tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30198020230825028232024-03-05T21:53:48.736-08:00Havin' Fun Yet?...looking for fun whatever we doJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.comBlogger1130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-24393271013988890012014-09-12T13:58:00.000-07:002014-09-12T13:58:23.248-07:00Summer & Consequences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our summer was very full and by its very nature, very fun. Of course we read... a lot. </div>
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We spent two <strike>hellish</strike> weeks in Florida while John taught a class. All five of us in a hotel room. Well, the four of us while John worked long hours. We managed 3 trips to the beach (an hour away); two of those trips were by myself (what was I thinking?!) I was glad to get home.<br />
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Caroline went on her first date with Dad. Quite possibly it could be the best thing that has ever happened to her. She talks about it all the time. The dress was my sister's.</div>
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These cherubs? They look so angelic, don't they? This picture was taken while we were in Florida. I think that is when the sibling rivalry and bickering just about drove me to...well, let's not go there.<br />
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My husband and I came up with a list of consequences. I've stored them in the "notes" of my phone for easy access ...because I can easily get sucked into the emotional vortex of the fighting and my brain stops. <br />
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Sometimes they simply need space from one another. <i>Sometimes</i> they need something productive for their little hands and feet. And so,<br />
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<b>My quick access list of consequences for the oldest two kids:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Money (JI has been mowing lawns this summer. I will pick up his stuff and charge him $1)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Vacuum</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Clean windows (The Raineys at FamilyLife recommend that bickering siblings clean different sides of the same window.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mop floor in kitchen and/or dining room</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Scrub toilets</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">**FlyLady says, "Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family."**</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Take out trash/compost/recycyling<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Eat sauerkraut (JI hates it but CJ loves it)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Run around the block, CJ run in backyard</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pick up sticks in the backyard</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Gather dirty laundry from upstairs</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Write a letter to someone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sweep out garage and/or driveway</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> optional:: leg tied to sibling</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Stack firewood</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Help prepare dinner, set table, chop veggies, stir</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wipe down kitchen cabinets</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lose privilege, ex: friends coming over</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">No dessert or sweets</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Banish to their rooms</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Look at one another and say, "I love you and want to be your friend for life."</span></span><br />
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One more thing, I'm on Instagram now as @mommamajors. I'd love to follow you if I'm not already.<br />
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What consequences work with your tribe?<br />
I'd love more ideas.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-89454651345459185932014-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:002014-05-19T19:09:00.770-07:00Urban RednecksI spied some firewood. <br />
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And convinced my husband to grab it.<br />
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'Cuz nuthin' says L-O-V-E to me<br />
like F-R-E-E!<br />
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This piece had a woodpecker hole.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPQsL-dGByW20RPrQ9zRblICD7W_m7MtrYPPwPQQDlZixaFo5h9Z00SY3S13usHpGv66uWccYJ6iBb2tq2huq3m4psRjKeyC0-By61HKymofQxs-MCjNviGDMk8ba4pxxFRTOt46zr0Y/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPQsL-dGByW20RPrQ9zRblICD7W_m7MtrYPPwPQQDlZixaFo5h9Z00SY3S13usHpGv66uWccYJ6iBb2tq2huq3m4psRjKeyC0-By61HKymofQxs-MCjNviGDMk8ba4pxxFRTOt46zr0Y/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
Inside it had pecked another hole.<br />
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Luv my hub. He's so good to me.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-50513796759396327352014-05-18T20:10:00.000-07:002014-05-18T20:10:41.136-07:00Caroline is FOUR!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Caroline turned four. How can this be? Her actual birthday was almost two weeks ago. She was in Kentucky (being spoiled by BOTH sets of grandparents!) It rained most of last week (I wanted an OUTDOOR party.)</div>
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So Sunday after lunch I said to Hubby, "How about a party <i>tonight</i> for Caroline?" He agreed and I texted all our people. Crazy enough, people actually came on short notice. She felt loved. All the children were standing in front of her, or behind the camera.</div>
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The weather was cool enough that we were able to have a bonfire and roast marshmallows for s'mores {insert pictures}.<br />
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Caroline,<br />
Oh how you are loved! You bring so much joy to our days. We are thankful for your sweet disposition, your attention to detail, your love for all things pretty, and most of all - your heart for God. ~ Momma<br />
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Some Caroline sayings:<br />
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:: I don't want strawberries, I'll take just cream.<br />
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:: She begins most questions with do or doo's, I suppose it is a form of does. For example, "Do it gonna rain today?" More seriously: "Doo's God the father sad when his son died?"<br />
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:: Caroline: What are you doing?<br />
me: praying for Daddy to be like Jesus...don't you think he's already like Jesus?<br />
Caroline: yeah, except he doesn't wear much white clothes<br />
**ironically he changes into a <i>black</i> t-shirt after work most days.<br />
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And while I'm ratting out my kids, this one is about my oldest:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">John Isaac often takes his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Action-Bible-Doug-Mauss/dp/0781444993/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400468801&sr=8-1&keywords=action+bible" target="_blank">Action Bible</a> to church and reads it during the sermon. Last Sunday John was preaching.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">At one point JI looks over at me with bright orange earplugs in his hand and asks, "Can I put these in my ears? It is hard for me to read while dad is preaching."</span></span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-53728831633809033782014-05-18T12:03:00.002-07:002014-05-18T12:03:29.745-07:00Metamorphosis <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found four caterpillars on my parsley. </div>
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Two found new families, one died.<br />
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This one remains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjQagi87D9dBNNaR3vYIrg6PxsFbsT16uQtxdq7rLxpm47t21KI6oP2crIIrN45hL088A9WNFI2hwr-ZUYyYRJ4fwF0HpKa1AsZmt-fkDXUR0aAtOwIZvgphU0ZVoX59HvUOXIFJ0eK8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjQagi87D9dBNNaR3vYIrg6PxsFbsT16uQtxdq7rLxpm47t21KI6oP2crIIrN45hL088A9WNFI2hwr-ZUYyYRJ4fwF0HpKa1AsZmt-fkDXUR0aAtOwIZvgphU0ZVoX59HvUOXIFJ0eK8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Last night it morphed into its chrysalis. So cool.<br />
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Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv13TXDumcs" target="_blank">time lapsed video</a> (different species) if you've never seen the transformation. Truly amazing.<br />
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And now we wait for the swallowtail butterfly to emerge.<br />
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Related: <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/story/black-box/" target="_blank">This podcast</a> from Radiolab. I listened to it just days before finding the caterpillars. I heart Radiolab. Anyone else listen?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-78953796131126920652014-04-20T13:28:00.001-07:002014-04-20T13:28:18.950-07:00Easter OutfitsI tried to add these pictures to the previous post, but for whatever reason, Blogger didn't think I should.<br />
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Anyway - here were our <strike>costumes</strike> outfits for Easter morning (all compliments of my mom). Caroline's dress was from my sister's daughters (both wore it). Schaeffer is 15 months and still not walking (totally fine by me) but I love smocking and Peter Pan collars. I know he will probably hate seeing himself in these outfits. I suppose he can pay me back when he chooses my funeral clothes. Wouldn't that be funny - an old lady wearing smocking and Peter Pan collars...<br />
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And I was so excited about my dress. I scored it from Ann Taylor for $5.88 - regularly priced $149. Who pays retail?!<br />
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Hubby wasn't in the photo shoot because he was still getting ready. He had a slow start because he was a saint last night with Mr. Schaeffer, who decided to celebrate Resurrection Day a bit early and cried until 2am. We have no idea what was wrong.<br />
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<i>He is Risen!</i>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-41626672696883628722014-04-20T13:16:00.000-07:002014-04-20T13:16:30.409-07:00Easter Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seems fitting the last post was Valentines Weekend...and now Easter Weekend. Maybe this will turn into a "holiday" blog. :)</div>
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Hubby had Good Friday off, so we packed up the fam and headed about an hour north to Petit Jean State Park to hike. Gorgeous weather.</div>
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It's a short hike. The bummer is the trail is straight down at the beginning, which means straight up at the very end when everyone is hot and tired. Nonetheless we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the falls.<br />
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Caroline was a trooper until after lunch. Then she demanded to be carried the entire hike back. Hubby carried her and I carried <strike>Tubby</strike>, Schaeffer.<br />
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The view from the lodge and top of the hike.<br />
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Saturday morning we dyed eggs. Raw...and used them for the egg toss later in the day.</div>
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We hosted a neighborhood egg hunt in our park and used the Resurrection Eggs to explain the real meaning of Easter.</div>
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I *think* I counted 20 kids pre-hunt but I felt a little crazy as cruise director. :) Something I did differently this year: I explained the story, opening all the Resurrection Eggs <i>before</i> the hunt. Then, I told the kids, "If you find one of these numbered eggs, bring it to me. I will give you $1 if you can tell me the significance of the object." Of course I gave them the dollar when they brought their egg, regardless if they were able to re-tell the story. <i>By telling the story before the hunt</i> I think this helped keep the attention of the children. For future egg hunts I will do that again. Because after the hunt, no one wants to listen...they just want to eat candy. Who can blame them?<br />
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I asked everyone to bring 12 eggs filled with candy. The friends I knew who were bringing kids, I asked to bring extra eggs in the event kids came without eggs. Turns out each kid found about 20 eggs each!<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-69031923590822891242014-02-16T19:39:00.000-08:002014-02-16T19:39:18.476-08:00Valentines Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday morning, HB and I <a href="http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2014/02/batch-cooking-mini-version.html" target="_blank">tackled a mini-batch-cooking project</a>.</div>
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Friday afternoon, I took the kids to <a href="http://www.thewonderplace.com/" target="_blank">The Wonder Place</a>, it's like a children's museum near our house.<br />
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HB made this outfit (pants and shirt) for her girls and passed it on to us.<br />
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John Isaac spent the last 15 minutes of our time at the Wonder Place cleaning up ...of his own volition! A worker saw him and rewarded his efforts with this token. I was really proud of him.<br />
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Saturday, while Schaeffer slept and Hubby put the finishing touches on his sermon, the big kids and I went for ice cream at the Green Corner Store. I love that place. </div>
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My parents sent cash earlier in the week to treat the kids, so we continued the splurge by watching the Lego Movie. (I thought it was terribly boring but the kids enjoyed it.)<br />
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Today is Sunday. Hubby preached a sermon on remembering from Psalm 78. (Once posted, you should be able to <a href="http://redeemerlr.org/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&Itemid=66" target="_blank">listen to it here</a>.) An older couple from the church joined us for lunch. The weather was nice so John Isaac was biting the bullet to be in the creek with his buddies. The rest of us had naps.<br />
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After waking, I did my menu planning and headed to the grocery and came home with some blood oranges. I peeled several and offered some to Caroline. I thought she would love them because she loves oranges and because they are red inside. She was appalled by the name. It was as if I were offering her severed fingers. Never did it cross my mind that it would gross her out.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-76309519495912491802014-02-09T13:45:00.000-08:002014-02-09T13:45:04.912-08:00SNOW! Glorious Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a cold winter all across the US. Little Rock has had more than its fair share of snow this year (I think 3 times!) We don't complain about snow...it's the ice that breaks power lines.</div>
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Because of ice earlier in the week, we had an overnight guest (who needed to be at the airport early the next morning.) Mr. Sommer slept in John Isaac's bed and we had JI sleep in the master closet so we wouldn't have to root Schaeffer from his room. Anyway, JI made a GIGANTIC pallet in the closet and loved it so much begged to recreate said pallet in his floor. He's been sleeping in a tent this week.</div>
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Major Grandparents mailed <strike>enemy gear</strike> a nice hoodie.<br />
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Friday night, Hubby and I were on a <i>hottttt</i> date when it started snowing. We left <a href="http://www.thefoldlr.com/" target="_blank">The Fold</a> (yum) to chat in a coffee shop but decided -en route- to go straight home. The roads went from passable to very slick in ten minutes; we almost had to walk home.<br />
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Saturday morning, our eldest woke us up EARLY. He was dressed and ready to play in the white stuff. Below he was trying to make a snowman but it was still too cold to stick together.<br />
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Sister was "so 'cited!"</div>
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My man should get a snowman making award. He made two frozen people on Saturday.<br />
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The second one was decidedly larger than the first. Actually he only helped with placement on the second man. The middle ball was too heavy for JI and company to lift. </div>
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I think these boys could have stayed in the snow all. day. long.<br />
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Sister just wanted to eat the marshmallows out of the hot chocolate. :)<br />
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Later in the day, I took my shift as "snow-playing-parent." I rallied the neighborhood troops (via texting moms) and organized THE ULTIMATE NEIGHBORHOOD SNOWBALL FIGHT. That's me in the Stormtrooper helmet.<br />
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These were the first to arrive.</div>
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This was "Team McCarley."<br />
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This team called themselves "Ice Screamers." One boy brought a Rubbermaid tub full of pre-made snowballs. <i>Awesome</i>.<br />
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I think I counted 13 boys and 2 girls. Lots of testosterone. <br />
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Beyond a free-for-all snowball fight, we played capture the flag and a distance and accuracy game.<br />
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Good times. And more snow is predicted for tomorrow. <i>Yay</i>!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-71075777584207713482014-02-05T08:54:00.000-08:002014-02-05T08:54:40.911-08:00Weekend Happenings {Super Bowl}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We switched Schaeffer to forward facing (even though I know the recommendation is rear-facing until 2 years old.) The seat we have borrowed from friends is a tank. I can't remember the brand but it is heftier than Britax. It's crazy sturdy. It reclines ever so slightly so he looked really uncomfortable riding backwards. Despite the picture below he was really happy about being turned around. Big Brother put the glasses on him and he looked really cool until I pulled out the phone for a picture. Then he decided he wanted them off. </div>
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I've started The Count of Monte Cristo.</div>
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The "Sweet Potato Lady" stopped by with a delivery this weekend. John Isaac and pals had the best time playing with these 40 pound boxes. They played for HOURS with them. Who needs gaming systems when you have sweet potatoes?<br />
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I had helpers making the Super Bowl treats. It's a pepperoni football with mozzarella laces.<br />
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He made a fruit stadium with kale for grass and an orange seed for the football.<br />
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We watched the game at our neighbor's. Schaeffer sat for about 15 seconds in this chair.</div>
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Ready for another week?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-57612429523463234742014-02-02T17:54:00.002-08:002014-02-02T17:56:19.238-08:00Open Letter to My Dad on His Birthday<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: right;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">February 3, 2014</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dear Dad,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Recently I read a book called,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Fathers-Daughters-Secrets-Father/dp/0345499395" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Fathers-Daughters-Secrets-Father/dp/0345499395" target="_blank">Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know</a>.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I read it upon the recommendation of several people. Partly, I wanted to know what made a strong dad. I also wanted to see if there was anything that would translate to me, being a mom.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So much of what Dr. Meeker wrote in her book resonated in my heart, from my experience growing up with a strong father. As I turned the pages of each chapter, I found myself nodding my head and underlining things. Somewhere in the middle of the book, I felt compelled to write a letter to let you know how thankful I am the Lord gave me such a strong father.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Looking back on my childhood, probably the overwhelming sentiment was the fact that <b>you believed in me </b>and taught me to believe in myself. What a gift to have confidence! As I grow older I am ever more aware of the power of self-confidence. Almost to the extreme (a fault?), I have a huge does of self confidence. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There were many things <b>you taught me to do</b> so that I would be prepared for life. You were always patient with me as I learned, allowing for mistakes and not ridiculing me when I failed. Thankfully I didn’t rip the transmission out as I learned to drive a standard shift. You taught me many other things on the farm like running weed eater, a chain saw, split and carry wood, drive a tractor with a wagon and other farm implements, countless other dangerous equipment. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Don’t let anyone tell you CAN’T. <b>You can</b> do anything you put your mind to.” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I remember calling home the first semester of college after bombing a chemistry test. I asked to talk to you because I knew that Mom would cry with me. I needed to talk with a cheerleader. I needed someone to help pull my nose above the water. You believed in me, told me I could do it. Keep trying! I needed that pep talk. The transition from high school to college was a rough one for me, as I had been a big fish in a small pond and found myself as a guppy floundering in an ocean.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>You were my hero</b>. You had an unshakable positive air about you. The glass was always half full and never half empty. How many sermons did I hear from you on the power of positive thinking? Good memories. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">People respected you in our small town because you were the principal in the elementary school, (later a school administrator). It was awe-inspiring to watch my hero, <i>my</i> dad, walk into a noisy crowded elementary cafeteria, make a “T” with your hands (for time-out). This would command silence from rowdy children. You were a leader...and a speaker.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You gave me many tips on <b>speaking to groups</b> of people from both your example as well as your focused time to sharpen me. Kindergarten through fourth grade we rocked the Declamation Competition thanks to your tips for voice inflection and subtle pauses for effect.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I remember studying lists of spelling words and studying vocabulary definitions ad naseum with you late into the night. Well, it seemed like forever, anyway. <b>You required perfection</b> - not as a harsh drill sergeant but as one who knows the value of quality. This has served me well as an adult - <b>knowing when to require quality</b>. (Mom, on the other hand, taught me the beauty of speed and making due with less than perfect!) An example of requiring perfect was when we rented white chairs for my wedding. They arrived less than perfectly clean. You made sure the rental company knew this was unacceptable.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My Wedding Day, 1999 (note white chairs in a barn)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Provision</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You made sure I knew that you loved me by word <i>and</i> deed. Often I would find notes or later, receive letters in the mail reminding me you were my cheerleader. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I never worried about our family finances. The year you were without a job you taught me by your example never to give up, never to get down and the power of a positive attitude. You made me believe we had plenty of cash on hand (when now looking back, I’m sure things were tight.) </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My car was always cared for, oil changes, etc. (and you taught me to care for it...to this day I love a clean car!) Even now when we pull out of the driveway at your house it is always with clean windows. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When it was time to move in college, you always helped without complaining. You attended most music or athletic events (my whole life) while cheering me on, trying to embarrass me by loud yells but I loved the attention.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You shelled out cash for worthy endeavors. Once I remember wanting a magazine subscription. Was it <i>Teen Beat</i>? or possibly the literature-rich <i>Seventeen</i> magazine? You asked me to give you some reasons why you should pay for a subscription. I can’t remember my reasons but I remember thinking, “My dad loves me. He wants to support my passions.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In <b>marriage</b> you were faithful to Mom. Never did I doubt your fidelity to her. There were some rough spots and arguments where I wondered if your relationship would stand the test of time but I knew you were faithful to Mom. Deep in my heart I knew you would stick it out and be faithful. In September you will celebrate 47 years. Thank you for staying true to your marriage vows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You were my </span></span><b style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">protector</b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. Having guns in the house brought comfort to me. I knew how to shoot those guns and had a respect for their power. I didn’t ever worry about the boogey man coming to get me at night. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>You trusted me</b>, and treated me like an adult for as long as I can remember. One such example was when I was only 15 years old. I didn’t think it was a big deal that you sent me -alone- to Germany, to visit extended family. Looking back on the freedom you gave me, (within reason, of course!) I wonder how well I will let out slack in the proverbial leash for my children. I learned so much that summer in Europe, about myself and the world. What an incredible gift!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So Dad, on your seventy first trip around the sun, I want you to know how thankful I am for your positive influence on my life. And the generations to come (Psalm 78:6-7). I am a strong woman today because of your influence in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Happy Birthday! I love you.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Julie</span></div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-1689372171963405432014-01-30T17:52:00.002-08:002014-01-30T17:52:35.280-08:00Photo Dump & Treehouse Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Caroline asks to "do school." She especially loves to write. And type.</div>
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Big brother <i>can be (if he wants to</i>) a great entertainer and babysitter.<br />
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Schaeffer <i>loves</i> this rubber mallet. It's like a lollipop, I guess.<br />
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Little Momma feeding her Big Baby. They're almost the same size.<br />
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All three kids love to play in the pillows from our bed. On this day, in her red pajamas, Caroline says, "Hey Mom! Can you find me?" Um, dear, you need a lesson in camouflage from your big brother.<br />
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Schaeffer got a monogrammed duffle for his birthday and the bigs had the best time playing in it.</div>
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Maybe it's just the age, but this kid is a ham. Hubby and I think he is the silliest of the three.<br />
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Tree House Update!!<br />
The picture below was taken from inside our house, upstairs.<br />
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They have three walls up! Woot woot!!<br />
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Last Saturday some neighborhood ladies met for the second time to discuss the book, Bread & Wine.</div>
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Rubber mallet and spaghetti fork thingy.<br />
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Little Miss is ready for summer. Though we've had sub-freezing weather this week, she rifled through her closet to find this gem of an outfit. I like the coordinating spider tights, don't you?<br />
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Completely random: <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/for-40-years-this-russian-family-was-cut-off-from-all-human-contact-unaware-of-world-war-ii-7354256/" target="_blank">this family lived without contact with society for 40 years.</a> They didn't even know WWII happened. Here's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt2AYafET68" target="_blank">YouTube video about the lone survivor</a>.<br />
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A good friend of mine from college has <a href="http://shedarestovoice.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">a blog about her journey to heal from sexual abuse.</a> She is a gifted writer. <br />
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Over and out.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-88961009156689145082014-01-16T09:06:00.000-08:002014-01-16T12:38:09.208-08:00Works for Me: Smells Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most candles are too perfume-y for me. Lately I've been using mostly citrus essential oils in a saucepan of water on the stovetop. It dawned on me as I was tossing Cutie peels and grapefruit rinds in the trash that I should simmer them. (Too much citrus in the compost is not good.) Smells wonderful up in here. I've also been burning a candle on the dining room table during the day. It's not a strong smelling candle. I read <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/a-simple-ritual-to-fight-the-winter-darkness/" target="_blank">this post on fighting the winter darkness</a> and it resonated with me. The burning candle especially reminds me to be a light to my children. <i>Keep calm and carry on</i>.</div>
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Those who know me well know me to be frugal. Mrs. Meyers is a splurge for me but her scents makes me so happy. I'm especially enjoying the cranberry dish soap right now.<br />
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I bought this bulb and vase for about $4 at Kroger. It's now a beautiful flower that sits in my kitchen window.</div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-86300466125083638062014-01-12T13:41:00.002-08:002014-01-12T13:41:39.546-08:00Schaeffer Turns One (We SURVIVED)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It feels like such a gigantic milestone to say we've reached a year old. I know he has not been chronically ill (and I am soooo thankful for that) but it has been One. Long. Year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa_y4rgQ8fXbp26fJhp18JmmZenk-Xskse6ui4rgL_gXUFw88SxjfKVxmWDJiXy4kqR6suxnk9uTSplfwkdaZfMXoLaG1ptLQzvV_C2IHM4xCG_EBNNBQ31NW2lpFQFAXBnG6ffE3LwM/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa_y4rgQ8fXbp26fJhp18JmmZenk-Xskse6ui4rgL_gXUFw88SxjfKVxmWDJiXy4kqR6suxnk9uTSplfwkdaZfMXoLaG1ptLQzvV_C2IHM4xCG_EBNNBQ31NW2lpFQFAXBnG6ffE3LwM/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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He was unusually animated on the morning of his birthday. </div>
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I thought about writing a post for his birthday called, "How to Loose 50 Pounds." It's simple: nurse an <a href="http://funmajors.blogspot.com/2013/01/hes-here.html" target="_blank">eleven pound baby</a> around the clock for 365 days. I think it is safe to say he is heavier than Caroline now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLRAPzFEU_NY-kjlJrU2ftG6kWkulZOnn_tbyo00s9LYZbSVLMsA1zIt6qQJ066w_gbuEm4UE2osxVWOHunXEKpP5cGYe55EjH66iRr82JUy6b_HyK6JGiIq-3s2I7tWTCVtUL0WHOas/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLRAPzFEU_NY-kjlJrU2ftG6kWkulZOnn_tbyo00s9LYZbSVLMsA1zIt6qQJ066w_gbuEm4UE2osxVWOHunXEKpP5cGYe55EjH66iRr82JUy6b_HyK6JGiIq-3s2I7tWTCVtUL0WHOas/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I think he liked the hats.</div>
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Other happenings this week: the "big kids" had a tea party. John Isaac made the tea and I provided peanut butter crackers with carrots and apples. A neighbor brought over the dipped pretzels. They used china plates but I guess they hadn't realized the need for plates before this picture.</div>
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Caroline will be a domestic goddess one day. On her own accord she likes to fold the (clean, washable) diaper wipes<br />
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It rained one day while John Isaac was at a co-op. So Caroline and I walked in the rain. What's more fun than that when you're three-years-old?<br />
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Schaeffer graced us with a super long afternoon nap. We made <a href="http://m.foodnetwork.com/recipes/312375" target="_blank">soft pretzels</a>. Yummo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierT6YqsMW2MhXwhyphenhyphenb0aMFfAnlh2Gultgf1sNOnIuhT7o_M4mKiG0mPYDJQj1oNftoO7cOsGj-bEteTFObqHfcMfEMv62bmTibkhVIZWWlvAyHZK4l9drSLjKZ_MB3kgf7dyzj4n5g5h4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierT6YqsMW2MhXwhyphenhyphenb0aMFfAnlh2Gultgf1sNOnIuhT7o_M4mKiG0mPYDJQj1oNftoO7cOsGj-bEteTFObqHfcMfEMv62bmTibkhVIZWWlvAyHZK4l9drSLjKZ_MB3kgf7dyzj4n5g5h4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
The birthday boy got a new (from Craigslist) jogging stroller. Hubby wants to run more (crazy man) and is willing to take the lil' stinker along. And yes, he sucks those two fingers when he is tired. <i>Adorable</i>.<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-59748544226893630852014-01-09T12:52:00.001-08:002014-01-09T12:55:54.437-08:00Getting Creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/thinking-outside-the-box-about-creative-living/" target="_blank">this blog post</a> earlier in the week about how being creative isn't necessarily handicrafts and Pintrest-y stuff. It really resonated with me. I'm a mom of three little people who <i>need me </i>more than they need crafts <i>done by me</i>. And yet, I still feel the need to create. How can that be done?</div>
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I loved this quote:</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2a3033; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve come to describe what I do simply as <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">creative living</em>, not defined by any one craft or activity but an overall approach to life.” ~Renee Tougas, <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nurturing Creativity</em></strong></div>
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As a result of my mulling on that blog post, I decided to use my creative juices on lunch. My creation isn't stellar but the kids loved it and I exercised my brain.</div>
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This was Caroline's plate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1P36FFh536oCWuyBA_upW-IIRVm41NZ58GSLeSM3weOZjP5O4d3TvxvEyl8h5D5Zud9RkcEOcBNqU5wYUk0OdKUjAmgf85I9VHtQu91kaddLpea51TEDDOXz3sc0YeFxcegLFHcUWU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1P36FFh536oCWuyBA_upW-IIRVm41NZ58GSLeSM3weOZjP5O4d3TvxvEyl8h5D5Zud9RkcEOcBNqU5wYUk0OdKUjAmgf85I9VHtQu91kaddLpea51TEDDOXz3sc0YeFxcegLFHcUWU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="552" /></a></div>
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She had been snacking all morning so I knew she wasn't that hungry. It's supposed to be a face, by the way. Graham cracker/PB eyebrows, apple eyes, pecans are ears or cheeks, pickle nose and banana/PB mouth with craisin teeth.</div>
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John Isaac was hungrier (isn't he always hungry?) and he's a bit pickier of an eater. So his plate is more of design. <br />
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Me? I warmed up some <a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/10/14/nourishing-soup-series-cheeseburger-soup-with-bacon-and-pickles-oh-yeah/" target="_blank">cheeseburger soup</a>. Don't knock it till you try it. I've made it three times this winter and I eat most of it myself (b.c Hubby isn't a fan of ground beef). I love it garnished with dill pickles (today they were in the bottom of my bowl.) I also add kidney beans which are optional in the recipe, but I like the texture they add to the soup. I took this soup to a friend and fried 1/2 pound of bacon, crumbled it and sent it as a garnish…delish! I like bacon but usually don't go through the work of frying it just for me. The kids will eat soup but they'd just as rather have a snack plate.<br />
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So if you're feeling squelched in the creative arena or feel like you don't have the time or margin to be creative, <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/thinking-outside-the-box-about-creative-living/" target="_blank">go read this post for inspiration</a>. Be sure to read the comments, too.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-44580703311125003412014-01-07T12:48:00.001-08:002014-01-07T12:48:17.695-08:00Advice for Mommas with Colicky Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i>I started writing this post in the height of Schaeffer's colic. Because I took my own advice (see #5 below) of "only do that which is necessary" I put this post on hold. He will be one year old on Saturday and I feel like I'm just now coming out of a fog. It has been a VERY long year.</i><br />
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Having a baby with colic has made me much more sympathetic to parents of fussy babies. A crying baby is very stressful. Baby #3 has rocked my world in many ways. My pregnancy with him was exhausting but nothing like his first three months of life.<br />
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If he was awake, he was crying. Hard. Loud. Crying like he was in pain. The first three months of Schaeffer's life was a very difficult time. A time that I do not want to ever re-live. I would not wish colic on my worst enemy.<br />
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I'm writing this post to myself, with hopes of remembering what worked for us. The first chapter of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:4%E2%80%935&version=ESV">second Corinthians says</a> that we are comforted by God in our afflictions<i> so that </i>we may comfort others in theirs. If you know someone with a colicky (or very fussy) baby - please send them this post.<br />
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Dear Momma of a Colicky Baby,<br />
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Don't let guilt overwhelm you or think that you did something wrong in your pregnancy. I ate better with the third pregnancy and rested more than the other two combined! No one really knows what causes colic nor is there a proven cure, other than endurance. Below is my list of advice to you, though in <b><i>no particular order.</i></b><br />
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1. <b>Accept help</b> when your friends ask. Pride is a brutal thing. It took several weeks of the crying for me to realize I needed to accept help.<br />
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2. <b>Eat out</b> as much as your budget will allow. Rather, <b>buy take-out</b> because, who wants to take a crying baby to a restaurant?! When you've reached the limits of the budget, borrow money from your friends who want to help.<br />
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3. <b>Ask for meals</b> from <i>anyone</i>.<br />
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4. <b>Let the house work go.</b> Do the minimum - or less. I didn't vacuum the upstairs of my house for 4 months (and it probably would have been longer had not my mother done it for me when she was here just after Baby was born.)<br />
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5. <b>Survival is eating, breathing and sleeping. Everything else is extraneous.</b> Let someone else cook for you (see #1-3).<br />
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6. <b>Don't try to "schedule" this baby</b>. If you get him to sleep, let him sleep. There will be plenty of time later to work on a routine.<br />
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7. <b>Stay home.</b> Crying is stressful enough when there's not an audience or random people giving you unsolicited advice - advice that is probably wrong.<br />
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8. <b>Listen to advice with a grain of salt </b>from well meaning people who haven't had a colicky baby.<br />
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9. <b>Get a babysitter.</b> Pay them well. Or, ask a friend (who's not afraid of the crying) to come over to stay with baby for a few hours just so you can <b>get out of the house</b>. I had a few friends do this for me and it was so life giving!<br />
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10. <b>Do what's easy.</b> It's about survival. (See #5 - eat, breathe, sleep is survival.)<br />
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11. <b>Try everything</b> <i>or not.</i> Lots of people told me to cut out dairy (because I was nursing). And chocolate. And coffee. I tried all those but it didn't minimize the crying. <b>I tried so many new things</b> with this baby that I didn't try with my other two children.<br />
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12.<b> Baby wearing</b> was one of the things I tried with #3. I didn't "wear" my first two kids. Baby wearing seemed to soothe him. However it came at a cost: it was physically exhausting for me. Shall I remind you <a href="http://funmajors.blogspot.com/2013/01/hes-here.html" target="_blank">he weighed almost 11 pounds at birth</a>?! At first we used a Bjorn (but it's not very comfortable for the adult), then I used a Moby wrap (but it is hot <i>and</i> time consuming to put on). I eventually bought a Boba carrier at a consignment shop (similar to Ergo) and I love it, wish I'd purchased sooner.<br />
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13. <b>Take it one hour at a time</b>, one <i>day</i> at a time. Remember it should only last 3 months. Not forever. Don't let yourself think, "I can't do this for 2 more months!!!" Instead, say to yourself, "I can do this for 5 more minutes." Or, "I can do this until nap time."<br />
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Other things that worked for me:<br />
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- Reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4577754595&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13332367451287905094&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_nlxbfcp7n_e">The Happiest Baby</a> on the Block and <a href="http://www.happiestbaby.com/5-ss-system-may-help-colic-symptoms/">using the 5 S's.</a> Actually, I watched it on DVD while nursing and borrowed the copy from my library.</div>
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- Swaddling and shushing<br />
- Chiropractics seemed to help in the beginning. He was adjusted by Dr. Traci Bishop Kiernan at Natural State Health. She is a chiropractor who is familiar and comfortable with adjusting babies.</div>
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- Bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conair-SU7-Sound-Therapy-Relaxation/dp/B000OCK9S2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1307414644&sr=8-6">this sound machine</a> to make continuous shushing noise. 'Cuz once that baby is asleep, I don't want NOBODY waking him up.</div>
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- When not being held, he was in the swing almost continuously for 3 months. No lie.</div>
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- Watch TV (or movies on computer) with earbuds while holding crying baby. It helped the time to pass quicker. I watched <i>seven</i> SEASONS of one show among several other things. The nights were the worst. He would cry unconsolable from about 7pm-1am.</div>
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This week we celebrate his first birthday. It has taken a whole year to write this post because I've been following my own advice: survival is eat, breathe, and sleep. <br />
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I'm sure this list is <i>only the beginning</i> of things that Mr. Schaeffer will teach me in his lifetime.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-45602282704725180412014-01-05T19:23:00.001-08:002014-01-05T19:45:59.108-08:00Ringing in the New Year {in pictures}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We live in <i>the best </i>neighborhood.</div>
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Neighbors brought over some delicious Black Eyed Pea Dip and chips.<br />
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John Isaac fed a neighbor's dog while they were on vacation. Notice he is without shoes but is wearing a sock cap. Go figure.</div>
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It has been unusually cold for this southern state and we have had plenty of these.<br />
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Big Brother went back to SEEK this week (a science enrichment program for homeschoolers at the 4H center). Caroline and I took Schaeffer to the Wonder Place. I love that she enjoys costumes.<br />
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It took Schaeffer a while to figure out what was going on. He's too used to being at home. Once he warmed up to the place he loooooved it.</div>
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With Christmas cash in hand, we went to Purple Cow. The kids love this local burger joint. Actually I think it's the purple milkshakes they love. Shay had to stick with water.<br />
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I made LOTS of yogurt.<br />
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Baby got his first haircut this weekend. No more Bullet (Baby Mullet).<br />
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Of note, I worked through these <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/new-years-eve-reflection-questions/" target="_blank">20 Questions for New Year's Eve</a> and these <a href="http://theartofsimple.net/simple-new-year/" target="_blank">Goal Setting Questions for a New Year</a>. Found the exercise very helpful. <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/12/a-grace-plan-a-doable-life-change-plan-for-a-new-year-a-new-you-with-printable/" target="_blank">This from Ann Voskamp is good</a>, too.<br />
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Last, but certainly not least, Hubby released his <a href="http://onemantrying.blogspot.com/2014/01/top-books-of-2013.html" target="_blank">"Top Books of 2013"</a> list.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-19358890008256969962014-01-04T18:42:00.000-08:002014-01-04T18:42:22.636-08:00Throwing Milk Jugs…full of water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made yogurt today (my farmer had extra milk last week!). After the clean up, I asked Mr. Intensity to run the jugs out to the recycling bin. He said, "Sure…Can we fill them with water and throw them?" A neighbor friend was here too.</div>
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I was so stunned by the request I couldn't think of anything to say other than…ok.</div>
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It was a sight to behold.<br />
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Where does he come up with these ideas?<br />
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Notice they quickly lost their shoes. It was freezing out there. Crazy boys.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-65898577677023659222013-12-29T20:32:00.000-08:002013-12-29T20:32:11.989-08:00Week in Photos: Christmas Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just before Christmas, one of John Isaac's friends got a road bike. I see two future triathletes. These boys also swim together 3 or 4 days a week with a club team. Their dads are also beginning to swim quasi-regularly, too.</div>
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Christmas morning the kids were awake by 3am. I didn't hear them until JI came in our room at 5:15 and Hubby commanded him back to bed. I was excited so I got up and went to their room (both slept in Caroline's room) and we came downstairs at 5:30.<br />
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Below Caroline is in a *new* Princess outfit with a cash register (her fav.) also in picture are Shrinky Dinks and a doll and kitty from Alphonse.<br />
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My parents gave me a hand-thrown mug from their trip to the northeast. I love it. We had <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/" target="_blank">PW's cinnamon rolls</a> (that I'd made the day before) and Hubby cooked up eggs and greens.<br />
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JI got a magic set, science kit, magnet kit and lots of other goodies from grandparents. :)<br />
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This vest, from Major Grands, has been worn almost daily. Lots of pockets and zippers. Perfect for him.<br />
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Both kids got gingerbread houses. Alphonse, who stayed Christmas Eve, helped decorate one set. They woke him at 5:45 by running and screaming into his room. JI said, "It was so funny - he sat straight up in bed." Poor guy. They love Alphonse fiercely.</div>
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JI's favorite "toy" was a<a href="http://www.mindware.com/p/4-in-1-Cool-Tool-Workshop/45021" target="_blank"> 4-in-1 tool workshop</a> from my parents. It includes a lathe, drill press, sander, and jigsaw. (The scab on his nose is a carpet burn from wrestling with Caroline on the couch…<i>lovely</i>.)<br />
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Little Miss likes to dress herself and has a good sense of style, no?<br />
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Last but certainly not least, <b><span style="font-size: large;">UK beat UofL this weekend!!</span></b> Notice my wise children are dressed appropriately in winning colors. We took pizza to Matt & D'Lisa Haas's house and watched the game.<br />
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Where's Schaeffer? We shipped him to Mars. Well, not really but I want to most days. He has been very grumpy this week (runny nose virus) and hardly napping. When he is awake he demands constant attention which means I get nothing done. It has been the longest year of my life. Please don't tell me I will look back on these days with fondness.<br />
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Hubby is home three days this coming week then it's back to reality.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-33475846935779576312013-12-26T21:12:00.002-08:002013-12-26T21:12:24.437-08:00Biking in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found this in my "unpublished" folder…</div>
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These are pictures from our time in Colorado. The town we were in was very bike friendly and we rode our bikes a lot. </div>
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I think on this day we rode to the Walrus for ice cream. Or maybe it was just a stroll to the park. <br />
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The kids' "camps" were in nearby elementary schools. Hubby would ride with JI to his school and I carried the two littlest in the trailer to their school. Schaeffer only went to childcare a few hours one week - it wasn't worth the hassle and interruption in his routine.<br />
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We love going out to Colorado!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-33856796261677118872013-12-26T21:07:00.001-08:002013-12-26T21:15:08.356-08:00Books I'm Reading and Other Happenings at Our House1. <a href="http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-mother-who-serves-raw-milk.html" target="_blank">I was interviewed on the local Fox network</a> a week or so ago and forgot to mention it here. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement warning pregnant women and children from drinking raw milk. I was a mother's voice speaking contrary to their admonitions. My family and I have been drinking fresh, whole, unadulterated-milk-straight-from-the-cow for five years and we are <i>very</i> healthy. <b>Since drinking fresh milk we have not been sick enough to warrant a trip to the doctor.</b> <a href="http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/letter-to-american-academy-pediatrics-not-all-raw-milk-created-equal/" target="_blank">Here is a logical, easy to understand response from the Raw Milk Institute</a> to the AAP. This warning is absolutely ludicrous and I wonder who is <strike>lining the pockets</strike> making donations to the AAP. It is certainly not the lowly raw milk farmer. As I told the Fox reporter: if you know your farmer and their practices, the milk is perfectly safe and good to drink. <br />
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<i>Whew</i>, that's off my chest.<br />
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<b>2. Books I'm reading:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Fathers-Daughters-Secrets-Father/dp/0345499395/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388117627&sr=1-1&keywords=strong+fathers+strong+daughters" target="_blank">Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know</a> - I was compelled to read this book after a couple of dads told me how much they enjoyed it. The author is a medical doctor and writes from her experience of counseling women in her practice (young and old). The first I'd heard of this book was by way of FamilyLife's radio program. A friend of ours (dad to 4 daughters) said he was bawling while listening to the author talk about the power of a dad. The chapters that opened my eyes most (thinking about Caroline) were the ones that talked about sexuality and the pervasiveness of it in our modern society. The chapters that resonated most, when thinking about my dad, was the extreme sense of self confidence I have…and I owe it all to my dad. Truly I am a strong woman largely in part because of him.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0312626681" target="_blank">Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America</a> - The author "goes undercover" and gets a minimum wage job and tries to make due on an hourly wage. A neighbor loaned this book to me. After her brother read it, he helped start a ministry to homeless people. The book, written like a memoir, helped open my eyes (again) to the cyclical power of poverty. It only takes one domino to fall in the wrong place for several things to go terribly wrong. In particular, housing and transportation are some of the biggest pieces in the poverty puzzle, not to mention childcare if one has small children.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orange-New-Black-Womens-Prison/dp/0385523394/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388118044&sr=1-1&keywords=orange+is+the+new+black" target="_blank">Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman's Prison</a> - The author was sentenced to 15 months in a federal women's prison for her involvement in trafficking drugs ten years prior. If it weren't for the lewdness (homosexuality and strong language), I would want John Isaac to read it simply because the author clearly writes how sin is not worth its consequences. Her few months of fun with sex, travel, and money were not payment enough for the YEARS of pain she caused herself and loved ones. Beyond that, the author writes about hierarchy, social strata, and inner workings of a women's prison. Memoirs are my favorite!<br />
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3. Speaking of homosexuality, <a href="http://www.worldmag.com/" target="_blank">World Magazine</a> came this week and was on our dining room table. John Isaac will often pick it up and read it cover to cover then tell me which articles I should read. He read something aloud about homosexual marriage and said, "What does <i>that</i> mean?" I told him when a man marries a man or a woman marries a woman. He said emphatically, "That's <i>GROSS</i>!" Thankfully Hubby was also there and we had a quick chat about what God says about marriage.<br />
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4. I was at Target by 8 this morning and in the mall parking lot before the doors opened. I've never done that without my mom or sister - even so it has been a looong time. I scored some good deals at Dillard's thanks to generous family members giving cold hard cash for Christmas. I bought my first pair of leggings since, oh, middle school. Yeah, I'm so NOT a fashionista. I fell in love with <a href="http://www.yummielife.com/leggings" target="_blank">yummie tummie</a> brand for the post-baby flabby belly. Boots were 40% off and I bought a <a href="http://www.dillards.com/product/Born-Sage-Vintage-Boots_301_-1_301_503980908?df=04070945_zi_cognac" target="_blank">pair of Born</a>.<br />
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5. Schaeffer is sleeping at night but he is refusing the "afternoon" nap. <i>Killing me</i>. His first birthday is in two weeks…could he be ready to go to one nap this early? He usually naps from 9-11 (I have to wake him) then I try to lay him down again at 1. He is quiet off and on for an hour then he gets really cranked and I've been getting him out of bed at 2:30 or 3. He is super-cranky-boy until bedtime between 7-8. Last week he was napping from 1-4 rather consistently. This boy is going to be the death of me.<br />
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6. A neighbor called this afternoon inquiring about employing our eldest to feed their dog while they are out of town. I said that would be fine as long as the payment didn't cause inflation to current labor wages. After haggling a while on what was fair (neighbor wanted to pay waaaaay toooo much), I agreed to send John Isaac down in the morning for specific instructions. When telling JI about his future employment he was giddy. He wanted to know how much he would be paid, how long they would be gone, then said, "They are going to pay <i>me</i> to feed their dog?" Almost as if he would have <i>paid them</i>.<br />
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7. I'm not quite regular but <b>I am beginning to exercise more</b> that I'm sleeping all night. I swam laps on Monday for the first time in a looooong time. And have dusted off my <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/" target="_blank">T-tapp DVDs</a>.<br />
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I'll post Christmas pictures, etc. later in the week. Wanted to tell my bookworm friends what I'm reading. (Hi Shari and Lindsay :)<br />
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I'd love to hear what everyone is reading. Got recommendations of things I should read in 2014?<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-92032424585063346302013-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:002013-12-22T12:29:40.984-08:00Our Sweet Week - Fun in the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
'Tis the season for sugar cookies. We made them twice because we ate almost the entire first batch in 24 hours. <a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2008/04/taste-of-yellow-yellow-rose-sugar.html" target="_blank">This recipe is the best</a> - you don't have to fight with the dough. We have eaten so much sugar this week, I don't even want to think about it. We also made <a href="http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2010/12/coconut-macaroons.html" target="_blank">coconut macaroons</a> and ginger snaps (similar to <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grandmas-gingersnaps/" target="_blank">this recipe</a>, except using butter.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqovCx22pOW1vv3yQ4PA4RDdsFRRdpxqexWXeSw-BCBHNPOEV5FIFgL7oHC-WsOjYfUMoETbkMVAjNX9gIoR6zh4bgUbSt59PvMdtiPKMuwD7xMeDuiAF82wQFeQq9UOo6asAbMA29Ug/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqovCx22pOW1vv3yQ4PA4RDdsFRRdpxqexWXeSw-BCBHNPOEV5FIFgL7oHC-WsOjYfUMoETbkMVAjNX9gIoR6zh4bgUbSt59PvMdtiPKMuwD7xMeDuiAF82wQFeQq9UOo6asAbMA29Ug/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Somebody woke up with CRAZY hair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMq3ykjBcCf2UBhCkRlRdIUUij1rn91YNz_Dvih8ET41BwDaQQTDZkb7qQg3pQmdlz-oYR3XlhqCLBRKF-Dc0iu7nejl9tNc3VL9KWiktuteJ-4ulyr6doWTsFF6dLthq5Xl3rxP6Nas/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMq3ykjBcCf2UBhCkRlRdIUUij1rn91YNz_Dvih8ET41BwDaQQTDZkb7qQg3pQmdlz-oYR3XlhqCLBRKF-Dc0iu7nejl9tNc3VL9KWiktuteJ-4ulyr6doWTsFF6dLthq5Xl3rxP6Nas/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Somebody else is reading. Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. He is sleeping - thank you LORD.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B3V1PJcxMieF4_3wWUFrj3hwfw8eEvXa_6SBcU_i6FX_QPTutmNHHaRVuAP4PaD5s46FPsG2LM1XcQpfWH5ULyvBGO2D2MZyjSun-HQiXHkoqAmoGQuZfpg_K4fRa7Dmkt8whsOJe1c/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B3V1PJcxMieF4_3wWUFrj3hwfw8eEvXa_6SBcU_i6FX_QPTutmNHHaRVuAP4PaD5s46FPsG2LM1XcQpfWH5ULyvBGO2D2MZyjSun-HQiXHkoqAmoGQuZfpg_K4fRa7Dmkt8whsOJe1c/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fluffy-vanilla-marshmallows-130751" target="_blank"> Homemade Marshmallows</a> - um...yum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZARvaVb1cwx4VxEYl33KFjX9CjD9zXXPNvt-WkYU8LJZs_2SHMtduIl5Dlmp3cEIy6qllFvl-IkfuLzPHXSl0UQ0_BOftWKByWkBBv_1VFepCUDB8aWNYgRPIY4WcE4Kghyxl9GnwtU/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZARvaVb1cwx4VxEYl33KFjX9CjD9zXXPNvt-WkYU8LJZs_2SHMtduIl5Dlmp3cEIy6qllFvl-IkfuLzPHXSl0UQ0_BOftWKByWkBBv_1VFepCUDB8aWNYgRPIY4WcE4Kghyxl9GnwtU/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love that he's a reader. This book was recommended by a classmate and he searched it out at the library. Love that initiative! Yesterday he and Hubby went to see The Hobbit in 3D at the IMAX. Shall we say <i>sensory overload?</i> :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9HUxw3TcXdsEZb9sWpvMOjY_r0x4vOY9xHtwpr9bE6cyvfaavbMUVujxBw7gDv5jLCVJB2a0jyXfh9JIfkVmA1HAaqg_n8Re6T1uWLcPDfJL94AEBMvAqzdbU2t-HoXogh94iyplsq4/s1600/photo-141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9HUxw3TcXdsEZb9sWpvMOjY_r0x4vOY9xHtwpr9bE6cyvfaavbMUVujxBw7gDv5jLCVJB2a0jyXfh9JIfkVmA1HAaqg_n8Re6T1uWLcPDfJL94AEBMvAqzdbU2t-HoXogh94iyplsq4/s640/photo-141.JPG" width="416" /></a></div>
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Lunch today was<a href="http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2013/12/beef-curry-for-crock-pot.html" target="_blank"> beef curry in the crock pot</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK1BLBAtwVrTUOLSSM9VPLu-ZEdnCWqWYjLXQ-I0XOjkLjBKkUZ4qLNstMNemd8oyTfR4QDancKlVPylFnSCc8cBCUbwVJSUwnUZgeJMKw8moXr9Ok7FQRJ9pEGrScKYLuPYZ5Tg9h7s/s1600/photo-140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK1BLBAtwVrTUOLSSM9VPLu-ZEdnCWqWYjLXQ-I0XOjkLjBKkUZ4qLNstMNemd8oyTfR4QDancKlVPylFnSCc8cBCUbwVJSUwnUZgeJMKw8moXr9Ok7FQRJ9pEGrScKYLuPYZ5Tg9h7s/s640/photo-140.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Hubby is home for the next 2 weeks! We are all very excited for Daddy time!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-85754001214926037512013-12-22T06:07:00.003-08:002013-12-22T06:07:30.524-08:00Advent Ideas: A Movie & A Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViVsNGZvSF2Pd-8eNcrydApphb3KQPEK7Bqzxrg-QuGshSgWsK1yPqNPTX13Gx5yMX995eIqHr1IAaIEOiwHCpq60_WxnkWID0A965VQJ8hJXQjghoE2c8jss33ACSs9MBq0hVqpYP28/s1600/51o61SyTbbL._SX215_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViVsNGZvSF2Pd-8eNcrydApphb3KQPEK7Bqzxrg-QuGshSgWsK1yPqNPTX13Gx5yMX995eIqHr1IAaIEOiwHCpq60_WxnkWID0A965VQJ8hJXQjghoE2c8jss33ACSs9MBq0hVqpYP28/s1600/51o61SyTbbL._SX215_.jpg" /></a></div>
The last few nights we have been watching 20 minutes of The Nativity Story. We have a physical copy but you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UORGI2/ref=atv_feed_catalog?tag=ovgboxcover-20" target="_blank">watch on Amazon</a>.<br />
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Something about <i>watching</i> the story, as opposed to <i>reading</i> it in the Bible, causes one to think about it differently.<br />
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A few things that come to mind:<br />
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- How young Mary was. The story became familiar to me at a young age and I have always thought of Mary as someone older. <br />
- The scandalous cultural implications of her pregnancy while a virgin.<br />
- The journey to Bethlehem was arduous and long and uncomfortable!<br />
- King Herod was a cunning and evil man.<br />
- The wise men looking for the star, and the astronomy that went into seeking the child.<br />
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We're only about half way through the movie. I'm sure the Lord will cause other things in the story to come alive as we finish it - I just wanted to encourage you to watch it before Christmas. We've watched it the last 3 or 4 <i>or 5?</i> years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W3DnQkIv5sy1loiS_UIWF4KGVOr_pIpagz5cTR_7xqiw7IeuFJ6ZvHS_2fVJhl_3zv8fOD9TIoSCRLy0L-MVnPjWldhHMbze1v8GRb2ICYhKY__sLXYcCHncNrhtJryVTwqwXGzqY1Y/s1600/41QEp2JlPGL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W3DnQkIv5sy1loiS_UIWF4KGVOr_pIpagz5cTR_7xqiw7IeuFJ6ZvHS_2fVJhl_3zv8fOD9TIoSCRLy0L-MVnPjWldhHMbze1v8GRb2ICYhKY__sLXYcCHncNrhtJryVTwqwXGzqY1Y/s320/41QEp2JlPGL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
Secondly, a friend gave me a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Gift-Unwrapping-Story-Christmas/dp/1414387083/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387718500&sr=1-1&keywords=greatest+gift+voskamp" target="_blank">The Greatest Gift - Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas</a> by Ann Voskamp. Truly I have enjoyed reading her short, daily devotions leading up to Christmas. Each day begins with Scripture, then a devotion, a suggested action point (which could be doing something or simply being), and a few questions with space to write reflections.<br />
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Merry Christmas, y'all!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-25211813509659637812013-12-20T09:02:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:02:04.571-08:00Sweet Caroline Says...<div class="gmail_extra" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJj9nfHNgDX1rRBh6jldp4F8Sge-EFzBrQogydJySiYJQD6FRrk2upMz1tGbctPuk3Dh8ddowk01-gEoKG_sOt1z3yfKQ80KsEJkN4tE2mk08hFI-AoqhRzoSLZJjsH_-TTPJHevfl_4/s1600/photo-137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJj9nfHNgDX1rRBh6jldp4F8Sge-EFzBrQogydJySiYJQD6FRrk2upMz1tGbctPuk3Dh8ddowk01-gEoKG_sOt1z3yfKQ80KsEJkN4tE2mk08hFI-AoqhRzoSLZJjsH_-TTPJHevfl_4/s320/photo-137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Caroline has said some of the sweetest things lately.<br />
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While brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed Caroline said, "I really really love you Daddy." </div>
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Then she paused and said, "And I love purple and blue and pink." </div>
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Then, after a longer pause, she whispered with a sheepish little smile, "And I love Jesus!"</div>
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Then she said "I like that people share. I like that momma shares her things with Holly and Holly shares her things with momma."<br />
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++++++++<br />
Yesterday she said, "How do we get to heaven?"<br />
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Me: If we believe in Jesus came to earth to pay for our sins, and we love him while we are alive, then when we die we will go to heaven and be with Him.<br />
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CJ: I'm not ready to die yet<br />
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Me: Me either.<br />
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++++++++<br />
CJ: I don't want to die on the cross.<br />
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Me: you don't have to, Jesus already did for us.<br />
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CJ : Why?<br />
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Me: Cause he loves us sooooo much.<br />
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CJ: oh.</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-4642591669943814822013-12-15T12:23:00.000-08:002013-12-15T12:23:43.998-08:00Our Week in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have the tree up! Grandparents sent back a TON of gifts with the kids last week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdhyphenhyphenTHay-PRXLYpDyksRtI5BM2qbZQ_joyTs18kCpY3GJ4QXP4xPIWMvG49PuwMAT_y-P6pvLQHA2PjHUenY1R2X41CK1EPC4uXyqT6kyp0EwyBPBtsxfN_yzzqF_K_-uqg-rACPirCI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdhyphenhyphenTHay-PRXLYpDyksRtI5BM2qbZQ_joyTs18kCpY3GJ4QXP4xPIWMvG49PuwMAT_y-P6pvLQHA2PjHUenY1R2X41CK1EPC4uXyqT6kyp0EwyBPBtsxfN_yzzqF_K_-uqg-rACPirCI/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Baby Jesus is already napping in our manger, face down I might add - because that is how our baby naps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYPOZISf2ST9EQKcWm_5oh8gsLZ7KdUfHXjabxvcQKqY73pRy3xl2j3WWkDQGAKd_6t19m9fw26XkdznQamv7eTwQIlelx4cPqMwWwahyphenhyphen_ZzNUkBtYmtEB9a_qyI0FY0k1HZcaYMokws/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYPOZISf2ST9EQKcWm_5oh8gsLZ7KdUfHXjabxvcQKqY73pRy3xl2j3WWkDQGAKd_6t19m9fw26XkdznQamv7eTwQIlelx4cPqMwWwahyphenhyphen_ZzNUkBtYmtEB9a_qyI0FY0k1HZcaYMokws/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
And our baby Jesus is a girl who wears a bow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqj5kQNnz8Kb5pm4xNERf52_az4WYfHSVQU6SeaBI0oUd3dzvVV8Gn6GX0RWdp1AAXJJNT0m1JnYGwhTBFHEyTy93jmib-3WzFFGzhZpfAyhterS0Sgd3y5BfnfiPhZ_k8n82ZWKd6r8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqj5kQNnz8Kb5pm4xNERf52_az4WYfHSVQU6SeaBI0oUd3dzvVV8Gn6GX0RWdp1AAXJJNT0m1JnYGwhTBFHEyTy93jmib-3WzFFGzhZpfAyhterS0Sgd3y5BfnfiPhZ_k8n82ZWKd6r8/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I'm hiding all kinds of nutrition in my chili. How about you? Below is roasted butternut squash that is about to be stirred in.<br />
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Comm. Central is on break but <a href="http://commcentralcreatively.blogspot.com/2013/12/competitive-math-games-without-batteries.html" target="_blank">we continue to play math games.</a><br />
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We made salt dough ornaments this week. The Arkansas ornament I gave to a friend who moved here this year.</div>
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It was really fun making and painting them and it has been even more fun giving them away.<br />
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This tiny heart ornament I hung on a small tree and gave to a friend who miscarried this summer. The due date is quickly approaching.<br />
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<b>Highlight of the week:</b> <a href="http://onemantrying.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-visit-from-good-doctor.html" target="_blank">Dr. Wayne Grudem joined us for dinner!!</a> Funniest moment: he was sprinkling cheese on his chili and Caroline was very worried he was taking too much. Thankfully he was talking and he didn't hear what she was saying (should I be thankful she was interrupting him?). He wasn't taking too much, by the way. It's that she loves cheese so much we have to ration her cheese so she will eat other things at dinner.</div>
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And how cool is this - he asked John Isaac at dinner what books JI was reading…the next day, Dr, Grudem told Hubby that he wanted to encourage JI to keep reading and gave him $20! Just to be fair, he also gave Caroline $20, too.<br />
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<a href="http://commcentralcreatively.blogspot.com/2013/12/more-math-games.html" target="_blank">More math</a>. And the baby also got in on the action!<br />
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<b>Maybe the week's highlight for John Isaac was helping with an Amish furniture commercial.</b> He was asked to "wreck furniture." The premise of the commercial was that only American made (Amish) furniture can withstand the havoc from today's child. The coordinators of the commercial gave him a small gift after the day's work to say thanks. He said, "Why are they thanking me? <b> I should be thanking them for getting to destroy furniture!</b>" His antics included pulling legs off a table, hacking the top with a hatchet, sawing legs off a chair and shredding a leather seat. Sounds like a dream job for him, no?<br />
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Last night we went to <a href="http://www.thesummitchurch.org/" target="_blank">The Summit Church's</a> Christmas program. It was very good. Friends (& neighbors) of ours were starring in the <a href="http://vimeo.com/80911812" target="_blank">30 minute movie, Gate 25</a>.<br />
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<b>Schaeffer IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! </b> It has been over a week and I think I can safely say this is a trend. I am <b><i>so thankful.</i></b><br />
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Hope your week is not too busy and are able to spend time as a family savoring the season.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3019802023082502823.post-71802491499614086162013-12-07T14:42:00.001-08:002013-12-07T14:42:17.067-08:00My Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Advent begins.</div>
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Neighbors donated their pumpkins to a local farmer's pigs and chickens.</div>
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Since Hubby took the big kids north, it was my job to take the cans to the curb. Not sure whether to laugh or cry at my eldest's antics.<br />
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I scored some rockin' deals at Ann Taylor. Summer clothes were $5.88 each!<br />
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Ice storm cometh to the south. Bread shelves are bare.<br />
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Meanwhile, the big kids are having a blast with cousins. My parents took them all to the movies. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRntrKZGcY0ydPe1Qy-WvVVFJTEtuGKxYZjonmXt1n6eaovvL1xUgdAV6Ajk0kuVHczGJDnQHsY5uV34Hik-z2jjUHy0KzKXAbbNijDqnaKugrTWwqRHVLz0gpDPK32Uz1GYfB-QwurC0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRntrKZGcY0ydPe1Qy-WvVVFJTEtuGKxYZjonmXt1n6eaovvL1xUgdAV6Ajk0kuVHczGJDnQHsY5uV34Hik-z2jjUHy0KzKXAbbNijDqnaKugrTWwqRHVLz0gpDPK32Uz1GYfB-QwurC0/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sent gifts to my parents. These are super simple to make. I bought canvases from Michael's and used tempera paint.</div>
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Schaeffer wouldn't keep his hand open so his contribution was two left feet.</div>
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The ice storm came. My prayers were answered. The power stayed ON! Thank you LORD!<br />
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I went outside at one point and it sounded like raining sand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nGVgmz4U-ldjBXFgbTmndZp9HDO5dd1hlF4nVj0RtEcmzcBLIxZjFGOuI3mGhdpm_P8D_jnPKBB_hTt-YeJnN6fbLErmwy9vZkQKgXJxarl9E7u6LNLsX8TIMj5W2TF7qHhIJU2ikfs/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nGVgmz4U-ldjBXFgbTmndZp9HDO5dd1hlF4nVj0RtEcmzcBLIxZjFGOuI3mGhdpm_P8D_jnPKBB_hTt-YeJnN6fbLErmwy9vZkQKgXJxarl9E7u6LNLsX8TIMj5W2TF7qHhIJU2ikfs/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hubby and kids return tonight!</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05797292314469427280noreply@blogger.com1