW0cjyHehdXxaxuqUrASgPO_MmnOwA18A5VbcVucw411-UFj6d30yBb2L28vpl-hxRk4sksZr2kU3tbjtESMQ__zbc5H_1V_SagDd2l7s7LABzohNwLkqKHx0bhvO9-jHORCRvxYc/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BpYp7S8EisW-72-_r9NAmYSUC2drMQzubgvPP_ZkH6VxpYRhAb281FMXgRtiSymtAxGgq3GH27DpM6b8J2H4-wV-HerQeNDB3PoDZ5PKrzcoSKE6CjmwRhDDbEmzYTNtOpfnTknW0f4/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BpYp7S8EisW-72-_r9NAmYSUC2drMQzubgvPP_ZkH6VxpYRhAb281FMXgRtiSymtAxGgq3GH27DpM6b8J2H4-wV-HerQeNDB3PoDZ5PKrzcoSKE6CjmwRhDDbEmzYTNtOpfnTknW0f4/s320/IMG_1161.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
roller skating around the house on a rainy homeschool day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6B3wchyphenhyphenosvJQXDvBF1EV2FNghyAkBfaRTjwUImBfolTEWPyqpxQs8T1IjVkw6f5tVFBllZFwy0EVFaC4VoS9r4dekKyROlxhtSFqy9BBXxnqdVMbyYHCkj-JpT1sSCuCJN4iqgCM_yY/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6B3wchyphenhyphenosvJQXDvBF1EV2FNghyAkBfaRTjwUImBfolTEWPyqpxQs8T1IjVkw6f5tVFBllZFwy0EVFaC4VoS9r4dekKyROlxhtSFqy9BBXxnqdVMbyYHCkj-JpT1sSCuCJN4iqgCM_yY/s320/IMG_1169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
enjoying an unexpectedly long stay in LA with treasured friends!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71I0qLWzlHDPE_FvjB7JU6uPsE9u8h6XL_Q5K_JfyUrUcJwOE0nRMbYMQK-2xtt9URd67zDr8f3mO0SIo0k0dwufm1ICTws532SFoQZYZM5QvHXf1xjKgmEQr9sl21RBn7YkhD17ifE8/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71I0qLWzlHDPE_FvjB7JU6uPsE9u8h6XL_Q5K_JfyUrUcJwOE0nRMbYMQK-2xtt9URd67zDr8f3mO0SIo0k0dwufm1ICTws532SFoQZYZM5QvHXf1xjKgmEQr9sl21RBn7YkhD17ifE8/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
phew! <br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-6496754275112502942013-11-23T16:42:00.002-08:002013-11-23T16:42:50.644-08:00eucharisteoHe won't let me get past this theme in my life...<br />
<br />
He has been etching these truths into my heart over the past two years as i have wrestled with the verse, "The joy of the LORD is my strength"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRBVQNFWuJEyBtzlHgL4wlAIGvMgdn7JEVEKs51KnabugW88xrVLCcaSzCNck9n0BkJS946qzebd9sIPEdLrbc1VlY_5Jrn2pxyv220tvS1unT15Dan8u9ZTsF1YKqqribt0QxHPgEr4/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRBVQNFWuJEyBtzlHgL4wlAIGvMgdn7JEVEKs51KnabugW88xrVLCcaSzCNck9n0BkJS946qzebd9sIPEdLrbc1VlY_5Jrn2pxyv220tvS1unT15Dan8u9ZTsF1YKqqribt0QxHPgEr4/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
then these, today... <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>You will have the free gift of complete forgiveness of all your sins extending into forever (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Romans 6.23" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans%206.23" target="_blank">Romans 6:23</a>).</li>
<li>You will never have to merit your justification by keeping the law (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Galatians 2.16" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians%202.16" target="_blank">Galatians 2:16</a>).</li>
<li>You will have all your real needs provided while on earth (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Philippians 4.19" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians%204.19" target="_blank">Philippians 4:19</a>).</li>
<li>You will receive all the grace you need at all times so that you will abound in every good work God has for you (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="2 Corinthians 9.8" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Corinthians%209.8" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 9:8</a>).</li>
<li>God will complete the good work he began in you (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Philippians 1.6" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians%201.6" target="_blank">Philippians 1:6</a>).</li>
<li>You will be raised from the dead and never, ever die again (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="1 Corinthians 15.52–53" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Corinthians%2015.52%E2%80%9353" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:52–53</a>).</li>
<li>That means someday soon you will see Jesus, be with him (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="2 Corinthians 5.8" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Corinthians%205.8" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:8</a>), and be like him (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="1 John 3.2" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%203.2" target="_blank">1 John 3:2</a>).</li>
<li>In that day you will know for the first time full, unpolluted joy (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Psalm 16.11" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2016.11" target="_blank">Psalm 16:11</a>).</li>
<li>You will be completely free from all corruption (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Romans 8.21" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans%208.21" target="_blank">Romans 8:21</a>).</li>
<li>You will have God forever (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="1 Peter 3.18" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Peter%203.18" target="_blank">1 Peter 3:18</a>) as your exceeding joy (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Psalm 43.4" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2043.4" target="_blank">Psalm 43:4</a>).</li>
</ul>
<br />
you can read the whole post at:<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/how-can-we-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances" target="_blank"> http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/how-can-we-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances</a><br />
<br />
because He just loves us <i>this</i> much.ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-14845668917071265472013-11-22T14:44:00.006-08:002013-11-22T14:44:52.790-08:00birthday-edwhat does it look like to have two birthdays just three days apart in one crazy family?!<br />
for starters, it means baking two different desserts in one day, because the attempt to celebrate each birthday on different days just completely failed!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoiyugJglDYQ4_BY2Jv75WVArWNt3o3NnDZysChpIHr-DqctZK1bIb90l0sCdjGPqhK3kmbsVXfzHhvVZHkQmgQEhtMNs79xq7HuzWZrK3uDg6L4sMjH0SUotqqGvra2nAQCxQavOPJY/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoiyugJglDYQ4_BY2Jv75WVArWNt3o3NnDZysChpIHr-DqctZK1bIb90l0sCdjGPqhK3kmbsVXfzHhvVZHkQmgQEhtMNs79xq7HuzWZrK3uDg6L4sMjH0SUotqqGvra2nAQCxQavOPJY/s320/IMG_1119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0sWGjTRQUq2RXP7J4WSHWOEvTTb0dmhQVDacUmlqDLDwGLFm4QdcCUsUvQV0Bo-2uv_wLJBDcXvYgO1effsvVNiHkVxcY7q43ERfvqqoo6k5iBu81bS9A0R8Tr3OvNKfXu12M1z4t6M/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0sWGjTRQUq2RXP7J4WSHWOEvTTb0dmhQVDacUmlqDLDwGLFm4QdcCUsUvQV0Bo-2uv_wLJBDcXvYgO1effsvVNiHkVxcY7q43ERfvqqoo6k5iBu81bS9A0R8Tr3OvNKfXu12M1z4t6M/s320/IMG_1120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
every year i tell myself that next year i will plan better, prepare more and make both kids feel like their day is totally about them! then every year i blow it and end up celebrating both birthdays on the same day, one feeling like his is late, the other feeling like her's is "borrowed". :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXrgMFbDW9y31tbZ20HM9AYBJ07yAahyphenhyphenY5sLpXbvLmC5wZTAmulhmuOsCR7nyGxIzVZW-P6BiIiit35iFOpwGAkiIF7nk08PkVZvi35OIuom10TVA65DJq0PpDx5omXZl5vfP1wbEPho/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXrgMFbDW9y31tbZ20HM9AYBJ07yAahyphenhyphenY5sLpXbvLmC5wZTAmulhmuOsCR7nyGxIzVZW-P6BiIiit35iFOpwGAkiIF7nk08PkVZvi35OIuom10TVA65DJq0PpDx5omXZl5vfP1wbEPho/s320/IMG_1116.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
agh! alas...here we are...late november, and i am doubling up once again! HA!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD932f9YdLdagGXIKXkB6rKEGFNVky-GTUwS-LJKc66cvgkNYQoHWOxHqrMGjo6rtQi9wa0mtGteT-MoX00BgeTjjMEjj4DeVvYCjfpBiAqguTZx00xvuD2NWk11oL-med8hbPLZGs7o/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD932f9YdLdagGXIKXkB6rKEGFNVky-GTUwS-LJKc66cvgkNYQoHWOxHqrMGjo6rtQi9wa0mtGteT-MoX00BgeTjjMEjj4DeVvYCjfpBiAqguTZx00xvuD2NWk11oL-med8hbPLZGs7o/s320/IMG_1111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Praise God these little ones are so forgiving!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIp5DTbhTRlFD2wSJHIcLn-NKOkYZ4vtWt0ilx9M9iCgsKGKe9Mbx7jcOdD2cy089WqLGnUCSrHzdLxgxoHyaopZHTELR1qRIu-MZyV0eGG3t9_bMiWVsa2U1IkCYPtAos-O07nTq7iY/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIp5DTbhTRlFD2wSJHIcLn-NKOkYZ4vtWt0ilx9M9iCgsKGKe9Mbx7jcOdD2cy089WqLGnUCSrHzdLxgxoHyaopZHTELR1qRIu-MZyV0eGG3t9_bMiWVsa2U1IkCYPtAos-O07nTq7iY/s320/IMG_1107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
my head can't even wrap itself around how they are suddenly 8 and 6!?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMDFxtD5JAA91DF6QCthxijJvnsXoUsLeAatCX2zomlxopCDE-ElOCnglDYpIvzyY2Ri3HF6R9Et8g1NsFX9wrV5Pz80g8OVenD3c-whBSGARRK9torq_RBpn3I2vEo6IdH9gD0nNBMs/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMDFxtD5JAA91DF6QCthxijJvnsXoUsLeAatCX2zomlxopCDE-ElOCnglDYpIvzyY2Ri3HF6R9Et8g1NsFX9wrV5Pz80g8OVenD3c-whBSGARRK9torq_RBpn3I2vEo6IdH9gD0nNBMs/s320/IMG_1105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvkhlCAcJ5dqduZlWrrCJ38MC74aNxCFYwJinCz_UsLdIDs2S0wSPAbgSlKbyEWmQ_h8DSrBwSbxg5j3VD_Li_NXNB8kYMigFR6yZO7FbwrcRUjejHLUMt4dL3naYeAafT6BlPjryUxE/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvkhlCAcJ5dqduZlWrrCJ38MC74aNxCFYwJinCz_UsLdIDs2S0wSPAbgSlKbyEWmQ_h8DSrBwSbxg5j3VD_Li_NXNB8kYMigFR6yZO7FbwrcRUjejHLUMt4dL3naYeAafT6BlPjryUxE/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
precious and fleeting are these mothering moments...and filled with endless (albeit wild!) joy!!<br />
<br />
(pray that my little miss sunshine here doesn't one day completely disdain the fact that i always forget to take her headgear off for pics!!)ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-14524967666231126282013-11-11T12:44:00.003-08:002013-11-11T12:44:43.076-08:00characters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tmY8kqEUJSMBimRnHgEXNkmdl0D2Bq1GPtfxeHJO2XT0gk4Zm6qm7j9WZCp3AwLgDTy3mOiu1XALxwmxradKNHzq9eS4NeLpMtHQDzGTP7061rxjtKRDJffKJc8l5Gnb4mfqx8NYx7w/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tmY8kqEUJSMBimRnHgEXNkmdl0D2Bq1GPtfxeHJO2XT0gk4Zm6qm7j9WZCp3AwLgDTy3mOiu1XALxwmxradKNHzq9eS4NeLpMtHQDzGTP7061rxjtKRDJffKJc8l5Gnb4mfqx8NYx7w/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
halloween transformed my sweet four into</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7t_vE4hJ630llfp3S00Ehxaa6hcdE53o2B2yJ-K3u6ABNZ43SBJXw6rix0KmlZ3TmE7C1lMvIRHgw8rIO-aGroLQ0SLjAj2IRhaDcwf5B2B3arkwIXvLpHv4c4E3S-l1ZanfExPjAuPk/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7t_vE4hJ630llfp3S00Ehxaa6hcdE53o2B2yJ-K3u6ABNZ43SBJXw6rix0KmlZ3TmE7C1lMvIRHgw8rIO-aGroLQ0SLjAj2IRhaDcwf5B2B3arkwIXvLpHv4c4E3S-l1ZanfExPjAuPk/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
super heros, flowers, furry monsters and...well...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYdGQ5y3FzB8PDAMNWxRa8tOdKubetX__2oH_B6UUg-8lCNERCZwV87GRjcXiziVGX2xeMJCU1I9yCUC-73Gy2IjjJaUxrZAHbfW2gO4Kk7isR-KShBbJ6-tmQYAua_R_1Uw9r972is0/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYdGQ5y3FzB8PDAMNWxRa8tOdKubetX__2oH_B6UUg-8lCNERCZwV87GRjcXiziVGX2xeMJCU1I9yCUC-73Gy2IjjJaUxrZAHbfW2gO4Kk7isR-KShBbJ6-tmQYAua_R_1Uw9r972is0/s320/IMG_1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhudI2xYA2SNKLna8Lkqq_nLqyAi-EqZ84bKXorggag4EMYUluTlbpIHllidn0fHDiaE2y4qYSntvT6HhGWfQMPqXfSd1HntWy0AJxboLmBp79pQYg0k1Xki1Pqj0V3Q_UHz1kw3f1GQ/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhudI2xYA2SNKLna8Lkqq_nLqyAi-EqZ84bKXorggag4EMYUluTlbpIHllidn0fHDiaE2y4qYSntvT6HhGWfQMPqXfSd1HntWy0AJxboLmBp79pQYg0k1Xki1Pqj0V3Q_UHz1kw3f1GQ/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
i have no idea who samuel is...but i am told he is from star wars, episode ??? :0 <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu8pYPytoom6m5eYptAdrD8ORodWT_knWOZtnFQ0DLFG6XcfteVlpW38B4Io479UKTVpbU5suBldQDCmqrvUScTosy1B6N-wo6HpTGw3v-vmJBf7DsWFRF9ZLZAMFZoXjMDIIBzVB9_c/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu8pYPytoom6m5eYptAdrD8ORodWT_knWOZtnFQ0DLFG6XcfteVlpW38B4Io479UKTVpbU5suBldQDCmqrvUScTosy1B6N-wo6HpTGw3v-vmJBf7DsWFRF9ZLZAMFZoXjMDIIBzVB9_c/s320/IMG_1059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvMPhKzrTwDoZOE5tXtWMIGd1mBvDc-oMQy0hOC7gwndmltsBb1NkTuf5Knc1I9rESV8PgxRM9UUuSmG9eSksqWSkQUu589s6YXxSbptml8yf8pOHByTCuiq50qFa_UaoOdB0z4ntyv4/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvMPhKzrTwDoZOE5tXtWMIGd1mBvDc-oMQy0hOC7gwndmltsBb1NkTuf5Knc1I9rESV8PgxRM9UUuSmG9eSksqWSkQUu589s6YXxSbptml8yf8pOHByTCuiq50qFa_UaoOdB0z4ntyv4/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVjWVgnpOjLHz87hS9nbGfq7BmFdOjqrbLVzRRdCneQdEULLtqTbQ_I_JScCmc6hjim3O7-gzFeM9iUSbwFdZJaJrKlSOICukz5glomNV0XMatKRSEFFnhjwc8UOMRlZZz2tKmC1g8ao/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVjWVgnpOjLHz87hS9nbGfq7BmFdOjqrbLVzRRdCneQdEULLtqTbQ_I_JScCmc6hjim3O7-gzFeM9iUSbwFdZJaJrKlSOICukz5glomNV0XMatKRSEFFnhjwc8UOMRlZZz2tKmC1g8ao/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhJyihyoVnKYRszUtBohNOAMQ6a7NT-XeX92hAoAsCLfLeGfZeZ4d1jJxiMg5TVCxeEse6mhy5bpfJOxXFHgzsU4DQE_Phf5RWuAag7tz5_bn0Rsdl7CKcI6Jgh6wE0Oypp5JohWbRKg/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhJyihyoVnKYRszUtBohNOAMQ6a7NT-XeX92hAoAsCLfLeGfZeZ4d1jJxiMg5TVCxeEse6mhy5bpfJOxXFHgzsU4DQE_Phf5RWuAag7tz5_bn0Rsdl7CKcI6Jgh6wE0Oypp5JohWbRKg/s320/IMG_1054.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO3Ke5L4cOBbDMvhkxMZTz7UEzZiG5ZwTytNCQpvCsWNvWMhcGyDPy57yMi4HM4YDVfYzIh4VlyXGNVnYV0BPoiBVMuD9vvyPyem3E7VlmXPr9sef1hQ7dhV5lHkZ5GN4uKqexSb30D4/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO3Ke5L4cOBbDMvhkxMZTz7UEzZiG5ZwTytNCQpvCsWNvWMhcGyDPy57yMi4HM4YDVfYzIh4VlyXGNVnYV0BPoiBVMuD9vvyPyem3E7VlmXPr9sef1hQ7dhV5lHkZ5GN4uKqexSb30D4/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNpvFouKQdvUzh6ydm-8uLftgdJvD9s-VpbXe1ONgD8YLmyf8p2eU_gKgzSTS1hQcQzuMB8nGqfCMlQOF6N-gFV2FF-SGGCj7J2Jmuq6oLZDo1n4rMUkF4VGtH63slDcDPvU2j4Jkf4c/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNpvFouKQdvUzh6ydm-8uLftgdJvD9s-VpbXe1ONgD8YLmyf8p2eU_gKgzSTS1hQcQzuMB8nGqfCMlQOF6N-gFV2FF-SGGCj7J2Jmuq6oLZDo1n4rMUkF4VGtH63slDcDPvU2j4Jkf4c/s320/IMG_1052.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
selah's was my favorite for sure! she came up with the idea and designed it herself!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG_AxFtkTJ1vlHiBFmjpGBPDwi70rISQ-ip-fXeSpjrE45ZiTLWXNfStEzGR4iyxJ1jwgT-M2PFlx4PHSqS2oCoSmS3X1983STIW09AGh947TlgAWXmmKFitbnxtPfseXmJh7g9km524/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG_AxFtkTJ1vlHiBFmjpGBPDwi70rISQ-ip-fXeSpjrE45ZiTLWXNfStEzGR4iyxJ1jwgT-M2PFlx4PHSqS2oCoSmS3X1983STIW09AGh947TlgAWXmmKFitbnxtPfseXmJh7g9km524/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
the sweetest sully ever! :)<br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-74126187646870799322013-11-01T11:03:00.000-07:002013-11-01T11:03:48.342-07:00month two8 weeks.<br />
<br />
that's how long we have been at this new way of learning.
well, actually 9 weeks, cuz there are 5 weeks in october, but hey, who's counting, right?! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBrBr0zzXM2iTXvAd8z0CSkEaDLFWIVEHDqqRfqy5b2kINaWe2xKczjYy2nS9Qiavp6ZwQ-vR4J8TUqBrLt5JoFYtAqTt52gRMPI8447dI3xTLCdPjTgcx0k6WrDcSyGQYvf1NH7RacE/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBrBr0zzXM2iTXvAd8z0CSkEaDLFWIVEHDqqRfqy5b2kINaWe2xKczjYy2nS9Qiavp6ZwQ-vR4J8TUqBrLt5JoFYtAqTt52gRMPI8447dI3xTLCdPjTgcx0k6WrDcSyGQYvf1NH7RacE/s400/IMG_1015.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
we are starting to (<i>perhaps</i>) hit our stride. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfYh-cz7rdR_3TnKR22E2Li1LR-bRLOI5JQaUEI33hAhNAGoGAujCo9Zp6rQ0YToyw1Alj2csrTMb5uRpEHBEZIVV_83W1O2MfFgCMxWEeWR9TgrBis4SRLFlytLjQ9K1XHs8OZBTX_I/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfYh-cz7rdR_3TnKR22E2Li1LR-bRLOI5JQaUEI33hAhNAGoGAujCo9Zp6rQ0YToyw1Alj2csrTMb5uRpEHBEZIVV_83W1O2MfFgCMxWEeWR9TgrBis4SRLFlytLjQ9K1XHs8OZBTX_I/s400/IMG_1035.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
i finally feel like i am no longer drowning.<br />
<br />
the slowed pace is catching up to us, and it feels <i>so</i> nice! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7HwUMl0zCk0DzKN_QKrT5DcuDJe5VLS0IQii0fAwGnLqEsj8dItqQy2h7eQ8wiyCGm4nGrdlUqr0pC1TCGaLOzEdq7Zz8ors7R8VApi19Mdi8ATYv5_WywBUHNomctevWVN1Ry4xhbA/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7HwUMl0zCk0DzKN_QKrT5DcuDJe5VLS0IQii0fAwGnLqEsj8dItqQy2h7eQ8wiyCGm4nGrdlUqr0pC1TCGaLOzEdq7Zz8ors7R8VApi19Mdi8ATYv5_WywBUHNomctevWVN1Ry4xhbA/s400/IMG_1014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
we have enjoyed early morning treks, field trips on trains to get yummy "dairy fresh" milkshakes, pumpkin patches and hay rides, biking to the park, cooking together, cleaning house together and grocery shopping "family style" (not for the faint of heart!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoEt4hDdY9_r9XUcYJ3NbWVRcOe1LxE-qigw0k4koeV-XtvoTZqlSJ5MJq4GNcBUNTE-eUPONeS_RT9XWa5mcxMPOsSryYdtVba5NhYyKm2hANohIlT2QA7QyeICiNOn9u2nCLqd3aHI/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoEt4hDdY9_r9XUcYJ3NbWVRcOe1LxE-qigw0k4koeV-XtvoTZqlSJ5MJq4GNcBUNTE-eUPONeS_RT9XWa5mcxMPOsSryYdtVba5NhYyKm2hANohIlT2QA7QyeICiNOn9u2nCLqd3aHI/s400/IMG_1025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
we are also starting to hear better...listening more clearly, to each other and to His voice... <br />
<br />
during our 6 years in LA we gathered tons of community, love, support...<i>family</i>! we were rooted, invested, planted and blooming!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLAVyxMz7GiCO7sTSUFrnK8eWCzRsO8-1egxaOXZOgE-Lo20T9KB8660kaRt-O7bQIzieUH_aJYcyWm7ZXPwwA2la50I31ZySaBE15pWuSXcLEgzuhtdHuqLX6S8JDXujNaae0sLocrY/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLAVyxMz7GiCO7sTSUFrnK8eWCzRsO8-1egxaOXZOgE-Lo20T9KB8660kaRt-O7bQIzieUH_aJYcyWm7ZXPwwA2la50I31ZySaBE15pWuSXcLEgzuhtdHuqLX6S8JDXujNaae0sLocrY/s400/IMG_1016.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
here in fresno, i feel completely uprooted...my soul feels bare and vulnerable, especially as the cooler weather settles in. i'm realizing that Our Great Gardener is busy pruning us back, preparing us to bear even more fruit for Him. but the process is painful, slow, lonely. being transplanted into a new climate, different soil, odd surroundings...it often feels like we may just whither up and die. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gRnh6Gn0P6uAdxu6b395OonwcLEU8b5KfUcWugiKPJ21V-6DL96IqhwnzLXCNaAGkmC8ywTS2qGWNaKtJJtPYl_z2a41S6mebM52_Jo_9O25d1Npk3G3pFmE542GOxZO1Y9vEbi_tn0/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gRnh6Gn0P6uAdxu6b395OonwcLEU8b5KfUcWugiKPJ21V-6DL96IqhwnzLXCNaAGkmC8ywTS2qGWNaKtJJtPYl_z2a41S6mebM52_Jo_9O25d1Npk3G3pFmE542GOxZO1Y9vEbi_tn0/s400/IMG_1037.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
the central valley has <i>so many</i> trees that change colors with the seasons, an artistic object lesson for my spirit. watching the leaves willingly give up all the sunlight they have soaked in over the year, yielding to the changing temperatures, falling quietly to the ground, it reminds me how our lives, too, are seasonal. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvuMC-PDe0kG0IG76flQ-StcNPa0NKcLSct7KCOTUj6OQnChpoSIampgMgdcu16DLBg9gDSE8finv1Fu8HUIqikKNvunkPjPFaob-449gUV6eYVFzE2eO-D_qsDwIlBIo_FLa0ghR0yo/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvuMC-PDe0kG0IG76flQ-StcNPa0NKcLSct7KCOTUj6OQnChpoSIampgMgdcu16DLBg9gDSE8finv1Fu8HUIqikKNvunkPjPFaob-449gUV6eYVFzE2eO-D_qsDwIlBIo_FLa0ghR0yo/s400/IMG_1030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
there must be this giving up, falling into Him, an accepting of His wise pruning, if we are ever to bear more fruit. so much trust is required to allow our fragile souls to be planted again, <u><i>and again</i></u>, in strange new soil. there really isn't much else for one to do, but to trust. the watering, the sunlight, the pruning, it all comes from Him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3GX4MMg_45kw5vFUACD-hSLhBS-GzVkbO0ZBNU92ZNNcTUWUocBabijgVGvfCPYq7ERwfny8sXirqjozM8dRZm5vEOSqPWpMDshoItlqBaqT0xnmWBOLiRI6M2B6cKqMnQh18nyyuEA/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3GX4MMg_45kw5vFUACD-hSLhBS-GzVkbO0ZBNU92ZNNcTUWUocBabijgVGvfCPYq7ERwfny8sXirqjozM8dRZm5vEOSqPWpMDshoItlqBaqT0xnmWBOLiRI6M2B6cKqMnQh18nyyuEA/s400/IMG_1036.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
just to trust...and turn upwards to Him...if we are ever to bloom again.<br />
<br />ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-15628440174523666052013-10-31T14:17:00.000-07:002013-10-31T14:17:30.165-07:00truth“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.
There is no such thing.“
~ C. S. Lewis ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-31527735518533524602013-10-16T19:11:00.000-07:002013-10-16T19:11:47.698-07:00molar-lesswelp...our sweet #3 had his tiny (but stubborn) molar extracted on friday...and not without much shedding of tears-by all of us. it was a very emotional day for the whole family. :( but i am happy to report he no longer looks like a cartoon caricature!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWzJhd_6Dr-K9VGI4p1jqKr4i8shuO_UYzwXf314bQ_XTO3aiQn-0QVLcT1XTFl_kvKIJE5egea7CxUyjQAFaTWDH0puzvu5wsnRrID4rjECRvrahjI9I-qDRyddiykNUlQa0Ca68GUE/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWzJhd_6Dr-K9VGI4p1jqKr4i8shuO_UYzwXf314bQ_XTO3aiQn-0QVLcT1XTFl_kvKIJE5egea7CxUyjQAFaTWDH0puzvu5wsnRrID4rjECRvrahjI9I-qDRyddiykNUlQa0Ca68GUE/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" /></a></div>
after the 2 hour dental drama, we hit the road for a weekend getaway to the beautiful San Bernadino mountains. God blessed us with the chance to attend the annual fall retreat with our precious LA church community! it was heavenly! every second was like honey to our souls! amazing weather, incredible views, and endless visiting with treasured friends!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN3la6jQyPO_7H0nhr_exnx7A-XuIS3gQXBnmKnVKF1bT3Z1rdomcunYZRTEU5N6Hj9YzBfAKLPlHNi_2Xbi0cW0diKXIW_jaSxJAF1mCmsvezHGezdggv8CWL02t39rZt2VX07jYB4M/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN3la6jQyPO_7H0nhr_exnx7A-XuIS3gQXBnmKnVKF1bT3Z1rdomcunYZRTEU5N6Hj9YzBfAKLPlHNi_2Xbi0cW0diKXIW_jaSxJAF1mCmsvezHGezdggv8CWL02t39rZt2VX07jYB4M/s400/IMG_1007.JPG" /></a></div>
it was exactly what our wearied-from-overwhelming-changes family needed...72 hours of being filled up with God's love through His creation, His body and His word!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT26-3pZlnNotD-QlXhj6L6tMYg_9F9mxpjH1ndO86OeiXGPgENDE9FF5SbTn2oyzJcR6GG472OMYG6v36ipC3nX5g62LIV7Qfnq_s2L8Xt6fw4h9VGouU1JHTxQ1NtHzF5v2xSraCqsM/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT26-3pZlnNotD-QlXhj6L6tMYg_9F9mxpjH1ndO86OeiXGPgENDE9FF5SbTn2oyzJcR6GG472OMYG6v36ipC3nX5g62LIV7Qfnq_s2L8Xt6fw4h9VGouU1JHTxQ1NtHzF5v2xSraCqsM/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" /></a></div>
we send our biggest thank you's (once again!) to our dear donna and terry... a generous-to-the-core couple who always makes this family getaway possible...even this year...even after we have moved three hours north! (the pics are of dan doing push-ups for our "team" during the small group olympics! you got extra points for doing all 35 push-ups with a child on your back!)ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-9640237495926091172013-10-08T09:26:00.003-07:002013-10-08T09:26:46.193-07:00toothologythis is how #3 greeted us last friday morning. he woke up with a severely abscessed tooth!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c0xIS-qARYnEoVmyaVgvhxDb1oQy0UxXnd1d9k8o0xde3wZo_Plc6Eyi9SaVCvyzzUqBTgvHv4q4NAY_JPP2r8w9uVTdOWNrIT23jCrpnTIModO-QzIy04routeAIz5gDojIgLFD8ww/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c0xIS-qARYnEoVmyaVgvhxDb1oQy0UxXnd1d9k8o0xde3wZo_Plc6Eyi9SaVCvyzzUqBTgvHv4q4NAY_JPP2r8w9uVTdOWNrIT23jCrpnTIModO-QzIy04routeAIz5gDojIgLFD8ww/s400/IMG_0981.JPG" /></a></div>
i dealt with the immediate issues:calling the dentist, taking a picture to send to my dentist friend, getting him started on pain meds and abx. (med school is SO paying off around here!) but as soon as the urgent part was over, i had a full body reaction to how terrible he looked! the world started to spin, my ears began ringing, my mouth watered, all the color drained from my face! i literally had to get down on my hands and knees and crawl to bed to keep from vomiting.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G0ZexTO3rdz9igfYBZyf8-r0ZkH9yOxcy2gOHTSdjLreXVmtLnGu1po4EB-yrJ1Ej3gPtWGuZVyJRp75ycvpDRdsKjU569f93hoYEHXQ_J6N4vg0NY0bJcCahrfgqF0QlTE0bzWoEUw/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G0ZexTO3rdz9igfYBZyf8-r0ZkH9yOxcy2gOHTSdjLreXVmtLnGu1po4EB-yrJ1Ej3gPtWGuZVyJRp75ycvpDRdsKjU569f93hoYEHXQ_J6N4vg0NY0bJcCahrfgqF0QlTE0bzWoEUw/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" /></a></div>
please pray the meds work fast! we are visiting the dentist on friday to have the tooth extracted...pray for that too! :)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuru_bBuwg32gpIhr3Azc0sQRYsYrE70nDxTJgTFaUzBdjdyNPM7JsyGXslBVAgueC9muzmKV0taEWVhrG3xlxbu3BfyuZHRbhaG9Y9OwYxMa513_7ddd5pe_7FMQhjqPGLWeRfif4PrA/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuru_bBuwg32gpIhr3Azc0sQRYsYrE70nDxTJgTFaUzBdjdyNPM7JsyGXslBVAgueC9muzmKV0taEWVhrG3xlxbu3BfyuZHRbhaG9Y9OwYxMa513_7ddd5pe_7FMQhjqPGLWeRfif4PrA/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" /></a></div>
even looking like this he managed a smile!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-28026445094045206792013-10-07T14:22:00.002-07:002013-10-07T14:22:35.696-07:00rankingsi have decided to put a number system to our favorite activities...for future referral. (don't i sound organized! or OCD!?!) you know, level of difficulty, clean up, amount of time it earned me in "my time minutes"... for instance, the snail garden was a 7 for fun, 8 for the amount of "my time" it earned me and a A+ for clean-up (they did most of it, and then the gardeners came! score!). But the fall out factor (the long term consequence of it all!) was kinda bad...like a 2...the boys decided to run through the girls' sweet little cuddly garden and smashed all the snails! (picture lots of screaming by little girls and lots of laughing by "mean brothers"!)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSE6dFbEK0jnXcwVnBopgwrp-olqCgBRQBQk_cew3TK_udPgX2Dk00HGctJFVa9oVbkwOH8bs9kptaobz_by9n9CN6Uq1w7nf3g7TbBoQz9ECzdDmK2v7bsdmyutjTpDfuiOv7sWUmuI/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSE6dFbEK0jnXcwVnBopgwrp-olqCgBRQBQk_cew3TK_udPgX2Dk00HGctJFVa9oVbkwOH8bs9kptaobz_by9n9CN6Uq1w7nf3g7TbBoQz9ECzdDmK2v7bsdmyutjTpDfuiOv7sWUmuI/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" /></a></div>
face painting...
it's an 8 in the fun category!
clean-up: B+...the kids did most of it!
fall out factor: 2...they were super whiny about having to wash it off before bedtime...this negated the free time the activity had earned me!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLny6CiETt3jOx3qIr_TFWuDNBuTc-gEQFSBAcP03hpwJTusyKZ9llunFYe8mspvZ3uUalJioh0kdKfT7UUPOF6sr0UXzt0hpHzkpOP1KMCoAgorWOrkCY83gXfnZk9_ypPyEpf2zZv8/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLny6CiETt3jOx3qIr_TFWuDNBuTc-gEQFSBAcP03hpwJTusyKZ9llunFYe8mspvZ3uUalJioh0kdKfT7UUPOF6sr0UXzt0hpHzkpOP1KMCoAgorWOrkCY83gXfnZk9_ypPyEpf2zZv8/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71YSfsAYxgaIJDYiEihuejH57T5SafvXtN8wOVsWzbAopTM2XM9r4JzhkvHIeBZq247mN1fNYaP5mbFmMNrs-AmAKXJBF7PcM7JjFDp0gW-RIey7MyQOrZ1xlk9a7vPp6cARQVBRcA1k/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71YSfsAYxgaIJDYiEihuejH57T5SafvXtN8wOVsWzbAopTM2XM9r4JzhkvHIeBZq247mN1fNYaP5mbFmMNrs-AmAKXJBF7PcM7JjFDp0gW-RIey7MyQOrZ1xlk9a7vPp6cARQVBRcA1k/s400/IMG_0999.JPG" /></a></div>
paper shredding/playing...this was initially a great idea! they did a job i didn't want to have to do (shredding old paperwork) and then turned it into at least an hour of fun(9).
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7XJ1M_vdNEUxEDsRgzD016imzJp3O7PVxv1Swuw7qZT8zep0lEDT6anCgaUS9s_aDbrRHf0hyphenhyphen2IqCg25c191mjZ5DRjZqWya9JNkl3POgM_InFWDTLCEAU-7xnrCD9Mcaa6_j_oZXsI/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7XJ1M_vdNEUxEDsRgzD016imzJp3O7PVxv1Swuw7qZT8zep0lEDT6anCgaUS9s_aDbrRHf0hyphenhyphen2IqCg25c191mjZ5DRjZqWya9JNkl3POgM_InFWDTLCEAU-7xnrCD9Mcaa6_j_oZXsI/s400/IMG_1002.JPG" /></a></div>
clean up: at least a C-!!(i had to help WAY too much! and it stuck in their hair like you wouldn't believe!)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8jp2hWPgxCn02pS6maor4mbxpl3t5HySH9-94McUus9khrsaczdRYQyhnwNG6BIXNK5JZU5XzDIAn6J_wSX128I3ijL0ypzG6RggEeJHLqwmQazr2ch5XuQKjlxCv8kCbL-2MonRDxM/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8jp2hWPgxCn02pS6maor4mbxpl3t5HySH9-94McUus9khrsaczdRYQyhnwNG6BIXNK5JZU5XzDIAn6J_wSX128I3ijL0ypzG6RggEeJHLqwmQazr2ch5XuQKjlxCv8kCbL-2MonRDxM/s400/IMG_1004.JPG" /></a></div>
but there was very little fall out!!! still...i think i will leave this activity to when they are in someone else's "classroom"!!ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-59517505467264858672013-10-03T15:00:00.000-07:002013-10-03T15:00:23.316-07:00month onewe just finished our first 30 days of homeschooling! its been a wild ride...filled with more tears and laughter than i ever imagined. i can't yet claim that everything is "easy peasy", or that our days go "swimmingly"...but each moment (literally) has brought us closer to each other and our gracious Lord!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbKSSgwxqC_WV_igS_s9fAk1UWYLn8JMlcZo5CYwjart00nvq4iIxH2MfcKWW62GIHjJH2v7fF7EweTTTc9GtwU-JSrvhI6Z9zrag2Bpg8VlE_1ExFQwalZORcz2pshNxZdkwnO6Y5Ps/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbKSSgwxqC_WV_igS_s9fAk1UWYLn8JMlcZo5CYwjart00nvq4iIxH2MfcKWW62GIHjJH2v7fF7EweTTTc9GtwU-JSrvhI6Z9zrag2Bpg8VlE_1ExFQwalZORcz2pshNxZdkwnO6Y5Ps/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" /></a></div>
our theme this past month has been to choose joy...even (and especially!) when we don't want to. we are coming to realize (again!) that the lives we lead are not our own. to choose Christ is to <i>willingly</i> give up our "rights"...ALL of them! especially the good ones...the right to quiet, to calm, to a clean house, to order, privacy, space, time alone, sleep, getting to grocery shop by myself! we are daily realizing that we don't "deserve" any of these things! although these are all "good" things and things we genuinely need...we don't have the right to them. when/if we get any of these things, it is always a gift from God, unearned, undeserved. this life we lead is no longer our own...the home i live in is not mine, nor is the money (or time!) i spend. it is all God's. hospitality...it's not a gift that some possess, but a command...a mandate for how to live. a daily pouring out of all that i have for the glory of God, to ALL who need (or demand!) it. Homeschooling has brought this truth right up in my face. i'm realizing how i hold many parts of my life back, as if they are my own, and not His. like getting mad when someone shows up in my day, unannounced, needing me, my resources, or worse, my time. what a hypocrite i can be! preaching one thing to my kids, my friends, all those people out there...while holding myself to a very different standard. as if i can keep a part of myself from Christ...knowing full well He demands all of me!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRf-kl_jGWjr3vvZunnWWmWxjKEdRUeSb3_pQAdtwmtUUKBh85gUWYa6OMcLCtf2OfvHiDt88xQv9DOGN4-i_mqW2NbBRPFBzMd50wE0a4P6_PNuaAHY8aJbl8r038_GrsLN8P6TBKR4/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRf-kl_jGWjr3vvZunnWWmWxjKEdRUeSb3_pQAdtwmtUUKBh85gUWYa6OMcLCtf2OfvHiDt88xQv9DOGN4-i_mqW2NbBRPFBzMd50wE0a4P6_PNuaAHY8aJbl8r038_GrsLN8P6TBKR4/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" /></a></div>
and so...here are some things we are thankful for from this first month in our <i>Refiner's Fire</i>...He is only and ever good!
1. being on our own schedule
2. no homework
3. new friends
4. slow mornings
5. realizing i am not a very patient person
6. warm lunches
7. doing school in the morning sunshine, in our pj's!
8. being barefoot <i>all day!</i>
9. no lugging heavy backpacks
10. learning at our own pace
11. realizing i don't have the gift of teaching!
12. swimming at recess
13. friday fun days
14. getting to spend a week with sweet tiny cousins in nor cal!
15. God's gentle grace for our every mistake, again and again and again.ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534096104951981449.post-30641313405912756462013-09-26T15:35:00.001-07:002013-09-26T15:35:42.791-07:00slimy trailsnow that i have a home-made snail garden right in the middle of my front porch...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYH7VEboSi62jNvlmJ3BhfG_97DJ2uHQuCENBJ2t8_gi4b4dqnGiHaNvTrwZgPsVoK3NKVn-a3H3y8vZFQz4YJcZyl3HqDH7qPk2nhODj7uA4rTO42XGwLvXsqX-fzHUYrMuF8Q6vBzE/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYH7VEboSi62jNvlmJ3BhfG_97DJ2uHQuCENBJ2t8_gi4b4dqnGiHaNvTrwZgPsVoK3NKVn-a3H3y8vZFQz4YJcZyl3HqDH7qPk2nhODj7uA4rTO42XGwLvXsqX-fzHUYrMuF8Q6vBzE/s640/IMG_0966.JPG" /></a></div>
i think i can officially call myself a homeschooling mama!
(all in the name of science, people!)ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09412770594648123747noreply@blogger.com0