tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81391255141775593832024-03-13T19:16:16.445-05:00Oaks of RighteousnessBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-4652317422327258462013-06-04T06:10:00.005-05:002013-06-04T06:10:52.620-05:00A New Chapter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, its been 18 months since I lasted updated this blog! Wow, how time flies!!! Over the last few weeks I have had so many people tell me that I need to write down all that is happening in our lives, that I thought I would start blogging again. I guess I need to start by catching everyone up on our last 18 months first.<br />
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Starting with last summer...it was our second summer as a family of 7. All the "firsts" were done: first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter; July 4th; first birthdays, first vacations and now reality really started to set in. So did grieving. Every adoption begins with a tragedy. Because of this, there is much grieving that goes on, especially when older children are involved. Last summer we were all grieving and trying to adapt and adjust and it was HARD! We were trying to develop new, healthy relating patterns and let go of some unhealthy ones that had developed during the first 18 months. With all that said, this mamma needed a break from it all. I was really struggling physically (with my health), emotionally and spiritually.<br />
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Brent and I planned a trip away to Florida for just the two of us for our 16th anniversary (we had to skip over our 15th because things were still too new to leave). The first night we were there we had a "discussion." It didn't end well. I left the restaurant in tears and we drove back to the hotel in silence. As we drove a scripture came to my mind "Then your healing will quickly appear...". However, this was the only part that I could remember of the scripture that I had memorized years before. I knew I needed healing in many areas and couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and look up the remainder of the verse to find out what the "if" part was. What did I have to do to have my healing quickly appear?<br />
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As soon as we got back I searched on my You Version app, and found that the passage was from Isaiah 58. This passage was a message to the Israelites from God through the prophet Isaiah during a time when things seemed to be good. Temple attendance was up, everyone was "doing" all the right things. From the outside all seemed to be great. However, God is not concerned with what is on the outside, God looks at the heart (1Samuel 16:7). God tells the Israelites through Isaiah that He is not looking for people who are going through the motions. He doesn't want someone who is "performing" rituals and deeds that look good to everyone else. What He is after is someone whose heart is after Himself. Someone who obeys His commands out of a love for Him. Someone who desires to follow Him at ALL costs. What does a love like that look like?<br />
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Isaiah 58:6-7: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"<br />
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As we dissected this passage what we began to see is that we were just hypocrites going through the motions. We went to church, check; we tithed, check; we taught Sunday School, check; we gave to the poor sometimes, check; we adopted from Africa, check! We did all these things that looked good from the outside looking in, but raised our fists at God, and like the Israelites, said, "Why have we fasted, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?" What God taught us through is this: we were serving ourselves, not Him. If we really wanted true, lasting and whole healing it was only going to come when we started serving HIM. Pouring ourselves out and spending ourselves for HIM. <br />
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That night we hit our knees and renewed our committment to follow the Lord in whatever journey He had for us. We confessed our hypocrisy and selfishness. Some friends had already asked us to go with them to Haiti for spring break. It wasn't where I wanted to go, where I envisioned I would serve, but it was an opportunity presented to us and it was something that we could afford to do with the whole family. We decided that night that all 7 of us, even little Whitney, would go and serve "the least of these" together. It was only the beginning of a journey that will likely last a lifetime!<br />
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<i>Yes, we all wore matching Mickey shirts! I know your husbands are jealous!!!</i></div>
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<i>The Beach 2012</i></div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-15469060971121168942011-10-11T08:59:00.000-05:002011-10-11T08:59:23.293-05:00April & May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the Rutland house, April means BASEBALL! Jordan had been practicing throwing a ball with Ryan since his first day home and couldn't wait to play for real. Brent coached his team and we had a great time watching him grow as a BB player :-)</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/AVvXsEhCUIF4rq1a1LGeXJ73TsTxd5dc7S_-ObNxBdmV9trcHwvpvR4qVVAwcUubyc2mi9AGmQTqNO1Q8-eiHlsojz5fetTt9xvSrgGJttkkY0fTqD0T7ZmgaDIsY0lfDw1-oC0fM2Abnv2PG1c/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUIF4rq1a1LGeXJ73TsTxd5dc7S_-ObNxBdmV9trcHwvpvR4qVVAwcUubyc2mi9AGmQTqNO1Q8-eiHlsojz5fetTt9xvSrgGJttkkY0fTqD0T7ZmgaDIsY0lfDw1-oC0fM2Abnv2PG1c/s320/IMG_0118.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan played on a new team this year, the Franklin Generals, and we were so blessed to be on a team with wonderful families and boys. They were excited to have won several tournaments including the first one they played in for the season!</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/AVvXsEjLaIwwLdBAIC8-Ro6jVE1Q0U29FFgP0oZceWg_LS3UZqpbO91sckxvCwux64Gx7BSG5FyirwX8a-uUVU3hLmwTSb4gOxtr4MGxHE8KU5g0xBXkfpQ5ZZz1OO63HWet3c1gwCKnxHw0Mj0/s1600/IMG_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaIwwLdBAIC8-Ro6jVE1Q0U29FFgP0oZceWg_LS3UZqpbO91sckxvCwux64Gx7BSG5FyirwX8a-uUVU3hLmwTSb4gOxtr4MGxHE8KU5g0xBXkfpQ5ZZz1OO63HWet3c1gwCKnxHw0Mj0/s320/IMG_0151.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year has been full of so many firsts for R & J and Easter was no exception. They got to participate in a few egg hunts which they thought was the greatest thing...free candy?!?!</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/AVvXsEhDgzAaj0zr7vLQ0YpHYOu4UzqtfIxe8gp6dT1jV31d8KmtiINpc7q017IMg3lK7T-uDPN3-ZjvLMXqxVCsXSI4d9FSavTYGRPpKowvpE8WGm4FqQHjS08CzkmHbo6AO8b_mDQpSuvOEc8/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgzAaj0zr7vLQ0YpHYOu4UzqtfIxe8gp6dT1jV31d8KmtiINpc7q017IMg3lK7T-uDPN3-ZjvLMXqxVCsXSI4d9FSavTYGRPpKowvpE8WGm4FqQHjS08CzkmHbo6AO8b_mDQpSuvOEc8/s320/IMG_1941.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGOoUSCKa26xwcA46sxOq0dZUwd2u99B0pFDYgPfhKMNcZ4hAoUB74ieoy7K06jn5CmtfCHJQbMoMc3biwGCjGy9vqx7yjBDSIkrst2z7bPUb-zcL0Efp3q4AfjtR7tJUYThnDH0n1fw/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGOoUSCKa26xwcA46sxOq0dZUwd2u99B0pFDYgPfhKMNcZ4hAoUB74ieoy7K06jn5CmtfCHJQbMoMc3biwGCjGy9vqx7yjBDSIkrst2z7bPUb-zcL0Efp3q4AfjtR7tJUYThnDH0n1fw/s320/IMG_1942.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Whitney and her sweet friend Ava</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whitney in the bike parade at The Little School:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pVfLEBYoTNedb-cz_PDW1F4nnEp2i169e-4mbRSfbkNeddcDiTX9USKf1Ig3gxd-wgWQL9bbqLggW61st-dllJrBi1vb2aimQ6NZwejTaNqqfLceR1AuhFCFXxrUF1emVomtxK_J-Ek/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pVfLEBYoTNedb-cz_PDW1F4nnEp2i169e-4mbRSfbkNeddcDiTX9USKf1Ig3gxd-wgWQL9bbqLggW61st-dllJrBi1vb2aimQ6NZwejTaNqqfLceR1AuhFCFXxrUF1emVomtxK_J-Ek/s320/IMG_0171.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Easter this year I wanted to start a new tradition of having a traditional Passover Sader (we have actually done this 2 times before just not by ourselves at home). Brent, as the head of the household, read the script.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAy4_zn5rltkP81tBg-2t1d4MmagT47liHqdqa9Z1hHT6E4daQ-dWMgojrib1DIzx981Rq7_2huknDdLsbXNW341QcAokEHQm_El_YGF-LyImMHfQrmwnMOf-3fc124CWFjhT6Lj6zjc/s1600/IMG_0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAy4_zn5rltkP81tBg-2t1d4MmagT47liHqdqa9Z1hHT6E4daQ-dWMgojrib1DIzx981Rq7_2huknDdLsbXNW341QcAokEHQm_El_YGF-LyImMHfQrmwnMOf-3fc124CWFjhT6Lj6zjc/s320/IMG_0176.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Our Passover plate: </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We visited the Resurrection Trail at Christ Community Church in Franklin...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the station below the kids had to wash their parents feet like Jesus did the disciples' feet at the Last Supper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw2azwJqJmg0nhA5nNMaiwdIom0S4a73Jb2TAVPOZXI5tw2AXuP7H2HTr2J2fYSVylW2K0Brs23RCqdAmfSQHB_R-u_cLvN71HE_G-ltYCdNCIreHmq7oBCQflXvaoJaAKBdGkYqJxNA/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw2azwJqJmg0nhA5nNMaiwdIom0S4a73Jb2TAVPOZXI5tw2AXuP7H2HTr2J2fYSVylW2K0Brs23RCqdAmfSQHB_R-u_cLvN71HE_G-ltYCdNCIreHmq7oBCQflXvaoJaAKBdGkYqJxNA/s320/IMG_1951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me with the kids on our front porch Easter morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bmjN_TQBSaDouMtg9OaAL9h_13yCaFE2qHSDJAfZo-0lk2b5VRu4hJiPyucyu2dw7vgIBZAPzkDYpDvAM_4-5KSL5MzUgCHXyn1Y9PWcXNCXPNBq4Y1eHOFcxElSZWZiqXF2nahXsFw/s1600/DSC_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bmjN_TQBSaDouMtg9OaAL9h_13yCaFE2qHSDJAfZo-0lk2b5VRu4hJiPyucyu2dw7vgIBZAPzkDYpDvAM_4-5KSL5MzUgCHXyn1Y9PWcXNCXPNBq4Y1eHOFcxElSZWZiqXF2nahXsFw/s320/DSC_0806.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBJ4_O61Sz53ZpHPvUOA46ELuNfQblmds48QTD7IPeSw34v0a9s7LNFNH4duCUJqXwdUbO5DbbjCeS3jaRMQy4YPRBfGFk01-1aonwxbEWW2jETqKGjSvuFYxWqcOuuInN4s3rr2SnXQ/s1600/DSC_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBJ4_O61Sz53ZpHPvUOA46ELuNfQblmds48QTD7IPeSw34v0a9s7LNFNH4duCUJqXwdUbO5DbbjCeS3jaRMQy4YPRBfGFk01-1aonwxbEWW2jETqKGjSvuFYxWqcOuuInN4s3rr2SnXQ/s320/DSC_0813.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv9F1dXg0x09zkisqNECHaEmE4mjBqqRjFa7sieBg55jp_6w_wGhyphenhyphen6AtpXrLyF547mZW1HHA-YcJfYP_2ycGsOHLvRabOE1kzrcBgW9UG0fKOhpyJCAGHZg7zQtDNdaKQeK0hzPjc6wI/s1600/DSC_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv9F1dXg0x09zkisqNECHaEmE4mjBqqRjFa7sieBg55jp_6w_wGhyphenhyphen6AtpXrLyF547mZW1HHA-YcJfYP_2ycGsOHLvRabOE1kzrcBgW9UG0fKOhpyJCAGHZg7zQtDNdaKQeK0hzPjc6wI/s320/DSC_0819.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Dying Easter Eggs with neighbors.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: An egg hunt for all our neighbor friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6zFbtGF96-X4Qn_tn5P3vkMKiwYK214hjaPnm104e8HtdH1RijqhN4zwOZOoXAcgT99XiRauyxX8saxljmcH62BY6UwfzkO65sygyLu_hr99Sf_u1ElxFqgVnjJ6TWKzqXrYSzuo1fk/s1600/DSC_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6zFbtGF96-X4Qn_tn5P3vkMKiwYK214hjaPnm104e8HtdH1RijqhN4zwOZOoXAcgT99XiRauyxX8saxljmcH62BY6UwfzkO65sygyLu_hr99Sf_u1ElxFqgVnjJ6TWKzqXrYSzuo1fk/s320/DSC_0856.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEhbvjQh_e1QZHe8T_6By3AICq_WzpxthSAKItexDICXIXcOosUs0JkrhJR6yqP2LSLlhxEjov_VTI3stIT7FMlbHBJTOSmP3b5Vhn6eFcCLzPq3hSn8vI0yXPKspXXWnLPzLsDwCgUYFBM/s1600/DSC_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvjQh_e1QZHe8T_6By3AICq_WzpxthSAKItexDICXIXcOosUs0JkrhJR6yqP2LSLlhxEjov_VTI3stIT7FMlbHBJTOSmP3b5Vhn6eFcCLzPq3hSn8vI0yXPKspXXWnLPzLsDwCgUYFBM/s320/DSC_0862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rachel in action...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBWH_l_sRdFqGs3QWQ_NNkc1u1KjqU56o6FuXupgJ91HfH0dfyWC7eDhBtEjq5xnPM0TpOtsVutgLQPoXB8I-AlcRmW56ZK6JNAvrko8TsAAjfTkyP-8Ua5dwRxQDSIGTZzRC5xEmSv8/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBWH_l_sRdFqGs3QWQ_NNkc1u1KjqU56o6FuXupgJ91HfH0dfyWC7eDhBtEjq5xnPM0TpOtsVutgLQPoXB8I-AlcRmW56ZK6JNAvrko8TsAAjfTkyP-8Ua5dwRxQDSIGTZzRC5xEmSv8/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kCyFdtkdnltJ4KoZpTc2hP3HGhnHMi0oPxD_gJne6mhAryjQCpi5JqlF4ED5gp6xnd59efTNF5mJpKYGe-w-4RPAA3tJM-az8NWMwYTtH9xubJ-V6KjLFetU0flhq9aSyKnFvwFOKA8/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kCyFdtkdnltJ4KoZpTc2hP3HGhnHMi0oPxD_gJne6mhAryjQCpi5JqlF4ED5gp6xnd59efTNF5mJpKYGe-w-4RPAA3tJM-az8NWMwYTtH9xubJ-V6KjLFetU0flhq9aSyKnFvwFOKA8/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">May had us saying goodbye to some great teachers as we prepared to move to the new school opening.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel with the beloved Mrs. Gonzales; her ESL teacher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YvC50AgU9_tSr_riz-H8GJfdvUF38068779-aqfE9GcLx1QdSw-BUkPfYOAnQEBNUrY8aa4NDQdoM-20ILxqdDrhu3ewb6AjdveL1XNcxYqb8ZgUZtxU6QZK4nXuYTJ6LyHOUDIyrMo/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YvC50AgU9_tSr_riz-H8GJfdvUF38068779-aqfE9GcLx1QdSw-BUkPfYOAnQEBNUrY8aa4NDQdoM-20ILxqdDrhu3ewb6AjdveL1XNcxYqb8ZgUZtxU6QZK4nXuYTJ6LyHOUDIyrMo/s320/IMG_2064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The older three with Coach Campbell...we sure do miss her!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfQHns2bvFJpMnI1jmViIGxW89lDy_cL8mlx_HIXjn8fg3Nwwfw5dQAJ_Z8jNQTGBKBKM9eCxs5XW3I1J9x_pMUmBVJlCBQV-razPbbouoDx9IoZi2iGwuHcEt6T1BB1GUtDzrWCmN5g/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfQHns2bvFJpMnI1jmViIGxW89lDy_cL8mlx_HIXjn8fg3Nwwfw5dQAJ_Z8jNQTGBKBKM9eCxs5XW3I1J9x_pMUmBVJlCBQV-razPbbouoDx9IoZi2iGwuHcEt6T1BB1GUtDzrWCmN5g/s320/IMG_2065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hayley & Rachel with Mrs. Hullett. My first 2 third graders had this awesome teacher. We were sad she stayed behind at Trinity and Ryan didn't get to have her too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z5ksiJd7HgAIXUnmVaP7CkxQZzEusm8M9HK6dp5nm3cX9EkVGU0btnL_g4hOXU6I4gu9loU71sFes1cUs_LTZsvnY-DU1q5kGtJ-Dc8YVAMJnT8FgkkYD5DnigThoKmpj-v-UG7k29E/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z5ksiJd7HgAIXUnmVaP7CkxQZzEusm8M9HK6dp5nm3cX9EkVGU0btnL_g4hOXU6I4gu9loU71sFes1cUs_LTZsvnY-DU1q5kGtJ-Dc8YVAMJnT8FgkkYD5DnigThoKmpj-v-UG7k29E/s320/IMG_2069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Fifth grade celebrations...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wzcBZxq9VOhgKqxpnvVg_ugeP-VozIHDJj4mqaDO9Bnmo46ODwkdAhBG6Mlp4Wrwt0Z3vqbbMrqwq1J37Dt7AUKwflXuFyJtxPI3Yw3eUmCJOzD5z_yHY0EX-K0xPSNUSeQFytV0E_g/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wzcBZxq9VOhgKqxpnvVg_ugeP-VozIHDJj4mqaDO9Bnmo46ODwkdAhBG6Mlp4Wrwt0Z3vqbbMrqwq1J37Dt7AUKwflXuFyJtxPI3Yw3eUmCJOzD5z_yHY0EX-K0xPSNUSeQFytV0E_g/s320/IMG_2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbs88fne2nG1gKfuKAhR3JrRTsLOwAva3dD0Iwg3ifmYNTz6i-aQ9QFclpmrqomkDGYgqqIJwICR_Hsq1Nx1qu8e8E2351RN9HnvmMnBrQinDsCc8kRlqx_yysHdCR5CJFguaNJKxOhU/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbs88fne2nG1gKfuKAhR3JrRTsLOwAva3dD0Iwg3ifmYNTz6i-aQ9QFclpmrqomkDGYgqqIJwICR_Hsq1Nx1qu8e8E2351RN9HnvmMnBrQinDsCc8kRlqx_yysHdCR5CJFguaNJKxOhU/s320/IMG_2040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jordan with his kindergarten teacher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FW1x79wgUODR6aoX3KbSgnoySd0ocPKJVu1jFzNTYY4NLXGRytCgEeQWbIoT_CD6uoNcBacJhZVUy2vef4WTS3j_PGekKw4rALhXOUei4_Qi-Vs_ostttxa45eWqUVdW1a12AWLwzfI/s1600/IMG_1991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FW1x79wgUODR6aoX3KbSgnoySd0ocPKJVu1jFzNTYY4NLXGRytCgEeQWbIoT_CD6uoNcBacJhZVUy2vef4WTS3j_PGekKw4rALhXOUei4_Qi-Vs_ostttxa45eWqUVdW1a12AWLwzfI/s320/IMG_1991.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel with her class at field day. She had an awesome class!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJJ15wMMMmGl9d16AskLMde9NWFTxd91bXEPms1OrEU6hj1oggp9TVJmKTKLiIRzDTyFhjaG01D8HzRHma8JlHvwgyAFQ3RzUX2M59dV1r1uR0bbot0N72ZLG3uHbuE6qtrClkgmR3f4/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJJ15wMMMmGl9d16AskLMde9NWFTxd91bXEPms1OrEU6hj1oggp9TVJmKTKLiIRzDTyFhjaG01D8HzRHma8JlHvwgyAFQ3RzUX2M59dV1r1uR0bbot0N72ZLG3uHbuE6qtrClkgmR3f4/s320/IMG_2047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another school year over. Summer fun awaits...</div><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-62391678168363336892011-08-05T09:17:00.000-05:002011-08-05T09:17:22.076-05:00March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started March off with dress up days that week at school. The pic below is the girls dressed for "Wacky Wednesday." They had fun trying to be the wackiest!</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/AVvXsEimCEt0sLP8tEgtz6D30roetfQTFEauKV5wQDzWaWLXl1Gk7kt4egfYWoyrBzwLVHZaOTevYdnImhRCCBBPcpyfk9C1GctITdBOPSIA4GKnUSZ2MXjiLpZkx5b6Zl1qhUizxgmVX4DrEYQ/s1600/IMG_1831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCEt0sLP8tEgtz6D30roetfQTFEauKV5wQDzWaWLXl1Gk7kt4egfYWoyrBzwLVHZaOTevYdnImhRCCBBPcpyfk9C1GctITdBOPSIA4GKnUSZ2MXjiLpZkx5b6Zl1qhUizxgmVX4DrEYQ/s320/IMG_1831.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The girls got to have a father/daughter dance this year at Trinity. The boys got a more "masculine" date with mom. We built birdhouses and then ate in the cafeteria. There was a DJ and the boys had fun doing dances like the chicken, cha cha slide and the YMCA. It was fun to watch Jordan dance with all the boys. It didn't take him long to learn all the moves!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV36zZ8QzhoUme33sN6MSpn2gS3MJIc8jI-XqPLBPu_8Q74ymMw-O3HgssiyKVcbIqrbFWVmmqJ3SpoDjnwexdR8mHLR78GRvn6y8mQy8-dY4fwdl0cWAlrqz1oNvwMzHhZwMQQDrZnEE/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV36zZ8QzhoUme33sN6MSpn2gS3MJIc8jI-XqPLBPu_8Q74ymMw-O3HgssiyKVcbIqrbFWVmmqJ3SpoDjnwexdR8mHLR78GRvn6y8mQy8-dY4fwdl0cWAlrqz1oNvwMzHhZwMQQDrZnEE/s320/IMG_1839.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B3zRYyJjvdSR4Etc39_AKT2yFKXIY3VX3O0EuuqRO6I8Wzb9Sn3QW-OetZ_2DwqRkZ3KEsQV-3MGYFeIeGh61oT3gYe3Veh6vA7dug32bq7y9kNqChv731LTPTiGGQdTHb_BFVkcG80/s1600/IMG_1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B3zRYyJjvdSR4Etc39_AKT2yFKXIY3VX3O0EuuqRO6I8Wzb9Sn3QW-OetZ_2DwqRkZ3KEsQV-3MGYFeIeGh61oT3gYe3Veh6vA7dug32bq7y9kNqChv731LTPTiGGQdTHb_BFVkcG80/s320/IMG_1840.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brent's parents both work in the school system and are lucky to have spring break off. We were blessed with a visit from them on their spring break. </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/AVvXsEg249Zfj5OszEFaTBxcKbTkpuh3LCv7MfgRwy0PP8g_LmPiXv830w_HQUNz_JcUR6Ipd7G2axDF4bc2aeE16hhAqg2GQ7v0LdlPAFgvNeJ8XrjLvV07KtKpukEezQ23CuKxmwC0LLcufWY/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg249Zfj5OszEFaTBxcKbTkpuh3LCv7MfgRwy0PP8g_LmPiXv830w_HQUNz_JcUR6Ipd7G2axDF4bc2aeE16hhAqg2GQ7v0LdlPAFgvNeJ8XrjLvV07KtKpukEezQ23CuKxmwC0LLcufWY/s320/IMG_0078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">For spring break we decided to take a mini "get away" with everyone and see how everyone would do. It would be our first family "vacation" staying in a hotel and going fun places. We have traveled to and from TX a couple of times, but we always stay with family and are mostly in family houses the whole time. I made all the kids a goodie bag with essentials for the trip: sunglasses, candy, snacks etc. The pic below is of us about to leave with everyone's sunglasses on.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkB_D4eOB6MhZHrLFJv7Qaj7jY_JeU1nG8BKlZFgpGcUJT5VokxW6-_eRAiWACy0-MxnzRN-xM7eQ5KRl1LSHyt3qU-lgS5Y7hyIt9e3PDlpLBZ5fLxu4xcpydPlabwoCLKUEpTtCClg/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkB_D4eOB6MhZHrLFJv7Qaj7jY_JeU1nG8BKlZFgpGcUJT5VokxW6-_eRAiWACy0-MxnzRN-xM7eQ5KRl1LSHyt3qU-lgS5Y7hyIt9e3PDlpLBZ5fLxu4xcpydPlabwoCLKUEpTtCClg/s320/IMG_1870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first stop in Atlanta was the aquarium. The kids really enjoyed it. We did have one scare. We couldn't find Whitney and Ryan for a few minutes. We finally found them at the top of the jungle playground. Whitney was scared to come down the slide and refused to move. Many kids were coming through trying to encourage her to go, but she wouldn't move. Ryan stood by her side and didn't leave her. Finally the attendant let Rachel (who was technically too tall and was not allowed to go in the playground) go up and rescue Whitney. She had to drag her screaming and force her down the slide. By that point we had quite an audience watching the scene! The pic below is of the kids petting the sting rays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc6tBMiAn2aNzTcbsILDR0swcdWPzv83MMd9EVrRIpABD_gflNAG-b49AF2UZ4UI3SSZVw8rRX7p2dOm9YkxLgcQgETxMiBYp69OjiGlfqZ4CEN8mdOD-WvSHZjhdW_C4-Y7UdoM1S8E/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc6tBMiAn2aNzTcbsILDR0swcdWPzv83MMd9EVrRIpABD_gflNAG-b49AF2UZ4UI3SSZVw8rRX7p2dOm9YkxLgcQgETxMiBYp69OjiGlfqZ4CEN8mdOD-WvSHZjhdW_C4-Y7UdoM1S8E/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Cute family pic:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4XQKsDVerCPUQWK9gEXVjWqMerP0AGNTkN-SimKzdkqWF3-rK2U-k-w52YVmvrfJN3UdS7YPGyMHTwLyH_LXp8SUL1r9YKH5yPd9BA1_537BUYbXbaeQ0XlIlerqUU_1zyaQm5d6_WM/s1600/IMG_1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4XQKsDVerCPUQWK9gEXVjWqMerP0AGNTkN-SimKzdkqWF3-rK2U-k-w52YVmvrfJN3UdS7YPGyMHTwLyH_LXp8SUL1r9YKH5yPd9BA1_537BUYbXbaeQ0XlIlerqUU_1zyaQm5d6_WM/s320/IMG_1878.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jordan...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYetjHA17rU4b6_D6E7cVJQEhUMs0xA8ed03dIbe_C4hn7lYwIcX4CTN05bo1lEumgeC8soNrJHo5Q6eRsXKy-KFgv_IrRpgAhAl19HtRIYZAVXUo4drCpXaq7_PaI1sXz5jgB8BJKlw/s1600/IMG_1882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYetjHA17rU4b6_D6E7cVJQEhUMs0xA8ed03dIbe_C4hn7lYwIcX4CTN05bo1lEumgeC8soNrJHo5Q6eRsXKy-KFgv_IrRpgAhAl19HtRIYZAVXUo4drCpXaq7_PaI1sXz5jgB8BJKlw/s320/IMG_1882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSJgk3hU2s_2Wv9WqZmqDTAC0kzBEq61OlQyFVZFpmRuIn6_NwYy1joVEtiaIq4eyo2DCG3d0aoWLrVNYq0hs5DkH7HtzzRsnX1LFZbEP6RJJ0N_M4Jnb5nLNuXjOlFSwM0KGtbFd8PM/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSJgk3hU2s_2Wv9WqZmqDTAC0kzBEq61OlQyFVZFpmRuIn6_NwYy1joVEtiaIq4eyo2DCG3d0aoWLrVNYq0hs5DkH7HtzzRsnX1LFZbEP6RJJ0N_M4Jnb5nLNuXjOlFSwM0KGtbFd8PM/s320/IMG_1892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Ready to watch the IMAX movie:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQypGo-sjY1wz0ghYczbyy6hEzIyQXRgP-34p8TNQlPFKF58R35xObDJi73LPz31MEywYO0C8x5JQDI5OfdSBQprleT34yXMM2Ev9j4nDOC1yZt2hEDljU1v7AXhWOhHnI64dTHPTa28/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQypGo-sjY1wz0ghYczbyy6hEzIyQXRgP-34p8TNQlPFKF58R35xObDJi73LPz31MEywYO0C8x5JQDI5OfdSBQprleT34yXMM2Ev9j4nDOC1yZt2hEDljU1v7AXhWOhHnI64dTHPTa28/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The highlight of the girls trip was to go to the American Girl Doll store. Hayley used her birthday money last summer to buy a "Just like me" doll to give to Rachel when she came home (she has such a beautiful, sweet heart). They had both been earning some money doing some chores around the house and saving it to spend on this trip. I gave them each a little more to spend that day and we had FUN shopping for the dolls!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWCDA6meXCspxwE5X66AfuljR8BbewdB_I809TK51A_eyqykF80J-Gipi9Q8E_3hjRXw1hIjSfapYo4FD5wBacGtDIMiLYeVvVoKDjojknz0KWbFkIEJN8esHq8bTXMCnliTVoYEJcHA/s1600/IMG_1917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWCDA6meXCspxwE5X66AfuljR8BbewdB_I809TK51A_eyqykF80J-Gipi9Q8E_3hjRXw1hIjSfapYo4FD5wBacGtDIMiLYeVvVoKDjojknz0KWbFkIEJN8esHq8bTXMCnliTVoYEJcHA/s320/IMG_1917.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEUEjuMO61rDwgW5w52rn_8ORnfPAKSXcxaBVW5wq2p_j3PlWTHru4N82LFaDy7VH8hc-CS5cuicSEOyH70stgfpbhQStV9eT0e0UMjfjmUR38eU_ICOvdzU64y_dN-HHZD06qmfgZd0/s1600/IMG_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEUEjuMO61rDwgW5w52rn_8ORnfPAKSXcxaBVW5wq2p_j3PlWTHru4N82LFaDy7VH8hc-CS5cuicSEOyH70stgfpbhQStV9eT0e0UMjfjmUR38eU_ICOvdzU64y_dN-HHZD06qmfgZd0/s320/IMG_1920.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47amJg8ltAzU_ILJVDuy07FIksBOecsK7BcK6FQw1Lc1gl1SbDMvRJP0DGlfL3tFUWnDrnL96xpev2sNB39S3R7turYv3IwsUGXcS2wA4PUFS7_BkrvcIaUnMPfDsmbeRDEioNy8_7h8/s1600/IMG_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47amJg8ltAzU_ILJVDuy07FIksBOecsK7BcK6FQw1Lc1gl1SbDMvRJP0DGlfL3tFUWnDrnL96xpev2sNB39S3R7turYv3IwsUGXcS2wA4PUFS7_BkrvcIaUnMPfDsmbeRDEioNy8_7h8/s320/IMG_1921.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Rachel first came home and couldn't speak good english we couldn't explain to her how to take care of the American Girl Doll's hair. She would just brush really hard and it destroyed her hair. Luckily, they have a "doll hospital" you can send your doll to and get it fixed. They even brought our the "Doctor" and he asked what her favorite foods, tv shows etc. were! They put her in a hospital gown and took her away. So cute! Two weeks later we got her back in the mail good as new :-)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILkAlxYWkA9xCbvvj55YJQccG_YvNEKdLgNLkk9olLYNAeJYsdoW2EYgXu7Qr8U9z3rZR6irHnjU-a9VKfTNXuYSBfuFxWPdSaIHK5cxXUjJ5M7KvJXstc0zBx2wUjDgTDwnMcr-cuvU/s1600/IMG_1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILkAlxYWkA9xCbvvj55YJQccG_YvNEKdLgNLkk9olLYNAeJYsdoW2EYgXu7Qr8U9z3rZR6irHnjU-a9VKfTNXuYSBfuFxWPdSaIHK5cxXUjJ5M7KvJXstc0zBx2wUjDgTDwnMcr-cuvU/s320/IMG_1925.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls ate at the restaurant there and although it is NOT cheap, the food was really good. The dolls got to sit in high chairs attached to the table and had their own plates and cups. It was super cute!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG1UzvcfWVCtbQXFesmtFn7UAi4VyiXllO9KzCDnARIY52E_lCmi3N73rO2zHkCz6T2EdRpk6k2i_rpZ8kbK4xZuZnbXQlYlA6VljNXvZo6IiMagA_u1QRFMTXTer-6qX6VuoAVj-ULM/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG1UzvcfWVCtbQXFesmtFn7UAi4VyiXllO9KzCDnARIY52E_lCmi3N73rO2zHkCz6T2EdRpk6k2i_rpZ8kbK4xZuZnbXQlYlA6VljNXvZo6IiMagA_u1QRFMTXTer-6qX6VuoAVj-ULM/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNLZqA24R0VTgQIcdIuNiNjsrdPUp9NKRkSiYFn8MFwpW6b9SZM4lg_dc35U5RrRZgXwBj-oZBarAbHIXpvwPO97-ZWpJ1wJP_vgBmo9sOraHlL7qze3YK6WY7TbUgtb4QCgrYq5Qboo/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNLZqA24R0VTgQIcdIuNiNjsrdPUp9NKRkSiYFn8MFwpW6b9SZM4lg_dc35U5RrRZgXwBj-oZBarAbHIXpvwPO97-ZWpJ1wJP_vgBmo9sOraHlL7qze3YK6WY7TbUgtb4QCgrYq5Qboo/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a dream outing for these girls. I know I would have been in heaven as a little girl!</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/AVvXsEh2-9MuI_tpAI_wccZ8O4Qx5U4W7HCA2vo3cuc9aRe-JHS42FNRxXQLYCItLeIF1yjOYMPXommX5YAYhkSjnfmJQXCFV-Lvt8MpODdBNN3yYdaEggN69vzbSbBfsAQX22PLweX2J7JQfsI/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-9MuI_tpAI_wccZ8O4Qx5U4W7HCA2vo3cuc9aRe-JHS42FNRxXQLYCItLeIF1yjOYMPXommX5YAYhkSjnfmJQXCFV-Lvt8MpODdBNN3yYdaEggN69vzbSbBfsAQX22PLweX2J7JQfsI/s320/IMG_1926.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The month ended with Turkey season. Ryan went hunting with Brent and shot his first wild animal. He was SO proud. We got to eat it and it was really good :-)</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/AVvXsEhqBYCbisOzl8-c_hEWmYZmIcvDuv0sxTbgMFiUTo_2uFQp032WUKySWyjwGGMUFUu8MqjrDZv6fnbnxEMZhqOuzTrLbVyXW00XmrU2pOSjHHepRc3a3dUPAFuXMSxnbagOMfhvIpDtp0w/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBYCbisOzl8-c_hEWmYZmIcvDuv0sxTbgMFiUTo_2uFQp032WUKySWyjwGGMUFUu8MqjrDZv6fnbnxEMZhqOuzTrLbVyXW00XmrU2pOSjHHepRc3a3dUPAFuXMSxnbagOMfhvIpDtp0w/s320/IMG_0091.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
That is all for today! Hopefully I will have another post up soon...</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-81544415362187332192011-07-30T17:49:00.000-05:002011-07-30T17:49:59.620-05:00Finally!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxImurhNYgq9MrzWQ4aPnxK3A08MdnxxStvJFQvORVyF2uMdeq6ljoZKfpms_BnujAx_weun9K8qnAD35AszQz_xMhIvwHtt2Z1pQrQkuhmcmPPR4mWzcuPbUFCBgOqZI6nUnWNn2Nd0/s1600/other12_Spilled-Water1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxImurhNYgq9MrzWQ4aPnxK3A08MdnxxStvJFQvORVyF2uMdeq6ljoZKfpms_BnujAx_weun9K8qnAD35AszQz_xMhIvwHtt2Z1pQrQkuhmcmPPR4mWzcuPbUFCBgOqZI6nUnWNn2Nd0/s320/other12_Spilled-Water1.jpg" width="320" /></a>As I stated in my last post, I had planned to bring my blog up to date while we were on vacation at the beginning of the summer. As my March pictures were uploading I pushed my computer back so that I could reach across the table and help my brother do something on his computer. What I didn't know was that there was a glass of water sitting in the middle of the table between our computers. I knocked it over and it ran into the back of my MAC. I didn't realize it had flowed into my computer for several minutes. When I went to get back on it, it wouldn't do anything. I then thought to shake it and see if there happened to be any water inside. We all sat in disbelief as water drops began flying out of my computer. No worries , I thought, my hubby bought the protection plan and I was smart of enough to have backed everything up before we left. <br />
<br />
Ha! The so called "Protection Plan" that he bought from a big, popular retailer of electronics did not protect anything! When we dropped the computer off they said not to worry that they would either fix or replace it. However, their story changed once they got my computer. We were told later that we should have bought a more expensive plan to cover "accidental" damage. I am not sure why we would have bought a "protection plan" at all if it didn't cover accidents since Apple covered everything else for free.<br />
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I am happy to say that after almost 2 months of "negotiations" we reached a "deal" a couple of days ago and I am the happy owner of a brand new MAC book Pro! Soooo...stay tuned for the promised updates to our blog. I want to keep it all in chronological order; one because that is how I think and two because I want this to be a journal we can look back on and read about our lives...in order. Maybe I will have it all updated before school starts in 2 weeks???? Ahh, we shall see!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-69072979687241622592011-06-01T08:14:00.000-05:002011-06-01T08:14:01.466-05:00More February....Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found a few more pics of February and decided that I needed to share them with you. The first is of me and my cast. Notice I am resting my foot on my infamous knee roller (I got a lot of unwanted attention everywhere we went thanks to this invention:-). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there is Whitney being her silly self. She SO fits the profile of the "baby" of the family. Always the clown and performer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also shared the pics of my sweet friend Sallee coming home with her cutie pie, Samson Jude, from Ethiopia. Many of you have seen my girls wear their "Poppy Dip" skirts/dresses. Sallee is the talented seamstress who made them to raise money to bring Samson home. Shortly after they brought home him, Sallee starting feeling really bad and it was discovered that she had ovarian cancer. She has already undergone a few surgeries to remove it and is awaiting the start of chemo. Please, Please, remember her in your prayers! She has her new little guy as well as 5 other kiddos at home. You can follow more of her journey here: http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CgRAD9YARiTD5wyHHMjUDJpjWQ00zaR9sGjPpdBaBZEwSeoGrfvdNxd_HG22romntofI3vFXkjVRECbevACI_ST_1gB973p1QpuQJ98fn_UyPTgGPXonNziyGjGmVzoE-LBNtFFbJxs/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CgRAD9YARiTD5wyHHMjUDJpjWQ00zaR9sGjPpdBaBZEwSeoGrfvdNxd_HG22romntofI3vFXkjVRECbevACI_ST_1gB973p1QpuQJ98fn_UyPTgGPXonNziyGjGmVzoE-LBNtFFbJxs/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Whitney waiting to get me cast off! It was an exciting day at our house!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS4yZQmKQJKQfTEd1Rvvl8ZxivuTKvbpqtZcu4QBGR7Z8YJ9XbeQcexQCCJlF04Ixu3dh3kbjoCYW9xkHeMlkm_SxWNWt_nm9P55RpPDTo59CTgqhbBIUp18HeUf8Weuj_0Jvvcbh1B4/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS4yZQmKQJKQfTEd1Rvvl8ZxivuTKvbpqtZcu4QBGR7Z8YJ9XbeQcexQCCJlF04Ixu3dh3kbjoCYW9xkHeMlkm_SxWNWt_nm9P55RpPDTo59CTgqhbBIUp18HeUf8Weuj_0Jvvcbh1B4/s400/IMG_0045.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitney being her funny self...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X_Wam-vXB75Nss608j7AicmQ05JqvuWGHbaYuoJ1aTYMmLdJC6lLRHVGbmyx3ruBy5-CA4uMJYYD8lUcdixI2BdzTk92ZcfeiKkw7lms4OZkA12rJ3Ipxzmq_nHFjevb-e02a0RbZIw/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X_Wam-vXB75Nss608j7AicmQ05JqvuWGHbaYuoJ1aTYMmLdJC6lLRHVGbmyx3ruBy5-CA4uMJYYD8lUcdixI2BdzTk92ZcfeiKkw7lms4OZkA12rJ3Ipxzmq_nHFjevb-e02a0RbZIw/s400/IMG_0044.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_DHJhUoQUCvpTqgkFYJqt5KIY8pIGj3qR4W3CchMFcyTOJ5l5tvSGMywVJQx5rXOlDuVoXrUBUTl0NZK4UfqNOYw4-WSykBjPY9S6zDZdocj0etSME-9fJpYn4MgechCkO6MpMUUnWY/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_DHJhUoQUCvpTqgkFYJqt5KIY8pIGj3qR4W3CchMFcyTOJ5l5tvSGMywVJQx5rXOlDuVoXrUBUTl0NZK4UfqNOYw4-WSykBjPY9S6zDZdocj0etSME-9fJpYn4MgechCkO6MpMUUnWY/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWQOg-WWvF-P1nX7nEd7Asjr6Sol2kvpmeimv7AkJaGx7SoxIK9vALZupuUtIBtnoOOFK_NdzL_RDXE5Z6ypApbLEu4JewGfeQRF_cvzVXDA54VqIRR_nOVwlykqTmBF-pgG6HBfRQGY/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWQOg-WWvF-P1nX7nEd7Asjr6Sol2kvpmeimv7AkJaGx7SoxIK9vALZupuUtIBtnoOOFK_NdzL_RDXE5Z6ypApbLEu4JewGfeQRF_cvzVXDA54VqIRR_nOVwlykqTmBF-pgG6HBfRQGY/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 3 girls plus two of the Pedicini girls waiting for little Samson Jude and his parents to get off the plane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2mUrMgdR5K-9K0fluPBo6XaFmcy_5SJPaDySRAZY8V6l7lysrjD0NR1AHN2SSIsIq2pEb-eUIwSpg0LB2Ozq0IGbg_Di6hsGGm4S0eb9kDVyBvE-2CuScE2Z4gVRghqU_aYVxslbqrU/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2mUrMgdR5K-9K0fluPBo6XaFmcy_5SJPaDySRAZY8V6l7lysrjD0NR1AHN2SSIsIq2pEb-eUIwSpg0LB2Ozq0IGbg_Di6hsGGm4S0eb9kDVyBvE-2CuScE2Z4gVRghqU_aYVxslbqrU/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Samson and his sweet Momma, Sallee, looking so cute after flying from the other side of the world!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4PkHMtu9aZYHgSSRbyHTcLuJDZum25xHgtTx7Tt52hV5m6UGVeuNNhfOqNZgD3WLVyRlc6AW8l0tk8b2w1D-Y6bhb8ZCli-fp8vqoasXYweJZJij6x-hZ2xwBQUMKZEaLMjEt-T-DYY/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4PkHMtu9aZYHgSSRbyHTcLuJDZum25xHgtTx7Tt52hV5m6UGVeuNNhfOqNZgD3WLVyRlc6AW8l0tk8b2w1D-Y6bhb8ZCli-fp8vqoasXYweJZJij6x-hZ2xwBQUMKZEaLMjEt-T-DYY/s400/IMG_0056.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few more faces playing and waiting for Samson's arrival.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DGkOQeKff603CVSWLqVtOuhd8wM4-dMupsJx8BlcGvkczkdguFIlXH2jK8iLdNVh0u5gf-J0QfztJ_d7uDFHAMMFy8-ch3OxhwQNinxORF7-nPIHmB3zRJWhlQ6m5Z8thxSemHHHhKU/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DGkOQeKff603CVSWLqVtOuhd8wM4-dMupsJx8BlcGvkczkdguFIlXH2jK8iLdNVh0u5gf-J0QfztJ_d7uDFHAMMFy8-ch3OxhwQNinxORF7-nPIHmB3zRJWhlQ6m5Z8thxSemHHHhKU/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More kids being funny as we waited for the Couch family to arrive. Airport homecoming parties are the best :-)</td></tr>
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March is still coming!!! Stay tuned....<br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-65696094565548229232011-05-31T08:00:00.000-05:002011-05-31T08:07:35.189-05:00What have we been up to??? Part 1: February<div>It has been a REALLY LONG TIME since I updated our blog. A few of my friends have asked given me a hard time about it! What have we been up to??? Well, I am going to attempt to catch up on the last few months over the next few days. After my surgery in January, the rest of the semester I just tried to keep everyone "above water." It has been a hard few months for me recovering from my foot surgery, but school is out and we are going to enjoy some lazier days this summer :-). This week we are on vacation at the beach and having a blast. My goal is to try to catch up my blog and have some beach pics on here by the end of the week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today is February.......</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0_SzLr-MV3629ueMi_OuBLfY2ZWzFkv5zYUhOKhfjDXmzKxoDD9SyfJj-_KgMZvUngRn6TejRg_jcx3_vq3gGofyRi1GUZW86dohh5SycrmPsJlWEeG-GpWkaBj6hP7z567_IWoh5ok/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612711365146875362" /><div style="text-align: center;">Above: February marked the 100th day of school and at our school the kindergartners dress up like they are 100 years old. Here is Jordan dressed as an old man with gray hair and all. Isn't he cute???</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: This month was also the daddy daughter dance. The girls had fun dressing up and going on a special date: dinner at P.F. Changs and a dance at school. The fun part for me was shopping for their dresses on a knee roller since my foot was still in the cast at this point!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ929uxBZTd3fFmOd-o9m3WnBJ4RqCy1RNqJzMpluAUUZ7KSP-aIWSfrKPkOUMmgcZRyyP9lVLi6ZhLtWObyb-Yp7eWmtnMvLWcqRW2DNfPHbQEYONsmvwugx9sieEsgwOkzMiOQE3QvQ/s320/IMG_1775.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612711373253774466" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd1-w_8Psw4I12mnQYOGbAfd7g8qOKnZ2BEF3tIndFTzXG0Zi_eayLlDTcXoXI7Lm4dGCib_MFbylqBqCuYS6QT_Elho5QJKiEg3cu_f1IiOMwFAAc0QTe_qn2g0dmEiv1LRcs_2MIi0/s320/IMG_1774.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612711369859750322" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy3ossSeKpQMVPHHrP2sL5wq1iMvr4tIM4-q0P-3JknMrhKfEfkLAGwAQnzJ8ZOKuNpwYroguWawVe1siP-BSGoE7Ji1Qdz6rPccYfYsgZRqv6n1eEC3aw41OfymqXBuRI4QI_q5Vr9k/s320/IMG_1788.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612711380847925010" /><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Daddy makes Valentines special for his girls. He is teaching the boys of the house to treat their girls like princesses. Since their girls are their sisters for now we all got flowers and chocolate with a formal presentation. Too sweet!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyETPrjJwkjlag7opMWt0UgiG2NOSjIdk0q537Cl-WE3YU-YVrOsgWyuGnM4C7Fsuxu30kY88HlljnskhCOKLphSxWvtyOuwjzkIf09RVLMOp0F9DdNt33yB1gKkPGNMburphNOteX3Qk/s320/IMG_1805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612714243231681282" /><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Me and the men of my life!!! As a side note...notice how dressed up I was for the special day :-)</div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH85UwI3cPCppVac0MfKJGutFhcRzIRLodnxEeQUNtyJAezQdTSu4bJBrIDdTzwPqjLNZ1CB3l719rCPmyJtuE07BtVRxh9GEhYfCy_pD_YTHLSuMh8vaWCWw759g3uEYcGVIrN0Zmr8/s320/IMG_1810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612714247310391106" /><div style="text-align: center;">Below: We always enjoy family coming to visit us from TX. In February we loved having cousins come! Whitney, Jaycee, and Kinlee had fun playing dress up and dolls. What a treat to have them with us for a few days :-).</div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J2ZAPWkH9_YR9jUs3gnIB-dy8LzAcCLzzPtGGWTO7wR7OHObjNyEnsJ1_-flw0BEJi8WiB5KyONON574lup2H4eViFI4X0F9jDWuqjQQpluN16zEsPuQHh1tFTELA9LPyotegJ7OH-4/s320/IMG_1811.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612714249743525122" /><div style="text-align: center;">Below: We had a big gathering at Abay, one of our favorite Ethiopian restaurants, with several other families from our local adoption fellowship group. </div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w0i8ss9jyyer92TW2KdhROQhrzW00GpzMyKAWGUqfyLmpMNZhd1-WJUc-lWeW9SkJ56_TFlXt3AVLGNvfjQcTZil93aJoL0y2CuNCAwoBvO6eRW0FqrSexz5Exkx0H_18mMepY4RLfQ/s320/IMG_1819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612714261684902114" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am hoping to have March up by tomorrow or maybe even later today. I hope you are all enjoying the first week of summer :-)</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-14054821654701791392011-01-27T12:37:00.005-06:002011-01-27T13:05:58.732-06:00I once was LOST, but now I am FOUND!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">With the time that I have right now, not being able to do much that requires walking or moving around, I am focusing on the things I CAN do. One of which is creating a scrapbook for Rachel & Jordan. They have seen the other kids' books and have asked if they too could have one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">As I was downloading some pictures into iPhoto today I was amazed at how far these kids have come. Our director of our agency is amazing and one of the things that makes her awesome is the amount of pictures and video you receive of your children. I wanted to share some pictures that were taken back in June '09:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXA6mBpk1Uj_sj4osHbgZMrnqTh8YrMQhxGqNN_ZwNtnNhSj7REFsL8db2d_3ji_xkIGtVwKXM3uWzWoSq_IiRAHSdJrtjcG3WjzFdJEsJAP75fmGLqtibD7NX1snSaUr0qi4hkfGAlU/s320/DSC01162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566939077953857490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMnyzn02DqIPNyGdyrdLxvYdfvEc8ZI9kI1bC92Z4bB6J4d5eHzGPzTvmiuOVz_k2XC-kIV5HjBNIyBFbNzi5kqvDKTpudlf_oadkS898ylzg34X3bJpXab20A_LABFkdOVIhg4N71-4/s320/DSC01897.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566939692293479026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">In just 18 months, these two children have gone from:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">HOPELESS to HOPEFUL</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">SAD to JOYFUL</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">FEARFUL to CONFIDENT</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">LOST to FOUND.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Brent and I continue to marvel at what an awesome journey this is. It is such an awesome picture of our relationship with Christ:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><i>He gives us HOPE when we are hopeless,</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><i>JOY when we are sad,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><i>CONFIDENCE when we are fearful,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><i>and He lovingly pursues us until we are FOUND!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">We stand in awe as we watch all of our children grow in wisdom and love for the LORD. I know that not all are called to adopt, BUT we are ALL called to do something. What is your something? What is God calling you to do today??? Don't be afraid, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline," 2 Timothy 1:7. Step out in FAITH and see the blessings the Lord has for you!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-78921493175406826242011-01-23T22:57:00.002-06:002011-01-23T23:10:07.005-06:00Clearview's Next "31" event...You're Invited!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I want to invite all Franklin locals to attend our next "31" event at Clearview</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; "><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clearview.org%2Fadults%2Fevents%2F127%2F2011%2F01-30%2Fwomens-31-event&h=3ad50" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: underline; "><span>http://www.clearview.org/a</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: block; float: left; margin-left: -10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span><span>dults/events/127/2011/01-3</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: block; float: left; margin-left: -10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span>0/womens-31-event</a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Gwen & Suzanne from 147 Million Orphans are leading a class. You can come and hear their story and get your adoption questions answered!!!</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><img class="mbm event_upload_image img" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs568.ash1/174620_189575094387769_778333_n.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-bottom: 10px; width: 179px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When: Sunday, January 30, 2011</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">From 5:00-7:30pm</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where: In the Children's Worship Room</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What: Food, Fellowship, Fun, & Classes</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cost: $15 for your Food and 2 Classes</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Registration ends tomorrow, Monday, January 24th!</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 11px; "><br /></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-37313715969833716742011-01-14T06:17:00.003-06:002011-01-16T19:33:45.483-06:00UpdateThis time around was SO much easier than the first! The first surgery was at a surgery center and this one was at Vanderbilt. I believe that location can make all the difference! The staff was great...didn't hurt either that I had friends who were advocating for me before I even arrived. I learned that the "nerve blocks" they did the first time around did not work which is why I was in pain so much the next day and why they had to put me under general anesthesia which was not fun coming out of. This time the nerve block worked and recovery was SO much better. <div><br /></div><div>The doctor was able to pull out the broken bone graft which he described as working more like a joint on the side/top of my foot (I guess that explains the pain :-) and replace it with bone from my tibia. One blessing is that he was able to remove 2 of the 3 screws from the original surgery. My physical therapist called them deck screws. They started at the back of my heel and prevented me from being able to rest my foot on any hard surfaces like the coffee table. It was not a super big deal, just annoying and I am grateful it is a thing of the past.<div><br /></div><div>My doctor feels that my recovery should go a little faster this time around. I will be on crutches for the 6 weeks and then in a boot for another 3. He said I would be back in a regular shoe in about 9 weeks.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I will be heading home this morning and my kids are ready. Hayley wants to care for me. Rachel has been super helpful to take care of things around the house with my mom. Ryan told Brent he needs to protect me and he can't do that while I am at the hospital:-) I am sure I will have Whitney and Jordan in the bed reading books and snuggling with me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for all your prayers! I know I have had many prayer warriors praying us through the last several months and we are SO VERY THANKFUL for you! Blessings to you ALL!!!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-37748852877378283022011-01-13T06:46:00.008-06:002011-01-16T19:32:27.429-06:00Off to Vandy this morning...<div>How appropriate that my daily devotional, Jesus Calling, has these scriptures for January 13th:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">1 Peter 2:21 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it."</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://oatsvallteam.blogspot.com/">Gwen</a> warned me that I would be calling her to tell her that this book was written just for me. Thanks Gwen, you were right!</div><div><br /></div><div> As many of you know, in August of 2009 I underwent reconstructive surgery on my left foot. It was supposed to correct some problems I have dealt with my whole life. The surgery was extensive and included 3 bone grafts and 3 LARGE screws. For months after I was in pain still when I shouldn't have been. Last May my doctor ordered an MRI to see if there was something that wasn't showing up on x-ray. When I went back to see him in June, he gave me the news that felt like a bomb: one of the bone grafts didn't take and most likely I would need surgery again. At this point we had already passed court in Ethiopia and Rachel and Jordan were legally ours and we would be traveling to pick them up sometime in the next 2 months. You can imagine my thoughts...seriously God? The statistics said that this only happens in 5% of cases and of that 5% the risk factors were smoking and diabetes (I do/have neither). My doctor decided to try an ultrasound therapy with me for a couple of months in hoping that I would fall in the favorable 85% success rate this machine boasts. Once again the odds were not in my favor. I went back to see my doctor in September, one month after being home with our new kiddos, and got the news that yes, surgery was the only option. I decided that since I had dealt with the pain as long as I had, I could wait a little longer. I needed time to continue to bond and get through those first few months with our new children. I had already thought ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas and wanted to make them extra special for their first ones home. My doctor agreed that we could put it off until January; after the holidays and after sport seasons are over for a few months for the kids.</div><div><br /></div><div>So this morning I am off to the hospital. I have 2 friends on the anesthesia team who will be overseeing my care so I shouldn't be in any pain :-) My mom is here to take of the kids, who happen to be home again today for snow day #4. I will be on crutches for 6 weeks and may be on my back for the first 2 or more to control swelling. I think my husband needs more prayers than me as he will be shouldering the biggest load. He is amazing with the kids and I know they will be fine. I will just shout orders from the couch LOL!</div><div><br /></div><div> I know my God is willing and able to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus! I don't know why God has called me to this, but I will rejoice in it anyway. I know that He is working this and ALL things to my good for HIS glory!</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the snow my TN friends and Have a great weekend....</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-5578333952476236352011-01-01T08:58:00.007-06:002011-01-10T07:36:05.119-06:00Let it Snow!<div style="text-align: center;">For the first time in my life we had a white Christmas! It was so pretty. My dad (who is originally from FL and has resided in TX the last 40 years) said it was his first white Christmas and he wanted to go for a walk and enjoy it. He took these pics of my house Christmas afternoon. It snowed and snowed; really hard at times. It was really just SO pretty and picturesque.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlA1IXiSA-ecYwyIf76Xbe6_okoo8fxIUc7HiU_0RpcCMLA73jQIgp4EXhu8bNXkq5XPLRarBcMLturgrugzOx8fPEmxIFT9cUopSF7dmPgbu63Lt6p6imPQs-I3Bc1hQBa6NJDvQUZ0/s1600/DSCN0885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlA1IXiSA-ecYwyIf76Xbe6_okoo8fxIUc7HiU_0RpcCMLA73jQIgp4EXhu8bNXkq5XPLRarBcMLturgrugzOx8fPEmxIFT9cUopSF7dmPgbu63Lt6p6imPQs-I3Bc1hQBa6NJDvQUZ0/s320/DSCN0885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557248714304172498" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLswhaeAOlcay9U42KNDGN6n3-gAlHUhEdF1P8olPHVIr9Jx2nNRTuSRpLVmI8HHAynBnWrIUbdEdLUWv2Os4TOz3TV0eF9DjksKEJK8wfwldVmcpc9Pfm1iUqoCzLeIbMHht3atLwMtQ/s320/DSCN0886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557248718499355794" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The day after Christmas we had almost enough snow to go sledding so the kids took to the hills by our house. Below is my mom and Whitney. Don't worry for those of you who know my mom, she didn't actually sled down the hill just posed for a pic (she broke her hip back in March so sledding is NOT something she wanted to try this Christmas).</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7L4qxu2A7aGfI53V7Sz-3GQxaU-rTjrXhoyH1SFvZaoQBJ9-RR2_uqRkW-b6PkpVRsCgt5sJ9c7DWaaixHmvKybFFjM-tWsswwAKrWiveRS8nNpabl7q6K4E9Fy1Zx3q1EoBmOZpprM/s1600/IMG_1667.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7L4qxu2A7aGfI53V7Sz-3GQxaU-rTjrXhoyH1SFvZaoQBJ9-RR2_uqRkW-b6PkpVRsCgt5sJ9c7DWaaixHmvKybFFjM-tWsswwAKrWiveRS8nNpabl7q6K4E9Fy1Zx3q1EoBmOZpprM/s320/IMG_1667.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557237152560989922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOICng_060paVX5S582btVzRem6aXiMU96Qq881H14aFQiP2aeCf5bcGEaVGTSzJnppnANxmHYL9ENjQCLCHCEjWD09NrcmosFivsjG_Guth1GIlhgTOKC76xpQS2P4OrRdn1N9kr-do/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOICng_060paVX5S582btVzRem6aXiMU96Qq881H14aFQiP2aeCf5bcGEaVGTSzJnppnANxmHYL9ENjQCLCHCEjWD09NrcmosFivsjG_Guth1GIlhgTOKC76xpQS2P4OrRdn1N9kr-do/s320/IMG_1662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557237148551859218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi241NDNFDk45ZdXozI1lxqvRRu5mjdb9aJBXRindGU3WMCAkFpJjS7w1GamMZJqAAyXzvUi7Y2RxxhhS1194KyYOqKfVbI4qhJro06BOwTWqAOYVvkACHqrRxBtC_trIoyipk0wrCCCic/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi241NDNFDk45ZdXozI1lxqvRRu5mjdb9aJBXRindGU3WMCAkFpJjS7w1GamMZJqAAyXzvUi7Y2RxxhhS1194KyYOqKfVbI4qhJro06BOwTWqAOYVvkACHqrRxBtC_trIoyipk0wrCCCic/s320/IMG_1661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557235346338921810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jordan</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqUacQCQU80RQKxGba-zBrslH6vmjbB7HZHSl22GTv4r4w1h12DPcdiHaxEY_Ik7emtU9sxnYOL18TLyThM81Vm3d0tJ-CeQHmSnmfoNEHnZ8fxR8UGQgwUHOSmA6VAX-fJhIUvYWAl8/s1600/IMG_1660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqUacQCQU80RQKxGba-zBrslH6vmjbB7HZHSl22GTv4r4w1h12DPcdiHaxEY_Ik7emtU9sxnYOL18TLyThM81Vm3d0tJ-CeQHmSnmfoNEHnZ8fxR8UGQgwUHOSmA6VAX-fJhIUvYWAl8/s320/IMG_1660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557235340873152290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Daddy & Whitney</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6J3LfEkcxe4ht_sDsO10CcSuRFnki_F0AtIK6oHW-i64pDGpNUJ0Hb6azxhgKSOPcFJxruGFFax5TmO1Q8k_SXwtRwbix34meqv4CcGpnHySZXM6BqMC1KZsDmvfMxrbPONy7NfN52k/s1600/IMG_1659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6J3LfEkcxe4ht_sDsO10CcSuRFnki_F0AtIK6oHW-i64pDGpNUJ0Hb6azxhgKSOPcFJxruGFFax5TmO1Q8k_SXwtRwbix34meqv4CcGpnHySZXM6BqMC1KZsDmvfMxrbPONy7NfN52k/s320/IMG_1659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557235335634696626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me and my Mom</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZlZ4dENwLUcuzgVZoGZEoGKrgqgpd9nugFBovvnyXLP5wXF3AdHKzhxF4kIPQymYnCnncDPH1dstYp003SMpJkxVikneOxxVS5YOXH8IBxJYeesjDvWziqeeVPIbnsFc0GNwce1MV4U/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZlZ4dENwLUcuzgVZoGZEoGKrgqgpd9nugFBovvnyXLP5wXF3AdHKzhxF4kIPQymYnCnncDPH1dstYp003SMpJkxVikneOxxVS5YOXH8IBxJYeesjDvWziqeeVPIbnsFc0GNwce1MV4U/s320/IMG_1655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557235334563604546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My mom & Rachel</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRHSlr7IinLspP0CYycBx8g7LBGIm5-9IrdlzeMjnlcTibKiymBDTktjMBzsS6qJ_IPNBAyJRpoj1VIO91smF7DHDQp7ry_w6M4QaRY1f_KTbfzAoSbrNe2amjBfqi1Ax0k-MG9LiTcw/s1600/IMG_1652.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRHSlr7IinLspP0CYycBx8g7LBGIm5-9IrdlzeMjnlcTibKiymBDTktjMBzsS6qJ_IPNBAyJRpoj1VIO91smF7DHDQp7ry_w6M4QaRY1f_KTbfzAoSbrNe2amjBfqi1Ax0k-MG9LiTcw/s320/IMG_1652.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557235327288481554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Two videos of the kids sledding...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzV3zmTGS9-qqZVfCkirIswBJZUtWn-R3jknWGhQd0-1sSQobRr8NM-zzYyMufjRsNeMcD1FWzsgf2OE5OzXg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySN8tTaKo6dk5NT9DEDCpECUeURs8tNAWzJesXvTwc-SPlVc1YgQM6nL71a67rlj3U89b1eDk0hCOd7H4iDA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year to Everyone! I hope 2011 brings much joy for all...</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-74552543977369577092010-12-28T08:00:00.000-06:002010-12-28T08:47:45.459-06:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">This was our first Christmas since we have been in TN that we did NOT travel home to TX or have both sets of grandparents here at different times. What this meant was that we had ALL the gifts for our family, from Brent's parents, my grandmother, my great aunt and my parents under the tree at the same time. You could hardly see the tree. You must remember also that we had 2 more kids stuff under there too. It was a little nutty so we decided to do gift opening in "rounds". That proved to be a good plan. After each round we threw away all the paper, took stuff out of the box (which took all 5 of the adults we had to take stuff out of packages and put stuff together). Poor Brent was putting stuff together all afternoon :-) It was such a fun day and so many new memories. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">I took this pic as the kids were waiting to run down the stairs on Christmas morning. To say they were excited was an understatement. By the time we took this picture they had already been up for about 45 min. We made them wait (mean I know) because my parents were sleeping downstairs and were tired from the long drive they had the day before from TX.</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcVtP1KUjn9wctYQVsfgzG82boUwK79DBIPPPm-vMXe6EPg4W6eBXGSRMnqyVmMEQm21QMO6tOje0JOU9ni0CYL4xzcXTpBp8R8MX0pAyRFFfkUe8VUjtrGzPxLsry5CGFCnNyVmhweg/s320/DSC_0773.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555517387796431714" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsno5W1K4hPqPGJrwqRkgfsiJ7A2yt1SI97y-vJ_Txwa664-rGrbdnBVbplSeA4v1O_chpbTjBVHB1gRGd-xyhoFvaewDI8LpefaGN-DKHPpR27u6fMT-OpmkCQg1uLYjzLoO13eKA3A/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Jordan opening a present...</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsno5W1K4hPqPGJrwqRkgfsiJ7A2yt1SI97y-vJ_Txwa664-rGrbdnBVbplSeA4v1O_chpbTjBVHB1gRGd-xyhoFvaewDI8LpefaGN-DKHPpR27u6fMT-OpmkCQg1uLYjzLoO13eKA3A/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsno5W1K4hPqPGJrwqRkgfsiJ7A2yt1SI97y-vJ_Txwa664-rGrbdnBVbplSeA4v1O_chpbTjBVHB1gRGd-xyhoFvaewDI8LpefaGN-DKHPpR27u6fMT-OpmkCQg1uLYjzLoO13eKA3A/s320/IMG_1638.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555738296004088354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Hayley's gifts from Memaw and Poppy</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_L9p5M38mllKbnagKRBt7Samc1dw4kifCitYgQz5D99pq-fjDaxUgm1lXXHZq7tZhCx_qSmzv7beMJh4XjIIAk6dpYeKvnwKqNzroxN3bKbZIbxWCKPzZP05o4gRCmSxzwoqA_hmi39Q/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_L9p5M38mllKbnagKRBt7Samc1dw4kifCitYgQz5D99pq-fjDaxUgm1lXXHZq7tZhCx_qSmzv7beMJh4XjIIAk6dpYeKvnwKqNzroxN3bKbZIbxWCKPzZP05o4gRCmSxzwoqA_hmi39Q/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555738293839782354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Rachel was pure joy over every present!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILFNcZ0_xVBUH2wGpShpO0p6IxVdyq-SnhD30_lVb8WMRAOoDMDwhov5sYrx4VK-qECq_3VN0DYFsvnvuMW1YL6PE5jkMw2sRk4UCm2HW7Nt73uDJjn83roHjCJL4IrkwGHnKyal6Utc/s1600/IMG_1629.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILFNcZ0_xVBUH2wGpShpO0p6IxVdyq-SnhD30_lVb8WMRAOoDMDwhov5sYrx4VK-qECq_3VN0DYFsvnvuMW1YL6PE5jkMw2sRk4UCm2HW7Nt73uDJjn83roHjCJL4IrkwGHnKyal6Utc/s320/IMG_1629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555736630222017410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Jordan's new watch from Nena and Pops</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhMsg4b45KXC_pNBJdSC87IG36DGNugq2JPMcdPUPQ6Tmf8hMkqQ0CZsxE-ka13vfAzqE9GpnFhzWztDrFsJhTeYp1oiWmYE-NyacNlKC93lSkc5pRqCRTu7B6MJYwQdZ_n4kgB8pGU0/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhMsg4b45KXC_pNBJdSC87IG36DGNugq2JPMcdPUPQ6Tmf8hMkqQ0CZsxE-ka13vfAzqE9GpnFhzWztDrFsJhTeYp1oiWmYE-NyacNlKC93lSkc5pRqCRTu7B6MJYwQdZ_n4kgB8pGU0/s320/IMG_1636.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555736620498300322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I loved this pic...just wish my dad's eyes were open :-)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA_LKGrlVcB85EWA_ypUgcb287q01Gic9J0t1J4mWgJVblM5N3RqEL3YQjnw3-M9SAQDmC9gPkQi944g5AXl2t2rX1QtOkgukwKcjdsNBCjweo1wjuodFNtApxioZEaRMZQr6GvkTTYY/s1600/DSCN0867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA_LKGrlVcB85EWA_ypUgcb287q01Gic9J0t1J4mWgJVblM5N3RqEL3YQjnw3-M9SAQDmC9gPkQi944g5AXl2t2rX1QtOkgukwKcjdsNBCjweo1wjuodFNtApxioZEaRMZQr6GvkTTYY/s320/DSCN0867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555736621293565410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">My mom and Rachel</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeLwn5it6cwRfIKCVDjwfQfbd-BGvyFeNa357Bs724DQnPxtAqOFajVonmLZb3q2zv5xmiWfc3ifxC8FCsHFe9LwMnGJFDgH3nutXfjhKcjYb0IATicouhUp1FaRvV2r-QA8AZYtMWno/s1600/DSCN0881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeLwn5it6cwRfIKCVDjwfQfbd-BGvyFeNa357Bs724DQnPxtAqOFajVonmLZb3q2zv5xmiWfc3ifxC8FCsHFe9LwMnGJFDgH3nutXfjhKcjYb0IATicouhUp1FaRvV2r-QA8AZYtMWno/s320/DSCN0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555736618859012610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Whitney and my mom wearing her new hat, scarf and mittens from Meemee</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSo_EKIjLQHdbgQ96LQ8q-X31wWA7mFsJg364zGfAgdQ2E-bjyQbMxrr_aZIhX7Cl9t9lfRCBNdghnfEBLC54HHKkzMt-L0hvw6_uu3hTPzn9LPukNnzG4uYSOTA8C3HUeJjq8iV1fq_w/s1600/DSC_0792.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSo_EKIjLQHdbgQ96LQ8q-X31wWA7mFsJg364zGfAgdQ2E-bjyQbMxrr_aZIhX7Cl9t9lfRCBNdghnfEBLC54HHKkzMt-L0hvw6_uu3hTPzn9LPukNnzG4uYSOTA8C3HUeJjq8iV1fq_w/s320/DSC_0792.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555736611372340194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">We moved the coffee table against the wall so we had a big open space to open presents. It was a good move on our part.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFahS5LLh4k6UItawb7eM6eBqZwgBKHmc1JQl1-d9NWV-IexohrAtw_gxh46Xwfb0thuZH1DtD1WivgQcxjq2E002pN7FUuPB2AtHZgbAMnYKIJp_15qcHlibQQTdx2oQ0BXubsxst1kc/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFahS5LLh4k6UItawb7eM6eBqZwgBKHmc1JQl1-d9NWV-IexohrAtw_gxh46Xwfb0thuZH1DtD1WivgQcxjq2E002pN7FUuPB2AtHZgbAMnYKIJp_15qcHlibQQTdx2oQ0BXubsxst1kc/s320/IMG_1641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555517408163815154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT3GytQoOHtBtu6eNNOEqauxgauTZ4caZEl0i4B-IV8D9xi3IynPp-s-h_Vp62wbmzv797eqLdtq10cNQMKQUlmsXrQeoPwqfXgKXdc1oHclRZd7IXUfAtMuz_ayVtR15VAWBpf7Y400/s1600/DSC_0787.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I love the next 2 pictures. I took them as they opened their favorite present; an IPOD touch! These are going to be such a blessing to us the next time we make the drive to TX!</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT3GytQoOHtBtu6eNNOEqauxgauTZ4caZEl0i4B-IV8D9xi3IynPp-s-h_Vp62wbmzv797eqLdtq10cNQMKQUlmsXrQeoPwqfXgKXdc1oHclRZd7IXUfAtMuz_ayVtR15VAWBpf7Y400/s1600/DSC_0787.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT3GytQoOHtBtu6eNNOEqauxgauTZ4caZEl0i4B-IV8D9xi3IynPp-s-h_Vp62wbmzv797eqLdtq10cNQMKQUlmsXrQeoPwqfXgKXdc1oHclRZd7IXUfAtMuz_ayVtR15VAWBpf7Y400/s320/DSC_0787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555517397349094914" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBEcbCDQTlcXePDQ73CLORV4l7DYjaYuGVxM1-jT8rgdZEPhCCWdVp_mKVA-rzRb2pJt_xj5lObBjaXVRxP0Zwt_OUnrBq5UFjGPDlfgMSmrsw7ktsKmrp262af964rLe5Hmqdok_SXc/s320/DSC_0788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555517397683532562" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBb3xbQ84p1VJT-g2YSsMnCv22UfiipkhFauRDAYOlfcd4M8AAzLfrQoUWeJn8U3MjodNpfpHTHi0baaeJVDRuUWq6-sxPqne9id1xldb8H9yaueLPpLgPMPh7hlgHjwnBiquYzjwYyM/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBb3xbQ84p1VJT-g2YSsMnCv22UfiipkhFauRDAYOlfcd4M8AAzLfrQoUWeJn8U3MjodNpfpHTHi0baaeJVDRuUWq6-sxPqne9id1xldb8H9yaueLPpLgPMPh7hlgHjwnBiquYzjwYyM/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555517392786281794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It was crazy, but Oh so fun! I was sad when it was all over! I LOVE Christmas, everything about it. We added some new traditions this year and my favorite was our advent calendar. We read a scripture, did an activity to go along with the scripture and then each had a piece of candy. It was a great way to have a devo every day and learn about all that Christmas means. We also did the candles on the advent wreath and it was neat at our big dinner on Christmas night to light all the candles and review all they had learned over the last 25 days. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Unlike many of you I have not started taking down decorations, but am planning to today. Blessings to you all...</span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-49734926886706311052010-12-26T13:09:00.007-06:002010-12-26T16:11:33.238-06:00Christmas Eve 2010<div>For all of you who have told me that you wish you could be a fly on my wall this Christmas, I am going to do my best to give you an accurate picture :-) It has been the best Christmas ever! Big families are SO fun during the holidays. I have been quiet on the blog for the past few weeks as we have been busy preparing for the holidays. I just can't get it all done. Today is my day off. I told everyone that Mom is not cooking or cleaning today. I have been working on downloading pics and watching the kids play with all their new stuff. We did take a break and head outside to enjoy sledding in the snow. I will show that in a later post :-)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started a new tradition: Eating Ethiopian food for Christmas Eve. We went to our local ET restaurant and picked up some Injera, yellow pea and cabbage. This mom made Doro Wat, Gomen, Beef Tibs and red lentils. It was lots of fun and yummy too!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-b2YjnVtkL40wnVmmyAJtRMsQn1Flc6olhfP2xnnDBt1t9JfcowRdAISDb9li9y3aANz4oxlhyZqNDqmLTIJ2W0GPcekQZXBbH3vD1gfSs3iR6D7OvlDTXfvM1MSBapcwjrAWEgAaQ/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-b2YjnVtkL40wnVmmyAJtRMsQn1Flc6olhfP2xnnDBt1t9JfcowRdAISDb9li9y3aANz4oxlhyZqNDqmLTIJ2W0GPcekQZXBbH3vD1gfSs3iR6D7OvlDTXfvM1MSBapcwjrAWEgAaQ/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555087901962275346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeTm3LuNxfy42u3MZWQyjfTGPaxcJj5AL_E4vx5hAzKbT532O5dXy9pduSXtNGziY4N_JZoM_W7xG-2o6cxXATVgz-KNONOlYRwqzCoysOIcbX0cvHdDGK58w9c51FXOvfyxpzV1gx6Q/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeTm3LuNxfy42u3MZWQyjfTGPaxcJj5AL_E4vx5hAzKbT532O5dXy9pduSXtNGziY4N_JZoM_W7xG-2o6cxXATVgz-KNONOlYRwqzCoysOIcbX0cvHdDGK58w9c51FXOvfyxpzV1gx6Q/s320/IMG_1578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555087895018000338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Doro Wat (Chicken stew)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPWLgcpdymj8WUTumEowoKF93fXBlKd2TmWjIyZcYkpXz3Nsf8G6zR8eDm9xZF74l9p_6lpl8eTdp9szgRHg4a-UxrH5_ZZwRnA-k7zUvr11Xevc4OIDxJTFxi88ZZoN9MEZev0nWYp0/s1600/IMG_1579.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPWLgcpdymj8WUTumEowoKF93fXBlKd2TmWjIyZcYkpXz3Nsf8G6zR8eDm9xZF74l9p_6lpl8eTdp9szgRHg4a-UxrH5_ZZwRnA-k7zUvr11Xevc4OIDxJTFxi88ZZoN9MEZev0nWYp0/s320/IMG_1579.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555087893921387842" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">After dinner we rolled out cookie dough and made cookies for Santa. We enjoyed eating a few too!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yMSFNvx_Jy4dVdrNTMOapagmenaf8ggcErXRFdmGrO8u8w6jVHeJ-h7AVfJXGS0xFm3eVucQ93y5sRmHwkdSni-CXV3m3FjfFZlnmHjUpAtU_lpbNRylZhK2YLgqpVvFse6YrOQ6WM0/s1600/IMG_1585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yMSFNvx_Jy4dVdrNTMOapagmenaf8ggcErXRFdmGrO8u8w6jVHeJ-h7AVfJXGS0xFm3eVucQ93y5sRmHwkdSni-CXV3m3FjfFZlnmHjUpAtU_lpbNRylZhK2YLgqpVvFse6YrOQ6WM0/s320/IMG_1585.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555083218457997826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYrbZ7kT-LI5OzWkTw_sgRq0a9NXinMpcMDWsEvA5xtiQjmnHG4KUS37HjZR5IBJ5jwfsOhpJqxtrZWsSHyIN5BkW_jfDj1zzU4s0Hafh9yVyNEhhCsSBg_2uY5nKTA9Jt3wKfHwQuaA/s1600/IMG_1588.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYrbZ7kT-LI5OzWkTw_sgRq0a9NXinMpcMDWsEvA5xtiQjmnHG4KUS37HjZR5IBJ5jwfsOhpJqxtrZWsSHyIN5BkW_jfDj1zzU4s0Hafh9yVyNEhhCsSBg_2uY5nKTA9Jt3wKfHwQuaA/s320/IMG_1588.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555083213242337906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzHkAMvVewZtRcvj1Wf9tXnRPsk7dOkeYwvtBerdW3aCmaqzHXPBToSskPd_D4edgTXlEUSvWW787xrL1_if5lmqTc5KfYX17Jea3J41vVw8VlzkW3BIg9tivwLiuG7kCK7txkOr2-GU/s1600/IMG_1589.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzHkAMvVewZtRcvj1Wf9tXnRPsk7dOkeYwvtBerdW3aCmaqzHXPBToSskPd_D4edgTXlEUSvWW787xrL1_if5lmqTc5KfYX17Jea3J41vVw8VlzkW3BIg9tivwLiuG7kCK7txkOr2-GU/s320/IMG_1589.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555083210083321458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0RVYWOP16ylTGQT1zyYhreSiDNHVG-IvK_JfEYOS8ynBzjWxjBzHpuN1TmMvPb8GK_OVowI-tP0b-EscE8DPRhpSoNVFv9EhSH1-cIcVyixCd395Cyl-ZGSkD0h7pTTQ9I0IhpE5wM/s1600/IMG_1591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0RVYWOP16ylTGQT1zyYhreSiDNHVG-IvK_JfEYOS8ynBzjWxjBzHpuN1TmMvPb8GK_OVowI-tP0b-EscE8DPRhpSoNVFv9EhSH1-cIcVyixCd395Cyl-ZGSkD0h7pTTQ9I0IhpE5wM/s320/IMG_1591.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555083207247291634" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV2Ohzdhpqip4Vcp5GgY7mWE0pMR3vS-hznEt26JZZMMY7hOtu5-RecoU8R-BTuhgxV31AH5qhJNs4EmI9y3Y1GY4tS8o744MMH3-XyL0nxMAJFXolzJSIAEpwZnT-HL-9SyZU7nJ50s/s1600/IMG_1592.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSJzO1720ayyiFap005x3Lf7mfP1L6NlcKCd1g-KDXyvVwtklQDwUJ3Pzn5sJJNporbU6h9wS-5Xcj_Pm96klEhIPyrfpfeQ8B46L3t328W8Vz2bv-bo9Usz48KdngFHEqXu3tpdiiLE/s1600/IMG_1593.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSJzO1720ayyiFap005x3Lf7mfP1L6NlcKCd1g-KDXyvVwtklQDwUJ3Pzn5sJJNporbU6h9wS-5Xcj_Pm96klEhIPyrfpfeQ8B46L3t328W8Vz2bv-bo9Usz48KdngFHEqXu3tpdiiLE/s320/IMG_1593.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555075603114324210" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrAHzsjpttn3v_z084HhQDUEamxI2FwAe02IIif5CJrVUcKwLRN5CT7si6Fn0ixGCWvMfAT-CwJsKOOSz1vciafaeQMhbfKPDPGqT9Wcn2uJdkLEbo4kDM2c1QH3A8PN0QGunoDDAefk/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrAHzsjpttn3v_z084HhQDUEamxI2FwAe02IIif5CJrVUcKwLRN5CT7si6Fn0ixGCWvMfAT-CwJsKOOSz1vciafaeQMhbfKPDPGqT9Wcn2uJdkLEbo4kDM2c1QH3A8PN0QGunoDDAefk/s320/IMG_1595.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555075602339901346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The First Gift of Christmas...Every year the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve. It is always new matching PJ's.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Sfs62vPQlyrEpojwb77CZ1cQ_OMIdNzKe3MaQA2Y6Ztz3Nj7xaIzNmi0OUE6NfQKeec9_gFFkSfZM1gVZ6R3cBpIEriLknM1M9H7sr9oo5WO8lDZJNUKea5KOnUGZvmaerBD2VwtfbQ/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Sfs62vPQlyrEpojwb77CZ1cQ_OMIdNzKe3MaQA2Y6Ztz3Nj7xaIzNmi0OUE6NfQKeec9_gFFkSfZM1gVZ6R3cBpIEriLknM1M9H7sr9oo5WO8lDZJNUKea5KOnUGZvmaerBD2VwtfbQ/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555075600950641042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjhVNO29DTkHKNa-lxCuSHGcYTkDkd_8NwiB8Mz9nr3eAQJCYqkMazk0Zhan7FTcyFMX-MAt-c059MXkSVZhwvEoXV23bapJ4oTBDIKA2tbff1zQEU8NJVS6BM8HVieaqWNGaFMBSK4/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjhVNO29DTkHKNa-lxCuSHGcYTkDkd_8NwiB8Mz9nr3eAQJCYqkMazk0Zhan7FTcyFMX-MAt-c059MXkSVZhwvEoXV23bapJ4oTBDIKA2tbff1zQEU8NJVS6BM8HVieaqWNGaFMBSK4/s320/IMG_1610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555075596470482850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPMpGSYWDCGoX2zsgXrgjuQpvwLsj0lRFnHm4Z7PTcV6bkdZ6f-3WyhRjK1Y1XKhOzOEAoqlp4Rd6hL3sAoi_prvajcBCrKPJczlNfqbfuw9YXahbEpTO9RMJH50HICzcmYHn0MU5CI8/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPMpGSYWDCGoX2zsgXrgjuQpvwLsj0lRFnHm4Z7PTcV6bkdZ6f-3WyhRjK1Y1XKhOzOEAoqlp4Rd6hL3sAoi_prvajcBCrKPJczlNfqbfuw9YXahbEpTO9RMJH50HICzcmYHn0MU5CI8/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555075590560773650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas pics to follow...it was a GREAT one!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-17291585426190205262010-11-22T06:07:00.003-06:002010-11-22T06:41:13.094-06:00God Heals the Brokenhearted<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">The Lord is close the brokenhearted</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"> Psalm 34:18</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever watched someone who is brokenhearted and crushed in Spirit heal? We have a CD called "Seeds of Courage" that has scripture with a courage theme set to music. One of the songs my kids sing in the car is the above scripture. As I was driving yesterday those words came alive for me and I was overcome with emotion. The Holy Spirit comforted me in those moments when He reminded me that He is the only one who can comfort and He is our healer. As we are watching our children grieve and heal from so much trauma I realized that the Lord IS close to them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We just completed 3 months home. Many people said that 3 months was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pivotal</span> point and there would be marked improvement. The improvement may not seem like improvement to most. It is characterized by anger & frustration followed by gut wrenching sobbing. I am no trained counselor, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fortunately</span> God is! He has used me and given me the necessary words when I needed them to draw out the pain. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No child should ever have to endure what my kids have. Life is NOT fair! I have to trust who God is right now and know that although I don't understand, this is what He orchestrated for both us and them. He chose them to be in our family and He moved mountains to get them here. I cannot fix anything, I can only love and be available and allow God to work. It is TOUGH! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We appreciate all your prayers. I know that the prayers of many have sustained us. Please continue to pray for our kids to heal and for us to have wisdom to deal with each situation that arrises. This has been an amazing adventure with both highs and lows. I never experienced God the way I have the last 6 months. There is not greater joy than to walk humbly with my God...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Micah 6:8</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Have a great week! We have SO, SO much to be thankful for here in America!</i></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-88338243055049647172010-11-17T06:00:00.000-06:002010-11-17T06:08:04.400-06:00Clearview's Orphan Day Slideshow<div>We have a team at Clearview starting a new ministry to support adoption, orphan care, & foster care. We planned our first "Orphan Sunday" and it was a HUGE success! Our pastor has a heart for this area of ministry and he preached about the church's role in this area. We took up an offering that day to start a Lifesong account for our church. This account would allow us to help fund adoptions through no interest loans and hopefully, in the future, grants. Our church body has responded with $53,800 to date!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>One member of our team, Emily Jenkins, put together this slide show that we showed during the service. I thought you would enjoy it too :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way... Emily and I were on the phone for an hour a couple of days ago trying to think of a name for this ministry. We want something that will speak to all the areas of the ministry, not just adoption. If you have any ideas you are willing to share, please email me or comment to this post. Thanks!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZJbFnuNID3cFuKciE4F8hLSHHmQE12PekQWF9pTo3qRuiBBxYgXlnPntOGKTmLoKjUCbctlw4EV5YV_X8EQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-69265833646796464072010-11-09T21:33:00.003-06:002010-11-09T21:42:06.259-06:00One Way to Help AND Have FUN!<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4OTM1OTkxMjA1MiZwdD*xMjg5MzU5OTg5NTQ5JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz*5YjNmMDViN2JkYWQ*/YjU4OTQ4YjJjZTZlNGZhZWQ*YyZvZj*w.gif" /><div>A "Shout out" for some friends of ours. Three wonderful families are hosting this fundraiser on Saturday:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/autrum25/?action=view&current=AdoptingMiraclesFlyer-small-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/autrum25/AdoptingMiraclesFlyer-small-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Fundraiser Flyer" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you there!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-86536694272719621812010-11-07T06:19:00.006-06:002010-11-08T06:07:06.278-06:00Pure & Faultless Religion...Celebrating Orphan Sunday<div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I wrote the following post yesterday BEFORE church. Because I am NOT a computer whiz, I did not know how to include the video at the bottom. Once I figured it out it was SO easy. Even though it is posted on MONDAY morning, it was written on SUNDAY morning :-)</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned a couple of days ago, this is National Adoption Month and today is a worldwide event called "Orphan Sunday". Last year at this time I had no idea what the statistics were around the world of how many children were living without parents. They have no one to hug them when they fall, to feed them, to clothe them or to tuck them in bed at night.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have always had a heart to help children and had even investigated foster care at one point, BUT I had NO IDEA how BIG this problem is. What is worse, I had grown up in the church and did not know what the Bible says is our responsibility as the body of Christ to ALL be caring for these children. I am excited to tell you that our church will no longer be skimming over the issue. We will no longer ignore the plea. I have a feeling that today God is gonna move and our hearts will break for what breaks HIS. We are celebrating Orphan Sunday for the first time this year and getting the message out.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>James 1:27</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am going to leave you with a video today. Please watch it :-) Don't say you didn't know!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(100, 95, 94); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13335104" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/13335104">Orphan Sunday</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3150716">Greg Buzek</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-59005596599978763132010-11-05T21:17:00.000-05:002010-11-05T21:26:29.940-05:00Going to the Chapel...<div>Here are the long awaited wedding pics. We all had a blast. Rachel felt like a real live princess and probably thought her Aunt Kelly was one as she had never been to a wedding or seen anyone wear a dress like that before! The whole trip was a great bonding experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc-oSYMXso6MaDAwgAFrGO5uVntzumFHMsJmGNi5_YDssH2-Wrsgk1mRfEGG-MROUbpNKqWhtOWowv8rv6RkAbxBDX6W8ZEnNkVEBsvSNLSO7x3Sn_ypiXY17faDl3n-L6IZ5wlOdn40/s1600/DSC_0603_2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc-oSYMXso6MaDAwgAFrGO5uVntzumFHMsJmGNi5_YDssH2-Wrsgk1mRfEGG-MROUbpNKqWhtOWowv8rv6RkAbxBDX6W8ZEnNkVEBsvSNLSO7x3Sn_ypiXY17faDl3n-L6IZ5wlOdn40/s320/DSC_0603_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534906850690513762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMovouX_-yb5Kof6jN4ZZEFYcL2eK7xzVDb4C1lAmq3cOXDbAvltG-ZlKetI46OYJoX2a8BbiNK29wzQ4G4aeDEl5gLJiTsVK9tBPZRXGs3KNm8zId3gLN3biZrjsqW-9HLIC1_3JqICo/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMovouX_-yb5Kof6jN4ZZEFYcL2eK7xzVDb4C1lAmq3cOXDbAvltG-ZlKetI46OYJoX2a8BbiNK29wzQ4G4aeDEl5gLJiTsVK9tBPZRXGs3KNm8zId3gLN3biZrjsqW-9HLIC1_3JqICo/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534906856582159442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNiHVwnZ-bHwdB35gmq0DNX8NsjehDz5DrptChJHV-E6RW4RsZCBDfieFitKkaTzq3khyphenhyphenpaCVljhT7BUA3956GFJtzrBQLjfw_AVyw6hP-_iXe-ieNPgT_4PDqH8I-2qmJZQOuVQt_ok/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNiHVwnZ-bHwdB35gmq0DNX8NsjehDz5DrptChJHV-E6RW4RsZCBDfieFitKkaTzq3khyphenhyphenpaCVljhT7BUA3956GFJtzrBQLjfw_AVyw6hP-_iXe-ieNPgT_4PDqH8I-2qmJZQOuVQt_ok/s320/IMG_1177.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534906856983018802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poppy and Jordan</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2rpOhojZU4-bjqv3IY8Ec-kDweZBPSzvqrwMZFQnjPLAB5RTBEeKiFeG6lUOJPB5xAYsqpiqfzEy7ncQluZYe70S0etmtRSJAlLIHsEVANvDZQQdx13C9iicRGFgTDd6QrSz-W_iy0U/s320/IMG_1181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534906868118803346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " />Above and below: Everyone fell asleep in the car ride from where we were staying to the church. Everything in Houston is a drive. We always feel like we spend our time there driving :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50eDx5ewU_-ihGEmIHUjTGB6JdkK4wKQkJHFm_SQ1BHbg4rEYTpuPONxL_sn0VjuvgQTIkEeVL4nLqRYIlBnWNS2tUHh6_zKZ-1CK_BscQzjxLIYNUQyWvLWs0HN6d2sltf7cfodphuM/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534906863854464626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiR63-QPdtLkTJPyS3p9GuGKe5Jnw4EFzbT4CTLL_Pp_9aMoNpOfKqg68w6_T0klyILUybZT0Rlc3BLCezVMWcxPM8z9Zqj1x-2HBTh7Z-eUdZKRvNGoxB2FvK1efYeOa1qJla56b5JY/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiR63-QPdtLkTJPyS3p9GuGKe5Jnw4EFzbT4CTLL_Pp_9aMoNpOfKqg68w6_T0klyILUybZT0Rlc3BLCezVMWcxPM8z9Zqj1x-2HBTh7Z-eUdZKRvNGoxB2FvK1efYeOa1qJla56b5JY/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534913769550091298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-ln-Mrz-1dupmGLIdccdG1_TNQjb1VrC3laNRUP4tm2t95ujEhoZhe2ouZlQlGgZRf4X49hDnIbfJXF4lWyuGAvKProEU9s5mK1Hz2TAxScHGfQgZCUYFulybOlHhVEl9XVu3NE_Jx4/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-ln-Mrz-1dupmGLIdccdG1_TNQjb1VrC3laNRUP4tm2t95ujEhoZhe2ouZlQlGgZRf4X49hDnIbfJXF4lWyuGAvKProEU9s5mK1Hz2TAxScHGfQgZCUYFulybOlHhVEl9XVu3NE_Jx4/s320/IMG_1201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534913758422078450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel and Jordan, being excellent host and hostess, passing out programs.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxRpeYdNPrzTYnYcHSOxlowrP-_rbC-H1lHfHcZglyDIFJ7qEIRsANk-fKx4J-Vr6cEsOXJFfrA5Yr8sAA4VC4wRH6gNWQxF6uANROJm2-WZe3W1bbkX37APOPm3Xk8zePFFW0NmiLfo/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxRpeYdNPrzTYnYcHSOxlowrP-_rbC-H1lHfHcZglyDIFJ7qEIRsANk-fKx4J-Vr6cEsOXJFfrA5Yr8sAA4VC4wRH6gNWQxF6uANROJm2-WZe3W1bbkX37APOPm3Xk8zePFFW0NmiLfo/s320/IMG_1222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534913750124448610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A quick family pic after the ceremony.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh00MIqQtiTFHHX7UzCIKV79sDqQOk97auzktJQKF1aLdlfD9FR4K5aspQYUGxlkQqWWVqSODoc3Go-kgCfGqYz5mcXgvVgFuZNQvaN4u_L7-L1hVqpptOfW-WfEAKgzaWgHRRODRd4w/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh00MIqQtiTFHHX7UzCIKV79sDqQOk97auzktJQKF1aLdlfD9FR4K5aspQYUGxlkQqWWVqSODoc3Go-kgCfGqYz5mcXgvVgFuZNQvaN4u_L7-L1hVqpptOfW-WfEAKgzaWgHRRODRd4w/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534913747183053186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUMn_xeX2iWc6iZIjInXSWU-LmIRBw1YMmwNe5S6Fkp6zT7q6Dx29xw-Ol41XGmNM8eilhX3iDkx1QAR5YF-lM1wCqd0LFLwU8W7iqW9lomJ2rDimapxb2V9cu74gGjRSQOrGItNpzoA/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUMn_xeX2iWc6iZIjInXSWU-LmIRBw1YMmwNe5S6Fkp6zT7q6Dx29xw-Ol41XGmNM8eilhX3iDkx1QAR5YF-lM1wCqd0LFLwU8W7iqW9lomJ2rDimapxb2V9cu74gGjRSQOrGItNpzoA/s320/IMG_1239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534913742532326226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan dancing with my mom, "Nena". She did great considering that just 6 months ago I was in TX caring for her as she had fallen and broken her hip. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were many more great pics taken of the kids dancing and of Brent and I, but unfortunately, none of them were on my camara.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all have a great weekend!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-8899873728989396652010-11-04T21:38:00.002-05:002010-11-04T22:01:46.898-05:00National Adoption MonthMany of you know that this is National Adoption Month. In addition, this Sunday is Orphan Sunday. In order to celebrate, I thought I would link you back to the many good stories, blog posts and songs that are ending up in my inbox these days. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting to meet and associate with all the amazing people God has put in our path over this last year. I get emails daily from others somewhere in the process of adoption. It is an amazing encouragement to me and our family.<div><br /></div><div>Today, a friend sent out a link to a blog post by another adoptive mommy. It is from "It's Almost Naptime" and the post is entitled "<a href="http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html">I don't want my children to be Happy.</a>" It was written back in February, but is so appropriate for the month of November I thought I would share it all with you. It sums up much of how we feel about things too. Enjoy :-)</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-51172763330875899032010-10-30T06:33:00.000-05:002010-10-30T06:46:53.559-05:00To Texas and Back<div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe how long it takes me to get a post done these days! Life is soooo busy :-) I enjoyed my weekend off last weekend and my visit with my sweet cousin Heather. She and I both needed some time away to catch up and encourage one another. I thought while we were away that I would get caught up on things like the blog, but we just got caught up with each other :-)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are pics from our trip to Houston. We went down a few weeks ago for Brent's sister's wedding. We were ALL in it and I was really anxious about making the trip. It was the first trip we have made since bringing R & J home and it was a BIG one. We had enough free tickets for all of us to fly down, but not to fly home. That proved to be a great way to do it; only having to drive one way. The kids had an absolute blast and want to know when we are going back. I have another post coming after this one that has all the wedding pics. The wedding was SO fun and my in-laws and sister-in-law are to be commended for a job well done. Everything looked beautiful and went off without a hitch!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD9C06XoIiHO6N1hv8aI3tih1x-GW3FI-iyxw6DesH-LOzjfrJavA96Pea2YdGFBMEC93ptKjhPhfCZdbDgV3ergnA2cuHfHtSexayVjLlfLFT2_s-j_cdOu2zeBYT089aFBjEgElZOc/s1600/IMG_1154.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD9C06XoIiHO6N1hv8aI3tih1x-GW3FI-iyxw6DesH-LOzjfrJavA96Pea2YdGFBMEC93ptKjhPhfCZdbDgV3ergnA2cuHfHtSexayVjLlfLFT2_s-j_cdOu2zeBYT089aFBjEgElZOc/s320/IMG_1154.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532551107995334194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: We stayed at my cousin's house and she has a 3 mo old and an 18 mo old. Rachel loves babies and took to them right away. They loved her too!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Rachel and my grandmother, her great-grandmother, meeting for the first time.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai4kM_WTqfXlZaTLcEEKZanpuSXUG2tf6Ubhji9i-zVANmb6J7GcczCmVOoMgxB2NYs2oKkrVHM5ExJZzhA_7QlJ2ndf9s9H9DkpHD8Ia_uo_uJpavkH3wK408afEQmM9LXN-q-NBvVs/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai4kM_WTqfXlZaTLcEEKZanpuSXUG2tf6Ubhji9i-zVANmb6J7GcczCmVOoMgxB2NYs2oKkrVHM5ExJZzhA_7QlJ2ndf9s9H9DkpHD8Ia_uo_uJpavkH3wK408afEQmM9LXN-q-NBvVs/s320/IMG_1157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532551099841940658" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjHiE2-W9udfJFh-UtcOU1v_A-fjqDfogFQmvk9aM1DmO79QaX3oWmRSQJ1lVw945bfmARykd2xpzeDiuuaaazw6BkaK2gb3mA-i-XZkRgfxNzPKkguP3eTLUApNO41xx0p5PrMjFldU/s1600/IMG_1241.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjHiE2-W9udfJFh-UtcOU1v_A-fjqDfogFQmvk9aM1DmO79QaX3oWmRSQJ1lVw945bfmARykd2xpzeDiuuaaazw6BkaK2gb3mA-i-XZkRgfxNzPKkguP3eTLUApNO41xx0p5PrMjFldU/s320/IMG_1241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530706192613520018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Ryan taking his turn holding baby Knox. He was a novelty for the weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since we used to live in the Houston area we know LOTS of people there: friends and family. They all wanted to stop by and meet our new kiddos. I think we counted at one time we had almost 20 kids there. Below is a pic of a bunch of them...</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikxf9snj1YG6q9Q7q-y13h2mwzDzEzknVZFrZWRzfglCm-mSAamfwdxgrhJL4WZwz_iEn9aZjatF1G8WebDPm5hephEkUrwEDgP5_9xuJrBGHnpcIX90DKigPFtdBMjsYI2-hBYZi7ns/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikxf9snj1YG6q9Q7q-y13h2mwzDzEzknVZFrZWRzfglCm-mSAamfwdxgrhJL4WZwz_iEn9aZjatF1G8WebDPm5hephEkUrwEDgP5_9xuJrBGHnpcIX90DKigPFtdBMjsYI2-hBYZi7ns/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikxf9snj1YG6q9Q7q-y13h2mwzDzEzknVZFrZWRzfglCm-mSAamfwdxgrhJL4WZwz_iEn9aZjatF1G8WebDPm5hephEkUrwEDgP5_9xuJrBGHnpcIX90DKigPFtdBMjsYI2-hBYZi7ns/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530706188725248306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlRVlxk-IGtLvKRxJl_xKmmGSd8R4IJtjWELrvGscRvo2PDwr_3WaJKNEtzLt8LA9FTx2hyphenhyphenxLOQO369pNLb6WRp0w_clAVsyK9Q5HzN0-2HSmGGa1XNGHc12FhKnvkw_VvX0BYMudLTg/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlRVlxk-IGtLvKRxJl_xKmmGSd8R4IJtjWELrvGscRvo2PDwr_3WaJKNEtzLt8LA9FTx2hyphenhyphenxLOQO369pNLb6WRp0w_clAVsyK9Q5HzN0-2HSmGGa1XNGHc12FhKnvkw_VvX0BYMudLTg/s320/IMG_1257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530706183170302306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: We met these guys in college. Brent and Kelvin were roommates and Kelvin and Elizabeth started dating about the same time Brent and I did. We were all in each other's wedding and have stayed close over the years. Elizabeth and I both have large extended families and it has been fun to get to know her large family over the years. They have decided to adopt from Ethiopia as well and are almost finished with their paperwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Two of my cousins closest in age to me. I have a total of 13 and we all grew up VERY close. They all have sisters. I am the only one of the bunch that does not so I consider them the closest thing I have to a sister ;-). </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKdOGP8MZ4DR-C0-G1s_Ei-XoqcGKLochKideWtUBKt69-DciSPw7DZOcnCTSFCdyraWKBJL5qeziVB7BubHXlTeZirMZO-R9UrzF0YoL7l2PUqN7PI8Yj_7WNFaZBAvg5HfIoPOMVV8/s1600/IMG_1258.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKdOGP8MZ4DR-C0-G1s_Ei-XoqcGKLochKideWtUBKt69-DciSPw7DZOcnCTSFCdyraWKBJL5qeziVB7BubHXlTeZirMZO-R9UrzF0YoL7l2PUqN7PI8Yj_7WNFaZBAvg5HfIoPOMVV8/s1600/IMG_1258.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKdOGP8MZ4DR-C0-G1s_Ei-XoqcGKLochKideWtUBKt69-DciSPw7DZOcnCTSFCdyraWKBJL5qeziVB7BubHXlTeZirMZO-R9UrzF0YoL7l2PUqN7PI8Yj_7WNFaZBAvg5HfIoPOMVV8/s320/IMG_1258.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530706174720849634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ2hYIm8ZX7ntj-3DxPMd_sKRH9PW8NXAGDkM8r5fKUdwQf0-YCbgHNmhoo90K3yvBc2K8LJtJ_Ssn64g75-YPJeLqHeZzp0dKsoyOq3gWr8kbJ2smwJU82BrQbSdwZlB5IFy_6QqGOs/s1600/IMG_1262.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ2hYIm8ZX7ntj-3DxPMd_sKRH9PW8NXAGDkM8r5fKUdwQf0-YCbgHNmhoo90K3yvBc2K8LJtJ_Ssn64g75-YPJeLqHeZzp0dKsoyOq3gWr8kbJ2smwJU82BrQbSdwZlB5IFy_6QqGOs/s320/IMG_1262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530706170558320914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Whitney swinging with her cousins. My kids do not have 1st cousins since Brent and I's siblings are so much younger so we consider my cousin's kids their cousins :-)</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLwsuQ8gWNLOXIG_MWkPeM7XBVRW1kqcR9G6uSQYZN0VDHaA7WkdesmpDBH3i0-mmdN2kPi4M0o8ySOvNwST_BhCepExP7eNSargKNZj5TEpdYO2JlM_HFGtdI_GkUzkN0xsPcRY0bBA/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLwsuQ8gWNLOXIG_MWkPeM7XBVRW1kqcR9G6uSQYZN0VDHaA7WkdesmpDBH3i0-mmdN2kPi4M0o8ySOvNwST_BhCepExP7eNSargKNZj5TEpdYO2JlM_HFGtdI_GkUzkN0xsPcRY0bBA/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLwsuQ8gWNLOXIG_MWkPeM7XBVRW1kqcR9G6uSQYZN0VDHaA7WkdesmpDBH3i0-mmdN2kPi4M0o8ySOvNwST_BhCepExP7eNSargKNZj5TEpdYO2JlM_HFGtdI_GkUzkN0xsPcRY0bBA/s320/IMG_1263.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529229074938316514" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oYvH5XJ21DYKS1si3D6ei9wvg4d_3uVbE0ndEVeztfoHz8I0FJ_TZ6SknaohjMC_UuQSz6exq6CVxakCqz-IY5xvwOS2JcwgHazFjwuqDNKcoEQEAsv_iqsS0wGRWiGzLWOMS0Yw3jo/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oYvH5XJ21DYKS1si3D6ei9wvg4d_3uVbE0ndEVeztfoHz8I0FJ_TZ6SknaohjMC_UuQSz6exq6CVxakCqz-IY5xvwOS2JcwgHazFjwuqDNKcoEQEAsv_iqsS0wGRWiGzLWOMS0Yw3jo/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529229071902904066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUxG_06NhpXHEAMivzUro8CQwK2YGwQCMi_knLiEMzBCezatMmYgUUWE7BT_pdtJWyek8tfAHY4m7roSx6GxTAdg8EppC9KJMhbS9xwT2TSxDma-ThKlHDuWn44otmsoQyN7OgL20-UA/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUxG_06NhpXHEAMivzUro8CQwK2YGwQCMi_knLiEMzBCezatMmYgUUWE7BT_pdtJWyek8tfAHY4m7roSx6GxTAdg8EppC9KJMhbS9xwT2TSxDma-ThKlHDuWn44otmsoQyN7OgL20-UA/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529229067803379778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1t0AgaAZI1t4WdaK56wBzDn_QyKUG0Sl5PFHg9RsBYVVd5ESDzDodXSLEl-D-bYB9b42GJ8aHgUuWbiHXw2biw-Tpc7Vl0mBO8STp2tPK3hN3knZvDuQSPJUSBlCMx52mW_hd8XQ714/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1t0AgaAZI1t4WdaK56wBzDn_QyKUG0Sl5PFHg9RsBYVVd5ESDzDodXSLEl-D-bYB9b42GJ8aHgUuWbiHXw2biw-Tpc7Vl0mBO8STp2tPK3hN3knZvDuQSPJUSBlCMx52mW_hd8XQ714/s320/IMG_1274.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529229051992540002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: This is my sweet friend Tania. She was one of my first friends when we moved to Spring in 2000. She is a great encouragement and prayer warrior!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Since we flew down, we had to rent a car to drive home. Brent went to pick up our mini van and came back with this 15 passenger van. He thought the bigger the better for our 14 drive home! The kids called it our bus and thought it was super cool :-)</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuhhbkYAYru7K4zdEh8x7Uhmh89TBn-j370VCpGQPUPkrf7BSPebfQAhPUuOeMF3tmoFNpbDRgE0_eETx7Vie3D4fmC9tfgGTG6I3LZNwukgyX6WH2bWalMkjkGjmoPR9FVb8eKd6hSQ/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuhhbkYAYru7K4zdEh8x7Uhmh89TBn-j370VCpGQPUPkrf7BSPebfQAhPUuOeMF3tmoFNpbDRgE0_eETx7Vie3D4fmC9tfgGTG6I3LZNwukgyX6WH2bWalMkjkGjmoPR9FVb8eKd6hSQ/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuhhbkYAYru7K4zdEh8x7Uhmh89TBn-j370VCpGQPUPkrf7BSPebfQAhPUuOeMF3tmoFNpbDRgE0_eETx7Vie3D4fmC9tfgGTG6I3LZNwukgyX6WH2bWalMkjkGjmoPR9FVb8eKd6hSQ/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529229049206015426" /></a><br />Hopefully, I will have time to get the wedding pics posted soon. Until then, have a great, fun, fall weekend!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-4080749767443040652010-10-17T22:28:00.001-05:002010-10-17T22:33:08.739-05:00Happy Birthday Whitney!<div>Whitney's birthday this year was the birthday that never ended! We had Ryan's party a few weeks late and Whitney's a few weeks early so the parties ended up being 2 Sundays in a row. Whit and I had planned to travel to TX on her actual birthday so we could help get ready for Kelly's wedding. Sooo, we celebrated her actual b-day with the immediate family a day early. The pic below is of her sucking her lollipop as we took off on the plane to go to TX. Of course the grandparents were excited to have her on her actual birthday and had a cake & presents waiting. Then at the rehearsal dinner we had cake again in honor of Whit.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZKcKFFZ51qbW0ddxnt5-TCpVMs4jGFx5j4Uj1pYajG_jlU4RGsUC5SaCzXvu18U1cU2BuybmCgUiFsaJ_U2La3gc2z7fa2ob8EuKGvicT5rX5brG91GjxVfoT6WWfE7B-FBP9t38QCc/s1600/IMG_1148.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZKcKFFZ51qbW0ddxnt5-TCpVMs4jGFx5j4Uj1pYajG_jlU4RGsUC5SaCzXvu18U1cU2BuybmCgUiFsaJ_U2La3gc2z7fa2ob8EuKGvicT5rX5brG91GjxVfoT6WWfE7B-FBP9t38QCc/s320/IMG_1148.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529042362754134738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPtlpRrefwZaj6MvSRP4KolUVUNjFu9gg1I_clZ6cxvH3lMxqj0tlHZlgfVjmh-Po3mjmYeNkL0FaHYvFc-NjNfaLxjrI7Ov4RKSfeVtwS8paZ8OvUuyUeEAevB8BEzLulXDT0sWyjEQ/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPtlpRrefwZaj6MvSRP4KolUVUNjFu9gg1I_clZ6cxvH3lMxqj0tlHZlgfVjmh-Po3mjmYeNkL0FaHYvFc-NjNfaLxjrI7Ov4RKSfeVtwS8paZ8OvUuyUeEAevB8BEzLulXDT0sWyjEQ/s320/IMG_1146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529042356838287202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Whit with our waitress at Logan's on her "birthday" a day early with the family</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlZSmUNiYqujKafntfwZ-Pk7PCSiuga0YfJQnGnersbiW8QNfpkQVfPnmywvR9WATb_FkKUw5ZdMo_JQS9YOn9cTMkI3juMlCpRULWaaRbsSSZrE0ATXfScYmrb-ScQhehLLP2IS6rKQ/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlZSmUNiYqujKafntfwZ-Pk7PCSiuga0YfJQnGnersbiW8QNfpkQVfPnmywvR9WATb_FkKUw5ZdMo_JQS9YOn9cTMkI3juMlCpRULWaaRbsSSZrE0ATXfScYmrb-ScQhehLLP2IS6rKQ/s320/IMG_1139.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529042353331073282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Her new pink pillow pet which has now replaced her regular pillow :-)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBaIN0bK0wS97w9mh4_wWt76yMPPnhhOQxCuoaOS0npszHFPUYIir7C5UxfxHBclfBikKCRhJVi_xjyX-_T-L254W3uYDX9b7xgOR7r940iZ5nZyZ7sfKZ3ay0kbPd-PUCmR0upn5xOc/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBaIN0bK0wS97w9mh4_wWt76yMPPnhhOQxCuoaOS0npszHFPUYIir7C5UxfxHBclfBikKCRhJVi_xjyX-_T-L254W3uYDX9b7xgOR7r940iZ5nZyZ7sfKZ3ay0kbPd-PUCmR0upn5xOc/s320/IMG_1133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529042348816053154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgGdvU5Xlv6Wg-rcub0QMqXXvSS8qTwjnPnoHGzK0P25WFzHbvm9YwVmQ55_8KKL1EAhQmA7Hy9FvhJzGHzm1hhn14UnqXW_4f9z5O0dH43MX_zFcWJkKTrOtQToVk8mPhkvZFudhmBo/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgGdvU5Xlv6Wg-rcub0QMqXXvSS8qTwjnPnoHGzK0P25WFzHbvm9YwVmQ55_8KKL1EAhQmA7Hy9FvhJzGHzm1hhn14UnqXW_4f9z5O0dH43MX_zFcWJkKTrOtQToVk8mPhkvZFudhmBo/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529042344178666306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Whit with our neighbors who we carpool with for school on her "day early birthday"</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxSJwf7n8mV9a-vOfJj-shmT1gm9HM52EzO9cCGJkRKpdsPc_MZI8uqZZ4ekdGasrPfqUnap_J7tGE62ObPFgS62NDfmiilclaPzXLUI6pYG4rYvAy0NZY0VQ34nlgdfcVLxCcClvOnM/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxSJwf7n8mV9a-vOfJj-shmT1gm9HM52EzO9cCGJkRKpdsPc_MZI8uqZZ4ekdGasrPfqUnap_J7tGE62ObPFgS62NDfmiilclaPzXLUI6pYG4rYvAy0NZY0VQ34nlgdfcVLxCcClvOnM/s320/IMG_1130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529022786201922290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The birthday child always gets to eat on the "You are Special Today" plate</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfyicnrM0K43zxPgzepuDV7X4NpDpyE5y0sgQ40aEQ7yGmBl24-5UKpEYRuP98leD8_e68mOQY45gtz6CKO8sQU1n-F2QfXhCFYquoT0ANG9ZU_HF05ygy-MWBDiDQdT7yJNs9ovtCcE/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfyicnrM0K43zxPgzepuDV7X4NpDpyE5y0sgQ40aEQ7yGmBl24-5UKpEYRuP98leD8_e68mOQY45gtz6CKO8sQU1n-F2QfXhCFYquoT0ANG9ZU_HF05ygy-MWBDiDQdT7yJNs9ovtCcE/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529022775770167650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Whit with her cake at her Cheerleader party</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwHo6XUyZjwr0zjNsXfzo0IYnIRUp-vsvO0skAwNo6VbLsTai8K3UXCnFdAA546jb4v2VUws6MocIDq8MeyZJYqB0LeA62yQRsrY3LyamdLPcjizsX75mER4WbsUA3ev4FqHn_RONxxs/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwHo6XUyZjwr0zjNsXfzo0IYnIRUp-vsvO0skAwNo6VbLsTai8K3UXCnFdAA546jb4v2VUws6MocIDq8MeyZJYqB0LeA62yQRsrY3LyamdLPcjizsX75mER4WbsUA3ev4FqHn_RONxxs/s320/IMG_1090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529022768965759890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We had two cheerleaders from a local high school come and teach the girls some cheers. They stayed and played with them and the girls loved them!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSJidrV5K7ff-UNOySbRfsktssO3J7Crhr-YEBYdEWden5Mz605CopnGwrha6Dc0rEPLbwKPQV0mE0n_8u9b0CtTqvh7Ng_492z28XKAEAhwQwEXKe5v-MM-jsT_wrhlu9ZYn0oTXP6g/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSJidrV5K7ff-UNOySbRfsktssO3J7Crhr-YEBYdEWden5Mz605CopnGwrha6Dc0rEPLbwKPQV0mE0n_8u9b0CtTqvh7Ng_492z28XKAEAhwQwEXKe5v-MM-jsT_wrhlu9ZYn0oTXP6g/s320/IMG_1088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529022763068256962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_mMPyBgPK0AtQJ2xHPVv8yRP9ZV6guNJgZrMvYNUN29lEDeU1aNiWKKj8wiYoU-st6XUay7Q3BG5co6JXY4-9IFtA-mwgB3ZNu93JIk_T6Z73EdyJclpWTj22MvWvvUVQ8pdVaQTKFs/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_mMPyBgPK0AtQJ2xHPVv8yRP9ZV6guNJgZrMvYNUN29lEDeU1aNiWKKj8wiYoU-st6XUay7Q3BG5co6JXY4-9IFtA-mwgB3ZNu93JIk_T6Z73EdyJclpWTj22MvWvvUVQ8pdVaQTKFs/s320/IMG_1086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529022756321657218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mommies standing by watching the girlies</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvucjCRj38OzYSUikB63xlu1P3tR65QtU_6FeMxE_WXGmAmzEFb3mrY3bxx6ZRVP7_T0zodAPDLysI7NAnoE8JWD3Y66MJx9FT6MlMUchQT5Thm712xzXmFM2uCg9YUzj9muUjVTrSA7A/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvucjCRj38OzYSUikB63xlu1P3tR65QtU_6FeMxE_WXGmAmzEFb3mrY3bxx6ZRVP7_T0zodAPDLysI7NAnoE8JWD3Y66MJx9FT6MlMUchQT5Thm712xzXmFM2uCg9YUzj9muUjVTrSA7A/s320/IMG_1079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529016690727196098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Doing the cheers...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdS0FPD1qQ-LVPON7-VeWAD_di7XV8zFLy6BJnQp2ydO0lBtu3emptC6dYduaP5p7j5vgBEYnqHmOLxCFvmkREAmw1f7loHgZEEB6IciA1kN7U_OYj1gt9RcFCZcpobNl7epYQGPYRyE/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdS0FPD1qQ-LVPON7-VeWAD_di7XV8zFLy6BJnQp2ydO0lBtu3emptC6dYduaP5p7j5vgBEYnqHmOLxCFvmkREAmw1f7loHgZEEB6IciA1kN7U_OYj1gt9RcFCZcpobNl7epYQGPYRyE/s320/IMG_1078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529016678770256722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikT7ZZJT3OVl9iJhtKoKydnSzDr0qHh5XBMzGYmtXW3vLi8PjoHK3Ktu-ZasjaEsl10qOVPvNX3VgFNEjEHKodaA7eXe3sFJbmi7t3s7nYkZvyvP0EBuOHg96gsQubSlWWtqpl7sZg8I/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikT7ZZJT3OVl9iJhtKoKydnSzDr0qHh5XBMzGYmtXW3vLi8PjoHK3Ktu-ZasjaEsl10qOVPvNX3VgFNEjEHKodaA7eXe3sFJbmi7t3s7nYkZvyvP0EBuOHg96gsQubSlWWtqpl7sZg8I/s320/IMG_1074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529016675634765730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyNzQpN0jOv7wN4zEnNrj3kax5bLZS6fTEM6z-aWBymtRaZYcNUW-cIxRxT9crAsOg7vXu2jpvinqndim_BrXX0F2vbFZkG3xIDs_W79VSxGNsvURM-J5mKF_OS3zN5-rbE8MvGoKL3A/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyNzQpN0jOv7wN4zEnNrj3kax5bLZS6fTEM6z-aWBymtRaZYcNUW-cIxRxT9crAsOg7vXu2jpvinqndim_BrXX0F2vbFZkG3xIDs_W79VSxGNsvURM-J5mKF_OS3zN5-rbE8MvGoKL3A/s320/IMG_1072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529016672321802162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99hZDQT2MK5c0YXdfh3pnh4gNe0ngKQugmmpTAa2kgbDiTtNT8mqgAnvtnWLIMbG_iDKyLTdqrL83PJtvEXolUNpENZk8a3q9-5kpu1saNIPMApHBE7PCou4jN5zNah9ZveFJzNxKTmo/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99hZDQT2MK5c0YXdfh3pnh4gNe0ngKQugmmpTAa2kgbDiTtNT8mqgAnvtnWLIMbG_iDKyLTdqrL83PJtvEXolUNpENZk8a3q9-5kpu1saNIPMApHBE7PCou4jN5zNah9ZveFJzNxKTmo/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529016664272206178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Whit and Lizzie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whitney started asking last October when her birthday would happen again. She has been anxiously awaiting this day for a whole year! We have a break from birthdays until December. Stay tuned for our wedding celebration and fun fall pics...</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-6915933555972516112010-10-17T08:00:00.000-05:002010-10-17T08:49:04.183-05:00Happy Birthday Ryan!<div>OK..so I have been really quiet here because life has just been busy. Since we have been home with R & J we have celebrated 5 birthdays (all living with us) and Brent's sister got married in Houston last weekend. I think after the holidays are over our kids may go into a depression through the winter as will not have anything to celebrate :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to do my best to get caught up on all the happenings around here. We celebrated Ryan's birthday a few weeks ago and since I left my other camera in TX the pics below are all I have. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since I am spotlighting him, I thought I would brag on him a little. He is a star athlete and is having great fun playing tackle football for the Franklin Cowboys. It is great fun to his parents to hear his name over the loudspeaker..."Ryan Rutland on the touchdown."</div><div><br /></div><div>Baseball is still his first love and he tried out for a new travel team recently. It is being coached by a good friend of ours from church and their season will be OVER by July 4th. Even better than that, many of his practices will be right here in our neighborhood. Ryan was one of 9 chosen out of about 40...woo hoo! We are so excited for him!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicCVlUIZGzm3kpikmKnhec0XC56-U0hVx9_soLWnUlNUOxZOCZezWysNOjEz5H4xXPgfr8UoCNao9fLyPzSVPuPeVHayjR1Z5xyh7tMDGOipBWhnNypaumMMcenoOHou921w9VDbxdhg/s1600/IMG_1287.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicCVlUIZGzm3kpikmKnhec0XC56-U0hVx9_soLWnUlNUOxZOCZezWysNOjEz5H4xXPgfr8UoCNao9fLyPzSVPuPeVHayjR1Z5xyh7tMDGOipBWhnNypaumMMcenoOHou921w9VDbxdhg/s320/IMG_1287.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528857128420248450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DdhxImgsYis5dxoKmq9k0TD6UGIW57S45-VtfhKVCmYUGYgtAMVhjshunATmQY0cRBo4gfVG1IELEIP95p7PEK_D53jr735pq0E7Xqw_RYAPul9REFptXVF9JKcwyWhWFI-TqRIA1Bk/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DdhxImgsYis5dxoKmq9k0TD6UGIW57S45-VtfhKVCmYUGYgtAMVhjshunATmQY0cRBo4gfVG1IELEIP95p7PEK_D53jr735pq0E7Xqw_RYAPul9REFptXVF9JKcwyWhWFI-TqRIA1Bk/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528857121419330418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan in the Franklin Cowboys Homecoming parade</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol2a6i_RGx4BLTSegUqJhgVLgwAQYtJS8mNTuJVYtXH38bXDMayYKcqDBWfPd3IKgkOzeq8jYw5wd2lbr-6DIs614_rdLWNz1jqObryKK1hqvQpc85B5WO3j6e6DEcYI51A44xhZk5NA/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol2a6i_RGx4BLTSegUqJhgVLgwAQYtJS8mNTuJVYtXH38bXDMayYKcqDBWfPd3IKgkOzeq8jYw5wd2lbr-6DIs614_rdLWNz1jqObryKK1hqvQpc85B5WO3j6e6DEcYI51A44xhZk5NA/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528857118719102178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan and his friends playing dodgeball at his party. Yes, even his birthday party was sports!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusSsPN67gv1WTdyRJ7h8knpHWbssOW9tfmrtANKesvvpN8rdFzRwu29_T5RxiIZEKLRBB9hhkqlmSMmf919n435uefOeVmKG7N5-KKkZC7uIok7uCp5JbO1x9TIceAhrHJeLfLqeriw/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusSsPN67gv1WTdyRJ7h8knpHWbssOW9tfmrtANKesvvpN8rdFzRwu29_T5RxiIZEKLRBB9hhkqlmSMmf919n435uefOeVmKG7N5-KKkZC7uIok7uCp5JbO1x9TIceAhrHJeLfLqeriw/s320/IMG_1037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528857113623186754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D-EteG8n_9fsHtZn04AVL9m_pTdCRGxon_Nq3yX_gSVsZ7C9kwSIOHg4zs8zh1eQeB6NwXiTU2ZTnABneZfAW3SW4h6sX0zPr0ePgjyYMsnWZQxA8mTTr1Ptpgxj3uRnLyP0EgbD8N0/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D-EteG8n_9fsHtZn04AVL9m_pTdCRGxon_Nq3yX_gSVsZ7C9kwSIOHg4zs8zh1eQeB6NwXiTU2ZTnABneZfAW3SW4h6sX0zPr0ePgjyYMsnWZQxA8mTTr1Ptpgxj3uRnLyP0EgbD8N0/s320/IMG_1035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528857103494653266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan with his friends at his party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you notice, Ryan is wearing an Alabama football jersey to his party. He does own an Aggie one, but for some reason he has decided he loves Alabama...slightly disturbing! At least it is not burnt orange....then we would have a real problem!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-40580380856735431992010-09-24T23:11:00.003-05:002010-09-25T07:27:36.326-05:00Friendship Blessings<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>One of the biggest blessings in our adoption journey that we didn't see coming is the friendships we have formed. Those who have experienced the miracle of adoption have an understanding of all that we are facing and are more than ready to support. God places many people in my path on a regular basis these days who are inquiring about adoption. One question I get often is about our support system. One thing we are VERY fortunate to have in our favor is a community who not only accepts adoption, particularly transracial adoption, but they are doing it too! We have so many new friends who we have just met in the last 6 months and they are all there to offer wisdom, a listening ear, an encouraging word and hope on the hard days. Thank you Ally, Tracy, Beth, Kristi, Candi, and Kimberly (yes you in MS who texted me today to say you were lifting me up in prayer :-)!!! You are my provision for this season of life and I am ever so grateful for you!<div><br /></div><div>I don't want to leave out all those who we knew before adoption. We have a wonderful Sunday School class and church, neighbors and family who have also been extremely supportive. Thank you Mom, Wanda, Amanda, Laurie, Jennifer, Anita, Shannon, Kim, Cindy, Heidi, Tiffany, Misty, Natalie, Meredith, Helen and Lauren. Thank you for the meals, the pictures you took, being at the airport, calling, stopping by, bringing over "happys", supporting us even when you thought we were nuts (we are anyway), watching our kids, praying for us (this is a biggie) and loving on our kids--all 5 of them. You are all amazing and I feel so blessed to call you friends. Friendship is truly a gift from God and one that I am so thankful for. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you all have a blessed weekend and know that I love you all :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-73336000986432995372010-09-24T22:50:00.000-05:002010-09-24T22:53:12.492-05:00Fun Pics<div style="text-align: center;">We went to Crockett Park...the kids first park experience in the US.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUGB5Po_LACpYb3Lo56tIfPdsz9PBbDAX-0tOC258DlfCIJiZAXIkDK8exDAmQi0ViwNy5ldU9h9h4oHdPyRXs4qNnjkMtQVhbw-tYapm4t3LhYL3Jr4LcjVtB9yw5BnaQOcZt4cQ_v4/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516161992804052802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUGB5Po_LACpYb3Lo56tIfPdsz9PBbDAX-0tOC258DlfCIJiZAXIkDK8exDAmQi0ViwNy5ldU9h9h4oHdPyRXs4qNnjkMtQVhbw-tYapm4t3LhYL3Jr4LcjVtB9yw5BnaQOcZt4cQ_v4/s320/036.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOW0adpfqA597dMh9SnENkzNfYr2E5H6e4XoZo22ZGbKq-v18zb6I7WtVVKxMnzRWmsjanE8YyeSDnUq5ZOdtBK5CTbuDjgGyQf2_PaMnjweT6k9_aratwDkNXfK_4WZA8DUhwpYhSAI/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516161983645137538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOW0adpfqA597dMh9SnENkzNfYr2E5H6e4XoZo22ZGbKq-v18zb6I7WtVVKxMnzRWmsjanE8YyeSDnUq5ZOdtBK5CTbuDjgGyQf2_PaMnjweT6k9_aratwDkNXfK_4WZA8DUhwpYhSAI/s320/037.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D4AbivW8IdYcBsFx_9V8VXuuwCtWWwKhPoqQwXsmOAKBfuKRKPJQVGtaRJDr5zG1ZoHytuZxLjuAJr7gm5sPTZhOVCP9I28y2wgP7S1xTuV20o2g_6PQZHbV1chjjsKmgdp-40N7hXg/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516161976591074434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D4AbivW8IdYcBsFx_9V8VXuuwCtWWwKhPoqQwXsmOAKBfuKRKPJQVGtaRJDr5zG1ZoHytuZxLjuAJr7gm5sPTZhOVCP9I28y2wgP7S1xTuV20o2g_6PQZHbV1chjjsKmgdp-40N7hXg/s320/039.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq3_y3vQzZmsejYvX_7difxyIrUF0Gqw8f34lZhA4t7YrVZX9ElO51isf4wPNIj7boLfj8meo7zugaNkzym4VqHHwhDpN5xn0PkzQAlX8CI8DmR1UIN1Dr4uU3sevdo_Ls76i4xyAjcQ/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516161966932466418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq3_y3vQzZmsejYvX_7difxyIrUF0Gqw8f34lZhA4t7YrVZX9ElO51isf4wPNIj7boLfj8meo7zugaNkzym4VqHHwhDpN5xn0PkzQAlX8CI8DmR1UIN1Dr4uU3sevdo_Ls76i4xyAjcQ/s320/040.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My aunt and cousin came up to visit and brought the wig pictured below on my brother's head. The kids had great fun playing with it and we had lots of laughs :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5snDzxgy-0qKfNJ2vLpBYlc9K3FSXWuvhCvyCdu_J-9pFLFsXs893oFnxqOb1JBpYiVT_zFbEf3zfVZpF9RO8bpimE4rYuBEl7xYl6IsbkuLFZ5bsyvKSxgp3fBjbIsZCAV39EbEeHes/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516161960602882114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5snDzxgy-0qKfNJ2vLpBYlc9K3FSXWuvhCvyCdu_J-9pFLFsXs893oFnxqOb1JBpYiVT_zFbEf3zfVZpF9RO8bpimE4rYuBEl7xYl6IsbkuLFZ5bsyvKSxgp3fBjbIsZCAV39EbEeHes/s320/041.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel learned to ride her bike over Labor day weekend. It only took her about 10 minutes to figure it out. We had many falls and knee scrapes over the next few days.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwdEat-5oOGem0l_xZWO3AHVmEp8ogifgj2210vFphqW8eu2jUGdw2wbLMl-YL0K8xEbFxxZUDNjz-zmb5u-c3YBvluCL69YlrU0XincgT6O3UXWhhUPzdGz9WiEEYfH-LQ4hjhcldvg/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516139881963525650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwdEat-5oOGem0l_xZWO3AHVmEp8ogifgj2210vFphqW8eu2jUGdw2wbLMl-YL0K8xEbFxxZUDNjz-zmb5u-c3YBvluCL69YlrU0XincgT6O3UXWhhUPzdGz9WiEEYfH-LQ4hjhcldvg/s320/045.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am not sure what Jordan was trying to do in this pic. We were eating at Abay (the Ethiopian restaurant we frequent) and he was in a silly mood. You can see from Brent's face in the background we were a little surprised to see him this way.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOppDj6UXrfB1XkyxKbI0ZuW4KQpNo4NvF7hSQ84BvEe-iTRPA0V1Lm4bRXbx5AVhDybwuXj7IruL0B-HPwkf_CSuge7RVFx_fKu3I0pLCE7GvDjp29rsmsDdDDWoPDJN_jWZa5J1OvcM/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516139870816411458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOppDj6UXrfB1XkyxKbI0ZuW4KQpNo4NvF7hSQ84BvEe-iTRPA0V1Lm4bRXbx5AVhDybwuXj7IruL0B-HPwkf_CSuge7RVFx_fKu3I0pLCE7GvDjp29rsmsDdDDWoPDJN_jWZa5J1OvcM/s320/046.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tmp42Phse5Br820WqLyyfPXTe_bPF3z3kTAUeAzBohLg791r9o4BA1EZuGdyV1hRrJckREvuuFZi-CFx8p0j_naTkke9Xlyi4MdRiIJiGeDfjJdA03bVfcuVYzncB6qD4mneKxS4f8M/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516139858983489586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tmp42Phse5Br820WqLyyfPXTe_bPF3z3kTAUeAzBohLg791r9o4BA1EZuGdyV1hRrJckREvuuFZi-CFx8p0j_naTkke9Xlyi4MdRiIJiGeDfjJdA03bVfcuVYzncB6qD4mneKxS4f8M/s320/050.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">All the kids in the car after church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKlDyRZOQu8-zU6_JHOsmagmssi7FYBfN0kA2Apeo_GnVDzpBPX_92WcNfny_KG6u0nmN1yYO5XIIICbW8m1al8W43c-ukF1KS_oreOCgIK42ETvgMcKSaD7B94QYRRhzezPQR8nACuI/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516139827816617122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKlDyRZOQu8-zU6_JHOsmagmssi7FYBfN0kA2Apeo_GnVDzpBPX_92WcNfny_KG6u0nmN1yYO5XIIICbW8m1al8W43c-ukF1KS_oreOCgIK42ETvgMcKSaD7B94QYRRhzezPQR8nACuI/s320/057.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPAXxfzr65D8FHen4D4OZxt6tIdqA-MqrVHvbdHk2PeDECGpjOL3ddLYix5FMUZjKsyL7-Mp8g5wPfewd9fvwukEhUnlpVPRDTiuB1fVFm_dieSINnrANaxhqAy4WhI0ZPbjhUBcw50M/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516139816308730034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPAXxfzr65D8FHen4D4OZxt6tIdqA-MqrVHvbdHk2PeDECGpjOL3ddLYix5FMUZjKsyL7-Mp8g5wPfewd9fvwukEhUnlpVPRDTiuB1fVFm_dieSINnrANaxhqAy4WhI0ZPbjhUBcw50M/s320/063.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel and Jordan playing imagination in the backyard. It was the first time we saw them play this way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvro0C29XP7psPFkOvWMK3Coa3oiZV-ckm4VeQQqdhfm-eo-3HmnMkC7c0iOz5I6fM1Qpj5JDakd4tzEtTOjE6O2GrXlXjQofjGWEvArvInG-TjLB2IVteTDdjrp2VJ42SVVlqbcBG_bY/s1600/070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516119003559288866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvro0C29XP7psPFkOvWMK3Coa3oiZV-ckm4VeQQqdhfm-eo-3HmnMkC7c0iOz5I6fM1Qpj5JDakd4tzEtTOjE6O2GrXlXjQofjGWEvArvInG-TjLB2IVteTDdjrp2VJ42SVVlqbcBG_bY/s320/070.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">All of us sporting our Texas A&M shirts...thanks Aunt Wanda!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfg50qK0iXXIMbm5Y8PmPQKBCCTjgM2tGCObzFBl6OHRZryNzVYwCB6F2rCrUZStZIA4dE3OXOuk9HGA-u6Q9W9RYle0sp6JEMjv_FPoYfriVc437pkK7K3mRK_uVf1Gm14bnpl1Y0Rs/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516118993700193106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfg50qK0iXXIMbm5Y8PmPQKBCCTjgM2tGCObzFBl6OHRZryNzVYwCB6F2rCrUZStZIA4dE3OXOuk9HGA-u6Q9W9RYle0sp6JEMjv_FPoYfriVc437pkK7K3mRK_uVf1Gm14bnpl1Y0Rs/s320/073.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the bus for the first time. Rachel was so excited I couldn't get her to stand still long enough to take the pic.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc02luUxUErB8mBIW0XFGWLKbX91YiTLcnpCBjpaBi-V4sg78JkLIeUbMvwFFkRc03AZe1S2tY6B5f5KRULerzqRc5u3pI_u2XC6jEGtpUM8OdZVQ_bYDjK3c1waCVs82VqWOs0VihM0/s1600/090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516118984400341634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc02luUxUErB8mBIW0XFGWLKbX91YiTLcnpCBjpaBi-V4sg78JkLIeUbMvwFFkRc03AZe1S2tY6B5f5KRULerzqRc5u3pI_u2XC6jEGtpUM8OdZVQ_bYDjK3c1waCVs82VqWOs0VihM0/s320/090.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Last Friday afternoon we surprised the kids and got the 4 wheeler out after school. To say they were excited would be an understatement :-)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOZV-40i1oSs4SNcw3-_gyCyE8puyORoXNZEZRu4IXhoggVRccYLsLqeWUiYFbEzu3DQ_SpITiVDPkSWH0O1mXfUSqKE6NRHNqXp9wXH-dA6FQUZ3odLppjWviQJLK972JLJBEeNv9Xk/s1600/093.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516118962176694754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOZV-40i1oSs4SNcw3-_gyCyE8puyORoXNZEZRu4IXhoggVRccYLsLqeWUiYFbEzu3DQ_SpITiVDPkSWH0O1mXfUSqKE6NRHNqXp9wXH-dA6FQUZ3odLppjWviQJLK972JLJBEeNv9Xk/s320/093.JPG" /></a><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516118949977048130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL7ic-0asMxnYKJXTPaaloVJKeURX5vr-10vXZR4Qj78jWLSGzPzKcCCna1JIuZ0_fvC6s4v5bqYWUizBcAhVAXQAjXinWXYgwZF0IAF983V2lmhrm9EH9YCKlmeBqh6vc3teOm7GyIo/s320/096.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully, I will have some more pics and posts soon. I think of things all day I want to write about, but right now time is VERY precious. Have a great weekend...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139125514177559383.post-80672519155456424412010-09-17T21:55:00.002-05:002010-09-17T22:14:51.785-05:00Fire?<div>We knew from the first day we had Jordan that he was a very curious child. If it had a button, he HAD to push it; if it had a switch he HAD to flip it--over and over again. If it had a knob, he HAD to turn it...you get the picture. It was exhausting in the early weeks when EVERYTHING was so new to him. This obsession of his had begun to level off somewhat as things became more familiar to him. We were having to say "No, Jordan, don't touch/push/flip that again" much less in recent days. We had started to relax...UNTIL Wednesday night.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were at our prayer meeting at church Wed. night and Brent heard sirens outside. I had walked in late and had seen some classes of children walking out of the other building, but didn't think too much of it. When we got in the car that night our older kids began to tell us that the fire alarm went off and they all had to evacuate the building. My older son said that some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">kindergartner</span> had "flipped the fire alarm switch when he went to the bathroom." I was only half listening until I heard the last statement. Wait...what did you say son? A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kindergartner</span>??? I knew immediately it was OUR <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kindergartner</span>! When we got home we asked and sure enough, it was written all over his face...guilty!</div><div><br /></div><div>So for all of our fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Clearview</span> friends, yes, it was our child who pulled this switch:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ji9ynD6u64wajiyG6LDDkjNTk_nYFhQSscZLh8eNVIAXNuQh9MrMPoEGQv3OFK1WtRuvUL3kkQlpzHbNr01Q3S7P9MDjAVBWZKKRQhcP4SLpu8pesTWdUph7ABEMeBqd7mZsSDmrjlo/s1600/fire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ji9ynD6u64wajiyG6LDDkjNTk_nYFhQSscZLh8eNVIAXNuQh9MrMPoEGQv3OFK1WtRuvUL3kkQlpzHbNr01Q3S7P9MDjAVBWZKKRQhcP4SLpu8pesTWdUph7ABEMeBqd7mZsSDmrjlo/s320/fire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518082693047525666" /></a>and caused an evacuation of building C and a visit from the fire department :-) There is never a dull moment at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rutland</span> circus as I have appropriately nicknamed our family.<div><br /></div><div>I hope you all have a great weekend...</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04815327699739419355noreply@blogger.com3