tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31566887326329006372024-03-18T23:17:47.099-04:00the thankful momminister's wife and mom of three boys, transitioning into a new stage of lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-55363952214217320132017-01-05T12:24:00.003-05:002017-01-05T13:16:09.035-05:00Embraced<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I had lunch with a great friend today. She's one of those friends where you can go months without talking and then pick right back up where you left off, as if no time at all has passed. I always leave her feeling thankful for her wisdom, that she is a truly safe place where I can talk about all things without worry of judgement or confidentiality or that her opinion of me might change. It's a gift... a rare gift. One that I don't take lightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As we were talking she asked me what my One Word was for this year. I laughed and said I wasn't planning on a word this year... that typically when I choose a word to focus on, to discipline myself, that it doesn't go well. That some events of last year had rocked me to my very core and I just didn't want to go there this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She looked at me and said, "Then I think that's the very reason you need one." This friend? She keeps it real, and it's one of my favorite things about her. We continued to talk and after 2 hours, decided it might be time to wrap it up. As I was driving home, I started to think about it, pray about it, then think some more. It didn't take long before the word I didn't really want came to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In this life we will have trouble. It's one of the most challenging promises in the Bible. Because that promise is coupled with the truth that Jesus has overcome the world, we still get a happy ending. And as if that's not enough good news, there's more - when we're in Christ, we won't ever walk the hard stuff alone... we never have to walk anything alone. But if there's anything that 2016 taught me, it's that what I had considered "hard" before, really probably wasn't so much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't a bit sad to say goodbye to last year, even though there was plenty to remind me of how incredibly blessed our family of 5 really is. Those are the things I will choose to remember, but I don't want to forget the hard either, because it's in the hard that I've seen a side of God more deeply than ever before. It's in that hard that I'm beginning to feel safe and protected in a whole different way. It's in that hard that God has been so very present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thankfully, I can honestly say that I've never blamed God for the hard stuff that has hit us. I just needed Him too much. But I definitely needed Him in a different way than ever before.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqm2Aciker4VHjY-HzTwr9zxh3FSAziKQ3KDeYJWX3lcl732dyP3OZzJGrUcGeO0vScdW6VpMGGozGlUHLQia18CibWMFVOypei7VRfLU-6HwGquPO6RLO4f_JlBW4QXDkWZfIin-8a90/s1600/Embraced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqm2Aciker4VHjY-HzTwr9zxh3FSAziKQ3KDeYJWX3lcl732dyP3OZzJGrUcGeO0vScdW6VpMGGozGlUHLQia18CibWMFVOypei7VRfLU-6HwGquPO6RLO4f_JlBW4QXDkWZfIin-8a90/s640/Embraced.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This increased security I've felt lately... it's changed everything. I've experienced firsthand what happens when you have no other option but to lay your worries and fears at His feet. He does sustain. He is my rock when things feel shaky. He has held our family close, and what I didn't think was possible (that our 5 could be any closer than we are) has happened. When we are safely in His embrace, we can face what's ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Embracing change. Embracing the unknown. Embracing uncertainty. When you trust who you're putting your faith in, you can move forward knowing that no matter what, you'll get through it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I've never been more thankful for a new year. We are in grateful anticipation of what's ahead. Loved. Held. With a bright future ahead. Embraced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What's your One Word for this year? I'd love for you to share it in the comments below. Thanks!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-26608342269313996892016-11-02T15:39:00.001-04:002016-11-02T17:13:26.964-04:00Where You Are<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes God takes us on a heart journey we never expected. The very things we think have a pretty enough bow on them, carefully covered up to look safe and healthy and secure are anything but that. And He, in a way that only He can, patiently loves us, patiently walks with us, patiently continues to pour Himself into us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But we miss it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYSKQ_RZ68Q2Y4Lx5sMOL5ZLiFvl55_b2m1K-K-v8EMMcR_un7TaLlbKbEfVYwI8dAQik10tSU8UiOt_lojLyuGBMEnAin9mkL0gIPg_KYqTAfwKu9GHqMWBFchpJcmKsTZkq-jsD6Je6/s1600/StockSnap_Q6G69DBL18+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYSKQ_RZ68Q2Y4Lx5sMOL5ZLiFvl55_b2m1K-K-v8EMMcR_un7TaLlbKbEfVYwI8dAQik10tSU8UiOt_lojLyuGBMEnAin9mkL0gIPg_KYqTAfwKu9GHqMWBFchpJcmKsTZkq-jsD6Je6/s640/StockSnap_Q6G69DBL18+%25281%2529.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We miss it because what is always there is often looked over... forgotten. It's taken advantage of. And the very thing we're seeking from someone else, and sometimes from anyone else, is right there beside us.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I think about that with my family. The husband and three boys I am head-over-heels in love with. God, in His great grace, has gifted me with what I feel is the best family there ever could be. As a young and clueless 18-year-old who only had a small idea of what she was looking for in a husband, He led me straight to the man He knew I'd spend my forever with. Because we were 18 and 19 when we met and had no clue what it really meant to be husband and wife, had no idea what the years ahead would hold, and probably had no business getting married at 20 and 21 (young, not quite done with college, no money, etc.)... well, if nothing else it's proof that God's plan is so, so good, and He knew the kind of husband I would need, and the kind of wife Brian would need, even if we weren't those people quite yet. He knew we'd get there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And our boys? They're incredible... and hilarious and messy and thoughtful and forgetful... and by some miracle the best parts of Brian and me, by God's grace. And together the 5 of us are trying every day to live a life that points others to Jesus. We argue and disagree, we mess up and get plenty of things wrong. We're a passionate bunch, and that comes out in different ways. But.... yes, there's always a but, right? Every day we remember why we're here. And Brian and I take the job of raising these young men into strong men of God very seriously, so we talk about hard things. What used to make them squirm uncomfortably they now take like champs (usually - ha!), because we're slowly learning that there's nothing they can tell us that we can't handle. Nothing that will ever change how we feel about them. Nothing God's grace can't heal and forgive. And nothing that would keep us from fighting to have the best possible relationship with each other that we could ever have. That's what God does for us. That's what He's modeled for us to do here. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's also what has caused me to pause these past several months and take a good hard look at my life. On what and who I place my security in. You see, I'm blessed with a pretty awesome family who loves me well. So it's pretty easy to place my security in them. To allow, and unfortunately, expect them to fill my cup. That's not their job, and when I place my security and sense of worth in them, or in friendships, or on how people feel about me at work or at church, then I'm not trusting my heart with the only One who is able to best take care of it, not to mention putting unrealistic pressures on the the ones I love the most.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God is the giver of all good things. He wants to bless us and love us through people and experiences. But when we let those good things take precedence over Him, when we put our stock, our very identity, in those relationships, they become little gods that pull us away from what really matters most. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>In our enjoyment of the good things, we forget the Giver of the good things. We leave Him behind.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The older I get, the more insecure I realize I am. The more I look to everyone else for validation. I check through a mental list of people, wondering if each of them are happy with me. It's exhausting. And not at all what God intended. And it's taken a couple of difficult circumstances to make me realize that the job of being the people pleaser is an impossible one. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God met me where I was in that place. And slowly, He's leading me out of it. It is taking a lot of encouragement and reminders that I am loved and cherished and valued, no matter what. <b><i>No matter what.</i></b> But He's hanging in there with me, because that's what He does.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And you, my friend, are loved and cherished and valued, no matter what.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />An identity crisis, when it pulls us away from His plan for us, is a sin. It just is. It puts the focus on ourselves and our needs and our validation and our feelings and the endless pursuit of acceptance and happiness. And I can tell you from experience, we're never going to find it when we look in there. Never.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But when we dig deep into God's Word and read that He loves us with an everlasting love, that He forgives us and has a beautiful plan for our life, that we are never out of His reach, we will begin to trust that His promises really are true. That He is more than enough. And the weight that we didn't even realize we were carrying? It's lifted and gone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Am I there yet? Nope. Not completely. It takes a long time to break a lifetime of habits like this. But one day at a time, we're getting there, and I am so thankful.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, God lovingly meets us right where we are, but He never intends for us to stay there. And we can trust that He will be right within us, beside us, and before us, leading us out.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-1940401955963438752016-08-10T13:21:00.001-04:002016-08-15T08:40:10.995-04:00Safely Sent<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We have less than a week before school starts, and like clockwork, that little twinge of sadness/panic settled in last night as I was going to bed. It feels a little ridiculous that I go through this every year because I know better, but every year that twinge is a little bigger. A little harder to ignore. </span><br>
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYa3oeOyNffOKXQ2hLI7-ztCTsNjtoWtjswnM86QSXfAI9jcLCMilyXxqKVgUAtm95sbetY4tYrYXOEsjVXFMzkU2N05hBs8wYaFiBlcNXsXSkcevOXEijlb2DepAqf9N0WY4SKozBiOz/s640/blogger-image-1882754406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYa3oeOyNffOKXQ2hLI7-ztCTsNjtoWtjswnM86QSXfAI9jcLCMilyXxqKVgUAtm95sbetY4tYrYXOEsjVXFMzkU2N05hBs8wYaFiBlcNXsXSkcevOXEijlb2DepAqf9N0WY4SKozBiOz/s640/blogger-image-1882754406.jpg" width="480"></a></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We had the most incredible summer. Quite possibly my favorite. We (and by we, that could mean one of us, a few of us, or all 5, so don't overthink that) snorkeled, ziplined, floated down a river, slept in, visited our KC family, watched and played a lot of baseball, fished, and searched for sand dollars. We stood under the arch in St. Louis. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We experienced crab legs for the first time. We fed seagulls and struck up conversations with complete strangers in hopes of encouraging them. We toured London (that was just Hud with Nana, but we all lived vicariously through their trip;). </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br>
</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We wasted entire days watching tv and playing video games. We spent time with friends. We chased butterflies and Pokemon. We worked in the yard, took care of chickens (and subsequently, figured out that chicken farming is NOT for us) and threw water balloons at each other. We played a lot of card games and watched a lot of movies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thinking back on this summer, I should be exhausted, right? But I'm not. I'm completely energized. These days with being just the 5 of us, they're fleeting. And while I believed the wise women who have gone before me when they said each year goes faster than the one before, I guess I didn't realize just how fast those years would go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And here we are at the end, and completely okay with doing absolutely nothing until school starts, and I can't shake that nagging feeling that inevitably comes. This morning I figured out what exactly was bothering me. It's mostly the normal realization that the time for schedules and practices and alarms needing to be set and waking up before the sun rises has come. And while I like structure, I think the world would be a happier place if the day didn't start until 9:00. It's not all that different from other years, but this year I've been able to pinpoint something a little deeper. </span></div><div><br>
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiUot2VWMk85PJYwTkowWKSNWQgrORyYM6Of8H0jU02NDx-Zu4fv3Nw1p1i3es_msdPUAOopBx2YRchLYClRcQUbjsvNfhYbEw-rpsI8NTWFcI0-FSm-zTTip2H7yyxTw4jpAsxkkkWIP/s640/blogger-image-2009334342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiUot2VWMk85PJYwTkowWKSNWQgrORyYM6Of8H0jU02NDx-Zu4fv3Nw1p1i3es_msdPUAOopBx2YRchLYClRcQUbjsvNfhYbEw-rpsI8NTWFcI0-FSm-zTTip2H7yyxTw4jpAsxkkkWIP/s640/blogger-image-2009334342.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br>
</div><span style="font-size: large;">Last week we shopped for school supplies and new shoes and first day of school outfits, and it got me thinking about how much we do to get our outsides prepared for the school year...but what about our insides? What are we doing to make sure they are ready to take on a new year from the inside out?</span></div><div><br></div><div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We all deal with mean, unreasonable people. Not everyone is going to like us. We're going to be teased, misunderstood, looked over, and ignored. That is just part of living in the world. And h</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">onestly, it's those things that make sending the boys back to school an anxiety-filled event for me (the boys are typically fine-ha!). We live in a sweet community with wonderful schools, and they all have good friends. But I know how hard the world can be, and my desire to shield them from that overrides all logic sometimes. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since I can't go with them (I'd be weird and they'd be mortified)... what can I do? What can we do as parents to make sure they are prepared to handle the world out there without us?</span><br>
<h2><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Make your house a safe home base.</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As a kid I loved "clean sheets day" because my mom would sprinkle baby powder on my bed each time she changed my sheets...there was just something magical about it, and I promise my bed was even cozier on those nights. My Momo did it too... I'm not sure if that tradition goes any further back, but I now do the same thing, and we all look forward to "powder bed night" (as the boys call it). I spend way more time than I'd prefer cleaning, doing laundry, and taking care of our house. With 3 boys and a big hairy dog it all seems futile... it really does. But I can't help but think that all the effort that goes into making our home clean and inviting, that by sprinkling baby powder on our sheets each week when the beds get changed, that baking cookies once in awhile, and making sure the pantry stays well-stocked... my hope is that it provides a sense of balance and calm when the outside world is busy and chaotic. I can assure you that our house is never totally clean, and the ironing basket stays full, snack bowls get left everywhere, and there's always something that needs to be picked up, (so please don't read this as "<i>I need to keep my house spotless!</i>") but you get the idea.</span></div><h2><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Encourage them to be themselves. </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Along with your home being a safe place physically, we need to make sure to create an environment where they feel safe mentally and spiritually. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There are things we have gotten wrong when it comes to raising our boys, but one thing Brian and I set out to do from the start was to make sure the boys knew they could tell us anything. Anything. Some days those conversations have come easily, and others it's been like pulling teeth, but the boys have learned over time that when they tell us what's really going on with them, it helps. And when they've had to tell us something hard, when they've messed up big, they've learned that we're not going freak out and scream, and they trust us. There are consequences, yes, but they know we're going to help get them through it, and it's going to be okay. Those conversations, though really hard sometimes, have made us closer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All 3 of them have very different personalities. They have different interests. They're all social, but are homebodies too. As parents, we want our kids to fit in, right? We want to know that when they're at school they have friends excited to see them, someone to sit with at lunch, that they're not getting picked last in P.E. But we also know that there are going to be times when they feel they don't fit in, when someone might make fun of them, when they don't get picked for a team or a play. It stinks. So what do we do? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We remind them that they are exactly who God created them to be, that the treasure that lies within them might sometimes be overlooked by people, but never is by the Lord. Or by us. We make them laugh, we hug them, we tell them that being a kid (or teenager) is hard, but it doesn't last forever. We listen to their hurts, and take them out for ice cream. We talk about past times when something similar happened, and remind them that this too shall pass. We tell them stories from our childhood, so they know it's normal... or at the very least, hereditary. ;) And then we trust that the safe place we've created for them at home will be a comfort for them, giving the security they need to get up and face the next day with a different perspective.</span></div><h2><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. Pray with and for them. </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This seems obvious, maybe. Maybe not. But there is nothing sweeter than praying with your kids. Seeing the weight of the world literally lift off their shoulders is incredible. Watching them learn to trust God with the big things and the little things is beautiful. It builds their confidence as they learn that because Jesus goes before them and is with them wherever they go, they really have nothing to worry about. And if someone doesn't like what they say or do, they can smile and walk away, realizing that it really doesn't matter that much anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Be the safe place for your kids. Point them to the One who will fill them up with more love and faith and wisdom than they'll know what to do with. And then send them off into the world with a smile, knowing He's got them. He's got you. It's going to be a great year. </span></div><br>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-4951695399155789112015-12-30T21:18:00.001-05:002015-12-30T23:17:43.450-05:00Time<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It hit me hard. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last week I was rocking my new (adorable, squishy, smiley) baby nephew to sleep. There was nothing that <i>had</i> to be done at that moment but soak up that time with him, marvel at how much he had changed in the nearly two months since I had last seen him, and try not to think about how different he would be the next time we visit.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And I realized for the first time since I don't know when, I was actually letting myself relax. I didn't have a mental to-do list running through my head. I ignored the nagging "Jaclyn, you should be doing _______" that inevitably plagues me when I least need it to. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was as if I had some kind of epiphany. A revelation. That God was quite possibly face-palming (if He really does that sort of thing...and with me, it's likely;) as He watched me finally get it.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">God used that quiet moment to show me His word for me for the next year.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br>
</span> <br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQWIwNTt0FFHt_m8g3MPaVzKistsB6OtT_n0WOqkOwnPXA58WS0WjEaC4k1mrwLzD-YNpqbj7gJ2HA4WvbpZjfv6jdUIBPWsXLhlQ1zFtbrnUlzcSH1__NzXaT9OTwpLvYMdncYULbbSA/s1600/ONV344KX9K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQWIwNTt0FFHt_m8g3MPaVzKistsB6OtT_n0WOqkOwnPXA58WS0WjEaC4k1mrwLzD-YNpqbj7gJ2HA4WvbpZjfv6jdUIBPWsXLhlQ1zFtbrnUlzcSH1__NzXaT9OTwpLvYMdncYULbbSA/s640/ONV344KX9K.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br>
</span> <br>
<h4 style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"We stand on the brink of eternity. So there is enough time. Time to breathe deep and time to see real. Time to laugh long, time to give God glory and to rest deep and to sing joy." </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-Ann Voskamp</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Because I'm a Type-A-ish personality (the -ish is for the creative brain part of me that forgets I'm Type A), I like organization. The -ish part becomes a problem with actually <i>seeing</i> <i>the organizational plans through</i>. Calendars? A beautiful idea. I'm all in until about April....then, May-December are left blank. Chore charts for the boys? Brilliant! Until our schedules get the best of me and we forget to do said chores. That chart sure looked cute though.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The -ish is obviously a problem, but that's another post for another day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Organization. I like the idea of a New Year's Resolution, but not the pressure of it. So at the end of the year I try to listen hard for the thing I need to work on the most in the coming year, in one-word form. You know, because if it's just one word it's no big deal, right?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last year, my word was "brave." I'm kind of a worrier-wimp.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year, God quietly whispered the word to me. <i>Time.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Taking time.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Time to soak up kid moments, because we all know how fleeting they are.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Time to start my day with God, instead of merely sending prayers up as I go. The day is always better when it's started with the quiet whispers from Him instead of the loud shouts of the world.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Time to feel no guilt when I opt to read a book or have a binge-session on Netflix instead of vacuum, or fold laundry, or clean toilets, or....</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For the love of all things, it's time to stop hurrying through this life. What am I rushing to anyway? I'm missing so much along the way. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The hope in all of this is that by taking time for what is most important, the less-important but necessary things in life (keeping a clean house, making sure we're all clothed, the fridge and pantry stay full, etc.) will still get done <i>without taking precedence. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br>
</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's the rub, isn't it? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Things feel out of balance. I think I've finally reached the point in life where social media is going to take a back burner. Like, way in the back. I've grown weary of it all. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friendships that were once incredibly important to me have fallen away. Not intentionally, but because we've mistakenly thought that if we can keep up on Facebook and Instagram, we're good.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But, we're not.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, I'm thankful for time. Time to get things right-side up again. To look up and pay attention. To sleep soundly each night, knowing the main things stayed the main things. Not the leftover things. And that will be enough.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br>
</span></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-86647492141198850352015-08-16T15:13:00.001-04:002015-08-17T17:28:11.295-04:00Glass Houses and Fish BowlsThere's an old saying, "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." The meaning behind it is that basically we all have similar struggles, so we shouldn't criticize each other. If we could all see what it's like day in and day out in each other's homes, we'd see that some things are familiar. Or that we'd happily keep our own problems after watching others'. We'd most definitely understand each other better. <div><br></div><div>But if you're a ministry family like we are, the term "glass house" means something a little different. When you're a pastor or pastor's wife or pastor's kid, life can feel a bit like being in a fishbowl (or a glass house.) Life at church can feel different. Life outside of church is also different. Expectations, whether intentional or not, whether realistic or not, are often put on ministry families. And while yes, it is biblical (read James 3:1) for higher standards to be placed on those who teach in the church, and there should be, I'm concerned about the effects of that on pastors' kids. Not on the higher standard part, because God called us to that, but the expectations part? That's different. That's where our flesh can take over if we're not careful. </div><div><br></div><div>These are our three boys. They are awesome. They are smart. They are hilarious. They love each other. They are creative. They are athletic. They are darling. They are thoughtful and happy. They are each a unique, much-prayed-for gift. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1slGYqdokfIn7tMvmvjJOvsSWBlIZlPD0E7UkrY8iac7Y-MNvj8KQ1Axi4Ha2NuMSfeYJ1H-3bYKqvo3KUQbulyilDVZa79vudlCVACoBapnKG_BNx4MDfKY5n5Q7g0FtBzRm51EjUyS/s640/blogger-image--680563616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1slGYqdokfIn7tMvmvjJOvsSWBlIZlPD0E7UkrY8iac7Y-MNvj8KQ1Axi4Ha2NuMSfeYJ1H-3bYKqvo3KUQbulyilDVZa79vudlCVACoBapnKG_BNx4MDfKY5n5Q7g0FtBzRm51EjUyS/s640/blogger-image--680563616.jpg"></a></div>But also? They fight. They get tired of each other. They roll their eyes. They talk back. They forget to do their homework. They leave a trail of food, clothes, Legos, books, games, Nerf guns, shoes, etc. wherever they go. They don't always know the right answer in Sunday school. They squirm and wiggle in church. </div><div><br></div><div>They're pastor's kids. </div><div><br></div><div>My point in this? They're not perfect. They are trying to figure out this world just like every other kid is. Just like most (read: all) adults are. None of us get it right all the time. Thankfully, they know all about the incredible gift that is God's grace, because it's something we've taught them; something we've learned that we need every single day. Every day is a chance to do things better. To learn something new. To forgive and start again. That's what Grace does. They know that our house is their home base~ their safe place to just be themselves. To learn and grow and make mistakes. </div><div><br></div><div>In our family we try hard to make sure their lives are balanced. We don't always get that right. But they know the huge importance of church life~ of connecting with other believers, building strong friendships, learning how to share God's love with others. They love going to church. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoMoqYJN3B_lDf-7LtIrcGcKUJAl1tmRaZz3MfF6WTkHopimIYW1GRMi-cXynjX5jMqB0eFUPbG7tj2ASeJGeKpQHZ6bP_Aqpqnt6rAWL7R0_3GGIlYqp97xGMXfKPp2Po36UUEMQiC-f/s640/blogger-image--411435399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoMoqYJN3B_lDf-7LtIrcGcKUJAl1tmRaZz3MfF6WTkHopimIYW1GRMi-cXynjX5jMqB0eFUPbG7tj2ASeJGeKpQHZ6bP_Aqpqnt6rAWL7R0_3GGIlYqp97xGMXfKPp2Po36UUEMQiC-f/s640/blogger-image--411435399.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>But we've also shown them that their school and extracurricular activities are important opportunities to minister while building friendships, so we've allowed them to miss church things here and there because of games or other commitments. Our hope is to prevent bitterness down the road from feelings that they had to be at church every time the door was open...because when they're old enough to make the decision themselves, we want them to <i>want </i>to go to church. Not because they're pastor's kids, but because they are Christ-believing men who want to continue to grow and serve. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkp0k-LXYEnRx4OqR0W_5u22LFkWp31BC0GCjFAzM2lecM7KUc_yqF-UyBS3giMbMrQas3AYa-q-oA14Nk8D4nMSW5UKNSPUwvSDiDYODHJZNd86T6Bp6fXspi9UAP-Xzo0QvBOYe5cC7/s640/blogger-image--1423387517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkp0k-LXYEnRx4OqR0W_5u22LFkWp31BC0GCjFAzM2lecM7KUc_yqF-UyBS3giMbMrQas3AYa-q-oA14Nk8D4nMSW5UKNSPUwvSDiDYODHJZNd86T6Bp6fXspi9UAP-Xzo0QvBOYe5cC7/s640/blogger-image--1423387517.jpg"></a></div></div><div>So when we sent this one off to church camp this summer...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVc94YdpEZvpSe3iZFcOeA2wYe7xWuzJtuntOBe5ZAPZvXMtyM2n6c1D6-rcbL7bEjgprMvUM4SdEbCUibnQO8XE4gpttAAMCPGJ3FqsSsbEgeEM8yPEi7WT3uKLihwA2St8vM_a7wLa9/s640/blogger-image--2052334485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVc94YdpEZvpSe3iZFcOeA2wYe7xWuzJtuntOBe5ZAPZvXMtyM2n6c1D6-rcbL7bEjgprMvUM4SdEbCUibnQO8XE4gpttAAMCPGJ3FqsSsbEgeEM8yPEi7WT3uKLihwA2St8vM_a7wLa9/s640/blogger-image--2052334485.jpg"></a></div>....the last thing we expected to hear when he came home on Friday was that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We were completely caught off guard. You see, as far as we knew he had already done that at the age of 5. </div><div><br></div><div>As his mom, who has a tendency to worry/overreact/blame myself for, well, just about everything (I'm working on it...really) my first thought was not<i> "</i>this is incredible! I'm so thankful and happy and relieved." Rest assured, that came later. But my first? Sadly, it was "What are people going to think?" followed closely behind with "How did I not know?"</div><div><br></div><div>Yeah...not my best moment, although I did a decent job of keeping my shock hidden. But as we hugged him and listened to him tell the story about what God did in His life that week, my heart nearly exploded with joy. There was a light in his eyes I hadn't seen in awhile, something I had chalked up to normal teenage hormones and sadness about our recent move. But no, it was something much bigger than that. Something so much better. </div><div><br></div><div>Later the next week I asked him what the difference was between now and when he was 5, and his reply will stick with me forever. He said, "Back then <i>I thought it was what I was supposed to do because I'm a pastor's kid</i>...but I didn't understand what it really meant then. Now I know I don't have to worry about what everyone thinks. God got ahold of my heart in a very real way, and I want to follow Him." </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtytIzvgvSqTCzXx-X5B8j7gFhgNlvMRzXJraVAK-ovH4P_yg_m2zUDkRV3AFfJf1SQbzCqunJYFdQGzZ_g_vta2nIlkU-eUDbYQrwaa5WOpGdoa207XicRaag5gEj9fyMDO1eabR6LFJ/s640/blogger-image--42925498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtytIzvgvSqTCzXx-X5B8j7gFhgNlvMRzXJraVAK-ovH4P_yg_m2zUDkRV3AFfJf1SQbzCqunJYFdQGzZ_g_vta2nIlkU-eUDbYQrwaa5WOpGdoa207XicRaag5gEj9fyMDO1eabR6LFJ/s640/blogger-image--42925498.jpg"></a></div></div><div>We talked about that pressure he felt as a PK, and I asked where he felt it coming from. His answer surprised me: he said it was from himself. And that sometimes he notices people watching him and he's not always sure what to do with that. I told him I feel the same way sometimes, but that God is teaching me to tune that out and do my thing and keep my eyes on Him. The rest will work itself out. Hopefully that helped. We're figuring it out as a family. </div><div><br></div><div>This morning he was baptized by his dad and his youth minister, Pat. We are so thankful for the impact Pat has had on Harrison's life in the few short months we've been here. And there's nothing cooler than watching your husband baptize your son. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXmTynDOnRenCpGzPDEMH6k5qtqGktpUF87YO9XszZRPKQ4iDIqvTkVdnvghMiKJW3cp8dEWbZ5nnIPbY7c7rpl35PV1c90OG9c2BfLogP-GmNAT9-I5-15rJNj1LZ4OesRTBk5IDedbP/s640/blogger-image--463861310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXmTynDOnRenCpGzPDEMH6k5qtqGktpUF87YO9XszZRPKQ4iDIqvTkVdnvghMiKJW3cp8dEWbZ5nnIPbY7c7rpl35PV1c90OG9c2BfLogP-GmNAT9-I5-15rJNj1LZ4OesRTBk5IDedbP/s640/blogger-image--463861310.jpg"></a></div>In our 6 months here, God has already opened doors and answered prayers beyond our wildest imaginations. I still get emotional nearly every week because I'm so happy He brought us here. I don't ever want to forget what that feels like. Ever. My prayer for this post is that it wouldn't sound like complaining, because that's not my heart. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But I think it's important that honest conversations like this are happening. That if you too are in the ministry, maybe this helped. Maybe you have advice for us. That if you're not, maybe you'll have a better understanding of what it's like for families like ours....the good parts and the hard parts. That if we could step into each other's shoes and gain a better understanding, the world would be a happier, healthier place. I am so incredibly thankful that God called Brian into the ministry, thrilled that I get the privilege of joining him in that, and that our boys are being raised this way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oVq59_Aeb4-nJ-cO0NsA1AiMOc4nyeN9Qdg0CRtBhXtVEWpsP0AmcX_DT1iVOEZO3bypcWIUXeB91SVNQ_tkFbzfy1vXH2zjOdyZlSzE8xZpBvlVlqZoGVAICnqvP7eHeyUlUsjo1Ec5/s640/blogger-image--381421674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oVq59_Aeb4-nJ-cO0NsA1AiMOc4nyeN9Qdg0CRtBhXtVEWpsP0AmcX_DT1iVOEZO3bypcWIUXeB91SVNQ_tkFbzfy1vXH2zjOdyZlSzE8xZpBvlVlqZoGVAICnqvP7eHeyUlUsjo1Ec5/s640/blogger-image--381421674.jpg"></a></div>And the more I think about it, fish don't seem to pay much attention to who's watching them swim around their bowl anyway. They just keep doing what they know to do. Smart fish. </span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-23847687635018270032015-07-23T13:35:00.001-04:002015-09-02T12:40:32.325-04:00Brave New World<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have a confession to make. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think I'm having a mid-life crisis. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Can you have a mid-life crisis at 38??</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These past couple weeks I've felt myself slipping into a weird kind of depression. I couldn't put a finger on why exactly....there's no obvious thing going on to justify or explain it, so I chalked it up to the moving-to-a-new-town blues that I experienced after our move to Atlanta 5 years ago. There's a difference this time though. This time when I think about how I feel about our move here, I'm really happy. I love our new church and am so thankful to be here. Our boys are thriving. I feel like we are home. There are plenty of things about living in Georgia that we miss, but it didn't take long to realize that our recent move had nothing to do with the way I am feeling. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what is it?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There was a time in my life after I became a Christian that I hoped Jesus wouldn't come back until after my list of dreams was completed. I wanted to get married. Have a bunch of kids. Watch them grow up. Retire with my hubs and spend our days together. Have lots of grandchildren to spoil rotten. Then, after all that, He could come back for us. Regrettably, and embarrassingly, it took several years before I realized how wrong, how shortsighted that was. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Charles Spurgeon</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm a little restless. And trying to figure out why was maddening.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdzWZJwR0Wh_VwWamaivkvc7q3pMvRKcKDir4a2BFhRak1D1whHaVRlJPeisaLUr9U617GNC53OqZtJC8UXhjv_dAA5ejz5xaZg3g8eJSa9O5rn7OAZGzkKE95XuNGm7evquwwJGweCRU/s640/blogger-image-746961743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdzWZJwR0Wh_VwWamaivkvc7q3pMvRKcKDir4a2BFhRak1D1whHaVRlJPeisaLUr9U617GNC53OqZtJC8UXhjv_dAA5ejz5xaZg3g8eJSa9O5rn7OAZGzkKE95XuNGm7evquwwJGweCRU/s400/blogger-image-746961743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's summer. Summer is supposed to be fun and carefree and full of pool time and snow cones and roller coasters and summer camp and lazy mornings and staying up late. </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIsy1B6InxKl6hWYGnxYgGdMGOxxU_gS5_auTEP85mac8mLXy9InR8VI9hh7QSLC7eN5p2R5EVA-9Qntr3aTFm6XE43M-zO9OdT12cqP689AcLTuaHaSUffQ_6ZrxmEBD-GG8jKQG_qcq/s640/blogger-image--1818743471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIsy1B6InxKl6hWYGnxYgGdMGOxxU_gS5_auTEP85mac8mLXy9InR8VI9hh7QSLC7eN5p2R5EVA-9Qntr3aTFm6XE43M-zO9OdT12cqP689AcLTuaHaSUffQ_6ZrxmEBD-GG8jKQG_qcq/s640/blogger-image--1818743471.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But when the happy little world you live in is also the world where Planned Parenthood, ISIS, and racial tension exist, where police officers are vilified, where there are more orphans than there are families willing to care for them, where Donald Trump is trying to run for president (and scarily enough he's not the worst option)....it's all enough to make me realize that ignoring it all and carrying on with our summer isn't really an option anymore. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what exactly are we supposed to do?</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkYFKGXKphF-IDyAvASpzhMDIGxSHtnaAddeDaRbRcOTo1XYgNWsrTwuCjMdHBSHjQseztOIxinHx3lnX4sQCQr5_96lraJguNDl4vwaziKl7NbHnw49J0Vu8v1Z3fvl1wxj9T4arjJb7/s640/blogger-image-994773753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkYFKGXKphF-IDyAvASpzhMDIGxSHtnaAddeDaRbRcOTo1XYgNWsrTwuCjMdHBSHjQseztOIxinHx3lnX4sQCQr5_96lraJguNDl4vwaziKl7NbHnw49J0Vu8v1Z3fvl1wxj9T4arjJb7/s640/blogger-image-994773753.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think it's time to get serious. To bravely take on things we've lazily allowed "someone else" to do. Watching and waiting for Christ's return is a good thing. It's what we're commanded to do. I've never been more ready for the new heaven and new earth He's promised us. But God hasn't left us here to just sit and wait. </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk46k0yCehajBD7hlSuquLI4GRAJ88uiwxnjxirwPl6-CrpjTj4aw-pxvSPy64hLsLHOLyUCB0rP_rmYytGbHMkoMO52kXa8Jm2Wzu8hiZLTooQ9myjYdOuZRH8HHVpFABE3EitFC6dHk_/s640/blogger-image--2119428957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk46k0yCehajBD7hlSuquLI4GRAJ88uiwxnjxirwPl6-CrpjTj4aw-pxvSPy64hLsLHOLyUCB0rP_rmYytGbHMkoMO52kXa8Jm2Wzu8hiZLTooQ9myjYdOuZRH8HHVpFABE3EitFC6dHk_/s640/blogger-image--2119428957.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He's called us to step out, to be different. He's called us to live a life that makes people want what we have. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is my sister, Reagan.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9E98QpCQMF4vyp32_Y1NIXaCacOfP9idQJJ0ZfYiQjfBuzPclMPBVrkC9NfaTfvI1xMTJAyVc1iiUeeYrh8I9INUuat9DsuBd8We1QXVHk0Fmhcaa5RiJHHYQ0F-oBELzNmQRgi3MYBh/s640/blogger-image--614841250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9E98QpCQMF4vyp32_Y1NIXaCacOfP9idQJJ0ZfYiQjfBuzPclMPBVrkC9NfaTfvI1xMTJAyVc1iiUeeYrh8I9INUuat9DsuBd8We1QXVHk0Fmhcaa5RiJHHYQ0F-oBELzNmQRgi3MYBh/s640/blogger-image--614841250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She just got back from Honduras. A few weeks ago she was in Haiti. Through Tribe Alive (www.tribe-alive.com) she works with different charities here in the U.S. and around the world, helping develop better wages...to give women opportunities to provide for their families using the gifts God gave them. She's making a huge difference using her gifts to help others all over the world. God is using her to impact the world in an incredible way, and I'm so proud to be her sister. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What is your passion? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What is my passion? </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDrLDHRmvC7tI-b0bDAsq6ESbGEibDGbuhQytbzYEuyxV2ge9WzMXR0-F27hzKjAyjwsOh-mdDPixXv4AdzBETf1dADP7UbX_ORwUr7fapLlvqiN10zAfKZg9pHYRhNV0BncpXWHLlJwv/s640/blogger-image--739621997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDrLDHRmvC7tI-b0bDAsq6ESbGEibDGbuhQytbzYEuyxV2ge9WzMXR0-F27hzKjAyjwsOh-mdDPixXv4AdzBETf1dADP7UbX_ORwUr7fapLlvqiN10zAfKZg9pHYRhNV0BncpXWHLlJwv/s640/blogger-image--739621997.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, the day I became a mom, I felt that I had found my calling. I am so thankful that I get to spend my days with three beautiful, hilarious, creative, headstrong boys. Our testosterone-fueled home is my favorite place to be. And I can't wait for the day I get to finally see our two babies that are already in heaven. I firmly believe that those two little souls are waiting for us there. That God created them, and yes, that even though they left us so early (the first at 8 weeks, the second at 5 weeks) they each were just as much a life as their three brothers who I carried to term are. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">understand the value of being a mom in today's world. They need me. I need them. It's such an important job. And it's because of that passion that I feel this one:</span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExFxRdK8uA_-UiR1iIUfNS5gCeP7thrMvkJzX69Jpg1-FoFja6Mk8YnkacvFwbmTiDAQlKQuVrsSgFZ8gXzlFGKsEaQt0E1SPB0vdp2k9hsruLPXV_9OwDN3HQSJKr7VTFzlvKormsnAw/s640/blogger-image--1048676189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExFxRdK8uA_-UiR1iIUfNS5gCeP7thrMvkJzX69Jpg1-FoFja6Mk8YnkacvFwbmTiDAQlKQuVrsSgFZ8gXzlFGKsEaQt0E1SPB0vdp2k9hsruLPXV_9OwDN3HQSJKr7VTFzlvKormsnAw/s640/blogger-image--1048676189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More than 55 million lives. There is an overwhelming amount of hurt and pain in the world, but this is the thing that breaks my heart to its very core. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You have to find the broken part of the world that speaks to you...the one your heart hears screaming the loudest. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I could single handedly take down Planned Parenthood, I would. From the looks of it, they might've taken care of that job themselves. Time will tell. I may not be able to take them out on my own, but there is something that can be done. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In my life pregnancy was a gift I got to experience 5 times. I had a loving and supportive husband and extended family. Our children were greatly anticipated and loved from the moment we saw the positive pregnancy test. We had the means to provide and take care of them. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For many women, this isn't the case. And for those who find themselves expecting a baby but do not have the means to provide for him or her, far too often they seek an abortion, thinking that's the answer. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It isn't. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Study after study is finding that the aftermath of abortion is devastating. That the mothers who choose it struggle to recover mentally, to forgive themselves, to justify becoming a mother again. Google "studies on women after abortion" and you'll find article after article on this, not one with anything positive to report. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My passion is to help these women see there's another way. There's help. There's hope. And if it's too late and they've already sought abortion to fix their situation...there's still a God who loves them, who will forgive them, who will set them back on their feet. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will never fully understand the boundless love of God....can't completely wrap my brain around the grace He so willingly gives each and every one of us when we believe. But He does. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If we are to take on this fight to save babies from death we have to be ready to fight for their mothers too.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Starting tomorrow I get the awesome privilege of helping launch an orphan defenders ministry in our church. I don't even know what that's going to look like exactly, but the possibilities are endless. In addition I'm in contact with a crisis pregnancy center to volunteer there as well. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't say any of this to brag about what I'm doing. Honestly, I'm ashamed that it's taken this long to do something. My hope is that if you're anything like me and you've waited to put your gifts into action, insecure and unsure like I was, that this will be the push you needed. Being an expert isn't a requirement. Being willing is. I'm trying to find the balance between keeping the world a safe, fun, happy place for our family and enjoying it with them while still teaching them to help those whose life isn't any of those things. The idea isn't to be a buzzkill on this beautiful life God has given us...but to love and soak it all in while helping breathe life into others who need love. And when that feels overwhelming, we have to step back and remember we're just one person...one person who can impact others one person at a time. </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr81ma_PJiOfE2Wdhf_xQ2BIWRrYIe9vMkSwo4oAxT7v6IZdlnBrlCpeyLa35xXRRXvaqt-W9R9GVATYZlpNWwbecqBlitgE3XIGhRP-pMhNIuJtgJe7MRMNHSTtAtUYbc7-RDfqz87Mv/s640/blogger-image-614071381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr81ma_PJiOfE2Wdhf_xQ2BIWRrYIe9vMkSwo4oAxT7v6IZdlnBrlCpeyLa35xXRRXvaqt-W9R9GVATYZlpNWwbecqBlitgE3XIGhRP-pMhNIuJtgJe7MRMNHSTtAtUYbc7-RDfqz87Mv/s640/blogger-image-614071381.jpg" width="481" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What will your brave new world look like? </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-61531806921529243982015-05-17T18:24:00.001-04:002015-05-18T08:20:07.619-04:00BlurryWe've been in Missouri for over two months now...long enough to be unpacked, to be getting used to our new normal, and it's starting to feel like home. We jumped right in with sports and activities, knowing that is the quickest way for things to feel normal again. I'm falling in love with the beautiful farms along the winding roads, the sounds of cows mooing in the fields across from our neighborhood, the early morning songs from the birds who insist on making their homes on our deck...the smalltown-ness of it is proving to be what we needed, even if we didn't realize it right away. I wasn't sure what this transition would feel like...leaving Texas was horrible. Leaving Georgia was a different kind of hard. Our time there represents something huge for me~ that was our chance to show what we were made of. Proof that where God calls, He blesses. And equips us to thrive. So to leave it behind made me worry that I was leaving a part of me there...a big part of me I didn't know existed before. That place changed me...changed us in ways I never expected, and I think it's taken our move here to really see that. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrTepNxTQxq0yrCjNW0g7Gazme0oxJqG9Yiz34HOKBn-ejj9sWjkjWKteA5rlf-_PLOES1q3I10yDaOy9mm4tusqDjakNbElFHR2r24nHdGDX85tZ_e0S0XH-xrZBUve-Nztd-Wec-2a4/s640/blogger-image-1864731101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrTepNxTQxq0yrCjNW0g7Gazme0oxJqG9Yiz34HOKBn-ejj9sWjkjWKteA5rlf-_PLOES1q3I10yDaOy9mm4tusqDjakNbElFHR2r24nHdGDX85tZ_e0S0XH-xrZBUve-Nztd-Wec-2a4/s640/blogger-image-1864731101.jpg"></a></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've been somewhat transparent about what serving at our old church was like. At the risk of being disrespectful, I've been protective of my thoughts. What I feel is safe to say is that it was undoubtably....hard. It was there that I learned a tough lesson~ that you have to be very careful with who you trust, and unfortunately had a few times where I got to learn it firsthand. I know now that I gave up on that place about 3 years in; while still trying to be the supportive minister's wife, still half-heartedly staying involved, I had given up. I fell short. I know I failed big time, because there's no doubt that the lesson would've been learned somewhere else at some later date, and I wish I'd had the faith to rise above it rather than succumb to it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Thankfully, in the midst of all that, there was good. It was there that my love and respect for my husband grew even more, as I watched him wake up before the sun every morning, make the long drive to work, and give his all to that place every single day. He loved the people. He did above and beyond what needed to be done. And he did it without complaint. He served happily. He gave all the glory to God. And I know he would've continued to do it again and again, every day, for as long as God wanted him to. All the while leading our family, loving us, being fully present. And then there were the neighbors and sports family He gave us there, knowing how much we would need them. They were what made it hard to leave...they were a gift. They are a gift. Yes, it was there God showed us that He had us...He was protecting us, and that if we would just trust and hold on, something incredible was just ahead. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyivkut60PxTfmcfgdJyJtrmhEizl_2HFKtljoC-jnJ8xr0TqHZq-xj2Dno8a__wWi2gL-eYs9rg3K3nvuPxttCEkivtH0PgCK9GPmWRSbX9CfIQ2vnez0tTxPUNMp_xQN4E-tI9i5Syui/s640/blogger-image--47385617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyivkut60PxTfmcfgdJyJtrmhEizl_2HFKtljoC-jnJ8xr0TqHZq-xj2Dno8a__wWi2gL-eYs9rg3K3nvuPxttCEkivtH0PgCK9GPmWRSbX9CfIQ2vnez0tTxPUNMp_xQN4E-tI9i5Syui/s640/blogger-image--47385617.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The biggest truth I learned from our time there is this, the thing I pray I never forget: we can worship God </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">anywhere. </i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It doesn't matter if the music style isn't your thing, or you don't feel like you fit in, or you are longing for a sense of community and it's not easily found in the building God called you to serve in. In the middle of what seems hopeless and broken, God can move. God does move. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqV_wDYlKVH3W47X7fU7Od2oUcbosG-W3ggpp21BZZv-Zu_rTbelTUj6g-3OvnoXUE_q3X6XxEJVGomqHmVk9kzJ_GsUnzPDmAy_HUrhKw2xK20ha3LaA5QAIX4Ro0gR2A2WWvoO-IT8/s640/blogger-image--1739700904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqV_wDYlKVH3W47X7fU7Od2oUcbosG-W3ggpp21BZZv-Zu_rTbelTUj6g-3OvnoXUE_q3X6XxEJVGomqHmVk9kzJ_GsUnzPDmAy_HUrhKw2xK20ha3LaA5QAIX4Ro0gR2A2WWvoO-IT8/s640/blogger-image--1739700904.jpg"></a></div>In a place that felt uncertain and unstable, that left me feeling insecure and confused, I found out what trusting in the God who never changes really means. And although I am so incredibly thankful for the church He has called us to serve in now, I know I wouldn't be appreciating it nearly as much had I not gone through what we did before. I appreciate the freedom I feel to worship here. I love the genuineness of the people here. I'm excited to serve and be a part of what's happening here. I'm in awe of the fact that this transition has been remarkably easy, and so thankful for another chance to do this right....to dig deep and invest in and love people the way God intended. I don't think it would've been quite this wonderful had we not gone through the hard stuff first. God is doing incredible things here, and the fact that He wants us to be a part of it? I pray I never lose the gratefulness, the wonder, the incredible, humble, "thank you, Jesus" that I feel now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir_Q3yv0Q_OICMNpuwAfa6FZg7VvMlC-0uKlFSQpA0MdgLlPmXdLNhFGoUHAfJnYVb2w8QExN-7cH6ljgw6-ucbAe_HBw1aitb7Pu14bOW3E5iYRZXS4HohoMibeqRlEomePRDWvO7UTS/s640/blogger-image--1378469622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir_Q3yv0Q_OICMNpuwAfa6FZg7VvMlC-0uKlFSQpA0MdgLlPmXdLNhFGoUHAfJnYVb2w8QExN-7cH6ljgw6-ucbAe_HBw1aitb7Pu14bOW3E5iYRZXS4HohoMibeqRlEomePRDWvO7UTS/s640/blogger-image--1378469622.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In our time in Georgia, I let my people-pleasing self rule. It was exhausting. I lost the wonder, the gift, the grace that comes from following the God whose love is all-encompassing. It's something I fear will have to continually be laid back down. May it never be something I stop fighting for. May it become easier to accept. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6I2LCtiyBDja59t8n1-Wu8gEhI4Dq-x5g4nS1YfAFzOuHjR8oiH4IeArltL2Z3aXfVdc_4yNYjHwUADiFAfeC8p16U8z11N99fOjMzp577k9JBlIIE-uzfGTGLx49XYlhOKFNW9QzxtQ/s640/blogger-image-1905837066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6I2LCtiyBDja59t8n1-Wu8gEhI4Dq-x5g4nS1YfAFzOuHjR8oiH4IeArltL2Z3aXfVdc_4yNYjHwUADiFAfeC8p16U8z11N99fOjMzp577k9JBlIIE-uzfGTGLx49XYlhOKFNW9QzxtQ/s640/blogger-image-1905837066.jpg"></a></div>I've made it hard, when it really is quite simple. May we never lose the wonder that is the undeserved love of God. May we be steadfast in any circumstance. May we be more grateful for the hard stuff we will inevitably walk through, and rest in the undeserved goodness He so freely gives. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-48041736557059559862015-01-26T11:19:00.001-05:002015-01-27T15:19:23.833-05:00Ministry and Moving and Other Related Things<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we moved to Georgia nearly 5 years ago I remember hoping that our time here would be short. Two or three years, tops. I've often joked about the fact that you could see the skid marks on HWY 20 all the way from Fort Worth to Atlanta, which were from my feet dragging themselves here. I've shared the burning bush moment I had with God about this whole thing, that it took huge, specific, and seemingly crazy answers to prayers before I felt sufficiently convinced that it was the right thing to do. That part of the story I've carried with shame. Shame that it took that much for God to convince me that this was indeed His will. But over the past couple months I've been thinking on that some more, and instead of solely focusing on my insufficient faith, God has quietly shown me that it's okay to give myself a break, and so I'm choosing to focus instead on what a beautiful example it is of His boundless love for us. That when we're scared and stubbornly resistant, He will go to great lengths to keep us on the path He's carved out for us.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ih0ool7FcrjMRxaKf4cuyo-hjExpidf8Ic1-LQ1-Vwmdy5a_ZkBvA2jpmokIz0moNdjpEaC4FLenr-nmLsLDf4kEFaA2J4I3yQYaKnfTPbYlyP8TUt-_54yGKEfEzDIsSW21lxSgZQoR/s1600/The+Hatchers-249+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ih0ool7FcrjMRxaKf4cuyo-hjExpidf8Ic1-LQ1-Vwmdy5a_ZkBvA2jpmokIz0moNdjpEaC4FLenr-nmLsLDf4kEFaA2J4I3yQYaKnfTPbYlyP8TUt-_54yGKEfEzDIsSW21lxSgZQoR/s1600/The+Hatchers-249+copy.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> When the journey to Georgia began the boys were 8, 5, and 2. We were nervous and excited, sad, but trusting that God had great things in store for us. And did He ever.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can look back now at how His hand was in EVERY little detail of our time here. You see, God knew that this was not only going to be a tough move, but He knew he was calling us to a tough place to serve Him. So He surrounded us with neighbors who made us feel like family, on a street filled with boys who loved to play outside together. Neighbors who hung around outside to talk while the kids played. Neighbors who quickly became friends...friends who checked in on us. Whose children became our boys' friends. So what seemed like an endless search for the house we would live in was actually God orchestrating our move to the exact spot He knew we would need to live. Beyond our street, there have the been the boys' schools (3 of them, to be exact, and each dear to us for different reasons), their ball teams (oh, how we are going to miss our Longhorn family), and some members of our church who loved us and made us family. We have absolutely loved our time here, and looking back it seems that these 5 years have flown by faster than ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So in September when God began opening the door to a new opportunity, I wasn't sure. Again. The thought of starting over, of moving the boys to a new place once again...that part is harder now given their ages and how invested they are here with friends, sports, band, school activities, etc. It's overwhelming. How quickly we forget what God does for us, don't we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSZg7vNyx2upPHrWHJPDcbxVU50bhOACSyIoFrNBa9n8VMkApgxI359hOq4dsOsgvRMRoHHgilSVGybMAnLvXB0aXc2lSMm9vw2OVm39BTmyl5pPQh9kTchwGGz8Z2vZXNYF3psDr5rDk/s1600/Hatcher-4+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSZg7vNyx2upPHrWHJPDcbxVU50bhOACSyIoFrNBa9n8VMkApgxI359hOq4dsOsgvRMRoHHgilSVGybMAnLvXB0aXc2lSMm9vw2OVm39BTmyl5pPQh9kTchwGGz8Z2vZXNYF3psDr5rDk/s1600/Hatcher-4+-+Copy.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After one door after another has opened, we know God is indeed calling us out on a new adventure. Brian has accepted an Executive Pastor position at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. We've been blown away by the community and how so many have gone above and beyond already to make us feel welcome and loved. Brian and I are beyond thrilled to partner with the pastor and his wife there, and to join in the ministry with the rest of the staff...it's going to be an incredible adventure. We're excited about being so much closer to our Texas and Oklahoma family and friends, and of course to be in my birth state and so close to family in Kansas City. The state park where my family had countless reunions growing up, and that we've gotten to share with Brian and the boys now, where my Dandy taught Brian to fly fish, will be less than an hour away. Who would've ever thought it? Not me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our God works in mysteriously wonderful ways, doesn't He?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The transition out of our home in Sugar Hill is going to be rough. Like I said, leaving our Georgia friends behind is going to be hard. I'm just now really letting myself process that. Seeing your kids be sad about saying goodbye to their friends is brutal. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know firsthand what that feels like, having moved a lot as a kid, and it stinks.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> When you're as far away from family as we are, your friends become a surrogate family. Leaving those loved ones behind now? Not sure how we are going to do that. Makes my heart hurt. <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On top of that, we're going to be f<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">arther away from <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my sis<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ter, brother<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-in-law, and niece and nephew in VA, which <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't even let myself really think about yet. Yes, there is a lot we are leaving behind in this place that has been our home for 5 years...</span></span></span></span></span></span>yet the boys still understand that the best way to live your life is to be in the middle of God's will, so they're willing to make these changes with us because they believe He has big things in store for our family there. Couldn't be more proud to be their mom than I am right now. They've taught me so much about faith. Are they sad? <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh yes. There ha<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ve been tears and uncertainty, but still, the<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ir faith amazes me. Only God.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Things are moving quickly here, <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and in just a couple weeks Brian will be head<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ing to Springfi<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eld, with<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> the boys and I join<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ing him as soon as the house sells. <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We ask for your prayers as we make this transition. Lots to figure out in the next few weeks, but believing that the One who called us will also provide exceedingly, abundantly more than we can imagine, once again. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-9601503886017203192014-09-03T15:12:00.001-04:002014-09-03T22:13:21.952-04:00Popped<br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stuck in the in-between. That's how I'm feeling these days. Days are long and busy, but the weeks fly by. Life is one big routine of school and homework and practices, weekends are filled with games and church and trying to cram in yard work and time with friends or maybe, if we're lucky, an actual date night. Looking at the calendar is overwhelming, and that is still while keeping with our rule of "one extracurricular thing per kid." And sure, we're together, having family time, but it doesn't <i>feel </i>like family time. It feels like another thing to check off our list. I don't like feeling that way. These days are fleeting and I know I'm going to miss them. I love watching the boys when they're in their element. There's this amazing sense of pride and wonder as I watch the ones that grew inside of me use their abilities and talents, these people who are pieces of Brian and me...pieces of our parents and grandparents and sisters and brother...yes, it's miraculous when you really think about it. But right now I'm just so tired. And I'm working to get to a place where I embrace and enjoy it more and obsess over the busyness of it all less. But for today? </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0IFsX-s-js23irHN22OwtUK-kzG2sQ41h-vdnOL_2gvc1Wn9mH4auch1xhRobcm0LCkT1bOcbm5-Jg-WkVRdAS7KaNvnnj49F2f3fg6dOBO-JdBGpy1pMDVvroOUyQcP-FfCLp0ycCEH/s1600/462843_10204221321152887_4081904140386086040_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0IFsX-s-js23irHN22OwtUK-kzG2sQ41h-vdnOL_2gvc1Wn9mH4auch1xhRobcm0LCkT1bOcbm5-Jg-WkVRdAS7KaNvnnj49F2f3fg6dOBO-JdBGpy1pMDVvroOUyQcP-FfCLp0ycCEH/s1600/462843_10204221321152887_4081904140386086040_o.jpg" height="474" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I make another cup of coffee and plop down on the couch to watch re-runs of my old favorite shows....like "Reba" because I love seeing her make the best of tough real life things, or "Boy Meets World" because that show has parents who <i>actually</i> parent, and the kids mess up and things aren't always tied up in a pretty little bow by the end but it always works out at some point. And because it has Mr. Feeny, and for the love, <i>everyone </i>needs a Mr. Feeny. Mine was Mr. Eklund, who I got the privilege of having for 4 different classes in high school, who I still think about with a smile, who pushed me hard, made me laugh, taught me more about U.S. History and World History and Art and Government and Economics (which was a miracle in itself because my brain isn't programmed for things like Economics) and who surprised us all with the big tears he wouldn't let fall when we graduated. Yes, everyone needs a Mr. Feeny, and I'm praying my boys find theirs, that teacher who really lives for teaching, who wholeheartedly invests in their lives and shows them what getting an education really means....it's more than academic, and when a teacher steps in to make an investment like that, you soak it up. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching seemingly silly old shows is comforting. It reminds me that none of us have it all figured out, and that's okay. We make decisions we think are best for our kids, for ourselves, for our family, and then send them out with one eye shut, cringing a little, hoping what we chose was best.</span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGgQC77-CWpsbO-hVYqHe73EjcOy1htS7uxBuIZfil_usLlmv2XhSHJlVWqHI_8_Ow1NVjDMfY0gnsVPR7yBkYbpqsfY24fEhLTXA1VBGsjyg9WzofnsjL-ixhT1APQzKI9gTEc365FoY/s640/blogger-image--1882310456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGgQC77-CWpsbO-hVYqHe73EjcOy1htS7uxBuIZfil_usLlmv2XhSHJlVWqHI_8_Ow1NVjDMfY0gnsVPR7yBkYbpqsfY24fEhLTXA1VBGsjyg9WzofnsjL-ixhT1APQzKI9gTEc365FoY/s640/blogger-image--1882310456.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For these two, that meant starting at a new school this year. A switch from their sweet little private school where they started each day with praise and worship, to a big public elementary school where they don't. An excellent one, mind you, with teachers who are excited to teach and made us feel loved and welcomed instantly. A school with a different teaching method that appeals to the boys, one that is workshop style and project-based, more technology-driven...a welcome change for these two who thrive in a busy, out-of-your-seat learning style. We've seen how well that's worked for our oldest, and that helped. But still, it's new. It's big. It's not the same. We miss friends from their old school. We miss not knowing everybody like we did. I battled with this whole "Why fix something that's not broken" mentality...why make a change when there's nothing wrong with where they are? But in my heart I knew it was what we were supposed to do. That doesn't mean it wasn't a tough change. They didn't know many kids, and I know even fewer parents. And we had to pop that safe, happy bubble that I worked so hard to keep them in. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But guess what happened?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW02jrVYcQ-Hi-uUyGyFt2oPQxkdHfh6IN5_2GrEqFkD26lzETEbYBmKZJ3_bXL9zv_c8ZCr9EVHNgsXUTQpe5CUiZiUWDZWuLuPWfRl5Rvg1gHPA_hycIdKqcaZmrfz-vf672olV9ZOg/s1600/16028_10204413695242119_8533195396055830987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW02jrVYcQ-Hi-uUyGyFt2oPQxkdHfh6IN5_2GrEqFkD26lzETEbYBmKZJ3_bXL9zv_c8ZCr9EVHNgsXUTQpe5CUiZiUWDZWuLuPWfRl5Rvg1gHPA_hycIdKqcaZmrfz-vf672olV9ZOg/s1600/16028_10204413695242119_8533195396055830987_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They did it. And they're thriving. They've taken to this new thing in their life with grace and ease. It's been pretty remarkable, really. Of course there were nerves and uncertainty, but that has quickly been replaced with confidence and independence. Seemingly simple things like taking the school bus home does a lot for how they feel about themselves and what they're capable of. Conversations about dealing with a difficult classmate has yielded maturity in making other decisions during the day. Teaching how to handle choices that are made and what having to stay true to a commitment means, even when it's hard and you want to quit, has made for a stronger, more self-aware little boy, who is now embracing that choice with a new attitude. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOIKzb8IfW2vfrf0EFo3QwrBB8D_s7IGhsjDtsV_v4IrNeeHsb5olGysF_uQ6DHStNx3SWtCIzn5-RLq5-u_lepmwoL7Dm-gZjSdnx3sS0BXDfkqVcUpOoydoYrwjZnC63gTBCbUAsX3/s1600/10371376_10204281832825641_5300421511626464660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOIKzb8IfW2vfrf0EFo3QwrBB8D_s7IGhsjDtsV_v4IrNeeHsb5olGysF_uQ6DHStNx3SWtCIzn5-RLq5-u_lepmwoL7Dm-gZjSdnx3sS0BXDfkqVcUpOoydoYrwjZnC63gTBCbUAsX3/s1600/10371376_10204281832825641_5300421511626464660_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But for all the things they're learning, it might be me who is dealing with the greatest learning curve. I'm realizing that it's not my job to make their lives perfect. I can't do that anyway. My job is to be their safe place when they get home...the place to fall, to celebrate, to unwind, to learn how to handle what life throws at us. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u8VsfS39zEPFrjFTPXbSu77CrAIyupQoxi5xAyystfXBlt6s1JrHYIW8gsn8CkfvoyN4uTdpPHt33UpxoO6sclPSvEW2bWUOW5Aq8RJx0IzWobUhjnlLsRuVE7X2QqHhJBWyW0YfqLiY/s1600/1530442_10204334944353396_2631840363997385374_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u8VsfS39zEPFrjFTPXbSu77CrAIyupQoxi5xAyystfXBlt6s1JrHYIW8gsn8CkfvoyN4uTdpPHt33UpxoO6sclPSvEW2bWUOW5Aq8RJx0IzWobUhjnlLsRuVE7X2QqHhJBWyW0YfqLiY/s1600/1530442_10204334944353396_2631840363997385374_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I want them to know that no matter what happens during the day, they know where their people are. Their Dad and I? We're right here. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXx3F7rApyqQvOZOnRtoU3YdB-Oyys6_-IAhGc7rCxZXSH8B38JHzvYpPx6wPCwV474-OjwLnoRpfgKUUqNI7M9-sm8-NI3G_kKYCYoYuvXETdRFccTYQYYmGfNHwsrzKM8vw9vZBceZ/s1600/10494676_10204166294577257_8374735206982978913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXx3F7rApyqQvOZOnRtoU3YdB-Oyys6_-IAhGc7rCxZXSH8B38JHzvYpPx6wPCwV474-OjwLnoRpfgKUUqNI7M9-sm8-NI3G_kKYCYoYuvXETdRFccTYQYYmGfNHwsrzKM8vw9vZBceZ/s1600/10494676_10204166294577257_8374735206982978913_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We need to see that they can navigate this world. We have to teach them that. Protecting them from experiencing things that aren't perfect and happy wasn't the right answer for us. Keeping them safe? Of course. Making sure they have the greatest education within our reach? Absolutely.</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bwLtfB3yoQYX8ePBbnX8BrRjgcuZ3zeu3ejaPJ_YEpAV_NPslQd5FdPIg-KLc9gtje9E6Ip9t-wYYS8kelxT7JOtsW8MXcfD1ZBLMS0HoJu82bwF5I290zLHJNCxWNKky8LuH8UuQKqq/s1600/10502189_10204193575339259_7247779902606030110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bwLtfB3yoQYX8ePBbnX8BrRjgcuZ3zeu3ejaPJ_YEpAV_NPslQd5FdPIg-KLc9gtje9E6Ip9t-wYYS8kelxT7JOtsW8MXcfD1ZBLMS0HoJu82bwF5I290zLHJNCxWNKky8LuH8UuQKqq/s1600/10502189_10204193575339259_7247779902606030110_n.jpg" height="640" width="638"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But with that comes letting them venture out of these boundary lines I inadvertently drew when they were very little. It means letting go a little more than what feels comfortable. It means trusting them to the One who created them, the One who knows them and yes, loves them even more than I do. And to quote Hunter when we talked about this, "Whoa. That's a lot of love." Sure is, buddy. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KviFfFMwb9ttED_8HEJacdcQbyoVcMxmIk8IKrcrsLOAog2II_-IR6cwBDN88iTCojwnnhpVUKcjYeSf78wqeb6g8eBGYN5-j_oTV24zEBwvYkAFPTIvQC7unnbbyoWSV3M8s79WJ8Yr/s1600/10351953_10204448425510354_7434212064448866850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KviFfFMwb9ttED_8HEJacdcQbyoVcMxmIk8IKrcrsLOAog2II_-IR6cwBDN88iTCojwnnhpVUKcjYeSf78wqeb6g8eBGYN5-j_oTV24zEBwvYkAFPTIvQC7unnbbyoWSV3M8s79WJ8Yr/s1600/10351953_10204448425510354_7434212064448866850_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're trying to raise men here in this house. And this "Be brave and strong and courageous. Seek adventure and truth" paper? It's now hanging on the wall outside their bedrooms. A reminder to all of us about the life we pray they will lead. A life we hope they see us leading. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHM4iYLCGXU_DGqgfgPkcbP1AX052V4Krmnd-Zf5UbYJ2FQShBWSNlHZ-gc281gV1o9OSc6rUm4ITzUEe9z0bdoUguggFLgmGCR2YqxExPGsOFkh8LsL5vc_KReZaojXsd3rAlRnqpnw_/s1600/10452433_10204470380579217_6161712442852437236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHM4iYLCGXU_DGqgfgPkcbP1AX052V4Krmnd-Zf5UbYJ2FQShBWSNlHZ-gc281gV1o9OSc6rUm4ITzUEe9z0bdoUguggFLgmGCR2YqxExPGsOFkh8LsL5vc_KReZaojXsd3rAlRnqpnw_/s1600/10452433_10204470380579217_6161712442852437236_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't ever want to hinder what God has created them to be. I don't want to squelch the beauty that is being a boy, but I fear that I have time and time again, partly because raising boys was uncharted territory for me,and partly because I'm a worrier. A worrier who really wishes she wasn't, who daily has to give stuff over to God, the One who has it all under control anyway, way better than I ever could. I don't want fear to prevent adventure. Mine or theirs. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6-jIPpqXJ0hICQrz6xoLqSCT4Zr3HKHDi4QOas6QCoACdAodVEgbYVEoszwRcd6Oco_z2XYMMOLXd-ETIN4Zv3JEuXzrASR39Mo4VwyDYUprEULshxZZsu2QyP_XzvJxE8vzj9zqc5v2/s1600/10304567_10204152307947600_3695259687123724449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6-jIPpqXJ0hICQrz6xoLqSCT4Zr3HKHDi4QOas6QCoACdAodVEgbYVEoszwRcd6Oco_z2XYMMOLXd-ETIN4Zv3JEuXzrASR39Mo4VwyDYUprEULshxZZsu2QyP_XzvJxE8vzj9zqc5v2/s1600/10304567_10204152307947600_3695259687123724449_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we're taking this adventure one day at a time, realizing that our days look a lot alike right now. They're busy and full and it's easy to lose focus when you feel like you're in the trenches and doing good just to get from one thing to another on time. But there's more to life than that. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sYXstTsqVneWhXdwZS8cUg_X9IqqBxxy1Ljk5OyaCdRXtkj3H2I2ia63PrmAnLtcNHUmuWIPGe4oePbh3NYaAqETdIoNqE_m5SvEGDwSAMG_sWL56eV8z2yoadcFWVv9kHSc19tvBE53/s1600/10440683_10204111403925025_426476507777686112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sYXstTsqVneWhXdwZS8cUg_X9IqqBxxy1Ljk5OyaCdRXtkj3H2I2ia63PrmAnLtcNHUmuWIPGe4oePbh3NYaAqETdIoNqE_m5SvEGDwSAMG_sWL56eV8z2yoadcFWVv9kHSc19tvBE53/s1600/10440683_10204111403925025_426476507777686112_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be intentional. Make yourself stop for a bit. Really look at your kids and listen when they're telling you something important. Do that while they're little so they want to keep talking to you when they're older. This is what I'm working on today. Trying to remember that what we <i>need</i> to do isn't always as important as what we <i>want</i> to do. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2M1nW-UvxI8s6PIECuHZ0Q2mzkhC6pYsbR9m5yI5OHjTGSMiwVEwjMShxajS4IVSkElPFegp3meExxctvrX89jOC7ll2WV6m1EGK-s3uTgvXu8qcQ1kuzYrUpyAj_JYZIAnACbVw4hV1/s1600/10410445_10204040772359280_6294966856257626826_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2M1nW-UvxI8s6PIECuHZ0Q2mzkhC6pYsbR9m5yI5OHjTGSMiwVEwjMShxajS4IVSkElPFegp3meExxctvrX89jOC7ll2WV6m1EGK-s3uTgvXu8qcQ1kuzYrUpyAj_JYZIAnACbVw4hV1/s1600/10410445_10204040772359280_6294966856257626826_n.jpg" height="640" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because if we keep ignoring the need for fun and adventure, we might miss the best parts. At the same time, if we get bogged down in the everyday-ness of life, we're going to miss the beauty in that too. We can't let that happen. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pop that bubble, and trust all is well, one day at time. You've got this.</span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-75958568157016921232013-11-05T15:19:00.001-05:002013-11-06T10:40:38.805-05:00The Bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>November. My favorite month of the year. My favorite boots become a wardrobe staple once again, my crockpot use is on overload, I rediscover the fact that I really do like to bake after all, the trees are red and orange and yellow...it's one big pile of happiness. And my house? It loves Thanksgiving too. ;)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQmz6kDrXWWvseUC0G9vLRaWsTQUBcTatYgZhxcf-taV_vOKsWFvc7U8gdHUv6vlZoy_VIbXRVFgced8iVkp_3UBXuaYYNFW6M7gQsZQ0As0vIbEYXa7w4M5ZNVOJp3JthMWWOOTn_13K/s640/blogger-image--19603364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQmz6kDrXWWvseUC0G9vLRaWsTQUBcTatYgZhxcf-taV_vOKsWFvc7U8gdHUv6vlZoy_VIbXRVFgced8iVkp_3UBXuaYYNFW6M7gQsZQ0As0vIbEYXa7w4M5ZNVOJp3JthMWWOOTn_13K/s640/blogger-image--19603364.jpg"></a></div>Or maybe it doesn't have a choice. Whatever. November is the month I try to make all about being thankful. That moment we pause and breathe for a bit....because we <i>can. </i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt7S8yuCi2zw9XCbRcN4WHMBDLFG6rXy3UrJqe11Jxs8qnK-Lq8RkbqYDq0RoXwK9CJ6o8hYPdQDOen2nucPs58090T6TESQyt6kFyopORR-sTuYMvvt7sKwMN6E2PI5zbgubICXGgqr1/s640/blogger-image--1943093168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt7S8yuCi2zw9XCbRcN4WHMBDLFG6rXy3UrJqe11Jxs8qnK-Lq8RkbqYDq0RoXwK9CJ6o8hYPdQDOen2nucPs58090T6TESQyt6kFyopORR-sTuYMvvt7sKwMN6E2PI5zbgubICXGgqr1/s640/blogger-image--1943093168.jpg"></a></div>So I decorate big for Thanksgiving, keeping Christmas at bay for just a little while longer....not because I don't like Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. Also? I love this bird on the mantel, who I'm pretending is a baby turkey. ;)But I don't love that Thanksgiving is seemingly skipped over. It's important to be thankful. Purposefully thankful, and while it's something we try to work into the every day, we forget all the time. The toy catalogs are arriving in our mailbox daily...corners of pages are folded, gift wishes are circled and starred. I can't do much to stop that....well, I guess I could, but I won't. I have happy childhood memories of doing the same thing when I was a kid....going through that giant Sears catalog page by page. :) I don't want to squelch the magic of wishing and giving, so instead I spend this month trying to instill thankfulness into the hearts of our boys, so that when Christmas comes, it hopefully carries over.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRCmlteMZWdle7AeEIal9KXrV7YuhawTjrA-wypd-AtvmTXCYkR-ePDx4BGPKy0sJ9Bi1h6tnUVwSLRrobYCJbnT1qoqbQxHmInL_7bwo3WQ8zYnKKkVEUaOvNtXoaq83eQI6-KpcpGjF/s640/blogger-image--1161010254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRCmlteMZWdle7AeEIal9KXrV7YuhawTjrA-wypd-AtvmTXCYkR-ePDx4BGPKy0sJ9Bi1h6tnUVwSLRrobYCJbnT1qoqbQxHmInL_7bwo3WQ8zYnKKkVEUaOvNtXoaq83eQI6-KpcpGjF/s640/blogger-image--1161010254.jpg"></a></div></div><div>I'm stepping things up this year. Getting a little more aggressive in the purposeful-ness. I downloaded this leaf template at www.marthastewart.com, then traced and cut about 25-30 leaves using basic cardstock. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWUw2KIN9-mmXVZ-Ro1TiVbyjTX591ekX_Rv-ZtP5oEIUE7L487MRiqg-Pdv1xgrnG6lZTwCH_hNiJ89ABd-G5NEzfmjyDIR-PvqXsY4goLyHCqdTZOskeBlt9xRINipOg8YAVFe1kO8h/s640/blogger-image--1014505371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWUw2KIN9-mmXVZ-Ro1TiVbyjTX591ekX_Rv-ZtP5oEIUE7L487MRiqg-Pdv1xgrnG6lZTwCH_hNiJ89ABd-G5NEzfmjyDIR-PvqXsY4goLyHCqdTZOskeBlt9xRINipOg8YAVFe1kO8h/s640/blogger-image--1014505371.jpg"></a></div>Then at dinner last night we took turns writing things down...serious thankfuls, silly thankfuls...all important though. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw26L3E-l-cqd5orjNOIDs7KKkpCh5pvdlm3WgRR-53AOlqk5l1O9anCLKD61O8a-PW59ZVSgAZBnjCWFA_hNYL1aGzqD7fGFa5eTOdlwUt7eOCjFesBdIZpQC1gMrzm2MI_xNjiye1UH/s640/blogger-image-78995401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw26L3E-l-cqd5orjNOIDs7KKkpCh5pvdlm3WgRR-53AOlqk5l1O9anCLKD61O8a-PW59ZVSgAZBnjCWFA_hNYL1aGzqD7fGFa5eTOdlwUt7eOCjFesBdIZpQC1gMrzm2MI_xNjiye1UH/s640/blogger-image-78995401.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Then I tied all of the leaves to this Blessings garland that is across our mantel this month.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5xDUKjVcyyZGNiuPzQAsoIVDSdsHU28OHgeyDPGeTEMTXY_bYSDOK0_3DeWqGTYV1KPM3nZHbzZZg6CZeP6loBDbzpXZ_C01QOgklPYAH89bx4LjA2OR9y3SM9gsOH4tBevmTNGkD_GC/s640/blogger-image-672553275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5xDUKjVcyyZGNiuPzQAsoIVDSdsHU28OHgeyDPGeTEMTXY_bYSDOK0_3DeWqGTYV1KPM3nZHbzZZg6CZeP6loBDbzpXZ_C01QOgklPYAH89bx4LjA2OR9y3SM9gsOH4tBevmTNGkD_GC/s640/blogger-image-672553275.jpg"></a></div>My hope is that it will serve as a reminder of all we have to be thankful for...we've learned throughout our life together that there is always something to be thankful for, even if you have to look a little harder sometimes. While sometimes it's easy to think of something, it's during the times that are harder that I think we appreciate our thankfuls all the more. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE1p6Eq2xecu7ewPED5C06XZLTxKAO8dztQ_TX0K26zvYwU4ebG63Q7kvqYeK-GT21J54b2qB2E8490cqfBuvJ3wyes4jKv29h_qn-Ak_Ziue8AXrdyKcL8C9hrrBDbB3HOYEhCsQZ_iW/s640/blogger-image--6827483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE1p6Eq2xecu7ewPED5C06XZLTxKAO8dztQ_TX0K26zvYwU4ebG63Q7kvqYeK-GT21J54b2qB2E8490cqfBuvJ3wyes4jKv29h_qn-Ak_Ziue8AXrdyKcL8C9hrrBDbB3HOYEhCsQZ_iW/s640/blogger-image--6827483.jpg"></a></div>So even if you're one of those who are already full speed ahead into Christnas decorating, take time this month to remember what Thanksgiving is all about. It's more than pilgrims and Indians, the big, stuffed bird and pumpkin pie, and gearing up for Black Friday (which I love, btw)...take time to pause and breathe a little before then. </div><div><br></div><div>*Disclaimer for all my non-crafty friends: I'm a decorator. This kind of stuff is fun for me, and I love any excuse to decorate our home. BUT....there are other ways to do this. Make a list of thankfuls. Do a paper chain. Stick the leaves to a wall in your home. Or? Just talk about it at dinner, in the car, wherever. How you do it is irrelevant. :) Happy November!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-86334769798168385162013-07-29T14:36:00.000-04:002013-07-29T14:42:29.225-04:00Love and Loss: A Summer Forever Etched in My Memory<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This morning my dad called to check in, asking if we were going to actually slow down for these last couple weeks of summer. I laughed and told him that yes, we had very little planned for this week and next, and that that was probably a good thing. It's been a whirlwind of a summer, and although that wasn't my plan in the beginning, I'm so glad things worked out the way they have.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNczTdqjxknn7vcPA144Iw4eNoHRK8nII7efA8yG9sGucJYz_QHG5LdGbmguPahYnHzQEyQFnMTYxLK_H2dpMC3sO5d1ohGjz4MifGPOxcS-RucJoesBmktXX_x8V5H_2sfuAAFL_mVP1/s1600/1-_MG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNczTdqjxknn7vcPA144Iw4eNoHRK8nII7efA8yG9sGucJYz_QHG5LdGbmguPahYnHzQEyQFnMTYxLK_H2dpMC3sO5d1ohGjz4MifGPOxcS-RucJoesBmktXX_x8V5H_2sfuAAFL_mVP1/s640/1-_MG_0393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Very</i> early yesterday morning I watched as this girl, one of my best friends in the world, drove away, her minivan loaded down with luggage, crafty gear, and her 3 darling (and very sleepy) little girls, headed back home after spending a week here with us. I'm grateful for the sacrifice (of time, car mileage, and money) she made to make this happen. I love that our children love each other like brothers and sisters. I love that we are making memories with them, memories that they will carry into adulthood. I love that Amanda understands as I do that we have to make the most of the moments we are given....and as overused as YOLO has become, that we share that theme when it comes to how we do life, and the experiences we want our families to have.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAjlBJVfist49cFuHmkQ1nwBbeh_XnzcGxsnRZWclt6lFN_vEeZcDVG14F1rsI1Puyq8m8B7h7CX8oaAVbt3s0sv13v2PvPej3fb4z8SfhA3ePjh6gZi_B7rqJpc-gRzp9QNSpC7ntao3/s1600/_MG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAjlBJVfist49cFuHmkQ1nwBbeh_XnzcGxsnRZWclt6lFN_vEeZcDVG14F1rsI1Puyq8m8B7h7CX8oaAVbt3s0sv13v2PvPej3fb4z8SfhA3ePjh6gZi_B7rqJpc-gRzp9QNSpC7ntao3/s640/_MG_0329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, it's been a fun summer. A summer full of travels and family and friends. It hasn't been a restful summer, but after a weekend of reserved downtime where I actually did nothing, I realized that I don't do well with nothing. I truly do thrive in the chaos. I'm happier when there's a plan....when we're busy. At the same time, I know the importance of quiet time....of being still. Sometimes during the still moments God shows us things that are we need to do differently. Sometimes then He calls us to do something new...something that may seem scary. So I think I use the busyness to avoid that. It's unwise, so I'm working on being ok with the quiet, and the realization that God also uses those times to just let us rest and reflect on the good. I'm learning to treasure those moments and crave them as much as I do the crazy-full-scheduled times. To find the balance between the two. I have a ways to go with all that....but we're getting there. (**case in point: right now I'm blogging, and my house is in desperate need of cleaning. You can call it procrastinating, or you can call it getting some much-needed downtime. It doesn't take away the fact that my house is a wreck, but I'm realizing that sometimes some things have to take a backseat. Sometimes it's more important to sit here snuggled with my littlest guy while he has some chill time too. Pretty sure I'm not going to regret this:)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Late Saturday night I received a text from my sister that my favorite radio jock had passed away very unexpectantly. I'm heartbroken. That may seem silly because I never had the opportunity to know Kidd Kraddick personally, but it's not silly to me.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSEAjgLFTiY0WofJtXI5cMvDkK1909m74qZH7tGX8ySTpoEiZ_lE3XRcq4R-PnPu-BUKeWIx6aVh2JWUJdcu7lV2cEjT4Bl8nBAZxlmabgEARtEReFizsfnHQD6_dprh5u_YUB5zyEVZe/s1600/kidd-kraddick-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSEAjgLFTiY0WofJtXI5cMvDkK1909m74qZH7tGX8ySTpoEiZ_lE3XRcq4R-PnPu-BUKeWIx6aVh2JWUJdcu7lV2cEjT4Bl8nBAZxlmabgEARtEReFizsfnHQD6_dprh5u_YUB5zyEVZe/s640/kidd-kraddick-600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This guy has made a mark on my life. He was a forerunner in my "Be the Good" lifestyle, and one of the inspirations for why I do it. I've listened to him since I was 11 years old. I literally grew up with him as a staple in my morning routine. Kidd was <i>the</i> funniest person on the radio. He and the rest of his morning show crew played a part in naming Hunter. After Harrison's insistence that our 3rd have an "H" name like he and Hud, they were talking about what a "hot" name Hunter was, and I was sold. Lol...we had already chosen it, but that was good confirmation, right? ;) When we moved here over 3 years ago, I was so thankful to be able to listen to his morning show online each day. I found comfort in all of their funny catch phrases...."Boogaloo!" and "Love yours!" (when a caller would say "love your show!), "Have a good circus!" and the thing that was said at the end of every show: "Keep looking up, because that's where it all is." It gave me a feeling of normalcy when so many things didn't feel normal yet. Especially during those first several months when I was so incredibly homesick, he made me feel like we were still home. It truly helped me adjust to living here, and I will forever be thankful to him for that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kidd was also one of the most generous people I've ever had the opportunity to learn from. His Kidd's Kids charity (you can learn more and take part <a href="http://www.kiddskids.com/" target="_blank">here</a>) has sent thousands of disabled and terminally ill kids and their families on an all expenses paid trip to Disney World for a magical week free of hospitals and tests and scary stuff every year for the past 21 years. He made a difference in so many lives....he taught me the importance of doing all I can to help others. To not avoid difficult things...to face them head on. To look at (instead of trying to avoid) people who are hurting, to smile and sincerely show that I care. To do what I can to help. This is huge.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwAP4T8PfYMnrv_GEZ6xA8_1RH8ZwAtRm7slv5I3gDn7eh1hDvioE3l3OBi1XurKajIhMmbTe7ctRMPUvVL1s3xU1lVTZaCsZxcK-KCnChOqqdxpOpSL95apY_g3DIijfVYJGmHnmV5xv/s1600/970961_10201479963500659_134659068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwAP4T8PfYMnrv_GEZ6xA8_1RH8ZwAtRm7slv5I3gDn7eh1hDvioE3l3OBi1XurKajIhMmbTe7ctRMPUvVL1s3xU1lVTZaCsZxcK-KCnChOqqdxpOpSL95apY_g3DIijfVYJGmHnmV5xv/s640/970961_10201479963500659_134659068_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Realizing today that he's brought another lesson to the surface, one I would rather not have to reminded of. Life is short. No one knows how much time we have. This is the second reminder of this reality I've had this summer...two lives cut short. That in itself breaks my heart. We have to make the most of all of our moments. To make our mark here. It's <i>why</i> we are here. When you stop to think about the scope of that responsibility, it's overwhelming. Makes me want to shut down, crawl under my covers, and hide. So I don't try to think too hard about it, instead trying to stay in tune with Jesus and trust Him to show me, one thing at a time. Making myself be quiet, to listen for His voice...to make my walk with Him the priority. To take care of and love my family hard. To stand beside my husband and be a true partner in the ministry that God has called us to. To make time for friends that need encouragement. To push forward with this <a href="http://www.savethestorks.com/" target="_blank">Save the Storks ministry</a> that has quickly become near and dear to my heart. To realize when I need to rest, to shut out the world for a bit, to give into my introvert-ness and not feel guilty about it. And to be on alert for when other opportunities arise that I can help with. If I can do this with the half the amount of humor and compassion that Kidd Kraddick did, then I think it has to be good, right?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rVlU9y_VmtKH9GSWu1tenWZ7wU_iokliSS5adyWcskh_nH-o7N03cDAuw7mtAgfXAx6CD3rCQbIg2htZP5F6eBjqkSZBDXVPLuRGyJXwbhyphenhyphenmmN1ShnVrqGrG44Jb0iT6yqgUwYZCaOFF/s1600/941245_10201171249743008_543189458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rVlU9y_VmtKH9GSWu1tenWZ7wU_iokliSS5adyWcskh_nH-o7N03cDAuw7mtAgfXAx6CD3rCQbIg2htZP5F6eBjqkSZBDXVPLuRGyJXwbhyphenhyphenmmN1ShnVrqGrG44Jb0iT6yqgUwYZCaOFF/s640/941245_10201171249743008_543189458_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For these last couple weeks of summer we're going to make the most of our moments. I'm not quite ready to have 7th, 4th, and 1st graders just yet. We've got more pool time to have,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5UUljffbufp-AxNLgL-QkKQJV5A6j4179u1sokNvuQ3PWAW8kPTokrL6OoKY0MqlUeKLv5p8uJLegYjc0nPQ71B4ee1kR2rD-qFUL9yf_VZcUmOVtOp8BFkmYJ4ujdn1zqHufLWzKMQj/s1600/992787_10201462701869129_2136581193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5UUljffbufp-AxNLgL-QkKQJV5A6j4179u1sokNvuQ3PWAW8kPTokrL6OoKY0MqlUeKLv5p8uJLegYjc0nPQ71B4ee1kR2rD-qFUL9yf_VZcUmOVtOp8BFkmYJ4ujdn1zqHufLWzKMQj/s640/992787_10201462701869129_2136581193_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">more dreams to pursue,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj2n13AhLmE5he-rtRHpnVCoL0ANBQE6JgSZVK5k2v1vylBpivnabX9Y82BgAp8T6KP8E_KRkp3JMWVouKgg_5i05h98PzZXEfGgiiXJEW-_oU80ttLjIa-1L8GY_2ZVsgI8HYMjBkTRL/s1600/998854_10201565098748987_1707583748_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj2n13AhLmE5he-rtRHpnVCoL0ANBQE6JgSZVK5k2v1vylBpivnabX9Y82BgAp8T6KP8E_KRkp3JMWVouKgg_5i05h98PzZXEfGgiiXJEW-_oU80ttLjIa-1L8GY_2ZVsgI8HYMjBkTRL/s640/998854_10201565098748987_1707583748_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">some football to play, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdVwpBOTs7wes_Txr8dOzYLhh32dVs1dgjNizsNKob1szyWPt2vrGZTieoAEf3rDxzhsNIXAh0DXVR4YFif-cg_CUaYmJ4VbeHlq-YNw8EtMjVcPcEgPh1iQ08pzDha3hpFBU1KeK4L7c/s1600/1043906_10201471473848423_167695427_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdVwpBOTs7wes_Txr8dOzYLhh32dVs1dgjNizsNKob1szyWPt2vrGZTieoAEf3rDxzhsNIXAh0DXVR4YFif-cg_CUaYmJ4VbeHlq-YNw8EtMjVcPcEgPh1iQ08pzDha3hpFBU1KeK4L7c/s640/1043906_10201471473848423_167695427_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and yes, it's already time to hit the ball fields with this group of boys again. Love this baseball family. :)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnciHVqq-Vrcy5BEb_s6Z-A0YtlgV7FcHuxOyrpMdAGre3pCaUmrtfQJthcOSjOTLCkiXFipZws14a38eh5UIcumg8tPQFGhT1OC8f7wdNKE6hyphenhyphenV4PisX2DYYnoMGMa_eCMiaWZCyyrgw/s1600/1017380_10201395497429060_692507866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnciHVqq-Vrcy5BEb_s6Z-A0YtlgV7FcHuxOyrpMdAGre3pCaUmrtfQJthcOSjOTLCkiXFipZws14a38eh5UIcumg8tPQFGhT1OC8f7wdNKE6hyphenhyphenV4PisX2DYYnoMGMa_eCMiaWZCyyrgw/s640/1017380_10201395497429060_692507866_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I encourage you to do the same...to treasure the moments that make your family yours. Listen to what your heart says....find your thing and do what you can to help make it better. Just as important? Let yourself mess up. Don't feel like everything has to be just right. Be quiet. Be funny. Live big. Love bigger.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-79523393355932562332013-07-19T22:19:00.002-04:002013-07-20T00:57:02.615-04:00Freeing Up the Gypsy<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's been another gypsy summer for us. Suitcases left in our bedroom between trips, waiting to be filled up again. Or in other words, I just didn't feel like lugging them back and forth between there and our basement every time. ;) It's been a happy, busy kind of summer, spending most of it in other places, away from home. We've loved every minute of getting to travel, seeing places we've never seen before, with people we love very much. Living away from our family and lifelong friends is hard, and I've learned how important quality time really is. We don't kid around any more....taking advantage of opportunities to see each other, to travel together, to make quick weekend trips to celebrate milestones, watch baseball tournaments, to allow for an anniversary getaway....yes, quality time has taken on a whole new meaning for us now.</span><div><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZQzHHtFFoi8DJ635elX3Wc3qtDwmspT4pPN3DBZOBGuL5NXeTdydgZ-jEx-nWOke_PdGBNtpzXuJQTm61faIVrK34jfHnhw4odosogVQ-lrDFUuAEAvu2e0Vy7BXVxunnaIN0Qh_sHdw/s640/blogger-image-1573911275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZQzHHtFFoi8DJ635elX3Wc3qtDwmspT4pPN3DBZOBGuL5NXeTdydgZ-jEx-nWOke_PdGBNtpzXuJQTm61faIVrK34jfHnhw4odosogVQ-lrDFUuAEAvu2e0Vy7BXVxunnaIN0Qh_sHdw/s640/blogger-image-1573911275.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's also been (another) summer of life lessons for me.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Something I have fought, and am still fighting a little....but slowly learning the beauty that lies within feeling completely free on the inside. Worry and fear have been a lifelong struggle with me....I'm a helicopter mom, a worried wife, a nervous Nellie in the truest sense of the word.....and it's what I dislike the most about myself.</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ea9KP6PhZiyznmSQVYTVgwH-sfziRrssphhQR3eGEZ_LYpqZiT70YVk49kPToWxJWSO5ck-jdEp0hINmOF2ExXbeKCHKXbZoohyphenhyphenPiNELZqtBewcCjwzhT813vsOLZQ2OFwWpM1GMQiV3/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ea9KP6PhZiyznmSQVYTVgwH-sfziRrssphhQR3eGEZ_LYpqZiT70YVk49kPToWxJWSO5ck-jdEp0hINmOF2ExXbeKCHKXbZoohyphenhyphenPiNELZqtBewcCjwzhT813vsOLZQ2OFwWpM1GMQiV3/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Earlier this month my mom and I took the boys to Florida. It was H3's turn for the summer-after-kindergarten-trip-to-Legoland (a Mimi and Papa tradition). :) We spent a few heavenly days in a hotel on the beach (my version of heaven on earth). The timing didn't work out well with my Dad's work, so I ended up going with my mom to take the boys. An unexpected vacation for me, and although I was bummed for my dad that he didn't get to go (they would have had so much fun all together), I was thankful for this extra time with my mom. And although it rained on us during most of the week (which provided some of the best moments of the trip, oddly enough) we were blessed with a few hours of sun on the day we'd set aside to spend on the beach. In between building sand castles with the boys, and playing in the water with them, searching for shells, I had a few moments to relax in a cozy loungechair and reflect.</span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1svNxZ478hj5cJrW-_jr6xG12LyfW4iICCKvAbQuKLMVgRnQe0edn_4XJN_rfS08vcLyaSxzalDC7r0mW9eUf6MHXtdxlKqCBw-_8ZcCzhXGyBOVdnqLlVw7OmjNKr0H3juFhHdbtHME/s640/blogger-image--2102808226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1svNxZ478hj5cJrW-_jr6xG12LyfW4iICCKvAbQuKLMVgRnQe0edn_4XJN_rfS08vcLyaSxzalDC7r0mW9eUf6MHXtdxlKqCBw-_8ZcCzhXGyBOVdnqLlVw7OmjNKr0H3juFhHdbtHME/s640/blogger-image--2102808226.jpg"></a></div>My favorite thing about the ocean is watching the tide come in. I'm amazed by how the water knows when to stop. I love how it washes everything away, smoothing out the sand....making everything new again. Ready for fresh footprints. More sandcastles to be built. Little treasures left behind for us to search for...each shell prettier than the last. <br><br>So I sat and took in all of this, watched my boys happily playing, and felt the most relaxed and worry-free that I have in a very long time. And even when that was interrupted by a minor emergency (Hud got cut by some rocks), even that was somewhat miraculous when a total stranger stepped up to help me while Mom ran to get band aids. God was smiling on us....reminding me that while He's controlling how far the water comes in, He's also giving us some gorgeous sunshine, while at the same time showing me that there are still good people in the world who are willing to drop everything to help when they see a need. <div><br></div><div>He's the ultimate multi-tasker. :)<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2Y4f5eJWUnGXNfpkVO4_0xS3tqK9uAk5RjjiBl-FH2WCS0dyJ_FKb4iv_WXR_hcad_hq7CbnSmZTJsj8rhZMCX0_Xi8QNDwt_u5-GmkFAL5eE23s1vj33z5I2Egk3dGLB0DMlYkk9nJ-/s640/blogger-image-612412397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2Y4f5eJWUnGXNfpkVO4_0xS3tqK9uAk5RjjiBl-FH2WCS0dyJ_FKb4iv_WXR_hcad_hq7CbnSmZTJsj8rhZMCX0_Xi8QNDwt_u5-GmkFAL5eE23s1vj33z5I2Egk3dGLB0DMlYkk9nJ-/s640/blogger-image-612412397.jpg"></a></div><br></div>And yet, even as I'm reminded of all of this, I still try so desperately to hold on to everything God's given me....to control, to check and double-check that the people in my world are ok....so much so that I'm consumed with worst-case-scenario when I can't. At some point after becoming a mom, I convinced myself that responsible parenting = control-freak parenting. That if I wasn't worried that I obviously didn't care. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpErhl0sHNAr5JAZ0UetOeQQFD_1Ss5VVCaWSS-zOHVyOA_0W7vQlCs6nPW5Zbgie5wEyOF_Bp6cSWuedDsrjH3Eq6jd_MIl6IjT354lH_kIPMSWZxa935h2fNuHnx5TjaA1biVBzbPfyO/s640/blogger-image--944439098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpErhl0sHNAr5JAZ0UetOeQQFD_1Ss5VVCaWSS-zOHVyOA_0W7vQlCs6nPW5Zbgie5wEyOF_Bp6cSWuedDsrjH3Eq6jd_MIl6IjT354lH_kIPMSWZxa935h2fNuHnx5TjaA1biVBzbPfyO/s640/blogger-image--944439098.jpg"></a></div><div>There's got to be a happy medium here. Somehow it has to be possible to be caring and responsible without letting the worry of what could go wrong completely consume me. Anyone out there want to help a girl out?!?</div><div><br></div>
And so my greatest fear is that my ridiculous worrying is going to ruin these boys that God, in all His wisdom, (I keep reminding myself of this) blessed B and me with. God picked me to be a boy mom. To raise these 3....these amazing, sweet, rambunctious, hilarious, creative, testosterone-fueled little men-in-the-making...into just that. Men. </div><div><br></div><div>I really don't want to mess that up.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb_pP553djCBBNP53EkJpX6LLD11Fb3HuwJo8t19cn9JKHIIV4-NCUsaxf9ygw3IMJpEmcyXjzvpQsAJqpEyFffoot558CUixbE5M3cTlCuHJoR5iLA4pxFFNZJIHq3J0mXiXF7uJqsxu/s640/blogger-image-1599003744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb_pP553djCBBNP53EkJpX6LLD11Fb3HuwJo8t19cn9JKHIIV4-NCUsaxf9ygw3IMJpEmcyXjzvpQsAJqpEyFffoot558CUixbE5M3cTlCuHJoR5iLA4pxFFNZJIHq3J0mXiXF7uJqsxu/s640/blogger-image-1599003744.jpg"></a></div><br>I've had opportunities to be pushed out of my comfort zone a few times this summer. Most of those times involved our oldest. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lfLAV7bHAC8FrXflRMbK9A1he1qWCVzz1CIGAcWGBIEQA2OBcDDmzKjDrHS4EtDHDfKe7eAGcM4193-HzPzRssIhc7VDAyDjNSSZu3KzdBE0JAQJLMDYKOOuTKh5ESsmLo__AL31wyku/s640/blogger-image--813624724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lfLAV7bHAC8FrXflRMbK9A1he1qWCVzz1CIGAcWGBIEQA2OBcDDmzKjDrHS4EtDHDfKe7eAGcM4193-HzPzRssIhc7VDAyDjNSSZu3KzdBE0JAQJLMDYKOOuTKh5ESsmLo__AL31wyku/s640/blogger-image--813624724.jpg"></a></div>
<br>He's been a world traveler this summer...going to London with B's mom, staying behind with baseball friends in Tennessee while B and I traveled back and forth to be there for his games, flying by himself to Texas and back for extra grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins time...yes, plenty of opportunities for me to come to grips with the fact that I can't always be there to hover and make sure he's ok. </div><div><br></div><div>Was I good at it? Nope. </div><div><br></div><div>But I got better. Or rather, I'm <i>getting </i>better. <br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYLimPLRxId-fFbAI_C9a1MBIPhhy4a4KsV6-rAzQYRTpmhaa4Djq6O1g5bicVibw_Zkvmb6HXoQQCETRT9D7gyS9VsvzDZzqmuldKyWQF56BLXN82TprQaCStzAsTRV9_xQoI1iSS8_i/s640/blogger-image--1056868805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYLimPLRxId-fFbAI_C9a1MBIPhhy4a4KsV6-rAzQYRTpmhaa4Djq6O1g5bicVibw_Zkvmb6HXoQQCETRT9D7gyS9VsvzDZzqmuldKyWQF56BLXN82TprQaCStzAsTRV9_xQoI1iSS8_i/s640/blogger-image--1056868805.jpg"></a></div>
I found myself checking in less than normal (for me) but more like a normal person would ;) as this summer has gone on. More proof? Hud is finally going to play tackle football this season...something he's been asking to do for a couple years. I kept using the excuse that he needed to be older, but who am I kidding? <i>I </i>needed to trust.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeWNoiUejgJry1LWt6ZketmCGn3cCYcobdjTRBJTuRgsy2EHP9MwHToTlgsVr0tpwC55f3pgL-DbAsSOLyzuH8p5z9Tn49eHnpU1flp0wfm14WJ1NvLtzdLvdoLAcnDlS6rtXat79vkEk/s1600/IMG_3986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeWNoiUejgJry1LWt6ZketmCGn3cCYcobdjTRBJTuRgsy2EHP9MwHToTlgsVr0tpwC55f3pgL-DbAsSOLyzuH8p5z9Tn49eHnpU1flp0wfm14WJ1NvLtzdLvdoLAcnDlS6rtXat79vkEk/s640/IMG_3986.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
I'm still trying to figure out that balance of responsible parenting vs. relaxed parenting. I have a ways to go, and any advice/prayers/wisdom would be <i>greatly </i>appreciated and taken to heart. <br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffh3CNSbWdayFVFuAAa8EnHl7sYWWnqt8Zh7SdjHLZHzIBtXiV_SuDXdkYF4rs6tt7Q-rDTvXzVDrTsuiDfI_sYVCdIGxbhyoRbOVqFaofJna5mMVDGBi_eXTM_2nLFfiReabwMkimrTY/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffh3CNSbWdayFVFuAAa8EnHl7sYWWnqt8Zh7SdjHLZHzIBtXiV_SuDXdkYF4rs6tt7Q-rDTvXzVDrTsuiDfI_sYVCdIGxbhyoRbOVqFaofJna5mMVDGBi_eXTM_2nLFfiReabwMkimrTY/s640/DSC_0110.JPG" width="426"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
But if there's anything I have truly learned, or rather realized through all of this, it's that I learn more and am so much more in tune with God when I shut off all the background noise. <br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wHgCjVCTqrqdVRwfhS88TsZ8yzSULbWagE5tNFchGDbBQtrThhLbX2_4cDNskkdwUBLhMtnTziDw8iAi0wdr2yR-skcygHFao0RNDfcqtqfLjtR62KsEPEGyFEgfzkrm6YYSzDSIdi0C/s1600/IMG_4237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wHgCjVCTqrqdVRwfhS88TsZ8yzSULbWagE5tNFchGDbBQtrThhLbX2_4cDNskkdwUBLhMtnTziDw8iAi0wdr2yR-skcygHFao0RNDfcqtqfLjtR62KsEPEGyFEgfzkrm6YYSzDSIdi0C/s640/IMG_4237.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div><br></div><div>After this weekend, I'm taking an indefinite break from the internets. ;) I miss the stillness of sitting with a good book. The pure happy on my boys' faces while we play a game or watch a movie together. And I'm never going to find any real fulfillment from how many "likes" I get on a Facebook post. I'm tired of letting my phone run my life, and we only have about 3 weeks of summer left. Gotta soak it up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcPmj9hlSeXidOo_c_NfLURZ5ziF_Mn_lxjofTgOLWV0n3wNFvZID__PFEAN-k8wLMSwWl0qj81naRJ8xhn3Kg4YUlKrjTAdghtPvAg3-1o2fzDfW6ebrPBo7XyXlx4ytRjpijCxu9gL0/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcPmj9hlSeXidOo_c_NfLURZ5ziF_Mn_lxjofTgOLWV0n3wNFvZID__PFEAN-k8wLMSwWl0qj81naRJ8xhn3Kg4YUlKrjTAdghtPvAg3-1o2fzDfW6ebrPBo7XyXlx4ytRjpijCxu9gL0/s640/IMG_4280.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div> (Mimi and Harrison:)</div><div><br></div>There's this 1000 piece Coca-Cola puzzle sitting unfinished on our kitchen table right now. At this rate we're never going to have a meal at that table again if we don't knock this thing out. And then we will have to glue it together to hang on the wall, because this thing is going to take a village to finish, and then we're going to celebrate big. A glorious reminder that we're not quitters. That we can do hard things. ;) Hopefully for me it will serve as a reminder of what I learned this summer. <br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5qGPsl8aptL8rZ50DxlIuwKRCepnw8I4wYKg5dK1ULEUOWm-WHZVetwRb62t0lUA6RbHRmRb7oF6CUCu0EJW7TGbnkmoBXnCE0WJlWYn-dgjsWQ-jPm4oczs6yEvJGIS6xQ-RtoH-kkP/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5qGPsl8aptL8rZ50DxlIuwKRCepnw8I4wYKg5dK1ULEUOWm-WHZVetwRb62t0lUA6RbHRmRb7oF6CUCu0EJW7TGbnkmoBXnCE0WJlWYn-dgjsWQ-jPm4oczs6yEvJGIS6xQ-RtoH-kkP/s640/DSC_0163.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
I have some quiet moments on the porch with my Jesus to catch up on, some friends to meet for coffee, some scrap booking to do, a couple books to finish, some phone conversations with loved ones to have, and some evenings of cozy talks with the hubs on the couch to enjoy. </div></div><div><br></div><div>The suitcases are back in the basement. The memories are filed away in my mind and heart (and hopefully soon, in our family books too). Ready to make the most of these next weeks....letting my boys be boys, sitting back to watch God work....trusting He will show me in the quiet places just how to be the wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend He wants me to be. The one they all need me to be. </div><div><br></div><div>Freed up gypsy? Here I go. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-32477634433517845582013-04-08T01:13:00.003-04:002013-04-08T22:46:00.364-04:00For Love of the Game<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="266" src="http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/images/ballpark/index/ballpark.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week the boys and I are in Texas for Spring Break. Our break is late...really late. But the nice thing about that is that we're the only ones here that are on break now, so no crowds anywhere. Looking forward to a fun week with family and friends...missing B and wishing he was here with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been awhile since I've really felt stirred up about anything. Since I felt that I had anything to write about. But being back in our home state this weekend, surrounded by the near-constant news stories about opening day of baseball and all the Hamilton drama...well, let's just say I'm feeling inspired. ;) Typically I'm itching to be at Opening Day for my beloved Texas Rangers. This year I was okay with not being there. Not to say I liked missing the game...I love every chance to be at the stadium. It's magical. But this time was different.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4Ol0v4lPr8NvoqbG2K52atk75TdQ9np73rrJjmnqYViXwye9Q9L7AdmdmWyVdR4y-SP1zD9KxkvE4cPHwtTu5uJcUfzXmnkGH6-4QGzsY_ydlVMjgMmpdAMFrmoak0Hi564tLhFZy8Q/s1600/hovis-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4Ol0v4lPr8NvoqbG2K52atk75TdQ9np73rrJjmnqYViXwye9Q9L7AdmdmWyVdR4y-SP1zD9KxkvE4cPHwtTu5uJcUfzXmnkGH6-4QGzsY_ydlVMjgMmpdAMFrmoak0Hi564tLhFZy8Q/s640/hovis-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baseball. It's in our blood. Both sides of my family~ my Dandy (who, if I could brag about him for a minute, was asked to come to the St. Louis Cardinal's spring training to pitch. His father's negative reaction led him to join the Army instead...which was a blessing b/c it led him to meet my Momo, marry her, and start a family....but seriously. How cool is that?!?) grew up playing with his brothers on their farm. My dad? Amazing. My cousins on both sides? Studs. :) Brian's dad played on a championship team, and it was B's favorite sport to play growing up (and still is now)....he's greatness too. I have many happy memories of backyard ball games with my family, and played softball growing up. So yes...it's in our blood. And while we have never forced our boys to love or play it, I think it's just "in" them too. They can't help it. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHvLEgE9mQmeb3JMVL2DVoBmWTb7qTrmST9fCjPSzJycBnEst1UfnG0jHXVAoiBeLb3OfnHZm8Vat3oti63RFMGL_4Lch0CNNZXRZ88_FK8UC3OHpTlMwnrLM2C4KaA6lk3tixDWLpuw/s1600/May+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHvLEgE9mQmeb3JMVL2DVoBmWTb7qTrmST9fCjPSzJycBnEst1UfnG0jHXVAoiBeLb3OfnHZm8Vat3oti63RFMGL_4Lch0CNNZXRZ88_FK8UC3OHpTlMwnrLM2C4KaA6lk3tixDWLpuw/s640/May+2009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Hunter (pictured here at age 2) heard the news that his favorite player (Josh Hamilton) had accepted the offer to play for the Angels, he was heartbroken. Yes, my 6-yr-old <i>sobbed</i>. For him, it was personal. At first he was angry at him, but after a few days to process the news, he came to me and said he was going to be ok with it. Then a couple weeks later he asked if he could have an Angels shirt (with Hamilton's name and number on the back) and hat for his birthday. It was the only thing he asked for. As his parents, and fellow fans, we too were sad. We wanted Hamilton to stay with the Rangers. And buying that shirt for Hunter felt weird. And wrong. What were we supposed to do? Tell him no, that he wasn't allowed to be a fan anymore? That would be ridiculous. So...a couple clicks later on Amazon, and his gift was on its way. When Hunter opened the shirt and hat on his birthday, he lit up. He wanted to wear it right away. And I watched him, the one who had so passionately mourned the loss of his baseball hero to another team, make a complete turnaround. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And something clicked with me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMvHBZ9ST90vKGnh9KDCtDvGoeh6gCqzLPqcSj7UJGKxJDXG1iWI9fK5o-v4_ryLemYhLNaFIDQEgk3ZU9CznK8g8wqMWkyqDh0qSWT2TdeiiIRY_VtMJWauytJHbzvlA6IpWE-JGu3E/s1600/Dino+Valley+ST+Park+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMvHBZ9ST90vKGnh9KDCtDvGoeh6gCqzLPqcSj7UJGKxJDXG1iWI9fK5o-v4_ryLemYhLNaFIDQEgk3ZU9CznK8g8wqMWkyqDh0qSWT2TdeiiIRY_VtMJWauytJHbzvlA6IpWE-JGu3E/s640/Dino+Valley+ST+Park+031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a mom, it's my job to teach the boys a never-ending list of things. How to choose right from wrong. The importance of loving and accepting others. How to share, to be hard workers, to be kind to everyone, to always do your best. To forgive when others say or do something wrong or hurt us. To be patient. And the list goes on and on. And on. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What blows me away is how very much they continue to teach me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiXtGBoDIzlKHEtxiIvIXb9pD2KMpvZQ4hyphenhyphen188CThcJaLx-yQUMrNtUS_GUOjbo028gY3cY6YBDNS0hy62mMeAGkjTQP5XDfboQ8L4Nk05vIAOD6c0HwTg5V7oGl4iGQLyOPtzJiNJXU/s1600/Astros+2009+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiXtGBoDIzlKHEtxiIvIXb9pD2KMpvZQ4hyphenhyphen188CThcJaLx-yQUMrNtUS_GUOjbo028gY3cY6YBDNS0hy62mMeAGkjTQP5XDfboQ8L4Nk05vIAOD6c0HwTg5V7oGl4iGQLyOPtzJiNJXU/s640/Astros+2009+127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Tonight we were watching the 3rd game in the Rangers/Angels series. Hunter was sitting front and center,and I was just a few feet away from him. I watched as he saw Hamilton come up to bat. Hunter sat up straight, his face lit up as Hamilton squared up to the plate. And then I watched that same little face fall as he started to listen to the (ridiculously loud) booing come from the television. He didn't understand what in the world was going on, and you could see the hurt and confusion on his face. He just wanted to watch his favorite player hit the ball. <i> That was it.</i> He has no idea what is being said in the papers, online, on Facebook....he just wanted to watch a ballgame. And as his mom, I wanted to protect him from the ugliness he was watching on tv. I wanted to help him understand why it was happening....but I found it hard to put the right words together. How exactly do you explain to a kindergartner that a bunch of grownups are saying a bunch of dumb, mean stuff to each other, and the fans at the game wanted to make sure Hamilton knew that he was unwelcome there? I wasn't sure, so I smiled at him and told him it was okay to cheer for Josh and hope he crushed the ball. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vy6dys36bLzSETB8DWFLyKOjtK7QWov1P4RuMLRTDJ7H8DTNm7FU7SFvpQX3uvrdXCHDpwtInW3ivaQLHM0Bf6l1cuCzVTebUFMEnBWUaTi8stbkt_1DWD1eriRYk_ayH1QreVFmSIE/s1600/July+2009+231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vy6dys36bLzSETB8DWFLyKOjtK7QWov1P4RuMLRTDJ7H8DTNm7FU7SFvpQX3uvrdXCHDpwtInW3ivaQLHM0Bf6l1cuCzVTebUFMEnBWUaTi8stbkt_1DWD1eriRYk_ayH1QreVFmSIE/s640/July+2009+231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My personal feelings? They go something like this: It's tough to be a Josh Hamilton fan right now. He has said some stupid stuff in the past several weeks. His filter needs some work, and my honest opinion is that he needs to close his mouth, because it's just making it worse. And while I agree with some of what he said, it doesn't mean he should have said it. That whole "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" saying? That one's important to remember, no matter what. At the same time, I'm embarrassed to be a Ranger fan...more embarrassed of that if I'm being honest. The words that were being shouted at him, the signs in the stands that I read...they were brutal. My hope for these games was that the fans would be inspired to cheer as loud as they could for the Rangers. Not that they would throw the very things Josh Hamilton probably hates the most about himself right back in his face. Not<i> </i>that they would show more passion than I've ever seen at any other game, in effort to make the guy they've turned against feel unwanted. He got the message, I promise. What bothers me the most was the example that was set for my boys tonight as they watched the game. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgYdsAp23OR1CtcTFWSpMRVZB-3ze8RsbHuIkxbO9wWtmNEGeGdJtb7JVMKnBCDMH36oMeJLyG3CggOgaFUwO_D2vH7jh-QyDyvGakx9zsgOhcPOoZMemZ1gjEJGSMfSpCeP119EIDeE/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgYdsAp23OR1CtcTFWSpMRVZB-3ze8RsbHuIkxbO9wWtmNEGeGdJtb7JVMKnBCDMH36oMeJLyG3CggOgaFUwO_D2vH7jh-QyDyvGakx9zsgOhcPOoZMemZ1gjEJGSMfSpCeP119EIDeE/s640/016.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you know what inspired me tonight though? It was after Hamilton hit a double and later was standing at 2nd base, talking to Elvis Andrus. It was obvious that all of this nonsense hadn't impacted their relationship. That to them it was all part of the game...part of their job. I know I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was clear that they were having a moment. Something I hope encouraged Josh's heart. And Elvis' too...I'm sure it was distracting and disheartening for all of the players to have to focus on the game with that going on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvNIB8lzJKn3DK4HaqyeFtoF6Zr9-xCbViJT-HG5z4TutIzttbie98wA-5fDH1b0GG_N68T1XxiFOPWjjUlzC7_5HWtIRFUnXVXChot5A-MsDIi9pm_EeMi1pMbCXVhEGjICinmQuUw0/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvNIB8lzJKn3DK4HaqyeFtoF6Zr9-xCbViJT-HG5z4TutIzttbie98wA-5fDH1b0GG_N68T1XxiFOPWjjUlzC7_5HWtIRFUnXVXChot5A-MsDIi9pm_EeMi1pMbCXVhEGjICinmQuUw0/s640/071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And watching that took me back to what Hunter had taught me back in January. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change is inevitable. Unfortunately, so is disappointment. How we handle that disappointment? That's huge. Learning to let things roll is something I'm striving for. Passion is important. Being passionate about a sport, a hobby, a team...that can be fun. But being passionate about giving grace and kindness and love? Even when it's hard and it doesn't seem deserving? That's what it's all about.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHeGjSxiKar_AQP8Yy-_OSYCwgFMYa06BBAm3NUlFM4qVJPza5tmTWmyaPOa1_vfIXVbQLjw087QHjwBzKusFqGryMsShfh9yCxwVhmNxFLXQFmKFtRV-CELq9B5cZ6N5krIWbjeAgjA/s1600/113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHeGjSxiKar_AQP8Yy-_OSYCwgFMYa06BBAm3NUlFM4qVJPza5tmTWmyaPOa1_vfIXVbQLjw087QHjwBzKusFqGryMsShfh9yCxwVhmNxFLXQFmKFtRV-CELq9B5cZ6N5krIWbjeAgjA/s640/113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, I love this game.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_mac3Uj-AjleCr2NwuD00X2JPrQu9Nm9IiO9bR5VBoTVgVMUYBcHX67Vyw7Vr-2ErAWvIcqg8Gb0JroDwB3bZhcJg2EqG9hM5-fJ88aC9ZWCqvLGAuYFYmrZvEXYJ_Kh8KKCTb8Udeo/s1600/120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_mac3Uj-AjleCr2NwuD00X2JPrQu9Nm9IiO9bR5VBoTVgVMUYBcHX67Vyw7Vr-2ErAWvIcqg8Gb0JroDwB3bZhcJg2EqG9hM5-fJ88aC9ZWCqvLGAuYFYmrZvEXYJ_Kh8KKCTb8Udeo/s640/120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yes, I'm somehow managing to be a Texas Rangers fan while at the same time being a Josh Hamilton fan. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even if it is a confusing feeling right now....lol</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9FST_MVL7NyK2I_ZlTW5utTtyV0cePX_NSW4cSGry0BmgGysBdb5097o6v9LO6Oe93exW79kdFamXMtHFrctGdhGyXWMIL-N9hXDJW2fKDN79e3oiMbjgQ8ZAIj1SlyZwieDmCzM-IQ/s1600/1-023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9FST_MVL7NyK2I_ZlTW5utTtyV0cePX_NSW4cSGry0BmgGysBdb5097o6v9LO6Oe93exW79kdFamXMtHFrctGdhGyXWMIL-N9hXDJW2fKDN79e3oiMbjgQ8ZAIj1SlyZwieDmCzM-IQ/s640/1-023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because he's a great ball player. One of the greatest of all time. He's not perfect, and there have been times he's choked when we've really needed him to pull through. There are so many more great moments though, and I'm choosing to remember all he did to help make his time with the Rangers incredible. But it's his story of grace and forgiveness that made me a fan 5+ years ago, and I'm not about to jump off the bandwagon because things have gotten complicated. It's my hope that he turns things around and uses that for good again, no matter what uniform he's wearing.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fBDab2g7Cz3QeFLXYXELy1MP2q65Tbf5rssT4GCsPkIIQ9toEbuUWT0M3K2UJWW28dwfGe356pbeJb3EtbKMJa20tp3krpP5p2h6-xVim75kVyl7VFHlcB8Un2rTDCez6eOsvX8ShQ/s1600/1-027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fBDab2g7Cz3QeFLXYXELy1MP2q65Tbf5rssT4GCsPkIIQ9toEbuUWT0M3K2UJWW28dwfGe356pbeJb3EtbKMJa20tp3krpP5p2h6-xVim75kVyl7VFHlcB8Un2rTDCez6eOsvX8ShQ/s640/1-027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But no matter what, at the end of the day....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s640/289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.....it's just baseball, right? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bKwv15m1C7r98S3L6uSr2QtJ60bG-CP-9Re_YtA42nsnGu4AATdk8IuCq2ixGYKeuN_MfzBLFQcHvjm_-l7zWAD7qUPF9OVKZDu4dJGUyjaWCn5LdM7cPqBmUVO9tEgFRpahl-37b3I/s1600/320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bKwv15m1C7r98S3L6uSr2QtJ60bG-CP-9Re_YtA42nsnGu4AATdk8IuCq2ixGYKeuN_MfzBLFQcHvjm_-l7zWAD7qUPF9OVKZDu4dJGUyjaWCn5LdM7cPqBmUVO9tEgFRpahl-37b3I/s640/320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdhftUgAPzGqlx5-zHwwO_sTQ7-puWKz_DvfzGxTVH2wEArR3i1g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdhftUgAPzGqlx5-zHwwO_sTQ7-puWKz_DvfzGxTVH2wEArR3i1g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And to quote the great Ron Washington, "That's how baseball go."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So let's all take a deep breath and move on. It's time.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="512" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdhftUgAPzGqlx5-zHwwO_sTQ7-puWKz_DvfzGxTVH2wEArR3i1g" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For love of the game. Yes.</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-91766249819896220092013-03-24T16:29:00.001-04:002013-03-25T07:31:20.394-04:00Freshening Up<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yesterday the renovations on the inside of our house were finished, and we are so excited, and so happy with the results. When we moved into this house 3 years ago, we were in love with the floor plan and the neighborhood, not so much in love with the inside of the house. But B and I are a good team, and thankfully we have very similar taste, so deciding what we wanted to do was easy. Being able to implement those ideas required patience, but it was definitely worth the wait.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb5MSDz7ftQMt3CSs6u_XwpfpMmUqwP_XftrqDYZu1d4A6QYBgygyWqCOc7__eN6pDdldvkbh26IkgPI5ko0wXqIz1SZAZjJ1qnVES8qkk51qhUSSqf15Hk6pHhzrRNYyPKtS0_ozylAm/s1600/addy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb5MSDz7ftQMt3CSs6u_XwpfpMmUqwP_XftrqDYZu1d4A6QYBgygyWqCOc7__eN6pDdldvkbh26IkgPI5ko0wXqIz1SZAZjJ1qnVES8qkk51qhUSSqf15Hk6pHhzrRNYyPKtS0_ozylAm/s640/addy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had the hardwood floors replaced (Hi Addy!;)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zhDNtonC1BuE4rxGGeyN3jd7daAkyaTXIOv8iUw1BUE0q0LMo7XJhrZ_zNNsfpCG48u350_vO3kY0GJIPyL_Av_xNqmyslKNO5vFxFxP6ePrM56qPwUrcKn8oI9v8U8fd0QgOF__0TfA/s1600/IMG_3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zhDNtonC1BuE4rxGGeyN3jd7daAkyaTXIOv8iUw1BUE0q0LMo7XJhrZ_zNNsfpCG48u350_vO3kY0GJIPyL_Av_xNqmyslKNO5vFxFxP6ePrM56qPwUrcKn8oI9v8U8fd0QgOF__0TfA/s640/IMG_3099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The counter tops were replaced with a solid surface material called Hi-Macs, and we re-tiled the backsplash ourselves. B and I had a cute little helper. :)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ik38xRdy2sPySc9jA0-KXHJudoTaFSEXaeKyQg6AUm4ECuZ_gUZ9uKSzWTgRa-1kGbGPaORhO-L-dmp_S9-gne_yLwDOWDQPzry0gU11-UB3vhgXg1r6fsXv7sBd9s28-_ufugHU5BGZ/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ik38xRdy2sPySc9jA0-KXHJudoTaFSEXaeKyQg6AUm4ECuZ_gUZ9uKSzWTgRa-1kGbGPaORhO-L-dmp_S9-gne_yLwDOWDQPzry0gU11-UB3vhgXg1r6fsXv7sBd9s28-_ufugHU5BGZ/s640/IMG_3215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last, we had the cabinets repainted. When we painted the kitchen green after first moving in, it was with the intention of painting the cabinets black. This before pic is not great, but hopefully you can tell that they were a natural finish, which wasn't the look we were going for. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H_awGBk668H_ABxlcCjbh8VGO6A2pGkPedA4JO4F-gODwwXM7ETTYSCuMdmFTtwwlY7EUO1IN5_Pg-gyNhec4qTBrWkC1e73Ly1A5v-cT3AjgAOVjDw38G7Ejw6Ngd27XW2xKSbmA9Bj/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H_awGBk668H_ABxlcCjbh8VGO6A2pGkPedA4JO4F-gODwwXM7ETTYSCuMdmFTtwwlY7EUO1IN5_Pg-gyNhec4qTBrWkC1e73Ly1A5v-cT3AjgAOVjDw38G7Ejw6Ngd27XW2xKSbmA9Bj/s640/IMG_3216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have to admit that the kitchen is my new favorite place to be now. :)</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnFQxp7LpzlWNbDXd2Ud9ZjQw-_Iy8ciCW_dGVQQizO6CIATJ-qH3yd3fhLe-XTduofX_O335-CU4dJDbsh3kZAUmwwvoSAmFOX50T8-PrjFJSXCH2P-yyP7kjObDAk8mxq6zbX5N_Ul-/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnFQxp7LpzlWNbDXd2Ud9ZjQw-_Iy8ciCW_dGVQQizO6CIATJ-qH3yd3fhLe-XTduofX_O335-CU4dJDbsh3kZAUmwwvoSAmFOX50T8-PrjFJSXCH2P-yyP7kjObDAk8mxq6zbX5N_Ul-/s640/IMG_3207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Spring is trying to make itself known here, but winter isn't ready to let go yet. I thought maybe making a little something new for the front door might inspire the seasons to get themselves straightened out. We'll see.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGYaPhKk9XeAQz7CDETovdiwD_yt78dZi2cKb5ZqPMts9IkA-XCHX3M7DLmOEyus7vlHpzbkVZOqGNkta0kpw9rTDmgoMMwlN85mZR_nefAwdqz2hTIYpXF-bWcPFwtfjmXa-sr4WGxdk/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For those of you wondering about our Be the Good challenge, please know that it is still on. Because I'm a dreamer and my dreams aren't always all that practical, we had to scale things back a bit. Instead of one day full of acts of kindness, we decided it was best to do one thing a month. That way more of us were able to participate, and we get to spread the love on a regular basis.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjDyQoWbYpIfjektsaFH798m-nKAO-TfVQ5q7t3IugwIZwV44BHbmIcmdZuY8sVA9gR9X0nmJ0sJ7HOYYiIaC2wR8XwWgMkiunV8Sci7GnBc29csGxAgAbO4W5ttrgv1VNasnf0G_tekI/s1600/be+the+good+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjDyQoWbYpIfjektsaFH798m-nKAO-TfVQ5q7t3IugwIZwV44BHbmIcmdZuY8sVA9gR9X0nmJ0sJ7HOYYiIaC2wR8XwWgMkiunV8Sci7GnBc29csGxAgAbO4W5ttrgv1VNasnf0G_tekI/s640/be+the+good+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For this month's project, we decided to feed our little birdie friends. This winter is holding on for dear life, and we thought maybe those little guys were needing a little extra help. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t8IXPa_DnxTiIRCR7elseaLdhQSe2eh8YTZzeOUVWvyJ-wnJSjQbUEg4TltVVPe1O34eM8aK_UniwJDnmJouv4Xsx2oF7dLcwx_sIC7LqeidzrmqAKL26Hz4naQ_gY8bJJMXLySmzVQv/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t8IXPa_DnxTiIRCR7elseaLdhQSe2eh8YTZzeOUVWvyJ-wnJSjQbUEg4TltVVPe1O34eM8aK_UniwJDnmJouv4Xsx2oF7dLcwx_sIC7LqeidzrmqAKL26Hz4naQ_gY8bJJMXLySmzVQv/s640/DSC_0047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last Friday several of our group got together outside and made these bird feeders out of apple slices, peanut butter, and birdseed. We then took them to a nearby park and let the kids run off some energy while decorating the trees with their feeders. :)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiklumJN4oIz7t4Oe1eUHy4G-oP5VLlXDlZXf5q7wVMTeIDcaV6rQmjsGGg-n_kgLGluWJKD4iRiuuXLncB5DeXAg1avAanasYfyvFZsE-z39xZVI6YanG0d4lFtit-nKeIPRqLPi0wxAn/s1600/1-DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiklumJN4oIz7t4Oe1eUHy4G-oP5VLlXDlZXf5q7wVMTeIDcaV6rQmjsGGg-n_kgLGluWJKD4iRiuuXLncB5DeXAg1avAanasYfyvFZsE-z39xZVI6YanG0d4lFtit-nKeIPRqLPi0wxAn/s640/1-DSC_0094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-EboX3sp2JkoH3Dm7ki_mV7VZejNsiPlzTSic-7dDvlKkmDnqoAmg8lZYHTtGJIpoVtbRBH_uOei0dUqKrmmL1yxuvsFfp8KpIpPVzi3eo_byvHVZTO4fbPVHYruDt0I-QMtTNy9jkKH/s1600/1-DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-EboX3sp2JkoH3Dm7ki_mV7VZejNsiPlzTSic-7dDvlKkmDnqoAmg8lZYHTtGJIpoVtbRBH_uOei0dUqKrmmL1yxuvsFfp8KpIpPVzi3eo_byvHVZTO4fbPVHYruDt0I-QMtTNy9jkKH/s640/1-DSC_0063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT1LEkfo4UbPMuz-byC7wm9QNq3nudSGxtf5e2n2pfixx6vSBuowHV3iwNI9RzCq2zsRE7cU5whOmyGH1K02XGT2b7wRVwaEVKPNWutt-Sc-xpbFvTsX8e3N_RjJYOKnP0e-9a7Q08yC2/s1600/1-DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT1LEkfo4UbPMuz-byC7wm9QNq3nudSGxtf5e2n2pfixx6vSBuowHV3iwNI9RzCq2zsRE7cU5whOmyGH1K02XGT2b7wRVwaEVKPNWutt-Sc-xpbFvTsX8e3N_RjJYOKnP0e-9a7Q08yC2/s640/1-DSC_0069.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQx-tDl2OiQJqaIAEmLH63jSIeLidGqH7Os0xGtIq_56eoJ5dCxPzxSiID75c1MFCXP-FM3k2QyVnY463QkCJP5pvUfTRaT98v7nVGx-zh82KCPvG6WSHSS3xl2LeSrtUHxjsGFsZYQAh/s1600/1-DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQx-tDl2OiQJqaIAEmLH63jSIeLidGqH7Os0xGtIq_56eoJ5dCxPzxSiID75c1MFCXP-FM3k2QyVnY463QkCJP5pvUfTRaT98v7nVGx-zh82KCPvG6WSHSS3xl2LeSrtUHxjsGFsZYQAh/s640/1-DSC_0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1LDKUsn-dk9XenwTNorj7RkuJsrMwpb4Fp68ttBGVeimy-BJM6tLaPCPmvI2o_Men7nBiJJEeejfbpKb3fWealJahdDDcKxxDwcvWTiMof1PaaYvY69hIIVj5lXjRAjenEVR144t4oF5/s1600/1-DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1LDKUsn-dk9XenwTNorj7RkuJsrMwpb4Fp68ttBGVeimy-BJM6tLaPCPmvI2o_Men7nBiJJEeejfbpKb3fWealJahdDDcKxxDwcvWTiMof1PaaYvY69hIIVj5lXjRAjenEVR144t4oF5/s640/1-DSC_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hopefully the local birds have full tummies now. :) We'll be planning our April project soon.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpgtBvvSWMtixvCk_A8AEU1qkdAXlSZVKVHqeQ26YauIsDWsiOpOJz9mcKJMcOSodA8vEetuXbVOCgRKrDT0dZHRpf_oruknKwhnrD4VG7KSrHua3xJv0PY8KwGHv-99rSpCrUaWg9trT/s1600/1-DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpgtBvvSWMtixvCk_A8AEU1qkdAXlSZVKVHqeQ26YauIsDWsiOpOJz9mcKJMcOSodA8vEetuXbVOCgRKrDT0dZHRpf_oruknKwhnrD4VG7KSrHua3xJv0PY8KwGHv-99rSpCrUaWg9trT/s640/1-DSC_0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last Saturday was opening season for baseball....how much we love this time of year. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Kxflr_A0V6zQpiNyOqugHNU8hUDT0AC0FYpGC-hPZbVEhr_8I1gHX08iIVYUNPx2V3qpM3m6JASJPqontTsZYv7V7zRhUywpgm1RI37q-1lC8LN1FA_20S4Lbi8eZLt6AKgYJk7xNTrg/s1600/1-DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Kxflr_A0V6zQpiNyOqugHNU8hUDT0AC0FYpGC-hPZbVEhr_8I1gHX08iIVYUNPx2V3qpM3m6JASJPqontTsZYv7V7zRhUywpgm1RI37q-1lC8LN1FA_20S4Lbi8eZLt6AKgYJk7xNTrg/s640/1-DSC_0193.JPG" width="616" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then we headed to church for the big Outdoor Expo that my hubs heads up each year...so fun!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaIqHKTMSXsBdLYC8dpuYcOQJVjSiZ0NeNn96aoVf0tQpEG0gZI0zQRYsYB8KesOzSNPfgAKpQwV4bLi0mlKVXpry0BCp-jfpUNYuL-I2SeQRoO4Z2tRSK3oPfaY8fo0C77hSVCzWdGLp/s1600/1-DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaIqHKTMSXsBdLYC8dpuYcOQJVjSiZ0NeNn96aoVf0tQpEG0gZI0zQRYsYB8KesOzSNPfgAKpQwV4bLi0mlKVXpry0BCp-jfpUNYuL-I2SeQRoO4Z2tRSK3oPfaY8fo0C77hSVCzWdGLp/s640/1-DSC_0194.JPG" width="542" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This year the head football coach for the Georgia Bulldogs, Mark Richt, was the guest speaker, and the boys (especially Hud) were so excited to meet him. Coach Richt has a wonderful testimony and it was so cool to hear his story. Made us love those dawgs even more. ;) Hud was able to get his football signed and it now proudly sits in a special display case on his dresser. And now his questions about starting tackle football in the fall have gotten a little more persistent. ;) I think it's time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-66419995493521266652013-01-31T22:26:00.005-05:002013-01-31T22:26:59.722-05:00The Be the Good Challenge: Details<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who's ready to spread a little love next month? :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7VBQ2kFp8GGPpjV5gxEZr6mxMoZDicq8VVnVChVm7dV-l_ufKKH0xubiMiSvLME6vVgOVfnwXSA7I7e84va9Go5M3pXHzG_mb4q85Lb-H8N4L17Nk5PGrReaHrB6qNktlq54okwYd58h/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7VBQ2kFp8GGPpjV5gxEZr6mxMoZDicq8VVnVChVm7dV-l_ufKKH0xubiMiSvLME6vVgOVfnwXSA7I7e84va9Go5M3pXHzG_mb4q85Lb-H8N4L17Nk5PGrReaHrB6qNktlq54okwYd58h/s640/IMG_2683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Earlier this month in <a href="http://hatch-partyoffive.blogspot.com/2012/12/be-good.html" target="_blank">this post</a> and then again in<a href="http://hatch-partyoffive.blogspot.com/2013/01/just-call-me-polly.html" target="_blank"> this one</a> I talked about an idea that I read from another <a href="http://www.makinglifewhimsical.com/2012/12/kindness-inspires-kindness.html" target="_blank">blogger</a> who did 40 acts of kindness in one day to celebrate her 40th birthday. Her story inspired me so much that I decided to do something similar. After talking to my Bible study girls and my sister Reagan, I was encouraged to really go for it. What can I say? Go big, or go home, right? ;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Absolutely.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've talked and written a lot about why we're doing this, but not much about how. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's the how: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The details, or how we are doing this, at least: There are seven of us here locally who are going to work together. We chose Saturday, Feb. 23 and are going to make a day of it. Each of our families are responsible for choosing one thing to do for someone in the community, preparing anything needed and funding it. It DOES NOT have to be an expensive thing....I've said several times that so often it's the little things that make the biggest impact, and I firmly believe that. But the big things are cool too, so I'm not putting any $$ rules on anything. That is up to the individual. My family has chosen to take pizza and brownies to the fire station up the street. Why? Because my boys think firefighters are awesome and helpful, and who doesn't like pizza and brownies? ;) As a group we chose a couple of things to do with all of our kiddos as well~ we're going to make little bird feeders (sliced apples spread with peanut butter and dipped in bird seed) to hang in the trees at our local park and each of them are going to choose a book at the book store to donate to our library. There are LOTS of ideas out there: paying for the person in line behind you at the drive-thru, giving a gift card to a restaurant as someone is walking in, taking bagels and coffee to your co-workers, or your children's teachers, offering to babysit a friend's child so she can get a little alone time....these are just a few.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't wait to find out what my friends have decided to do. And my sister and her friends have put together a group back in TX...this is going to be fun! Think about it: spending ONE day blessing the socks off of unsuspecting people everywhere. I love it. Big things, little things. People in need, people who aren't (as my sister said, it will be fun surprising people who aren't necessarily in need because hopefully they will see how fun it is, how much it means, and will be encouraged to do the same for someone else). All of us getting out of ourselves (our phones, computers, etc) to do for others. To show people that yes, there really is good...you just have to pay attention. Except for these unsuspecting people we're targeting later this month. They're about to be blindsided. In a good way. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAfGzqikubDBCmzAwFzcTI87SUCTfC3W_WckR3rpN5HjH6aZuYtzRiqcqQRFQ1beV3FxeWARMOmTWYe3-9ta-Jeup6Brh9LS8lrHoGywsdfktaJGUFwxY92n7rv2ISeEKsHBAPiy45zq/s1600/be+the+good+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAfGzqikubDBCmzAwFzcTI87SUCTfC3W_WckR3rpN5HjH6aZuYtzRiqcqQRFQ1beV3FxeWARMOmTWYe3-9ta-Jeup6Brh9LS8lrHoGywsdfktaJGUFwxY92n7rv2ISeEKsHBAPiy45zq/s640/be+the+good+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The graphic above is free for your use. Our group plans to print copies of it to attach to our acts of kindness, and we encourage you do to the same. If you click on it and save it, you should be able to reprint it with no problem. If you do have trouble, let me know and I can email it to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Big picture (or my big dream): while I love the idea of choosing a date and working together all day, my hope is that this starts creating a different mindset for the everyday. One where we are always on the lookout for how we can help someone else. Whether it's picking up something a stranger drops and handing it back to him/her, giving a encouraging word and smile to the new mom who's struggling with a screaming baby at the grocery store, or going to visit a widow who might be lonely....the possibilities are endless. And they all will make a difference.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We would LOVE for any of you who are interested to join us. If you're local, you can join us, or form your own group. If you're not local, you can put together your own group, or work alone, with your family, etc. If February 23 doesn't work for you, pick a day that does. There really are no "rules" necessarily...these are just guidelines. All I ask is that if you decide to join us that you let me know in a comment below here, or comment on the FB link to this post. I'd love to know who is doing this with us and to be able to pray for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is going to be big, people. Real big. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Love is breaking through." -Chris Tomlin<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (from "Shepherd Boy," Burning Lights)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is. Just wait and see....you're going to make a difference. Be the good.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-63532078117867618192013-01-19T01:17:00.004-05:002013-01-19T01:26:25.021-05:00just call me polly<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'<span style="font-size: small;">ll do best by filling your minds and medi<span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">ating<span style="font-size: small;"> on things true, nob<span style="font-size: small;">le, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious~ the best, not the worst; the b<span style="font-size: small;">eautiful, not the ugl<span style="font-size: small;">y; things to pr<span style="font-size: small;">aise, not things to curse. <span style="font-size: small;">Put into practice what you learned from <span style="font-size: small;">m</span>e, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into <span style="font-size: small;">His most excellent harmonies."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Ph<span style="font-size: small;">ilippians 4:<span style="font-size: small;">8<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;">9 (<span style="font-size: small;">The Message<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEqOCVXxRDlxesTipHVaBcf1TNJuMetm1MWExbBb0z_92U11x1VH9IAvZNKOYaF9PvYR4-vfUI7An_djMN_Uk9fGunbTig9NNfKDROKb5ERvH3pyeZJ36269IDW5iVB6XapywscP6RKlv/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEqOCVXxRDlxesTipHVaBcf1TNJuMetm1MWExbBb0z_92U11x1VH9IAvZNKOYaF9PvYR4-vfUI7An_djMN_Uk9fGunbTig9NNfKDROKb5ERvH3pyeZJ36269IDW5iVB6XapywscP6RKlv/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever have those days when you're hit again and again with things you need to be doing differently, or something you missed, or realized that there was something really fantastic that you know you need to do? That was last Sunday for me. Serious revelation. Times 2. Between that and the sermon (that I SO needed to hear) Dr. Stanley preached, it was quite a Sunday. Made my heart full. And my brain hurt. ;) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I keep thinking about how bad things have seemed the past few months. It's something that could be blown off, explained away with the excuse that I'm just getting older so I'm more aware, or maybe that because of social media I'm just hearing about a lot more bad. Those two things might be true....but do you know what else? For all the bad and yuck I've been reading/watching, I'm starting to see just as much happy. So many people rising up and deciding to do something about the hurt they are seeing. It's pretty amazing. :) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite blogs to read is <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/" target="_blank">Enjoying the Small Things</a></span>. <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't discovered the greatness that is this girl, her sweet family, and her perspective on life, then do yourself a favor and hop on over there. After you're done here, of course. ;) What I love about Kelle is how positive and happy she is....even if things aren't. She's the poster child for making lemonade out of lemons, and I love it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ever since I was little my friends and family have lovingly teased me about my "everything is rainbows and sunshine" ways. I've been called "Pollyanna" (which was, and still is one of my favorite movies--remember The Glad Game?;) or Polly Sunshine at different times for as long as I can remember. Usually it gets on my nerves a little, but lately? Lately I've embraced it. Happy is good. Happy is fun. Happy helps make the bad a little less bad. It changes your perspective. It helps you find the good when there doesn't seem to be any anywhere. It takes the focus off the yuck and forces you to think differently. Is it always easy? Of course not. And there are many instances when it is very difficult to find anything good in our circumstances. Please know my heart here: I'm not trying to make light of anybody's troubles. People are hurting and broken and suffering everywhere. <i>Everywhere</i>. They need help. They need love. They need to know that things are going to be okay. That someone cares. That they aren't alone. At the same time, encouragement doesn't come from adding to the dark clouds...it comes in the sunshine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I was inspired by another <a href="http://www.makinglifewhimsical.com/2012/12/kindness-inspires-kindness.html" target="_blank">blogger</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and something really cool that she did with her friends for her 40th birthday. I encourage you to read it yourself, but to summarize, she and several friends spent an entire day doing 40 random acts of kindness all over her town. They got really creative and I loved reading all of their ideas. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that got me thinking about my life and what I'm doing with it. Wondering what kind of difference I'm making, what my kids are learning from me, what else we could be doing....and my brain went into overdrive. It kept me awake the next several nights, which if you know me and how much sleep I require to function, was bad. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY82SOXNMWbGG3_ZHlQvXLGhdp5cpy6Urq8iu1AUdl0PykZwOGguhTggsaLzAcAPHMBzElEBFOsBzIno5VtJxhJFGrFqBuGU_Zk6VyQs6zNg3JgPn1DQooCGZD6n3wzaIyK3fd3IEtEgU/s1600/099.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY82SOXNMWbGG3_ZHlQvXLGhdp5cpy6Urq8iu1AUdl0PykZwOGguhTggsaLzAcAPHMBzElEBFOsBzIno5VtJxhJFGrFqBuGU_Zk6VyQs6zNg3JgPn1DQooCGZD6n3wzaIyK3fd3IEtEgU/s640/099.PNG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it turned into a great thing. I'm jumping on the "Kindness Inspires Kindness" bandwagon. Right now it's in the planning stages....I shared the idea with my Bible study girls and they're all in as well. We're talking through the details, making it our own, and we're going to extend the challenge to anyone who wants to join us.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because I want these 3 loves that God has so graciously (and undeservedly) blessed me with to know what it's like to actually <i>be</i> the hands and feet of Jesus. To serve, to love, to help. To give hope when there seems to be none. Because it's up to us. It's what we are here for. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP554v2JeSvjPsHlgTBzeoGHr96MogduHjPmJr6Tme4DM6Fr4mKqabqBZNUg4JqDI8mA223p1MBv5Eaet0y5k63obIQT7auMRnDLw12Q-rushc0_l2p4pvDA7Pw0ATDmaV9WaqTa9JcQL2/s1600/100_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP554v2JeSvjPsHlgTBzeoGHr96MogduHjPmJr6Tme4DM6Fr4mKqabqBZNUg4JqDI8mA223p1MBv5Eaet0y5k63obIQT7auMRnDLw12Q-rushc0_l2p4pvDA7Pw0ATDmaV9WaqTa9JcQL2/s640/100_0414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This guy that I get to love and do life with every day has inspired me as well. He's ministering to people at our church and around the city every day. I love getting to minister alongside him, and that is incredible. But I have a heart for the community surrounding where we live (as in our neighborhood/community, which is a little ways from our church) as well.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU7uPHAkjTlqAX8oPWydukkOJGfS4xrj3WudewpUXvATMJzlDD5QBNwt8eQuL1DQG1Y7u9EVJYLJEJDnN1dJ4Z_QcgG2hssY2ScozhmUdJhIyBXBBBqTp5JG-8je8PowB37kWIFAGgb9h/s1600/100_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_zOgV42hnIfkXleconPywiJzBhnLLA9mePce8YONdrByw-i28hqdEIGKqiwtm2VihKThZ7rO3zCCg3k1RhgQSq9lPgghYkxs5SXSMNQrk3Bg4iuW0TZEG8w1g3HBLUPPnI5AMi9i_WK6/s1600/100_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_zOgV42hnIfkXleconPywiJzBhnLLA9mePce8YONdrByw-i28hqdEIGKqiwtm2VihKThZ7rO3zCCg3k1RhgQSq9lPgghYkxs5SXSMNQrk3Bg4iuW0TZEG8w1g3HBLUPPnI5AMi9i_WK6/s640/100_0468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was about a year ago that I wrote <a href="http://hatch-partyoffive.blogspot.com/2012/01/yellow.html" target="_blank">this</a> post. Yes, it's about my buddy, SpongeBob. ;) If you didn't read it back then, I ask you to read it now, if for no other reason, so you can confirm that I am indeed not crazy and have a reason for why our family watches this yellow guy on tv. And for why he was the beginning of this Kindness Inspires Kindness challenge that is currently in the works.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSiwiuQGiIqc0k6b7UUdF3M3x3i32_IgOJ0x7Ezcsm63w9fx5EYh1vhw4ygT20-Qn_TCvVkvoOVvdhhhnAkwCCFu6vfzNOXOj2NSHiYHzQn4KW6BLrZorA5cnXbn-PfNXNu_OFvRwpCI1/s1600/spongebob+happy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSiwiuQGiIqc0k6b7UUdF3M3x3i32_IgOJ0x7Ezcsm63w9fx5EYh1vhw4ygT20-Qn_TCvVkvoOVvdhhhnAkwCCFu6vfzNOXOj2NSHiYHzQn4KW6BLrZorA5cnXbn-PfNXNu_OFvRwpCI1/s640/spongebob+happy2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While I'm working out the details of our kindness challenge, I want to encourage you to do a couple things. First, pray about whether or not you should join us. I sincerely hope you will. :) Second, think about what it is that inspires you...that is, what helps motivate you to reach out and encourage others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What inspires me?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYPFns8qbVXdPIPKh0EmBLza2U-QA5jBZ8OX3jl-9Xk-FNaK9rdTh0PsPoeiMGjvTUlKBlXL7n26TLRHkFSGqmlKqKOZh-E_oOj6-YdECAAJdYIKHiSj5AZkXmGvhkFl4Gzku8-BvZvlS/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYPFns8qbVXdPIPKh0EmBLza2U-QA5jBZ8OX3jl-9Xk-FNaK9rdTh0PsPoeiMGjvTUlKBlXL7n26TLRHkFSGqmlKqKOZh-E_oOj6-YdECAAJdYIKHiSj5AZkXmGvhkFl4Gzku8-BvZvlS/s640/088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Funky-cool-whimsical art. This piece is very me, and I wish I could say I made it...but I didn't. Christy Tomlinson did, and she is AmAzInG. Truly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love her work.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WaByOL5IV6qmzvbHzkj7Ko4mUxmU4cKCP9yuGwWUJEf96IRZo0ldq-3pGRC9cEp4MvdrWir9kTooDPJPQZMGBQMImC2Za9huDM66TupgPxBsJKqxiRpkEa7FfHY_1L8PBnsa6PmQFxr3/s1600/387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WaByOL5IV6qmzvbHzkj7Ko4mUxmU4cKCP9yuGwWUJEf96IRZo0ldq-3pGRC9cEp4MvdrWir9kTooDPJPQZMGBQMImC2Za9huDM66TupgPxBsJKqxiRpkEa7FfHY_1L8PBnsa6PmQFxr3/s640/387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beach is another one....really longing to be back there right now.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKTtyNnRdLTqS50t_LMUt33jjsWoDKdv3LvJ0bE_WAoIqIvUE_uSiOQvhIkVfpaQzn0wUeMh91mf3ZuSvyR01RtN_HDwCmK86U5MwvmC5vRJqH__FXuo1ZA0KM86GZwXFLtWS5eDCVZsS/s1600/386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKTtyNnRdLTqS50t_LMUt33jjsWoDKdv3LvJ0bE_WAoIqIvUE_uSiOQvhIkVfpaQzn0wUeMh91mf3ZuSvyR01RtN_HDwCmK86U5MwvmC5vRJqH__FXuo1ZA0KM86GZwXFLtWS5eDCVZsS/s640/386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even better? Ice cream with my boys on the beach. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pkluIr44EWTSY8ZO_ETdZQgaDUWKNAlszilrDlllPPBfbDkkBJmPy22l0obcHrMegYYpiREnd8TVDOMug_Ca32QhXcwaJm4PnPV4iDRegh4Nn9jtmQsDEv9pioLTacYRQHhW2thBU_Tl/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pkluIr44EWTSY8ZO_ETdZQgaDUWKNAlszilrDlllPPBfbDkkBJmPy22l0obcHrMegYYpiREnd8TVDOMug_Ca32QhXcwaJm4PnPV4iDRegh4Nn9jtmQsDEv9pioLTacYRQHhW2thBU_Tl/s640/124.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Long conversations with my boys, solving the world's problems. ;) They keep me grounded while at the same time reminding me that we can do anything we set our minds to. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpXLghSf-mS-fEPakztTjhturrLatD5PuWdPEkhg6p_6i4fk32z37dw364jPxjpx4hWQcqW7BEtVbbonKazSRAD0bVHgBhHQTv0mdkA7E58w4kGbBZhJQzKlaN7DVIFku_RuWlEoE6Ufb/s1600/1-100_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpXLghSf-mS-fEPakztTjhturrLatD5PuWdPEkhg6p_6i4fk32z37dw364jPxjpx4hWQcqW7BEtVbbonKazSRAD0bVHgBhHQTv0mdkA7E58w4kGbBZhJQzKlaN7DVIFku_RuWlEoE6Ufb/s640/1-100_0432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Getting to know (and love on) my boys' friends....it gives a new perspective on life and how others think. And it helps me learn even more about my littles, and hopefully helps make their friendships grow strong.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEbUlIl6lPBPhxSiDx1jgcpbszYHTHBno6gGHVCyEentQpxKXcWx8UON18wvXNRfeWwRwn2RJJ4FmMYIV3abL8xZR8wDVp_de9E5AN6oUqqZLQGptKwC3KOCMs-nx3Y0kTvn7rXhqi584/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEbUlIl6lPBPhxSiDx1jgcpbszYHTHBno6gGHVCyEentQpxKXcWx8UON18wvXNRfeWwRwn2RJJ4FmMYIV3abL8xZR8wDVp_de9E5AN6oUqqZLQGptKwC3KOCMs-nx3Y0kTvn7rXhqi584/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Little things (like this happy face bracelet Hunter made me) that remind me I am loved. The little things can make a big impact.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj7WSjp4s2QciztLwLWnSFJ7qilVprh8x6T__j1K5v-m7GEa87lc5FDtdeXn3enFiNB64z-270r1yQLG9nX3LICQaoT_IJ3Y7Z5zEqnVmCsFXhwwKQxilR5nPQ2d-MvbWB_mvaU6A80-r/s1600/249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj7WSjp4s2QciztLwLWnSFJ7qilVprh8x6T__j1K5v-m7GEa87lc5FDtdeXn3enFiNB64z-270r1yQLG9nX3LICQaoT_IJ3Y7Z5zEqnVmCsFXhwwKQxilR5nPQ2d-MvbWB_mvaU6A80-r/s640/249.JPG" width="626" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Piglet totally gets it. ;)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Think about inspires you...what makes you feel happy and content. And then decide how you can use that happiness for good. For others' good. That's the challenge.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInjcrDk572BM53elbcIak6TUj8ZEj8IMOTAi9Auj7d-k_DBVh8HVw6I1oMyorpu_TXvTxwT83jyyYNlqHhq10SkMoBjMyjW-LIYok-IHG1ehAAEi5l7BkPLguky0b2Kux5_gZs7_k6S9y/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8vVSWTFL4uyf0THAvix-J1xxxO4BD5jgVaQpsQtnXfWLMLRj5FBw-3yhZ1eYGHPy_UekHkkGUwcwogx0a3oCukmqdaU0iOpOnOk8FljO0DpepEsE_SU7BrV0n6D_eBDBb5cDvf1mBaS4/s1600/1-100_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Below is the artwork for our kindness challenge. We're going to give it our own name, continuing our "Be the Good" theme from a previous post. This will soon be available to save and print, but I will explain the how and whys in the next post with all the other details.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOklx5Dd57XsBEIhZCt48PunRRNrcT042zKEDl6BoP9XZ-JaGU_2wFFnfbcRItn6_bqolhMfkyDoASwNmMJZNI9u92zZeb7T-45AE8tzvGrw5JrR-DyCL7A8GOL4BsQcZ0flcFkkHwh08l/s1600/be+the+good+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOklx5Dd57XsBEIhZCt48PunRRNrcT042zKEDl6BoP9XZ-JaGU_2wFFnfbcRItn6_bqolhMfkyDoASwNmMJZNI9u92zZeb7T-45AE8tzvGrw5JrR-DyCL7A8GOL4BsQcZ0flcFkkHwh08l/s640/be+the+good+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm going to need your help to make this happen....to make it great. And I'm believing that if God has called me (us?) to do this that He is going to show up in a big way. He will. :) A quote from the service last week, "Obey God and watch Him work" (thanks, Dr. Stanley!) has stuck with me this week. I've been challenged in new ways to have a faith like never before. I'm trusting God to do just this, to work....because He will. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IIYs3rwxx5z3PNIUuMKw4EeDH5QEBDlttTxicsTRG0FI6TgEnwc8XYO-xU6YVgeXCGlvGy7LCsx5vXF-tOo0Hk1JMTgtfWcnVuQVieJPQ4qo1yum8x0OM5ByhKybolfEaK3izLRxLxnG/s1600/125.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IIYs3rwxx5z3PNIUuMKw4EeDH5QEBDlttTxicsTRG0FI6TgEnwc8XYO-xU6YVgeXCGlvGy7LCsx5vXF-tOo0Hk1JMTgtfWcnVuQVieJPQ4qo1yum8x0OM5ByhKybolfEaK3izLRxLxnG/s640/125.PNG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Excited about what's to come...the details post will go out this week.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Love is breaking through."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ~Chris Tomlin</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-82157043841673247802012-12-23T22:14:00.003-05:002013-02-01T09:13:47.010-05:00Be the Good<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"<i>Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My sister and I were out shopping this afternoon, and we went into this fab little shop in downtown Roanoke, called Addicted. Inside I found this fantastic shirt with Proverbs 4:23 on it. This is one of my favorite verses anyway, but lately I keep seeing it in different, unexpected places. And that makes me smile....more proof that God is in the details. He shows up in fun places where He knows I'll see Him. :)</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reminders like these have been good for my soul</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">especially here lately. Things seem bad. Things ARE bad. I normally don't watch many news programs because it's nothing but doom and gloom and only causes worry; these past couple weeks have been so much worse. On Monday I started watching Good Morning America and found myself sobbing as I watched a sweet couple talking about their 6-yr-old daughter, Jessica, one of the victims from Sandy Hook Elementary. I don't remember ever sobbing like that over a news story....this is one of the things about the ridiculous amount of media we're exposed to every day. It's shoved down our throats so often that we're numb. You hear about killings and tragedy and death and destruction so much that it starts to lose it's meaning. THAT is tragic. But this story about Jessica Rekos turned me into a sobbing mess....which is exactly what I needed to be. And I found that I couldn't turn the tv off, as much as I wanted to. What I needed to do was mourn with that couple who lost a daughter the same age as my youngest son. They deserved that much. So I did. And then I tried to go about my day, and found that I really couldn't. I was worried about my babies who were all at school. I was worried about my husband who was at work at church. I was worried that something might happen to me while I was out. I was consumed with worry. We're told in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow, that tomorrow will worry about itself. That's a personal struggle for me, something I battle with every single day. I wish I was laid back and relaxed, secure and trusting, but I'm not. I want to be...and I'm going to keep working on it until I am. But in the meantime?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We're in TX this week for Christmas...it's good to be in home. :) I've been lovin' on my baby niece and nephew since we got here, soaking up their yumminess and making sure they are well stocked up on Aunt Jac love. I'm crazy about those babies. Sat with Finn in my lap teaching him how to play Angry Birds on my phone....holding that little finger as it pulled the slingshot back and let it go, listening to his little laugh as the birds crashed into the pigs, and then we'd do it all over again. And again. :)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFGgbC05TWS3J3MV6chpTbBO8mjAH-L24ORPi6QcCYyp-cz1im_1RsVEkP6I8x61lzKtUgCbak58oyhLizonpetJqjj3T6Mbd9l3aKKyEn-K5gD54AZrT2TTdagQMbSYMgSRtnwwNnbN-/s1600/hovis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFGgbC05TWS3J3MV6chpTbBO8mjAH-L24ORPi6QcCYyp-cz1im_1RsVEkP6I8x61lzKtUgCbak58oyhLizonpetJqjj3T6Mbd9l3aKKyEn-K5gD54AZrT2TTdagQMbSYMgSRtnwwNnbN-/s640/hovis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YCZ2rQ7P3ucGkRHzN2u1uTfBFNhvP-_A-axGxLLWZ1sNPAOQhvv6V7z5CXVfIwPEGAM31pjkkjdjQn4o6Qqh4x1Y5iTxMMZrOt6RN8UG0ScNntCNUwPoXjpcRP719SUx-sRtIB7R8NR/s1600/130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then I rocked this little girl and put her down for a nap. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag9JVb43t-f3MxlqDIyEMcMlDAvcyUSGQIqb0r-kULMY2guTnFDnARJJViTni8FoAcPBuzB48bFPWm4Cx4DYftOJI2liDnItTnjichmAg_UDugZKf1xgrUrmkoi8HrzAowN22HAMT2LPI/s1600/hovis-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag9JVb43t-f3MxlqDIyEMcMlDAvcyUSGQIqb0r-kULMY2guTnFDnARJJViTni8FoAcPBuzB48bFPWm4Cx4DYftOJI2liDnItTnjichmAg_UDugZKf1xgrUrmkoi8HrzAowN22HAMT2LPI/s640/hovis-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Typically her routine is read a book, rock a little bit, then night
night. But I couldn't put her down. It wasn't long, after lots of
talking about all kinds of different things, solving the worlds'
problems ;) that she fell asleep. And I rocked and rocked that sweet girl,
marveled at how beautiful she is with those long eyelashes and tiny
little punkin nose, her pretty little mouth. I thought about how far
she and her brother have come in the year (and a couple months) since
Reagan and Jon first became their mommy and daddy. Their chatter about
things (after not speaking a single word when they first came), the way they both give and receive love, their senses of humor (they're both hilarious), how smart they are....they're amazing. And I started thinking about what their life was like before, and what it is like now. That they were rescued in every sense of the word. That because Reagan and Jon were faithful to obey what God was calling them to do, to take the hard road to find these two...well it's nothing short of a miracle. And it's good. It's very good. In a world full of hurt and pain and yuck....there's good. And although our prayer is that they will have no memory of their life before, I'm sure if they did they would tell their parents how happy they were that they fought for the good and brought them home.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcu3BShNLwf4ggJ8ZKL1QoiqIRXSbdqiJqLyezyFS5st2TWV8A4t1iWUWz9h3OWkzQms6Ge7Ep7qOkmqDThMCUBi2RuUgQ1XU6EflmD2CZGPPmA3aAUwrCSmSMwQGI58C0hH6DXtrqqG4/s1600/1-641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcu3BShNLwf4ggJ8ZKL1QoiqIRXSbdqiJqLyezyFS5st2TWV8A4t1iWUWz9h3OWkzQms6Ge7Ep7qOkmqDThMCUBi2RuUgQ1XU6EflmD2CZGPPmA3aAUwrCSmSMwQGI58C0hH6DXtrqqG4/s640/1-641.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I bought this necklace the other day...something I rarely do. Buy myself jewelry, I mean. But there's a little something I've been praying for and I know it's going to take a miracle to make it happen. Thankfully I know a God who is really into miracles, so I'm trusting in His timing, believing that if His will is to answer a yes, He will. And if not it will be because He has something better. Hopefully one day soon I'll get to share that prayer with you. We will see. But I had another reason for buying this necklace....I need the reminder. I need to wear it close to my heart, because I'm having a lot of trouble remembering right now that miracles do happen. That there is good. Even though I know better....that if you're paying attention you will see it everywhere.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YCZ2rQ7P3ucGkRHzN2u1uTfBFNhvP-_A-axGxLLWZ1sNPAOQhvv6V7z5CXVfIwPEGAM31pjkkjdjQn4o6Qqh4x1Y5iTxMMZrOt6RN8UG0ScNntCNUwPoXjpcRP719SUx-sRtIB7R8NR/s1600/130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YCZ2rQ7P3ucGkRHzN2u1uTfBFNhvP-_A-axGxLLWZ1sNPAOQhvv6V7z5CXVfIwPEGAM31pjkkjdjQn4o6Qqh4x1Y5iTxMMZrOt6RN8UG0ScNntCNUwPoXjpcRP719SUx-sRtIB7R8NR/s640/130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There's these 3 boys that Brian and I had the awesome privilege of bringing into this world. That God saw fit to trust to us. It's scary raising children today. There are so many things I want to protect them from. You can refer back to all my previous posts about scooping them up and going to live on a farm or in the mountains somewhere, far away from everything...lol. But I can't keep them in my bubble. It's not what we were put on this earth for. And the thing I've been kicking around in my head these past couple of weeks is quite easy, really. It's simply this:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's up to us to be the good.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwX0MtlPKzonvrsjX1OhtYfDahblE35AvjlcW3FHx6hnaqoAwL1Hw_DGqR9NEOD-QJ_aDC0rQBo1liAQOybfDSspHJwgpjITU0iWEGAMEwNbIpsl6QfA0UQS_I9PZla8J3flpg4Syil1Z/s1600/070+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwX0MtlPKzonvrsjX1OhtYfDahblE35AvjlcW3FHx6hnaqoAwL1Hw_DGqR9NEOD-QJ_aDC0rQBo1liAQOybfDSspHJwgpjITU0iWEGAMEwNbIpsl6QfA0UQS_I9PZla8J3flpg4Syil1Z/s640/070+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Living with 3 little boys and their Daddy</span>...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">well, there's lot of talk of super heroes, the bad guys, the good guys. In our house the good guys always win. Always.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And in my (somewhat delusional;) world where everything is rainbows and puppies, sunshine and butterflies, everything is happy. Happy is the norm. Usually. Even when it's not easily seen, you can find it somewhere. You just have to look. And I know that happy isn't really the norm all the time. You have to chose the happy. It doesn't always come easily. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmyqdE_bnhTRiGEmZwpdyd3zyjVKWdvE9qflcQAjNraT9UiMkEyZGYS4bphit4ULLMctVv2j35SJuoeNhtLpyg_B_Vmawy2XG-Ibgd5aUk2s9Q8eTDUnzH_qCIer5NPIWDFq_MBcabcxX/s1600/132+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmyqdE_bnhTRiGEmZwpdyd3zyjVKWdvE9qflcQAjNraT9UiMkEyZGYS4bphit4ULLMctVv2j35SJuoeNhtLpyg_B_Vmawy2XG-Ibgd5aUk2s9Q8eTDUnzH_qCIer5NPIWDFq_MBcabcxX/s640/132+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was mulling all of this over during church today, listening to a great message very relevant to this very topic, and God brought this verse to mind: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"<i>Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Therefore we do not lose heart. Even when it seems impossible not to. We are to stay focused on the end....on what's ahead. And even now when our troubles seem like anything BUT light and momentary, the hope is that someday when life in this world is over, when we get to meet our Savior face to face....well, none of that will matter anymore. And it really will be rainbows and puppies. Forever and ever. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOwgyIjJmFndrFWfNM4WK3oMdTCRQz_VOmAo26zWkhrpaYcD9aZeRLxqByv2Yf7dqqok7mYzxs5dmE6iKvTcllcqT8624wdgiHwXYd3pslMpgRhL9dDzB_1r4JfumIr1Iv5G8NJ1HTxgH/s1600/141+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOwgyIjJmFndrFWfNM4WK3oMdTCRQz_VOmAo26zWkhrpaYcD9aZeRLxqByv2Yf7dqqok7mYzxs5dmE6iKvTcllcqT8624wdgiHwXYd3pslMpgRhL9dDzB_1r4JfumIr1Iv5G8NJ1HTxgH/s640/141+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But in the meantime? In the meantime I'm not letting the bad guys win. I'm going to fight for what is good. For what is right. I'm going to work hard to be a light in what can be a really dark place. To show kindness. To smile. To be on the lookout for the needs around me and to be brave enough to help where and when I can. To keep going about what God has called me to be here for, and to teach our boys to do the same. Even if we're scared. And tired. And it seems too hard. Because it will seem too hard sometimes. But it will be so worth it. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It will.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I promise.</span> :) </div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you WILL have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33</span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-79681014175392813892012-12-08T17:20:00.002-05:002012-12-08T17:25:00.562-05:00Over 3 months later....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-JlH9_emwkzUVO-4vcLRTUbZTirH7WD0owk_Pxzz5lOVCU4zwqdFZQj4uWXwL2bGQNjiLEVVNX-sVJRLj3cUxRR4ooir2NYCk3EKsgVR81r5Kn9QoB46thJMevsliiD2uRzJuuiUpk4/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-JlH9_emwkzUVO-4vcLRTUbZTirH7WD0owk_Pxzz5lOVCU4zwqdFZQj4uWXwL2bGQNjiLEVVNX-sVJRLj3cUxRR4ooir2NYCk3EKsgVR81r5Kn9QoB46thJMevsliiD2uRzJuuiUpk4/s640/062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi. If there was a reward for worst blogger ever, I'm quite sure I'd be a frontrunner. I like to win and all, but I'm not going to let that keep me away...at least for now. I was thinking about what I should write about, because it's been so long and surely there is something interesting to talk about, or some kind of revelation or something....but nope. Nothing. We've been our usual busy selves, which is good, I suppose...but what I've longed for these past several weeks is for things to slow down and become boring. And I guess if I really look at things I realize that what I've tried to change about myself~ to be more present, an active participant in life. Off of my phone, the computer, the tablet, etc. etc. I know they are fun and convenient, but sometimes I want to chuck mine into the lake. I won't....but I kinda want to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But anyway.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpsk1S33Bs8QFSGgvCn2CPMAHyIKxQe4hEnUB9AffJnSAQ2zdkjm9Rcy8qA5n5tQ2_kwDQA6ch_q8nE5JGZwXuD_8nE5Csw-z_HVGtwPfRRhzwKNv31qI9CPPz482r9i2TZYSBT4P0Tk/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpsk1S33Bs8QFSGgvCn2CPMAHyIKxQe4hEnUB9AffJnSAQ2zdkjm9Rcy8qA5n5tQ2_kwDQA6ch_q8nE5JGZwXuD_8nE5Csw-z_HVGtwPfRRhzwKNv31qI9CPPz482r9i2TZYSBT4P0Tk/s640/IMG_1024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fall brought with it a fall baseball season for these two....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s640/289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">....which included first-time pitching for this one.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He comes from a long line of baseball players on all sides of his family (my dad, B's dad, my grandpa, cousins, etc), and I've watched a lot of baseball. Watching your son pitch, however, is hard. Like, make-you-wanna-throw-up hard. He liked it ok, and for his first time did awesome. He plans for now to work at it, but is (thankfully) more comfortable at, and has more fun playing short stop. Whew. ;) We'll see.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bKwv15m1C7r98S3L6uSr2QtJ60bG-CP-9Re_YtA42nsnGu4AATdk8IuCq2ixGYKeuN_MfzBLFQcHvjm_-l7zWAD7qUPF9OVKZDu4dJGUyjaWCn5LdM7cPqBmUVO9tEgFRpahl-37b3I/s1600/320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bKwv15m1C7r98S3L6uSr2QtJ60bG-CP-9Re_YtA42nsnGu4AATdk8IuCq2ixGYKeuN_MfzBLFQcHvjm_-l7zWAD7qUPF9OVKZDu4dJGUyjaWCn5LdM7cPqBmUVO9tEgFRpahl-37b3I/s640/320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one finally got his two front teeth....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItIABpuA6jXepJ7ovd3_6BMNVUDO3INTqgMKanW-Sc_gQl8_ck7XSl673eCZid1tylMWKuKqjL5WYJbnvm2QX1NZBD7G1lpqKwv8sjNs2sgtWx6Ybcr8n1Tiy7tbkSCu3cAsPArNcgpk/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M1YWzK3s00JtpVz4isE1RLgrEJz2Hm7LhXs4RJezWBgiOtTLi-0AOZ-LQ6-8wPc6XEuIH-tQ88qGYAK_-R1Uuh-lYO8AZh_AuTVbHhBCn7M6L4PfFUo93KmJDCwvApjyn_0LrqX0UgM/s1600/283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M1YWzK3s00JtpVz4isE1RLgrEJz2Hm7LhXs4RJezWBgiOtTLi-0AOZ-LQ6-8wPc6XEuIH-tQ88qGYAK_-R1Uuh-lYO8AZh_AuTVbHhBCn7M6L4PfFUo93KmJDCwvApjyn_0LrqX0UgM/s640/283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....and added two of these firebelly toads to his critter collection. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're names are Burnie and Bob, and are most definitely the easiest pets we've ever had to care for.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO4cBPkNpzQheglGEijAr-XCv9ixDNDpiN8xe3e3XbmccL48gxfN58l1UkmvP-Fx4PWdkj2GsHTTEP0-SDJAZpm84ws7EkjINolleBGNvhPSdGpsNf7ejylnhMrdK-RY7ALsf9jTHwX_I/s1600/237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO4cBPkNpzQheglGEijAr-XCv9ixDNDpiN8xe3e3XbmccL48gxfN58l1UkmvP-Fx4PWdkj2GsHTTEP0-SDJAZpm84ws7EkjINolleBGNvhPSdGpsNf7ejylnhMrdK-RY7ALsf9jTHwX_I/s640/237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He also earned his orange belt in karate. All 4 of us were there to cheer him on, and he rocked it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBFf_Mb1pO3hKzUajnmWZUO6v4yLhTueI3TKw7VTEIogWppMxBZ5INXUUGeArVBdF9irLaqCDas_GlzrbRSvI62YkVIeExVl3Vj0LL8BYFysMOLef4VKNKy76_UFCAFtJjgON04FvwRo/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBFf_Mb1pO3hKzUajnmWZUO6v4yLhTueI3TKw7VTEIogWppMxBZ5INXUUGeArVBdF9irLaqCDas_GlzrbRSvI62YkVIeExVl3Vj0LL8BYFysMOLef4VKNKy76_UFCAFtJjgON04FvwRo/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hunter Bug was awarded "Student of the Month" for the month of September. Quite a big feat for the first month of kindergarten, and we are super proud! We are THRILLED with his teachers this year~ they are the perfect team and we love them both. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In related news, he and I are both adjusting to school just fine. Him better than me. It's still weird, but we're good</span>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN_F4eOFD0qqxKUlJXZ7jAMvBUCTzT2-L1SuREM0Ef1c24z1Kf1X0R56pryN6AkCGHEXkHWqB1g3lsxhBCEntgayADo04x4nR5RyElA9Dq1XkkCl-uCc2kJMJou328hlnfMiAUgW6PTg/s1600/318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN_F4eOFD0qqxKUlJXZ7jAMvBUCTzT2-L1SuREM0Ef1c24z1Kf1X0R56pryN6AkCGHEXkHWqB1g3lsxhBCEntgayADo04x4nR5RyElA9Dq1XkkCl-uCc2kJMJou328hlnfMiAUgW6PTg/s1600/318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN_F4eOFD0qqxKUlJXZ7jAMvBUCTzT2-L1SuREM0Ef1c24z1Kf1X0R56pryN6AkCGHEXkHWqB1g3lsxhBCEntgayADo04x4nR5RyElA9Dq1XkkCl-uCc2kJMJou328hlnfMiAUgW6PTg/s640/318.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fall is my favorite season, and when I saw these boots they seem to scream fall. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love them so.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3Zz2leMIRy04rl1S-JfGiJz_jhy_FtETJGAUQ9OWmOBtG2pdwPv1z1wuc78NaSUeWrgDi3xrcgzlU0BMw6Ttzl-MS_8STqPZq12sD3qR_0oKQUux9uRop8gbmZtYh2PHyX-w_BjfkY4/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3Zz2leMIRy04rl1S-JfGiJz_jhy_FtETJGAUQ9OWmOBtG2pdwPv1z1wuc78NaSUeWrgDi3xrcgzlU0BMw6Ttzl-MS_8STqPZq12sD3qR_0oKQUux9uRop8gbmZtYh2PHyX-w_BjfkY4/s640/023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mimi came for a visit in October, and we took her with us to a pumpkin farm and had so much fun!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc31QuySY8y2FSs8E1G6YKgJJujS7n8GS5uMemHypzZw4g_ZUfbuTuJqaHs1Un0uVNigv1lm0QPPL-PUNNbtvBUCco2Z-wffwd61WOU_NIPZgoPdrzTPdorFgHxKSDmZFVYpZuGIVReXU/s1600/295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc31QuySY8y2FSs8E1G6YKgJJujS7n8GS5uMemHypzZw4g_ZUfbuTuJqaHs1Un0uVNigv1lm0QPPL-PUNNbtvBUCco2Z-wffwd61WOU_NIPZgoPdrzTPdorFgHxKSDmZFVYpZuGIVReXU/s640/295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I officially launched my decorating business, called The Turquoise Giraffe.<br />I LOVE doing what I do. Check out the website <a href="http://www.theturquoisegiraffe.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX1_NZE5G98TW8VWx8E_XD9oRP5hFoDQ40rFZba7yhNguhbymLVF0h2CUOOJNTuI41dZFZqE_Ui8CTFSvVTeqOkO3Xx7Sy0JdWcXzd4Q0ZyDRHz9DCUljZaxsVPMfoadC0jA_3k6wHJRb/s1600/211+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX1_NZE5G98TW8VWx8E_XD9oRP5hFoDQ40rFZba7yhNguhbymLVF0h2CUOOJNTuI41dZFZqE_Ui8CTFSvVTeqOkO3Xx7Sy0JdWcXzd4Q0ZyDRHz9DCUljZaxsVPMfoadC0jA_3k6wHJRb/s640/211+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is a pic from my latest decorating job....it was really fun!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUh0JHRdpSjkKM-xIIizBSkNfA7u43_J9KymmzuFSgI4dmXwYRoI12mYsqGEqeg-mgVy2hmofUcsDxe3C4UGJ3HhU3M8jkq5CdpLl-J8mNV0frB2vpJgav9oJAw1ykFNQOVB7dW2ZwzYn/s1600/180+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUh0JHRdpSjkKM-xIIizBSkNfA7u43_J9KymmzuFSgI4dmXwYRoI12mYsqGEqeg-mgVy2hmofUcsDxe3C4UGJ3HhU3M8jkq5CdpLl-J8mNV0frB2vpJgav9oJAw1ykFNQOVB7dW2ZwzYn/s640/180+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made time to finish up this one area of our bedroom, and am loving that it's done!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY04yCcwxYwzUiUKKx9xxRy_7EmygbcMFys5tSf9c9LamkZRBDuCarO5iDpOuChLlGGivFW4Rf13L-2gDFpmT6ETBExLekEqI7OCl0dqM-_GgguJH9RS-qB2TQbyVCmtuObcfyGIUdzRM/s1600/331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY04yCcwxYwzUiUKKx9xxRy_7EmygbcMFys5tSf9c9LamkZRBDuCarO5iDpOuChLlGGivFW4Rf13L-2gDFpmT6ETBExLekEqI7OCl0dqM-_GgguJH9RS-qB2TQbyVCmtuObcfyGIUdzRM/s400/331.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This sums everything up for me. Truly. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ok, not really...but it is comforting to know when I feel like I've lost my mind there are others right there with me. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOTYfWvAwavaHD1MHhIXnVRN2EybWtT0oIMbupbcYeFJfcLfVKBZjEU2Whz6Xv8PXKdJTLps8GozEZVLoH5FR3YYursK_VK4-mgDlKpfYyupUkj3KmB_qKA9t0D9ZZels_wK-hVyxrjE/s1600/329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOTYfWvAwavaHD1MHhIXnVRN2EybWtT0oIMbupbcYeFJfcLfVKBZjEU2Whz6Xv8PXKdJTLps8GozEZVLoH5FR3YYursK_VK4-mgDlKpfYyupUkj3KmB_qKA9t0D9ZZels_wK-hVyxrjE/s640/329.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dr. Stanley celebrated his 80th birthday, and the boys dressed in their Sunday best (with a Hatcher-funky spin) in honor of his big day. One of his favorite things to say is "Look your best, do your best, be your best," and we wanted him to know we feel the same way, and we celebrate him.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJe9DmuVawy7CoVB2kpDfbRyxAxjPYoRsUWA54IojmxOtA9GiIGpf-pG-0eLZvv-5W89qJxgEr35ffpMbsUPViBjR4xx1h_KEMeIjW5N3WGM8s54y89MCdpGGU78MDQFWKVERq09jAd9C/s1600/155+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJe9DmuVawy7CoVB2kpDfbRyxAxjPYoRsUWA54IojmxOtA9GiIGpf-pG-0eLZvv-5W89qJxgEr35ffpMbsUPViBjR4xx1h_KEMeIjW5N3WGM8s54y89MCdpGGU78MDQFWKVERq09jAd9C/s640/155+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The littles' school had Grandparents Day last month and my Dad pulled off a big surprise for all 3 of the boys. He showed up at school and Hudson and Hunter were completely surprised...it was priceless. And surprising Harrison that afternoon was hilarious. I love that our family is able to visit like this. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pHZ8N-ABqwoHHqv-vbP2VXzA1unxskjZuxD3Y8bXhWAsP_BEKm_p72cwgaM8NIuyApGQjIIq7qdZyAem7SDCGbLNPeV9Ezoha_-WhmUNYNuelAysfgNOaNbv46kYGXbqRmIvvDc5esHy/s1600/163+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pHZ8N-ABqwoHHqv-vbP2VXzA1unxskjZuxD3Y8bXhWAsP_BEKm_p72cwgaM8NIuyApGQjIIq7qdZyAem7SDCGbLNPeV9Ezoha_-WhmUNYNuelAysfgNOaNbv46kYGXbqRmIvvDc5esHy/s640/163+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Harrison fell at church and cut his eyebrow open, requiring 3 stitches. This was his 3rd (yes, 3rd) ER visit in the 2.5 years that we've lived here. Wowzers. He's fine...in fact, you'd never know he even cut it. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCwzM51Oq8r1AT5OLtcIfn8P28kmyLHRCsL70KJ-Un6OcqA93CQ68RW6fWtVpOjw39vJ6240TG6N_ALCziq6H4v8TgyKosgmYSametPMLtMTDiFlTdGaSmGydLxeklhbHJYrLFe5yDJlV/s1600/220+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCwzM51Oq8r1AT5OLtcIfn8P28kmyLHRCsL70KJ-Un6OcqA93CQ68RW6fWtVpOjw39vJ6240TG6N_ALCziq6H4v8TgyKosgmYSametPMLtMTDiFlTdGaSmGydLxeklhbHJYrLFe5yDJlV/s1600/220+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCwzM51Oq8r1AT5OLtcIfn8P28kmyLHRCsL70KJ-Un6OcqA93CQ68RW6fWtVpOjw39vJ6240TG6N_ALCziq6H4v8TgyKosgmYSametPMLtMTDiFlTdGaSmGydLxeklhbHJYrLFe5yDJlV/s640/220+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last Sunday he dressed like a toy soldier and sang with his praise team at church. Darling. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQmAN2Pgpz5XhVrZeHOAOVanQOAz-N4CHVHKgj0k-IQ2vFbx93OD9kvhpmf2wWvnLxLTNCxR16NWNeE-tdy2yCOr_83Ft-z5ZMnxq7RiaAgSbHIixsFvP-cZsdBgYQb3yRyD-vkdDIrIZ/s1600/215+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQmAN2Pgpz5XhVrZeHOAOVanQOAz-N4CHVHKgj0k-IQ2vFbx93OD9kvhpmf2wWvnLxLTNCxR16NWNeE-tdy2yCOr_83Ft-z5ZMnxq7RiaAgSbHIixsFvP-cZsdBgYQb3yRyD-vkdDIrIZ/s640/215+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And speaking of dressing up, B and I were elves last weekend for a Sunday School department party. The things I do....lol. We had a great time with a great group of people.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14su_0GfdzrwrcyrQQ8MgZgcV-97cl889AMAD_ji5UKXjUFoNAbeYmU7zJcdoYgQ-oFDA5B4QSXe7g-oFvFzUeUk6fGwDHrxBlcl9xntO9vUGAbXqku5L5SN8wx0lcgGAjPanU4GU8wcY/s1600/193+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14su_0GfdzrwrcyrQQ8MgZgcV-97cl889AMAD_ji5UKXjUFoNAbeYmU7zJcdoYgQ-oFDA5B4QSXe7g-oFvFzUeUk6fGwDHrxBlcl9xntO9vUGAbXqku5L5SN8wx0lcgGAjPanU4GU8wcY/s640/193+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After Thanksgiving we had our first official real-Christmas-tree-finding-and-dinner-out-night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />It was FREEZING that night and I was so cold I forgot to take pictures while we were choosing the tree. Oops. :/</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSIFBPf2b-TaXrnTVXSlvSe3uX4Cp_OzTUaa5aph8ULiT_RbHhuGyi-RopYzmr56Lcz5ji6WRIOR0oxwLp9oa-v7mWs3S8ZujooiD9DAvlB_uyj6XSiqEuxY5eZCACXyWlc5OfLkpzCGo/s1600/213+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSIFBPf2b-TaXrnTVXSlvSe3uX4Cp_OzTUaa5aph8ULiT_RbHhuGyi-RopYzmr56Lcz5ji6WRIOR0oxwLp9oa-v7mWs3S8ZujooiD9DAvlB_uyj6XSiqEuxY5eZCACXyWlc5OfLkpzCGo/s640/213+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Eli the Elf made his Christmas 2012 debut last weekend, and brought breakfast! The boys loved it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdKObrhLyAgNC-HKT9-Xob3ZsKxA960kUIo6UErgjT6GvDcmwLQpsVxf3nc5Qnm-nm25Y8RtZ66sqDKXyC2tlC6U2IPvm-sRBz8wHlo0RiT4dxB25sKXZVMk1Smi61cTmqJMR2w61C65y/s1600/249+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdKObrhLyAgNC-HKT9-Xob3ZsKxA960kUIo6UErgjT6GvDcmwLQpsVxf3nc5Qnm-nm25Y8RtZ66sqDKXyC2tlC6U2IPvm-sRBz8wHlo0RiT4dxB25sKXZVMk1Smi61cTmqJMR2w61C65y/s320/249+%25282%2529.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX1_NZE5G98TW8VWx8E_XD9oRP5hFoDQ40rFZba7yhNguhbymLVF0h2CUOOJNTuI41dZFZqE_Ui8CTFSvVTeqOkO3Xx7Sy0JdWcXzd4Q0ZyDRHz9DCUljZaxsVPMfoadC0jA_3k6wHJRb/s1600/211+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Things are good. I'm still thinking hard about writing a book. I have a title and the first few pages written, and am hoping to work on it more over the Christmas break. Enjoy this month with your family, and take the time to create some Christmas magic for your family. Soak up the time with family and friends. Make memories. Have some hot chocolate. Look at Christmas lights. Watch your favorite Christmas movies. Cozy up by the fire. And most important, take time to thank the One that we are celebrating this month. Lots of love from our family to yours. :)</span></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-21217425835629233342012-09-11T13:19:00.002-04:002012-09-11T17:26:04.382-04:00Popping the Bubble<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
It's been a strange couple of weeks around here. I blinked and summer was over (which I say every year....I know) and before I knew it, the boys were starting school. This year, however, was different. This year, for the first time in 11+ years, all 3 boys are in school all day. Five days a week. There was a time when I dreamed about this day. That dream usually came after a day of cleaning up more messes than I could count, consoling a crying baby, potty-training a toddler (which we all know is my least favorite mom job ever), cleaning the house, feeding everybody, yada yada. All at the same time. All on very little sleep. Yes....at one time I dreamed about a quiet house, a clean house, with all kinds of time to do what I needed to do and still have time for what I wanted to do. </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Then that dream became a reality.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I'm fully rested, my house is clean, and eerily quiet.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I still don't know exactly how I feel about it, but mostly?</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I'm not a fan. I miss my kids. I'm struggling to find my purpose.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Or rather, to make adjustments to my purpose.<br />
<br />
I not only love my kids like crazy, but I really <i>like</i> them too.<br />
I love hanging out with them. They're fun, and funny, creative....what can I say?<br />
They're pretty cool. ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
While I have to admit that it's been nice having a little time to myself, there's a big part of me that wishes it wasn't 5 days a week. More like 2-3 would be perfect. But I know it won't do them any good to keep them with me constantly, and I know that my job as mom is to teach them in the way they should GO, not the way they should STAY. To encourage them to make good friends, to find what they love and go after it, to test the waters of life while they're still under our roof. And school is a great way to help teach them what that is all about....at least, in my opinion.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGBE8BDnx3MCAluQzjbvBl935S3KdQV1dTsjS8GKWNUxV_iKLlH6veQTR50UIjFOMseC3-geTkWOFCFCGbknSQAv06PQ_uGt7fy0RRDAaCxPGmpOFxIS7IG8nl7x3YzPMS-OJStbkCs/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGBE8BDnx3MCAluQzjbvBl935S3KdQV1dTsjS8GKWNUxV_iKLlH6veQTR50UIjFOMseC3-geTkWOFCFCGbknSQAv06PQ_uGt7fy0RRDAaCxPGmpOFxIS7IG8nl7x3YzPMS-OJStbkCs/s640/IMG_1693.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I've blogged a little about Harrison starting middle school last month, and how it was a big decision for us to have him transition to the public school in our neighborhood. It really wasn't as difficult of a decision for me as I thought it would be. For one, we live near excellent schools. The school the little ones go to now (where Harrison did go) is incredible as well. We've gotten attached to the people there. I'm friends with a few of the teachers. They are receiving an incredible education there, with smaller classroom sizes, and start each day in praise and worship. It makes it much easier to drop them off each day. That place is home for us, so in that respect it was hard to take Harrison out and move him. BUT.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Yes, there's always a but, isn't there?</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Yes, there were reasons behind this move. For him, it was about not wanting to be the new kid in high school. We completely understood and respected that. For us, it was about watching him handle real world stuff while he is still under our roof. And beyond that, it's about giving him opportunities to make a difference where he is, because let's face it, when you're a pastor's kid and go to a Christian school, there's not a whole lot of opportunity for that. Those are both good things...very good. :) It's just something I have been feeling so conflicted about lately. The "not having opportunity or people to share Jesus with" thing, to clarify. There's a reason we're here, and I can guarantee it's not to make life all comfy and cozy with our blinders securely in place. Nope...there's way more to it.<br />
<br />
So yes....if it was up to me I would keep the 5 of us in my happy little safe bubble. But it's not up to me, and my bubble isn't doing these boys any good. Or their mama and daddy. So I had to pop it. And that stunk. It hurt. It's hard, and I'm constantly having to fight the urge to blow it back up and tuck us all safely back inside.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What I'm having to trust is that they are safer in God's hands than they ever will be with me. That shouldn't be hard to accept, but sometimes it is.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bJdke0YOqfp8uVZa24cwtZRXS2hxIVtdXRsu4evLvROal_YXZdosYuAUxHXT_FncHHFMvpa6OejeHSFGpuq4cMC_H5h2IlNuuMvbQ1LfQj1pYtZLxCPWfb_S77cGEjnJowdKilUis-Q/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bJdke0YOqfp8uVZa24cwtZRXS2hxIVtdXRsu4evLvROal_YXZdosYuAUxHXT_FncHHFMvpa6OejeHSFGpuq4cMC_H5h2IlNuuMvbQ1LfQj1pYtZLxCPWfb_S77cGEjnJowdKilUis-Q/s640/IMG_1700.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I'm reminding myself that the magic I tried to create for them as they spent their days home with me, the safe, secure happiness they have come to know as home...well, it's still here. But now they take a piece of that with them, and hopefully, if I've done my job right, they're creating their own happiness wherever they go. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnErru3GeLOZEZDLlCniS0j5kJog9D_fm8QrtgKOiUHUjm_MXvfJZ5SddN6e20zNF0phhbL1HstN-gpfaIiHJWhJMto_UotryzheTVh4IEdqb2vwMxrFn-8EzeaqoHP5aSTpA_lUKqCXc/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnErru3GeLOZEZDLlCniS0j5kJog9D_fm8QrtgKOiUHUjm_MXvfJZ5SddN6e20zNF0phhbL1HstN-gpfaIiHJWhJMto_UotryzheTVh4IEdqb2vwMxrFn-8EzeaqoHP5aSTpA_lUKqCXc/s640/IMG_1704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Kindergarten drop off was tough this time around around. With Harrison it was rough because he was my first and I was pregnant with Hunter and swimming in ridiculous amounts of extra hormones. With Hud we were facing the real possibility of moving to GA and I was distracted (or more appropriately, consumed) with those thoughts. It was still sad, but made easier with the knowledge that I still had one more at home with me. So flash forward to now and my baby is in the middle of his 5th week of school already.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeYHN8oxZvGzHeAWkpQ5Txs-bkb-bMWZjk1hEotXgTmbRWHveKsp3yriEgJDhIv4KZosEBEhpAh_xWht68nD00GXj_jZRlYfZRHGKkhcvjyM7a8OOtiOYWMqbONgDZJjsOovKUNX56KU/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeYHN8oxZvGzHeAWkpQ5Txs-bkb-bMWZjk1hEotXgTmbRWHveKsp3yriEgJDhIv4KZosEBEhpAh_xWht68nD00GXj_jZRlYfZRHGKkhcvjyM7a8OOtiOYWMqbONgDZJjsOovKUNX56KU/s640/IMG_1710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
As you can see here, he is loving it. Thriving, already learning to read, talking about his new friends, loving on all the people he knows from being up there so much with me....it's been a fairly easy transition for him. A little crankiness (it's HARD being a kindergartner~ those days are long) and he's more emotional than normal, but it will pass, just as it did with his brothers. His teachers are perfect for him, and that makes leaving him there each day much easier. We're going to be okay.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The first day of school this year was honestly.....a blur. I hardly remember any of it. I got very few pictures. I was so completely preoccupied by the fact that B was in Honduras for the week that I didn't stop and embrace this moment the way I always thought I would. If I'm being honest, which, let's face it...this blog is useless without honesty, B's mission trip to Honduras brought with it a paralyzing fear for me that completely blindsided me. I mean yes....I knew I'd be uneasy about him being out of the country, in a somewhat dangerous city, without the ability to call him or to trust that he'd be able to get in touch with me when necessary. I knew it'd be hard. I spent the first couple days worried, but ok. I had heard from him, knew he'd arrived safely, and had assurance from him that he would call me again before heading out to the mountains the next day. But that call that night didn't come. While B had warned me that that could happen...that the cell signal was very weak, but not to worry if he didn't hear from me, I didn't really believe that would happen. In our 17 years of being together, not one day had gone by that I hadn't at least talked to him on the phone. Not one. So when the first day went by without any word, and then the second....well, you can assume that I was a mess, and you'd be right. One hot mess. ;) I had quickly slipped into worst-case scenario mode, and was sure something terrible had happened to him. Never had I been so thankful for the help that my parents were those first several days, driving out to help me with the boys, and during those couple of days a much-needed encouragement and distraction...keeping me busy, and laughing, and trusting that everything was okay. That Brian was okay. That he would be home soon, and life as I knew it would be back in order. Yes, I am incredibly blessed. :)</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
And then my person called. I've talked about her here lots. Her name is Tomi, and we've been friends since we were 11. A LOT has happened in those 24 years...the good, the bad, the ugly...and all of it has worked to together to make us one amazing, dysfunctional, fantastic duo. Or as we like to call ourselves, two sometimes dark and twisty rockstar superheroes, no sidekick. ;) Being apart these past 2 years STINKS. I don't like it at all. But amazingly, the distance has made us even better. I don't know how....I don't understand it, and I want so much to be able to do life with her everyday again. And I hoping that maybe someday we will....and believing that. But in the meantime, we're rock solid and I'm so very grateful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqzbESgYSqKQbZFpoWs3EISy0aFC07CH3SA8TevICQVDzYSKkbcHOQri1Mr5tv9SJkOYv66jOUFrvia1DJS3J8ZVXWmr0k86IWGzu0TcROi8Ekmz1_zHkMUYat2ZpAbG1cuEW-lGcLic/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqzbESgYSqKQbZFpoWs3EISy0aFC07CH3SA8TevICQVDzYSKkbcHOQri1Mr5tv9SJkOYv66jOUFrvia1DJS3J8ZVXWmr0k86IWGzu0TcROi8Ekmz1_zHkMUYat2ZpAbG1cuEW-lGcLic/s640/IMG_0646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She called me to see how I was doing, and I had a complete come apart. It was ugly. I told her that I was scared. That I had a terrible feeling that something horrible had happened to Brian, and if that was true that I wasn't sure how in the world I would go on without him. That I had always felt that no matter what else happened that as long as I had him walking beside me we could handle whatever came our way. Together. And she took a deep breath, and paused, and then shared this wisdom with me: "my friend...I know this is hard and scary, but if there's anything God has taught me during my journey with him, when I was alone raising Garrett, when I thought none of my dreams were going to be reality, it was that as long as I had <i>Jesus</i> walking beside me that I could handle whatever came my way."</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ouch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How much truth there was in those words. How much I needed to hear it...and how very much I still had to learn.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We hung up the phone</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and I went into my closet, closed the door, and got down on my face before the Lord. And I prayed for a very long time, and asked Him to forgive me for not trusting Him with EVERY part of me. For putting my trust in my relationship with B and not in my relationship with Him. I asked Him to protect Brian, to bring him home safely, and to let this experience leave me changed...changed to where I'm relying on Him to get me through and nothing else. There is nothing better than time spent alone with my Savior....I left that closet renewed, hopeful, trusting. I soaked up the time left with my mom and dad, even more thankful for the sacrifices they made to be here with the boys and me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The next day <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was getting my nails done, and my cell phone rang, showing an unknown number. I answered it and heard that deep, wonderful voice that I had missed so much the past few days. I was so caught up with relief, and love, and thankfulness that I almost couldn't respond to him, but finally did. And we laughed, and he assured me that all was well, that they were returning to the main city a day early because of rain that would have prevented them from getting out of the mountains if they had waited. I silently thanked God for protecting him as we talked, and hung up the phone considerably more relaxed than when I had answered it.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A couple days later the boys and I drove to church to pick him up. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXE_n3xOby3S5AS1Fe6ES4z8E7N7-FX4hiSCzBHj_E9voWy7WfFaQnR2sHAQOueEMrJpMd5K__va6iF1Ho0al9V41MkYqigS3tzuINAFXdHCzAHrCVa2z4uBfKF1_ot8yVnQZKUmjiyM/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXE_n3xOby3S5AS1Fe6ES4z8E7N7-FX4hiSCzBHj_E9voWy7WfFaQnR2sHAQOueEMrJpMd5K__va6iF1Ho0al9V41MkYqigS3tzuINAFXdHCzAHrCVa2z4uBfKF1_ot8yVnQZKUmjiyM/s640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We were so very happy to have him back home with us, and wanted to make sure he knew how much he was missed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAREU3bXV6zapSZIbJDKVH0o1xc6qjuyLGQ1Z8yhGB2uh4L6vBkIR4ubvwMYLBuci77ySjaSfQSyaZTfLpaCUnQtXi2hNbWs1aLuCBNDEkF12dbbMODlUIUnW_bMUeusCGEqkUkOyac8/s1600/IMG_1715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAREU3bXV6zapSZIbJDKVH0o1xc6qjuyLGQ1Z8yhGB2uh4L6vBkIR4ubvwMYLBuci77ySjaSfQSyaZTfLpaCUnQtXi2hNbWs1aLuCBNDEkF12dbbMODlUIUnW_bMUeusCGEqkUkOyac8/s640/IMG_1715.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Never had I been happier to see this face...to see these four posing just like this. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So yes, God was faithful to return him to us. But I had a new understanding that if things had gone differently He STILL would have been faithful to take care of us. That if the worst happened, that it would be horrible....my nightmare come true....but He would be with me all the way.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> No, of course this is not something I ever want to dwell on, and it's something I'm going to have to fight against again I'm sure, because I'm human and it's inevitable....but I'm thankful knowing that I am never alone. That His plan is indeed perfect. That this world is not our home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Boys in school, husband traveling the world for Jesus. Me trying to keep it together for all of them at home. Bubble popped. What should by the world's standards leave me feeling vulnerable and unsure is instead leaving me feeling at peace, resting in the fact that He always goes before us. He is showing us how to be light in an otherwise dark world. And through Him we are making a difference to others...loving on them, encouraging them, praying for them. Bubble popped, eyes opened...here we go. :)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-25266915120257275472012-08-02T00:50:00.004-04:002012-08-02T09:43:20.604-04:00Beating a Dead Chicken<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I almost did it. I almost got through today without a public comment on the great Chickfila scandal of 2012. (Oh,how I wish there was a sarcasm font...can someone please get on that? Thank you.;) Way more thoughts than I can rightfully process have crossed through this head today (along with so many more unrelated thoughts than I can count). Most of them not in anyway related to CFA at all, because there's more to life than chicken, right?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although this little girl would probably disagree....lol...wow...can you tell I'm exhausted? That could prove badly for this post...let's see how it goes...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://www.choicematters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tumblr_ku48goxoYS1qatg16o1_4001.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="370" /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But yes, August 1, 2012 will go down in history as the first ever (at least, I think so) "I Support Chickfila Day," and although I haven't seen any reports of today's profits yet, I have a feeling based on the number of packed-out-restaurant photos posted on FB alone today that CFA had one of the best sales days in the history of the company. Quite possibly in the history of all fast-food chains....but that's just a guess. NO facts here, so please don't quote me. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Did I go? Yes, I did....twice. ;) We really love that place. But before you jump to your own conclusions as to why I went, please give me a chance to tell you. I can tell you it wasn't to send a message to the people who disagree with Dan Cathy's convictions (even though I do agree with him), and it wasn't so much about helping them defend their freedom of speech rights as Americans. Trust me...they didn't need my help. Or anyone else's. They have held their own just fine. Do you want to know why I went? Here you go:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The CEO of CFA, Dan Cathy, answered a question he was asked about his personal beliefs about homosexuality. He wasn't disrespectful in his answer. He didn't personally condemn anyone who believes differently than he does. He answered a question honestly. The fallout from this answer has been huge and in my opinion, ridiculous. And not helpful. And quite possibly accomplishing the exact opposite of what we, as Christians, are supposed to be so busy doing. But because I frequent my local CFA on a ridiculously regular basis, I've become very accustomed to their customer service~ their friendliness, quality of work, cleanliness of the restaurants are like no other. Not one time have I ever witnessed an employee treating anyone in their restaurant with anything but genuine concern, care, and persistence in making sure <i>each customer</i>'s needs have been met. <i>Each and every single one. </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
CFA did not ask for this extra attention today. I believe it was Mike Huccaby (correct me if I'm wrong) who established this day in our history<i>...</i>but it doesn't really matter who, as long as it wasn't the restaurant itself. </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
So I needed to see what was going to happen today. And when I pulled into our local CFA it was, of course, a madhouse. But they were prepared for us, organized, eager and happy to serve. Telling me more than once that it was "their pleasure" to serve us. They had grace under enormous pressure, and smiles on their faces.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br />
It didn't take long for me to see that for them things were, quite frankly, </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">business as usual.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which got me thinking about another guy, named Jesus, wondering what He would be doing today if he was still walking this earth with us.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I'm going to bust out the old, tired</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">W.W.J.D.?<br /><span style="font-size: small;">(meaning What Would Jesus Do? for those out of the loop;)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, I can't speak for Him, but based on his usual actions during his time here, I'm having a rough time believing he would just be hanging out at a CFA today. I'm pretty sure it'd be business as usual for Him too~ sharing the gospel, feeding the hungry, healing, helping, LOVING. All of us. Correcting and rebuking in love.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm quite certain that the (delicious) chicken sandwich I enjoyed for lunch today didn't win one person to Jesus. In fact, I'm positive about that. I hope it reinforced to a company I respect for standing up for their beliefs that I will continue to do my part to help them. I also hope that it's the way I act in day-to-day life that might win hearts to Jesus. That when I am loving them, regardless of choices, they will see a passion in me...a passion that makes them hungry to know more.To know this Jesus that I talk about....this Jesus who is so interwoven in me that they're not sure where I end and He begins. That they won't understand or care how or why....but that they will crave it anyway.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This, friends, is my heart's cry. That people will KNOW. Because they see Him in me.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">That they will trust I love them just the way they are. That I really don't care (and by "don't care," I mean I'm not judging lifestyle choices, sin weaknesses, and all the other stuff of earth). My prayer is that they see in me, in this broken, healing, still-figuring-it-out, no-filter, worrier shell of a girl something so COOL in me, something they too HAVE to have...a relationship with the One who can heal, can change desires, can set us back on the path we strayed from. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I ask you to do this. To take the time you spent today supporting a cause and showing the world that there are Christians out there who are passionate and loving and kind, and then use those super powers for good. ;) For good that can really change lives. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be so contagious that others will want what you have. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Listen to them. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Gently show them what Jesus intended. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Point them to Him. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He can take it from there. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's really fantastic at that. :)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">No more mud-slinging, or hateful Facebook posts, or propaganda signs in your yard.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because, let's face it....if we don't stop this passive-aggressive nonsense,</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> that chicken sandwich I ate today could've very well done a better job at actually making a difference in a person's life, quite simply for the fact that it did what it was made to do: be a delicious, filling chicken sandwich that filled my tummy, making me hungry no more. ;) Do what you were made to do. Be the difference that is life changing. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Share the love of Jesus with others, point them to Him. Live it out and show them the difference He is making in your life. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...in the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Matthew 5:14-15</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-30969118810463739782012-07-24T11:44:00.001-04:002012-07-24T11:44:26.305-04:00Eight and other super important things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o64DAz4nzKzx01XBdH0B3DfMDLK12Q8HqpWLhJhsnfLHZv3DbW-IgA8B-l6nOtyAkI78Mgo4zu0hhsaYTok8v5o_I6N00oUF0tnZHq6uItEktHqzUqDgqQNnFtMABNQGX1WK6VsjPjM/s1600/2012-06-05+23.26.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One month ago today my middle guy turned eight. We were in TX on his birthday and I had no access to my pictures so I had to wait until we got home to blog about him. I'll spare you all the sad, gushy, he's-growing-up-too-fast stuff that I know all moms feel at each of our littles' birthdays. It's a catch 22~ I'm so thankful for him and love watching him grow and become who he is, but I just wish it could slow down a little. Or a lot.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zo7xRlWFlN5IIGGGehVgPRxE4yPIecCWOEl9oEQhPwSxiL1pP9CMf56zyjovDAuzHrcmZbwbxFZQmpy9wzsPFYeuROLQQGlkMDF97f02URN5Ietgy4nB5FoOKOj5qwOF8mdBD5Dvs68/s1600/528059_443065845713993_1667292992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zo7xRlWFlN5IIGGGehVgPRxE4yPIecCWOEl9oEQhPwSxiL1pP9CMf56zyjovDAuzHrcmZbwbxFZQmpy9wzsPFYeuROLQQGlkMDF97f02URN5Ietgy4nB5FoOKOj5qwOF8mdBD5Dvs68/s640/528059_443065845713993_1667292992_n.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Those of you that know Hud know how incredibly special he is. I don't even have the right words to explain....he's just a magnet. He's loved. He's a lot of fun to be around. He's a gentleman....opening doors for people, cleaning up things "so you can have a break, Mom," giving up what he has to his brothers or friends because he knows they will love it...and he's joyful about it. He's intuitive....seems to know when someone needs a hug or a word of encouragement.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_l6IwVI1Y6_5cnaqDk5A3EYngrVcqqzbIM6wePIwu2iOkGzmsRKzoAKAez-Izj1r5tiiz4FitVgaSgNrsRFQng0KEqy1ixRlNjiS97GlQ4zg9CIYnk9TBDCy6etyearI9wzh6GCyeyQ/s1600/1-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_l6IwVI1Y6_5cnaqDk5A3EYngrVcqqzbIM6wePIwu2iOkGzmsRKzoAKAez-Izj1r5tiiz4FitVgaSgNrsRFQng0KEqy1ixRlNjiS97GlQ4zg9CIYnk9TBDCy6etyearI9wzh6GCyeyQ/s640/1-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We celebrated with Daddy before heading to Texas, so technically he had two birthday celebrations. His big surprise was a new iPod, which he hadn't asked for because he told us his (old, out-of-date) one was just fine. He was SO excited when he opened it, and so surprised. It's so fun to give him gifts because he is a grateful humble, and appreciative kiddo. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEpM2pBRL8fG1PWqm3Lxi4aOlECOtCo7zYXUwEKtYb2y-d0tubPSKauxW7LmuAL7cmEWli6rJy7q7IVvThXR0HTiS4RznQeuKUibAdCbgZlnHx4tFQTLhXmuF4Ucw1uHLke2ZhDS4spo/s1600/1-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEpM2pBRL8fG1PWqm3Lxi4aOlECOtCo7zYXUwEKtYb2y-d0tubPSKauxW7LmuAL7cmEWli6rJy7q7IVvThXR0HTiS4RznQeuKUibAdCbgZlnHx4tFQTLhXmuF4Ucw1uHLke2ZhDS4spo/s640/1-009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
He asked for a big cake with lots of layers....I ended up making each layer a different color, and it was delicious....but not pretty. Next time I may leave the cake-making to the experts...lol.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx-gtQOEnV4Uo9UMwOI0moF96-XcQxawochgcUGkl9zUWQPUMb1LDoEHr1dkm13m4RFcAF4Q-5MwixxWgpRqVijkFJhqKEs4yyMthc7Be-phd4Az9Wd2fhoxuTdC30nIhuoHpqT0hJeI/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx-gtQOEnV4Uo9UMwOI0moF96-XcQxawochgcUGkl9zUWQPUMb1LDoEHr1dkm13m4RFcAF4Q-5MwixxWgpRqVijkFJhqKEs4yyMthc7Be-phd4Az9Wd2fhoxuTdC30nIhuoHpqT0hJeI/s640/IMG_1224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
He's thoughtful.....often quiet.....artistic....dreams of being a cartoonist someday. Love that he and I share a love for art....he has a natural talent for sure, and I'm doing everything I can do to encourage that.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeKw8xXJuA-NUMIyncFWE-8vgd1a-eZ7lBXEq6RxCmGCLWiIizR2I9LpUJLD6Yvu2PdR1eE-ax16YHSepRQXtlhtOohBN9gG0z6U5FE8QjNYtW5kdZ9C5p1Fdcaac27IPKwwKdyejUnc/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeKw8xXJuA-NUMIyncFWE-8vgd1a-eZ7lBXEq6RxCmGCLWiIizR2I9LpUJLD6Yvu2PdR1eE-ax16YHSepRQXtlhtOohBN9gG0z6U5FE8QjNYtW5kdZ9C5p1Fdcaac27IPKwwKdyejUnc/s640/IMG_1226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Beach tic tac toe is lots of fun. :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N3sMnfmuLk732rfs84UOdVg_hpkz584F-qoCoW6Z_Jw_ugtgNgEMLXWyioiTo6zzHuz-3yjuvVvFCngWxrawhx0Fcvl84Y7RydLu4aHHmkWGeMDT5TPV6JcCkgDPKI2VATr6GlJARKE/s1600/1-2012-06-05+23.41.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N3sMnfmuLk732rfs84UOdVg_hpkz584F-qoCoW6Z_Jw_ugtgNgEMLXWyioiTo6zzHuz-3yjuvVvFCngWxrawhx0Fcvl84Y7RydLu4aHHmkWGeMDT5TPV6JcCkgDPKI2VATr6GlJARKE/s640/1-2012-06-05+23.41.34.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
He is fearless....especially when it comes to the ocean. Was determined to conquer those waves with his boogie board, and he did. :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o64DAz4nzKzx01XBdH0B3DfMDLK12Q8HqpWLhJhsnfLHZv3DbW-IgA8B-l6nOtyAkI78Mgo4zu0hhsaYTok8v5o_I6N00oUF0tnZHq6uItEktHqzUqDgqQNnFtMABNQGX1WK6VsjPjM/s1600/2012-06-05+23.26.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o64DAz4nzKzx01XBdH0B3DfMDLK12Q8HqpWLhJhsnfLHZv3DbW-IgA8B-l6nOtyAkI78Mgo4zu0hhsaYTok8v5o_I6N00oUF0tnZHq6uItEktHqzUqDgqQNnFtMABNQGX1WK6VsjPjM/s640/2012-06-05+23.26.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He's a summer baby in every way. :)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I'm so thankful for Hudson....blessed and blown away by the fact that I'm his mom...that God would entrust us to raise him...what a gift. :) He's sweet and loving and thoughtful and tough and gentle and funny, all at the same time. He has delicious dimples and his shoulders shake up and down when he laughs....just like my Dandy's did. He furrows his eyebrows like his daddy when he's concentrating...he's his mini-me in so many ways. He's his big brother's greatest audience, and laughs so hard at his craziness. He's a lego master. Lover of SpongeBob and Phineas and Ferb. Karate champ. So excited to see what 3rd grade brings for him....sweet punkin.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As usual, we've been gypsies this summer, opting to just keep our suitcases stored in our room instead of dragging them down to the basement over and over...it's been so fun, and such a whirlwind, mixed together with incredibly special moments like this one:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG_VX6YXjuUHGb5JkI8IvCjtMqpWKJxFRJw8CWpZR77NT42Bz0tMds4CiwfBoNMH_WhYRbuNB0TPE2QZ0pGKKkyB_l05ENhy0Moz68sUcMVZDVX9iLD98nH5RiOjqtfCgfehZN413M1g/s1600/1-017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG_VX6YXjuUHGb5JkI8IvCjtMqpWKJxFRJw8CWpZR77NT42Bz0tMds4CiwfBoNMH_WhYRbuNB0TPE2QZ0pGKKkyB_l05ENhy0Moz68sUcMVZDVX9iLD98nH5RiOjqtfCgfehZN413M1g/s640/1-017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
On Father's Day Brian had the privilege of getting to baptize Hunter, who gave his life to Christ this past Spring. We were a little unsure of his understanding of the decision he wanted to make, at first worrying that he might be too young, but we were quickly reminded that children often have a better understanding of these things than grownups too. He's been our "tiny theologian" since he was 3, and I'm blown away by his faith and his curiosity, always asking questions about God, and understanding way more than we think he's capable of. There's not much that brings my hubs to tears, but this? Definitely. No greater blessing than knowing that all 3 of our boys have chosen this path....blows us away. Thankful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPxQrHZ3PjHTfutVS0wNfev8pRb58dkvXGREMWBBMRflgSnqpw2Mikx2OLqyXWH9NLsNdsqra327eosSoEn97z6SIYt8h390MJRKEJZwOZNK2adN8BV_3Y_6T7XXvSWsrXaVy3SywTkc/s1600/1-031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPxQrHZ3PjHTfutVS0wNfev8pRb58dkvXGREMWBBMRflgSnqpw2Mikx2OLqyXWH9NLsNdsqra327eosSoEn97z6SIYt8h390MJRKEJZwOZNK2adN8BV_3Y_6T7XXvSWsrXaVy3SywTkc/s640/1-031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While in TX we braved the 100+ degree heat to go see our beloved Rangers. :) It was Hunter's first time to go</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, and even though we sweated our noogs off, it was totally worth it. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeRUrsgu-Jixtxpw20JgzWR11YvWC39lebRP3Ajk9zmTeqsnRud3pynzbdwj7Jq20Fx428QIqkcwrRQpaRIWwLMRL1UhekhNONaXMJfJHu239O4ep4GePypTZbbJLNOyIssXJMEELRac/s1600/1-036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeRUrsgu-Jixtxpw20JgzWR11YvWC39lebRP3Ajk9zmTeqsnRud3pynzbdwj7Jq20Fx428QIqkcwrRQpaRIWwLMRL1UhekhNONaXMJfJHu239O4ep4GePypTZbbJLNOyIssXJMEELRac/s640/1-036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fBDab2g7Cz3QeFLXYXELy1MP2q65Tbf5rssT4GCsPkIIQ9toEbuUWT0M3K2UJWW28dwfGe356pbeJb3EtbKMJa20tp3krpP5p2h6-xVim75kVyl7VFHlcB8Un2rTDCez6eOsvX8ShQ/s1600/1-027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fBDab2g7Cz3QeFLXYXELy1MP2q65Tbf5rssT4GCsPkIIQ9toEbuUWT0M3K2UJWW28dwfGe356pbeJb3EtbKMJa20tp3krpP5p2h6-xVim75kVyl7VFHlcB8Un2rTDCez6eOsvX8ShQ/s640/1-027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
And they won....of course. ;) </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
So great be back seeing our favorite team do what they are so incredible at. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLf8FpFD8FZu1lHCTq2Sc-WCyhbXj6-q9NZRRqjLSr4MlJVmvcYNnf8c7IY-973rNp4Ub-MFON9zVMmmC0G2kTFZqwy2JOrdpWUQWIpv6WtaztYIcnxrp-nh8z06XHZslzcQDgo-jtEw/s1600/1-048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9FST_MVL7NyK2I_ZlTW5utTtyV0cePX_NSW4cSGry0BmgGysBdb5097o6v9LO6Oe93exW79kdFamXMtHFrctGdhGyXWMIL-N9hXDJW2fKDN79e3oiMbjgQ8ZAIj1SlyZwieDmCzM-IQ/s1600/1-023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9FST_MVL7NyK2I_ZlTW5utTtyV0cePX_NSW4cSGry0BmgGysBdb5097o6v9LO6Oe93exW79kdFamXMtHFrctGdhGyXWMIL-N9hXDJW2fKDN79e3oiMbjgQ8ZAIj1SlyZwieDmCzM-IQ/s640/1-023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had great seats right behind our man Josh Hamilton....so fun!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPxQrHZ3PjHTfutVS0wNfev8pRb58dkvXGREMWBBMRflgSnqpw2Mikx2OLqyXWH9NLsNdsqra327eosSoEn97z6SIYt8h390MJRKEJZwOZNK2adN8BV_3Y_6T7XXvSWsrXaVy3SywTkc/s1600/1-031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLf8FpFD8FZu1lHCTq2Sc-WCyhbXj6-q9NZRRqjLSr4MlJVmvcYNnf8c7IY-973rNp4Ub-MFON9zVMmmC0G2kTFZqwy2JOrdpWUQWIpv6WtaztYIcnxrp-nh8z06XHZslzcQDgo-jtEw/s1600/1-048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLf8FpFD8FZu1lHCTq2Sc-WCyhbXj6-q9NZRRqjLSr4MlJVmvcYNnf8c7IY-973rNp4Ub-MFON9zVMmmC0G2kTFZqwy2JOrdpWUQWIpv6WtaztYIcnxrp-nh8z06XHZslzcQDgo-jtEw/s640/1-048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fourth of July with Mimi and Papa....had so much fun with them...went way too fast.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrH-LQJLibo8MTPE8rEp3cmTdgptdQ9wwzrhnG8jhX7toc0aAfELEvHU7iKvQYyr7-S2zNJNCvz5NsmX0ta4xu7O0KbHYkV7XEg1drE32sP_s4QCtmnaDrknI3iCrFfxly_oyeeYJ5nQ/s1600/1-044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrH-LQJLibo8MTPE8rEp3cmTdgptdQ9wwzrhnG8jhX7toc0aAfELEvHU7iKvQYyr7-S2zNJNCvz5NsmX0ta4xu7O0KbHYkV7XEg1drE32sP_s4QCtmnaDrknI3iCrFfxly_oyeeYJ5nQ/s640/1-044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My sis and her Bailey....love those girls SO much. :)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1yf_6nlXxtTFN6nyuYz0kVOBYppUaAVGpCCohcACS_ukqLEQAESd9vtX64R7Bsu1pimJ-mh0m1we9TtuuCW87vlgOKJX8kazhasslbh0T_7PNKo_UbJRymwHW0k4RkPMzj422W8G2bo/s1600/1-051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1yf_6nlXxtTFN6nyuYz0kVOBYppUaAVGpCCohcACS_ukqLEQAESd9vtX64R7Bsu1pimJ-mh0m1we9TtuuCW87vlgOKJX8kazhasslbh0T_7PNKo_UbJRymwHW0k4RkPMzj422W8G2bo/s640/1-051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This picture totally cracks me up....they were so excited about that cake pop. ;)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And now there are less than two weeks before Harrison starts school and then another week before Hud and Hunter start...already mourning the end of summer, and trying to savor all of it.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until next time.....</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-33588674647835160692012-06-14T22:10:00.002-04:002012-06-14T22:51:59.583-04:00YOLO<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As we were making our way to our vacation destination last week, we started noticing these 4 letters on the backs of cars: YOLO. I had no idea what it meant, and after the 10th or 11th time I saw it, I had to know. So I asked Brian, and apparently it was bugging him too because he had already googled it. ;) </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Y</b>ou <b>O</b>nly <b>L</b>ive <b>O</b>nce.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">What did we do before we had Google?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBkwnWfeNi0aDjiyUnx9KvV6blFHkTPHvtAjKVP1gsfcl2OWty1H2HYgf5YG2kDXCJFh8lgnDD4hEPeNChAnpo3ion8PD43OVw5MTxZdKvNRd1zHzUCbddZC5xHKDHLRv2AKTJbhByzY/s1600/IMG_1377-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBkwnWfeNi0aDjiyUnx9KvV6blFHkTPHvtAjKVP1gsfcl2OWty1H2HYgf5YG2kDXCJFh8lgnDD4hEPeNChAnpo3ion8PD43OVw5MTxZdKvNRd1zHzUCbddZC5xHKDHLRv2AKTJbhByzY/s640/IMG_1377-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
*sidenote: this picture makes me smile for 3 reasons....1) They are all smiling, but in usual form, there's one who isn't looking at the camera. 2) Hudson has a somewhat rare tight hug on his little brother....don't get me wrong~ he loves him and is his greatest defender, but they're at a stage right now where they bug the snot out of each other. ;) and 3) Hunter's ear is folded forward. It's a very "us" kind of picture, and I can't wait to frame it.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But anyway...YOLO. At first we kind of made it a joke out of it, letting it determine our decisions while we were there. Do we go to the pool, or take a nap? YOLO...pool. ;) Mom....can I have ONE more popsicle? YOLO....sure! Do you really have to take so many pictures, Mom? YOLO...Yes, I really do. ;)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uSB5-39GHMxta8C0iulX9qpc8SJloPG-ebJPoAjrNa8LHthxIckDjyIIfdxWGsr0cIc9rQL1tRJpqlkc4FUTEa8NMVxsjPgZ714-U8I-4qFsLOJltkCwAU3rb74-GpmlUhI1HHjGSZU/s1600/IMG_1399-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uSB5-39GHMxta8C0iulX9qpc8SJloPG-ebJPoAjrNa8LHthxIckDjyIIfdxWGsr0cIc9rQL1tRJpqlkc4FUTEa8NMVxsjPgZ714-U8I-4qFsLOJltkCwAU3rb74-GpmlUhI1HHjGSZU/s640/IMG_1399-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I'm so thankful for each one of the photos that were captured last week...they are already giving me sweet memories of one of the best weeks in the life of our family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Was it a perfect week? Of course not....but it was our version of perfect. Lots of relaxing (we weren't quite sure what to do with that....it was so unusual), lots of togetherness, playing games, watching movies, soaking up the sand and sun and water....mixed in with one sick kiddo (thankfully just for a couple days), the normal family squabbles, a couple rainy days, and the reality that the week would end no matter how hard we tried to slow it down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XuWltS5npC0gF0T9L36wInl4QJAtsCuF9ufXuVtzbbbEF5-uwcFM8Fx3zCLFXH0MtGaPGK48blUfTClw7QG8aeH7OqFhA82OzguLGtyB-WlHfg64y4DIwbdx2gjNX7X9CeVOV6ko33Y/s1600/IMG_1463-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XuWltS5npC0gF0T9L36wInl4QJAtsCuF9ufXuVtzbbbEF5-uwcFM8Fx3zCLFXH0MtGaPGK48blUfTClw7QG8aeH7OqFhA82OzguLGtyB-WlHfg64y4DIwbdx2gjNX7X9CeVOV6ko33Y/s640/IMG_1463-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were so carefree last week. So low stress. I did laundry here and there, and kept things tidy (so I wouldn't go insane), let the boys wear clothes that didn't necessarily match *cringe* and skip their showers (just a couple times;) and generally let my normal responsibilities go.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After the YOLO joke started getting old (it didn't take long...lol) I started taking it a little more seriously, and <strike>over</strike>thinking about it. Why does our regular life have to be so different from our vacation life? Of course there are jobs, and responsibilities, and demands in the real world...we all have those, and they are necessary; but I think what was bugging me was that our mentality was completely different there than it is here. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And this question kept nagging me:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Just what am I doing with this one life?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisW2CXXi0CRjceXw2aQtxZUtJXRhiNr7jOij346qv6YcxgK7PLfz8XIXKzXLb8_mbl85YgF8F3P3LZt9WsSFlxW3eHElkItZHIA62qKrMbBynYPPidWKwZEQ-Hy9TQOL4VCzc3GUMJQ0/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisW2CXXi0CRjceXw2aQtxZUtJXRhiNr7jOij346qv6YcxgK7PLfz8XIXKzXLb8_mbl85YgF8F3P3LZt9WsSFlxW3eHElkItZHIA62qKrMbBynYPPidWKwZEQ-Hy9TQOL4VCzc3GUMJQ0/s640/IMG_1470.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys are getting older, and in some ways, much easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And now when it comes to raising them, it's less about feedings, naps, and so many of the "firsts" that come with the first few years, and more about exactly how we're supposed to raise these amazing little people God has so richly blessed us with. Dealing with things like character, making the right choices, knowing what to shield them from, what to trust them with....it can be overwhelming.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you think hard enough about that, it might cause you to panic a little....at least, it does with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But it's in those moments when I'm not worried about this that things seem to fall into place. I mean....I know that's not what's happening. I know it's when I let go of control and trust God to show me how to parent them best is when I'm truly at my best for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />And I remember that we have one chance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We can muddle our way through each day,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or we can make those days extraordinary.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you look at it that way it's not difficult to decide which path you're going to take, realizing full well that some days "extraordinary" might just be sneaking in some alone time to take a long bath or catch up on your DVR. Or it could be the chance to snuggle in with your family for a movie night. To catch fireflies. To go for frozen yogurt. Run through the sprinklers. Splash in a puddle...or let your kiddos do it while you laugh and take pictures when you want to groan over the mess. Yes...it's the little things that add up to one happy life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But when the opportunity arises to do something big, take it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a rather long list of things that we are saving up for. A lot of them are home maintenance-type things, but a few are more personal, and then there is retirement, savings, college funds....ugh. ;) In my OCD brain it's hard to let go of what seems practical....but this time I let my heart do the leading. She's a little less practical, but way more fun. ;) I am SO glad we chose a different way. I'm thankful that for this time, in this stage of our life together, that we realized the strong need we had to get away together. For us, this time around...the projects and responsibilities that demand our attention were forced to take a backseat, just for awhile.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And that was a beautiful thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVkgwQHCfFVSHcCq9PNueGL1h1aoSC2dh_IUo1JpStWm8kD-6jy9XHqYykm1p0JZtpL-Zw8DHVxYY2bTekZJu1sQrdRwto81Rg6wkz6_L63YWLJIQYuHlIyPZNAO8tglmPhfScsZ7MNM/s1600/IMG_1474-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVkgwQHCfFVSHcCq9PNueGL1h1aoSC2dh_IUo1JpStWm8kD-6jy9XHqYykm1p0JZtpL-Zw8DHVxYY2bTekZJu1sQrdRwto81Rg6wkz6_L63YWLJIQYuHlIyPZNAO8tglmPhfScsZ7MNM/s640/IMG_1474-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And now we're back home....and that's a different kind of beautiful. It took time away to make me remember just how beautiful it is, and I made a mental note to ensure we make this kind of experience a priority. After all...you only live once.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRqYDZ62nAA_iDwobaCLM8xLaZ3R4RUx5Kxb3QTwY_xIzfz5VdNFV1VrlQafhBr7bdzhasTk_yVsM8gT8rDw1q_suZvdTDvFYRJP3Q8fCmfJdP6Ar0KSsdA4BT4G0H_x8NddGH5cR7ns/s1600/IMG_1409-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRqYDZ62nAA_iDwobaCLM8xLaZ3R4RUx5Kxb3QTwY_xIzfz5VdNFV1VrlQafhBr7bdzhasTk_yVsM8gT8rDw1q_suZvdTDvFYRJP3Q8fCmfJdP6Ar0KSsdA4BT4G0H_x8NddGH5cR7ns/s640/IMG_1409-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And as much as I had hoped we could ease back into our routine here, it didn't quite work out that way. It's been full speed ahead this week with VBS and another wall art job for me (yay!), but after tomorrow we'll resume our slower summertime pace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">For the 4th of July we are planning our first camping trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In a tent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">By the lake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Did I mention we will be sleeping in a tent? Lol....the things I do for these boys. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">B and the boys are excited...and I'm getting there. I may prefer a hotel, or better yet, my bed, but what can I say?<br />YOLO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">:) </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-160133701703992372012-06-07T23:03:00.003-04:002012-06-07T23:03:25.937-04:00Reflective<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We're on vacation this week.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're friends with me on Facebook, you already know this....I've been blowing it up with photos. Partly because my family in TX keep asking for more pics, and partly because my sweet, incredibly-trusting friend Mindy offered to loan me her camera. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her amazing camera that takes photos like these: </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2-8yJQG1_9MO0haRezscMOphXBr2g08FBwHqx5PhZxCWIqkhB9Rgbiu5Bihyphenhyphen1DnEAvxWjIKd430s0ayhyaSixn30x-j-cttUcBuPR2VYlYVHSMImrj04n2DV7bMgdRWsj1nuHQixRdk/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2-8yJQG1_9MO0haRezscMOphXBr2g08FBwHqx5PhZxCWIqkhB9Rgbiu5Bihyphenhyphen1DnEAvxWjIKd430s0ayhyaSixn30x-j-cttUcBuPR2VYlYVHSMImrj04n2DV7bMgdRWsj1nuHQixRdk/s640/IMG_1242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Yes...I am already saving up to buy one as soon as possible. ;) Having way too much fun with it...it's making me feel like a real photographer, and I just *might* be wearing my boys out with all the picture taking. Oh well...I'm the mom...it's what I do.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
This trip is a first for our family...not our first vacation, but our first vacation to the beach. Something I've dreamed of for a very long time....and it's our first vacation in a long time that really feels like a vacation. Sand, sun, flip flops, no concept of time, sleeping in, swimming...it's exactly what we've needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGdIZob2Jp1W9XKPz46-iO1alZLib8oCU48Bxp45hCOWprYRymXY_QDpEMLuAP16Ar2lrmZHJlFOTV4Zl9qKP28uUdGVkFB1OvYnayAUjC0WiOBHbFG23cJ0iL-JkWEBxTNimMusRd2Y/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGdIZob2Jp1W9XKPz46-iO1alZLib8oCU48Bxp45hCOWprYRymXY_QDpEMLuAP16Ar2lrmZHJlFOTV4Zl9qKP28uUdGVkFB1OvYnayAUjC0WiOBHbFG23cJ0iL-JkWEBxTNimMusRd2Y/s640/IMG_1006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Fun doesn't even begin to describe how this week has been....I've loved watching the boys in the water...their fearless spirit when it comes to riding the waves, their creativity while building the "ultimate" sand castle...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXALRs_vb-LqAr0vWlhAqOZAzjgOep9WL4uKM2r5HCNX5XFm85bWQqwUCypT4u6s3m1zWeT9grsenD1UivsPc3uxRoNFbIYykjZLKnirtFwMpFTuFFuqXfFliJFjTqq15T69lgVlpxx4g/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXALRs_vb-LqAr0vWlhAqOZAzjgOep9WL4uKM2r5HCNX5XFm85bWQqwUCypT4u6s3m1zWeT9grsenD1UivsPc3uxRoNFbIYykjZLKnirtFwMpFTuFFuqXfFliJFjTqq15T69lgVlpxx4g/s640/IMG_1041.JPG" width="552" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one in particular showed no fear and a fierce determination </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to show those waves who's boss....</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOxLrslnz_mBrdmei45_nI8FjQBMd1sQOyBQRqRbxPxKhG4lm74mQnVC3GVUfw2h4sRKYTo3Cs7lSDX0Bp3cxUsoonQRuotAEfvtsl8NsBMaVqCD_Keww1n9IKSK1uXg0M3u7sLKHfg8/s1600/2012-06-05+23.29.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOxLrslnz_mBrdmei45_nI8FjQBMd1sQOyBQRqRbxPxKhG4lm74mQnVC3GVUfw2h4sRKYTo3Cs7lSDX0Bp3cxUsoonQRuotAEfvtsl8NsBMaVqCD_Keww1n9IKSK1uXg0M3u7sLKHfg8/s640/2012-06-05+23.29.34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">....and exactly that he did. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEz_xwET3MYEoDaxcxUbwLbxk9DAIDBFv7gQ-lhkW9dA-L1XGRkagLMm2YYlU_wPjG-htBzDBXr6CNdhyphenhyphenP4wrno7J0_MDjpsGpwrS3ytyTiBXvhSUnEaGJ7elMg0_AgpwJisvkNQv_Ig/s1600/2012-06-05+23.31.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEz_xwET3MYEoDaxcxUbwLbxk9DAIDBFv7gQ-lhkW9dA-L1XGRkagLMm2YYlU_wPjG-htBzDBXr6CNdhyphenhyphenP4wrno7J0_MDjpsGpwrS3ytyTiBXvhSUnEaGJ7elMg0_AgpwJisvkNQv_Ig/s640/2012-06-05+23.31.24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As did this one. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGWLVfK9IL7MGpgxyheJkB9tj2JWrb6HcLR37cRRD4Aly5YeyyWOspWRxF6Tc34edXuXSEGFVITziePnIoMnokwpb6Dh21nEGKjUs01lAeaZIRZLTHHmeQz2kEnbn5LRWaCcGdhaZ3uQ/s1600/IMG_1031-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGWLVfK9IL7MGpgxyheJkB9tj2JWrb6HcLR37cRRD4Aly5YeyyWOspWRxF6Tc34edXuXSEGFVITziePnIoMnokwpb6Dh21nEGKjUs01lAeaZIRZLTHHmeQz2kEnbn5LRWaCcGdhaZ3uQ/s640/IMG_1031-001.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one loves the water, but his favorite has been the sand...lots of digging, dumping water, building...he's forever cautious, and while the first day the water was calm, it's been pretty rocky for the past two...convincing him that the sand is the way to go. Thankful for that. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yslMTsOrdTgNQFTFKZDI5GCAHNIGt7sqFcKAm5XFZYUqGPtzBarFQhNjMGKUAXrfu0s28e78fUTDk7MZSISkaYyU1TpX64eviFh4hBcdvsrLsNqgJEHX6JRUaF-YU3pRSJHDOsqWf2Y/s1600/IMG_1026+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yslMTsOrdTgNQFTFKZDI5GCAHNIGt7sqFcKAm5XFZYUqGPtzBarFQhNjMGKUAXrfu0s28e78fUTDk7MZSISkaYyU1TpX64eviFh4hBcdvsrLsNqgJEHX6JRUaF-YU3pRSJHDOsqWf2Y/s640/IMG_1026+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My favorite part has been watching how relaxed B has been....and how childlike. ;) Riding waves in, crashing through currents....completely fearless....just what he needed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi048K4YgUEr_0xH6N_26I3CeBzUaydcxiq0qIslfMqE-zu_iakyDRfcTbSDri8JLAiL7XBMRNcgECQ4QO2TZOn-LPSNzyKpZqUbhGodUsVxF4PhISrQwf9_OL3x9B98QOYcW5x-Gw2a_8/s1600/2012-06-05+04.00.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi048K4YgUEr_0xH6N_26I3CeBzUaydcxiq0qIslfMqE-zu_iakyDRfcTbSDri8JLAiL7XBMRNcgECQ4QO2TZOn-LPSNzyKpZqUbhGodUsVxF4PhISrQwf9_OL3x9B98QOYcW5x-Gw2a_8/s640/2012-06-05+04.00.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And yes...I too have loved being on the beach. For me it's the colors, the textures....the way the sunshine reflects off the water....the feel of the sand...it's heaven on earth. And it leaves me wondering why we've waited so long to do this. My other love this week? A darling little town called Seaside. It's like something straight out of a movie. Bright, happy colors....fun shopping, yummo restaurants...happiness.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwWSQbJUED9HXpw5gUUAVY7Ln7I9N7Mv1Q-Lr1kPqMeLQR8nPiTRJWEZx4nsX8LlUT2Ugkw2kI-svOiRPsrDMTuDIhoIMwZvVDB-oo7QwUZ1c_2IWwmsbqcH2iddJZ5KzvcVHh-x7Us8/s1600/2012-06-05+04.02.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwWSQbJUED9HXpw5gUUAVY7Ln7I9N7Mv1Q-Lr1kPqMeLQR8nPiTRJWEZx4nsX8LlUT2Ugkw2kI-svOiRPsrDMTuDIhoIMwZvVDB-oo7QwUZ1c_2IWwmsbqcH2iddJZ5KzvcVHh-x7Us8/s640/2012-06-05+04.02.41.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
We've been twice this week and I'm trying to plot one more visit </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
before we head home on Saturday. ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj71gdFqGEOLRmNrpVyml0hyphenhyphen7ZGzPn696HNJUgaAOnonmch1DlccSMN80xyd7YAsbROBK-Jhx0fQzfCTfGEgM8uxQBGEigfSNen8ZENwKJN183BmnV7N4Y16Xp7RCZv3gQvyx-m2AeOY/s1600/2012-06-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj71gdFqGEOLRmNrpVyml0hyphenhyphen7ZGzPn696HNJUgaAOnonmch1DlccSMN80xyd7YAsbROBK-Jhx0fQzfCTfGEgM8uxQBGEigfSNen8ZENwKJN183BmnV7N4Y16Xp7RCZv3gQvyx-m2AeOY/s640/2012-06-008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Love this smile.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDZtxHSLsCb5WpMc9saxuofdyAX2_G0NB2KAnKudXRCOj2QeAX3AVp05dSPZYrHaSwC1HKGFYJCAk9jduqiHX3OeZdURZkTj5yDTdq-cZpyF_3kDTTxf3V8cjX9z5KUToeP4B9RFwKfQ/s1600/IMG_1393-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDZtxHSLsCb5WpMc9saxuofdyAX2_G0NB2KAnKudXRCOj2QeAX3AVp05dSPZYrHaSwC1HKGFYJCAk9jduqiHX3OeZdURZkTj5yDTdq-cZpyF_3kDTTxf3V8cjX9z5KUToeP4B9RFwKfQ/s640/IMG_1393-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We spent part of the week with Nana (B's mom), and it's been so fun...all of us soaking in some much-needed time with her. Her sense of adventure has been contagious, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and we miss her already.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA4l0uBlw4YFWDGOzJDOuKVtTSUoGPmpdZ6PYeQ0GGq8Y7UP18Ue6EQEJI8426d0_eRpsQ_V4AoM8p-ba0r0iCr-hWvjUeO3h7PvbGspUjZtSRV9qg8EgC_3vTIS0L2NNEeIGUigejhw/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA4l0uBlw4YFWDGOzJDOuKVtTSUoGPmpdZ6PYeQ0GGq8Y7UP18Ue6EQEJI8426d0_eRpsQ_V4AoM8p-ba0r0iCr-hWvjUeO3h7PvbGspUjZtSRV9qg8EgC_3vTIS0L2NNEeIGUigejhw/s640/IMG_1384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Yes...I'm a happy, thankful girl. Thankful for these 4 who fill me with more love than I know what to do with. Thankful for the opportunity to go to a magical place like this. Thankful the chance to just stop for awhile...to rest. To really watch and enjoy my kiddos without distraction. To take a nap in the middle of the day. ;) To spend time with B, talking, laughing....yes, it has been just what we needed. And no, we're not ready to go home yet. Tomorrow is our last day, and we're going to carpe diem the heck out of it. ;) One last beach day, dinner out, and if I'm lucky...one more stop in Seaside. :)</div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1027613119"></span><span id="goog_1027613120"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-23283301776430352762012-05-23T23:45:00.001-04:002012-05-23T23:45:34.555-04:00Unicorns and Rainbows (and maybe a few dark clouds) ;)Today at 12:30 our summer officially began. For the next 10 and a half weeks there are no alarm clocks, no schedules, no school projects or tests to study for....nothing. I love summertime. Love the lazy days of hanging by the pool, playing games, going for frozen yogurt, vacationing with loved ones...it's very much unicorns and rainbows. ;) This summer involves some fun plans and is promising to be incredible...but even if we had no plans I would still be doing a happy dance, for this is the time of year when I get the boys home with me all day. And although the first few days take some adjusting (we affectionately refer to it as the re-entry period;) it's not long before we're back in the groove of near-constant togetherness, and I'm soaking up my time with my 3. :)<br />
<br />
So I'm trying to focus on all of this, and not on the fact that in the past week...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8OKPxqirEBAZVBJW7-HtTw6zmvSbkJA1t7QuJLbctS9S0-Cwlx547Re7OBhV2uAj8EwPxZNH8iT6P58cd2XwjaPFB1X7afgwsLNStVRyZGjYojhc3eVu2TUv8NvXpPOaZ_6-0SnAMSk/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8OKPxqirEBAZVBJW7-HtTw6zmvSbkJA1t7QuJLbctS9S0-Cwlx547Re7OBhV2uAj8EwPxZNH8iT6P58cd2XwjaPFB1X7afgwsLNStVRyZGjYojhc3eVu2TUv8NvXpPOaZ_6-0SnAMSk/s640/056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...this one graduated from pre-k....</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
....partied with his buddies;)....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPoq5qMkLhyqHyVWLLIb-0Eti5S_PALJJQq9aTBVfkkrBelSjKrEELXoa90Fps3jBI-irT1cjh9Kobtq4R9kmc8w6UZ4FJA02zeuMWQwlevfYey1ntY82LEIxDk3aiaT1W26FKL2IZzs/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPoq5qMkLhyqHyVWLLIb-0Eti5S_PALJJQq9aTBVfkkrBelSjKrEELXoa90Fps3jBI-irT1cjh9Kobtq4R9kmc8w6UZ4FJA02zeuMWQwlevfYey1ntY82LEIxDk3aiaT1W26FKL2IZzs/s640/086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
....and this one graduated from elementary school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDadGfs7TB8b30WlhYvvPf_VmSIKAGOu5BJjY1FhabDWikHvPLxoZpkyTuOZzV99uyLC6n6zb1gaxaKz6h9EFX-ZglZ0Xq_S1KNDplHM9Wm8dfo85kSM0xjRd1_OTewGtRljiEuuNcKSc/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDadGfs7TB8b30WlhYvvPf_VmSIKAGOu5BJjY1FhabDWikHvPLxoZpkyTuOZzV99uyLC6n6zb1gaxaKz6h9EFX-ZglZ0Xq_S1KNDplHM9Wm8dfo85kSM0xjRd1_OTewGtRljiEuuNcKSc/s640/005.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Clearly, when B and I were planning our family we didn't think through the fact that 11 years later this would happen at the same time. Lol....one more reason that it's a good thing it's not up to us, because we know God's timing is perfect, even during the tough mommy moments. ;) Having one starting middle school at the same time another is starting kindergarten is a little rough on this mama's heart. I've been a "bit" emotional today. ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And incredibly thankful that this guy, while making a change too, is a much more </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
emotionally-manageable change from 2nd to 3rd grade. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCof0zLQIw38C0-U0qCltIFnu55PbZEaDdY39baaVKvuXo74j94Sqqr1h3i1reEiYPUbvy8Z-HRSF85yrV9echGH8OzbCFp1JdOXnZ9VrTPRf7SSQoMPKdtlD_8BGIy7AhrXZfwuTzbs/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCof0zLQIw38C0-U0qCltIFnu55PbZEaDdY39baaVKvuXo74j94Sqqr1h3i1reEiYPUbvy8Z-HRSF85yrV9echGH8OzbCFp1JdOXnZ9VrTPRf7SSQoMPKdtlD_8BGIy7AhrXZfwuTzbs/s640/031.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's pretty pumped, if you can't tell. ;)</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgyl3z5LC760r6K-30SMWZUkfUJpXPUJ5j3wX7RxXv3_GABir1S-Cbk1YiX6SgBHW6Ko9yRsVH7AN5G2kh9E9MMwH3KL2_Ufcxgr3snw_tzLwh_bXCVleLjxhzXsc3qlhJxBED_lxgsg/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgyl3z5LC760r6K-30SMWZUkfUJpXPUJ5j3wX7RxXv3_GABir1S-Cbk1YiX6SgBHW6Ko9yRsVH7AN5G2kh9E9MMwH3KL2_Ufcxgr3snw_tzLwh_bXCVleLjxhzXsc3qlhJxBED_lxgsg/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes...there was lots to celebrate today.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOLQYWslctsnqBeGxjeQGTwNZfxdlVZuNA5EgE6mLU36XSjzwsWbk9j2VYvZ6GCVVbR2rOl2nBF5y7rjk22ikBQvv3JLjfTfzR09SZq6seXtkHOBnbCdbFFlQGeALv_qUGZSkKZ_a9o4/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOLQYWslctsnqBeGxjeQGTwNZfxdlVZuNA5EgE6mLU36XSjzwsWbk9j2VYvZ6GCVVbR2rOl2nBF5y7rjk22ikBQvv3JLjfTfzR09SZq6seXtkHOBnbCdbFFlQGeALv_qUGZSkKZ_a9o4/s640/IMG_1347.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And even the littlest H was making himself at home at what will be his school this fall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That kid can't pass up a microphone....not a shy bone in his entire body.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeMDL_shnO1-eS7VuTqKin_6qLw3bLuoRFO9UVClw8_TykAEBzOZwDgy42FfWraallUjIORvIhQ28DFxmnI1WplY7HHknPzbG4jsqjL1vABfukOBzE7MFaLPLY9yjjpH2wm60liO9BGQ/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeMDL_shnO1-eS7VuTqKin_6qLw3bLuoRFO9UVClw8_TykAEBzOZwDgy42FfWraallUjIORvIhQ28DFxmnI1WplY7HHknPzbG4jsqjL1vABfukOBzE7MFaLPLY9yjjpH2wm60liO9BGQ/s640/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week we've celebrated friendships...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDARSpc4xwh_4rH_00OLAofbYdji5-rAnws48QNNCGT-bk_AEmHipg3QfkjjdK2ivQu9t6dHMykIu6RBLOOZMa5KXAgtMVnetxb5F_eYIUMN-XI2z70DHOmKeUWFCRIN03qfdMa-cVyK4/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDARSpc4xwh_4rH_00OLAofbYdji5-rAnws48QNNCGT-bk_AEmHipg3QfkjjdK2ivQu9t6dHMykIu6RBLOOZMa5KXAgtMVnetxb5F_eYIUMN-XI2z70DHOmKeUWFCRIN03qfdMa-cVyK4/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzNiLLApleQYfP-04oNuHVvJq-4-RFTW8t3DgMKmZN7nOdHvWsfP6Zfv07NUkagcYmDeY5O7Ff0T1EwxiW1xGaq2E8vOrbck4GSDk5i41dUe8RAw2tQBzFKqDgKLJhLrQwhugHf53MhI/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzNiLLApleQYfP-04oNuHVvJq-4-RFTW8t3DgMKmZN7nOdHvWsfP6Zfv07NUkagcYmDeY5O7Ff0T1EwxiW1xGaq2E8vOrbck4GSDk5i41dUe8RAw2tQBzFKqDgKLJhLrQwhugHf53MhI/s640/014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...and decided it's better (easier?) to put off goodbyes with promises to stay in touch instead, which is much easier to handle, but in this case also true. He's got some pretty incredible friends. :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKqdOlSFhMtI3NFz-nNuvt6K0KMnDd1YFUEZdIzzmtS7fhlTyi_0P5MAtzTZljW55E1lq_p7DYI9SvKWhUjkSlsmOmoWL2J9xUu67-t02BUj6CKQggNOP5XhaUybHAPyeRemS7Uk-Qso/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKqdOlSFhMtI3NFz-nNuvt6K0KMnDd1YFUEZdIzzmtS7fhlTyi_0P5MAtzTZljW55E1lq_p7DYI9SvKWhUjkSlsmOmoWL2J9xUu67-t02BUj6CKQggNOP5XhaUybHAPyeRemS7Uk-Qso/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And while every. single. year I get emotional about saying goodbye to their teachers and struggle to wrap my brain around the fact that the school year really is over, this time feels different. For the first time in my boys' school years, we finally have found our groove. We love this school, and it feels like home. We've developed friendships with people who go the distance for us and with us, knowing full well we would do the same for them. It feels good to be there. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOdRxOHfms9vamGkLKSSVilgZFAEdga7A6Yw_SbQhelHuOIv0Ah5J1HsRZeqrhDJ7Dr-ZfHcKI-WKzrOsk_Cg70h0DluNXqQstVRd8lL32y43Y1FVaV5lIn8AyYZh5c0_hZLAddXUffg/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOdRxOHfms9vamGkLKSSVilgZFAEdga7A6Yw_SbQhelHuOIv0Ah5J1HsRZeqrhDJ7Dr-ZfHcKI-WKzrOsk_Cg70h0DluNXqQstVRd8lL32y43Y1FVaV5lIn8AyYZh5c0_hZLAddXUffg/s640/IMG_1351.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
And while it doesn't make change any easier, (and I really don't like change), there is a peace and happiness that comes with being secure and comfortable with where you are. And now the theme from "Cheers" is stuck in my head. ;)<br />
<br />
But the thing that keeps looming over my head like a ridiculous dark cloud is this big thing that is going to make everything so very different.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This fall, for the first time in over 11 years, I won't have a baby at home with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 years is a long time to me, and to say I'm feeling a little lost at the idea of this reality would be a giant understatement. I really have <i>no idea </i>what I'm going to do with myself. I keep hearing that I'm going to love it. That I will find all kinds of things to do. That I deserve this time after years of taking care of babies and preparing them for school. But really it just feels weird. And sad. And lonely.<br />
Looks like I have 10 and a half weeks to get a life. Lol ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P-TZtXrAOnY_bn6U0X1R85o1AvGmswUOeaDWUiPrNcAjzcw0N3z4QTOG6uHYJH1Br3dJYEf2Xq6thay-5uzJMfR8ZZDR5MR29vkfwORrO9Ue9G1L4JjQ57EV1U-uu9lGgZVE4NnKeNg/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P-TZtXrAOnY_bn6U0X1R85o1AvGmswUOeaDWUiPrNcAjzcw0N3z4QTOG6uHYJH1Br3dJYEf2Xq6thay-5uzJMfR8ZZDR5MR29vkfwORrO9Ue9G1L4JjQ57EV1U-uu9lGgZVE4NnKeNg/s640/IMG_1353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I'll figure it out, and am determined to embrace it, just like I've had to with every other change I've faced. And in the meantime I'm going to do everything in my power to make this summer amazing. I'm going to carpe diem the heck out of it, realizing full well that the little things are just as important as the big things. I'm going to love these kiddos and soak up every bit of their 11, almost 8, and 5-ness that I can, because in a flash it'll be time to start setting those alarm clocks again. Let the magic begin. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156688732632900637.post-8444000126891956542012-05-13T17:43:00.001-04:002012-05-13T21:00:04.692-04:00On Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW7Nu44OHLFQneK8oy140IUBC875qD1RBQ6nz_A2T7U3nXZ3cJ9tiitasmVUepNO0IIlDU6R57h7AD_JXW2OZEEaNC1kzT3FKWIsTDB8W9NuMTkdWcpD99Yf6UCITeSlPOUy8G0_h2cs/s1600/049-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's been a perfect (by our standards;) weekend around here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My boys sure to know how to make this mom feel incredibly special. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's kind of weird how much free time you have when other people are taking care of your jobs for the day. Lol...lots of time for blogging, I watched a whole movie ("The Vow"~ sweet, and good...two thumbs up) with minimal interruption. That is a gift all in itself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's also given me plenty of time to think, and it wasn't long before my mind drifted to the people who have taken time to invest in me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And as I think about how much I love being a mom, how crazy-happily-blessed I feel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">for being trusted with the awesome (and sometimes scary;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">responsibility of caring for these three:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr7GDRj32wAhy-BeUHZwSYA1cw0sR7u9WzilgZww3oB0tvhB0MhEqB51Z2MpayCu3lPI3Zcw7aQqT8aLJfohEWkrlh9LlRfbMG5wVD6iluGQHqrb3Ni3kW15GhQ474zCKk3Wb-ET-pmo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr7GDRj32wAhy-BeUHZwSYA1cw0sR7u9WzilgZww3oB0tvhB0MhEqB51Z2MpayCu3lPI3Zcw7aQqT8aLJfohEWkrlh9LlRfbMG5wVD6iluGQHqrb3Ni3kW15GhQ474zCKk3Wb-ET-pmo/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I immediately think about the moms who influenced my life in different ways.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
First and foremost, my mom, who not only taught me how to be a mom,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
but also showed me how to take joy in the little things,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
how to cook and clean and take care of my family,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
how to give without end to the people I love, </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
and showed me just what sacrificial love looks like.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
She filled me (and still does) with more love than I can carry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBZSUn2-IzgBEnsMMo7XDuocHKVD8XSak2vlSxXj4vjlf3San2yBDyDEnNI91mAGsxYiiKkrFVOg_ZQ9weyTSko-9lV2X1kxdNcPG2QuWOMWi-z9S6KBOBf2-8XXKndV3E1Fp1vSBnx8/s1600/CCI05132012_00000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBZSUn2-IzgBEnsMMo7XDuocHKVD8XSak2vlSxXj4vjlf3San2yBDyDEnNI91mAGsxYiiKkrFVOg_ZQ9weyTSko-9lV2X1kxdNcPG2QuWOMWi-z9S6KBOBf2-8XXKndV3E1Fp1vSBnx8/s640/CCI05132012_00000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
She is equally as amazing as a Mimi,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
and the boys are crazy about her. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkYfkoGMg_iKXuTJ69Jy7erfmTMujJZRqfQ8Ohn-EAcHf3LLjSG4fvN_Rxru3AZVazCZO-UD8D7qy5_3eNuNXVQl8GEglGn5CBkqi_z938iHlvscgveXssrJ87mKUsR0cVu4ca-KMc7I/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkYfkoGMg_iKXuTJ69Jy7erfmTMujJZRqfQ8Ohn-EAcHf3LLjSG4fvN_Rxru3AZVazCZO-UD8D7qy5_3eNuNXVQl8GEglGn5CBkqi_z938iHlvscgveXssrJ87mKUsR0cVu4ca-KMc7I/s640/IMG_0546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I'm thankful for my mother-in-law,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
who taught me to look for the adventure in everything,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
and how to be courageous no matter what comes my way.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Most importantly, she raised an incredible son</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
who turned into the love of my life.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I'm forever grateful. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2_o6JLndU9TK4CDGnzRNGxflkmIVybxQcGZJk9YMjzFYEnxP1xjggdrtDso2KiSc0_m7qzSdwvwBLW6o9mx0xxXsrG8vClUnbWFQtY7T9TLjoOVrIohjm9z_5evYWww-qy8Qc-ouE4c/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2_o6JLndU9TK4CDGnzRNGxflkmIVybxQcGZJk9YMjzFYEnxP1xjggdrtDso2KiSc0_m7qzSdwvwBLW6o9mx0xxXsrG8vClUnbWFQtY7T9TLjoOVrIohjm9z_5evYWww-qy8Qc-ouE4c/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
She's one special Nana as well. :)</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I'm thankful (and missing even more today) my Momo...</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
the one who taught me how to love life and embrace every part of it,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
to find humor in just about everything,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
to love without end,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
that being feisty sometimes is good,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and who was always my safe place to talk about anything (and boy, did we;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bv_egZs_KTRHoAfnGRVrI0ulLiv-M7T9gIjqOBkzAOi_WYs5eQwZ6pPRWbui2QMbzrARjpRcJ39z7fgGjltpKvaS3micO1yob12rcJryetDfOjIBFhhCiQbGHAGfRK0C-4RMjDPKocc/s1600/hunter+and+momo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bv_egZs_KTRHoAfnGRVrI0ulLiv-M7T9gIjqOBkzAOi_WYs5eQwZ6pPRWbui2QMbzrARjpRcJ39z7fgGjltpKvaS3micO1yob12rcJryetDfOjIBFhhCiQbGHAGfRK0C-4RMjDPKocc/s640/hunter+and+momo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I miss her like crazy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
My Aunt Becky,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
who loves me like her own,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
has taught me to look at things from different perspectives, </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
and taught me to be selfless and generous;</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
plus, she's lots of fun. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW7Nu44OHLFQneK8oy140IUBC875qD1RBQ6nz_A2T7U3nXZ3cJ9tiitasmVUepNO0IIlDU6R57h7AD_JXW2OZEEaNC1kzT3FKWIsTDB8W9NuMTkdWcpD99Yf6UCITeSlPOUy8G0_h2cs/s1600/049-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW7Nu44OHLFQneK8oy140IUBC875qD1RBQ6nz_A2T7U3nXZ3cJ9tiitasmVUepNO0IIlDU6R57h7AD_JXW2OZEEaNC1kzT3FKWIsTDB8W9NuMTkdWcpD99Yf6UCITeSlPOUy8G0_h2cs/s400/049-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
And of course, without this guy</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I wouldn't be a mom. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF1b4djpslN8gcVWyA3QjwItdIMtOnELJmRxfFOVnUQql2SsGuT4Yky_qSUj3Zr5k31mTMcdNNnQvY3HR3_L525T5VyNKNc9DWxq9RBJ5A7_gbwYg_u9sgbbbkMwSm6rVxwS-Iyv-9iM/s1600/The+Hatchers-236+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF1b4djpslN8gcVWyA3QjwItdIMtOnELJmRxfFOVnUQql2SsGuT4Yky_qSUj3Zr5k31mTMcdNNnQvY3HR3_L525T5VyNKNc9DWxq9RBJ5A7_gbwYg_u9sgbbbkMwSm6rVxwS-Iyv-9iM/s640/The+Hatchers-236+copy.jpg" width="446" /> </a> </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
He makes me feel loved, and beautiful, and special, </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
and I love that God chose him for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplRfk9SBHMxvQt6Fuj5ZJb0svLWxxKfRf9AEWSRZFkhpvETZT_0Zbecbt9POKTW9aOZgmzoOTDQr-tVit9KaLys6kiR2qQL6r93iADch5pl_XX03rNwY1QwPPm8dY1FT7tpmQtUu2img/s1600/The+Hatchers-203+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplRfk9SBHMxvQt6Fuj5ZJb0svLWxxKfRf9AEWSRZFkhpvETZT_0Zbecbt9POKTW9aOZgmzoOTDQr-tVit9KaLys6kiR2qQL6r93iADch5pl_XX03rNwY1QwPPm8dY1FT7tpmQtUu2img/s640/The+Hatchers-203+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
I am so incredibly thankful to get to walk this life with him,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
and that we get to raise this crazy bunch together. :)</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there...take time to </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
thank the ones that got you were you are today. :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2