tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57132142000319843932024-03-05T12:48:29.686-08:00...In All Things...Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-73791626877319268632011-06-04T15:30:00.001-07:002011-06-04T15:59:31.168-07:00Piggies Bath DayI've not done much filming of the pigs for awhile. If you follow the youtube to my channel, you can see more older ones. <div>We now have five pigs (guinea pigs). Oreo and Smores were Caedmon's first two. I got them free on Craigslist. The plan was to eventually breed one of them so Caedmon could see a pregnancy and birth, and of course, see the cute babies!</div><div>We have good friends who got one heck of a handsome boar named Rusty (another great craigslist deal!). The plan was to breed and share the babies. </div><div>Thankfully, as I was doing the research, I learned something important. Females cannot breed if after 7-10 months. If they don't have a litter by then, their pelvic muscles fuse together resulting in death or the need for a c-section. Yeah, well, um...not gonna take a guinea pig in for a c-section! </div><div>So, we did get a newer baby and named her Nutmeg. Mommy got to name her since she used her own work money to buy her. She is our sweetest piggie, an absolute little angel. </div><div>Well, I needed another cage because Smores and Oreo did not like her. They tortured her and chased her around biting her in the butt. It was awful. We tried to integrate them but nothing ever worked. There was no way I was going to let her have a littler in there with them. </div><div>I tried to talk Caed into letting the first two go, but he was attached and I understood. </div><div>So I started to look for a cheap cage. We use C&C cages that I build myself but I wanted something more basic for her. </div><div>Backing up for a min, let me just say that we originally wanted to get him a male guinea pig. However, guinea pigs get depressed on their own and getting two males that you just pick up anywhere is not a good idea. They have to be use to each other from birth and one has to accept that the other is the alpha male. It's a tricky thing to pull off and just trying it out is not a good idea. </div><div>So, I was surprised when we were looking for a cage to see a cage and food and accessories that came with boars who got along. So, we took them in. </div><div>Yes, we have a guinea pig nation and the cage is huge now with baby nutmeg on top, on her own until she will one day have her babies in with her. The boys were all ready two years old so we are not sure how long they will even live. They are all fun however and make perfect pets for the kids. </div><div>So today we cleaned out the cages. My only issue has been bedding cost. I'm trying out something new. We live close to a market that puts out a ton of cardboard. I'm lining the cage with that and making a litter box as well. It's an experiment. We use to do the fleece thing but it was a lot of work to wash it all. </div><div>Enjoy the video...it cuts off because I ran out of memory.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0s99RWwnMWE3q2CwfUc5tC3MuT2vRye-y6dcJv4MdsdBMnZ6JdCuNhBqv2kGODaBewlF68LuS6U6t-AnFd7WbvVu2lGYkWhNHFru0-rXLvjQXz3D8fPi_O3cgxCuW2yjkb6N8Ybm0N0/s1600/CIMG1292.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0s99RWwnMWE3q2CwfUc5tC3MuT2vRye-y6dcJv4MdsdBMnZ6JdCuNhBqv2kGODaBewlF68LuS6U6t-AnFd7WbvVu2lGYkWhNHFru0-rXLvjQXz3D8fPi_O3cgxCuW2yjkb6N8Ybm0N0/s400/CIMG1292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500117795514514" /></a>The C&C cage I built. Girls on the left, boys on the right. Nutmeg is on top of them in a traditional pet store cage. It will be plenty big enough for her and her babies and then she get's the penthouse the girls have and they move into the little bungalow. Yes, those are rainbow Christmas lights and they light up at night so caed can watch them from his loft as he falls asleep.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JjxffJMizSGErVxBHcGAvDb-PrtdGGqXLBQ6RyBxtEJtJAAXVY-uk69i-Wuhp79DAJeUDtRr1LfZ4Dx_wOnt4exVCqHzEgNUQdoYPeav8gFfoItl3Jg6E_bjIzba1455q4HV2cGiLcg/s1600/CIMG1298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JjxffJMizSGErVxBHcGAvDb-PrtdGGqXLBQ6RyBxtEJtJAAXVY-uk69i-Wuhp79DAJeUDtRr1LfZ4Dx_wOnt4exVCqHzEgNUQdoYPeav8gFfoItl3Jg6E_bjIzba1455q4HV2cGiLcg/s400/CIMG1298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500667719514738" /></a>Oreo...the noisy girl, in her pigaloo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDh0uTvbwdo89RwOroUXceZ_h9txQIk2vx9Dq_upTd39Ok5jKMtQFV0PvCgY6U54CpiYR68shBjWAqGawGwtZT1_eV17Btn6LhLHOgwfPYbeTRpBNRAoY5sxXR5LRuV_GHzjgwfpPoCY/s1600/CIMG1296.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDh0uTvbwdo89RwOroUXceZ_h9txQIk2vx9Dq_upTd39Ok5jKMtQFV0PvCgY6U54CpiYR68shBjWAqGawGwtZT1_eV17Btn6LhLHOgwfPYbeTRpBNRAoY5sxXR5LRuV_GHzjgwfpPoCY/s400/CIMG1296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500134142242754" /></a>Smores looking clean and oh, so FLUFFY!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEcX9RZC6GZaxn_ZUbYSNgkzVsc67N8YouOyq4JkFGnQLOGhPWjLIsjcFjBSkAnvKjhCeJ3IjmQuRYkO7_tV6Yi-MfxBnd05R5zTQKKXCs-zYT6ECMu70lN9iu9gu0foemXp3qU9s4-4/s1600/CIMG1295.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEcX9RZC6GZaxn_ZUbYSNgkzVsc67N8YouOyq4JkFGnQLOGhPWjLIsjcFjBSkAnvKjhCeJ3IjmQuRYkO7_tV6Yi-MfxBnd05R5zTQKKXCs-zYT6ECMu70lN9iu9gu0foemXp3qU9s4-4/s400/CIMG1295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500133617047330" /></a>The boys were asleep, all cozied up...I was so mean to bug them. Ash and Teddy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTfhlO62kg_jfFyOUywhbWhG0I2QIqNJV655HAu1UQR8Y9TKvmS03i-79hh34KuVS4r0VLdwkS22s9RYnbe-_071QBjKyDF9l3PUTobBOglJOLTOYud-iztv3ZTVcl9UkhhTvwnKV9N0/s1600/CIMG1294.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTfhlO62kg_jfFyOUywhbWhG0I2QIqNJV655HAu1UQR8Y9TKvmS03i-79hh34KuVS4r0VLdwkS22s9RYnbe-_071QBjKyDF9l3PUTobBOglJOLTOYud-iztv3ZTVcl9UkhhTvwnKV9N0/s400/CIMG1294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500128385728082" /></a>This was before I bugged them. Ash is asleep. They never fully close their eyes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQB_Sta6C3KiH8AtKiXrUMZG3CCSu3PC4zRCAvoiTc-W3_hT6OnobNPk6dFqE9TSwZM8yOMaOcGijRKajezt4X4u0RTkc4ADWEsOKv54qan76jkRI84B2gmAVAQH4GmavUp9ZBy83JHU/s1600/CIMG1293.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQB_Sta6C3KiH8AtKiXrUMZG3CCSu3PC4zRCAvoiTc-W3_hT6OnobNPk6dFqE9TSwZM8yOMaOcGijRKajezt4X4u0RTkc4ADWEsOKv54qan76jkRI84B2gmAVAQH4GmavUp9ZBy83JHU/s400/CIMG1293.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614500123298631714" /></a>The little angel Nutmeg. She is so sweet and looks like a cute little squirrel.<br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RMBy48z5CDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-80019457589110891552011-06-03T10:05:00.000-07:002011-06-03T11:16:54.083-07:00Planning To Not Be Total Summer BumsWe are about to sit down as a family tonight or this weekend with the calendar, to map out the summer. <div>Some really bad things can happen to a family in the summer, especially when you live where it gets soooooooooo hot. Though we are having oddly cool weather right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of those bad things I don't look forward to:</div><a href="http://2xrfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snacks-logo.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU18k9AuNqzFsD9EjejbYsyKI1dhI5IRGke88wmJ1zpvS9CMaH52Z506-3aFu24RhcwMaXkTn_KTiNvMneEm-Yi1WSf2mIvQzacc7p720oLBGdZFwzx16BsQ0zfYINLfbgMXYWfCAFnnA/s1600/452.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><ul><li>The sleep pattern tsunami: The kids eventually sleep in ridiculously late and so do I. The cool beautiful morning is gone and the heat is at the door. This results in jamies, couch potatoes, cereal bowls everywhere and TV. They also stay up way too late and repeat the cycle again. <a href="http://01.edu-cdn.com/files/topics/topic-children-television-exposure.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 464px; height: 156px;" src="http://01.edu-cdn.com/files/topics/topic-children-television-exposure.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></li><li>The tube of terror: Seriously, don't you know mom? Summer is for us to catch up on the whole last year of shows we missed! Who cares if our eyeballs fall out or our brains go to mush? We have been worked so HARD all year, we deserve this! It's our BREAK mom!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2xrfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snacks-logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 185px;" src="http://2xrfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snacks-logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></li></ul><ul><li>Snack attack: Meals? Who eats meals in the summer mom? Can't we just have the cereal box and eat from it on the couch? What is a carrot anyway and why would I want to eat one? Can you go shopping mom? We don't have any real food? Can you take me to the market to get chips or gummy bears?</li><li>Poor Daddy: The only guy on the planet who still needs normal life. Dinner at the table, a good night sleep, family time, and to top it off, he's out in the triple digits while we hibernate.<br /><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SgHwXzP9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SgHwXzP9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /></li><li>Exercise shmexersize: This is a problem for my kids anytime of the year but especially in the summer. Even at 8pm they claim it's too hot to ride their bikes. Frankly, I have the same problem. Summer is the hardest time for me to work out. The kids are around, I sleep in, and it's hot till evening and I'm no evening work out queen.<br /><a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/uimages/ohdeedoh/011110-sleepover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 175px;" src="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/uimages/ohdeedoh/011110-sleepover.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></li><li>Does My Sister Still Live Here?: This is the sleep over till I'm adopted phase. It an happen here or there but too many sleep overs reek stress on us and the kids even though they don't know it. </li></ul><div>So I think those are the main ones. I don't look forward to all that. I am determined to have a fun but healthy summer. I'm looking for ideas but here are some of my thoughts: </div></div><div><ul><li>Scheduled Family Hikes or Beach Days: This is about the only fun free thing we can go do this summer. We are looking at the calendar and planning ahead to take these times away as a family, no mp3's or DS allowed. We are trying to keep some close to home and others we will drive a bit for.</li><li>Craft Days: I'm planning out one craft a week this summer to pull away from the TV on a hot afternoon. One or two may not be exciting for Caed so I'm going to try to come up with boy alternatives. I'm not planning more than one a week though because I can tend to go overboard in this department easily.</li><li>I'm Getting Up: I'm not going to let myself sleep in this summer. In fact, I'm going to stretch my get up time to walk in the cool morning. I do plan to let them sleep in a bit so I can enjoy the morning quiet with coffee and reading before the craziness. This will also help me sympathize with my husband as he is on a normal schedule. Maybe even plan a few early morning breakfasts on the porch.</li><li>Temp Induced Screen Blackouts: The TV will not come on unless the temps reach a certain high. The only exception will be if mommy needs a nap. We have not decided what range that will be but the screen times need to be when it's hot.</li><li>Regular Meal Times: Yes, I'm going to keep an eating schedule and snacking limits. </li><li>Bum Your Heart Out Day: Since I do understand that part of the fun of summer is not having any routine, planned meals, places to go... I will have one bum day a week. This will also allow morning cereal and pjs and TV. If' it's not bum day, don't ask me to be a bum. </li><li>Movie Themes: For scheduled family movie night we are taking the theme of musicals this summer. So yes, on the calendar we will plan which ones to watch so we have them from the library in time or from netflix.</li><li>Plan to Move: Pool time is the easiest one for my kids. This year it's only free for them and only on certain days. One exercise a day requirement for screen time. I' also am going to plan short evening bike/walks as a family. I also am going to plan wii fit family nights.</li><li>No Chores Gone Wild: I usually get way too relaxed with chores in the summer. It's just a natural digression after letting other things go. In fact, I'm switching some things up this summer and planning to teach them some new house, cooking and cleaning skills. I may even plan a skill day...if I get trigger happy. </li><li>I Do Still Love My Family: We ended up setting a sleep over limit last summer. For both here and away. As kids get older, they would rather do things with their friends than their siblings. So, this summer I'd like to take this up a notch by having sibling sleepovers. Sounds silly since they all live here. Yet, if you pop up a tent in the yard and they have a sibling sleepover together that way, it makes bonding more fun. Besides, there is not a lot of your stuff int he tent that your little brother could get yelled at for getting into....right? We hope?</li></ul><div>One way we will start is to sit down and have the kids do some brainstorming. What activities would they like to go to? Places? What foods would they like to make that are good for summer? (no bake cookies, smoothies, smoothie pops, family size sub sandwiches, etc) What friends would they like to get together with? What shows do they want to catch up on? What movies do they want to see? </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Comment if you have ideas or tips! I'm all ears for more ideas!</div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-67513931398585581662011-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:002011-06-02T19:05:44.654-07:00Of Plants And PeopleI've been thinking about plants lately, and the life lessons hidden in them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUKQUykiVe4NEPqcTeaYnYsIFfYlclIuAcbf8TenHUUmqF5obP9sIFsYa87sSvxaFL2naL6FdWA4d6pNkOMn9I2iIAfQFcG2pN7YszPv3iQDKNMN3Tv1ro1YFT7vvRX3evGO-UE3ITd4/s1600/CIMG1285.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUKQUykiVe4NEPqcTeaYnYsIFfYlclIuAcbf8TenHUUmqF5obP9sIFsYa87sSvxaFL2naL6FdWA4d6pNkOMn9I2iIAfQFcG2pN7YszPv3iQDKNMN3Tv1ro1YFT7vvRX3evGO-UE3ITd4/s400/CIMG1285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805735888157634" /></a>How eager we are when we begin, we vision the product, the healthy full fruitful plant.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXxMCue623PwK7CDvLINkpWYV5DEj3CZSTPSeW4Kb-1BDm9v2U2EDjDCeNquqbhjD8w8625he4y3IP1dS4C8AeQ9bDYXmLwNt5aR3SZDAwD_FUuQa2LHt5ZS9cEWak1QyKge-DWDHyes/s1600/CIMG1284.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXxMCue623PwK7CDvLINkpWYV5DEj3CZSTPSeW4Kb-1BDm9v2U2EDjDCeNquqbhjD8w8625he4y3IP1dS4C8AeQ9bDYXmLwNt5aR3SZDAwD_FUuQa2LHt5ZS9cEWak1QyKge-DWDHyes/s400/CIMG1284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805735084709378" /></a>That vision can make us impatient and maybe even do harsh things like over water and drown our little plant. Giving it too much that it cannot adsorb.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbOgCtL0k6XtK8bCnDE7UL20sQeRyyI0zUYiuo9ULYJUK73OXDD2JvqOH7hY2kncc9Bgo1HZVrJu7VG1quiXtWnqT2-XHe8evRl5p7DjtqY2nVHO7pLM0-XBi9JCqQbaSjiDyeFtanzI/s1600/CIMG1283.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbOgCtL0k6XtK8bCnDE7UL20sQeRyyI0zUYiuo9ULYJUK73OXDD2JvqOH7hY2kncc9Bgo1HZVrJu7VG1quiXtWnqT2-XHe8evRl5p7DjtqY2nVHO7pLM0-XBi9JCqQbaSjiDyeFtanzI/s400/CIMG1283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805726155294370" /></a>But our motive is hope.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANC_0U6Kmy2XBtZFufjupstX9NfOUazgC_lnkZ-ejL1ji9q4MxKSLZdektDfz-dg8vgIPBZkYZqGUfgKE5EJus9cfrp7KzJaDfeb2ubGUavHSMuoEDoFlVGwJqcU4C4UuJp6sI93u2SA/s1600/CIMG1281.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANC_0U6Kmy2XBtZFufjupstX9NfOUazgC_lnkZ-ejL1ji9q4MxKSLZdektDfz-dg8vgIPBZkYZqGUfgKE5EJus9cfrp7KzJaDfeb2ubGUavHSMuoEDoFlVGwJqcU4C4UuJp6sI93u2SA/s400/CIMG1281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805721866050258" /></a>And the days crawl by, especially the days when seeds are still underground and we cannot see at all if there is progress.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-SAL1NLf8IfW_NHOdcvap2-Z1fwZUpeN_4dWbG7nabuDyEPFH419lJUklH7es6zy0NDvxyOjTU3A4Ktvf5ZXPBKfuWt7VG5LMLYzMhnABRemz2iiyt9A7ZRlTZklx5XvyBZutFSy0KA/s1600/CIMG1280.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-SAL1NLf8IfW_NHOdcvap2-Z1fwZUpeN_4dWbG7nabuDyEPFH419lJUklH7es6zy0NDvxyOjTU3A4Ktvf5ZXPBKfuWt7VG5LMLYzMhnABRemz2iiyt9A7ZRlTZklx5XvyBZutFSy0KA/s400/CIMG1280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805719412381314" /></a>Until.. one day, a tiny green pops out, and we are thrilled. But we still have to be patient.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHKf0hg9payTW3gF5DNEZgQZQdS39Nr1hNIamTX1ARGd9UIdA5TxxKWnD2uWkvJ98SrTDfXYGTjajryA2eNFz5PsisBSUX1DyITKLwUpVCXgEhvHBCP0s75PQyOR6Yi2VWG7NhZ6XXc4/s1600/CIMG1279.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHKf0hg9payTW3gF5DNEZgQZQdS39Nr1hNIamTX1ARGd9UIdA5TxxKWnD2uWkvJ98SrTDfXYGTjajryA2eNFz5PsisBSUX1DyITKLwUpVCXgEhvHBCP0s75PQyOR6Yi2VWG7NhZ6XXc4/s400/CIMG1279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805111049052450" /></a>The sun must do it's work, the roots must stretch down and that takes time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWZ1d1CdZvdr6az6pFKcNPNVM7OirCBC97OZAEWBoEnhwyAx8HPepekW7XptJkQYAUvCyDqtmdCCr7uKJk4q_9Z40g9oERrYFLuKoc0RRKawT1O9at_6BMlsubiUxjpc-QmrudEE5Lv4/s1600/CIMG1278.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWZ1d1CdZvdr6az6pFKcNPNVM7OirCBC97OZAEWBoEnhwyAx8HPepekW7XptJkQYAUvCyDqtmdCCr7uKJk4q_9Z40g9oERrYFLuKoc0RRKawT1O9at_6BMlsubiUxjpc-QmrudEE5Lv4/s400/CIMG1278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805105644214210" /></a>So we should celebrate every new bit of growth and be joyfully satisfied in it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5OajYu9Cu6OG7ZeGyCjcnSqR5vPUGgGk3ITOkwGpd9862-TVAaLMK69ze9OrMNOxI0mz-6Ef0GHybwXOX7SCDD2u8Q7D6F-6CqH0FoUH_z4DPGD7Z6brlZo81GboAjRCzy5IYbg5DW0/s1600/CIMG1276.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5OajYu9Cu6OG7ZeGyCjcnSqR5vPUGgGk3ITOkwGpd9862-TVAaLMK69ze9OrMNOxI0mz-6Ef0GHybwXOX7SCDD2u8Q7D6F-6CqH0FoUH_z4DPGD7Z6brlZo81GboAjRCzy5IYbg5DW0/s400/CIMG1276.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805104751237794" /></a>And sometimes move a few leaves to find surprises underneath we did not take the time to see before.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H9Z5Lifsdi_7qDUG1jkG4BEeGqQHM0JdD9uHVvVp9tkjRaxyh1G8blQeHox9K-iJeQjYs8vS7l4Cxlgr-tvQmpHygWYfzwTN1dbBlm7b9AQQZhuqo-k3n8jCoRPwo8LbB3JhV2prZ1o/s1600/CIMG1275.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H9Z5Lifsdi_7qDUG1jkG4BEeGqQHM0JdD9uHVvVp9tkjRaxyh1G8blQeHox9K-iJeQjYs8vS7l4Cxlgr-tvQmpHygWYfzwTN1dbBlm7b9AQQZhuqo-k3n8jCoRPwo8LbB3JhV2prZ1o/s400/CIMG1275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805094760523554" /></a>Because, with patience, care and faith in that which we cannot even provide...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNowObkPL7ZVaAN_WcwwLKmvgYsSjIijg0ffr-d-G9pWW9lopAiBpDQfex4JJIUexEvp4COvav2f_A0RA7xaWWlSdDjM_QCPPuwwuNttBLgJ5Frd2hz36Ew7wPsKx8QU1B6DO73QI0rM/s1600/CIMG1274.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNowObkPL7ZVaAN_WcwwLKmvgYsSjIijg0ffr-d-G9pWW9lopAiBpDQfex4JJIUexEvp4COvav2f_A0RA7xaWWlSdDjM_QCPPuwwuNttBLgJ5Frd2hz36Ew7wPsKx8QU1B6DO73QI0rM/s400/CIMG1274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613805091685007922" /></a><br />We just might be surprised with how far they have come.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmO5eLDRVLkNfLck-9L-W0QYWdyxq4j1IG6Ow4h9Gww9zKerMYXCq_UTSUtlqgIxtbkH-yggVoenjC_YK8o3LAtpWxxZ8xtv1UGGQwH_ltrrQpEe79c5vgDdlhb7HxycEyhB7fN3PhAE/s1600/CIMG1286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmO5eLDRVLkNfLck-9L-W0QYWdyxq4j1IG6Ow4h9Gww9zKerMYXCq_UTSUtlqgIxtbkH-yggVoenjC_YK8o3LAtpWxxZ8xtv1UGGQwH_ltrrQpEe79c5vgDdlhb7HxycEyhB7fN3PhAE/s400/CIMG1286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613807263257256274" /></a><br /><br />And more than anything, make sure to appreciate their simple beauty and appreciate the time they took this journey with you.Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-66857374890647805862011-06-02T08:39:00.001-07:002011-06-02T08:48:53.123-07:00Caed and Riley's Birthday Party PicsHonestly, we did not take many pictures..we were too busy trying to stay warm!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3RJTTT_Hoet1YqxrTHHhfx23jysYCy070avoVJrej5xlakXGtSFp7UFq50HrnN8HQCkV5JfCNkgBMevHxdyKOKGQKtlHWVge8u0lmrYZ2pG3q4EOIfSjnnXoyczw_2LlS7fVMzyvrvc/s1600/CIMG1262.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3RJTTT_Hoet1YqxrTHHhfx23jysYCy070avoVJrej5xlakXGtSFp7UFq50HrnN8HQCkV5JfCNkgBMevHxdyKOKGQKtlHWVge8u0lmrYZ2pG3q4EOIfSjnnXoyczw_2LlS7fVMzyvrvc/s400/CIMG1262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613648098900288994" /></a>As ordered, very blue cupcakes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ-CvIQvjuuRUPK4cRm4qPTpTQbh_4qitelUICPT2fj2aI5ISgzwtZR4HIdKQpkOkDnkZIlB5wRe7ULt5WXvko8yqpJxvjBTjxz8fTtvbi5wfMlYNzoOGJOUnhf52oGj2aImySMqMQPQ/s1600/CIMG1261.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ-CvIQvjuuRUPK4cRm4qPTpTQbh_4qitelUICPT2fj2aI5ISgzwtZR4HIdKQpkOkDnkZIlB5wRe7ULt5WXvko8yqpJxvjBTjxz8fTtvbi5wfMlYNzoOGJOUnhf52oGj2aImySMqMQPQ/s400/CIMG1261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613648100672241010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HZE0th-Abu5a43Uo1VPAmmjkIc89wFGF1UOfIxeJdaiMj5ftBNZtK3GA51G4QDRKuzEPgZ4aZFLlvTl3eTXvigJBS8xaUphG96Z9BKLRf_lD0jhx_5oQhyphenhyphenNWMVQebt0a0_vh2MMxEk8/s1600/CIMG1260.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HZE0th-Abu5a43Uo1VPAmmjkIc89wFGF1UOfIxeJdaiMj5ftBNZtK3GA51G4QDRKuzEPgZ4aZFLlvTl3eTXvigJBS8xaUphG96Z9BKLRf_lD0jhx_5oQhyphenhyphenNWMVQebt0a0_vh2MMxEk8/s400/CIMG1260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613648094532619346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzQ-TAJ8LFvZC0L7DxcEIsvQ-ODl8AYESy-yBAOLvIPnKVDEdreH__UMebf4UIOpJ301azcgdYOdjohQO4ikUF_Pj1NxpATUEofDBgde1RbC27AffrFgzpVBPI8NH2BppXTlsy4vx_l4/s1600/CIMG1259.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzQ-TAJ8LFvZC0L7DxcEIsvQ-ODl8AYESy-yBAOLvIPnKVDEdreH__UMebf4UIOpJ301azcgdYOdjohQO4ikUF_Pj1NxpATUEofDBgde1RbC27AffrFgzpVBPI8NH2BppXTlsy4vx_l4/s400/CIMG1259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613648091170636018" /></a>Somehow, the candles managed to burn in the wind enough to be blown out.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT-BPuSa0-DYrchVD4C2dKlDiVoZpgh0TEfxFXQihhyRm0QVTT-F2tlBRQh4f-ylV79vp2u_QobKf6New6Jx0SEcGAonb3LBq5nmWCCzum7jWrN-rKm9JUZ1Ys7-rygy6ZAmUA19mn0Y/s1600/CIMG1258.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT-BPuSa0-DYrchVD4C2dKlDiVoZpgh0TEfxFXQihhyRm0QVTT-F2tlBRQh4f-ylV79vp2u_QobKf6New6Jx0SEcGAonb3LBq5nmWCCzum7jWrN-rKm9JUZ1Ys7-rygy6ZAmUA19mn0Y/s400/CIMG1258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613648089706437010" /></a>Picking your cupcake is serious business!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTarsIxtXC65wnR0II5fc2ZycRhqsNOI02mHOPtmj7oZJOLryyx6r8xeyrkOFog9pitsoBr6_yYHppN891nt-kjIKF2PwXnMgPN4WZGb63trk4bPw54ibV6MnsGGibYtVRQZm1I4JsHU/s1600/CIMG1271.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTarsIxtXC65wnR0II5fc2ZycRhqsNOI02mHOPtmj7oZJOLryyx6r8xeyrkOFog9pitsoBr6_yYHppN891nt-kjIKF2PwXnMgPN4WZGb63trk4bPw54ibV6MnsGGibYtVRQZm1I4JsHU/s400/CIMG1271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613649074318514018" /></a>Lego smiles..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4J_GlH9fKQ6U6p9uSAREzZ5pPVH9DIGBmx2yHMZU10gjhXNf9OT3Q-jLJ20VDDcVpyd17K50DBoY_4mVF92aco0BkOKb62a8Tng2i6TFRJzjsgM0TbqhjihvAcNG1wBmMAyIaRp9Q14/s1600/CIMG1266.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4J_GlH9fKQ6U6p9uSAREzZ5pPVH9DIGBmx2yHMZU10gjhXNf9OT3Q-jLJ20VDDcVpyd17K50DBoY_4mVF92aco0BkOKb62a8Tng2i6TFRJzjsgM0TbqhjihvAcNG1wBmMAyIaRp9Q14/s400/CIMG1266.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613649070686702946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6XE3N5IGRvSSOWf77tq0vNlcAOlxMwgLC6HyIniz48s6JQhXrn9-mX_0RapXmBG5ftXDireuDybqAO1_4ypJIJx3_uv_m876WKPdTym946e-Kfa5D7YuN6yfZjVksZ28U7Czr2NaCPQ/s1600/CIMG1265.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6XE3N5IGRvSSOWf77tq0vNlcAOlxMwgLC6HyIniz48s6JQhXrn9-mX_0RapXmBG5ftXDireuDybqAO1_4ypJIJx3_uv_m876WKPdTym946e-Kfa5D7YuN6yfZjVksZ28U7Czr2NaCPQ/s400/CIMG1265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613649071397471842" /></a>Emma is only there for the sweets...:)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MQreGFOPLnbRImZdA1sKCLchnlsyLcp0DI31G7AtmGDh8mXgDXEwpAODqlQKVvhGo3K_mWciYeMqjRzK89_n52pRvU8m1PfwYtlHsxybsFzp2ho8PUPgufx7L6ekU2BkLbKsMUqZuZo/s1600/CIMG1264.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MQreGFOPLnbRImZdA1sKCLchnlsyLcp0DI31G7AtmGDh8mXgDXEwpAODqlQKVvhGo3K_mWciYeMqjRzK89_n52pRvU8m1PfwYtlHsxybsFzp2ho8PUPgufx7L6ekU2BkLbKsMUqZuZo/s400/CIMG1264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613649065514838578" /></a><br />OH, and teenagers DON'T like their pictures taken .... lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLSuIxKhdUm6Qn2dBWkcIU5P9o1S5HUgA0UuI2DZ93ANZ5gXY3UknHnUSmMPn24eun7xRsVYshsgBj_0ZRZ3ozXIP6NXPIXAfdUEYA429bo2DeBeriFmhZymNZcdxpRxjWe0MLoG8uHM/s1600/CIMG1263.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLSuIxKhdUm6Qn2dBWkcIU5P9o1S5HUgA0UuI2DZ93ANZ5gXY3UknHnUSmMPn24eun7xRsVYshsgBj_0ZRZ3ozXIP6NXPIXAfdUEYA429bo2DeBeriFmhZymNZcdxpRxjWe0MLoG8uHM/s400/CIMG1263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613649061570383778" /></a>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-7405273483855404102011-06-01T08:17:00.000-07:002011-06-01T09:36:37.415-07:00The Decision, A Poem<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3714842816_763b003d65.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 338px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3714842816_763b003d65.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Decision</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A path, lain in rough terrain,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reaching up where fog forbids i see,</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the road you say that you</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did once lay out for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eyes that strain dare call it as such</div><div style="text-align: center;">A "road" seems far gracious a name</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fainted winding through rock and toil</div><div style="text-align: center;">It argues to your claim.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reaching up, looming over me</div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes no sense to tread</div><div style="text-align: center;">To step one foot on such a ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter what you've said</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Where it leads is mystery,</div><div style="text-align: center;">What I see fights my logic,</div><div style="text-align: center;">My options feed an angry mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">And cause me to sit so tragic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still in the mist I hear you call</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your voice is calm and sure</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a power working against my mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">A sweet and sound allure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One step is all i need to make</div><div style="text-align: center;">One moment to decide</div><div style="text-align: center;">To trust a promise though I see</div><div style="text-align: center;">No reason for this stride.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet as my feet put to the ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another step comes clear</div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact it lights up soundly</div><div style="text-align: center;">And wins battle ore my fear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My limbs are burning now to stretch</div><div style="text-align: center;">But somehow growing stronger</div><div style="text-align: center;">Becoming anxious to move on,</div><div style="text-align: center;">To journey ever longer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, oh, the lifting fog revealing</div><div style="text-align: center;">What I could not before then see</div><div style="text-align: center;">A place to sit in green and sun</div><div style="text-align: center;">To rest and drink and breathe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More still than this I turn to look</div><div style="text-align: center;">And gasp how high and far</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each little step in cumulation</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can bring one to where you are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The journey brings it's promise</div><div style="text-align: center;">To life with every stride</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just one foot and then the other</div><div style="text-align: center;">With stability you provide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More than all my heart is pounding</div><div style="text-align: center;">My lungs are bout to burst</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mind grows clear and focused</div><div style="text-align: center;">More than ever at the first.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am living! I am striving! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am joyful in the way!</div><div style="text-align: center;">How could I have wanted other?</div><div style="text-align: center;">To sit and sulk and stay?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So step into the toil my feet!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy each burning stride!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Till finally the last fog lifting,</div><div style="text-align: center;">In peace and pasture hide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Please ask permission for any copying... thank you).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-75564138805137469542011-05-31T09:18:00.000-07:002011-05-31T10:44:59.090-07:00Make Ahead Freezer BurritosMakin' stuff today!<br />Thought I'd share about the burritos. I don't know why I never thought of doing this before, it's so easy, cheap and helpful.<br /><br />I'm also taking our left over grilled chicken breast from our Memorial Day BBQ and making a Pasta salad with chicken, fresh red tomato, feta, and basil. This is for lunches this week, and hungry kids who need food constantly.<br />If I'm feeling spunky, I may make pancakes to freeze.<br /><br />For desserts, I'm making pudding pops (pudding poured into popsicle makers), brownies and cookies. Trying to get some baking in while it's still cool.<br /><br />Sorry the quality is bad.. and the sound. I shrunk it to make it faster loading.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/73GuozLl-9Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-60830596279775599102011-05-26T06:16:00.000-07:002011-05-26T08:45:50.330-07:00Faith and Her Sister Suffering<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlTKflgUk6zAXj2vjg5f2_0Wu8m174rk_iDSXX5NQKO1deAPwHtg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlTKflgUk6zAXj2vjg5f2_0Wu8m174rk_iDSXX5NQKO1deAPwHtg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">What is faith?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I woke up with these thoughts just pouring into my mind like someone watering my soul (thanks Lord..love how you give to your children even in their sleep:). Sometimes, the simplicity comes back to me and I love it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We talk about faith a lot, we throw the word around like we do the word love. I don't think we understand what they really mean. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Someone wise told me a few years ago when I was feeling God call me to take my kids, who were being homeschooled, and put them in public school. She told me that God does whatever grows our faith. His goal is to grow our faith in him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Well, if God just came down and showed himself to me now, would I have faith in Him? No, why? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Heb 11:1 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Now <b>faith</b> is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things <b>not</b> <b>seen</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Heb 11:17</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">By <b>faith</b> Noah, being warned by God about things <b>not</b> yet <b>seen</b>, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to <b>faith</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Yet He tells me: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Heb 11:6</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And <b>without</b> <b>faith</b> it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, without my having faith, I cannot please God. Basically it's related to what I talked about in my vlog yesterday as well. We are part of a story for God's glory, he is wooing us back to himself. He has not made us to robotically love him, our faith is the "magic" that allows us to love him in a situation where we logically should not or we cannot see tangibly or hear audibly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">People say they have faith, or that they lost faith. Well, what they have or had may just be a nice little rundown of what they think or thought. Or they may have truly made that leap to believe in Him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That faith is kinda easy though don't you think. "There is a big spirit up in the sky that loves you and has your best interest at heart. He watches you when you sleep, does things good for you and protects you." Sounds as easy as believing in Santa if you ask me. A lot of people come to God on these terms. Sometimes it's not their fault, their childhood is pumped with one sided messages about God. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">THEN...life hits.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">THEN comes the bad stuff. Some Christians refuse to go there at all, they may stretch to some middle ground where tough stuff happens and they start spewing "it's okay, I'm all good, God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him." They are right but many times they have not had something really really hard happen to them. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">They have not had a child die.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A parent die in a state of no faith.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A spouse take away suddenly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">An illness where they cannot function as they use to. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Complete and utter loneliness.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">They have not been abused or demoralized. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, along comes pain....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">At this point their faith is tested. Their original faith in God is put to question. Here is where a proper understanding of God and his purposes is crucial. In a day of trial or testing, they will support us through this and allow us to bend a knee and worship in the middle honestly looking at God for who he is FULLY. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">See, I believe, as Randy Alcorn concludes in his book "If God Is Good" that pain and suffering have a very specific purpose in the story of God. He did not start out right, fail and then have to correct course. He did not fail at all. He intended for things to go as they did for one very important reason. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">God could have kept things all good. He could have chose to make that the plan. We would hardly have had a choice toward his goodness then. You know? I mean really, what's not to like? He is good, he brings us good, we live in good...all things are hunky-dory...except we don't fully understand Him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">For, by God allowing suffering he allows us to for one time in eternity, see a small glimpse of the opposite of Him. Suffering, death, selfishness, immorality, pain..all of these are the opposite of God's character of goodness but how could that goodness shine bright to us if we did not see the darkness for a while? People ask how we can love a cruel God. I ask how you cannot love that plan of wanting us to see Him fully. If we come to him in pain, in a suffering world, we have true faith. This is loving suffering, but I don't think we can see it if we don't come okay with his plan. If we come angry and rebellious and thinking we know more or better, we won't see. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That person remains in suffering forever. Not just eternally, but now. They are miserable. If they truly think and reach out to see who God is, which does mean seeing his side that we disagree with that I mention<a href="http://whatsupwithusnow.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-god-paints-in-black.html"> here</a> on my old blog, and come to him (which takes humility as all the scripture states) their suffering will have purpose. It will be the catalyst of their faith. Their faith will be refined over and over and over. They will enter eternity knowing more about their God than they would have had he not allowed them to experience suffering. They will rejoice and their reward will be so much sweeter, their eternity more full in the full knowledge of who God is. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">If they do not, they suffer here, and for eternity, and I hurt for them. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Let us not forget that God suffered too. He did not just decide that we should suffer, he decided that he would too. In fact, I believe he suffered more than we ever will. He chose the worst time in human history to come and die. He died a death not many men will have to know so his physical pain was at probably the worst it could have been, and he chose that. Yet more than this...he descended and broke fellowship with his Father for us. Knowing that He and the Father are one, could we not even say he broke himself wide open for us? It's too much to understand. We cannot imagine the pain of almighty God breaking loving fellowship with His Son because we do not have the capacity to understand love like that, perfect completion like that and how it was broken for even a moment. Though it was only for a time, he did choose it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, when you really break it all down, God choose to suffer so we could see Him for who he really is. That IS LOVE. That is not a cruel God who should be screamed at in our anger and selfish discontent. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I also really think understanding Heaven, our reward, helps strengthen us as we suffer here. If you look forward to singing hymns all day, then yes, I can understand why you don't want any of this. Reading Heaven, by Randy Alcorn changed my walk with God. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I just feel it's appropriate to end these thoughts today with Paul's words. Even what Paul suffered is more than I ever will. He did what I want to do, come face to face in my heart with the God who gives and takes away and bow to call Him holy. Not out of blind stupid submission, but out of an understanding of his righteous motivations of love I cannot comprehend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Romans 8:18</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">For I consider that the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b>sufferings</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> of this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b>present</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b>time</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> are not worthy to be compared with the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b>glory that is to be revealed to us.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-77105223489195003862011-05-25T10:13:00.000-07:002011-05-25T10:17:10.174-07:00Random Coffee Talk: Respond To Comments<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PE6yinslcG0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-78750942834033074802011-05-21T01:22:00.000-07:002011-05-21T01:41:56.114-07:00wow...."Save the Date!" "Mark Your Calendars!"...really??<a href="http://www.agnostic-library.com/ma/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rapturebench.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 270px;" src="http://www.agnostic-library.com/ma/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rapturebench.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Is that how glory comes down? "save the date!" or "mark your calendar!" ?<div>I'm just up a little sleepless...<div> reading <a href="http://www.familyradio.com/PDFS/nmk_en.pdf">this</a>. wow.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>"... the Holy Spirit </div><div>has abandoned all churches, those still </div><div>following any church on May 21, 2011 are </div><div>not saved. Nevertheless churches teach </div><div>their members that:</div><div>1. They as confessing members of their </div><div>church are safely in Christ’s care.</div><div>2. No man can know the day or hour of </div><div>Christ’s return. Therefore, they are certain </div><div>that Christ will come as a thief in the night.</div><div>These dear people do not realize at all </div><div>that they, themselves, are in spiritual </div><div>nighttime, a condition that guarantees that </div><div>when Christ comes they, themselves, will </div><div>be destroyed in the Day of Judgment. How </div><div>awful! It is the true believers who know </div><div>the time (the hour) and much about </div><div>Judgment Day (the day). They are not in </div><div>the nighttime of spiritual darkness."</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I am no bible scholar, but I hear fear in these words. </div><div>Oh, how the enemy loves to shame the people of God. For this is indeed embarrassing. I know we will all get knocked for it unfairly. I don't blame them. Though they don't realize we are not all in this boat. </div><div>I read the whole article and the logic jumps from verse to verse where he wants it to go with no congruent study. Claims that the tribulation started in 1988 and that the Holy Spirit left the churches then. </div><div>I can testify to that not being true. I said in my vlog that Christians don't have joy and love. I should have clarified that many don't. I'm blessed to be surround by many who do. Our church is a living testimony of the grace and truth of Christ. The Holy Spirit at work. No human efforts can conjure up this kind of care for each other, forgiving each other, striving together, seeking God's glory, loving and upholding one another. I know there are other churches who have this character of Christ as well, alive and serving each other. </div><div>There are many false gospels springing up, even among the churches, but for him to claim the Holy Spirit has left the church goes against my experienced testimony of what I've seen myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>The enemy loves when we scatter in fear. He loves to see us responding like crazy people, shaming the name of Christ and the child-like simplicity of the gospel. </div><div>Like I said, I'm no scholar, but I'm starting to think that when men study too much with the wrong motives know less. It can be tempting to study the word for figuring it out the best, being the one who's "got it" backwards and forwards. Yet, if the word is not living moving and active in your heart, filling your soul with Joy for God's truths, his amazing love for his people, His longing to be reconciled with his creation, it's not getting us very far at all. </div><div>I look to the testimony I've seen to disprove this and I look to the character of God who would not allow one man to have this glory of being "right". </div><div>The discussion however, will be interesting.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Let us by no means fall asleep, we should probably mark on every day of our calendar "the day of his coming?" Remember, and pressing on free of fear, motivated by truth and love.</div><div>I have this verse written in wipe-y marker on our dining room window. Have for a while now. I love this verse: </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 19, 32); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; ">And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. John 2:28</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 19, 32); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 19, 32); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-59507170565468769542011-05-20T14:13:00.000-07:002011-05-20T14:41:33.591-07:00Random Coffee Talk: Our View of God<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/S4vwHLGVbX0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Thanks for watching, now listen to this. ALL of it, it's great and entertaining. These are the types of things we need to be hearing. "A slave to what is right"...so good.<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2yq8elC_kYs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />..and on that..<br />Does this mean that we don't sin? No, it means that we do not continue in sin. We are not able...praise God. We are convicted and forgiven, and continually in freedom.Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-73253912392736362592011-05-18T11:58:00.001-07:002011-05-18T12:02:49.384-07:00An Unexpected EncouragementI'm going through a heavy time right now. God has challenged me with a mission I don't want to take on, a trial I don't want to pass through. I can't see my path out the other end yet and I certainly don't know what waits for me on the other side of it. <div>So, my head is heavy today. Decided to drive into town for crickets and sandwich bags. Mom's do those weird errands you know. Mostly needed to drive and think.</div><div>I listened to my Sara Bareilles cd Rick got me. She is not a christian artist but I found this song to be such a love song to Jesus for me. Only one word changed in my heart. Where she sings "babe" my heart sang "lord" and it has really helped me today. </div><div><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tf5u0mJQJMs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-18748078765846277752011-05-12T09:05:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:23:03.667-07:00Show and Tell From The DigFinally get to my show and tell blog from the Dig! The girls and I went durring spring break and we did not even get to go through everything. The girls had fun for a few minutes but were done within 30 min or less. Mama is a die hard so they went and sat in the van with their MP3s while I kept at it for a bit. <div>I'm actually splitting my sharing from the Dig (Goodwill Outlet) in two different blogs. Most of it is here, and the t-shirts are over at Creative SAHM as I am using them for making bags. </div><div>The Glassware: </div><div>I don't usually focus on glass ware there often. However, I was interested in containers for collecting dried flowers, dried citrus and such for potpourri making. I found a few fun things in the process.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDV3Vk4TsasGuONaKjW6JVImvcYmkV071SIOEqplHdCGLV5eeJb535O1V52Wwt0ddrnbfST3ibVt-_tu10PGODKJXn7P5wM0Vb4R9kIRHod1ST7gmEOpYwrdibbzI2yPSfbrG80n7v00/s400/CIMG1167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605861641052777986" />A multi purpose jar that Caed can use for the tadpoles from the river, or a fish. He brings in nature all the time so this made a good habitat jar for his adventures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRm36u6ADE25kfPxqPFJnB2cjB4F0QSifjhpPZqjd05GjJ1XZL5lahLwix_j_l25J_Rnx8VN0gbBlubytMA5S3Zg0hyphenhyphenJtgOuzU4aeJVrvfH3DZIBbyR75PXT5g8zT4uthyphenhyphenBI-L0rnC4Xc/s1600/CIMG1131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRm36u6ADE25kfPxqPFJnB2cjB4F0QSifjhpPZqjd05GjJ1XZL5lahLwix_j_l25J_Rnx8VN0gbBlubytMA5S3Zg0hyphenhyphenJtgOuzU4aeJVrvfH3DZIBbyR75PXT5g8zT4uthyphenhyphenBI-L0rnC4Xc/s400/CIMG1131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605861637785887010" /></a>We spent our Anniversary in Cambria, and it's one of mine and Ricks favorite get aways. So I could not pass up this lovely wine glass that simply stated the town name.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5TuEw9bVi_q9C1hkPxQ2jwb-kzrqMCxsk7YT_XgA1gcvax2n52WkS1qlvAbfsuuGuPdWyw_2QjImk819L2Zy_Z0ouEGstrMZT14yvq6ZV5d_2AwQRmhPduL6OpTIUi3DfsiOW8Mhkbo/s1600/CIMG1128.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5TuEw9bVi_q9C1hkPxQ2jwb-kzrqMCxsk7YT_XgA1gcvax2n52WkS1qlvAbfsuuGuPdWyw_2QjImk819L2Zy_Z0ouEGstrMZT14yvq6ZV5d_2AwQRmhPduL6OpTIUi3DfsiOW8Mhkbo/s400/CIMG1128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605861633045080802" /></a>Also while we were away we did one wine tasting (in Templeton actually) at Wild Horse. Our friends had served a Pino Noir from them that was AMAZING, and we had a free tasting coupon so we tried some of their other stuff. However, since our coupon made the tasting free, we did not get a glass. SO, when I spotted this, I got it for our memory time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8eOqEohnVFTvZxSfbwCZjAc_2d59buOMqTsuuvFPRgXN5K7oHZCptiWUbPB_8GOw50e0k-6XhD12VIn8Wo4es3sUmc_PgouqYRDcucfryDtyRqnswsWiL4vqdEMc9l4RoOft7Opf2ZU/s1600/CIMG1124.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8eOqEohnVFTvZxSfbwCZjAc_2d59buOMqTsuuvFPRgXN5K7oHZCptiWUbPB_8GOw50e0k-6XhD12VIn8Wo4es3sUmc_PgouqYRDcucfryDtyRqnswsWiL4vqdEMc9l4RoOft7Opf2ZU/s400/CIMG1124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605861627704523202" /></a>Vintage jam jars traditionally used as juice glasses, these were a great find and they can make good flower vases for small flowers too. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJwmmEEzXG4NZhQTU-7yJKEGgeanDjNquiFgZOqH9NtPDn9ijlqyL-UabdtYxUNORITjhYob6i5WUIwsOtjVuhZMtCqLUqJctuz3H2l_k0gS0MAm4MPlDy-X_H0_N591nfdc9MIvUyQI/s1600/CIMG1183.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJwmmEEzXG4NZhQTU-7yJKEGgeanDjNquiFgZOqH9NtPDn9ijlqyL-UabdtYxUNORITjhYob6i5WUIwsOtjVuhZMtCqLUqJctuz3H2l_k0gS0MAm4MPlDy-X_H0_N591nfdc9MIvUyQI/s400/CIMG1183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605875552043615922" /></a>I also found a few other vases/containers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0LBCXEgOoxnY_uPIdLYC5S95FoGt2fKT8bQ26MW8iCYvgzhteqqNHLCymL88DDRHZAD27s-1N53CMESXBVC702mffcluBYvTXufpvsuIHUyzmu6Ts2KNEbGGEAQCxSJuuTP59abNoGI/s1600/CIMG1125.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0LBCXEgOoxnY_uPIdLYC5S95FoGt2fKT8bQ26MW8iCYvgzhteqqNHLCymL88DDRHZAD27s-1N53CMESXBVC702mffcluBYvTXufpvsuIHUyzmu6Ts2KNEbGGEAQCxSJuuTP59abNoGI/s400/CIMG1125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605861626996239826" /></a></div><br />These were possibly vintage also. Two of them say juice something or other, and one is a old milk looking one with a cow on it. I wanted them for flowers. The item in the foreground is a melt and pour with a great handle. I want to work with some wax later on for candle making so I grabbed that too. <div>The Clothing/Shoes:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidejQsxSskQ06lbzNRz2RFV6Re_2588VHUvGHzX9IX_bQY7odBD_fCY25KXSjU24Qj5vz6tZ_w80vq51esG5Csn8hcOAsZ_dktWO0XMGg9CgG5FCI-lrlNrOpFu3cmxx0kROlFLVme47U/s1600/CIMG1136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidejQsxSskQ06lbzNRz2RFV6Re_2588VHUvGHzX9IX_bQY7odBD_fCY25KXSjU24Qj5vz6tZ_w80vq51esG5Csn8hcOAsZ_dktWO0XMGg9CgG5FCI-lrlNrOpFu3cmxx0kROlFLVme47U/s400/CIMG1136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605865107855275394" /></a>Emma grabbed these converse. Three of them (one below) were real converse which is a great shoe even when worn a bit. She loves converse so she put some on right away. I had to have her stop in her tracks to take the below picture. Oh, and on a side note from above, I also found this mirror and picnic basket.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xeb0HDLIOmxqMRomjtg60ZuwmWBSfnC7CWvSyTsQFzQMndkGFWmYsa1UgC7KnifNvx44ADPQ66d9oZx7tDRYlRq6rKLxdV-2yPWfYyIzuOwdk9wG_7F9BKcX7luYdUlJSYoSPynsZ8A/s1600/CIMG1135.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xeb0HDLIOmxqMRomjtg60ZuwmWBSfnC7CWvSyTsQFzQMndkGFWmYsa1UgC7KnifNvx44ADPQ66d9oZx7tDRYlRq6rKLxdV-2yPWfYyIzuOwdk9wG_7F9BKcX7luYdUlJSYoSPynsZ8A/s400/CIMG1135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605865105851408146" /></a>It's not every day you get playing card converse shoes....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMMcdaekqvz6dLH6M-6_Lv-TImzBGfYGSuC2XW_LjTPIWBV5mKJBTuowd7Rdlnk5EMFk9HKCCGWpxjff8AtNjRWmkvKGEuLlC5RcBwa0QS8R4dheEeQsOBRwkGofQ7HXC9nPE27NhrLc/s1600/CIMG1134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMMcdaekqvz6dLH6M-6_Lv-TImzBGfYGSuC2XW_LjTPIWBV5mKJBTuowd7Rdlnk5EMFk9HKCCGWpxjff8AtNjRWmkvKGEuLlC5RcBwa0QS8R4dheEeQsOBRwkGofQ7HXC9nPE27NhrLc/s400/CIMG1134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605865101413678834" /></a>I found a Levis jean jacket. I've been looking for one for a while.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUzSyeNXI0tODhjILReYTo1OB0V0uJMdg0b6zAoGEsCluOY71qRBjkU2lAVfUsaiLful6n92gKcLQ0MNQLLOxlfol370996n9_sOEXdv9xa6EDQg7H2Coyf5tyLRwRnktH14962QlcIk/s1600/CIMG1133.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUzSyeNXI0tODhjILReYTo1OB0V0uJMdg0b6zAoGEsCluOY71qRBjkU2lAVfUsaiLful6n92gKcLQ0MNQLLOxlfol370996n9_sOEXdv9xa6EDQg7H2Coyf5tyLRwRnktH14962QlcIk/s400/CIMG1133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605865093961839378" /></a>Levi jeans in great shape. A little small but it will motivate me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rTZOb8akUPBp1zJbSkudqZbIaB3oGJ3uPIdZrXQXAEc8E-kiZ5TdoJarxWQVtCDslq-mFth7mSdpQvXviSZsixoF-dKId6Qwgz0ZtMJqqHXt4vvME0rW5o-g8v9JWNVXHafUxDKIInU/s1600/CIMG1132.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rTZOb8akUPBp1zJbSkudqZbIaB3oGJ3uPIdZrXQXAEc8E-kiZ5TdoJarxWQVtCDslq-mFth7mSdpQvXviSZsixoF-dKId6Qwgz0ZtMJqqHXt4vvME0rW5o-g8v9JWNVXHafUxDKIInU/s400/CIMG1132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605865090796792434" /></a></div><br />Lots of fun trendy tops for the girls.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOlbLDAzU1b34uw_Fil5XloFfnGUv8qVGctRQh4eAa3ipTJ1mWs6Oh_BY0eBTYcwGKrkLUN7kWaGBbUNtZYD-eLDxlKdt60QiqGh5NcadJibXZlp3XiD6VG-D8E_JvheTXLOhfth4q-E/s1600/CIMG1156.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOlbLDAzU1b34uw_Fil5XloFfnGUv8qVGctRQh4eAa3ipTJ1mWs6Oh_BY0eBTYcwGKrkLUN7kWaGBbUNtZYD-eLDxlKdt60QiqGh5NcadJibXZlp3XiD6VG-D8E_JvheTXLOhfth4q-E/s400/CIMG1156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605866768643002146" /></a>Emma found this one herself. Mommy thought it was pretty cool!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfBIVx_y9ZoXx2d1JZiox89b4VhKbTXmHKo7SNUsM-01ED5a4IqDMG0JGTI4OGCek5xA1FeQ5XlWcVu9eeQfzmON4_pflxV2r-IUPaz4uoUHxOmgwRpmdB0caeLjG8mVb9zF1wse7B_8/s1600/CIMG1160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfBIVx_y9ZoXx2d1JZiox89b4VhKbTXmHKo7SNUsM-01ED5a4IqDMG0JGTI4OGCek5xA1FeQ5XlWcVu9eeQfzmON4_pflxV2r-IUPaz4uoUHxOmgwRpmdB0caeLjG8mVb9zF1wse7B_8/s400/CIMG1160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605866760856253826" /></a>This one was for me, loved it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC0ec0ur7M-w7G7iy9ODfCDYgrB-YABXlLmpljloskWXN4JMRKuzNxLjhwNppVA3K0bXH2dMP4f0aF1hDdD-pg1Qr1pkfucY3PicnAUV_3jBu8of-TavEx5BHkoFZTN7aBu-RkmwG0Hg/s1600/CIMG1161.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC0ec0ur7M-w7G7iy9ODfCDYgrB-YABXlLmpljloskWXN4JMRKuzNxLjhwNppVA3K0bXH2dMP4f0aF1hDdD-pg1Qr1pkfucY3PicnAUV_3jBu8of-TavEx5BHkoFZTN7aBu-RkmwG0Hg/s400/CIMG1161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605866761120652354" /></a>....and a one size fits all cover up for the beach or pool, just in time!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbcbMFFbh8DiZfaOGPC1E_dp_g34x0_b7l1msK6fLlFZCC3RkwsrOqIVaypaT54DIA-be_-WVsmDDK0ClVX9OHw8AtMIFeb_c3PX8GojyAp4-BYAbVNv_cs6xtJfZddD77-Sq-XvTiOk/s1600/CIMG1153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbcbMFFbh8DiZfaOGPC1E_dp_g34x0_b7l1msK6fLlFZCC3RkwsrOqIVaypaT54DIA-be_-WVsmDDK0ClVX9OHw8AtMIFeb_c3PX8GojyAp4-BYAbVNv_cs6xtJfZddD77-Sq-XvTiOk/s400/CIMG1153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605866760109777154" /></a><br />a few tops for mommy. <div><br /><div>The Vintage:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCxAR0baBcNbG0DSmuJ25KfUuOpsUmkgIkskhUOW7H-L-uYYIOvaw1MneUi7y8uLs8C5nvKj0KPHC7h_rzGc_FfPj-l1iV1fJOkiMXGoj693wyK_AG_Go5rT8wX29oM2oYdSFSLFRznw/s1600/CIMG1155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCxAR0baBcNbG0DSmuJ25KfUuOpsUmkgIkskhUOW7H-L-uYYIOvaw1MneUi7y8uLs8C5nvKj0KPHC7h_rzGc_FfPj-l1iV1fJOkiMXGoj693wyK_AG_Go5rT8wX29oM2oYdSFSLFRznw/s400/CIMG1155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605867678575155026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBd5bUvzDeufNt8OU18S6QFDGV1OdBHCIeImymB794qtdanEjIoc78WnmRDmRqMZdvmz03tDkThhNh-PkrfBS7NXT-EDyuNY4HPIh0xfC5iHpEcH_CEL3QcnCf6OOd4TR_NAvMSKu-Zo/s1600/CIMG1154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBd5bUvzDeufNt8OU18S6QFDGV1OdBHCIeImymB794qtdanEjIoc78WnmRDmRqMZdvmz03tDkThhNh-PkrfBS7NXT-EDyuNY4HPIh0xfC5iHpEcH_CEL3QcnCf6OOd4TR_NAvMSKu-Zo/s400/CIMG1154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605867671462463122" /></a><br />This vintage treasure was fun! It was homemade but I still loved it. Saving it for the girls or a smaller me. </div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYDkgE227Ry_hTcHnVIoJo8ux4PPmtbsOJG1URdFacPneywieuO72rxG-0jHxamSkOG60PFajq-SFUEMZP6BiIplbJJalBC0fIe2NNNyuzvTxuZEB4X09trk4wlSUrn9-2vhHsuGiyMk/s1600/CIMG1141.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYDkgE227Ry_hTcHnVIoJo8ux4PPmtbsOJG1URdFacPneywieuO72rxG-0jHxamSkOG60PFajq-SFUEMZP6BiIplbJJalBC0fIe2NNNyuzvTxuZEB4X09trk4wlSUrn9-2vhHsuGiyMk/s400/CIMG1141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605869270103040338" /></a>This old Fire King bread pan was like nothing I'd ever seen. It had design (shown on the end above) all the way around. It was beautiful. It just needs a really good scrub to get all the burn off. I think it's too pretty to just sit in the cupboard for occasional baking. I intend to use it as a serving dish.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCVxLdn4iwu0qqZy5fiuvNhVeBqLK44vkZyvqcjUa2Er57CqmVAdLQUxiXNpaXBcpYZS__mBgWdvkMXvul93heVPgiIopfKDFrrCx2NjNbfKy5HB7yWhLn3IGFGuCsniPyp6BkFZYA8Y/s1600/CIMG1140.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCVxLdn4iwu0qqZy5fiuvNhVeBqLK44vkZyvqcjUa2Er57CqmVAdLQUxiXNpaXBcpYZS__mBgWdvkMXvul93heVPgiIopfKDFrrCx2NjNbfKy5HB7yWhLn3IGFGuCsniPyp6BkFZYA8Y/s400/CIMG1140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605869266606671698" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Srwwh48Z7PUUp3z1c2tYQA0rC_yMce3LETR37ocuRGsSGAuEN6bEWzgkLY1zJtXGbnwjtskolqeRNl0GW74-LdWMLf-Frz_GVVD0XKIKkccrqWWQEGPO3l2h7itafCtuAvAvWcx4f8/s1600/CIMG1139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Srwwh48Z7PUUp3z1c2tYQA0rC_yMce3LETR37ocuRGsSGAuEN6bEWzgkLY1zJtXGbnwjtskolqeRNl0GW74-LdWMLf-Frz_GVVD0XKIKkccrqWWQEGPO3l2h7itafCtuAvAvWcx4f8/s400/CIMG1139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605870601849680146" /></a>I also grabbed what I think is an old green avon perfume bottle (not sure, just loved it), a tin measuring cup with strawberry design (I'm keeping my seed packets in this on a shelf now), and a old cheese or meat slicer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjVmh-VcCuTt3Q3SEtVbApUW13xnGFVlUGKSYPq7CLegv7jg1tTjvOQdIzZX8I7muQvvwFKx1ekG5YseKjvVCaxH6Qf0za8sIRdwQj2r4nrNorgkTjWs3C2yIzJt24gLgBNucVDA2izE/s1600/CIMG1186.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjVmh-VcCuTt3Q3SEtVbApUW13xnGFVlUGKSYPq7CLegv7jg1tTjvOQdIzZX8I7muQvvwFKx1ekG5YseKjvVCaxH6Qf0za8sIRdwQj2r4nrNorgkTjWs3C2yIzJt24gLgBNucVDA2izE/s400/CIMG1186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605870947824069666" /></a>wish you could see the pretty design on the bottle, but you can't. <div><br /><div>Miscellaneous:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVaatk7L2V1s_RwscTmv-ojfNQEplFW8I2iLXW7vcEzMiDzQalUxblaEMhKDl6vxp_UV-a_aLWnr0mMzIVbqa5sNfIJUSFOoO0tajoK9vX3ezsAi3taaCMvjLufUPkmM1Bv1QGvBRKjo/s1600/CIMG1147.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVaatk7L2V1s_RwscTmv-ojfNQEplFW8I2iLXW7vcEzMiDzQalUxblaEMhKDl6vxp_UV-a_aLWnr0mMzIVbqa5sNfIJUSFOoO0tajoK9vX3ezsAi3taaCMvjLufUPkmM1Bv1QGvBRKjo/s400/CIMG1147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605872355852103746" /></a>Found a bag full of stretch tops for containers you don't have lids for.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkeGfKntvcy1w2Ym7mWLhoaxXQfe-YL6EGkqLvWndu3iKc5mAXLZwLrtP_n7-kudiAbgtgA7BsUont03YqFRm8D1gbbuER1cV3EHhksYCCNXQZTYoduSekcCdDOTPuwH_Q1IhsI1_460/s1600/CIMG1148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkeGfKntvcy1w2Ym7mWLhoaxXQfe-YL6EGkqLvWndu3iKc5mAXLZwLrtP_n7-kudiAbgtgA7BsUont03YqFRm8D1gbbuER1cV3EHhksYCCNXQZTYoduSekcCdDOTPuwH_Q1IhsI1_460/s400/CIMG1148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605872352969097522" /></a>Grabbed this for the glow in the dark stars. I don't know why it was tapped to a doll furniture thing. Caed has wanted some of these and I'm putting it with his birthday stuff.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-23yy3gQakYma2aKt1NMLkczu9KxmMBARg5bCppfF5tQBbHlTR0SzRmioVj5l6OTuB_JTr9YwvUN8D4Nh9kx3DK3FN3wge5YljzVTdZuBRhmIETxFEgsymfW0TiCHXTCwrDClr6XaQSo/s1600/CIMG1149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-23yy3gQakYma2aKt1NMLkczu9KxmMBARg5bCppfF5tQBbHlTR0SzRmioVj5l6OTuB_JTr9YwvUN8D4Nh9kx3DK3FN3wge5YljzVTdZuBRhmIETxFEgsymfW0TiCHXTCwrDClr6XaQSo/s400/CIMG1149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605872348504966578" /></a>A cute wine gift cylinder that is just pretty.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GRYsma63CvZeFa_JpGR2hJ5UZoKingCLfjDE_aJ-oqihYkKJTA_msE9oYsrZo3S4AvjOpekshoCw1hpKNdCL9FsK85LkPm_pmauFVhft2_PnyT4iU9ZY2fmzfGmByxBBW6kxC2SQuYA/s1600/CIMG1150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GRYsma63CvZeFa_JpGR2hJ5UZoKingCLfjDE_aJ-oqihYkKJTA_msE9oYsrZo3S4AvjOpekshoCw1hpKNdCL9FsK85LkPm_pmauFVhft2_PnyT4iU9ZY2fmzfGmByxBBW6kxC2SQuYA/s400/CIMG1150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605872345377523378" /></a>Small fish tank. Emma grabbed this for tadpoles or a beta fish. When you have kids who go through small pets, it's good to grab these cheep and just keep them in the shed or something till they get a whim or catch something.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h871rbIPoXCSgQN9YUAXNX8-GiiDuSg0rHLpf7BPhktUBBZ4wrnuhu4xbUGZYcAg2fOc_BL-dozF7AcGEBpOTEnjVy9nQDC7Yz9qFlEJDuIUMq89NrrbZder45JLNwCeJKnqdw8sX54/s1600/CIMG1151.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h871rbIPoXCSgQN9YUAXNX8-GiiDuSg0rHLpf7BPhktUBBZ4wrnuhu4xbUGZYcAg2fOc_BL-dozF7AcGEBpOTEnjVy9nQDC7Yz9qFlEJDuIUMq89NrrbZder45JLNwCeJKnqdw8sX54/s400/CIMG1151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605872341606995202" /></a>A cute country shelf and a bag with a country welcome set. I found these separate and thought they went great together. I gave this to my friend Michelle because she loves roosters and does more of this theme. </div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTpjY7QZBAjMDLt4qqi8EXTyJH6i8YeZwL6dN9e7hnBm6AKCbVKVZ19OVFBC1lVgS6fY9CD2npXOAew2HQ9joNj4rmJmZknG4Bwd-WtjaZ7few3DlT5NhajFtMWbazaMsYoQZg4cNy0I/s1600/CIMG1144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTpjY7QZBAjMDLt4qqi8EXTyJH6i8YeZwL6dN9e7hnBm6AKCbVKVZ19OVFBC1lVgS6fY9CD2npXOAew2HQ9joNj4rmJmZknG4Bwd-WtjaZ7few3DlT5NhajFtMWbazaMsYoQZg4cNy0I/s400/CIMG1144.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605874355704118274" /></a>A cute "God Is Good" thermos for Caed's lunches.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua14n55Mw1fvwq8PvUIIt4lPth-Kqk3wX5ruuVo2cZXDXhIeZ0uOTljWtedVk8MKjMcchNGwwhTt0goDHzjTbnWXb9EZNlrmxuxa0AMw8Ehw4t4fIzpoPomHTSNJavlzwq2tysgSV7_M/s1600/CIMG1146.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua14n55Mw1fvwq8PvUIIt4lPth-Kqk3wX5ruuVo2cZXDXhIeZ0uOTljWtedVk8MKjMcchNGwwhTt0goDHzjTbnWXb9EZNlrmxuxa0AMw8Ehw4t4fIzpoPomHTSNJavlzwq2tysgSV7_M/s400/CIMG1146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605874352129894626" /></a>Greeting cards. Rick always tells me there are not enough masculine ones for him so these were good.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivk6uWDSmHBEKpnweyLu-RK5gjrdvOokYYB8q-oQZPb8iif4VodIyejUU-4OJ8cmgBP4fqAXiLpR5yggPMRVyBYr1pPdJ83h6dFzRzJIqu4TgIjKxfpYtGcs7PSUNEDNkewa85DZDI_Q/s1600/CIMG1145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivk6uWDSmHBEKpnweyLu-RK5gjrdvOokYYB8q-oQZPb8iif4VodIyejUU-4OJ8cmgBP4fqAXiLpR5yggPMRVyBYr1pPdJ83h6dFzRzJIqu4TgIjKxfpYtGcs7PSUNEDNkewa85DZDI_Q/s400/CIMG1145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605874346199547346" /></a>The girls found some books they wanted.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9uOfFzB2Rohw_gMFwqlyyt8VeOAxyLaY3vSmUvN7jVXQJr9FJ8_gR3VeUkLTMvOK8lxlsjO9b90d9E2MvMsVbp677ftUZaAeo0ActeIfueuGUe5KSOQ8Hb9oKtJGdVwmaVpmsZlIuxk/s1600/CIMG1142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9uOfFzB2Rohw_gMFwqlyyt8VeOAxyLaY3vSmUvN7jVXQJr9FJ8_gR3VeUkLTMvOK8lxlsjO9b90d9E2MvMsVbp677ftUZaAeo0ActeIfueuGUe5KSOQ8Hb9oKtJGdVwmaVpmsZlIuxk/s400/CIMG1142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605874345420545058" /></a>I loved this! It's a tooth brush hanger for the kids bathroom.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NtEj5KvzChEOx98JGBVpCEmAlWY4OORasaBkPrNpT67tsDWBc4k9sHclPjVVoX7w7FxILBAJJE0dwDkzqUj2NwVZEH1QapefMrnrykRm2mxI0bM5a1EneKFItVpcJuoinhOY96LidaE/s1600/CIMG1157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NtEj5KvzChEOx98JGBVpCEmAlWY4OORasaBkPrNpT67tsDWBc4k9sHclPjVVoX7w7FxILBAJJE0dwDkzqUj2NwVZEH1QapefMrnrykRm2mxI0bM5a1EneKFItVpcJuoinhOY96LidaE/s400/CIMG1157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605875554117976530" /></a><br />This was a real treasure for us. We needed another umbrella for the porch when it gets hot. We have one out there that had one pole break. I just pinned up that side so it can go against the window of the house and we can still enjoy it. However, we really needed another one because it gets really hot out there. This needs a good wash but it's in great shape still.<div><br /></div><div>Christmas Stuff:</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnhh_TMw7f126OtJN5INLuJ2jeqt0j_tcQ7cjLwyNC6jsJEVjxWcgngL8HnPo7vQ0A8AFsdfsfFGg_X8bbtqyir-8-ctBxFhWOPxuxdeaCQSXN5wISLcBPzZDoagnHNRT6_PqSln6kWA/s1600/CIMG1137.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnhh_TMw7f126OtJN5INLuJ2jeqt0j_tcQ7cjLwyNC6jsJEVjxWcgngL8HnPo7vQ0A8AFsdfsfFGg_X8bbtqyir-8-ctBxFhWOPxuxdeaCQSXN5wISLcBPzZDoagnHNRT6_PqSln6kWA/s400/CIMG1137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877090475771666" /></a>O0ps, sideways. Sorry. This was in a box and I opened the box and saw stained glass. I just grabbed it and thought I'd look at it more before I checked out. I had no idea what it was. I forgot however to check it so when we got home, we had a mystery item! I opened it and was thrilled! It is the most adorable Christmas manger scene!!! It plays "Away in a Manger" and the characters circle the manger. LOVE IT! The kids loved it too and wanted to hold it and watch it. It's going to make a fun memory item for Christmas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rr6_iY7Tpwd9bDpmBVQ-WTuFkJwX5gcmVQZwmu8fhYeDrXmksK3tHc3ntklF8J-xADoiUDouFBWeHGu6bpZJKnTjjaiuoi6sIHjCpWMWbtp63fBYAhGBi6DBpRptxYlja7xwnYmI1og/s1600/CIMG1138.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rr6_iY7Tpwd9bDpmBVQ-WTuFkJwX5gcmVQZwmu8fhYeDrXmksK3tHc3ntklF8J-xADoiUDouFBWeHGu6bpZJKnTjjaiuoi6sIHjCpWMWbtp63fBYAhGBi6DBpRptxYlja7xwnYmI1og/s400/CIMG1138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877097974406818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bBlWuMzxlukXWO9yD0ktPVHdBbdZ2k_42L7E9OJOS2Mh-JkxQarN_XC8BJCcR_PnmmywZo8Dr5GEqAnMgbY59iURWVpRGRv-V3NGh9zDWBtoYNEJ-nt50BTdMQm_6zk_yaJP2WMqzb0/s1600/CIMG1143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bBlWuMzxlukXWO9yD0ktPVHdBbdZ2k_42L7E9OJOS2Mh-JkxQarN_XC8BJCcR_PnmmywZo8Dr5GEqAnMgbY59iURWVpRGRv-V3NGh9zDWBtoYNEJ-nt50BTdMQm_6zk_yaJP2WMqzb0/s400/CIMG1143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877089371305026" /></a></div><br />A really nice nutcracker....and a sleigh. I picture this sleigh sitting on a table with a tangled mesh of white/white lights in it and lit up!<br /><br />SO! That is it (actually there were some nice frames I found, a few games, and other small stuff I did not take pics of. Head over to <a href="http://creativesahmblog.blogspot.com/">Creative SAHM</a> later to see the t-shirts we found for bags!Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-83694149385768011072011-05-02T08:22:00.000-07:002011-05-02T08:44:51.748-07:00Before My Patriotism is Misunderstood...<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1FVl3O4IUzSoZ1IECo0n975q3xmoafEy0ovW9EAxRBj4_eh1h" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1FVl3O4IUzSoZ1IECo0n975q3xmoafEy0ovW9EAxRBj4_eh1h" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I understand the expressions over his death. The cheering and the "ding-dong" chants. I get it. I expressed how I felt myself respond. I was not responding to any one person either, I was responding to the general reaction around me. It's sobering to see what evil can do in one man. It's sobering to see how people can react. <div>Understanding evil is why I believe in war. To cry for peace in a world of sinful men is naive. You won't hear me rally for it. Yet, understanding evil is also why I won't be joyous at the death of one evil man. Evil itself has taken another soul, created by God, knit together in a mother's womb. Evil is my enemy and evil, thy name is not Osama. </div><div>When we cheer this man's death we give him the power he wanted to have. We make him feared as he wished. Evil is like an underground force in sinful humanity that explodes out of certain places. You may plug one of it's springs, but you cannot cheer I'm afraid. It will rise up in a other place. </div><div>I also fear we tread of the slippery slope of taking on the character of those who do not cherish life or freedom. I saw a picture of the statue of Liberty holding up the bloody head of Osama, and talk of dragging his dead body through the streets. Who do we sound like? From their perspective, they justify their outrage, are we now becoming like those we abhor? </div><div>A sober patriot, and a follower of Christ should condone taking out the bad guy. I cheer the military (who btw deserve the credit for this more than any political figure), and I'm glad he has been taken out. Yet, as a Christian I think it's sad to have to take out any soul for the sake of evil. I hate the evil, I do not hate the man. I look to the victor of that evil and I will rejoice at his coming and ending this. </div><div>So, though my heart is faithful to the red, white and blue I don't feel jubilant today. I feel sober. I feel like I should keep my eyes open. I feel that this is the ultimate of what we are all capable of. We are killers, we are selfish and we are prone to increasing evil. I tell you, I would have shot him myself. I would have certainly taken him out. Then, I would have paused to realize what evil is capable of and ask God to tarry no longer. </div><div>I hope we can all be sober minded, keeping our integrity and value of life itself through this whole thing. To sorrow over evils power to take a soul, a very blinded man to the eternal grave. It is in these times when we can be deceived to relax our reflexes toward evil when it may very well be springing up in our very midst unknown to us all. Let's take it out when it has to be done, laud those laying down their own precious lives to do so, and move on knowing our battle is not over and it's not against men. It's against the enemy of our very souls, all of our souls. </div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-52461697310133183532011-04-30T00:48:00.000-07:002011-04-30T01:00:28.631-07:00A Royal Lack of the Gooies<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRv9nq6yXIqTPBzL5Uhodsq-gicecpflAr6cD1lo4dn89wlZJ2g9Q" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 262px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRv9nq6yXIqTPBzL5Uhodsq-gicecpflAr6cD1lo4dn89wlZJ2g9Q" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Rick and I watched the wedding this evening. It was very pretty and well done. I loved the trees brought in! That was fabulous. <div><br /></div><div>Still, I could not help noticing something. There was no infatuation sparkle. Now, let me explain. </div><div><br /></div><div>With Diana and Charles, there was nothing. It was beyond just British, it was cold. With Kate and William, they are obviously in love, and I think they are a great match. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, could you not tell that they were familiar? They have been living together for 8 years. They know each other well, which is great, but it made some of the magic missing from this event. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to see something more than a true love choice here, I wanted to see sparkle! I wanted to see them hardly able to stop looking at each other, holding each other's hand. I wanted to see more gooey stuff. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure they had it. We all just missed out on it. There was more best friend than adorable longing in this event. </div><div><br /></div><div>I understand that they all believe testing this out was a better way of doing things. I just personally don't think so. It's one extreme to another. Diana should never have been pressured to marry a man she did not love, or was not loved by. Yet, once love was found for William, I so wish we could have seen them expectantly magical as they anticipated their union. That kiss was lacking! Could you not see him? He was saying "well, should we give them a kiss then? come on, let's give them a kiss." IF this is about letting royalty be with their love, let's see them do it right. If she were not so familiar to him, perhaps he would have been eager enough to at least reach his hands out toward her when kissing her! Is this just a British thing? </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, you die-hards can throw your tomatoes at me now. It's just my take on the whole thing. </div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-22097217659125046032011-04-28T15:43:00.001-07:002011-04-28T16:21:59.575-07:00Our Anniversary Away Pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66PJesuf7iIMnV1wE7VMzceitTw96I7D7rFsBPx10kQ7OzkWn9TEB4-tgNyD8Vg3i28YfhLuy1TM1dUYlXMsiorEm97HLckAY8PQ5Kzc9-CnSyXgWMxDdRq3Xqst5PjKDGKyoedNFpTE/s1600/CIMG0974.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66PJesuf7iIMnV1wE7VMzceitTw96I7D7rFsBPx10kQ7OzkWn9TEB4-tgNyD8Vg3i28YfhLuy1TM1dUYlXMsiorEm97HLckAY8PQ5Kzc9-CnSyXgWMxDdRq3Xqst5PjKDGKyoedNFpTE/s400/CIMG0974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776844054577730" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxpE6l2PcogRfqwyrU4crvXlAVdRluTvYgBSpapcx7QgKuZIXAf00w7BotfRCeO7QdWc1jMoEphXiHTh7FMrs8iupPtO6HmDb0_MyJYjzGb0zo5XNr0f3XZ5UNo1yuvYyuyeQItcu6os/s1600/CIMG1015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxpE6l2PcogRfqwyrU4crvXlAVdRluTvYgBSpapcx7QgKuZIXAf00w7BotfRCeO7QdWc1jMoEphXiHTh7FMrs8iupPtO6HmDb0_MyJYjzGb0zo5XNr0f3XZ5UNo1yuvYyuyeQItcu6os/s400/CIMG1015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600772359298966914" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm finally getting these up. We had a wonderful time.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNCig-oBT700DFrHe1rKsTT3bGJS4hO6x_ihvbTE6-kcFdnLitNGaHZtw7lrFeqUX2H9IM_I_9BtqCzPYcyyXPHFqRAX-W2YhyphenhyphenSIqhXcCeHA2jMiemk3WXIuiBOjw6hF_9FVbagqtFvo/s400/CIMG0982.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600769370526772706" />We took lots of pics at sunset on the coast. So nice to live so close to the sea.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxxT88RyoWejbF6RnqLg4V0tTIlruEw7fePzAgrYEp1MO3kFFJPee3sn00Mb1HcjpnpFVgNp5jMbqdRWonk2Adc7m0NuOzUDjU177If7-mFs_jcH5cHkHOZR_-ckJo3kgOmNSRyRQahs/s1600/CIMG0984.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxxT88RyoWejbF6RnqLg4V0tTIlruEw7fePzAgrYEp1MO3kFFJPee3sn00Mb1HcjpnpFVgNp5jMbqdRWonk2Adc7m0NuOzUDjU177If7-mFs_jcH5cHkHOZR_-ckJo3kgOmNSRyRQahs/s400/CIMG0984.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600769372709405570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mFa8MBNFKOUu_DBURtJxiiDTIq89sgx2MGb_dD-Ai1uGy0xnadHlAnrSYJFht8Cpstz5PHqPb8lbgKoQkJ-xPLHwEqQSXaAKjy6V4HNw840-ZYsDguv4-nq_kE5zg0vlYkKvpyxoV9Q/s1600/CIMG0986.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mFa8MBNFKOUu_DBURtJxiiDTIq89sgx2MGb_dD-Ai1uGy0xnadHlAnrSYJFht8Cpstz5PHqPb8lbgKoQkJ-xPLHwEqQSXaAKjy6V4HNw840-ZYsDguv4-nq_kE5zg0vlYkKvpyxoV9Q/s400/CIMG0986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600769380337478370" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm6QIG4cjHDyhcpYSAp4QLgFbFyD1a0dQuBcngw8Fres9osmKmTyo0_uEYoaq6esjyyENlHbiOZm7GtB9yKwfAhqVwqKF4zD_rZh9Qt9XmsUgEpuyff7mlNbd-q1nCvMPOxnumZ5dByo/s1600/CIMG0985.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm6QIG4cjHDyhcpYSAp4QLgFbFyD1a0dQuBcngw8Fres9osmKmTyo0_uEYoaq6esjyyENlHbiOZm7GtB9yKwfAhqVwqKF4zD_rZh9Qt9XmsUgEpuyff7mlNbd-q1nCvMPOxnumZ5dByo/s400/CIMG0985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600769384712932130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ1GpWdd6H_LdpmDh5jP8hoTmug8fEOXKCu66ZfjjTgMcICuOIuBLCkpt720ZorpRIwBSUUJeDIxLsI2tXKFKtZmjzoXan5UxiW3I3-pEm7gWv6dSq8cLL8HCRFn-20UXawd_WzhYhqk/s1600/CIMG0992.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ1GpWdd6H_LdpmDh5jP8hoTmug8fEOXKCu66ZfjjTgMcICuOIuBLCkpt720ZorpRIwBSUUJeDIxLsI2tXKFKtZmjzoXan5UxiW3I3-pEm7gWv6dSq8cLL8HCRFn-20UXawd_WzhYhqk/s400/CIMG0992.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600770339586153090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gr5iC7nNCHVPjQa7G9PqVjEQetBmpxHgDgUicZN3wgff9ecUk4erKqgNX20LVlaWnWaZdS6qjdDN1fFuF5VC9tCcNsUYFg6AdY-mfFK6_bMVTSh7SknTa5cp5jAjpGi_3VEDLED5k4U/s1600/CIMG0991.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gr5iC7nNCHVPjQa7G9PqVjEQetBmpxHgDgUicZN3wgff9ecUk4erKqgNX20LVlaWnWaZdS6qjdDN1fFuF5VC9tCcNsUYFg6AdY-mfFK6_bMVTSh7SknTa5cp5jAjpGi_3VEDLED5k4U/s400/CIMG0991.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600770333121414194" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFmrlICAfghSdV07rPF2-AvbFxJzQfChK1k0F5b32GgY7V_k9fU7ZFHtHRejYJf64gCILe6wTaE1eZSYTihuE-LF5RQgATxw9gldJksdBUPS782jHWXstuiflm5do1JnlmDgIj8CDNb4/s1600/CIMG0987b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFmrlICAfghSdV07rPF2-AvbFxJzQfChK1k0F5b32GgY7V_k9fU7ZFHtHRejYJf64gCILe6wTaE1eZSYTihuE-LF5RQgATxw9gldJksdBUPS782jHWXstuiflm5do1JnlmDgIj8CDNb4/s400/CIMG0987b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600769385486838738" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJoGKqh9vlbNxsw3dTmWYENvDDnznWl1-G-Esnt30jDQ5wQspU8INWX4IYuB_9Jt6yD9cdocX4R8YucGHktQhHW84nH8P68U5pOTAPDtNrWXGB4PhI5uFO7LU6UOvx1II3yZO6Hk8gfs/s1600/CIMG0996.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJoGKqh9vlbNxsw3dTmWYENvDDnznWl1-G-Esnt30jDQ5wQspU8INWX4IYuB_9Jt6yD9cdocX4R8YucGHktQhHW84nH8P68U5pOTAPDtNrWXGB4PhI5uFO7LU6UOvx1II3yZO6Hk8gfs/s400/CIMG0996.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600770347553450482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAcrlUn52AAq_rsfvGVLNfBlzWUMyN01Uf6jFL6d2xsBaNI8E0UXdRAtmwHNiltpcGe3cIDSvEmYPVMLuxkc3xZ10gFv1nNIQ9GfSz3dWV4uA2Tolzsr7T66KIL2rJTSoBPvohsAxRR8/s1600/CIMG0995.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAcrlUn52AAq_rsfvGVLNfBlzWUMyN01Uf6jFL6d2xsBaNI8E0UXdRAtmwHNiltpcGe3cIDSvEmYPVMLuxkc3xZ10gFv1nNIQ9GfSz3dWV4uA2Tolzsr7T66KIL2rJTSoBPvohsAxRR8/s400/CIMG0995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600770342306040402" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dXDE9kp-CB0HuQlvjIREELf4lMZ3SJJVybSu_kIhyyjm9QiyoG9kNjVoVQCs12ZKMfwJmCt-9oBsoppv9ZOWD1-w0twH9qRokVHjMHj_BmPLaTdUWffFuYSEOvhbPVQxYcGnPH2n7S4/s1600/CIMG1003a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dXDE9kp-CB0HuQlvjIREELf4lMZ3SJJVybSu_kIhyyjm9QiyoG9kNjVoVQCs12ZKMfwJmCt-9oBsoppv9ZOWD1-w0twH9qRokVHjMHj_BmPLaTdUWffFuYSEOvhbPVQxYcGnPH2n7S4/s400/CIMG1003a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600771585645533522" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKTe-SHiigF16-T9kLneviRrAEU0_6h-J1jh57tseEjpDEPemaGgVmSm3qbLBGiCxCqzmrmxo8dOYDyidiR-lPyy3i9r7dyIhIYOlKjjhx1SLdJC6Q74ikDVe_rn5px0YpJzNDFCqXzk/s1600/CIMG0998.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKTe-SHiigF16-T9kLneviRrAEU0_6h-J1jh57tseEjpDEPemaGgVmSm3qbLBGiCxCqzmrmxo8dOYDyidiR-lPyy3i9r7dyIhIYOlKjjhx1SLdJC6Q74ikDVe_rn5px0YpJzNDFCqXzk/s400/CIMG0998.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600771578889912082" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2jpAwqhVaYKUyHA7IVKnhQCEaV_FpU4CmESYdeYWmNMDMsuEUYJpVzD6s7R6-JWJ0BhCHlZkuqGTrvzJUyck-F4d9PPkoHSQ1tPzLlTrnVwWxPHOn2vWpU3-vlNj_Lo4mewb7sOvKjY/s1600/CIMG1007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2jpAwqhVaYKUyHA7IVKnhQCEaV_FpU4CmESYdeYWmNMDMsuEUYJpVzD6s7R6-JWJ0BhCHlZkuqGTrvzJUyck-F4d9PPkoHSQ1tPzLlTrnVwWxPHOn2vWpU3-vlNj_Lo4mewb7sOvKjY/s400/CIMG1007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600771593744093426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG6iWjJ9oNw7lkpziOAX_7k0wx7a8Kdw40RqXOjhilBEwfuEaWyHc1rjQdpaT1z2C34_uW7QIVpofxQQNqUFXeYsA9GYKKItVwZY3Yo9_5p3kvqbOxsKNV6Ch7fVh1qsCiaZmh_4ggiI/s1600/CIMG1006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG6iWjJ9oNw7lkpziOAX_7k0wx7a8Kdw40RqXOjhilBEwfuEaWyHc1rjQdpaT1z2C34_uW7QIVpofxQQNqUFXeYsA9GYKKItVwZY3Yo9_5p3kvqbOxsKNV6Ch7fVh1qsCiaZmh_4ggiI/s400/CIMG1006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600771589937818354" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddPNNJ46om_-p5PZHbOr0Jg-k0JqRmJ2zq8jkmP5KUw-ZQNPRcHbOxUEMi7MqlOBiQe4ci-XsIcGwToUHpdQx3y31H5NJ9FnA-55HG6iraznNbKj8b3kJz053OTyg5zYUR-8W_Czfs6s/s1600/CIMG1013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddPNNJ46om_-p5PZHbOr0Jg-k0JqRmJ2zq8jkmP5KUw-ZQNPRcHbOxUEMi7MqlOBiQe4ci-XsIcGwToUHpdQx3y31H5NJ9FnA-55HG6iraznNbKj8b3kJz053OTyg5zYUR-8W_Czfs6s/s400/CIMG1013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600772360926087218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NfHThsw8eCnE-qJpyRBgi7LZdxnZL2kcFdaNi3HYghSrrWsY95wBMBsz1KbOChHg0gmX_qfVjnz6_l1__Ug2-CqIk1BdYyFXB9rdxC-iB6xZls1_Kd3hUum80Q0POyB4rYhARYuyR2I/s1600/CIMG1004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NfHThsw8eCnE-qJpyRBgi7LZdxnZL2kcFdaNi3HYghSrrWsY95wBMBsz1KbOChHg0gmX_qfVjnz6_l1__Ug2-CqIk1BdYyFXB9rdxC-iB6xZls1_Kd3hUum80Q0POyB4rYhARYuyR2I/s400/CIMG1004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600772357506805762" /></a>We visited a favorite haunt of mine that I would go with my mom and a special lady named Alyce when I was a teen. The back garden is so small but so lovely. I think this shop inspired me to start my many ideas for the<a href="http://creativesahmblog.blogspot.com/"> Creative SAHM </a>adventure too. The shop has soaps, potpourri, cards, gifts and I've always loved it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFKnUCyJASs1FI5MNSWOF3cbgixIGbgejYCmmMwy_wOotkhwIJatjMFIFZD5O5sphn8Ind8D-Cr5C1CfXG5p7fvZqiaQ0h-Dc2xZiWVzuNVJCYY-49PBiETc8sope2GlJSe1YATTn2ww/s1600/CIMG0961.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFKnUCyJASs1FI5MNSWOF3cbgixIGbgejYCmmMwy_wOotkhwIJatjMFIFZD5O5sphn8Ind8D-Cr5C1CfXG5p7fvZqiaQ0h-Dc2xZiWVzuNVJCYY-49PBiETc8sope2GlJSe1YATTn2ww/s400/CIMG0961.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600774664280891650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDinWLoGu_rKNHC81wE-ZuOuO0JXzWeLXA1d4BBddr4xCFTu0ynXzVcZvuNHoegP0-X2F6ADdLsJaz54_LyskTz19e1i8ayTN2dd1Ek6h3wF4Q8_8YE34WRxza5KQL3PRZGWq6K1KHQYo/s1600/CIMG0960.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDinWLoGu_rKNHC81wE-ZuOuO0JXzWeLXA1d4BBddr4xCFTu0ynXzVcZvuNHoegP0-X2F6ADdLsJaz54_LyskTz19e1i8ayTN2dd1Ek6h3wF4Q8_8YE34WRxza5KQL3PRZGWq6K1KHQYo/s400/CIMG0960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600774662873456978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-Blym02XLriT9xHN-7G5oCpzxATVlwbcSgNPGSxUYAxXSIw5ILBT6IlJgqYSWkLophkrOu8bM1g2tVYAtRr20x1z-cyKy3mXtHaxq4wm7sErkzBHy5H-bCwlm1T1C6iYyVTezfv5zxQ/s1600/CIMG0958.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-Blym02XLriT9xHN-7G5oCpzxATVlwbcSgNPGSxUYAxXSIw5ILBT6IlJgqYSWkLophkrOu8bM1g2tVYAtRr20x1z-cyKy3mXtHaxq4wm7sErkzBHy5H-bCwlm1T1C6iYyVTezfv5zxQ/s400/CIMG0958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600774658008346338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5e4JR7_1-HhWTbfqiNp2kJGNDyfLqr-HYogxxH7XlNTe81Mh9MQME101UrLG1g5Lt74G5083h13hcxi_qvAxVDMPJO4D6Y4IZSmgneJ0oYqVWK3Yx8ClsywV35PLLhG-xeZas5sKVXY/s1600/CIMG0957.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5e4JR7_1-HhWTbfqiNp2kJGNDyfLqr-HYogxxH7XlNTe81Mh9MQME101UrLG1g5Lt74G5083h13hcxi_qvAxVDMPJO4D6Y4IZSmgneJ0oYqVWK3Yx8ClsywV35PLLhG-xeZas5sKVXY/s400/CIMG0957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600774651981553170" /></a>Rick is standing in the Alice Garden. There is a strong Alice In Wonderland theme in the garden.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG7zP1qjHZNDdJN9siOZ4xO9UVSVPvRH8S1cRExTALTIdUJ1IhRA2rSEwO4avj1Ok6GBWIY7cfFD1Q_ztrxaRMfhYG6xtF82wqFvkSy1oRR-T88vwzceH_FBt4v_YnKH2wVecwVBvgUQ/s1600/CIMG0956.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG7zP1qjHZNDdJN9siOZ4xO9UVSVPvRH8S1cRExTALTIdUJ1IhRA2rSEwO4avj1Ok6GBWIY7cfFD1Q_ztrxaRMfhYG6xtF82wqFvkSy1oRR-T88vwzceH_FBt4v_YnKH2wVecwVBvgUQ/s400/CIMG0956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600774653821274690" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQqdXgm8srJ-64LSG5HA-qLCcQhXwSDh0tb_koC3fLUyvdQnNAbpoQa6byLk3ozZCYiEXLHg14c-AP_oCzvFieVOwVgnhC7QFedXkTjjbDJHZYXg7xyZ-lko1fi8j3dgnIlaTGyX_P-4/s1600/CIMG0972.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQqdXgm8srJ-64LSG5HA-qLCcQhXwSDh0tb_koC3fLUyvdQnNAbpoQa6byLk3ozZCYiEXLHg14c-AP_oCzvFieVOwVgnhC7QFedXkTjjbDJHZYXg7xyZ-lko1fi8j3dgnIlaTGyX_P-4/s400/CIMG0972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776087743713074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfoIAFluAxlG6-j-aYxTa6msGaG7kNF-_aFrX3KGPQZERPAu4mN_bnMrCZSbsZ-L4np8hRKDHU8XGiCZC9cUjVmzS9J8k_JcUyNFlxdBD-rayeXbpejEVxvKLryqvqEqGsiT-f45PCyM/s1600/CIMG0967.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfoIAFluAxlG6-j-aYxTa6msGaG7kNF-_aFrX3KGPQZERPAu4mN_bnMrCZSbsZ-L4np8hRKDHU8XGiCZC9cUjVmzS9J8k_JcUyNFlxdBD-rayeXbpejEVxvKLryqvqEqGsiT-f45PCyM/s400/CIMG0967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776082499469890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-FwRqJeLnl9nbPbi3uSPvSJlbl63tKrs5vVEANHFhYTKHA0sAWxTuxTY2sjymJBJTjUb3U9dh1ftyu31HvovLZAW7kACNZOI0kgJpu8n-kpe7ZkpF__kubnH2NTPsH_UVTi2hQzdxgY/s1600/CIMG0965.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-FwRqJeLnl9nbPbi3uSPvSJlbl63tKrs5vVEANHFhYTKHA0sAWxTuxTY2sjymJBJTjUb3U9dh1ftyu31HvovLZAW7kACNZOI0kgJpu8n-kpe7ZkpF__kubnH2NTPsH_UVTi2hQzdxgY/s400/CIMG0965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776073760784562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0JI25_Ec-Rb6gsAdqYXEJUN0ZfwoG9UfSR27e1ry5aPoGu8JNDVsI7PXoh7V-0e6HP6xYccXRr4oENjBYOMPC7KU6HqTqn4E8wDc4sjNI35woDl8V3VLCe3OYy-RRy0DvUM9IpQ7MpI/s1600/CIMG0964.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0JI25_Ec-Rb6gsAdqYXEJUN0ZfwoG9UfSR27e1ry5aPoGu8JNDVsI7PXoh7V-0e6HP6xYccXRr4oENjBYOMPC7KU6HqTqn4E8wDc4sjNI35woDl8V3VLCe3OYy-RRy0DvUM9IpQ7MpI/s400/CIMG0964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776073686856626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0T53DOoIYOXwwl53X-H7G7fAFbcjI6dtpAB8sFnKFnxLqVO2uzG2P5kQZcJL8mDuRzNovbzoIYHtMT8k65YP4za_uJBXFJWTKBTVPo3B1YEkYjGPjUXqu-ePMo04HLAyqFzi0_kbWy4/s1600/CIMG0962.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0T53DOoIYOXwwl53X-H7G7fAFbcjI6dtpAB8sFnKFnxLqVO2uzG2P5kQZcJL8mDuRzNovbzoIYHtMT8k65YP4za_uJBXFJWTKBTVPo3B1YEkYjGPjUXqu-ePMo04HLAyqFzi0_kbWy4/s400/CIMG0962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776071012400242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiys6RAiAe7jJ8TXnqXmkaIyI5HIIPULfnv60bb_dVrxd2Ou7ZxI-Jk6J7ATmjSZhyphenhyphenDTBaHokaJKXQB99QDVP5PabQ9YY2ExXVGfTXMHsJHRcpw8PRlCnz0vNSfVWhLSIQQRm00oq0jzU/s1600/CIMG0980.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiys6RAiAe7jJ8TXnqXmkaIyI5HIIPULfnv60bb_dVrxd2Ou7ZxI-Jk6J7ATmjSZhyphenhyphenDTBaHokaJKXQB99QDVP5PabQ9YY2ExXVGfTXMHsJHRcpw8PRlCnz0vNSfVWhLSIQQRm00oq0jzU/s400/CIMG0980.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776853159416098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLhcN2yf3DAIDN8tyrJ_7ud_dFBLfc7XD6frdk-AN7aM9vtdYczpXMBbW7Bi-JlypT8p-7VX7Nte8gQ0SGFGMXN2PLn6cCeO0Sjj76RGRdVfYUsqFQqMusom-nYYMb57L572LuG_7gM/s1600/CIMG0977.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLhcN2yf3DAIDN8tyrJ_7ud_dFBLfc7XD6frdk-AN7aM9vtdYczpXMBbW7Bi-JlypT8p-7VX7Nte8gQ0SGFGMXN2PLn6cCeO0Sjj76RGRdVfYUsqFQqMusom-nYYMb57L572LuG_7gM/s400/CIMG0977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776853184297250" /></a>We were the only two in the garden so there was no way to get a pic together.<br />This Bench really inpired me to start working with old wood scraps. I vision it with holes for clay opts "sitting" in the bench. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0e0I7kuNx3eomQ-EgtczPpXtXFbUn8Ahyphenhyphen3r8d3abRoirlYWMk-O_MqJLFtc2W9LeIk2708D_VTFSdN7xR3AHahHekWuCXekb6N5nLe8zkX_b60KPSfyLQEI82WkqVrzcMMXFGkrbrM/s1600/CIMG0975.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0e0I7kuNx3eomQ-EgtczPpXtXFbUn8Ahyphenhyphen3r8d3abRoirlYWMk-O_MqJLFtc2W9LeIk2708D_VTFSdN7xR3AHahHekWuCXekb6N5nLe8zkX_b60KPSfyLQEI82WkqVrzcMMXFGkrbrM/s400/CIMG0975.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600776845818744482" /></a><br />Well, that's it, that's all the pics we have. <br />It was a great get away, simple and sweet.Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-12195334057181006582011-04-26T10:17:00.001-07:002011-04-26T11:33:26.351-07:00Outside Busybodies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmle_qJ_bfxv-MBGJmJ4NepG2RdX6gX1lNpuQHkFjtPYigF_dPJ3_wD6qTdEe6arkqaTHrpYFUy8AcSDvSV4FKyKeXOsoe5CSIGERIaSD3SWs5YX9xYRmHBLdgAkyV_MrlDwvpEJV7apw/s1600/CIMG1095.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmle_qJ_bfxv-MBGJmJ4NepG2RdX6gX1lNpuQHkFjtPYigF_dPJ3_wD6qTdEe6arkqaTHrpYFUy8AcSDvSV4FKyKeXOsoe5CSIGERIaSD3SWs5YX9xYRmHBLdgAkyV_MrlDwvpEJV7apw/s400/CIMG1095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953654459706274" /></a><br />We have been working hard. The past five years we have lived here we have done little with the place. In fact, it has fallen apart more than it has improved. It looked so nice when we moved in. Now there are things that need to be done by the list-full but we are working our way slowly. Living in a modular park is something I am truly thankful for because we are in the thick of humanity and I love having the opportunity to share with people. It has had it's challenges because we REALLY know people and have had many opportunities to turn to Christ for strength to love in the midst of opposition.<br /><div>The problem is that not everyone keeps it pretty and we don't have much of a view ANYWHERE. There is the spot out my bedroom window where I can see the green lovely hills if I look above the roof tops and carports. </div><div>The deck is nearly all peeled off and we took the border boards off nearly a year ago as they were falling off and I don't want to put money into this deck. Someday, we want a deck twice as big with a roof. So, we lined the deck with pots and have flowers and </div><div>tomatoes growing as a bit of a border. </div><div>Here is what we have been up to though:</div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Border</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSVAONRnxKNwYc996tJb94MjV6amkMr-EGDkd5B3z3pUcpyODzgigmoXeeSVNdCZGiAo6OX8ThnmUrKdRZ_ouVW3H81236ZmLiUlbvB9w404BWZUFC1uVhu_fwtr1PV_SMe7EBWJgw9A/s1600/CIMG1073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSVAONRnxKNwYc996tJb94MjV6amkMr-EGDkd5B3z3pUcpyODzgigmoXeeSVNdCZGiAo6OX8ThnmUrKdRZ_ouVW3H81236ZmLiUlbvB9w404BWZUFC1uVhu_fwtr1PV_SMe7EBWJgw9A/s400/CIMG1073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599945027121507042" /></a><br />This may look simple to you...IT WAS NOT! Our Fruitless Mulberry tree is a few feet away and the grass use to go right up to the house. All we had out there was the rose bush and the jasmine. I've wanted to make this area for years. The challenge is the these trees have wicked roots and they are high on the surface. It took us all day just to dig a place for this border. The further we got away from the tree, the faster it went. Rick had to get down in the ground and clip the heck out of the roots. We knew it would be worth it but boy, was it tough. I had bought the border on clearance last year and finally, it is in. <div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Using What-cha Got</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGyCGx_ISUGwLyRM1i7h2rnGnLruDPrhzjscLuFdVUlRvHeT_oCD7dkllWEhsvUCStC8dxouxGzcQayZk7OhohY3W6U63qi4ahw8r4r6iCLaShAzJiXiZhrdbA15weNK8Rtm0sxiyZ50/s1600/CIMG1077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGyCGx_ISUGwLyRM1i7h2rnGnLruDPrhzjscLuFdVUlRvHeT_oCD7dkllWEhsvUCStC8dxouxGzcQayZk7OhohY3W6U63qi4ahw8r4r6iCLaShAzJiXiZhrdbA15weNK8Rtm0sxiyZ50/s400/CIMG1077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599944512029542578" /></a></div><br />We disassembled a book shelf we had had in the house for a few years when we did the flooring. It was made of pretty stones and boards but we did not want the floor to get scratched with these. I made them in to a fo-wall on the front. Caedmon helped me pick out a few dollar tree accessories for topping it. <div>The pole for the birdhouse (which I intend to shorten a bit, and may sand it to the old wood so it does not melt into the house color) is from our old deck pieces. </div><div>My neighbor had this shabby bird feeder hanging unused for years and years and years. I finally asked her if I could use it and she was thrilled it would get used.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptk-7F0PlTPSQ-aau-74SXITHwhWu2rdvkNt-LQuGedrU8W6ZZ9V0OyDFYVxS25e2BdcTwfJX1ZGdo3f6fIb6nEGRpB7VQB3HeZb-btAl8j4SvW8j9KbKhqtaNbkTs3PPaqysSz7RmwU/s1600/CIMG1079.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptk-7F0PlTPSQ-aau-74SXITHwhWu2rdvkNt-LQuGedrU8W6ZZ9V0OyDFYVxS25e2BdcTwfJX1ZGdo3f6fIb6nEGRpB7VQB3HeZb-btAl8j4SvW8j9KbKhqtaNbkTs3PPaqysSz7RmwU/s400/CIMG1079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950542823979746" /></a>Emma added the swing on her own one day and there it has stayed. I may get a real one to replace it soon. Preferably a rope and plank one. I like the old natural look. We gathered all the rocks we had around from what was left when we bought the place, and made a bordered flower garden around the tree.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9os4J7dnjXBW_GeFvFNrlVBVBGnpj3QiW1XctN0wrrqXoU9kdODE-bdQkktZn5FJ4SEbFSBECzmldByHWdFQ_d0CNSx4kr0B_rmEIDVJMzAdb-OvVrmAi6CUHofi_bIdNEsz6KmTuV0/s1600/CIMG1078.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9os4J7dnjXBW_GeFvFNrlVBVBGnpj3QiW1XctN0wrrqXoU9kdODE-bdQkktZn5FJ4SEbFSBECzmldByHWdFQ_d0CNSx4kr0B_rmEIDVJMzAdb-OvVrmAi6CUHofi_bIdNEsz6KmTuV0/s400/CIMG1078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950541021525714" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>I really wanted a birdbath (I'm on a bird loving kick). I priced them and just about died! I googled how to make your own and loved how easy this idea was. I found the biggest pot at the thrift store for two bucks which saved me the most. The two other pots cost about 8 total. I all ready had the blue stones for inside and we we thrilled there were birds at the dollar tree too! I love it. I'll talk about the birdhouse in a second. </div><div>Never underestimate the power of a simple Terracotta pot with a flower either, I love that too. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrGrqq7hFnjQqjQXvta9i4O3jyiE2Qq8lrJ15G1wyNjq10aupm-0nhm6jQfnpvIsVGFaEwfSPiLDDJg6qdC0etEP42GUIWMnqAFfqQGblnBuNB8fKYt-oi6Wyp6fB3O68hR7BAkLQx1w/s1600/CIMG1076.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrGrqq7hFnjQqjQXvta9i4O3jyiE2Qq8lrJ15G1wyNjq10aupm-0nhm6jQfnpvIsVGFaEwfSPiLDDJg6qdC0etEP42GUIWMnqAFfqQGblnBuNB8fKYt-oi6Wyp6fB3O68hR7BAkLQx1w/s400/CIMG1076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599944507558345986" /></a>The flowers are just getting ready to burst in bloom from their initial planting. Soon there will be color full daisy's and petunias there.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7tMOc7uRZ3bRMLMxFuFWqSkJqP_Fk6RfobCe4uCC9FomCAakcfni24Vpj_KnqNlifsW_VVAicSWrrbBiSU9swgvJjJLXvzDMR_NWj4bsn38BY0JPGsysHG6gQw5eUQ0xDXnM3WoqyxM/s1600/CIMG1080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7tMOc7uRZ3bRMLMxFuFWqSkJqP_Fk6RfobCe4uCC9FomCAakcfni24Vpj_KnqNlifsW_VVAicSWrrbBiSU9swgvJjJLXvzDMR_NWj4bsn38BY0JPGsysHG6gQw5eUQ0xDXnM3WoqyxM/s400/CIMG1080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950548282679362" /></a>In gathering ideas for Creative SAHM, I found this idea for old wine bottles. My jasmine needed more water so I plunked one in there. I have a prettier Italian bottle Rick is going to dig out for me to replace this one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-EEPfSHOIiw31CkhvwgSUy6fPdCD3uw0a8FyRu7nSy8p73wBmDQ9rNBz9uQxXaHh0AtUkGpiY0FgfKjsoCViKNWqMg8c3wE2rgrHEQv1SFEqoLTFeuhKpRihjLDt2GEWJnckOGNw638/s1600/CIMG1092.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-EEPfSHOIiw31CkhvwgSUy6fPdCD3uw0a8FyRu7nSy8p73wBmDQ9rNBz9uQxXaHh0AtUkGpiY0FgfKjsoCViKNWqMg8c3wE2rgrHEQv1SFEqoLTFeuhKpRihjLDt2GEWJnckOGNw638/s400/CIMG1092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953645787895154" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Heart</b></span><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDBup21LeGCI6IfP2bEW0zQX_MhGvnLB1CmlmQamFzIu3O0WvTaXWBL9cB6Xh4Dm5bviSklWX7UaN1qmCFWDRoXXS8JhTjry-Idj7sd5DBIYoDA3yyP7jV7Td0ohxiyuo7SffNMM7QRU/s1600/CIMG1075.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDBup21LeGCI6IfP2bEW0zQX_MhGvnLB1CmlmQamFzIu3O0WvTaXWBL9cB6Xh4Dm5bviSklWX7UaN1qmCFWDRoXXS8JhTjry-Idj7sd5DBIYoDA3yyP7jV7Td0ohxiyuo7SffNMM7QRU/s400/CIMG1075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599944503267361714" /></a>My dad made us this birdhouse with Scott years ago. It was painted to match the house we were renting. He made one for my mom that matched their house. Unfortunately mine broke a bit before he passed away. I decided I didn't want to fix it because I did not want to mess with what he made. I came up with the idea to have flowers pouring out of it. I also have sweet pea seeds in there that I'm hoping will pop out soon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEok-spe7MK7IGQcaz2jIonTZvC3KO6K7sQgIve0kpB1Z55P4iDoF6ci8o8Ooz-uMM-rkUVQaajCgN5Ey4aO4EcGGLdoc_P4WrmSbhiFIVQW1y-jlptiUxBkVFeHG4W1e5JtC3onBTUd0/s1600/CIMG1074.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEok-spe7MK7IGQcaz2jIonTZvC3KO6K7sQgIve0kpB1Z55P4iDoF6ci8o8Ooz-uMM-rkUVQaajCgN5Ey4aO4EcGGLdoc_P4WrmSbhiFIVQW1y-jlptiUxBkVFeHG4W1e5JtC3onBTUd0/s400/CIMG1074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599944498113860786" /></a>This is also one of my favorite things. I've had this mini wagon since the girls were babies. It use to be at my mom's house. I've wanted to put it in landscaping for years. I love the uniformity of the same pansies in it. </div></div><div>The little boy is VERY SPECIAL. It is from the old barn at my grandparents house in Indiana. The property was very old and had a slave quarters on it. This little black boy may have been made by them, it's that old. He is made out of concrete type mix and painted in little blue bibs, a white shirt and a red hat. He is so old that most of the paint has worn off. He spent nearly 30 years at least hanging by the neck in the dairy barn. That is why his neck is cracked. He was used as a door weight to keep the cows from getting out if the door was left open to the barn. I met him when I was about five years old and was enthralled with him. I would open and shut the door to watch him swing (I did not really get that he was hanging by his neck, to me he looked like he was having fun:). Years later I it made more sense to me why my grandpa had used him. Unfortunately back there they still use the N word and had a lack of respect for blacks. </div><div>When my grandparents were brought out here to be cared for, things were sold off or trashed back at their place. I figured no one wanted this little boy. Then, dad got sick and he asked me if there was anything from there I would want before the place was sold. He seemed to think I was silly to just want this little concrete boy. He commented that it would be expensive to ship and I really thought he never thought of it again. Nope, he had a friend fetch him and send him out to me. </div><div>It is one of my favorite things and I'm so happy he has a better life now. His little paint job is nearly gone but I love him. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>In The Yard</b></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfmJ2vxD-rGUEJIo_VHPu8bPHqYb9p0S9nWXd67UUgjSAj9sbecxBsAlNJroOHxuX5BR6z24Ze8W-Sdgy5KiOmzloaEmhaIq16tZDLUekB7BmQBaXYYLx6gWrJTcH1EXXmhiseITBHME/s1600/CIMG1085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfmJ2vxD-rGUEJIo_VHPu8bPHqYb9p0S9nWXd67UUgjSAj9sbecxBsAlNJroOHxuX5BR6z24Ze8W-Sdgy5KiOmzloaEmhaIq16tZDLUekB7BmQBaXYYLx6gWrJTcH1EXXmhiseITBHME/s400/CIMG1085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952414784984098" /></a>I had wanted to stain the play structure to match the fence but Emma has an artistic side and beat me to it. I decided her graffiti was cute and she can get her juices out on that old thing. Not so sure painting the inside of the canvas top was a good idea. I did not see that till I saw this pic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZHCW2UFGWOtnYpVUKnsZc4WsKEQeWST54E9KXvd7dOmKHMXi9qYlBu6svuVfCaZ4wdu4zQci7SIqmptsXuqWc_WwBVUz69ZOEE-4OPewb2Ab1FkR2Fs44rtfE3d7iM6yiP40PBX1ICA/s1600/CIMG1084.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZHCW2UFGWOtnYpVUKnsZc4WsKEQeWST54E9KXvd7dOmKHMXi9qYlBu6svuVfCaZ4wdu4zQci7SIqmptsXuqWc_WwBVUz69ZOEE-4OPewb2Ab1FkR2Fs44rtfE3d7iM6yiP40PBX1ICA/s400/CIMG1084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952412357054514" /></a>The edge of the deck is my seedling potting station (real one from scrap coming soon...be looking for more on that). Here is one of our sugar baby watermelon seedlings.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGGuGa8sgn4_CLQDzcIOHST4eOGmDHGYK_qoUDH9_2CnuIVrbz6dmye3n3B3UFrSX7fRor-nOI6YU_7BYDWy20dFqU02-bQQayaqAKm3x8NH4vF5ERXfHY2-QWhxVzPY7iPXKa9jNmY0/s1600/CIMG1083.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGGuGa8sgn4_CLQDzcIOHST4eOGmDHGYK_qoUDH9_2CnuIVrbz6dmye3n3B3UFrSX7fRor-nOI6YU_7BYDWy20dFqU02-bQQayaqAKm3x8NH4vF5ERXfHY2-QWhxVzPY7iPXKa9jNmY0/s400/CIMG1083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952409224128722" /></a>Sorry about the shadows in a lot of these pics btw. Here is our fig tree! We have wanted one for years and are so excited to have one now. Figs do so well here in this climate. We used the bottom of the pot for some flowers too. Those stepping stones are going for a walk way in the front soon. More root cutting for that, we are putting it off for some reason :*<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKypOMSpXjSDPUmir3feQgDIYIHoMByBV-PSkBRBSCpjXltOEZcdwRVomIGgq-aFwL0y49POBPGYphvchTAYHzNB77NqjmiGY1-JaLYuy2olqKjtfUM1oRlc6PNZCQz36FNwLfA6KDYPs/s1600/CIMG1082.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKypOMSpXjSDPUmir3feQgDIYIHoMByBV-PSkBRBSCpjXltOEZcdwRVomIGgq-aFwL0y49POBPGYphvchTAYHzNB77NqjmiGY1-JaLYuy2olqKjtfUM1oRlc6PNZCQz36FNwLfA6KDYPs/s400/CIMG1082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950570001606050" /></a>Using our junk and scraps meant realizing that we could turn this old shelf we have had for 12 years on it's side and plant an herb garden in the shade of the oak tree. So that will go in soon. I will be putting two cinder blocks in front of it on it's side for another layer of herbs there. The shade will protect them in our 100+ summer weather.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI1k86xz0By9CNZWZw2NdLvv1xn5f1MkAaKjIF62w7X2CYk0oncEAuH58VBFVF3FSttSVULiNrzGQLxvvf9ich2EybMO5C-TvIajtS2C0L-Amfn2kurbSITf6m-uHJPBxaAj6rvUUNMc/s1600/CIMG1081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI1k86xz0By9CNZWZw2NdLvv1xn5f1MkAaKjIF62w7X2CYk0oncEAuH58VBFVF3FSttSVULiNrzGQLxvvf9ich2EybMO5C-TvIajtS2C0L-Amfn2kurbSITf6m-uHJPBxaAj6rvUUNMc/s400/CIMG1081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950559877557106" /></a></div>Rick did a great job on taking the old steps and making a planter box for me. It all ready had brackets in it and we just used those to hold it together. It's a shabby match to the house too without trying:) We have planted lettuce, salad mix, and arugula here. I can't wait!<br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Carport</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdQT9rdiRQcuB41_esLe1U5D3kA2SZaPKb2cjA3E1lF1AfTtxA51K0dhVI9F-WmJI4CPA_3ZIgnCmfQh3hqNHb0jyVlmE877UpGusKG2l3EDSHd7C6iomHT29_sNBcBKIACLQGbjq9DI/s1600/CIMG1094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdQT9rdiRQcuB41_esLe1U5D3kA2SZaPKb2cjA3E1lF1AfTtxA51K0dhVI9F-WmJI4CPA_3ZIgnCmfQh3hqNHb0jyVlmE877UpGusKG2l3EDSHd7C6iomHT29_sNBcBKIACLQGbjq9DI/s400/CIMG1094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953648954593474" /></a><br />Some dollar pots and soon these will add some lovely on the other side of the house.<br />Plans are to put up some white lattice on the back panel and a few large potted citrus. We use this area as a patio in the summer because it's cool. We have our grill out there as well. <div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Garden</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC373XJs7nPy52aLIXXXBMQzhPASEkL4MxRvf7Rt6M2HSOyqF5lK-S4q8qxt8JPsOE_XQUvkSkRSJlSpIdD9Gj0GS7vDz0gG9csrD4znOHk9QXmbUXSjBCWCWcKdAT5OZTMOf_LX_pO4/s1600/CIMG1090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC373XJs7nPy52aLIXXXBMQzhPASEkL4MxRvf7Rt6M2HSOyqF5lK-S4q8qxt8JPsOE_XQUvkSkRSJlSpIdD9Gj0GS7vDz0gG9csrD4znOHk9QXmbUXSjBCWCWcKdAT5OZTMOf_LX_pO4/s400/CIMG1090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953638219278946" /></a>Saw some stones under the dirt and weeds but did not realize they went this far. Dug it all out and we had a small stone path to the garden! Later on, we will probably add to it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmSYHVVOKYD-YkYwfd5EZ4LhBGThDOLTXW5fSiM1dd9m5ZEREndPNmzi8iEZNdjXY28gAIIKi6YscWBcTz8SJp6sMrEtX6cXyZA1FDkrsVp2Gj8WvqGizLYrSWI7r9zkSDl_CXXT2pRQ/s1600/CIMG1089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmSYHVVOKYD-YkYwfd5EZ4LhBGThDOLTXW5fSiM1dd9m5ZEREndPNmzi8iEZNdjXY28gAIIKi6YscWBcTz8SJp6sMrEtX6cXyZA1FDkrsVp2Gj8WvqGizLYrSWI7r9zkSDl_CXXT2pRQ/s400/CIMG1089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953636345345490" /></a>No one planted these pumpkins. We just throw the kids rotten jack-o-lanterns out and this year they are taking off. We will space them soon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QB5o6w0A3jgk2_zN4MemvnvJTpxs9I7221p83mpL6bYI3324G6QHxU5Jpi69u0nTlkSvAhoLwGublU2xQGcXhjEj-HKKK42fmTIHFRYjQJpEaqKB2thGXnxOE-oAJp4zFczBeTEVRJU/s1600/CIMG1088.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QB5o6w0A3jgk2_zN4MemvnvJTpxs9I7221p83mpL6bYI3324G6QHxU5Jpi69u0nTlkSvAhoLwGublU2xQGcXhjEj-HKKK42fmTIHFRYjQJpEaqKB2thGXnxOE-oAJp4zFczBeTEVRJU/s400/CIMG1088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952433216192082" /></a>Green beans and green sugar peas. Caedmon and Victoria love eating these off the vine. It will be great.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygb6NkokEHiNLvM6IQNzHVXoWGKw1lCa00WcpN0uekSzOyJNr7-_tCHm8UaSQa3CFycmJqXLIjah-3jA4xnexAgR3il2pbfdIasditOsqEJb290TJFusVFtlogFp4khql7IzT4kT51js/s1600/CIMG1087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygb6NkokEHiNLvM6IQNzHVXoWGKw1lCa00WcpN0uekSzOyJNr7-_tCHm8UaSQa3CFycmJqXLIjah-3jA4xnexAgR3il2pbfdIasditOsqEJb290TJFusVFtlogFp4khql7IzT4kT51js/s400/CIMG1087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952430721104914" /></a>We used extra stones we had to make a stepping path for easy watering. I'm watering the garden by hand this year. It also makes it easier to weed.<br /><br />Reflecting</div><div>You know, I don't live in a pretty house. I don't have property or a view, but I'm so thankful. I reflect often on this. Making beauty from what you have, where you are is key. It's like that saying I love from <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FJim_Elliot&ei=sg23TcXAMYTPiAL8wpgt&usg=AFQjCNGN0s4aIjcGDVaojzAiNcFVYyWgJg">Jim Elliot</a> "Wherever you are, be all there." </div><div>This time last year I was so sick. I had just had surgery and I could hardly get through the day depending on my hormones wacking out on me 24/7. I was just trying to survive. It has made me so thankful to be up and doing this spring. The flowers are so much more lovely to me, the birds sing louder, the dirt feels good on my hands. It may be a small piece of heaven, but I love it. </div><div>On that note, if you know someone sick this spring. Take them some nature beauty. It may really make their day.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-82684044030382983342011-04-25T19:25:00.001-07:002011-04-25T19:47:13.611-07:00Our Kid-Motivated Chore System<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL615guxhYdAvAgafEZ-7NYNrvJXVkYmP7PtPWnNQzX5vGLVynRPqL9DGp2DeeF6qGOkV7V9EmXpebzS1kkSevJ87H3dIurVU0JLw1m-qQYM9A49ZReCqQaEykQoSTpgbOhhbjssXi8g/s1600/CIMG0951.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL615guxhYdAvAgafEZ-7NYNrvJXVkYmP7PtPWnNQzX5vGLVynRPqL9DGp2DeeF6qGOkV7V9EmXpebzS1kkSevJ87H3dIurVU0JLw1m-qQYM9A49ZReCqQaEykQoSTpgbOhhbjssXi8g/s320/CIMG0951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599714385279473074" /></a><br />(Tanja, this one's for you girl....sorry it's taken me so long)<div><br /></div><div>So, one night I had insomnia and I thought of an idea. It seemed great. I dug in. It came out pretty good and worked better than anything we have ever tried. The kids were really excited at first of course but they are still chugging along well too. In fact, they hound us to refill the chart so they can get paid. So, I guess WE are the ones slacking now! LOL!</div><div><br /></div><div>Materials</div><div><ul><li>One poster board (I used black)</li><li>Half as many envelopes as you have chores for your child (if they have ten chores, you need five envelopes capisci?)</li><li>Markers you like</li><li>Colored card stock cut in "bucks" </li></ul></div><div>(one color or color theme per child)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Process</div><div><ul><li>Cut the envelopes in half (I use cute scissors) </li><li>Decorate how ever you want (I just lined in the color)</li><li>Label the chore on the envelope in the color of that child's "bucks"</li><li>Glue onto board</li><li>Fill with as many "bucks" as are needed for that chore in a week</li><li>Separate the chores by child</li><li>There is no need to name label, you just tell the children what their color is.</li></ul></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoJir3W3tgDnY7Gw5rP3U-3yuiR33emfpHej1evYkFbCXPdoI7uYu3wlXXmgi1CIJIX92G1B7lYjJVtZACE7IuSRocdtWu5vIaCjJfoizLq5bh7moOAh8prULI7hqTJEa8AzFO6zTOCM/s1600/CIMG0953.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoJir3W3tgDnY7Gw5rP3U-3yuiR33emfpHej1evYkFbCXPdoI7uYu3wlXXmgi1CIJIX92G1B7lYjJVtZACE7IuSRocdtWu5vIaCjJfoizLq5bh7moOAh8prULI7hqTJEa8AzFO6zTOCM/s320/CIMG0953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599714390419814786" /></a><br /></div><div>The Concept</div><div>You decide the value of the chore. For our kids it's 10 cents. So, your "bucks" are worth ten cents. There are enough in the envelopes for each day they do the chore (I have them labeled now Mon-Fri and Sat has one for Sat chores that I group together). They go to the board, see their chore, go do it and come back to claim their "buck". This system is completely kid motivated although we do hand out the occasional prompt. They are responsible for keeping their bucks, if they loose one, it's gone and we don't replace it. Caedmon has a dollar store wallet just for this but the girls chose to use envelopes. </div><div>Each week we have them bring us what they have earned and they get paid. </div><div><br /></div><div>The RULES</div><div><ul><li>Some chores must be done by certain time frames or you do them anyway and don't get your buck</li><li>Other chores are so crucial that if Mommy has to do them, you pay mommy the amount you would have received</li><li>You loose it, you lost it</li><li>Some chores are optional and only there to earn money if you want (bible reading, produce eating etc)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>I do morning and evening high fives that are worth one buck. I got this concept from <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/">Life As Mom </a>. For us those are things in the AM like make your bed, brush your teeth, pack your backpack etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>IF you have any questions, comment. I hope I covered it all. I have a friend who has all ready taken this idea and made it her own, and you can certainly use it as a spring board. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-17848573259243874592011-04-06T08:21:00.000-07:002011-04-06T08:57:45.413-07:00Locker Room Enlightenment<a href="http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3710735/women_in_gym_locker_room_600-01494736.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3710735/women_in_gym_locker_room_600-01494736.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I don't usually hear much conversation in the gym locker room, just hair dryers and showers running. The last two weeks though the same source has had a lot to say to enlighten and annoy me.<div><br /></div><div>It first started with her having a conversation with another woman:</div><div><br /></div><div>Her: "My butt is too fat"</div><div>Other Lady: "I think you look really good"</div><div>Her: "Oh, really.....thank you, that is so sweet. I think I'm going to cry."</div><div>Other Lady: "No, really it's true"</div><div>Her: "Well, I guess it's not bad for 46"</div><div>Other Lady: "You look really good for your age"</div><div>Her: "Awe, thank you."</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Her is about 5'6 and probably a size 8 or 10 at the most. Not only did I find the conversation pathetic, I wanted to tell her there could have been women in the room with truly large booties who would have been so offended by that. Or, maybe they would have slapped her I don't know.....</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone else comes in and she strikes up more conversation about how she has put on three lbs coming to the gym and how annoying this is to her. The owner passes though and tells her that when you work out, your muscles retain water. She does not like this answer and tells the owner she will have to remind her of that over and over for her to feel better. Oh. My. Word. </div><div>She then explains that she is meeting a guy in a few days and needs that 3lbs to go away. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, a few days later I happen to be back in there with more of Her and another woman talking. I came in somewhere around here: </div><div> </div><div>Her: "How much did it cost you to get that done?"</div><div>Other lady (different than above): "About $100"</div><div>Her: "And how about the other work?" </div><div>Other lady: "About 4 grand" </div><div><br /></div><div>They went on in hushed tones about all kinds of doctors they have seen and work they have had done or want to have done. </div><div>Now, I did not not realize the local-yocal everyday people are doing this! This removed, that sucked out etc.... I'm in a bubble! It made me realize that I look pretty darn good for au natural! How do we poor common women compete with this? We are busting our butts literally while everyone is cheating!!! This is not just in Hollywood? I was surprised. I know, most of you are probably not, but I was. </div><div>Then my question was: "well, why the heck are you a the gym?!!" If you can just pay to have this done....please pay. I realize it's for good health too but let's face it, most women are not there for their health as they are for their figure. If you're doing what I'm doing, AND getting work done.....what the heck are you eating!!!??? That is so not fair!!! (* sarcasm*)</div><div><br /></div><div>So back to Her. Her starts to tell how she is divorced and has not had sex in 5 months. Has she ever heard of TMI? This has been a few days since her rant about 3lbs and she says she has taken laxatives and lost 2.5 overnight (did you not hear the woman with brains tell you not to worry about it!!???). You lost 2.5 lbs of poop!!! Yeah for you. </div><div>She is happy though because now it's time to meet "this guy". He lives down south and he is coming up to see her. She states: </div><div>"He said he'll come up, and we'll go out for sushi and have sex." </div><div>Other woman says nothing (wonder why). </div><div>Her: "I really like him, he's really good looking. I'm really careful who I just have sex with now though. I'm more picky than I use to be." </div><div><br /></div><div>She then goes on to rant about how great looking this guy is and how she knows it's nothing ongoing but she is looking forward to it. She is so relieved she lost her 2.5 lbs of poop. I wonder if she'll tell him that. </div><div><br /></div><div>She is after all.... rather chatty. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I leave thinking I live in a simple little bubble. I cannot imagine being so superficial and having the stress of my appreciation wrapped up in my physical appearance. It's a meat market! You have to keep the meat looking good when that is all you have out there to get some love. Dare I call it love? </div><div><br /></div><div>I would not trade the trust and security and acceptance I have in my marriage for any of this. It's not all it's glamorized to be. It's a striving after the wind you cannot catch. It's sorrow and rejection at the end of the day. It's painful. More than anything, it's so far from what God has for us in life regarding love and our bodies. He proves Himself right over and over. </div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-5570869510887346462011-03-31T15:24:00.000-07:002011-04-01T15:36:44.335-07:00New On The Blog...Make-ahead Monday's!<a href="http://www.canningwithkids.com/.a/6a012875e62fb8970c0147e2c8cbda970b-320wi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 341px;" src="http://www.canningwithkids.com/.a/6a012875e62fb8970c0147e2c8cbda970b-320wi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I really enjoyed making this ahead last week. It really helped our week when it came to food. I'm also going to gym at planned times to be able to watch Food Network since I don't have it at home. Anything I like I'm coming hope and writing down so I remember to try them. I always get ideas that I forget later and I really want to make some new healthy choices around here. <div><br /></div><div>What I'm here to say though is that I'm going to make Make-ahead Monday's a segment here on the blog. It may even be a weekly Vlog if I can Emma to help me. She loves doing camera work but whether she can hold it straight the whole time remains to be seen. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, this coming Monday it looks like I'll be making the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>Crunch Baked Spicy Garbanzo Bean snacks</div><div>Mediterranean Quinoa salad</div><div>Frozen Bean and Cheese Burritos</div><div>Celery and Ranch Yogurt Dip</div><div>Smoothie Pops</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, if life allows, I look forward to sharing with you each Monday what I come up with to make ahead. I will include recipes or links for them as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-89676437185845314462011-03-26T08:16:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:30:18.226-07:00Relieved<div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div>Some of you know Caedmon barely made it through the end of school last year. He is our only child who has not been homeschooled (which is so strange when I think about it since we did homeschool for quite a few years). <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gY2UQoYNRm5VkKMyzeKtTR2Vtw-P2TlhCyQVfqXHF-MzezZvO4xS3X9pTQ503vZrFQ0wGyEr6wLGeLYBG3EsPPAeOgKOWR_xCsIrEeklZ4BYH_sWX-j2nCqCzBR9pz7SbgL8M3oHy3A/s400/HPIM0260.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588406125114167666" /><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>The kids in our homeschooling years. He was just a baby still (though a big one), not even three.</b></i></span></div></i><div>At the end of his first grade year last year, he was hating school soooooo much! He had a great teacher, a wonderful Christian lady who had been my homestudy teacher years before. Her methods however were more pragmatic and contained. Her way of letting the kids get out their wiggles was to have them all stand and do organized stretching. We almost pulled him out because his attention span was not there, and it was starting to effect his academics. Plus, it was KILLING me to hear him say how he hated school every morning. That works on a parent. <div>We prayed about pulling him out to homeschool. Making the transition to public was so huge for us that I wanted to make certain it was the right move. My gifts are creativity, not follow through (or academics) so I know by now that this is not plan A unless God says so. </div><div>The teacher even suggested that we could pull him out and homestudy him for two weeks. I knew better than to do that. One because he was asking to be homeschooled (not really knowing that it's not getting out of work) and it's not a good habit to give into kids just because they want something. I knew I had to have more certain reasons than this. Two, because as any homeschooling mom knows, two weeks is NOT long enough to get through the honeymoon phase of such a transition. There is one of these when you switch to public also. At some point, any educational process is realized as work you have to stick it out. </div><div>So, the prayerful decision was to put him through the character building process of toughing it out. We crawled over that 1st grade finish line and were all relieved when it was summer break. </div><div>We knew 2nd grade had some fun prospects. Emma's awesome teacher Mrs.M (who had been her first public teacher after homeschool and a God-send to us all) was to be his teacher. He was excited to go to start, and even more excited to return to school each day. </div><div>Then, after the honeymoon phase of the new great teacher wore off, he started to have attention problems again. For him this includes lack of focus, lots of hand raising to try to state random information which may or may NOT be related to the teaching, and drawing on his worksheets. She is really good about giving him time to draw in the day but when he draws on his work, it means he is not focused on it at all. </div><div>She cracked me up one time when she showed me one of his math tests. The first page he was power brain, all math work. The second page there was one or two little stars drawn in the upper right hand corner. The third page had some stars and some tiny figures. By the time you got to the last fifth page of the test, he was gone and there were huge full page figures drawn with animated accessories. She laughed with me and it helped me feel better. I love that about her. She really understands that kids have brains that have to get there when they get there and pushing them does not good. Still, she encouraged him to be patient with his hand raising comments, and try to focus on the worksheets. </div><div>Well, sure enough, his little brain went through some growth. In the last two months his reading level jumped up a whole year to 3.6 grade level, and he gained the highest scores in the class on language and math. 90 for one and 96 for the other. He has been the first one to get his morning work done (work on the board every morning when they come in) and there are no more drawings on worksheets. This is HUGE for him and I am so relieved. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmOGtzq0AmhC4kBT54SyA6k-jRFMvuzIw2SSzqe3GsC0SUnBXcZ2claFqTZnTjQv7STIZA0SsDRk-i9Rl2k_IczrAOrlAgwV4FI-UfAKCfM_gHlv27tTauow-R0YonQbSzD67L12Q5tU/s1600/CIMG0801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmOGtzq0AmhC4kBT54SyA6k-jRFMvuzIw2SSzqe3GsC0SUnBXcZ2claFqTZnTjQv7STIZA0SsDRk-i9Rl2k_IczrAOrlAgwV4FI-UfAKCfM_gHlv27tTauow-R0YonQbSzD67L12Q5tU/s400/CIMG0801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588406132978345170" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>Caedmon with is 100th's day project (100 Characters) at school this year</b>.</i></span></div></i></div><div>He still loves a day off from school and time with his Lego's and Bakugan, but when he is there he's not out on another planet anymore, he is engaged and learning. His reading amazes me, it has jumped so much.</div><div>I think boys just have to go through this. For us, having him home would not have helped him, it would have hurt him. He tends to be a mama's boy being the only boy and the baby of the family. I would have been overwhelmed delivering the reality of doing all the same work here at home only with mommy telling you to sit still and listen. I have a lot of joy that we prayed about this trial as it came and did not make any hasty decisions. He needs to be there being with other boys and being encouraged out of his comfort zone. God knew he would catch up and I'm thankful for the improvement. I'm learning to be more patient with my kids through these growth spurts be they physical, mental or even spiritual. God is teaching me to wait on His working and not always think I will "get-er-done" if I put my messy paws on everything trying to make it right, right now. </div></div></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-13110730792508827872011-03-25T15:38:00.000-07:002011-03-25T16:35:12.386-07:00To God Or Not To God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://todaysword.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/god-in-control-copy-700-150x150.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://todaysword.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/god-in-control-copy-700-150x150.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Randomness from my brain today....<div><br /></div><div>- I like that they have the today show on at the dentist office now. Anne Curry interviewed a mom who lost her son and they have made a movie of her story. Anne asks her "Where you angry at God?" </div><div><br /></div><div>This surprised me. I find it interesting that it's very normal and okay to ask this question but not one like "Where you able to trust God through this time?" or "Did you turn to God for strength in your sorrow?" </div><div><br /></div><div>What it must be like to be God and be mostly acknowledged for being God when people are angry at you. Think about it. It's the most frequent time we acknowledge His existence but more importantly the FACT that we KNOW He is in control. When his control brings good, we slide along and try not to mention him but when it's bad we acknowledge it's His fault. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've been through a deep sorrow. It's normal to cry out to God in your heart "No!!! Please don't let this happen!" or "I don't want this!!!". But the moment that thing DOES happen I really truly have never felt anger toward God for His choices. I have felt deeply sad, and I've disagreed with Him, but never hated him for things. </div><div><br /></div><div>I just find it strange that we don't really want to notice him publicly (and especially insinuate his authority) unless their is tragedy and we need to vent. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gaga's</span> new song "I Was Born This Way" is a boatload of moral discussion. I just have had one aspect of it on my mind today though. She talks about how God does not make mistakes. Her purpose in saying this is in defense of homosexual lifestyle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well...does God make mistakes or doesn't HE!!?? </div><div>We say no when it works for us and yes when it doesn't an dare justified in our rejection of Him. Oh, we are so fickle. </div><div>If you truly believe that God makes no mistakes (and yes I do but Gaga does not in reality and I'll tell you why in a moment) then you have no reason ever turn from Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>See, God does not make mistakes, people do. The whole point of saying we were born this way is to avoid saying we make choices. </div><div>Lot's of things are innate in us or "born in us". I heard a man speaking on Focus on the Family recently about this and how it related to this homosexual mindset. He pointed out that he was born to want to have sex with every attractive woman he sees, but that he is not justified in this because of his bent. We are born many ways, of which I could go on and on, that we would not choose to act upon. Therefore in case of argument, this reasoning does not fly. I'm just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sayin</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gaga does not really believe that God makes no mistakes because His word says that he made man to be with woman. She believes contrary to God and therefore, God is mistaken. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These random trails led me to more thoughts.....</div><div><br /></div><div>-People reject the truth of the bible when they acknowledge God's existence and even sovereignty. How is this? They say that the bible was written by men and therefore is not valid. Now, we who hold to it's truth of course believe what the bible says about itself in II Tim 3:16 that it is "God-breathed". </div><div>Yet, for fun, let's just accept their argument for a moment. Let's say we can't trust the bible because it was what men said about God. Okay, then on that basis, we cannot trust ANYTHING said written or claimed about God. We can't believe that he makes no mistakes if Gaga says so, that he is not real as many men say, that He is all loving and not just. We cannot believe anything about Him. </div><div>What I'm saying is, that many people will deny the bible as truth but fully and quickly in fact, accept what many OTHER men say about God. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, IS HE, or ISN'T HE?</div><div>DOES HE, or DOESN'T HE?</div><div>DO YOU or DON'T YOU? </div><div><br /></div><div>You know, it's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">consistent</span> with mankind today. They are walking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">oxymoron's</span>. Charlie Sheen can rant on the net about how unhealthy all we stupid people are going to our junk foods while he's smoking enough to light up the Great Plains. Everyone chants natural organic living and have plastic surgery to stay so darn "naturally" beautiful. We want the rules to apply when we like them it's just really how it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sayin</span>.......</div><div><br /></div><div>....and now I shall go make dinner. </div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-8236323464397898312011-03-21T08:54:00.001-07:002011-03-21T10:15:31.395-07:00Biblical Womanhood In a Fit/Sexy Mom Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_04/desperatehouseCH4_468x469.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 468px; height: 469px;" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_04/desperatehouseCH4_468x469.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />God is really working on me with some core issues in my life. One of those issues is vanity. I've really been asking myself some tough questions. I was kinda wondering how some of you deal with these things. There is a real push to be the sexy fit mom in this culture, or just the hot stuff at any age really. Popular songs around us push so much of this:<br />"Who's the sexy chick, the sexy chick???"<br />"Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?"<div>"When I grow up, people know me, be on tv, be on magazines;</div><div>When I grow up, fresh and clean, number one chick when I'm steppin on the scene"</div><div>There are so many more as well.</div><div>All these songs I like but want to think more about what I may be letting them feed me. Maturity is being able to take something in and know how it compares to truth and by truth I mean God's truth. Unless I ponder on that truth and let God clean out my heart, these cultural messages will have power to motivate my actions instead of just being a fun tune I enjoy now and then. </div><div>I think our culture is rampid with women who struggle with this. The girlish desire to put on our dress up clothes, long strings of pearls and high heals in front of full body-length mirrors has become a cultural idol. So many good things do become idols you know. This is just another. So many of us women see women around us striving to be the sexy chick. To have the "fit at forty" body and desire a perky sexual presentation at any cost. We hear it justified by terms like "I deserve this" or "I needed to feel good about myself". Will these empty wells satisfy our thirsty feminine soul though? Have we taken a simple innocent longing to feel girlish and pretty and given it a sequin throne in our lives???<br /><div>I have gained 8lbs since Christmas. I've been working hard on the house but not getting exercise. My response to this was such frustration. Once you feel that defeated it's easy to just eat more and say "screw it!". So, I battle between crazy, kill myself focused and medicate myself pity. There is one thing I realized about that.....</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>It's all focused on me!</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>When I loose weight I feel prettier and I start to wonder if others are noticing. I think more about me. </div><div>When I gain, I feel grumpy and mad at myself and take it out on those I love. I think more about me. </div><div><br /></div><div>This has got to stop. It's time to grow up. It's time to Christ up. </div><div><br /></div><div>I see many women around me much better than I am at this health and sexy thing and though I don't think of any one in particular when I say this, I wonder in general.....</div><div>How focused are we on ourselves????</div><div><br /></div><div>We strive so hard to have the perfect body here on earth which will only feed our vanity for a time and wither away in the end anyway. That goal will never be achieved, so why have it???!! </div><div>Well, when you think of it as a motivation, it's not a good one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Besides, let's be real, no one really notices you anyway. Sometimes I look around and think about the fact that I don't really notice how fit or gorgeous someone is or what they have on. For the most part anyway. Yes, there is the cute mom with the cute outfit but if her butt is toned and her tummy flat, I'm not admiring, I'm ticked off and go home grumpy!!! So, who notices her? Men. Do I want men to notice me that way? In my sin, yes, but in a goal of Christ-likeness, no. </div><div><br /></div><div>The facts are that no one really notices you because they are too busy thinking and worrying about how THEY look. The other fact is that women who get fit and show it off are causing men to lust. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm tired of this whole marry-go-round. I'm praying that my heart will become pure about it through Christ. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I have to ask myself what my motives are. I want to be healthy and have stamina to love and serve my family better. I want to spend more of my moments wondering how each love under my roof is getting on. How was their day? Did they get enough to eat today? Did I keep them healthy? Are their needs met? Do THEY feel loved by me? What can I do special for them today? </div><div><br /></div><div>The things I struggle to manage are tools for blessing. Food both healthy and treat-ish, are a blessing for them. My stamina is important to do all I need to do. It's important for intimacy with my husband. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yikes, on that note. I'm tired of trying to get back to 20. I realized this last week that I shy away from him too much for my own selfish reasons. I won't feel free till I reach my sexy goal. Yet, when I get close, I start to struggle with getting other men's attention and feel his compliments are not good enough. I discussed this with a sister/friend a few months ago and she related to me in it. It's like the good things they say are not enough because we think "yeah, well you love me when I'm fat too so step aside and let me see if I can get some REAL attention." </div><div><br /></div><div>*PUKE*....it's all SOOOOO sinful. </div><div><br /></div><div>That got me thinking about how deep this really goes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love glory for myself. I love it. I want to be admired and "glorified" so to speak. God started to show me who that sounded like. It sounded like the most beautiful beloved angel of heaven who wanted to be glorified. He wanted to steal admiration and praise from the only one who deserved it. I was reflecting HIS character!!! It sickened me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Christ's character is to reflect His father at all times. Not to try to steal any of that glory from him for himself. How convicting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, it hits me. That is a motive and a goal I CAN achieve. I will never get all the admiration I sinfully desire, but I can reflect my God through this and his beauty is far more glorious than my own. Not to mention the fact that he deserves it and that is what I was created to do for my joy to be full. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, though I've known a lot of these things they have been surface ideals. I know I should not be vain. I know I should not be wrapped up in myself. Yet, I've never stopped to get down deeper to the ugly core of my heart where these battles take place and find myself on my knees in need of my Savior. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do some of you battle these issues as women today? How do you fight wanting to be attractive with deep problematic vanity? I realize that keeping ourselves looking attractive is in many ways important but how do you balance that with slipping into focusing too much on yourself? What are your motivations for being healthy? </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping God revolutionizes my heart into one that so rarely thinks of myself. I want to be fit enough to do what he needs me to, sexy enough to please my husband, and attractive enough to do the best with what God has given me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really would love to hear from many of you on your thoughts. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>We all aregirls born wanting to be this way. The song is fun, but like all untamed desires, it can destroy us and all our relationships as well as leave us empty and unsatisfied. There is nothing wrong with having that girlie desire to dress up and be clean and pretty, for even God enjoyed the beauty he created. Yet, listen to the words of this song and realize how important this idol of ourselves can become to us. IF you know me, I love lots of music but I also believe in discussing the true danger of these messages. I just want to push for some discernment as we enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MWXswkTvxnk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-32217291826700048522011-03-15T09:08:00.000-07:002011-03-15T09:23:42.221-07:00Heavy Hearts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://apusa.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Japan-Tsunami-Plan-To-Co-Host.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 373px;" src="http://apusa.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Japan-Tsunami-Plan-To-Co-Host.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'm sure many of you have Japan heavy on your heart. There is not much we can do from here and I think that adds to the heaviness of this disaster. As a busy mom I walk around wishing I could stop and reflect, to pray more for these people. Yet, the reality is that though there is disaster across the ocean from me, there is life going on here and now that takes much of my energy, time and attention. So, yesterday I was led to pray practically. <div><br /></div><div>I put food together for dinner and as I worked I prayed that God would provide food for these people stranded and without supplies. </div><div>I heard my son's water running for his bath and I prayed God would proved their needs for water. </div><div>I was overwhelmed with some of my own trials and prayed that God would comfort these afflicted. That he would bring his saints to the hurting to help them turn to Him in this time. When their hearts are open and in pain, that they would have their eyes open to the Truth. That Christ would be found in their sorrow. </div><div>As I sometimes struggle just how to even pray for them, I pray for their salvation. I pray for the core of what is important for their souls as none of us are promised tomorrow. </div><div>As I see my children play, I pray for those mom's who are in severe pain of loss or question right now. I pray that those who can be found would be and that God would hold them in their loss. </div><div>There is just so much that can remind me in the day as I do my mundane stuff that would be so missed in a disaster like this, to pray for their provision. I may not need to sit and reflect to pray for those who are hurting, I can be reminded through what I'm normally use to enjoying. </div><div><br /></div><div>For what it's worth, I hope the things around you will remind you too. </div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-76818880685349796282011-03-10T08:48:00.000-08:002011-03-10T09:26:04.479-08:00A Lent Of The Heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gracerules.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/lent.jpg?w=450&h=337"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 337px;" src="http://gracerules.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/lent.jpg?w=450&h=337" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'm not sure I'm into this Lent thing as a protestant Christian. Just some of the words in the definitions of the event worry me. Terms like "doing penance", "good works", "sacrifice". Yet, at the same time, the exercise of focusing on what Christ gave up in order to remind us to bear our own crosses is not a bad thing.<br />So, what I've decided is that like most things, Lent is what you make it. Just like the celebration of many holidays, you could look at the negatives traditionally or the elements that don't line up with your faith and chuck the whole thing. Another point against it is that we should not strive in these ways only once in the year. Still, that itself is not a reason to avoid using the occasion for reflection. We certainly don't chuck Christmas just because we should celebrate Christ's coming in our heart all year around.<br />Lent from the heart I think can glorify God. An empty work of religious ritual would insult him as it makes the Son's work on the cross worthless. Worse that that, having a spiritual high because we did it or, gave up, or paid a price, are highly insulting to the God who was the only one who could give anything meaningful toward our sinful state.<br />I mentioned on my Facebook the other day that my friend had some great insight on Lent. Laura felt convicted to say yes to others and no to herself. That is always a good exercise. Furthermore, there is no way she is going to flip it and the day after Lent, go crazy and say "NO!" to everybody all day. This Lent is a Lent from the heart.<br />Well, the Lord finally convicted me a Lent of the Heart for me this morning. This has been driving me nuts!!! My kids seem to tag teem "Mommy!?" me. It seems that at certain times of the day they spend about half an hour taking turns coming to me. It may be a need, a thought, an outfit needing opinion, an event four months ago that's on their brain, a request to do something later in the day, a question, or the ever so lovely one when I'm questioned out "What's for Dinner?" To which we should all answer "Food!" right!? Well, it's not so bad when you have been asked once but when they all come at different times because they didn't (somehow) hear the answer I gave their sibling, AND they forget what I answered and ask me again in ten minutes because they are hungry.......<div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b> Nuttville is around the corner.</b></span><br />It's really me. It's my patience and stamina. I have to mentally make a decision to not let this annoy me. I only have three, and I don't know HOW women with more handle this. It's not their fault so it's not right for me to get upset. Heaven help the child who just has a simple need or question and happens to come to the door when I've reached my limit and gets a gruntal "WHAT!!???" They may even see bared teeth from me, it's possible. I should probably secretly have them video me. I'm sure I would be so insulted by myself I'd be cured for good. LOL.<br />So, right now, Lent or not really, I'm going to work on this area. Still if it's a Lent of the heart, I'll take the theme to help me focus.<br />Yet, I'll make it nothing more. I won't add to the work of Christ. I won't deceive myself that I can contribute to the Almighty in any way and I really don't want to live my life on a religious high from my performance. At the same time, I need to remember to be sensitive to the conviction of the Lord in my life and focus on it. This exercise will help me glorify God and not me. That's what I want my Lent to be.<div>Lent is meant to prepare us to celebrate Easter. I don't see any better way to do that than to reflect Christ's patient selfless character.</div></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713214200031984393.post-36441788516821249012011-03-08T08:50:00.000-08:002011-03-08T09:57:43.624-08:00On My Bio-Dad, Forgiveness, Grief and Hope<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://happyendingsdoc.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/forgive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 288px;" src="http://happyendingsdoc.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/forgive.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'll admit, I'm highly emotional this morning. I was not sure I could even post this because I knew I'd feel tears welling when I started. Yep. Still, this is one of those writing for therapy moments. I also hesitate because it was this topic that led some readers to call my mom years ago and leave messages on her phone that upset her a lot. So, if you are reading and you know my mom, don't call her dang-it. She is welcome to read this. This is my life and my story now and she does NOT need to be bugged with it. It's no secret that Mark was not my bio-dad and if you thought it was, you are wrong so forgive my rebellions teen-like moment to warn some to mind their own. <div><br /></div><div>That being said, I also hesitate because I know it's hard for my mom for me to talk about this. She sees this whole topic very differently than I do and I did not live through the pain she did so I don't judge her but I also feel that I had no choice in how my story started and I won't lie about what it is from that point on. I don't believe in hiding things. I've chosen not to hide it from my kids, and I firmly believe that God's sovereign plan in our lives cannot be told without the whole story. There are many who have been through tough stuff in their lives who don't agree with this. I admit, I've never made some of those big painful decisions so I cannot judge them for feeling convicted about that. I don't however. This is my story, not anyone else. You cannot have the same outcome in anyone else's life with situations because the factors vary so much that each set of them will have a different product. I give this topic the freedom it therefore demands. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also before I go on, I had one Father and that was Mark. He loved me with his life and he was used by God to save us all from a lot of pain. He holds that place in my heart and affections that cannot be replaced, but this is not about replacing and when it's seen that way, it's observed incorrectly. Some of you know my story more than others but I don't have time to go into all of it here today so I apologize if some of this does not make sense. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm emotional because I had a dream about my bio-dad last night. Honestly, I've had my emotions about him in a box for four years. He got very ill and passed away suddenly while my Father, Mark was passing away with cancer. When I found out he died, I literally had no emotional response. There was nothing left in me. It was not because I held things against him, in fact the opposite was true. I had spent the last few years getting to know him over the phone, patching things up, getting to know each other and having some conversations that are very precious to me now. I had no response because I was completely emotionally drained. My Father Mark was down to skin and bones and our every extra focus in the day was focused on absorbing the time and dealing with the anxiety of mystery knowing the end was near but not sure exactly how near it was. There was the emotional drain of watching a busy healthy man, husband, father and Papa loose all energy, function and vitality. </div><div>I wanted to be frustrated that I had no emotion hearing he had died (my bio-dad...I realize this could get confusing). I waited for frustration to flood through me and even that emotional reaction would not hit me. I wanted it to, I wanted to be mad if I could not cry. I wanted SOMETHING to help me grieve. I was completely and utterly numb by then. It took everything in me to adjust to Mark being dead and how it effected those around me. I don't think I even dealt with how it effected me until about two years later. It certainly showed up in my physical health when I started having panic attacks for no reason. My hormones were way of and I had developed an ovarian cyst that had to be removed. That was this time last year exactly. I could have had no way of knowing how what was going on would effect my body. Needless to say, with all this I've not been able to think much or process much about my bio-dad. I've not had the courage to open that emotional box. I've kept it closed out of survival instinct. </div><div>The fact is, there is so much good to be thankful for and be reflected upon. Forgiveness was what drove me to contact him in the first place. Now, one can certainly forgive and still keep distance (which is what my parents would have preferred I'd done and they made it very clear they not only did not support my decisions on this but were greatly hurt and insulted by it) but I felt it would only be fear and pride that would motivate me to keep this man in a prison of regret unless I could set him free from it by reaching out. We talked a lot about God, death, life and forgiveness. We talked about small things too and I found that my sense of humor which had always seemed out of place in my family, had come from some biological roots. That really encouraged me because it was like finding a missing part of myself. One of the huge moments was when we talked about his dad and how hard their relationship was. He called me the next day and thanked me because he had been able to pray about it and forgave his dad for the first time. I cannot believe that this was not part of God's plan for us both. As much as it saddened me to go against my parents, Rick and I both were sure we were supposed to do this. We did not have to fear man, we wanted to heal and I was healed too in the process. The plan was to someday meet (since I'd not seen him since I was about 3 years old and did not remember him much at all and in fact, my mom never showed me even a picture of him so I had no idea what he even looked like) once we worked through some things. That was never in God's plan but that is okay with me now. I think it would have been very hard to start that much over again. Out of this time I am now in contact with my Aunt whom I love being in contact with very much and some of her family who have been so friendly to me which is a treasure for me as well. </div><div>The emotions brought up by the dream made me realize I may be strong enough to grieve over his loss now. When I say grieve I mean that I have an actual process I've known for years I would need to go through to do this. While he was alive, and in those last few years (I made contact for good about two years before he died which amazes me too that God knew that) I had sent him a list of questions I wanted answered. We both answered these questions for each other. There was so much getting to know you that we had never done. He chose to answer them by recording his answers on a small mini recorder for me. Many times in answering the questions he would go off on rabbit trials of a lot more as well. I have all of that recorded. I've needed to listen to it all again, that is how I need to process this. I tried about two years ago to turn the recording on and I only made it a few seconds before a flood of tears came and a twist in my heart that hurt so bad, I knew I was not ready. </div><div>I truly am amazed at God's love in having them pass all within a few months of each other. The reason I say that is because it eased my grief for my bio-dad. It may have emotionally confused me to have my Father here healthy and in my life and try to grieve for someone I hardly knew but yet had a boat-load of emotions about. IT allowed me to fully grieve for the man who had raised me and eased another grief that I could hardly process at all. By being fully focused on another pain, I was able to be guarded from a lot of this other pain. Now, it has settled more in me that he is gone. I don't have to grieve and reflect in a state of shock, I get to do so in a reflective though emotional frame of mind and at a pace I choose and can handle. </div><div>I think I'm ready to turn that recorder on. I know I will cry (shoot, I'm crying now) but I'm ready. </div><div>You know what gives me the most joy!? Hope. Hope that has come through Christ. My Father Mark and bio-dad are now in heaven. My bio-dad was an infant Christian but a sincerely repentant man before God. He may not have had his theology all together (though we had some good talks about that which helped I think), and he may have had a lot of worldly baggage that fogged up much of his heart still, but I believe that just as the thief on the cross, he had a true moment of repentance and coming before the Savior. He may not be put in charge of much in Heaven, but he will be there. Their emotions about each other were very different here on earth. My bio-dad was very grateful for Mark and told me so many times. I know if he could have met him, he would have told him himself. My dad however, did not trust him at all and did not like talking about him. I'm sure he had a fear that this man would come back into my life and make waves let alone interrupt his relationship with his grand kids. I understand that. Now however, perfected in the presence of Christ our cleansing savior, they worship the Heavenly Father together. There is no more fear in my dad Mark, no more sin in either of them. They have been able to see the full loving plan of God for us in all our lives and they understand now. They hold nothing against each other but both look forward to our appearance someday. I told my dad Mark, when he was in the hospital with sepsis and we thought we were going to loose him that he was who I would run to on that day first. I meant that. I said it in tears and he cried too. I wanted him to know he had that place in my heart. I will be looking for another greeting also and in Christ's perspective perfecting ours, it won't matter to anyone anymore that I do that. </div><div>Thank you Lord for that and so many other things. I will cry these tears with gratitude, full and overwhelming. </div><br /><br />This is life, this is what it's all about. Don't run, embrace, and grow.<br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gd3VJwjc_MM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804353351160018502noreply@blogger.com3