tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92119740207483922162024-02-22T14:28:38.196-05:00shine like starsLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-23319573928563409922012-05-19T23:27:00.002-04:002012-05-19T23:27:46.323-04:00Jykell Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After going to the Sea Turtle Center, we did some exploring on the island. We ended up parking in the 4H conference center lot and using their beach access. When we got on the beach we found a homeschool group being taught by 4H workers. They graciously let our cute kids join their group and we saw some amazing things.....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe Crab</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crab</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crab</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-43327191493206368482012-05-19T23:22:00.001-04:002012-05-19T23:22:42.121-04:00Jr. RangersI found old posts that I never published on vacation because the internet was sketchy. Here they are...<br />
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Michael and I have been enjoying this vacation so much because for the first time in 8 years we both are sleeping in. We let the girls watch shows in the morning and eat granola bars and the boys roll out of bed at some point before we do and join them. Maybe I should feel bad about this lack of parenting but I don't. It's been amazing! <br />
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So once we get our lazy butts out of bed we slowly get ready for the day. Feed the kids lunch and we're off on adventures. We generally get back to the condo by dinnertime and then just hang out here until bed. It's been so relaxing. <br />
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Today we went to Fort Frederica and the kids became Jr. Rangers. They were insanely excited and are taking their new roles seriously. They even have badges to show for it. <br />
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The Fort was really beautiful. Michael and the boys learned a lot about the history of it while the girls and I took in the lovely surroundings. While we were all near the water we spotted some dolphins swimming near the bay. A dolphin sighting was one of my goals for the week- check!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired baby girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching a video about the fort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilyn Monroe moment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzq5341GmHDR0keKY_B0Ziq4CNXZGWdKhT5aI0Ifa-fzd_n2h7g4Riefs4_Hls43dBE_8_zA6aeILYz-SW0ijNFheaNvSudwtLGccjAf5QjkaiDu-cuo4TO4am3QuGTNOShQMhitQpYM/s1600/ssi+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzq5341GmHDR0keKY_B0Ziq4CNXZGWdKhT5aI0Ifa-fzd_n2h7g4Riefs4_Hls43dBE_8_zA6aeILYz-SW0ijNFheaNvSudwtLGccjAf5QjkaiDu-cuo4TO4am3QuGTNOShQMhitQpYM/s400/ssi+044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look really closely, you can see a dolphin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being sworn in as Jr. Rangers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud badge owners</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-88573463780851491122012-05-18T23:31:00.000-04:002012-05-18T23:31:52.381-04:00Accurate Adoption LanguageI just stumbled on this tonight and I think it's so great I have to share it. I think a lot of times people refrain from asking us about adoption because they don't know the correct terminology. I think it'd be great to spread this info around. <br />
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Michael is really good at quickly letting people know when they have used the wrong terminology when referring to our "own" kids. He's really straight forward, yet gentle about making sure everyone knows <i>all </i>of our children are our own.<br />
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Words have implications. Even if the speaker doesn't mean them to hurt, sometimes a misspoken word can cause deep pain. There are few terms on this list I need to work on....<br />
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<a href="https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/Accurate_Adoption_Language.pdf">https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/Accurate_Adoption_Language.pdf</a>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-61566569423269917622012-04-12T20:24:00.000-04:002012-04-12T20:44:41.270-04:00More Fun in the Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to the Coast Guard Station on St. Simons. The kids had a blast at the beach. The boys dug and dug. The girls ran around like crazy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0fk5wZVf6-qB0BdVpXuChkHnL9Td0JC2n_K9QSSwNAqJYSGAa4ZOLXr5NIfdVarOSwo8gnEDd9vuRh5uNnIsUKimhOjOZIPlBpiX_Xi2zzgo0G65J6R2TAlXv-6-YxIF7-PlbqEYdic/s1600/ssi+vaca+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0fk5wZVf6-qB0BdVpXuChkHnL9Td0JC2n_K9QSSwNAqJYSGAa4ZOLXr5NIfdVarOSwo8gnEDd9vuRh5uNnIsUKimhOjOZIPlBpiX_Xi2zzgo0G65J6R2TAlXv-6-YxIF7-PlbqEYdic/s400/ssi+vaca+010.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Michael buried the girls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">After the boys dug their hole they jumped in and asked to be buried. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvGE23TEyETMHLek9oe9h0jPnymGH3KUsi2EZnIUXqIv07bXVsegeWF7jUyjRMItFDHJqXtiYidjQw6IhlpDPnR1JVuguazy-Q_B48K7CwRAu1W-2nnDiPy9VR_-atbtRiC3UAR1R7DU/s1600/ssi+vaca+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvGE23TEyETMHLek9oe9h0jPnymGH3KUsi2EZnIUXqIv07bXVsegeWF7jUyjRMItFDHJqXtiYidjQw6IhlpDPnR1JVuguazy-Q_B48K7CwRAu1W-2nnDiPy9VR_-atbtRiC3UAR1R7DU/s400/ssi+vaca+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We went walking on the Pier in town that night after eating at Joe's Pizza.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys said the bread sticks were the best they have ever had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqHTkyUryC7d3MIxiTbjK6Ww_cBohjAwVWEgFuGhHCVBuoUZUNo2q9G0z2HxL_XdShyphenhyphenl7k4V4IxyjrIFBo7ezoA9mcHW5qnvDUbpD-hy-QO8JUl0N0w4l_wctfvFigDKJtc46yRp1yEc/s1600/ssi+vaca+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqHTkyUryC7d3MIxiTbjK6Ww_cBohjAwVWEgFuGhHCVBuoUZUNo2q9G0z2HxL_XdShyphenhyphenl7k4V4IxyjrIFBo7ezoA9mcHW5qnvDUbpD-hy-QO8JUl0N0w4l_wctfvFigDKJtc46yRp1yEc/s320/ssi+vaca+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">One of the fishermen showed us a hammerhead shark he caught </div><div style="text-align: center;">and let the kids touch it. They loved it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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While everyone else was playing I was on to my second book of the week trying to avoid sun damage. It's safe to say I won the prize of the most covered person at the beach that day<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PIMPRm31muxOwAT9iZJhpi12eeq8xMDc2omvlGzVxN-WNQBWqA_JBnlhDpecd8WNut1Y6__9CJlF7c5WsKncZo6AJcNbKKSSu1xicyMTvroOzegDVMLBdTJYD1HLHGlCJX_HSbhqrAw/s640/blogger-image-9992500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PIMPRm31muxOwAT9iZJhpi12eeq8xMDc2omvlGzVxN-WNQBWqA_JBnlhDpecd8WNut1Y6__9CJlF7c5WsKncZo6AJcNbKKSSu1xicyMTvroOzegDVMLBdTJYD1HLHGlCJX_HSbhqrAw/s640/blogger-image-9992500.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-73729635147804761442012-04-10T21:17:00.001-04:002012-04-10T21:18:02.723-04:00St Simons IslandWe're loving our time here. The kids are enjoying the pond outside our backdoor, tennis courts, pool, and the beach.<br />
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We found some amazing shells at Jykell Island yesterday. We're excited for the sand dollars to dry out. <br />
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Today was another day at the beach. Filled with lots of digging holes and swimming. We had pizza at Joe's. The kids said the breadsticks were the best they've ever had and the pizza was huge. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh830Ty2HfV4EbnP40Tb0QRosqcG3lsrAgt4CXEWmdr0xd6fhaQKp-sSR3GAdlQcb2us6w6pzPLwIxY1u5dBYel27jlW9pHNZ1MXCWwd6PAgF5vZcQaDezlUWPyAH-ZUUU0JSCPYDpRo/s640/blogger-image--2127257508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh830Ty2HfV4EbnP40Tb0QRosqcG3lsrAgt4CXEWmdr0xd6fhaQKp-sSR3GAdlQcb2us6w6pzPLwIxY1u5dBYel27jlW9pHNZ1MXCWwd6PAgF5vZcQaDezlUWPyAH-ZUUU0JSCPYDpRo/s640/blogger-image--2127257508.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OQgcK0R2SHIk6d8okESirne-nhUMro22_LPAm-LJNGoapCZNt8IqGrexgHDWasF2hPU87YiEOrXSWFH0oC0qFbvJKa5ibWgfFpBdql5G0CIJ7JD5fahnq8JPVk-OHIVZTxanxml7xZE/s640/blogger-image-377729164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OQgcK0R2SHIk6d8okESirne-nhUMro22_LPAm-LJNGoapCZNt8IqGrexgHDWasF2hPU87YiEOrXSWFH0oC0qFbvJKa5ibWgfFpBdql5G0CIJ7JD5fahnq8JPVk-OHIVZTxanxml7xZE/s640/blogger-image-377729164.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPI8AFwNtfnCBeViOl21Adbvn3n3_uGjj2GC0Uvv_QBE-6au_ODXOjjorrQjXLDDGf0aVztKObVKatl5PPh1mYp8JYBX8vnBxyDFNHRTYHjtlk8y0_vUvKzZMx9AfJKZv8Zaw0A3C6YE/s640/blogger-image-1957413969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPI8AFwNtfnCBeViOl21Adbvn3n3_uGjj2GC0Uvv_QBE-6au_ODXOjjorrQjXLDDGf0aVztKObVKatl5PPh1mYp8JYBX8vnBxyDFNHRTYHjtlk8y0_vUvKzZMx9AfJKZv8Zaw0A3C6YE/s640/blogger-image-1957413969.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4XI9Jc6nnEnaGuXk3ublJ6JTRgOkII8o0vTAAvws1CZStlYluGcLo958To39PVehg5nux9AbghjzftE4Vx07Pkdb_VS8iHZPOmtb96YFOg9aiaxmJMh7ljaDRkZUJhtuOJ0rIaHctAo/s640/blogger-image--1775372449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4XI9Jc6nnEnaGuXk3ublJ6JTRgOkII8o0vTAAvws1CZStlYluGcLo958To39PVehg5nux9AbghjzftE4Vx07Pkdb_VS8iHZPOmtb96YFOg9aiaxmJMh7ljaDRkZUJhtuOJ0rIaHctAo/s640/blogger-image--1775372449.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-54388423201112063962012-04-09T21:09:00.001-04:002012-04-09T21:53:02.403-04:00Carolina on my mindWe love hanging with my sister's awesome family. As we were turning into their subdivision Caleb said "I have butterflies in my stomach because I'm so excited to see them". <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7jLBxNoZ2F2Mq5dHV6Ma7epaeKPtws8pVIO28or_qJjlRzXOsBeBpi1OoZimQbWQz_GzPpmWz4HWli-2M22oiPkF7FyfgynC88zt6oF9-q7oAi8dhcNpTEfq_NC4p0zFWsBnQ58UNaw/s640/blogger-image-1456883377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7jLBxNoZ2F2Mq5dHV6Ma7epaeKPtws8pVIO28or_qJjlRzXOsBeBpi1OoZimQbWQz_GzPpmWz4HWli-2M22oiPkF7FyfgynC88zt6oF9-q7oAi8dhcNpTEfq_NC4p0zFWsBnQ58UNaw/s640/blogger-image-1456883377.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhae6DTt6M8z4-tc1hp-kgAkvnZ2FlZfLlR8OsTRsMzVDQXxAlkNNAMEB9H1_s8i_3nkityBs0NiYPLGefSo71TjQAhIjeobSHCHtD7hF5wt2ox8bVrH3-akPjhobw9V5-KJwW_5CjGLn4/s640/blogger-image-1331605068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhae6DTt6M8z4-tc1hp-kgAkvnZ2FlZfLlR8OsTRsMzVDQXxAlkNNAMEB9H1_s8i_3nkityBs0NiYPLGefSo71TjQAhIjeobSHCHtD7hF5wt2ox8bVrH3-akPjhobw9V5-KJwW_5CjGLn4/s640/blogger-image-1331605068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9F_sz2yyiXiZ-76bkA8bsny6rTqILy1SUcujJ5xEn-7AaH_aVAxGzeHSj3tEYLL_5Bp1DPOzOC5jdGkvznQvuITF8Ekv3l0ejDEVsvXes4VEFSb8Z1QDcHCL4p0j61aiuAaaI-y8wsE/s640/blogger-image-524712553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9F_sz2yyiXiZ-76bkA8bsny6rTqILy1SUcujJ5xEn-7AaH_aVAxGzeHSj3tEYLL_5Bp1DPOzOC5jdGkvznQvuITF8Ekv3l0ejDEVsvXes4VEFSb8Z1QDcHCL4p0j61aiuAaaI-y8wsE/s640/blogger-image-524712553.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFOXIxCmJ6K_hg1jiemZ8hI53ILGC8g8hWlD0VAFjdBorI-qXZT4_cUqlY4EZNv9jqJfnBoHrDetgY-BCaautRCVzR5JBZeP7_K5rZ3dljP-QRs-PwcVwXx003my7QE7alftozNQPn98/s640/blogger-image--1140241566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFOXIxCmJ6K_hg1jiemZ8hI53ILGC8g8hWlD0VAFjdBorI-qXZT4_cUqlY4EZNv9jqJfnBoHrDetgY-BCaautRCVzR5JBZeP7_K5rZ3dljP-QRs-PwcVwXx003my7QE7alftozNQPn98/s640/blogger-image--1140241566.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRho2dTOzepDvoABYhhrSkGUd-mFBLINm6lt_PpjJfxUCS_oBQ900e0ob4_64fLWq7LwJXOogTLoB_eAwaPJ8rGi2bfc6Ghhz29gPWAb9YqW4EcacpTbkXFv_W7dTTLZz1_ZcJJfgmw/s640/blogger-image--1463134205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRho2dTOzepDvoABYhhrSkGUd-mFBLINm6lt_PpjJfxUCS_oBQ900e0ob4_64fLWq7LwJXOogTLoB_eAwaPJ8rGi2bfc6Ghhz29gPWAb9YqW4EcacpTbkXFv_W7dTTLZz1_ZcJJfgmw/s640/blogger-image--1463134205.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnySI8t3kGymp9mM5pnGfKh1U9aiQbGZUY2UzxsMDIy4Q9N5CJd01945z1s50D-FGZVvuRfHNQWvkmyiGGIzyQffkEhqD9f2H4e_TrnXMeUUG9pl7RwFesGHq3QwTZ36NVd32GgiK41b4/s640/blogger-image-2095161129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnySI8t3kGymp9mM5pnGfKh1U9aiQbGZUY2UzxsMDIy4Q9N5CJd01945z1s50D-FGZVvuRfHNQWvkmyiGGIzyQffkEhqD9f2H4e_TrnXMeUUG9pl7RwFesGHq3QwTZ36NVd32GgiK41b4/s640/blogger-image-2095161129.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-87087496680031294572012-04-09T21:08:00.001-04:002012-04-09T21:09:49.222-04:00ArrivingSo Tuesday night I stayed up late sending emails to renters asking them for a much lower price on their rental home. I woke up Wednesday to many no way emails. But one nice renter said sure. So Wednesday we decided we'd leave on Friday and check into the condo on Saturday. <br />
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We left nc in the afternoon and got to the condo around 9pm. I was excited to get settled (put the kids to bed). When we got inside we found an awesome condo with sheets on the floor and dirty towels in the tub. It hadn't been cleaned so I washed and dried the sheets and vacuumed the barrels of popcorn off the floor. Finally we put the kids to bed and relaxed.<br />
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The next day I emailed the owner to tell him we love the place but were a bit surprised to find it hadn't been cleaned. He very graciously told me that was because we weren't supposed to check in until Sunday. Oops..sometimes my spontaneity overwhelms my ability to read dates. Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-52994872694624153952012-04-08T19:35:00.001-04:002012-04-08T19:35:40.108-04:00Trip to GeorgiaThe kids got themselves loaded into the car an hour before we were ready to leave. <br />
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Within 20 minutes of driving Melia was out. <br />
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Addie got to listen to music on my iPod which I thought would keep her quiet but instead she told us each song she was listening to. Good quote 'the Beatles are actually pretty good.'. Of course everything she says is super loud because of the headphone. <br />
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The boys are so easy to travel with. Books on tape and ds. I love it.<br />
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We made it to my sister's house in nc. With only taking two short stops. It's so crazy how quickly my kiddos are growing up and how each new stage is easier. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE48lvY5MWDctCevU_Hr1SAPLFkhxiQG3GWsGu32zayniiLCzaGSQ8WdJeiPi95VAit2bM_ccNUr70Dtj0081kgfwFkPHOd2X8OJ9_J-2NJigQ9WnI8ooe8l_hMBIPmpxY1uRr5a4wtk/s640/blogger-image--1160698245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE48lvY5MWDctCevU_Hr1SAPLFkhxiQG3GWsGu32zayniiLCzaGSQ8WdJeiPi95VAit2bM_ccNUr70Dtj0081kgfwFkPHOd2X8OJ9_J-2NJigQ9WnI8ooe8l_hMBIPmpxY1uRr5a4wtk/s640/blogger-image--1160698245.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghznR2iB6codfv3_UhcjAUa5XPAuNmkKqELhq3-DBe6Hb5Tanv3OBrEjqU6mPZBWny_m4rxc-WdGze_BxLFYvB9mzOi607mQMakZN0F-qzwRa5lxFWYHpU7KXrPH7OLXWWmJdRe32azc/s640/blogger-image-1049564842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghznR2iB6codfv3_UhcjAUa5XPAuNmkKqELhq3-DBe6Hb5Tanv3OBrEjqU6mPZBWny_m4rxc-WdGze_BxLFYvB9mzOi607mQMakZN0F-qzwRa5lxFWYHpU7KXrPH7OLXWWmJdRe32azc/s640/blogger-image-1049564842.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ05H4gE2HxUL4zA74Gg27Oh_7LvfmUFQfZFBJfQIoE4bLUtQlxkRtnZchwbuz6QOX9P-4bqX4SREXu7d1MgG4h5YsgvR43aaWu9CV3q4EF_mTUtTYXplNsED41w0aCmwj2XFmTC3YLo/s640/blogger-image--98836096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ05H4gE2HxUL4zA74Gg27Oh_7LvfmUFQfZFBJfQIoE4bLUtQlxkRtnZchwbuz6QOX9P-4bqX4SREXu7d1MgG4h5YsgvR43aaWu9CV3q4EF_mTUtTYXplNsED41w0aCmwj2XFmTC3YLo/s640/blogger-image--98836096.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-24795966424052912822012-02-23T00:20:00.000-05:002012-02-23T01:21:26.452-05:00My GirlsI love listening to my girls converse. This morning while I was trying to get a few more minutes of shut eye, the girls were cuddling in bed with me. <br />
Melia: Addie, you are my best sister ever.<br />
Addie: Melia, you are my best friend ever. Sisters can behest friends, too.<br />
Melt my heart!!<br />
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Of course there are the other conversations that I'm not so excited to overhear.<br />
From the basement (muffled) 'haircut'. <br />
15 minutes later 2 girls come running up stairs with Addie smiling "Mommy, look Melia cut my hair."<br />
Addie was so proud of her new haircut and Melia was pretty smitten with herself. After I Tried to fix it, it looks cute.<br />
She seems like a new kid with her new 'do. Much older and more mature. Still super cute, though.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3cOdqQqbN8rr82f_RGR6F3mJqDy2xTrgb_oPG1zwpxCb2Kq3AvDG-0z3BM61HrL0TMf46g6A91eY1A7UrPPsMc38TB-dhiUlyGhgXIUuKOmU4aD3SJyNfdGhvJ_XuK2Y-kNoOGxg5QE/s640/blogger-image--2103585154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3cOdqQqbN8rr82f_RGR6F3mJqDy2xTrgb_oPG1zwpxCb2Kq3AvDG-0z3BM61HrL0TMf46g6A91eY1A7UrPPsMc38TB-dhiUlyGhgXIUuKOmU4aD3SJyNfdGhvJ_XuK2Y-kNoOGxg5QE/s640/blogger-image--2103585154.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi449Q1a6wdgjDtn2SDeCw77clhrea53LFTWQPf9i4VNSYQIjeXnOz7Px-mnhn6q-TmOBD8iPKyM3m6KpkW1mUatMqIhs8CAVYGyBuRM6anLwofcgXgs5_7Y581q7PdDxmxrd_DdXcP12g/s640/blogger-image-1044837614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi449Q1a6wdgjDtn2SDeCw77clhrea53LFTWQPf9i4VNSYQIjeXnOz7Px-mnhn6q-TmOBD8iPKyM3m6KpkW1mUatMqIhs8CAVYGyBuRM6anLwofcgXgs5_7Y581q7PdDxmxrd_DdXcP12g/s640/blogger-image-1044837614.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdlZBNbC3jfUfWFMP3W_v1dWsGCJyHrjDc9XmYXUYCVv4iM-gvqsBWmmDJUBsgipCKI44V8m4d3jIakDcTJG9ufF4srq9TJ-KvBrBi_4qMrhBO_QBFqnzqdRvzKuPE-hNgQs4iIfG-TU/s640/blogger-image-295155935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdlZBNbC3jfUfWFMP3W_v1dWsGCJyHrjDc9XmYXUYCVv4iM-gvqsBWmmDJUBsgipCKI44V8m4d3jIakDcTJG9ufF4srq9TJ-KvBrBi_4qMrhBO_QBFqnzqdRvzKuPE-hNgQs4iIfG-TU/s640/blogger-image-295155935.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnju6Jhh4Y8VUPrHfyCRmFeiBoMws5sD6Euy0bxA8YiUqx6uNipJuNJDU-TCrObjRaGs3LNV1mbM5i4oBxOFSh35DXtSXymve_GeVLCz_Wfwl1O3gFDt0MGjLP6rxzl5-GO73i-OZYqQ/s640/blogger-image--772519101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnju6Jhh4Y8VUPrHfyCRmFeiBoMws5sD6Euy0bxA8YiUqx6uNipJuNJDU-TCrObjRaGs3LNV1mbM5i4oBxOFSh35DXtSXymve_GeVLCz_Wfwl1O3gFDt0MGjLP6rxzl5-GO73i-OZYqQ/s640/blogger-image--772519101.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-59346632083270983022012-01-27T20:22:00.000-05:002012-01-27T20:22:49.906-05:00Now Daddy's Turn....<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. What is something Daddy always says to you?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Clean this up.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Let's go to this place. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: That's cute, little Billy.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Melia go sit in time out.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>2. What makes Daddy happy?</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: When we do what he says</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When Michigan State wins </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Doing Karate</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Dancing</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. What makes Daddy</span></strong><strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> sad?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: He was sad when his grandpa died.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When Michigan State loses</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Because we won't let him help us clean.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Um, like, wahahaha</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. How does Daddy make you laugh?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: When I make him laugh.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: I don't know</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Tickling me right here (pointing to neck)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Tickle</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. What was Daddy like as a child? </span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Me</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Happy</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Um like being naked</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: He was like me like when I was a mom.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. How old is Daddy?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: He's 33 turning 34</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Umm 34 I mean 33</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: 33 - Mom: How did you know that? Addie: He said he needed 33 m & m's</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: 3</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. How tall is Daddy? </span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: 5 feet tall</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: 10 feet</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: 30 inches</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Bigger than mommy</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. What is Daddy’s favorite thing to do?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Go on bike rides with us</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Watch Michigan State games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Helping us clean our room</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Laughing with me</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. What does Daddy do when you’re not around?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Works</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Watch Michigan State games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Do the computer</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: He just cleans up our room</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Being Funny</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Becoming part of Michigan State games. He really likes Michigan State.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: A castle</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Tortilla</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. What is Daddy really good at?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Soccer</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Legos .... kind of.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Doing the computer</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Preschool</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12. What is Daddy not very good at?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Baseball</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: The Krakan on Pirates</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Making our bed</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Doing his lunch</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13. What does Daddy do for his job?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: He's a teacher.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Teach at school</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Doing the computer</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: He works every day and I play</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">14. What is Daddy's favorite food?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: My famous recipe</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Chicken</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Chicken</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Peanut Butter and Jelly</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15. What makes you proud of Daddy?</span></strong><br />
Caleb: How he works<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When he tells us Michigan State won.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Driving around in the car</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Tickling his arm like (wiggles fingers)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">16. If Daddy were a cartoon character, who would he be?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: A Jedi Knight.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Patrick</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Sponge Bob</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Sponge Bob</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">17. What do you and Daddy do together?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Practice soccer a lot.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Sometimes we watch Michigan state games together</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Start a show... hmmm what kind of show... hmmm</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Tickle ourself</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*You can tell it's bedtime. They are a bit delirious.*</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. How are you and Daddy the same?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Our DNA is the same.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: We are both boys</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Because of our eyes </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Good, good, good</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">19. How are you and Daddy different?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: He's darker than me... a little bit.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: He's taller and I'm shorter</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Our faces</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Good, like, all of our families</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. How do you know Daddy loves you?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: He takes me to work with him sometimes.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Bednight kiss</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Because of God</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: So much.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">21. Where is Daddy’s favorite place to go?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Soccer games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: I don't know... A Michigan State store</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Michigan Adventure.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: At American I mean Michigan</span></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-83653512230299328242012-01-27T17:56:00.000-05:002012-01-27T17:56:13.488-05:00Wow- That's what they think of me?<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's been a while since I posted anything. I saw <a href="http://peasandthankyou.com/2012/01/26/twenty-one-questions-to-ask-your-kids/">these cute questions on Peas and Thank You</a> and thought I needed a good laugh so I interviewed my kids. I asked them questions separately so they won't be swayed by each other's opinions of me. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. What is something Mommy always says to you?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: You're so cute.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Don't do that.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Melia Serawit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Clean up your room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I just told him 2 minutes earlier to clean his room*</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. What makes Mommy happy?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Doing the right thing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Kidalee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: When we clean our bedroom and do things without you telling us to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. What makes Mommy sad?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Me not letting you think that I'm cute.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When I do the wrong thing.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Um like stepping on your toe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: When we don't do what you tell us to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQWPav_2lvoQ78LSWJHnEy78GHl64WrsLAyIPXeke8M1NWLunVVKpnkIWrtn8q-PF6CA9FynrXiHFXmSZXSKiIl5v9vObte94uHUTPenzIaeaw4NpNGNZNvVpn7d95ur2UD6wX2myB6A/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQWPav_2lvoQ78LSWJHnEy78GHl64WrsLAyIPXeke8M1NWLunVVKpnkIWrtn8q-PF6CA9FynrXiHFXmSZXSKiIl5v9vObte94uHUTPenzIaeaw4NpNGNZNvVpn7d95ur2UD6wX2myB6A/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. How does Mommy make you laugh?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Tickling me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When I scare you.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I'm a bit jumpy and just might scream when I walk into a room I thought was empty. Unfortunately, this happens more than I'd like to admit. Do I need therapy?*</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Like tickle me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: You don't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*That's not true. He really thinks I'm funny. He just forgot.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. What was Mommy like as a child? </span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: A baby</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: You were a kid who looked like me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Like Nathan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. How old is Mommy?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: What does it start with.... come on give me hint, just give me a hint.... what number does it start with? </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: 31</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: 6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Turning 33</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I ask Caleb often how old I am because I can't remember.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. How tall is Mommy? </span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: 3 inches</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: 9 feet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Taller than Daddy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: A little shorter than Daddy.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. What is Mommy’s favorite thing to do?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Tickle me</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Doing the computer.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Do computer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: I don't know.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Apparently, I'm on the computer a lot.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAh0AOQXuCbWTZOUnwrGUG6tJDXT89ArUj5AncuIjRmfuJwMH60ekiC-jSQpZ7cipNusJjRLnHnVswVx0hC3E-9tsSt81vLwYS_ODrkT-uZVkx1zyqEHuR9VpvlgNqd9M1lbeW96lejc/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAh0AOQXuCbWTZOUnwrGUG6tJDXT89ArUj5AncuIjRmfuJwMH60ekiC-jSQpZ7cipNusJjRLnHnVswVx0hC3E-9tsSt81vLwYS_ODrkT-uZVkx1zyqEHuR9VpvlgNqd9M1lbeW96lejc/s320/017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. What does Mommy do when you’re not around?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Just play </span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Sit around</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Play with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: I don't know, I'm not here.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Going to a pretend castle that's not real.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Being a general and make them win the war.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: If you can dance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Having fun.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. What is Mommy really good at?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Tickling me</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Talking and doing the computer</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Field Hockey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Preschool</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12. What is Mommy not very good at?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: </span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Playing wii.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Mario Cart Wii</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: You know how to pee but you don't know how to poop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13. What does Mommy do for her job?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Fixing Daddy</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Take care of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: She's in charge of the library at CHUP and teaches at ACE</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: With the boys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">14. What is Mommy’s favorite food?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Chicken</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Rice and Chicken Caleb's recipe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: My special recipe.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Salad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSyvy3jgAOUcHsqqALFrOzT_EmoaDN4-7IfJ0dXMvydxE-cfuFP4_PZ3DxkTijJklO4RVWDl1I3wJdfC0_J6N_cCn-32oM_Rgn8DBVdKUjrf1UB5vixe_hGDy6qGpP315WiBtayRgHKQ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSyvy3jgAOUcHsqqALFrOzT_EmoaDN4-7IfJ0dXMvydxE-cfuFP4_PZ3DxkTijJklO4RVWDl1I3wJdfC0_J6N_cCn-32oM_Rgn8DBVdKUjrf1UB5vixe_hGDy6qGpP315WiBtayRgHKQ/s320/001.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> <strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15. What makes you proud of Mommy?</span></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Your eyebrows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: When you give us grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: How much work she does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: You're arm. (as she hugs me)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Quincy on Little Einstiens</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Sponge Bob</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: The main character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Addie or Melia</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">17. What do you and Mommy do together?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Tickle your chothers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Read together.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Go on mommy dates</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Tickle your chothers.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*the girls came up with the same answer one their own. word for word.*</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. How are you and Mommy the same?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Because our eyebrows are the same</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: I think the same color of hair</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: We have a lot of the same DNA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Very much. Our hair is black.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">19. How are you and Mommy different?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Our hair is different</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: I'm a boy and you're a girl</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: We like different sports</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: Like nothing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. How do you know mommy loves you?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: Because you say 'you're so cute.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Because you give us bednight kisses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: By giving us grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: So much, really. Very much.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">21. Where is Mommy’s favorite place to go?</span></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addie: To West Virginia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nathan: Java Jungle because you get alone time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caleb: Flying kites in the summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melia: At Michigan</span></div><br />
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I love my funny kids. </div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-53266228553101913862011-12-07T18:38:00.000-05:002011-12-07T18:38:37.845-05:00The Count of Monte CristoI started this book months ago. I was stubborn and didn't heed my momma's advice to read the abridged. I'm still not done. I've run out of steam. I've started another long read, Atlas Shrugged. Hopefully, I'll finish it. One day, I'll read the rest of The Count. There are many quotes from what I did read. Enjoy this one....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">There is neither happiness or misery in the world;</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">there is only the comparison of the one state with another,</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">nothing more.</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to </div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">experience supreme happiness.</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">We must have felt what it is to die,</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">that we may appreciate the enjoyments of living.</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">'Live then, and be happy, beloved children</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">of my heart, and never forget that until the day</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">when God shall deign to reveal the future to man,</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">all human wisdom is summed up in these two words</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Wait and Hope.'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-23052311531622488922011-12-04T00:14:00.002-05:002011-12-04T00:30:08.265-05:00Christmas decorating for the underachiever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My family used to call me the elf because I've always loved everything about Christmas. I like to go other peoples house and help them decorate.... some years I've maybe even been pushy about other people getting their tree up. I just love it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this year I was shocked when I had no desire to get our Christmas stuff out. We finally did it today. Yes, I'm well aware that normal people have not put up their tree yet, but as stated before, I'm usually an elf. Anyway, Michael made Blinna for breakfast and we got to it. So, this year I let everything go and let the kids have at it. As you can tell from the picture below.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0JNvDPdjBlU_mNsyxkdgLziUdQLHv4czccrYLNlFarrPcGXhv8czydLBDjmFAQK2wwWplnbT6XvA_f8Mcs58N7JsEbjpS_tvI7zbl7XUaWzaqZ93OVtb3DhgHEtFRo9FJ3oqY8Ukjrw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0JNvDPdjBlU_mNsyxkdgLziUdQLHv4czccrYLNlFarrPcGXhv8czydLBDjmFAQK2wwWplnbT6XvA_f8Mcs58N7JsEbjpS_tvI7zbl7XUaWzaqZ93OVtb3DhgHEtFRo9FJ3oqY8Ukjrw/s400/007.JPG" width="282" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's our Nativity play area...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM2e7b55L1TCrgcCZA3ScGdKlkvOb_rBX9SB0yGJydiFlowY4SCwLpawpESfhr834TnuduDKzFDLDmgskLMnZQeuFoSfl5uRPidg5BE5sRobPkLg1QsUiqkttPW3iX4ZINdQtMuQ74wQ/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM2e7b55L1TCrgcCZA3ScGdKlkvOb_rBX9SB0yGJydiFlowY4SCwLpawpESfhr834TnuduDKzFDLDmgskLMnZQeuFoSfl5uRPidg5BE5sRobPkLg1QsUiqkttPW3iX4ZINdQtMuQ74wQ/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and another Nativity scene (this one a much nicer)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGwzx2bfmKfWHU4z5P5bAe7Bjb33o5ilsp3hJbcYPsHG67F5myx1PZ8A0n7dhyVyyCYToZ6NdNdGpumC_758NkUa447GtA5jKXwdijeavpGDti0ce7uP3h70OjLZFq0-dGb_qTC9xZDA/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGwzx2bfmKfWHU4z5P5bAe7Bjb33o5ilsp3hJbcYPsHG67F5myx1PZ8A0n7dhyVyyCYToZ6NdNdGpumC_758NkUa447GtA5jKXwdijeavpGDti0ce7uP3h70OjLZFq0-dGb_qTC9xZDA/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the one thing I did work on....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our Jesse Tree</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5WqKVYLIqy5fZoZRLOb0mgbTzVctRbaYIDMXlURjdj3CzOM5tEKuY4Xh4aOiIYKHKQ6iV4cR_b1f51u1Sx3O6DXEn7Ai9GIhn7UPMQkSWYx4o6UHTS8WGwA2z_6q_m-QJgZODDj0f8I/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5WqKVYLIqy5fZoZRLOb0mgbTzVctRbaYIDMXlURjdj3CzOM5tEKuY4Xh4aOiIYKHKQ6iV4cR_b1f51u1Sx3O6DXEn7Ai9GIhn7UPMQkSWYx4o6UHTS8WGwA2z_6q_m-QJgZODDj0f8I/s640/011.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I bought burlap and felt at Hobby Lobby and went to work cutting randomly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it looks like a tree. It has some issues but who doesn't? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Addie's sporting her favorite shirt - Go State!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIB36x0520DKErKAzkm4gLFpE9SRY8KuOmcTp-QFxAXtUWt78hoSRF9m7cEb1MdLjy6Si5vyQiiwOw3sHRbiT3fMYyWh0-eUB8ThwR2-trjUMdfahwsVe6_QsElseqwEjhyphenhyphenB42LIjbm0/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIB36x0520DKErKAzkm4gLFpE9SRY8KuOmcTp-QFxAXtUWt78hoSRF9m7cEb1MdLjy6Si5vyQiiwOw3sHRbiT3fMYyWh0-eUB8ThwR2-trjUMdfahwsVe6_QsElseqwEjhyphenhyphenB42LIjbm0/s640/013.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I cut green felt into leaves and glued the Jesse Tree ornaments on them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can get it <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/">here</a>.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvSnkZ6ib5PdHriGGN7iGipBzsYAxGHTM8kyw69SaNW1pWUJB82Vap5uPX0kYUD5PF8F616pKmPGrFEUy6GCJwzbGwTPIQO8cHR7a5NNzQqJv8uluyZuzpwZ3iS4uJk7rBIhUcNR2S2g/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvSnkZ6ib5PdHriGGN7iGipBzsYAxGHTM8kyw69SaNW1pWUJB82Vap5uPX0kYUD5PF8F616pKmPGrFEUy6GCJwzbGwTPIQO8cHR7a5NNzQqJv8uluyZuzpwZ3iS4uJk7rBIhUcNR2S2g/s640/015.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being Pinterest obsessed like I am I found <a href="http://www.spelloutloud.com/2011/11/names-of-jesus-advent-chain.html">this site</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The names of Jesus on a paper chain. If you'll notice, again I'm</div><div style="text-align: center;">letting the kids take over in the decorating department. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The most embarrassing part is that I wrote CHIRST for Addie to copy</div><div style="text-align: center;">and didn't notice for a few days that it was spelled wrong. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She turned the R into a B further changing the name and then Nathan</div><div style="text-align: center;">with his perfectionist/Monk-like tendencies circled her mistake. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Good times.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The point is each morning we take another ring off and read </div><div style="text-align: center;">the verse about Christ's name.<br />
Maybe someday we'll fix it, maybe not. </div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-80424443926440408092011-11-30T15:17:00.000-05:002011-11-30T15:17:48.171-05:00I love George MacDonaldMichael and I are reading The Princess and the Goblin with the boys. The other night I was so struck by the dialogue between Irene and her grandma about Curdie not believing Irene......<br />
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'You must give him time,' said her grandmother; 'and you must be content not to be believed for a while. It is very hard to bear; but i have had to bear it, and shall have to bear it many a time yet' ...<br />
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'In the meantime you must be content, I say, to be misunderstood for a while. We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary.'<br />
'What is that, grandmother?'<br />
'To understand other people.'<br />
'Yes, grandmother. I must be fair-for if I'm not fair to other people, I'm not worth being understood myself.'<br />
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I loved these sentences so much I read it a few times before the boys asked if we could keep reading more.<br />
I am striving to be a person who seeks to understand others and be patient about being understood myself. I am far from that mark most of the time. But it's a goal I'm aiming for.<br />
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Other great George quotes....<br />
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~We die daily, happy those who come to life as well.<br />
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~Afflictions are but the shadow of God's wings.<br />
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~I find that doing the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.<br />
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~It matters little where a man might be at this moment; the point is whether he is growing.<br />
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I'll stop now. But that's some good stuff!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-21836281791442511282011-11-16T14:44:00.001-05:002011-11-16T16:52:44.101-05:00Melia's Adoption Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/leegMkzW-ec?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my best friends, <a href="http://elenainbangkok.wordpress.com/">Elena, who now lives in Bangkok,</a> made a video of Melia's adoption. It's amazing just like her! Thanks so much, Elena. </div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-65751246190337354772011-11-13T00:34:00.002-05:002011-11-13T00:42:40.851-05:00Together for Adoption Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtghFc2AFN6itT-99DM38XveiEUbeOQTdpZw3y823YU18lWGQURXCMOnk7jo1cTbIvVXQRPo-VnIGK5EsQbkb3SbfTtUq7WxhtHE_EdPU1F9XR0spPykDQ71_zVulAqqO9MEjuC8z998Q/s1600-h/november-pix-0307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 030" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVyuMBDHzA3benBBYqjZ8Na0bv6VBuJiXRHKFzUfSlCRmSutaco0wPlqJwwdBkDShchXNDAEbdIRsTgrSsmMsz2W8t2YAcPWRXHV9n7Yf-XrhGYfHUrf5m8wG4wHm3hW1osHN-jc9Y4g/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 030" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Michael and I got to spend Friday just hanging on in Chicago. We had so much fun walking around. The conference was on Saturday and we had to leave early in order to be back in Lansing for Poppa’s surprise party! So we decided to go early and have a day of site seeing. So much fun. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RNLTxj15r7wTwq4lWz03fm_LFfxTQrYGHzulGA9pdm1gLAzFyXoOZ4OAbY4CcAD8XOeCZeYlsspG6A3N9VBbxO6Oqoph3lBbNrQ-sN7U4SjOJm04wxQn_nNzlr85YQtJnENynbbQy4/s1600-h/november-pix-0322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img alt="november pix 032" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22KGzOkGlEH2G4yq_RT2etVDA4MqcWDJzcF3hzz0tWuox0jDVntacWbkexay6dISumolVD47HjGByq8GVCqmW30whCd_4lcMbwHJ4mwXhy8NnAyQYwchgeAcFwF8FpbPxcCx5LImNy2g/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 032" width="301" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiS0TNTezjCzlDQiedUbEugH4pOgd90DzvVDzbxI42KfDEZpV9SERBAxzPwQb-vyx-IoCA3Fi-wzd1j-er8_qASKTK5Tm1dFLqY1tgoTX0vQZh0PIKqa29BY6NKlo16alQssLwKyOUw8/s1600-h/november-pix-0292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 029" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANbCoHb4itrmLz5YQmh2rw2LyEqdZh59nQ8VDwX_W_jOYp7Fe558GcdBv-83VvjdlrLrXnLwgYu_hZ1zbZAe10sy7MsGQcoJTGsd5acUlpRbiKYyK4IEMBHU1bAJ8MJLv-MlXOW_0KJE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 029" width="164" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">My new birthday boots, I really love them and felt like they deserved a picture. I walked for miles and miles around Chicago and my feet were happy. Ok, enough boot talk… that was what Michael wanted to say to me many time over the past few days but he’s too nice. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPJowsfpf8VIlC1C4u6fKwXne4Amu1O3GgQEmAzMCUeVOfW8vRu04hyphenhyphengzF3eFzxa_ZhvgacTuJ5z0M8C3lCDnXQVYv1OQBDMsFDyyCfJApNt31R0EUOIzD25g-xFOZWrUCqO23G6bauw/s1600-h/november-pix-0352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img alt="november pix 035" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHLYdkywf6dh7UZjTn5TTAdEIAkePjGHT4o81BNGacxcyuaQfeXa0IrfX2kR4CKmYOSdABltrq3mAXqNwMNg0gaFn1ZXdf2LuCjzlUFnUjpyd1diDV7rqogBJSfe8XozZpEiW6aAtyVk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 035" width="164" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s the view from our awesome Priceline hotel. Yup, that’s the Magnificent Mile behind me. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 039" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ7mgCcH6ha5hS4OS52htJT9cn4BKPSe6wRjtniQ7Cb4OUbGyeiU97SRQUmKBISDje41m9KypgZzhP99j6VCS_aWmjzevFVjsGATelAQY9nlCSlJwTQUOScaRdfmkDJKheVvOBNCl6rs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 039" width="164" /></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here we are on the hotel terrace.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 044" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqB4hcPBaQcOrB6kI79TxOzN0aWIWihUrsuyxN8bRo4elW5rp5JXrnLE_lVpCkTg9_OB33rd-qAlX98PL1800EjVvKJNh5G9Y_tUazEK5paMSLt45KiSIdeWARpcXRoMVRFx8GoombcM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 044" width="244" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 046" border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_qS_lPdSw5ZBNC8ya2Abp08JTNrf2dimQKEAPf9W4GlgvSzfojy9QZAEaVjFaO5BtQSJG45vXH0z4Le4ZuR_T06VTojZ81MP4OClEUYUvWUxghexUalavaJXPEzcdC3_VAska9_i4WA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 046" width="244" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We met up with our friend, Steve, later in the evening for some drinks and dessert at the Hancock Building. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 066" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpeRwCJFJK8sypcyDWrP1oK8ucDn3EcAOSO5hMGXy7eXq5p6Wmeke-OaMSjBlHDKkiX9OFx4nDOhoNEA_RKTxbQv1EtMT56xgkQ5KIOLgbITbqAqa05pwWuTvp4mSYv1LzXtP0GPaxi0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 066" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s the amazing view from the bathroom at the Hancock building. The best view in the building. I took a few pictures so Michael and Steve could enjoy it as well. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 067" border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZai5s5vGgqnSzkDGcf8SwLaiaJt7-QMpLfQcPrFO5J-iyFxfgH_cXXoglgPLPY7iTvBVHgMBQspW07nxDOtbax_QF0kruVjcAV82vMk8BKyX-b00mTwObn71LqAaY2PdpM-hePRB_He4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 067" width="400" /></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now for the conference….</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was awesome. I think having a day sans kids was a blessing because we were able to sit down and listen and not need to decompress from life with kids (if that doesn’t make sense to you than you probably need more kids). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Vermon Pierre from Phoenix spoke in the morning session….. The God who adopts. Michael said it was the best exposition on Ephesians 1. That he’s ever heard. And yes, he said exposition, he’s cute like that. Since it was awesome, I’ll share some of my notes--</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We can’t speak about adoption until we begin to grasp God adoption of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">His wonderfully scandolous adoption of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ephesians 1:3-5</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God chose us before the creation of the world</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">He talked about the paperwork you fill out to do foster care. The page tthat most people pass by that says would you be open to a child who likes to start fires? Run around with knives? Act out sexually? Severely impaired- emotionally, psychologically? These are the files that are in the back of the caseworker’s cabinet. The ones that scream UNADOPTABLE. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We were like that. UNADOPTABLE. Full of sin, broken, unruly, we were dead in our sins, He chose us in spite of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Within the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) there was perfect family. God was lacking nothing. True Oneness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God broke up His family for selfish people when He sent Jesus to Earth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God planned the violation of his family for the purpose of our adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God was willing to choose me after looking at my file.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Implications of our adoption-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1. We have a new identity in Christ. A sustainable identity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. Eternal blessing and acceptance..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">.The Holy Spirit . We are blessed and will remain blessed . When he sees us He sees Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. Purpose behind our adoption.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-We would be holy and blameless (like God)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-We are placed along side of God – Be like our Father</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-Act like God- Graciously place our love on others as He does. Have choosing love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Why did he do it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-He wanted to. He wanted to show love and grace towards us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-The heart of our adoption comes from the very heart of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-All of it is God initiative.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-God says to us ‘You are son because I choose you!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Praise God for His glorious grace!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">**We also listened to a great talk on global orphans by Dr. John Fuder….. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Making God Visible</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Isaiah 1:17 Defend the fatherless</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 82:3 Vindication of the fatherless</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 10:14 Helper of the fatherless</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Exodus 22:22 He hears their cry</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Zech. 7:9, Prov. 31:8-9, James 1:27- Invites us to care for the fatherless too</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-God’s heart is bent towards the broken</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">James 1:27 don’t let this say you from going into the world. Light always wins.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The early church in Antioch took compassion on the orphans. <a href="http://www.adoption-by-grace.com/">www.adoption-by-grace.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">**Then we heard about an awesome ministry to at risk youth in Chicago – GRIP. Helping youth is all about building relationships with them. If you live near Chicago you should look into getting involved with this group… </span><a href="http://gripyouth.com/">http://gripyouth.com/</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We had to leave after this breakout. But were so blessed by the day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"></span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-75646171569187179212011-11-09T16:05:00.001-05:002011-11-13T00:57:50.522-05:00Melia's new do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh6wSWfqU6g9mYYBBO_XZ3kQhJnqShacuS82smiuzXVGD-KWJzSzHEsN5irnUYZP5CAydOVaGLJaXbEAEW72VIviJXgeTJZSuY2jrjeHKlrYQ3iUqE_CK1oJXg1zVP6Vj9U-6PR5ro8Q/s1600-h/november-pix-0062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="november pix 006" border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKGoKr6b3zRlbyiw1wrFir1M1Gu6H5b86eSTn_0Jz7ikSiPaMoism_5EGcQDqxbgV-cxc0W-_WJcyrD1XHBeKZcl3iWpv1pet_Q0-OiS_thcUfhnRha1Ziwd7_NnXkKBSOUgxgbyYcJo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="november pix 006" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Melia’s got a new ‘do. This is my first attempt at boxed braids. Unfortuntely, I’m not very good at making the parts straight but luckily Melia’s so cute she can make any hairstyle look awesome.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I got a couple really cute pictures of the kids a last week, so I figured we could take a cute timed picture before we left the park. Nathan thought he’d make the picture more fun and made this crazy face. Not sure if you can read the caption…… Class Clown a.k.a. Weakest Link. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: small;"></span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-87005664332315275072011-11-08T15:33:00.001-05:002011-11-13T00:54:08.522-05:00Blessing Bags<h1> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I have a new love in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">my life… <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">www.pinterest.com</a>. I have a long, drawn out <strike>excuse</strike> explanation as to why I can get sucked into this site. The short of it is that in the long run it makes me more productive because I do more projects than I used to because of all the great ideas I see pinned. So who cares that I don’t have time to wash the dishes or do laundry, I’m super busy spray painting random things in my house… tables, shoeboxes, handles (I might need an intervention).</span></h1><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: medium;">All that to say that I saw an amazing thing on pinned <a href="http://kwavs.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-05-24T09%3A29%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7">from this site</a> Blessing bags! And I thought we can and should do that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: medium;">Last year we bought a bunch of McDonald’s gift cards and keep them in the car to give to people in need. It was great and I loved blessing people with the gift cards but I wanted my children to be more involved in the process. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids were so excited about helping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: medium;">These ziploc bags are filled with things that someone living on the street might find useful, snacks, socks, tooth brush and paste, etc. I went to a few stores and stocked up on enough stuff to fill 30ish bags. Then we had an assembly day (thanks for helping, Grammy). Now we just need to put some cute hand-made cards inside and add some notecards with verses and they’ll be all set to bless someone. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; font-size: medium;">This was such an easy thing to do and it helps my kids to think of others who are in need. I hope that the people who receive them will feel the love of Christ. </span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-4342978030162154462011-11-06T20:51:00.002-05:002011-11-07T01:10:00.693-05:00Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tmpbNukVsHsS0epRj0UdvjUpaQXQHGE8xLRBGRnO_GXkpKH2FTs7w5JDFyE3l9ovZY2pSuEydGitQtPcWEz-TLbbvx57cOU80n_WC6rsuaQwMX6WLGu7MnmN5-q6vGIm1gFZI8mmgnI/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tmpbNukVsHsS0epRj0UdvjUpaQXQHGE8xLRBGRnO_GXkpKH2FTs7w5JDFyE3l9ovZY2pSuEydGitQtPcWEz-TLbbvx57cOU80n_WC6rsuaQwMX6WLGu7MnmN5-q6vGIm1gFZI8mmgnI/s400/106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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My life is fully of teaching my children -- to listen, to love, do right, and more with the listening (and there's all of that school stuff, but that's another story). Well, I realize that I have the privilege of learning from them if I just stop instructing all the time and observe them. This week I've noticed grace, real grace from my children.<br />
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</div><div>I think I understand grace, unmerited favor. I actually say to my boys at times, "I'm showing you grace right now by allowing you to do this since you don't deserve a privilege because you did ...." After the words pop out I am hit with the fact that I'm not really showing grace because I am being huffy about the fact that they did something wrong earlier. Sometimes, it's more of a real grace moment where I am happy to see them blessed by the unmerited favor I'm giving. Sometimes, not so much. Regardless, I realized today that trying to teach them with my words what grace is may not be the best way.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Earlier this week, I overheard a very comical conversation Caleb and his friend were having regarding when he's in heaven "I'm going to tell Satan to come here and then I'm going to tell him to say sorry for everything he's done and ask God to become an angel again." I giggled, thought 'where does he get this stuff' and moved on. This morning at church that conversation popped into my head. Singing about grace is much different than experiencing grace. I realized that Caleb gets grace. He knows that God gives to those who don't deserve it..... he believes this so deeply that he sees hope for Satan even. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I started thinking about situations where my children show grace. Brotherhood is a great example of that. Wrestling goes bad one kid gets an elbow to the face and then there's an outburst from the wounded one very shortly later there's an apology and an forgiveness. It's awesome to see as the boys get older how this process often happens without me. I just get to listen. The same is true for sisterhood, but with much more drama! When my girls fight, they love making up. They love to say "I forgive you" and jump right back to playing house. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When I think about it the thing that strikes me the most about my kids and grace is that they forgive and let go of the fault they found in the other completely. They don't say "I am playing with you again but I really shouldn't be because you did the wrong thing before." They move on.<br />
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Another thing I love is being on the receiving end of my kids grace. Anytime I've apologized to my kids for something I've said or done (I know, I know, shocking- I make parenting mistakes) they are quick to forgive and, unlike me or some other other adult interactions I've had with difficult relationship stuff, I feel accepted by them immediately and like they get the crap that comes with me is just part of the package, a package that they really love. <br />
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So that's the lesson on grace that my babies are teaching me. I'm thankful that I get a taste of heavenly grace daily. I pray that the Lord opens my eyes more often to the beautiful things my children can teach me, instead of constantly thinking about what I need to teach them. Lord, may our home be full of grace. Help me to follow my children's example of grace in action. <br />
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</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-48304197019719501792011-10-17T00:22:00.000-04:002011-10-17T00:22:27.707-04:00Expose Human Trafficking at Son of God Orphanage in HaitiI have no words to explain what I have just read. <a href="http://blessedwithaburden.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/from-darkness-to-light-help-us-be-their-voice/">Read this for yourself</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Poor sweet baby sleeping naked, on a cold, cement floor. No one to fight for her no one to protect her from the horrible realities of her life. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sign <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/the-freedom-project-expose-human-trafficking-at-son-of-god-orphanage-in-haiti">this petition</a>...</span></div>
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Expose Human Trafficking at Son of God Orphanage in Haiti<br /><br />We are petitioning CNN to bring their international media voice and passion for ending slavery into the Son of God Orphanage. Please urge CNN to expose the corruption within the Haitian government, and allow international organizations to secure the children from the child traffickers who are now controlling the orphanage.<br /><br />The evidence in hand shows:<br /><br />> Children have been and are currently being trafficked from the Son of God Orphanage. The evidence on human trafficking leads back to the Son of God orphanage. The orphanage director was imprisoned in July as part of a police-led operation that resulted in his conviction of trafficking a child.<br /><br />> Haitian investigators have told our team the evidence suggests organ harvesting and trafficking as well.<br /><br />> Numerous photos show extreme physical abuse and neglect. U.S. and Haitian doctors have documented cases of severe abuse and neglect including burns and broken bones.<br /><br />> As recently as October 10, American volunteers took children with late-stage starvation out of the orphanage and to local doctors. Without this intervention, the doctors confirmed the children would have died of starvation.<br /><br />> After boldly bringing these facts to the attention of government officials, American citizens received death threats from those associated with the current orphanage leadership--documented by the Haitian police.<br /><br />This orphanage must be shut down. Other orphanages are ready and willing to take these children. Please urge CNN to cover this story and work to close this orphanage and re-locate the children immediately.<br />----------------<br /><br />Sincerely,</div>
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</span></span></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-16664288072790114432011-10-16T01:11:00.001-04:002011-10-16T01:11:09.331-04:00My baby is 3!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe that Melia is 3. Yesterday we celebrated her birthday </div>
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and we had a blast. </div>
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We started our day with a party. </div>
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One of the coolest parts about having a huge family is </div>
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impromptu parties. All of this kids are home schooled </div>
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so it worked to have a weekday party. </div>
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Eating pizza bagels :) </div>
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Elli and Silas</div>
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Silas is the newest addition to our Deslippe clan. </div>
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Isn't he cute?!</div>
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Micah and Melia-- the Ethiopian cousins.</div>
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She was so cute and turned shy when we sang to her. </div>
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Addie's pretty cute in the background, too. She was</div>
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so excited for Melia's special day.</div>
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Goofy girl! I'm not sure what this was about. </div>
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After the short party we went a pottery painting place.</div>
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Everyone picked their piece and went to work. </div>
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Caleb hard at work.</div>
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Lots of paint. The girls painted and painted and painted.</div>
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True to Nathan form, he was very meticulous with his work.</div>
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He chose to make Melia a 'M' for her birthday.</div>
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He's so sweet and painted it her favorite colors. </div>
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Yay! Ethiopian food! Let's party.</div>
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My girl loves shiro and injera!</div>
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After dinner she enjoyed a game of guess who.</div>
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We are so blessed by Melia. Even though I can't believe she's 3 and I wish that I could keep her as a baby forever, I'm more excited to watch her grow and into her cute, spunky self! Thank you, Jesus, for blessing our family so much.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-78368549466676095962011-09-29T16:41:00.001-04:002011-09-29T17:59:31.895-04:002 Year Referralversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7txABC2unZzG_p-yLJKdbTp5oiSWoTZHa2rs-RDGNN7i7d-GNuZIz-Bo7nL7u1GNa3lWE1qKGV_m5FYCZD02z562SZxoUq3RN65sezV0AXbpZ6FojJ2TnLRMaUP-Eoa-YrGDGJHDkLc/s320/Serawit+9-28+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7txABC2unZzG_p-yLJKdbTp5oiSWoTZHa2rs-RDGNN7i7d-GNuZIz-Bo7nL7u1GNa3lWE1qKGV_m5FYCZD02z562SZxoUq3RN65sezV0AXbpZ6FojJ2TnLRMaUP-Eoa-YrGDGJHDkLc/s320/Serawit+9-28+036.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Two years ago yesterday we got the call that we'd been waiting and waiting for. (Click<a href="http://thegothros.blogspot.com/2009/10/call_07.html"> here</a> to read about the day we got "the call"). Then we saw the pictures of our beautiful girl that took our breath away. She stole my heart with her eyes and those lips, oh how I love those lips. It makes me tear up a bit as I remember staring at this picture for ridiculous amounts of time as we waited to travel. I thought 'I just want to hold her and kiss her.' Now, 2 years later, I receive at least 50 kisses a day from those sweet lips~ yup not exaggerating sometimes I wonder if the amount of kissing is inappropriate but I think she's just making up for lost time. Boy, do I love those kisses.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there was this picture that broke this waiting momma's heart. It tore me up inside knowing how much she needed me and I needed her and I had to wait. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a couple of quotes I found in my journal. Of course, I didn't write down where they came from cause apparently that's the way I roll, but nonetheless they are good quotes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yes, the sweetest joys of life are the fruits of sorrow.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Human nature seems to need suffering to make it fit to be</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>a blessing to the world. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Isn't it glorious to know that no matter how unjust something may be, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>even when it seems to have come from Satan himself,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>by the time it reaches us it is God's will for us </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and will ultimately work for our good. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrzHhX07_6Vxsay7jTomdBccgDQGf2ryLkFobtuDuPLIKC2rkfeBiF6gDXaL5K09xkzE9ByvmAxtycFNvDiLaG1uKhZl12e4ukaAZMyQ19uSSYKydK2_tBe3-JAbt9jjXdgIs-lffe0Y/s1600/_Melia+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrzHhX07_6Vxsay7jTomdBccgDQGf2ryLkFobtuDuPLIKC2rkfeBiF6gDXaL5K09xkzE9ByvmAxtycFNvDiLaG1uKhZl12e4ukaAZMyQ19uSSYKydK2_tBe3-JAbt9jjXdgIs-lffe0Y/s320/_Melia+3.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Two years ago our lives were completely changed by "meeting" our baby girl. I am forever grateful for the blessing she is to me and the ways the Lord has taught me patience during our journey to her. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhZA4vyB7xJWhP6Sq-xyJwZ-OLJBRbKv1tPDfppxog6LtZs6YBkRt02YPgd8yiH6anh4iMi-0ADPOmqzkOyhl5ndbm_-iQraVURKVLUIATPCo_evKo6L1z8q-kZa8OyfPGDJ7V0jyjCg/s1600/_Melia+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhZA4vyB7xJWhP6Sq-xyJwZ-OLJBRbKv1tPDfppxog6LtZs6YBkRt02YPgd8yiH6anh4iMi-0ADPOmqzkOyhl5ndbm_-iQraVURKVLUIATPCo_evKo6L1z8q-kZa8OyfPGDJ7V0jyjCg/s320/_Melia+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the past two years. I cannot imagine our family, my world without Melia Serawit! Happy Referralversary, Melia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-49533875077696684492011-07-17T21:23:00.001-04:002011-07-17T21:24:25.791-04:00My Boys and Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-plwFkYNo7-KhJcZtcy5pivlRmEULN5tMzSU7_avUS-kqVFCbv8OuZ-KOu-JI2f4Pr3N2BRRAddL_xWFWr9FKkFxA10CxKWHltAW7ABAz8V3RwQvS-_OwcUAHBLhF4fU7ZlIVVizfXY/s1600/*Nathan2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-plwFkYNo7-KhJcZtcy5pivlRmEULN5tMzSU7_avUS-kqVFCbv8OuZ-KOu-JI2f4Pr3N2BRRAddL_xWFWr9FKkFxA10CxKWHltAW7ABAz8V3RwQvS-_OwcUAHBLhF4fU7ZlIVVizfXY/s400/*Nathan2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I am so in love with these boys. They seriously crack me up all the time. I love that they are great buddies and have such an incredible bond. Today I am so thankful for them for coming up with a way to remove teeth that I don't have to be involved in.<br />
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Yup... Remove teeth. Caleb's tooth was loose. The boys decided to use pillows to get it out. Yup... Pillows. Caleb bit on pillow then Nathan took another pillow and hit the one that was in Caleb's mouth. I didn't work the first time but they didn't give up. They tried it again and POP out came his tooth. I was thoroughly impressed!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-25188617715896502722011-06-18T00:40:00.000-04:002011-06-18T00:40:14.778-04:00Oh, the things they sayAddie while looking at a bunch of rubber bands that fell in the grass days ago...<br />
"Those are going to be there for ears and ears" <br />
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Michael asked me what I wanted to drink. The answer 'Anything alcoholic'. (p.s. I was mostly joking)<br />
Melia says "I want milkaholic"<br />
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Addie often finishes her sentences with "or sumping like that."<br />
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The cute little girl across the street is named Nahrain.<br />
Addie calls her "not gonna rain"<br />
Melia calls her "not her name"<br />
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Melia calls any eating utensil a "spork"<br />
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I wish I could remember more because they're always saying something funny. My favorite is when the boys laugh at their craziness, too. Super cute.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Addie fell asleep on the couch. When I came downstairs to </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">check on her, I found this...</div><div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Crazy girls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOurGkUV0EXoKxVK3hFJTABzkTgKMnfwVih3V7riVwj0pkX6k6me-a8JSul1pwoFYodyk8RaAX7cv6pbzQ3KXKcDWPq5-8zL7FsX3_oEey4D8732HdWqVRFLS_FpHL2nf_4B8AXtnHcs/s1600/P1100327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOurGkUV0EXoKxVK3hFJTABzkTgKMnfwVih3V7riVwj0pkX6k6me-a8JSul1pwoFYodyk8RaAX7cv6pbzQ3KXKcDWPq5-8zL7FsX3_oEey4D8732HdWqVRFLS_FpHL2nf_4B8AXtnHcs/s320/P1100327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Playing "pretend"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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These two are hilarious when they make up pretend games. I'll hear one of them saying "mommy" and I'll respond. They'll tell me "no not you." It's actually quite refreshing to hear someone else fielding the questions.<br />
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I love my girls. They crack me up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211974020748392216.post-71442439254941348092011-06-18T00:11:00.000-04:002011-06-18T00:11:27.863-04:00For all you mommas out there.... read this<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was super encouraged by this from <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-as-a-mission-field">Desiring God</a>....</span></h1><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #860c0e; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</h1><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #860c0e; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Motherhood as a Mission Field</h1><div style="color: #2c2b28; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2c2b28; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There is a good old saying, perhaps only said by my Grandfather, that distance adds intrigue. It is certainly true — just think back to anything that has ever been distant from you that is now near. Your driver’s license. Marriage. Children. Things that used to seem so fascinating, but as they draw near become less mystical and more, well, <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">real</em>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This same principle certainly applies to mission fields too. The closer you get to home, the less intriguing the work of sacrifice seems. As someone once said, “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” When you are a mother at home with your children, the church is not clamoring for monthly ministry updates. When you talk to other believers, there is not any kind of awe about what you are sacrificing for the gospel. People are not pressing you for needs you might have, how they can pray for you. It does not feel intriguing, or glamorous. Your work is normal, because it is as close to home as you can possibly be. You have actually gone so far as to <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">become</em> home.</div><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Home: The Headwaters of Mission</h4><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are a Christian woman who loves the Lord, the gospel is important to you. It is easy to become discouraged, thinking that the work you are doing does not matter much. If you were really doing something for Christ you would be out there, somewhere else, doing it. Even if you have a great perspective on your role in the kingdom, it is easy to lose sight of it in the mismatched socks, in the morning sickness, in the dirty dishes. It is easy to confuse intrigue with value, and begin viewing yourself as the least valuable part of the Church.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There are a number of ways in which mothers need to study their own roles, and begin to see them, not as boring and inconsequential, but as <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">home</em>, the headwaters of missions.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice, and there is perhaps no occupation in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel. Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Motherhood provides you with an opportunity to lay down the things that you cannot keep on behalf of the people that you cannot lose. They are eternal souls, they are your children, they are your mission field.</div><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Faith Makes the Small Offering Great</h4><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are like me, then you may be thinking “What did I ever give up for them? A desk job? Time at the gym? Extra spending money? My twenty- year- old figure? Some sleep?” Doesn’t seem like much when you put it next to the work of some of the great missionaries, people who gave their lives for the gospel.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Think about the feeding of the five thousand when the disciples went out and rounded up the food that was available. It wasn’t much. Some loaves. Some fish. Think of some woman pulling her fish out and handing it to one of the disciples. That had to have felt like a small offering. But the important thing about those loaves and those fishes was not how big they were when they were given, it was about whose hands they were given into. In the hands of the Lord, that offering was sufficient. It was more than sufficient. There were leftovers. Given in faith, even a small offering becomes great.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at your children in faith, and see how many people will be ministered to by your ministering to them. How many people will your children know in their lives? How many grandchildren are represented in the faces around your table now?</div><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gain What You Cannot Lose <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in Them</em></h4><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, if mothers are strategically situated to impact missions so greatly, why do we see so little coming from it? I think the answer to this is quite simple: sin. Discontent, pettiness, selfishness, resentment. Christians often feel like the right thing to do is to be ashamed about what we have. We hear that quote of Jim Elliot’s and think that we ought to sell our homes and move to some place where they need the gospel.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But I’d like to challenge you to look at it differently. Giving up what you cannot keep does not mean giving up your home, or your job so you can go serve somewhere else. It is giving up yourself. Lay yourself down. Sacrifice yourself here, now. Cheerfully wipe the nose for the fiftieth time today. Make dinner again for the people who don’t like the green beans. Laugh when your plans are thwarted by a vomiting child. Lay yourself down for the people here with you, the people who annoy you, the people who get in your way, the people who take up so much of your time that you can’t read anymore. Rejoice in them. Sacrifice for them. Gain that which you cannot lose <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in them</em>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">there</em> if you cannot be at peace <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">here</em>. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">God loves the little offerings. Given in faith, that plate of PB&J’s will feed thousands. Given in faith, those presents on Christmas morning will bring delight to more children than you can count. Offered with thankfulness, your work at home is only the beginning. Your laundry pile, selflessly tackled daily, will be used in the hands of God to clothe many. Do not think that your work does not matter. In God’s hands, it will be broken, and broken, and broken again, until all who have need of it have eaten and are satisfied. And even then, there will be leftovers.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rachel Jankovic is a wife, homemaker, and mother. She is the author of "<a href="http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=431&idcategory=0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3f859f; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Loving the Little Years</a>" and blogs at <a href="http://www.feminagirls.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3f859f; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Femina</a>. Her husband is Luke, and they have five children: Evangeline (5), Daphne (4), Chloe (2), Titus (2), and Blaire (5 months).</em></div></span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224491526688316689noreply@blogger.com2