tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11911915649284243922024-03-04T22:55:25.603-08:00Life In The SticksTynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-23576143567922974272012-01-11T12:05:00.001-08:002012-01-11T12:05:00.517-08:00Are you there? We moved!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7YboFcSnVsMkQEmn7QlsoQByV1kRuBWEfH1dCi9jhcKGLYGcTiNympotFeOmQT38yXyA_NQaJrPIhyphenhyphen2tCMjVHzKf1iZ6DQn-Wq4tYTmdqLwpdngi9cfHPJSpabnw_UZFgxKRyit9THo/s1600-h/IMG%2525205923%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG 5923" border="0" alt="IMG 5923" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ki3P5C4Cxik/Tw3raxMt7bI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/LVKfy_QvzdU/IMG%2525205923_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="598" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Oh neglected blog, how you have been missed.  I have a lot of catching up to do and yet, I STILL have minor writer’s block.  Perplexing!</p> <p>We moved into a new *old* house this fall and it has been so fun to set it all up and make it our own.  What a blessing the season of living with Caleb’s parents was.  Our “Life in the Sticks” was precious to me in so many ways and I learned an incredible amount.  I also loved that chance to see my kids natural life nurtured through chickens and gardening and playing in the great outdoor.  However, as the school year commenced, it was all so lovely to wake 45 minutes before the opening bell and make it to school on time, with a brief 4 minute drive.</p> <p>So, I’m going to hit “publish” and see if this works, more to come soon.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-17937949998566213182011-08-23T19:27:00.001-07:002011-08-23T19:27:19.508-07:00Summer Recap<p>I really did want to “unplug” this summer.  Put away the facebook, blogging and TV and just enjoy some good time with the kids.  After all, Avery did graduate from Kindergarten and McClaine was headed there in the fall.  We needed some good quality time to make mudpies and play in the sprinkler.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b-2_0QVSrqc/TlRdP2OaFUI/AAAAAAAAFWA/e-58ukkfn0U/s1600-h/avesgrad3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="aves grad" border="0" alt="aves grad" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ciega8qGjLQ/TlRdTM-GRGI/AAAAAAAAFWE/7Bg7pWt_sJQ/avesgrad_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>And enjoy the East Texas “beaches.”  Which we really did, this is not a beach at all, but we pretended.  It was really a muddy lake with <strike>beach-like</strike> quicksand shores.  I am learning that if you really zoom in, people can’t tell if you are in Bermuda or at Lake Tawakoni.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="audrey water" border="0" alt="audrey water" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sKBfrbxC_64/TlRdbiOjxdI/AAAAAAAAFWM/IhGwFKf04nQ/audreywater_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" />Though we didn’t quite make it unplugged, I did give blogging a little break (hence the exhaustive recap) and somehow we are surviving record consecutive days of over 100 degree weather with minimal help from Nick Jr.  And we did manage to get in some good playing in the backyard until the worst drought in Texas history turned our grass into straw.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AY49XHWN5J4/TlRdeR9GZ2I/AAAAAAAAFWQ/XLtsyG4iN0o/s1600-h/playingoutside2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="playing outside" border="0" alt="playing outside" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WbdGlER6deU/TlRdh8s1AKI/AAAAAAAAFWU/DIbsyJNX4kg/playingoutside_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a>At the beginning of June, I left the kids with Caleb and flew with my brother and sister-in-law, Beth, to Colorado to wish my dad a happy 70th.  My Uncle Tommy picked us up in Denver and we spent the morning there with he and my cousin, Brittny.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3PZvFfRp0ew/TlRdkDPgz8I/AAAAAAAAFWY/qoKnyJY2U5w/s1600-h/tomandryan2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="tom and ryan" border="0" alt="tom and ryan" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-knsrTVWSMvI/TlRdmZrInUI/AAAAAAAAFWc/tx9_C4UgX2M/tomandryan_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xwlfBO14mzk/TlRdofHSmHI/AAAAAAAAFWg/JxedTj5lncE/s1600-h/bethandbrit2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="beth and brit" border="0" alt="beth and brit" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zmx0w2ISQjc/TlRdqYzqdoI/AAAAAAAAFWk/gzaaiGGaC2k/bethandbrit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-thFkcfzQqI0/TlRdtMCq8OI/AAAAAAAAFWo/IePFz2R51zk/s1600-h/cousins2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="cousins" border="0" alt="cousins" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WN0ytYiZEJI/TlRdvURUDyI/AAAAAAAAFWs/rw0vRbBGOiQ/cousins_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a>    Then we drove up to Vail for my dad’s birthday party.  We were going to make the whole thing a surprise, but we had to tell my dad for reasons you will soon find out… but, we did surprise my Aunt Janice and Jimmy Ray.  Check out the surprised looks when we jaunted into their barber shop from TEXAS.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kMR9SLftaI8/TlRdwc4gsCI/AAAAAAAAFWw/1koUGwzfYVo/s1600-h/surprise3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="surprise" border="0" alt="surprise" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p35p7I3rDCk/TlRdymBZsPI/AAAAAAAAFW0/PIQ98Joe2Xc/surprise_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="480" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7x_q8JiKRxY/TlRd0FJWFKI/AAAAAAAAFW4/gWLeAvyF2mk/s1600-h/hug3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="hug" border="0" alt="hug" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia03_89BPqZumIFBvWinDxE3IIJy-9nVNQThDV4FErmVFhwd4_v98KPcUjkR_4p4rxYAoMRrooYD7oQ5EpNfaprh09N3fc1Dk-YgEiKLx6iPUf2h1CBqiIqY6ViOy0FSD7lVstQT-PwUE/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p>We went to Los Amigos for my dad’s birthday party.  Los Amigos is the restaurant that my parents started in the 70’s at the base of Vail Mountain.  There were tons of Vail Pioneers that joined us in the celebration.  Here’s a couple quick family pictures.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WL3Njn5A2Zk/TlRd4GnkV8I/AAAAAAAAFXA/Vw5EyxbGDLY/s1600-h/fampic2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="fam pic" border="0" alt="fam pic" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xi99U8M5CFY/TlRd6Ldbk9I/AAAAAAAAFXE/RysBh4OxY8g/fampic_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="322" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3H_EtfaKdKE/TlRd8lA0yjI/AAAAAAAAFXI/pBEoOYsHpdE/s1600-h/Janice2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Janice" border="0" alt="Janice" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D27Depl2Xn8/TlRd_Mpg4pI/AAAAAAAAFXM/0C4A8vpkDFU/Janice_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2FabE-sKObM/TlReBUcwYXI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/LuphoCZtvWg/s1600-h/meanddad3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="me and dad" border="0" alt="me and dad" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xHU0BW0Jq8o/TlReD76eXvI/AAAAAAAAFXU/t25E5C67-D4/meanddad_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a>Seems everyone one had a pretty great time, because I had to drive these three kids home after the festivities.  Brandt (Brittny’s husband) asked me if I could drive them home in his truck.  “Sure,” I exclaimed.  And then I met her.  Lord have mercy.  This beast was a PAIN to get out of the parking structure in Vail Village let alone drive up Wildridge!  But I conquered.  Missing a gas pedal, dashboard lights, seatbelts and first gear, made our next challenge of this Colorado trip a breeze.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHX6y7pMl7FK2e0XxgovEo1a_s09imNqeFP26vJr-qFgUZNb6MQMUsdhkkEVzFcReKOrBOKAdf7SgzpYWnaVUZafF2Vz5xwzYIYzF0OadO7g7vFNa1dAvJQYnkwTuOWfzyrEfaFURRrs/s1600-h/iphone%252520750%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 750" border="0" alt="iphone 750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U6SLUZkiK4I/TlReJDjR6AI/AAAAAAAAFXc/KYEz7q1lzXY/iphone%252520750_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nOlKfRe7nkY/TlReKnIoBfI/AAAAAAAAFXg/IGODy4RG9sM/s1600-h/iphone8363.jpg"><font color="#063e3f">Meet the Penske.  My dad has been asking me for years to come get some of his cool treasures so he doesn’t have to keep storing them.  So we obliged and rented a moving truck, loaded two storage rooms full of stuff and headed back to Texas- just me, Beth and Ryan and a big ol’ load.</font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="iphone 836" border="0" alt="iphone 836" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-chGR_j0oEYs/TlReML61r3I/AAAAAAAAFXk/2xNCnDcL9eM/iphone836_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>It was a lot of fun going through dad’s stuff.  He is so kind and wanted us to enjoy the stuff he has while he is still living.  Thanks dad!  But… we’ll pass on that nasty jar of unidentified product and the O’Johnny port-a-pot!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_JfbCc5GkZU/TlReOp5t1gI/AAAAAAAAFXo/5kAO3NlGxZ0/s1600-h/dadandportajohn3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dad and port a john" border="0" alt="dad and port a john" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yQVWCv_vaQQ/TlReRGR07WI/AAAAAAAAFXs/vrloI5G2rIU/dadandportajohn_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="480" /></a> Now would be a good time to tell you how terrifying it is to drive a moving truck through the mountains of Colorado.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e1vBA8Os4FI/TlReSYGiKjI/AAAAAAAAFXw/0uosSXoVfJU/s1600-h/iphone%252520739%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 739" border="0" alt="iphone 739" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5zNJJMldwkQ/TlReTj60dNI/AAAAAAAAFX0/7uxUTHpHfzI/iphone%252520739_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>There’s just no way I can capture the sheer drop-off of this pass that we drove over.  It was so dang scary.  It made me really thankful that my bro has his CDL and knows how to drive the big rigs! <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eH-ALyy06QM/TlReVRg9h9I/AAAAAAAAFX4/4UGNZcEJo9Y/s1600-h/iphone%252520822%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 822" border="0" alt="iphone 822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVsfB07V6dePmq_PGR_bYIQbo623j73ai4DpRHbwI_mS6G9LhJrbTyyH54HXpbO4lnpJF9_dwCR5ZGwZC1q_1_sQVqzQ2DJ_nu-8uJasc_QIS9_vx-nz5a9hyphenhyphennJgDNCbQNNzPyqwcYk/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xvrOxlZWf-I/TlReZfcmxAI/AAAAAAAAFYA/453vQ-Ux_kw/s1600-h/iphone%252520759%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 759" border="0" alt="iphone 759" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LGZeYuuiXc0/TlRea5QqS3I/AAAAAAAAFYE/OLEPRUEcT_M/iphone%252520759_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> It really was gorgeous too.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-onqn4eQUyc0/TlRecl-p6lI/AAAAAAAAFYI/kw40i9dxgbo/s1600-h/iphone%252520821%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 821" border="0" alt="iphone 821" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-er1ULOrDoqk/TlRefKlxsVI/AAAAAAAAFYM/iCSxjj9W_lg/iphone%252520821_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hC5hhgfuqrQ/TlRehn9OKGI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/2XymX8D6cT0/s1600-h/iphone%252520827%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#063e3f">After conquering Monarch Pass, we went ahead and let Rojo act silly at the local Salida WalMart.  He really did deserve it.</font><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone 827" border="0" alt="iphone 827" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZaIg7h3eRMk/TlRemR23r6I/AAAAAAAAFYU/DvwZzXsRsPE/iphone%252520827_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> When I got home, my big ol’ boy turned FIVE!  And he did not want a Superman, or Spiderman party.  Nope.  He wanted a…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kA3iWcwnlus/TlReqMiaJpI/AAAAAAAAFYY/GJJNn3Jklrg/s1600-h/mc%252520fb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mc fb" border="0" alt="mc fb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kSjZaZ3cwDA/TlReuO6NSzI/AAAAAAAAFYc/bNAfdIVKNc8/mc%252520fb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="463" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GTcNgWfHS5Y/TlRewyeQgYI/AAAAAAAAFYg/zPcHmEAVUA8/s1600-h/julyaug20113.jpg"><font color="#063e3f">That’s right, purdy darlin’.  My boy had a Rifleman party.  Yeehaw.</font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="july aug 2011" border="0" alt="july aug 2011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EtOdCMJnIQE/TlRezwZ-3qI/AAAAAAAAFYk/kN1IeVYywPo/julyaug2011_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>Later this summer, Caleb and the kids and I spent a great, refreshing weekend in San Antonio on our way out to the West Texas Ft. Davis Mountains.  We go every first week in August for Bloys’ Camp Meeting.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wW-wiveNRdM/TlRe1uhy_dI/AAAAAAAAFYo/BXffESDtAMs/s1600-h/sanantonion2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="san antonion" border="0" alt="san antonion" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r4MwvY3dac0/TlRe3os3cBI/AAAAAAAAFYs/LZj8DcHSn5k/sanantonion_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a>This is such a special time for our family and I look forward to the fellowship, worship and eating cookies on the porch while the kids dig in the dirt.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R_iKXQtjpMw/TlRe6iXES0I/AAAAAAAAFYw/_SYFxbjTVzA/s1600-h/betterfamcm3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="better fam cm" border="0" alt="better fam cm" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OF-8o9zuit0/TlRe974n0uI/AAAAAAAAFY0/353iVJANlS0/betterfamcm_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>The kids are getting big enough that they can help feed the nearly 500 people that go through the Means-Evans cookshed for every meal.  Here Audrey and McClaine are serving up biscuits.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NfAdJq9KMMQ/TlRfAV6_7rI/AAAAAAAAFY4/E02mCzxVIfU/s1600-h/biscuits3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I_-TmhSWHLg/TlRfCxKviDI/AAAAAAAAFY8/fRiCRgMEQfA/biscuits_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> We do manage to make it out to dinner in town once during the week.  So here’s a group of us out on the town!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-40tYNyaGNFg/TlRfE9kR-tI/AAAAAAAAFZA/ksMuiet3Z90/s1600-h/grownups3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="grown ups" border="0" alt="grown ups" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5KRYItArIdY/TlRfIM9kdAI/AAAAAAAAFZE/isIJNUrNDug/grownups_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dAPh2gyCohM/TlRfKogRGxI/AAAAAAAAFZI/iwqTeNcIN98/s1600-h/cmgroup3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="cm group" border="0" alt="cm group" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9kZD9RnhVP8/TlRfOAq0jpI/AAAAAAAAFZM/aTjBeInPE2E/cmgroup_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a>   This is a picture of the courageous kids and select parents that venture up the mountain to hike to the bat cave.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IWeQREwkpUc/TlRfQg5993I/AAAAAAAAFZQ/FydtWlcePwg/s1600-h/photo43.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="photo (4)" border="0" alt="photo (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lKQweZ_wFOU/TlRfTjfErYI/AAAAAAAAFZU/zzP7I_dJdto/photo4_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> And here they are in the bat cave!!!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oGPaXoHL92s/TlRfVCXJYLI/AAAAAAAAFZY/X2xvUkFq9Xk/s1600-h/batcave3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="batcave" border="0" alt="batcave" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8E15ZG5eHq4/TlRhZj2eq2I/AAAAAAAAFZc/S_YQuFVy044/batcave_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="480" /></a> This is always such a great way to wrap up the summer, spend time with people we love and relax before…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-95F2gbkZ64A/TlRhct4wv6I/AAAAAAAAFZg/Ap6L2Y03Kdo/s1600-h/kidscm3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="kids cm" border="0" alt="kids cm" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tDfWOPOQ2Uk/TlRhfMjgJJI/AAAAAAAAFZk/tWNasJI95Ng/kidscm_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="480" /></a></p> <p>we put our uniforms on for a new year of the blessing of school!  Thank you, Lord, for a great summer and a new school year on the horizon!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-67nvteY8-5o/TlRhgC_HdpI/AAAAAAAAFZo/-BAqwjY_uls/s1600-h/back%252520to%252520school%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="back to school" border="0" alt="back to school" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IcZVNR8T1fk/TlRhhOnLe6I/AAAAAAAAFZs/_Llw4qxnca8/back%252520to%252520school_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="480" /></a></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-71199592831262539752011-05-11T18:07:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:49:32.226-07:00Dabbling in Design<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Tcsx6hmDOcI/AAAAAAAAFSA/be5kDvqeW2U/s1600-h/April%20202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="April 202" border="0" alt="April 202" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Tcsx9UH3SaI/AAAAAAAAFSE/mj1YZ4w-qU8/April%20202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="371" /></a>Hello there! I realize that it has been entirely too long since my last post and quite honestly I feel like every post that I do write starts just the same- “it’s been a while.” No doubt about it, I find it increasingly challenging to keep up with being a mother of four wonderful and energetic children and all that goes with it- the laundry, the dishes, the teaching, the cooking, the potty training and the training up in the Lord.</p><br /><br /><p>I also feel the pressing need to make every post that I do write seasoned with grace and laughter and joy, and that’s just really tough to do when you only have fractured thoughts and frequently interrupted conversations and only about four point six moments to sit down at the computer. I am finding that I get lured into the quick status updates on Facebook because you are usually only held accountable for <25 words!</p><br /><br /><p>My mom did come to visit over Mother’s Day weekend and it was such a treat to see her. I am sure my <a href="http://tynerbock.blogspot.com/2011/03/life-death-and-plea-to-move-down-to.html">Azalea post</a> convinced her to get her on the plane, but be certain that the sweet kisses and laughter from my children had her perusing realtor.com for some possible winter homes in Texas. Or was it that I took her to Ross? Or perhaps the fact that she had to drive home from Denver airport in a snowstorm?</p><br /><br /><p>Whatever the case was, it was just a lovely weekend. I truly am so blessed to be a mother of these sweet and funny kids of mine.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyBe9JiII/AAAAAAAAFSI/UMOpv1LcqNM/s1600-h/April%20208%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="April 208" border="0" alt="April 208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyEPl3ACI/AAAAAAAAFSM/vIRfzMapc2w/April%20208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>I have also been dabbling in design, and contemplating opening an Etsy shop with my very fabulous and talented mother-in-law. She makes to-die-for birthday cards in a mixed-media style with fabric and such. They are very lovely and very labor intensive, and so while the recipient treasures the one they receive, it would be so fun to share. I have been working in collaboration with her in using her designs to create <del>stationary</del> <a href="http://www.queenofgrammar.com/stationery-vs-stationary-which-do-i-use/">stationery</a> (note to self- learn the correct spelling of the item that you are considering selling) and greeting cards.</p><br /><p>This is a scan of the original card that Mona made me for my birthday,<br />you can’t really tell, but it is fun fabric and even an illustration of Lassie stitched onto thick watercolor paper.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyHvjmC_I/AAAAAAAAFSQ/M36qNJ9HadI/s1600-h/scanned%20original%20tyne%5B2%5D.jpg"></p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="scanned original tyne" border="0" alt="scanned original tyne" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyODOTMcI/AAAAAAAAFSU/zaq9ZqITc2I/scanned%20original%20tyne_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="612" height="480" /></a><br /><br /><p align="center">This is a quick example of a personalized note card (post card)<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyQdL7x4I/AAAAAAAAFSY/8bUNW1wXXVQ/s1600-h/Flower%20stationary%20white%20border%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Flower stationary white border copy" border="0" alt="Flower stationary white border copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsySKFbYYI/AAAAAAAAFSc/Xw_KuBsda9A/Flower%20stationary%20white%20border%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="473" /></a> This is a photograph of a card that she made for my nephew Wyatt for his second birthday (it very much resembles Zipper the dog)<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyUxyeuwI/AAAAAAAAFSg/vdDv8cYP4p4/s1600-h/Wyatt%27s%202nd%20birthday%20005%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Wyatt's 2nd birthday 005" border="0" alt="Wyatt's 2nd birthday 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyXtB3IZI/AAAAAAAAFSk/ORA9fJgcgZg/Wyatt%27s%202nd%20birthday%20005_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p align="center">And a Wyatt post card that uses her design-<img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="wyatt and zip copy" border="0" alt="wyatt and zip copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyZosffBI/AAAAAAAAFSo/mkeSRe2pIM4/wyatt%20and%20zip%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="473" /> This is a photograph of a card that she made for Margaret last year<br />(with scraps of wrapping paper from the baby shower in honor of Margaret when she was pregnant with her!)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsycZdFL9I/AAAAAAAAFSs/tbB8rPdF-2A/s1600-h/June%202010%20009-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="June 2010 009-1" border="0" alt="June 2010 009-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyffR_L6I/AAAAAAAAFSw/xGcP_06Hqso/June%202010%20009-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="571" height="480" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p align="center">And this is a note card using that design that I will probably give as a set to my cousin Jode for her birthday this year.<br />Glad she doesn’t read my blog or it might ruin the surprise.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyhCwkd5I/AAAAAAAAFS0/ltaqu1eFQIc/s1600-h/jode%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="jode" border="0" alt="jode" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyixC9QWI/AAAAAAAAFS4/Me1W_4RYd0Y/jode_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="463" /></a>This was the Christmas card that I made for her family last year- </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Tcsym6J3wVI/AAAAAAAAFS8/gn2bg7C78BY/s1600-h/final%20front%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="final front copy" border="0" alt="final front copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyrJyGh5I/AAAAAAAAFTA/YQGN6LvNf-g/final%20front%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="463" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p align="center">and the back-<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyuXUVd5I/AAAAAAAAFTE/Qot7OJHsLU4/s1600-h/final%20back%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 5px auto; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="final back copy" border="0" alt="final back copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TcsyyA0-ONI/AAAAAAAAFTI/I90DyM1Cnsc/final%20back%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="463" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p>We’re just thinking about testing the water. It would be nice to do something you enjoy and make a little money while you’re at it, right? So, I have been spending those very few moments when the children are nestled all snug in their bed, to mess with design a bit, and it is so much fun.</p><br /><br /><p>And keeps me from blogging. So there’s a good chance that the next post will begin the same as this one.</p><br /><br /><p>Be blessed, friends!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-9890330445607588872011-04-21T20:21:00.000-07:002011-04-21T20:23:55.091-07:00I Usually Don't CussReally, I don't. <div><br /></div><div>But in an attempt to customize the font on my post titles, I reverted back to the classical design and </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >LOST ALL OF THE CUSTOM DESIGN I HAD DONE IN MY HTML CODE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND DIDN'T SAVE AND DON'T REMEMBER HOW TO DO IT B/C I DID IT SO LONG AGO.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >BEEP BEEP BEEPITY BEEP.</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-64998546584707108002011-04-20T08:53:00.001-07:002011-04-20T08:53:20.393-07:00Running Their Hearts Out and Emptying Your Wallets (all for a good cause)<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8A13cLBCI/AAAAAAAAFP4/2Y2rNg00AHI/s1600-h/Jogathon0212.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 021" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8A3Rv9_yI/AAAAAAAAFP8/adfU-F_q-a0/Jogathon021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Avery and McClaine ran in their school Jog-A-Thon last week and it was awesome.  I was so proud of them for their fund raising efforts, their desire to give back to the school that has been such a blessing to them and their endurance as they ran the race set before them.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8A6FKg3iI/AAAAAAAAFQA/Vu8VNm0InDQ/s1600-h/Jogathon011copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 011 copy" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 011 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8A9K9jcQI/AAAAAAAAFQE/tCtH5XuJfVo/Jogathon011copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">They had each set goals of how many laps to run- <br />Avery set the goal of 35 laps and McClaine set the goal of 30 laps.  They received pledges for each lap that they ran and I think some of their sponsors were a little surprised when they called them with the final tally.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8A_Ui9g4I/AAAAAAAAFQI/Pv6_yE5wFB8/s1600-h/Jogathon029copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 029 copy" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 029 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BB0u6UVI/AAAAAAAAFQM/iQPVEuN5-0I/Jogathon029copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Avery ended up running 44 laps and McClaine ran 42 laps!  <br />Together they raised nearly $800 for their school.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BEcc-XzI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/MwfB2KWlZp0/s1600-h/Jogathon030copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 030 copy" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 030 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BGyHotiI/AAAAAAAAFQU/mp6wwQtzuLs/Jogathon030copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="480" /></a> Audrey was altogether a wonderful helper,<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BIb3xMrI/AAAAAAAAFQY/YkGaIOqiYYk/s1600-h/Jogathon0042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 004" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BKqfaIHI/AAAAAAAAFQc/NB_JW_-UCkQ/Jogathon004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And played independently and with other children while I punched holes furiously for the high school students that ran laps (to keep track of how many they ran).<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BMhOInzI/AAAAAAAAFQg/z56PUI26ofM/s1600-h/Jogathon0402.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 040" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BOpcdYrI/AAAAAAAAFQk/Cd-74NzDxzE/Jogathon040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="629" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BQc-11bI/AAAAAAAAFQo/BOlxFgr9Tic/s1600-h/Jogathon062copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 062 copy" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 062 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BR0q0NrI/AAAAAAAAFQs/nlY9z5CbpBw/Jogathon062copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BUKKRpsI/AAAAAAAAFQw/IqO5rN-T3cs/s1600-h/Jogathon065copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 065 copy" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 065 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BWKlsqjI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/GB_xjtagbA8/Jogathon065copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8BYpydLuI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/wCj7al3xXZM/s1600-h/Jogathon0592.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Jog-a-thon 059" border="0" alt="Jog-a-thon 059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/Ta8Bb1kAbrI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/sBcvnZnvirI/Jogathon059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p align="center">This school has been such a tremendous blessing to our family and I have come to value even more after their first year, a Classical Christian Education.   <br /><strong><em><a href="http://www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html">This essay</a></em></strong> by Dorothy Sayers started the revival of Classical Education, <br />it is a wonderful and thought-provoking read if you are interested. </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-51733544738647076852011-04-11T15:27:00.001-07:002011-04-11T15:27:59.991-07:00Taking Things Into My Own Hands<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_t4laHxI/AAAAAAAAFO0/eYCUqXeiJ5o/s1600-h/sabinalfacewreckcopy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="sabinal face wreck copy" border="0" alt="sabinal face wreck copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_w7sQBpI/AAAAAAAAFO4/mtPPaHSdACs/sabinalfacewreckcopy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Last year when we went to Sabinal, I was conquered by an oak tree branch.  The pictures are not for the faint of heart, but if you care to see how I was nearly scalped and the reason why I still have trouble breathing out of my left nostril, you can read about it <strong><em><a href="http://tynerbock.blogspot.com/2010/03/wild-west-story-or-how-i-got-that-mean.html">here</a></em></strong>.  But be forewarned, there is lots of blood.</p> <p>This year I decided to take matters into my own hands-</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_zCs1g7I/AAAAAAAAFO8/jKq1Wn_goyg/s1600-h/March%20308%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 308" border="0" alt="March 308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2_yaQNxQQgNZoe8ENEzwVtei8UtCz9YZW79Oi_1X4FLfbXu3zWTftg0Pw_iaXx97XJwRGYebFzUAY_R5DHsY2p-KXVb-Gfb-FB_RHAtoKZZipBJpOwJ-VnjVCYeR5zd5JuP-6ABqyXU/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>Well, not really.  I just avoided cruising around on a bench mounted in the bed of a pickup truck and stuck with less dangerous sporting such as shooting clay pigeons and fishing. <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 307" border="0" alt="March 307" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_4GQfYxI/AAAAAAAAFPE/uNzAxXZmUnU/March%20307_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" />It’s always a really fun reunion with my brother and his wife and kids, and my dad.  He is really a fun dad and he is about to turn SEVENTY so we did manage to fit in a <a href="http://tynerbock.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-snow-storms-come.html">Coca-Cola Cake</a>.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_7CoXcPI/AAAAAAAAFPI/TdAZnF2jjlw/s1600-h/March%20306%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 306" border="0" alt="March 306" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaN_-IwXF7I/AAAAAAAAFPM/omRliRby5Dw/March%20306_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> <p> Audrey and her cousin Sage are like two peas in a pod.  I love that they are so close in age and that we live so close by, it will be a treat to watch them grow up together.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAAxwRWOI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/R6bkGfMYI8I/s1600-h/March%20309%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 309" border="0" alt="March 309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAIyrK8nI/AAAAAAAAFPU/EZi5cLpIOeQ/March%20309_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> Reece did more photography than me this weekend.  All of these pictures (except the one from last year at the top) are from my phone.  Do you know about the instagram ap?  It makes really mediocre pictures pretty cute.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOALqGgjgI/AAAAAAAAFPY/R27kuPi1Sb0/s1600-h/March%20310%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 310" border="0" alt="March 310" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAOVZLbPI/AAAAAAAAFPc/xsJZKRAss3Y/March%20310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>There were Indians in the Sabinal area…<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAQh4g5OI/AAAAAAAAFPg/8uq4BzToPj8/s1600-h/March%20312%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 312" border="0" alt="March 312" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAS4Z1JEI/AAAAAAAAFPk/WoogftKozLk/March%20312_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> And not just this one with the feather in her hair!  Caleb found these really cool arrowheads.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAVFePmrI/AAAAAAAAFPo/8z6zshal-0c/s1600-h/March%20313%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 313" border="0" alt="March 313" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAXI0yR_I/AAAAAAAAFPs/lrggqEOaX_M/March%20313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>It was a wonderful and slightly exhausting weekend, but not nearly as painful for me as the last trip we took there.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAZoKZDQI/AAAAAAAAFPw/wbjzls2mj5Q/s1600-h/March%20314%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 314" border="0" alt="March 314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TaOAb56FZMI/AAAAAAAAFP0/g7_GRzMdtSQ/March%20314_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-44614833085984502432011-03-30T15:00:00.001-07:002011-03-30T15:00:02.663-07:00Life, Death and A Plea to Move Down to Texas<p>‘Tis a strange title, I know…</p> <p>Mom called the other day, in disbelief that another snowstorm hit the mountains of the Vail Valley, she would work from home again.  I walked down the stairs and peered through the window, early morning light on trees looked to be crowned with snow themselves.  It’s rare for it to snow this late in Texas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOmf9rbu3I/AAAAAAAAFNs/Ro5pvfNo4wg/s1600-h/March%20165%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOmiESw88I/AAAAAAAAFNw/1wqKcuJec-M/March%20165%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Ah… glorious spring in East Texas!  Dogwood Trees covered in white blooms look to be decorated with white finery.  I have tried to tell her before that she would gladly welcome the lovely mild winter and charming spring seasons of Texas, and her grandchildren and children would gladly welcome <em>her</em>.  Perhaps the dogwood trees and wisteria and azaleas will woo her down south for the winter?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOmi9VYqjI/AAAAAAAAFN0/wInAG3U7wU8/s1600-h/March%20172%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOmkD7oVLI/AAAAAAAAFN4/44BdVri_7AQ/March%20172%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>This is the wonder that I see when I drive the kids to school, down the winding country roads-</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOmm4Fi6fI/AAAAAAAAFN8/1lipJ1SZv8A/s1600-h/March%20180%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOm587RK_I/AAAAAAAAFOA/6nskWTRIphk/March%20180%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> tall pine trees adorned with Wisteria, clusters of beauty!  Oh, to capture the scent on my blog!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOm8IIuHJI/AAAAAAAAFOE/oyaaroBG-5Y/s1600-h/March%20183%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOm-Jfgm8I/AAAAAAAAFOI/yQgDdUkDk1Y/March%20183%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> Then we make our way into the heart of the city, closely approaching the school as we follow the old brick streets through the Azalea Trails of Tyler. </p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.tylerazaleatrail.com/images/pc_secondpic2009_Big.jpg" /><a href="http://www.tylerazaleatrail.com/index.htm">{source}</a></p> <p align="center">I love the Lord.  Not only is He wildly creative in the things He made, but the fact that He <em>made seasons</em>!  Winter’s hard cold brings death and then in the spring comes life in its fullness.  It truly has me amazed with who He is.  Not only are we experiencing a great spring here, but I feel like we are really getting a glimpse into the whole idea of creation and passing of life.  We welcomed our new nephew, Silas, into the world on Saturday morning.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnPD6fqkI/AAAAAAAAFOM/YXBTcY6jNe4/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnhNXfURI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/XZmH0vqJ68Y/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a> <br />{photo credit: Jon Vashey}</p> <p align="left">He is awesome!  So cute and snuggly and that “newborn smell,” yet another aroma I wish I could capture on a blog.  We took care of his two “big” brothers and let me just say that I couldn’t even get a camera out.  We had a one year old, a two year old, a three year old, two- four year olds and a six year old running (literally) around here.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnkPik9QI/AAAAAAAAFOU/SoQmp_ZSlc4/s1600-h/March%20190%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnoVNrP4I/AAAAAAAAFOY/XBUI0i4v9GY/March%20190%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="left">We are also preparing for Caleb’s very godly and humble grandma to pass into eternity and meet her blessed Savior and Creator.  She has been bed-ridden for a few weeks now since she experienced pneumonia and A-Fib.  You can tell that she is longing to be in the presence of the Lord, she repeats Scripture and hymns of praise are ever on her lips when she is awake.  It is such a joy to open the Word of God and read to her, because her eyes light up and she faintly, but exuberantly utters the words right along with you.  They are written on her heart.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnp9oKfzI/AAAAAAAAFOc/UQDj2CdCWmQ/s1600-h/March%20135%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnsWdlW4I/AAAAAAAAFOg/MNLFWAnqGyU/March%20135%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>Before she was hospitalized, Caleb went to visit her at her apartment.  After they visited and had lunch, she asked him to write down the names of our kids (her memory is not what it once was) so she could pray for them.  He went into her bedroom and found a spiral sitting on her desk.  When he opened it he could not find a blank sheet, page after page, neatly written scripture covered each page.  And then he looked down to find a stack of about ten more spirals that were just the same.</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">We really do have much to tremble at- the splendor of His creation, new birth and preparing for eternity.  I am so thankful for all that He is and all that He has done, contemplating it truly does restore the soul.  I am also in awe of how simple He makes it to know Him.</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">The fact is we are all dead.  Just as a cold, hard winter allows no blossoms or crops, our sin separates us from a Holy God.</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">And-</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">Just as a long winter needs the sun to bring forth life, we need God’s Son to bring forth life in our death.  </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnw4bm3uI/AAAAAAAAFOk/u3t5nQ58Yxg/s1600-h/March%20193%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOnyxwy1YI/AAAAAAAAFOo/0x6lMh7b5Fw/March%20193%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> Our requirement is simple- faith.  We just need to believe.  Just as God created the seasons and they come as inevitably as new birth and the passing of life, God made the wise the simple.  We just have to believe.</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,<sup> </sup>that whoever <em>believes</em> in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (emphasis mine)</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">It is a wondrous thing to be a part of the life cycle that God has created.  I really feel blessed!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOn06HUawI/AAAAAAAAFOs/SwDxsV_BDTM/s1600-h/March%202011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="March 2011" border="0" alt="March 2011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TZOn39FeX1I/AAAAAAAAFOw/epzaaUugPmk/March%202011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="457" /></a></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-9332171389185807872011-03-21T14:16:00.001-07:002011-03-21T14:16:52.186-07:00When You Are Three<p>There’s no doubt in my mind that 3 is one of my very favorite ages.  Growing out of the temperamental phase and full of imagination and vigor, Audrey’s little antics constantly have me chuckling.  </p> <p>And I love that technology helps me to capture those moments word for word.  When she starts going on a little ramble about princesses and teachers turning into mean people and getting healed by Jesus and then they get married, I hit that little voice memo on my phone and catch every precious word.  </p> <p>This was a recent ramble that I caught:</p> <p>Audrey: <em>I am having two babies in my tummy with lots of color in there. The boy oneses is Caleb, the girl oneses Sagey. Tomorrow I will have my babies. <br /></em></p> <p>Me: <em>Audrey, who is your husband? <br /></em></p> <p>Audrey: <em>Caleb <br /></em></p> <p>Me: O<em>kay, because if you are having babies it is very important to have a husband to help you take care of the babies. You know, to go to work and make money to buy groceries to help you feed your children. And a good daddy to teach your son to be a man and teach your daughter what a good man looks like. <br /></em></p> <p>Audrey: <em>My husband is having a dream in my tummy. And what are you doing today?  Sagey is a big girl in my tummy. She is in my belly button. I'm about to have another baby. A big baby when I am about to grow up like you. </em></p> <p><em>My teeth hurt. I'm gonna go inside, my baby doesn't need me.</em></p> <p><em>***</em></p> <p>And when you’re three, and your “teeth hurt,” you can just go inside, because your baby doesn’t need you.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-37637692486524505742011-03-17T14:13:00.001-07:002011-03-17T14:13:41.396-07:00when you pass through the waters<p>Some calls are easy to receive as a mother.  The first one came around 3 o’clock, the school office saying that McClaine was running a low-grade fever and that he couldn’t stay for extended day care.  A sure sign that the virus that he had been fighting for a few days had not nearly run its course, though the thermometer that morning indicated it had.  Also a sure sign that God’s providence was at work, Avery and McClaine being picked up earlier than expected, freeing Caleb up for what was to come.  This call was easily handled, a simple text message to Caleb, not a second thought, I continued to peruse the pictures of mommy’s cradling babies in the midst of rubble.  Those images are so hard to stomach- caring for our babies and loved ones is what we mothers do, and when we can’t do it well- when temperatures drop as quickly as the snow, when blankets can’t be found, when there is no food for hunger pangs, when there is no water for parched mouths, when waves crash and earth still trembles…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/japan-earthquake-new-explosion-rocks-fukushima-nuclear-power-plant/story-fn6ck45n-1226022441717">Source</a> <br /></p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Japan disaster" src="http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/03/15/1226022/117899-japan-disaster.jpg" width="650" height="366" /></p> <p>I looked over at Audrey, still warm with fever, but content to lay on the couch and watch Dora, cup of cold water in her hand.  I was so thankful for all that I had.  Caleb had brought Reece over to his grandma’s house that morning, giving me an opportunity to rest and recuperate from this virus that had hit our household.  I remember reconsidering that morning if I should let her go, she was one of the few that hadn’t yet shown signs of being sick, she was lively and happy and ate a full breakfast.  My body was still aching and my cough was deep, so I smooched her cheek and passed her into loving and capable hands- thankful again for the many provisions, family nearby and ease for me, so I could rest that day.</p> <p>I was reading this <strong><em><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/how-to-hold-on-when-your-world-shakes/">very thoughtful post</a></em></strong> (please go back and read it) when I got that second call, <font size="4">the one that was not so easy to receive</font>.  I can barely sort the details, but it was my sister-in-law, Leigh.  “Tyne,” she said calmly, but I could decipher she was anything but calm, “has anyone called you yet?”</p> <p>“What?  No. I mean, what?”</p> <p>“It’s Reece,”  her voice started to quiver, my heart started to race, “She’s having a seizure, they are on the way to the ER.”</p> <p>I couldn’t delay by asking too many details, I determined exactly which ER and I hung up.  Moisture leaves mouth, lips crack, heart in my throat, mind fathoming every possible worst-case scenario.  I scooped Audrey from the couch, super-mommy strength restored to my fevered body when one of my babies is far from me, not known to be conscious or alert, seizing for the first time.  I am terrified, panicked, parched.  And then it washes over me,</p> <blockquote> <p>“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; <br />         And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. <br />         When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, <br />         Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2</p> </blockquote> <p><font size="4">I remember His sovereignty, I am calmed by His love and the Truth that He is mindful of all details</font>.</p> <blockquote> <p>“Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? <br />If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths,<sup> </sup>you are there. </p> <p>If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, </p> <p>even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. </p> <p>If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ </p> <p>even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,</p> <p>for darkness is as light to you”  Ps 139:7-12</p> </blockquote> <p>Prayers well-up, panic calms, I feel peace.  I know that God is in control.  I know that He is aware of all of Reece’s needs and my needs.  I put my shoes on and Audrey’s shoes on and we get in the car.  A bottle of water in the car wets my lips, I offer gratitude.  Enough gas to get to the ER, thanksgiving rises to the God who is able to heal.  I think of those in Japan without water, without gas, without an escape.  I ask for that same God to bring them peace in the midst of trial.  I begin to praise God in the midst of the valley, for all of His provisions.  <em>Reece was in town today, close to the hospital and not far like me and Audrey; in the care of three nurses (Oma, Margaret and my Aunt Carol);  that Caleb picked the kids up earlier than he was planning and could come straight to the ER.  Aunt Carol greeted me at the door of the ER, took Audrey and led me straight to my youngest. Thank You, Lord, You are so mindful!</em></p> <p>She was clinging to her Oma, face flushed and only in her diaper.  When she saw me, she looked relieved and sad at the same time- but SHE WAS ALIVE and CONSCIOUS and she recognized me!  I was so thankful, those thoughts that first invaded my mind were not true- that I may never see that precious smile again.  They ran thorough tests and as I held my sweet sleeping baby against my chest waiting for the results, I thought of other mommies clinging to babies, holding them close to chest.  Snow falls in Japan, homeless, a mother clings to her babe.  Rubble all around, mother rocks her babe in Haiti.  We want the best for our little ones, and I breathe deep and cry, overwhelmed by the dichotomy of emotions, gratitude meets devastation.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366746/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Emperor-makes-rare-TV-appearance-face-snow.html">Source</a>  <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="A mother hugs her one-year-old twins as they are reunited five days after the earthquake" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/16/article-1366746-0B3399A100000578-861_470x654.jpg" width="470" height="654" /> </p> <p>Reecey’s febrile (fever-induced) seizure was caused by the flu.  They prescribed Tamiflu and sent us home, with such ease.  I only wish it were so easy for other moms.  I am so humbled by the care and love that we received and the prayers that bathed us with His peace.  I pray for His awesome peace and provision over all those suffering around the world…</p> <p>These are some personal accounts from friends of ours who experienced the earthquake, you can read their testimonies and pray for them, and please take a minute to encourage them…</p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://marispassportdiaries.blogspot.com/">Passport Diaries</a></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://blog.gcpn.org/thetowerys/blog/">Hope for Japan</a></em></strong></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-64270534328691401712011-03-15T09:24:00.001-07:002011-03-15T09:24:08.902-07:00Be Still My Heart, Those Daffodils are Blooming Again<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QT9jSQAI/AAAAAAAAFLI/_oMPm8jy3MI/s1600-h/20110226_123copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QY0RX7rI/AAAAAAAAFLM/j5USxMoamVw/20110226_123copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="627" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I know it is extremely challenging to see the daffodils in the background when your eyes are captivated by those freckles.  But take note, the daffodils are in bloom.  We headed to Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil farm a couple weekends ago and since I didn’t charge my camera battery, my sweet friend, Crystal, who came along with her children, let me borrow her camera.  And I am so thankful, because it is no small task to pull the spring clothes out of storage and have four coordinated outfits put together for four incredibly active children who really aren’t much interested in posing for a camera.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QdqJtIMI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/kzPkOvgcPos/s1600-h/20110226_122copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QjbqytOI/AAAAAAAAFLU/QF-yO8ae6r8/20110226_122copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> Oh wait, never mind!  How cute are they?  And I must say that with a little presto chango from my pal Photoshop, these pics turned out pretty stinkin’ good.  Be of good cheer, those of you with a little point and shoot, you can do wonders with Photoshop! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QlrSjXDI/AAAAAAAAFLY/sibqI0TnRJY/s1600-h/20110226_128copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QoKPjNqI/AAAAAAAAFLc/4_NuptuBZzI/20110226_128copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="480" /></a>Pioneer Woman has some fantastic Photoshop Actions that are <strong><em><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/category/photoshop-actions/">free to download</a></em></strong>.  If you are not a Photoshop guru, she makes it so simple with the click of a button.  On the top three photos I used her “boost” action.  It helps to crisp up those grey dull digitals and gives them a boost of color. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Qr7XpdHI/AAAAAAAAFLg/7nyb-6O4lDE/s1600-h/20110226_125copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-QviOyeNI/AAAAAAAAFLk/Ginv_XbJgFw/20110226_125copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Rita, over at the <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/">CoffeeShop Blog</a></em></strong>, is awesome.  Her blog is packed with tutorials, photoshop actions, textures, frames, storyboard templates and so much more- ALL FREE!  She is so generous.  Most of the photos below are edited with her actions.  This photo of Avery and McClaine is edited with the <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2009/10/coffeeshop-moody-pop-pspse-action.html">Moody Pop action</a></em></strong>.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Q0ctIKNI/AAAAAAAAFLo/A2dmfRJ6tE8/s1600-h/20110226_118copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Q5RmC21I/AAAAAAAAFLs/NOyxleQgmOY/20110226_118copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> This group shot is edited with <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2009/12/coffeeshop-butterscotch-vintage-pspse.html">Butterscotch Vintage</a></em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Q9cjszLI/AAAAAAAAFLw/mx7tOeyEDjQ/s1600-h/20110226_213copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RBlneJdI/AAAAAAAAFL0/mNRBo3QiGzc/20110226_213copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="403" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This picture taken outside of this old log cabin at Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil farm is edited with <strong><em><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/a-barn-twelve-actions-and-a-weirdo/">PW’s Old West Action</a></em></strong>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RE3lVdSI/AAAAAAAAFL4/14w1uxWbBYo/s1600-h/20110226_174copy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RIlQY_dI/AAAAAAAAFL8/ZXrkSYF84_A/20110226_174copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> This is <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2008/12/coffeeshop-denim-free-action-for.html">CoffeeShop Blog’s Denim Action</a></em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RLqTTn1I/AAAAAAAAFMA/fxUMLUHp4To/s1600-h/bigkidsblues2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-ROz_hRmI/AAAAAAAAFME/iEh_1Ky4tTU/bigkidsblues_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This is <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2008/12/coffeeshop-attic-vintage-free-pspse.html">CoffeeShop’s Attic Vintage</a></em></strong>. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RR94v4_I/AAAAAAAAFMI/JWN4lcVuzMs/s1600-h/boysatticvintage2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RVW3Q_rI/AAAAAAAAFMM/9A6JxsvMRdo/boysatticvintage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> Yeehaw!  More Butterscotch Vintage.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RYtHGHwI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/yfPp8EX-SLA/s1600-h/boysbutterscotchvintage2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RckdHASI/AAAAAAAAFMU/QGJ-1AeQi_Y/boysbutterscotchvintage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And this is PW’s Sepia (I can’t find the link, sorry pals)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RklXwArI/AAAAAAAAFMY/PCkCPtXW_I4/s1600-h/boyssepia2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RoppJxkI/AAAAAAAAFMc/GzD2Z9c6E54/boyssepia_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Another Butterscotch Vintage.  Can you tell I like Butterscotch Vintage?<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RstekNhI/AAAAAAAAFMg/pWJL7ulyU9U/s1600-h/butterscotchaudrey2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-RwLS-6bI/AAAAAAAAFMk/Utf4wbJv1EE/butterscotchaudrey_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This is <strong><em><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/a-barn-twelve-actions-and-a-weirdo/">PW’s B&W Beauty</a></em></strong>.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Rys0JcNI/AAAAAAAAFMo/XcYy-2M1iaM/s1600-h/bwbridge2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-R4LhI3PI/AAAAAAAAFMs/8zrtGqHBGos/bwbridge_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="627" height="480" /></a>This is <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2010/01/coffeeshop-soft-autumn-glow-pspse.html">CS’s Autumn Glow</a></em></strong>.  Pretty cute, huh?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-R7MTVvtI/AAAAAAAAFMw/6wLJ7e9afXo/s1600-h/reeceautumnglow2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-R_D6pSSI/AAAAAAAAFM0/_3UnMOY4LOI/reeceautumnglow_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="480" /></a> And this shot of my four little darlings (the best group shot of about 60 taken) is edited with <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2009/07/coffeeshop-splendor-b-pspse-action-and.html">CoffeeShop’s Splendor Black and White Action</a></em></strong>. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SDumQ18I/AAAAAAAAFM4/Uavb85NS6DM/s1600-h/csbwfourkids2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SHBd5JyI/AAAAAAAAFM8/Rno0S_FmUSA/csbwfourkids_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p>Alrighty, enough of all that photo and editing chat.  Let’s get back to my friend Crystal, the one I referred to before I went on a long dialogue about my love for butterscotch <strike>action</strike>.  When I transferred to Texas A&M, the Lord was kind enough to put a very sweet and godly lady in my life named Crystal.  Really, she is just a gem, encouraging and edifying and fun all in one.  She taught me so much about the Lord when I was a young believer and really helped me in my walk.  Though we kept in touch somewhat during college, after we graduated we parted ways and I couldn’t track her down.  Even with the awesome finding power of facebook, a married name often makes it tricky to find someone.  But have no fear, God can reunite people in ways that Facebook cannot!  I took my youngest two to a grocery store that I RARELY visit to buy some groceries for Caleb’s grandma.  I passed that familiar friend once in the canned vegetable aisle and did a double take.  Then in the dairy aisle we looked at each other and immediately she said, “Tyne, is that you?” while I simultaneously said, “Crystal???”  It was so fun to reunite with someone who was so such a treasure from my past.  She and her family recently moved here and had been praying for the Lord to provide some friends and fellowship.  I had also been praying that the Lord would bring a sister into my life to edify and sharpen me in my walk with the Lord.  It has been such a blessing over the past several months to meet with her and get to know her family.  Her sweet kids are the ones that are in the photos above with my kids.  What a kind way for the Lord to show His love for us both! </p> <p>Oh my, I found a couple photos that I missed:</p> <p align="center">This is <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2009/06/coffeeshop-vintage-news-pspse-action.html">CS’s Vintage News.</a></em></strong> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SKvaIxGI/AAAAAAAAFNA/8pYvd4zRDkk/s1600-h/girlsnewsprint2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SPlz15ZI/AAAAAAAAFNE/T8zRz60ZRQY/girlsnewsprint_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>This is edited with  <strong><em><a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2008/12/coffeeshop-attic-vintage-free-pspse.html">CS’s Attic Vintage Action.</a></em></strong>  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SVnuZnWI/AAAAAAAAFNI/X8eONAHx1S4/s1600-h/girlsatticvintage2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SZE0EkGI/AAAAAAAAFNM/sh0hiX-hO_Q/girlsatticvintage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> This group shot is edited with <strong><em><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/category/photoshop-actions/?orderby=title&order=asc">PW’s Heartland Action.</a></em></strong> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SegQvsJI/AAAAAAAAFNQ/_TdODcO4gCc/s1600-h/groupheartlandcopy2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-Sjf7ppQI/AAAAAAAAFNU/6rs5xMF-RLA/groupheartlandcopy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">And lastly, ‘cause I am tired and just want to sit on the porch with a blowpop, is edited with<strong><em> <a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/2010/06/coffeeshop-simply-vintage-tutorial-and.html">CS’s Simply Vintage Action</a></em></strong>.   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SmqZcgiI/AAAAAAAAFNY/PqpEFFuuXEY/s1600-h/simplyvintageporch2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX-SpSeUZhI/AAAAAAAAFNc/isxOOFa0at0/simplyvintageporch_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="400" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I would love to know if you have any tips on photo editing with Photoshop.  Do you have any favorite blogs that have great FREE actions?</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-69233219826058409832011-03-13T13:18:00.001-07:002011-03-13T13:18:48.628-07:00Monkey Britches<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0lzP7VvdI/AAAAAAAAFJo/dsrWkPvKfXY/s1600-h/February20110152.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 015" border="0" alt="February 2011 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0l1VJmm1I/AAAAAAAAFJs/wWu9Vytc0hM/February2011015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> Heaven forbid someone misunderstand me, but I have called this little lady “monkey britches” from the time she was an infant.  She has certainly grown into that nickname, joyful, boisterous and stubborn as can be, a monkey birthday cake for her second birthday is absolutely appropriate (thanks Oma, for making a homemade cake, walmart would have thought me crazy to request a monkey cake).</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 012" border="0" alt="February 2011 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0l4WZ8DdI/AAAAAAAAFJw/NJBjkiGN50E/February2011012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7hHFHeeZZl_dhYMabJYGMyJ-MCPDBjOHB2-d2uItl3BBnMECLFCHi5vzI5mKqFU1VpGOoCXjRP0W68S72_X42UbAvJsne3VMC16IlkNORCPxCEK9qzzRcISMVG8LHCZydgoeiEBTvO4/s1600-h/February20110242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 024" border="0" alt="February 2011 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0l_RhIzHI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/pxwRu5XCyPY/February2011024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>  </p> <p>It’s tough having kids so close together, in many ways.  At Reece’s party, Audrey was DEVASTATED that she didn’t have her own presents to open, she just didn’t get it.  And I am a rare mom these days not to have favors for all the kids that attended her party (which happened to be her siblings and two cousins).  So my sweet Avery, the oldest and so very considerate, took it upon herself to find a partially chewed on blow horn and wrap it for her younger sister.  Which completely solved the situation.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mB-YAojI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/E1CdGPARrlM/s1600-h/February20110272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 027" border="0" alt="February 2011 027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mEtM6X7I/AAAAAAAAFKA/R5S9NRqRzts/February2011027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> We also recently celebrated the birthday for my very handsome nephew, Wyatt.  Here’s his momma, Leigh-</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mHZYHZSI/AAAAAAAAFKE/nRSCSoUG3-I/s1600-h/February20110252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 025" border="0" alt="February 2011 025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mJwSSSeI/AAAAAAAAFKI/hRw-ZL2MHno/February2011025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>She made this very cool dirt cake that was composed of pudding and cream cheese and cool whip and crushed oreos and gummi worms and all things that make my body hurt but are nearly impossible to pass up!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mL2qtKiI/AAAAAAAAFKM/TVEKaTzGtoQ/s1600-h/February20110282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 028" border="0" alt="February 2011 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mM6WAUvI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/_O0vrbleYZI/February2011028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mPIwaPHI/AAAAAAAAFKU/tQjJDRD9idY/s1600-h/February20110302.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 030" border="0" alt="February 2011 030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJXTp7OkwxPi9GhLXICjYawxlrA6713cK8qmBOAgwyCVfN3x_U2APM9RVI_XQI4BvOHvfI-snF9UG8nTEKU4hiA1lEfp7Zyg-QHLVZDRhyphenhyphen9kgqFK1pjUGYKVnq7o3Cwtw9JARebg7qrY/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mUmpXxWI/AAAAAAAAFKc/QLFEFoLRfNo/s1600-h/February20110352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 035" border="0" alt="February 2011 035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mWSHHtoI/AAAAAAAAFKk/-bOGk0ALAe0/February2011035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>They had the birthday party at a beautiful nature reserve in East Texas.  It was a glorious spring day.  AND, someone got a new bicycle for his birthday!!!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mXqOgYqI/AAAAAAAAFKo/ivAQ0p3w0Dc/s1600-h/February20110382.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 038" border="0" alt="February 2011 038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0maMB8a-I/AAAAAAAAFKs/wqY49fud-fs/February2011038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> We managed to get a little fishing in while we were there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mcMYSiyI/AAAAAAAAFKw/ydHd-SJp6Pg/s1600-h/February20110402.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 040" border="0" alt="February 2011 040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0meECHV6I/AAAAAAAAFK0/skUFgxaz59U/February2011040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> Some of us did… poor McClaine is super sick, and spent most of the day sleeping- in the jog stroller or on a blanket.  He really was acting pretty good this morning, but by the time we made the drive out there his eyes were watering, his nose was running and he was on the verge of tears.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mh1BwcqI/AAAAAAAAFK4/yXaHOovm-W0/s1600-h/February20110422.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 042" border="0" alt="February 2011 042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mmJhpptI/AAAAAAAAFK8/j3v8XrtakSA/February2011042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Aves managed to catch a couple fish.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0moVctqYI/AAAAAAAAFLA/9mCUJZdRBaI/s1600-h/February20110502.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="February 2011 050" border="0" alt="February 2011 050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TX0mp-UEZLI/AAAAAAAAFLE/7qSxjRMuAXs/February2011050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It has been a great weekend so far, the weather is lovely and mild, and there’s a chance of a girls’ night on the forecast!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-72097754489768673952011-03-09T15:39:00.001-08:002011-03-09T15:39:19.309-08:00Birch Trees and the Lenten Season<p align="center">A birch tree, majestically clothed in silver bark, begins to shower the path laden with winter’s leaves.  Another sign that the warm days of spring are here.  <br />Caleb taps the tree, collecting the sweet sap in an old coffee tin.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgO_qxdopI/AAAAAAAAFIw/9A4o61z0MCs/s1600-h/March%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPB5bDhUI/AAAAAAAAFI0/8mEv7JAQ_l4/March%20022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPF3YXxEI/AAAAAAAAFI8/jvf49utoBMc/s1600-h/March%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPIRWauFI/AAAAAAAAFJA/HtCeCV9X4R0/March%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Those clear drops are steady into the old vessel, every drop essential to make a syrup<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPMJ_HF3I/AAAAAAAAFJE/ZK7VLmy_-jw/s1600-h/March%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPPuE0-LI/AAAAAAAAFJI/5bf-5dQkXhM/March%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">It takes 99 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPSM_WlaI/AAAAAAAAFJM/Ogp3e-yNqZk/s1600-h/March%20023%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPUgcsejI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/lrXsRhHCyuU/March%20023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Little one and I venture down the shady path to empty the vessel into a larger pot<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPXxFyJUI/AAAAAAAAFJU/Bg5NP4aS1VE/March%20033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" />Sun streams through those bare trees and her face is all aglow<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPan9HsII/AAAAAAAAFJY/uT_aT3O5Dz8/s1600-h/March%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYgn7HP1kgpHmLtyG12kOLwgMwcaFLBv4Z3NGyRgZQ-UE2DtNb3DbyDMBDCaSeTMzGsDnlU-nycRViBO_iDa-i5ouSMsAEbofyUT8uV3q-TSHjc71gJprlCxnPDFGOQtRiDCYY0ukmxQ/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> Spring’s approach is everywhere.  The daffodils are pushing their way up through parched leaves and I am reminded that the Lenten Season is at hand.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPkU7IqqI/AAAAAAAAFJg/B2jNG79N-ZA/s1600-h/autumn%20glow%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TXgPowQx2MI/AAAAAAAAFJk/zTgJ0bGulPk/autumn%20glow_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">I grew up observing Lent as a Lutheran and then, as I found a non-denominational church in college I strayed from what I traditionally practiced during Lent.  <br />Which was usually just “giving up” something that I knew wouldn’t be too much of a challenge to sacrifice.  I would occasionally have to ask the Lord to help me put down the Hershey Kiss, but really I wasn’t connecting with the Lord like I knew I should.  As I have become a mother, I have found an increasing appetite to realize the great gift of the  relationship I have with God.  I want my faith to be conscious and deliberate and seasoned with a grateful heart brimming with joy.  <br />I want my kids to see this reality in my life and want it in their own lives.</p> <p align="center">I have been prayerfully considering how to draw closer to the Lord during this season and have found these posts to be particularly insightful and inspiring.  <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/why-do-lent-why-a-failing-lent-actually-succeeds-a-booklist/"><em>This one</em></a><strong></strong> and <strong><em><a href="http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2011/03/lenten-preparations.html">this one.</a></em></strong>  For those of you who are wondering what Lent is about, <strong><em><a href="http://wimberlys.blogspot.com/2011/03/plow-in-hope_09.html">this post</a></em></strong> has great explanation.  I am finding myself needing to unplug from the very alluring facebook and plug into the Word of God.  I am also wanting to increase discipline in certain areas such as prayer. </p> <p align="center">I really love the way Edie summarizes these “stray thoughts” on Lent in <a href="http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/2011/03/lent-for-the-newcomer-learning-from-my-father.html"><strong>this post</strong></a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>1. Lent is a time for penitence and reflection and the practicing of christian discipline. It does not make God ‘more pleased with me’ and is not a ‘good work’. God is pleased with Christ alone and good works are those things which I do in service to my neighbor. <br />2. If I purpose to ‘give something up’ for Lent and then two weeks later find that I fail and can’t keep my lenten discipline, God is not disappointed in me. God is pleased with Christ and thus pleased with me when I have faith in Christ. I am a sinner who fails and sins constantly. And my failing is not a surprise to God. <br />3. If I keep my lenten discipline to the ‘tee’, I must be careful not to try and convince myself that I’m ‘more spiritual’ or holy than before. I have been freely clothed with the righteousness of Christ and am only learning to ‘fit’ into clothes that were given me by God. <br />4. We must also be careful not to view our discipline as ‘suffering’ and remember that Christ suffered on the cross for our redemption and we do not get to choose our own suffering (by giving up, say diet pepsi for a month). <br />5. It is a good exercise to occasionally deprive our bodies, to not give in to every fleshly desire. We are so often slaves to our own bodies and teaching ourselves discipline in any area is often met with resistance.</p> </blockquote> <p>Just like that birch tree that is fully clothed in radiant silver bark, I know that the righteousness that I have is only a gift from the Lord through my faith in Christ, and apart from Him and His blood, I am a sinner.  During this season, I want to fully realize the great gift that I have through Christ’s sacrifice.  Just as every drop of the sap in that old vessel is necessary to make a syrup, I want to know and realize the value of Christ.  I hope to record what the Lord is teaching me in this season through more frequent posts.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-40322119911518357272011-02-21T19:28:00.001-08:002011-02-21T19:28:42.332-08:00Sprouting and Spring Chickens<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMrH8AvK5I/AAAAAAAAFH8/tU2_6UE3duU/s1600-h/feb%20031%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMrTJhQZcI/AAAAAAAAFIA/FBh-7HaSF0E/feb%20031%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>Sprouts- These are signs.  Praise Jesus that things are thawing out around here.  And there are even some things blooming in the backyard.  I am glad that these daffodils got planted in the backyard so we have a sign of when <a href="http://tynerbock.blogspot.com/2010/03/daffodils-get-little-action.html">Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil farm</a> may be ready for a visit by four slightly obnoxious children and a mom dying to capture a photo with all children beaming and focused on the camera. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMsfMwqlHI/AAAAAAAAFIE/IaFj__4EHB0/s1600-h/feb%20018%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMsjeayFlI/AAAAAAAAFII/qKdi5tBP9l4/feb%20018%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Mr. Rooster’s frostbite thingy on his head is healing up quite well.  Did I ever tell you that I have quite a dislike for birds?  When I was a child I was petrified of them, but now that I am a mommy, my kids would never even know that I didn’t love the things with their beady eyes of death.  Really, I am so thankful that these precious feathered things are gracing us with many yard eggs a day.  Because omelets are wonderful (not that I am whipping those up every morning, but a girl can dream).<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMsnhOA2QI/AAAAAAAAFIM/B06xw13eiog/s1600-h/feb%20024%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMssIija7I/AAAAAAAAFIQ/JSpyFuPSZ4M/feb%20024%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I just celebrated my 34th birthday- woooohoooo!  I really feel so much better than I did a few years ago when I was either full-time nursing, or pregnant, or sleep deprived or all of the above for 5 years straight.  A full-nights sleep and only having one child in diapers will really help a lady’s composure.  That along with depriving myself of refined sugar has made a huge difference in how I feel.  In case you missed that sentence, I am on a doctor-prescribed diet that puts a NIX on refined sugar, corn syrup, peppermint mocha creamer, etc.</p> <p>I told Caleb that I really wanted a picture of me with my kids for my birthday, this is the closest we got to that goal- me, my children, one of my nephews and my nieces- all of us with our eyes closed.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMswbbgd2I/AAAAAAAAFIU/_hd1047jwIE/s1600-h/feb%20009%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMs1hyiI-I/AAAAAAAAFIY/tRx9_0KwmZo/feb%20009%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>I am ever grateful that he decided to replace the stereo in my car that broke two years ago!  It is awesome and plays CDs, plus I can hook my iPhone up to it and play music from that.  Happy Birthday to me!  Now if I can just wean myself from my addiction to talk radio, I’ll be good to go.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMtKrZkCZI/AAAAAAAAFIc/EDco6wgFsFo/s1600-h/feb%20022%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMtUsE7kFI/AAAAAAAAFIg/ZS8N1aMiTkg/feb%20022%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Our greens have been going strong all winter long, and now that the daffodils are in bloom, I can finally venture outside to pick them, instead of sending someone braver and tougher than me.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMtYKX57iI/AAAAAAAAFIk/A_ZhNB9TppM/s1600-h/feb%20016%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TWMtaDCKRHI/AAAAAAAAFIo/OQPQbWDTe28/feb%20016%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>We spent the whole day outside today and it was such a blessing.  It seriously made me consider going “unplugged” this summer?  Anyone else want to play?</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-48444241285712061592011-02-07T08:12:00.001-08:002011-02-07T08:12:00.333-08:00This is the Season<p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZfWuefCI/AAAAAAAAFHc/CGQzG2F372k/s1600-h/February%202011%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 010" border="0" alt="February 2011 010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZhUVTrsI/AAAAAAAAFHg/mVl2Mes85O4/February%202011%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>This is the season where temperatures are chilly and children are cooped up. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZjuGq_JI/AAAAAAAAFHk/4_lQksaJZF8/s1600-h/February%202011%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 006" border="0" alt="February 2011 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZlsLlVXI/AAAAAAAAFHo/WzhZgBjv7D8/February%202011%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Or they sneak out into the snow.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZodpQXsI/AAAAAAAAFHs/hF7f-7Sj6iY/s1600-h/February%202011%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 011" border="0" alt="February 2011 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZq64osMI/AAAAAAAAFHw/7D7fWtqdlzs/February%202011%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This is the season where Cardinals are grateful for bowls of bird seed on the porch.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZvF2GaXI/AAAAAAAAFH0/Q6zkPsdmn-8/s1600-h/February%202011%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 015" border="0" alt="February 2011 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TVAZzZW6S2I/AAAAAAAAFH4/Gvg7xrwqGrA/February%202011%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> This is the season where baby is now toddler, toddler is now pre-schooler and two are now readers.</p> <p align="center">Naps are seldom and laundry is plentiful and teaching is abundant.</p> <p align="center">This is the season where God is refining my character and teaching me how to impart character in my children.</p> <p align="center">This is the season where I try to balance the time commitment of recording the precious moments and living in them.</p> <p align="center">This is the season where blogging takes the back burner to a home-cooked meal.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-37869605704910987392011-01-20T06:51:00.001-08:002011-01-20T06:51:03.736-08:00In a Song of Solomon Kind of Way<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=316320&id=151607298193228"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs671.snc4/61162_151647248189233_151607298193228_309585_6772250_n.jpg" width="650" height="720" /></a></p> <p></p> <p>I am such a slacker on posting.  I know, I know.  I am taking 7 ladies from East Texas to this conference tomorrow, and I am so excited.  Our very kind husbands will stay home with the kiddos.  The other night in couple’s Bible Study, Caleb prayed for our weekend away, “…And Lord, we ask that this conference would be beneficial to all of us, in a <em>Song of Solomon kind of way</em>.”  I love that man, he is so funny!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-26453735894794158772011-01-10T07:44:00.001-08:002011-01-10T07:44:09.427-08:00Blame the Jack-Knifed Semi<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsbgeHXCII/AAAAAAAAFDA/v50oEfT3mVQ/s1600-h/Dec1032.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 103" border="0" alt="Dec 103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFUjfrueSUrKIpBwLGNdahGY6p8gd82wFXgXTQDHCRT8PbcUdlb-Ov8CDPCrI76HX8B5O3s-Yc61plw0J6Nd8eJIUYCyj947jTc9zZEoM7JAbTuAvCnHyjt5221S6UimHFzMmxUhjMbg/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Snow falls in East Texas now, one week after we got home from our wonderful trip to Colorado.  Snow falls, and wakes up this weary blog and the lack of motivation that I have had to recollect that great trip.  I blame the Semi-Truck that jack-knifed and closed Vail Pass for over six hours, at the very beginning of our 18 hour drive home that ended up taking 23+ hours and my gusto to write.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIamQQlN3xD3pI73HE08EbUI3JdGDeVwnvc2rGv6zAgRc8dAeXosQa0Jb8tjBD45AOWhGmIlMd1JM1Hkpliw_NZl-iKgPJkdgUu2jkbsFpO3MYAg_arybfheFFYln5g3w7nIro3kCHwo/s1600-h/Dec0882.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 088" border="0" alt="Dec 088" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsb3uvb1vI/AAAAAAAAFDM/m9BMRptdiUo/Dec088_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p>And as the snow falls outside today and I peruse the pictures of children accessorized in mittens and hats, snowflakes caught in their eyelashes, I must write- because it’s too cute and the memories were too fond to depart from so quickly.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsb_cAbFaI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/3vvQLkEtr68/s1600-h/Dec0892.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 089" border="0" alt="Dec 089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscApPVJnI/AAAAAAAAFDU/NfeBlCMelHY/Dec089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscClX66hI/AAAAAAAAFDY/FLDPSetef0E/s1600-h/Dec1012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 101" border="0" alt="Dec 101" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscG35PxBI/AAAAAAAAFDc/J2Yem9cdhx4/Dec101_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Cousins playing in pajamas late into the day on the day we remembered our Savior’s birth.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscJoJ3kBI/AAAAAAAAFDg/21lfWM5UMSM/s1600-h/Dec2432.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 243" border="0" alt="Dec 243" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscMOaJVJI/AAAAAAAAFDk/13x-kSAbve4/Dec243_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscOiGCRJI/AAAAAAAAFDo/bit8T3Zlx-Y/s1600-h/Dec0922.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 092" border="0" alt="Dec 092" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscRNu_lnI/AAAAAAAAFDs/gwyTAzr3n9I/Dec092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Snuggling with Aunt Janice and pulling out mommy’s tutus from her ballerina days.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscT5fuK6I/AAAAAAAAFDw/h4OEqQDTkto/s1600-h/Dec0982.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 098" border="0" alt="Dec 098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscZMl7lVI/AAAAAAAAFD0/Po5Su_O8li8/Dec098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Sharing laughs as we unwrap the old collectables that have gathered dust in mom’s closets.  <br />It’s funny that she wraps up those sentimental things, her purging becomes our giggles. <br />This fancy ship was a gift to my brother from some Chinese hockey players that came to play in a tournament against my brother’s team when he was in high school.  <br />I got a couple fancy drama masks in case you were wondering.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscnP3Qk0I/AAAAAAAAFD4/lAZCGifqmOM/s1600-h/Dec1052.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 105" border="0" alt="Dec 105" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsctf-k6qI/AAAAAAAAFD8/iCMGqWjpPGI/Dec105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Watching grandpa coach his granddaughter on a new puzzle.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSscxjG0BcI/AAAAAAAAFEA/2UxiAsUbBzE/s1600-h/Dec1402.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 140" border="0" alt="Dec 140" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsc3kWLRsI/AAAAAAAAFEE/jxItB4Fyb1U/Dec140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>My sister-in-law and my precious niece Lenna. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsdCJXkGfI/AAAAAAAAFEI/PldYIzgftNY/s1600-h/Dec1432.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 143" border="0" alt="Dec 143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSses5P8A9I/AAAAAAAAFEM/lrZHC_S3dxY/Dec143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We have a tendency to play a lot of cards when we get together as family- Pinochle, anyone?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsexAFnZWI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/bBiG2JXaJtU/s1600-h/Dec1622.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 162" border="0" alt="Dec 162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSse2VGh4hI/AAAAAAAAFEU/WMAV31N3dp4/Dec162_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSse6yQF1lI/AAAAAAAAFEY/sKbrY9xzmfg/s1600-h/Dec1632.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 163" border="0" alt="Dec 163" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfAmuG09I/AAAAAAAAFEc/jd3FRbgf9JQ/Dec163_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And Avery and McClaine schooled my dad and uncle Jim at Go Fish.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZwMymkzCDpknb_nu_cODfJBW65UZsGPbbtrpXOh5KVC1inb2MCDSid-vD6sZit5gfKsL_SPTeNFg2fn-NZoGdKaEB0ugtFAeFY-SEt8M7VjXxt_9wuZOxt8GteAu5f2niXBHzFITgZA/s1600-h/Dec1592.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 159" border="0" alt="Dec 159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfIo9KvBI/AAAAAAAAFEk/l0TwXdvw9Ic/Dec159_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="452" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfM4AUNRI/AAAAAAAAFEo/EO2HE9OmyUc/s1600-h/Dec1522.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 152" border="0" alt="Dec 152" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfVby3klI/AAAAAAAAFEs/Uby4cFei3Z8/Dec152_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfaPgodXI/AAAAAAAAFEw/5qC9lp7aPBk/s1600-h/Dec1662.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 166" border="0" alt="Dec 166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsfsiBkkmI/AAAAAAAAFE0/sWZd6Ue7au8/Dec166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Our wonderful friend, Marjie came over for Christmas.  She is such an awesome lady and has been fighting hard against Cancer for over three years. </p> <p align="center">She brought lots of laughs, dozens of puppets and an INCREDIBLE Melissa and Doug Puppet Theater.  Thanks Marjie!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsf7pe0K6I/AAAAAAAAFE4/a_15Miq5QKE/s1600-h/Dec1482.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 148" border="0" alt="Dec 148" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgECj9VHI/AAAAAAAAFE8/qKwYKxabsGc/Dec148_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgNVXVZvI/AAAAAAAAFFA/UGD9aCN-MbQ/s1600-h/Dec1702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 170" border="0" alt="Dec 170" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgRMPzDgI/AAAAAAAAFFE/LkE-XzzgOug/Dec170_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgYjcHh0I/AAAAAAAAFFI/NDwbXO8qRAk/s1600-h/Dec1542.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 154" border="0" alt="Dec 154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgcRsTroI/AAAAAAAAFFM/vSztnISuo8M/Dec154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And then came Uncle Josh.  Uncle Josh is Margaret’s husband (Margaret had to go back to work in Oregon, so she couldn’t come- boo!), who was on break from school for a couple weeks, so he came to play.  And play he did- for HOURS with the kids.  He also shaved his beard so they would recognize him better.  I have no doubt that the kids knew just who he was even with the beard and he may have later regretted his decision to shave when it got to be 6 below zero.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgjcHXJRI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/PCwdxkydmBw/s1600-h/Dec1802.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 180" border="0" alt="Dec 180" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsgnc7G5HI/AAAAAAAAFFU/lTKE7tP5pZY/Dec180_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>Aren’t you glad he didn’t stick with the handle-bar moustache?  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsg8IKKhuI/AAAAAAAAFFY/LI5LsbUQF54/s1600-h/Dec1842.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 184" border="0" alt="Dec 184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSshMyx9DYI/AAAAAAAAFFc/HhredIbJOik/Dec184_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">They built huge forts out of pillows and blankets, and those evolved into “dog cages.”  Josh was the dog catcher and had 4 puppies to chase all over the house. <br />Then they built a raft out of sticks and branches…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSshPO37_6I/AAAAAAAAFFg/H8dHFWE_oNk/s1600-h/Dec1862.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 186" border="0" alt="Dec 186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSshTQ_BTtI/AAAAAAAAFFk/ATWoogoZkpM/Dec186_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwsDs8IOrwUMwomSoRMOtXut4UqRnkKYJMBVqGFRZVzi-HbUUPff_8lUuOZ4hOl2BNcFeSFtq0DAP3MP36Q4bAV3sR_JcNe_aopBs_0bX2bSLkxQQ7x8euA-G0tfvXtUuElmJaoplRBQ/s1600-h/Dec1872.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 187" border="0" alt="Dec 187" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSshpbSb4_I/AAAAAAAAFFs/6p5qbKAYx00/Dec187_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>And launched it off into the river in my mom’s backyard. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsht1yQuUI/AAAAAAAAFFw/6CjW3zir0m0/s1600-h/Dec1922.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 192" border="0" alt="Dec 192" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsh0OZ2OZI/AAAAAAAAFF0/0CczO1bgsAE/Dec192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Then Caleb and Uncle Josh took the big kids up the gondola.  <br />It’s free for foot passengers after 2pm, and that just happens to be when the little girls and I needed a nap!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsh72F89II/AAAAAAAAFF4/xqGjRt5VraA/s1600-h/Dec1982.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 198" border="0" alt="Dec 198" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsiBtFIFdI/AAAAAAAAFF8/8Td_lcGdQYw/Dec198_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsiG04iikI/AAAAAAAAFGA/oAo3JNhiFac/s1600-h/Dec2022.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 202" border="0" alt="Dec 202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsiPzT2pBI/AAAAAAAAFGE/G7O7Fsob5HY/Dec202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Hot Chocolate was definitely in order on this chilly day!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsiTAHZMTI/AAAAAAAAFGI/p5QxgATZutw/s1600-h/Dec2062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 206" border="0" alt="Dec 206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsieHkFMjI/AAAAAAAAFGM/dmf1pwWb8Bg/Dec206_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>The kids had a snowball fight on the top of the mountain- let’s take a moment to examine the “Texas Style” of this snowball fight. <br />Notice that they all had jeans on, and the boys had cowboy boots on.  Oh yeah, the only thing missing are those “gators” that keep the snow out of yur cowboy boots! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsiiUU3daI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/IgazF7rTJG0/s1600-h/Dec2142.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 214" border="0" alt="Dec 214" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsikOlTU8I/AAAAAAAAFGU/Eb0yzT2VI3I/Dec214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">The next day my mom graciously babysat my brood so Caleb and Josh and I could go skiing!  Thanks Aunt Brittny for the awesome hook-up on tickets!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsi2MBuBUI/AAAAAAAAFGY/vkIoC1tiSqE/s1600-h/Dec%20078%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Dec 078" border="0" alt="Dec 078" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsoQflQREI/AAAAAAAAFGc/ihLwcRBpYzc/Dec%20078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> Caleb snowboarded, Josh telemarked and I raced down the hill and tried to take pictures.  It felt so great to get back on some skis after five years! <br />We are going to start saving up for next year, and maybe we can get the kids in some lessons.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsoh8xU20I/AAAAAAAAFGg/00rpVh5uty0/s1600-h/Dec%20086%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Dec 086" border="0" alt="Dec 086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsok2aiBmI/AAAAAAAAFGk/vokN0LFxSOc/Dec%20086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>It is always appropriate to finish the night with a little Conga line and some good eats at Aunt Janice and Jimmy Ray’s house. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsooL4iEII/AAAAAAAAFGs/cYQQyNL4xIk/s1600-h/Dec%20082%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Dec 082" border="0" alt="Dec 082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsorJHmeJI/AAAAAAAAFGw/D2LKklj1uC0/Dec%20082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSsovZ69b0I/AAAAAAAAFG0/1lIv3oh72J0/s1600-h/Dec0792.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 079" border="0" alt="Dec 079" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSso1Ji1EII/AAAAAAAAFG4/C0jvTKea_ak/Dec079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Here’s a picture of my mom and her six little grandkids </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpG7NRnyJUrp66yKP-4_I2KdkvrFHog4EqS43Yhfpu1b1J3KzcmVliwjvT7nz9uET5hTOyo5Pa1_AWc92fLhTRXOISbgGOQIt0cJ-dZ4y4Bp_kDOIavKT5g-SJB0zpM58dc2lqhvkcCs/s1600-h/Dec2572.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 257" border="0" alt="Dec 257" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSso6jrgpsI/AAAAAAAAFHE/V27HUJJ1vwQ/Dec257_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> And the family photo…<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSso-P72u9I/AAAAAAAAFHI/3NuyzejhmFY/s1600-h/Dec2602.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 260" border="0" alt="Dec 260" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TSspJLXCxCI/AAAAAAAAFHM/XH34HsIO1C0/Dec260_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Are you still there?  Was that the longest post EVER?  I hope you and your family had a great Christmas…  more from me coming up later this week.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-44961397124501893392010-12-10T07:30:00.001-08:002010-12-10T07:30:13.216-08:00When The Christmas Season Seems to Fly<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHJ4GgN1I/AAAAAAAAFBE/eh6-6v-xDCk/s1600-h/IMG_23412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2341" border="0" alt="IMG_2341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHNdxvWwI/AAAAAAAAFBI/JY2LAvqArbo/IMG_2341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> It was just last week we were soaring, short-sleeves, giving thanks and smoking turkey.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHQf-V37I/AAAAAAAAFBM/JGM4vrxzg0w/s1600-h/Audrey2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Audrey" border="0" alt="Audrey" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHSj7qijI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/wxndQ9ViC6U/Audrey_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></a>December comes with a cold-snap and we celebrate the third birthday of our third child.  <br />She delights our souls with her sweet choruses of a classic, “Honah Donna had a forest, eeee eye eeee eye oh!  <br />And a moo moo here and a moo moo there.  Honah Donna had a forest, eeee eye eeee eye oh!”</p> <p align="center">She is really growing up.  And though her conversations are heavily seasoned with the ever curious, “why?  why?  why?” <br />She is maturing into her mother’s girl everyday. “Momma, can you please hand me a wiping towel?  <em>Thank you, that was so helpful</em>.” <img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="scan0001" border="0" alt="scan0001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHVbaEDRI/AAAAAAAAFBU/mRvHSj6oCys/scan0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="480" /> </p> <p align="center">December also gives us an opportunity to rejoice in God’s gift of marriage. <br />I am so thankful for this man God has blessed me with.  <br />He is kind, funny, considerate, noble, a great leader, a humble servant and wonderful father to our children. <br />He lives with purpose- to serve God, to love his wife and to teach his children, intentional and joyfully sporadic.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHZ1Du15I/AAAAAAAAFBY/oICAG3O3-F4/s1600-h/IMG_23862.jpg"></a> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2386" border="0" alt="IMG_2386" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHcPwoa0I/AAAAAAAAFBc/MHR0T1rH7o0/IMG_2386_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></p> December also brings lights.  Lights everywhere and the fast fury of collecting gifts and packing for road-trips to Colorado. <br />The smell of fresh pine, the sound of Bing Crosby, decking the halls.</p> <p align="center">I am trying to find a healthy balance to the chaos and anxiety of the “holidays” and finding the peace of Christmas through the Prince of Peace. <br />It helps to take my eyes off the lights and fix them on the Light of the World, Jesus. </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHeSR6L3I/AAAAAAAAFBg/Q670wMyM41w/s1600-h/Dec07712.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dec 077-1" border="0" alt="Dec 077-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TQJHhGoo1mI/AAAAAAAAFBk/2jlHmGSgOuM/Dec0771_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="480" /></a></p> <p></p> <p align="center">We have been quietly devoting ourselves to receive the coming king every night through the help of Ann Voskamp’s <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/">Jesse Tree Journey</a>.</p> <p align="center">It is good to wait for Him, when the Christmas season seems to fly.</p> <p align="right"><font size="1">*photos courtesy of Jeff Grissom and Jon Vashey</font></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-69576634605662375232010-11-29T07:40:00.001-08:002010-11-29T07:40:45.341-08:00Thankful Hearts, Stuffed Bellies and Other T-Day Pics<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHdHUz4aI/AAAAAAAAE-w/rwJPdtVRJIA/s1600-h/Nov%2010%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Nov 10 027" border="0" alt="Nov 10 027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHffaLDPI/AAAAAAAAE-0/6-jeHgRuM_U/Nov%2010%20027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>I hope that your Thanksgiving weekend was a enjoyable as our was.  Ours was filled with family, food, beautiful fall weather, hunting and several hundred miles of travelling- with no traffic, thanks to some fine back roads of Texas. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHhx21nGI/AAAAAAAAE-4/Zu37vo5z1FM/s1600-h/IMG_0592%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0592" border="0" alt="IMG_0592" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHjxcyTKI/AAAAAAAAE-8/iim10LixAvA/IMG_0592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> The weather was perfect, crisp and cool, and it only rained while we were preparing food or fellowshipping on screened in porches.  It seemed to clear for some yard football and driving.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHo2UCsjI/AAAAAAAAE_A/13XEsC9iM2s/s1600-h/IMG_0607%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0607" border="0" alt="IMG_0607" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPHsLcK6DI/AAAAAAAAE_E/ZUgkGi97-_U/IMG_0607_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Nothing says fun like playing in the dirt with cousins.  The adults weren’t the only ones whipping up pies this weekend. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPH2wCRI1I/AAAAAAAAE_I/Z4bFHf78s0o/s1600-h/IMG_0613%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0613" border="0" alt="IMG_0613" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPICHBp4EI/AAAAAAAAE_M/3aDEJ6Zb0X8/IMG_0613_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>It was such a treat to have my dear friend, and Caleb’s cousin, LeeAnn here with her husband and beautiful daughter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIF5fTfMI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/rrRMxycNLHk/s1600-h/IMG_0609%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0609" border="0" alt="IMG_0609" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIKBtKTAI/AAAAAAAAE_U/LmQQcJP64FY/IMG_0609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIN0TsXHI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/ZzVwueKN1VE/s1600-h/IMG_0612%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0612" border="0" alt="IMG_0612" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIROgqKYI/AAAAAAAAE_c/oaG_1FnCkGw/IMG_0612_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>After a day packed with giving thanks for family, food and an Aggie football win (WHOOP), we woke up early on Friday and drove to the Hill Country to meet up with my mom and dad, my brother’s family, and all of my aunts and uncle and cousins on my dad’s side of the family.  These are some cousins that have a GRAND time together.  McClaine is completely outnumbered as the only boy out of 8 kids! </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Nov 10 041" border="0" alt="Nov 10 041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIWIhzuqI/AAAAAAAAE_g/4RriT4jEeos/Nov%2010%20041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" />Sage and Audrey are like two peas in a pod (pardon the iPhone quality photos- I was having such a ball, I rarely took a picture with a real camera).<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIaDQ-EZI/AAAAAAAAE_k/yZgUZDfVjHk/s1600-h/IMG_0616%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0616" border="0" alt="IMG_0616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIcbLvOeI/AAAAAAAAE_o/zOWYoYRnPJw/IMG_0616_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>And Lena found some snooze time with her Nana.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIe0ktkbI/AAAAAAAAE_s/KswhFLHum5o/s1600-h/Nov%2010%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Nov 10 029" border="0" alt="Nov 10 029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIi02z72I/AAAAAAAAE_w/XbYhd27Skvg/Nov%2010%20029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p> The ladies escaped for the afternoon to hit up the Fredericksburg Trade Days and there was some serious junk to be seen.  I thought these little kid tractors were very cool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPImxJXuPI/AAAAAAAAE_0/aaaoFWE4jsE/s1600-h/IMG_0620%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0620" border="0" alt="IMG_0620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIsF3iqJI/AAAAAAAAE_4/guuMvHGVIp8/IMG_0620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIwTzVCnI/AAAAAAAAE_8/VRpg4vzMXHo/s1600-h/IMG_0621%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0621" border="0" alt="IMG_0621" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPIzr4dZbI/AAAAAAAAFAA/dzooF5aRrmY/IMG_0621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>However, this booth was NOT so cool.  Creepy, and filled with baby doll parts, but definitely picture worthy.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPI2s2S61I/AAAAAAAAFAE/LWNgvlZHmf0/s1600-h/IMG_0617%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0617" border="0" alt="IMG_0617" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPI4puDj5I/AAAAAAAAFAI/imOxkJjoQAQ/IMG_0617_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPI7bdr01I/AAAAAAAAFAM/PN70y14gTUs/s1600-h/IMG_0619%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0619" border="0" alt="IMG_0619" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPI-ku20QI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/LT5BQDxfv9M/IMG_0619_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>There was one booth that was filled with peculiar wind chimes.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPJDhR70QI/AAAAAAAAFAU/f_dwGAJFUMI/s1600-h/IMG_0626%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0626" border="0" alt="IMG_0626" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPJIFyNQbI/AAAAAAAAFAY/Awz9Nvl4STU/IMG_0626_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> And there was certainly some afternoon napping as the Tryptophan kicked in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPJToBqcqI/AAAAAAAAFAc/apu3XX6FFPY/s1600-h/IMG_0589%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0589" border="0" alt="IMG_0589" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TPPJfKVJi_I/AAAAAAAAFAg/CNwWPClTYf0/IMG_0589_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>After the seven hour drive home yesterday, and the rain that was falling early this morning, I made a decision to keep Aves and McClaine home from school today to have a little downtime.  We skipped on the Black Friday madness last week and instead, are gearing up for the Advent season where we teach the kids about the anticipation of God’s great gift found in a babe named Jesus.  This <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/">Jesse Tree Journey</a>, by Ann Voskamp is a wonderful resource to do just that. </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-22228201965853819142010-11-23T07:22:00.001-08:002010-11-23T07:22:25.008-08:00Conscious Gratitude<p>I laid in bed early yesterday morning, their faint giggles pouring into my room- stirring the attitude that would follow me the rest of the day.  Caleb got up REALLY early yesterday when he heard Avery’s footsteps going down the stairs at the time that she would normally wake for school.  He fed her breakfast and then fell sound asleep on the couch.  Clearly she was not amused with Nick Jr.’s morning offerings and she snuck back upstairs to wake her more interesting brother and sister.</p> <p>This is the point where, under normal circumstances, my attitude would begin with grumbling and escalate to all out frustration that would follow me and direct my actions throughout the day.  But this day was different.  I snuggled deeper under my comforting flannel sheets, content with the pillow that cradled my head and the fabulous mattress that Caleb and I scored for a deal when we first wed.  I asked the Lord to stir that heart of gratitude that I was committing to consciously express this month.  Using gratitude as a filter- perceiving circumstances, asking God to show me the blessings in those circumstances, turning that perception into gratitude in my heart and then expressing gratitude in my actions and words.  </p> <p>She woke them with kisses and asked them if they wanted “Avery to read them a story while they wait for mama to wake up.”  I love when she uses her encouraging teacher voice and talks in third person… I take it in.  Thank you, Lord, for producing an encouraging and teaching spirit in my oldest daughter.  Thank you for creating joy in her to love her brother and sister.  She is admirable, and they do admire her.  Plus she is funny- and they love to laugh.  Thank you, Lord.  </p> <p>She grabs Richard Scarry’s <u>Best Story Book Ever</u>.  They are some of our favorite stories.  And they were Caleb’s favorites when he was a young boy.  <em>Conscious gratitude</em>, Oma kept those books!  Thank you, Lord that those favorites of my husband are now favorites of my children.  I just lay there in my fabulous bed and soak it all in, her reading skills coming to life.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TOvcIJfEq1I/AAAAAAAAE-U/T6GOT_hvpco/s1600-h/Nov%2010%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Nov 10 005" border="0" alt="Nov 10 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TOvcLcFS16I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/IrAjBNAHIss/Nov%2010%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>“<em>f-ee-d </em>Feed <em>b </em>big <em>h-il-duh </em>Hilda <em>h-ip-po </em>Hippo her A-B-C’s.”  <em>Conscious gratitude</em>.  She’s reading, she is in a wonderful school and God put her there- she wasn’t supposed to go there, and we weren’t supposed to be able to send her.  I utter gratitude to the Lord for the detail and care that He put into choosing this school for Avery and McClaine, the wisdom that they are gleaning there, the love for the Lord that is being fostered there, the love for learning.  She continues, “now Audrey, this is the letter ‘A,’ can you point to the letter ‘A’?  That’s right!  Now McClaine, would you feed her an automobile or an apple?  Which would you feed her?”</p> <p>The volume of their banter increases as they proceed through the alphabet, “Audrey!  You would feed Hilda a jeep?  Nooooo!  You would feed her jam.”  Their giggles are in perfect harmony, and yet they don’t wake their slumbering baby sister in the room right beside them.  <em>Conscious gratitude</em>.  Children that love to laugh together,  a tot that slumbers through the merriment of her siblings.  I smell coffee brewing downstairs, egg in a basket sizzling in a skillet.  <em>Conscious gratitude</em>.  Food to eat, husband cooking, children laughing, tot stirring, quiet singing from her room.  </p> <p>My feet hit the floor with and my heart is brimming with gratitude. “Who wants to wake up Reecey with me?”  They spring to their feet and run into her room with songs and excitement, “good morning, good morning, good morning to you.”  She joins their chorus and I take the moment in, <em>conscious gratitude</em> for all of God’s awesome blessings.</p> <blockquote> <p>“I will go about your alter, O Lord, that I may proclaim with thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.” Psalm 26:6-7</p> </blockquote> <p>Happy Thanksgiving…  I am consciously grateful for each of you!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-29571222292664688882010-11-15T07:32:00.001-08:002010-11-15T07:32:44.210-08:00Hoping I Can Be As Good of a Mommy as She Is<p align="center">My mom is, and always has been exceptional at mothering.  Always nurturing, always compassionate, encouraging, motivating, generous… she never took short-cuts and knew that loving discipline and correction would pay off.  She also took such joy in the art of motherhood that I always looked forward to being a mommy myself.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 016" border="0" alt="Chicago 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TOFSgUA3gfI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/MeJ_FCnNOyY/Chicago%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="480" />And now I am, times FOUR!  I hope and pray that my children see that same joy in me and that they look forward to parenting as much as I did.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TOFSjck560I/AAAAAAAAE9c/RTtVUqVoAK8/s1600-h/November%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="November 003" border="0" alt="November 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TOFSmRVObzI/AAAAAAAAE9g/m-9BUgUjP78/November%20003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>Thanks for the great example, mom!  </p> <p></p> <p><center><a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com"><img alt="Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?" src="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Mommy-and-Me-Monday-Button-125.png" /></a></center><center>Hosted by <a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com" target="_blank">Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?</a></center></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-21054666658390540722010-11-08T13:20:00.001-08:002010-11-08T13:20:50.781-08:00Chicago<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhndewvFeI/AAAAAAAAE6I/DyfvE2ip7Og/s1600-h/Chicago%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 016" border="0" alt="Chicago 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhnff4muKI/AAAAAAAAE6M/1lQaHz6qhJw/Chicago%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="480" /></a>Before I was born, mom had a group of friends that met for book club.  Book club turned into Lamaze classes when they got pregnant with us kids.  And now they still meet for book club monthly and once a year they take their daughters to a fun city for book club.  This year, the windy city greeted us with great fellowship, food, shopping and a plethora of sightseeing.  Mom found a great place for us to stay right on Lake Shore Drive and the views were amazing.  I would highly recommend looking at Vacation Rentals By Owner the next time you are heading out of town and want a place that accommodates a group of any size and has special amenities that may not be found in a hotel.  Plus, which was the case for us,  you can usually get a steal.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhnizAntxI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/-rtHer5JHKU/s1600-h/Chicago%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 001" border="0" alt="Chicago 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhnm-f39TI/AAAAAAAAE6U/wI2cyQPVYg4/Chicago%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>The first night, we bundled up and headed to Rose Bud on Rush Street.  Oh. My. Italian.  Delicious food- huge portions! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhnp4PhX4I/AAAAAAAAE6Y/oFlqEIcfOiU/s1600-h/Chicago%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 004" border="0" alt="Chicago 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhntmouu9I/AAAAAAAAE6c/F2SttnY__eM/Chicago%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> It was frigid the next day- 32 degrees and wind blowing like mad.  But we would not be deterred from the shopping of Chicago. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhnwfsPUNI/AAAAAAAAE6g/dSH3j9ETE48/s1600-h/Chicago%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 007" border="0" alt="Chicago 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhny-xkihI/AAAAAAAAE6k/7jMp4ep4vAU/Chicago%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="388" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhn3OBN23I/AAAAAAAAE6o/ueKBV-9jo44/s1600-h/Chicago%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 006" border="0" alt="Chicago 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhn55QFEwI/AAAAAAAAE6s/sFTOZWHzLPY/Chicago%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HShfN8l5Cu7-gWfsVBuA_ljswPti9sOMVTaBcfMqFvUiGxAuWYUcCbPXy8f_QU0mMlLv9PN9ZAUeErUCz789umVGTBk0pz1byusdx34xPGuoj_ckpr6KzG0wtTj3JK6J1ZZnjTwTUnA/s1600-h/Chicago%20008%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 008" border="0" alt="Chicago 008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhn_r2a0qI/AAAAAAAAE60/_s36NWTw8Vs/Chicago%20008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>This is what I learned from shopping in Chicago- as long as you have skinny jeans and boots, you are set.  Go into your closet and find three tops that clash and layer them.  Now throw on some crazy accessories and you are in style. I am in luck.  I have so many clashing items in my closet. See exhibits A, B, & C from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoB5etXUI/AAAAAAAAE64/gmIdOE6mdgM/s1600-h/101110octbanner_books1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="101110octbanner_books1" border="0" alt="101110octbanner_books1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoFL8l93I/AAAAAAAAE68/juOXmH-FTTE/101110octbanner_books1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoHq3w5mI/AAAAAAAAE7A/x-4CDpy4SQo/s1600-h/Chicago%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="101110octbanner_bakery1" border="0" alt="101110octbanner_bakery1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoKFmVfPI/AAAAAAAAE7E/wEIJ-wHrSbs/101110octbanner_bakery1%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="480" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="101110octbanner_cafe1" border="0" alt="101110octbanner_cafe1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoM6H6UWI/AAAAAAAAE7I/kwdUZyHDWnY/101110octbanner_cafe1%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="480" /> </a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Speaking of Anthropologie, can we take just a moment to look at this awesome art they had on their wall hanging between the balcony of the second floor and above their registers?  It was so cool and made from cardboard boxes that were painted and rolled and beautifully arranged.  So cool.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 013" border="0" alt="Chicago 013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoPXl5q0I/AAAAAAAAE7M/Yh5Z_fOkkK8/Chicago%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" />Here’s a close-up.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 015" border="0" alt="Chicago 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoRnBF_UI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/i72YfD_bgpI/Chicago%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" />The other thing that I learned about fashion is that, being a mother of four, and within weeks of paying all of our debt off- I can’t afford to shop at Anthropologie.  But I do covet their clothing so.  Good thing my mom and I were both able to find goods at Forever 21.  After hitting up the three story H&M on Michigan Ave., we hit the brisk street and ventured to Andersonville.  Look at the flags on the Tribune Tower to get an idea of the wind we were up against.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 009" border="0" alt="Chicago 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoUDYVZBI/AAAAAAAAE7U/yZi50oloysE/Chicago%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" />  <p>Andersonville was a cute little neighborhood that used to be primarily Swedish (I think), and is now full of funky boutiques and the streets are lined with gorgeous autumn foliage.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoYj9AEAI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/9V4vtpSox0k/s1600-h/Chicago%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 010" border="0" alt="Chicago 010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhob83-AZI/AAAAAAAAE7c/M_mVufvjII4/Chicago%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhogEWW2ZI/AAAAAAAAE7g/-4JTtzTXKFU/s1600-h/Chicago%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 012" border="0" alt="Chicago 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoj-nJ5CI/AAAAAAAAE7k/Q8FGDgqTaZ0/Chicago%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p> We made it a habit to have Hors D’oeuvres and wine before we went out for a LATE dinner.  I am so used to eating when the kids eat- which is around 5:30, so waiting until nine is wild to me.  But you have to cram in a full day of shopping and sightseeing, so food must wait!  Here are some group shots of the moms and daughters that were along for the fun. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhom5sbHII/AAAAAAAAE7o/wfICGOtlMMY/s1600-h/Chicago%20017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 017" border="0" alt="Chicago 017" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhonZPRalI/AAAAAAAAE7s/QuZ9Uyf4snE/Chicago%20017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoqMOPIPI/AAAAAAAAE7w/OmHfo3uKxCQ/s1600-h/Chicago%20020%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 020" border="0" alt="Chicago 020" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhorRwE46I/AAAAAAAAE70/U5Ren2imzVE/Chicago%20020_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhouId3gqI/AAAAAAAAE74/d1Xl5Xed0xs/s1600-h/Chicago%20023%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 023" border="0" alt="Chicago 023" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhouWwjAII/AAAAAAAAE78/hUX8ESzxLdY/Chicago%20023_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoxtzpljI/AAAAAAAAE8A/_Qq9M1dfkA4/s1600-h/Chicago%20021%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 021" border="0" alt="Chicago 021" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhoyeiGFqI/AAAAAAAAE8E/P3QZkAXVggk/Chicago%20021_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNho0r7drWI/AAAAAAAAE8I/Q8RBEESHHLA/s1600-h/Chicago%20024%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 024" border="0" alt="Chicago 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNho4BbiatI/AAAAAAAAE8M/-DFZ8qIETOY/Chicago%20024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="456" /></a> </p> <p>We had dinner the second night in Greek town at the Parthenon (I forgot my camera).  I am wholly convinced that my mom and I had the best meal, but I am sure they were all amazing.</p> <p>The next morning we went to the Museum of Science and Industry.  It is awesome.  I won’t bore you with all of my photos that I took for the kids of airplanes and tornado simulations and baby chicks, but let me say- if you go to Chicago, you can’t miss it.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNho6fl6cPI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/UDyCaX9aBbQ/s1600-h/Chicago%20042%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 042" border="0" alt="Chicago 042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNho86kBGZI/AAAAAAAAE8U/FclGdDTVv1w/Chicago%20042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="480" /></a> After the museum we went to the Ritz for high tea.  This was so fun, and I must say, I felt VERY spoiled.  Our sweet waitress was so stressed the whole time because she was “in the weeds.”  And I know this because I am used to being in her shoes- from the time I was a young lady as a waitress in my dad’s restaurants, all the way through college as a cocktail waitress, and now as a short-order cook and waitress for four kids- I am USED to being in the weeds and serving others.  So it was really special to be served finger sandwiches and homemade crumpets with lemon curd and fancy tea.  I was sure to keep my pinky up, and not my nose up in the air!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpAM-OfkI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/SK3y5gudpsU/s1600-h/Chicago%20043%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 043" border="0" alt="Chicago 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpEPhTvtI/AAAAAAAAE8c/n4fgNMXvJNE/Chicago%20043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpGwtQKSI/AAAAAAAAE8g/eB3-b1Y33ZI/s1600-h/Chicago%20050%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 050" border="0" alt="Chicago 050" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpJW60crI/AAAAAAAAE8k/0wt41bVIDxs/Chicago%20050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpMNm_rYI/AAAAAAAAE8o/o6-OgjtXMtU/s1600-h/Chicago%20053%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 053" border="0" alt="Chicago 053" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpQHcNm_I/AAAAAAAAE8s/bjxsAW72bPk/Chicago%20053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpUS7LSRI/AAAAAAAAE8w/MiSwN6tBY_s/s1600-h/Chicago%20045%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 045" border="0" alt="Chicago 045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpXdOTSYI/AAAAAAAAE84/w8MNgUSTrTw/Chicago%20045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="457" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpbdnf07I/AAAAAAAAE88/fTm1GObHNUU/s1600-h/Chicago%20048%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 048" border="0" alt="Chicago 048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpfiREy2I/AAAAAAAAE9A/a9vW6SaZnns/Chicago%20048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpiUTbE4I/AAAAAAAAE9E/NMvaVvW3dkM/s1600-h/Chicago%20049%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 049" border="0" alt="Chicago 049" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhpl0Eo8YI/AAAAAAAAE9I/yS4orP61ERQ/Chicago%20049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>After tea we did a little more window shopping and then we went to The Red Bar Comedy Club.  This was truly a test.  Imagine going to a comedy club with your mommy… and you being pretty conservative are only HALF as conservative as your mommy?  The first comedian was totally raunchy.  I was so disappointed, so instead of standing up and leaving, I leaned over to my mom and whispered in her ear that this would be a really great time to pray for this young man, who was clearly very messed up and in need of some fulfillment in his life.  I also took the time to pray that the next two comedians would be a lot more suitable for this audience.  And they were- they were really funny and didn’t make your ears bleed with their cussing.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNhppFR-6rI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/sQf1_EmPsgM/s1600-h/Chicago%20055%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chicago 055" border="0" alt="Chicago 055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx8pq3N7RD7cJ8EkSHjtxJ88wu41N2OkH2ZAmntEo8u5DPpE6a6YkMbVWAwPKo1d8eHbe1Ri65fYMqX1E8YC2Z1a5DMl4q9VUIclJqjJBTICnDit4hOyQsyReGkIDDtbAGR7V5VKMScA/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Then we had another late night dinner of Chicago Pizza at Pizza Due.  Delish.</p> <p>May I say how very thankful I was that we turned the clocks back Sunday morning since I had to get up at 6 am the next morning to fly home?</p> <p>It was such a great weekend with such dear friends and a WONDERFUL mommy.  Thanks for treating me mom!  I had a fantastic time!</p> <p>And let me not minimize the overwhelming greeting that I received when I walked in the door to our home.  It was so great- being wrestled to the ground and smothered with kisses from four bathed and happy children for ten minutes… and having an incredible husband who is so glad to see me and really conquered the weekend like a champ.  I am so blessed.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-20245921807990393982010-11-03T12:34:00.001-07:002010-11-03T12:34:19.890-07:00Hanging Up My Apron<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG4-o4I28I/AAAAAAAAE5c/GgBo0bTHaM8/s1600-h/October%2010%20287%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 287" border="0" alt="October 10 287" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5BP_z0DI/AAAAAAAAE5g/fboZdOprh0Y/October%2010%20287_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Don’t you adore this vintage apron that my sister-in-law picked up in Canton the other day (for a dollar!)?  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5C3MA5fI/AAAAAAAAE5k/XIcNiDpENQU/s1600-h/October%2010%20288%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 288" border="0" alt="October 10 288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5FCwCwFI/AAAAAAAAE5o/DU0p-UTgcG4/October%2010%20288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We have had so much fun with Aunt Margaret, <br />the kids adore her (although they asked several times why Uncle Josh couldn’t leave “college” and come visit too).<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5ILa3vGI/AAAAAAAAE5s/id6SeuzMS88/s1600-h/October%2010%20291%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 291" border="0" alt="October 10 291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT31i2HIzHGfnOiEl99m0lVELc1FLJCj3KNgDrSc5216oy46Nj6mqtOyVVK_owKS3VBVrYPf8NEIKNov6RAjzwBHnzSVBZ5Mz1bXyYTVmC6fP2Sl2tooKq1LC-_V-RIVfRqRV2Z09qS_M/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5NO9j6oI/AAAAAAAAE50/pJ-xeDnsiYo/s1600-h/October%2010%20289%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 289" border="0" alt="October 10 289" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TNG5ORzmZjI/AAAAAAAAE54/3HECuYNWbIQ/October%2010%20289_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">If you had a vintage apron this cute, you might never take it off. <br />But I am hanging up the apron and temporarily resigning from the post of short-order cook, <br />teacher, <br />nurse, <br />boo-boo kisser, <br />potty training coach, <br />snuggler, <br />storybook narrator, <br />& mediator…</p> <p align="center">And heading to Chicago for a few days with my mom!</p> <p align="center">Won’t be taking the apron on this trip no matter how cute it is.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-89725250212867141372010-11-01T07:35:00.001-07:002010-11-01T07:35:33.206-07:00He’s Clearly Comfortable With His Masculinity<p align="center"> You know your husband is comfortable with his masculinity when he can wear leggings for Halloween…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OFTgnRxI/AAAAAAAAE2U/JFJhXgZlVDw/s1600-h/October%2010%20267%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 267" border="0" alt="October 10 267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OH8lh0cI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/qKp2w8p6Fic/October%2010%20267_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>And wear those tights into the liquor store to buy a few bags of ice… <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OKRjnIqI/AAAAAAAAE2c/G4v_Ad9vhrI/s1600-h/October%2010%20232%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 232" border="0" alt="October 10 232" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OM5kRujI/AAAAAAAAE2g/NwPAqixD92w/October%2010%20232_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> And show up to a Halloween party with all of his buddies wearing tights.</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 2010" border="0" alt="October 2010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OQvUn_mI/AAAAAAAAE2k/XXvPr6znWr8/October%202010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" />For the first time in years, I dressed up for Halloween and went to a very fun Halloween Birthday Bash for my friend Olive Oil (Tonya).  There were some crazy good costumes.  Caleb and his sister Margaret and I were Peter Pan, Capt. Hook and Wendy.</p> <p align="center">I just couldn’t get the guts to dress as Tink on this 40 degree night!</p> <p align="center">There was a Mexican and his Piñata.</p> <p align="center">Colonel Sanders and his Bucket of Chicken.</p> <p align="center">A Samurai and his Geisha.</p> <p align="center">Some eighties nerds.</p> <p align="center">Olive Oil and Popeye.</p> <p align="center">A Scarecrow.</p> <p align="center">And Pippy Longstockings.</p> <p align="center">I love a party wear I can wear a mumu and no make-up- I am hardcore like that!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OVMcGAnI/AAAAAAAAE2o/_RLfaGimmPk/s1600-h/October%2010%20266%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 266" border="0" alt="October 10 266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OY7vWnsI/AAAAAAAAE2s/Yvz4PwUuYcY/October%2010%20266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> Check out this unbelievable piñata costume that my friend Kat made.  She is incredibly talented and you can see her artwork on her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Artwork-by-Kat/160375433978840">facebook page</a>.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7ObvKEkII/AAAAAAAAE2w/7Td5qhpUj78/s1600-h/October%2010%20250%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 250" border="0" alt="October 10 250" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OeQxin0I/AAAAAAAAE20/s1oBNIHBtXo/October%2010%20250_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> We played a game where you had to use a straw and suck a pumpkin eraser to the end and then relay race.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OhMc8bRI/AAAAAAAAE24/Hcx0HHa4uHI/s1600-h/October%2010%20270%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 270" border="0" alt="October 10 270" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OiGJgJ9I/AAAAAAAAE28/P5M2k7vgId0/October%2010%20270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OlxjqJbI/AAAAAAAAE3A/sJAZqR4NKH0/s1600-h/October%2010%20274%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 274" border="0" alt="October 10 274" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OpAyaZfI/AAAAAAAAE3E/-rYwJVx0M5o/October%2010%20274_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And no east Texas Halloween Party is complete without a drive through the pasture in a monster school bus.</p> <p align="center">Seriously?  How hick is this?  I never imagined, spoiled little Vail girl that I was, that I would be off-roading in a short bus.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OsLhTAgI/AAAAAAAAE3I/LuSRCG_LBmQ/s1600-h/October%2010%20280%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 280" border="0" alt="October 10 280" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OvDIZUzI/AAAAAAAAE3M/ud-ekdXzgTY/October%2010%20280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7OzGNHQRI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/m-u_sdoDa7k/s1600-h/October%2010%20283%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 283" border="0" alt="October 10 283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7O16rw5eI/AAAAAAAAE3U/-S6V3BsM-WE/October%2010%20283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">But it was really fun- notice the terrified looks on every face.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7O4NP7v2I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/jdHntC6tEPM/s1600-h/October%2010%20284%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 284" border="0" alt="October 10 284" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7O76-c20I/AAAAAAAAE3c/G_0vUWRzYsM/October%2010%20284_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">*****************************************************************************************</p> <p align="center">On a not-so-hick note- we celebrated my incredibly cute nephew’s birthday this weekend. </p> <p align="center"><strike>Zane</strike> Charlie Brown turned one this weekend, and a costume party was in order.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7O9VIywpI/AAAAAAAAE3g/1-LcQkkaBDE/s1600-h/October%2010%20173%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 173" border="0" alt="October 10 173" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PAAC9YPI/AAAAAAAAE3k/zsVvmelVy2c/October%2010%20173_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="480" /></a>At least for the kids.  I think the grown-ups got their share of dressing up in on Friday.</p> <p align="center">Not that I would have minded wearing my nightgown again, but I am pretty sure Caleb wouldn’t put the tights back on! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PFNu3eII/AAAAAAAAE3o/xrVimP6aoX0/s1600-h/October%2010%20156%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 156" border="0" alt="October 10 156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PJuEGlfI/AAAAAAAAE3s/v6eJ_xPneQ0/October%2010%20156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="364" /></a> Jon is a great cook and made Italian Beef Sandwiches and this delicious Buffalo Wing Dip, that perchance I ate a little too much of.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PMIu_p1I/AAAAAAAAE3w/LmJmO6Q4GcE/s1600-h/October%2010%20159%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 159" border="0" alt="October 10 159" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7POa6KnLI/AAAAAAAAE30/jCMFishYqyM/October%2010%20159_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a>And Oma made another one of her fabulous birthday cards.  Don’t you just love them? </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PSBVLATI/AAAAAAAAE34/R_Jkg1c45HU/s1600-h/October%2010%20219%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 219" border="0" alt="October 10 219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PV-t0k8I/AAAAAAAAE38/J3oq0suG38E/October%2010%20219_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="480" /></a> Leigh made this precious Snoopy Cake and big brother Wyatt decorated Zane’s individual cake…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PYK1Rx8I/AAAAAAAAE4A/RwAjp-kUgEk/s1600-h/October%2010%20214%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 214" border="0" alt="October 10 214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PahgHXyI/AAAAAAAAE4E/TsDuD7hCPTg/October%2010%20214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> which he managed to devour entirely.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7D1aH17CyKnyQQpYrjbcXxUJRw8lueu22GKG7e-qMm7VolHL0G6DqE7BoFQAQ3yz5xQAEhiC4y493XO532dPn62z3OJJlmd8TJHf8scjnCo32oXrr49enTHBI8YS-0fx_4UALRhATfY/s1600-h/October%2010%20234%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 234" border="0" alt="October 10 234" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7Pdfrf1hI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/nKrApDcl0YI/October%2010%20234_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> Group photo- miracle to have 6 children sitting and looking at the camera!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PgTAQcdI/AAAAAAAAE4U/sB-0oUxzsfE/s1600-h/October%2010%20187%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 187" border="0" alt="October 10 187" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7Pkz2qcxI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/3eyt5bi7m00/October%2010%20187_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="387" /></a>Avery was a “stray cat” & Audrey was “Sho Co-Cake” (Strawberry Shortcake). </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PmY21V0I/AAAAAAAAE4c/bCHsvNLdhKc/s1600-h/October%2010%20169%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 169" border="0" alt="October 10 169" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PnnKyzpI/AAAAAAAAE4g/LRN37wDiDSI/October%2010%20169_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">McClaine was batman!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PpQzfXCI/AAAAAAAAE4k/po9K9HYXOkM/s1600-h/October%2010%20172%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 172" border="0" alt="October 10 172" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7Pr34lumI/AAAAAAAAE4o/NJjqfiUMBLo/October%2010%20172_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Wyatt was a Centurion Knight.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PvzTSo4I/AAAAAAAAE4s/fUdwlLjjmA8/s1600-h/October%2010%20181%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 181" border="0" alt="October 10 181" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7PzcjmD0I/AAAAAAAAE4w/NYmLnTZNeWI/October%2010%20181_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>And Reecey was Tinkerbell (with quick access to jammies). </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7P3GrcvWI/AAAAAAAAE40/CQe4ZrAxe5A/s1600-h/October%2010%20202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 202" border="0" alt="October 10 202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7P5qTsrWI/AAAAAAAAE44/kV789C7tpgQ/October%2010%20202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7P7cmgNoI/AAAAAAAAE48/9wU8VpM6fiQ/s1600-h/October%2010%20175%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 175" border="0" alt="October 10 175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7P9GyZXbI/AAAAAAAAE5A/ETOKvZk0KvU/October%2010%20175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7P-8jAvOI/AAAAAAAAE5E/v_TB4igdFkY/s1600-h/October%2010%20208%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 208" border="0" alt="October 10 208" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7QBUNAb9I/AAAAAAAAE5I/6SdrOa3e8RQ/October%2010%20208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7QEcwvUmI/AAAAAAAAE5M/oG32PN_UyCY/s1600-h/October%2010%20213%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 213" border="0" alt="October 10 213" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7QHffDMXI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/oNkjvx1ufd8/October%2010%20213_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7QJ4vYfiI/AAAAAAAAE5U/p73pumiAnUU/s1600-h/October%2010%20162%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 162" border="0" alt="October 10 162" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TM7QMNgIvGI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/67Rqn8Qog9U/October%2010%20162_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">It was a great weekend, packed with fun.  Even Gramps had a good time, and I am pretty sure he ate too much Buffalo Wing Dip as well!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-66680686089703134552010-10-25T19:57:00.001-07:002010-10-25T19:57:35.545-07:00Better Late Than Never<p>So Monday is nearly over, but almost every Monday I think to one of the first blogs I started following.  Krystyn does a really cute meme on Mondays called, “Mommy and Me Mondays.”  For the LOVE of all things good I can never get my act together and post on Mondays, let alone do a post that has a picture of ME in it.</p> <p>Last week I passed the camera duty on and this was the result.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZCyAt1nbI/AAAAAAAAE0o/EmvFO5enlPI/s1600-h/_MG_0708%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="_MG_0708" border="0" alt="_MG_0708" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC0OIgUbI/AAAAAAAAE0s/pq4mWqDHvSI/_MG_0708_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Maybe you can’t quite get a grasp of the *perma-grin* that my brother-in-law Jon captured when he took this picture of me and Audrey watching Avery and McClaine’s <em>Rose Tea Presentation</em>.  They had a school performance last week and it was A-MAZ-ING!!!  Really, my face hurt by the end of it from smiling so much.  They were showcasing all that they had learned the first two months of school and it was fantastic.  They are so smart and this school is such a blessing to our family.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC1GC-OaI/AAAAAAAAE0w/XyF-MsdmsZE/s1600-h/_MG_0701%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="_MG_0701" border="0" alt="_MG_0701" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC3Nx4VzI/AAAAAAAAE00/6eK3GAtfCy0/_MG_0701_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC4wqZX8I/AAAAAAAAE04/QHFqHW3UWBo/s1600-h/_MG_0710%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="_MG_0710" border="0" alt="_MG_0710" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC69KUX_I/AAAAAAAAE08/UC-z-XJb8lg/_MG_0710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>The next day Audrey, my nephew, Wyatt and I accompanied Avery and McClaine on their field trip to the Pumpkin Patch.  In keeping with the rules of “Mommy and Me Monday,” here’s a picture of me and the kids-<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZC-75M2GI/AAAAAAAAE1A/CmVsvvmeXNI/s1600-h/October%2010%20118%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 118" border="0" alt="October 10 118" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDDgzmEcI/AAAAAAAAE1E/96gLIWDro0Q/October%2010%20118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <center><a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com"><img alt="Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?" src="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Mommy-and-Me-Monday-Button-125.png" /></a></center><center>Hosted by <a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com" target="_blank">Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?</a></center><center> </center><center>This meme is a great opportunity for you to get on the other side of the camera lens and capture you with your kiddos.  Join up next week (since I didn’t give you quite enough time to prepare this week!)</center><center> </center> <p align="left">And, since I am such a slacker and won’t likely post for another couple days, here’s a couple more of my favorites from the Pumpkin Patch!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDGandMlI/AAAAAAAAE1I/xshcZ9SH-Kw/s1600-h/October%2010%20069%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 069" border="0" alt="October 10 069" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDJB9Rk1I/AAAAAAAAE1M/Pd0ewMlO9W8/October%2010%20069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> Chances are good that the scarecrow tractor driver is a Rangers fan!  Give them the claw!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDL1tR7dI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/IZqnuchL0K8/s1600-h/October%2010%20117%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 117" border="0" alt="October 10 117" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDOmqYFPI/AAAAAAAAE1U/Rtx6qZOl8fs/October%2010%20117_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDREA6aiI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/h5K2q_ARg58/s1600-h/October%2010%20114%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 114" border="0" alt="October 10 114" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDS-XFdGI/AAAAAAAAE1c/qYMcGXofh3Q/October%2010%20114_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDVOX7SVI/AAAAAAAAE1g/rQfs6I8SYyI/s1600-h/October%2010%20100%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 100" border="0" alt="October 10 100" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDcut4IyI/AAAAAAAAE1k/hgGnj5MV6b0/October%2010%20100_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDe-RGtPI/AAAAAAAAE1o/o1qkRWOibvE/s1600-h/October%2010%20122%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 122" border="0" alt="October 10 122" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDgwconVI/AAAAAAAAE1s/gY_X04phaOs/October%2010%20122_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I just can’t stand doing a blog post and only including pics of 3/4 of my children.  So for good measure, here’s the EVER cute Reecey!  She and Audrey have had a blast playing in the dirt lately and the evidence is all over her face!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDjWZ85MI/AAAAAAAAE1w/98qqZY5MYl4/s1600-h/October%2010%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 10 011" border="0" alt="October 10 011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TMZDnhoy59I/AAAAAAAAE10/A3lhzaiILyM/October%2010%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1191191564928424392.post-50901526415741169402010-10-19T17:41:00.001-07:002010-10-19T17:41:52.246-07:00Casting, Catching & Contemplating<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46ZFkRKyI/AAAAAAAAE0E/GO2FUf4AXyQ/s1600-h/Sept%20110a%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46cNNBSAI/AAAAAAAAE0I/kdHEnJXuPh8/Sept%20110a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Caleb took the big kids camping a couple weekends ago.  With each cast came a catch.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46fqHDxqI/AAAAAAAAE0M/1XeWod7Fw3g/s1600-h/Sept%20112%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46jaHeZII/AAAAAAAAE0Q/p4zP-oIlkaQ/Sept%20112%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">It is such a treat to see children catching fish- on their own.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46nZZTV1I/AAAAAAAAE0U/kcDm8MmydFU/s1600-h/Sept%20113a%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46qqW4qNI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/8uumPe89bXU/Sept%20113a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a>They are growing up.  Casting and Catching on their own. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46vJoK-lI/AAAAAAAAE0c/jJ4moUu5Y1U/s1600-h/Sept%20118%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PU9QXuzfqTg/TL46zVImlNI/AAAAAAAAE0g/p53A3GI5Te4/Sept%20118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p>The casting and catching makes me contemplative.  This parenting thing is tough.  I mean it is tough enough when you are not really trying at it.  But when you add in all the pressure of trying to develop children into thoughtful, compassionate, wise and God loving adults it is slightly overwhelming.</p> <p>I have been engaging in some Facebook debates over the existence of God lately.  It really hasn’t been as brutal as you might imagine- it has actually helped sharpen my faith.  I love the verse from 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”</p> <p>The truth is, I am caught off guard so often- dismissing a gas station attendant’s comment on her recent divorce, not having the words to encourage a sister in Christ who is struggling with sin, or worse- not having the HOPE that I should have in Christ, let alone be able to give an answer.  These passing conversations along with the overwhelming feat of trying to raise adults that glorify the Lord, has got me really contemplating.</p> <p>How do I need to be investing my time?  Shouldn’t I close facebook and get my face in His book, so that I can be prepared for the hope that I DO HAVE?  And shouldn’t I have it?  Shouldn’t my hope be overflowing from His Spirit welling up within me?  I want the words that I use with my children to be instructing and kind and consciously chosen, every interaction an opportunity for me to guide them.</p> <p>And I need His Word to direct me and motivate me in that way.</p> <p>I was listening to a really great podcast of Ravi Zacharias the other day (click <a href="http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/letmypeoplethink.aspx?archive=1&pid=1965">HERE</a> to hear it) and there was a portion that really resonated in my heart.  Speaking of a young man who came home to his parents and told them that his class had an ethical discussion that day, and he wanted to know what they believed about a certain topic.  His dad opened the Bible and said that they believed this way because this chapter and this verse says this.  The young man, though he may not have vocalized it, was thinking, “that’s great dad and works really well here around our dinner table, but in the context of the classroom, if I brought that argument in, I would be the laughing stock of all my peers.”</p> <p>God’s Word is Truth, and it is <em>awesome</em>, don’t misunderstand me- but for so many people in our society that don’t consider it relevant, we better have a way to explain God’s existence, nature and purpose- without using the Bible.</p> <p>So that is one of the things I have been doing, grounding myself in the Truth from His word and finding ways to express those truths to people who don’t know it is truth.  As a mom, I find it so challenging and one of the greatest endeavors to teach my children about what is true, honest and how differentiate truth from lies.</p> <p>I would encourage young mother’s out there to get your hands on some resources to equip you to teach your children Truth.  Here are a couple really great places to start:</p> <p><a href="http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/letmypeoplethink.aspx?archive=1">Let My People Think</a></p> <p><a href="http://grace-bible.org/downloads/BibleStudies.aspx">Bible Studies</a> from Grace Bible Church in College Station, TX- Learn how to study God’s Word on your own and KNOW what you KNOW!</p> <p>And this is super exciting- one of my early mentors, Nancy Frost Simpson, along with a friend wrote this study for second graders and up.  <strong><a href="http://grace-bible.org/files/biblestudies/James_2010_Kids.pdf">This study teaches children how to study God’s word on their own!</a></strong></p> <p></p> <p>Now go make fishers of men!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Just a glimpse of the White House!</div>Tynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14535856784660902029noreply@blogger.com3