tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68425515014001718722024-03-13T08:58:36.036-07:00fancy free sunshineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-53183514434516803452013-06-08T07:16:00.004-07:002013-06-08T11:33:03.271-07:00Beanbag Daddy- Holla!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFhqAbl5k6E/UbK7EgQHdVI/AAAAAAAABXs/mqVFsTS8SOM/s1600/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade+-+Mr.+S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFhqAbl5k6E/UbK7EgQHdVI/AAAAAAAABXs/mqVFsTS8SOM/s320/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade+-+Mr.+S.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Mr. Steinbacher...#1 Teacher!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nBV0sCXlRu0/UbK7KVJQ9mI/AAAAAAAABX0/aQVfEsBJMlc/s1600/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade+-+Class+goofy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nBV0sCXlRu0/UbK7KVJQ9mI/AAAAAAAABX0/aQVfEsBJMlc/s400/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade+-+Class+goofy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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how am i ever going to summarize first grade?</div>
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this picture may just be the 1000 words that i need.</div>
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this year started out so rough.</div>
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{<a href="http://fancyfreesunshine.blogspot.com/2012/09/week-1-over.html">first week of school post</a>}</div>
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she needed her hand held,</div>
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tears wiped,</div>
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ralphie in her backpack,</div>
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notes in her lunchbox,</div>
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beanbag daddy on her desk,</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrtw9OB2exY/UbMu6RaxevI/AAAAAAAABY8/cKSyx5v_cgE/s1600/olivia's+last+day+of+1st+grade+BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrtw9OB2exY/UbMu6RaxevI/AAAAAAAABY8/cKSyx5v_cgE/s320/olivia's+last+day+of+1st+grade+BB.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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that goopy, slimey glow-in-the-dark putty,</div>
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stress ball,</div>
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balloons filled with flour-that would eventually explode</div>
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all over the classroom floor.</div>
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but, not once, did her teacher say no</div>
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to these little comforts that made</div>
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olivia feel more brave.</div>
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she cried everyday until Christmas break.</div>
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i was on the verge of homeschooling...which, if you know me-</div>
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that's a really big verge.</div>
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after christmas break, i came up with some new stratagies, </div>
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they went something like this:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>who do you think is going to pick their nose today?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>do you think mr. steinbacher is going</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> to rock out some new songs this morning?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>i sure hope ralphie stays out of all the kids</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> lunches while you guys are in gym class.</i></span></div>
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anything...i tried anything and everything</div>
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to get her attention on something other than me leaving her at school.</div>
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i thought i was brilliant, coming up with this little plan.</div>
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i lasted 4 days. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4 days</span> and i ran out of distractions.</div>
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that shouldn't happen to a mama </div>
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who has been diagnosed with adult A.D.D. </div>
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next strategy...google. </div>
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i researched children with anxiety like it was my full time job.</div>
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and, you know you are in deep when you are flipping </div>
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into the 2nd, 3rd, 9th google page.</div>
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that is phd material for sure.</div>
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and, after earning my phd, i became an informant on the topic.</div>
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because, i know those mamas - </div>
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and those thoughts they wished they didn't have.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>please. please just stop talking. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>stop worrying. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>stop ALL of your OCD patterns</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>that are completely FREAKing me out! </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>stop. be normal and get your little tush</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>into your classroom in time</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> to say the pledge of allegiance....please. :)</i></span></div>
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long pause. deep breath. what is "normal" anyway?</div>
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being "normal" is way overrated. </div>
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word.</div>
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and, because we made it through this tumultuous year</div>
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of anxiety-and came through it more beautiful than when we started,</div>
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with a better understanding of others who share space with us</div>
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in these parts that are pretty messy most days... </div>
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i want to savor every part of these last couple days of conversation</div>
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with olivia about school ending.</div>
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it started a couple nights ago.</div>
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she asked me if mr. steinbacher would remember her.</div>
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then the tears came. </div>
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i couldn't really let her cry alone...i mean, what kind of mom</div>
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do you think i am? </div>
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hand us the kleenex -STAT- that's right will rhymes..</div>
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give us the kleenex and you can have 20 more minutes of daniel tiger.</div>
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then, yesterday morning happened. </div>
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she walked into school all by herself.</div>
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went straight to her classroom - without me.</div>
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<i>it was the first time all year.</i></div>
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it felt amazing and the tears flowed freely.</div>
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because God has been faithful to her this year.</div>
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not once, did she ever walk alone.</div>
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and, she knew that- it took her a year to trust </div>
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and <i><b>experience</b></i> </div>
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His faithfulness.</div>
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He gave us the perfect teacher who taught</div>
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her everything teachers are supposed to cover.</div>
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then, he went above those things</div>
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and taught her skills that will last her a lifetime.</div>
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lesson 1: laugh at yourself sometimes</div>
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lesson 2: mistakes are okay</div>
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lesson 3: a hurdle is just a hurdle..that's all it is.</div>
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you either trip over it, jump over it, or leap...</div>
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no matter how messy the hurdle is-</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>giving up isn't an option. </b></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAnVesI9t7w/UbMbqYgKw8I/AAAAAAAABYU/YE0x2AGdHog/s1600/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAnVesI9t7w/UbMbqYgKw8I/AAAAAAAABYU/YE0x2AGdHog/s320/Olivia's+Last+Day+of+1st+Grade3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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after she had her goodbye with him...we both had visible signs that </div>
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we were going to lose it. we both twitch our noses and sigh.</div>
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on our way out of the building, i stopped to talk with a friend.</div>
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olivia kept rubbing my arm, tapping my arm, tugging on my arm...</div>
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how could i have forgotten that just a moment ago-</div>
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we did the nose twitch/sigh-holding back tears together? </div>
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my little girl needed to get to the car because </div>
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her capacity of holding back was maxxing out. </div>
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her little lifeboat wasn't going to make it to the car</div>
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if her mommy talked for one minute longer.</div>
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she didn't even want to pass mr. steinbacher on the sidewalk. </div>
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she made us walk through the mulch-</div>
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which, i'm pretty sure violates some sort of school rule, </div>
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but, at that point, i was willing to come back on a saturday to make it right-</div>
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just to be able to get her to a bigger life boat. </div>
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so, there you have it. </div>
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the nash girls. </div>
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hearts on drippy sleeves.</div>
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we just sat in my truck</div>
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in mini-therapy-session mode.</div>
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this included bursts of laughter, the ugly cry, a snort? sighing a lot,</div>
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catching a breath, more laughter, and, a package of puffs.</div>
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it was as if we were breathing again...</div>
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she was at the finish line-</div>
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and i was so proud and grateful that she finished well.</div>
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it was the very best way to end the year.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLKkCIIDrGA/UbLKytf6KLI/AAAAAAAABYE/5bshmfNhrcc/s1600/Olivia's+Last+Day+1st+Grade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLKkCIIDrGA/UbLKytf6KLI/AAAAAAAABYE/5bshmfNhrcc/s400/Olivia's+Last+Day+1st+Grade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sometimes it is the unspoken language of our children </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that is the most important for us to tune in to.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">here is a post written by my friend, Maggie- that is a must-read! ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.apairofpinkshoes.com/2013/06/listening-to-messages-our-kids-send-us.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apairofpinkshoes%2Foner+%28.%29">Listening to the messages our kids send us</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-73682479881505425232013-05-09T10:02:00.001-07:002013-05-09T10:02:11.167-07:00media smedia<div style="text-align: center;">
my take-away from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960">Book 7 by Jen Hatmaker</a></div>
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Chapter 4: Media</div>
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i have pretty much gotten a C- on my media fast.<br />
i have...cheated-again!! although, i have significantly reduced the usage of my digital "accomplices" - and, <strike>i am getting the hang of</strike>, no, i am enjoying not feeling so attached to them.<br />
my favorite part of these 2 weeks is when olivia reminds me<br />
that i forgot my phone and i say,<br />
"i won't be needing it-my attention is on you and will...anyone else will have to wait."<br />
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that feels great-and the giggles that ensue and the sheer smiles are worth putting everyone else on hold. because i have these 2 little lives that shouldn't have to be put on hold because i am checking a device...just like i am not wanting them to put me on hold when they are teenagers/semi-adults/adults. what i model for them today is what they will do in excess as they grow up. that is a scary and yet so very real. <br />
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and, it's moments like yesterday that will keep me disconnecting from my devices...because yesterday was cherishable and it did not involve one digital device.<br />
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before dinner...we loaded up the kids to go on a bike ride to the park. <br />
i really, really wanted to grab my phone so i could<br />
instagram every fun moment and document it later. <br />
but, i resisted and went hands-free.<br />
when we got to the trail...we saw that it was completely under water. <br />
i reached for my phone to snap a shot-<br />
this would make a great portion to my little documentary. <br />
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<i>hmm. no phone.</i></div>
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<i>**sigh* </i>resisting kicking myself<i>- </i></div>
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and, reminding myself instead of this:<i> </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><b>it isn't about sharing our time with everyone else...</b></i></div>
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<i><b>it is about sharing our time with each other.</b></i></div>
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ben ended up taking us another way...one that felt super dangerous<br />
and i was completely uncomfortable with. <br />
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when i finally relaxed and trusted my husband and just let him lead-i, along with my children, thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the journey and the destination.<br />
thank you patient ben...as your mom would say...you were always so good at loooooongsuffering.<br />
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once we were home,<br />
we fired up the grill...our crew was tired and hungry!<br />
i stood at the window and took in these 2 precious scenes:<br />
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<u><b>scene 1: instructions</b></u><br />
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watching my husband take will by the hand<br />
and instruct him about the dangers of the pool...<br />
while "mother hubbard" aka~olivia<br />
followed behind and repeated every rule. <br />
she loves rules...i don't know where she gets<br />
that from - hmm. :) <br />
oh fine-guilty. i LOVE rules too!!<br />
once the pool safety lesson was over-we let him adventure on his own to see what he would do. <br />
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**by the way-we are not that adventuresome...or neglegent..</div>
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the pool cover was still on the pool**</div>
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he would take a few steps... look at ben to see if he was watching. <br />
ben would give him THE look and he would run away-<br />
pleased with himself for following the rules. <br />
i loved wathing him revel in collecting praises from his daddy.<br />
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it's so interesting that the questions of<br />
"am i enough?" + "do i have what it takes?"<br />
start as early as 2.<br />
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<u><b>scene 2: riding lessons</b></u><br />
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olivia loves to introduce will to new things<br />
and what i enjoy about watching her teach him...<br />
is that she loves to not just instruct him-<br />
she wants him to have the entire experience-<br />
so he thoroughly enjoys his free play. <br />
yesterday she grabbed 2 of those ponies on sticks,<br />
and taught him how to "ride" and "gallop". <br />
she even made sure he knew how to "yeehaw". <br />
<br />
it's an indiana thing-i'm sure. ;)<br />
<br />
all this from the window. oh, had i left for a moment to grab my phone-i would have missed the preciousness of each personality carrying on with their beautiful imaginations.<br />
and, i would have missed my husband being a really good dad.<br />
i am learning so much from just keeping my phone out of my pocket - or away from my arms reach. <br />
<br />
i may be doing all of this the wrong way-and, i keep messing up and feeling the need to check in on everyone's life. but, somehow, God is breaking through and whispering sweet reminders of whose lives are the most important for me to keep tabs on. and, i'm pretty sure they don't have facebook accounts. :)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-37843681475340066302013-04-15T18:55:00.001-07:002013-04-16T11:03:34.982-07:00will the real slim shady...please stand up..<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This fast is looking so different than I had planned! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 3 days...I forgot I was even on a fast, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until, someone had to go and ask me how it was going. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oops. :/</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter 3: Possessions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960">Jen Hatmaker's Book: 7</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to give 7 things from every space in my house.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bathrooms, linen closet, pantry, kitchen etc...everywhere. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, as I was going through 1 or 2 rooms a day...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">prayed in that room, for God to show me excess...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and to show me what I am treasuring in place of Him. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These beauties were not on my list to give away...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, I wish they would have been.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EcT8h1Pl-sM/UWyjj4W5PBI/AAAAAAAABV0/5QIaavKRwSs/s1600/blog-beach+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EcT8h1Pl-sM/UWyjj4W5PBI/AAAAAAAABV0/5QIaavKRwSs/s320/blog-beach+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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my sista...heidi hall laplante...aka spin chic..</div>
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throwing a beach bash for our kids during our "staycation" </div>
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me: wearing my blues</div>
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a selfie...with my favorite shady-shades.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, look at them now...a broken mess. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if i had given them away...at least someone </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">would have been able to enjoy them!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My definition of a prized possession that means too much to me:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I own it and it gets damaged or broken and the following </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thoughts come to mind:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I'm going to cry or lose it-whichever comes first-order is not a factor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">+</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I want to skip all of my responsibilities and head</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">straight to the establishment that sells this possession to purchase another.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These weeks have been good...and hard.</span></b></i> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I say that? Okay...I'm saying that. good + hard.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perspective has been a huge part of these 2 weeks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">I think it's time for me to go back to my list of essentials.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">There was a time where that is all we had.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Just a year ago, in fact-</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">We were in a place where a pair of sunglasses </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">was a luxury...not something we would just</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> throw in our cart and purchase.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">I'm being challenged to take a step away from the comfort of having stuff.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">and move towards simplifying life with the essentials.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">******</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">So, I had this thought as I was in my pantry-</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to take snacks and give them away</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to people who needed lunch.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Our pantry is an area that we have excess.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want it out of my pantry and into people's</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hands and bodies that need it.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did get a few strange looks</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when we would hand someone an uncrustable, </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">along with a juice box and some snacks...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, no one ever turned us away.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This simple act has impacted me. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has humbled me. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has left me flat on my face in tears. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Why such emotion? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Because, I have seen it leave </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">a lasting impression on my 7 year old.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She prays for these "new friends"</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that we have met and shared lunch with. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her heart, along with mine</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">breaks for them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, mostly, it's because we have been in the place of need.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have seen others who have been the hands and feet of Jesus to us.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have experienced how powerful His love is for us...that He</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">laid us on the hearts of other's to actually come along side us</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">and remind us of that we were not forgotten.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">******</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am only halfway through my house and one closet in my basement </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is full of stuff to give-away. That may not sound like much...but, after</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">moving 3 times, in 3 years-I really didn't think I had that much left to </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">give-away. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may take a couple months to get everything</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to it's rightful place-or, maybe it will get completed</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in a couple weeks. Praying God's timing and leading-</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and for my grasp to be looser and looser on these things</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> and tighter and tighter onto Him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less of me and my stuff-</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and more of you Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more.of.you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-17566822652496893572013-03-28T09:47:00.001-07:002013-03-28T09:55:23.874-07:00small confession...actually, it's kind of a big deal<div style="text-align: center;">
yesterday was hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the thought of crying came to me-i really want to go on vacation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it sounded silly + there was no time to cry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i had to finish chapter 2 in my book, 7.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i am so glad that i did. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
chapter 2: clothes<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">choosing 7 items to wear for 2 weeks.</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, here is my outfit-that i have been wearing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every single day...<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">black cardi, green tee + jeans</span></b><br />
my second outfit: yoga pants and long sleeve tee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
have turned into my pjs.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snZLRrwTkBg/UVPIct87OuI/AAAAAAAABUg/nWoHC6_T5QE/s1600/insta-will+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snZLRrwTkBg/UVPIct87OuI/AAAAAAAABUg/nWoHC6_T5QE/s1600/insta-will+and+i.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
will rhymes + i after sunday school</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>black cardi, green tee + jeans</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t0iZPR9HuQk/UVPIcn7AfcI/AAAAAAAABUk/F5AnJV7oVRw/s1600/insta-fibber%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t0iZPR9HuQk/UVPIcn7AfcI/AAAAAAAABUk/F5AnJV7oVRw/s320/insta-fibber%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
my mom, liv + i enjoying a fun game of fibber!!</div>
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[these two...i can't trust them]</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>black cardi, green tee + jeans</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pl3NI_qkUrM/UVPIdJEkuKI/AAAAAAAABUs/fuNFKqg6DGk/s1600/insta-small+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pl3NI_qkUrM/UVPIdJEkuKI/AAAAAAAABUs/fuNFKqg6DGk/s320/insta-small+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 of my sistas-at a hockey game with our families.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i really wanted to wear something fun this night...but, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>black cardi, green tee + jeans</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh well...you know what they say...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
second verse, same as the first.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a little bit louder and a little bit worse!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this clothes fast was much harder than the food fast was for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this is a post that i had written to the girls in my book club on day 5 of this fast:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span id=".reactRoot[1130].[1][2][1]{comment431055833646905_435000619919093}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][1]"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1130].[1][2][1]{comment431055833646905_435000619919093}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1130].[1][2][1]{comment431055833646905_435000619919093}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1130].[1][2][1]{comment431055833646905_435000619919093}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">I wish I could say that this fast has been easy. </span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">I have struggled every day.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">and everyday I wake up and feel edgy...</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">because I want variety. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">I want to wear a hat or a headband...</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">a clip would even be acceptable.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> I was processing with Ben and was explaining my edginess.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> It came down to 2 things: I am entitled and I am discontent.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> Ugh. How humbling.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> I thought I would love not having options,</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">that it would take a lot of the guess work out for me </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">of what I was going to wear.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span class="emoticon emoticon_frown" style="background-position: -34px -606px; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;"></span> I miss fun scarves, accessorizing, </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">switching out shoes with boots and boots with shoes...</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">ball caps, sunglasses, rings, layering clothes, fun coats.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> These are ALL such luxuries. None of them fit into an essentials list.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> After pouting and having mini melt downs last week...</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">i'm ready to see what this week holds.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm not sure if it has been harder, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because we are going on week 4 of giving up excess...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or, if it's because i care that much about how i look..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or both. :/</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
back to my mini melt-down tantrum about not "having"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
options for variety...whether in clothing, accessorizing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
traveling... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as i picked up my book to finish ch. 2,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this sentence was waiting for me:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKSq6E-_ElU/UVPM_qHowFI/AAAAAAAABVA/7K0lbeTv78U/s1600/insta+long+sleeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKSq6E-_ElU/UVPM_qHowFI/AAAAAAAABVA/7K0lbeTv78U/s1600/insta+long+sleeve.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i stopped...in my melt-down tracks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"I spend more just on clothes in one year than the average</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> Ethiopian family earns in almost five."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i want to etch this sentence in my heart forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who am i to be <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so</span></b> entitled?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on clothes alone...i spend more than they make in 5 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what am i doing with my money?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with my time?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here is a small, small confession:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i was searching on a garage sale site a couple days ago...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
olivia needs new shoes for spring and summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She has a pair of flip flops right now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
meanwhile, i sure did find this pair of awesomeness!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnmcBHKOcBY/UVRqOCeOgRI/AAAAAAAABVM/MD1xQrjQ79Q/s1600/insta-shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnmcBHKOcBY/UVRqOCeOgRI/AAAAAAAABVM/MD1xQrjQ79Q/s1600/insta-shoes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, i purchased them...knowing that i am ridding myself of excess...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i purchased them</span></i>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
guilty as charged. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i didn't even hesitate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i justified it by telling myself,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
self...they are $5. you love a good wedge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
throw in the fact that they "happen" to be just your size.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's a deal. forget ch. 2...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
your council of women would approve-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they wouldn't want you to pass up such an amazing deal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
do it. these lovelies will dress up a really dull outfit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
type interested.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, i did. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i listened to my bad self-the next thing i knew-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i was setting up a time to meet with the seller </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and bring these babies home!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mama needs new shooooes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the day after this little hiccup happened,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my dear friend, dessie...one of the sexy 7-10 girls,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
posted this pic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vCamjiuiyE/UVRsnFWu3OI/AAAAAAAABVU/XuMdrABL4VQ/s1600/insta-dess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vCamjiuiyE/UVRsnFWu3OI/AAAAAAAABVU/XuMdrABL4VQ/s320/insta-dess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yep...she wasn't purchasing new shoes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she was giving away half her closet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh, sweet Jesus...i am undeserving of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
your grace that covers me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i am consciously receiving it-and grateful</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that your mercies are new every morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here is my hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that something inside me is done resisting my Jesus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there is nothing wrong with buying a new pair of whatevers...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there is something in my heart though, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that is not satisfied, not content with what i already own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because i can't wear variety in these 2 weeks...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i seek to be distracted by it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by what i can't have.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
am i drawn more to beauty and style</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
above substance, contentment & integrity?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my hope is that i will be able to say no.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not sure i am there yet. :/</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-75814787240417508282013-03-05T12:12:00.001-08:002013-03-06T04:36:00.827-08:00be aware of your polarity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qibV0ZZvTeQ/UTYwpOkgCPI/AAAAAAAABTM/Y2d2-E466S4/s1600/fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qibV0ZZvTeQ/UTYwpOkgCPI/AAAAAAAABTM/Y2d2-E466S4/s320/fortune.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">day five of reading the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960">7</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ben and olivia came home from my favorite</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">restaurant sunday night and brought me this fortune.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm pretty sure they decided this fortune was for me as</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they licked their plates clean of sushi + crab wontons.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how thoughtful.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how very and completely thoughtful you two!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i had to laugh because</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that last "be aware" portion fits perfectly for how i've been handling this week.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> last night, in particular was insanity!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my sweet girl was up all night itching and scratching.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i was up all night trying to get her focus off of the itch and scratch.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it was disastrously impossible.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, after 1 hour of beauty sleep,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i woke up to the realization of a long day</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with one itching and scratching and one wound up toddler...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and my fuel for the day was black coffee and a plain egg-</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a.w.e.s.o.m.e.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i almost cried.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">why does cereal and my comfort {cream + coffee}</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">make me feel like i can tackle mount windwood?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, in my rebellious state, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i did it. i cheated.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i poured cream into the blackness of my mug.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and somehow, i felt good.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like, i had earned it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i mean, i had been up <i>all</i> night with my child.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>pathetic.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>go ahead...judge me.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that is pathetic.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because when your child needs you,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that's what parents do.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they pull all-nighters.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this is what i signed up for.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, my super-hot-supamodel friend, heather...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">do you know that she stayed up for a gajillion nights</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with her sweet bailey? and, not just nights...all day too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> cuddling her, snuggling...trying to adjust</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her so that she could breath better. making sure that her meds were</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not a minute off. she and matt both. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they did not miss one appointment...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not one of her smiles or sounds. they were present for her. </span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they gave her everything they had.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5v-_OAyiFE/UTZGYiLBOyI/AAAAAAAABT8/C7F2uJ_gSlg/s1600/bailey+mekkes_0006sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5v-_OAyiFE/UTZGYiLBOyI/AAAAAAAABT8/C7F2uJ_gSlg/s320/bailey+mekkes_0006sq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRAbYNzrr8/UTZJCsmb1uI/AAAAAAAABUI/i9CRy-9wb5o/s1600/bailey+mekkes_0028-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRAbYNzrr8/UTZJCsmb1uI/AAAAAAAABUI/i9CRy-9wb5o/s320/bailey+mekkes_0028-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*******************</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> i know i am comparing extreme situations. </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, my point is this...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i learned how to be a better parent </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because of bailey. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i saw </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her parents be parents. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">they were present.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they still are. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> i am growing up in this parenting world...</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wanting to be just like them.</span></div>
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their fuel - our Faithful God-</div>
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who they still call Faithful.</div>
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my fuel today...cream + coffee?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enough. already. enough.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adding cream to my day,</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">doesn't make it any easier to be present with my</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children. it only allows me </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to feel more entitled and deserving.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank you black coffee.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank you for being plain + plainer.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">simplifying my perspective.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and my heart pours out to our precious friends.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank you for sharing your sweets with us.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bailey is always near our hearts and continues</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to bring perspective to our lives</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and point us to the One.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For I am His,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and He is Mine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that is where true fuel is found.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**if you want to know more about bailey...you can find her story here at <a href="http://theseventhsparrow.blogspot.com/">seven sparrows</a>.</span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-38318387680600822532013-03-03T18:09:00.000-08:002013-03-04T22:14:31.635-08:00my list of SEVEN (8)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mksGS-EbrBc/UTO3PjcpB9I/AAAAAAAABS4/Zq8bZHcMU6c/s1600/number-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mksGS-EbrBc/UTO3PjcpB9I/AAAAAAAABS4/Zq8bZHcMU6c/s320/number-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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i keep praying...<br />
because i've never even done a fast for longer than a day,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
or at least stuck with it to do it well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
last year, for lent, i said i would fast from sugar. </div>
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i lasted a whole 2 days. my own daughter, </div>
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who was 6 at the time, asked</div>
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if i was sure i wanted to give up sugar for lent. </div>
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she suggested i try something a little easier that i could give up-</div>
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like vegetables? uh, yea. that was humbling.</div>
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<br /></div>
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praying over this is where i am at. </div>
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i really want to see what God shows me through this </div>
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and where He will lead.</div>
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and, at the end, i don't want to regret not finishing. </div>
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i desire change...to be disgusted with my excess.</div>
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because i know myself...the more i have-the more- my life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
is about me. less of me and more of you Jesus.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br />
here we go...<br />
Chapter 1: Food<br />
<br />
doing this book with 35 other girls is so fascinating!!<br />
it is incredible to hear how each girl is praying over<br />
this...truly pouring over it making it their own.<br />
<br />
there are so many different ways to fast.<br />
<br />
some are using their lunch time to fast,<br />
pray and connect with their kiddos.<br />
others are eating only "clean" food. <br />
some are only making meal selections based on<br />
what they currently have in the refrigerator and pantry.<br />
a few are giving up eating out, extra snacks & starbucks<br />
and some are choosing from 7 food items to eat.<br />
<br />
i chose the latter. choosing 7 foods. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
this is what i came up with:</div>
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<br /></div>
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my fab 5: spinach, chicken, apples, egg + ww bread</div>
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my 3 luxury items: avocado, greek yogurt + coffee</div>
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so, i know...i have 8 right? well, that's where my</div>
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3 luxury items come in on rotation. i am allowing</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
myself 2 luxuries a day, along with my 5 essentials.</div>
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<br /></div>
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**side note**</div>
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and you know what's great...</div>
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my kind of luxury coffee is a caramel macchiato from starbucks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
bring in the hallelujah chorus and little cherubs waving wands.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
but, luxury is taking on a whole new meaning to this girl with her 7.</div>
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luxury coffee for the next 2 weeks is black. black as in PLAIN-coffee black. </div>
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<br /></div>
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it's hot...i'll give it that. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyo6lwz1cT4/UTOmsVpJ4GI/AAAAAAAABSI/uBt4lNeeQ3A/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyo6lwz1cT4/UTOmsVpJ4GI/AAAAAAAABSI/uBt4lNeeQ3A/s320/7.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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okay...sorry for the diversion...<br />
my experience in the grocery store:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i'm walking aisle to aisle searching for my 7 (8) items</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
and i stopped at the waffles and just stared at them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i mean, was i a little bit thinking that waffles could fit into my essentials? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
well, maybe.. but more than that, i am struck with this thought of how</div>
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immensely lucky i am that i can go to any store i want and buy food.</div>
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and not only do i get to buy food...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i have 7 different kinds of waffles-from the same brand to choose from.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i know...i'm such a genius.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
these things probably come to most people as they shop through the grocery.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
but, it hasn't hit me like that before.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i didn't realize how much i would see on day 1 alone.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
{jumping back to leftovers for a second from my earlier post}</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
on day two,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i had plain chicken in my refrigerator</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
just sitting there. i didn't let myself think about</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
it too long. i got it out, warmed it up</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
and had it for lunch. <br />
and, there were cheers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
crowds <i><b>roared</b></i> in amazement. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
well, my crowd of 3 sure did some clapping for me. ;)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
and, i'm still alive today. i didn't waste what i normally would have...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
and, for the most part, i stuck to my 7.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
with the exception of 4 peanut m&ms that were sitting in a </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
bag in my pantry begging for me to eat them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
so, my friends...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
this is happening.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
an experimental mutiny against excess.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJk-FGq4LwE/UTOnaow7aDI/AAAAAAAABSQ/odXgOd8JFX4/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJk-FGq4LwE/UTOnaow7aDI/AAAAAAAABSQ/odXgOd8JFX4/s320/book.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
the 2 places where i think God is leading me...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHwzzTuP5GI/UTO1_RWXwEI/AAAAAAAABS0/O1HBsgf632U/s1600/puglypixel_mini_metal_rim_tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHwzzTuP5GI/UTO1_RWXwEI/AAAAAAAABS0/O1HBsgf632U/s400/puglypixel_mini_metal_rim_tags.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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we started March 1. </div>
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I'll let you know how it goes.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-59673811446212133762013-03-03T12:59:00.000-08:002013-03-04T22:15:58.946-08:00LEFTOVERS<div style="text-align: center;">
i vowed, like the taylor swift kind of vow,</div>
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that i would never, ever, e v e r </div>
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get back together...</div>
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with leftovers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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ugh to leftovers.</div>
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the worst kind of feeling</div>
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comes over me when i even say the word </div>
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l e f t o v e r s.</div>
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like i just swallowed an entire spoonful of bacteria </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and washed it down with a jar of mold.</div>
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<br /></div>
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i am not down with leftovers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i could care less that i throw food away...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or, let it sit in the back of the refrigerator until my </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
amazing Type A husband throws it away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>i know you are out there-</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you are either standing and saying</i></div>
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<i>a big hello no to leftovers...or, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you are rolling your eyes because</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i'm making such a BIG deal out of them.</i>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well, i may not be making such a big deal out of them </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after reading chapter 1 in the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960">7</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my whole world is changing - thank you <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/">jen hatmaker</a>...i think.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MXJ7egDCXM/UTOmMAHgonI/AAAAAAAABSA/dBPt9t_M3jM/s1600/fasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MXJ7egDCXM/UTOmMAHgonI/AAAAAAAABSA/dBPt9t_M3jM/s400/fasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our fearless leader, Amanda {Rosencrantz} Lutz,<br />
is the one who made this spiffy reminder of what<br />
fasting is all about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she was one of my roomies in college-where </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we affectionately nicknamed her rosipantz. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
makes me smile just saying it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
love you rosie! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there are 36 of us from across the U.S.<br />
and a few other countries as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
love the grace she extends to all of us<br />
as she reminds us that each fast will look</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
different because each of us so is uniquely different.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
including the sexy 7-10 girls!<br />
we are all soOo unique.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my college bff's.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqDo5NWBGqM/UTOusSzsx1I/AAAAAAAABSg/pYEBV_DaoKQ/s1600/7-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqDo5NWBGqM/UTOusSzsx1I/AAAAAAAABSg/pYEBV_DaoKQ/s320/7-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and because my girl jodi, aka spritz, aka sasha</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
isn't pictured above...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yS8E32D2Jek/UTOusIdn3UI/AAAAAAAABSc/pSBBNOJrRiU/s1600/7-10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yS8E32D2Jek/UTOusIdn3UI/AAAAAAAABSc/pSBBNOJrRiU/s320/7-10a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i had to include a pic of this supamodel too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when i was thinking about re-joining this </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"long distanced book club for awesome people" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(that's the name of it...how awesome is that??)<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these girls kept coming to my mind and my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we have never done anything like this together</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i was sort of nervous to even ask.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but, one by one...i kept getting responses that they would</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
join me in this. i can't wait to see what God has in store for us!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4895695/?claim=hrg6rtfcdzs">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-69803814738501665232013-01-17T11:16:00.001-08:002013-01-17T11:47:57.061-08:00one whole year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBDgUYUJ0Xo/UPhM_06OBNI/AAAAAAAABRM/PWquzNy2HxY/s1600/portfolio-newIMG_0040a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBDgUYUJ0Xo/UPhM_06OBNI/AAAAAAAABRM/PWquzNy2HxY/s320/portfolio-newIMG_0040a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we are on that day...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the one people call an anniversary.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it feels so strange calling it that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it has been one year...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
365 days without a phone call, a visit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even a visual of her presence.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
time marches on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and yet, i expect it to stop and wait...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be patient with us and maybe more thoughtful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
so much has happened in a year...<br />
so many milestones that our kids have experienced,<br />
and their amma would have treasured each one.<br />
to see olivia start to read,<br />
will start to walk-no run, :)<br />
millie take ballet and do her twirly- twirls,<br />
and, hank starting to form words and pull himself up.<br />
she loved her grandbabies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she cared about their day to day activities. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she loved spending her time with them.<br />
<br />
these are random thoughts, but...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i looked forward to getting her clippings<br />
of the important and the latest so that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i could be more informed about our world and surroundings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she gave the best gifts...they were always the practical.<br />
i love the practical.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who doesn't need a glass pitcher filled with lemons and limes?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, after 10 years of marriage...yes please! <br />
that was one of my favorites.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, then...there were the not-so-practical given at christmas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then, she gave the diamond bracelets...one had my initial on it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other had a band of diamonds straight across.<br />
stunning!<br />
that one was given</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few weeks after we lost our son, jack. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she wanted me to remember</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the solid rock on which i stand...Jesus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
my reason for this post-<br />
i can't let the day go without honoring her in some way<br />
and,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i want to stress the importance of time.<br />
we never know how much time we will get with our loved ones.<br />
<br />
if your mom or mother-in-law is still with you today...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
will you take the time out of your day for her?<br />
just carve out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an hour to do lunch, grab coffee, skype, do a longer than normal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
phone call...and make the conversation about her.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will never regret the time spent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
if you have differences, tolerate them. <br />
appreciate that she</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was made different than you.<br />
death is certainly not our friend.<br />
one can never prepare for its permanence.<br />
it leaves us confused, messy & unsatisfied.<br />
nothing sounds right or good.<br />
the only thing that does,<br />
is to sit down with her,<br />
in her kitchen and listen to stories about the farm.<br />
that is what sounds good to me.<br />
we miss you mom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-59667271396642663692012-09-12T19:46:00.002-07:002012-09-12T20:56:39.684-07:00WEEK 1 -OVER<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i am thankful that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">last week is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">over</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">there was fear, panic, anxiety and more anxiety.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...a little background first, </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">olivia has had severe stomach issues all summer. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>we have seen several doctors, </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>hospital visits and specialists...</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>all summer.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Te5nK0iGI/UE64JHHZFkI/AAAAAAAABOU/LFkPPNq2KoM/s1600/olivia-hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Te5nK0iGI/UE64JHHZFkI/AAAAAAAABOU/LFkPPNq2KoM/s320/olivia-hospital.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edcMh5XBUxM/UE64Mg4dJUI/AAAAAAAABOc/D47AKLUx324/s1600/olivia-hospital2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edcMh5XBUxM/UE64Mg4dJUI/AAAAAAAABOc/D47AKLUx324/s320/olivia-hospital2+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlhVPQtznjw/UE64P9PA2zI/AAAAAAAABOk/AXnHqkb77Kg/s1600/olivia-hospital+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlhVPQtznjw/UE64P9PA2zI/AAAAAAAABOk/AXnHqkb77Kg/s320/olivia-hospital+3+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">these people here ^ are just the best kind </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of people you could ask </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for! </span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> they were amazing with olivia!</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">after getting her on the right meds,</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">her stomach is finally starting to feel better!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but, then school started.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJv8irBvazw/UE65T0eMWcI/AAAAAAAABOs/5VjVsY0sft0/s1600/olivia+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJv8irBvazw/UE65T0eMWcI/AAAAAAAABOs/5VjVsY0sft0/s320/olivia+and+i.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">now, anxiety has kicked in, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">telling her that her stomach will start hurting all over again-</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="font-family: Palatino;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and a crazy, consuming, obsessive cycle has begun...</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">not to mention, when i asked </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the pharmacist if her meds might</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Palatino;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">be adding to her emotional state, he said yes. :(</span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the week before school started,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> we would run into the normal question </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of what grade </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she was going into...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">as soon as she said, "First", </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">these well-meaning, friendly people </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">would get this huge happy grin on their face</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and say, "What a big girl you are...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">going to school for the whole day!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You must be so excited!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> she would muster up a smile </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and return a quick nod.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i could see her conflict. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she just told these complete strangers a lie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">going along with them just to </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">get them to stop talking about </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">how awesome a whole day away from </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">her safe haven </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is completely spectacular.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it started her crossing paths </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she hadn't even considered yet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">the night before school started:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">as soon as there was any mention</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of school, big, fat crocodile tears</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">made their way into hysteric sobs.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it broke my heart. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> i always loved school! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">art, reading, working on projects, writing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-they were my favs...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and then there was the complete social </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">benefit of being </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with friends all day long.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">not so for olivia. we were on two different tracks:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i was so excited </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to make her </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a healthy, beautiful breakfast. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> she could hardly get the words out...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>i think i am going to vomit.</i> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> it was written all over her face. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7RCar3tNmI/UE66UFOUnDI/AAAAAAAABO0/Xhk_HhCiQz0/s1600/olivia-first+day+of+first+grade+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7RCar3tNmI/UE66UFOUnDI/AAAAAAAABO0/Xhk_HhCiQz0/s320/olivia-first+day+of+first+grade+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAORWJ6o9Yc/UE66XMniEyI/AAAAAAAABO8/j9GPt7Z2vjc/s1600/olivia+and+daddy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAORWJ6o9Yc/UE66XMniEyI/AAAAAAAABO8/j9GPt7Z2vjc/s320/olivia+and+daddy+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> luckily, her daddy took her on her first day-</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she is always brave for him.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i picked her up- expecting that things </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">were sure to have improved throughout the day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">nope...she had cried all day long.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">day 2...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 minutes after i left the building,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> i got a call from the office.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she was lying on the cot...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">covered in a beautiful quilt </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the principal had made </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and used to make her feel more comfortable. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> i had them send her back to class</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> as i went crazy waiting </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">until i could get into my car to go get her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">day 3...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she was not having it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> sobbing, resisting, dry heaving...true anxiety. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">there was no talking her through or around it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and yes, i carried her to the car, hoping and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">praying my neighbors down the street </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">weren't going to call CPS. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> she was so bewildered...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she could not believe i would force her </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">into such discomfort. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> it was as if i had performed the ultimate betrayal. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> i got her into the building, left her in the bathroom </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and went down to the office. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the secretaries took one look at me, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">offered their support and a few kind words </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and i crumbled. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> they suggested that i talk to the counselor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and get him involved. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> he immediately came to help.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i left that day without a hug or a kiss from my liv.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> that was a long day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that night, we were reading Bible stories-</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we had just finished the story about Jesus </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">calming the storms with one command...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>isn't that amazing olivia?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> that Jesus can command the winds and the sea </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>to hush and be still?</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>mommy, please pray that i will stop crying at school.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>i really want to stop, but i can't.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she climbed on top of me and just sobbed. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">on top of school stuff, she is really missing her amma.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the strength in me was gone, within seconds,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> i was joining her with my own tears...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">missing her amma with her </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and wishing life could let up a bit for her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> we both just laid there-</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wondering where God was in the midst of this storm. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> we kept asking Him to take this anxiety...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">this fear- and hush it....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">banish it from this little peanut of mine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">day four...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she willingly got into the car...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">tears and heavy sobs the entire way to school. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> she had an ounce more confidence </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">than she had the day before. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">she had made 2 new friends...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">her counselor and her first grade teacher.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when i picked her up after school, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i got a thumbs up from her teacher..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which sent relief straight through my entire body.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">relief that she hadn't merely survived the day, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it meant that she ate more than 2 crackers all day, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that she forgot about asking every 5 minutes when her mommy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">was coming to get her, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that she enjoyed a game of bingo, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">found a friend to share a swing with, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">anticipated the end of a chapter book</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> that her teacher was going to finish that day. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Tiph3JaUY/UE93WFz-mpI/AAAAAAAABPs/A2im2v1ouOk/s1600/olivia-1st+grade+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Tiph3JaUY/UE93WFz-mpI/AAAAAAAABPs/A2im2v1ouOk/s320/olivia-1st+grade+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> God has created olivia, all of us really, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to be more than survivors...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">more than just trudging through life </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">begging for it to get easier.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>{and believe me, i have been begging</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>-the poor pathetic-hands-and-knees kind of begging</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>for this to get easier.}</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> more than likely, it won't.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we are still in the thick of it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we are grateful for the help we are receiving </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and the way God is meeting our every need.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">everyone at our school has been</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">incredible to us. we are right where we should be!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in the midst of grief and tough, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">heart breaking moments...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">there is no rescuer like our good God.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">liv is at the beginnings of something really spectacular. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i am confident of that.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i can't wait to see how He shows up and surprises her.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">because that is just like Him...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to show up with a better plan</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">than she or i could have ever imagined.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-55423389076437928572012-07-08T20:46:00.001-07:002012-07-09T05:34:31.577-07:0050 Shades of Magic Mike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am due for a post. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not so much because it has been a while...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">well, it has. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, more because i feel this stirring in my soul </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about some important things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">things that seem to be sliding through cracks. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, i'm letting them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am not even sure why i've been avoiding this topic for so long.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so-enough. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i did some digging and researching.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some soul searching too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> if you know me...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you know that i am passionate about some things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and one of these issues is a huge button for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first, i try-<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">try</span></b> <b>so</b> hard to stay </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">out of controversial topics </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when they are</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> based within a social media setting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> my wise, slow-to-react husband will read</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">comments that i intend to leave about hot topics</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and he will slowly shake his head. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sometimes, i just squint my eyes and give him that</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">look, like "everyone who reads this will</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">know that i have the best intentions..."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, again..with the head shaking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oh fine. delete.delete.delete.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he is spot on 99.9% of the time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so, last night, i was up until 3:30 a.m. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> reading</span> <a href="http://melissajenna.com/2012/06/30/50-shades-of-magic-mike-in-which-i-am-very-uncool/">50 Shades of Magic Mike</a>...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">along with a lot of the comments on this post</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">at</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://melissajenna.com/">melissajenna.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.eljamesauthor.com/_/rsrc/1333161988102/images/fsog_cover_sm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.eljamesauthor.com/_/rsrc/1333161988102/images/fsog_cover_sm.png" width="193" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/65/Magic_Mike.jpg/220px-Magic_Mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/65/Magic_Mike.jpg/220px-Magic_Mike.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MJ is my new cool blogging friend </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that someone on fb introduced me to. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she doesn't know how great of friends we are yet. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, i think she is so very fab! ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anyway, as of last night, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there were almost 1500 replies to her post. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and i was drawn in. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this topic is important to me because it is an underlying current</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that, with momentum, will begin a larger movement than </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i think any of us truly hope to bring our children</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into when they are our age. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i also am curious to know what women think on these topics. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some men even weighed in...which, i appreciated as well. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even little ole' me took a shot at chiming in-carefully and respectfully. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my thought in talking about this momentum in our media</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is to bring more awareness to the topic at hand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i was considering reading this book </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and going to the movie as well.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am thankful for MJ's post. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she presented some facts </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that i wasn't aware of...i wasn't even trying to become aware of.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it is also important for you to know my heart</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when i write about a conviction of mine...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or, a topic that i am passionate about.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it really is personal to me-and i hope that</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am able to present clearly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that my thoughts, values and convictions</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are merely where i am-in my journey...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not where i expect or think anyone else should be.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">after getting a general feel for some public</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">opinions on melissa's blog...i was interested to see how the media is portraying</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">"50 shades" and "Magic Mike".</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"> here is a quote from</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">just one radio host:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">{and, btw...i found these similar statements across the board}</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">"Let’s face it gentlemen, we’ve been objectifying women for a LONG time. They’re just taking their turn. They won’t think “My man should look like that,” any more than we think “My woman should look like that,” when we see a beautiful woman.</span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Let them go see the movie. Then gently let them know that them getting angry with you for going to the strip club is unwarranted. The fact is, you’ve chosen each other. Use this as a chance to tell her that you still want to see her in her lingerie. She may not think she looks good, and she’s probably not a model, but that doesn’t mean we appreciate them any less. You shouldn’t think they will appreciate you any less either.</span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">See? These pieces of entertainment aren’t threats. They’re a chance for everyone to gain an understanding of each other. Women are now seeing how men have viewed adult entertainment for eons, and men are getting a dose of how women have felt about it."</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #616161; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">
</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">is this really the pitch?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">the fact that is is<i style="font-style: italic;"> our </i>turn...</span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> like, it's a once in a lifetime chance to objectify men</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> on the big screen...</span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and because we go to see it..</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">good news men, you are getting a free v.i.p. to strip clubs </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a lifetime </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">pass to view porn from here on out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">...as if there is no harm done to anyone</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">because the "fairness" rule was in play.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">um, i'm not sure about you..but,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">pretty much, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anytime i have used the "fairness" card in my marriage,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">it has never once ended with me feeling great about myself or my choice.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> it's a step in the wrong direction for me. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, somehow it brings my maturity to a 4th grade level-at best.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">no thanks. this girl is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> taking a stand </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and passing on seeing this movie and</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reading this book.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">taking this approach, or this stand seems small in the year 2012.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, i'm guessing, that in 2032...when my daughter</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is 37..and my son, 31. they will have much larger stands to take</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the world of entertainment.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #616161; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #616161; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><img height="320" id="modalphotoimage" idphoto="48" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/d6ad13f0b74111e1b9f1123138140926_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="320" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><img height="450" id="modalphotoimage" idphoto="3" src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/d41711b2c91211e1b00112313800c5e4_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer;" width="450" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #616161; line-height: 18px;"></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-35220531235757409632012-05-31T21:57:00.002-07:002012-05-31T22:16:13.271-07:00my songbird and my little banjo<div style="text-align: center;">
it has been one of those days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the kind of days where you can't win for losing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i think i cried uncle at least a dozen times...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
my report card:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
failing at our grocery budget...is anyone ahead on this one?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if so, what is your secret??<br />
<br />
turned in 3 important papers for olivia's school<br />
<b>a week late</b>.<br />
<br />
haven't gotten back to the list of people i need to text<br />
or call back...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
miscommunication with mi espouso. louso.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
the dog dragged something unmentionable into our abode</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from the great outdoors. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
i scorched our fajitas...torched-scorched.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
my avacados weren't ripe enough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and i waited 2 weeks-really?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{hoping they weren't genetically modified somehow} <br />
*ew</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i forced them to work into my quacamole.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i really wish i didn't do that.<br />
*force things to work*<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i picked the wrong paint color</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for this amazing project i'm working on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was supposed to be a pale smoke color-light grey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well, in a warehouse full of windows-it hardly gives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the color i envisioned it would.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
will has discovered that he has some really awesome pipes</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and he loves experimenting with his range.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
high screeches-to higher screeches-to highest screeches.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
wow. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and, liv is feeling replaced. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i am pretty sure i got a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">D-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
i cannot wait for the day to end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nelIV4MldAE/T8hFTvnH-QI/AAAAAAAABMc/4HK7B6J__wM/s1600/blog+-+liv+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nelIV4MldAE/T8hFTvnH-QI/AAAAAAAABMc/4HK7B6J__wM/s320/blog+-+liv+and+i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
with that said,<br />
my songbird can't go to bed without me singing to her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and scratching her back. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" id="modalphotoimage" idphoto="29" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/582069f89fde11e1989612313815112c_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="320" /></span></div>
and my little man has to be held</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just so. he enjoys back scratches too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he is my banjo. he strums his little lips and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is just right for drowning out my high notes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
liv asked for words tonight for me to scratch out on her back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she asked for 6 1/2 words because-yep, you guessed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it...she is 6 1/2!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these were her words tonight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
U WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE HERE.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i pray pray pray</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that this phrase will be etched on both of their beautiful souls</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">f o r e v e r.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><img height="400" id="modalphotoimage" idphoto="32" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/4a77d43e9de611e1abb01231382049c1_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></span><br />
<br />
and, more importantly...<br />
that they will grasp God's love for them.<br />
<br />
that He sees them...<br />
when they feel like no one else does,<br />
and He feels<br />
the pain of their broken little hearts,<br />
when little hearts break.<br />
He hears<br />
the doubts that come<br />
when they feel unimportant.<br />
<br />
and He Promises-promises-promises<br />
that He will take it all.<br />
all of our doubt,<br />
all of our failures,<br />
our D- 's,<br />
our past mistakes,<br />
our feelings of inadequacy...<br />
and remind us of these 6 1/2 words as well.<br />
<br />
U WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE HERE.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-59747004335380263622012-04-19T20:33:00.001-07:002012-04-19T20:35:13.360-07:00when skies are grey<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://feltandwireshop.com/system/product_images/10363/original/Sunshine_CARD_3.jpg?1318353885" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i>you are my sunshine...my only sunshine.</i></span></span></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 style="text-align: center;">
<i>you make me happy~ when skies are grey...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you never know dear, how much i love you.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>please don't take my sunshine away..</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
that's kinda how it feels. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
feels like someone took</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
our sunshine away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
tonight, i heard olivia start to cry a few minutes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after we tucked her in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i thought maybe she was trying to stall </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and was going to tell me an old recess wound needed a band-aid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then, she started this pure sob.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i went in and laid next to her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she could barely make out the words.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i knew what she would say before she even said it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sunshine song was playing on her cd player.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she remembered that we gave amma a card </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with this tune in it last year for her birthday...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i asked her if she wanted me to change the song-nope. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she wanted to hear the whole thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, we just laid there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we listened to it a few times</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and just let the tears come until she fell asleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we miss our amma.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-33534989131633761922012-02-15T22:16:00.000-08:002012-02-16T06:03:48.924-08:00for the love of linda lou...<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcCrYTCy4C0/TzyRfvHrN8I/AAAAAAAAA-I/WjEDOmsyb4g/s1600/linda+lou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcCrYTCy4C0/TzyRfvHrN8I/AAAAAAAAA-I/WjEDOmsyb4g/s320/linda+lou.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<br />
i consider myself one lucky girl,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be in this woman's life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she didn't choose me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her son did.<br />
well, if she had known me first...<br />
she probably would have picked me. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that makes her my</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
m.i.l.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, you know what they</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
say about in-laws.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"they say"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are complicated.<br />
you are told to make sure and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
set good boundaries..<br />
and the list of "helpful" suggestions is never ending.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that's why i consider myself lucky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lucky.lucky.lucky me.<br />
i love my in-laws.<br />
my husband loves his in-laws.<br />
in fact, we actually don't use the title, in-laws,<br />
we did away with that term.<br />
we call each other's parents<br />
mom and dad,<br />
and siblings-sisters and brothers.<br />
we are family. <br />
and terms and titles put no such boundaries<br />
on the love we have for each other's family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLtMHDlV2_k/TzyST_-3MII/AAAAAAAAA-Q/BznE0Y4ocAg/s1600/linda+lou-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLtMHDlV2_k/TzyST_-3MII/AAAAAAAAA-Q/BznE0Y4ocAg/s400/linda+lou-family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
one of my first memories</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with mom was when i broke</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my leg playing soccer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i was dating ben at the time,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i lived in a house with 8 girls in heritage hill.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we had<i><b> a lot</b></i> of stairs...so, ben asked his parents </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if i could move in with them for a couple weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mom took care of me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she brought me breakfast, lunch and conversation each time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she came in my room to see me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as i started to heal a bit and use my crutches,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i became very interested in our conversations...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, i would head upstairs for more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i was used to living with 8 girls-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there were always conversations to be had!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
poor mom. she didn't know what</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ben was getting her into.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it seems a lifetime i had with her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and yet, i wish it were more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
only 12 years...certainly not enough.<br />
<br />
in the last year and a half...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
once we knew it was cancer<br />
that she would battle with again,<br />
i promised myself that i would<br />
take in as much as i could<br />
from her.<br />
<br />
without her even knowing it...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she became my teacher, and i her student.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i watched how one ties up the end of their life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how it is done.<br />
it was as if she unfolded a message with<br />
each conversation we had. she would often<br />
give me advice for olivia and will's future.<br />
we would venture into unknown territories<br />
as she would talk about what life must be like on heaven's side. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i hope to be as intentional as she was<br />
in spending time on important things...<br />
<br />
when her cancer was brought up,<br />
it was clear that though</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cancer had wracked her precious body,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it did not have <i>her</i>.<br />
He had her...her Lord and Savior.<br />
He kept her in the palm of His hand.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i never heard a complaint out of her about her pain...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, there was pain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
severe, chronic, exhausting pain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after her 6th stint replacement for her bladder,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i remember telling her how angry i was</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the cancer for doing such damage to her </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
once, very healthy body.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her response-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"this brings me closer to Jesus,<br />
this all brings me closer to Him."<br />
*****<br />
how am i coping?<br />
most days, i tell myself that she is up north with her sissies...<br />
visiting her brothers.<br />
i really won't accept that she isn't with us anymore.<br />
not now anyway.<br />
<br />
<i>every</i> day, olivia tells me that she misses her amma.<br />
and <i>every</i> night, she asks God to tell amma how much<br />
we miss her. she also asks him to remind jack, bailey and<br />
our cousin aaron that we miss them too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d1PK6BGhGM/TzyUzkP_uNI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/xq9CgbwIp5E/s1600/156nash-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d1PK6BGhGM/TzyUzkP_uNI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/xq9CgbwIp5E/s320/156nash-bw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
we are starting to write down her memories with amma.<br />
so one day, she will have them-in her own words-<br />
to be able to share with will, millie and sweet baby henry.<br />
mom's other precious loves.<br />
<br />
olivia's auntie gave her some necklaces that were mom's. <br />
she asks to wear them all the time.<br />
they make her feel close to amma.<br />
<br />
yesterday, was will's official adoption day.<br />
valentine's day.<br />
i wanted to feel close to mom too...<br />
so i wore a bracelet that she gave me<br />
a few years ago at christmas.<br />
<i>it's one of my favorite bracelets.</i><br />
i just needed to bring her into our day somehow.<br />
she loved will so much. mom and olivia were the only<br />
ones that could make him bust out into a big belly laugh.<br />
<br />
she would have loved yesterday.<br />
and she would have been so proud of ben.<br />
hearing him speak so eloquently in front of the court<br />
about our son and what his life means to us...<br />
<br />
we had a small gathering after the court hearing-<br />
and, i used her water pitcher. <br />
{the place just needed a little touch of linda lou.}<br />
i also bought swedish coffee.<br />
i don't think she ever made swedish coffee...<br />
{i'm sure she brought some back from sweden<br />
when she went with her brothers and sisters a few years ago.}<br />
but, it reminded me of something special she would have liked.<br />
<br />
mom always did something special for<br />
ben and i on valentine's day. <br />
one year it was white candles with red hearts<br />
to decorate our table,<br />
another year she gave us conversation date cards,<br />
other times, she volunteered to take olivia<br />
so that we could go out...<br />
there was always something. special.<br />
so, the swedish coffee was my valentine-something special<br />
to mom...<br />
<br />
anyway, she would have loved that will's special day<br />
landed on valentine's day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voJQyM9igg8/TzyWlwl9SRI/AAAAAAAAA-g/hY4ZylL59Hs/s1600/linda+lou-grandkids+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voJQyM9igg8/TzyWlwl9SRI/AAAAAAAAA-g/hY4ZylL59Hs/s320/linda+lou-grandkids+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDbX87Cn84/TzyWpnT7jxI/AAAAAAAAA-o/ejzVJYCQCRc/s1600/linda+lou-grandkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDbX87Cn84/TzyWpnT7jxI/AAAAAAAAA-o/ejzVJYCQCRc/s320/linda+lou-grandkids.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6AgCALwWsrk/TzyXO2gDGAI/AAAAAAAAA-w/YWtjMohmxgs/s1600/linda+lou+mom+nash+IMG_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6AgCALwWsrk/TzyXO2gDGAI/AAAAAAAAA-w/YWtjMohmxgs/s320/linda+lou+mom+nash+IMG_0413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZZicCuFfTQ/TzyYfTE6oII/AAAAAAAAA-4/xx5ztXckHzE/s1600/112nash-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZZicCuFfTQ/TzyYfTE6oII/AAAAAAAAA-4/xx5ztXckHzE/s320/112nash-bw.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItnWPZHqxqE/TzyZku5orrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/U1JeliT0Ofo/s1600/linda+lou+christmas+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItnWPZHqxqE/TzyZku5orrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/U1JeliT0Ofo/s400/linda+lou+christmas+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
we love you mom.<br />
every day. we love you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-66815719421954030082012-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:55:31.141-08:00PINCH<div style="text-align: left;">
oh. my. goodness.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i'm pinching myself...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for 2 separate reasons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3QZYI3dBFI/Tzx9_W6rJJI/AAAAAAAAA-A/79rdi-MkvEE/s1600/MCG+LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3QZYI3dBFI/Tzx9_W6rJJI/AAAAAAAAA-A/79rdi-MkvEE/s400/MCG+LOGO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. that mom colored glasses put my article </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
in their amazing online magazine!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> &</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. that i wrote so candidly about something that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i have been dying to write about for the last 2</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
years...i just didn't have the words...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and maybe the courage, until now.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
thanks MCG for telling my story...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for helping me find the courage to say more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://momcoloredglasses.com/?s=jaren+nash&x=0&y=0">mom colored glasses</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and, since we are close to st. patty's day-</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and because i am oh, soooo irish. i will pinch you too.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
well, maybe i won't pinch you-i've never been</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
comfortable with that sort of thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
but, i am comfortable in pinching you lyrically...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
to be authentic. to write what you are really</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
thinking. to give an extension of your story</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
so that someone else might take it and breath</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
in a new perspective. do it. do it for you and</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
do it for someone else.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">p.s.</span> if you don't have a blog, or a place to post...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
send it to me-i will post it here. i would love to read</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
where you are at and breath in more of your perspective.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-70437466182235515242011-12-23T04:19:00.000-08:002011-12-23T04:30:59.075-08:00an unexpected gift...<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></b></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>
this little package here</i></span></b><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><img height="320" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/2bc24c441ff211e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="320" /></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTm11IcFRM/TvRnHFFIieI/AAAAAAAAA5U/LRVKBtLt-_U/s1600/will+and+liv+IMG_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTm11IcFRM/TvRnHFFIieI/AAAAAAAAA5U/LRVKBtLt-_U/s320/will+and+liv+IMG_0394.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
is the best little package</div>
<div>
one could only begin to</div>
<div>
hope for.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
we are continuously reminded</div>
<div>
of a God who never lets go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
we waited almost two years</div>
<div>
for a child. </div>
<div>
the three of us waited.</div>
<div>
and 2 years felt like a long</div>
<div>
time for ben and i to wait...</div>
<div>
but for a 5 year old-</div>
<div>
it.feels.like.f o r e v e r.</div>
<div>
and then the call came. <br />
just a day after</div>
<div>
mother's day.</div>
<div>
imagine.</div>
<div>
what other day would</div>
<div>
hold more significance</div>
<div>
than that?<br />
<i>{God's timing is impeccable.}</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
we had no idea that will</div>
<div>
would be born just </div>
<div>
6 days later.</div>
<div>
the lifetime of 2 years</div>
<div>
just drifted by in 6 short days.</div>
<div>
his first 6 days were spent in the nicu.</div>
<div>
6 very long days.</div>
<div>
days that taught </div>
<div>
us more about what</div>
<div>
really mattered in life.</div>
<div>
more about our amazing</div>
<div>
birth mom.</div>
<div>
her courage.</div>
<div>
her strength.</div>
<div>
her core.</div>
<div>
and we learned so much about will...</div>
<div>
his determination.</div>
<div>
his tender heart.</div>
<div>
his every breakthrough...we counted in amazement.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
we knew more.</div>
<div>
we bonded more.</div>
<div>
we loved more in 6 days</div>
<div>
than we knew what to do with.</div>
<div>
....</div>
<div>
and 7 months later,</div>
<div>
i still cannot get through</div>
<div>
a post without choking back tears...</div>
<div>
especially with this news.</div>
<div>
.....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
last month, we were getting ready</div>
<div>
to pay our final payment for our adoption.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
the statement was incorrect.</div>
<div>
it stated that what was owed was $2500.</div>
<div>
when, in fact, it should have read $5000.</div>
<div>
ben called our agency to let them know</div>
<div>
of this error.</div>
<div>
janice, in accounting, quickly corrected ben.</div>
<div>
there wasn't an error in the amount.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
someone had gifted $2500 anonymously</div>
<div>
on will's behalf.</div>
<div>
i don't think ben was able to hold it together</div>
<div>
before hanging up the phone. </div>
<div>
he came home to tell me that night.</div>
<div>
i went and got will out of his crib.</div>
<div>
we just had to hold him.</div>
<div>
we wanted him to be experience this moment</div>
<div>
and the love that was given to us...to him.</div>
<div>
we did not know what to do with so much.</div>
<div>
so we <i>just</i> cried.</div>
<div>
then..we started guessing.</div>
<div>
who? who would do such an amazing thing?</div>
<div>
with each name...we just cried more.</div>
<div>
we could imagine that</div>
<div>
it could be any one of our family members</div>
<div>
or friends doing such a thing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
shortly after ingesting all of this...</div>
<div>
we were given more news that</div>
<div>
someone else was taking on our</div>
<div>
final payment of $2500.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it.was.more </div>
<div>
than we could take in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
how does one appropriately thank</div>
<div>
someone else-or a group of people</div>
<div>
for loving us and for loving our son so much</div>
<div>
that they would pay a debt that</div>
<div>
was not theirs to pay?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i'm not sure either.</div>
<div>
and, wow...do we have a story.</div>
<div>
an amazing love story to share</div>
<div>
with him someday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...</div>
<div>
we picked out 2 stones. </div>
<div>
and wrote $2500 on each one with a big, fat sharpie.</div>
<div>
they sit on top of our pile of ebenezer stones.</div>
<div>
each stone represents a time in our lives </div>
<div>
that we experienced God's faithfulness...</div>
<div>
and there are many.</div>
<div>
counting each blessing........</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-5089607345635164692011-12-07T21:00:00.001-08:002011-12-09T12:51:38.988-08:00christmas wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VrRyp2wwtc/TuIsKyIBUFI/AAAAAAAAA48/q5xN_oDpWz4/s1600/olivia%2527s+christmas+list2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VrRyp2wwtc/TuIsKyIBUFI/AAAAAAAAA48/q5xN_oDpWz4/s400/olivia%2527s+christmas+list2.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
my tears started when i saw #13.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was the 13th item on olivia's christmas wish list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
13. jack-for him to come back</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
those 6 little words have so much meaning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they carry the weight of the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a little girl who never</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
got to meet her big brother.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yesterday i was loading will into his </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
carseat and called out, 1 and 2 let's get in the car.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
olivia immediately asked me who 1 and 2 were.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i said, you and your brother silly girl. (:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but, mommy, you have 3 kids, not just 2.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you are so right liv...there are 3 of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
beaming smiles all around.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she never lets go-not for a second that her big</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
brother existed. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
today, she asked me again how jack died.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
it is painful explaining death . . especially</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to a child who is so curious about the hows and the whys.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
no matter how simple you try and make it...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
you can never make it nice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
you cannot paint a picture that makes </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
them feel great afterward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
it hurts and the pain does not escape us.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
olivia did end our conversation on a good, solid note.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
i can't wait to be with jack in heaven!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
**neither can i, olivia. neither can i.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7 years ago today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
jack's anniversary.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about 2 months after we lost jack...right before we were pregnant with olivia..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i was at a friend's house and we were talking<br />
about what life looked like in our house.<br />
i explained how bleak and quiet a finished nursery in our new</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
home felt like. it was terrifying going to sleep<br />
down the hall from a room that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was supposed to be filled with a hungry baby<br />
that needed to be fed in the middle of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the night, or rocked back to sleep. <br />
sprouts of giggles should be cascading down the hall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but, instead, it was hollow and empty and held only our brokenness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after spilling my grief a little, i stopped and looked at her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and just said what i had been thinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i want to adopt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i want to adopt a baby boy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there was no judgement. no gasp...like i was anticipating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i knew how crazy i sounded.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and maybe she did too...but, she didn't say anything. she just listened.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i>{i learned so much in that moment about the importance of listening}</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i wanted to adopt and i wanted a baby boy in the worst way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i believe that Will, was born in my heart that day.<br />
what a gift.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 1/2 years later...will benjamin miguel nash came into our world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when i think about this story and look at him...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i am brought to tears every time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i mean, i am a complete mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i see redemption in our story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i used to think redemption would come</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because we lost a child,<br />
redemption would</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
give us a chance to save another.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after adopting our son.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i see it differently.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i see redemption as</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christ himself coming after <i>me</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pursuing <i>me</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
changing <i>me</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He redeemed me from myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He met me and carried me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He walked my desert with me...when no one else could.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i see a life full of potential to impact many.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a life that is going to change for the better,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that life is mine.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="jack benjamin nash" height="220" id="Image4_img" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VNbEuxGBGCc/Sx-wx9DC48I/AAAAAAAAAyc/W5KzjGycVgc/S220/BABYJACK2-11.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="216" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">*for the heart never forgets...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">we love you jack.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-10521695792256934152011-11-29T08:52:00.001-08:002011-11-29T18:15:05.214-08:00grocery store christmas trees -holla!<div style="text-align: center;">
i have so many thoughts tumbling around in my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i so need to get organized.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i am organized...in my mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then, i come back to reality and i run in a thousand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
different directions...starting up mini-projects here and there,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
envisioning sugar plum fairies decorating my un-decorated tree,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{can they do that? because if they can...}</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
writing thank you notes to some dear dear family & friends that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thought of the perfect gifts for my olivia as we celebrated her 6th birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
picking up laundry, dishes...the list goes onNn..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
okay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the reality list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an unlit tree, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dirty laundry,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cluttered kitchen,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
opened birthday gifts scattered...EVERYWHERE. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unwritten thank you's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**i'm interupting this downer for a shout</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
out to my fairy godmother..if i have one...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
could you please send a magic wand for christmas? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no, seriously, pleeeEase...**</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
okay, enough with the whinefest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><img height="400" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/1eead3e41af511e19896123138142014_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
our christmas tree is what got me thinking</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
and i have a tiny confession...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">we bought our tree at kingmas.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">ouch! it hurts to even type it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
yep, first time/long time that we haven't hauled our bodies </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
down to hart's tree farm to select the best of the best.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
there is nothing like cutting down a fresh tree, one nash at a time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
yes, ben let's us join in on smelling the earth and the inside of the stump of the tree</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
as we saw our hearts out. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
**we let him have the last cut because no one yells <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">timberrrrr</span> like he does!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
anyway-letting go of this tradition (for this year) was super duper hard for this girl.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i really get into it. besides my sawing-bit...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i document the entire process and use the photos as part of our ornaments</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
each year so that our tree tells a story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
i'm also realizing that we have no place in our beautiful rental to hang stockings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
so, i need to get creative. i really wanted to whine some more here...</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
until i came across this sparrow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><img height="400" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage0.instagram.com/014203d01af511e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i got this in memory of sweet little bailey hope. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she taught me over a year and a half ago about slowing down.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pacing myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that perfection isn't all that pretty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, i am settling in to these thoughts again of sitting still enough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have an 'unperfect' or is it imperfect (: christmas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have images of last year's tromp for the tree instead of this year's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have stockings hung on our windows instead of a beautiful fireplace mantle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have my desk be a little more cluttered with christmas cheer </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
than i normally would like for it to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to listen and to hear the sounds that i would miss if i didn't slow down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and maybe settle for this little christmas tree and the lesson it has for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sounds i love the most this season come from my children...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's will's uncontrollable laugh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and mini-speeches that he makes when he is quite hungry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and hearing olivia's imagination come to life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
today, she is playing with her manger scene-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
asking Jesus not to grow up and die</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on the cross for our sins. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
asking Him if there is another way. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is so precious to me that her heart loves Him that much.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
do i? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
do i stop and take time to truly thank him for his sacrifice?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yes. i do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
do my actions and my words drip gratitude.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nope. they don't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
again, not striving for perfection...but for a place where gratitude comes </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from an unlikely christmas tree and a sparrow that has taught me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more than she will ever know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-46376515308115744032011-11-14T21:12:00.001-08:002011-11-14T21:55:43.371-08:001 8 4 days<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it feels like it was yesterday</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that we were in the hospital with will.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i remember meeting deborah, will's birth mom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we were so nervous and anxious. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the first thought i had when i saw her was</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
how beautiful she was.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
long, blonde hair. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
she reminded me of taylor swift.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
gorgeous.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
after some hugs and tears...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
she asked us if we wanted to see him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
she went with us into the nicu and there we were...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the three of us looking at this little bebe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
he was</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
under a heat lamp,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
hooked up to machines...with nurses </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
poking him..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it was that moment that my heart completely grew.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a moment that i will always remember.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i felt everything.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
every emotion one can feel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i felt them all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAtftOhl_1U/TsH04LFaEHI/AAAAAAAAA4M/yjPkt4o4EcY/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAtftOhl_1U/TsH04LFaEHI/AAAAAAAAA4M/yjPkt4o4EcY/s320/IMG_0047.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6LpWyzbWZA/TsH07VY-deI/AAAAAAAAA4U/5-4Om5sJ9uE/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6LpWyzbWZA/TsH07VY-deI/AAAAAAAAA4U/5-4Om5sJ9uE/s320/IMG_0050.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7kBRD8lBYo/TsH08876tYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/eRom5uc8UbM/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7kBRD8lBYo/TsH08876tYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/eRom5uc8UbM/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so, our teeny, tiny baby is 6 months old now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6 months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
what is he doing-you ask?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
{probably what every other 6 month old is doing}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but, not really,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because we think he is exceptional...sorry other 6 month olds..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we think he is above average in every catagory!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sitting up: check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rolling over: check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">raspberries: double check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">belly laughing: check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">screeching-then laughing: check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jumping in the e.s.: check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">loving his FOOD: triple check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">outgrowing his clothes: check.check.check</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">looking like the cutest baby boy i have</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ever laid eyes on: QUAD CHECK IT!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><img height="400" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage11.instagram.com/117d29840ecd11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"><img height="400" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage1.instagram.com/5da4d7120ecd11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh, and just for the record...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i really can't help it if these are his favorite tees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i tried talking him into a few others that were just as cute,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he simply stopped smiling. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we can't have that, can we?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, i gave in...<i>again</i> to the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>mommy rocks</b></i> </span>shirts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what was that sugar? your mommy what?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh yeah, your mommy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>does</b></span> rock!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
happy 6 months, love!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-44772047416200778632011-11-06T04:13:00.000-08:002011-11-06T04:21:16.563-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">instagram</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then you may want to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://followgram.me/">followgram</a>!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">followgram gives you a unique space to view</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> your instagram photos online.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are so many things i love about this site already!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the best part is...you can share your photos with someone </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who may not have an iphone or facebook account.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">another great feature...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can drag and drop your photos from followgram</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">directly to you blog-or desktop-or wherever!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enjoy! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; color: #3a352e; float: left; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" id="bigphoto" src="http://distillery.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2011/08/28/ae38b8d4af9647969b2218b0d3bf3646_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="200" /><img height="200" id="bigphoto" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/93d9581c047311e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="200" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 22px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; color: #3a352e; float: left; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" id="bigphoto" src="http://distillery.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2011/08/28/dfd20dc33b564dd5922267853d22ee04_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="200" /><img height="200" id="bigphoto" src="http://distillery.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2011/09/03/dc92be3b52f945d888484a40358acbfe_7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px;" width="200" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352e; font-family: Pompiere, cursive; font-size: 16px;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-19219921595782806542011-11-02T20:55:00.000-07:002011-11-02T21:26:03.794-07:00animal prints<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">lately, i've had my eye on dogs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">olivia has been begging for a puppy party</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">for her 6th birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so, i went searching for the hippest, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">most coolest </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">party decor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i have almost found everything i was looking for, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and, i also</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> ran across a few other</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">animally fun things i thought i would share... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1.</span></b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41816813/mod-weimaraner-fine-art-print-11x13?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_type=all&ga_includes%5B0%5D=tags&ga_search_query=weimaraner&ga_page=10&ga_facet=">moddog prints</a></span><br />
i adore these modern dog prints.<br />
we are dog lovahs! our entire family<br />
are lovahs too. how cool would it be<br />
to have a grouping of the 8 dogs that<br />
are/were in our family. <br />
<br />
{ r.i.p. monster and webster }</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.279344042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.279344042.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="360" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.</span></b><a href="http://www.dafont.com/animals.font">animals font</a></span><br />
countless fun with this new font!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="317" id="il_fi" src="http://designscouting.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/picture-39.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.animaljr.com/printable-animal-templates/">animal templates</a></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">you could do so many fabulous things</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with these templates...shadow puppets..</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">matting and framing them </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">in wild colors.. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">there are so many to choose from on this site!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.animaljr.com/printable-animal-templates/giraffe-template/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Giraffe Template"><img alt="giraffe template 115x150 Printable Animal Templates" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://www.animaljr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/giraffe-template-115x150.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Giraffe Template" width="115" /></a><a href="http://www.animaljr.com/printable-animal-templates/kangaroo-template/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4e4e85; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Kangaroo Template"><img alt="kangaroo template 115x150 Printable Animal Templates" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://www.animaljr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/kangaroo-template-115x150.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Kangaroo Template" width="115" /></a><a href="http://www.animaljr.com/printable-animal-templates/dog-template/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Dog Template"><img alt="dog template 115x150 Printable Animal Templates" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://www.animaljr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dog-template-115x150.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Dog Template" width="115" /></a><a href="http://www.animaljr.com/printable-animal-templates/bunny-template/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4e4e85; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Bunny Template"><img alt="bunny template 115x150 Printable Animal Templates" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://www.animaljr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bunny-template-115x150.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Bunny Template" width="115" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4.</span></b><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/350322/animal-templates/@center/326420/martha-stewart-clip-art-and-template-crafts#/227763">elephant collage</a></div>
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i love elephants! </div>
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i can't wait to do this with liv...and will..someday.</div>
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vintage fabric is the key.</div>
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="webkit-fake-url://AC790F10-72FE-4A82-AD9C-86B9B5928508/image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://AC790F10-72FE-4A82-AD9C-86B9B5928508/image.tiff" width="306" /></a><img alt="4152_042909_owlelephantcollages_xl.jpg" height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://33F1F420-73C2-4286-95FD-7727ADEE93E8/4152_042909_owlelephantcollages_xl.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5.</span></b><a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813">alphabeasties</a></span><br />
i am enamored with everything about these alphabeasties...everything!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813" id="TB_ImageOff" style="clear: left; color: #911112; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Close"><img alt="" height="400" id="TB_Image" src="http://www.seedlings.com/prodimages/15078-DEFAULT-L.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813" id="TB_ImageOff" style="clear: left; color: #911112; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Close"><br /></a><a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813" id="TB_ImageOff" style="clear: left; color: #911112; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Close"><br /></a><a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813" id="TB_ImageOff" style="clear: left; color: #911112; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Close"><br /></a><a href="http://www.seedlings.com/blue-apple-books/alphabeasties-flash-cards-13813" id="TB_ImageOff" style="clear: left; color: #911112; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Close"><br /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-21047489076132451592011-09-24T21:54:00.000-07:002011-09-24T21:54:49.236-07:00little Mm Aa Nn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcJTa2v8sgk/Tn6b2tMArBI/AAAAAAAAA3g/SVxSeFxUsCs/s1600/will-4+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcJTa2v8sgk/Tn6b2tMArBI/AAAAAAAAA3g/SVxSeFxUsCs/s320/will-4+months.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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that's right.</div>
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lock up your daughters!</div>
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he just keeps getting cuter and more snuggly...</div>
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i just had to share some sugar.</div>
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<br /></div>
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we took little man and songbird</div>
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to <a href="http://www.artprize.org/">artprize</a> today.</div>
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<br /></div>
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will wanted to eat the entire time...</div>
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olivia, wanted to place a vote-for each</div>
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piece of art that we saw...the entire time. (:</div>
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thank goodness for snacks.</div>
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that took her mind off of voting...for a while.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these were just a few of our favs-we had lots more.</div>
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good thing we have 2 more weeks!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb-yI-dLRmc/Tn6qqNDlDoI/AAAAAAAAA3k/DrImU3wfD4M/s1600/will+and+liv-artprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb-yI-dLRmc/Tn6qqNDlDoI/AAAAAAAAA3k/DrImU3wfD4M/s320/will+and+liv-artprize.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agEvWwDh3tg/Tn6quir0bvI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Z-R19-TovqI/s1600/will%252C+liv+%2526+daddy-artprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agEvWwDh3tg/Tn6quir0bvI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Z-R19-TovqI/s320/will%252C+liv+%2526+daddy-artprize.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99s0nUfmgrs/Tn6uwl5N3gI/AAAAAAAAA3w/WOLKRw-rAEw/s1600/will%253Aliv+artprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99s0nUfmgrs/Tn6uwl5N3gI/AAAAAAAAA3w/WOLKRw-rAEw/s320/will%253Aliv+artprize.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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ben and i went out friday night and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
saw these very cool pieces...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM_UkDhHJGI/Tn6u_oesCPI/AAAAAAAAA30/F1TLTS9aytc/s1600/will-daddy+artprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM_UkDhHJGI/Tn6u_oesCPI/AAAAAAAAA30/F1TLTS9aytc/s320/will-daddy+artprize.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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Loose Fit</div>
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by Monica Ponce de Leon</div>
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<br /></div>
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this piece was made completely of plastic...</div>
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it is actually quite large and has several other</div>
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tunnels like this. </div>
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{we may or may not have crawled through the smallest one.}</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpjiaSaVGO0/Tn6usy_12oI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_3yjfv9ghB0/s1600/will-artprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpjiaSaVGO0/Tn6usy_12oI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_3yjfv9ghB0/s320/will-artprize.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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Mother Earth</div>
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by Jessica Horst</div>
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<br /></div>
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this was by far my most favorite! </div>
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she had 3 or 4 others </div>
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in her collection.</div>
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<br /></div>
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her medium was felt and</div>
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i couldn't love a material</div>
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more than i LoVe-oV FELT!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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if you haven't been out to artprize...you must-you must!</div>
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and here is the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artprize/id329502948?mt=8">app</a> that makes voting a snap.</div>
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seriously, if my 5 year old can do it-anyone can. </div>
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<br /></div>
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hope to see you out there!</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-5611304758191612102011-09-01T21:09:00.000-07:002011-09-01T21:32:58.340-07:00random thoughts from my songbird<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4v7q6Z2ubY/TmBaIQFUjEI/AAAAAAAAA3A/cStbnNeBkMo/s1600/olivia+songbird+IMG_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4v7q6Z2ubY/TmBaIQFUjEI/AAAAAAAAA3A/cStbnNeBkMo/s320/olivia+songbird+IMG_0366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i have so many random thoughts-most of them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">stem from my conversations with my songbird, olivia.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">she may be small...but she has mighty inside of her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the thoughts and questions she thinks of...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here are this week's conversations in a nutshell.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">about her brother jack...mommy, i miss jack.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hmmm. what made you think about jack?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mommy, i think about him all the time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">wow. this one stopped me in my tracks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if you don't know our story, we lost jack when he was full term.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there was a tear in his umbilical chord.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">olivia misses having a big brother...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**we will always miss him too olivia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">she is very excited about her new baby brother..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which brings up a whole new realm of ponderings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thoughts about will...mommy, it's too bad will didn't come out of your belly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">really liv? why is that? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">well, it means he isn't a part of our family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he is a part of deborah's family. but not really ours. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{deborah is our amazing birth mom}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">what makes you think he isn't a part of ours? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">well, in our family, everyone has blue eyes. will has brown eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{this topic came up a few weeks ago, and i thought it was resolved...but, apparently it wasn't.} (:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">okay, so what makes a family? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a family is when everyone has the same of something.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so, i brought up one of her friends and said, i am so glad to know that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i guess your friend is really my other daughter because she has blue eyes like us!! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">no mommy, wait...she has a mommy. she isn't your daughter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">well, i thought that you said...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and our conversation kept going.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where we ended was a very different place then where we started.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm grateful that she is open with me about her big thoughts, her doubts, her concerns.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm equally grateful that God reminds me to slow down and listen to her...really listen. and to ask her questions-questions that help me understand where she is coming from and where she may be going...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we landed in the place that our family may look different than other families...but, it doesn't change the fact that we are family. that will is our son and he is olivia's brother. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that that little boy has forever changed our lives for the better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, that we collectively couldn't imagine our lives without our little man.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he has definitely won our hearts OVER. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lastly, thoughts about a friend that lied to her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mommy, i just wish she would have told me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that she was a friend that would lie to me right </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when we decided to become friends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then i would be ready to feel this way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">oh, olivia...what a great thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i wish we all came with tags saying how broken we are...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mine would say,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i may not be able to call you back when you would like me to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm someone who thinks about your acts of kindness all the time, but i just get hung up on how to put my gratitude into words on paper for a thank you note...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how about this, i will, more than likely forget about a coffee date,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">disappoint by not following through on something...i'm just another broken friend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, i'm a good friend. one that is loyal and loves to see you succeed as a woman in this great big hodgepodge world of ours. (: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">releasing others from our high expectations is such a gift of grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i long to be a woman of grace...to offer it freely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my prayer is for my little ones to see this in my life and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to experience the power of grace so that they may offer to others as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i guess to sum up my thoughts on her thoughts...her thoughts slow me down.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">they create a pause button-they make me take the time to really think through my everyday and </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">understand what my purpose truly is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it is to love God and to love people.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">double-love command</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-53228068876969286332011-08-14T18:23:00.000-07:002011-08-14T18:23:47.565-07:00homemade happy meal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmctvp_PXI8/TkhyB9qV_6I/AAAAAAAAA28/vT3XtAdub6Y/s1600/olivia-homemade+happy+meal+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmctvp_PXI8/TkhyB9qV_6I/AAAAAAAAA28/vT3XtAdub6Y/s400/olivia-homemade+happy+meal+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">tonight i wasn't going to do it...</div><div style="text-align: center;">to go through one more drive thru!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">now, i'm not boycotting forever-i'm just tired of forking</div><div style="text-align: center;">over $4.25 or whatever the price is-to pay for</div><div style="text-align: center;">fried up- pieced together chicken,</div><div style="text-align: center;">apples that taste like they have been dipped in chlorine,</div><div style="text-align: center;">carmel dip that has been drizzeled across the door handle and back...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a toy that gets lost or broken in less than 3 hours flat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">as we were driving home from fort wayne tonight, it occurred to me...</div><div style="text-align: center;">we should just make our own happy meals. </div><div style="text-align: center;">olivia could decorate the bag while</div><div style="text-align: center;"> we unpack the truck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">she was so excited! </div><div style="text-align: center;">i know i'm not re-inventing any wheels here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm sure this has been done by many of you-but, it was our first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">and wow...did we enjoy every minute of it! (:</div><div style="text-align: center;">the best part was finding a toy that olivia hasn't played with in so long-</div><div style="text-align: center;">she didn't even remember having it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i love recyling toys.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-79547107505947157942011-08-04T09:52:00.000-07:002011-08-04T14:02:52.263-07:00The Sexy 7-10<div style="text-align: center;">a little background perhaps, may be necessary with this hot title!</div><div style="text-align: center;">it all started *ahem 10 years ago- </div><div style="text-align: center;">or somewhere around there, </div><div style="text-align: center;">that i met up with these crazy girls that became roommates, </div><div style="text-align: center;">apartment groupies, and connoisseurs of all good and outstanding men...</div><div style="text-align: center;">{which, by the way, we are all equally blessed to have found and married one.} </div><div style="text-align: center;">*a shout out to one in particular-ben nash- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">;)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> now, for the real reason for this post.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> it's to introduce </div><div style="text-align: center;">this precious group of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rumble</span></span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> 17 children (4 were out of town) the last time we got together. </div><div style="text-align: center;">21 kiddos total. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> it really isn't that insane-it's completely manageable.</div><div style="text-align: center;">and so much fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GaonQ0UN9U/Tjq9gyWQh1I/AAAAAAAAA24/hNWx1dwAF1Q/s1600/sexy7-10+kidsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GaonQ0UN9U/Tjq9gyWQh1I/AAAAAAAAA24/hNWx1dwAF1Q/s400/sexy7-10+kidsa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> the number that really blows me away </div><div style="text-align: center;">is</div><div style="text-align: center;"> 6.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">6 of the rumble are adopted.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> 4 of the 6 were adopted within the last 3 months into 3 separate homes! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is mindblowing to think it all began as college besties, </div><div style="text-align: center;">figuring out so much about life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">and, during that time...God knew the plans He had for each of us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">while we were just trying to make life work for us...He was seeing the bigger picture, </div><div style="text-align: center;">of what real life was going to look like when college life was over. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">our priorities, at that time, were all over the board.</div><div style="text-align: center;">like, making sure we had a lower level dorm room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">who knew that it would have such great advantages! </div><div style="text-align: center;">i mean, really..it had a fantastic view of the campus bell.</div><div style="text-align: center;">that was rung every time a couple got engaged. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">priceless *and somewhat humurous at times*<br />
to see so many happy people </div><div style="text-align: center;">climbing that pole striving to ring that bell in blissful glee </div><div style="text-align: center;">of pronouncing their undying love to one another. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it also gave us great 24 hour access-</div><div style="text-align: center;">which, we were very cautious to use this access </div><div style="text-align: center;">only in emergent situations. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*ahem, anyhow...<br />
<br />
we were planners.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
we stratagized every aspect of life possible:<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we made sure we wore the trendiest styles, </div><div style="text-align: center;">got jobs at the same restaurant so we could</div><div style="text-align: center;">carpool to work together,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> ensured a few of us were chapel checkers-</div><div style="text-align: center;">so that none of us missed chapel. (: </div><div style="text-align: center;">experimented with hair dying kits,</div><div style="text-align: center;">megan's nickname still remains sunshine to this day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we witnessed each other's nail biting break-ups<br />
and celebrated some of them too! ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
we had the full college experience. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and now, we share this life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">our grown-up, beautiful, colorful lives.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i love that when i get together with the sexy 7-10 and their children, </div><div style="text-align: center;">that Will, will have other playmates -that are a constant in his life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">that share more than a similar skin color-</div><div style="text-align: center;">they will share the beautiful story of adoption.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
and one of the most beautiful pieces of our story </div><div style="text-align: center;">is that we have this rich history of friendship<br />
that started way back when. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> and, our story, in my book, is just beginning to unfold. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> God started something amazing<br />
when He brought these girls into my life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842551501400171872.post-80655069154199987462011-07-27T05:19:00.000-07:002011-07-27T10:31:23.703-07:00overscheduled?<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2011/07/13/are-your-kids-overscheduled">are your kids overscheduled?</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm finding myself working toward this thinking-</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of spending regular amounts of time as a family.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you ask anyone whose children are in their twenties, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or older, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they will advise the same.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"spend as much time as you can with them...before you know it, they </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will have gone and grown up on you."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i don't know about you,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i used to smile and nod my head at advice like this...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">now, i'm starting to see the wisdom in it..and heed it for our family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are allowing our children one activity, per season, to participate in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i love that they learn discipline, committment, teamwork and participation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">those are all such good things. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, the great news is, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they can learn all of these qualities by participating in one single activity!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 18px;"><img dfsrc="http://images.instagram.com/media/2011/07/14/872ca657b8bf470c98505f575fa627da_6.jpg" src="http://images.instagram.com/media/2011/07/14/872ca657b8bf470c98505f575fa627da_6.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgb(136, 136, 136) 0px 0px 10px; margin-bottom: 0.4em;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i worry the only downtime our kids have </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is when we go on vacation. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it seems with so many activities, we are raising mini-adults.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">why are we over-committing our mini-me's?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">life is to be care-free for them-full of playtime, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">free time and maybe some chores around the house...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oh yeah, and they do have school too, don't they? (:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in all liklihood, our children's children will have triple </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the opportunities that our children have. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">triple the activities as well. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and, i don't know about you...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but, i would like to spend time with my grandchildren. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are stepping away from filling up our calendar </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with so many playdates and activities.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are heading in the direction of spending more time with grandparents,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> aunties & uncles and their much-loved cousins. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and of course continuing our friendships with our precious friends...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just working at putting family first.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">now, if you are my age, or younger, raising children...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you may or may not agree with me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm okay with that. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you have to do what is right for your family. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i guess i have overscheduled myself for years, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the stress that comes from that can have huge effects. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i long to break the habit of busyness for my children.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am in a place of listening to those who have been there, done that....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the ones with experience..</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the ones that regret the times that have come and gone</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and that they can't get back those precious years. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and when they use that phrase-verbatem-i see the regret in their eyes...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and i can feel their warning...without trying to intrude. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but with so much at stake...i invite one of my dear friends into this area of my life. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because she has adult children now-</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, i consider her an expert! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> i give her full permission that if she sees something</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that might be a little off-balance,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or a lot off-balance-</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that she can say something.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she did make regular time for her family...and the fantastic part about that, is that her adult children, by their own choice, still make it a point to spend their time with family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let's give our precious children their childhood, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and let's fill it with good old fashioned time with family!</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836034613902480298noreply@blogger.com2