tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37965552612471586222024-03-05T13:26:38.227-06:00Looking UpLook to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-14981295919959278952012-03-20T13:14:00.000-05:002012-03-20T13:25:11.166-05:00The Braces Are Off!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After 7 months, John Adams got his braces off yesterday. He was so excited and so were we. All the months of making sure he brushed his teeth really good and wore his rubber bands and didn't eat anything that he wasn't supposed to had come to an end. In just an hour, he went from this:</div>
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to this:</div>
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Pretty Amazing!</div>
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He may have to have them again when he is older but we are just going to enjoy right now and not worry about later.</div>
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So to celebrate, for dinner, we had all the things he had really missed while having braces. Popcorn, peanuts, carrots, jelly beans, and starburst. We also had biscuits, bacon, and eggs. Not sure why I picked breakfast to go with this celebratory meal but that's what we had(maybe because it's easy). </div>
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He loved it!!! Who wouldn't love candy for dinner :)</div>
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We also have a climber in the house. I guess he couldn't see out the window. Our dog was outside and he couldn't get a good look at her through the door. I guess I should think of it as resourceful, right?</div>
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Climbing at the orthodontist office while waiting on John Adams. I think he tried climbing on every chair in there. Very thankful there were only a few people waiting. They may not have shared that feeling :).</div>
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And this is where we found Charlie yesterday while Charles and I were fixing dinner. Can't take my eyes off of him for even a second. Oh well, I'm sure I'll miss this stage one day. Right now, it just scares me to death to think of where he will try to climb next. </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-48298701473757203772012-03-13T16:31:00.000-05:002012-03-13T16:34:23.217-05:00Ellie's Baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADbuRvKqFTYs9A3uCsVjFeH_6zCvwIdaPVBjxso4Zlg6NIspgGy50K8uWvPw-kpmFBAUNNhVaBUUtEhwMon2GZzDXPmhpxC0FI9-Kbd_XOlub5Oxd9ZkmJs6oZVvUcWthi8mWDEl2ze4/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADbuRvKqFTYs9A3uCsVjFeH_6zCvwIdaPVBjxso4Zlg6NIspgGy50K8uWvPw-kpmFBAUNNhVaBUUtEhwMon2GZzDXPmhpxC0FI9-Kbd_XOlub5Oxd9ZkmJs6oZVvUcWthi8mWDEl2ze4/s400/DSC_0175.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Ellie was baptized Sunday night at our church. This was such an exciting time for our family. Not just because of her baptism, but also because of her decision to follow Christ. My prayer is that she will not lose the joy of her salvation that she has right now. That she will seek God in everything and love Him with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.<br />
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Charles was waiting on the 'boy's side'. John Adams and Riley had to be back there with us as well. I guess they wanted to make sure we did it right :). </div>
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Charles said a few words, mentioning the fact that Ellie became a Christian during Upward Basketball/Cheerleading. There are so many people that have been a part of teaching Ellie about Jesus and planting seeds for her to make this decision. We are so thankful for all of them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-WJpub_4k78MqgIbqSCoGmyC8BdFSvrwCKVaaCHkr90fgLuD8L-3aGdXf6C-ZdkFIeCMJjkUlG5racy8WGIx5YHxB41K1vcl2kurW8l9zhwzW0EHe7Kp0PxfSQX3aeSz1yITuwbAcUE/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-WJpub_4k78MqgIbqSCoGmyC8BdFSvrwCKVaaCHkr90fgLuD8L-3aGdXf6C-ZdkFIeCMJjkUlG5racy8WGIx5YHxB41K1vcl2kurW8l9zhwzW0EHe7Kp0PxfSQX3aeSz1yITuwbAcUE/s400/DSC_0187.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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As we do often, we had a party afterwards with family and friends to celebrate this wonderful event. </div>
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I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like not to have family and friends who supported us and helped us in the raising of our children. I do not know everything and most definitely need help in this process often. But we are most blessed by knowing that so many are praying for us and for our children. Charles told Ellie that the people who were there will be there to support her and help her on this journey as a Christian. It was such a sweet time and my heart was very full at the end of the night. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">John 3:16</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-81531648450915374572012-03-12T10:47:00.003-05:002012-03-13T16:34:06.750-05:00Birthday Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eleven years ago, my life was changed forever. Not only was I a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt but now, I was a mother. I had prayed for many years for this moment and it was finally here. John Adams came after several years of trying to have a baby and several losses. He was such a gift and still is. I can not look at him without being reminded of God's grace and his faithfulness. He has brought such joy to our lives and has made me really have to think with some of the questions he comes up with. I can look back now and thank God for our losses because without them, we would not have John Adams. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, John Adams!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">1 Timothy 4:12 </span></div>
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<div style="font: normal normal normal 20px/normal 'Apple Chancery'; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-63337378799629314942012-02-08T16:40:00.001-06:002012-02-09T21:16:54.149-06:00Tables and Teeth<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday night, we had Tables of Love at our church. It was such a fun night. Each table was decorated around a bible verse that was selected by the lady/ladies who decorated it. Every table was different and unique and beautifully decorated. Heather Messick was our speaker, she also sang. She has an amazing testimony and such a heart for the Lord. I think we were all in tears by the end of the night but rejoicing at what God had shown each of us. These are a few of the pictures from the night. By the way, you can read her blog by clicking on The Messicks under Blogs I Read.</div>
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Amanda and I decorated our table, which I did not get a picture of.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsVp5dJaXx8hgdzE9Nb5h8R3drzYqMVWjCIzmBxwmMKnIEa4TKh_7EARm932SqhQ5kE1tmvn-FoVyWGP0cKpnChoxXerPBcUgLwoV-gSpBjwE9LE79KK4e5DvEWXRXzqJS468Gcgw6QM/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsVp5dJaXx8hgdzE9Nb5h8R3drzYqMVWjCIzmBxwmMKnIEa4TKh_7EARm932SqhQ5kE1tmvn-FoVyWGP0cKpnChoxXerPBcUgLwoV-gSpBjwE9LE79KK4e5DvEWXRXzqJS468Gcgw6QM/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.<br />
Proverbs 27:9</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLqRSLxhEAicGnW3o3CEwjTCCrBZGADccXFRt74_LKXsB328LVhuBIG-0e8MRopW1iB6hJRm1xsTwMOA3vPcL3ud6647NQjFHor6IMmy82LkUaUTj-f5aYXG9raijVaCQ5REl4HtcjwU/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLqRSLxhEAicGnW3o3CEwjTCCrBZGADccXFRt74_LKXsB328LVhuBIG-0e8MRopW1iB6hJRm1xsTwMOA3vPcL3ud6647NQjFHor6IMmy82LkUaUTj-f5aYXG9raijVaCQ5REl4HtcjwU/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.<br />
Psalm 119:162</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCr025X8TIWjVp5Jiki56kFz5kVVyDL606WSAlCIBegGSBGgPr1oADemyT87hEzmDfjaEOjC1cPg6sZp15NmNXPaigWBX_bnTzUQPV2piagtxmXrokZWMP6trnc9c9UlDzDxuNyG8cao/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCr025X8TIWjVp5Jiki56kFz5kVVyDL606WSAlCIBegGSBGgPr1oADemyT87hEzmDfjaEOjC1cPg6sZp15NmNXPaigWBX_bnTzUQPV2piagtxmXrokZWMP6trnc9c9UlDzDxuNyG8cao/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us<br />
as a fragrant offering and sacrifce. Ephesians 5:2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ghmf8ZVIdCI3FhHi9K9WzQoHI-9U-HQWajp2XJInIX5NWABDbRu6cTVgaTv1aBDz5iGrx449F_2jjl41ohb0QRm55LKPZpbNR_D6p5vTEjdyBE9hHpYuADf6lRSfaelB1XHcp5nErs/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ghmf8ZVIdCI3FhHi9K9WzQoHI-9U-HQWajp2XJInIX5NWABDbRu6cTVgaTv1aBDz5iGrx449F_2jjl41ohb0QRm55LKPZpbNR_D6p5vTEjdyBE9hHpYuADf6lRSfaelB1XHcp5nErs/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farmer sows the Word.<br />
Mark 4:14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPG8CsyHsv9K7ECHmNhpdw50nGHZtoiQI8ujs_nqpjuE1q2ETuXVonedcWJrKDlCV1n5IdcXoe8l3u4uvd4k5EtkPzBRsoajRi3ymPwa_oiZ9u61VpF4AzsvaPscdTs1_OThdj7ZLzAw/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPG8CsyHsv9K7ECHmNhpdw50nGHZtoiQI8ujs_nqpjuE1q2ETuXVonedcWJrKDlCV1n5IdcXoe8l3u4uvd4k5EtkPzBRsoajRi3ymPwa_oiZ9u61VpF4AzsvaPscdTs1_OThdj7ZLzAw/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.<br />
Psalm 119:105</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkCzZuTabln07kAVWFn-LWam0pIv3E6XIGgx50wPMrXk4gTUapzDoIEGd6ahZznksQEHc6gRfLeguh5onWowXELGPDyakxabIqIyp8Bml81VHfnH4hHfgmDOUqLXitCYddc1z8La5ylg/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkCzZuTabln07kAVWFn-LWam0pIv3E6XIGgx50wPMrXk4gTUapzDoIEGd6ahZznksQEHc6gRfLeguh5onWowXELGPDyakxabIqIyp8Bml81VHfnH4hHfgmDOUqLXitCYddc1z8La5ylg/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,<br />
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?<br />
Matthew 6:26</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlVYxy_KynQrSA6KZdzXp5wJI62zucP56CfHF_RcB_X8aOVU60AE7KczxpcvDJIKI0dAiTds5dbROrnsrCdm6p-EL2Alg_A_Sw_4dHSa24kA8coHcRVmdOj7ORK0x8-ZMrVeRGYkhF3E/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlVYxy_KynQrSA6KZdzXp5wJI62zucP56CfHF_RcB_X8aOVU60AE7KczxpcvDJIKI0dAiTds5dbROrnsrCdm6p-EL2Alg_A_Sw_4dHSa24kA8coHcRVmdOj7ORK0x8-ZMrVeRGYkhF3E/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"> And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Genesis 7:1-5</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDIsjXDJwHBx7a2I-VjA-KNK9Qa3RuoMsuP3xKK17uJ3gpweu3zFDa5J9Irbum7wZk5Zn6v-PCryIxq-ZKZZGPSmhTIlGa2k22ZzvlUHYlfvmLPiRM1ru0-T9rCp17sobY4ERH2UpP-Y/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDIsjXDJwHBx7a2I-VjA-KNK9Qa3RuoMsuP3xKK17uJ3gpweu3zFDa5J9Irbum7wZk5Zn6v-PCryIxq-ZKZZGPSmhTIlGa2k22ZzvlUHYlfvmLPiRM1ru0-T9rCp17sobY4ERH2UpP-Y/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For you will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.<br />
Psalm 18:28</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboKSahRTxQ0Ct6WIc1ahEleROkl-TulLP5eZSpnQY1nPBRntqHZa5EepP1oSSi2G0ICDA-N8wpO_BvqWgR1y__AcoHU26qZ5bqbI6VASUYeJ3fJ5lXTu72vXapfC09PHrxnnbsIf-nGQ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboKSahRTxQ0Ct6WIc1ahEleROkl-TulLP5eZSpnQY1nPBRntqHZa5EepP1oSSi2G0ICDA-N8wpO_BvqWgR1y__AcoHU26qZ5bqbI6VASUYeJ3fJ5lXTu72vXapfC09PHrxnnbsIf-nGQ/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.<br />
2 Corinthians 3:3</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night was also very exciting. Ellie lost another tooth, but she pulled this one herself. I don't remember ever doing that. This poor tooth went from not being loose at all 2 days ago to hanging on by a thread last night. There is no telling what all Ellie had been doing to it throughout the day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ9bIhQK9hJxtedeVLbvvBW9hTwo5oZAwNKMMWIXeW7hynKxqDn2DKa_t8mCxRl7l89kb9eFM_SxDeB_icVQbNq_-e2btVIfehcPSlGz1kxw0m9YlU5zgy4dway2x3MPSAu9pBYyL7jI/s1600/IMG_0518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ9bIhQK9hJxtedeVLbvvBW9hTwo5oZAwNKMMWIXeW7hynKxqDn2DKa_t8mCxRl7l89kb9eFM_SxDeB_icVQbNq_-e2btVIfehcPSlGz1kxw0m9YlU5zgy4dway2x3MPSAu9pBYyL7jI/s400/IMG_0518.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> She went into our bathroom and wanted to be all by herself. There was no screaming or crying. There wasn't any blood either so it was definitely ready to come out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzjYUxMJzl-jovI_347_EH60-pgUNBvJwMx9CNkpHoDDmF-i0IPbH-AiilNIyv1Egtj7pSadzmA6sYz0_GAcw0TTf9ic-de4xSGVnRxjI2bR4u0WWtnj1FUPRW7CMP6m7w19oOzvBrrs/s1600/IMG_0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzjYUxMJzl-jovI_347_EH60-pgUNBvJwMx9CNkpHoDDmF-i0IPbH-AiilNIyv1Egtj7pSadzmA6sYz0_GAcw0TTf9ic-de4xSGVnRxjI2bR4u0WWtnj1FUPRW7CMP6m7w19oOzvBrrs/s400/IMG_0520.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> OK. I don't know that you can actually tell which tooth just came out. She has lost 6 teeth in 2 months. She probably will not like me one day for posting this picture.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Such a little tooth!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH67toY_k427V9HND5ZhrCGM2bJ6pSINC-HiA5iQSFQF5PYqN6f2uEJGbRCsqrlE5vUEUbG37MuW6mjq1nJY8NoRVkh93JwUynbwOMvlEShIkAtxRVWcXwJa5quKArGI-C0yT_frwWNZE/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH67toY_k427V9HND5ZhrCGM2bJ6pSINC-HiA5iQSFQF5PYqN6f2uEJGbRCsqrlE5vUEUbG37MuW6mjq1nJY8NoRVkh93JwUynbwOMvlEShIkAtxRVWcXwJa5quKArGI-C0yT_frwWNZE/s400/DSC_0020.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now for the prize after the tooth pulling<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It has been a pretty eventful week thus far at the Uptain household. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for the rest of the week. Hope you are having a blessed day!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-85775217165820089842012-02-04T20:22:00.000-06:002012-02-04T20:22:43.006-06:00God's Protection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNvG93k2A93c3BfM9HBof9eNN9UR_efQSfrpNP0jDiuVXKQwfLP4YjHSehqJBNjcV5CGCas-sJxkSsUKt5RiggIjx04pCR6r9OOGhhKrV-Iam8_1H2EDQqgsIAUaR3OycxMAsC9OXP8s/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNvG93k2A93c3BfM9HBof9eNN9UR_efQSfrpNP0jDiuVXKQwfLP4YjHSehqJBNjcV5CGCas-sJxkSsUKt5RiggIjx04pCR6r9OOGhhKrV-Iam8_1H2EDQqgsIAUaR3OycxMAsC9OXP8s/s320/DSC_0018.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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You may look at this and see and empty bottle. I look at this and see a blessing and God's hand of protection at work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today, I was working on some things on the computer. I could hear Charlie playing in the other room(which is literally 5 ft. from where I am) and didn't think anything of it because I could hear him. You know, if it gets quiet, then you worry. That was not the case. I could hear things clanking around and really thought he was playing with his toys. John Adams comes in and starts saying,"Mom, Mom" in this very panicked voice. I walk in, and there is something all over the floor and Charlie is seating in the middle of it. What in the world? So I start trying to find what he has gotten into. Yes, you guessed it. Goo Gone. He has opened the child-proof top and poured it everywhere. But wait, that isn't all. I pick him up to start cleaning up the puddle. And realize he reeks of this stuff. I touch his face and his mouth is all greasy. OK!!! Panic Time!!! I have absolutely no idea how much of this stuff he has ingested but- as you can tell- it is a very small bottle and the floor is covered in it. I call a friend who is a nurse and she comes by. I also call Poison Control. You would think, with 4 children, I would have had to call them many times, but, no, this was a first. At this point, John Adams is crying. He is scared something bad is going to happen to his little brother. So, I get him and Charlie and we do the only thing I know to do. Pray! God calmed us down and Poison Control told me if he hadn't coughed or anything when he drank it, he was probably fine. Keep him awake for 2 hours and if he starts coughing or struggling to breath, take him to the ER. Thankfully neither of these things happened. Praise the Lord!!! I am so thankful and will be double checking to make sure the child-proof lock is in place instead of making that assumption from now on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0SlqxjHtzc0x1nBcOSG79o3bc3aCU8993Gi2vwjFe1-xuKn02yPWByeJctg6xBr3SVGB5DfawRkyqM3IvhbXADHE-MZAuvdnc-2vlIQ2fXBl-RlvUOPGABJVeDGDm4jp5cKfbwky39E/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0SlqxjHtzc0x1nBcOSG79o3bc3aCU8993Gi2vwjFe1-xuKn02yPWByeJctg6xBr3SVGB5DfawRkyqM3IvhbXADHE-MZAuvdnc-2vlIQ2fXBl-RlvUOPGABJVeDGDm4jp5cKfbwky39E/s400/IMG_0510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> On to happier topics, we have been able to spend some time with Mary Alan. She and Charlie are very curious about each other. We went to lunch with them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> We also went to see my grandmother. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEJcLZQ-7dIXyKK33DzDB8JgCU_5t2Y9y4QGhSkBAt46-rAt9-VhQStqFQG5QYZMlqAhdkJ_tu7KADVBjmVhqjebPG6oGhHILYHLMdUHspof4IWqKuI1rp54P4TcYhs3FI2cqBjEYixA/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEJcLZQ-7dIXyKK33DzDB8JgCU_5t2Y9y4QGhSkBAt46-rAt9-VhQStqFQG5QYZMlqAhdkJ_tu7KADVBjmVhqjebPG6oGhHILYHLMdUHspof4IWqKuI1rp54P4TcYhs3FI2cqBjEYixA/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Charlie and Mary Alan shared a snack.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> She is too cute!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQg6uW4tashbP5_F-OPL9vZhY1OkGc-px6cj00BM-PIE-IN-wTJaxmZ4MGYoc0QhnTkdHbzp2g3gnCCYQyOuGq46bzBOvxtIg-YZ2qmTPwSP-TwvjS1GsryPUo0stJc9ch5tQtIZa0gsw/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQg6uW4tashbP5_F-OPL9vZhY1OkGc-px6cj00BM-PIE-IN-wTJaxmZ4MGYoc0QhnTkdHbzp2g3gnCCYQyOuGq46bzBOvxtIg-YZ2qmTPwSP-TwvjS1GsryPUo0stJc9ch5tQtIZa0gsw/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpPQg70rN2Ptyq17vXPHxX_l5gfEwm_lVCL3AIyYbkgSdvVP2j8gHyiB3wXa96OO_UZtCzEZMe2RE-nEmqIx-n7ua_ZhmygKitSg9gMcwcOY5jjW0LdCGplsAfEoq9KEe51ZIET0GExU/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpPQg70rN2Ptyq17vXPHxX_l5gfEwm_lVCL3AIyYbkgSdvVP2j8gHyiB3wXa96OO_UZtCzEZMe2RE-nEmqIx-n7ua_ZhmygKitSg9gMcwcOY5jjW0LdCGplsAfEoq9KEe51ZIET0GExU/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> This may look like an attack but it is really a hug</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z06GwweBzilGvntagZ-3P4fB-e7z6awnQShYFd6Cs1iyqsPLho5LfJ6LPGqVMM7nKRBzpNcDjhn_S0_joCfXBw_jTxEzKDYA4Dphl0fmG0W877bHnkc1yp1LHS9D3T2nGvkllfjJUlU/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z06GwweBzilGvntagZ-3P4fB-e7z6awnQShYFd6Cs1iyqsPLho5LfJ6LPGqVMM7nKRBzpNcDjhn_S0_joCfXBw_jTxEzKDYA4Dphl0fmG0W877bHnkc1yp1LHS9D3T2nGvkllfjJUlU/s400/IMG_0517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> I have also found out this week that Charlie loves the vacuum. my other children were scared of it. He chases me around the house trying to take it from me. I do hope this love for cleaning lasts :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">His other love is his doggie. I love it!</span></div>
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<br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-49717550154748153732012-01-24T16:45:00.003-06:002012-01-25T14:14:29.375-06:00Exciting News!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our precious daughter, Ellie, asked Jesus to be her Savior and Lord last night. She had been asking questions for quite some time but after discussing it with her did not feel she understood the discission she was making. Well, yesterday, in carline of all places, she asked me if she knew understood what Jesus had done for her but had never asked him to forgive her of the bad things she had done and to be in charge of her life, would she still go to heaven if she died. Big question for a 6 year old. It was very hard for me to have to tell her that no, I didn't think so. It is easy, as a parent, to want to sugar-coat those hard questions-and there is a place for that- but this was not one of those times. So when Charles got home, she asked him even more questions over dinner. When he got finished asking her questions and she asked what she needed to, she said she wanted to pray right then. It was so precious to hear her sweet prayer. She even started to cry. Of course, I already was :). It was a very special time. </div>
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We are so proud of her. Even today, she got home from school and said she could tell God was already changing her heart to be more like Him. I can already tell this Momma is going to have a some convicting coming from her baby girl! </div>
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Today is also a special day because my 90 year old grandmother is moving here. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 2 years ago, and although she has had sitters, my mom and uncle felt it was time for her to be closer to us. She has always lived about 2 hours from here but now she will be right down the street, at an assisted living home,so we can visit her whenever we want. I do ask you to pray for her. She doesn't really understand why she is having to move and no one can help her understand. It is very hard on my mom but we know this is where God has lead her to be. He has opened the doors wide for her to live here. We also know it will take time for her to settle down and become familiar with her surroundings again. We just have to trust Him!</div>
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<br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-68052350776255219562012-01-22T22:03:00.002-06:002012-01-22T22:09:43.869-06:00They're Home! They're Home! They're Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Colbert Family has finally been reunited, including their newest addition, Mary Alan. Y'all, she is precious. She is even cuter in person and full of energy. The whole family and several friends gathered at the airport last night to welcome them home. There was a lot of anxious energy going around the room before they landed. Their flight had been delayed due to a storm, but we were so thankful the weather calmed down long enough for them to get home safely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9bODHSMar08fVS0IECQZCK8438nEoxl49W0kaXTDz7aBA87rMHg4lxai5OaD0qhjQrOA9uoy1IwNY8CNHCr36rrvokLGqQ8rxYFpXpk_qdjFdsY0E3UXe16lxlhBKxS3DtZurPJ4qIc/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9bODHSMar08fVS0IECQZCK8438nEoxl49W0kaXTDz7aBA87rMHg4lxai5OaD0qhjQrOA9uoy1IwNY8CNHCr36rrvokLGqQ8rxYFpXpk_qdjFdsY0E3UXe16lxlhBKxS3DtZurPJ4qIc/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Ivy and the girls modeling the crown they had made for Mary Alan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWs3hoIIvGSO37AYgMO63EOqFt3o63VuJ0WZ2WBDtrT9pSticzbkcv8kqBjLPSEk3rlzajmTNq3tJD-V-1jFAVNWravk8bfmw12wRlWvfhcghvrK4Wv6G0tWUlYOQkjndeAErxJ_rwl8/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWs3hoIIvGSO37AYgMO63EOqFt3o63VuJ0WZ2WBDtrT9pSticzbkcv8kqBjLPSEk3rlzajmTNq3tJD-V-1jFAVNWravk8bfmw12wRlWvfhcghvrK4Wv6G0tWUlYOQkjndeAErxJ_rwl8/s400/DSC_0130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Thankfully, it was late or we might have been asked to leave the building</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL0kz3Rt3yk6IM40qDguzooIYFyYEDbDfJGUPPMcrSHR3yLHIMzXAh0R2-_yvXlP-yJzSUp9zVqO5jvPRcjMbTydIJ4MDAbHlSQbaLQJNBa-dZrxW7NaiZ7jNZ7f5SyDSo7Y3gloAAic/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL0kz3Rt3yk6IM40qDguzooIYFyYEDbDfJGUPPMcrSHR3yLHIMzXAh0R2-_yvXlP-yJzSUp9zVqO5jvPRcjMbTydIJ4MDAbHlSQbaLQJNBa-dZrxW7NaiZ7jNZ7f5SyDSo7Y3gloAAic/s400/DSC_0147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Meeting Ivy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5131x5LYDWJy0zMW78qqrWmrh9VR80xzLd6WWXVbyCN08YGpwUdXAEhkAAhKWCWZabjN7PmcY3kba73ZhdIiVsLFTRnwuLQF_Usy-ngmwoy4HV0g3ywdivTHlvcXeY2N7jxlF3Huo56I/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5131x5LYDWJy0zMW78qqrWmrh9VR80xzLd6WWXVbyCN08YGpwUdXAEhkAAhKWCWZabjN7PmcY3kba73ZhdIiVsLFTRnwuLQF_Usy-ngmwoy4HV0g3ywdivTHlvcXeY2N7jxlF3Huo56I/s400/DSC_0156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">And Hunter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-8GM0gd45uOds1U9eJqz_O-__slRb8ot2f0aWlWK16V7L7aqAyKDQCO3gDDwiqCnLOD5mYXV0nKCZBPe3E4Pz8U7rnxg8YZci7PZfoTIOO_r-NgciFgRy2sHGbtwlzBb5cEDMZqJWxI/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-8GM0gd45uOds1U9eJqz_O-__slRb8ot2f0aWlWK16V7L7aqAyKDQCO3gDDwiqCnLOD5mYXV0nKCZBPe3E4Pz8U7rnxg8YZci7PZfoTIOO_r-NgciFgRy2sHGbtwlzBb5cEDMZqJWxI/s400/DSC_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">And Mrs. Carol</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVPoRjrtk5Hbt_ahAwv3x26m9gSIthwCX0BEVZM_v29J47kYYZKqTAPL6nvo__2DmsOL4t8VcD-Zk4fJz4JOKvQCjdBCae94ZhtDMmESpV7djR0koBTMYtUBZ5ydG8ywewF4rJ83T-eg/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVPoRjrtk5Hbt_ahAwv3x26m9gSIthwCX0BEVZM_v29J47kYYZKqTAPL6nvo__2DmsOL4t8VcD-Zk4fJz4JOKvQCjdBCae94ZhtDMmESpV7djR0koBTMYtUBZ5ydG8ywewF4rJ83T-eg/s400/DSC_0169.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzh1yGtbYxsGzaVWYiAI3og0hpAnDePpPMIYp_7F9dZ6VEdsSOEjWTCKZbrf0OeFS0I4JUAEY2fXhTBfI-GwBSyGroG5FPnhXkhrGRusJjL9rFNItZNj5VWqoVszJJJ-uCd8AXDCD6v8/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzh1yGtbYxsGzaVWYiAI3og0hpAnDePpPMIYp_7F9dZ6VEdsSOEjWTCKZbrf0OeFS0I4JUAEY2fXhTBfI-GwBSyGroG5FPnhXkhrGRusJjL9rFNItZNj5VWqoVszJJJ-uCd8AXDCD6v8/s400/DSC_0192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">All the Colbert kids</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6EALKjG9ZZ4n5_GBBF0HY4oY1Xgju3dI2Pa434Ea3UbWUbggIKJS7trq7bmoXc9C8DQW8W7MwykK8MQEZEgcwewqtaCqjttsM3E3u33fcmdhedmKdFr4igALOSKnx4tpLGSQn2SZLw0/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6EALKjG9ZZ4n5_GBBF0HY4oY1Xgju3dI2Pa434Ea3UbWUbggIKJS7trq7bmoXc9C8DQW8W7MwykK8MQEZEgcwewqtaCqjttsM3E3u33fcmdhedmKdFr4igALOSKnx4tpLGSQn2SZLw0/s400/DSC_0199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> First family photo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOZqnLSZ9X-m1OeV5wL1fXSSM-4JZkp5qRaDmdYpQKNyA5qTcM-W8xWSCg5_bN-6nty7BfEneVs-PZqd9gKav8-vnAGM-xrlWPbARw4g-GcycefOPBIxgYvIk7TXpJK4yXAIRsrkoZ6o/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOZqnLSZ9X-m1OeV5wL1fXSSM-4JZkp5qRaDmdYpQKNyA5qTcM-W8xWSCg5_bN-6nty7BfEneVs-PZqd9gKav8-vnAGM-xrlWPbARw4g-GcycefOPBIxgYvIk7TXpJK4yXAIRsrkoZ6o/s400/DSC_0273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">With Carol, Bailey, and Colby- Mary Alan is named after their husband/dad, Alan who passed away last year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">He was Kelly's best friend and a wonderful, godly man.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EqRw93eoD2NpdsK8x5GdHsc2syfEmoqFayyyI9FnVYP8HMzwoZWDwCIRzrWmlrjO2pM00vXKPBjODkZVj26SBZRgsUMpHvF4Tff4MNy3MjFkLIDCr_HDNFVL_ZoNFNnBqGMJuZGYEis/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EqRw93eoD2NpdsK8x5GdHsc2syfEmoqFayyyI9FnVYP8HMzwoZWDwCIRzrWmlrjO2pM00vXKPBjODkZVj26SBZRgsUMpHvF4Tff4MNy3MjFkLIDCr_HDNFVL_ZoNFNnBqGMJuZGYEis/s400/DSC_0171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">While all the commotion over Mary Alan was going on, Charlie was playing in the carry-on size check box.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMWxQSUb1Fl4iCq8-W6nSE1bY_nXojS4yim4y3EBbfrhH-72mck11sK-BcRjX0ydZfA1AQoWBK7EaWI9vOgFwdy6jswoMXJGuAomaZWsWPLfeEjcrFgDR8WTOjfvgjCxEQB4lcknerOc/s1600/DSC_0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMWxQSUb1Fl4iCq8-W6nSE1bY_nXojS4yim4y3EBbfrhH-72mck11sK-BcRjX0ydZfA1AQoWBK7EaWI9vOgFwdy6jswoMXJGuAomaZWsWPLfeEjcrFgDR8WTOjfvgjCxEQB4lcknerOc/s400/DSC_0287.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Mary Alan thought this was a great spot, too. So she decided to join him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmY159I9hmFQpOylASxnuBmELyffLkgtXg4eLZKTGWLcnsOuoRzJgXPcRgql7egfKTP9N4BHRPfYCz0LQakp7iVnOPyojVNVwvEZTcJMWqv3pEMq9l-rNgSE-fuFZVqIFN7_PHSumTf0/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmY159I9hmFQpOylASxnuBmELyffLkgtXg4eLZKTGWLcnsOuoRzJgXPcRgql7egfKTP9N4BHRPfYCz0LQakp7iVnOPyojVNVwvEZTcJMWqv3pEMq9l-rNgSE-fuFZVqIFN7_PHSumTf0/s400/DSC_0290.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Are you sure this is big enough for both of us?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze251jJ-BeLcXedNYb_yiR13fjstkjSPP2U1KjkdqgJQvusMJormAisCEbJhdSR57r9ndsMkDwuRtaNHxBeucs5u5f_DV3KS8lUwK2ZgvbA9INByogk5U7gTEV8X_X-jGqZGFZFB06ps/s1600/DSC_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze251jJ-BeLcXedNYb_yiR13fjstkjSPP2U1KjkdqgJQvusMJormAisCEbJhdSR57r9ndsMkDwuRtaNHxBeucs5u5f_DV3KS8lUwK2ZgvbA9INByogk5U7gTEV8X_X-jGqZGFZFB06ps/s400/DSC_0298.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBydICfGlqHR_wQi8U38EaWYVydzTukhIIxyCRJhDp4WFiDVJarvADq-7m7-8iAztPg9LztFZXi8kga-PGLWYYCWnYccD2r9pRKSJoyGAyzfcmHoUo1y9OZHxptrXjBRArH9cANozw3c/s1600/DSC_0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBydICfGlqHR_wQi8U38EaWYVydzTukhIIxyCRJhDp4WFiDVJarvADq-7m7-8iAztPg9LztFZXi8kga-PGLWYYCWnYccD2r9pRKSJoyGAyzfcmHoUo1y9OZHxptrXjBRArH9cANozw3c/s400/DSC_0306.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Absolutely! Perfect Fit!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSI48cN_1Uuw8p819Ti2hYZcFD5N8zJ5ULVk3phDV1CqHNXfI94qwVfHV59lkQpCnch8Jrg6skp4qUybJdOgcdIMZQq1Jkr5cdElUbjI7c-A-wp1MCPLZjD5M8crHXQkhuNWjREz995k/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSI48cN_1Uuw8p819Ti2hYZcFD5N8zJ5ULVk3phDV1CqHNXfI94qwVfHV59lkQpCnch8Jrg6skp4qUybJdOgcdIMZQq1Jkr5cdElUbjI7c-A-wp1MCPLZjD5M8crHXQkhuNWjREz995k/s400/DSC_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Today, we celebrated birthdays for Abby, Mary Grace, James, and Rachel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_YMdtmNEw5fmn9JkGV4Zv2V7rb5K6G0oSENLE7ArsVVxGDEtpWM45U5GbsskdU5-nzruLexLfODH1fe9U9w9iZpQWOnmFxZTxJU_3UYOpopZ32RW8TFBK0mN0Bd5UKYyzEDQDcxvthw/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_YMdtmNEw5fmn9JkGV4Zv2V7rb5K6G0oSENLE7ArsVVxGDEtpWM45U5GbsskdU5-nzruLexLfODH1fe9U9w9iZpQWOnmFxZTxJU_3UYOpopZ32RW8TFBK0mN0Bd5UKYyzEDQDcxvthw/s400/DSC_0335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Cousins</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cannot tell you how happy I am to have everyone home and to have that precious Mary Alan here. Last night was much like waiting in the waiting room for a baby to be born, except Michelle has been in labor for a REALLY long time. Mary Alan is doing great. Praise the Lord! She slept a lot on the plane rides and still slept last night. She was so sweet today at the birthday party. All the kids were playing with her and were so excited if she let them hold her. I think she is going to fit into her family just perfect. I don't think this whole process could have gone better. Isn't that how it usually works? We have all been disappointed at times, that the adoption was taking so long. We wanted her here the day we found out she was coming. But looking back, it couldn't have been a better time. He does know what He is doing. Thank you Lord, for your perfect timing and for this precious child you have made to be part of our family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1808209664"></span><span id="goog_1808209665"></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-8844459224910655122012-01-20T10:29:00.000-06:002012-01-20T10:29:09.772-06:00On Their Way<div style="text-align: center;">I was able to talk to Michelle yesterday for about 2 hours. Which was wonderful! We have not been able to talk a lot because of the time difference and children running around needing to be cared for when would get to talk. So she stayed up late to make a few phone calls. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They have left Guangzhou and made a 3 hour bus trip to Hong Kong. They will fly out of Hong Kong late morning on Saturday (which will be tonight for us). This flight will be 14 hours. OH MY!!! They will land in Detroit, have a 3 hour lay-over, fly to Atlanta, have a 3 hour lay-over, fly to Dothan. YAY!!! Home Sweet Home!!!! I can hardly wait to see all of them. To get my hands on that little cutie pie. Praising Jesus the whole time. Please pray for them as they fly. Not only for a safe trip but also for Mary Alan to be calm and be able to handle being in a plane for a REALLY long time. I have never flown with a toddler, but I can only imagine. Can you say Calgon!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Their final stop in this adoption process was on Thursday. They met with the consullate to verify all their paperwork. She said it was very emotional. I think because it was the final step in a very long journey and it was finlly done. Wow!!! I don't know how much you know about adoption and the paperwork involved, but it is a little overwhelming. Everything has to be just right for them to except it, and when they did, I can't imagine how that must have felt. I guess knowing what others have to go through to be a citizen of the United States, makes me feel very, very blessed. I think I probably take that for granted a lot. For Mary Alan, this precious family that loves her, has made that citizenship possible. The moment they set foot on the ground in Detroit, she is a legal citizen of the U.S. Which makes me cry just thinking about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't even begin to thank you all for your prayers. I know a lot of you are just as excited to meet Mary Alan. This has been a long journey. But God has been so faithful and so good to finally bring our prayers to fruition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-83763083544144348382012-01-18T14:14:00.002-06:002012-01-18T21:28:50.078-06:00God Working in the Details<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUOOZLtUyoiAR2sed2Qb98V3_AUCoGGqJkL_0FY23tbo-l_OD1e3DaTh38kGJCcYSJdmkZGc7ugdJafjIo-aqZhv9xCSpNIpQ6MV1o0Go9q6xHNGHFRHqvX6_-oC0lC52yWxcuaAC5o/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUOOZLtUyoiAR2sed2Qb98V3_AUCoGGqJkL_0FY23tbo-l_OD1e3DaTh38kGJCcYSJdmkZGc7ugdJafjIo-aqZhv9xCSpNIpQ6MV1o0Go9q6xHNGHFRHqvX6_-oC0lC52yWxcuaAC5o/s320/IMG_0500.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>As you can imagine, I have had a lot of people asking questions about Michelle and Kelly and how things are going. A lady at church was asking me one such question this past Sunday. While I was telling her about them, she asked how Michelle and Kelly had come about wanting to adopt a baby from China. I was telling her it all started about 5 years ago when someone else in our church adopted a baby. I told her all about it, beginning to end. In the midst of this conversation, God reminded me of His goodness and faithfulness.<br />
I can remember the many conversations my sister and I have had over the years. She and I both wanted more children about the same time. Both of our husbands were not so keen on the idea. We would talk about that and would each say we would pray for God to either bring Charles and Kelly to the same decision or to take that desire away from us. I can remember when Michelle called me to tell me Kelly had called her that morning and said he wanted to start the adoption process. I remember rejoicing that God had answered that prayer just the way we had hoped He would. I also remember when she called to tell me she had told our parents about their decision and they were telling people to pray for them through this process. The following weekend, I found out I was pregnant with Charlie. We had no idea how old Mary Alan would be or when they would get her. We had no idea how long this whole process would take. But God, in His divine wisdom, had perfect timing. Mary Alan and Charlie are 5 months apart, almost to the day.<br />
My prayer for both of them is that they would always be close. That they would each come to know Jesus as their Savior at an early age and they will encourage each other in that relationship. I pray they will have a love for each other similar to the love I have for my sister.<br />
I am excited to see what God has planned for these little ones. And I pray, that as their parents, Michelle and Kelly and Charles and I can support whatever that plan is and help them grow more in love with Jesus each day.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large;">3 Days To Go</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-75941269976012894572012-01-14T14:12:00.000-06:002012-01-14T14:12:19.792-06:00What's New In China<div style="text-align: center;">Talked with Michelle and Kelly night before last. They are all doing great. Mary Alan is doing wonderful! She is starting to warm up to Kelly, which he is very happy about. They went to the place where Mary Alan was found a couple of days ago. If I haven't mentioned that before, she was found under a bridge in a flower bed when she was a month old. Michelle really didn't think they would be able to find the exact bridge, but they did. If you haven't read Michelle's journal about this, you really need to. You can click <a href="http://www.marymakesseven.shutterfly.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af;">here</span></a> (password: seven) to get to it. She also has lots of pictures.<br />
I will admit to you that my attitude towards Mary Alan's biological mother has not been very good. I have been angry with her; wondering how in the world any mother could just leave her tiny baby anywhere, much less in a flower bed under a bridge. But in good 'Big Sister' fashion, Michelle reminded me of some different things about this girl. The pain she surely felt leaving her infant, hoping someone would come along quickly to get her. The feeling of this being her child's only hope for a better life or even life at all. So over the past few days, I have pondered these things and actually admire this girl. Although we do not know the circumstances surrounding her giving Mary Alan up, I know it owuld be incredibly difficult. You can't carry a child for 9 months, feeling them move and grow inside of you, and not be emotionally involved. I know she could have made a much different choice with Mary Alan, that many in her country have felt was their only option. I also know that without her, we would not have this precious child as part of our family. I have not even met her, in person, yet and already I love her. So, I am thankful for the choice she made to put her in a place she would be found. I pray if she doesn't know Jesus, she will one day and He will give her peace in knowing her baby is safe and loved and cared for.<br />
Michelle, Kelly, Annabeth, and Mary Alan travelled to Guangzhou yesterday. They will be there for the remainder of their trip. Next stop is HOME!!! And I can't wait!!!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large;">7 Days To Go</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-61462032677516682972012-01-11T15:47:00.000-06:002012-01-11T15:47:55.108-06:00Adoption Is Final!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52O_1DKtfQYI1v30zvQp6HfRzHzBs5CshcOp0-N71TK6DUKiZ41uKrw2XVs3T17Ly3uA0Ha6oqju1Dxhpk4JKeleYgBiP25C48ublJd48CG7HffmiC1UccnHHE3ws2recO-gaQwahsSg/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52O_1DKtfQYI1v30zvQp6HfRzHzBs5CshcOp0-N71TK6DUKiZ41uKrw2XVs3T17Ly3uA0Ha6oqju1Dxhpk4JKeleYgBiP25C48ublJd48CG7HffmiC1UccnHHE3ws2recO-gaQwahsSg/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom got an email from Michelle yesterday. They are all doing very, very well. She said Mary Alan is sleeping well, which was the biggest concern. She has been sleeping in her foster parents' room so I guess a hotel room is not that much different. The plan is for her to continue to sleep in Michelle and Kelly's room when they get home until they have all adjusted to being here. We mommies all want our babies close by.<br />
She said they talk to her before bed, pray with her, give her a kiss, and lay her down. She plays in her bed for a few minutes and then goes to sleep. WOW!!! She does better than my baby. Michelle is so thankful for Mary Alan's foster mother, Joan, who obviously has done a wonderful job.<br />
They got their certificate of adoption, I believe 2 days ago their time. That means Mary Alan is officially theirs. WooHoo!!!! Finally, she is part of our family after several years of praying and waiting on God. To think that she wasn't even born yet when this whole process started brings tears to my eyes. To think we have been praying for this child literally, when she was in her biological mother's womb, is almost too much too take in. This is one of those moments, like the Israelites, we will point back to with our children and say,"God is faithful". We serve an AWESOME GOD!!! He is alive and working in this world. Even in a country, a very long way from here, that does not believe in Him.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large;">10 Days To Go</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-69265658309474947642012-01-09T13:43:00.002-06:002012-01-09T16:20:11.426-06:00Gotcha Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj6lEmErEMz1Fe3AcvPQ6ylmpX3b91McqYq4_TbW_5INDEwowQunt6dko7QL2cd9-ur-Hf33xczNS8GBdQ-SlueWZN8jkzm61vlhsHEjgpLtndXPduecEENPSd1JCHCT8swLob0yFFl0/s1600/IMG_0498.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj6lEmErEMz1Fe3AcvPQ6ylmpX3b91McqYq4_TbW_5INDEwowQunt6dko7QL2cd9-ur-Hf33xczNS8GBdQ-SlueWZN8jkzm61vlhsHEjgpLtndXPduecEENPSd1JCHCT8swLob0yFFl0/s400/IMG_0498.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I talked to Michelle this morning and we got to meet Mary Alan, via Facetime, for the first time. She was just precious. She was so happy! I asked her how Gotcha Day went and she said it was great. Mary Alan went right to them and only got upset once for about 5 minutes and after a diaper change was fine. She has been happy and playing ever since. She even took a nap and went to them without a problem. Michelle said she wasn't crazy about Kelly just yet, but if I know my brother-in-law, it won't take long. She had her hair down and had a little headband with a white flower in it. I realized that was the first itme I have seen her hair down. It is usually in several ponytails. Her hair is beautiful and really long for her to be only 19 months old. I can't even tell you what a blessing it is that she is so happy with them. We have heard all kinds of stories about how this could go. I do realize this was the first day and we don't know what tomorrow may hold, but I rejoice that today was a great day! I don't know why I am surprised. That is exactly what I have asked everyone to pray for. Why do to we ask and yet don't really expect God to answer us in the way we want Him to? He is a BIG GOD but He is very much in the little things of our lives. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers. They are truly being answered as we speak.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't checked out Michelle's journal on shutterfly, please do. She has lots of pictures and even more details of their amazing journey. Just click<a href="http://www.marymakesseven.shutterfly.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af;"> here</span></a> - the password is seven. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a blessed day:)</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-86684536835019699542012-01-07T15:31:00.009-06:002012-01-07T19:46:09.217-06:00Update From China<div style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Kelly, and Annabeth are going to be getting on a plane in 45 minutes, from the time I am wrinting this, to go to Zhengzhou. This is where Mary Alan will be given to them. The official adoption will take place at the end of their trip but Mary Alan will be with them for the rest of their stay in China. They will get her Sunday afternoon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(our time- they are 14 hrs. ahead of us).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was able to talk to Michelle a little bit yesterday morning about their time at New Day Foster Home and at Mary Alan's foster parents' home. She said Mary Alan is very attached to her foster mother, Joan, and would get very upset when she would leave the room. It did take her a little while to warm up to them but before long she was playing with them and being silly. Please pray for Joan. Michelle said this was her first foster child and I am sure she is very attached to her. I can only imagine the bond that has formed over the last year. This precious family will always be very special to us because they have loved Mary Alan and taken such good care of her. God has put Mary Alan in a very unique situation. Most orphans are not put in foster homes. But New Day is very special. You can find out more about them <a href="http://newdayfosterhome.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66cccc;">here</span></a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTc2cXYHfOho3hv4kQjNYbY8p2XPswI-kJnm8KMhM3AdzATi0kbvOSSgrEU2WR0x2dCYCy04Bw6dSbA9geXotkue5ChLt538pvKdkCvdn97aNaibIR4dnAInNArUFS2SNsY3PJBVw3Qc/s1600/IMG_0489.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/AVvXsEhZTc2cXYHfOho3hv4kQjNYbY8p2XPswI-kJnm8KMhM3AdzATi0kbvOSSgrEU2WR0x2dCYCy04Bw6dSbA9geXotkue5ChLt538pvKdkCvdn97aNaibIR4dnAInNArUFS2SNsY3PJBVw3Qc/s400/IMG_0489.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695047702295269154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Joan and Michelle with Mary Alan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Id6aj_lPOhqZpcUyjbncqBufQvIHfM4GUfu0dAKc-d9qxnmzpMkgN_vf21WBHHvFlvqb_yLyDgZfKwNvlDqF4SG8635i6V3pP_su7QAvPnY3c-A9UTKP7gMiC3kzKP-x7fc6SJdqb64/s1600/IMG_0488.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/AVvXsEj3Id6aj_lPOhqZpcUyjbncqBufQvIHfM4GUfu0dAKc-d9qxnmzpMkgN_vf21WBHHvFlvqb_yLyDgZfKwNvlDqF4SG8635i6V3pP_su7QAvPnY3c-A9UTKP7gMiC3kzKP-x7fc6SJdqb64/s400/IMG_0488.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695007268067216578" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Mary Alan's foster parents and her new parents</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">In case you are wondering, Michelle, Kelly, and Annabeth have been able to do a little sight seeing while they have been in China. They got to go to the Great Wall yesterday, which almost got cancelled due to SNOW!!! I don't think I realized it snowed in China, but then again, I don't think I have ever had a reason to know about the weather in China. Until Now :). Michelle has more pictures and more about their journey<a href="http://marymakesseven.shutterfly.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66cccc;"> here</span></a>(password: seven). She isn't always able to update so I will do my best to keep you informed. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE0MNHhXHfss-fIzLg0TO6qugshopaDLLWsWQSE-MLlbsYTXhDzZvPmbxeVAPs4Xvv3Zi_oetgcdwQinxwgz3vZ-IY8Mt_cDuU209th7fLyd1rbOhmhSnBAx81ld2Rn9x7D_FHP7tZgc/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE0MNHhXHfss-fIzLg0TO6qugshopaDLLWsWQSE-MLlbsYTXhDzZvPmbxeVAPs4Xvv3Zi_oetgcdwQinxwgz3vZ-IY8Mt_cDuU209th7fLyd1rbOhmhSnBAx81ld2Rn9x7D_FHP7tZgc/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695007246711824098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I will ask you to continue to keep their whole family in your prayers. We have no idea how Mary Alan is going to respond tomorrow when Michelle and Kelly get her. I am praying she will bond with them quickly. That God will give her peace and comfort in her mother's arms. That He will give her a knowing that her new parents love her and she is safe with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Michelle and Kelly have 3 other children, who are here at home. They are staying with all of us, at some point, during these couple of weeks. Pray for them also as they are away from their parents for what seems like a very long time. They are busy with school and ball games but still life is a little different for now. Pray the transition for the whole family will be easy when they all get back together. I know it will. God has got this all handled already. Thanks y'all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#66cccc;">14 Days To Go</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-81147672591092169722012-01-05T22:06:00.003-06:002012-01-05T22:23:18.849-06:00Seeing Mary Alan<div style="text-align: center;">Here she is- Mary Alan!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgANDUKiKwbh8ThL43LZgwg5CAbaUctR-KhyphenhyphenHkgIlDQ1neCBeHQ8DSiWanPwkJq0oqC1XGb4SysvgXZLaXBDdGjglOgAl0Y_JcR_6xwoS9ervL07ROKuEP23OMcX98TrUsJsemqf4U2g/s1600/386101_2424227059441_1664443227_32189936_1546056618_n.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/AVvXsEiTgANDUKiKwbh8ThL43LZgwg5CAbaUctR-KhyphenhyphenHkgIlDQ1neCBeHQ8DSiWanPwkJq0oqC1XGb4SysvgXZLaXBDdGjglOgAl0Y_JcR_6xwoS9ervL07ROKuEP23OMcX98TrUsJsemqf4U2g/s400/386101_2424227059441_1664443227_32189936_1546056618_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694365600602988930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Kelly and Mary Alan. Proud Daddy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Kelly, and Annabeth went to Mary Alan's foster home today. They FINALLY got to hold their precious little girl. To see her, to touch her, to smell her. Not just look at a picture of her. I can't even begin to imagine what all they are feeling right now but I can tell you that when they texted the picture of her to me, I was bawling. I had to retype my reply several times before I could send it. Michelle had texted me 45 minutes before they were going to be picked up to let me know they were about to leave. She said she was so excited, she was shaking. I can only imagine. If you can't tell, I am elated and I hope the days go by super fast. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;"><b>16 Days To Go</b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWbTUdV5Lr0_i_8u_ZnFesz48eW0We_uCqT96OTHQvfxQz4huGsuXyRR1kCNQ4CwSjWB7MZpnMaOaeioQJ6pQ1rRTEeiI3Pu2PNeOxJToJT3aEF3Tbcb-izGDDUZKl9QhBhKH1Bxm-sc/s1600/408084_3063606391706_1309861142_33301864_697875255_n.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/AVvXsEhsWbTUdV5Lr0_i_8u_ZnFesz48eW0We_uCqT96OTHQvfxQz4huGsuXyRR1kCNQ4CwSjWB7MZpnMaOaeioQJ6pQ1rRTEeiI3Pu2PNeOxJToJT3aEF3Tbcb-izGDDUZKl9QhBhKH1Bxm-sc/s400/408084_3063606391706_1309861142_33301864_697875255_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694365587940269170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Mary Alan and Michelle. Very thankful she isn't screaming. Don't think I would have posted that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">If I haven't said it, I am blessed to have this woman as my sister. She has grown so much through this adoption process. She keeps telling me how God has been teaching her over and over again to wait on His perfect timing. That applies to everything, not just adoption. No matter what you are going through, God has got it and He will handle all the details. His timing is PERFECT!</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-42385152948229309752012-01-04T09:53:00.004-06:002012-01-04T12:53:12.814-06:00The Journey Begins<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTvOX-EpjLgQw8-vh4gtlbpGc5YC4kTjGUa1b6jfBPiqmUbENak9gZ49M75u-p4r7OFUgjGxxi62nypyAnEt6CKypL3tX4p_MP2Un6DxqfIGsmFhKes4wRsmKPMggDJwADt08VFCpHAk/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTvOX-EpjLgQw8-vh4gtlbpGc5YC4kTjGUa1b6jfBPiqmUbENak9gZ49M75u-p4r7OFUgjGxxi62nypyAnEt6CKypL3tX4p_MP2Un6DxqfIGsmFhKes4wRsmKPMggDJwADt08VFCpHAk/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693806308344535122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My sister, Michelle, her husband, Kelly and their daughter, Annabeth, left bright and early-well not so bright but definitely early- this morning for the long journey to Beijing, China. They are going to get their little girl, Mary Alan. They have been looking to this day for 2 years. I guess this just begins the journey to the day they actually have been looking to. It was an emotional goodbye. We are all so excited and cannot wait to see Mary Alan, but at the same time, they are going to get their child and we will not be there to be a part of this emotional, much awaited experience. It is almost as though Michelle is having a baby and I am not going to be able to be there or share in this moment with her. We have been in the delivery room with each other to witness those first moments of bonding. Of looking our babies over, touching them, loving on them, and holding these tiny babies we have only heard about for all those months. This time will be different. I will have to view it from a camera lens and computer screen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> But you better believe the moment they set foot in Dothan, I will be there to see her and be a part of a different moment. The moment we welcome Mary Alan into our family. I guess that moment won't be so different from the delivery room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Please be praying for Michelle, Kelly, Annabeth, and Mary Alan's safety and that all will go smoothly with the adoption. We all feel very strongly that God has ordained this time for Mary Alan to be adopted. Not our timing, but His.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"For I know that plans I have for you," declares that Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. " </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jeremiah 29:11</i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-72604735232536955282012-01-02T18:07:00.012-06:002012-01-02T20:44:08.833-06:00Catch Up<div style="text-align: center;">So, it has been a while since I have posted anything and after much procrastination, I decided it was time to update. The reason I blog is so we, as a family, can look back over the years and see how we have grown and how God has worked. Well, if I don't blog, we can't see that can we?</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here we go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfxVKDi6Hx6Wzhs6_KgIsNz9bJKYjmdpEZHF12oPQInj3MpQi9Ae_c15sLjD4xiZh2JfveIvJa9luO-az9-9SpK61Mf46hyphenhyphenlwP6ogtrHBGBdkqWvPNSWg7L_QgfysH8grEnfFw4sOOBk/s1600/IMG_4087.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: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfxVKDi6Hx6Wzhs6_KgIsNz9bJKYjmdpEZHF12oPQInj3MpQi9Ae_c15sLjD4xiZh2JfveIvJa9luO-az9-9SpK61Mf46hyphenhyphenlwP6ogtrHBGBdkqWvPNSWg7L_QgfysH8grEnfFw4sOOBk/s400/IMG_4087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693216633317415986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This liitle guy turned <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">1! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I can't believe how quickly that year went by. I have said many times that the first child you want to grow so fast so you can see all the many things they will do and explore, then by the time the others come along, you realize how short the baby stage is and you don't want it to pass so fast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtOoQX2xc7KjeRzUlJpmVDdN8KaX4VN2dXrPhMsJX-G-fUt82O8z485Jx3sKOfnIqcKGTyYcgi38t4Hm_PSq5lS3vPK6QeBEWhzwAkP_Wp73g28HDE05NNYZMHX-o6B01tAyUhSi4H98/s1600/IMG_4164.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/AVvXsEgQtOoQX2xc7KjeRzUlJpmVDdN8KaX4VN2dXrPhMsJX-G-fUt82O8z485Jx3sKOfnIqcKGTyYcgi38t4Hm_PSq5lS3vPK6QeBEWhzwAkP_Wp73g28HDE05NNYZMHX-o6B01tAyUhSi4H98/s400/IMG_4164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693215854414333474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">He got a car. I think he likes it :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSETMBK67FYSi32wl873ZkJR2DIPH8wZY226ZWlitJ4bBsr18UBeuRlcL4px3L_r_VIPfQJrAMv6ka9RUvV2m99dDOwApglGpPcL8j-46CzJZ0mg38wmdPtwOfl1VM86l5LnqT1tR2Oc/s1600/IMG_4145.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/AVvXsEhoSETMBK67FYSi32wl873ZkJR2DIPH8wZY226ZWlitJ4bBsr18UBeuRlcL4px3L_r_VIPfQJrAMv6ka9RUvV2m99dDOwApglGpPcL8j-46CzJZ0mg38wmdPtwOfl1VM86l5LnqT1tR2Oc/s400/IMG_4145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693215844217133570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZHivu-8O27ud3Zau-lhRNOZDQQ74BS2lPTKtX_aivqzon3lzTK3CmA0QtDy6vr98XFro6753NASQr8yecIfs5Qz6lE1IqZf0Y8K6NDmWiZKcsXcYnx86iaAmQkRSWIR98WLZyBkPoag/s1600/IMG_4296.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: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZHivu-8O27ud3Zau-lhRNOZDQQ74BS2lPTKtX_aivqzon3lzTK3CmA0QtDy6vr98XFro6753NASQr8yecIfs5Qz6lE1IqZf0Y8K6NDmWiZKcsXcYnx86iaAmQkRSWIR98WLZyBkPoag/s400/IMG_4296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693214721416432226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Might I mention, my pictures got a little out of order when I uploaded but we're just going to go with it. This was our Christmas card picture. Funny how sometimes what you want turns out and sometimes it doesn't. This time it did. YAY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUHbfry3EwxG2tv9qlTN3tRxX9M5hny7-d_AsxNH4bHVKksL_kyY0tRgZ0WnCKRbIYfMA0HDLwC5f8WzZgG32D4HAKrV6TB2V0edcYNjRZbtIs3x-u4OBRNdsRM7sIbIMFVsitSAFTdw/s1600/IMG_4211.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/AVvXsEiaUHbfry3EwxG2tv9qlTN3tRxX9M5hny7-d_AsxNH4bHVKksL_kyY0tRgZ0WnCKRbIYfMA0HDLwC5f8WzZgG32D4HAKrV6TB2V0edcYNjRZbtIs3x-u4OBRNdsRM7sIbIMFVsitSAFTdw/s400/IMG_4211.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693214716632268786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie lost her 2 front teeth. I think there is a song about that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GW5biAUKhMnNAhx9bhfDqroBa_tPTj7LN6ihl9zF9fWo-kefSAxjwgUEzdAH1eB9aOQIGwDCxaaNOSeocS2sRXRIlU9ra83WWc1b9YVxxnAe4p69kHeJ4S7tx246ppGudgL-96wPetA/s1600/IMG_4196.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/AVvXsEh2GW5biAUKhMnNAhx9bhfDqroBa_tPTj7LN6ihl9zF9fWo-kefSAxjwgUEzdAH1eB9aOQIGwDCxaaNOSeocS2sRXRIlU9ra83WWc1b9YVxxnAe4p69kHeJ4S7tx246ppGudgL-96wPetA/s400/IMG_4196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693214703906739122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now back to the birthday boy. Loved the cake! Made by Ricky and Amanda Chilton.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cute and yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHi0_tehvBPLn4gC70btQiVhWs3i5iFZqI9YR5IV0Z7r_wpeV0U_dW6U-9r0tTLwCB519wxs5RuRbXwKpYO3aHvzCinOH9BDAwxEW1z8sAY81NKhruWUPUU0IoSHut5BSY8XmgkZc6AIk/s1600/IMG_4167.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/AVvXsEhHi0_tehvBPLn4gC70btQiVhWs3i5iFZqI9YR5IV0Z7r_wpeV0U_dW6U-9r0tTLwCB519wxs5RuRbXwKpYO3aHvzCinOH9BDAwxEW1z8sAY81NKhruWUPUU0IoSHut5BSY8XmgkZc6AIk/s400/IMG_4167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693214702037832882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsyjtqQ1U36UjKUaAOm-QUgIPWiQAYKWZ4NHGNmkv1t1nL8PV4ZFQgRGDO3-LWDUrZHX_SWDnyWGcel4H5msu5UhI6fLULspo0GTKhhzn5Ob-p8OzR3eJE0eUi8UgDCdfRGUrioLEMKg/s1600/IMG_4165.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/AVvXsEhnsyjtqQ1U36UjKUaAOm-QUgIPWiQAYKWZ4NHGNmkv1t1nL8PV4ZFQgRGDO3-LWDUrZHX_SWDnyWGcel4H5msu5UhI6fLULspo0GTKhhzn5Ob-p8OzR3eJE0eUi8UgDCdfRGUrioLEMKg/s400/IMG_4165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693214697376758914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is the one the rest of us ate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ME5VKwttOf7HkMc2JOcDREyKH0YwSUETEZRW8fd7RJEec_ysCCQ1XCMQB26ZFNJp7lb4zKHtOAV5TgHpvLg9cTANaN8MkzOeyDsnq6cPPPIUxEi-C_5BZZ3FuHlEwZOEQ0EYSsApM2A/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ME5VKwttOf7HkMc2JOcDREyKH0YwSUETEZRW8fd7RJEec_ysCCQ1XCMQB26ZFNJp7lb4zKHtOAV5TgHpvLg9cTANaN8MkzOeyDsnq6cPPPIUxEi-C_5BZZ3FuHlEwZOEQ0EYSsApM2A/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213778765954690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas..... My sister, Michelle, and her family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Christian, Annabeth, Hunter, Michelle, Ivy, and Kelly in the back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Michelle, Kelly, and Annabeth will be leaving the beginning of the month to get their little girl, Mary Alan, from China. Please be praying for them as they travel. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfDfLgH_bnyNem9Vrgdpk5ONvwrwDX-HTxizUMGGVQxmMiSL4RDgc3pht2HhlxpMpQnxyuTloLb361hfk3NaVFKXrrox3CH1NJGRT2R3HHNaDxHD9jj3RELKVudJ8IOjlnqWamfyXTkc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfDfLgH_bnyNem9Vrgdpk5ONvwrwDX-HTxizUMGGVQxmMiSL4RDgc3pht2HhlxpMpQnxyuTloLb361hfk3NaVFKXrrox3CH1NJGRT2R3HHNaDxHD9jj3RELKVudJ8IOjlnqWamfyXTkc/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213775736609122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">All the cousins</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7L69oDyrxkEONHovjBL_n-vGUYFu9a4cQFgyg1BzA9sotpkqYjQE5AZ347ZyCZTvIgY98a4wi16weB4fai6nNwWzV39K7UVpPYAqKg3OZyVhcRT1fqg40ByqSG5bwUZS00mAv3YVwhg/s1600/IMG_4380.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/AVvXsEih7L69oDyrxkEONHovjBL_n-vGUYFu9a4cQFgyg1BzA9sotpkqYjQE5AZ347ZyCZTvIgY98a4wi16weB4fai6nNwWzV39K7UVpPYAqKg3OZyVhcRT1fqg40ByqSG5bwUZS00mAv3YVwhg/s400/IMG_4380.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213756400694050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Santa hid our children's gifts this year. SO FUN! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">He left them in my car. Good thing I left it unlocked.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpwu22Vwt20fUm3mc0uhngE4kBflWtS-V9sJRBOdKMs0sIu0t3IQbc8L0qAD7ddQsCvU59JQ0YaibAv2iq4Q92OxFdwlIx0xUE0wb9H2D2c39jxAy-2PRMtybAVKtVVcnoNQYt940ZVQ/s1600/IMG_4376.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/AVvXsEjlpwu22Vwt20fUm3mc0uhngE4kBflWtS-V9sJRBOdKMs0sIu0t3IQbc8L0qAD7ddQsCvU59JQ0YaibAv2iq4Q92OxFdwlIx0xUE0wb9H2D2c39jxAy-2PRMtybAVKtVVcnoNQYt940ZVQ/s400/IMG_4376.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213753893450946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FAO7FmMKM5Yw639tcaZ4vAybvNqJJ3ZpwN73QZ1zP42MotHYA57G3laKmwUHMUbQ16a6-35xjCJnDd6wS8J2-U6k_6D8L4uUsmbcBe-2haa33ZANLi5-pyYOBjaoR15Pgv8tFBtFNac/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FAO7FmMKM5Yw639tcaZ4vAybvNqJJ3ZpwN73QZ1zP42MotHYA57G3laKmwUHMUbQ16a6-35xjCJnDd6wS8J2-U6k_6D8L4uUsmbcBe-2haa33ZANLi5-pyYOBjaoR15Pgv8tFBtFNac/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213081945669538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The girls in their scarves my mom made. She is so talented.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wpteY0Lx6Oc6QIfnMWFzq1R9zvqtK4zNYxuGf0bC7INqc2cmjY9o6UKgIvjoJ-gPEAoB5SC8_RyMjDnh5zyP9fkbqjEbmLyr-puMs_8sPjyZ4QMkPrcZ8ghK0oxEL-jqYrkoWFX1NOw/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wpteY0Lx6Oc6QIfnMWFzq1R9zvqtK4zNYxuGf0bC7INqc2cmjY9o6UKgIvjoJ-gPEAoB5SC8_RyMjDnh5zyP9fkbqjEbmLyr-puMs_8sPjyZ4QMkPrcZ8ghK0oxEL-jqYrkoWFX1NOw/s400/DSC_0047.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213069790736146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhWANthJAMD_a_F8S1loDmkn7orRhhesS7XSxEt6N_DLfLP_tuj2zK5SPoBcdhtoQmLdnzy6KYnF6PzeO78zENYRb3s4nfdaw2XAQGYCFV8b05piYdVoOYuq_vnzDcLSJSCnmTX6PAc8/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhWANthJAMD_a_F8S1loDmkn7orRhhesS7XSxEt6N_DLfLP_tuj2zK5SPoBcdhtoQmLdnzy6KYnF6PzeO78zENYRb3s4nfdaw2XAQGYCFV8b05piYdVoOYuq_vnzDcLSJSCnmTX6PAc8/s400/DSC_0045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213064324907938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRKTMZ1sI3Kbvdd8V3KGaS_IA90WShvTJgZrAI7iFUVvSkFJlvmUt-Q7uu5WQQKIwuAFYfEmVKwpP5h21yC4f9B6aTudrM9xf_-3TcWLPl4NJ3nHFcJeZvjyA4J6ky6AlSGhOCr-HWT8/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRKTMZ1sI3Kbvdd8V3KGaS_IA90WShvTJgZrAI7iFUVvSkFJlvmUt-Q7uu5WQQKIwuAFYfEmVKwpP5h21yC4f9B6aTudrM9xf_-3TcWLPl4NJ3nHFcJeZvjyA4J6ky6AlSGhOCr-HWT8/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213038760649282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWqyHiIT4uwp4QiaZ3WldaLG5AzAOgr2rLxI6f1mCbbvqMoBlAaR_uM-HCod0VkiKrxJd1FSeBGD-TVd3W-ItRGLgT0snJNHGwvQwc1z6DZZQUbEUBLPJAMZ0CuQAUWt4HDPsY-EsyA/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWqyHiIT4uwp4QiaZ3WldaLG5AzAOgr2rLxI6f1mCbbvqMoBlAaR_uM-HCod0VkiKrxJd1FSeBGD-TVd3W-ItRGLgT0snJNHGwvQwc1z6DZZQUbEUBLPJAMZ0CuQAUWt4HDPsY-EsyA/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693213034307769730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My brother's family</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Jed, Abby, Mary Grace, Watson, and James</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMtEQRGZ8fWrUUgJ7TuRVijz2_KuGpu0WbhmYbmJLOgoPMrJP-HksVYpbbB14lW3WQrO6yoVvubuFI4sy_Fm3u7XAukzFFpTc2_5Zi_AZcs7TnsjXnfaJB1IC_46ych_HCArhPdUzDHs/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMtEQRGZ8fWrUUgJ7TuRVijz2_KuGpu0WbhmYbmJLOgoPMrJP-HksVYpbbB14lW3WQrO6yoVvubuFI4sy_Fm3u7XAukzFFpTc2_5Zi_AZcs7TnsjXnfaJB1IC_46ych_HCArhPdUzDHs/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693209369459358546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Silly girls but, helpful</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH7VWEBAuHiyjWu9uey5bKScN-LQ2SFXfNjU4xD4Gv3CMuQaZR6R30HjxN7P-8Meahyh2t9Yg9sxHxAYD8dZUxtiaYPx9vciVDs6dY_5Umxk74SLRHxTCXcF2OmdX-X2hRUO7GBeoac4/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH7VWEBAuHiyjWu9uey5bKScN-LQ2SFXfNjU4xD4Gv3CMuQaZR6R30HjxN7P-8Meahyh2t9Yg9sxHxAYD8dZUxtiaYPx9vciVDs6dY_5Umxk74SLRHxTCXcF2OmdX-X2hRUO7GBeoac4/s400/DSC_0115.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693209363628302914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our tree, We did colored and white lights this year which I really liked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedEPUXMyABDhz2dGUla3oVmJKBKgcOrLiWD6GfQaxXrH-eLsmn8VkU6x3a7Bhc2EwfQecX4LMTih4P85bvU36sAue_Xa3Z5-Mdkix3K2VqnTFMSn94QKNPysUCRfruAYQQFVUg9E_s5w/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedEPUXMyABDhz2dGUla3oVmJKBKgcOrLiWD6GfQaxXrH-eLsmn8VkU6x3a7Bhc2EwfQecX4LMTih4P85bvU36sAue_Xa3Z5-Mdkix3K2VqnTFMSn94QKNPysUCRfruAYQQFVUg9E_s5w/s400/DSC_0114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693209358488802834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Saw this idea on pinterest. Wooden letters, painted, of each first initial. That way when you get tired of stockings, you can sale or give away. No more stacks of stockings with everyone's name on them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2izPZ_RJBjgPFmcZQS-bTVPnrnATWwSHk8sHqC5v4htTNb2xkrJ1_FnMzNKHcqMWS6L8nGZ2gjvRJu7MQMSr4vHlpcWUD2ZE8Ls0WDqH-_0zLezqR4WyT7kettjeBQhDbL1wC7Je0y_8/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2izPZ_RJBjgPFmcZQS-bTVPnrnATWwSHk8sHqC5v4htTNb2xkrJ1_FnMzNKHcqMWS6L8nGZ2gjvRJu7MQMSr4vHlpcWUD2ZE8Ls0WDqH-_0zLezqR4WyT7kettjeBQhDbL1wC7Je0y_8/s400/DSC_0109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693209343600989986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwf0-G0l_mU4JQFCdZOpa59vDijKkZkIuYKDFDrRI2HElQNPpuWSY_SvvQ_3uG5jjhB7WKtmc7lLhqhkS8QJCwlm70uyO4adarQUUfWqy0kdds-fqAbcSQ3FKDn82hlqlnYi-0_9q0D4/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwf0-G0l_mU4JQFCdZOpa59vDijKkZkIuYKDFDrRI2HElQNPpuWSY_SvvQ_3uG5jjhB7WKtmc7lLhqhkS8QJCwlm70uyO4adarQUUfWqy0kdds-fqAbcSQ3FKDn82hlqlnYi-0_9q0D4/s400/DSC_0241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693205047683540546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is my nephew, Watson, and Kendall. They got engaged the day after Thanksgiving and we are sooo excited to finally have her as part of our family. She is such a sweetheart and I can't wait to see how God works in their lives as a married couple.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSGzXeMZl5yUXYNGcU4Zhz-yFhmMTZgwII7JN39GfDXYlsiz8j8BCO-v6Lawsox0k9haL0psj_ff_iP2CHlYCs4p7sGIuLv8OlE_aYwSRhu-RYUwCCQH1GH3IhOQ2PT_hhcydeu5Pto8/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSGzXeMZl5yUXYNGcU4Zhz-yFhmMTZgwII7JN39GfDXYlsiz8j8BCO-v6Lawsox0k9haL0psj_ff_iP2CHlYCs4p7sGIuLv8OlE_aYwSRhu-RYUwCCQH1GH3IhOQ2PT_hhcydeu5Pto8/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693205030383990018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hunter was wiped out way before midnight due to some early morning hunting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We rang in the new year at my parents.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lro6pPNAe5vtq6jyEDHuP4MdnjW80iuthLS82N5OHbNkHmmRSC69_eaWcdeBCNhQRH0ljx3I4Mp8MYdM0Geb_4konb1jwftPqkjLdA-aO42xSBSaaoGosozhoIPO25NlaiUH3je8ja0/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lro6pPNAe5vtq6jyEDHuP4MdnjW80iuthLS82N5OHbNkHmmRSC69_eaWcdeBCNhQRH0ljx3I4Mp8MYdM0Geb_4konb1jwftPqkjLdA-aO42xSBSaaoGosozhoIPO25NlaiUH3je8ja0/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693205015934161730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHOwavRYkb5L_sZKwJdwnU4D0cJRJ9qPmM4ZVFXIzVnVUKygzRPtj6SLNbOB_LIwmdArpu1qzc1J1Pq72-yPYcOE7LVqTZu-FCkFGW-DYMq_OpBFNuHA5Q3iVXl5PYVrDXR_NF3OFx58/s1600/DSC_0289.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHOwavRYkb5L_sZKwJdwnU4D0cJRJ9qPmM4ZVFXIzVnVUKygzRPtj6SLNbOB_LIwmdArpu1qzc1J1Pq72-yPYcOE7LVqTZu-FCkFGW-DYMq_OpBFNuHA5Q3iVXl5PYVrDXR_NF3OFx58/s400/DSC_0289.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693204123705077986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I think Charlie is the only one who is still hungry after all the food we have eaten over the last several weeks.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZOOijXWjpbG0Lz5CtxFZr-wzpoPYGuf2d6XeRo6Mp26m-qS6VPdVvRdrAh8ZvVVYFimFqC1iRz3VSRsncTpA8j0fqIlBMYkKWob-yKTpRHmT3hTX1qKg_dZPiZxHNkYvt_ZVISjqIo/s1600/DSC_0283.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZOOijXWjpbG0Lz5CtxFZr-wzpoPYGuf2d6XeRo6Mp26m-qS6VPdVvRdrAh8ZvVVYFimFqC1iRz3VSRsncTpA8j0fqIlBMYkKWob-yKTpRHmT3hTX1qKg_dZPiZxHNkYvt_ZVISjqIo/s400/DSC_0283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693204118490942210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1Z9c4jHIyj0tneknnPb4bWEX-sFLbVlp5dQuAHyHsZdEHbi1pT3uL7ha5WLDbgxgE3lA-CPL9apaCyvxmE92RV2XpdzNHWHn_RlKZxLLaW_GGQXbzicSSS-6WLkVHMBb_Kg0tP3f_2U/s1600/DSC_0265.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1Z9c4jHIyj0tneknnPb4bWEX-sFLbVlp5dQuAHyHsZdEHbi1pT3uL7ha5WLDbgxgE3lA-CPL9apaCyvxmE92RV2XpdzNHWHn_RlKZxLLaW_GGQXbzicSSS-6WLkVHMBb_Kg0tP3f_2U/s400/DSC_0265.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693204093096470706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kendall and Abby were both trying to get Charlie to let them hold him, Sometimes using bribery, which works very well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR4_FDpMYtl9lWl_Es4k0n7UMIuhwQbgTUQ54ZTUI_PEl9rE2ppfxg-zklkoLvccmr6qDz71VEuSICVUQKlFjcSFqERDYazhkRIq6KbmdMzy4roM7tdQriGlG3GbItTaHLNG8Q1QPEQI/s1600/DSC_0264.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR4_FDpMYtl9lWl_Es4k0n7UMIuhwQbgTUQ54ZTUI_PEl9rE2ppfxg-zklkoLvccmr6qDz71VEuSICVUQKlFjcSFqERDYazhkRIq6KbmdMzy4roM7tdQriGlG3GbItTaHLNG8Q1QPEQI/s400/DSC_0264.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693204087742696402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ivy and Beth Anne</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf_qC8k7F9Ky0zw-NuxaRiDb_ewZC9wdU8CT_JOnWRWHXLU-d6haD2zAW_9Baw5hIwA6eyHjAaartMSPo_Kulm94jcdrGGO8WPb_p2408er-gpBC-PHDf1p2Y14x7PxU4Fs1SGDw1vlI/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf_qC8k7F9Ky0zw-NuxaRiDb_ewZC9wdU8CT_JOnWRWHXLU-d6haD2zAW_9Baw5hIwA6eyHjAaartMSPo_Kulm94jcdrGGO8WPb_p2408er-gpBC-PHDf1p2Y14x7PxU4Fs1SGDw1vlI/s400/DSC_0251.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693204086007952370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and Dad </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can tell, we have been very busy as I'm sure you have been as well. The holidays are always such a fun timebut fly by too quickly. As I have mentioned, we are adding Kendall and Mary Alan to our family. We are extremely excited!!! We have waited on both of them for a very long time. Looks like we already have a great year in store. I look forward to all the other blessing God has in store for all of us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">May God bless you in a special way this new year! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-23833127057447600602011-10-01T16:40:00.009-05:002011-10-01T17:53:35.247-05:00We Love Fall!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fall is my favorite season! I love the leaves changing colors, the crispness in the air-at least on some days, and I absolutely love to cook this time of year. I do not know why I enjoy it more now than other times, but I do. I also like to decorate my house for fall. I think it is like getting yourself slowly prepared for the Christmas decorations that are soon to follow. Much bigger task than the few things I do for fall.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvhbFro0V2IBaTPIPY4mji6e3myJ3hw_V0v4qAJTOEvNshAAGmtlf-HCy2SG0s1YkJXKzVR35mVn2b_yk2aCdNqwYr0l-dyRyVhuiTecAniLdW91MSAlRarUu4SBlGTxkI4D_PoJ6b8I/s1600/IMG_4057.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/AVvXsEijvhbFro0V2IBaTPIPY4mji6e3myJ3hw_V0v4qAJTOEvNshAAGmtlf-HCy2SG0s1YkJXKzVR35mVn2b_yk2aCdNqwYr0l-dyRyVhuiTecAniLdW91MSAlRarUu4SBlGTxkI4D_PoJ6b8I/s400/IMG_4057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658647241321705906" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I have found some great fall decorating ideas and recipes at <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>!!! Oh My Goodness! Have you been to this website?! BEWARE. It is addictive! Ellie and I tried out one of the recipes I found there.</span></div></span><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4UVxx7x8Pnq2AM03N0aNivqR90vIXOg5bFPkJt95Z2NSCUqZwoIxxkAP7B8Q1tcVX4bIKZpUtAYR3uGCIG2f9UgQzP9YUMJHbxOcta4b56BUSdKs-sdzvPvbpcO239PdyuV6CpbywYQ/s1600/IMG_4049.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/AVvXsEi_4UVxx7x8Pnq2AM03N0aNivqR90vIXOg5bFPkJt95Z2NSCUqZwoIxxkAP7B8Q1tcVX4bIKZpUtAYR3uGCIG2f9UgQzP9YUMJHbxOcta4b56BUSdKs-sdzvPvbpcO239PdyuV6CpbywYQ/s400/IMG_4049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658646439542867554" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It was a little messy:)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><br /></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMRrWFyFxX4D8VZfJjxnTcTauuaPqszd8Ypbf37RVwePBnnAXDmHy2dvJQGuzFyYkB0Wi91X4onQlu9BTtIYmoZTGuAe1oFL2neHtFeLySgZ-ecVkh0hQeR67s9ZQESEg8VOD3lFyCH8/s1600/IMG_4051.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/AVvXsEiTMRrWFyFxX4D8VZfJjxnTcTauuaPqszd8Ypbf37RVwePBnnAXDmHy2dvJQGuzFyYkB0Wi91X4onQlu9BTtIYmoZTGuAe1oFL2neHtFeLySgZ-ecVkh0hQeR67s9ZQESEg8VOD3lFyCH8/s400/IMG_4051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658646424172769394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But it turned out really yummy. It is <a href="http://jessicainsd.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin">Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Pumpkin Bread</a>. My family loved it, which is never an easy task.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDyfQGV0KJF7lzK10TGaHqwlQGe1Vv87iNVQwVFye6JO6Io8CqgbcBZEeqXxByXniJ5ydAFm5UuYvYAvRRx2q4t52M7sDkxjU3u3YK94PCC43RgLYzbz1hIN80NByO0uuk8RUgwK6oMw/s1600/IMG_4055.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/AVvXsEjJDyfQGV0KJF7lzK10TGaHqwlQGe1Vv87iNVQwVFye6JO6Io8CqgbcBZEeqXxByXniJ5ydAFm5UuYvYAvRRx2q4t52M7sDkxjU3u3YK94PCC43RgLYzbz1hIN80NByO0uuk8RUgwK6oMw/s400/IMG_4055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658645014772775522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also made some of these. We are going to call them S'more Pockets. I have no idea what they are really called but I think this works.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8jXEItlrSebM55fVdVmpSAk3RqGZh5_aO6Z3lpTs6RastPj2w1L4NA5JfAz_5vk8LpOCW6rZK454eCf3ZS_6cw58AKnduEQegZMjigM-Gwig4FIl17jaGAIPEUpOQIBy04c_cK-WFGg/s1600/IMG_4060.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/AVvXsEhI8jXEItlrSebM55fVdVmpSAk3RqGZh5_aO6Z3lpTs6RastPj2w1L4NA5JfAz_5vk8LpOCW6rZK454eCf3ZS_6cw58AKnduEQegZMjigM-Gwig4FIl17jaGAIPEUpOQIBy04c_cK-WFGg/s400/IMG_4060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658645009711945410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">You take crescent rolls, put chocolate chips and mini marshmallows in middle, and roll them up, folding sides over.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjjB1mo4xkC7969zRGloWcjExkJPxQamjBr1P_FccWBHqQg5RYnYv2wli7mtEoEyonIhwwtgul_nFLahosb7aFvU9bM20T_IKiG7-Ij-saaOUTfN22Ml6M8VAWhEaRVZrqKTr5cd808Q/s1600/IMG_4063.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/AVvXsEiOjjB1mo4xkC7969zRGloWcjExkJPxQamjBr1P_FccWBHqQg5RYnYv2wli7mtEoEyonIhwwtgul_nFLahosb7aFvU9bM20T_IKiG7-Ij-saaOUTfN22Ml6M8VAWhEaRVZrqKTr5cd808Q/s400/IMG_4063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658645005222352066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then follow baking directions on roll package.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0QLBQCJq7_TMulMwTI28b2lrBt5d5cfIcIeruEXqHf21hZlSwSdL4-slGDk-2vbJMa0p_x72ZNc9c_vFLOMt9A1v9CfZ25WhmTh9HeCOrFzDKILiAkLj9SrkvyGoMLGWNnR5k5wK6OQ/s1600/IMG_4064.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/AVvXsEhY0QLBQCJq7_TMulMwTI28b2lrBt5d5cfIcIeruEXqHf21hZlSwSdL4-slGDk-2vbJMa0p_x72ZNc9c_vFLOMt9A1v9CfZ25WhmTh9HeCOrFzDKILiAkLj9SrkvyGoMLGWNnR5k5wK6OQ/s400/IMG_4064.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658644960421402882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yummy Goodness! I love s'mores so these were a big hit for me and my children. They are best when they are fresh from the oven. I am going to try to make them with 2 large marshmallows to see if that will work. The little ones melt completely and I would like to have a little bit of it left. I'll let you know how that turns out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOizEo9g589zSj2A0tGmCCGT-dzVal2F3-vRBf-r_7DpYatlK65HyQlQtHBtJFJ9H3T1vchquKFa_zccv9DPujCTLPTGywXj20WbUqkSEsFpcKxsXx33yB0NhaRRpBXuUk_GBTjGqhajs/s1600/IMG_4069.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/AVvXsEgOizEo9g589zSj2A0tGmCCGT-dzVal2F3-vRBf-r_7DpYatlK65HyQlQtHBtJFJ9H3T1vchquKFa_zccv9DPujCTLPTGywXj20WbUqkSEsFpcKxsXx33yB0NhaRRpBXuUk_GBTjGqhajs/s400/IMG_4069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658644956905161730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Today, we went to pick pumpkins. I love doing this! My children ask every year when we are going, even my 10 year old. Our adult class at church goes every year and we have a great time. First, we take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Then, we pick out our pumpkins. All our kids get one. They try to get one sized like them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUktSz4ExvS6sy2y6BF4iFOyoSUzWMqqLGN9B-dvvEoGQtiORb6YlpXKxQQXxDo6H5opnxIJIcD_sWqcJbjcJ0e-RYaT7I3kl0Hvo1V38QPAOd0txm71bG2YqvF3877BTmQ22flvER1A/s1600/IMG_4075.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/AVvXsEgJUktSz4ExvS6sy2y6BF4iFOyoSUzWMqqLGN9B-dvvEoGQtiORb6YlpXKxQQXxDo6H5opnxIJIcD_sWqcJbjcJ0e-RYaT7I3kl0Hvo1V38QPAOd0txm71bG2YqvF3877BTmQ22flvER1A/s400/IMG_4075.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658643613190167010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">John Adams' is the biggest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsz4TkG5RUjKqy-0dwcT9rWC-SRAWuc5AlgK8uoNP11ZwUbuNOPZz7ckkMUfAsodChTosW3ceXZgdMxpneRnKqbbvqPHCyu5t-UkCJFYjUUvAGSNw6QJrS2DT_OUR_hAXUTiApZ_lyY_w/s1600/IMG_4077.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/AVvXsEhsz4TkG5RUjKqy-0dwcT9rWC-SRAWuc5AlgK8uoNP11ZwUbuNOPZz7ckkMUfAsodChTosW3ceXZgdMxpneRnKqbbvqPHCyu5t-UkCJFYjUUvAGSNw6QJrS2DT_OUR_hAXUTiApZ_lyY_w/s400/IMG_4077.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658643609602529634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Riley</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgKS-JQu4QdtPmEFuAFqJMTfIhU3HxD2BuyrfFyO-oeSYVKsxD0kgpF3At5cvfhYxcF8kqE8JukQOZZNP212ZwLAaCa7syX34-roU7Wfe700f2t1ZXrDmf8GWdxxrzBKl9JbMTI8_YE0/s1600/IMG_4073.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/AVvXsEjGgKS-JQu4QdtPmEFuAFqJMTfIhU3HxD2BuyrfFyO-oeSYVKsxD0kgpF3At5cvfhYxcF8kqE8JukQOZZNP212ZwLAaCa7syX34-roU7Wfe700f2t1ZXrDmf8GWdxxrzBKl9JbMTI8_YE0/s400/IMG_4073.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658643602030577778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGr_DvyIwYXAw93NC5ga03PFACihyPjwR6gxZsrXJfAI-LQ_Z5JCcIeYUsIUlM6b4m7j7Y9E8lMOYCRzmYIVD_JrStKUW2yrJsZ4-tpqchbOgQnlp9p-E4cH6hCGpuFy2NC4iK23_8qk/s1600/IMG_4078.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/AVvXsEhJGr_DvyIwYXAw93NC5ga03PFACihyPjwR6gxZsrXJfAI-LQ_Z5JCcIeYUsIUlM6b4m7j7Y9E8lMOYCRzmYIVD_JrStKUW2yrJsZ4-tpqchbOgQnlp9p-E4cH6hCGpuFy2NC4iK23_8qk/s400/IMG_4078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658643598840222946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And Charlie's is the smallest. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of, he is 11 months today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">One more to go before the big #1!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWitY7vyhH87qYPDOH1A_PKOwjMdmzZm4C-if2T0Mp00gjHA_xnUsqtKKJNYtFF6VcFHnqfAbC4-ROXyF8bkIk_0eYJQpplbxKiWk2oXPUvh3osfwVAp1JkV22EA31fk72832lv5JoeM/s1600/IMG_4083.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/AVvXsEiVWitY7vyhH87qYPDOH1A_PKOwjMdmzZm4C-if2T0Mp00gjHA_xnUsqtKKJNYtFF6VcFHnqfAbC4-ROXyF8bkIk_0eYJQpplbxKiWk2oXPUvh3osfwVAp1JkV22EA31fk72832lv5JoeM/s400/IMG_4083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658643596270801362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is most of the children that were with us. You know, all the kids on one end and their parents on the other. Funny how that happens :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was such a fun day! </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-73089594863315940152011-09-19T20:40:00.002-05:002011-09-19T20:57:44.798-05:00My Mentor<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Last week, all the ladies of our church, who wanted to be involved in the mentorship, met together for about an hour. We went over again what a mentor relationship might look like and that this was a commitment. We each filled out an information sheet about ourselves, our families, hobbies, and what we wanted to get out of the mentor relationship. Their was a small group of women who put the mentors together, we are actually calling them Big Sister/Little Sister. There was also a small group that prayed over each name and for God to put just the right people together.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I will admit that I was a little nervous about who I might get as my mentor. I did not know every person in the room last week. I knew some very well, some casually, but some I did not know at all. It would really be ok if I got someone I didn't know, but I think we all feel more comfortable talking/spending time with someone we at least know a little bit. I have been praying God would just put me with exactly who He wanted me to be with.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I am happy to say He did just that. My mentor is Kim(hopefully, I will have pictures soon). She is such a sweet, godly person. I do know her and I have always looked up to her. God is so good!!! They have asked us to try to talk every week and get together at least twice a month. We are going to try to get together this week for lunch. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I have no doubt that God is at work. Not only in my life, but in the lives of the women of our church. I believe He is at work in our whole church and our community. I can't wait to see what He does.</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-10371331413234932742011-09-06T16:11:00.003-05:002011-09-06T17:46:20.526-05:00Labor Day Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">Labor Day weekend is always so much fun. Our family always takes a trip to the lake and we celebrate my dad's birthday, which being on September 5th, always falls on or around Labor Day. We, also, usually go to the first Auburn game of the season. This year was no different. It was Charlie's first Auburn game. Now, if you know me and you know my family, you know that my family is big Auburn fans but my husband is a big Alabama fan. I honestly do not care. I feel I have the best of both worlds. I can cheer for both and no one can be upset with me. I have seen too many people act really ugly to each other over football. There are just too many bigger fish to fry than football. I'm sure it is all in fun but it does not come across that way. Anyway, back to the game.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzYD_Muna7cNezzVtxMCVMeMSV8w1pHeInpKcvnlXOaP2urJEAaHPNL8ADsTAgi1kLZ0N9V2SrIMfQqkifKnYCunaexUwnwSs32936VLb5LPIVBTGzwUXCF_ZpvhDXq8kCl4NPZ09UkU/s1600/291966_203737706357320_100001632760873_546182_857325_n-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzYD_Muna7cNezzVtxMCVMeMSV8w1pHeInpKcvnlXOaP2urJEAaHPNL8ADsTAgi1kLZ0N9V2SrIMfQqkifKnYCunaexUwnwSs32936VLb5LPIVBTGzwUXCF_ZpvhDXq8kCl4NPZ09UkU/s400/291966_203737706357320_100001632760873_546182_857325_n-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649374002741020130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie was in awe of all the screaming people in orange. He did have on this really cute little outfit my friend Andi let us borrow. Unfortunately, in true baby fashion, he pooped all in it right before the game started. So much for that. Andi, if you are reading this, it all came out:).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53SLREsC5t8SemtxGPZ31jtYidnXLfsSXUIpjrwvFXonoa0SSbY9i8blHbU1auA14s0PkOPBMrnIiXIv_MVZpQ0cLKpKZ8JLWY3USa5MITs4PedY8Atj32JstjQIKZ9vEbf40p__TY_I/s1600/311641_203738383023919_100001632760873_546200_5978370_n.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: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53SLREsC5t8SemtxGPZ31jtYidnXLfsSXUIpjrwvFXonoa0SSbY9i8blHbU1auA14s0PkOPBMrnIiXIv_MVZpQ0cLKpKZ8JLWY3USa5MITs4PedY8Atj32JstjQIKZ9vEbf40p__TY_I/s400/311641_203738383023919_100001632760873_546200_5978370_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649374001929498002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So this was who we were really there to see. My niece, Mary Grace, is an Auburn cheerleader this year. We are so proud of her! We have a slogan in our family,"Family before Football". My husband and my son, the Alabama fans of my crew, wore their Auburn attire to the game in support of MG. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mtJeh9lYwI5UjnGrdxs5Ahj0qxoDjZqrva1phe5LWm5ZwKilvdT_cVtQWIBBRCJZKBF_-wdIA5rGxWi4Fbt03jd801Rm5PGwUrmC_oV36Qrc2ScBYYYDCigIoiGxJd7W0MhJZ34ZIVc/s1600/319391_203776536353437_100001632760873_546286_5799184_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mtJeh9lYwI5UjnGrdxs5Ahj0qxoDjZqrva1phe5LWm5ZwKilvdT_cVtQWIBBRCJZKBF_-wdIA5rGxWi4Fbt03jd801Rm5PGwUrmC_oV36Qrc2ScBYYYDCigIoiGxJd7W0MhJZ34ZIVc/s400/319391_203776536353437_100001632760873_546286_5799184_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649373998798692338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After the game, we went to the lake and celebrated my dad's birthday Sunday. My dad is my hero. Not because of his success or achievements but because he loves the Lord. God comes first then his family. I have no doubt of his love for the Lord and I feel truly blessed to be able to say that. I also know he loves us. He loves being with his family. I can look on his face, when we are all together, and just see that he would not want to be anywhere else. I love him so much!!! Thank you Jesus for giving me a godly father.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrLQfcaV1gPsFd3N2ufpmyxlHen8pruwMQNb_1PJwr7_eZ3AIycS0XdgFqTiqK4IyYacC2H9r9LGZgGZHnIjYdnoNgNY1XtK98nz0wbTUyQ5pqK0HwJwV8aCpxu0vNK5sN9GRHxUrJlQ/s1600/296666_203776663020091_100001632760873_546287_309692_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrLQfcaV1gPsFd3N2ufpmyxlHen8pruwMQNb_1PJwr7_eZ3AIycS0XdgFqTiqK4IyYacC2H9r9LGZgGZHnIjYdnoNgNY1XtK98nz0wbTUyQ5pqK0HwJwV8aCpxu0vNK5sN9GRHxUrJlQ/s400/296666_203776663020091_100001632760873_546287_309692_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649373995195253266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Jed, Dad, and me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXC20zrEwmUubO03UzkYncoYN4IWC8XVkrlTRihSaRtaw5PzSd9AjqEPWRyEUIpma5tbQraPW1Ev75eMleXTjM24Zdvu-KwqBAI0PzvYCwk2mMpRGAuMd7kgVMMgwtGhHTI9GAbDbxws/s1600/294694_203777273020030_100001632760873_546305_326412_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXC20zrEwmUubO03UzkYncoYN4IWC8XVkrlTRihSaRtaw5PzSd9AjqEPWRyEUIpma5tbQraPW1Ev75eMleXTjM24Zdvu-KwqBAI0PzvYCwk2mMpRGAuMd7kgVMMgwtGhHTI9GAbDbxws/s400/294694_203777273020030_100001632760873_546305_326412_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649373995831888914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My brother and Charlie relaxing after a fun but busy weekend. I think Charlie wants to be like his uncle:). That would be ok with me.</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-87090940669706106632011-09-01T20:25:00.004-05:002011-09-01T22:06:08.613-05:00Growing Up<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Charlie is 10 months old today. He is growing so fast. I think because he is our caboose, I am soaking in every moment and everything new he does. He is clapping, blabbling, saying DaDa all the time, pulling up on everything, and starting to cruise around the furniture holding on. Wow! I can't believe he is big enough to do that. I am loving every minute of it. He is also playing ball,which is so cute and so funny! Charles took this video last week. I mainly wanted to post it so I would have it. He recorded him on his phone, and well, you just never know when those things might up and die. So here it is...</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyUu4dlz2q9wSYwsQ15J7E7KdsFwMOLMkP2wbKJZF5gJpULPk23NDOPhEo5gmiCa08aYLpg8hwWLexryKQcg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-50988119271745278602011-08-30T16:14:00.004-05:002011-08-30T18:21:04.932-05:00God Working Through Women<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Last night, I attended a dinner for the women of our church. It was such a great event that I wanted to share it with you. The main topic was about mentoring. Women mentoring women to be specific. What a wonderful idea! How wonderful to have another godly women to go to for prayer support, advice, wisdom, etc. When I first heard about this, I thought,"I don't need that. I have my Mom to go to for advice." Well, obviously, not everyone has that luxury nor does everyone have that kind of relationship with their mom. So, is it for me? Of course it is. Can anyone have too many godly people in their life? Does one person have all of life's experiences that they have all the answers. Obviously, the answer is no. I am so excited to get involved in this. I have come to the point where I realize I want to glean as much wisdom as I can from the older generations. Titus 2:4-5 says, "O<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">lder women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." </span>There will be things that I will learn from my mentor that I could never learn from anyone else. I believe that God allows us to go through things in our lives, great and not so great, not only to draw us closer to Him, but also to share them with others. To help someone else through the same experience. This can mean anything from helping me be a better mother to 4 children or helping me through the challenges of being a minister's wife. We may meet together to discuss a book over coffee or take a walk and pray together. Lots of things and I am looking so forward to it. Not only to the wisdom and knowledge I will gain from this relationship but also getting to know another lady in our church that I may not already know. The idea is to, hopefully, meet with your mentor twice a month.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Another thing we are starting is prayers in the homes. This is not just any praying. The ladies of the church, from moms of babies to moms of adult children, will go to different homes, based on the age of their children, to pray specifically for their children. We will meet once a month for an hour for one year. I am really excited about this as well. Our children are bombarded by so many things and influences that we need to constantly be praying for them. I know this will be such a blessing to all of us. Just to be praying with other moms whose children are dealing with same things mine are. Wow! It is going to be awesome.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, I am so excited!!! God has some great things in store. I don't want to sit back and watch others reap the blessings. I want to be right in the middle of His work and I know He is working. Praise Jesus!!!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-62550960683534043342011-08-22T16:46:00.006-05:002011-08-22T20:50:07.037-05:00The Last Two Weeks<div style="text-align: center;">Well, we have had quite a busy few weeks. John Adams and Riley started school.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iE6YGzb2PvYARv8yuUI4O3qDsqkvk4PHCIkxsv7huu-wsnJ6HFfO1lyNZ42D9TCUi9X6oWEZavyBs0NR0uxEK8haF5I37cE48lPzfYEgZdNAUDnJAYWU-JTHfaWpu8eHBrCXpWXu6o8/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iE6YGzb2PvYARv8yuUI4O3qDsqkvk4PHCIkxsv7huu-wsnJ6HFfO1lyNZ42D9TCUi9X6oWEZavyBs0NR0uxEK8haF5I37cE48lPzfYEgZdNAUDnJAYWU-JTHfaWpu8eHBrCXpWXu6o8/s400/IMG_0181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643806456433576402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">John Adams is in 5th grade. He also got braces right before school started. FUN!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwog1Zqp3TDWO2ZFGCSeZfLbVEkX5RSrgh1Jp5vwpDMl6VTRwWKU0xCp-zLXRH29xxz79J77zHNkRGbRr-gYf3IEfgfmdiAiwWGJMkl6U1lAWerKUnpZ8wtSnGohoijtlGXFxmYt25Dc/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwog1Zqp3TDWO2ZFGCSeZfLbVEkX5RSrgh1Jp5vwpDMl6VTRwWKU0xCp-zLXRH29xxz79J77zHNkRGbRr-gYf3IEfgfmdiAiwWGJMkl6U1lAWerKUnpZ8wtSnGohoijtlGXFxmYt25Dc/s400/IMG_0182.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643806455503064994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And Riley is in the 3rd grade this year. Yes, these are the only pictures I have of them from the first day of school. They were totally embarassed that I even took these. We have reached that point. So sad :(.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E9cHef8GWO0y1NagEXQ4RIOSzJyXV0eWdFo0WG3QNRQtBqxlejRYtYbQmpuXe2bM0x-cmBwOClMGV6h5_SOCwAer8ITWlTUuRQvTSx0BPtR2dkoEneBqgqDFTlMqZZFaC6gpdzo3I3s/s1600/IMG_3766.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/AVvXsEj2E9cHef8GWO0y1NagEXQ4RIOSzJyXV0eWdFo0WG3QNRQtBqxlejRYtYbQmpuXe2bM0x-cmBwOClMGV6h5_SOCwAer8ITWlTUuRQvTSx0BPtR2dkoEneBqgqDFTlMqZZFaC6gpdzo3I3s/s400/IMG_3766.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643806452238404034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie liked the picture taking experience a whole lot more. That is just her personality, at least for now. She started kindergarten a week later. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We have also had Ellie's birthday. It was yesterday. She turned 6. We had to have a "pretend" birthday for her because her birthday fell on a Sunday. Charles is a minister and, well, Sundays are our busiest day of the week. So we celebrated, as a family, on Saturday. We have a tradition where the birthday person gets to eat whatever or wherever they want and we all do whatever they want to do that day. Ellie wanted to go swimming. Or relaxing, whichever you want to call it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggliA4udkrLMj4m0HCpeoST0n0msUym3QDedwhfp8DoTMESrkwob_pVCILAVL9lNLHA2bcEmPevH2N739pPSqDGxwxQ1BD7J_j98Y6fxHRZ5YbNv_AQ_A4YoSaTbiV2gP8xvSLqLKb0I/s1600/IMG_3782.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/AVvXsEiggliA4udkrLMj4m0HCpeoST0n0msUym3QDedwhfp8DoTMESrkwob_pVCILAVL9lNLHA2bcEmPevH2N739pPSqDGxwxQ1BD7J_j98Y6fxHRZ5YbNv_AQ_A4YoSaTbiV2gP8xvSLqLKb0I/s400/IMG_3782.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643805364966748370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie splashing, which is all he does in the water :).</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcfBW9KVl31qwp-o9ta7Ahveb4toO4XGrJ0e606HGQnO56W2MeUPqzosgxozOeywTJFnfRwe-XLiNPoI1AZUdKuHrLOhyqJiluGpYyBJFGBCFl6WRQfp4Ta8h_H4-tdkMPJbyXZGhnos/s1600/IMG_3797.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/AVvXsEiUcfBW9KVl31qwp-o9ta7Ahveb4toO4XGrJ0e606HGQnO56W2MeUPqzosgxozOeywTJFnfRwe-XLiNPoI1AZUdKuHrLOhyqJiluGpYyBJFGBCFl6WRQfp4Ta8h_H4-tdkMPJbyXZGhnos/s400/IMG_3797.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643805358340009698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe he is just thirsty. HAHA!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBPaAYL9_4VZLxbRLcHi8EjTCEBwOEmOxgFKIzGp7P1NjOUWWT_21tjScXEtQarcONhQmBXh3QPaoxCF96qwBSv1oHzUOi3OFBSTXgpWH5wppjL3Td5JmXkBlFnmpEA9v2Qe7hHhUkkk/s1600/IMG_3918.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/AVvXsEjsBPaAYL9_4VZLxbRLcHi8EjTCEBwOEmOxgFKIzGp7P1NjOUWWT_21tjScXEtQarcONhQmBXh3QPaoxCF96qwBSv1oHzUOi3OFBSTXgpWH5wppjL3Td5JmXkBlFnmpEA9v2Qe7hHhUkkk/s400/IMG_3918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643805353825048722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The big boys played football. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mMwMRGCniip64INR1WEaq7jANZXdRr_bpJNq7H71mW5KtMeDuNXLQwGHJYymr7BVj31h_K4BaN5ZZWexF8nr2bf8VhJwvIk4GvIqItfz997DG2dZtuniX0V8qCJNx1XfhOErHXVMn1k/s1600/IMG_0183.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mMwMRGCniip64INR1WEaq7jANZXdRr_bpJNq7H71mW5KtMeDuNXLQwGHJYymr7BVj31h_K4BaN5ZZWexF8nr2bf8VhJwvIk4GvIqItfz997DG2dZtuniX0V8qCJNx1XfhOErHXVMn1k/s400/IMG_0183.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643805357198888466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We then went home, ate dinner (her selection), got ready, and went bowling. So fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvQ4AdO6bAjsfw6b1jmfHpUxER2FtVvD4sede0wycEFrSdlllOKbokfcTQaOGSMWQ_zaHp22u5OLyngA7xjB4uSwS2nLHZtoSxRneFRfy3jd9mFPOu3B8JPflGm6zi9uS7OdJQ6BeRok/s1600/IMG_0188.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvQ4AdO6bAjsfw6b1jmfHpUxER2FtVvD4sede0wycEFrSdlllOKbokfcTQaOGSMWQ_zaHp22u5OLyngA7xjB4uSwS2nLHZtoSxRneFRfy3jd9mFPOu3B8JPflGm6zi9uS7OdJQ6BeRok/s400/IMG_0188.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643805348969063106" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy7BF0NOBY3mBv6RB9gZdnS1QcKy-DKgpa6M9PUS1XauPLvsBg4mCXTmaSjuK7wJP_3txZt8VF24Pgg5PLJEbbeCJaO9fcjyaGwELRHSIA-hG-XJ-bFdQfBieBAS7XwiUT4w83wBmsKQ/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy7BF0NOBY3mBv6RB9gZdnS1QcKy-DKgpa6M9PUS1XauPLvsBg4mCXTmaSjuK7wJP_3txZt8VF24Pgg5PLJEbbeCJaO9fcjyaGwELRHSIA-hG-XJ-bFdQfBieBAS7XwiUT4w83wBmsKQ/s400/IMG_0191.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643803913128482418" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTy0TMGnVLsaQCnWA5oHTP5QdFwf1t9DLplvTJOb7pTeMUqnFTO7pIplYCbe2DO0PPGLNcbVotOlxFXZK6K8uSY-4hyVc5_kgh-AdHTNYjIEJu7UWjUNpYbN7tsnTnihY0ExCInwNzKc/s1600/IMG_3944.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/AVvXsEjoTy0TMGnVLsaQCnWA5oHTP5QdFwf1t9DLplvTJOb7pTeMUqnFTO7pIplYCbe2DO0PPGLNcbVotOlxFXZK6K8uSY-4hyVc5_kgh-AdHTNYjIEJu7UWjUNpYbN7tsnTnihY0ExCInwNzKc/s400/IMG_3944.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643803909733621394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday we actually did have a celebration with the whole family. It was short and sweet, but I don't think she even noticed. Loved the cake! Our friends, Ricky and Amanda Chilton, made it and it was so cute and delicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lma2g3gHe4_OG6kFeyjm8VgtxxOWfoQz7aC-qwxCsUCG0PZTB1OygJ_Iv9hDpAJg7c2u-TOJHz1OzHUt7-s2CEZ6fx738gQ3A6efVu6py75Wo8KghiYukMZ4y5uoZUCCEshq95Hasx8/s1600/IMG_3951.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-lma2g3gHe4_OG6kFeyjm8VgtxxOWfoQz7aC-qwxCsUCG0PZTB1OygJ_Iv9hDpAJg7c2u-TOJHz1OzHUt7-s2CEZ6fx738gQ3A6efVu6py75Wo8KghiYukMZ4y5uoZUCCEshq95Hasx8/s400/IMG_3951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643803872538946770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie was napping during picture time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89dbwaQ9AhwIQKhqqOv0KQtfZGx56LdAFZCDS3Ey2E6zckXGdYixB46FI00Z0YEi210i8vlbUuqey26k8sCWPRJuABj4vGtcBewxwQFJZLaMlQbf8VFbKen9Jkajz1PmJ9KPueI84RB0/s1600/IMG_3954.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/AVvXsEi89dbwaQ9AhwIQKhqqOv0KQtfZGx56LdAFZCDS3Ey2E6zckXGdYixB46FI00Z0YEi210i8vlbUuqey26k8sCWPRJuABj4vGtcBewxwQFJZLaMlQbf8VFbKen9Jkajz1PmJ9KPueI84RB0/s400/IMG_3954.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643803867727204706" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5o1qK7RrcJcbfdfBKlTezl2fOEGVFgz6UkxcLhiTNfm2MbQZGjBf9f8UAnxHaBonHWuU1BG88QAHKWMZzinCY_ADc6GcmnVZMoTQE2PDpWmdsvZN9XTE8NqqQsC30F7WWvYwSSeOyVQ/s1600/IMG_3975.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/AVvXsEju5o1qK7RrcJcbfdfBKlTezl2fOEGVFgz6UkxcLhiTNfm2MbQZGjBf9f8UAnxHaBonHWuU1BG88QAHKWMZzinCY_ADc6GcmnVZMoTQE2PDpWmdsvZN9XTE8NqqQsC30F7WWvYwSSeOyVQ/s400/IMG_3975.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643803866469791426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie has been such a blessing to our family. She is always smiling and laughing, which makes the rest of us smile and laugh. If she isn't happy, something is very wrong. I absolutely love that about her. She also has a very big imagination. She plays pretend all the time. I will just watch her sometimes and wonder where she comes up with some of the things she does. I hope she enjoyed her birthday "weekend".</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have been busy but have had a lot of fun. You know, the first few days of school are always fun. When the new school year or birthdays role around, I always get a little sad. The time is going by much too quickly. Sometimes I wish I could just make it stop, for just a few hours, so I could savor those moments. Maybe I should just be trying to savor it at the pace it is already going. Not getting so caught up in the details. We are so blessed to have these busy times. To have all the chaos that comes with a lot of children. Jesus, You have blessed us above and beyond what we could have ever asked or imagined. Thank you!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-11241460246665433732011-08-06T10:49:00.005-05:002011-08-06T16:13:58.036-05:00Mom's Birthday Celebration<div style="text-align: center;">I had hoped to post this yesterday but it just didn't get done. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom's birthday was yesterday and we celebrated her birthday and Riley's at my brother and sister-in-law's house Thursday night. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdVsfsnRZsQ2V6DOu7tYA52KsN4mzJm9VF5F8KYFR3fc05MmH6MfCDU6OarwqGRb0k_hjClhM6CDZJp7NAfSSavQ9lPy_sl_tgiX88_qAKii96t86WQmpqtz0YmpW4enbid_x_SNKx0E/s1600/IMG_3721.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/AVvXsEgvdVsfsnRZsQ2V6DOu7tYA52KsN4mzJm9VF5F8KYFR3fc05MmH6MfCDU6OarwqGRb0k_hjClhM6CDZJp7NAfSSavQ9lPy_sl_tgiX88_qAKii96t86WQmpqtz0YmpW4enbid_x_SNKx0E/s400/IMG_3721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772660177840290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We had a great time with plenty of food and laughter. Charlie got corralled into one of my Mom's gifts. Wish we had known about this before dinner :).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvRKeV37mIST8RsBJj3pWVYtYwutyt28LgQPDC5Pgn7V3Dq3A69zJI0jBIgyWd9geHsCsAhm2aiMPUSx7TDqruINiP75s18YVLfVr3qFePTGRarh5rBh7bLRxjUGtZNlDwjrj4W49n6k/s1600/IMG_3732.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/AVvXsEgXvRKeV37mIST8RsBJj3pWVYtYwutyt28LgQPDC5Pgn7V3Dq3A69zJI0jBIgyWd9geHsCsAhm2aiMPUSx7TDqruINiP75s18YVLfVr3qFePTGRarh5rBh7bLRxjUGtZNlDwjrj4W49n6k/s400/IMG_3732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772178322771762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">As always, we had to take pictures. sometimes that can get a little crazy. At least with the boys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOziG9BBCl4q2ikMhZr2kV9aeEBP7F4CNUoIUi_VsUJOgJA7DFsosuAwrlzUExMx6-bQsyo5JFW94fXLr1gMOCCWhs-Nv8y8ET50HOIaIrMj1II0zQB0oCA8FON7fYqJXz3YhKoDkV4o/s1600/IMG_3743.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/AVvXsEgYOziG9BBCl4q2ikMhZr2kV9aeEBP7F4CNUoIUi_VsUJOgJA7DFsosuAwrlzUExMx6-bQsyo5JFW94fXLr1gMOCCWhs-Nv8y8ET50HOIaIrMj1II0zQB0oCA8FON7fYqJXz3YhKoDkV4o/s400/IMG_3743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772176077043554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The girls are much more subdued. In the pictures anyway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrC6iCp9Ur2ZPBIoG2KNaPQLYJPtoaOirGVkWUBJBhV0z86rwom9ygmy5vg3J1L29YA9rZvcc7ndYU9lyvAFySj4ureINqM8GDPm0-nq1ImTGH2YtlqrtpaLuRl2abu5DnD0eoFB7pA8/s1600/IMG_3757.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/AVvXsEgbrC6iCp9Ur2ZPBIoG2KNaPQLYJPtoaOirGVkWUBJBhV0z86rwom9ygmy5vg3J1L29YA9rZvcc7ndYU9lyvAFySj4ureINqM8GDPm0-nq1ImTGH2YtlqrtpaLuRl2abu5DnD0eoFB7pA8/s400/IMG_3757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772171662818130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And then all the grandchildren, 12 total. We were missing Mary Grace, who is back at Auburn getting ready for rush and cheerleading. WAR EAGLE!!! And we were missing Mary Alan, who is in China but will be joining the Colbert family in late fall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdMNPyhEsZ2ezDQf7dOLKA017r0JgA-1G0CDwkx9OQWsP6AW4X3SPfAPwoH6po_wMai0abv4HBOT-qOZIpfQM3Swlgj33FOpiLJGTO5BhD1qoCo1XLOqtR9BLmGnj8OoweXrUbjQ0VMQ/s1600/IMG_3718.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/AVvXsEiOdMNPyhEsZ2ezDQf7dOLKA017r0JgA-1G0CDwkx9OQWsP6AW4X3SPfAPwoH6po_wMai0abv4HBOT-qOZIpfQM3Swlgj33FOpiLJGTO5BhD1qoCo1XLOqtR9BLmGnj8OoweXrUbjQ0VMQ/s400/IMG_3718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772168656303106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I think Charlie had the most fun, or at least the most ice cream.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRKBCE1LsX01xaV_P2uJQu91oW6Qj_FLXnL8BSNo4bbwkwl5w6C0dKdY98fL0yfuwKO9GMqzRc2CUbkistKjkH96pl3fmTfMsuRzPzc2bbzytEX6bteR-ZZkVwXR5mu_wC-zlZmEE2j0/s1600/IMG_3722.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/AVvXsEjsRKBCE1LsX01xaV_P2uJQu91oW6Qj_FLXnL8BSNo4bbwkwl5w6C0dKdY98fL0yfuwKO9GMqzRc2CUbkistKjkH96pl3fmTfMsuRzPzc2bbzytEX6bteR-ZZkVwXR5mu_wC-zlZmEE2j0/s400/IMG_3722.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637772162960350546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom is an amazing woman. She has been through a lot in her life but has always used her experiences to help those around her. She is very generous with her time, not only with her family but also with her friends and those she might not even know. She is always there to help when needed and I can always rely on her for Godly advice. I know I am very blessed to have a mother like her. I know many people do not. I know this is a gift. I also know that each day I make a choice. What kind of mother am I going to be? What kind of legacy am I going to leave? Only with God's help and His grace am I going to be the mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter that He has called me to be. My Mom is not perfect nor am I. We fail every single day. Multiple times a day. I hope that one day my children will be able to look back and be thankful for who I was and I am. </div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-40566222366683237502011-07-27T13:37:00.003-05:002011-07-27T13:57:57.779-05:00An Early Birthday Wish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz-Bo0H0KBGZHkmFDMaAN1B0zr3DJu0FUpk4Ma_M1VRJqTDaLx3hEqkEnDhYdLzAHbFduASluUcFc4kRIW8575F40kLCshBtQLfFchNn0BJile6u_sB0PGMQr_Ui10NXrs23AUEy8TV4/s1600/IMG_3452.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/AVvXsEiHz-Bo0H0KBGZHkmFDMaAN1B0zr3DJu0FUpk4Ma_M1VRJqTDaLx3hEqkEnDhYdLzAHbFduASluUcFc4kRIW8575F40kLCshBtQLfFchNn0BJile6u_sB0PGMQr_Ui10NXrs23AUEy8TV4/s400/IMG_3452.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634103770322709522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My sweet Riley's birthday is tomorrow. I don't want to be busy on the computer tomorrow so I am posting today. I am so proud of Riley. She has grown so much in the last year. She asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior this year, she has become a big sister again, and she has taken on many responsibilities on her own without us asking her to. She is my child who gets up by herself each morning and gets herself completely ready without any prodding from us. She helps me so much with Charlie and he loves her so much. </div><div style="text-align: center;">When I found out I was pregnant with Riley, John Adams was only 8 months old and Charles was just about to graduate from seminary. We had tried for a couple of years to have children, before John Adams, and though we had been successful, 3 of the 4 pregnancies had ending in miscarriage. So once John Adams got here, we were just breathing a sigh of relief and thanking Jesus for the opportunity to be parents, if only to this one little boy. Well, as happens so many times, God had bigger plans and along came Riley. At first, I was a little overwhelmed to think of having 2 'babies' but it didn't take long to be completely excited at this blessing God had given us at just the right time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Riley is such an incredible blessing and rarely does a day go by that I don't look at her and think of God's goodness and grace.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday,Riley!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you and pray that in everything you do, you will SHINE for Jesus!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/241/F2EF6FC96A60A856B1F04E649E81755B.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796555261247158622.post-48122051621074333782011-07-25T21:14:00.007-05:002011-07-25T22:15:10.480-05:00Time with My Girls<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Several months ago, I was talking to my girls about what they wanted to do for their birthdays. If your children are anything like mine, they start thinking about birthday parties way before their birthday. I asked them if they might want to go to the <a href="http://americangirl.com/">American Girl</a> store in Atlanta, which is the closest store to our city, instead of having a big party. Riley's and Ellie's birthdays are 3 weeks apart so it would be perfect. Well, they decided to go to Atlanta. So, this past weekend, my girls and I, along with my sister, <a href="http://thecolbertfamilyblog.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>, and her daughter, Ivy, loaded up for a road trip.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-tpEY31GQ0zkHvhRMcpbpKpVF4WfxqOCJqDmKGu9tsCgrt4x8iliofSGcwhpm1vH9qSYcnzg9b5HBPgnLI28v7ilZwF_0IodZ7p-9AtRTF-bLaPyre-WJjjqxrBt2sloAsQs1KXHXVU/s1600/IMG_3703.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/AVvXsEgG-tpEY31GQ0zkHvhRMcpbpKpVF4WfxqOCJqDmKGu9tsCgrt4x8iliofSGcwhpm1vH9qSYcnzg9b5HBPgnLI28v7ilZwF_0IodZ7p-9AtRTF-bLaPyre-WJjjqxrBt2sloAsQs1KXHXVU/s400/IMG_3703.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633486246890943954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The store has a restaurant inside so we made reservations for lunch. The day before, we went shopping at the store because the girls had to have matching outfits for them and their dolls.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_I7OVdgMpST42-cTxJzDxfRrpKQBrJ1rMh1gEJOEn63Hf9qkHFgQae2SOlDQ17w6uFH4ooEciwR-556eY6a9DOihot13dqPtpBeAFd0G-yV5G4fZMfzCsNN1LJh55iHhk5ECH6WIbho/s1600/IMG_0148.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_I7OVdgMpST42-cTxJzDxfRrpKQBrJ1rMh1gEJOEn63Hf9qkHFgQae2SOlDQ17w6uFH4ooEciwR-556eY6a9DOihot13dqPtpBeAFd0G-yV5G4fZMfzCsNN1LJh55iHhk5ECH6WIbho/s400/IMG_0148.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633486243040591362" /></a>May I just put in a plug for the <a href="http://marriott.com/ATLAW">Marriott at North Point</a>. They have a whole American Girl package that we happened upon but what so great. They decorated the girls' room in pink, gave them doll beds, cookies and milk for them and their dolls, tiaras, cupcakes for their birthday, and breakfast was included. They also had a separate check-in for their dolls. (Side note: they also have a Good Knight package for boys). It was wonderful!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi208j718ZSFIGL5YbX3ckNvjz5FQGejGn1APTUy1ZFnZmC2S-LjOJaSz3RCjuiBg0Bq8uUuK19XeoF6GH1l9GMw28lO8kR15mO6rdtm_K5FSGUnT9-H6or-IMNSBXM0BbKSMFLOV5jPEE/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi208j718ZSFIGL5YbX3ckNvjz5FQGejGn1APTUy1ZFnZmC2S-LjOJaSz3RCjuiBg0Bq8uUuK19XeoF6GH1l9GMw28lO8kR15mO6rdtm_K5FSGUnT9-H6or-IMNSBXM0BbKSMFLOV5jPEE/s400/IMG_0145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633486234818749474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhgI9yxPvvoQ-BGFPvR4BO5RT3UMUMAODYnMQd0FnJH6jDZc-WMg33tRvZ0AU-wHpy2TuMSDY0PpnctVZdegZmsX8_RCE01X4SWYtmADoqZ2qt2tKyf31StybX6zn0cwQe4g-JV7Pnok/s1600/IMG_3664.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/AVvXsEgwhgI9yxPvvoQ-BGFPvR4BO5RT3UMUMAODYnMQd0FnJH6jDZc-WMg33tRvZ0AU-wHpy2TuMSDY0PpnctVZdegZmsX8_RCE01X4SWYtmADoqZ2qt2tKyf31StybX6zn0cwQe4g-JV7Pnok/s400/IMG_3664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633483984585895138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The American Girl Bistro does such a great job of catering to the girls and their dolls. They have highchairs for the dolls and even a place for them to 'hang-out' in the restroom. They also give them a little cup and saucer should your daughter want to feed some lunch to their doll.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ooZsQWIPgbwU8JOEVB3At4VHYUqZ7wIJpH3vw3Yhz-aGy-H5KJSKJkf3grHL8jt-Ryv1MD0ibOH-PlRTlywHexla7Vl-q_tw9wh7EnKso1yl8FwgY2gMrPKSlWrTaNTZkG6UQ25d_SQ/s1600/IMG_3666.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/AVvXsEi5ooZsQWIPgbwU8JOEVB3At4VHYUqZ7wIJpH3vw3Yhz-aGy-H5KJSKJkf3grHL8jt-Ryv1MD0ibOH-PlRTlywHexla7Vl-q_tw9wh7EnKso1yl8FwgY2gMrPKSlWrTaNTZkG6UQ25d_SQ/s400/IMG_3666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633483982623501266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BFJpD9NqyddxvQVF3U7cRZhbAhlkiRoyodIKrvHoHvrdsZ6rk_7VhYxP-Wx1stgxp8s1Fs-0hez83Bug3MSUJjx0BWJHeOBpD5C6hAJldssXW9gWYnZOPzmg3bvgVRaLaXoAImOOD7Q/s1600/IMG_3682.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/AVvXsEh2BFJpD9NqyddxvQVF3U7cRZhbAhlkiRoyodIKrvHoHvrdsZ6rk_7VhYxP-Wx1stgxp8s1Fs-0hez83Bug3MSUJjx0BWJHeOBpD5C6hAJldssXW9gWYnZOPzmg3bvgVRaLaXoAImOOD7Q/s400/IMG_3682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633483978877338786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This weekend could not have been what it was without my precious niece, Ivy, who loved her dolls dearly when she was a little younger. Or without my sister, who took time away from the rest of her family to spend the weekend with us.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDMFo_AjKOb-RNQd2UR8jJnu7YEDHMJhBIrB0FT30cLcAmWxOVFk2pfHBLacQzicnjr5uVstsoNDdKw3r9F1QR-fRRkrSq9bsbBT8immp4xa-rjrWY14TsY5ZlKXUZJnb4gq9s-fOZ7k/s1600/IMG_3685.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/AVvXsEjnDMFo_AjKOb-RNQd2UR8jJnu7YEDHMJhBIrB0FT30cLcAmWxOVFk2pfHBLacQzicnjr5uVstsoNDdKw3r9F1QR-fRRkrSq9bsbBT8immp4xa-rjrWY14TsY5ZlKXUZJnb4gq9s-fOZ7k/s400/IMG_3685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633483973885006130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The last thing we did before traveling back was get the dolls' hair done and ears pierced. That was a gift from their cousin.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, I realized this weekend that my girls are at an age that is so sweet and innocent. Riley will be 9 this week and this may be the last year that she loves her baby dolls and would enjoy doing something like this. I am so glad we took the time to take them and make some very special memories with just the girls. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/233/36AE56B30D6CE3D338E37442D76C793D.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827835157787072208noreply@blogger.com1