tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78436881850969115962024-02-06T22:08:30.396-05:00Enjoying the SceneryMy life...and all it's twists and turnsMimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-10456683119642232762012-07-06T15:26:00.001-04:002012-07-06T15:26:48.220-04:00Quickest Iced Coffee Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think everyone is trying to beat the heat these days. It's been a scorcher here with heat close to the 3 digit mark for a few days now. Most evenings my poor hubby comes home so weary and doesn't feel like eating at all. We've pretty much turned into vegetarians...eating all the fresh produce that comes with this season. Last nights supper was grilled cabbage, corn on the cob, tomatoes, and cantaloupe. We were all satisfied and it tasted so good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my go to drink when I want something quick and delish. Not to mention the caffeine that I need most mornings and I don't feel like drinking a hot cup of coffee. This recipe was shared from a friend a few years ago and Brad and I both LOVE it! Enjoy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just 2 ingredients, that's all you'll need! A pot of coffee and a can of sweetened condensed milk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brew a pot of coffee. I make mine extra strong for this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pour the milk into the bottom and the coffee on top. After a few stirs it's all dissolved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mmmmm so yummy. This time I made it with the "fat free" can and thought it was good and not as sweet. We'll see if hubby can tell the difference!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-34821286697009394892012-07-05T16:27:00.000-04:002012-07-05T16:27:43.123-04:00Just a Swingin'<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While browsing Pinterest one day I noticed a picture of a bed hanging from a tree and got lost in the idea of how relaxing it looked. Perhaps on such a bed one could escape the many demands of motherhood and even of being a wife/homemaker sometimes. While lounging on said bed I was pretty sure all cares of this world would disappear! I showed my hubby the "pin". My hubby has such a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I've tried many recipes from there lately and some have been a flop and others a hit! It's not uncommon to be eating our supper and have him ask "Is this a Pinterest idea"?! I can usually tell by his tone if he's loving or hating it at the moment. So anyway, I showed him the pic and said "Doesn't that look so relaxing?" His mind immediately went to the pile of barnwood in the garage and he started planning it all out within a few minutes. We walked around our property and found a tree that looked like a good sturdy tree. One that could probably withstand people not only lounging, but kids probably bouncing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brad had off of work July 4th so he decided to spend the day making this thing for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So get this...I was regretting saying something to him because I would've loved a day "to myself". Baby C is outgrowing everything and it's tough to go shopping with 2 in tow. Brad knew I wanted to get out a little so after he was done with the first part of the bed he sent me out the door to go shopping oh and while you're out...get yourself a pedicure. Spoiled much? Yup I am and I have no trouble admitting it. I so LOVE this man and the way he showers me with love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He had a very willing "helper". She follows him around all day when he's home. So he got her a hammer, some nails and a few pieces of wood and she was entertained for a while!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2yIM4UmdGcCDbljs0kcejWitO4Qwcmb97fVfG02To9vBhyphenhyphenRxHIxjeO1qs1NpDU4Ztjw-is6pSTz1iPkGfz-zR30DY9-k_iM4EcYgfKz1IOfQVIgsAyMAiAGLa3MsJL_WWagnWY8qQ6f/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2yIM4UmdGcCDbljs0kcejWitO4Qwcmb97fVfG02To9vBhyphenhyphenRxHIxjeO1qs1NpDU4Ztjw-is6pSTz1iPkGfz-zR30DY9-k_iM4EcYgfKz1IOfQVIgsAyMAiAGLa3MsJL_WWagnWY8qQ6f/s320/IMG_5739.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An hour or 2 later it looked like this!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLKE-7wkt2Nlui0skztSRFPhP-lkopta6WIwB1oujF7qwPtx04vgRIROxI2IrBnizIV-M28Qo2TDQcTN-J8OD3knoMaQEYldnuJwnyl33fayRVwJBJMhUxfCnztWO3P6FUK6DYSHQkvp5/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLKE-7wkt2Nlui0skztSRFPhP-lkopta6WIwB1oujF7qwPtx04vgRIROxI2IrBnizIV-M28Qo2TDQcTN-J8OD3knoMaQEYldnuJwnyl33fayRVwJBJMhUxfCnztWO3P6FUK6DYSHQkvp5/s200/IMG_5770.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9Ipz3nJ47IsMELTI93IQNC0lS7YKXxtT5wgFU-soEFyornKJGzYv_wxade7a6thNKWsXzLj6wwhJ1x7h44xmvrHeH9j9Hv9xVt1eaz4-sMnZxUeerpusIW_lz9haTttz9Cli-oDYfu9A/s1600/IMG_5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200px" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9Ipz3nJ47IsMELTI93IQNC0lS7YKXxtT5wgFU-soEFyornKJGzYv_wxade7a6thNKWsXzLj6wwhJ1x7h44xmvrHeH9j9Hv9xVt1eaz4-sMnZxUeerpusIW_lz9haTttz9Cli-oDYfu9A/s200/IMG_5743.JPG" width="150px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dug this old thing out of the corner it was dwelling in. I got it free at the auction I used to work at. It was going to be used in a scene at our Christmas Nativity but never made it there. Brad fixed it so that the light parts went up instead of down and stripped the wires. I spray painted it black, put candles in and hung it above the bed. We need to figure out how to hang it lower because it's kinda hidden in the tree!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wasn't home when Brad drug the bed out to the spot in our backyard we picked out so I have no idea how he got it there. He set the bed on jacks to allow him to work with the rope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty much my only instructions to him were that I don't want to be laying on it and be afraid that I'm going to fall down or off. He used thick heavy rope and used heavy duty loop thingys and knots to fasten the rope to the frame. We looped the rope around the end closes to the truck for added support. This tree is growing weird. It grows on an angle so that allowed us to hang it this way and yet have room for the bed to swing freely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After he had it hanging I told him he has to be the first to try it out! It moved and creaked but held fast! We seen right away that we would have to do something about the foot end. We didn't think about it that that side would hang down farther and so we should use less rope on that side. But that's a project for another day! Once he was on, I could barely persuade him to get back off again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we both got on and gave Miss A the camera! She was delighted to snap some pics of us! : ) We laid there for a while but couldn't ignore the screaming kids for too long! See what I mean about the lower end hanging down?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think my favorite part of the whole bed is the headboard. He used old lath to make it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so so happy with how it turned out. It's so relaxing and I can't wait to spend some time out there. It's really close to our fire pit so I'm picturing many relaxing evenings out there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now for the cost of the project:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the wood we used was FREE...salvaged from the old barn we tore down a few years ago</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Rope: Salvaged from an old tug of war Brad was at years ago. The rope tore and they were going to throw it out. I know what you're thinking... THE ROPE TORE and yet you trust it to hold this thing up? Brad assured me that it only tore after being pulled by a truck on one side and a tree on the other...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heavy duty hook thingys were about 6 bucks a piece...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mattress cover and candles came to about $20. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$26 buckaroos...not bad huh?</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-86723254576063207502012-04-23T13:51:00.002-04:002012-05-02T07:29:30.325-04:00Holding Them Close<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPApPf35cahNN7l6KqkuzFaSYTn9esmzdKf1Sn6LbRl6-2beVYEAlPY8u53TfMyI9IPmGBh5ZQVD_Jd2gfy_MV7Jvy6jw0TlmRsA74qCClXu-a5W9LXG-KYO4KnS-B0eowf73M787sEVAb/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPApPf35cahNN7l6KqkuzFaSYTn9esmzdKf1Sn6LbRl6-2beVYEAlPY8u53TfMyI9IPmGBh5ZQVD_Jd2gfy_MV7Jvy6jw0TlmRsA74qCClXu-a5W9LXG-KYO4KnS-B0eowf73M787sEVAb/s320/IMG_5348.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tears stream down my face as I hold closely the wriggling body of my infant son. He has no idea what is going through my mind, but I can't help but hold him close and cry into his shoulder. I go to the table where his preschool age sister is happily playing play-do and scoop her up in my arms. Surprised, she wraps her little arms around my neck as I quietly sob. She has no idea that tears are streaming down my face and has no idea what possessed her mother to interrupt her play and scoop her into a tight hug. I let her go and turn quickly so she can not see my tear stained face. But shes smart and says “Don’t cry Mommy, you may play with me”. I choke out a smile and go back to her wailing brother. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6odSI8myW3GhV_BxKNovYpVCFVfFkJJNsGJ6ujdtutsCdrNPz9j2_WsaPpcLu7HPXBmGABP3DQG4SkuRPjXKoiu6e9DNP5Etf7PakK5_2qgJTKHxKJQQzgEF86G8xMqw3Dxi315gTNOfI/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6odSI8myW3GhV_BxKNovYpVCFVfFkJJNsGJ6ujdtutsCdrNPz9j2_WsaPpcLu7HPXBmGABP3DQG4SkuRPjXKoiu6e9DNP5Etf7PakK5_2qgJTKHxKJQQzgEF86G8xMqw3Dxi315gTNOfI/s320/IMG_5350.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When my husband and I started the journey in foster care we tried to prepare ourselves for the heartbreak that inevitably comes with losing your heart to these kids but nothing could’ve prepared me for the fear that coursed through my body when I found out that we can not move towards adoption at this point like we had hoped. By this time we should be well on the way to adopting our daughter. Even though nothing is finalized, just the thought that things don’t look as good for us as they did at one time, makes me panic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwSNiRVgbT1r74qsOnAc5kxO5FpjSZXH2rCDuGXbAI0i84zs-tzOkLJIL7_dY2dtSt00JHPadDvimSBzSjU4BPn3tDVReGMb_WgvFG71oYId7cNwv_yu66XMV_X2CWi5oyp09dfbRufk6/s1600/bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwSNiRVgbT1r74qsOnAc5kxO5FpjSZXH2rCDuGXbAI0i84zs-tzOkLJIL7_dY2dtSt00JHPadDvimSBzSjU4BPn3tDVReGMb_WgvFG71oYId7cNwv_yu66XMV_X2CWi5oyp09dfbRufk6/s320/bc.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I feel myself wanting to distance myself from these children to protect myself but I know that is not the answer. The risk of being a foster parent/hoping to adopt is just that…a risk. We knew that when we signed up for this and yet the reality is so tough. It’s impossible to halfway love these kids, impossible not to dream of a future of when we change their names and they become “ours”. So for now, I will love on them like they deserve while I have them. Make memories while we can, try to teach them things that will last for a lifetime, and hold them a little closer today.</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-18315956823324329902012-04-23T11:14:00.002-04:002012-04-23T11:14:46.996-04:00Smokey Mountain Chicken<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't know what to make for supper tonight? Try this yummy, yummy chicken. You know you can always count on chicken when you don't know what else to make! Seriously though, this recipe is so easy and delicious. It came in handy last week during one of those "What do I make tonight" days. The best part is that the sauce it's baked in makes a delicious sauce for rice. I usually make something green for good measure and wal ah...dinner is served. Hope it comes in handy for some of you! It comes from one of my favorite cookbooks...Fix-It and Enjoy-It 5 Ingredient Recipes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is all it takes folks:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_017wUKSxR3hhxKUSdFfye4WQP_jXfYFwIsUbTntGdnenhKrPm2-gct7rcXYP5cJEImTFv-wJ305hdPZ56KmkUcvgg-LGV8Nn_X1VgnTyJgXS7gK3vaDpIdy8M_M4OEnZ5XynSzYnSVk/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_017wUKSxR3hhxKUSdFfye4WQP_jXfYFwIsUbTntGdnenhKrPm2-gct7rcXYP5cJEImTFv-wJ305hdPZ56KmkUcvgg-LGV8Nn_X1VgnTyJgXS7gK3vaDpIdy8M_M4OEnZ5XynSzYnSVk/s320/IMG_5388.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slice a giant onion and spread on the bottom of a 9x13 pan</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWomQcXwGcTnX5EqDaxRjCz5sesvbjKnno0kASx8rxpXdXjZtNfYxpHBJfiAE5eZpHq9XVO74rzzuoO9cWJlleospXhXzLYVx4NsLKSiZGYWm5QQY-1UO2b1GYZuYIhMj71dKJbsHHonB/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWomQcXwGcTnX5EqDaxRjCz5sesvbjKnno0kASx8rxpXdXjZtNfYxpHBJfiAE5eZpHq9XVO74rzzuoO9cWJlleospXhXzLYVx4NsLKSiZGYWm5QQY-1UO2b1GYZuYIhMj71dKJbsHHonB/s320/IMG_5389.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lay chicken on top of this. I usually use thighs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPGGIR6CwaWI2xIyzi1QaePgO1k-tHPEO2OOyGfTrqRTeupCHlzxmNuMc7glS-rhVYgBjpuSZ2ZmhR6Dli21VOzneH_t29IHpLB1urlIz6VtmhFF1spuNNYtDoq8PoiQP6NZQhUcfcFP6/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPGGIR6CwaWI2xIyzi1QaePgO1k-tHPEO2OOyGfTrqRTeupCHlzxmNuMc7glS-rhVYgBjpuSZ2ZmhR6Dli21VOzneH_t29IHpLB1urlIz6VtmhFF1spuNNYtDoq8PoiQP6NZQhUcfcFP6/s320/IMG_5390.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix together 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup maple syrup (I used pancake syrup), 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 TBL mustard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDEA0fut6N_-NeuVe3Qdcikmu5BmoawTPGkM1K0LMFkl9iPq4BqfS9EoJVw0BYwt1B-lvbsqlH7UYUhJc7nChTXPu651AT-d2N3iAyE1QmQ-a1cr4xE03LoGMa6t8ieGVJMB6Gy_ol1vo/s1600/IMG_5391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDEA0fut6N_-NeuVe3Qdcikmu5BmoawTPGkM1K0LMFkl9iPq4BqfS9EoJVw0BYwt1B-lvbsqlH7UYUhJc7nChTXPu651AT-d2N3iAyE1QmQ-a1cr4xE03LoGMa6t8ieGVJMB6Gy_ol1vo/s320/IMG_5391.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spread sauce over chicken pieces</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJFs-AQqIb6gdRG985cC9Dta17z8rsNp1wTdvoDR0Mgkbd31nVnsHym-XjIzY7P7CMmJXWGMOkw8jVUDUFN82cBTHEHy8GozN7TdzeA9RD04rddVD50JvfvGL0wPa0fhbTH6cnqxHYPS-/s1600/IMG_5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJFs-AQqIb6gdRG985cC9Dta17z8rsNp1wTdvoDR0Mgkbd31nVnsHym-XjIzY7P7CMmJXWGMOkw8jVUDUFN82cBTHEHy8GozN7TdzeA9RD04rddVD50JvfvGL0wPa0fhbTH6cnqxHYPS-/s320/IMG_5392.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes @ 350*</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8g6Dfp20WeEMgTifMJFD3ShRvp3Ucywjmi5zUuMEP-6OHwFecJ-GnyqnlqjPzoGvZ1RnlM_A6uYTB7yIVS-8GR9dP2XpNDQBbe5zrhSO7N3wYDuS11577Sku8akLN0S6iFztex5FsS9W/s1600/IMG_5393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8g6Dfp20WeEMgTifMJFD3ShRvp3Ucywjmi5zUuMEP-6OHwFecJ-GnyqnlqjPzoGvZ1RnlM_A6uYTB7yIVS-8GR9dP2XpNDQBbe5zrhSO7N3wYDuS11577Sku8akLN0S6iFztex5FsS9W/s320/IMG_5393.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Serve over rice</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0Dq_JKC3N8tbNi9HjhLoDXxb2ImUDpmoTzijnXQbQTROecRX5vuy9Na8KzjBv9KKUW-A_BNrzyv2o87ZduLukJ5foa-DCQPQM1NgYUBzIf07vtlzCg8jt_-gcxbnYs5XP9LmfB1slHX/s1600/IMG_5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0Dq_JKC3N8tbNi9HjhLoDXxb2ImUDpmoTzijnXQbQTROecRX5vuy9Na8KzjBv9KKUW-A_BNrzyv2o87ZduLukJ5foa-DCQPQM1NgYUBzIf07vtlzCg8jt_-gcxbnYs5XP9LmfB1slHX/s320/IMG_5395.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy it! It's a hit with our family, even my anti rice hubby!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's the short version:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Smokey Mountain Chicken</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 onion sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 lbs chicken pieces: legs, thighs or breast pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup ketchup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup maple syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 cup vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 TBLS mustard</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place onions in the bottom of 9x13 pan. Arrange chicken over onions. Combine remaining ingredients pour over chicken, covering completely. Bake uncovered at 350* for 45- 60 minutes, basting serveral times. Chicken is finished when juices run clear after meat is pierced with a fork.</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-31307224405595504812012-04-12T14:38:00.000-04:002012-04-12T15:25:31.679-04:00Catch up Time!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBeUf7koZec4gV9apuRatNbXol5CDCxkHZqinefuaAnPrDqQyfU7_9cJD1lCsqUuttgcgAHO4NQGLcosvSLGxxU2CIwiv9tR1qQbdBYsDx7E5IKTLv2sI3_lomP1oOT5iEtRz0212NMwT/s1600/IMG_4357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBeUf7koZec4gV9apuRatNbXol5CDCxkHZqinefuaAnPrDqQyfU7_9cJD1lCsqUuttgcgAHO4NQGLcosvSLGxxU2CIwiv9tR1qQbdBYsDx7E5IKTLv2sI3_lomP1oOT5iEtRz0212NMwT/s320/IMG_4357.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems like forever since I've blogged. Ok..it's BEEN forever! I had a few posts started but never got them finished. Seems with all the changes life has thrown our way this just got put on the back burner. But now with Sissy in preschool and Baby napping in the afternoon, I have time to myself again! And yes, that's right..I did say Baby! So it looks like I should catch you all up on a few things. Here is the past few months in a nutshell....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>August 11th:</strong></span> we got a call asking us to take 2 little girls. Sisters, ages 5 and 2.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>September:</strong></span> the 2, 5 year olds started kindergarten every day, all day. I was quite grateful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>October and November:</strong></span> I was busy just keeping my head above water. We thought "J" was going home to his father earlier but it kept dragging out and the reason we said yes to the girls was so that Sissy would have someone to play with and help with her depending less on her brother. There were days I wanted to pull my hair out, and quite a few trips to the bedroom to cry a little and regroup myself! : ) But somehow we made it through. Along with the business of taking care of all the children we were also doing some fertility treatment. Nothing too invasive just lots of trips to the doc for bloodwork and tests. Sometimes I took the girls with me and sometimes my mom came to my rescue!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>End of November:</strong></span> we got a call from the agency saying the mother of the first 2 kids we had was pregnant..would we want the baby? After some thought we said yes. She was due the middle of December. We knew J was going with his father in the next week since he had started spending weekends there. The girls were going to leave soon after Christmas because it was just too much here. The oldest and "Sissy" did not get along and when the family that was caring for their brother and sister said they would be willing to take them, it was an answer to prayer for us! So even though we knew it would be a crazy few weeks, in the long term we would have 2 that looked good for adoption! I promptly went knocking on doors of Amish neighbors and found me a helper! She came once a week to clean and was ready to come any time I needed her to help look after the kids etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Beginning of December:</strong></span> birth mom was having cramping so she went to the hospital where they did an ultrasound. She told the caseworker that it was a baby girl and she is due the beginning of January. We were tickled pink at the thought of a sister for Sissy and relieved that the baby was due in January! I went shopping! ; )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The beginning of this month:</strong></span> I had another <strong>miscarriage.</strong> I had been under treatment and on some hormome stuff but it wasn't enough to keep the baby in my womb. It was devastating and yet the thought of a baby soon to be joining our home made it somewhat easier. It's hard to say how I feel about this 4th loss. I feel almost immune to the fact that I was even ever pregnant and it's like a part of myself hardened yet again. Maybe it's because that with the craziness of the month I didn't really have or take time to grieve. We still pray that God would bless us with a biological child but at this point have put all treatment on hold. It's just too hard...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>December 9th:</strong></span> Sissy turned 4 and had not one, but 2 parties! I had fun putting together a princess party for her and some of her friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>December 9 -11:</strong></span> was our church's Live Nativity. Brad and I are on the committee so it was a busy weekend for us!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>December 15th: </strong></span>J went home to his birth father. It was hard to see him go but the transition was rough on all of us so it was almost a relief to have him in one spot instead of back and forth.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04XD50GTTXyejnrC_ohHxT1Cf9kNxnXfdna68ebhKqV35kWJkv2YYkvjq3I0IAm036B277VJxeFVaAkbQJJWNWCLrJAHum01Qg_uIXdJ9dJm40retoI5k4SlZZlLOMIxQ4pJYGZzTRKmN/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04XD50GTTXyejnrC_ohHxT1Cf9kNxnXfdna68ebhKqV35kWJkv2YYkvjq3I0IAm036B277VJxeFVaAkbQJJWNWCLrJAHum01Qg_uIXdJ9dJm40retoI5k4SlZZlLOMIxQ4pJYGZzTRKmN/s320/IMG_4916.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>December 16th:</strong></span> Got a call from the caseworker that BABY had arrived. Oh and by the way...IT'S A <strong>BOY</strong>!! Thank goodness I hadn't washed all that cute little girl stuff (just in case)! I went shopping again! : )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>December 18th: </strong></span>Brad and I went to the hospital to pick up an adorable little 6.5 lb baby boy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Christmas season was somewhat of a blur....I was running low on sleep! : ) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">December 26th:</span></strong> we took the girls to their new home to live with their brother and sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">January 21-27:</span></strong> Brad and I went with our church worship team to sing in Alabama Prisons with WeCare. SOOO hard to leave the kids but they were in good hands with a foster family from church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">End of February:</span></strong> Sissy started preschool. She loves getting out and playing with other kids. She's there every day but Monday from 12:25-4:00. It's been nice to have some time to get things done around here and even take a nap sometimes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that things settled into a new normal. We love having these 2...and have been able to really work on bonding and attaching with "Sissy". She loves having us all to herself and getting special privileges since there aren't any other kiddos around. She didn't even go through anything major with the baby. I started rocking her every evening and making sure I take time to hold, cuddle and sing to her, just like I do her baby brother. Speaking of Baby brother. He is so adorable and growing like a weed. The tiny 6.5 lb baby boy is now a whopping 14 lbs! I spent the first month being his primary caregiver so that he would definitely attach to some one. I ended up sleeping on the recliner most nights because I loved holding him. Although Brad fed him a time or 2 and my mom once or twice, I wanted to be the only one to feed him. Basically I pretended I was breastfeeding! It definitely helped with attachment. He lights up as soon as he sees me and it's humbling to be the center of his little world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a foster parent isn't easy especially when we find ourselves so in love with these children and realizing they could be taken from us so easily. And yet, I keep reminding myself that having a biological child wouldn't be too much different....they could still be taken at any time. It's just a different way of thinking about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has been good...It's had it's challenges and days of tears. Any foster mom can tell you that the waiting game is so so tough. I want to write more and have posts waiting but for now, I felt like I should let you all know that I am among the living! : )</span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-23979065591660405652011-07-29T22:39:00.000-04:002011-07-29T22:39:03.454-04:00This Thing Called Parenting & Girls Night Out<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So it may come as no surprise to many of you that everything I thought I knew about parenting is pretty much thrown out the window. Yes, there are lots of things I've learned in my years of being a nanny and teaching school that definitely get applied to the way I parent and yet no one could have prepared me for what it really was like. You see, in the years of nannying and teaching and even the countless times I took care of my neices and nephews and thought up all kinds of fun stuff to do with them, there always came a time when they returned to the ones who <em><strong>"parented"</strong></em> them. But now? Now, <strong><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></strong> am that parent. With these precious souls there is no returning them to the ones who parent them, because it's me. Well, me and the man I could not do this without. Seriously, I have <u>no</u> idea how single moms do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHzF7fsJL509BHu5SsuFDc3JlJV6OzDE616zrQJxGaStMWg214wE5GkvkmFXy2FsKybKVCHxQoVEgoKtJv6CqY6TFd08Xeb5YdmzWfLWUwHDGjTUYan0woPCDwmJ9j020uXWKBdbIp6th/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHzF7fsJL509BHu5SsuFDc3JlJV6OzDE616zrQJxGaStMWg214wE5GkvkmFXy2FsKybKVCHxQoVEgoKtJv6CqY6TFd08Xeb5YdmzWfLWUwHDGjTUYan0woPCDwmJ9j020uXWKBdbIp6th/s320/IMG_4422.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of "the man"...last weekend we decided to put the kids in respite. The agency we are with says we can do that once a month. We thought it would be best to try and not use it especially while they are still adjusting, but after a crazy week we went ahead with plans. It was definitely the right choice. The kids missed us and we talked to them every night assuring them we would pick them up on Sunday. My man and I enjoyed just lounging around, sleeping in, going out to eat and just making sure we were still on the same page on all kinds of stuff. Friday night we went to Ichiban, a Japanese Steak House, for dinner. I got sushi for an appetizer and we enjoyed a lovely meal with fun entertainment too! Saturday night we met our friends at AppleBees at 10:00! Normally we would be in bed by that time but hey, why not live it up! Such a fun refreshing weekend we had. And it <em>was</em> good to see the kids again!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It used to annoy me when Moms would complain and get frustrated with their kids especially when they had a hard time getting pregnant or having kids. To be honest, it still kinda annoys me and yet, I am definitely a little more sympathetic towards mothers in general! I feel it is important to spend time with your children and I do not want to put them at a sitter too often, even if it is Ma-Ma, but sometimes we as mothers just need a break. I am fast realizing how refreshing even an hour of alone time can be. Yes, I know that we just jumped right into parenting without the 9 month prep but it is the role we chose, and the ministry we feel called too so we (I) need to "suck it up" and realize that my time of being alone and having things the way I like it is over. Notice all the "I's" in this paragraph. Motherhood brings out the selfish side of me. I am realizing more and more how hard it is to lay aside the things that "I" want to do and tend to the needs of my children, even if there are lots of other things that seem more important at the time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday, I was supposed to have a root canal done so my dear Mom came and picked up my children. My appointment was pretty early in the morning and I would've had to wake them up to take them down. And while I'm at it, can I just say that I pretty much have the most amazing mom ever? She comes up every Tuesday and hangs out with them while I work at the auction and is always ready and willing to help in whatever way she can. These kids of mine have stolen her heart and she is an amazing Ma-Ma! Anway, back to the root canal. It never happened! After my consultation the Dr. said she would suggest pulling the tooth because it is cracked and a root canal wouldn't take care of the problem. My dentist won't be impressed, but that is definitely what I am going to do. The tooth is in the bottom in the back and no body will notice if I get it pulled. I would 10 times rather be knocked out and get it pulled than do through the trauma of a root canal. So after my root canal that didn't happen I came home and got some things taken care of. Mom said the kids were fine and having fun so I took advantage of the alone time and did some shopping. One of my stops was a Christian Book Store. I realized the other day that in about every stage of life I have been in, I have read books relating to it. Like when I was teaching, I read books on teaching, when I was single, I read books on how to deal with that. The same with dating and then marriage. Suddenly it dawned on me that I possessed not one book about parenting. So I bought a few books that seemed to be filled with tips and advice for mothers. Ahhh well now, that should make it all better! (yeah right). Would love to have you guys tell me the best book on parenting you've read! I know that parenting foster kids is different in a way, but alot of things are still the same.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLJfvjvqw6m31ceYpuumlhbr2p6mFfGS4YNap5-SO6xcdLGmW3KY29Y2gUgCxIdhgEv-TG4zbbKMQhh4gh3U0QTvPe38_f_v9Ox9qiRTYHxfQWNaBZ55vw8hXyISOnUo5qkOOpcRzvkM1/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLJfvjvqw6m31ceYpuumlhbr2p6mFfGS4YNap5-SO6xcdLGmW3KY29Y2gUgCxIdhgEv-TG4zbbKMQhh4gh3U0QTvPe38_f_v9Ox9qiRTYHxfQWNaBZ55vw8hXyISOnUo5qkOOpcRzvkM1/s320/IMG_4445.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ80uHH8Xs3FIB4V96GMPrcdTrDAmJ6JPxC8HrVKRReqtNJVzuxwRaa758DyNi8wDQsCoFSs_RJfNLr7YGVKqSjv6SfdmqMfUpbH71lixhBIO2578ppTOJsmDdk3_U7uJHTyUscgu9MML/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ80uHH8Xs3FIB4V96GMPrcdTrDAmJ6JPxC8HrVKRReqtNJVzuxwRaa758DyNi8wDQsCoFSs_RJfNLr7YGVKqSjv6SfdmqMfUpbH71lixhBIO2578ppTOJsmDdk3_U7uJHTyUscgu9MML/s320/IMG_4441.JPG" t$="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night I went with a group of ladies to this darling cafe to celebrate a birthday. This particular group of ladies is not made up of friends that I grew up with but when we get together it has that comfy feel. You know, the kind of feeling that you can open your mouth and say anything and you won't get judged? Yeah, that one. There is no better kind of friend, <em>I am convinced</em>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIcWaTdFsARvYLmSJkIa1hNRK_MDGC6aF_1LZ61ItZ2CtnWOqv3NTKvO1NynWDc1c8PqJQLOYd278sPYjSFBij6JnxxafDNxjzagvkDxReEf8BYhhNzOgCQt3_SzqmNSmesv2yFTDDJfS/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIcWaTdFsARvYLmSJkIa1hNRK_MDGC6aF_1LZ61ItZ2CtnWOqv3NTKvO1NynWDc1c8PqJQLOYd278sPYjSFBij6JnxxafDNxjzagvkDxReEf8BYhhNzOgCQt3_SzqmNSmesv2yFTDDJfS/s320/IMG_4428.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The ever famous tomatoe pie was actually quite good although I was quite happy with my Turkey Panini. Some of us gals who wanted to try the Tomatoe Pie but weren't quite brave enough to have it as our meal, bought a piece to share. It really was yummy. <strong>So was the cupcake I had for dessert!!!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjh95ITixvA6LNDCdPLGchW6fRZfW0o86P5s-Z27loIMQMtsAfnTtDTeEJzdq1LaMoXYfDuGtX4SHhBcKlwr8Wgnw6s3Jxhzj9DSQbbdH-SoriCvXG0SZviX9A24ee70lJXwDDT8eFVzD/s1600/IMG_4432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjh95ITixvA6LNDCdPLGchW6fRZfW0o86P5s-Z27loIMQMtsAfnTtDTeEJzdq1LaMoXYfDuGtX4SHhBcKlwr8Wgnw6s3Jxhzj9DSQbbdH-SoriCvXG0SZviX9A24ee70lJXwDDT8eFVzD/s320/IMG_4432.JPG" t$="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEDevNKHaYPv6TFubJ1mzNepTkEjdZOt0FP3yKzySGxv2q6-5QbCS7Jxl1dC7TB5tWeZWQQpCTi6Ck4nR6istuEBO2dwd5O5nhNmlC9ApAhGIR2VGzBuIu7PM6Dw1ZPqiWOsnaomYpRXF/s1600/IMG_4430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEDevNKHaYPv6TFubJ1mzNepTkEjdZOt0FP3yKzySGxv2q6-5QbCS7Jxl1dC7TB5tWeZWQQpCTi6Ck4nR6istuEBO2dwd5O5nhNmlC9ApAhGIR2VGzBuIu7PM6Dw1ZPqiWOsnaomYpRXF/s320/IMG_4430.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d0Me42iUpwuFpMiVuwoagbbaXPB1cfajXEoJdTrlyE70DIZ_xXKEIwOOe9Nrk_lDzSPUOl3Lm_SLChpNXd4cIqiquoAzQzLmGO4fg1Ay4vI4Z8EbrAYL2X5qbW-VZ9njzXoMAml31Fk0/s1600/IMG_4437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d0Me42iUpwuFpMiVuwoagbbaXPB1cfajXEoJdTrlyE70DIZ_xXKEIwOOe9Nrk_lDzSPUOl3Lm_SLChpNXd4cIqiquoAzQzLmGO4fg1Ay4vI4Z8EbrAYL2X5qbW-VZ9njzXoMAml31Fk0/s320/IMG_4437.JPG" t$="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I find these evenings even more refreshing now that I am a mother myself. It was nice to sit with other mothers and share frustrations and tips and advice. Not all of the group were mothers but everyone participated in the lively conversation. A few of us are also foster/adoptive mothers so it was good to get that perspective as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-vZMv8FpCHMxB3d1ZtsgY2wo6XgthzyWVHsnbmyLiD7X89GQPAfM7WvFhClWnE-k2Po_0tLDD69zIUjS0XqBMAknuicxuaTO6QZUpLMbCY_fqVk_q7X1Il29b9rcntsp2X-foNxgMuSQ/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-vZMv8FpCHMxB3d1ZtsgY2wo6XgthzyWVHsnbmyLiD7X89GQPAfM7WvFhClWnE-k2Po_0tLDD69zIUjS0XqBMAknuicxuaTO6QZUpLMbCY_fqVk_q7X1Il29b9rcntsp2X-foNxgMuSQ/s320/IMG_4440.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After last evening, I decided I needed to be much more consistent in things. When I say "No", that's exactly what it means. It's been quite an exhuasting day to say the least. I think Miss A had at least 15-20 time outs. Mostly for saying things like "I'm not listening" and "No" when she was told she was not allowed to have candy or watch a movie etc. I promptly put her in time out without a warning each and every time. It was exhausting and draining and I told Brad it takes more energy to remain calm than it does to just deal with stuff like I would want to! By the end of the day though, it was amazing how they started listening right away without complaining. Hopefully tomorrow and the next day I can stick with it and give these kids the security they need. There is such security in boundries and guidelines and kids thrive in that. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, this post has been long enough and it's time to join my hubby in bed. This was written in the course of the day so there are probably plenty of errors! I have so much I want to blog about and it's so frustrating that I can't blog about all the memories we are making with our kids. It kinda makes me want to yell at the big bad caseworker person and say "FINE, I JUST WON'T BLOG THEN" (as if they care if I blog or not!). In reality our caseworker is very sweet and when I think about how it probably is protecting the kids I can't help but comply. Maybe someday when we can really call them our own, I'll catch you up on their history with us in pics! For now, it's good-night...</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-1707444250493362912011-06-24T13:38:00.000-04:002011-06-24T13:38:40.374-04:00Meltdowns and Garden Sheds<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh my, people...how my life has changed! I wish I had time to blog about my days every day. Truth is, I rarely get on facebook more than once a day now. Gone are the days of sleeping in, surfing the web, playing swag buck games, reading blogs, taking a nap, watching a movie, meeting my friends for lunch/coffee, relaxing by the pool and the list goes on. Sure, I watch movies...only now it's Thomas and Dora! Relaxing by the pool...doesn't really happen because a certain little lady would dive right in if I didn't keep an eye on her. Sleeping in...that's getting better, the 6:00 wake up time has stretched to about 7:30. I set my alarm for 7 and try and get in some Bible Reading and Prayer before little ones join me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not complaining though. These children have become such a blessing to Brad and I. We really do have it made. Because they were in another foster home before coming to our home, I know that alot of work went into helping them. In conversations with their previous foster mother who tells me they spoke only Spanish, ate with their hands, and were "wild", I know we are blessed. They are very polite, eat well, play together nicely and go to bed without a fuss (most times)!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sure I've had an occassional meltdown or 2 and spent an evening or 2 crying in my room after Brad gets home. Just keepin' it real people. My dear patient husband has been so understanding and is so so supportive. Saturdays, he keeps the kids entertained while I sleep in and then doesn't mind if they follow him around all day asking him all kinds of questions, while I get my cleaning done and just bask in the silence! I think that has been one of the biggest adjustments again. The constant chattering, noisy playing, music going, lots of "Why" and if an answer doesn't satisfy.."But Mom...WHY?" To say that one of my favorite times of the day is naptime is an understatement. That's when I should be napping, but like to catch up on reading blogs, facebook and get some work done and just be quiet! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've learned a few things in the past few weeks. If I set aside about an hour in the morning to play games, read books etc. they entertain themselves well the rest of the morning. Sure there are other things I would rather be doing, and feel like I need to get done, but that hour fills up their love tank for a while. I also feel like we are finally in a routine. The bed doesn't have to be made perfectly, the table doesn't have to be set exactly, the washcloths don't have to be in a perfect square, the fact that they love to help and are showing responsibility is worth it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We've done all kinds of fun things the past few weeks and I wish so so bad I could share pictures with you all. I think that is one of the reasons I don't blog that much anymore. I am such a picture person and love to write about all we did. Maybe I can fnd a way to be able to do both. The agency we are with stressed over and over again that we may not put pics of any kind on the web. We've done things like Oregon Dairy Farm Days, seeing Thomas, pool parties, weekly library trips, campfires, days at the park, etc. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The children have adjusted well and are fitting in so good with our church family and extended families. This week we had Bible School and the children were so excited to go every night. I was at a different location teaching the older girls and Brad was busy running sound, but the children had no problem finding their friends and doing ok without Mommy and Daddy nearby.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So now it's Friday and then the weekend. Weekends are so looked forward to now for sure because Brad is here to help out and give me a break. We are looking forward to family night tonight and a party with friends here tomorrow night!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The past few weeks, Brad spent hours building a garden shed from our barnwood. It looks even better than I pictured in my head! I've got a bunch of perennials waiting to get planted around it this weekend. So thankful to have a hubby who enjoys making all kinds of stuff that his wife dreams up!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmICA_A3cKYjK8vQz7gYFfY2KCoePMI5LUSv7oL_ESSL_FVOwUZyhuUtuFLHpE3yKmcdnKIjjk4dtWf20rinEUXLtdMHoSJyRm6vdvTtPGnx5LIDS6MMqKC0p-Urnymf21eGdlhkjc_-NL/s1600/IMG_3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmICA_A3cKYjK8vQz7gYFfY2KCoePMI5LUSv7oL_ESSL_FVOwUZyhuUtuFLHpE3yKmcdnKIjjk4dtWf20rinEUXLtdMHoSJyRm6vdvTtPGnx5LIDS6MMqKC0p-Urnymf21eGdlhkjc_-NL/s320/IMG_3718.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7zctcxC3mVE_A_iNJRJkKvhKro06aucvK3C7rwwFmaSLmrLHy9nPjYesSE_o6ZP2FpEdM1S_UnCv2QaaanXmngtK9aHeGmWUeVjc4-bWHyMu7sJa1hphhnxwcWNJB8cdMnlaiPAhoTor/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7zctcxC3mVE_A_iNJRJkKvhKro06aucvK3C7rwwFmaSLmrLHy9nPjYesSE_o6ZP2FpEdM1S_UnCv2QaaanXmngtK9aHeGmWUeVjc4-bWHyMu7sJa1hphhnxwcWNJB8cdMnlaiPAhoTor/s320/IMG_3752.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMsc4Zc8ErE2Mf2zHdZ2EasK3wwF2zvbMjicgV6nbtRv1_EtE6kK92UVZOvYLcT7IDEBMAkZlvV2gJXx_EEdJoVjteAKw3ZGtXKUQ65F0ULwPjvUFuRQNtEV11okqehq6QZMq_y9FRxvB/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMsc4Zc8ErE2Mf2zHdZ2EasK3wwF2zvbMjicgV6nbtRv1_EtE6kK92UVZOvYLcT7IDEBMAkZlvV2gJXx_EEdJoVjteAKw3ZGtXKUQ65F0ULwPjvUFuRQNtEV11okqehq6QZMq_y9FRxvB/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Later....</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-73233823617369516602011-06-06T06:42:00.000-04:002011-06-06T06:42:38.364-04:00"Mommy"<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been called "Mommy" a handful of times in my lifetime. Over the years of teaching school it would come out of a students mouth when they needed something or wanted to show me something and then they would get a funny look on their face when they realized what they had said. My nieces and nephews have also called me mom a time or 2 and when the Leid kiddos were living here I was addressed as "Mommy" every now and then before they realized it! It was always "by mistake".</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday (Tuesday), Brad and I picked up the most adorable little girl and boy and now, I get called "Mommy" countless times a day. I have even started addressing myself as that. We have entered the world of foster parenting. We are hoping to adopt these dear little children sometime in the future. As of now it looks very hopeful that "A" will become our daughter someday. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday as we ripped her from the arms of her present foster mother my heart was breaking. Her cries of terror and anger were almost more than I could handle. I just wanted to gather her into my arms and hug her cares away. At the time, I was the "bad guy" taking her away from her Mommy. Finally, her foster mom left and it was us and the caseworkers. She was still sobbing, heartbroken, while her brother sat quietly in his car seat waiting on his next adventure. I wonder what was going through his little mind. He had just had an hour visit with his birth father and now was leaving the home he had known for the last 6 months and now was headed to be in the care of some strangers. He just sat there quietly, not saying a word, with Brad and waited on the rest of us.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty soon we seen that things were not going to get any better and we should just try leaving. The caseworker put her into her car seat and strapped her in, as she was kicking and screaming the whole time. I sat in the front seat quietly crying while Brad held my hand. As soon as we left the driveway, her sobs quieted and the rest of the way home she just did the whole sighing sobbing thing. It was almost as if she was just resigned to her fate. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We didn't say too much on the 20 minute ride home and when we got here they were busy running around exploring everything. The home they came from sent a few tubs of clothing and toys along and I put stuff away and got organized while Brad played with the kids. Most of the day "A" asked "Where my Mommy", and I would tell her that she's going to live here now. She didn't say anything but would just go on playing. I wonder what was going through her mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*********************************************************************************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow...shows how busy my life really is! The above was typed and ready to go but I wanted to go over it some more before I posted it. Now, it's Monday. Tomorrow it will be a week since these kiddos have joined our home! Gone are my days of surfing the web, sleeping in, staying up late etc! These guys sure keep me busy. They get up around 6 or 6:30 every morning, so I have been getting to bed early so I can function in the morning! Yesterday was Sunday and as soon as we put the kids down for naps, Brad sent me to bed as well. They only slept around an hour and a half but he didn't let them wake me until I had been sleeping for 2 1/2 hours. I so needed that long nap. It seemed like the whole week just caught up with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brad has been the most amazing daddy. He does so well with them. "Mommy, where Daddy" is a phrase I hear a couple of times a day. After the weekend we had with them getting all kinds of daddy's attention, I know I'll hear it countless times again today! It seems the children are adjusting well and we are loving them so much and they bring so much joy to our home. Yes, there are things that I miss about life a week ago, but I sure wouldn't trade it! I have been snapping pics of them left and right and so wish I could show you all, but the law forbids us from putting any kids of pics of them on the web. You'll just have to meet them in person to see how cute they really are!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I'm off to start my day! Pretty soon I'll hear little feet coming down the hall and someone will want some snuggle time. I think that's my favorite time of the day...when they wake up in the morning or from naps and want to snuggle. Or maybe it's when we're tucking them in and they each want a hug and a kiss, or maybe it's at supper when all they want to do is chatter, or maybe it's at family time when we teach them new songs and their little voices just sing, or maybe it's when they're playing and all of a sudden "J" will say..."I love you Mommy". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so weird how in an instant I became a "Mommy". The one whom these children look to for love and help and everything else. They are so dependent on me. The other times that I was called "Mommy" was a "mistake" and never really intentional, but now I really am a Mommy and I am loving it!</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-91127463364087815162011-05-27T10:08:00.000-04:002011-05-27T10:08:31.307-04:00Latest Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been busy the last month or so finally finishing up some projects that I had sitting around! I bought this set of night stands at the auction for a dollar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jFvlcCPm4OLZ2D1ODdkAlnp6e6UklkEp8i7YgbklBJ_WxsdmEBgGxxokTMzMScs9GwMRxrxWXVDqDdKva3VKq9k8i8TzWXe0uB6T4C2xa7gAZPkqEAUyYJogGNSIAtBEa6nKfQ0lGsU5/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jFvlcCPm4OLZ2D1ODdkAlnp6e6UklkEp8i7YgbklBJ_WxsdmEBgGxxokTMzMScs9GwMRxrxWXVDqDdKva3VKq9k8i8TzWXe0uB6T4C2xa7gAZPkqEAUyYJogGNSIAtBEa6nKfQ0lGsU5/s320/IMG_0897.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></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/AVvXsEgtsinVcQlEuSwKlt3j061ap51P3Eb2P990N7AIfW1hiwomO3vOXkCGDKRfv-m01RBrHO1EnWkdx0q6l0DSMM8aFzt6GxMrsTZWa1UqfvXIf2XLz-WCsfQfMAzcWcyXPDfFvINPQR1W6lcz/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsinVcQlEuSwKlt3j061ap51P3Eb2P990N7AIfW1hiwomO3vOXkCGDKRfv-m01RBrHO1EnWkdx0q6l0DSMM8aFzt6GxMrsTZWa1UqfvXIf2XLz-WCsfQfMAzcWcyXPDfFvINPQR1W6lcz/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One was missing a shelf and one had a string for a handle and the other had no handle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jQp-ckKxcjTKJdlpjjEJq1ywFO9HcNXj-ZsfuPJbvBcjiptLMyGOtRk-m4MLFz3TKGd7VgggBh0Wr2eiHrGWMk03g1TMbW0RYldepAVj8xegmbQgGUxwYaAgc1udUC_vdqZC8b745Pn5/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jQp-ckKxcjTKJdlpjjEJq1ywFO9HcNXj-ZsfuPJbvBcjiptLMyGOtRk-m4MLFz3TKGd7VgggBh0Wr2eiHrGWMk03g1TMbW0RYldepAVj8xegmbQgGUxwYaAgc1udUC_vdqZC8b745Pn5/s320/IMG_0894.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tops were moldy and gross!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxV9X5TIxERB14xaVMBOO9Q4LGKkG32lkl-D551ALhcFC_6yOVGfitc-uLA2w3waVck9_PpK0QWOxgc7yXEHAmrmERn7tYPv9ex6mIWLmuBZz2rYLW5h6FMmcptnHRQH8JgBnEUrdhdXT/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxV9X5TIxERB14xaVMBOO9Q4LGKkG32lkl-D551ALhcFC_6yOVGfitc-uLA2w3waVck9_PpK0QWOxgc7yXEHAmrmERn7tYPv9ex6mIWLmuBZz2rYLW5h6FMmcptnHRQH8JgBnEUrdhdXT/s320/IMG_0893.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I got out my trusty sander and cleaning bucket and got to work. Then, there they sat. Month after month waiting on me to finish what I started. Soon they made the journey to the basment from the shop. I think my poor patient hubby was hoping they would soon disappear! All of a sudden one day I got the urge and went to work. After a coat of primer (2 on the tops), I painted them and then distressed them. We went to Home Depot where we finally found handles that would work. Love the finished look!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid93GgJMmCATfqSBlpy7Tt53HER2TgQQBS9YOA2N7WUGh8Xhiyrgwn2b8YutZFf1gx3mI_Z2aEAlMxkRudhjSrqDptfdMu1cj-WCJU-uevIfxg7pernIn_31UsGBF5-HTesMHdqvfYMAH/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid93GgJMmCATfqSBlpy7Tt53HER2TgQQBS9YOA2N7WUGh8Xhiyrgwn2b8YutZFf1gx3mI_Z2aEAlMxkRudhjSrqDptfdMu1cj-WCJU-uevIfxg7pernIn_31UsGBF5-HTesMHdqvfYMAH/s320/IMG_3413.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></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/AVvXsEixNAiHPkck2cziDovOy4xT11DKXSOKMtWxgBswsGanfNtoPj8L-R3Gyx-3lDeO_cxNGuegnMzOlagsfKqLj8wfsCLZ42heLSrgGopgBhJqO-HtdetsOV6YE672cGA01EbsH86faDns0yoR/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNAiHPkck2cziDovOy4xT11DKXSOKMtWxgBswsGanfNtoPj8L-R3Gyx-3lDeO_cxNGuegnMzOlagsfKqLj8wfsCLZ42heLSrgGopgBhJqO-HtdetsOV6YE672cGA01EbsH86faDns0yoR/s320/IMG_3414.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></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/AVvXsEgh7mqyGqQhBWhVuTcm-clnwm440kyTC3HPytN21zc3U8q80cvcQLGG8LoUAk-ieRR8mHjOUw13Jg6gAV7RBDM0zCTNiAhNxR5UbuPBv1oejL96XD_5FPTFx1mmCguC3ErMLrPcwgtONgZC/s1600/IMG_3455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7mqyGqQhBWhVuTcm-clnwm440kyTC3HPytN21zc3U8q80cvcQLGG8LoUAk-ieRR8mHjOUw13Jg6gAV7RBDM0zCTNiAhNxR5UbuPBv1oejL96XD_5FPTFx1mmCguC3ErMLrPcwgtONgZC/s320/IMG_3455.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One sits in my kids room, the other was sold to a friend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This window/mirror/shelf was going to get tossed to the junk pile at the auction until I rescued it. Nice of me right?! It was a blueish color. I took the mirror panes out before I remembered to get a picture of it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLrBzZwqGU7-2lUb6dXDM_F7ZbmNW4bWsF1MDLI3-VPl2fRn0TbvHJKFyeKoHbb4LPQ09eqrmdmD5E_f31v8lpHyzNo6O9j9Vyw6vQssX_v1sNNwjxRgXjm7La_SOV31Jiz28m7zv2N0e/s1600/IMG_3393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLrBzZwqGU7-2lUb6dXDM_F7ZbmNW4bWsF1MDLI3-VPl2fRn0TbvHJKFyeKoHbb4LPQ09eqrmdmD5E_f31v8lpHyzNo6O9j9Vyw6vQssX_v1sNNwjxRgXjm7La_SOV31Jiz28m7zv2N0e/s320/IMG_3393.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a few coats of paint, it has the look that I love. Alas, if I were to keep all of my treasures, my house would be overflowing. I sold it at the yard sale for $10.00!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmo-B4HlE2K57pF0f1HetFfsmLy8nHePYnXJ-RKWiD2hsFXbRIrKmKymAEeOn2yNpgrZKtY7-wBWTWEgnjA71-hhB1CZHwqVKbSuelFPLKV74NX7q6zDB8Rn1yeeYXDn73UXego_dW-3u/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmo-B4HlE2K57pF0f1HetFfsmLy8nHePYnXJ-RKWiD2hsFXbRIrKmKymAEeOn2yNpgrZKtY7-wBWTWEgnjA71-hhB1CZHwqVKbSuelFPLKV74NX7q6zDB8Rn1yeeYXDn73UXego_dW-3u/s320/IMG_3409.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></span></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/AVvXsEjJmw-ccRPsc4O_L-QinlXJyBcVAvTG_I3r8JY9dZyX4adZJQ1W0l_cbrEltTgr6orLQw2ESrtkmn-jRqAXTsq7tJSMCDcdBhrDG-HaAWi0F3PrdMDIiNhQbBs796fjW3h_Kz-HjBppR4w4/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmw-ccRPsc4O_L-QinlXJyBcVAvTG_I3r8JY9dZyX4adZJQ1W0l_cbrEltTgr6orLQw2ESrtkmn-jRqAXTsq7tJSMCDcdBhrDG-HaAWi0F3PrdMDIiNhQbBs796fjW3h_Kz-HjBppR4w4/s320/IMG_3412.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there's this table. I had never done a project quite this size, so it sat alongside the nightstands! This table also cost me only one buckaroo!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAU7lXKFXlgCknBJSKr3KbTKoph_-dTb3m-WWPkTzsx1FQi3Jv3oFwHQR07sLgYLfW2eE8YyLN06q3wwhl_-ycvwE_idt1vW2jqBfId3mijFncbbVpN3YxN1OIp_iYI7VM3SnwYb8r7c-/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAU7lXKFXlgCknBJSKr3KbTKoph_-dTb3m-WWPkTzsx1FQi3Jv3oFwHQR07sLgYLfW2eE8YyLN06q3wwhl_-ycvwE_idt1vW2jqBfId3mijFncbbVpN3YxN1OIp_iYI7VM3SnwYb8r7c-/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was in bad shape. The top was awful and it was missing a piece along the back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOylGx099bgr_MtheWuz7x8r2rD1I7pMv0GTmaAAX0y_neRt5wE82_YE8hUIHS9Zp_svb0jJiIxIV4FoeecSzZQLXj7_rjAvt2rseFHSHyx-ta9bKQV_nyLiwbWQeGeMiMt_welqJbuQ_z/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOylGx099bgr_MtheWuz7x8r2rD1I7pMv0GTmaAAX0y_neRt5wE82_YE8hUIHS9Zp_svb0jJiIxIV4FoeecSzZQLXj7_rjAvt2rseFHSHyx-ta9bKQV_nyLiwbWQeGeMiMt_welqJbuQ_z/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></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/AVvXsEhRtCjE2hY344Z6kap8xy32b-jryM11u2YAAH_FISlAmP4v2U2Xi9uEs8jqXnvRcKq8AKUkQpN2e7rVAGRiDmUuNUrq3CkeP_HnTU3m7GyeWVsusd2BMIVbh_xWadEbBE_WQSOY1HwYcT5E/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtCjE2hY344Z6kap8xy32b-jryM11u2YAAH_FISlAmP4v2U2Xi9uEs8jqXnvRcKq8AKUkQpN2e7rVAGRiDmUuNUrq3CkeP_HnTU3m7GyeWVsusd2BMIVbh_xWadEbBE_WQSOY1HwYcT5E/s320/IMG_1128.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every now and then I would chip away at the top but never really got anywhere. Finally Brad took pity on me and stripped it for me. He also made it a lot more sturdy and made a nice custom piece to go along the back. See how he even made it curvy to compliment the bottom of the drawer?! He sure is handy! I loved that we could keep the original drawer pulls on it. I sold this one at my yard sale and it went off to a good home!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH8JMfonB0bFlRPIfRTF87XfBzAVx-_iipe3B4u-BU3tfc2Ela85lgs_VAWERnJAHsNQbUgndot9D9DJE3ctnm4vZ8ZFwTxRUaLoWR63r3UyGx3iVNz8w_mnlAjyRDtCaHrbdlfgSxnye/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH8JMfonB0bFlRPIfRTF87XfBzAVx-_iipe3B4u-BU3tfc2Ela85lgs_VAWERnJAHsNQbUgndot9D9DJE3ctnm4vZ8ZFwTxRUaLoWR63r3UyGx3iVNz8w_mnlAjyRDtCaHrbdlfgSxnye/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></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/AVvXsEgchUe76AR1S18xYnwNldQFQqJtt_doGsa0I07K5OWAC9VI8zyk7h5YXAF93jKk5SacrEoXPLrnMfxZGShRCmnapUZl6u2IZ-geiADsp1a1TGsr3lZmZUhE3T6SP1SsHBiQrgqN1bUOUNqd/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchUe76AR1S18xYnwNldQFQqJtt_doGsa0I07K5OWAC9VI8zyk7h5YXAF93jKk5SacrEoXPLrnMfxZGShRCmnapUZl6u2IZ-geiADsp1a1TGsr3lZmZUhE3T6SP1SsHBiQrgqN1bUOUNqd/s320/IMG_3537.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along with these pieces, I also did another end table, and a few other pieces. All were either free or a dollar at the auction. Now that these are all gone, it's time to restock and get back to work. I love doing this. It's almost therapeutic for me and the money I make from it is a blessing too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-53272221427911177772011-05-27T09:20:00.000-04:002011-05-27T09:20:01.627-04:00Catching Up<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a quiet morning....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The birds are filling the air with praises and my washer is humming away. Buses are pulling into the school across the street and I hear the sounds of kids talking on their way to school. I typically am not a "morning person", but lately, have found a beauty in it. I got up at 5:30 to use the restroom and had every intention of going back to bed till at least 8 or 9 but thought I would take advantage of the cool morning air and get my cleaning done and laundry started. Maybe I'll take time for a forenoon nap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brad has been gone this past week to Alabama. He is helping to clean up the damage that fierce tornadoes have left behind. He's been on quite a few work trips in his day and he says he has never seen anything worse. The devastation is so widespread. He said it feels like they didn't even make a dent in the damage around them. How much we have to be thankful for. Last night there was a tornado watch in our area and as the dark clouds rolled in and then passed us by with only a shower, I thought about how it would feel to lose everything. Sure, a house, pictures, heirlooms, etc are all "things" but it still would bring such a sense of loss, let alone if you lost your spouse, siblings, children or other family members.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Brad gone, I've been kept busy. I thought it would be great to be at home a few days with nothing to do and nowhere to go but it has not happened! It's made my week fly by though. On Wednesday, I got a call from our agency asking if we would take a little boy and girl. They are currently with foster parents but the family they are with, already have a few other adopted children and with summer coming on, feel busy with these young ones. I'm told they are an older couple and that the boy (J) "asks a lot of questions and has lots of energy". I really don't know what we're in for but we're up to the challenge! They told me the children would come next week or possibly Friday. After finding out Brad was away, much to my relief, they decided to go for next week. Since Monday is a holiday and the offices are closed, we will be picking them up on Tuesday. I would've been ok with getting them Friday (today) but it is just so much better if Brad can be there the first day they are here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love having this time to prepare and get ready for the adjustments sure to come. I know it's pretty rare to have such notice ahead of time. Often, the children get placed within a few hours or a day or 2 at the latest. Having a week, feels to me, like being pregnant! Minus the bloating, hormones, cravings etc! I told my sister it's almost like we had an ultrasound now and can start preparing more extensively. There were some things we were waiting to buy and get ready until we knew the ages, and sex of the children we will be getting. Now I could go out and buy bedding, toys, etc. I'm hoping to get lucky at some yard sales this weekend. We have pretty much everything, but would like to have some more toys for outside since it's warmer now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's weird how I love these kids already and have never met them. Yes, I know it will have it's days and I know that raising foster children has it's own set of unique challenges, but at the same time, we are so ready for this. There's a pretty good chance that we could eventually adopt the girl (A), but her 1/2 brother (J) will probably be going to live with his father in a few months. I know we are in for sleepless nights, no more quiet times around the house, etc, but this house has been quiet for so long. I'm ready for the sound of little feet running around even though it means I'll be sweeping the floor every day instead of once a week or so like I do now! Brad is so excited too and can't wait to get home. We plan on spending Saturday and Monday putting up beds, finishing our toybox and garden shed, and doing our mulching and lots of other outside stuff so it's done and we can concentrate on the kids and their needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I also met with a specialist to talk about possible testing because of all these miscarriages. Our meeting was about an hour and after discussing it with Brad, we're going to pursue at least some testing to see if we can get answers. Yesterday they did bloodwork. There was a long row of vials of my blood on the counter when they were finished! Next week on Wednesday they will be doing some kind of test where they put a catheter in my uterus and fill it with saline to see if there are any abnormalities there. I am soo not looking forward to it especially since it will be the day after we get the children. The test has to be done that day (a certain number of days into your cycle). My mom or sister or both will be here to be with the children or Brad will take off of work. We're waiting to see what the children are like before we decide for sure. The whole testing process looks overwhelming to me and yet at the same time, it will be nice to hopefully know what is causing the miscarriages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, knowing all the changes about to descend upon me, I'm going to enjoy these quiet mornings and days while I can. And yet, I can't wait for this phase of life headed our way! </span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-70070584008597337272011-04-20T16:31:00.000-04:002011-04-20T16:31:14.460-04:00Barnwood Projects<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sooo..remember that old barn we tore down back in November? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-2xY_i3zNlUdwzW9CVEt_dg3eP5D2fK_acyyt9kBHmftTPuQvO2YUVAUa8gZBitpw3_lvVC-vij_pvELziBWQm3L8r4Qh7Aqpi_lsUMFzxk36o8gdo1NP82Iza0LQZbU-bCAr19Lmxvf/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-2xY_i3zNlUdwzW9CVEt_dg3eP5D2fK_acyyt9kBHmftTPuQvO2YUVAUa8gZBitpw3_lvVC-vij_pvELziBWQm3L8r4Qh7Aqpi_lsUMFzxk36o8gdo1NP82Iza0LQZbU-bCAr19Lmxvf/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, it has been reduced to this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaETpMqyzrEhERmVHkdzTB_2loNtXnaJUfAExstJ9pooInLmt-wrCo71GPyfE62ud7uXsLLTI-G-6bvFByGlPjVcHhBJYJDdHtZEsaTYVNBkD9A1_6ceiGBV68B6dRX_lXRS1iK7WWxUW6/s1600/IMG_3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaETpMqyzrEhERmVHkdzTB_2loNtXnaJUfAExstJ9pooInLmt-wrCo71GPyfE62ud7uXsLLTI-G-6bvFByGlPjVcHhBJYJDdHtZEsaTYVNBkD9A1_6ceiGBV68B6dRX_lXRS1iK7WWxUW6/s320/IMG_3343.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After <strike>weeks,</strike> months of it taking up all of the room in our big 3 car garage/shop, it finally came to the point where more organization HAD to happen. Spring is here and it was time to dig out our lawn mower from the piles of rubble around it. A few weeks ago, Brad and I spent a whole Saturday out in the garage sorting and stacking it all up. I love watching my husband work. He goes to great lengths to try and explain something to me about his ideas for it all but it doesn't usually sink in till I actually SEE it. When he told me his plan for stacking all of this stuff, I went along with it, most of the time thinking he was nuts and that this was never going to work. But work it did, and splendidly too! </span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So now that everything is organized it is so much fun to work out there. Yes, there is still a GIANT pile of the bigger timbers that we really have nowhere to go with, but for now, we can at least move out there. Oh, and the tractor is out which is a very good thing. Our lawn is in dire need of some grooming.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brad's been spending lots of time out there and I join him whenever I can. We've been trying to come up with all kinds of things to make with this ole wood. Some of the ideas came from online sites and some of it is stuff we just came up with!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We salvaged a trap door from the barn and weren't sure what to do with it. After more thought we decided it would make an excellent lid to a chest. This was the result. I so love it but there is no room in my house for it. It can be yours for $100.00!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60RFDl4fmnUWHXV5OIPU8aX-LjTiMvXIVYRHILeppr5VGh8pNdhz-qmzaYxtuUHvZPuvG30Mn5uGQtMpZgD4qalbtc0X5T6HeEBdfsoKsJeFt1P8rdNhFUPFEAeqwz2f9mpQG7MniKz6f/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60RFDl4fmnUWHXV5OIPU8aX-LjTiMvXIVYRHILeppr5VGh8pNdhz-qmzaYxtuUHvZPuvG30Mn5uGQtMpZgD4qalbtc0X5T6HeEBdfsoKsJeFt1P8rdNhFUPFEAeqwz2f9mpQG7MniKz6f/s320/IMG_3374.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also made a BUNCH of these ladders out of the old tobacco lath that was on the roof. According to sites we visited, they are a hot item! You may own one for $5.00!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqMjK5dqYiVHP-GEQBH4Kn9Uo9zlrSB4iVqxipoFakPx4h3MiZJesob8sbL2hebs5GOepAsCyoKuqCOMeCc9_HcdfYwyJImBNbrLk2RKQRaKCYGGC59Ph2MsyJKzCg_hXGn2sXbcv8j7m/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqMjK5dqYiVHP-GEQBH4Kn9Uo9zlrSB4iVqxipoFakPx4h3MiZJesob8sbL2hebs5GOepAsCyoKuqCOMeCc9_HcdfYwyJImBNbrLk2RKQRaKCYGGC59Ph2MsyJKzCg_hXGn2sXbcv8j7m/s320/IMG_3357.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also made "baskets" and candle boxes. I think these baskets would look great with pansies or summer flowers planted in them $5.00 if you want either one of these. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElq3GUmmWbEJg8GU3WESH3d7rZ1xaH3cyDt39tDT_E_dvcYqhaWyZ5pSahQjEpLkiXj_mJT8QBAsM42Mk-SIwDjvzuN-L4HuPNWCKmxmjwy0cCMxSZNHtDDJaIwg4RA0B6PdOsEW4uM3w/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElq3GUmmWbEJg8GU3WESH3d7rZ1xaH3cyDt39tDT_E_dvcYqhaWyZ5pSahQjEpLkiXj_mJT8QBAsM42Mk-SIwDjvzuN-L4HuPNWCKmxmjwy0cCMxSZNHtDDJaIwg4RA0B6PdOsEW4uM3w/s320/IMG_3458.JPG" width="320px" /></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/AVvXsEit6gVap0h4PjGBRG-oblkHrouFFzvNwUtm3B-Gf6ecMuXnhjD5MjgHWBqi-JcHXmGs7XxSGzhFSubowrhwO17nJNsBwgTfE3ve9bNTzC79k_MBxeus7e-a0uZwF7SIn-6VRbm4dcqosnZN/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6gVap0h4PjGBRG-oblkHrouFFzvNwUtm3B-Gf6ecMuXnhjD5MjgHWBqi-JcHXmGs7XxSGzhFSubowrhwO17nJNsBwgTfE3ve9bNTzC79k_MBxeus7e-a0uZwF7SIn-6VRbm4dcqosnZN/s320/IMG_3457.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had been wanting to make some signs with some of the siding. For now I made a bunch like this <spring>, but want to get a stencil to make the letters a little more uniform. I have 2 of these signs around our house here and LOVE them! One can be yours for $5.00!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhISMExn-oQz_V-I3_h72NJa_0MtDVvwr8C2vzHi2XfHyUO75zmhr3gpp2qG6Nwb-gUOzJCWYRBPkdvDqXesx-zD-8-Nn8_o2aCOvxMn20-rnMRbcd0JT2mTYLJMLqGAATJrS5BaN2gKe/s1600/IMG_3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhISMExn-oQz_V-I3_h72NJa_0MtDVvwr8C2vzHi2XfHyUO75zmhr3gpp2qG6Nwb-gUOzJCWYRBPkdvDqXesx-zD-8-Nn8_o2aCOvxMn20-rnMRbcd0JT2mTYLJMLqGAATJrS5BaN2gKe/s320/IMG_3396.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDXPsPPcGB8LPyRqvcBweeDf8W5vvUp-CYgK8pp1BiYVlOgbWuZepC0nCx_HeRwO2l8CI2QGkzqze5sjkFusNpBMZSVH8FPfOGeguszxLlbyLOFxTtr5xowyqxdEO3GI8NBPKS-MosQ4J/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDXPsPPcGB8LPyRqvcBweeDf8W5vvUp-CYgK8pp1BiYVlOgbWuZepC0nCx_HeRwO2l8CI2QGkzqze5sjkFusNpBMZSVH8FPfOGeguszxLlbyLOFxTtr5xowyqxdEO3GI8NBPKS-MosQ4J/s320/IMG_3380.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brad also made signs like this for our kids room (more coming later on that). I painted the letters A, B,C on them and simply love how it turned out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFAsgWAARa2TqehJA8nL0R-D8JoawLFdAdu26Nqi320pvGnqlQ1oBcdmRjKIS-BnWjyVDe-lFbqzWPIrUVSujaY2Vv2fePnirFOEo2DnyT0P1rzNkbQXxON3AMC-is3GErLWa1J8nlwHe/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFAsgWAARa2TqehJA8nL0R-D8JoawLFdAdu26Nqi320pvGnqlQ1oBcdmRjKIS-BnWjyVDe-lFbqzWPIrUVSujaY2Vv2fePnirFOEo2DnyT0P1rzNkbQXxON3AMC-is3GErLWa1J8nlwHe/s320/IMG_3448.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are still lots of doors. We're thinking of making a table with one of them. I have heard they are in high demand, I just don't now how to connect with the right buyers...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6SZBkmItq28sV7cOqH-8O-_hVh9QTAQ3cKZGTNLf1GMszS1EPE5XELhPdo4ekj0zcQyeodJ49ltV89uy0UtvL3hnXNYvIKrPstDEyQacJwnVel_iwubVNv9E2cJKthuxTVVVa-yxyLQ6/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6SZBkmItq28sV7cOqH-8O-_hVh9QTAQ3cKZGTNLf1GMszS1EPE5XELhPdo4ekj0zcQyeodJ49ltV89uy0UtvL3hnXNYvIKrPstDEyQacJwnVel_iwubVNv9E2cJKthuxTVVVa-yxyLQ6/s320/IMG_3346.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are also a few of these cool pieces that were part of the frames above the doors/windows. I think they would look great with WELCOME on them or even a last name.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxT25jdH_HEOk6d4B7OEp43MBmYuMnCstsLy0ZYP7aLtwBanGNQsvFy8VZuagbcG1oI-0p_RtUr-WPrvbJ-J1qHSxfuVy6aueWtepPqwtAyJTo5f_-sOctVnI7M9XKRirjvU9SFcYOy06/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxT25jdH_HEOk6d4B7OEp43MBmYuMnCstsLy0ZYP7aLtwBanGNQsvFy8VZuagbcG1oI-0p_RtUr-WPrvbJ-J1qHSxfuVy6aueWtepPqwtAyJTo5f_-sOctVnI7M9XKRirjvU9SFcYOy06/s320/IMG_2426.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you would like to custom order something, or if you've got any ideas of things we could make, let me know! We're also looking into selling some things wholesale to a shop somewhere. Also, if you want to buy some wood to make your own thing, we will give you a great deal! For now, if you have a hard time getting ahold of us, guess where we'll be?! Hubby's in the middle of making a great toybox for all kinds of kids toys. Only problem is that it's turning out to be bigger than I thought it would be so we may have to sell it. It's the size of a traditional like cedar chest but I was hoping for something a little smaller. We'll see if I can bear to part with it!</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-91715637006804934292011-04-19T12:15:00.000-04:002011-04-19T12:15:46.603-04:00Grief...Once Again<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grief..this word is becoming all too real to me. It seems like there has been so much of it in my life lately. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday, April 4th, something prompted me to take a pregnancy test. Maybe it was the fact that I was feeling yucky, maybe it was the fact that a week before, my "period" had only lasted 1 day, I don't know. But finally, I took one. I did my duty, left it lay on the sink and went about my morning chores. Then I remembered...and went to look. There before my eyes were 2, yes 2, pink lines. So many times in the past year there had been only 1 line and I just thought it would be that way again. I burst into tears and left a message on my hubby's phone. He only gets his calls at break and lunch time so I knew it would be awhile before he called me back. Then I called my doctor's office and the nurse asked me if it was a test from the Dollar Store. Why yes, it was. I had gotten so tired of spending so much money on test after test, so I had bought a bunch at the dollar store. She told me that sometimes they are not as reliable and advised me to go and get another test. So I jetted off to Wal-Mart and bought a pack of 3. Came home, did my thing again and right before my eyes 2 pink lines shot up. My heart skipped a beat. I still had not been able to talk to Brad but had been on the phone with my sister. She was about as delighted as I was and thrilled to pieces. I was a little worried that I had been bleeding about a week before but honestly thought that things would be ok. My doctor wanted to see me as soon as possible so we set up an appointment for the next morning. In the meantime she had me come in and do bloodwork to see where my levels were and also to check my progesterone level. The rest of the day I didn't do too much other than smile! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzjavmxxJA0twjNIlM4R9N7FXqidqSHsnFYEpGv06i10LhKn8GCEHsSYX2Fjm8Zp9Et3Ve-MUiUi5h6sRC1BKx18Y6XQ0-FvYGkeJiBME1rtUc3zwgqUlFzWXJ3R_OzmHyNMoi3SVY53K/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzjavmxxJA0twjNIlM4R9N7FXqidqSHsnFYEpGv06i10LhKn8GCEHsSYX2Fjm8Zp9Et3Ve-MUiUi5h6sRC1BKx18Y6XQ0-FvYGkeJiBME1rtUc3zwgqUlFzWXJ3R_OzmHyNMoi3SVY53K/s320/IMG_3398.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday morning as soon as my doctor walked into the room I could tell something was wrong. I don't really remember exactly what she started out with but something like..."I'm so sorry, but things don't look good". She said my HCG levels were way low (142) and my progesterone level was 1.2. Had it been a healthy pregnancy my HCG levels should have been in the thousands and my progesterone level a LOT higher. I sat there numb, not knowing what to say and think. I honestly thought she would tell me that things are looking good and get this..I even had myself thinking maybe she would tell me that I was like 12 weeks along!! Once again, my hopes and dreams were dashed in an instant. She set up an appointment for bloodwork again in a few days and sent me on my way. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZoK7PagB01F4NjqUIuJwKDfmDwipbqWkNI73WKodPa6YwhKtYhT9HHBzpbgpzkNfNmCMlCVmqsd2do2eBvLn_nYi-BoIX5ZdzhvAfh9mjkBUu5vkDqyuNl0mc4uKOAgB-EWDQ57QXm3g/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZoK7PagB01F4NjqUIuJwKDfmDwipbqWkNI73WKodPa6YwhKtYhT9HHBzpbgpzkNfNmCMlCVmqsd2do2eBvLn_nYi-BoIX5ZdzhvAfh9mjkBUu5vkDqyuNl0mc4uKOAgB-EWDQ57QXm3g/s320/IMG_3405.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got in my car and the tears came in torrents. I couldn't believe this was happening again. When I got home, I went straight to bed and just cried for a while. Tuesdays are the days I work at the auction so I decided to go, hoping maybe I could block it from my mind for a while. WRONG. I lasted about 2 hours before nearly breaking into tears a few times. Thankfully, the people I work for are very understanding. The next 2 days were spent on the recliner. My heart was broken. It;s hard to explain how I felt towards God. Not really angry...just kinda offended that he didn't see our prayers for a baby as one to answer in the way we wanted. Evenings when Brad came home from work he would just hold me as I cried and said over and over again about how sad I was. Speaking of Brad....he has been amazing through all of this. He has been so strong and yet crying with me. Yet, there was a peace that wasn't there with the other 2 losses we had been through. It's like we have so come to the place that we honestly want God's best for our lives. That doesn't really make things any easier though. I knew that if I didn't let myself grieve, be angry, sad etc...that one day it would be even harder to work through. So for 2 days I did just that, and felt I was ready to move on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN81igWkRccguWQpgReDounrX-a9MNV9XcpGv1RKA7gHDTZbFSFG_EKEk7HMvVo73kewrOPBTKaHy0hFB5aBtePfv7lcgk1B-TQ1Cctuu7sZx7uqWrGwAw4JqphzTuPt3V2gPLZDJijP7I/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN81igWkRccguWQpgReDounrX-a9MNV9XcpGv1RKA7gHDTZbFSFG_EKEk7HMvVo73kewrOPBTKaHy0hFB5aBtePfv7lcgk1B-TQ1Cctuu7sZx7uqWrGwAw4JqphzTuPt3V2gPLZDJijP7I/s320/IMG_3407.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday morning I had another appointment for bloodwork and also a meeting with one of the doctors. He refered me to a specialist and said that we will wait for my numbers to go back to zero and then their office would set up an appointment for me. Thursday afternoon, his nurse called telling me that my numbers had gone up. I was in total shock again. WHAT? It seemed like some kind of cruel joke. It had been hard for me to believe that I was miscarrying because with my other 2 there had been sooo much pain and blood. This time, it was just a day or 2 and nothing painful at all. I had thought that maybe there was some blood there from implantation or something, but had also accepted the fact that from the looks of things, it was actually happening or had already happened. So when the report came back I was shocked. We thought maybe it could be that I was only a few days pregnant but had indeed miscarried one before. We didn't know what was going on. So it was back to the recliner for me with orders to come in for more bloodwork in a few days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meanwhile that Friday we got a call from our foster care agency wondering if we would take in 2 brothers. A 10 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. We talked about it but knew that with everything going on with me it just wasn't good timing. I wouldn't have been able to care for them the first few days and I just didn't want to put them through that. We said "No" but now I wish we would've taken them! Hopefully we'll get another call before too long.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday morning found me back at the doctors office. By the way, I hate doing bloodwork. They always have a hard time finding a good vein from me. The nurse told me to call back around 2 to get the results. When I called back, they informed me that my numbers were at 42. So it definitely was a miscarriage. I cried all over again. The doctor talked to me about all kinds of things and was very patient in answering all of my questions. We spent about 25 minutes on the phone. When I got off of the phone, it was almost a sense of relief in a way. It had been so hard for me to believe that things could actually be ok after all and I kinda knew in my gut that things wouldn't turn out right but it still was the finality of it all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday I had bloodwork once again and my numbers are now at -1. We plan on seeing a specialist to see what could be causing this. Now that it is my 3rd miscarriage it is considered more of a diagnosis. "Habitual Aborter" is the word they use. Sounds awful. I hate the word ABORTION and it almost feels like that diagnosis makes me and my body an abortion machine. From research I've done I am almost positive that it is a progesterone issue and from what I hear that is a pretty easy "fix". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I tell people that I am at peace with everything they question whether I am sincere. I love being challenged like that, but I can't explain the peace that I have. As much as I would love to be pregnant and bear a child from the fruit of my husband and I, I honestly feel like I have left it go. That doesn't mean that there haven't been times when I am sad or cry or get angry. We have been surrounded by SO many family and friends who have been praying for us and believing with us. Alot of times these past few weeks I felt too angry and weak to pray and it felt so good to know there were people "standing in the gap" for us. THANK YOU. Yes, it still hits me and affects me, but honestly under it all, I feel carried and just at peace...</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-14162525438910092402011-04-04T15:40:00.000-04:002011-04-04T15:40:04.356-04:00Fear...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This 4 letter word used to have such a grip on me. But now, through a series of God teaching me things in all kinds of ways, I feel like, for the most part, I have conquered it. Almost 2 years ago, Brad and I did the Take Back Your Life Seminar. The session on fear hit me hard. Then, last year in Sunday School, I was part of a great group of women who shared openly with each other. One of the books we studied was called So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. I learned so many valuable truths through this class. Insecurity is often fear based. Brad has helped me with so many of my fears, by praying through them with me and gently correcting me.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then there are nights like last night. Out of nowhere, fear comes back. Brad and I were laying in bed just chatting when all of a sudden I started sobbing. That familiar thing called<em> FEAR</em> was gripping me so hard. All I could think about was..."What if Brad would die". That seems to be one of my biggest fears. I think alot of my married friends feel the same way. I couldn't control myself and Brad just held me as I cried. He had no idea why I was crying until I finally gathered myself and told him what was going on. I am so so blessed with such a patient loving husband. He left me cry for a while. And then, we prayed together, holding onto each other as hard as we could. He prayed for me and my fears and I prayed and gave it all over to God once again. I could physically feel relief after I gave it all up again. The hardest thing to pray is that "I place my husband into your hands, Lord". Yes, I pray for his physical safety, but in the end, I need to place him once again into the hands of his maker. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is such a scary thing in a way. It makes you feel so vulnerable to love someone so much. In the book So Long Insecurity one paragraph goes like this...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "I have always been afraid of losing my most cherished loved one. When giving way to particularly advanced forms of self torment, I have even pictured myself at their caskets, (morbid, I know, but don't try to tell me you haven't done it). But I never once pictured myself several years later, back on my feet to the Glory of God, heart sore and scarred, but pouring my life into hurting people. Helping other people get through what I've gone through is redemption to me. It's the only way on earth to plunder the pain."</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This paragraph so says it exactly. Yup, I have done that, and did again last night. My mind was filled with thoughts like...what would my future look like without him, there's no way I could move on, what would I do with the house. My head was spinning with fears that are not even founded. What a good feeling though to know that God is in control. Imagine trying to control the world and all within it. As much as I like to be in control of things it feels so much better to give it all over to the one who knows best.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After praying, talking through things and connecting with my husband again...that big ole fear again took a hike! I'm learning how to work though the fears in my life but am so thankful that they don't come around as often anymore!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning, things looked brighter! There was a sweet note waiting on the counter from my husband, thanking me for all that I do for him and letting me know that I will be in his thoughts all day! I had also gone out to the kitchen after Brad was asleep last night and stuck one in his lunch box so I thought it was kinda neat that we had each written notes to the other without knowing it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It feels like Spring is here to stay...the windows are wide open, birds are singing and my heart is at peace...</span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-85274392277635823972011-04-01T11:50:00.000-04:002011-04-01T11:50:02.559-04:00Ohhhh Reuben<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok so before you start assuming there's a new man by the name of Reuben in my life...think again! The only man in my life is my hubby dear! Well..other than my dad and brothers and..ok you get the drift. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the <em>sandwich</em> Reuben always kinda grossed me out. Then I discovered I LOVE sauerkraut and then one day when my hubby and I were out to eat, he ordered a Reuben. When his sandwich came I persuaded him to let me try it. OH MY WORD. It was SO yummy! Now, it's one of my favorite things to eat. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few months ago I came across a recipe for Reuben Casserole and thought I had to try it. It was delish. Last week, my hubby said "Hey, sometime when you need an idea for supper, make that good Reuben Casserole again". I LOVE when he does that. So often I ask him what I should make and he says..."Whatever you make, is absolutely fine with me". I love that he's not picky and eats anything I make, but sometimes it would be good to know if he's hungry for anything in particular. Since he suggested it, it went right on my menu plan. Ok, in reality I don't have a menu plan per say but would love to be that organized. But I do kinda plan them in my head.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the recipe. Super simple and so so yummy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spread a 2lb bag of sauerkraut (rinsed and drained) in bottom of lightly greased 9 X 13 pan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6md9NGz8esvTLZ28luR59lKZ9x460KnjRwRkJmyQtQ1hBWeCrc1lFFvQyGg1-F1TELcavqL5ekgmZcHHdO_tI0mw-ASwQ4wXDwnziv3p1GQ3L35trstELSXDBUtbxiHsTbTK53XVeRVov/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6md9NGz8esvTLZ28luR59lKZ9x460KnjRwRkJmyQtQ1hBWeCrc1lFFvQyGg1-F1TELcavqL5ekgmZcHHdO_tI0mw-ASwQ4wXDwnziv3p1GQ3L35trstELSXDBUtbxiHsTbTK53XVeRVov/s320/IMG_3325.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put a layer of corned beef on top of sauerkraut</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp1oB2UNRxeUoyOYtnxDmsRSqQyBC_NCTvtrTIwnmA0uwUXl_puymcfQLBQYwjNZemUIrErrUyfML5hQlp-YuAtjMlpgaIsTuUtV8FWb3xvL_cFUXmnlRLI-CrU8JEhtyRcCxWs2sYmRU/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp1oB2UNRxeUoyOYtnxDmsRSqQyBC_NCTvtrTIwnmA0uwUXl_puymcfQLBQYwjNZemUIrErrUyfML5hQlp-YuAtjMlpgaIsTuUtV8FWb3xvL_cFUXmnlRLI-CrU8JEhtyRcCxWs2sYmRU/s320/IMG_3328.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spread dressing on this</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hsJ7utvUhK0wF9_97JPI94uYweR6mPVJuuLpwM1UhywJNUs-7P1ufDD8W1FbTOL7mP6N53kcbJ6XYlFAMJ3-e8je_CVEQcw7JNKN_EWZUsi8sVMhyphenhyphenGRQVvm_yaoxdfZoPMcBMrtuCVe-/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hsJ7utvUhK0wF9_97JPI94uYweR6mPVJuuLpwM1UhywJNUs-7P1ufDD8W1FbTOL7mP6N53kcbJ6XYlFAMJ3-e8je_CVEQcw7JNKN_EWZUsi8sVMhyphenhyphenGRQVvm_yaoxdfZoPMcBMrtuCVe-/s320/IMG_3329.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layer of swiss cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMDh4rWhS0UoR2N0-8hsog9nXg_hfZWtAC8fWHhdcdIYPLL3ovvF6bjkmayl4NVvoLrGZBqngDdF4jXxywSnixvaJhLgOel2AeT6rRF0ddXYPMAsFQiqFZKcBD40BBVTGghk65aG49Yx8/s1600/IMG_3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMDh4rWhS0UoR2N0-8hsog9nXg_hfZWtAC8fWHhdcdIYPLL3ovvF6bjkmayl4NVvoLrGZBqngDdF4jXxywSnixvaJhLgOel2AeT6rRF0ddXYPMAsFQiqFZKcBD40BBVTGghk65aG49Yx8/s320/IMG_3330.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scatter buttered Rye bread cubes over the cheese. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjs5zRafXsLa-_8AjOG6VEC3SZuTW-gQAE70ZfbMD9GfYhyphenhyphenbH7F-cDRsv59lmWoIm1-Z1dlsSlzQNkZxUbXZKv_oZ_txvMuyYfajZqR62VVrL5pfBJs4tTxdc4SBXCM200fB5UIRbcrb2/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjs5zRafXsLa-_8AjOG6VEC3SZuTW-gQAE70ZfbMD9GfYhyphenhyphenbH7F-cDRsv59lmWoIm1-Z1dlsSlzQNkZxUbXZKv_oZ_txvMuyYfajZqR62VVrL5pfBJs4tTxdc4SBXCM200fB5UIRbcrb2/s320/IMG_3331.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake at 350* for about a half hour-45 minutes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ArDH3yHY3tLPQywhdgfsRxw_-5mLEpw6D66yJ9gzn1wUoH87XKzGuK_nzsyWWq89wNnzRjd4hititw528TqLwVeSDEtMtM-icHBOEbsG7MmsoERqLxIPdqTer1zqWEcio3EbOMvxXcDB/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ArDH3yHY3tLPQywhdgfsRxw_-5mLEpw6D66yJ9gzn1wUoH87XKzGuK_nzsyWWq89wNnzRjd4hititw528TqLwVeSDEtMtM-icHBOEbsG7MmsoERqLxIPdqTer1zqWEcio3EbOMvxXcDB/s320/IMG_3339.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom has been saying that they want to come for supper one of these nights so I called her and asked if they like Reubens. She was totally into it, so we had guests for supper tonight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr0kyUNeVBIFrqxIcV8BzAZLZmooVrBk-G1sV9ILQWvocm6fxr-xDpm8nXCwf86MlzNtIYNyBVyLAJyeyvRXLN4g23n26aMPIm1eUGDmPDdaoriYVjq8zWT9BAuuKFPPnl99UqhgogVeb/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr0kyUNeVBIFrqxIcV8BzAZLZmooVrBk-G1sV9ILQWvocm6fxr-xDpm8nXCwf86MlzNtIYNyBVyLAJyeyvRXLN4g23n26aMPIm1eUGDmPDdaoriYVjq8zWT9BAuuKFPPnl99UqhgogVeb/s320/IMG_3333.JPG" width="320" /></span></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/AVvXsEj5NWhEC7Rbsw-tomYQ3YpWwfGDwiPoaLhrLqn7Rdjt5yDst2lio7eNzc_C8rFn8Fu4xZEHx-ehBIdMvSS6E-Y0pObtnrI48e1FT6guOauLt3yfFzs_gT-nGgDLy-RlmkWQ_XUS-jTolqH0/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NWhEC7Rbsw-tomYQ3YpWwfGDwiPoaLhrLqn7Rdjt5yDst2lio7eNzc_C8rFn8Fu4xZEHx-ehBIdMvSS6E-Y0pObtnrI48e1FT6guOauLt3yfFzs_gT-nGgDLy-RlmkWQ_XUS-jTolqH0/s320/IMG_3335.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also made 2 pies. Lemon sponge and a chocloate chess pie. They were both so good and I was a teeny bit proud of myself! : )</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is all that was left of the Reuben Casserole by the end of the night. Everyone loved it! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD6bMvsFmBWRm_h2AY5YKaB9rX7EUuim_RXyy-FzsdHVXYd8qkXxyaG2lu3oGDPXD8D6e21bS30JISZ05oI9AaROmGECi-MxCDUnZ4e7ucAyn4ty0XXt9PZFYsczFk98JBE2u5xZCQ92E/s1600/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD6bMvsFmBWRm_h2AY5YKaB9rX7EUuim_RXyy-FzsdHVXYd8qkXxyaG2lu3oGDPXD8D6e21bS30JISZ05oI9AaROmGECi-MxCDUnZ4e7ucAyn4ty0XXt9PZFYsczFk98JBE2u5xZCQ92E/s320/IMG_3338.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RECIPE:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 lb. bag or can of sauerkraut</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1lb. cooked corned beef, sliced thin</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup Thousand Island Dressing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1lb. Baby Swiss Cheese (thick slices)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12 slices Rye bread, buttered and cubed.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan. Rinse and drain the sauerkraut. Spread on bottom of pan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layer the corned beef evenly over kraut</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spread the dressing over the beef, top with cheese slices</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scatter the bread cubes over the cheese. Press down in pan</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake at 350* until heated through, about 35-50 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ENJOY!</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-36567220647272273012011-03-29T11:56:00.001-04:002011-03-29T11:59:16.927-04:00Catching my Breath<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our lives have been so busy the past few weeks and I feel like I finally have time to stop and catch my breath! This will be quite a long post! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First of all, like I had mentioned in my previous post, we had 3 children living with us for a while. They ended up living here for about a month. Talk about changing things overnight! It was quite an adjustment going from just Brad and I to an instant family of 5! I know now why so many of my friends say that at the end of the day all they want to do is lay in bed and be quiet! It took effort for me to make sure that my "quality time loving" husband, got his quality time! We talked about it alot, and he was very understanding. The whole experience was good prep for the foster care process that will be coming our way in the next few weeks! Speaking of that, we have finished our training classes and this week we have our individual interviews. Then we need to have our home approved and then we wait for a call! I am so glad that the bulk of it is finished. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So Rosie came home from the hospital on a Thursday and she thought maybe it would be fun for the kids to be able to spend the weekend with her. Brad and I had the weekend to ourselves and we did nothing other than relax and sleep in! Sunday we picked up the children and they did not want to come home with us. I sure didn't blame them. I felt so bad to put them through the trauma of being shuffled around again, but Rosie just wasn't ready to have them with her full time yet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That week was tough. The kids were each sick at some time or another. We had planned to move them back permanently that Thursday but decided to do it Wednesday instead. Wednesday morning I woke up to Merle throwing up all over the bathroom. He spent the rest of the day on the couch and didn't want to eat anything all day. I meanwhile was busy getting all their stuff together to move. Thankfully Haley played by herself pretty good that day. Around 11 I got a call from Brad that went something like this..."Hey Honey, don't freak out but I am on my way to the E.R in Ephrata". Well, I of course "freaked out". What's a wife supposed to do after all. My day was packed full already and now my dear husband was in the E.R. "Aunt Becky" (Friend of Rosie and I) came to the rescue because the last thing I felt like doing was packing up the kids and taking them to the E.R. with me especially with Merle being so sick. She came to be with the children so I could go. Brad ended up getting 7 stitches just above his knee. He had been running a grinder thing at work and it kicked back into his knee. He had some pain but the main thing was that he was not allowed to bend his knee untill the stitches get removed. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l4TRJgUO_YXtiDQVCDrR4ysh_dL7Sl-K5omlrlKjApLdKyIYpJQ6GrhqzkgyHifvtW5FV8JNgn3bqt3lP_G9hx4C8BasRHMeY_xGVhj-Agd61a-AtLYicxMF7JSLb6Hr6mFH4rfpz_eJ/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l4TRJgUO_YXtiDQVCDrR4ysh_dL7Sl-K5omlrlKjApLdKyIYpJQ6GrhqzkgyHifvtW5FV8JNgn3bqt3lP_G9hx4C8BasRHMeY_xGVhj-Agd61a-AtLYicxMF7JSLb6Hr6mFH4rfpz_eJ/s320/IMG_3253.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The thing that made this worse was that this happened about 2 weeks after he had shot a nail through his hand! That also required a trip to the E.R. and time off of work. Then, after not being able to remember the last time he was sick, he got strep throat and was off of work for almost a week. Now this. Somehow God always provides though...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After I got him home, we got the kids all bathed and ready to go home. They didn't know it but Rosie had a big welcome home party planned for them! What fun they had with all their cousins. They were so glad to be home again. All but Merle....he was still sick and spent most of the evening laying on his Mom's bed. He wanted to come back home with us, but I knew he would be fine. Rosie gave us a Wii gaming thing for taking care of her children! We definitely weren't expecting anything. After lots of hugs to the kids, we left the party. Brad knew he wasn't going to be working the next day because of his injury so we ended up staying up late and playing with our new toy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQBC7zZGHX-JE7N8SP7S12OG2DYcKAn8dd6dUP1WCHpAftKPCu1q_aJVlr-ctP3pwJuOGN-C5UnM9YwpdiubKMy3phetfDtp2l-qktsnEf1BLNSdUiniVktaHhYpR7VIHU4uqUt2QqG9J/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQBC7zZGHX-JE7N8SP7S12OG2DYcKAn8dd6dUP1WCHpAftKPCu1q_aJVlr-ctP3pwJuOGN-C5UnM9YwpdiubKMy3phetfDtp2l-qktsnEf1BLNSdUiniVktaHhYpR7VIHU4uqUt2QqG9J/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></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/AVvXsEiEqfuA5L7kC6zjdCdxYk-E5kDRkdkKJoURdVvJkODU6OE3QWRcdr40N7BpJfuwkyPB6SjpC203yB7AZfJTs6aikHAcLrd0KD3OmrlEuNQYPuC8hsXMpYbB9SDSqflqvs1a02806lWYb2Fi/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqfuA5L7kC6zjdCdxYk-E5kDRkdkKJoURdVvJkODU6OE3QWRcdr40N7BpJfuwkyPB6SjpC203yB7AZfJTs6aikHAcLrd0KD3OmrlEuNQYPuC8hsXMpYbB9SDSqflqvs1a02806lWYb2Fi/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday morning, I headed down to my moms. Brad and I planned on moving in there for a week to take care of my grandmother while my parents went to Florida. My Mom's nephew was getting married and my parents needed the break! My grandma had fallen the Sunday before and broke her arm in 2 places. Her health had been declining the past month or 2 but this really sent her spiraling. When I got to Mom's at 9:45, I knew Mommie didn't look good but my parents were still planning on going to Florida. I knew they needed to get away so I reassured Mom that we would make sure Mommie was taken care of. Hospice nurses were coming in to help with her care. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About 30 minutes later when I went back in to check on my grandma, I noticed a huge difference in her breathing. I told my mom that I think she is dying. The nurse confirmed that she is really going down hill and could possibly die that day. What a shock! We called my dad and my aunt. Till all was said and done, she passed into Glory about an hour later. I was so so glad that I could be there by her side when she died. She breathed hard for a while, then shallow breaths, closed her eyes, took another breath or 2, and was gone. It was so peaceful. The rest of the day was a blur of funeral plans, notifying family, and grieving. My grandma had lived with my parents for 6 1/2 years and I have many many special memories of her. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of my moms family was in Florida for the upcoming wedding. We decided to wait until Tuesday to have the funeral. Many of them had planned on spending the week after the wedding in Florida on vacation. My brother and his family were there and hadn't planned to come home until Saturday after the wedding. My brother and 2 of my cousins ended up flying home just for the funeral and then back to Florida to their families. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My grandma had all of her funeral plans made. Long ago, she had made her clothing to be buried in. She was still Old Order Amish and typically, they get buried in the clothes that they got married in. My grandma had made all new clothes. She had them in a box with the label "Death Clothes".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNgGqnMVJZ8K-19IbjDXC20APbqQ3FCp3hBog2tEsJvZRQRS92v-i-SLWreqgOfaC-OuE68DhQNSEN1ZNSsriaZKnUh7qYz_PcDhjd2A1U6eqWUPVT8uYFwM4sN2feh5Yj9fDlqg6RFql/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNgGqnMVJZ8K-19IbjDXC20APbqQ3FCp3hBog2tEsJvZRQRS92v-i-SLWreqgOfaC-OuE68DhQNSEN1ZNSsriaZKnUh7qYz_PcDhjd2A1U6eqWUPVT8uYFwM4sN2feh5Yj9fDlqg6RFql/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Inside the box, she had everything neatly arranged. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UPxTnMPojDnnssYWVpS9ru7FUmZLuvomE4Ujkw39JO8qwujzmL0fI-KZ9q_SDO866HPZKFydMpG4jVioTSyvlKFR0QXkGux3-53qlQEcUkG1TOLKTOherSYoXCz6lPa9_fM697uFeYlC/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UPxTnMPojDnnssYWVpS9ru7FUmZLuvomE4Ujkw39JO8qwujzmL0fI-KZ9q_SDO866HPZKFydMpG4jVioTSyvlKFR0QXkGux3-53qlQEcUkG1TOLKTOherSYoXCz6lPa9_fM697uFeYlC/s320/IMG_3262.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There was also a baggie with a note and a hankie in it. The note read: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Girls, Fold this hankie in my hand like my Sister Naomi. Yes, I put her hankie in her hand. How we cried when we visited"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmPWGrbWP_v60G0T5litVoff8iWUZ8eTERGpNOQgs1UXVg8YP9Rf9visemxrPxBZfn0V6D6vDNyYFcSBfmv9Go1SZikCU1JNFhIDkbQJaeq8Zku2Py3u0Mm0_ruXzL3lGL6osuY0m6H4j/s1600/IMG_3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmPWGrbWP_v60G0T5litVoff8iWUZ8eTERGpNOQgs1UXVg8YP9Rf9visemxrPxBZfn0V6D6vDNyYFcSBfmv9Go1SZikCU1JNFhIDkbQJaeq8Zku2Py3u0Mm0_ruXzL3lGL6osuY0m6H4j/s320/IMG_3263.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My grandma's sister Naomi passed away a few years ago. She was my grandmas closest sister. Their husbands were the first to die in their family, so of her many sisters, they shared common struggles. My grandma had also made many of her grandaughters hankies to use at her funeral. I remember when she gave mine to me a few years ago. She embroidered black around the edge of a white hankie. I had hoped to never have to use it...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The funeral service itself was beautiful. Yes, it was Old Order Amish, but I loved the whole cultural aspect of it. They were so so nice to us and worked with us well in having things the way Mommie wanted it. She had in her plans that she would like to have a certain preacher from Ohio preach at her funeral. They arranged it and he spoke a powerful sermon. Most of it was in Dutch but I could understand lots of it. He spoke on the Holy Spirit and how wihtout the Holy Spirit in your life "It shofts net" (It doesn't work). I was so surprised to hear such a sermon from an Old Order Amish preacher.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I took a few pics at the graveside. I kept my camera in my coat pocket and snuck a few pics when no one was looking!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMv1kVnPKIhE0CJiQ7CHHAwRrp9FJeC6plKfodrxmQY7KUA3q5amcmmvHjPjvE-hpQDCz_OKwMipY1xpH1woGWN2O0qKcUOYLf4G5UwhisTmrj4qfFBzueruN2I1CaJG9JfHbw-eLThBv/s1600/IMG_3267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMv1kVnPKIhE0CJiQ7CHHAwRrp9FJeC6plKfodrxmQY7KUA3q5amcmmvHjPjvE-hpQDCz_OKwMipY1xpH1woGWN2O0qKcUOYLf4G5UwhisTmrj4qfFBzueruN2I1CaJG9JfHbw-eLThBv/s320/IMG_3267.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Her funeral was a week ago today. I still can't believe that she's gone. It still seems like she should be sitting on the couch at her usual spot at my parents. Every time I would walk in the door, she would greet me with "Well hello there Miss America"! She will be greatly missed...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week my mom started going through some of her things. Most of her stuff was sold at auction before she moved in with my parents. Mom gave me this piece of furniture and told me that Mommie wanted me to have it. I was one of her namesakes and she had things put aside for us. I will always think of her when I see it...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWLe-FWZTChwvAygx4gV3iDpeFOpSJ6ocvjgy2rKGHRHwCIK8g7q02Om1x-S5gwzFjdtQdV0DnCrDyfvH5uTWy3amYgGvOXGc43iPqXYp0B9D4EkWhwUAIyXVLw8HuFbc_Qv62Vtr3rG7/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWLe-FWZTChwvAygx4gV3iDpeFOpSJ6ocvjgy2rKGHRHwCIK8g7q02Om1x-S5gwzFjdtQdV0DnCrDyfvH5uTWy3amYgGvOXGc43iPqXYp0B9D4EkWhwUAIyXVLw8HuFbc_Qv62Vtr3rG7/s320/IMG_3324.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Looking back over the past 2 weeks, I so see God's hand in it. The timing of Mommie's homegoing was perfect after all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1.I am so thankful that we moved the children home on Wednesday because I would have had to try and do that after Mommie died. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. My parents were not on the bus in the way to Florida when she died. I can't imagine if Mommie would've died and I would've been there alone with her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Yes, it was inconvenient timing because of the wedding, and yet, that gave us time to have her body at my parents house on Sunday. Mom had always wanted to have more of an informal viewing there. Many of our church family and friends were there on Sunday and it was alot more personal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. My dad was not pressured with work. He didn't have any work planned that week, thinking they would be in Florida!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While we will miss Mommie so much, we are so glad she's in a better place. It is so good to see the stress lifted off of my mom. She had alot to deal with in taking care of her mother especially in the past few months. Wilma and I are so glad to have "our Mom" back! It's fun to see my parents with an empty nest for the first time. I am so thankful for the many, many memories I have of her...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwaznb4piRfwAB64LobMdr6D1b_i91eU-7VFARyV7rmlyUFejFEYxSG8FGypGPKOp-zCRjD1JQd1bsvdpMZqgg9IsAopYnlKbQYuWSfDmertrM983kmRJwabDVImhCbu4WwU5gMu71GjL/s1600/IMG+%2528891%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwaznb4piRfwAB64LobMdr6D1b_i91eU-7VFARyV7rmlyUFejFEYxSG8FGypGPKOp-zCRjD1JQd1bsvdpMZqgg9IsAopYnlKbQYuWSfDmertrM983kmRJwabDVImhCbu4WwU5gMu71GjL/s320/IMG+%2528891%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-48802994538676863502011-02-20T00:04:00.001-05:002011-02-20T00:23:08.460-05:00Busy, busy<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life has taken quite a turn for us. A week ago my friend Rosie was in a serious car accident. You may remember the story I shared last summer </span><a href="http://enjoyingthescenery.blogspot.com/2010/07/lifes-curves.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://enjoyingthescenery.blogspot.com/2010/07/lifes-curves.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Rosie's husband Genie was in a serious motorcycle acccident July 4th weekend and is still in rehab and is not walking or talking. His brain injuries were very severe. With Rosies accident this past weekend, it threw us all into a spin. Seriously...what is going on? Why did this have to happen to HER of all people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Long story short, we are taking care of 3 of her 4 children until she is ready to have them home again. She is currently in rehab and will be there for probably a week or 2 or 3. Then we will see how strong she is feeling and when she will be ready to have the children living with her again. Her injuries included a shattered hip and a fractured pelvis along with other bumps and bruises. She is not allowed to put any weight on her left leg for 12 weeks and could possible be facing more surgeries in the future. The 7 month old baby has a broken leg and a fractured skull but the skull is healing on it's own. Other friends are taking care of the baby. Hannah, the oldest was also in the accident but wasn't hurt very badly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please pray for Rosie's healing and for the childrens emotional state. They are doing very well with us, but it is tough for their little minds to wrap around. I quit my job to care for them and see that their needs are met. I had been planning on quitting in March sometime anyway to prepare for foster care and plans were already in place for my replacement so it was good timing. I do plan to keep my auction job because I love it and the income is nice. Not to mention the free and cheap things I come home with!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I write a note daily on my facebook page on life with the Leid children and sometimes specific ways to pray for them. We do have an account set up for needs for them and Brad and some other men will be overseeing her finances until she is ready to take over again. It's been quite an adjustment for Brad and I to have 3 children with us, but we are loving it and are just glad we can help out. Besides...it sure is good practice for foster care although this is alot more. Rosie is a dear friend of mine and it's hard to be here for the children and not be able to be with her all the time like I would want to be. I have been with her 2 days last week when she started rehab. The children were fine at a cousins house. I do realize that taking care of her children and giving them stability in this crisis is one way I can ease her mind and "be there" for her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pray for us with these changes that we could minister to the needs of these precious children...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is a link to an article that was written in our local paper. </span><a href="http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/351877"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/351877</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhrWZPZU4B1Lk39FSs0-nn9J3ZKAR1_EDYL2m40CpQA_FXYzeli4zVm2cR9qrOqt0AAg61W90_VlQSE2gRKz2hF3_6DmhaGAWAQdQ5TARuuJr0Yc1vFVckNDN-icsZaa03HTpXWd2iU3_/s1600/IMG_3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhrWZPZU4B1Lk39FSs0-nn9J3ZKAR1_EDYL2m40CpQA_FXYzeli4zVm2cR9qrOqt0AAg61W90_VlQSE2gRKz2hF3_6DmhaGAWAQdQ5TARuuJr0Yc1vFVckNDN-icsZaa03HTpXWd2iU3_/s320/IMG_3011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Leid Children. This was after Elliot was released from Hershey and his caregiver brought him over to be with his siblings. They were so glad to see him again.</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-8942256410915105472011-02-09T16:24:00.000-05:002011-02-09T16:24:46.989-05:00New Office!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_650793244"></span><span id="goog_650793245"></span>So 2 years after moving into this place, we are still working on getting things done. You see... a few things need to be in place before projects happen. 1) Money. 2) Time. and 3) Feellikeitishness. (yes, that is a word! ) Little by little things are getting done around here, but then there are always new things. I already have a list a mile long of ideas for hubby to work on this summer. He doesn't seem to mind though cuz I'm usually right there beside him helping in whatever way I can. It's a hobby of both of ours..tinkering around and so much fun to do it together. Brad is so patient with me and doesn't mind showing me how to use different tools or explaining things to me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On our list of things to do sometime is fix up our basement. As of now, it's all block and nothing on the ceiling etc. The winter we got married, we managed to get our big huge TV down after taking out 7 (yes 7) steps. We threw down some remnant carpeting and put some furniture down there and it's actually quite cozy. But little by little we'd like to finish the ceiling, do the walls and put some flooring down. With the thought of kiddos coming into the picture soon we decided to move our office down there to free up a bedroom upstairs. One corner was just the perfect size. So we saved up to get lumber and carpet but everything else was free. It actually didn't cost us that much. Brad's grandpa had left a BUNCH of insulation here when he moved and the paint was leftover from the rest of our house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe1z5SBsjlVnA4ZNMWQGUEgDUag92_D6oc5ZpEyeQOAJhXsx3q8yPz5BlntdLAaprTbX7_0ZdXHN482__K9Jm9SoMJuW8GwCj9I5ysvrgi5yRfKGnqZuUjR9ERK-IXay0GSolLzKRH4_D/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe1z5SBsjlVnA4ZNMWQGUEgDUag92_D6oc5ZpEyeQOAJhXsx3q8yPz5BlntdLAaprTbX7_0ZdXHN482__K9Jm9SoMJuW8GwCj9I5ysvrgi5yRfKGnqZuUjR9ERK-IXay0GSolLzKRH4_D/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4vqn8flyRao_hF7nvU17H2t0qxiXteJO_c6PV7D79eGu95sjqJKkk1bLQ_bDfyso5QnXNwvtuF_0NXReK_roT1KhyUe_7DhwoLi8_agD0s_JJmq6JwxmHGT0pRA5OPF_f39vqxQOEC2f/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4vqn8flyRao_hF7nvU17H2t0qxiXteJO_c6PV7D79eGu95sjqJKkk1bLQ_bDfyso5QnXNwvtuF_0NXReK_roT1KhyUe_7DhwoLi8_agD0s_JJmq6JwxmHGT0pRA5OPF_f39vqxQOEC2f/s320/IMG_2194.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/AVvXsEj67b5YM_nU-pcSmxYe1qMukTryC56QryWpoClIe0osmmXBKfsIkoq-mRD7_2n-HGzHlUGbZcoE-hXKAcVM2I_YNwTmk0ep6-ZES6jj-u3a4mSxna6bfJ9-DVLsGjbF_5tnn2PvU7n1ArTY/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67b5YM_nU-pcSmxYe1qMukTryC56QryWpoClIe0osmmXBKfsIkoq-mRD7_2n-HGzHlUGbZcoE-hXKAcVM2I_YNwTmk0ep6-ZES6jj-u3a4mSxna6bfJ9-DVLsGjbF_5tnn2PvU7n1ArTY/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main thing/project was a built in bookshelf. Brad did an AMAZING job. He is such a perfectionist with this kind of thing and the end result is beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFuVf4t9_wp0a8NeE4ijOUaFp2UFF2hL9kS4YWNtYA6KczmbFZAfWZkk5IBJdIOCJejcOBlEHLKBoU5sqdK1qF2FkCiykZUE-Lzi4qJriTEvJWCXwNBCMvzidRbwwlvVP4XApq2xWjln6/s1600/IMG_2794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFuVf4t9_wp0a8NeE4ijOUaFp2UFF2hL9kS4YWNtYA6KczmbFZAfWZkk5IBJdIOCJejcOBlEHLKBoU5sqdK1qF2FkCiykZUE-Lzi4qJriTEvJWCXwNBCMvzidRbwwlvVP4XApq2xWjln6/s320/IMG_2794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_2tiTrxI23cnynyqX6GxLfoTHI16K0Swa_KM-HUpX9FucFEdu4pnFXae2LHLMm9dN_nSJLSCwVYEt-krgFDfoiPbboJbMssMN28Gdf2s1DOCWdyxUzU_wPRX3hUMkvIkcIAR9-nzWiqu/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_2tiTrxI23cnynyqX6GxLfoTHI16K0Swa_KM-HUpX9FucFEdu4pnFXae2LHLMm9dN_nSJLSCwVYEt-krgFDfoiPbboJbMssMN28Gdf2s1DOCWdyxUzU_wPRX3hUMkvIkcIAR9-nzWiqu/s320/IMG_2981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The house we live in was built by Brad's grandpa and he left us all sorts of treasures when he moved! Among them being old circus tent poles. Grandpa had salvaged them after a circus was going to throw them out. We were planning to use more of them in the bookshelf but they didn't look quite right. I ended up painting them black and we used them in the corners. Member that list for summer I told you about? One thing on there is build a pergalo with the rest of these poles. </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/AVvXsEhbWYnm_K2SSOqN-pF3Lkl7e8liRAWLfA9DWyfWaBQiNEDFiabT8hxlWiTAM3S1AglJZ2ncey6CI903gS9Iva34iYLlqhhDlzXBysfkfsWpp20h1qhFKCC6gUfmhVc3lhSChrw54qdRDCzb/s1600/IMG_2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWYnm_K2SSOqN-pF3Lkl7e8liRAWLfA9DWyfWaBQiNEDFiabT8hxlWiTAM3S1AglJZ2ncey6CI903gS9Iva34iYLlqhhDlzXBysfkfsWpp20h1qhFKCC6gUfmhVc3lhSChrw54qdRDCzb/s320/IMG_2798.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYg6W8SL2XFXs2qFid0ZN-rdingvKzgdSHWXEuWXsY8u1p5-4VtyONfQA0eFfV6TwQXAN29G9WmW2290pxLQig3BdDnZcekBjzTlRAN7_x3761ynehQLjC60AVT2VTd6yZP_aEvgO9-JK/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYg6W8SL2XFXs2qFid0ZN-rdingvKzgdSHWXEuWXsY8u1p5-4VtyONfQA0eFfV6TwQXAN29G9WmW2290pxLQig3BdDnZcekBjzTlRAN7_x3761ynehQLjC60AVT2VTd6yZP_aEvgO9-JK/s320/IMG_2801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The shelves took a while to do. Brad notched them all out so they would fit into each other. Talk about precise work! I chisled the middle parts out. And never mind the headphones. I hate loud noises so this way he could keep sawing away. And it is kinda tough to work with your hands over your ears! ; )</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/AVvXsEj4rqlv6zn48wTUPjviIt0r7S_O58ebDVqvnoGxrtJIXW_eZeRE3lZckvKl-7YGtvCpIvgNlTEA7BBJ3radc2a3Wv3elSprhasE7TETQcuHy55Z5xc1TlXv3w1e3OQBxhQ4r2XZTxJDa3PI/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rqlv6zn48wTUPjviIt0r7S_O58ebDVqvnoGxrtJIXW_eZeRE3lZckvKl-7YGtvCpIvgNlTEA7BBJ3radc2a3Wv3elSprhasE7TETQcuHy55Z5xc1TlXv3w1e3OQBxhQ4r2XZTxJDa3PI/s320/IMG_2786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully we had the whole basement to spread out the painting projects</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/AVvXsEhHKEv5Vzqyh2gCerQYECZZ_0q-Z3u0Iik0stdjW3fMLmdhv2kK7mvyt0JXwdqGYtdL3GRHoziu2BK3huIdiKU-ATcnYVtxDA_ZiMxLjZeUJLMhx2Q8yWRKGK5WFjUDkthu2Uu2fMdj2bBl/s1600/IMG_2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKEv5Vzqyh2gCerQYECZZ_0q-Z3u0Iik0stdjW3fMLmdhv2kK7mvyt0JXwdqGYtdL3GRHoziu2BK3huIdiKU-ATcnYVtxDA_ZiMxLjZeUJLMhx2Q8yWRKGK5WFjUDkthu2Uu2fMdj2bBl/s320/IMG_2779.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/AVvXsEjfJ9BaEGBgqS-IHg4srS7UlnG7mF0yWzW1_K4kU5M2TEshNtHq8gK4liemTiLr4fpMWdiAoj8YMQvkCjHIrbm7IKPzP3EQ9kz8kPxG3poZZkrpkQ-L4HMj_YlGXMLHeUN4TynQ1AJwIo48/s1600/IMG_2780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ9BaEGBgqS-IHg4srS7UlnG7mF0yWzW1_K4kU5M2TEshNtHq8gK4liemTiLr4fpMWdiAoj8YMQvkCjHIrbm7IKPzP3EQ9kz8kPxG3poZZkrpkQ-L4HMj_YlGXMLHeUN4TynQ1AJwIo48/s320/IMG_2780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The window was FREE from a job Brad was on. We framed it out with barn wood!</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/AVvXsEhX_q8h-INr2t3fLVPBjDF3N8YX8G-Jx3K-ctXMEo_kLxxtIKNcggfEN3IKJyj8SK479ocPWxsVl5IzdkQ3EpcxnmPaEV000gwe4s34HTGrUyl-spUE-DbXSaV1i02MhHY4t55SakN-LxNP/s1600/IMG_2799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_q8h-INr2t3fLVPBjDF3N8YX8G-Jx3K-ctXMEo_kLxxtIKNcggfEN3IKJyj8SK479ocPWxsVl5IzdkQ3EpcxnmPaEV000gwe4s34HTGrUyl-spUE-DbXSaV1i02MhHY4t55SakN-LxNP/s320/IMG_2799.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;">Dad tore out a bunch of cabinets at a job and wondered if we wanted them. We said yepper and used one as beside the desk. I painted it black and distressed it. The counter top was FREE from leftover scraps at a job Brad did. Yay for FREE things and yay for leftovers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpeZJ_ncVCs7odCXAHs6rAi1hqpSiYqUMFp1Cu1Im5kk6T3U4Bth5r7RYUaImmq4QECuKOiM56ZJSZYYTAj7ff7IWRXrl52H5bmFX7ofgjcdxObXjBzEUjywrmOGu4-xGQRi9ivEOsjzc/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpeZJ_ncVCs7odCXAHs6rAi1hqpSiYqUMFp1Cu1Im5kk6T3U4Bth5r7RYUaImmq4QECuKOiM56ZJSZYYTAj7ff7IWRXrl52H5bmFX7ofgjcdxObXjBzEUjywrmOGu4-xGQRi9ivEOsjzc/s320/IMG_2985.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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgteRU0Y7PV8rSGnQmcKde93JLBdbSeARwqyv1aBfYTtYJjtbTCta6EQjpYadmpb7pIY_IkI-_xQfwl_MapuCetK57WIAgk7HV3uu88mhk95qBp_jJDjQ3_UGgfovV4IbUSczpq1u-2GY/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgteRU0Y7PV8rSGnQmcKde93JLBdbSeARwqyv1aBfYTtYJjtbTCta6EQjpYadmpb7pIY_IkI-_xQfwl_MapuCetK57WIAgk7HV3uu88mhk95qBp_jJDjQ3_UGgfovV4IbUSczpq1u-2GY/s320/IMG_2987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In our office upstairs I had a closet to store all kinds of stuff in. These wire baskets were a "No sale" at the auction so I got to take them home for FREE and thought they would be cute organizers for envelopes etc.</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/AVvXsEjBo_iAmjwO3TVwgycbNtoRom1kAQxT9rwHf_MLculCd5YdZTVfSoG8feoIRHfKoD-EcVJ89GzdE5nyDdP2VJtVMrheXvMeuMlrLY_lAbLxaLQg8uGfG2zUVcmfHj2aL_yt859UV86oqxi9/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo_iAmjwO3TVwgycbNtoRom1kAQxT9rwHf_MLculCd5YdZTVfSoG8feoIRHfKoD-EcVJ89GzdE5nyDdP2VJtVMrheXvMeuMlrLY_lAbLxaLQg8uGfG2zUVcmfHj2aL_yt859UV86oqxi9/s320/IMG_2982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love that there is also room for my sewing machine in case I get inspired to use it again. "Mending" is about all it does right now although there are all kinds of ideas in my head!</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/AVvXsEjilPgmBF8kdfiuY28zeIfKgcgUCmuPdk2NizC472rzdzHOw5JgAVnQjUSgVF9OBDF4GxsXDxN8XtzDFATeVfTRh3cC03cvypyaSD5UUcfI_pKEyIdaNh20xmIus4yyrgOifSmRW7ql76MI/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilPgmBF8kdfiuY28zeIfKgcgUCmuPdk2NizC472rzdzHOw5JgAVnQjUSgVF9OBDF4GxsXDxN8XtzDFATeVfTRh3cC03cvypyaSD5UUcfI_pKEyIdaNh20xmIus4yyrgOifSmRW7ql76MI/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He also made a great storage area under the stairs. </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/AVvXsEhOO2wqF10zTdkScak-z0kHnhNPAr7TsVZduXsdfDBQ0xLyxdioKVya_it2i9VSf_eu1JSNEOf_m-el27nOk5mEaJ7qz6g1Knl2ubU8rpRhKOzy9UH9mrVemIHDOO5o5tYH8RMeZsgjZozY/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO2wqF10zTdkScak-z0kHnhNPAr7TsVZduXsdfDBQ0xLyxdioKVya_it2i9VSf_eu1JSNEOf_m-el27nOk5mEaJ7qz6g1Knl2ubU8rpRhKOzy9UH9mrVemIHDOO5o5tYH8RMeZsgjZozY/s320/IMG_2778.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/AVvXsEgQnPBKDrTGsxq5xfA8uyGKMTwn-bvKQsLM1cB9Mcs4-B4Uub-3YU3JgpFYUMADuE8rVIWQSCOs9B0oecOjDHBDeXkcV0e8_k30oM42QNR63mQWmtGrkAGvqdlZ1UjIGzmhXQJg_uMRIojt/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnPBKDrTGsxq5xfA8uyGKMTwn-bvKQsLM1cB9Mcs4-B4Uub-3YU3JgpFYUMADuE8rVIWQSCOs9B0oecOjDHBDeXkcV0e8_k30oM42QNR63mQWmtGrkAGvqdlZ1UjIGzmhXQJg_uMRIojt/s320/IMG_2994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjz5khSon3h6Cqrpb5LZYG1jn7aGBV103qGZa1449BMCsvag1bZqQr6ufy_GImDp2NG7YyRAhCYY3PxW99JqZ4_uC9ZmSSi_fJ1OUyoGOd0ued6JqBuruLivtXbjKbGX910Xd9uksDXyk/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjz5khSon3h6Cqrpb5LZYG1jn7aGBV103qGZa1449BMCsvag1bZqQr6ufy_GImDp2NG7YyRAhCYY3PxW99JqZ4_uC9ZmSSi_fJ1OUyoGOd0ued6JqBuruLivtXbjKbGX910Xd9uksDXyk/s320/IMG_2995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So...here's the after. It's a little tough to get good pics in here because the room is so small! I don't like that the first thing you see is the gun cabinet. Maybe painting it black would look better?</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/AVvXsEio5oBC9CL0dzLRjhcnBvIxsGIheJv7gaW0aZffehPzMRc0Y9jY0fHW27iaycJ8FxFEcsEW6WgpxnvUSXQhoZ4f0xYHLvrwBsKfbNkLGtzGF0QtFWoVAz9KjREO6QAGRX-lfj6xrVzNyjIg/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5oBC9CL0dzLRjhcnBvIxsGIheJv7gaW0aZffehPzMRc0Y9jY0fHW27iaycJ8FxFEcsEW6WgpxnvUSXQhoZ4f0xYHLvrwBsKfbNkLGtzGF0QtFWoVAz9KjREO6QAGRX-lfj6xrVzNyjIg/s320/IMG_2992.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/AVvXsEjmijnDSsa5jt0wDCo-jc7Gg50YhKfQpzC6mPbt82MEPVW3jieIaRlEiFkugMairNiCb68btOgvswEH09fzdX1aaD7NVgXsdql5iOaGNXt9zQNfgoZdBwq52JjGpueTVtdEXFaEbgB1HQL-/s1600/IMG_2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmijnDSsa5jt0wDCo-jc7Gg50YhKfQpzC6mPbt82MEPVW3jieIaRlEiFkugMairNiCb68btOgvswEH09fzdX1aaD7NVgXsdql5iOaGNXt9zQNfgoZdBwq52JjGpueTVtdEXFaEbgB1HQL-/s320/IMG_2991.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 rest of the basement will have to wait...but for now, besides the big pile of kitchen cabinets in the middle of the room, this is as good as it's gonna get for now! </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/AVvXsEjviiVPcSxwN5S21hVI8GT2iFaC4v5Vw9hgvxWEfpa3_C0TnKgohybXTeP2hXFBcly99W3GVgxzzBmfGAl5tdJLvd-SDnzEnC6y_TKKoxC0iLX17D0aMnVlwJA5b-EuBshAspMexQ-yeihn/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviiVPcSxwN5S21hVI8GT2iFaC4v5Vw9hgvxWEfpa3_C0TnKgohybXTeP2hXFBcly99W3GVgxzzBmfGAl5tdJLvd-SDnzEnC6y_TKKoxC0iLX17D0aMnVlwJA5b-EuBshAspMexQ-yeihn/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPfyGbjI6FIGu3gadOjzGWWRKN_nNv0vZETQXy9zUQdzbIo1KTZ_2d-OlZcoImBm_pUs_3MPDgX_BD1NMcQj63fNSdtyMOi6XAim9Qp4aEbdAiBEUO2pZ4QTpdGr61ZlKziyWA4d-yTU-/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPfyGbjI6FIGu3gadOjzGWWRKN_nNv0vZETQXy9zUQdzbIo1KTZ_2d-OlZcoImBm_pUs_3MPDgX_BD1NMcQj63fNSdtyMOi6XAim9Qp4aEbdAiBEUO2pZ4QTpdGr61ZlKziyWA4d-yTU-/s320/IMG_2997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-78634191953959031052011-01-21T16:42:00.000-05:002011-01-21T16:42:29.963-05:00New Year...New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is long overdue seeing it's pert near the end of January. I make no apologies though because you all have been warned of my procrastinating tendancies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the magic of New Year's Eve. The thing that at the stroke of midnight there is a <em>New Year</em>. 2011. Can you believe it? I distinctly remember 2000. Y2K. Whatever you want to call it. Oh my word, we all thought the world was going to end. My parents didn't stock up on food, emergency supplies etc, and I wasn't really big into computers yet. But it was still that tiny little thought..."What is going to happen at midnight"? But it came and went just like thousands before. No great computer glitch, no lightning bolt, nothing. Just a silent night broken by cheers and gunshots. Maybe it was a little quieter than other years because everyone was on edge. All I remember was that I was with my youth group and we were having a blast!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So fast forward 11 years. New Years Eve. I had to work Friday morning and then decided to work at the auction as well. On holidays we have special antique auctions and I often don't work because they are usually on a day that I have to work at my other job. Normally these auctions start at 8:00 a.m. and are usually over 3ish or 4. Well, not this one. It went till after 6. After working all day I really didn't feel like dashing home, getting a finger food ready, getting myself ready and zipping out the door. There were a few New Years parties we were invited to but we still hadn't really made up our mind which one we were going to go to. So I called up my hubby and asked him if he would care if we just stayed home. He was totally for it, and said he'll stop for Chinese and a movie. Sounds good to me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We feasted on Chinese and watched a movie. Can't remember what it was though! Around 10:00 I started to feel very, very old. This just isn't right thought I. No party New Years Eve? So I came up with a plan. My hubby went right along with it. We got dressed in grungy, mismatched clothing and headed out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0UntNvdkdltogCsT7tV4sdK7AlPKQrkPe0xtGiAu8m1mSuD7vR5zsSn3fBYmo7xzseeBxYE4dRuST8kIXHLFxZH70U2OBysWu8D8vMJMj_N3o_GOE9QSyMKpxa2ODNE4FSxJ90GZGdpY/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0UntNvdkdltogCsT7tV4sdK7AlPKQrkPe0xtGiAu8m1mSuD7vR5zsSn3fBYmo7xzseeBxYE4dRuST8kIXHLFxZH70U2OBysWu8D8vMJMj_N3o_GOE9QSyMKpxa2ODNE4FSxJ90GZGdpY/s320/IMG_2758.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first house we came to was dark. Not a party in sight. After a call to my mom we found out the host of the party was very sick and the party was canceled. So we headed to my sisters house. YAY! A party! There were lots of my "old" friends there, although I don't think they knew what to think of us! We stayed a little and headed on...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA7Mh7x2sTCMkdxDTmFiFF50JNwmXoZ0IJjpmMK789uNC6OWt_rSUy8I2YPdsoVHzd5EAaiAWt8KzVQySNSU2KI3O-k53YKVLFv-llO48ogksO5OqZ38_Es_FfORUKpJWlqOfz3sXN9H4/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA7Mh7x2sTCMkdxDTmFiFF50JNwmXoZ0IJjpmMK789uNC6OWt_rSUy8I2YPdsoVHzd5EAaiAWt8KzVQySNSU2KI3O-k53YKVLFv-llO48ogksO5OqZ38_Es_FfORUKpJWlqOfz3sXN9H4/s320/IMG_2757.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next house (Brad's cousins) was full of men and children. The ladies had excused themselves and headed out to do some mischief, but I didn't tell you that!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXWbqxG6aAlwKVDmpNgU1o-TYRXHMA6JqhKLSBuSk_1aFPiSbm3QKXE3iGd3kE0shBdOlDUm1mIm_3S-gTOvTXZOs3KWMm3VvTiBHmu4ai-YL7NZLjkhQik9GaqNu_4bSnG3MVVlKRXCK/s1600/IMG_2760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXWbqxG6aAlwKVDmpNgU1o-TYRXHMA6JqhKLSBuSk_1aFPiSbm3QKXE3iGd3kE0shBdOlDUm1mIm_3S-gTOvTXZOs3KWMm3VvTiBHmu4ai-YL7NZLjkhQik9GaqNu_4bSnG3MVVlKRXCK/s320/IMG_2760.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From there we went to Brad's aunts house. We were hoping to be there by midnight. Brad knew that there would be guns. He likes guns. Me...not so much! We got there around 11:30, shot the New Year in and headed back home. So that was the beginning of 2011. We started off the New Year with funny memories and a not so old feeling!!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOZS_4M8aVoFJYZEa1IBxJg38h0ZL4Num4PWgu_OjIyu3D3ekwnoNSas29teB-DG46Hi4TFkjET-8VDBmc8dfFfZfkpBVVje4J6ZsAKQrZt-svmAmzNV0lQId638dmN5k8XS5I82zUyrh/s1600/IMG_2761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOZS_4M8aVoFJYZEa1IBxJg38h0ZL4Num4PWgu_OjIyu3D3ekwnoNSas29teB-DG46Hi4TFkjET-8VDBmc8dfFfZfkpBVVje4J6ZsAKQrZt-svmAmzNV0lQId638dmN5k8XS5I82zUyrh/s320/IMG_2761.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpYYMG0XRZVKHpx6mOBwG-MiLoBnwriw2opesERrfkF_keyrLRWBW9LAEh5Bpc0j8hZ-U9rtRMZ1sS7HJ0bME4UK7yYSwJoqC7SK9sdisTiIFSCgMUaaGju522XcTu0P5gn7oAFU0KwDk/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpYYMG0XRZVKHpx6mOBwG-MiLoBnwriw2opesERrfkF_keyrLRWBW9LAEh5Bpc0j8hZ-U9rtRMZ1sS7HJ0bME4UK7yYSwJoqC7SK9sdisTiIFSCgMUaaGju522XcTu0P5gn7oAFU0KwDk/s320/IMG_2764.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not much for New Years resolutions. It's the kind of thing where you think of some things that would be great but after a while it wears off! This year was no different. Brad and I talked about the past year and what we thought would be different about the next. 2010 was rather uneventful for us. Lots of things happened, but after the pregnancies and miscarriages in 2009, 2010 seemed uneventful. The thought that this year, Lord willing, we will become parents (through foster care) is so SO exciting for us! We have been praying even now about the children that God will place in our home. Maybe they will be here for a day, week, month, year or forever but either way, we're open to whatever/whomever God sends our way. Sure we still would love to have our own biological children someday but realize that this may be God's way of starting our family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another exciting thing is my health. I debated and debated about writing about this on here but realize it's a way for me to be accountable. For years I have been wanting to lose weight but always felt healthy so I never really stuck with anything. This past year though, I have started to feel unhealthy. I weigh more than I ever have. I gained about 20-30 pounds after my 2nd miscarriage and didn't really care. Sad, I know. I finally sat my hubby down and got on the scale in front of him and begged for his help! He loves me just as I am, but he also wants me to be healthy too. He promised me that he would help me and encourage me in my journey. After talking about stuff I decided to join a gym. Planet Fitness was offering a great deal for January. I thought I would probably be sick of it after a few days but it's kinda opposite for me! It's getting addictive! I stop on my way home from work. Started out about 20 minutes on the elliptical and thought I was going to die! Now I'm at 35 minutes on the treadmill. Walking/running. I've been going for over 2 weeks now and so far I love it. Today I had to "force" myself to go, but after I was there and started, I kept going and going longer than I ever had. Next week I want to push myself to 45 minutes and then an hour. It took me a while to get over feeling self concious about sweating and puffing in a roomful of people, but Brad kept encouraging me and told me that people should be proud of me for getting moving! Everyone's in their own little world anyway! </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The eating thing is a little bit of a challenge because I love to "snack". But I've been getting healthy snacks. Almonds, granola, yogurt etc. Diets have never really worked for me because after they were over, I went right back to old habits. This time, I want to make more of a lifestyle change. Yes, still eat chocolate every now and then, but not like before. If I deprive myself totally, I'll just want it more. Wow....all of a sudden I'm starting to feel vulnerable! Kinda laying it all out there. One of my fears of writing about this is that the next time "you" see me, <br />
"you" will say..."Oh my...how much did you lose" etc.....I don't want "you" to feel obligated to see changes in me. Hopefully that will happen soon enough. For the record, I lost 4 pounds. YAY! Was hoping to have lost more in 2 weeks, but I'll take it. So the point is, "you" will not notice things change right away! I will take any tips and pointers you may have about what has worked for you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So here's to new beginnings and a healthier me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa890KpbI0Ugw343dH7LhJiO_9Y7Uw8KnLue2qhv4RrMa9r3iEL1BUQRzAuuRXizS2eo7Z0j6If6V2001NXD8GpNKA01RcnNj4VSNGTPBwXkp7ht0s2odCclTS0VbF18NjNDb0bF3HbIK/s320/IMG_2766.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-42226249088372037002011-01-07T12:08:00.001-05:002011-01-07T12:35:12.255-05:00New Journey<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of one day starting an orphanage. I think there are probably lots of little girls that dream that. When I was a little older I begged my parents to take in foster children but they didn't seem to have the same idea I had that a houseful of kids would be so much fun!!! Looking back, they were so right. I do remember though bringing it up a few times. Ask my mom...it's true! I even thought of getting into foster care before I was married, but it looked too overwhelming to do it alone. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So fast forward quite a few years. I met the love of my life, Brad. We talked about it when we were dating. The thing of foster care and adoption. He wasn't too sure about adoption and neither was I really. But it was something we talked about. Then after our 2nd miscarriage in November of '09 we talked about it again. Brad still wasn't feeling the same way I was. I decided to pray about it and leave it in God's hands. If this is what we were supposed to do, I prayed God would reveal that to Brad too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months ago, we were watching TV and a commercial came on about foster care/adoption. It talked about how the need is so huge and there are SO many children waiting for homes. Brad and I looked at each other. I remember asking him if he still feels the same way that he did a year ago. He didn't. He told me that he's been thinking about it lately too and feels like even if we could make a difference in one child's life, it would be worth it. We talked some more about it off and on the next few weeks/months. Brad's main concern is/was that I would get so attached to these kids and it would break my heart when/if they have to go back to their parents. While I know it would be disappointing, I also know that I <u>would</u> move on. After a day or 2 of crying and "letting go", I would move on. That's kinda how I deal with things. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we both decided to pray about it and ask around about different programs. Meanwhile I heard a commercial on the radio about an open house that COBY's was having. We decided we would go and at least get some information and see if this is really for us. COBY's main office is literaly 5 minutes from our house. On Tuesday night we went and both felt so called that this is where God wants us. The lady in charge of the evening said that they have 3 training sessions/year. She informed us that their winter session starts on Thursday and there's still room in the class!! With a few minutes to talk about it we both decided to go for it. This time of the year is definitely better for us. We have classes every Thursday night for 9 weeks. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night there was ALOT of information given and all kinds of stuff to think about. They asked why we are there. My answer was "Because the need is SO great and we have the room and the heart for these kids". Basically we have no excuse. Our arms are aching for kids to love on and help. Sure I know we very well may get a child that is "unlovable", but I am convinced that God will give us the strength and love that we need.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night after we crawled into bed at 10:15 we talked about this journey we are starting. I told my husband that I really am not sure what we are doing. It all looked so overwhelming. The MOUNDS of paperwork, housevisits, etc. Is it really worth it? Are we ready for sleepless nights, sick kids, doctor visits, parent visits, maybe school kids etc. I was seriously feeling ready to back out of it all. Brad told me the more we get into it and the more info we get, the more excited he gets. That's what I needed to hear. While I know that most of the work will fall on me, I still needed to know that he's with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems like everything is happening so fast. We haven't really talked about it with alot of people other than some family and friends. We know that it will be a while before we have children assigned to us so it does give us time to prepare. Time to get outlet covers put on, guns locked up, rooms ready etc!! There is all kinds of stuff we have to do! We so know though that this is what we are supposed to do...walk through this open door. If at the end of these 9 weeks, if we're not ready to take in children, we at least have our training and have that part of the process finished. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray for us as we start this journey. I know there are many of you in blogland who have done foster care/ adoption so any advice you can give us is great!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">***Brad just called me at lunch time to tell me of the plans he's making to build a great big tree house and swing set in the back yard!! LOL Don't know what the regulations would say about all that but it's fun to dream! : ) I love to see him so excited about this too!</span>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-39178457515808744642011-01-06T13:24:00.000-05:002011-01-06T13:24:43.762-05:00Christmas Celebrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our Christmas festivities this year started Christmas Eve. with Brad's family. I know there are many families who spend Christmas day dashing from one family gathering to another. I can't imagine that it wouldn't get stressful getting your kids in and out and moving from place to place. What a long day. But hey..if that's the way you roll...fine by me! Thankfully Brad and I don't have to do that. We "take turns" with our families. This year Thanksgiving Day was spent with the Rollmans and Christmas Day with the Petersheims. Makes for, in my opinion, a more relaxing holiday. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although, is there such a thing as a "relaxing" time with family!!! I barely remember the days before the inlaws and the nieces and nephews and can't imagine how quiet those days must have been! Now, there's noise everywhere and the kids all want you to play with them and check out their new stuff, games get started then there are always the intense discussions. Oh but I wouldn't trade it though. Each family has it's own dynamics and yes, things change and inlaws come along and kids get added, but that's what makes it fun and makes it family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I learned something new this year. Long ago my hubby told me he had taken piano lessons as a child and used to be able to play all kinds of stuff, but I had never really gotten the chance to hear him play. Our party was at Jim & Stacy's place and they have a lovely piano. Stac got out some music and persuaded Brad to play a duet with her. Before we knew it he was playing all kinds of stuff. AMAZING! He played "The Drummer Boy" in all 4 parts and barely missed a note. Pretty good I'd say after probably 20ish years of no more lessons. Now I'm on the lookout for a piano to have here although I have no idea where we would put it. I just like to think of how romantic it would be to have him serenade me every night!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8tuahqGFb_ZH-XsC18CgkaagcoxjyMs3f0KQDwaVwLxhaIkKyDUbq6MBldBYPJ8YEaqALpe6riKsCmjV19YHP7VYFTSx33YjpVlFFZii0fV575Tpt_g4Tgsv9M2-q9Y1erM_TGnm3oHk/s1600/IMG_2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8tuahqGFb_ZH-XsC18CgkaagcoxjyMs3f0KQDwaVwLxhaIkKyDUbq6MBldBYPJ8YEaqALpe6riKsCmjV19YHP7VYFTSx33YjpVlFFZii0fV575Tpt_g4Tgsv9M2-q9Y1erM_TGnm3oHk/s320/IMG_2704.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year, with Brad's family, instead of individually exchanging names we did it as couples. It was fun to get gifts that we <strong>both</strong> wanted. Keith and Heather had our name and got us 2 mountain pie makers. Can't wait to use them when we go camping this spring! Brad's parents gave me a griddle and a 2 year subscription to Taste of Home. Brad got a tarp he wanted and another mountain pie maker! Looks like we are set now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y3Kc2B2pLOL-qDb5degNM_8Sn896wxz7eoPX3oDtlGL5DNycC1CT7iLloYFgx5j6jzUt8bDPR8CyOCV1lMLuWPI7CNU74KYvocbnA4d8e_SQqhtSLsfKV7eB2vRaqrwj7dMPYH2_bfAm/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y3Kc2B2pLOL-qDb5degNM_8Sn896wxz7eoPX3oDtlGL5DNycC1CT7iLloYFgx5j6jzUt8bDPR8CyOCV1lMLuWPI7CNU74KYvocbnA4d8e_SQqhtSLsfKV7eB2vRaqrwj7dMPYH2_bfAm/s320/IMG_2700.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jeremiah loved the tool set we got for him. Uncle Brad had just as much fun getting it all out of the packaging!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWFpL09_Ni_4clQpdampK9B8DLkBSRFTiHS4RjeZOQg1XMfk-MkzrvJJlOAH3SE4BP7PLuN5RvUPZK_epCYyB9diU2ll5ApvKNuCfXEXZhx4WNyoYn2rG4FiC7GAXdrqrhCOo0UIe8gzE/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWFpL09_Ni_4clQpdampK9B8DLkBSRFTiHS4RjeZOQg1XMfk-MkzrvJJlOAH3SE4BP7PLuN5RvUPZK_epCYyB9diU2ll5ApvKNuCfXEXZhx4WNyoYn2rG4FiC7GAXdrqrhCOo0UIe8gzE/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWFpL09_Ni_4clQpdampK9B8DLkBSRFTiHS4RjeZOQg1XMfk-MkzrvJJlOAH3SE4BP7PLuN5RvUPZK_epCYyB9diU2ll5ApvKNuCfXEXZhx4WNyoYn2rG4FiC7GAXdrqrhCOo0UIe8gzE/s320/IMG_2687.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaVcsKBq5AypIS3IeWps3dKswqmvIxXMOBIa_so_1qjM_cc-YG8190BG-1JFQoNDV-VaJecokdiKiKakqX3kZcXIW_inDBSsiIfocPh2HAQl0Zix8hOpXQn7FMQSbcM0NqIkSxh2vELH4/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaVcsKBq5AypIS3IeWps3dKswqmvIxXMOBIa_so_1qjM_cc-YG8190BG-1JFQoNDV-VaJecokdiKiKakqX3kZcXIW_inDBSsiIfocPh2HAQl0Zix8hOpXQn7FMQSbcM0NqIkSxh2vELH4/s320/IMG_2683.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">********************************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On to the Petersheims on Christmas Day. Mom made her traditional roasht, and all the fixings! Roasht is like bread filling and turkey mixed together. It's a traditional meal for Amish weddings. Thankfully my parents were Amish at one time and so now we make sure that she never forgets how to make it! It's a favorite with all of us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dad read the Christmas story before we opened gifts.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW0Dbnsj1tFQT1Ejz5IkuYUxO8LB5JmU-7TMzi9spK7Fg1dM_7n8R34BESBiy_Ydf3clQMgHC1TRYS5b6383foOLqtj6LnejAeIBnYktW9E9XvkUHgvVyNxxGgTdDU_U90T7r2a4hJJYM/s1600/IMG_2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="287" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW0Dbnsj1tFQT1Ejz5IkuYUxO8LB5JmU-7TMzi9spK7Fg1dM_7n8R34BESBiy_Ydf3clQMgHC1TRYS5b6383foOLqtj6LnejAeIBnYktW9E9XvkUHgvVyNxxGgTdDU_U90T7r2a4hJJYM/s320/IMG_2711.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88vpAdyJhfsQpjuPNZoGsLgs5h2AhGdDfDN916sFmiYYpR07-g4OCcHMBiAxkI7y1AAuPOLwa2V6a2UEwIqU70lTQM4lzHsmPa8zVWzHEFiO-_VnHNk0XOzNTXPcLHNFwkb8ujGTZSdA1/s1600/IMG_2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88vpAdyJhfsQpjuPNZoGsLgs5h2AhGdDfDN916sFmiYYpR07-g4OCcHMBiAxkI7y1AAuPOLwa2V6a2UEwIqU70lTQM4lzHsmPa8zVWzHEFiO-_VnHNk0XOzNTXPcLHNFwkb8ujGTZSdA1/s320/IMG_2721.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brad got a nice water cooler that we have been wanting.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo6Rz9kLRsaTEhgT6PoeQpgbgrbTQ-jyvhuBkjfxWRlV5TWPBYOiG77Psf1wL1VWBsDf33LmAEWpkaNlES2jXW0J6dz_76YYmZjIczvYdbrAZNpvIeHzfRIAmCiWReodKMmRAL0kixngK/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo6Rz9kLRsaTEhgT6PoeQpgbgrbTQ-jyvhuBkjfxWRlV5TWPBYOiG77Psf1wL1VWBsDf33LmAEWpkaNlES2jXW0J6dz_76YYmZjIczvYdbrAZNpvIeHzfRIAmCiWReodKMmRAL0kixngK/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mom gave each of us gals a beverage dispenser thing. You can light a tea light under it to use for hot drinks.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCd_ag-9Y5Ht0bZGtVqik3ApAwMysgM_3a7wBhy4oRyyR_yGjHyU6olGndrGxdOoB0LkidOlybSw3Wd_Uz_TeIhQ0sMVcqFr7CAVBYaQG3euAFSC4cIPwG4hD3eagbaBYkG183eEg18bH/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCd_ag-9Y5Ht0bZGtVqik3ApAwMysgM_3a7wBhy4oRyyR_yGjHyU6olGndrGxdOoB0LkidOlybSw3Wd_Uz_TeIhQ0sMVcqFr7CAVBYaQG3euAFSC4cIPwG4hD3eagbaBYkG183eEg18bH/s320/IMG_2736.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hunting was the theme for Christmas this year. 2 of the boys got this hunting set from Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa. the deer actually ran and then you tried to shoot them with the bow. What a hit! It provided hours of fun for them upstairs (away from us : ) ) until one of the deer broke! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl2aYL4Mhhm7HwUgA6efB_KRZRJMVHwv5bnNTDdfKLkk5OXx_P_14T2EDxW16geWQTlmTc-k-BDpLdGaluNqJMAF3E37wFKAwx6DNwMv9PuokS9SkngzEb9aBXmfNS2ZJsYwijJPRFMFj/s1600/IMG_2740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="289" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl2aYL4Mhhm7HwUgA6efB_KRZRJMVHwv5bnNTDdfKLkk5OXx_P_14T2EDxW16geWQTlmTc-k-BDpLdGaluNqJMAF3E37wFKAwx6DNwMv9PuokS9SkngzEb9aBXmfNS2ZJsYwijJPRFMFj/s320/IMG_2740.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My brother brought this thing along. It plugs into the TV and you shoot at the deer that come along. We all had our turn to play. What fun!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEJ13EZ3M5j1UgZhlhkGYGLbi2O7580tOsNYfHr4BFZ6L4Fq0hLd4XbMNPN3qlnHgDGjAmfROWu3fLBR3BFvWp54cCQp82p937GhRUkvHWWEQ4mQhfgWn8ZlCu4NTTtHeUSUEsmssWr81/s1600/IMG_2745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEJ13EZ3M5j1UgZhlhkGYGLbi2O7580tOsNYfHr4BFZ6L4Fq0hLd4XbMNPN3qlnHgDGjAmfROWu3fLBR3BFvWp54cCQp82p937GhRUkvHWWEQ4mQhfgWn8ZlCu4NTTtHeUSUEsmssWr81/s320/IMG_2745.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWVPKaKAmM-M2mQ004yjNKd6Xz4U-aQKpCWUzzYDvOS3EGH0K_6ujJik2m85XoTJB0FA9tgjWo8qcR8y8I60t5zLBx0gRhZzpWaZrEKIiKNjeG-hbck11m5KzhwaHmb4qxVMEFPQ86pbP/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWVPKaKAmM-M2mQ004yjNKd6Xz4U-aQKpCWUzzYDvOS3EGH0K_6ujJik2m85XoTJB0FA9tgjWo8qcR8y8I60t5zLBx0gRhZzpWaZrEKIiKNjeG-hbck11m5KzhwaHmb4qxVMEFPQ86pbP/s320/IMG_2751.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqXhCMS4KbH76IJAamYiyGJDcrmUnmYQJU6As54OUDzIBJGUGqXxU2-O_Hrg6kkyiJSv8IFjaf807WKXXX852oJe-TKi3eH3xC2FDXNaWmjBCjar_BghF00WZ6BpuCEMzheXzRcNVTvpG/s1600/IMG_2755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqXhCMS4KbH76IJAamYiyGJDcrmUnmYQJU6As54OUDzIBJGUGqXxU2-O_Hrg6kkyiJSv8IFjaf807WKXXX852oJe-TKi3eH3xC2FDXNaWmjBCjar_BghF00WZ6BpuCEMzheXzRcNVTvpG/s320/IMG_2755.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This Christmas did seem different than other years. Something came up between Brad and I the day before Christmas and then Christmas morning the prenancy test I took was negative. I was soooo hoping God would give us the gift of a baby for Christmas. I tried not to let it put a damper on my day, but it did. All I wanted to do was go home and cry. It was there in the back of my mind and I regret it now. Regret that I took it and regret that I let it get to me. But the truth is, it "gets to me" sometimes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few days later and a few good cries later, everything was "ok" again. Brad and I spent a few late nights talking stuff out and now, are more in love than ever. Isn't it funny how marriage is? Tough stuff comes along but you work it out and then it makes your marriage stronger than ever. Good try devil!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok wasn't planning on that all coming out in this post but so goes....</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-68817662731611064032010-12-23T15:22:00.000-05:002010-12-23T15:22:03.417-05:00Christ in Christmas?<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's one of those things we hear everywhere this time of year. "Keep Christ in Christmas" or remember the "Reason of the Season". But how do you do that? I mean really, how DO you? Just like other sayings it kinda goes in one ear and out the other. Does it mean that we make sure we read the Christmas story before everyone digs into the presents? Does it mean we think of those less fortunate than ourselves? Or maybe it's making sure we have nothing "santa-ish" sitting around. I would love to hear what you guys think...</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98mTG8xQudM5GkK4e8u2zWSbvrd_Si6tg07OZbyp-3FV8YzpNyM6hB5EPJtAxtg2rTVEd0OU0UfTVeJfjSvq331ryLBFT-GhJyx7tSCRan3X2NIC0n3hq-UiU6zDUomFMDba5fEuqB3ZG/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98mTG8xQudM5GkK4e8u2zWSbvrd_Si6tg07OZbyp-3FV8YzpNyM6hB5EPJtAxtg2rTVEd0OU0UfTVeJfjSvq331ryLBFT-GhJyx7tSCRan3X2NIC0n3hq-UiU6zDUomFMDba5fEuqB3ZG/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">My brother Jim and his wife playing Joseph & Mary</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The past few years Christmas didn't really "feel" like Christmas. 2 years ago we were on our honeymoon. Last year we were in Florida. This year I've been so busy with substituting at school and getting everything else done. It seems like we've been running ever since Thanksgiving. With organizing the parade and then our church's Nativity the weekend after that, Christmas dinners, and working at my other job on Saturdays, and getting the shopping done... it's been crazy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So then I think to myself, "what is Christmas <em>supposed</em> to "feel" like"? For me, I guess it's different things. I think mostly to how it was when I was living at home. Things like making cookies, having the whole family over to do chocolates, the kids coming for a sleepover, rearranging the presents mom had wrapped and driving her crazy, and just spending time with family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We still do that now but it's different when you're married! There are more responsibilities and other things to think about. Like now when there are family get togethers you don't just show up, you're in charge to bring something too! Life changes and you make new traditions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQho94JBNweapuMNK3aVkL_LMJg56a9GfEXKXIwoiVcb3S3rIabkrO5LaOicNGJSdR_hmT73OfTYC6yBLNTwWqaT4w20hmcLquBslcG3dSe82VZQs8KKtKljK_Qn_wCcA2XoJIQEYXcTA1/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQho94JBNweapuMNK3aVkL_LMJg56a9GfEXKXIwoiVcb3S3rIabkrO5LaOicNGJSdR_hmT73OfTYC6yBLNTwWqaT4w20hmcLquBslcG3dSe82VZQs8KKtKljK_Qn_wCcA2XoJIQEYXcTA1/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6JED2w_S9YZqyfmA6fdBNLfwMzuCk_OwAOCUATIKV-24FwksZkPvl2XDLqz94ZbKA8AgBj9A0x9pD9agFtavurd6DDO2VWeprrfJSNSiVVzLxFSdgD2VIM8alHq2PIrmXWX448GD-MMc/s1600/IMG_2639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6JED2w_S9YZqyfmA6fdBNLfwMzuCk_OwAOCUATIKV-24FwksZkPvl2XDLqz94ZbKA8AgBj9A0x9pD9agFtavurd6DDO2VWeprrfJSNSiVVzLxFSdgD2VIM8alHq2PIrmXWX448GD-MMc/s320/IMG_2639.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PQ3w6iLmiUGy3Z4GZd33eqq5YXydRfZBRQdfn24W3HnNTaQl0RLYYg35QP6k3xizaOiBikL_Y_JZhOz9JVnrLvgO3CrLuRckUBpubEsTRC82ad40lkobRT8-QmBCniEEd56s2QEs5lzH/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PQ3w6iLmiUGy3Z4GZd33eqq5YXydRfZBRQdfn24W3HnNTaQl0RLYYg35QP6k3xizaOiBikL_Y_JZhOz9JVnrLvgO3CrLuRckUBpubEsTRC82ad40lkobRT8-QmBCniEEd56s2QEs5lzH/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know if you've thought about the music playing as you go shopping and do your errands. Sure, you hear all kinds of songs but what amazes me is the "Christian" songs being played everywhere. Brad and I went to Red Lobster for our anniversary. While we were feasting on shrimp and lobster I told Brad to stop and listen. "Go Tell it on the Mountain" was coming from the speakers. Did people even hear? Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is LORD. I wonder, with all this politically correct mumble jumble going on, how long will songs like that be played? For some reason at Christmas, stations that wouldn't even mention Jesus, now play songs telling of his birth and life. I think we as Christians should celebrate that. Sure it's just at Christmas time but my prayer is that someone would hear the song and the message in it. Let's pray that as those songs get played on rock and country stations all over, that someone would hear the song in a whole new way!!! </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5gUoFyoGjy5pBD1g4NFwaMfQOKDQ77fJqd0fXyX0xI1YtbzbqkvwQTrsJuu8nZfNMZR98cdqsr8j6bgPPiOO4_EYoiafIqLjmimflpaY1FRE5OvgyobklDwITVD7jj4fQwiCMBxxunCp/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5gUoFyoGjy5pBD1g4NFwaMfQOKDQ77fJqd0fXyX0xI1YtbzbqkvwQTrsJuu8nZfNMZR98cdqsr8j6bgPPiOO4_EYoiafIqLjmimflpaY1FRE5OvgyobklDwITVD7jj4fQwiCMBxxunCp/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year I again made trays of cookies to take to the neighbors. We have 2 close neighbors and they are the ones we took cookies to this year. When we knocked on the door of the neighbor beside us the dear lady said "I guess you heard my husband passed away". Brad and I were both shocked. We had no idea! Here our neighbor had passed away back in September and we had no clue. No clue that just next door a family had been reeling from the news that their husband/father had cancer and a few short weeks later he was gone. We stayed and chatted awhile and she told us all about his final days and how things have been since then. It was a huge eye opener to me to seriously pay attention to those right around us. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00oHhLHYclPBW0tcJt-uukLlytH4KGO99u47PeSdKNxO8wdLnqEBAZXWitOSqxBQpfRKpDcWHjajWww0oPPfOEbPtqOTl69SQfBGCopfa9r-ah7mHpm6xzok7EtsZI_sr0oUnfgt0Pfdo/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00oHhLHYclPBW0tcJt-uukLlytH4KGO99u47PeSdKNxO8wdLnqEBAZXWitOSqxBQpfRKpDcWHjajWww0oPPfOEbPtqOTl69SQfBGCopfa9r-ah7mHpm6xzok7EtsZI_sr0oUnfgt0Pfdo/s320/IMG_2653.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs-m1XVWxte6O91AaSCXgOKU3do7IClXgTgKl7gn_2NSS2MRZqkiLB6ByUomHYIrWyeNwjiIDiAVLFI4i4UTGst1QL9dY6K4Co1LGkqc__Vgamg7VZ6610S5TRC2TiFGnFXtXmKS2aWaa/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs-m1XVWxte6O91AaSCXgOKU3do7IClXgTgKl7gn_2NSS2MRZqkiLB6ByUomHYIrWyeNwjiIDiAVLFI4i4UTGst1QL9dY6K4Co1LGkqc__Vgamg7VZ6610S5TRC2TiFGnFXtXmKS2aWaa/s320/IMG_2656.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Each year I ask the Lord to show me something new in the Christmas story. You know how when you hear the same things over and over again you kinda forget about the "story". It seems every year, something hits me all over again. With being so involved in the Nativity, there are oppurtunities everywhere to just let the Christmas story sink in. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year, it was Joseph. I don't know exactly when it hit me or when I really thought about it. He was the daddy to Jesus. The DADDY to JESUS. Seriously how would you do that? A few years ago I thought of Mary and the HUGE calling on her life to be the MOTHER of JESUS but this year I thought of Joseph. Maybe it was sometime in hearing my brother as he played the character of Joseph. One of the lines he said was something like "How, HOW, am I supposed to be a Father to the SON OF GOD?" Jim did such a good job acting the part and it made me really think. I wonder what all Joseph went through. Mary???...yeah I'm sure things were amazing for her too but Jesus was in her womb. Joseph??? He just had to fill the part. Jesus was not his flesh and yet he took on the role of his earthly father. What an amazing man Joseph must have been. I picture him as this humble man, not easily riled up, confident in who he was and who he was called to be. He must have loved his wife soo so deeply. He had to, to not give a rip about what people were fussing about. I'm sure he was Mary's rock when she got stressed out from the gossip flying all around her and even when she got those moments of "freaking out" about the calling on their lives.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HrJ1INBAYhUOV7uSdbxkbjIJWr_ycHnnn49dIVi25wcQWoQtYmsB7gXkZAQVa5ZU8_iEJnuHJGPlyUr3OOV8aM9ZKnYh3doocw1sDxrL2oeSsC8etvWyszFlzC9PyXPXcBekoPtlnZy/s1600/IMG_2660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HrJ1INBAYhUOV7uSdbxkbjIJWr_ycHnnn49dIVi25wcQWoQtYmsB7gXkZAQVa5ZU8_iEJnuHJGPlyUr3OOV8aM9ZKnYh3doocw1sDxrL2oeSsC8etvWyszFlzC9PyXPXcBekoPtlnZy/s320/IMG_2660.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the stable, in the last scene in the nativity we do,Joseph sings a song called "How Could it Be". One of the verses in the song goes like this..."Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours. How can a MAN be FATHER to the SON OF GOD. Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter. How can I raise a KING." I've just been letting that soak in. Joseph took on that responsibility. I can not imagine how he must've felt.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKTskCupkmCrHaHjDWjKaT7Yjz6TlCiz5YCur5DtN9KSnxgWU-rB9FLbIX14i7oKFZhd-t8IYTQGicA53d1LcGPhMkvfUvzcb2KY58f-JAWwSHFbv49RIC3jegi5JEwMKpRhW9XWwH2Wu/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKTskCupkmCrHaHjDWjKaT7Yjz6TlCiz5YCur5DtN9KSnxgWU-rB9FLbIX14i7oKFZhd-t8IYTQGicA53d1LcGPhMkvfUvzcb2KY58f-JAWwSHFbv49RIC3jegi5JEwMKpRhW9XWwH2Wu/s320/IMG_2670.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfoxjKWWyZEWgy-5UqnF3OVMZwo_E2L3N1U-V2QEqon2phqbZCgf8yaUbwxZMm-EvVEJt2q4smTxmz2fMumzMGOW26BJ5lu0a5XxN3Ob2LCp6fqxzj7VSyS9EHzyn4xgqlZiIb_GNyHUG/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfoxjKWWyZEWgy-5UqnF3OVMZwo_E2L3N1U-V2QEqon2phqbZCgf8yaUbwxZMm-EvVEJt2q4smTxmz2fMumzMGOW26BJ5lu0a5XxN3Ob2LCp6fqxzj7VSyS9EHzyn4xgqlZiIb_GNyHUG/s320/IMG_2680.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXok48SQSBKGPhKuG8iKz9wmm9MCgib2G981xTEHRWDbO6CCwfDIi46e3T4gR3R6bc-oLtrB5Zh7_96-CBBv_RMizHof0Yb245RVlsoaB7o8ia5yIt2BRGaBssDLKgVusexGql4D00_0A/s1600/IMG_2681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXok48SQSBKGPhKuG8iKz9wmm9MCgib2G981xTEHRWDbO6CCwfDIi46e3T4gR3R6bc-oLtrB5Zh7_96-CBBv_RMizHof0Yb245RVlsoaB7o8ia5yIt2BRGaBssDLKgVusexGql4D00_0A/s320/IMG_2681.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkBx1aq8UluH_VYTWy4YO5J3BJsGf9qQK-rvXM_QeVk9KsCkFDKdHEOXdexBGtMW-3HeFofCPQWZyMCpV1l-_gLpKNdr0apTPbDcHNMVGj9EJVQYvsg163lo5HbEtj3atml1Jwv0ePt48/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkBx1aq8UluH_VYTWy4YO5J3BJsGf9qQK-rvXM_QeVk9KsCkFDKdHEOXdexBGtMW-3HeFofCPQWZyMCpV1l-_gLpKNdr0apTPbDcHNMVGj9EJVQYvsg163lo5HbEtj3atml1Jwv0ePt48/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So back to my question. How do you make sure that amidst all the hustle and bustle of getting the right gift for the right person, attending parties and get togethers, and everything...how do you keep your focus where it should be? I think for me it's simply asking God to bring things to mind. Sit down and let your imagination run wild. How must've it been when Jesus was born. Teaching first grade is the perfect place to let that happen! One morning for devotions we talked about that. Imagine what it was like. The things they came up with were just precious. It would be "scary" to be a shepherd and all of a sudden there are angels everywhere etc.! But that's what does it for me. Letting my mind go and imagine, and meditating on HIM.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It still baffles me though how ALL of God and who he is fit into one tiny, infant, helpless baby. That the great and mighty LORD of the earth would humble himself and come down to earth just blows my mind! And on top of that yet, that poor, little ole me may call him <strong><em>Father</em></strong> and he claims ME as his child...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To me....that is the REASON for the season.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo0zTUY0r2KB3CV8Yu4Yd9fAQiLov2Zt3dMFyduuLF6ROdd9h1yoYUQ77mdtYIIuZPia7tg-kP8vWQObIZsrp-NbhROZjYWsnDAqUPwRAhR_VwwlhmjDiYqvUPDCpAdjmdXUZcd3fzBur/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo0zTUY0r2KB3CV8Yu4Yd9fAQiLov2Zt3dMFyduuLF6ROdd9h1yoYUQ77mdtYIIuZPia7tg-kP8vWQObIZsrp-NbhROZjYWsnDAqUPwRAhR_VwwlhmjDiYqvUPDCpAdjmdXUZcd3fzBur/s320/IMG_2675.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Merry Christmas everyone and don't forget to Keep Christ in your Christmas this year!!!</span></div></div></div></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-77677804108469152012010-12-20T17:08:00.000-05:002010-12-20T17:08:27.420-05:00Christmas Time's A comin<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Christmas Time's a Comin'...Christmas Times a Comin'...." My mom used to always sing that song around this time of year and now it's ringing in my head too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know there are lots of people who hate the way that Christmas is pushed before Thanksgiving even rolls around, but I guess I don't really feel that way. I love having the house all Christmasy and cozy for the holidays. We only get a few weeks till Christmas is over so I like to make good use of it! </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB55YG8wyoCBz4wdJw1r108XoTneR5sJ1YVDfwElRZQE5NVe5a16FiojIjXksfpIqK8K43KlBLHep_1bX-XtSgfX4VYideBThXSXFHIWJ6p-wemGvYspaycWVVfDrOs8GW0Zm09HIPFLx/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB55YG8wyoCBz4wdJw1r108XoTneR5sJ1YVDfwElRZQE5NVe5a16FiojIjXksfpIqK8K43KlBLHep_1bX-XtSgfX4VYideBThXSXFHIWJ6p-wemGvYspaycWVVfDrOs8GW0Zm09HIPFLx/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My hubby is one of the "scroogy" types! He thinks it's ridiculous that Christmas starts so early. He did give me "permission" though to decorate after Thanksgiving but not a moment before!. Well....I got him persuaded to let me start Thanksgiving eve. Neither of us had to work the next day and were able to sleep in. We had to go to the barn to get a load of stuff out of there and when we got home we were both still feeling energetic. Soooo we went to Sheetz around midnight and got us some grub and then got all the Christmas boxes out and ready to go. We had a blast working into the wee hours of the morning to make our house "Christmasy". That's the kind of thing that makes memories!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCpiGAHwk_ieV7TLh8Q1lTOLZftavF2sH-fZluUfV193E1eGQgVZ81npcyR-Gddzv7sr_y_9TkhVz_xa-9Kg6KDIpSdMO1UQMA-WYgIwpqfHUkRe55JXrSQY-3eJZLXikc0INXbowjkqo/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCpiGAHwk_ieV7TLh8Q1lTOLZftavF2sH-fZluUfV193E1eGQgVZ81npcyR-Gddzv7sr_y_9TkhVz_xa-9Kg6KDIpSdMO1UQMA-WYgIwpqfHUkRe55JXrSQY-3eJZLXikc0INXbowjkqo/s320/IMG_2510.JPG" width="234" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first Christmas that we were married we were on our honeymoon so we didn't have any decor up. When we got back from our honeymoon we bought all kinds of stuff on clearance for our Christmases to come including our tree. I think we got it for like $20.00! The regular price was over $80.00. The ornament above we got at Hallmark to celebrate our marriage. "For love, for life, for keeps, for real" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYDDkWlQk_8ezagnhnYJhN9sMrYZB8gIy2jHANt0-So3AeovuZxw36LP-6_GjqjaGB834L1pMRKnEjKcTFR5Tqj01K6s2FCVkImCdP-5_KcFB_79avLf7oLZyi5QhztroUO8HZ9dNYUs8/s1600/IMG_2525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYDDkWlQk_8ezagnhnYJhN9sMrYZB8gIy2jHANt0-So3AeovuZxw36LP-6_GjqjaGB834L1pMRKnEjKcTFR5Tqj01K6s2FCVkImCdP-5_KcFB_79avLf7oLZyi5QhztroUO8HZ9dNYUs8/s320/IMG_2525.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brad knew I love Willow Tree and I had mentioned that someday I would love the Nativity set. Last year around Thanksgiving he said he has my gift. Should he give it to me now? Sure why not! It was the Joseph & Mary, baby Jesus part of the Nativity set. And then he said that he was going to give me a part to add to it every year. I said, Aw, thanks hon! Then he says "Well, should I just give it to you now? I have the rest in my truck!" LOL So, the depressing part is that I have my gift for the next 3 years. GROAN. But it is nice to have all the pieces up and something tells me I'll be getting gifts anyway! ; )</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZIctJAcPAU0sLdxumkL54DokXBnus9FpQm86OQakAOmVl5tTMnrY8kxwqaiMTXAH8T6EPrLtXhUZEUJsn-jSn-4VkGEmzvXktFJV3e1lWTAw7ICrNDMwoJUmGLiLfj9vxa6NDBIhQ6X/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZIctJAcPAU0sLdxumkL54DokXBnus9FpQm86OQakAOmVl5tTMnrY8kxwqaiMTXAH8T6EPrLtXhUZEUJsn-jSn-4VkGEmzvXktFJV3e1lWTAw7ICrNDMwoJUmGLiLfj9vxa6NDBIhQ6X/s320/IMG_2616.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTiezjucwOrThucbgTy4LJGANRKdyGq7SWwp4-y9SgEOCiarMELP3Dcd1f8ejs2rebhFLUHXNB5kHgNdqU4zL-61VZfEkCv8TcpmrOnU1xYg8umGOl_tfbSG_3IJE4CraVXISty09b4zO/s1600/IMG_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTiezjucwOrThucbgTy4LJGANRKdyGq7SWwp4-y9SgEOCiarMELP3Dcd1f8ejs2rebhFLUHXNB5kHgNdqU4zL-61VZfEkCv8TcpmrOnU1xYg8umGOl_tfbSG_3IJE4CraVXISty09b4zO/s320/IMG_2535.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This dear ornamnet was handpainted by my hubby when he was just a young'un.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC0Y2vFE4C_rCYM7bKWXmtMKbuJQoxfbGis5VxRlvTFH4p6k2duPRP3WAmTlQzUsQBYe55I0SphUob8pB8ZDomoyGhqQ3hUdna10AfWTqKBxZsScwUr9L3i59DEQCWfu01kPrE3CwHxEZ/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC0Y2vFE4C_rCYM7bKWXmtMKbuJQoxfbGis5VxRlvTFH4p6k2duPRP3WAmTlQzUsQBYe55I0SphUob8pB8ZDomoyGhqQ3hUdna10AfWTqKBxZsScwUr9L3i59DEQCWfu01kPrE3CwHxEZ/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't buy too much extra this year other than a few auction finds for a dollar or 2! The candle lamp above I got for $3.00. The shutter below was Free. It was pink and I repainted it. The angel in the scene below that was also a cheap buy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghu6efs80zNA1WsIYXhzktNJUnpInR33uuwwC8CIkMsLwtjHCdny5544SuwTCQ1NnlyOPJJyE8QiZDYugARpSMiRkvqG1uS-H_LWhTBuovipjDCNRbOYHxF79rtgdafBtd80MwUWivzWcH/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghu6efs80zNA1WsIYXhzktNJUnpInR33uuwwC8CIkMsLwtjHCdny5544SuwTCQ1NnlyOPJJyE8QiZDYugARpSMiRkvqG1uS-H_LWhTBuovipjDCNRbOYHxF79rtgdafBtd80MwUWivzWcH/s320/IMG_2612.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v78ChkbGp2892K0hK0UAQlL15KgY-wIS0MuLnji4r2BSxzWT6NZyg7Z-FsLjwrYBh4IXIvmc5rsQhCGfhNCc-RVcSMMRzQhMx1LoZpO4r1SPe62i-rOj38YDlC7Ogq9XZmZtCOSymyAy/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="144" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v78ChkbGp2892K0hK0UAQlL15KgY-wIS0MuLnji4r2BSxzWT6NZyg7Z-FsLjwrYBh4IXIvmc5rsQhCGfhNCc-RVcSMMRzQhMx1LoZpO4r1SPe62i-rOj38YDlC7Ogq9XZmZtCOSymyAy/s320/IMG_2610.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then comes cookie day. OH MY! Believe it or not, this is the first year that we women got together to make Christmas cookies. I wanted to try an icing cookie this year so we got together and made it a blast! Mommie and the preschoolers joined in for some of it too. There is something so beautiful about generations together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsTUpTdXYtFa2uXQz2yx6Sfc3QwXLSIJlIxqEimmuVknBt_nw4sywFher9aOYkzLa8G7IeDscelZXJP1QB3UszY6ObiH8JzHGOy3F7_Snt31bbHbQaEHoI2rap_rBnjQlgPTZog1KO43u/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsTUpTdXYtFa2uXQz2yx6Sfc3QwXLSIJlIxqEimmuVknBt_nw4sywFher9aOYkzLa8G7IeDscelZXJP1QB3UszY6ObiH8JzHGOy3F7_Snt31bbHbQaEHoI2rap_rBnjQlgPTZog1KO43u/s320/IMG_2584.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfcr_1z8XehDe8JplUxnB68qGidnhLq02PuguaVi-aP8pmWhyphenhyphen-oHxJXcwNMtCi859KHK0bNXQnwNxxMYpCT-m9j4U3L2hWB55-y-eFsjj-Qas1AI0TY_pzTRL9DrNUBpbelkPezOoyN0D/s1600/IMG_2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfcr_1z8XehDe8JplUxnB68qGidnhLq02PuguaVi-aP8pmWhyphenhyphen-oHxJXcwNMtCi859KHK0bNXQnwNxxMYpCT-m9j4U3L2hWB55-y-eFsjj-Qas1AI0TY_pzTRL9DrNUBpbelkPezOoyN0D/s320/IMG_2598.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEr3gGd1dLFAZ36FC8K42oavinriYl0m-92YmmnEPVEj3Z3GSED5RyQ5riT9-XKspjVtJFdJGmYxl4YTUXLLKUPE7KIFnwA3AlIC1iDUjFn8rI5cv12wMNZa01Qkps4bZ0OFLhz2ZknMu/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEr3gGd1dLFAZ36FC8K42oavinriYl0m-92YmmnEPVEj3Z3GSED5RyQ5riT9-XKspjVtJFdJGmYxl4YTUXLLKUPE7KIFnwA3AlIC1iDUjFn8rI5cv12wMNZa01Qkps4bZ0OFLhz2ZknMu/s320/IMG_2585.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgA7TGQ3_38Lu3W08tkKLakRT19-BAQK1ZvZLL4tMFtGUVBfoUJqIfuI1AWG5Y03k9eafjDqUxeSluQbsFZTYxIYxUXSCFWaVgcwBXDpVeslet0GJkVx_Im6OwrUdf_cWqviKh9EZTpUi/s1600/IMG_2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgA7TGQ3_38Lu3W08tkKLakRT19-BAQK1ZvZLL4tMFtGUVBfoUJqIfuI1AWG5Y03k9eafjDqUxeSluQbsFZTYxIYxUXSCFWaVgcwBXDpVeslet0GJkVx_Im6OwrUdf_cWqviKh9EZTpUi/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZa7J0oWxah5lNuqnCSuLzObrrnDvKcvW141-OVIGTJCzDyAUgSNC0HD4alLLOpFCaRcwZWxTU1u6Yywj4eYhzQ5sWjZrPq1JDKJiET14gw1Blpzxw5zkesX6HgLUu_oJ7Fx5tvRLEkPL/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZa7J0oWxah5lNuqnCSuLzObrrnDvKcvW141-OVIGTJCzDyAUgSNC0HD4alLLOpFCaRcwZWxTU1u6Yywj4eYhzQ5sWjZrPq1JDKJiET14gw1Blpzxw5zkesX6HgLUu_oJ7Fx5tvRLEkPL/s320/IMG_2586.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tAwGaOLyGwWcrdxPR_CwlWAl1XWh-R_HVEapKeTebvu2jDZlN8kALpRsr2bI5SDJe6u_Hrrp0XIPwucWiwbovW5knj-yYC4FEHGGrOVTEPkICjz5aEX1q8kCS2FNGva4BODauOMj30dA/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tAwGaOLyGwWcrdxPR_CwlWAl1XWh-R_HVEapKeTebvu2jDZlN8kALpRsr2bI5SDJe6u_Hrrp0XIPwucWiwbovW5knj-yYC4FEHGGrOVTEPkICjz5aEX1q8kCS2FNGva4BODauOMj30dA/s320/IMG_2589.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now it's the week of Christmas and I am finally getting my Christmas cards in the mail. The "letter" was typed out about a month ago and then things got crazy and cards got put on the back burner. I thought for sure I'd have them out in good time this year but I stayed true to my procrastinating self!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-89318389189506502962010-12-10T14:53:00.000-05:002010-12-10T14:53:51.138-05:00Parade and Personal Problems!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are on the committee for our church's annual LIVE NATIVITY. Oh my goodness...it is sooo much work but it is also so rewarding. The month of December finds us running hither and thither. Of course if some of us didn't procrastinate like we do, things would not be as crazy! But that's so me. Always has been, maybe always will be. The weird thing is though that I'm ok with it. I think! I work better "under pressure" and something within me loves the crunch time. It IS something I am trying to do better in though!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, we as a committee, decided to also do a float in a Christmas parade in a town near here. Brad and I were in charge of organizing it all. Because of me and my procrastinating issues...my dining room and laundry room became painting areas. It was way to cold to do it out in the garage but had I <em>not </em>procrastinated and done it this fall or even summer <em>*gasp*</em> my house would've been unscarred. Hey, nothing a good cleaning can't take care of. I bought some old sheets from Goodwill and just painted the words on there. We plan to get vinyl banners made to use in years to come.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXVk6dog3AzQo1TMeX_eqtPSnqqhF8lyNBFeyP9TPpHEWGs1eXTxW-HND698M7PkZ7irOg0hyVa3uP6IwV6TFTbA7gfW_GnMN57zttvjtdmQZSfvJr7LKOIdI-i5_G9P9yrafz0Q5HJPh/s1600/IMG_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXVk6dog3AzQo1TMeX_eqtPSnqqhF8lyNBFeyP9TPpHEWGs1eXTxW-HND698M7PkZ7irOg0hyVa3uP6IwV6TFTbA7gfW_GnMN57zttvjtdmQZSfvJr7LKOIdI-i5_G9P9yrafz0Q5HJPh/s320/IMG_2546.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how my kitchen looked almost every day and even for a couple of days in a row. Shocking I know and embarrassing, but, it's life. Should I admit something else? This wasn't even one of the worst days! Let's just say my poor hubby was very patient through it all and even survived on eggs or sandwiches for supper a few nights in a row. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLY82MLh0vAOev25ZQMXEoPpcjo_JHhyYhd6yNmwdOb-us2up0x-XSw6vBdyrsEQqPfw3q8-LYhykXlWWwBUluyq_bWTu90R5WLteUjMQZ9fEhV3F0xTRGXOK_HL-7HPz1rM7s_bYazdy/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLY82MLh0vAOev25ZQMXEoPpcjo_JHhyYhd6yNmwdOb-us2up0x-XSw6vBdyrsEQqPfw3q8-LYhykXlWWwBUluyq_bWTu90R5WLteUjMQZ9fEhV3F0xTRGXOK_HL-7HPz1rM7s_bYazdy/s320/IMG_2547.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big sign got painted in the laundry room. I'm still wiping green spray paint off of weird places!! It got so old walking around this thing too. And the laundry kept piling up. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvRObgRSmoyEARgcBvDdGy2ZG2Mi4ehuf0x_bK0hUUUdCDDuR6Kwhj4QP84WkSVOhRbPPAaHfHOVyoM5SWrb1H0O01eHDW33_9j7NWi1fXY7YcT-MlXFSd641PY4nawIrnYD0QHSO8EwK/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvRObgRSmoyEARgcBvDdGy2ZG2Mi4ehuf0x_bK0hUUUdCDDuR6Kwhj4QP84WkSVOhRbPPAaHfHOVyoM5SWrb1H0O01eHDW33_9j7NWi1fXY7YcT-MlXFSd641PY4nawIrnYD0QHSO8EwK/s320/IMG_2548.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwe8J8GYl0uGX26EAQwQdn-piRM5YxaQYDLievr1TYG8XUcRBOdmsEwpRrOPcexncwceJjB1YnM7xukLGgW-byUjcKrhymmcHsZPMVl_s9DIrkuaFiUKuuAS12zuFkT0LGxklkyN07htC/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwe8J8GYl0uGX26EAQwQdn-piRM5YxaQYDLievr1TYG8XUcRBOdmsEwpRrOPcexncwceJjB1YnM7xukLGgW-byUjcKrhymmcHsZPMVl_s9DIrkuaFiUKuuAS12zuFkT0LGxklkyN07htC/s320/IMG_2550.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On to the parade. It was a cold, cold day but the float riders braved it all. This was our first year in this parade and things were soooo unorganized. We got shuttled to the wrong place and I had to hike it back the 25 or so miles...ok ok that was a stretch. Probably more like a mile or 1/2 a mile but it felt like so much more! We pretty much ended up back where we had gotten shuttled from. Meanwhile the rest of the group found a bus to ride back on. All in all it was a fun day and we even tied for 3rd place. Our prize was $200.00!!! We were so thrilled. Click </span><a href="http://3ctvlive.com/ccp_2010.cfm"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to view the parade. You have to fast forward it to about 124 to see us! The angels were singing but you can't hear them. Hopefully we'll have mics next year.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc1IH4mkR3iqHWj6zOy6GJJsZrnMEf76gb8TFnEVyrxR8bseTJGSiPY8GzKupTbxG4WL2O-dkDZoJuBjXTixOz12HpRutJSsWvHz1Z20YlZ4b2k2DS5MXHMExBA5bTz-5_2vIO3qylEZu/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc1IH4mkR3iqHWj6zOy6GJJsZrnMEf76gb8TFnEVyrxR8bseTJGSiPY8GzKupTbxG4WL2O-dkDZoJuBjXTixOz12HpRutJSsWvHz1Z20YlZ4b2k2DS5MXHMExBA5bTz-5_2vIO3qylEZu/s400/IMG_2564.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuItKfu6l1EP8izIVHB05g3JiNT-HWU1t_oYkfnDaCfBVjte-HypX0VuwHCMxentcShRvIcmjHWRxQwHb2b26HmVk4R7OedkbCfdfhw83-bPVJiE0IEX32rFkTKSfxHr2jVcSDdVhjeVFj/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuItKfu6l1EP8izIVHB05g3JiNT-HWU1t_oYkfnDaCfBVjte-HypX0VuwHCMxentcShRvIcmjHWRxQwHb2b26HmVk4R7OedkbCfdfhw83-bPVJiE0IEX32rFkTKSfxHr2jVcSDdVhjeVFj/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHMLtwJ3bUuBQ8E2dXevkCLj3I7lmYm34cHwCEF-VHSlnkey33w3AHaaLifoajacTc5h-Hspuqg5XkWNXCION5tbdi60qeZkuUSTT5s_82u_fluGXTR_mx91uVH1EvnGYItOe9pshIf6P/s1600/IMG_2558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHMLtwJ3bUuBQ8E2dXevkCLj3I7lmYm34cHwCEF-VHSlnkey33w3AHaaLifoajacTc5h-Hspuqg5XkWNXCION5tbdi60qeZkuUSTT5s_82u_fluGXTR_mx91uVH1EvnGYItOe9pshIf6P/s320/IMG_2558.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brad made the stable out of wood from the old barn we took down. And the sheep (in the picture below) seriously stole the show. We think they are the reason we got 3rd. Next year we hope to put a donkey on the float and get 1st prize!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBIpMTHQl9YMBGMQJO67_KAGFP7iUL3aJqYpsoDVs0CzOXYEjn1Sntwf-FOdC-wK5-h1T5OhnZnxDlbkGxLJNK20JX1dGkIX9MLpat5fbHQmTVUKStpgNpzhKy0CHJY3oCXXJzEsYRT-A/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBIpMTHQl9YMBGMQJO67_KAGFP7iUL3aJqYpsoDVs0CzOXYEjn1Sntwf-FOdC-wK5-h1T5OhnZnxDlbkGxLJNK20JX1dGkIX9MLpat5fbHQmTVUKStpgNpzhKy0CHJY3oCXXJzEsYRT-A/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bjnipqohy7N4eHNhwrFnm5tecY1NxTJXCaUA00ryRyebH-kKw7ku1jGXipezvtDLNGKewz5WEAwKVpSvU1mlXk0OaLtHcbZKNJVaYiAsX780IuhjPWSUi1D78g2MoapZOhAa37kyjMq1/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bjnipqohy7N4eHNhwrFnm5tecY1NxTJXCaUA00ryRyebH-kKw7ku1jGXipezvtDLNGKewz5WEAwKVpSvU1mlXk0OaLtHcbZKNJVaYiAsX780IuhjPWSUi1D78g2MoapZOhAa37kyjMq1/s320/IMG_2578.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brad got us all started and on our way and then hightailed it out of there to finish up the barn. So while I was waving to everyone on the parade route, he and a few helpers managed to get it all done! It now looks like this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ug8PoKN7hxQdtEpd5tnjrQLidck342_zBGSP5xv72USV8CK0YuYixFiSpPUdSEH9jWeINl1T2xox4022Elj6LA7j3INXdE2V8YS9rC_Td18IjRQN129DtUsURPqgQaEY4M9ic9MAr1_/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ug8PoKN7hxQdtEpd5tnjrQLidck342_zBGSP5xv72USV8CK0YuYixFiSpPUdSEH9jWeINl1T2xox4022Elj6LA7j3INXdE2V8YS9rC_Td18IjRQN129DtUsURPqgQaEY4M9ic9MAr1_/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our garage? Well that's a different story. About 2 of the 3 bays are FULL of wood and doors and other barny stuff! We're in the process of listing some of it for sale and some of it we are keeping for projects. Projects that could take a year or 2 if we put it off long enough.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to wrap this up and get ready to head out the door to our first night of Nativity! This will be a busy weekend for sure! Come on out and see us and experience Christmas in a whole new way!</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-22526036895880876322010-11-21T16:47:00.001-05:002010-11-21T16:48:46.125-05:00Lazy Sundays and Old Barns!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's Sunday and for the first time in a looooonng time, we stayed home for the WHOLE day! Last night while laying in bed we decided to turn off our phones, and alarm clocks and sleep as late as we want too. We BOTH got up around 10:00! For my husband especially, that is so rare. We felt a teeny tiny little bit guilty about not going to church! I especially enjoy my Sunday School class and didn't really want to miss it, but we decided to just take a day today. Normally, Sunday mornings are anything but relaxing because we leave early to set up the sound system at church and practice for worship. We got out of our responsibilities at church for a few weeks so we decided to take advantage of our first Sunday off! I guess it's ok as long as we don't make it a habit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Part of the reason we were exhausted by today was this...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyAgW9F4v78t8Q7stfjEXstdQPWoebOSACtxgNqdbMPJKmUkrWZ1vwGdzL0zZaNqRhcbnPkJ3azWp4ieyQI2V_rdTZxvOpAMfaYAP6b361h2RG9pcRJOxOE5YFL3Ali5r4VxAo8OJe926/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyAgW9F4v78t8Q7stfjEXstdQPWoebOSACtxgNqdbMPJKmUkrWZ1vwGdzL0zZaNqRhcbnPkJ3azWp4ieyQI2V_rdTZxvOpAMfaYAP6b361h2RG9pcRJOxOE5YFL3Ali5r4VxAo8OJe926/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ntC0A9oQO8zCgs88rf6wkSP4TZBKnfZt29FLseyfyNw4BFGj7N0dR42Zg_dQoyWC2t7TZ_NGB_LuGRTPQKVPE9HynD-HtRaOEsoLpEB704Mia6GFsYFMyFe_KYLTJNCOWR_OmbocOibB/s1600/IMG_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ntC0A9oQO8zCgs88rf6wkSP4TZBKnfZt29FLseyfyNw4BFGj7N0dR42Zg_dQoyWC2t7TZ_NGB_LuGRTPQKVPE9HynD-HtRaOEsoLpEB704Mia6GFsYFMyFe_KYLTJNCOWR_OmbocOibB/s320/IMG_2429.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEqyV_JZE4VrK_9TdxDbVq8IW5iwdauBT2_8cHWaU-jBxdJ-Pas8kVOkNlEha-jGTFxScM7eQn9e7Hy8BsdBryqCRXChLgd1h5GMz3CAAptbM-lU5CSqPQq-WngYK6QKZWXhxWKyhPnMY/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEqyV_JZE4VrK_9TdxDbVq8IW5iwdauBT2_8cHWaU-jBxdJ-Pas8kVOkNlEha-jGTFxScM7eQn9e7Hy8BsdBryqCRXChLgd1h5GMz3CAAptbM-lU5CSqPQq-WngYK6QKZWXhxWKyhPnMY/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4JoMSgtssnu-3KYCmnW4FN0EJIZZadku1wtQyso31DquuqRJvPF1igOdl-7gQFljNd7Fjr8EMHeyKq_mWuglYQBd-5z6nXQIGKwpHaScAKKIaLwol-yJfDH-fceqI3P8c5Y1Lun2IPlr/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4JoMSgtssnu-3KYCmnW4FN0EJIZZadku1wtQyso31DquuqRJvPF1igOdl-7gQFljNd7Fjr8EMHeyKq_mWuglYQBd-5z6nXQIGKwpHaScAKKIaLwol-yJfDH-fceqI3P8c5Y1Lun2IPlr/s320/IMG_2446.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About a week ago, we found an old barn advertised on Craigslist for free. We thought it would be a fun project and hopefully we could make some money by selling the wood and doors etc. We're hoping to use the money to go on an anniversary trip in January or February! I wouldn't say I'm <em>totally</em> regretting the decision to do this BUT.....oh my goodness, I am feeling muscles I never knew I had! Brad and I were both so sore this morning and last night. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HwqT_itaTHv6sBA67184RxqgbgmomZetsiKgnlYXU36k7r3MjhdtW5GsnX1ONjlGwGhb3mzwi4JeARB_GklKUjsfxFWldwiwTMdhrAGLM6Lezn50aJEr-dNupKdWhuI8DCATADPaxs3s/s1600/IMG_2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HwqT_itaTHv6sBA67184RxqgbgmomZetsiKgnlYXU36k7r3MjhdtW5GsnX1ONjlGwGhb3mzwi4JeARB_GklKUjsfxFWldwiwTMdhrAGLM6Lezn50aJEr-dNupKdWhuI8DCATADPaxs3s/s320/IMG_2448.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Guess it's not something everyone would like to do, but Brad and I both love to get our hands dirty and the creative side of me sees all kinds of things I want him to do and make with all of this old wood! Yesterday, when I finally sat to take a break, I asked Brad if he thinks we'll regret doing this. It seemed like it was going to take forever and I'm the type to second guess myself pretty quickly. I was thinking "Oh my...we're sore and achy and who knows if we will even make any money from this thing"! Without missing a beat he said "I don't regret it at all....I'm having a blast"! I have a feeling if I would ask him that today he would say the same thing, even though he wasn't feeling 16 anymore! : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After reading the book "Wild at Heart" a few years ago...one thing that always stayed with me is "be part of your husbands adventure". It makes him feel so loved when I'm right there by his side pounding nails out and "ripping down barns". There were many other things I could've done yesterday, but I wouldn't have missed being there beside him. Sore and achy as I am.."I don't regret it! Not one bit!!!"</span></div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843688185096911596.post-77167928560757142522010-11-21T16:13:00.000-05:002010-11-21T16:13:58.881-05:00Kevin & Joy!!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, the last of Brad's single siblings got married. Kevin & Joy met online on a Christian dating site. It's honestly amazing to me how God brings people together. She is from waaayyyy over the "pond", Kenya, Africa, and he hails from the teeny little town of Ephrata.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friends and I used to argue about the question "Does God have 1 perfect person in mind for you to marrry?" Brad and I still discuss it. He says there is not a doubt in his mind that I am the one and only for him. I agree and know he is "the one" for me too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It makes any love story amazing. Brad and I lived within miles of each other all of our lives even though it took a while to find each other! Kevin & Joy know they were meant for each other and I think it's so neat that no matter how far apart geographically people are, God can still bring them together! </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mimyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14031926468532493393noreply@blogger.com1