tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14166677168820171682024-03-13T13:14:43.929-07:00our little lifeHBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-43783950851850305362015-06-07T13:44:00.000-07:002015-06-07T13:44:17.537-07:00Things We Are Enjoying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are enjoying catching crawly things in the creek behind our house. </div>
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I'm loving hearing my baby boy fill our house with his chattering. </div>
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These two did not love soccer season, but don't they look so cute!? We are enjoying unstructured, unplanned time with our fam on Saturday mornings instead of soccer games. </div>
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My girls are still into dolls and play with them daily. I love this sweet age!!</div>
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The bigs had their end of the year piano recital.</div>
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This is the morning our neighborhood pool opened. The bigs slept in their swimsuits the night before and were among the first kiddos to jump into the freezing cold pool! </div>
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My big boy and his buddy got to have a late night snack on our back porch. </div>
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We are enjoying life going slow, not doing school, not having a schedule and just being together. There is something so sweet about spending my days with my little chicks and I am so thankful. And sometimes tired. But mostly thankful. </div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-84811560723169667572014-12-03T13:33:00.001-08:002014-12-03T13:33:24.732-08:00Low Key HolidaysWe decorated for Christmas today. My new decorating policy is below:<br />
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<b>If it takes more than two hours, it's going back in the attic till next year.</b><br />
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I am embracing the truth that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. I was wrapping our tree with some burlap ribbon. I couldn't get it right. I headed to the computer to look up a picture of how to wrap a tree with burlap. My wise 9 year old stopped me and said, "Mom, it looks good. It looks like you. I like the way you did it. You don't need some silly picture off the internet to show you how to do it. It looks like you." The kids hung 95% of the ornaments and I did not rearrange them. We had fun.<br />
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Our stockings don't match but they are still lovely. </div>
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We hosted Thanksgiving for my babydad's fam this year. I had so much fun setting the table and the bar. I took one picture. Ooopsie. I was busy enjoying our people. We got our turkey from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/becausewhatweeatmatters">Freckle Face Farms</a>. It was divine. </div>
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So y'all, get off pinterest and go throw some lights and ornaments on the tree and have fun. Relax. Sit on the couch. Drink some hot tea. Take a nap. Tis the season to chill out. </div>
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<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-17613882976626181262014-06-30T13:02:00.000-07:002014-06-30T13:02:15.917-07:00My Ma's Green Enchiladas RevampedDear Mom,<br />
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Don't hate me, but I changed your enchilada recipe. I really don't understand why you never told me that Velveeta is not real cheese. After all these years of thinking it was some super fancy, nutritious, gourmet, soft cheese, I was mortified to learn that my cheese of choice is actually not cheese. Since my best recipes started with your cooking, I had to change this recipe to include more real cheese. I made it for several of my friends and they all went crazy over it and have essentially hounded me to give them the recipe. So, here it is. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for changing it. Thanks for teaching me how to cook and how to love people by feeding them really good (cheese) food. Teehheeehhee.<br />
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Love you forever,<br />
HB<br />
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<b>Green Enchiladas</b><br />
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2 dozen soft taco or fajitas sized flour tortillas<br />
1 large onion, chopped<br />
1 large bell pepper, chopped<br />
about 4-6 cups shredded colby jack<br />
1 pound ground beef<br />
1 pound chorizo<br />
6 tablespoons butter<br />
6 tablespoons flour<br />
3-4 cups whole milk or half and half<br />
medium sized can chopped green chiles (or chopped jalapenos if you're brave)<br />
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Brown meats with onion and bell pepper. Drain. Make the cheese sauce by melting the butter on the stove, then stir in the flour to form a paste (over medium heat) and very gradually add the milk, about a cup at a time and then add about 2-3 cups cheese at the end, then add the chiles. You can tweak the sauce as you prepare it. You want it pourable, but not too soupy. It's kind of like a really simple cheese dip. Set that aside and stuff the enchiladas. Fill each tortilla with about 1/4 cup meat mixture and a 1/4 (or less) cup of cheese. Line them up in every 9x13 pan you possess and drown them in cheese sauce. Bake at 325 for thirty minutes. Serve with sour cream, just in case you need more dairy in your diet. These freeze excellently. Enjoy! Throw a party and feed your people!HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-43202355711876460622014-06-21T14:04:00.000-07:002014-06-21T14:04:24.038-07:00Good-bye Phone and Facebook, Hello Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We started our Summer off right with a trip to the beach. </div>
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My grandparents joined us and we had a lovely time. </div>
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We came home to several weeks full of year-end activities. Brooklyn and Gramm played soccer, and Vivian finished her semester of gymnastics. </div>
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The big kids (AKA Gramm, Vivian and Brooklyn) found this snake, named him Slither Fort Wild, and made him this "habitat" in an old box. Slither Fort Wild bit Gramm on one of his fingers the day of his piano recital. Gramm survived. </div>
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And he made us all proud at his piano recital. </div>
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We celebrated the one year anniversary of our baby boy's adoption. He loves strawberries and whipped cream which we had over brownies (of course!) on his special day. </div>
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We started a very informal supper club with two other couples. We hosted the first night. I made lasagna, the other ladies brought dessert, salad, and bread.</div>
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These beautiful girls...they love me and I love them. I'm blessed. </div>
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Front yard picnic for Gramm and his super fun and adventurous buddy, John Isaac. </div>
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Vivian, Brooklyn, Roman and our sweet little girly friend, Caroline (John Isaac's sister), </div>
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painted some huge boxes in our driveway. </div>
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Do you wonder what was in those huge boxes? Our new swingset! The kids have been saving for a while for this swingset and my skilled hubby had it all set up in under 6 hours. </div>
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Sometime after our trip to the beach, my hubby and I decided that I was just too attached to my phone. I've been putting it away during the day some and just generally trying to ignore it. I was letting my phone rule my life, steal my focus, and distract me to no end. Not having my face in my phone has been wonderful, but it's also shown me that I still spend too much time on the dad-blamed Facebook! Oh, Facebook! My big kids and my hubby all want me to get off Facebook. I want them to know I hear them and I want to show my family through my actions, that it is a joy and privilege and honor to be their wife and mother.<b> My dear readers from Facebook, please subscribe to my blog, because I'm going to be off Facebook indefinitely.</b> On the top right corner of this page is an area where you can subscribe to my posts by email, just enter your email address and my blog posts will come straight to your email inbox. Signing off for now, love to you all. </div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-66771674349840510972014-04-24T08:50:00.000-07:002014-04-24T08:50:01.398-07:00My BabyRo woke up the other night crying. We thought he was teething, his Daddy gave him tylenol, comforted him and put him back to bed. Within a few minutes, Ro's crying had escalated to an all out scream. I went to him, picked him up and sat down to rock him. He wrapped his little arms around my shoulders, laid down his head and very quietly said, "Mama." I said, "That's right, Mama's here." He slumped against me and sighed. That moment, and that sweet little sigh, was so precious to me.<br />
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Adoption has been better than I expected and harder than I expected. But, he knows that I'm his mama. He hardly ever says my name and really prefers to say, "Dada! Hi Dada!" whenever he sees his Daddy. And, that's okay because he knows he's my baby, and I know I'm his mama.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adoption day last May</td></tr>
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-34701701792479573182014-03-26T19:42:00.000-07:002014-03-26T19:42:05.539-07:00Musings on Navigating Life as the Biggest, Deepest, Most Emphatic Feeler Ever Sometimes, I hurt. You know, little things, such as an off-the-cuff remark that I've misunderstood, embarrassment because I said the wrong thing, feeling left out, misunderstood, and generally feeling like a failure as a mom/wife/sister/friend. I'm not writing this looking for sympathy. I'm writing this to provide hope for all you other feely feelers out there.<br />
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What do I do when I feel these things? I get sad, mad, maybe a little depressed. Typically, I figure out that I need to sit down and journal my thoughts, also known as hugging it out with God. I try to process my feelings with loving, healthy individuals who understand me. I read my Bible. I listen to <a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/light-world/">Nancy Leigh DeMoss</a> (we're best friends actually, but she doesn't know it).<br />
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But sometimes I just want to run away and hide from all relationships, except mothering and wife-ing. I think that if I can avoid relationships, things won't get messy. If I didn't desire community or deep relationships, my life would be so much easier. If I could just stop FEELING so much then maybe I could get some peace. Maybe I could be okay.<br />
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About a month ago, I actually Googled the phrase, "how to change your personality" and then read Wikipedia's suggestions and considered applying the knowledge I'd acquired. But God made me who I am. I'm wired to love people. I'm wired to be loyal almost to a fault. I'm wired to desire more than surface relationships. I'm wired to want friends in my life, to have deep conversations, to feed all my people, and to open the door of my house to any non-dangerous humans. I'm also wired to feel another's pain so deeply. I'm wired to feel other's joys almost as if they are my own.<br />
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I remember the day my friend, Julie, found out she was expecting her little girl and called to tell me her news. I was so happy that I sat there, phone to my ear, speechless, with tears streaming down my face. I vividly remember seeing someone I've loved my whole life suffering under a great amount of hurt and I remember crying right alongside. And then crying for several nights afterward whenever this situation came to my mind.<br />
It's good that I feel. For years, I've been so frustrated with this part of myself. But, I'm finally seeing that it's a good thing to feel deeply. The world needs feelers and lots of them. I often get hurt, but I know the Healer. He made me and He understands me.<br />
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The Lord has taught me so much through my deepest hurts. For the past two years, give or take a few months, I have consistently felt more hurt than I ever thought I would feel, from situations that I never dreamed would cause such pain. All this hurting has lead me straight past the self-loathing to Jesus. The path to self-loathing is so tempting. Sometimes, I wander down that path and have a moment of, "What the heck is wrong with me!?" But that path leads nowhere. I don't want my kids to ever see me on that path. (I feel the need to insert this truth here: There's a huge difference between taking responsibility for my actions and seeking to make things right if needed versus beating myself up over and over again for making mistakes.) But God continues to meet me right there, when I'm overwhelmed by guilt and shame. Right when I'm feeling like I do everything wrong and I am so messed up He ministers peace to me. He reminds me of His love for me. He reminds me that though my sins are as scarlet, He has made them white as snow. He reminds me that He has compassion for me. He reminds me that He loves me deeply. And, He reminds me that Jesus was a man of sorrows. He has felt pain far worse than I and there was nothing wrong with Him.<br />
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So, all you feelers out there, you are not alone. You are dearly loved. You are lovely. Feeling hurt does not mean you are, in some way, defective. We were made to feel.<br />
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<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-2672602685345901752014-02-26T19:07:00.000-08:002014-02-26T19:11:06.009-08:00How to Have Fun With Your People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Take the baby to the zoo for the first time ever. He will smile. You will smile. A lot. </div>
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Take the twins and the baby to the flower and garden show. They will last maybe 45 minutes. Buy a really pretty bird feeder and get a burger on the way home. </div>
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Let your kids join you occasionally during your quiet time...they are watching you. This girl's journal entry, "I love you God. So much. You are the sweetest."</div>
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Make a cape for the cutest four year old in your life. </div>
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Last but not least, don't do the laundry. Pray that you will someday get caught up. Look forward to Summer when your family lives in bathing suits, sundresses, shorts, and flip flops.<br />
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<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-17929426633372903652014-02-02T12:36:00.001-08:002014-02-02T12:36:18.420-08:00Life LatelyMy big boy taught himself how to eat with a spoon. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1389.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1389.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My babydad and I cleared out this little space and are prepping it to become a playhouse. Shhhh...don't tell the kids!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1390.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1390.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I made goat cheese biscuits for a neighborhood girlie dinner partay spear headed by my genius pal, Julie. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1391.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1391.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />My babe discovered cheese dip while on a mommy and kids date with one of my faves. Obviously, he enjoyed it. :) <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1392.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1392.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />New baby monitor to replace broken one. Thx Craigslist. Love watching this boy. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1393.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1393.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />All three kids did a week's worth of chores like a bunch of tiny rock stars! They spent their allowances on craft supplies. So fun!!!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1394.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1394.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The twins got to go with me to the eye doctor. Guess what they got to play with? Chopsticks! The only remotely fun things in my purse. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1395.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1395.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1396.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1396.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We got new windows! Our house is warmer, quieter and so much more pleasant. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1397.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1397.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My big boy was sick this week with tummy troubles. We got a redbox movie and snuggled up. He strongly recommended I stay off my phone during the movie. Point taken, son. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1398.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1398.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This baby continues to just wrap his daddy and I around his little finger. He smiles and laughs more than he ever has. He runs everywhere. He loves food. I'm so glad I get to be his mom. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/02/02/1399.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/02/02/s_1399.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-66838034459655692822013-12-07T12:35:00.000-08:002013-12-07T12:35:50.408-08:00Bunk Bed Revamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were given a set of bunk beds by some very generous friends several months ago. I had my doubts about my very active twin girls sleeping on bunk beds, but the first couple months went just fine. Then, one of the girls got too close to the ceiling fan and cut her eyebrow. One trip the ER and five stitches later, we decided to move the bunk beds (we actually disassembled them for a time) as far away from the fan as possible. </div>
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While the beds were disassembled, I spent a lot more time with the girls in the evenings lying on their beds, reading and talking. I'd hoped to continue this once their bunk beds were set up again, but it just wasn't comfortable and ended up not happening.</div>
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Enter home improvement idea number 489,000. I talked to my babydad and told him that we should convert the bunk beds into low, L-shaped loft beds. After a couple of months of hem-hawing around, we decided to take the plunge today. </div>
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Bunk beds before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPsY85csWB0-ZqgPZf5xqRkhrl8ofV18Z7-JGEjx2-rNBPrymF4s23q3y986YOVtaBYNT1m0w8m5NC9Mw1nZCdfWzj3bPq10gXOtq624fexhG-fvB21-j-Xy_kw31yijhyqT8X9NWIzi/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPsY85csWB0-ZqgPZf5xqRkhrl8ofV18Z7-JGEjx2-rNBPrymF4s23q3y986YOVtaBYNT1m0w8m5NC9Mw1nZCdfWzj3bPq10gXOtq624fexhG-fvB21-j-Xy_kw31yijhyqT8X9NWIzi/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My man cut the legs off the top bunk to make the bottom bunk you see below. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX8zrYon32BY3SUx233WCyFvsDB4QuZQ1ioCecYjxLecM_1wpwA9t3ChnMuBFsYugbW1oRmycZHnur9Jaa_cyDbUswFecUxpQ2xjLAmXx9_03XvN7wd_6RJPR5m3_XoiQKYIWIWBJ_fGX/s1600/IMG_8753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX8zrYon32BY3SUx233WCyFvsDB4QuZQ1ioCecYjxLecM_1wpwA9t3ChnMuBFsYugbW1oRmycZHnur9Jaa_cyDbUswFecUxpQ2xjLAmXx9_03XvN7wd_6RJPR5m3_XoiQKYIWIWBJ_fGX/s400/IMG_8753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the headboard of the top bunk. JGB is measuring the headboard and getting ready to drill the holes for the hardware to make this the top bunk. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvsSsXlpLxH2xeudsVFr44vChbsDB3z5nMLjvUdI0X9w3ZdzsNBccBHXGjUCSJHHQh1mMr9caZ1nak7XS9248VivZDxb7vvGy7qz4sW3cfAT1UvQ5tQOfhJBXIMuzhMAhlX0k4Jnp244r/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvsSsXlpLxH2xeudsVFr44vChbsDB3z5nMLjvUdI0X9w3ZdzsNBccBHXGjUCSJHHQh1mMr9caZ1nak7XS9248VivZDxb7vvGy7qz4sW3cfAT1UvQ5tQOfhJBXIMuzhMAhlX0k4Jnp244r/s320/IMG_8751.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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And, the after pic. These girls are happy to have their new, lower beds. And, I am looking forward to many evenings spending time with my precious girls in their room. </div>
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-18099001993473222832013-11-24T17:21:00.002-08:002013-11-24T17:21:38.600-08:00Ten Years in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My babydad and I just celebrated ten years of marriage. </div>
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2003...Our Wedding Day...two clueless kids. </div>
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I don't have a picture from 2004, our first anniversary. We were newly pregnant with our oldest child. </div>
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Below is 2005. We were in Atlanta for a dear friend's wedding a few weeks before our anniversary. </div>
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Here we are in 2006. I'd worked so hard to get that baby weight off! And, I included the horrible home decor in the background just to keep it real. This was pre-Pinterest, people. :) </div>
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In this shot taken in 2007, I was 21 weeks pregnant with the twins. Notice the fussy 2 year old (my son!) loving on his Aunnie, my sister. </div>
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Here we are in 2008, for our five year anniversary. We were on a quick getaway during this trip, but I don't remember where we were! The twins were still not sleeping through the night and we were so tired and so happy to be alone. </div>
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Fun family shot in 2009. Look at those babies! So tiny! This was a super fun stage with the twins. This was when we first began the process to become foster/adoptive parents. </div>
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2010...the beginning of twin toddlers. Heaven help me. I was so tired. </div>
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Here we are in 2011, still in the throes of twin toddlers. You know, people are toddlers for a long time. This was just about 2 weeks before we received our first foster son. We were able to love on that little guy for six months before he moved on. It was a time unlike any other for our family. </div>
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Our family in 2012 with our sweet baby boy just days after bringing him home. Have you ever seen such a serious and sad looking baby? We were so happy to have him, but it was a rough adjustment period for the little guy as he was grieving the loss of his foster mama and adjusting to life with us, his forever family. </div>
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And, here we are now. We went out to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, but I didn't get a picture of us all gussied-up. We have a big trip planned in honor of our anniversary several months from now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHOnhBz6hVg0l2gA2bhyphenhyphen08S-zaScI-tdL93ksOyR2-3YcDs8Kx1rvpDFXanpMr5dmrIYfKKxbkEq2vWfW7mbz_pU391JHxg3sfJq2VDV2wrOm_yyemXc7IkRCRLWapprjuYi_QkVwBvnD/s1600/IMG_8677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHOnhBz6hVg0l2gA2bhyphenhyphen08S-zaScI-tdL93ksOyR2-3YcDs8Kx1rvpDFXanpMr5dmrIYfKKxbkEq2vWfW7mbz_pU391JHxg3sfJq2VDV2wrOm_yyemXc7IkRCRLWapprjuYi_QkVwBvnD/s400/IMG_8677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Marriage is not easy, but God's grace is so rich. I had absolutely no idea what a good marriage would look like when we met. I just knew I wanted to marry a faithful, honest man who loved Jesus. That's who the Lord gave me and I am daily thankful for him. Here's to many, many more anniversaries. xoxoxo</div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-62159794616143503802013-10-10T13:04:00.001-07:002013-10-10T13:04:44.672-07:00Birchwood ParkOne of my girlie-girls has been asking me all week to take her on a date. Today was date day and it was divine. We started at our favorite lunch spot, Terri Lynn's, sis got a BBQ beef sammie and Cheetos and I got a French dip. Sister wanted to take our lunch to Birchwood Park. This park is a hidden gem, truly. If you live in my city, go to Shackleford (kind of near Community Bakery), turn on Birchwood, when you get to Springwood, you should see where you can park just outside the park. We swang, ate our delicious lunch, talked, took a walk, looked at the creek and just generally enjoyed each other. And, we ended our date with a frosty. I love that little girl and I so loved having her all to myself today. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/10/1119.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/10/s_1119.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/10/1120.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/10/s_1120.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/10/1121.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/10/s_1121.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-1272953634216241422013-09-08T14:03:00.001-07:002013-09-08T14:03:35.943-07:00First Month of School and 13 Month Old Baby Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are just about a month into the school year. The first four weeks have been such a learning experience. I really have been shocked at how hard homeschooling three kiddos and corralling an adorably busy toddler has been for me. I wish I could bring you all a post saying that it's going great and I never get impatient and that my kindergarteners are speaking latin fluently, doing long division, reading the Iliad and that my second grader has begun translating the bible for unreached people groups, tutoring high school students in trigonometry and playing Canon in D blindfolded on the baby grand in our dining room. As it is, we do not have a baby grand and my children are normal. I am relatively normal and we are still working out the kinks in our days at home which I assume will continue to be an ongoing process for some time. </div>
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One of our favorite book series are the Amelia Bedelia books. One of the books we read in the series talked about Amelia Bedelia making caramel apples. So, we made caramel apples. They were divine. </div>
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And, my baby. This kid. I don't deserve him! He's so sweet, so stinking cute and so squeezable. He's 13 months old now. Here are his latest moves: </div>
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<ul>
<li>walks, runs all the time and has been for months</li>
<li>loves his straw sippy cup</li>
<li>has just recently begun drinking and suckling on his bottle in a normal way. He has never been a good eater and has always struggled with his bottles until the last few weeks. </li>
<li>because he is finally really enjoying feeding time, we are continuing to give him 2-3 bottles a day for nourishment of the heart and the body. Sweet, sweet bonding time. </li>
<li>words: Gaaah!, mama, dada, bubba, aaaa oooo (thank you), now I know a couple of those aren't words, but whatever. I know what he means when he says them, which is pretty good. </li>
<li>favorite food: applesauce. also loves grapes, plain yogurt, sweet potatoes, avacado, red beans and rice, chicken and rice, and hates scrambled eggs and cottage cheese. </li>
<li>went to bible study with me this week and went to a group care setting for the first time since he's been in our home. When I waved good bye to him at the door, his eyes widened and filled with this little look of fear. I backed away slowly, thinking he would cry and I would rescue him. Fortunately, he was distracted by the other cute one year olds and did not cry at all. I walked down the hall to my class with tears in my eyes. </li>
<li>loves bath time. Gets so excited and in the bath tub that I bathe him in the sink so that he won't flop all over the place and flood the bathroom with his constant splashing. :) </li>
<li>is so loved. Justin and I cannot get enough of this kid. We both love watching him. Each child is a joy and a blessing. I had no idea that we'd ever have four kids, but I am so glad God had other plans. </li>
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<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-47022045639971409442013-08-24T18:38:00.000-07:002013-08-24T18:40:24.967-07:00Easy, Nutritious Donuts. Seriously. We love donuts. I love baking yummy treats for my kids. I googled "soaked wheat donuts" and found <a href="http://voogtrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/01/soaked-chocolate-covered-donuts.html?m=1">this</a> recipe.<br />
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I pretty much followed the recipe, but I soaked my flour in buttermilk. I did not use lemon juice or vinegar and I added a little more buttermilk than the recipe called for because the dough seemed a little thick. I have found that soaking whole wheat baked goods in buttermilk makes a much better flavor than using water and an acid medium such as vinegar or lemon juice. I rolled the donuts to a little less than 1/2" thick. (My version of the recipe below). You can read a bit about why I soak wheat flour <a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/whole-grains-grinding-soaking.html">here</a>.<br />
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My big boy was my photographer. And, yes my shirt is 13 years old. Why do you ask?<br />
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The pic above was right before we put them in the oven. The donut holes were a huge hit! The recipe yielded 14 donuts and a dozen or so donut holes. I used a pretty large biscuit cutter for the donuts. The cutter was about the size of an English muffin. And I baked them anywhere from 9-15 minutes on the convection setting. <br />
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For the toppings, I made the chocolate sauce in the recipe above, cinnamon and sugar and powdered sugar. For the sugared toppings, I dipped the donuts in melted butter and then the sugas. Divine. Truly. <br />
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The donuts were divine, but they were definitely had more of a cake donut type texture. Even my non-wheat loving hubby liked them. I should have gotten a better profile shot of the donuts after they were baked. I assure you, they rose nicely.<br />
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And my big kiddos after donuts...as I was snapping this pic they said, "better than Shipleys!!" Totally unprompted and hilarious. Love these kids!<br />
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Recipe with my adaptations (see original recipe<a href="http://voogtrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/01/soaked-chocolate-covered-donuts.html?m=1"> here</a>):<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;">Soaked Wheat Donuts</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">4 tsp. baking soda</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1/2 tsp. nutmeg</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1 tsp. cinnamon</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">3 egg yolks</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1 cup organic cane sugar or sucanat</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">5 Tbsp. butter or coconut oil, melted</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1 to 1-1/2 cups buttermilk </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Donuts:</u></strong></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Combine the flour, sugar, coconut oil and buttermilk. Let the dough rest for 12-24 hours. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. (I let mine rest overnight, like 8-9 hours and no one died). </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Roll out dough to approximately 1/2″ thickness. Cut out donuts with cutter, ring or shape into desired shapes.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Topping Options:</u></strong></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">For chocolate:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1 cup chocolate chips </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">1/4 cup milk </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">3 Tbsp. organic all purpose flour (or arrowroot or cornstarch)</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Melt chocolate chips slowly on the stove in a pot or a double boiler if you like things fancy. When all of the chocolate is melted slowly stir in the milk and flour. Mix until smooth. Remove from heat.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Dip the donuts in the warm chocolate.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for short term storage. Store in a freezer for long term storage.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">For powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">melt about a stick of butter, dip warm donuts in butter and then in desired sugars. Divine. </span></span>HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-74423732026742453852013-08-12T20:55:00.001-07:002013-08-12T20:55:46.634-07:00First Day of SchoolI've homeschooled Gramm for the past 2 years...3 years if you count preK, which was basically us reading books all year. It was super fun. This year I am teaching Gramm and my precious, energetic twins. A second grader and two kindergarteners. Today was our first day. We started out with a yummy breakfast (oatmeal bake, maple yogurt with blueberries, milk). I came up with a new tradition this year. On the first day of school, my babydad and I give each child their own cup, plate and bowl. I chose each pattern based on what each kiddo is interested in at this time. The kids all love their new dishes. And, by the time they graduate from high school, they will each have a fun and memorable set of mismatched dishes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiWNe23WIkHuNfJZHqowfZFvXbMkd1lD-37hDUcljQMshw_Jysh6C0M9q3QecNziwxQxyKwMmY7FbOPeq_m-8y8MjE8BxBZ-3MujAXP6Nu0k028qhb6iSWCaExUpyAdm-NpngkMnxBRHq/s1600/IMG_8147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiWNe23WIkHuNfJZHqowfZFvXbMkd1lD-37hDUcljQMshw_Jysh6C0M9q3QecNziwxQxyKwMmY7FbOPeq_m-8y8MjE8BxBZ-3MujAXP6Nu0k028qhb6iSWCaExUpyAdm-NpngkMnxBRHq/s640/IMG_8147.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This child. My heart!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyW3UKsnqcuxZuMClfsn-e8w-MrjoBoAyAs9EALcgainJ5g93cNu8qWCJPkRqwytqiy1wes6duG82-f4984eAjabZXNXmB0dOXk25Vzf4rDiiyf46QM6zyBUfK_6EDOh8AbLqMFn9AgFJ/s1600/IMG_8150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyW3UKsnqcuxZuMClfsn-e8w-MrjoBoAyAs9EALcgainJ5g93cNu8qWCJPkRqwytqiy1wes6duG82-f4984eAjabZXNXmB0dOXk25Vzf4rDiiyf46QM6zyBUfK_6EDOh8AbLqMFn9AgFJ/s400/IMG_8150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dear friend made this really cool board for our crew...I hope to remember to take pics of my kids in front of it every school year. Romy boy missed out this year because he was napping. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gramm wanted to hold Vivi for this pic because she'd had a earache all day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This boy listening to history on the backporch...Story of the World, ancients. He is loving it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My high school bestie and her boys graced us with their presence for the evening. This chunky monkey (on the right) is 3 months younger than Roman.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A few homeschooling details for any of you who are interested: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">we have been blessed with the ability to hire a wonderful helper two afternoons a week. Hello, mental health for mommy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I never, ever, ever thought I would homeschool my kids.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I had major anxiety this weekend over the first day of school.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The twins loved school and may be the easiest students ever. They asked for more work today and even specifically requested certain subjects. Then again, I may be speaking too soon. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">this is our first year to homeschool without a co-op. So far, so good. You know, one day in and all. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">when I was in the throes of twin toddlers, I picked out a great private school for them to attend. I was still loosely planning on them going to school until sometime in June. Mamas, don't plan your life based on the crazy hard toddler years. Things change. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I'm tired and going to bed. </span></li>
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-26613702316920964092013-07-23T12:01:00.000-07:002013-07-23T12:01:09.310-07:00The Royal BabyWe don't have a TV and I don't read much news because it depresses me. But, even I, in my own little world, cannot escape the news of the royal baby born yesterday. Of course I am always happy to hear about the birth of a baby. But, this news has really struck a chord in me. See, a year and two days ago, my son was born. My husband and I were busy moving all of our worldly goods into our new house. It was hot. We were tired. Our three kiddos were with my mom all day. And, the moment that our son was born passed very uneventfully for us. We didn't even know he was here and he was born in a hospital less than ten minutes from our home. I can barely even think about this...he came into this world and I was not there to snuggle him, swaddle him and celebrate his life...a life graciously given because his birth mother chose LIFE.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtoAu9_LMtzAZSX-bIn-nZNajO1A5h1q1m6MZiN63YZnzK9yWOU_E5nrByzm2GE2gmhGXf9HSXGzgUfwyTX5RmQqha5E8K8q2j6V94v-vPsi1Ue1Atitt_c7lYc6tIRfAbMGhi__dc6nx/s1600/photo+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtoAu9_LMtzAZSX-bIn-nZNajO1A5h1q1m6MZiN63YZnzK9yWOU_E5nrByzm2GE2gmhGXf9HSXGzgUfwyTX5RmQqha5E8K8q2j6V94v-vPsi1Ue1Atitt_c7lYc6tIRfAbMGhi__dc6nx/s640/photo+(15).JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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Our boy was placed in a loving, nurturing foster home very soon after he was born. Just three months later, he was in my arms and has not left yet. </div>
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So, on Sunday, the day our babe turned one year old, we celebrated him. His favorite food at the moment is watermelon. We stuck a candle in a watermelon, bought a ridiculously priced baby toy, lit sparklers and sang "Happy Birthday" to our son. Our son!! He is ours! I wasn't there the day he was born, but I am here now and I'm. Not. Leaving. And, the celebrations will continue on into the next two weeks to include a joint brother birthday party and a baby shower for us thrown by precious friends. So, here's to life. I have a feeling that the angels celebrated for me the day my son was born even though I was clueless. In my mind's eye, I wonder if God was just rubbing his hands together, smiling, and thinking, "Just wait, Holly and Justin. I have a HUGE surprise for you guys in about three months." He loves to give us good gifts and we are grateful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyySRJzaSv8_F-0bi22kFobuIysYALeDRiVfKz_vH4dbD3Wvo850iIdw6qyvPnvwVU02rQ5XahyH8aH4bsuyDL0ph7rCimB0tzeZ_intdj49UUnk1AJ37mY6yPcVljzYEg7ZGfzz_GWC-5/s1600/IMG_7971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyySRJzaSv8_F-0bi22kFobuIysYALeDRiVfKz_vH4dbD3Wvo850iIdw6qyvPnvwVU02rQ5XahyH8aH4bsuyDL0ph7rCimB0tzeZ_intdj49UUnk1AJ37mY6yPcVljzYEg7ZGfzz_GWC-5/s640/IMG_7971.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3yqjGM6PK19UdFh4SmysGHFXCaX6sq7px8xJELM1xs3NU54M8J0vbLMMPBrsXepWdqWgz9NLQtVaPjEQmVOz1UzTEJxqnSe8OXusStK8te4F8QlZJrFfnURxLYSyGvZIzu16mNVwk6aM/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3yqjGM6PK19UdFh4SmysGHFXCaX6sq7px8xJELM1xs3NU54M8J0vbLMMPBrsXepWdqWgz9NLQtVaPjEQmVOz1UzTEJxqnSe8OXusStK8te4F8QlZJrFfnURxLYSyGvZIzu16mNVwk6aM/s640/IMG_7996.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH91MuEYsml_eFYjSk7H2b2ehslN__nc-jO69k_p9ze9CMEHASn1EcOsCtWKFmc0wuiDVtiiba_7ueX9PfuNqze-MZcStPdh8RhCJctiaLrDDtFUUOdkNfPQHGR2o1dJxrzaa0xD9YWGQ/s1600/IMG_8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH91MuEYsml_eFYjSk7H2b2ehslN__nc-jO69k_p9ze9CMEHASn1EcOsCtWKFmc0wuiDVtiiba_7ueX9PfuNqze-MZcStPdh8RhCJctiaLrDDtFUUOdkNfPQHGR2o1dJxrzaa0xD9YWGQ/s640/IMG_8020.JPG" width="426" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aMpsEtC3N7GGzeQw4MNdO_jZvhUjGjOHwJH7u9Sz-oaKod3FIUMWiK18pOljfZjPSz53Cpx150X-9Gk_4EEH4XXKzttNfG6hx5p6VFO91USaZAGuTWPjGY4QuZy1_4iqsccxDENgqNU8/s1600/IMG_8076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aMpsEtC3N7GGzeQw4MNdO_jZvhUjGjOHwJH7u9Sz-oaKod3FIUMWiK18pOljfZjPSz53Cpx150X-9Gk_4EEH4XXKzttNfG6hx5p6VFO91USaZAGuTWPjGY4QuZy1_4iqsccxDENgqNU8/s640/IMG_8076.JPG" width="426" /></a><br />
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-12961622681601489822013-07-13T19:45:00.001-07:002013-07-13T19:47:32.366-07:00Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Summer so far has consisted of a few swim meets for the big kids. </div>
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A little light reading.</div>
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A trip or two to the park. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpXNZXLAC8V1pGrR0dnAHYe33l5CyFngqA9Img7cMpZ45d_7BywzHXYtRBzbUBjr-Icik2CZrsisFG7bt0kPsILUFHBH_6eC4qPtdVb2o9DiDv7MH5Mck284rjYmJsVaZkpt5kAEckfBt/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpXNZXLAC8V1pGrR0dnAHYe33l5CyFngqA9Img7cMpZ45d_7BywzHXYtRBzbUBjr-Icik2CZrsisFG7bt0kPsILUFHBH_6eC4qPtdVb2o9DiDv7MH5Mck284rjYmJsVaZkpt5kAEckfBt/s640/IMG_7782.JPG" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4gaaNNOGto2wPRMEnmxkBhrrRSODSDHVRDPfDcxvYAYsw29ersxL1VwbmhuE0WnzZ6md5zHhS_a_Z4jnOaBin0UipFYyzK7eVRlzb5bTXTuRtddtCWJpUPkDVZY_chuluJUiBkwC2NHO/s1600/IMG_7778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4gaaNNOGto2wPRMEnmxkBhrrRSODSDHVRDPfDcxvYAYsw29ersxL1VwbmhuE0WnzZ6md5zHhS_a_Z4jnOaBin0UipFYyzK7eVRlzb5bTXTuRtddtCWJpUPkDVZY_chuluJUiBkwC2NHO/s640/IMG_7778.JPG" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-KPn2Fn6bQQX2LwfXYubn8-Y5fUOxT9yny_pyoFBGXC_ddUoG67_jn1C32NeS896DKQTpZc2MFiNg9JqNJFZHzF6kQ2IK89NJ66QrjXLWX69cbeWo-irrrKqk0u2AqzxoWtNzbHtUneq/s1600/IMG_7797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-KPn2Fn6bQQX2LwfXYubn8-Y5fUOxT9yny_pyoFBGXC_ddUoG67_jn1C32NeS896DKQTpZc2MFiNg9JqNJFZHzF6kQ2IK89NJ66QrjXLWX69cbeWo-irrrKqk0u2AqzxoWtNzbHtUneq/s640/IMG_7797.JPG" width="426" /></a><br />
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And time with this precious boy who will be one year old soon. </div>
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-38778485826284787542013-06-30T14:36:00.000-07:002013-06-30T14:36:49.846-07:00Would You Like to See Our New Son?On October 26, 2012, we brought home an adorable, screaming, 3 month old with HUGE brown eyes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last picture as a family of five. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the six of us! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby's first bath.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding my sweet babe during our family Christmas. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet boy got to go on a trip with just Mommy and Daddy...this was early January. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love these three on a beautiful January day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this face!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boy in February. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy family shot in March. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best days of my life, we finalized our adoption. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am so proud to be this guy's mom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHDNkqFjM3wlYO4zZ1A1bQqB7fAO8g6kATkmoIe8U00oVyxeRfsBqANCDGqJxCZKB0d_-G6jvoYRBQl8wsfpBNex9EARM7AuLcYjhBYlJPwIvKl4UatI1jiMmC0GaCZhuoEMlllOM4cyb/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHDNkqFjM3wlYO4zZ1A1bQqB7fAO8g6kATkmoIe8U00oVyxeRfsBqANCDGqJxCZKB0d_-G6jvoYRBQl8wsfpBNex9EARM7AuLcYjhBYlJPwIvKl4UatI1jiMmC0GaCZhuoEMlllOM4cyb/s400/IMG_0266.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six happy peeps. </td></tr>
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We began the process to adopt about three years before we brought our baby boy home with us. The process was, at times, very painful, but oh so worth it. Love to all. </div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-89170406601103841912013-05-23T19:52:00.001-07:002013-05-23T19:52:40.850-07:00The not-so-perfect MomMy biggest boy and I went on a field trip today with some friends. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/23/2363.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/23/s_2363.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/23/2364.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/23/s_2364.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We toured the city landfill and recycling center. It was riveting. I love homeschooling. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/23/2365.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/23/s_2365.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We took these boys on a lunch date to one of our favorite spots, Terri Lynn's. And I even got to visit with my sweet friend while our boys ate. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/23/2366.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/23/s_2366.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We capped off the afternoon with some light reading of Harry Potter and Star Wars sticker books. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/23/2367.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/23/s_2367.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I took my kiddos plus a few stragglers to the park. I held Vivian's sticky little hand and enjoyed watching my girls run around. I felt like a great mom. <br /><br />And then, something happened. My man and I had to get all four kids ready for Gramm's piano recital. Clothes were painstakingly ironed. Orders were barked. Perfectionist mommy did not have time to get herself ready. <br /><br />We finally got in the car to go to the recital. The kids looked perfect on the outside but I know they did not feel great on the inside. I'd rushed and shushed and generally griped us out the door. Ugh. I hate messing up. I hate that I make the same mistakes so many times. I'm recentering, refocusing and trying to trust in Grace. I know He gives it so freely. If I will put down my baggage, let go of my mistakes and rest in Him, I will have peace. I can be free. I don't have to start the day off tomorrow feeling the weight of my mistakes. I will sit down with my kids and apologize to them. I will tell them I messed up and I blew it. And we will have a good day. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-21023758395824591382013-05-12T13:26:00.000-07:002013-05-12T13:44:19.313-07:00Mothers Day to my Mom and my Other Mothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Mothers Day to my precious Mom. I know so many things about you:<br />
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<ul>
<li>You will always love me no matter what. </li>
<li>You will always, always open your arms to any child we welcome into our home, be it a foster child, a child we hope to adopt or baby I birthed the old fashioned way. </li>
<li>You think I'm funny even when I make you mad....like on that youth trip when I kept singing and laughing with my friends till the wee hours of the morning and I told you to "stick tampons in your ears" to drown out the noise. I was such a sweet, compliant child. </li>
<li>You enjoyed every stage my sisters and I went through the best you could and lived to tell about it. </li>
<li>You made hard sacrifices for us so many times. </li>
<li>You always smell good and you love perfume. </li>
<li>Diet Coke is your love language.</li>
<li>My children adore you. </li>
<li>You have never, ever said one negative thing about my husband in the almost 13 years that I've been his main squeeze. </li>
<li>You are a really good listener. </li>
<li>You HATE cats. </li>
<li>You have more scripture in your head than most seminary graduates. </li>
<li>You gave me the best back scratches during church. </li>
<li>You are an amazing seamstress and sew the most beautiful dresses, curtains and fun little girly things like baby doll beds that make my girls feel so loved. </li>
<li>You have spoiled me with your good cooking and no one else can compare, including my own cooking. </li>
<li>You will still make me a special dessert on my birthday or other times when I lay it on thick. </li>
<li>You are so loved by me, my sisters and all of our babies, and definitely by Gramps. </li>
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I love you, Mom!! Thanks for being the best Mom to me, Rachel, Andrea and Sharla and thanks for never telling them our secret....I know I'm your favorite. xoxoxo<br />
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Not only do I have a wonderful mother, I also have an amazing mother-in-law. She has loved and accepted me from day one. She has helped me understand my husband better. She gives the absolute best parenting advice and is so good to love my children intentionally. I love you, Janet! You bless our lives very much! </div>
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Kelly, thank you for loving my dad and embracing our crazy crew. You are such a sweet Mimi to my babies and we all love you dearly! I am so thankful for you! </div>
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And, happy Mother's day to my sweet, fun, always energetic and up for a good time Nana. I love coming to your house. I love that I can always relax there and that you and Grandpa always want to know what is going on with me and my crew. You are both the picture of unconditional love and selflessness. You and Grandpa are one of God's biggest, most abundant blessings in my life. I love you both dearly.<br />
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This is my first Mother's Day without my Mimi, my dad's mom. She wrote me many sweet cards over the years and it was a joy to be loved by her. She loved my children and she was always happy to hear from me and very quick to tell me that she loved me.<br />
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No Mother's Day for me would be complete without a quick shout out to the many other-Mothers in my life. I have been blessed abundantly with a few very patient and selfless women over the years who have loved me so well. </div>
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Chris (the total bombshell in the blue sweater), I can barely even <i>type</i> about you without tears in my eyes. Oh, the love you have poured on me in the past 20 years. I cannot imagine my life without you. Thank you for being my mom's life long best friend. Thank you for loving all of us Alford girls with all your heart. When I see that you have called, emailed or texted me, my love tank immediately starts to refill. You are such an amazing listener, you truly care about me and always have. I love you dearly and I promise I will take care of you and my Ma when you are both old and senile. :) Maybe by then, I can get diet coke for you both via IV? </div>
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Debi, for so many years you have welcomed me into your home and life. And, as you know, I don't knock. Thank you for making me laugh and for always encouraging me to be myself. I still have the mirror you gave me at my high school graduation. You wrote on the mirror, "What does God see today?" You have always had so much wisdom and you still do. Thank you for always talking to me like an adult and not treating me like an annoying kid. When I met some of your sweet grand-friends recently, they asked me, "how do you know Gordon and Debi?" and I said, "Oh, they're just my parents." I love you both so much. </div>
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Wynter, Your sweet presence in my life has always been a blessing to me. I have great memories of nights spent at your house. I love that you were not afraid of being honest about life in general and I love that you freely welcomed and included Sharla and I in your life and your family. I love you!</div>
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Kimberly Ann Simmons, I love this pic of me and your sweet baby boy. You still, to this day, make me laugh harder than almost any other person. I love your personality! Not only are you lots of fun, but you are funny! I am so glad that I got to be a part of your life and watch you Rodney fall in love and finally get married! You two are definitely two of my favorite people. Thank you for loving me and always making me smile. And, thanks for making me the most delicious dessert when I was so sick and pregnant with the twins. It was one of the only things I enjoyed eating during those crazy months. You are truly a treasure.<br />
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Beth, my precious friend. The Lord put you in my life at just the right time. I have learned so much from you as a parent. I am thankful that I got to watch you parent your kiddos during their teen years. You really enjoy your kids and I have taken so many things that I saw in you and have done them with my babies. You are an amazing listener and friend. Thank you for listening to me to talk for hours and for always letting me invade your house. And, thank you for always encouraging us to adopt. You were there when all this started! I love you!<br />
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Tam, This pic of two of your girls with my girls melts my heart. I do not know how I would have made it through the last three years without your wisdom and availability to take my call at a moment's notice. You are an amazing mother and I am so thankful for your heart to parent with Christ at the center. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making time for me in your already full schedule. You are a woman after His heart and you have spurred me on many times. As I've said before, I am totally the president of your fan club. I love you! xoxoxo<br />
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Gayelynne, These girls love you and so do I! Thank you for letting me weezle my way into your life and your family. Thank you for taking me on countless lunch dates and making me feel special and loved. You are an amazing mama and nona. I am blessed to be one among the many who love Mama Craig.<br />
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There are a couple other ladies I don't have pictures of who have been second mamas to me over the years: Vicki Marshall, Mrs.Magee and Mary Lee. If you are reading this, I love each of you and am thankful for your presence in my life. And, Vicki, thanks for not kicking me out of your house multiple times. I know you wanted to.<br />
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Happy Mothers Day, friends! I hope you all feel loved today. I hope each of you know that being the best Mama to our own babes is so important, but I want to impress upon each of you to nurture relationships you have time for with other little ladies who seek you out. You never know the impact you will have on them. Love to all.<br />
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-88976969534958446752013-05-02T18:47:00.000-07:002013-05-02T18:48:10.477-07:00Our Last BabyMany thoughts have been swirling through my mind in the last few weeks. The thought that has been pressing itself out the most is, "He's your last one. Drink him up. Enjoy this baby." We finalize our baby boy's adoption in less than a month and then I will bombard this blog with pictures of his beautiful face. For now, I am loving watching his little body crawling all over our house. He pulls himself up on the coffee table and carefully reaches for the couch. He crawls to me and claps his hands, meets my eyes and smiles because he is so happy. I ask him for a kiss and he leans forward and gives me a sweet, slobbery kiss. <br />
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Having this baby around has shown me how big my older babies really are now. Sad, sad, sad!!! The pictures below are about two years old. Time continues to pass and my kids continue to grow. I know that the stages they are all in do not last forever and I am trying to stop doing the dad blamed laundry long enough to see each one of them and really enjoy them. If you got babies, go squeeze 'em. Good night.<br />
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HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-41401306568883514752013-03-24T19:18:00.004-07:002013-03-24T19:18:54.273-07:00My Ma's Apple Pie and Etc. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBRBvN_79sIomakF6RANYvMf3aiiSzP1qqMpyIvWAkm7e_1Mx4BqEggNJJ6bXtllqwt6s0J_cXqBNnk5bfPWX7QZHmCK5KsGkYYt-ztrj01M8WZZzBvbAhIDeh4fszrfus-CBq9cTwPPL/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBRBvN_79sIomakF6RANYvMf3aiiSzP1qqMpyIvWAkm7e_1Mx4BqEggNJJ6bXtllqwt6s0J_cXqBNnk5bfPWX7QZHmCK5KsGkYYt-ztrj01M8WZZzBvbAhIDeh4fszrfus-CBq9cTwPPL/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was blessed with a mommy date with my boo, <a href="http://funmajors.blogspot.com/">Julie</a>. We went to one of our fave places, <a href="http://therootcafe.com/">The Root Cafe</a>. We both ordered The Root Benny which is <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2b222b; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">two poached eggs served over bed of seasonal greens with Falling Sky ham and topped with our own hollandaise. It was divine. I made my own version at home and lurved it. I sauteed greens from Kellogg Valley Farms in bacon grease (don't hate), topped them with mozzarella cheese, green onions (also from KVF), cherry tomatoes and a poached farm fresh egg. So easy, so filling and so good. And, Julia Child taught me how to poach eggs. </span></span><br />
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Friday night, my man and I had a dinner date at home. My man loves bread. I didn't have much time and I found <a href="http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2009/11/no-fail-quick-french-bread.html">this recipe</a> for quick, no fail, french bread. Try it, y'all!! Takes a teensy bit more than an hour. Another thing my man loves is apple pie. His favorite apple pie is my mom's recipe so I made it for him tonight.<br />
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I remember my mom making this apple for my dad when I was a kid. My parents are divorced and they aren't exactly besties. Nonetheless, I have good memories of my mom making this pie for my dad. And, my dad and step-mom got me the wonderful pie plate for Christmas. And, my ma's recipe for all you peops who love to cook up something good, straight out of the old school Mt.Carmel Baptist Church Cookbook. </div>
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<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-80371649282569782282013-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:002013-03-21T18:49:24.744-07:00Picnic Birthday Party for my Five Year Olds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone loves to get dressed up for a party, including big brother right? We started the celebration off in the backyard with the bubble machine and my niece, Livi. </div>
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We read a quick little birthday book. </div>
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We did a super fun and simple craft. I do believe that Brook and Vivi are happiest while doing crafts.<br />
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Each child had his or her own picnic basket filled with fruit, ham and cheese roll ups, popcorn, a juice box and some fun party favors. </div>
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The weather was beautiful and the girls loved sitting on the quilt, eating their lunches and checking out all their new goodies. </div>
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The girls requested lemon cake with strawberry (i.e. PINK) icing. </div>
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And, a party's not a party unless you crank up the kindermusic and dance!! </div>
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We were showered with lots of wonderful, fun gifts. </div>
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Justin and I gave the girls these Hello Kitty bags filled with play lip gloss, fake nails, etc. They have been wanting these for about a year. Oh, the joy on their faces while holding those bags!</div>
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We finished up the party by eating every last bit of fruit and enjoying the beautiful day. </div>
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I absolutely loved this party. We kept it simple and really tried to do things we knew the girls would enjoy. While I had grandiose, pinterest-esque visions of table decor and other awesome yet time consuming things, none of that happened. What happened was a mama of four little ones loving her girls and giving them the time of their little lives at home with their cousins and brothers. And it rocked. </div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-54673667044097375042013-03-20T19:52:00.001-07:002013-03-20T19:52:26.422-07:00My Girls Are 5!<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/AVvXsEg_AhG6wgn9TloTHVSQun4wOPs-mgdELKHIYQ_WPjtbir4GQEqCCx6H-BA2fK98Q5TGgtkYkN1t0Yqf_snE6oXYnxhaCA9Nt9Uh7uoeu8d8jHxNnwgIsPYOtpz2p4FLTsrsvfYfYN7nF8o5/s1600/DSCN3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AhG6wgn9TloTHVSQun4wOPs-mgdELKHIYQ_WPjtbir4GQEqCCx6H-BA2fK98Q5TGgtkYkN1t0Yqf_snE6oXYnxhaCA9Nt9Uh7uoeu8d8jHxNnwgIsPYOtpz2p4FLTsrsvfYfYN7nF8o5/s320/DSCN3947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Since my girls were born, I have sworn that for their fifth birthday, I was going to go all out and throw a big party to celebrate the fact that my man and I made it through the first five years with twins. It was going to be a party for me! I mean, I'd have earned it by five years, right?!<br />
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The first two years of their lives were a blur of sleepless nights, double diapers, and living life with our toddler son who struggled almost constantly with stomach pain and reflux. There was great joy in those first two years. Vivian and Brooklyn were extremely laid back and flexible little babes. I was able to enjoy an extended nursing relationship with both of them and I bonded so deeply and easily with each of them. I enjoyed them very, very much. I would hold and rock them and tears would come to my eyes because I was so happy to have these girls. I could sit and stare at them for hours. I loved just sitting in the floor and watching them crawl and play and just generally be adorable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">First Birthday, V with headband over her eyes.<br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then, they turned two. We walked through a very dark, very painful crisis in our extended family that began about a month before their birthday. I nearly lost my mind. I was depressed. My easy babes had turned into normal two year olds who were throwing fits and testing limits. In addition to these new behaviors, they began to feed off of one another. For example, I'd say no to one girl, and the other girl immediately did what I'd just told sister not to do. Then, I'd relive that scenario 100 times daily. And, the fighting. Oh, the fighting. In the midst of parenting toddler twins and a five year old, I also had to cope with years of painful memories and emotions that had been opened due to the above mentioned crisis. I prayed, I cried and I was basically too discombobulated to admit that I was depressed. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Second birthday, B crying, V laughing.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Their third year was very similar to the second year. I was still struggling and I was drowning in toddler tantrums and mommy guilt. I walked around in a cloud of guilt believing this lie: I am a bad mother who has difficult children who are difficult because I am a horrible person who hates herself about 75% of the time. Is that a load of crap or what? Either way, it's where I was on the inside much of the time. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Third birthday, V on right.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have to say their fourth birthday was a vast improvement over the previous two. The girls definitely wore me out often that year, but I did not feel overwhelmed and snowed under as frequently. I also finally began to work through the mommy guilt that was entrapping me. It's a mercy that the Lord brought me to a better place during that time because we had our first foster son for six months, sold our old house, bought our new house and completely renovated our new house while living with family members or in a one bedroom apartment. Granted, we still struggled. But I began to see the guilt for what it is and see the lies for what they are. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Fourth birthday<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And now my girls are five. Five whole years old. Mothers of toddlers, I have an announcement to make: </span><b style="font-size: medium;">it gets easier</b><span style="font-size: small;">. My girls are still full of energy and often rambunctious, but there has resurfaced this desire to please, a desire to help...or maybe it's a desire to avoid punishment. Either way, this stage is much more calm. I rarely feel overwhelmed which is a true miracle. I spent about two years feeling overwhelmed every single day when dealing with my girls. We all still have our moments, but overall life is more smooth. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fifth birthday, B on right. </td></tr>
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When their fifth birthday rolled around, it just didn't seem necessary to throw a party to celebrate the victory of making it five years with my girls. I just wanted the day to be about them. We had a party. It was small. The girls had a blast. I loved every minute. I took them to Purple Cow for dinner while my man kept the boys. Us three girls sat on the same side of the booth. We ate, we talked and we sat as close to one another as humanly possible. I watched them eating their chicken strips and mac and cheese. I smiled at the way they spooned each little bite of applesauce into their mouths. I mostly just loved them. Their birthday this year was not about the immense relief I feel at the thought of getting through these first five years with twins. It was about the fact that I <i>got</i> to do these first five years with them. Every smile, every tear, every middle of the night interruption...I was able to do all that. I am a blessed woman. And, I might even post a few pics of the partay that actually did happen and not the one I planned in my head.<br />
<br />HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-12343600957165379892013-03-17T18:46:00.000-07:002013-03-17T18:46:20.644-07:00Granola Bar Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsTopMPYT29gi47KHy35BfwjTRTV1ls3C_dch3WXL1kXtb-sTAEx6ePnpCPHNqyZ6KLgN6j8Ymqa0LUqz5lw3Sdptlgcwo2LcN1B1k81AcFDYUbdI62TeWYUcpHvrO42wdBB5invZZmzX/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsTopMPYT29gi47KHy35BfwjTRTV1ls3C_dch3WXL1kXtb-sTAEx6ePnpCPHNqyZ6KLgN6j8Ymqa0LUqz5lw3Sdptlgcwo2LcN1B1k81AcFDYUbdI62TeWYUcpHvrO42wdBB5invZZmzX/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came up with the recipe I am sharing about three weeks. My boo, Julie and my Ma both tried them and were instantly hooked. Most importantly, my hubby lurves them. I was going for a granola bar alternative that was simple and makes a lot at one time. Here's the recipe. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Granola</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Bar</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Cookies</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup butter or coconut oil, softened</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups brown sugar, muscavado, or sucanat</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 eggs</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups peanut butter (natural or regular)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup honey</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cups regular oats (not minute oats, gluten free oats work great too)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsps baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chocolate chips</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup raisins</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup shredded coconut</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup pecans, chopped</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 36px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cream butter or oil in mixer, gradually add sugar and honey beating well, add eggs till blended well, add peanut butter, vanilla , soda, and salt. Stir in oats, chips, raisins, coconut, pecans, mix well. Drop in 2 tablespoonfuls per <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">cookie</span> on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes till lightly golden. Cool for about 3 minutes on <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">cookie</span> sheets and then transfer to cooling racks. Makes 48 <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">cookies. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few tips: these are even better if the dough has been chilled for an hour more. Julie used an ice cream scoop to dole out her cookies. These could definitely be made with quite a bit less sugar, but I would not skimp on the honey. These are also yummy with craisins. Coconut oil makes a thinner cookie if the dough is not chilled. </span></div>
HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1416667716882017168.post-52278492031824827512013-02-14T20:13:00.001-08:002013-02-15T21:00:21.357-08:00Gramm's Book PartyGramm and I began working through the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360901417&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+your+child+to+read+in+100+easy+lessons">Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons </a>roughly two years ago. There were quite a bit more than 100 lessons taught and they were not all easy. As a reward for finishing the book, I promised Gramm that we would have a "book party" to celebrate. He finished the book last year right around the time we sold our house and were too busy to partay. So, tonight the long awaited book party came to pass.<br />
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The guests of honor, L to R, John Isaac, Jonathan, Gramm, my nephew and niece.<br />
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Each child was asked to bring their favorite book with a passage ready to read to the group. My niece started us out reading from Anne of Avonlea. I did not get to snap a pic of her sweet self because things were a little cray at that moment (i.e. twin girls and baby boy wanted in on the action).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozDx37KIf_BdD7lig-IVeRbUSAvf-x1SqXRahI3vKJHP3NzUsfnoZLolHR23hhNJJ-q-UkWHo6Hi5wbg3dWyE_nVzPo_cjmWV1B983oMomURwhpA4Jn3pf9Is7dqFAalBzl6dhifD2Orl/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozDx37KIf_BdD7lig-IVeRbUSAvf-x1SqXRahI3vKJHP3NzUsfnoZLolHR23hhNJJ-q-UkWHo6Hi5wbg3dWyE_nVzPo_cjmWV1B983oMomURwhpA4Jn3pf9Is7dqFAalBzl6dhifD2Orl/s320/IMG_6879.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
John Isaac read from Scout and did an excellent job. Dude is gifted. <br />
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Sweet Brooklyn and Vivi had to be included. I read one of Vivian's fave Bearenstain Bears books and then Brook "read" this silly Elmo book that she loves that is roughly 15 years old.<br />
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Jonathan read a passage from this book and had everyone laughing. It was quite funny. Jonathan is somewhat of a ham and fills my house with the sounds of his made-up songs on many occasions.<br />
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My smart and handsome nephew read from Silmarillion. The passage he chose was beautiful and he read it in his sweet, clear voice and I almost cried. Hubby listened in on this one and was also struck by the sweetness. This boy is so precious!<br />
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Gramm read from Go, Dog, Go! He loves that book, especially the dog party at the end. He is truly a child after my extroverted heart.<br />
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Then, I let the kiddos make their very own pizzas. Most of them were heart shaped. I love this girl's smile in this pic. She is a lot of fun and made me laugh more than once during the evening. She is also very sweet and has a great little personality.<br />
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I made this cake for the party earlier in the week. It's a heart shaped, four layer Chocolate Fudge Cake from the Southern Living 1983 cookbook. I died. I DIED. This cake was a huge hit.<br />
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I love these silly faces! And, I love that Gramm included his sisters in his book party. At first he was hesitant, but he did not complain one time during the evening about their presence. When we were making our own pizzas, I paired Brooklyn with Jonathan and Vivian with my nephew and the boys were HUGELY helpful. Both of these boys have tender little souls and were very kind to the girls and did not get frustrated with them one bit.<br />
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All in all, the party was a huge hit. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to teach Gramm how to read, but also to really be able to enter into the celebration of his accomplishments which is something I hope to do throughout his life.HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899643324563077759noreply@blogger.com3