tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352098505826399002024-02-18T17:43:49.059-08:00The Adams FamilyTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-90034879049900929232013-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:002013-04-01T09:44:24.041-07:00HE IS RISEN!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJb4GwkZMf2h3fanwpRf5H9s_ZFjbY0XZu68EiulJd9-yTPQSvpeBvh_kg5Qp_z0jfPEyqhupEt4zqS3h9IFLsL-8CLmR6CxehgQrsqElq00SJuoqLNs-FVIs6EyBI1reuFGtAeUI0EEL/s1600/DSC03632.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJb4GwkZMf2h3fanwpRf5H9s_ZFjbY0XZu68EiulJd9-yTPQSvpeBvh_kg5Qp_z0jfPEyqhupEt4zqS3h9IFLsL-8CLmR6CxehgQrsqElq00SJuoqLNs-FVIs6EyBI1reuFGtAeUI0EEL/s320/DSC03632.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJXPVBI1ZoxmyEoew2_6IV4SHM5ICxeVyzKSkjmqOYSh6tZIG7JgOmzDygLHvD5exBhXV-hAj_294_Wfv99D9DYs6ZRLo3-SCaE0K1MaEijiitcLfQtINI3h-I4gCagnW2BRuP7L4RQb2/s1600/DSC03630.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJXPVBI1ZoxmyEoew2_6IV4SHM5ICxeVyzKSkjmqOYSh6tZIG7JgOmzDygLHvD5exBhXV-hAj_294_Wfv99D9DYs6ZRLo3-SCaE0K1MaEijiitcLfQtINI3h-I4gCagnW2BRuP7L4RQb2/s320/DSC03630.JPG" /></a><br />
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I know I'm a day late, but I wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter! My boy Sam loves to draw, especially with pencil and charcoal, and he gave me this picture that he sketched....thought I'd share it with you along with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. Sometimes songs can say what I can't find the words to say..... <br />
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How deep the Father's love for us,<br />
How vast beyond all measure<br />
That He should give His only Son<br />
To make a wretch His treasure<br />
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How great the pain of searing loss,<br />
The Father turns His face away<br />
As wounds which mar the chosen One,<br />
Bring many sons to glory<br />
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Behold the Man upon a cross,<br />
My sin upon His shoulders<br />
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,<br />
Call out among the scoffers<br />
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It was my sin that held Him there<br />
Until it was accomplished<br />
His dying breath has brought me life<br />
I know that it is finished<br />
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I will not boast in anything<br />
No gifts, no power, no wisdom<br />
But I will boast in Jesus Christ<br />
His death and resurrection<br />
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Why should I gain from His reward?<br />
I cannot give an answer<br />
But this I know with all my heart<br />
His wounds have paid my ransom<br />
(song by Stuart Townend)<br />
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HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!<br />
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Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-46192407218667484562013-02-09T23:10:00.000-08:002013-02-09T23:10:42.162-08:00On being vulnerable and moving on....Okay, my faithful readers (that would be my mom, and my Aunt Nancy :)....I'm going to post something, ANYTHING to my blog. I have started a couple of posts, but just haven't been able to click the publish button. The writing just hasn't come naturally. At. All. I have had some sort of hang-up about sharing my thoughts and feelings with the blog world. I'm not sure if it's more about a) not WANTING to be transparent or b)not feeling safe about being transparent. Hmmm. Now, you might be wondering why I'm worried about being transparent at all. Does my blog have to be about thoughts and feelings or what's going on in my life? No, I guess not.....but then it wouldn't really be my blog. So here I am stumbling over whether to write an honest post about life, write just an update on events, or not write at all. Well, I've made up my mind to write, so I guess it will unfold as it unfolds. How's that for vague?? Sigh....<br />
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I'd love to say that the last year and a half hasn't been consumed with breast cancer, but I can't say that. If you kept up with my Caringbridge journal, you witnessed evidence of God's grace and faithfulness. I think of the verse in Isaiah 43 that says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the waters, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned." I experienced the truth of that Scripture as I faced a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, and a year of very aggressive cancer treatment. The Lord was with me and carried me in a way I cannot describe. The POST treatment months have been different, though. Don't get me wrong, I know that He is still with me. But now my life isn't consumed with weekly chemo treatments, looking very much like a cancer patient - cute hats and all, doctor appointment after doctor appointment, and all the other "acute" realities that were part of the whole thing. NOW, I'm off the roller-coaster. I don't LOOK like a cancer patient anymore (from the outside, anyway). I've done everything I can do to fight the cancer and hopefully eliminate the chance for its return. NOW, life is less about cancer and more about being the mother of a teenage girl, the mother of three growing boys, helping my kids navigate their way through middle school, making sure the books get done for Tim's business, teaching part-time, packing lunches, making dinner, and all the coming and going of family life. But the thing is, that cancer thing is still there. The fear of it. Knowing that if it DOES come back, that's usually bad. So NOW, instead of trusting the Lord to pick me up and carry me, I'm trusting the Lord as I put one foot in front of the other...knowing He is behind me and before me. And knowing that WHATEVER happens, that it's for a purpose. Sometimes I can do that with confidence. Sometimes not. <br />
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Something I didn't expect, post-treatment, was the whole grieving process of losing a breast. When I had the mastectomy almost two years ago, I was just glad to have that 5cm tumor out of my body. I was ready for the fight. But it wasn't until about a month ago, when I was in the midst of planning for reconstructive surgery (the process of which is a blog post in itself), that the grief of losing a breast hit me like a tidal wave. I won't try to explain it or justify it, because I can't. It just hit me, and I wept for about five days. I still feel very fortunate that cancer didn't take my life, my ability to walk, talk, sing, and function completely as usual. I still believe that my cancer journey has been a walk in the park compared to what many other people face daily and for life. But I guess I still had to just cry for a while. I will have reconstructive surgery in a month. As much as I am looking forward to being "put back together again", I know there are scars, both inside and out, that can't be erased. There is much vulnerability in that. Sometimes I feel pulled in the direction of becoming hardened, detached, walled-off. But oh, to be vulnerable! To trust without reservation, to love with abandon, and to move forward without knowing what lies ahead. That's what I will choose. Grieving and trusting and loving and hurting are part of this messy life, but also part of growing us into who we're meant to be. <br />
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<br />
So enough about that. There really are some other things I'd like to blog about....to process through writing. But I had to get all that out first, I guess. I haven't written about parenting as much as I used to, because my kids are old enough now to read my blog and get it if I'm telling a silly story about them or be embarrassed by me wearing my heart on my sleeve. :) But I do have some parenting blogging to do. After all, I've got two middle-schoolers, and that's just a treasure trove of blog material. Lots of funny things, sure....but also really hard things! Those kids are truly bombarded with crap every day, and it's hard on this mama's heart! So hopefully it won't be another five or six months before I have the courage to write again. It really is therapeutic to write and just put it out there. <br />
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I will close with a photo of Tim and I and my big post-chemo curly hair. He is my best friend and the love of my life. Tim, not the hair. :) <br />
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And my family......love them so much it hurts!!<br />
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Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-19956587090418308782012-08-30T05:48:00.001-07:002012-08-30T05:48:17.378-07:00Deep thoughts at breakfastThis morning, as I was scrambling eggs and making lunches in the kitchen and the kids were eating breakfast before school, I overheard Peter ask his sister:
"So Janie, how old are YOU in cat years?"Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-51211566112799700182012-08-11T08:42:00.001-07:002012-08-11T08:42:32.139-07:00Long days, short years(disclaimer: For some reason, blogger is not letting me put spaces between paragraphs or photos, so if this post seems like a huge run-on sentence, I apologize! :)
We're getting ready to send the troops back to school next week. We did our school supply shopping. On a Saturday, even. And we emerged from Target without so much as a sibling fight or fierce mother-lecture in the loose-leaf paper aisle. I do believe the planets must have been in alignment that day. Or God gave us all extra grace. Hmmm...I'm going with grace. I did give in to one "fancy" notebook each: two Star Wars and a Hunger Games, and one "eraser rope" in lieu of the notebook offer. (Is everyone aware of the negotiating prowess mothers must possess?) We have registered. We have made sure we have at least one or two decent shirts to wear to school (thank you, Grandma!). We have fished the lunch bags out from the back of the cupboard. We still need to empty the last remains of roadtrips and overnights from their backpacks. And we need a haircut or two. But otherwise I think we're ready. By the middle of August, whether we have homeschooled or sent them off to school, it seems that everyone is ready to get back to some structure. We are NOT good about keeping much structure during the summer. Tim and I are both babies of the family and have somewhat spontaneous personalities (read: undisciplined), so we tend to give in to the fun opportunities of summer and its late nights and lazy mornings. But after a while the need for routine becomes apparent when everyone expects to do something "fun" every night and nerves wear thin and I find myself giving lectures about entitlement. :)
Still, each year it's hard to let go knowing how quickly the years are going by. Next year at this time we'll have a high schooler. Then in four short years.....all of a sudden the thought of launching my kids from the nest is no longer a distant notion but a much nearer reality. A quote from my dear friend Wendy has stuck with me regarding raising young kids: "The days are long, but the years are short." How true. So after a few of those "long" days, and when I'm longing for a little peace and quiet, I find it very therapeutic to scroll through my Picasa photos and enjoy the sweet moments of fun from the summer. And I'm reminded of how fast it went and how special memories are created in everyday things.
Let's see.....there was plenty of baseball......
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...birthdays, and the traditional "pretend you're going to devour the cake photo"...
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...special projects...we got to help transform one of the kids' rooms at church into a cool clubhouse! How often do you get to paint a ceiling blue? A very serious bunch, as you can see. (umm..no.)
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...the annual piano recital...(don't worry, this was taken after. They were all very classy during the program, but to ask for proper decorum for the whole night would just be too much. :)
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The annual "Superbowl" between our boys and their friends Micah and Jaden. They take this very seriously, creating their own jerseys with plain t-shirts and sharpies, making trophies..the whole nine yards. (Or 100 yards, I guess). So seriously that Janie (who graciously agreed to be the "press") turned to me at one point during the game and said she felt sorry for us mothers. Ha! Someday she'll know what it is to agree to "just one more t-shirt because I messed up on the last one", and the art of transforming a soup can into a trophy.
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Youth trips...this year all four kids got to go to camp. The boys went to their beloved Pine Lake, and Janie went to Camp Red Cloud in Colorado with the youth group. Four all four kids, a huge growing-up experience... (this photo is Janie and her youth group)
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"Gaga Ball"....a Pine Lake game, which I still don't really get. All I know is that when my kids play it, they all end up with scabby knuckles. Sound fun? :)
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Our friends, the Hammels, took us tubing on their boat again this summer. Super fun, and I still have scabby elbows from clinging so hard to the tube trying not to wipe out on the river!
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Baseball games just for fun...for his birthday, Peter wanted to have a baseball game at the ball diamonds. It was during a tournament weekend, so we used the one empty field and were surprised no one kicked us out. We went through an entire bucket of double bubble!
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Cousins! Our kids are blessed to have some amazing cousins. This was a visit from the West Des Moines cousins...we also had some great visits from the Fairbury cousins. Lots of sleepovers, late night movies, hikes, trips to the zoo, and ice cream.
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There was camping, bowling, lots of swimming, VBS, freezer pops....fun summer memories. Only a few more nights to stay up late before the early mornings and busy afternoons begin again...and we'll see if we can't make this year go just a little slower than last!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-3593190265037506582012-06-28T21:23:00.000-07:002012-06-28T21:23:42.866-07:00Dust settling...Oh, my. Has it really been that long since I've posted on my blog? I guess it has, hasn't it. I admit, on many evenings over the last few months I've walked past my computer and thought about blogging (kind of like the scene in "You've Got Mail" when Tom Hanks keeps peeking in at the computer on his desk :).....but for some reason I just couldn't put any thoughts together. For a while I was spending more time posting breast cancer updates on Caringbridge. But things have slowed down, and I don't have much new to report on the medical end, thankfully. To be honest, I haven't really been sure what to say. I think that my brain has been in kind of a slow-motion phase...like it's been on an adrenaline rush for a year and finally has a chance to relax. The last year has been cause for quite a bit of reflection, and I just haven't been sure what to blog about, or how or even why! My heart is so full of thoughts, feelings, convictions, intimacies, comforts, challenges, hurts, and joys......that sometimes it feels like it's going to burst, yet I can't begin to put it all into words. Hmmmm, I wonder....maybe I'm not supposed to?
Still, in some ways I feel like blogging and reading blogs can be the equivalent to a good late night heart-to-heart with a friend (only we have to do it over the internet because Starbucks closes at 11, and most heart-to-hearts happen well into the wee hours of the morning as we all know :). So I just wanted to let anyone who may have been wondering if was ever going to update this thing (that's you, Mom :) know that I haven't given up.....I'm just letting the dust of the last year settle and the fog clear from my chemical-flooded brain....and I'm looking forward to joining in the sharing of thoughts, updates, stories, and journeys again soon.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-19051521500449962152012-01-03T21:56:00.000-08:002012-01-03T22:05:16.636-08:001 Timothy 4:12I love reading what other people write. There is something unique about it....an honesty, and openness, and maybe even a flow that might not reveal itself in spoken conversation. I think there is freedom in writing. I will admit that over the last six months, I have felt a little more hindered in my writing....I think because there are so many words and emotions and ups and downs right now that I think it would be overwhelming to write about it. It's safer to write about events and birthdays, which are all good things too. However, I'm aware of how therapeutic it can be to look back over journal entries or blogposts from the past...sometimes I learn from those past writings the lessons I may have forgotten...sometimes it's healing...sometimes I'd rather not remember! My dear neighbor, who has battled metastatic breast cancer for eight years, encouraged me to journal through this cancer journey. I need to start. If not for me, for my kids..or maybe for someone else down the road.<br />
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This post, however, is not about my breast cancer roller coaster! It's about writing, and I just want to say how impacted I have been to read the writing of some young people I know (one of which is my daughter!). There are some students I know who are so passionate about their relationship with Jesus Christ and talk/write/sing/blog about it in the most unabashed and sincere way. These kids aren't perfect, nor do they consider themselves superior. They just seem to really understand their need for Jesus, and they're not afraid to say it. I just want to say how proud I am of them, and how it gives me hope to see a younger generation following hard after Christ. <br />
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"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-88002116774337850502011-12-21T07:34:00.000-08:002011-12-21T07:34:59.319-08:00Peter's lists...You may remember Peter's birthday list that I posted <a href="http://www.life-is-good-6.blogspot.com/2009/07/five-candles-and-hold-sprinkles-please.html">here</a> a few years ago. I always keep their Christmas and birthday lists, because I think it's so fun to see what their hearts' desire is as they grow older. I thought you might like the Christmas list that Peter handed to me a month ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBF5ar4VvLZTNMe7DnAyZCOYGCep2SJdPO1HtFZTuBSnboy7OgBhoecK3i8Mw7-wAq70VniC5EW-g4fbvUg3FeaZw86lqf8Jgm2djAm_MSkHGgarEwq4hRkNmWDFS-bAMLt4qj88IHg8/s1600/DSC01173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBF5ar4VvLZTNMe7DnAyZCOYGCep2SJdPO1HtFZTuBSnboy7OgBhoecK3i8Mw7-wAq70VniC5EW-g4fbvUg3FeaZw86lqf8Jgm2djAm_MSkHGgarEwq4hRkNmWDFS-bAMLt4qj88IHg8/s320/DSC01173.JPG" /></a></div>Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-87903409865230409562011-12-20T06:29:00.000-08:002011-12-20T06:31:40.167-08:00a new blogger in the familyMiss Amelia Jane has just started her very own blog! Look over to the right, under "blogs I read", and click on Welcome to My World to see what she has to say!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-72649825984757385902011-12-20T06:11:00.000-08:002011-12-20T06:28:35.745-08:00Sam AdamsI promised the kids I would blog about each of their birthdays this year, and Sam brings us to the end of birthday year. He turned eleven in November..so I'm not as behind on posting his than I was with the other kids! I'd like to know - where is the little boy who used to be painfully shy, almost angrily shy, around other people? The little boy who used to be tiny but has just shown me that the pants that fit LAST WEEK are now inches too short? (Maybe that would explain his leg pain last week!) <br /><br />When did we emerge from this little cowboy (whose picture just breaks my heart in two)....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQkkJ5XLBPxb0LOobagCH7ekIKQPkUktM-NllwJucn-fYsTMwCtp5m0Rnz4Bo7lYl33-rOxoznLbfYionc02MX2H-Nhyphenhyphenc7Qjy_H0htea9HY52TK9YbK7_4UB75kwmkjLn1kmx85y9dEuZ/s1600/100_0648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQkkJ5XLBPxb0LOobagCH7ekIKQPkUktM-NllwJucn-fYsTMwCtp5m0Rnz4Bo7lYl33-rOxoznLbfYionc02MX2H-Nhyphenhyphenc7Qjy_H0htea9HY52TK9YbK7_4UB75kwmkjLn1kmx85y9dEuZ/s320/100_0648.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688214302011824754" /></a><br /><br />..to this crazy boy with a great sense of humor.....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXv5kvx-aS7WeqzVX0lDzkp6gr1W8ky5odZXfp1zHbHn58sINNT6YEaa2A8oa04Lvlz9PRe7tgq6jHYUzfcYrq5h39YShFL7ZC9yfnP9rWhUcAG2lFY2jQK9PjqOfPyemRnNWUkDaQ-w/s1600/DSC01023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXv5kvx-aS7WeqzVX0lDzkp6gr1W8ky5odZXfp1zHbHn58sINNT6YEaa2A8oa04Lvlz9PRe7tgq6jHYUzfcYrq5h39YShFL7ZC9yfnP9rWhUcAG2lFY2jQK9PjqOfPyemRnNWUkDaQ-w/s320/DSC01023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688214289316833058" /></a><br /><br />...to this young man with ideas and enthusiasm and creativity?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzp3Z6JrUl3jL9rFFAFFmSDzr0ftmplcZn4p-xwXVzzMn1iRrdC1lFuE0SLbmJ8mMxXeE2dXwyh7h9qQx7l3zAODa8T5-fN_Le2CGL2kYixVY0nioEuFf5BxjTpGHe25LA6pCMwWOdlUz/s1600/DSC00746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzp3Z6JrUl3jL9rFFAFFmSDzr0ftmplcZn4p-xwXVzzMn1iRrdC1lFuE0SLbmJ8mMxXeE2dXwyh7h9qQx7l3zAODa8T5-fN_Le2CGL2kYixVY0nioEuFf5BxjTpGHe25LA6pCMwWOdlUz/s320/DSC00746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688214285617859266" /></a><br /><br />As much as I cherish those little cowboys pictures and the sweet memories that accompany them, I love the young man that Sam is now and look forward to another year of growth, maturity, and uniqueness in him. Happy Birthday, Samuel. I love you.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-35818970575430460972011-12-08T08:33:00.000-08:002011-12-08T08:55:21.611-08:00Joe.Joseph Timothy turned NINE years old in August! Enjoy a few classic Joe snapshots from years past! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA0OYECqj8gJl-Jdm-5B6GJ05QPnkgV51kZ4dLSgWSdQmrFs6uHsReIRxifAV1Ehd_mONKS9G12AuyrqcMI-yi9XJIuY3o5A94wZW1JgB2vT3cXBN31FTZ2QDSmSCbZaNtkjhVhOkPk_O/s1600/100_0260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA0OYECqj8gJl-Jdm-5B6GJ05QPnkgV51kZ4dLSgWSdQmrFs6uHsReIRxifAV1Ehd_mONKS9G12AuyrqcMI-yi9XJIuY3o5A94wZW1JgB2vT3cXBN31FTZ2QDSmSCbZaNtkjhVhOkPk_O/s320/100_0260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683798704871198162" /></a>Those EYES!!! He still knows how to use 'em! :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAocCaIzjkU4nNpcaDwBzHwdNE-Yaxj4Ln5tf_rBiXlfp5evaZS_Ng2BXVmOwd_OVg2pv5oUgotPx3ZeiCIhNBP9s2DvQ0JmgStqtout3eu1F6x8iuSBfrF90u95Fu-xAbrEcMS8hX2RQ2/s1600/100_1336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAocCaIzjkU4nNpcaDwBzHwdNE-Yaxj4Ln5tf_rBiXlfp5evaZS_Ng2BXVmOwd_OVg2pv5oUgotPx3ZeiCIhNBP9s2DvQ0JmgStqtout3eu1F6x8iuSBfrF90u95Fu-xAbrEcMS8hX2RQ2/s320/100_1336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683798696199370178" /></a>His sweet smile still warms any room....<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFBesawqCsoTE86vn8g5IJBRp82CNLY00epMC2Ad-DASt1L3PHF6CSlkRuU-d6n0g9hOQq-waZNsN5pPx5fOjbBP4av4LQMyAglXWwT4CK8ogcf2WjQKplWiKCxhVy2FQIR-UrrNcKTfx/s1600/DSC00039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFBesawqCsoTE86vn8g5IJBRp82CNLY00epMC2Ad-DASt1L3PHF6CSlkRuU-d6n0g9hOQq-waZNsN5pPx5fOjbBP4av4LQMyAglXWwT4CK8ogcf2WjQKplWiKCxhVy2FQIR-UrrNcKTfx/s320/DSC00039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683798691044605634" /></a>His sensitive heart still sees the needs of those around him...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzROTyzXaRd57tpA43oeJGAwbkedVRzX6Yk6_7DWSUfxhcB2kdQH7ahWFHWicyEVZ3Fdy7bQb-9TiPSwt3FlYe3nICJnXln316wKpaNO-dZxbzt8n_RKDUeEuIZKQmVM0CfHGEQHA4THq/s1600/DSC00752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzROTyzXaRd57tpA43oeJGAwbkedVRzX6Yk6_7DWSUfxhcB2kdQH7ahWFHWicyEVZ3Fdy7bQb-9TiPSwt3FlYe3nICJnXln316wKpaNO-dZxbzt8n_RKDUeEuIZKQmVM0CfHGEQHA4THq/s320/DSC00752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683798676873454802" /></a>...a little obnoxiousness thrown in the mix.. now that he's nine and all..<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk8E66-fyRp24vXDc5AxNX59y2etefMV80VCSbav_YndyANuRmdIL9Z8eYUjX5rJPSJeWiKati-UH_ZtqADM77kspWtp-ux-vb_kLJlUtmpNmJjI5HSqkaYoVB4VUJuPwjNW1PLh4-nvD/s1600/DSC00773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk8E66-fyRp24vXDc5AxNX59y2etefMV80VCSbav_YndyANuRmdIL9Z8eYUjX5rJPSJeWiKati-UH_ZtqADM77kspWtp-ux-vb_kLJlUtmpNmJjI5HSqkaYoVB4VUJuPwjNW1PLh4-nvD/s320/DSC00773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683798675183620338" /></a>..a birthday treat of tubing on the river made this nine year old's day! <br /><br />...Giving thanks for this precious young man!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-76927715278316221452011-11-01T12:10:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:32:39.893-07:0012 years...While we relaxed in Babbitt, MN in August, Janie celebrated her 12th birthday. She was completely surprised by her gift of an ipod touch...she really couldn't believe it! We've never been big on getting the kids the latest techie gadgets, but we found a great buy on Craigslist and knew she would love it. It was fun to see her open it! She also started middle school this year....knowing not a soul as she entered a school with 900 students. To watch her overcome her fear and face it was hard but necessary....and she is blossoming. I thought it would be fun to post some pics of her in years past (the photos on my computer only date back to 2008...you can see I've got some transferring to do)....<br /><br /><br />2008....pre-glasses, summer softball, American Girl dolls, sweet smile...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcjtgd_cT24GC3Z4G_ELYf_MncIvvOll9yuADtXxvSVw3G1JPW-IlVTQaWjWYFQ1jeC-_wrOfrihqDLxpQ2zAWuUI11AoEVMviI_wxmClRb92zIKQhR6VrXMl5i9fLLmToW7c25C5CmPE/s1600/DSC01316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcjtgd_cT24GC3Z4G_ELYf_MncIvvOll9yuADtXxvSVw3G1JPW-IlVTQaWjWYFQ1jeC-_wrOfrihqDLxpQ2zAWuUI11AoEVMviI_wxmClRb92zIKQhR6VrXMl5i9fLLmToW7c25C5CmPE/s320/DSC01316.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670109727472654098" /></a><br /><br />2009...maturing, helping so much with foster babies, becoming independent...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6DwQOM3Y45ydTzncXTLDksV7zxqbaMRgmtBu4ZASJh4PKrLCESQON-qbIfqEz50Zb3YjYN9vOwlQZZA7kpBUIxLCRbkHvU-fo0m-2vAWEfZNRAitUCDue7UXK2vIbUlHX6DgkW2jHZfY/s1600/DSC04331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6DwQOM3Y45ydTzncXTLDksV7zxqbaMRgmtBu4ZASJh4PKrLCESQON-qbIfqEz50Zb3YjYN9vOwlQZZA7kpBUIxLCRbkHvU-fo0m-2vAWEfZNRAitUCDue7UXK2vIbUlHX6DgkW2jHZfY/s320/DSC04331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670109724071529730" /></a><br /><br />2010...sporty, silly, musical, carefree girl...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDFUGRU5dXEsx2Qlmbo6P0IjK40jiWrBSUPTverVa7CAetXULyrhbRulv85eQskiIe6MHrlXxGPLHj6E0QG-igIFkQ2JGjVVzX0t_rcZjM0OZmYnPTTi9_uU3RcvzIPZFZlck7hnUFrkX/s1600/DSC06487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDFUGRU5dXEsx2Qlmbo6P0IjK40jiWrBSUPTverVa7CAetXULyrhbRulv85eQskiIe6MHrlXxGPLHj6E0QG-igIFkQ2JGjVVzX0t_rcZjM0OZmYnPTTi9_uU3RcvzIPZFZlck7hnUFrkX/s320/DSC06487.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670109712985105778" /></a><br /><br />2011...a young lady...sharing her mother's heartbeat but finding a rythm of her own..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNBZi_iA-HDhxoyrD_pmClCHI-XWfObMF1cIYQFMcOQLxkT_ovATs2-2UBMIC-7XdkS1VvnmYegsHqMHfDvedVhkelqjhx77asWiPL7VPlfxoboDlmKSLo61Fi-GOCyBKM3j96y2TxTX6/s1600/DSC00279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNBZi_iA-HDhxoyrD_pmClCHI-XWfObMF1cIYQFMcOQLxkT_ovATs2-2UBMIC-7XdkS1VvnmYegsHqMHfDvedVhkelqjhx77asWiPL7VPlfxoboDlmKSLo61Fi-GOCyBKM3j96y2TxTX6/s320/DSC00279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670109708579187090" /></a><br /><br />Twelve years old...ipods..email..babysitting...how can 12 years have gone by so quickly?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45E7ASdKMc7YYluBu85C6akZugF9SR_aOd9CgwsMJgJqd-Bz0YMyKW4wIPd4OnBS0GducjYnQT6PZbTubr7odYgxmXxbWU5PYLyniQ5XQQ31Oys8kjkhtsb02L3gyVJoL3YBDMNNuZvSH/s1600/DSC00641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45E7ASdKMc7YYluBu85C6akZugF9SR_aOd9CgwsMJgJqd-Bz0YMyKW4wIPd4OnBS0GducjYnQT6PZbTubr7odYgxmXxbWU5PYLyniQ5XQQ31Oys8kjkhtsb02L3gyVJoL3YBDMNNuZvSH/s320/DSC00641.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670109705552812098" /></a><br /><br />You are loved, dear girl.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-54300817504620721312011-10-14T11:23:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:42:26.104-07:00August up North...In August, we had the opportunity to take a trip to Babbitt, MN...the hometown of some dear friends of ours. They no longer live there, but keep the house they grew up in as kind of a "vacation house", which they offered to let us use for a long weekend. Babbitt is a tiny little town about 15 miles away from Ely, MN. Way up north, der, eh? There is a grocery store, a couple of gas stations, and not much else. PERFECT. Just what the doctor ordered!! We loaded up our van with bikes and playclothes and hit the road. Within five minutes of arriving in Babbitt, our kids were on their bikes riding around everywhere (something they can't do in our neighborhood at home). Pete had not yet learned to ride without his training wheels, but on those quiet Babbitt streets he had it down pat within minutes! There is a bike path that leads from Babbitt, through the woods, and down to the lake. So each morning Tim and the kids got up and took a nice long ride. One morning, a young black bear crossed the bike path right in front of them! We swam in the lake, enjoyed bonfires in the backyard, roasted marshmallows, did some sightseeing in Ely (and bought souvenirs of course), saw the Wolf Museum, and RELAXED. It was GREAT. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8zNrknvoCERb5bBrwXhauPIvsl516Pq7A4ygPEeYDXOGazGw_LSFep5Gotqo7R00u0bwUGb3RrYXb6SdsM7_AVOHcWj_WBuA1ThWD7iklCd2C80WFMUxhV0JPiELBia66FXPKBf07ha/s1600/DSC00738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8zNrknvoCERb5bBrwXhauPIvsl516Pq7A4ygPEeYDXOGazGw_LSFep5Gotqo7R00u0bwUGb3RrYXb6SdsM7_AVOHcWj_WBuA1ThWD7iklCd2C80WFMUxhV0JPiELBia66FXPKBf07ha/s320/DSC00738.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663417760989004002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-jIPE1BUqDVDy5yVb5hVuohdk8priXHxiJ-lQep7y4_MRwrGgXxjhtaWXQg_aEwN3OdhYzgY4Ynnb4XQCNW_TQVNqLhjK8YKSUbJIeNalLU0DGo4azPEXVMK6QQBjyYGq5JLl9vsVGna/s1600/DSC00628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-jIPE1BUqDVDy5yVb5hVuohdk8priXHxiJ-lQep7y4_MRwrGgXxjhtaWXQg_aEwN3OdhYzgY4Ynnb4XQCNW_TQVNqLhjK8YKSUbJIeNalLU0DGo4azPEXVMK6QQBjyYGq5JLl9vsVGna/s320/DSC00628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663417750679408482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWSbdrgc7VsCUjnsHEAp0PjocItxrbNTdrZ77_Rv8Qt8R2lYkZRi1RQEZMWNeaHYw2PUBWv9icP6upaltWqdWz5uCNau4v40XkpcgHqJnocOVg5XMccs5oQtKuj4HHRUaQUqAQVhsZ17-/s1600/DSC00624.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWSbdrgc7VsCUjnsHEAp0PjocItxrbNTdrZ77_Rv8Qt8R2lYkZRi1RQEZMWNeaHYw2PUBWv9icP6upaltWqdWz5uCNau4v40XkpcgHqJnocOVg5XMccs5oQtKuj4HHRUaQUqAQVhsZ17-/s320/DSC00624.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663417740099876818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkEzdsnw2_LzznDEXzK-td5hRGQN7WIy8ZVfCENpenQEMH7rnzmKfrxt27yaRr_Q4qPlG8muzhxKODyiH2h7tRl0Hm9pfggmLjMrsK5dqjXCeODzCXrpUjSM8_62ae9YX9A6VhbF7iIpE/s1600/DSC00593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkEzdsnw2_LzznDEXzK-td5hRGQN7WIy8ZVfCENpenQEMH7rnzmKfrxt27yaRr_Q4qPlG8muzhxKODyiH2h7tRl0Hm9pfggmLjMrsK5dqjXCeODzCXrpUjSM8_62ae9YX9A6VhbF7iIpE/s320/DSC00593.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663417731537967250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FG23X2QnPUNLYeQiWjcZnwGY1v0cvqpQoEbBhXCIUvGjtsxF9Zn4yt_xARiC-yLhybPiTr6jtX_i1f62YlRaFWssHnluekVKGpkkuiTMdQ3jfrIi2oWByzEspv3-84dl4WUBEMUN2PDC/s1600/DSC00586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FG23X2QnPUNLYeQiWjcZnwGY1v0cvqpQoEbBhXCIUvGjtsxF9Zn4yt_xARiC-yLhybPiTr6jtX_i1f62YlRaFWssHnluekVKGpkkuiTMdQ3jfrIi2oWByzEspv3-84dl4WUBEMUN2PDC/s320/DSC00586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663417717469680354" /></a>Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-28445563426572554232011-10-14T11:10:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:22:47.365-07:00Catching up...Well, I sure have fallen behind on keeping track of all the goings-on of the last few months! You'll have to forgive all the backtracking, but I wanted to make sure some of our fun summer memories made it on the blog!<br /><br />Amidst all the craziness of the breast cancer diagnosis this summer, we did not slow down one bit, it seemed. July was a VERY full month. Our little foster daughter, "the Gulford" as we lovingly called her, was ready to be reunited with her dad. So we made sure to fit in extra trips to the park and extra snuggles. We really miss her, but she's doing great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGq2uNhSNEpBptcwR4tgd8HYicbjHw-g2jV5HQHyxotrO4sSlOG8ujTBEdP7kN3QkfiHEt3TQniNRdXKZG8uaxgqUehpiDKI91CKiHZiTPVkXr-DaYmX5a7tsWS72X7DsvUowhJLGgox6/s1600/DSC00562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGq2uNhSNEpBptcwR4tgd8HYicbjHw-g2jV5HQHyxotrO4sSlOG8ujTBEdP7kN3QkfiHEt3TQniNRdXKZG8uaxgqUehpiDKI91CKiHZiTPVkXr-DaYmX5a7tsWS72X7DsvUowhJLGgox6/s320/DSC00562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663413202939856242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliSUoaAETOHvbUmFusnYZZgFB87pQ7nvjRsUCH_3ew2nY1AoX1tr249lYH2xOiUAOT7G3mjiP8QdMJVC39XXGvX1GuvKAGIzIvMEG8PmmfwjIwE9kgbD3L3xtyEyBvE8XkpXqJg-yd8_1/s1600/DSC00548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliSUoaAETOHvbUmFusnYZZgFB87pQ7nvjRsUCH_3ew2nY1AoX1tr249lYH2xOiUAOT7G3mjiP8QdMJVC39XXGvX1GuvKAGIzIvMEG8PmmfwjIwE9kgbD3L3xtyEyBvE8XkpXqJg-yd8_1/s320/DSC00548.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663413182585587746" /></a><br /><br />Also in July, Peter turned SEVEN years old! Pete is always content with a pretty laid-back birthday, so we had a little family ball-game at the ball diamonds....kept Grandpa and Grandma on their toes around the bases, and enjoyed cake and ice cream afterwards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-OzR-yQvkUf_QBLI1B_fK3hRteXn3GGpnxacMLCYDMUweaC2WcoJfNKBg3NPY7x91P2wa3Er0VDhbnGcnsFkxAcgfuBEUAlu7Znd38c3byOPC-0-5Rqq1wRKlvDlFQqHxS9V8njELpBg/s1600/DSC00528.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-OzR-yQvkUf_QBLI1B_fK3hRteXn3GGpnxacMLCYDMUweaC2WcoJfNKBg3NPY7x91P2wa3Er0VDhbnGcnsFkxAcgfuBEUAlu7Znd38c3byOPC-0-5Rqq1wRKlvDlFQqHxS9V8njELpBg/s320/DSC00528.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663413165118933314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tMrzPE6IIdH5sFdoxQNPw2vacay_b12usPueCvBXREsh8BLHM1Scf7WYno_j4Nxt4vXqTK3FvXho4anHWWhmGNoHwBxmEWJ0GfnZvZCMBC24ysS95Yf_R-u9mfM2p8FbVJC2MXyAz3NB/s1600/DSC00520.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tMrzPE6IIdH5sFdoxQNPw2vacay_b12usPueCvBXREsh8BLHM1Scf7WYno_j4Nxt4vXqTK3FvXho4anHWWhmGNoHwBxmEWJ0GfnZvZCMBC24ysS95Yf_R-u9mfM2p8FbVJC2MXyAz3NB/s320/DSC00520.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663413153753488274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCEq6_cx9gfdRZrdptgQcxwxeyoxpauRIxasRMHC9VTqNTIyp11qy_-A_FG_0PaE1CC7IpXy41q00O3MqksJuD7XSCvq8ppyyQr720huUTPfjflYX_5mgxIzkGI7_wuC2Wr74_gbCxJRf/s1600/DSC00508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCEq6_cx9gfdRZrdptgQcxwxeyoxpauRIxasRMHC9VTqNTIyp11qy_-A_FG_0PaE1CC7IpXy41q00O3MqksJuD7XSCvq8ppyyQr720huUTPfjflYX_5mgxIzkGI7_wuC2Wr74_gbCxJRf/s320/DSC00508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663413122511242226" /></a><br /><br />I love my family!!! Now...on to August....Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-7059248307412936452011-08-27T06:46:00.000-07:002011-08-27T07:04:45.967-07:00Back to July....Joe goes to camp!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbKWmErBZVME9jtMDLufieKcKo5g3fKU-CH6hwY9jjiOWvLw1nTZuyWBUUyWMbwYp0oZqzl4iFsOgmGusNlrTg7tCnXJg4HogAznPcHHgNqad862xUw2PzJ-gCqKhQ0XmIq2WMqHqE649/s1600/DSC00504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbKWmErBZVME9jtMDLufieKcKo5g3fKU-CH6hwY9jjiOWvLw1nTZuyWBUUyWMbwYp0oZqzl4iFsOgmGusNlrTg7tCnXJg4HogAznPcHHgNqad862xUw2PzJ-gCqKhQ0XmIq2WMqHqE649/s320/DSC00504.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645532175192210242" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzWZGcesxM1f6I7ZuTpsSU-ZWwg8Gzms9jzmsSMEVjqRYNCmsceBBrqcHwcEbPX3daLXKeoiIhV8sq_QDhGEjf-5fMOw9VOAD3riFhJFDW6nCIzgzcBdYRNmU1i1ecj1C4ZoUO9HVU__P/s1600/DSC00505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzWZGcesxM1f6I7ZuTpsSU-ZWwg8Gzms9jzmsSMEVjqRYNCmsceBBrqcHwcEbPX3daLXKeoiIhV8sq_QDhGEjf-5fMOw9VOAD3riFhJFDW6nCIzgzcBdYRNmU1i1ecj1C4ZoUO9HVU__P/s320/DSC00505.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645532167161309010" /></a>
<br />
<br />This year was Joe's first time as a camper at Pine Lake Christian Camp in Eldora, IA! He's been there countless times already...once for family camp, once for a work weekend, and many many times taking Janie and Sam to and from their weeks at camp. This July was Joe's turn! Joe is my sensitive, tender-heart boy; I wasn't sure how he would do being left at camp (even though his age-group only stays for three nights). Once we met his counselor and found his cabin, however, it was clear he was going to be just fine! He had his Blow-Pops and Juicy Fruit and his disposable camera, he found his bunk, and he was with his buddy Trey.....he was on top of the world! I knew he would have a great time at camp....having new experiences and learning more about Jesus...and a taste of INDEPENDENCE! I also knew what old friend was secretly folded inside his pillowcase for those moments when he missed home just a little! ;) Joe came home three days later with fun stories, a cool T-shirt, and a faith perhaps a little more his own. Thanks, Pine Lake - we're blessed to have you in our lives!
<br />Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-58720296766360337442011-08-01T22:54:00.000-07:002011-08-01T23:05:56.301-07:00wedding shortsA pause in the July series for a little anecdote:<br /><br />(preface: We don't have to really dress up very often....our church is fairly casual, etc, and there just aren't too many occasions to get really fancy...the boys do NOT like to wear dress pants..they think JEANS are dressy. Their father perpetuates this notion, I might add.)<br /><br />In the car a while back, I was discussing with one of the boys (I will spare him the identification) why he was wearing the same shorts over and over...<br /><br />Me: Why do you keep wearing those shorts? (gym shorts)<br />Boy: I don't have any other shorts!<br />Me: Yes, you do! You have plenty of nice shorts that fit you really well (meaning nice khaki cargo shorts)<br />Boy: MO-ooM! Those are WEDDING shorts!!!<br /><br />Those boys! We let them wear nice shorts and polo shirts to a wedding this summer, and now he thinks those shorts are too dressy to wear any other time!!! He received quite the lecture after that conversation. So did his father, because while getting ready for said wedding, he (Tim) accused me of "trying to kill him" by making him wear a nice, long-sleeved shirt. :) Like father, like son!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-29817879884589466732011-07-26T13:58:00.001-07:002011-07-26T14:30:10.524-07:00July: part 2 The StrongsJust after the Ann Arbor wedding, we headed 15 minutes west to Chelsea, MI, where our dear friends Tanya and Luman Strong live. Tanya and I met one summer while working at a camp in the Crystal Falls, MI (she was the camp nurse, and I the arts and crafts director) and became kindred spirits at once. After college, we both found jobs in the QC and became roommates, and have been part of each others' lives ever since. It had been SIX YEARS since we've gotten our families together, so our being in Michigan meant a must-stop at the Strongs. It was great to see them and spend the 4th of July together....our husbands both avid (and particular) coffee drinkers made for a delicious and caffeine-filled few days. Here are some highlights! <br /><br />It was a HOT few days....as soon as we arrived, the kids all jumped in the pool for some cooling off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" <br />href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E02uC-lD9T8NDdUaRhqIvTISB2XH6XI7GUAX0pM4IR4NInQ0KPBKOXCp7jbxwlwHWfbzjFkwTccq_920koO-WT8uXOk9LOAxomKqVE2Ly0K6J-Uj7KRi2DhsDBUsBtmvnIcFKGPdNUwo/s1600/DSC00380.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E02uC-lD9T8NDdUaRhqIvTISB2XH6XI7GUAX0pM4IR4NInQ0KPBKOXCp7jbxwlwHWfbzjFkwTccq_920koO-WT8uXOk9LOAxomKqVE2Ly0K6J-Uj7KRi2DhsDBUsBtmvnIcFKGPdNUwo/s320/DSC00380.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770856730876978" /></a><br /><br />Tim with little 17 month old Simeon. He is such a funny little guy with the cutest little grin!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahx4sAGpbEzVnqh1Y3AKTBCkwxV27KFrb3KXWxafIE2K155Sw28PiHd74JcbGZ79PiZ3kpcSPA8KeOXmvIvWCWWsiP4lxQkfRddUdIGx_EbhMnN_sOeI_5Z5g5Qa4AZh9NTA8y1RidFJT/s1600/DSC00404.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahx4sAGpbEzVnqh1Y3AKTBCkwxV27KFrb3KXWxafIE2K155Sw28PiHd74JcbGZ79PiZ3kpcSPA8KeOXmvIvWCWWsiP4lxQkfRddUdIGx_EbhMnN_sOeI_5Z5g5Qa4AZh9NTA8y1RidFJT/s320/DSC00404.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770850730747154" /></a><br /><br />On July 4th, we were up early for a pancake breakfast and parade. Chelsea, MI is home of the Jiffy Mix factory, so during the parade, they tossed out boxes of various Jiffy mixes! Fun! None of us got hit in the head with one, in case you were wondering. :) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DzmDOYj5yZjVwMeQnqcPzgCjMTrr6YTyFeJYgdTRnR9F2Aq1-0KkJScsa2HjJDrbRucIBmWNGZ5kbsckoVjHDD9G_tW9lCFy4l-p-xMgK1p9CjQpPxETk6tHJSVoaP8-xtK-KfseUKtu/s1600/DSC00426.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DzmDOYj5yZjVwMeQnqcPzgCjMTrr6YTyFeJYgdTRnR9F2Aq1-0KkJScsa2HjJDrbRucIBmWNGZ5kbsckoVjHDD9G_tW9lCFy4l-p-xMgK1p9CjQpPxETk6tHJSVoaP8-xtK-KfseUKtu/s320/DSC00426.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770843346152818" /></a><br /><br />We spend some time at Long Lake swimming and hanging out...the kids had fun catching fish with their nets! (Janie has one in her net)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhc-9MJ9gd4VdPbj0TmXfj1Y7MZVu2oJGfNSv0kzXIPJ_WlNVeQI1hml29_K6QTKNpQYs5y2HNN_ITvEy5qkhwyIZY1OKxWEnZmHtg9kbh45you4XFjZvaqWpsHCk6XN8vw-N7sQ2hqb0E/s1600/DSC00440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhc-9MJ9gd4VdPbj0TmXfj1Y7MZVu2oJGfNSv0kzXIPJ_WlNVeQI1hml29_K6QTKNpQYs5y2HNN_ITvEy5qkhwyIZY1OKxWEnZmHtg9kbh45you4XFjZvaqWpsHCk6XN8vw-N7sQ2hqb0E/s320/DSC00440.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770838433784402" /></a><br /><br />We also got to canoe around the lake...the kids had fun jumping/diving off the dock that was out in the middle of the lake. That's some real summer fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSjpf6QaU1J7XaRlYjlbACCEAeRoQtt3dzCMJThvS0exle8phJrmYUitF3vQ0lOUon9CkzjRNG-2qGZAkjLNKGHy-j_qew-oySoSCvpjmVlWN1Vb7_Nn8J3WC4L8iJi7l1G_nNxBuX-yB/s1600/DSC00459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSjpf6QaU1J7XaRlYjlbACCEAeRoQtt3dzCMJThvS0exle8phJrmYUitF3vQ0lOUon9CkzjRNG-2qGZAkjLNKGHy-j_qew-oySoSCvpjmVlWN1Vb7_Nn8J3WC4L8iJi7l1G_nNxBuX-yB/s320/DSC00459.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769422845098242" /></a><br /><br />That night, the kids were pretty worn out..so they crashed on the couch with a movie and parade candy while we adults sat outside and drank iced coffee...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlI2O_e5WCx_gr0Pc06aBAiuTgohof_paLZAk9oTROHTgllJAFaMv1do368DGVurufpp5ivLdqDNlGjbeDCat44ti1qDPmtk0JeQ_ZlD09EhGI24Ew5XfiUzsEsJ1uD-QptWKJ7a1W1V2/s1600/DSC00486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlI2O_e5WCx_gr0Pc06aBAiuTgohof_paLZAk9oTROHTgllJAFaMv1do368DGVurufpp5ivLdqDNlGjbeDCat44ti1qDPmtk0JeQ_ZlD09EhGI24Ew5XfiUzsEsJ1uD-QptWKJ7a1W1V2/s320/DSC00486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769418680006210" /></a><br /><br />The Strong Family..Selah, Tanya, Simeon, Boaz, and Luman<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNT6wp6696oAV51Lj0dFp602GThOtHKdjklMQDi3QRCtny4x-Gkser7gceBwlKipEN6BqeQZDERaUffE5V7YoRsHioZqaYafqITUrWPyDgdhBF4jQZamnP3oIgWnh9rOtFckzqIqtRMey/s1600/DSC00498.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNT6wp6696oAV51Lj0dFp602GThOtHKdjklMQDi3QRCtny4x-Gkser7gceBwlKipEN6BqeQZDERaUffE5V7YoRsHioZqaYafqITUrWPyDgdhBF4jQZamnP3oIgWnh9rOtFckzqIqtRMey/s320/DSC00498.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769411891880594" /></a><br /><br />Janie had Selah by her side the WHOLE time! So cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLf4BtzivTCuRGyAY4ETypt-KJd7rUISqsmDnsoOT0EzN1Rhq2kMUY1RlPgw8TKDcW-_I9Zy4gBhUYPYaLH0vBMuS3F0ZXDlsWz-fYUYH91YgpzxKGgL8xhsOODS1RalKkmYAfH5bx_UE/s1600/DSC00500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLf4BtzivTCuRGyAY4ETypt-KJd7rUISqsmDnsoOT0EzN1Rhq2kMUY1RlPgw8TKDcW-_I9Zy4gBhUYPYaLH0vBMuS3F0ZXDlsWz-fYUYH91YgpzxKGgL8xhsOODS1RalKkmYAfH5bx_UE/s320/DSC00500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769403545578274" /></a><br /><br />It was so good to spend time with the Strongs...friendships like these are good for the soul!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAICo8IVM3e8sQfPel8Nap8HJ5OCUdE8mjGgE4a3QUwukQkSQzh34zkMpm7BXzntnT0z_NOPO5mf0TvvjQgbbLdLDhxQGABSp05kPXOxwrBZ2Q5gGVZIEGK1_iQFFupg9XcBZf4y193WZ/s1600/DSC00501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAICo8IVM3e8sQfPel8Nap8HJ5OCUdE8mjGgE4a3QUwukQkSQzh34zkMpm7BXzntnT0z_NOPO5mf0TvvjQgbbLdLDhxQGABSp05kPXOxwrBZ2Q5gGVZIEGK1_iQFFupg9XcBZf4y193WZ/s320/DSC00501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769392446541410" /></a>Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-74548305339987940752011-07-24T08:48:00.000-07:002011-07-24T09:06:44.627-07:00Summer 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcM25ajwfJPuIousgj4GcfrjrOVpwnhCSRzpCVTIJpi1ufk0nRy3dg3mC6cpPkJGRgWZa5DSarnFsgGiKGBOM4PVYp5xEy5p383CDbTnrVrH6nb5TqRGrMFjeIuAMe-f2Kwd0Mm43TB9__/s1600/DSC00326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcM25ajwfJPuIousgj4GcfrjrOVpwnhCSRzpCVTIJpi1ufk0nRy3dg3mC6cpPkJGRgWZa5DSarnFsgGiKGBOM4PVYp5xEy5p383CDbTnrVrH6nb5TqRGrMFjeIuAMe-f2Kwd0Mm43TB9__/s320/DSC00326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632950852346665682" /></a><br />Well, it has certainly been a crazy summer. Full of all the usual summer fun....baseball, swimming, weddings, trips, birthdays, camp. Most of you already know that in early June I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At first it looked like all our summer plans were about to go out the window, but it hasn't turned out that way. We had some waiting to do while we decided what kind of surgery I would need, so we were still able to do most of the traveling we had planned on. I thought for a long time about how to keep folks updated on the cancer side of things. I pretty much wear my heart on my sleeve, so it's important to me to open about what's going on in my life and especially as we begin this walk through breast cancer. But I decided that I'd rather this blog not be the place for that....this will remain the place where family memories and funny "kid-isms" are recorded. Caringbridge has turned out to be the perfect way to post updates on surgery, treatment, etc. <br /><br />So I have a camera full of photos from a fun month of July...I'm looking forward to recording the fun memories in the next few posts!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-41996408090570115582011-07-24T08:12:00.001-07:002011-07-24T10:00:59.940-07:00July: A seriesIt has been a FUN and BUSY summer! We kicked off July by heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan for our niece Lindsey's wedding. Lindsey and Carl got married in the oldest Methodist church in Michigan...a picturesque old white church...and they had their reception under a big white tent on the lawn of the church. We arrived around lunchtime on Friday and jumped right in helping with food runs, wrangling cousins, holding new baby Lily (our other niece and nephew-in-law's new baby), setting up tables, etc. I had the super fun privilege of helping my sister-in-law decorate the cupcakes Lindsey made for the wedding. It was so much fun! Of course, I uploaded pictures in reverse order here, so we're starting with the day after the wedding, but here are a few snapshots of the fun:<br /><br />The cousins in the hotel elevator....they always have so much crazy fun together!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgHMJ8krCpnY1qXDkDV2Fg_9Wr6gMv55U4mnAMtTBwiAt3aoAcPea86BoU7Q2VB85NFQtCfJz5SkAGMML6JE1G_AXKPATW5PI_S1Yp9HK8piXGvMNGs_6Yd3UEf7PCyOGEl8zmLZ16-Ph/s1600/DSC00360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgHMJ8krCpnY1qXDkDV2Fg_9Wr6gMv55U4mnAMtTBwiAt3aoAcPea86BoU7Q2VB85NFQtCfJz5SkAGMML6JE1G_AXKPATW5PI_S1Yp9HK8piXGvMNGs_6Yd3UEf7PCyOGEl8zmLZ16-Ph/s320/DSC00360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632940591223378114" /></a><br /><br />The newlyweds, Lindsey and Carl, at the Sunday brunch...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8hwM4hrSAF78whLzBXZOMH1U6c661J0xjbHcmdC0pmbJGX4YGGlo4NhaTdD36wfbP5LuWWt2Y92amxM8bonMJBmxP3GMkwKv0mk9Ut87MR6Up-cJMb3-HwWyAeOKAHubO657No9UCR7i/s1600/DSC00363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8hwM4hrSAF78whLzBXZOMH1U6c661J0xjbHcmdC0pmbJGX4YGGlo4NhaTdD36wfbP5LuWWt2Y92amxM8bonMJBmxP3GMkwKv0mk9Ut87MR6Up-cJMb3-HwWyAeOKAHubO657No9UCR7i/s320/DSC00363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632940582029453314" /></a><br /><br />Whitney and Dustin and new baby Lily...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_wkPwrPG0ld2cEQ-nZLIqA5FYRoQT1VTusL_h48gJqggzHaewSD3NgnT2kOl3G-CNDYcZRcdIdBikFllbzibahV4oc_s2gCFcdG-1C27E2DjUMJQiGNuhnSA3tXmgYdrd0Y3V3WiRllz/s1600/DSC00336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_wkPwrPG0ld2cEQ-nZLIqA5FYRoQT1VTusL_h48gJqggzHaewSD3NgnT2kOl3G-CNDYcZRcdIdBikFllbzibahV4oc_s2gCFcdG-1C27E2DjUMJQiGNuhnSA3tXmgYdrd0Y3V3WiRllz/s320/DSC00336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632940579402896418" /></a><br /><br />At the reception they had a "picture wall" with old family wedding photos, where you could pose behind an open picture frame....so fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge2SWuySLPanxdlhAmw2Q35hKBaVfLJ0E1VkfxwZThK7GRDSunYd__xHkd81WeNRrO3EB2jR5zgonzGW9j7OBeumTY7kaaXihnUI4YPvttqtdWMTGA-HypvFcybTjZjMpG6Qk9LSJ_Egq/s1600/DSC00331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge2SWuySLPanxdlhAmw2Q35hKBaVfLJ0E1VkfxwZThK7GRDSunYd__xHkd81WeNRrO3EB2jR5zgonzGW9j7OBeumTY7kaaXihnUI4YPvttqtdWMTGA-HypvFcybTjZjMpG6Qk9LSJ_Egq/s320/DSC00331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632940569278175538" /></a><br /><br />The girls showing off their moves at the outdoor reception...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ5uFmq3z6lQcxtjCynVZA37pMNxFgxaT7At1I93FMKnvhPbiTlM3Mrd_KkVceLKhL_p1l1AOVcT6xI-kbMrMsbAqR2JujnV3co5JNH4qihpvhdzp9-fFS7PMUZ2I_ngZGOplaFsgh_th/s1600/DSC00301.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ5uFmq3z6lQcxtjCynVZA37pMNxFgxaT7At1I93FMKnvhPbiTlM3Mrd_KkVceLKhL_p1l1AOVcT6xI-kbMrMsbAqR2JujnV3co5JNH4qihpvhdzp9-fFS7PMUZ2I_ngZGOplaFsgh_th/s320/DSC00301.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632940562485399954" /></a><br /><br />Just one of the delicious cupcake selections.. yum!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzzl822D977MhJcl5BuO3V2RGMcnBxpwu93SGVgKiNAr-OGiA69LwlzxKypXi-rhjXyxJk6xk3ZxcIk2ohkXh5ImEkeBkHX3wBs1YMLP-imBCv1pcKI7QDVuGnO7lnQijc7YlC5KfazH4/s1600/DSC00264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzzl822D977MhJcl5BuO3V2RGMcnBxpwu93SGVgKiNAr-OGiA69LwlzxKypXi-rhjXyxJk6xk3ZxcIk2ohkXh5ImEkeBkHX3wBs1YMLP-imBCv1pcKI7QDVuGnO7lnQijc7YlC5KfazH4/s320/DSC00264.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632938503152909234" /></a><br /><br />Another of Lindsey's fun ideas...among the tables were mason jars holding "moustache" cut-outs glued to long sticks...made for some fun poses at the picture wall!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFRG_DLCU2q2t3usl-H8d8JssVVUWWcPx5bGoaL1arkQhQ1TlHfMoApMbFkdrZ9sRV5CIGQIGYcHssOEOou3PEFDWUvj5N8a_LVf2gcLkkU4G79TIz3dySpFjHBYDmtv6VEpBTHvUNyYa/s1600/DSC00213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFRG_DLCU2q2t3usl-H8d8JssVVUWWcPx5bGoaL1arkQhQ1TlHfMoApMbFkdrZ9sRV5CIGQIGYcHssOEOou3PEFDWUvj5N8a_LVf2gcLkkU4G79TIz3dySpFjHBYDmtv6VEpBTHvUNyYa/s320/DSC00213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632938497710348514" /></a><br /><br />Our family just after the wedding.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYul9nENdXujwGD0CWm7XyVqQonxn_w-Yet3wf1ob-WwZn4pj6jZ3ZWGoZwfSRkl2_O4PD57u4xtMM4CkJFd5dFuNXIDsdo1ZQzQQ1WVF2eZUGvkDQYRQXo5EzMH3XZpCf1en3AB-YEblt/s1600/DSC00207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYul9nENdXujwGD0CWm7XyVqQonxn_w-Yet3wf1ob-WwZn4pj6jZ3ZWGoZwfSRkl2_O4PD57u4xtMM4CkJFd5dFuNXIDsdo1ZQzQQ1WVF2eZUGvkDQYRQXo5EzMH3XZpCf1en3AB-YEblt/s320/DSC00207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632938495325956674" /></a><br /><br />The girl cousins looking beautiful....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfP-f4q8mnp83BorDUP_1xy4u3kE_28eyLoTTd7lh96iaUFvDTmadWd6eZ5CxjoHM-etEaP05Edsylzzn28ke9GuE1fY7uQS3vFIAYNIvE6Mg-80cY9suiiIyPJX7smZlSnKT1ZovRCxV/s1600/DSC00176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfP-f4q8mnp83BorDUP_1xy4u3kE_28eyLoTTd7lh96iaUFvDTmadWd6eZ5CxjoHM-etEaP05Edsylzzn28ke9GuE1fY7uQS3vFIAYNIvE6Mg-80cY9suiiIyPJX7smZlSnKT1ZovRCxV/s320/DSC00176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632938490061240130" /></a><br /><br />The handsome boy cousins waiting "patiently" for the pictures to be done.... :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNrK4j5oh1pueozRt7PqkTecwzek9jLrO0PGq95C4aRaWkXtCMWul5z8PgT8a_CrAw2qsRr22JYEWJd3Zj6RfW_BP1cW2aiBsmt7vac3FxdxpI5X3_53VJ_WFfho-Y4Y24EyJNYWImdXC/s1600/DSC00170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNrK4j5oh1pueozRt7PqkTecwzek9jLrO0PGq95C4aRaWkXtCMWul5z8PgT8a_CrAw2qsRr22JYEWJd3Zj6RfW_BP1cW2aiBsmt7vac3FxdxpI5X3_53VJ_WFfho-Y4Y24EyJNYWImdXC/s320/DSC00170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632938481777912354" /></a><br /><br />We had such a fun time....since Ann Arbor is part of Tim's old stomping grounds, we made sure to have our fill of Coney Dogs. We also took a drive around town to see the new football stadium. Super fun! <br /><br />Next Stop: Chelsea, Michigan to see Tanya and Luman Strong and family!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-17959453702936339912011-06-23T09:29:00.000-07:002011-06-23T09:57:30.197-07:00a lego courtroom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HYKoyDOiIYhZUKk91e6Crb0Bxf8ZQSzko4cRL4zHcCspDht1CAYIQ9KeiuKsSR2NmwJi-iIYhiPZnT9gbzF-bYhxNp3vrRCjClhQ6nPTbRhz_NvTaJHWGzbUIav79gRWSGm5yM_qOmwx/s1600/DSC00007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HYKoyDOiIYhZUKk91e6Crb0Bxf8ZQSzko4cRL4zHcCspDht1CAYIQ9KeiuKsSR2NmwJi-iIYhiPZnT9gbzF-bYhxNp3vrRCjClhQ6nPTbRhz_NvTaJHWGzbUIav79gRWSGm5yM_qOmwx/s320/DSC00007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621453411450415986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zk3i0XCcARFthuobPZ9KJ8dc3d_OKwAfO771SV2gpqiI__Kep873fusmV0jxGpePQmemyUVOONMI9CM2zj1M8Sbve6AUWK3KYLL7nuUjbm1vVlHfWwRQ6emMKLp1aQhXSBDlvE-ckJMb/s1600/DSC00006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zk3i0XCcARFthuobPZ9KJ8dc3d_OKwAfO771SV2gpqiI__Kep873fusmV0jxGpePQmemyUVOONMI9CM2zj1M8Sbve6AUWK3KYLL7nuUjbm1vVlHfWwRQ6emMKLp1aQhXSBDlvE-ckJMb/s320/DSC00006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621453403310449794" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday we had to hold court at our house. One boy (the defendant) was using a lego piece that he believed belonged to a set he purchased with his own money. Another boy (the plaintiff) was VERY distraught, because he claimed it belonged to the set HE purchased with HIS own money. They both had recently purchased two small sets each. They each bought the "Pharoah's Quest Scarab Attack" set. The other two that they bought were different. <br /><br />I took these pictures of the piece for evidence....a "scythe" that fits onto the end of a stick....so we have the full perspective of this tiny piece of plastic that caused so much turmoil. You see, the boys share legos all the time, but this was a matter of ownership. Principle. We had to get to the bottom of it. After several interviews with the plaintiff, the defendant, and one witness, we had conflicting reports. I thought maybe the Scarab Attack set had come with a scythe, so there would be two floating around the house somewhere. After a futile search for the assembly instructions for all sets in question, we turned to the internet. A quick google search and a little poking around Legoshop.com revealed that the scythe was NOT part of the Scarab Attack, nor was it part of the "Prison Carriage Rescue", which is the set purchased by the defendant. The plaintiff was right...the scythe came with his set, the "Prince of Persia Ostrich Race." Case closed.<br /><br /> <br />Welcome to my world. :)Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-27274371712767445262011-06-20T22:15:00.000-07:002011-06-20T22:30:30.909-07:00Rookie League Champs!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPwDombK-K-0u3sAHdNkrgHqo6nM-eCRGLHBsBoHNO2HqLyecajGJA6JXu6UR5smUu3q_R-nuTQC1V-30G6cm-D-GxT6DOb4kJJ6CJg9gC9XrKW-Hw_g8f00pdUJowbhEBqhyRAunZYkQ/s1600/DSC09986.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPwDombK-K-0u3sAHdNkrgHqo6nM-eCRGLHBsBoHNO2HqLyecajGJA6JXu6UR5smUu3q_R-nuTQC1V-30G6cm-D-GxT6DOb4kJJ6CJg9gC9XrKW-Hw_g8f00pdUJowbhEBqhyRAunZYkQ/s320/DSC09986.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538358901807650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpcUDLjPAIrNrrjrFW0CVdEe_cjNnTmZXWA3ZFM0ZccYJW0tuD5w-QxPxRdKv2x7HSNrMTj7-uBUyvUQCdxLUcsAFS9pACvZ_GBCZIJgwtUnjw9Nrq56x6bY5Ky14rNmW0TvSWzyYe8Aj/s1600/DSC09987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpcUDLjPAIrNrrjrFW0CVdEe_cjNnTmZXWA3ZFM0ZccYJW0tuD5w-QxPxRdKv2x7HSNrMTj7-uBUyvUQCdxLUcsAFS9pACvZ_GBCZIJgwtUnjw9Nrq56x6bY5Ky14rNmW0TvSWzyYe8Aj/s320/DSC09987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538347656194050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3OFEUgEyVH4Su2Cb13tGOdrV5p0FOi93LeatPF15Zhpg8EzJB_ZhPPz9A1iJLjHTiacgH8eJODiqp0Gst3IMZV5RqqsvPVhMZXf3Slk6PiMBcyAQk95FcDlcXXHW1Cvx7LJA3SCO-Bdg/s1600/DSC09988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3OFEUgEyVH4Su2Cb13tGOdrV5p0FOi93LeatPF15Zhpg8EzJB_ZhPPz9A1iJLjHTiacgH8eJODiqp0Gst3IMZV5RqqsvPVhMZXf3Slk6PiMBcyAQk95FcDlcXXHW1Cvx7LJA3SCO-Bdg/s320/DSC09988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538344443110514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV9R59WM_hhT4rnwSTgfrD1ne5labz76cWoQHwTymY35mj_gCpB7JeIcDIDzqH2c9fLHLqlwTrAy1xDPwVC73Pci3OYTUrIeNBwDvpliPizVLUTaU7_jRAKC19IiqHqdoaJPNGpjcX0wm/s1600/DSC09990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV9R59WM_hhT4rnwSTgfrD1ne5labz76cWoQHwTymY35mj_gCpB7JeIcDIDzqH2c9fLHLqlwTrAy1xDPwVC73Pci3OYTUrIeNBwDvpliPizVLUTaU7_jRAKC19IiqHqdoaJPNGpjcX0wm/s320/DSC09990.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538301070299250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkv-JSppZgmj1FQEVrl4z67YdrBJaChKv7ZP-hilaEDNJ6CG_-cdu_WpcdHRN1hSyPjgXyd9obUTKAsIxCs4f-J1C1XV8N-ntM-_YKNTTP-nqypmTRh4uza5BoSHt0ARsIT_oW2X90H11/s1600/DSC09993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkv-JSppZgmj1FQEVrl4z67YdrBJaChKv7ZP-hilaEDNJ6CG_-cdu_WpcdHRN1hSyPjgXyd9obUTKAsIxCs4f-J1C1XV8N-ntM-_YKNTTP-nqypmTRh4uza5BoSHt0ARsIT_oW2X90H11/s320/DSC09993.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538292828687986" /></a><br /><br />Joe and Pete's baseball season ended with a bang on Sunday! Their team won the championship game! Whoooohooooo!!! What a fun time it was......the last game really was a nailbiter. Both teams did a great job. It has been an enjoyable season for the boys...their coaches were fantastic. They expected a lot from the boys and didn't take any guff from them, but they treated the boys with respect...I think that went a long way. Of course it's not all about winning, but it sure was fun to see the looks on those boys' faces as they lined up with their medals!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-47263134030279345712011-05-17T21:16:00.000-07:002011-05-17T21:57:16.705-07:00take me out to the ballgame...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjR-YbNwnAFIaujWiNNiB77pbUhxfevnx83LAaZB2lyR8QIKtVmjjvqlsMDz8ZiyACAAOjBe17Ye5CfUy2vTPV7dYI3mwsGJ4UuZFspBkSm7SigttyKGKSXV4wJd11NiKRBuonvAMlzJ4/s1600/DSC09620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjR-YbNwnAFIaujWiNNiB77pbUhxfevnx83LAaZB2lyR8QIKtVmjjvqlsMDz8ZiyACAAOjBe17Ye5CfUy2vTPV7dYI3mwsGJ4UuZFspBkSm7SigttyKGKSXV4wJd11NiKRBuonvAMlzJ4/s320/DSC09620.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607907083906576626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrUZgtVgyUi1TSjK9qf-cGXKA4OB3XJfOxzkKtSndRWksneA1El_xYL9LtqyMhHVRjwmQM0oW3EYJkiRZS5qXTwXzyrhnCpFouBVE2yUZv9pKqDyVXGNMGJtT9KhNWrN_I2uUduCFyenS/s1600/DSC09672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrUZgtVgyUi1TSjK9qf-cGXKA4OB3XJfOxzkKtSndRWksneA1El_xYL9LtqyMhHVRjwmQM0oW3EYJkiRZS5qXTwXzyrhnCpFouBVE2yUZv9pKqDyVXGNMGJtT9KhNWrN_I2uUduCFyenS/s320/DSC09672.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607907071553266018" /></a><br />It's that time of year again! We've been at the ballpark all spring, hauling blankets, strollers, chairs, and enough food to feed an army (or at least Joe). We've had one hot gameday so far, but otherwise we've been bundled up in winter coats and blankets! It has been a COLD spring! <br /><br />Baseball season is crazy, especially with all three boys playing (thankfully Joe and Pete are on the same team, so only two teams to keep track of - next year it will be three separate teams). Keeping track of uniforms, uniform socks, gloves, batting gloves, cleats, etc. is a JOB. Not to mention the fact that weeknight games are right at supper time. So it's either eat supper at 4:30, 9:00, or try and bring something somewhat healthy to the games. Concessions? Once in a while, but so expensive...and obviously not what we need to be eating for dinner four nights a week. So we've usually ended up bringing a few snacks to the games, and then eating supper late. We are able feed the Gulford her supper at the game....she likes watching all the kids and is pretty content to sit in the stroller and munch Cheerios. She HATES sitting in the grass. Janie doesn't mind cheering her brothers on, but it's always more fun if she can coerce a friend into tagging along. <br /><br />It may sound like I'm complaining, but I actually love baseball season. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work. But our kids don't play year round sports, so we really look forward to these months. The kids learn so much, and it's wonderful to see them grow and improve each year. We have really been blessed with great coaches who give great instruction and constant encouragement. The Little League diamonds are about a minute drive from our house, and all of the games are played there...super convenient. The boys are always spending their hard-earned money on Big League Chew, and I'll see them up to bat with a wad of gum in their mouths the size of Texas. After each game, the players all get a free pop from the concession stand....it's always a hoot to see them tear out of the dugout to go get their ice cold Pepsi or Mt. Dew Code Red. <br /><br />It's fun, it's growing the skills and character of my boys, and it's great memories. By July, I just may be a little more worn out, but at this point in the season the smell of nachos and the sound of a solid hit make me thankful for this piece of my kids' childhood!<br /><br />Anyone want to share a pretzel? :)Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-42667456606875803512011-05-13T14:06:00.000-07:002011-05-13T14:11:48.581-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz9UF7RNCJ-n3NfF1DuZfAhbFQ4KiKQXEcj03QMdl21ZLv2jlzuuU9DNElegwFGD1PjnlW38feWMc-re9FzKosk-EGfh0kls5xx4B6c_4VjHW-ft_6qA64ijf1z8XFfKNkkjNwWCUNEju/s1600/DSC09701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz9UF7RNCJ-n3NfF1DuZfAhbFQ4KiKQXEcj03QMdl21ZLv2jlzuuU9DNElegwFGD1PjnlW38feWMc-re9FzKosk-EGfh0kls5xx4B6c_4VjHW-ft_6qA64ijf1z8XFfKNkkjNwWCUNEju/s320/DSC09701.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606310235196211474" /></a><br /><br />This is the bedside of my eleven-year-old daughter. She LOVES to read. She literally devours books! We usually try to hit the library every three weeks or so, and she exits with a huge stack of books. However, by the end of the first week she's read them all and is complaining of having NOTHING to read. Does anyone else have this "problem"? :)Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-77536100573623717202011-04-26T20:49:00.000-07:002011-04-26T21:21:56.888-07:00the science fair<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJhGh6Q4c5x33QNp0OBAJ-HKZ3RsoaMf43G6BvLM7ENwJA92ViYA-0gzCa5fgrg6E7797SRnSNFKxw8XSik2Wb2fbHtxV6ka3Jz-ECCaXZuxBhm6X1xLfA7aDz9PDvZ7F6h0MgVu05YEV/s1600/DSC09440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJhGh6Q4c5x33QNp0OBAJ-HKZ3RsoaMf43G6BvLM7ENwJA92ViYA-0gzCa5fgrg6E7797SRnSNFKxw8XSik2Wb2fbHtxV6ka3Jz-ECCaXZuxBhm6X1xLfA7aDz9PDvZ7F6h0MgVu05YEV/s320/DSC09440.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600106095498778002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQgIJdUHhiQwBI8nHb6B7oijj_fnl5dfaXDh5ZHPKYk8kgWPFYLp9pYjZD6IqRqBCPvTmVrwuFWQ7IVt59NkV_hKRX9pUwuVTKtFGpOAIWzo7u09t-pOZ3U0rHO3Zk6e6llAQHvb3rTRz/s1600/DSC09434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQgIJdUHhiQwBI8nHb6B7oijj_fnl5dfaXDh5ZHPKYk8kgWPFYLp9pYjZD6IqRqBCPvTmVrwuFWQ7IVt59NkV_hKRX9pUwuVTKtFGpOAIWzo7u09t-pOZ3U0rHO3Zk6e6llAQHvb3rTRz/s320/DSC09434.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600106085285560434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPFOma4kaWqRov6ZgzGJcfAu9Wchhp7kYe2osZhpYML_onBONW0sfosq-Wvy4omZxa_bXz5hUp3iMHklEmlqEMlVGAHflel4brulCazjay1Ud_VJgAO2cmT7seDEWrHjExP2pTbCrY1tO/s1600/DSC09432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPFOma4kaWqRov6ZgzGJcfAu9Wchhp7kYe2osZhpYML_onBONW0sfosq-Wvy4omZxa_bXz5hUp3iMHklEmlqEMlVGAHflel4brulCazjay1Ud_VJgAO2cmT7seDEWrHjExP2pTbCrY1tO/s320/DSC09432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600106082566882802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo-T4fKBquzkv80ZijRC9g_al4AgWtYlHqHtEft1zlrZygSA00Ktn0fqlqRBor1zNTgqAvIoFgFtu-eVkGF_RxATfaKUrUY0Sllmm-9ado9CKKqVP7OsWiByEtJcd1doBOjd3zm1YnS8x/s1600/DSC09430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo-T4fKBquzkv80ZijRC9g_al4AgWtYlHqHtEft1zlrZygSA00Ktn0fqlqRBor1zNTgqAvIoFgFtu-eVkGF_RxATfaKUrUY0Sllmm-9ado9CKKqVP7OsWiByEtJcd1doBOjd3zm1YnS8x/s320/DSC09430.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600106068991520930" /></a><br /><br />It has been a while....so I thought I'd share the final products from the science fair. <br /><br />Sam did a study of catapults (he's turning out to be VERY interested in history, so he kept wanting to put more of a historical slant on it....and since the science and physics of catapults is pretty much like a foreign language to me, I let him!) He did test a number of different objects to see how far each would be thrown by the catapult...I can't remember what went the farthest. The stale marshmallow, maybe? Oh, and he got to build the catapult himself with help from Grandpa B.<br /><br />Joe did a project called "beach erosion", which we found on a website that has hundreds of science fair ideas. Basically, he took a paint pan and made a little "beach" with sand and water....bobbed a pencil up and down in the water for different lengths of time and recorded what the waves did to the beachline. It was pretty cool. Joe added his Lemonheads box for decoration...a "billboard".<br /><br />Peter made a battery out of pennies, nickels, and little bits of paper towel soaked in vinegar and salt. He and Tim used a meter to read how many volts were produced by the battery depending on how many coins were stacked. (Again, thank you science website.) He didn't get to bring the actual battery to the science fair because the salt and vinegar was causing the coins to produce all sorts of green gunk. But we took pictures and made a cool poster with the readouts.<br /><br />Janie did her project on nutrition. She had all kinds of "lift-the-flap" questions about how different vitamins and minerals affect the body and in what foods to find them. She made a few sample menus of healthy meals, and a few of unhealthy meals...a very cute idea! She works very hard on projects like this....a perfectionist...and loves to see her ideas come to fruition.<br /><br />The woman who organized the science fair did a fantastic job. There were about 25 kids who entered projects, and all of them were very interesting. Each student received a certificate of recognition, and there were even cash prizes for each age-range winner (the entries were judged by students from Augie's science department). This may sound very silly, but I was so intimidated by the idea of science fair...and admittedly our projects were not the most "scientific" - we had no theories or hypotheses, etc. But we did what we set out to do and got our feet wet, so to speak, so next year shouldn't seem so intimidating. I will say that I'm not sure I want to attempt assisting FOUR projects at one time, though. WHEW!!!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-50659158844844854032011-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:002011-03-30T22:48:17.365-07:00eating elephantsToday was one of those days where I kept having to psyche myself up. In other words, I had to work really hard to keep the day from going south. It wasn't a bad day. It just could have been. The two main factors, I believe, that required the constant pulling oneself up by the bootstraps were 1) hormones/pms (sorry if there is actually a man besides Tim who reads this) and 2) four science fair projects due on Friday. Our homeschool co-op is having a science fair, and I signed all four kids up for it. What was I thinking, you might ask? Especially when science is not my strong suit and trying to help four kids with projects all at once, well, I don't think I even have to go further with that one. Three months ago, when I signed the kids up, I thought it would be good for them to do it. On Monday of this week I was seriously regretting that decision. HOWEVER, the projects themselves have really not been stressful. It's that we're out of our routine this week while working on them. I am NOT, by nature, a structured person. But I realize more and more that I completely rely on our routine to keep me sane and to help me maintain a sense of order/progress/whatever you want to call it. But I have to say that, even though I am SO not a science person, the projects are all turning out to be interesting and fun. We've had some help from Dad and Grandpa, and Janie has taken off on hers with almost no help at all. And only one trip to the hardware store for sand (and lemonheads - brain food, you know). So it has been a little chaotic and messy, but it's a lesson in "eating an elephant one bite at a time". It seems like that theme has been coming to my mind a lot lately about different areas of life.....steady as we go.....one step at a time.... It doesn't come naturally to this fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, impulsive girl. But I'm learning to try the idea on and walk around in it. So anyway, I think it will be fun to display the projects on Friday and to see what the other kids worked on.<br /><br />I had to laugh on Monday...we were meeting with the principal of the school where Janie may attend next year, and he was showing us the computer lab and saying how many kids are way beyond power point and that they don't use poster board anymore. Ummm....because we were about to head home to work on our tri-fold display board. Oh, well! :) We'll tackle that elephant another day!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735209850582639900.post-77406902959091749602011-03-28T21:12:00.000-07:002011-03-28T21:24:33.194-07:00sweet baby girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cPK9W43OonFE_4QMHRjy9TiYO7dWAvYfUSqfyYH00OBUf30tYhhxLeve86jqw4zihtlXgoz-wfmCKJPpyz6rUaQCrVjwF4yRw_05uYxTJ_qSPndcyaZivNi-eVoyaVVGbNwSp3lJYURO/s1600/DSC09291.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cPK9W43OonFE_4QMHRjy9TiYO7dWAvYfUSqfyYH00OBUf30tYhhxLeve86jqw4zihtlXgoz-wfmCKJPpyz6rUaQCrVjwF4yRw_05uYxTJ_qSPndcyaZivNi-eVoyaVVGbNwSp3lJYURO/s320/DSC09291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589350356535680914" /></a>It's been a while since we've had a baby in the kitchen sink! I just couldn't resist posting this picture of the Gulford. Many of you know her and have given her cuddles....she's our little lump of sugar we've been taking care of since October. She's nine months old now, and ALMOST ready to crawl. I'm so not ready for a crawler, but it's coming fast. I will have to really whip my housekeeping into high gear. You may be wondering why I call her "the Gulford". This nickname came from....you guessed it...Pete. He began calling her the Gulford early on....."can I feed the Gulford?" "Let me hold the Gulford." Anyway, we're kind of a nickname family, so it stuck. It has recently morphed into "Gulfie". I know, not the most cutsie/girlie nickname. But nevertheless..... Anyway, we absolutely love this little girl. Each of the kids just loves her, and she loves it when they play with her. Having her at our house has been a total joy....Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447229131416898952noreply@blogger.com2