tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83273834652478075892024-03-12T16:46:51.071-07:00Hipp is My Middle NameMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-92022476952518241032011-03-30T05:29:00.000-07:002011-03-30T06:01:42.795-07:00Two Years Ago Today...<div>We saw your face for the FIRST time and fell in <i><b>LOVE</b></i>.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnB1rC7ATvo/TZMntnhhEkI/AAAAAAAABQ8/GbTgEf-LKIQ/s1600/getachew1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnB1rC7ATvo/TZMntnhhEkI/AAAAAAAABQ8/GbTgEf-LKIQ/s400/getachew1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589855227154076226" /></a>I have fallen more and more in love with you every day since then. You are PRECIOUS to me!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMpU4PMEHs4/TZMiuTNF2XI/AAAAAAAABQ0/ETDeKcOGSFo/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMpU4PMEHs4/TZMiuTNF2XI/AAAAAAAABQ0/ETDeKcOGSFo/s400/IMG_3531.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589849741321427314" /></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-48862690421920208022011-02-04T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-04T08:56:13.162-08:00What We're Up To Today<div style="text-align: left;">Snow Day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Bear came down this morning, dressed in double layers, announcing her plans to go play in the snow. She looked out the window and paused. With a perplexed look on her face, she asked me if you <i>can</i> play in that snow. I told her it would be difficult.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, the kids are in the yard gathering as much snow as they can so they can make a snowball.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I said a <i>SNOWBALL</i>!</div><div><br /></div><div>HaHaHaHaHa!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Cracking myself UP over here! But, I love it! I guess they figured out a way to play.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TUwuTJcZqRI/AAAAAAAABPU/ikwfKUJdO9E/s400/IMG_3235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569877745637894418" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TUwtzWUla5I/AAAAAAAABPM/En8t9vmhMyo/s400/IMG_3233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569877199338957714" /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-1117359448045924822010-12-16T07:43:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:11:40.492-08:00Birthday Girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo0s5AY3hI/AAAAAAAABMY/099NpSUeQ5I/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo0s5AY3hI/AAAAAAAABMY/099NpSUeQ5I/s400/IMG_2252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551307436508896786" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Birthday to my sweet Ellie!<br /><br />You are absolutely beautiful, inside and out. You are driven. You set goals and nothing gets you distracted. Just like your dad. :)<br /><br />You are also such a compassionate girl. You are wonderful and patient with little ones and you are always willing to give a helping hand.<br /><br />And, you keep us laughing. When you are in charge of the camera, you fill our scrapbooks (or more accurately, our computer) with images like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo3Lq5NsJI/AAAAAAAABMg/Eh3xt9Ow14E/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo3Lq5NsJI/AAAAAAAABMg/Eh3xt9Ow14E/s400/IMG_0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551310164319907986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo4KeByXvI/AAAAAAAABMo/ZXXmtEhHb0k/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo4KeByXvI/AAAAAAAABMo/ZXXmtEhHb0k/s400/IMG_0940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551311243197964018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo4iCwE4jI/AAAAAAAABMw/PPs6iRW7PQw/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo4iCwE4jI/AAAAAAAABMw/PPs6iRW7PQw/s400/IMG_0941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551311648192782898" border="0" /></a><br />And, you are always sweet to pose for your brother when he has camera duty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo5OJ1ticI/AAAAAAAABM4/O56VcO83kWM/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TQo5OJ1ticI/AAAAAAAABM4/O56VcO83kWM/s400/IMG_0797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551312406009711042" border="0" /></a><br />I love watching you grow up, even though it is happening too fast!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-86136079329424054782010-12-02T18:43:00.000-08:002010-12-02T18:45:39.274-08:00Getting (Running) AwayWhile normal people are ticking off items on their long Christmas to-do list, I've run away from home.<br />
Or, I've run away from my to-do list.<br />
Either way, I needed a break.<br />
This is where I am for 2 weeks...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhTc-nWxqI/AAAAAAAABMI/RouhnAmJM9U/s1600/2010-12-01_15-00-10_286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhTc-nWxqI/AAAAAAAABMI/RouhnAmJM9U/s320/2010-12-01_15-00-10_286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I took the family with me though. I didn't need a break from them. Can anyone find Gideon? (It's like Where's Waldo)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhTl7R-UtI/AAAAAAAABMM/rH-1kC4pkQc/s1600/2010-12-01_15-17-13_718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhTl7R-UtI/AAAAAAAABMM/rH-1kC4pkQc/s320/2010-12-01_15-17-13_718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhXMtem0uI/AAAAAAAABMU/pN7hbjcmnLs/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhXMtem0uI/AAAAAAAABMU/pN7hbjcmnLs/s320/IMG_2461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We are loving life right now in Sedona and I refuse to think about what is waiting for me when I get back home. I left without doing any Christmas cards, I haven't finished my shopping, and I have no idea what I'm wearing to Tony's Christmas party for work.<br />
And, you know what...<br />
I'm okay with that.<br />
Look at this view from my patio.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhWaBryidI/AAAAAAAABMQ/YaLQVgjgdxo/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TPhWaBryidI/AAAAAAAABMQ/YaLQVgjgdxo/s320/IMG_2352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My husband is so sweet to do this for me. I was in pretty sad shape and I think he recognized the need to do this before I went off the deep end. I'm taking this time to pray about my priorities and change some old habits and thinking patterns and hopefully that will help me to handle things better when we get back home.<br />
Tomorrow, we are heading out for a day trip to the Grand Canyon.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-85066904037528420272010-11-18T14:58:00.000-08:002010-11-18T15:20:14.671-08:00Say Cheeeeese!It's Christmas card time.<br /><br />Typing that just made me {sigh} and kinda slump down in my chair.<br /><br />Not because I don't love Christmas cards. I do. I line them up all over my living room and love looking at all of our friends and their smiling children.<br /><br />It's the smiling children part that's killing me.<br /><br />I can get my children to all smile...just not at the same time. So. I end up with a roll of pictures with 4 smiling children<span style="font-style: italic;"> aaaand </span>one that's looking away...or scratching his back...or looking like he's in pain.<br /><br />But, they're having fun.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWzufuZGTI/AAAAAAAABMA/KKJ0CDm379s/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWzufuZGTI/AAAAAAAABMA/KKJ0CDm379s/s400/IMG_2234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541032527920699698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWyydZV1hI/AAAAAAAABL4/XZc8DyHl1uU/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWyydZV1hI/AAAAAAAABL4/XZc8DyHl1uU/s400/IMG_2239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541031496503383570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWyHHGgxJI/AAAAAAAABLw/brsd9Rhb8sw/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWyHHGgxJI/AAAAAAAABLw/brsd9Rhb8sw/s400/IMG_2240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541030751784453266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWxsJBSs5I/AAAAAAAABLo/rOmOCqTsoW4/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOWxsJBSs5I/AAAAAAAABLo/rOmOCqTsoW4/s400/IMG_2241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541030288442962834" border="0" /></a>And yes, Gid's eating a lollipop. It's the only way I could keep him with everyone else instead of chasing the cat across the yard.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-22281608143689366942010-11-15T07:03:00.000-08:002010-11-17T05:17:04.739-08:00JoyAfter our referral for Gid, we couldn't wait to hold him and get to know this little boy God had chosen to be our son. We wondered what his little personality would be like. He seemed very serious in every picture we saw. Then, we heard from people who met him that he was very cautious about new people and wouldn't smile for them. As our meeting got closer, we received updates that he cried a lot with tummy aches and was hard to console.<br /><br />I started praying.<br /><br />Not praying for an easy peasy baby.<br /><br />But, praying for a baby filled with <span style="font-style: italic;">joy</span>.<br /><br />Who would find <span style="font-style: italic;">joy</span> in our family.<br /><br />Who would bring <span style="font-style: italic;">joy</span> to others.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFQmaDBzUI/AAAAAAAABJg/z0vlz040yDE/s1600/IMG_1847.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFQmaDBzUI/AAAAAAAABJg/z0vlz040yDE/s400/IMG_1847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539797637399694658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFPrJQG2pI/AAAAAAAABJY/S2W1sDDOAEk/s1600/IMG_1882.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFPrJQG2pI/AAAAAAAABJY/S2W1sDDOAEk/s400/IMG_1882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539796619278867090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFPKdgozjI/AAAAAAAABJQ/4YwIrG1cxPs/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFPKdgozjI/AAAAAAAABJQ/4YwIrG1cxPs/s400/IMG_1922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539796057781227058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFOrCLKKNI/AAAAAAAABJI/CuuOrAv1gyU/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFOrCLKKNI/AAAAAAAABJI/CuuOrAv1gyU/s400/IMG_1939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539795517867436242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFOTPZJRHI/AAAAAAAABJA/H1Ebpy39nxU/s1600/2010-11-13_14-47-48_390.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFOTPZJRHI/AAAAAAAABJA/H1Ebpy39nxU/s400/2010-11-13_14-47-48_390.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539795109098898546" border="0" /></a>Now, what comes to mind when I think of Gid is...<span style="font-style: italic;">Joy</span>.<br /><br />In every area, he is filled with <span style="font-style: italic;">joy</span>.<br /><br />That doesn't mean he never cries.<br />And he has certainly won every stare down he has faced.<br /><br />But, who he is, what he has shared with our family and everyone he meets.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Joy</span>.<br /><br />Thank you, Lord!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-37285891485165559302010-11-15T06:55:00.000-08:002010-11-15T07:03:06.012-08:00Concentrating<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFKwYv4yLI/AAAAAAAABI4/XEmfHEk1v2Y/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFKwYv4yLI/AAAAAAAABI4/XEmfHEk1v2Y/s400/IMG_1880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539791211779901618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFKYcDeIbI/AAAAAAAABIw/5N18iH0nWkI/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFKYcDeIbI/AAAAAAAABIw/5N18iH0nWkI/s400/IMG_1879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539790800350486962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It might help if we take the cap off. I would love to know what he was thinking.<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TOFKYcDeIbI/AAAAAAAABIw/5N18iH0nWkI/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-61046958732535637702010-11-01T19:48:00.000-07:002010-11-02T07:46:28.593-07:005 Sweet Treats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TNAiNUA1H8I/AAAAAAAABIU/2vc3KWvy5Jk/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TNAiNUA1H8I/AAAAAAAABIU/2vc3KWvy5Jk/s400/IMG_1966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534961554144174018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TM-CAAB3xOI/AAAAAAAABIM/FqRi_LCivFo/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG"><br /></a>The whole gang. Ellie's wearing the same costume my mom made for me when I was in 5th grade. I can't believe it's still in good shape. Gid's wearing the costume I made for Car when he was a baby. Tate has his Pap's old army clothes. So far...all FREE! Car had his heart set on Mario - I think he just wanted to wear the HUGE sticky mustache. :) I <span style="font-style: italic;">(with quite a bit of my mom's help)</span> made Bear's Indian costume for her. She had to be a Warrior Indian girl though, so she made her tomahawk and grizzly claw necklace. <br /><br />We went to a friend's neighborhood to hang out since no one comes to our house. Gideon (aka Tex) wavered between being proud of his cowboy outfit and trying to figure out what in the world was going on. He looks confused in most of the pictures.<br />We definitely ended up with enough candy to fill various birthday pinatas for the course of the next few years.<br />Oh wait - I refuse to do pinatas.<br />hmm... where will all of that candy go???<br /><br />Oh well, let's forget about the candy and look at this sweet cowboy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TM9-P4rQfvI/AAAAAAAABH0/mnbA-2VeqCI/s1600/IMG_1962.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TM9-P4rQfvI/AAAAAAAABH0/mnbA-2VeqCI/s400/IMG_1962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534781278438588146" border="0" /></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-82499330334965226302010-09-23T08:05:00.000-07:002010-09-23T08:54:09.543-07:00The Many Hats I WearI've read those emails that try to make moms feel better about staying home with their kids - like they need some reassurance that there's value in "just" being a mom.<br /><br />I know.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That's silly.<br /><br /></span>But, it's true we wear many hats as moms.<br />Chef, chauffeur, nurse, teacher, maid, referee {grin}...<br />I can't even list them all.<br /><br />As you can see lately, it appears <span style="font-style: italic;">"Blogger"</span> has just about fallen off that list for me. There is so much around here that is just not getting done that I feel guilty getting online and writing a blog post.<br /><br />I like having my blog though. I like feeling connected to my long distance friends. And, I like having a record of our lives we can look back on. <span style="font-style: italic;">(there's another thing that's not getting done - scrapbooks. ugh!)</span><br /><br />So...here's what we've been up to lately.<br /><br />We celebrated our very first Gotcha Day on August 24th. Yummy Ethiopian food!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtz_FS9fwI/AAAAAAAABHE/g92p-1l0tFs/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtz_FS9fwI/AAAAAAAABHE/g92p-1l0tFs/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520133295863332610" border="0" /></a><br />Tate started tackle football. (hmm. that's was about when I stopped having time to update the blog. I'm starting to see a connection.) <span style="font-style: italic;">{wink}</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt1JFDr2GI/AAAAAAAABHM/ZH17CaOt1bQ/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt1JFDr2GI/AAAAAAAABHM/ZH17CaOt1bQ/s320/IMG_1267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520134567109580898" border="0" /></a><br />Bear just turned 7 on September 10th.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtyC4wjZVI/AAAAAAAABG0/fw26E1fg4cU/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtyC4wjZVI/AAAAAAAABG0/fw26E1fg4cU/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520131162194011474" border="0" /></a>Car Turned 9 on September 11th <span style="font-style: italic;">(yes, the very next day)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtyxIkZhSI/AAAAAAAABG8/9Bnm9LcfSJU/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJtyxIkZhSI/AAAAAAAABG8/9Bnm9LcfSJU/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520131956711982370" border="0" /></a>And, Gid fell in love with the tractor<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt1_eJSHnI/AAAAAAAABHU/XHzFTFHjK8Q/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt1_eJSHnI/AAAAAAAABHU/XHzFTFHjK8Q/s320/IMG_1714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520135501556883058" border="0" /></a>Pucker up...<span style="font-style: italic;">Look at that pucker!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt2i4T1n7I/AAAAAAAABHc/t4QbwCGL7HQ/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt2i4T1n7I/AAAAAAAABHc/t4QbwCGL7HQ/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520136109875896242" border="0" /></a><br />SMACK!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt3U2UIvWI/AAAAAAAABHk/YXWA9Ugm_bA/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TJt3U2UIvWI/AAAAAAAABHk/YXWA9Ugm_bA/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520136968333737314" border="0" /></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-81082271647257485192010-06-18T08:01:00.000-07:002010-06-18T08:25:33.186-07:00You're WelcomeIt has come to my attention that not everyone knows about the awesome, free blogging software...Windows Live Writer. It is SO easy. And, it's FREE. It doesn't leave weird spaces between the lines, it's super fast uploading pictures, as a matter of fact, you can just choose all of your pictures at once and upload them one time.<br /><br />I don't have a lot of time to blog (<span style="font-style: italic;">like any of us DO</span>), so it really drives me nuts when I have to mess with the software too long. I want to type something, upload a few pics, and move on with my day.<br /><br />I had to share.<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />Go <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0d26b431-b29c-47e1-8895-563aa7512aac&displaylang=en">here</a> to download it.<br /><br />Did you catch that it's <span style="font-style: italic;">for freeee</span>?<br /><br />It doesn't work with Macs and I miss it. It's made by Microsoft for Windows...that should have been my first hint I wasn't going to be able to use it on an Apple. I really think I'm going to do all of my blogging on another PC in the house just so I can keep using it.<br /><br />Let me know if you try it. You'll thank me for it.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-55461303019938451002010-06-14T19:51:00.000-07:002010-06-18T08:00:42.516-07:00Time to Breath<div style="text-align: center;"></div><p>We've been running non-stop around here lately. We worked hard to hurry up and finish our quarter so we could take a break in school. We started our first week of summer with Ellie heading off to camp.</p><p>For Six nights!</p><p>I don't have pictures because she took one of those disposable cameras that you have to take someplace to have developed. How did we do that in the olden days??? I'm not sure when we'll see those pictures.</p><p>We welcomed her home and then Tony and Tate left for a mission trip for a week. Tate loved it and wants to go back next year. They did a little VBS during the day and then had community block parties at night. Tony said it was hard work with little play and the kids did great.</p><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482833058158241218" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TBbvnfpKZcI/AAAAAAAABEg/S2vi73suhmw/s200/IMG_0082.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></div><div>Knocking on doors, inviting the neighborhood out to their block party each evening.</div><p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_0099.JPG" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TBuFVFX_IsI/AAAAAAAABFQ/jxOOOsmDpVM/IMG_0099.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0099.JPG" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></p><div>Having a mini VBS time with the kids.</div><div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_0243.JPG" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TBuFW3hD__I/AAAAAAAABFU/GkLCj0DJcos/IMG_0243.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0243.JPG" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Now, we are ready for a little R&R. I'm not sure what R&R stands for. I do not think it means what I think it means because I painted all day. Well, we did take a break for a quick swim.</div><div></div><div>Oh, and a quick update on the kittens.</div><div></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1103.JPG" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/TBuFYj-fazI/AAAAAAAABFY/A3iXbymd9hw/IMG_1103.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_1103.JPG" border="0" height="133" width="200" /></div><div>I think they're here to stay.</div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-73978399827524001362010-05-20T17:41:00.000-07:002010-05-20T17:43:01.632-07:00Play Time<p>It's that time of year again...time for the school play.</p><br /><p>Except when you homeschool, the stage is at the nursing home and a friends deck in their backyard. We performed at the nursing home this morning and the kids did an awesome job! I'm so proud of how hard they work. And, so thankful for the sweet moms who are willing to share their talents and work with my kids to teach them things I know nothing about (ahem, acting!) Seriously, two of my friends are working with 28 kids to put on 6 short plays...foooor freeeeeeeee! (do you remember that from Bedtime Stories?) We just have to come up with costumes and props for our kids, which is fun for me.</p><br /><p>I have a couple of pictures of the kids I snapped "backstage" (aka: the activity room at the nursing home) I'll try to get some more cute pics to share when they do the performance on the real stage (err...deck) tomorrow night.</p><br /><p>Car's a raindrop</p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4625770290_5ee15c1c87.jpg" width="320" height="480" alt="IMG_1137" /><br /></p><br /><p>So is Ellie, but she's a little fancier.</p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4625164525_2bfe453622.jpg" width="320" height="480" alt="IMG_1138" /><br /><br /></div><br /><p>Bear's thespian skills may blossom later, but for now she's happy coloring.</p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/4625770444_02e5249db4.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="IMG_1140" /><br /><br /></div><br /><p>Gid entertained himself with a hairbrush...notice the poofy hairdo.</p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4625165129_fa1684dee6.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="IMG_1141" /><br /></div><br /><p>Now, off to rest for tomorrow's big show.</p><br /><br />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-25904599523994687142010-05-07T20:35:00.000-07:002010-05-07T20:44:04.274-07:00So Thankful<p style="text-align: center;">Happy Mother's Day!</p><br /><br /><p>I can't believe I get to be mom to these sweet kids. They informed me yesterday that Mother's Day weekend had officially started. I came into the living room to find the phone on the chair with my heating pad in it for my back. (how old am I???) Okay, they knew my back had been bothering me and were just being thoughtful.</p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <div style="text-align: left;"><br /> <br /><br /> </div> <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4588335516_127ef6b807.jpg" width="320" height="480" alt="IMG_1000" /><br /><br /> <br /><br /></div><br /><br />I was supposed to sit while they made homemade pizza. They did a great job! I didn't sit though...moms don't do that. I chased Gideon. But, I didn't have to cook, so it was still quite a treat!<br /><br /><br /><br />Tate's straight from the shower, getting the dough started. I think pizza is his favorite thing to make.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> <br /><br /> </div><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4587712443_046d9bcd6f.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="IMG_1002" /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I love you guys! You make me so proud!</p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4588335706_588bef5c23.jpg" width="336" height="480" alt="IMG_1008" /></b></p><br /><br /><br />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-46431420394462918482010-04-29T12:03:00.000-07:002010-05-01T11:32:13.993-07:00Learning New Things<p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4568216879_b3f1e890e7.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="IMG_0908_2" /></p><br /><p>We've been learning all kinds of new things around here. One thing I haven't learned is how to get my pictures on the computer. Tony changed everything up and has been busy, so I'll get some new pics up soon. Hopefully.</p><br /><p>Until then, here's one of Giddy from Easter. Nevermind the blue lips...he was playing with the dyed eggs. I'm sure there is some photo software that would fix this cutey pic so he doesn't look oxygen deprived, but that's not one of the things I am learning either.</p><br /><p>What we <i>Have</i> been learning is...</p><br /><p>~ How to say mama (instead of calling everything Dad)</p><br /><p>~ How to do hand motions to <i>Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star</i> (Bear worked with him on that one)</p><br /><p>~ Sign language for more, all done, please, and thank you</p><br /><p>~ Oh, and how to WALK! What a Big boy!!!</p><br /><p>So...pictures will be coming soon. No telling what else he'll be doing by then. He's growing up FAST!</p><br /><br />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-8882849771040194142010-04-16T15:26:00.001-07:002010-04-16T15:26:45.349-07:00An Apology to Bob<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">My to-do list is too long.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I’m not getting to everything and there’s not a lot I can weed off.  It all has to be done.  Inevitably, things get missed and due dates get passed.  You know, with stuff like, oooooh, let’s just say having the cat fixed.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">It was hard though to get the timing down.  We have to wait until she’s old enough, but before she gets pregnant.  That’s a pretty small window of time.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I noticed the cat was looking a little fat and I could hear Bob Barker’s voice at the end of every Price is Right telling me to have my pets spayed and neutered.  I kept thinking, <em>I’m SO sorry Bob…I’m an irresponsible pet owner!</em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">But, the bright side…the kids got a great science lesson.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">From what I’ve heard, cats tend to find a secluded spot and quietly have their babies and one day we find kittens.  Well, Josie decided to bless us with front row seats as she had them right outside our back door in the jogging stroller.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"><em>Yes…the stroller!</em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">gross.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">and cramped.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">The kids didn’t care how gross that was.  They were too busy watching “bubbles” come out of the cat. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">That cracked me up!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We pulled up some chairs.  I should have popped popcorn.  It was quite a show.  I only thought I was going to hurl once.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">So, we’ve welcomed four baby kittens now.  This was such an awesome experience for Bear!  She loves animals and has tended to momma and the babies non-stop.  She says the babies are either “milking” or sleeping all the time. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkEQLmZ7I/AAAAAAAABDk/amJX9KfdQ3M/s1600-h/IMG_0913%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0913" border="0" alt="IMG_0913" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkEnTuHTI/AAAAAAAABDo/BIu6YIMo8r0/IMG_0913_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkFkOC2II/AAAAAAAABDs/qtiI9uLiD08/s1600-h/IMG_0916%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0916" border="0" alt="IMG_0916" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkGLcHEWI/AAAAAAAABDw/4CeoNjwvXOI/IMG_0916_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I’m sorry, Josie…do you need a little privacy?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkGsgYD6I/AAAAAAAABD0/3ZbX2qzG5dM/s1600-h/IMG_0920%5B6%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0920" border="0" alt="IMG_0920" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkHEaCSbI/AAAAAAAABD4/KKxYfjFkCvg/IMG_0920_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Sweet Josie.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkHjc_E_I/AAAAAAAABD8/YPTDhX6NIqE/s1600-h/IMG_0923%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0923" border="0" alt="IMG_0923" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkIAcelgI/AAAAAAAABEA/EbfNpQTGPYE/IMG_0923_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We moved them out of the stroller so I could <strike>burn it</strike> clean it up.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkIt_nlKI/AAAAAAAABEE/kwLkNdV2soA/s1600-h/IMG_0925%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0925" border="0" alt="IMG_0925" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S8jkJJUihhI/AAAAAAAABEM/jTYSgmwG2b0/IMG_0925_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">So, back on my to-do list is to have the cat fixed.  But, I have to wait a while after she’s had kittens, I think.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">great – here we go again…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-27382278267218463402010-02-24T08:06:00.001-08:002010-02-24T08:06:56.268-08:00Green Smoothie Boy<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Our family has started trying to eat more of a whole food diet and one of the easiest ways we have found to incorporate more servings of fruits and veggies in our diet has been green smoothies.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I have to say, I definitely feel the difference.  I have a LOT more energy and just feel better overall.  And, as a mom – I’ll take all the energy I can get!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Now, the kids had plenty of energy before, so they are not as excited about drinking green smoothies.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Well, except for Gideon.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">If he sees me with a smoothie, he grunts until I share it with him.  And, of course I always share with him because he makes the cutest face when he’s drinking from a straw.  Oh, and bonus…he’s getting lots of great nutrients.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Here’s what I generally put in our smoothies (depending on what we have on hand):</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">water, spinach, kale, flax oil, kelp, blueberries, peaches, and bananas</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Yum!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Look at this face…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOkxJyrYI/AAAAAAAABDI/xmck7oAJvbY/s1600-h/IMG_0668%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0668" border="0" alt="IMG_0668" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOlYkIO6I/AAAAAAAABDM/XHAE284ttPQ/IMG_0668_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOl-oGc5I/AAAAAAAABDQ/8CKzuBCBSXU/s1600-h/IMG_0653%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0653" border="0" alt="IMG_0653" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOmiBOKCI/AAAAAAAABDU/C9psH9gMaEo/IMG_0653_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOnP-aUjI/AAAAAAAABDY/B2kVtKvif4U/s1600-h/IMG_0663%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0663" border="0" alt="IMG_0663" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOnRpGmeI/AAAAAAAABDc/FWMz1PclGU0/IMG_0663_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0662" border="0" alt="IMG_0662" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S4VOn7dtf3I/AAAAAAAABDg/V9hdrkCpbx0/IMG_0662_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" height="242" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Also, six months ago today we held our sweet boy for the first time.  It feels like he’s been here forever.  I’ve had so many people tell me he looks just like our kids.  Our pediatrician even said it and said they just pick up on facial expressions and start looking alike.  I love those comments.</font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-83898887380835606562010-02-10T09:19:00.001-08:002010-02-10T09:19:02.346-08:00Toby Mac<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We started our morning with a trip to Lifeway to meet Toby Mac.  I don’t know if I’m a cool mom, or a crazy mom.  I was actually thinking they weren’t going to be that busy since kids are supposed to be in school.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I was wrong.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">But, it was fun. The kids loved getting to meet him and he gave them all fist bumps.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Then, we listened to his new cd, <em>Tonight</em>, on the way home.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Now, the kids think it’s officially “Meet Toby Mac” day and they need a day off of school to celebrate, complete with turning up the music and dancing around the living room.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">But, I’m a mean mom and they are now working on their Reading.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3LqesUEKLI/AAAAAAAABCs/_XTTJGmrBvo/s1600-h/IMG_0570%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0570" border="0" alt="IMG_0570" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3LqfNIbIgI/AAAAAAAABCw/1ejFpGDWWI0/IMG_0570_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3LqfnyDHlI/AAAAAAAABC0/lfNFEuvwE-A/s1600-h/IMG_0567%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0567" border="0" alt="IMG_0567" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3LqgPm4qCI/AAAAAAAABC4/u4wqVlsDEQU/IMG_0567_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3Lqg131l7I/AAAAAAAABC8/3Un43eXUk2Q/s1600-h/IMG_0568%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0568" border="0" alt="IMG_0568" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S3Lqhdlhv8I/AAAAAAAABDA/GbuiPOgoeOY/IMG_0568_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-63238841043711839102010-01-22T07:17:00.001-08:002010-01-22T07:17:00.792-08:00Girls’ Weekend<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I took my girls to a mother/daughter retreat so we could have some much needed girl time.  We shared a cabin with 3 other moms and their girls, so it was like a giant slumber party for both the girls and the moms.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Four moms and 6 little girls.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I was tired when we got home.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">The girls did a little canoeing.  Bear’s not a fan.  <em>Just so you know</em>.  She likes her feet planting firmly on solid ground.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBSk_hnyI/AAAAAAAABB0/dcFLhYp4pKw/s1600-h/IMG_4848%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4848" border="0" alt="IMG_4848" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBTLohM7I/AAAAAAAABB4/FUT6zXLmCyw/IMG_4848_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBUh_5x7I/AAAAAAAABB8/KW-BUagA-tM/s1600-h/IMG_4846%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4846" border="0" alt="IMG_4846" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBVIPvd1I/AAAAAAAABCA/kp42JpggggY/IMG_4846_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Ellie wanted to try the zip line.  I was amazed at her complete lack of fear.  She said she was nervous, but you would have never known it.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBVoM-ilI/AAAAAAAABCE/Fhnb4fo-7Rw/s1600-h/IMG_4856%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4856" border="0" alt="IMG_4856" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBWZDVfcI/AAAAAAAABCI/G1Sil-CpfBg/IMG_4856_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I was nervous…and proud…and excited for her.  There was no way I was not going to let her try this.  Her heart was set on it.  As I was snapping pictures to document her accomplishment, I kept thinking I couldn’t believe I was watching my daughter jump off that platform.  I couldn’t see her from the ground very well, so I was looking through my zoom and trying to double check all of her straps.  ha!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">   <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4863" border="0" alt="IMG_4863" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBWj-iPKI/AAAAAAAABCM/gI_OjJglKTg/IMG_4863_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">But – she did it!  And, the look on her face was priceless when she ran back to me.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">  </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBXBsMagI/AAAAAAAABCQ/IOvFHmxHCcg/s1600-h/IMG_4864%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4864" border="0" alt="IMG_4864" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBXoE4mSI/AAAAAAAABCU/jZgeCdnJ9ns/IMG_4864_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4866" border="0" alt="IMG_4866" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBX7MdFyI/AAAAAAAABCY/EKJ-k3TvgVI/IMG_4866_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Another highlight was the trail ride.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBYhEGgkI/AAAAAAAABCc/egdOJfYRAz0/s1600-h/IMG_4883%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4883" border="0" alt="IMG_4883" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBZOxRZTI/AAAAAAAABCg/W9ZWoWgWPVs/IMG_4883_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Bear was not old enough for the trail ride, but this super nice man walked her around the arena.  I’m sure he had plenty of other work to do, but he stopped everything to take her out there.  I could tell she appreciated it, too, because she talked to him the whole time they rode.  If you know Bear…you know that’s HUGE!  She doesn’t talk to strangers.  Ever.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Now, that’s a cowboy! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBaVPpyGI/AAAAAAAABCk/7Qs42_R9zl0/s1600-h/IMG_4879%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4879" border="0" alt="IMG_4879" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1nBa2zuNrI/AAAAAAAABCo/zbdaWv5fiys/IMG_4879_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">It wasn’t all recreational though.  Our speaker was from the <em>Princess with a Purpose</em> camps.  She spoke on how each of us are princesses because we are a daughter of the King, and that we are valuable because we are His.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">It was a great message for the daughters <em>and the moms</em>.  It doesn’t matter who the world is telling us we should be.  We are exactly who God created us to be and that should be our goal.</font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-68648408956262846892010-01-21T19:20:00.001-08:002010-01-21T19:20:34.279-08:00Caught Ya<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I can’t believe our little guy is 10 months old now.  I should probably list 10 things we love about him, but I don’t think I could narrow it down.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">He loves to watch his brother and sister play the piano and now he’s finally big enough to just do it himself.  </font>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1kZfpvYjjI/AAAAAAAABBo/XEzhoUpJXIY/s1600-h/IMG_0481%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0481" border="0" alt="IMG_0481" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1kZgIgDQ3I/AAAAAAAABBs/R7MZz-aM5n8/IMG_0481_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" height="242" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Any requests?</font></p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0482" border="0" alt="IMG_0482" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S1kZgRvybqI/AAAAAAAABBw/65yGDO8oWps/IMG_0482_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" height="242" /></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-76235274225678976282010-01-08T10:45:00.001-08:002010-01-08T10:45:36.197-08:00Final Update<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S0d9TaogZYI/AAAAAAAABBg/-nWygTeenxo/s1600-h/IMG_0451%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0451" border="0" alt="IMG_0451" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/S0d9T6z6YLI/AAAAAAAABBk/pJo5RHswZg0/IMG_0451_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We finally met with the neurosurgeon this week and he was not at all concerned with the fluid in Gideon’s head.  He said no one would ever consider surgery for that small amount of fluid.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">YAY!  God is good regardless of the outcome, but we are thankful Gideon is doing so great.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">The doctor did go on and on about what a cute kid Gideon is.   I think that makes it official since a doctor said it.  He may have even put it in his chart somewhere.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Then as we were leaving, we got on the elevator with a young man.  He was staring at Gideon and finally asked where he was from.  I told him Ethiopia and he very excitedly told me HE was from Ethiopia.  He said he was looking at him and thinking he had “Ethiopia color”.  It’s funny how many strangers have looked at him and asked me if he’s from Ethiopia.  They just know.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We’re all very pleased with the official word from the doctor.  You can see above that Gideon is, as well.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Oh, and he’s dressed in his white Ethiopian outfit because we celebrated Christmas yesterday since Ethiopia celebrates on January 7th.  I tried my hand at some Ethiopian cooking and it turned out pretty good.  We had Doro Wat and Injera.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I love my cookbook that Tony bought me for my birthday last year.  It’s called <em>The Soul of a New Cuisine</em> by Marcus Samuelsson.  It has some wonderful looking recipes in it (the ones we tried last night were great), but it also has beautiful pictures and stories of his travels in Africa.  I just sit and read it.  He was born in Ethiopia and adopted and raised by a family from Sweden.  As an adult and a chef, he wanted to learn about Ethiopia’s culture.  He shares his story in the Preface of the book and it’s just beautiful.  He ends up finding out that his biological father is still alive when he was 35 years old and gets to go meet him and his 8 half brothers and sisters.  {tears}  I think I love this book so much because it’s not just a cookbook.  It’s a story of a man’s journey that touches my heart.  With every recipe I try, I will be thinking of so much more than some ingredients off the shelf at the store.  I will be thinking of the lifestyle of the people who make these recipes and use these ingredients that are so exotic to me everyday.  If you get this book, <em>please</em> don’t skip over the Preface.  </font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-57920233968979460792009-12-18T16:49:00.001-08:002009-12-18T16:49:13.750-08:00Not Much of an Update on our Update<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I had to grab my camera when I was making dinner last night.  I almost burned my sloppy joes, I was having so much fun.  I’ll spare you the other 20 pictures I have of him in his high chair.  You would think he was the first baby around here.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">He’s showing off his new tooth.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Sywi94YhGlI/AAAAAAAAA94/DLyEr9Ve7ZA/s1600-h/IMG_0100%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0100" border="0" alt="IMG_0100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Sywi-RKyYWI/AAAAAAAAA98/8GrXpEZdi6I/IMG_0100_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I don’t think it’s showing up well on these little pictures.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Sywi-x79NgI/AAAAAAAAA-A/fvDg0lDClCs/s1600-h/IMG_0101%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0101" border="0" alt="IMG_0101" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Sywi_Vq1OrI/AAAAAAAAA-E/hrNAwXsrgCc/IMG_0101_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Wait…time for an “O” break…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Sywi_wX1UZI/AAAAAAAAA-I/pF1dJoKSqvo/s1600-h/IMG_0102%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0102" border="0" alt="IMG_0102" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SywjAZElsJI/AAAAAAAAA-M/cTwiDHOWi74/IMG_0102_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">That’s better.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SywjA-6IGcI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/PzSTd2pQ2X0/s1600-h/IMG_0104%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0104" border="0" alt="IMG_0104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SywjBWf3UCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/0uOCTUj8Tm0/IMG_0104_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SywjBxVge3I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/e-UJShmJIdw/s1600-h/IMG_0107%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0107" border="0" alt="IMG_0107" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SywjCelqydI/AAAAAAAAA-c/cibbcS4E1dg/IMG_0107_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Georgia">  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We did hear from the neurologist today.  Well, from his appointment desk.  They called to tell us we have an appointment on January 5th.  I asked if they saw anything and she just said the doctor would go over all of his tests at our appointment.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Our pediatrician’s nurse said they probably just want to get a base line to start monitoring it.  We’ll see.  So far, he does not have any symptoms of having any problems.  Please pray that the fluid continues going down and does not affect his brain.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Thank you all for your prayers!!!  </font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-74216068337186000292009-12-17T15:03:00.001-08:002009-12-17T15:03:18.169-08:00Update<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Thank you for all of the prayers.  We heard from the doctor and Gideon does have some fluid on his brain and that is what is causing the odd shape.  The doctor thinks it will clear up on it’s own, but is sending everything to a neurologist for a second opinion.  We will take him in regularly to have his head measured to monitor growth.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Please pray his body will do whatever it needs to do to get rid of the extra fluid and he will not have to have any procedures done.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Thanks!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Syq4s-p3-jI/AAAAAAAAA9w/CyZLowL96gY/s1600-h/IMG_0079%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0079" border="0" alt="IMG_0079" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/Syq4tWPlbkI/AAAAAAAAA90/EGcp2XI6jPU/IMG_0079_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a>  </font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-70417774636825100162009-12-16T09:01:00.001-08:002009-12-16T09:01:40.640-08:00Happy Birthday!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SykSbTdTPvI/AAAAAAAAA9g/SS03ReheBkw/s1600-h/IMG_4817%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4817" border="0" alt="IMG_4817" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SykSb_epGwI/AAAAAAAAA9k/Rm4anvg_JuI/IMG_4817_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="182" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Georgia">happy birthday, sweet ellie!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">How does this happen so fast???  We went to a mother daughter retreat last weekend and the speaker made it a point to remind us why our kids grow up so fast.  In the day to day, it seems like it’s going to take forever for our kids to grow up – learn to dress themselves, not to chew with their mouths open, to turn off the lights and shut the doors – but when we do the math, we realize just how little time we have with them.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">Now that Ellie is 10 years old, I only have 416 weekends with her until she turns 18.  </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">Or, 2920 days.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">Yes, that’s a lot, but I would have guessed the number was much higher if I didn’t use a calculator.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">I remember hearing a story a while back about a dad that calculated how many weekends he had left before his son would turn 18 and he put that many marbles in a jar on his dresser.  Each week he would take a marble out as a reminder that the time he has with his son is limited.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">What a great reminder for me to be purposeful in how I spend my days with my children.  Even if our purpose is just to hang out and have fun.  </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Georgia">Now we are going to practice some sewing with her new sewing machine.</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SykSccPSDkI/AAAAAAAAA9o/MLHiJG_L9Z4/s1600-h/IMG_0088%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0088" border="0" alt="IMG_0088" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SykSc04nR7I/AAAAAAAAA9s/gSRkQYnYLsU/IMG_0088_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-49412466183205291862009-12-15T08:59:00.001-08:002009-12-15T08:59:47.457-08:00Prayer Request<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyfAgVFfYLI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/OJJ2YLw49ck/s1600-h/IMG_0080%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0080" border="0" alt="IMG_0080" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyfAgvKEmSI/AAAAAAAAA9c/onUkWGpHgrM/IMG_0080_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We had a CT Scan done this morning to see why Gideon’s head is growing so quickly.  It’s also a bit asymmetrical.  Of course, it all looks perfect to me, but the doctor said we really should check it out.  He was great about emphasizing that it could just be genetics so I wouldn’t worry too much.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We already have our first praise…he stayed still and didn’t cry, so they did not need to sedate him.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Hooray!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We should hear something in the next few days, so we are asking our friends and family to pray for God’s peace…and good results.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I know there have been several babies needing the helmets to re-shape their heads, but does anyone else have kids whose head circumference is off the charts (by quite a bit)? </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Just wondering.</font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327383465247807589.post-80134565253469393232009-12-14T09:02:00.001-08:002009-12-14T09:02:22.853-08:00Make Up Pictures<p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I made a big mistake and apparently broke a huge blog rule.  I didn’t post a picture of our little guy on my last post.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Sorry.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Let me make up for it.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvhNJNVLI/AAAAAAAAA8o/eLjDc3oaCXs/s1600-h/IMG_4812%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4812" border="0" alt="IMG_4812" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvhYW3PpI/AAAAAAAAA8s/GqiiLS6ZfFQ/IMG_4812_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="182" /></a> </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvikRtpJI/AAAAAAAAA8w/ndA_fgPm83A/s1600-h/IMG_4813%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4813" border="0" alt="IMG_4813" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvjH3WK3I/AAAAAAAAA80/BSNZyJhL_mk/IMG_4813_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="182" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Oh, and he just started crawling.  The kids were shocked and said <em>“this morning he was just sitting around, and this afternoon we have to put everything up!” </em> I just saw my productivity drop significantly.  But…<strong>way to go, little guy! </strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvjkErkwI/AAAAAAAAA84/KdOpxHz6jwI/s1600-h/IMG_0029%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0029" border="0" alt="IMG_0029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvkJgDULI/AAAAAAAAA88/-utbV0j9IsY/IMG_0029_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvklfXkzI/AAAAAAAAA9A/0lgJx8GekMQ/s1600-h/IMG_0036%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0036" border="0" alt="IMG_0036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvlJsfNzI/AAAAAAAAA9E/gJ-3DkYWWRk/IMG_0036_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We had our Christmas party at Grandparent’s Club.  The kids entertained them with songs, dances, and reading from the Bible.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Ellie sang a song and played a duet with her friend.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvlu4cEcI/AAAAAAAAA9I/DdJN6kB16ko/s1600-h/IMG_0025%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0025" border="0" alt="IMG_0025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvmIILMXI/AAAAAAAAA9M/1367wcEarPs/IMG_0025_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">And, Gideon entertained all the grandma’s by looking cute.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvmuIclbI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/KQOk_cYR720/s1600-h/IMG_0023%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#444444" size="3" face="Georgia"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0023" border="0" alt="IMG_0023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vy6Zd2ie-AU/SyZvnUz7sWI/AAAAAAAAA9U/C0N0yErJuWM/IMG_0023_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Sorry the picture is blurry.  I’m still trying to figure out the new camera.  But, his cuteness still shines through all the blur.    </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">I hope everyone is having a peaceful and enjoyable time as you prepare for Christmas.  </font></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03504158169637316731noreply@blogger.com5