tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88670549437157367462024-03-13T22:15:35.191-05:00Potpourri of PraiseMy desire is that my life be a life of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ in all things that I do. Whether it be a grateful spirit for my spouse and child, enjoying the unexpected rain shower on a dry summer day or just seeing a sunrise as I take my daily walk, counting my blessings often is just what I need. I hope you will see that clearly as you read through my daily journey. ENJOY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-12284954398054224972011-10-31T06:56:00.000-05:002011-10-31T06:56:53.987-05:00Fall Carnival.....Each year, our church hosts a fall carnival as an outreach to the community (and also to serve our own children). It has been prayed and fasted over...that MANY...young and old..would be reached by a smile, a kind word, a hot dog served or a hay ride offered. Many attended and many connections were made. Bruce got to work at the hay ride...I worked the toilet paper toss..and Abigail wanted to work this year, using her artistic ability to paint faces. We were so pleased that she was eager to minister to others, even though she is still learning what this means (but aren't we all??)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2dPZ_UajCNUDsfzoWybh5tSleI55Bx_lT8HMtFe3QIDCvc4ej-5uQcjJg21CCeKIPiVH-gRhdHMnJnPFmWGI-K29Y_LwLqDIzIvZOs70lWTadfo3lhZ4QbtH3meQYVjGPLimzR3xRJHN/s1600/fall+carnival+and+grammy%2527s+75th+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2dPZ_UajCNUDsfzoWybh5tSleI55Bx_lT8HMtFe3QIDCvc4ej-5uQcjJg21CCeKIPiVH-gRhdHMnJnPFmWGI-K29Y_LwLqDIzIvZOs70lWTadfo3lhZ4QbtH3meQYVjGPLimzR3xRJHN/s320/fall+carnival+and+grammy%2527s+75th+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>She decided to dress up though..and wanted to be a Japanese singer..a very specific one. When she brought me the photo, I knew we would not be finding this costume ready made anywhere. But, she and I put our heads together and with some thrift store shopping and creativity....we came up with a pretty close likeness :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-87378073887495391612011-10-24T21:01:00.000-05:002011-10-24T21:01:21.958-05:00A blessing....God is SO faithful and kind :) One blessing in my life recently has been the opportunity to work at LLCA, where Abigail attends school. She is attending 6th grade there and has adjusted so well....that easy adjustment has truly been a "God-thing" in so many ways. But, for me, I have had the opportunity to work with students in various capacities as a substitute teacher....children as young as 3 and as old as 18. From the time I arrive until the time I leave, I enjoy myself....am filled with joy and laughter and truly enjoy spending time with every age group/class I go into. It was my desire to work in a part time capacity.....so that I could be more flexible and available to Abigail as she transitioned to a new school situation. But, it is apparent that she is into the routine now...and I know what I need to do to assist her...so I am ready to be more available if the school needs me in a more 'consistent' role.<br />
I am so excited to see what opportunities the Lord will have for me in the future. This school has truly been a blessing, and I am SO grateful to be able to spend many days a month with such precious students, co-workers, support staff and administrators :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-28355001909912672182011-09-26T06:12:00.000-05:002011-09-26T06:12:10.935-05:00Great time with some great ladies!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2p045W_wkY946-k6f0Av6vqaAn1TJsXaGEpE2OniB7un48_Fz4EzS8SeoSBr8SdXY5E8w6VyiQGhTcMlFNNKg5M746SphGSTyJdVuaoV_TJboXOku56FDFJJ64BH1zSox37TSQiNJ3pa9/s1600/late+summer+and+early+fall+2011+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2p045W_wkY946-k6f0Av6vqaAn1TJsXaGEpE2OniB7un48_Fz4EzS8SeoSBr8SdXY5E8w6VyiQGhTcMlFNNKg5M746SphGSTyJdVuaoV_TJboXOku56FDFJJ64BH1zSox37TSQiNJ3pa9/s320/late+summer+and+early+fall+2011+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two weekends ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to sit under the teaching of Beth Moore via a local simulcast. Some other ladies from our church hopped in a van and we headed to a nearby church to soak up the Word and join in worship :) What a great day it was! I enjoyed getting to know these ladies better and I truly felt that Beth's message was directed right at my heart.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-53738149438324992882011-09-14T07:31:00.001-05:002011-09-14T07:33:10.783-05:00Summer Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEOxfgDcQ5aaTZwN4AryhwzQUcDd_YacJShS-4JTl022gDmsLQNrc4_lYaSbMpaZCvZzFwsANIVVi06bXx6aSnut8zHjx2v_Dfs7gEZUoid9fwX3fVjZOZ5bW13tVNkTXtAoW7yyigqeA/s1600/cabin+1+elem+2+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEOxfgDcQ5aaTZwN4AryhwzQUcDd_YacJShS-4JTl022gDmsLQNrc4_lYaSbMpaZCvZzFwsANIVVi06bXx6aSnut8zHjx2v_Dfs7gEZUoid9fwX3fVjZOZ5bW13tVNkTXtAoW7yyigqeA/s400/cabin+1+elem+2+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">One of the FUN things that happened this summer, was that Abigail got to go back to Camp Ponderosa with a few friends from church. This is a wonderful camp in Mentone, Alabama. The children left on a Sunday afternoon and returned on a Friday afternoon. Bruce and I were doubly blessed with a date night during her absence AND by being able to pick up all the boys and girls who attended from our church, take them to lunch and return them to Huntsville. The children get to do crafts, outdoor activities, swimming, and much more all while having many opportunties to experience worship in various styles and formats. She is pictured (second from the left) with her cabin mates. With the exception of the third girl from the left, the first six are from our church. There were also three boys from our church as well. They are the 2nd and 3rd from the right on the first row and #11 shirt on the back row.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQlzdlpCnOTItxsq49hTZaY_hvo8Nq4wiv6NFN1uCQXoOc8yV7ZfidM2lCinWP-o5_J6ZK6lJR7Jw6vNhZyMEhE3f9Sv34k3XxwvZRrVhzmHL7q4cwVEX9NV7NS-sef-TuQXwxghZeKZz/s1600/cabin+3+elem+2+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQlzdlpCnOTItxsq49hTZaY_hvo8Nq4wiv6NFN1uCQXoOc8yV7ZfidM2lCinWP-o5_J6ZK6lJR7Jw6vNhZyMEhE3f9Sv34k3XxwvZRrVhzmHL7q4cwVEX9NV7NS-sef-TuQXwxghZeKZz/s400/cabin+3+elem+2+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-75432531829755450482011-09-14T07:19:00.000-05:002011-09-14T07:19:30.858-05:00A few highlights.....No...life did not STOP at the Aquila household on June 17, but I did not take a lot of photos after that time. The summer got busy with camp, going to back to school preparations, and then school actually starting. Since then, we have had a birthday and a few other things thrown in, all while I have been working several days as a substitute teacher and while assisting Abigail in making the transition from homeschooling to traditional schooling. But, now we have reached September 14....and maybe things are going to balance out just a bit??? Maybe???? <br />
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More posts coming soon...I promise!! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-20831000591975773492011-06-19T20:31:00.000-05:002011-06-19T20:31:26.566-05:0022 years....really!?!?!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM104HfY8Xu2NR9mGYj5CGeixplM_APSPoFEVH_pLt4PpLhc_ytG8q6B8Zc1LcL3qwMBmFjNuutMMHqCpe3AHqN9oinZmeG8IfbT81tHuvpd6ufNlj6tk8r63gmjSzO9Dh1dET8JsU5wo/s1600/late+may+thru+mid+june+2011+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM104HfY8Xu2NR9mGYj5CGeixplM_APSPoFEVH_pLt4PpLhc_ytG8q6B8Zc1LcL3qwMBmFjNuutMMHqCpe3AHqN9oinZmeG8IfbT81tHuvpd6ufNlj6tk8r63gmjSzO9Dh1dET8JsU5wo/s320/late+may+thru+mid+june+2011+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>How can it be?? Twenty-two years ago on June 17.....we said "I DO". We had a wonderful anniversary...Grandma kept our sweet daughter...and we had the evening to ourselves. So, we enjoyed dinner at Connor's, exchanged cards, looked thru our wedding album (and had a few laughs at the hairstyles and clothing of the late 1980's), and enjoyed a bit of tv time (what WE wanted to watch). Of course Saturday was spent doing housework and yardwork and laundry.....but still...we enjoyed our evening and day together :) Yep...we are pretty simple people.....but we are very grateful for the years God has given us together...the blessings and even the lessons He has taught us through the trials. I think we would both honestly say..we love each other more today than we did on that steamy humid June day at Shiloh Baptist Church in LaFayette, Georgia :) And....we are looking forward to the next 22 years!!!<br />
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PS--June 17 is a pretty special day in our family. We chose to get married on my mom's 46th birthday..and six years later (on our 6th wedding anniversary and mom's 52nd birthday) my brother and sister in law got married :) Needless to say, mom will never forget her children's wedding anniversaries--LOL! Every now and then, Father's Day ALSO falls on June 17. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-47029710042316163542011-06-09T09:15:00.000-05:002011-06-09T09:15:46.525-05:00Mother's Day 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ZRmMicbe-E1eAGCZj7VEevArfBjvlntQ7JOSdvO2H0DAy45Cmzj9pvC2xnemcl7CICFL7HRTzqcWpQ2B-Hg9CJwh2bYnlK9UIU2p0Fk4pJMMjZj46P5861Z-9GG6rngYwvGgyS59kMb/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ZRmMicbe-E1eAGCZj7VEevArfBjvlntQ7JOSdvO2H0DAy45Cmzj9pvC2xnemcl7CICFL7HRTzqcWpQ2B-Hg9CJwh2bYnlK9UIU2p0Fk4pJMMjZj46P5861Z-9GG6rngYwvGgyS59kMb/s640/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+034.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;">Every year, we take a picture of ourselves in front of this door..just to see how much Abigail is growing. As you can see, she is getting pretty tall...she is now only about 1.5 inches shorter than I am, though it is a bit hard to tell in this photo since I am leaning in and she is standing extremely tall (and up on her toes just a bit ). Don't be shocked if she is as tall as I am when I post next year's photo!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-46126636630664930102011-06-04T07:35:00.000-05:002011-06-04T07:35:17.306-05:00Banana Car!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3BInsMsw29hWwZCNeNToV9tIui19wGNW1QcfprQQ3CJ8C0pbfzmWEWetuExYvtCn6833DjJIX289ibYpREzCpdMPU9mpW_88aGqZvWrnXjDEuKCyAs9PY1sp5MqJCbsZJxHL680fa9Mv/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3BInsMsw29hWwZCNeNToV9tIui19wGNW1QcfprQQ3CJ8C0pbfzmWEWetuExYvtCn6833DjJIX289ibYpREzCpdMPU9mpW_88aGqZvWrnXjDEuKCyAs9PY1sp5MqJCbsZJxHL680fa9Mv/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+019.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Each year, we end the AWANA year with a grand prix race. Each child designs a car...whatever they choose..and with help from Mr. Richard and Mr. Steve..the creation become a reality. This year, Abigail chose to make a banana!! Her car won third place in the most creative category :)</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">putting the car on the track for a race...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWk5Ra4FujHFF-FsLuhv7fPV5-iEEYUwEVf6GDxt4fDGMU1ozShk2m1SZCi688LbwfmrUpYgAH23U0P-5Wrj4WfLB07QIWPx2a8cJvx4tslOxY9GarRSJ7rAHNE9tC6N-KQw85qaBvL8j/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWk5Ra4FujHFF-FsLuhv7fPV5-iEEYUwEVf6GDxt4fDGMU1ozShk2m1SZCi688LbwfmrUpYgAH23U0P-5Wrj4WfLB07QIWPx2a8cJvx4tslOxY9GarRSJ7rAHNE9tC6N-KQw85qaBvL8j/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail and buddy, MacKenzie with her "scroll" car (it was an honorable mention)....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m9PCWneqiBXWXGIfQjsSY6BIBm_qzepOK16PZywgG8EGhxmoqka6gkKClAUAAigM5VSPKc52tBpkH7jBcG6bRA4n0sD31-L260JDM60yPfNGfuxN837u30CHA4c4-mfulk42qIKWq1tY/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m9PCWneqiBXWXGIfQjsSY6BIBm_qzepOK16PZywgG8EGhxmoqka6gkKClAUAAigM5VSPKc52tBpkH7jBcG6bRA4n0sD31-L260JDM60yPfNGfuxN837u30CHA4c4-mfulk42qIKWq1tY/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> part of the TNT group...MacKenzie, Julie, Abigail, Sarah, Andrew, Corey...at the awards ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU6vr7nZIvPSJsd8ws0QfTwtHjPjJLL5UjjkATiFegfsWDiemT6jjdFedD4uIC9tCJgwhasFpSDGP1Ah-0pJ_eFS1QJxn01h-gK3JpHaJ3mIoPkF1Jn0wFZltsSe8-JTReXTpiYdI7-Ta/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU6vr7nZIvPSJsd8ws0QfTwtHjPjJLL5UjjkATiFegfsWDiemT6jjdFedD4uIC9tCJgwhasFpSDGP1Ah-0pJ_eFS1QJxn01h-gK3JpHaJ3mIoPkF1Jn0wFZltsSe8-JTReXTpiYdI7-Ta/s400/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one street south of us....broken trees...one was on her car I think..but the bulk of it landed just behind her car....and only the smaller branches landed on her vehicle....not ONE scratch..she was giving glory to God for this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqJYgeSySdyo_jCsgbVB8xN3_lpZS0t5m7YmQXw3LNbBrXaAy1j9NIRaU_391x4cOhf7uNUdulJmqiFytnL94KiWdF7aDsjpuhruXN9sGwJKeYZ20M6PmSB_snzwKgT169URNpqdwRuFb/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqJYgeSySdyo_jCsgbVB8xN3_lpZS0t5m7YmQXw3LNbBrXaAy1j9NIRaU_391x4cOhf7uNUdulJmqiFytnL94KiWdF7aDsjpuhruXN9sGwJKeYZ20M6PmSB_snzwKgT169URNpqdwRuFb/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of many trees uprooted on Stovall Rd., just across Wall Triana from us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_c-pFd_TuCm450S8l41UAfXfCt9aXB5NY0aMGr84iF61G7Oks470Hj-vxrBJBo8Xcbd715WNK5B5z4FjypRyMOiXdW1WnIWE9jn_bR5Tf5WL1DmHYEH0KTCmiL6Rnd3dwtjGbRmgTEo-/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_c-pFd_TuCm450S8l41UAfXfCt9aXB5NY0aMGr84iF61G7Oks470Hj-vxrBJBo8Xcbd715WNK5B5z4FjypRyMOiXdW1WnIWE9jn_bR5Tf5WL1DmHYEH0KTCmiL6Rnd3dwtjGbRmgTEo-/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the utter destruction where the tornado touched down on a road about 200 yards from our neighborhood--this WAS a hosue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x1PpWEgLkkj3ePtobr8-E8Eqbp5a-S_lWcHWP87XQ-ZdowR5kpo3xrwm61HijSbAdqC97ZGg5g5jfgQXS__219WavGI6eTXI_sN6qo8LLR9XOZ6XA1PTKLq95CHFC9n-V8j3dJV3SNFf/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x1PpWEgLkkj3ePtobr8-E8Eqbp5a-S_lWcHWP87XQ-ZdowR5kpo3xrwm61HijSbAdqC97ZGg5g5jfgQXS__219WavGI6eTXI_sN6qo8LLR9XOZ6XA1PTKLq95CHFC9n-V8j3dJV3SNFf/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one street south of us..our back yard-kittycorner neighbor...both of her trees were uprooted like this..but they have re-rooted them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgKwDTN9H-PhAAkCfx4ex6dElDs_cg-q5HFf8THRcXCcaXs7yGoxxPY-b8aCFL9Kjtf5ZHCSB1zzChJcueo7RxjgjfMpjX01ytc3MNwyjHsz49rviaLeUv-QcLnUUWVuHNTCzTBV5vayo/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgKwDTN9H-PhAAkCfx4ex6dElDs_cg-q5HFf8THRcXCcaXs7yGoxxPY-b8aCFL9Kjtf5ZHCSB1zzChJcueo7RxjgjfMpjX01ytc3MNwyjHsz49rviaLeUv-QcLnUUWVuHNTCzTBV5vayo/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this piece of bark was sucked off a tree and thrown into the street near our house...we were fascinated at how the holes were there...maybe the bark was pulled off after the branches..or pulled off over the branches?? We saw all kinds of things...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvkg2Tb8nsMPPV9J3aQVU5TVi1EoO0Rz0ePuk_2L3RU8J1RBnM3ejzAthuYAavdZTzo0v86RsKny6A5O9aCi6vkGSSwB6brpTPC6yhbhjB8pEiHF57u1J4JXv3I3ED2V3xbm3rVXC4zD_/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvkg2Tb8nsMPPV9J3aQVU5TVi1EoO0Rz0ePuk_2L3RU8J1RBnM3ejzAthuYAavdZTzo0v86RsKny6A5O9aCi6vkGSSwB6brpTPC6yhbhjB8pEiHF57u1J4JXv3I3ED2V3xbm3rVXC4zD_/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another sight on Stovall (where Yarbrough comes in)....the stop sign had been totally upright before the storms...and the house in the background was damaged badly as was the one just west of it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ352qOUAc08nnXPSMgj5iMNf7_lrnTmKuP8ksks33RqLnxWrJaiczc54UxBni_OfsTc7mM02uAfDH3zQIFxPSiJinxeyrYYfr9ldOSNoV8Ni6RuBVNEjFIi-mn8N2h7qhZmCgb6DCknxB/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ352qOUAc08nnXPSMgj5iMNf7_lrnTmKuP8ksks33RqLnxWrJaiczc54UxBni_OfsTc7mM02uAfDH3zQIFxPSiJinxeyrYYfr9ldOSNoV8Ni6RuBVNEjFIi-mn8N2h7qhZmCgb6DCknxB/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yet in our own yard, we only lost a single branch?? wow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwpN0gX1solUMSwBFLwBB3pXlWkTyyH6A9YRfXPZhxGa-M3X2EDkaC38ju2l9UeEJNyxVmd1f9nikfEFxDi1VohhyRkjaRtW0g2ETDLmWV9ovoaS_La7fLVD3KcqoWHakGGD_3BC4Es96/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwpN0gX1solUMSwBFLwBB3pXlWkTyyH6A9YRfXPZhxGa-M3X2EDkaC38ju2l9UeEJNyxVmd1f9nikfEFxDi1VohhyRkjaRtW0g2ETDLmWV9ovoaS_La7fLVD3KcqoWHakGGD_3BC4Es96/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another one of our neighbor's lost a tree..very common sight in our neighborhood...as well as a lot of flood damage..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpsP-dWpNkJoeTJuIqEnDBZ_mhwfNYqEZA2UreveQIBZZnuKXsJ_YMbrcqDcAXppEFrx8VOTXNk0XJGcpcuOK2x73KBbz674kdtg8DsDghPkLmnEgMgsGX4lZfTQVbQihilxeqEpSz5jZ/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpsP-dWpNkJoeTJuIqEnDBZ_mhwfNYqEZA2UreveQIBZZnuKXsJ_YMbrcqDcAXppEFrx8VOTXNk0XJGcpcuOK2x73KBbz674kdtg8DsDghPkLmnEgMgsGX4lZfTQVbQihilxeqEpSz5jZ/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">huge tree down in the Ford's Chapel UMC cemetary..they also lost a part of their building and steeple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptWGTCcyCig0dgC0tupRUpriGDbNqiU-8ZwpQY6DX1c51X8QdXqTSYuexwariZwh8zKXdWQ9g8FHCejZXzXId0bKD2bXdgQ2LQPEqb4q3rZJGAMsA-CFP8ylGyJbTi4iq8mFdzzkeyk-e/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptWGTCcyCig0dgC0tupRUpriGDbNqiU-8ZwpQY6DX1c51X8QdXqTSYuexwariZwh8zKXdWQ9g8FHCejZXzXId0bKD2bXdgQ2LQPEqb4q3rZJGAMsA-CFP8ylGyJbTi4iq8mFdzzkeyk-e/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a 'glob' of hail that fell during the 11:30 a.m. storm....when we lost our power (it was not restored for 7 days)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS9d0gbqzN9-HxkvVhQcsnIerZluyvIwmjFKidvkWipekYz8VGldaN4evUg3qWtfnTDdMY0_DhQUboM_iAqdIkYyd5ncBTLYBZGwYefncr_BKRTUpDm4f2rI7bVBkUw07WHr2LwXODb_N/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS9d0gbqzN9-HxkvVhQcsnIerZluyvIwmjFKidvkWipekYz8VGldaN4evUg3qWtfnTDdMY0_DhQUboM_iAqdIkYyd5ncBTLYBZGwYefncr_BKRTUpDm4f2rI7bVBkUw07WHr2LwXODb_N/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rescue workers keeping order at FCUMC..if you look closely you will see the steeple in the left....the remaining part of the brick building just to the right of that and a 'gap' where the building fell. The new building is still intact...but the church did have a lot of damage to it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPqG-pStmsTP_ggdfrQrE1MgZ9e385ub5MBeYwG2eKAWpNPsqzahFEAYv4FvhQVc_azpukYTabIQDGm-mXirV1Mv3j__8p-DHvhHoz0FYESdXzWt3lLbXtiSSLRwin9d0ONHzrnj86LQO/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPqG-pStmsTP_ggdfrQrE1MgZ9e385ub5MBeYwG2eKAWpNPsqzahFEAYv4FvhQVc_azpukYTabIQDGm-mXirV1Mv3j__8p-DHvhHoz0FYESdXzWt3lLbXtiSSLRwin9d0ONHzrnj86LQO/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+092.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a truck just outside our neighborhood...a utility pole fell on it during the storm...the ridges in the lower part of the photo are the downed utility lines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3e5itBdctWdhv5pERh2MmkgbmMQQQPqpYAGey4Ya3cG71n_OWPiqqYflICCCgpKkdrcVczRZYwSFnWiXJ1ohKeMBRRh6QQa94lEUftMAzd5-3yxS0vvxaaPVNsz7bX7091hmAQjGe02F/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3e5itBdctWdhv5pERh2MmkgbmMQQQPqpYAGey4Ya3cG71n_OWPiqqYflICCCgpKkdrcVczRZYwSFnWiXJ1ohKeMBRRh6QQa94lEUftMAzd5-3yxS0vvxaaPVNsz7bX7091hmAQjGe02F/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fence at the south entrance of our neighborhood..blown down by the storm..just behind that is the remains of the treeline along our creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0h3cBbHR5V9z0oWKqUm_-ZY8G-TdfzuyHivxL_ILYMDBeljS7J0JymWoeMaIdnsx40L_tdPFYfO3ufWDN07D2s_mRJ3Zgg2dr9oJdYmIs69QY3Wtyk_VYc5q_niWTUXHg2YXFwIkZd5a/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0h3cBbHR5V9z0oWKqUm_-ZY8G-TdfzuyHivxL_ILYMDBeljS7J0JymWoeMaIdnsx40L_tdPFYfO3ufWDN07D2s_mRJ3Zgg2dr9oJdYmIs69QY3Wtyk_VYc5q_niWTUXHg2YXFwIkZd5a/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...was a field across the road from the entrance to our subdivision....flooding was pretty bad the day of the storm and a few days after</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One month ago today, we had tornadoes come through our area. These photos were taken the day of and the day after. They were taken in my neighborhood and on the street just across the road where the tornado touched down. We are grateful that we were not hurt, though we have just discovered some possible damage to our home as a result of the storm (possible crack in water pipes/cracks in exterior wall) that we are dealing with now. We survived seven days without power :) and even learned to like it (a little bit!!). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-38843619396603791312011-05-24T11:49:00.000-05:002011-05-24T11:49:05.359-05:00Proud Mommy!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPULxaPsQ1BPijHrLiSLyNlShXM71vP2uWFVwXA_A4wVr5F4aeuEFG5kPDP4Bm8wXO6Rj7cw1RmLkG9LQwONKDeh_GwxtepVoW5ORSy9tuvifFAmc0ciHVPDG2UpfDmRjuirzmUG5VocNb/s1600/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPULxaPsQ1BPijHrLiSLyNlShXM71vP2uWFVwXA_A4wVr5F4aeuEFG5kPDP4Bm8wXO6Rj7cw1RmLkG9LQwONKDeh_GwxtepVoW5ORSy9tuvifFAmc0ciHVPDG2UpfDmRjuirzmUG5VocNb/s320/late+April+2011+thru+May+20+065.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I looked over my daughter's final assignments for the year and graded them, I did so with a bit of sadness and a bit of pride as well. She has finished FIFTH grade...has demonstrated Christlikness throughout the year (as recognized by others such as coaches, leaders/teachers in other arenas of her life)...has scored above average on her SAT's....has finished the year with a 97 average on her core subjects including Latin. She has learned a lot, and has the skills to transition into a wonderful school environment next year! I am very proud of my elementary school graduate....she is now ready for the middle school years. This photo was taken on her last day at school at Wall Highway Christian Academy, as she participated in the watermelon eating contest. She did not win..but she surely did have fun :)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-30480702560362519202011-05-23T07:36:00.002-05:002011-05-23T07:44:07.150-05:00What a wonderful man!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUntBgjxkPHzR1pi649cj4Orfw3OWDkBgql3JoMEg6f5pdTx_pCMGnftULOhfy2pQ53wvplI9gjmO8DjoB13SQuK1oC9m00qB5hN0i2bQ6vQD6OfST37Vtz0CPUg0td8fVsaCB6diONWYa/s1600/Mr.+Lamborn..newspaper+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUntBgjxkPHzR1pi649cj4Orfw3OWDkBgql3JoMEg6f5pdTx_pCMGnftULOhfy2pQ53wvplI9gjmO8DjoB13SQuK1oC9m00qB5hN0i2bQ6vQD6OfST37Vtz0CPUg0td8fVsaCB6diONWYa/s320/Mr.+Lamborn..newspaper+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>At 83 years of age, he really does not look all the different than he did when I first met him back in the 1970's as a sixth grader. Yes....my elementary school started band in sixth grade, though some got to start in fifth grade, and I was a very eager learner. I wanted to play sax, but he needed more clarinets at the time and he said I could easily switch later. I never did :) While I learned music theory, music skills and counting under his tenure as a director, more importantly, I learned confidence and I learned that I should never give up and that I should practice until my skills were honed to perfection (or pretty close) . He had high standards...and pushed us individually and as a group to be our best. First chair was my goal and I fought to earn it. I practiced a LOT, attended a lot of festivals and even earned numerous medals for individual and small group performances at competitions in addition to attending all district band a few times. One of the highest honors I got, was a scholarship to attend a honor band at the University of Georgia one summer to hone my skills along with a few other LHS students. Mr. Lamborn had chosen ME as a top student. I was honored and humbled to get to attend. At one point, I even auditioned for a college scholarship in clarinet....and was offered an opportunity to pursue that, and I am certain that it was because of the love of music and the skills HE taught me. However, I chose to pursue an academic scholarship and go into early childhood/elementary education instead.....not so far from what he did, but a bit more marketable degree for a single (at that time) young lady :) I still found that music worked its way into a LOT of my classroom ventures though!! And still, to this day, I teach private music lessons.<br />
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He had very structured classroom procedures (but with 150+ kids in a class..you HAVE to) and I liked it then (deep down inside--LOL!) and I like it now...so much so, that I use many of the same concepts in my own classroom teaching. <br />
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He had SUCH an impact on so many..such a kind heart...giving to those who needed (but doing so in a way that no one knew..just NOW the stories are pouring out)....giving encouragement to students who except for band probably would not have finished school...giving a place to ALL students...in band it did not matter if you were rich or poor, black or white, straight A's or a struggling student..EVERYONE was important!! We all worked together :)<br />
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This article is a nice one...and long overdue...however.....he did serve 28 years (not 23 as it states)...for a total of about 30 years in public education! What a difference he made during this time!!! Teachers, be encouraged! You CAN and DO make a difference!!!!!<br />
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This article (below) appeared in the Sunday, May 22 Chattanooga, TN paper. Enjoy!<br />
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<u><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/may/22/lafayette-band-director-has-earned-enduring-respec/">http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/may/22/lafayette-band-director-has-earned-enduring-respec/</a></span></u><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1129246904"><br />
</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-85158865309201696932011-05-21T14:38:00.000-05:002011-05-21T14:38:14.129-05:00God's Beauty...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Bruce was recently in Canada for a business trip. After working daily for 1.5 weeks...often until 1 or 2 a.m.....he and his co-workers were able to stop by Niagara Falls on the way back to their hotel after the final day with the clients. Isn't God's creation beautiful? Please pray that their hard work will pay off and the contract will be won, as it will really help his company. </span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tIS7qXUX8JBy5iiuw75gviGdH4R1paiJ1HtQc97U0PME17TYtHP7Ktdvy2pJnY8pMSRoPGoR9r3C36_NJTLQIBP1-1BPct20Nh5haLxNROckbZIjgMM3TqPBMgWMs_B1eM07top7PlFn/s1600/225399_212755182079172_100000340743373_656005_1491254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tIS7qXUX8JBy5iiuw75gviGdH4R1paiJ1HtQc97U0PME17TYtHP7Ktdvy2pJnY8pMSRoPGoR9r3C36_NJTLQIBP1-1BPct20Nh5haLxNROckbZIjgMM3TqPBMgWMs_B1eM07top7PlFn/s320/225399_212755182079172_100000340743373_656005_1491254_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9-L-YfxVo7i3SauCbxm3Oo3Ke4FIXPap4XT10pLzWx_l8IFi1CfYiBF2tTfjJBlSYhRmQ-7BvibAGODQR9rSPwh5p7mg7VMbxm_60gPu1rIH_QS84MyYfg2biNNZn3q1BtfTOpTdkYF4/s1600/228037_212755545412469_100000340743373_656016_3189990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9-L-YfxVo7i3SauCbxm3Oo3Ke4FIXPap4XT10pLzWx_l8IFi1CfYiBF2tTfjJBlSYhRmQ-7BvibAGODQR9rSPwh5p7mg7VMbxm_60gPu1rIH_QS84MyYfg2biNNZn3q1BtfTOpTdkYF4/s320/228037_212755545412469_100000340743373_656016_3189990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgsdVGrLO7KrG_88h2bL8HSdNL1hVarQcAHWSk78BYB9c_Dy5R4f1Zjov2B2PcHwvOltRzZDhGAV_ocMe5ceSpbBQWAWg2563rpMjzJxVU0D6H3Kii8dhE_GNxHgTVTvtTtcmsZxhr0W0/s1600/246773_212755145412509_100000340743373_656004_5461383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgsdVGrLO7KrG_88h2bL8HSdNL1hVarQcAHWSk78BYB9c_Dy5R4f1Zjov2B2PcHwvOltRzZDhGAV_ocMe5ceSpbBQWAWg2563rpMjzJxVU0D6H3Kii8dhE_GNxHgTVTvtTtcmsZxhr0W0/s320/246773_212755145412509_100000340743373_656004_5461383_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkBCL30ns5MASPOO157L8tizzBKb7V-YSHU4jk1nUGEzFA0-HbLffDtjFv1S3zzjByHsbbNCPqpqpLtPT9eVNGiUhV2BJFnAE_05ZFggknrbHiXyZg5hQm_Qfp9rrQKMmPI3omWalcSXi/s1600/247203_212755252079165_100000340743373_656007_7623438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkBCL30ns5MASPOO157L8tizzBKb7V-YSHU4jk1nUGEzFA0-HbLffDtjFv1S3zzjByHsbbNCPqpqpLtPT9eVNGiUhV2BJFnAE_05ZFggknrbHiXyZg5hQm_Qfp9rrQKMmPI3omWalcSXi/s320/247203_212755252079165_100000340743373_656007_7623438_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GMp6AAPXghFtaOGfhkB9eBjmmOioWmDpE7-eTUPHgPg1vl4NVJEzQfrOWNINOED58nHV7auZUm-UB5aUku1IbSgxJnKsw4HYnknpeF3cCFssk7A3bs5rUbSfLIUbwCd91f0uVFmf2TdY/s1600/226859_212755482079142_100000340743373_656014_2616329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GMp6AAPXghFtaOGfhkB9eBjmmOioWmDpE7-eTUPHgPg1vl4NVJEzQfrOWNINOED58nHV7auZUm-UB5aUku1IbSgxJnKsw4HYnknpeF3cCFssk7A3bs5rUbSfLIUbwCd91f0uVFmf2TdY/s320/226859_212755482079142_100000340743373_656014_2616329_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-19471280692905416822011-05-17T08:20:00.000-05:002011-05-17T08:20:59.329-05:00Changes ahead.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As many of you may know, our family has big changes ahead. This photo of Abigail, her fifth grade class photo, was taken at Wall Highway Christian Academy in April. WHCA is a school that serves homeschoolers...we meet together for classes and do things that children normally do in a traditional school setting, but on a less frequent basis. (Weekly classes vs. daily ones for example).<br />
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However, after six years at WHCA and six year of homeschooling, the Lord has made it very clear that we are to move away from homeschooling for now and move ahead to a different type of schooling. So, beginning next year, Abigail will be a part of a traditional school body as she moves into sixth grade. We are excited that we have found such a wonderful school...a private school that is focused on good education, building character, building relationships, and having respect for everyone. She will get opportunities in art, music, pe, writing and many other areas in addition to the basic core subjects. Since she is fascinated with learning Japanese and possibly with learning electric guitar, we will provide those opportunities outside the school environment (as it does not appear her school will be able to offer them at this time). We will keep you updated on her progress..but we are sure she will do just great! We have already met the principal and teachers and we know that she is truly blessed to be going to LLCA!!!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Sl_tw_01hC7U4TvPSLXtMLV6pG-2JObWIsWnjWVgPV2zpf_JJRc0frNQEPCka4k_cuNQf_BjR6M-afT2kzGNZuNi8i88CozA3jg7bPpUIFo3R3cryPu_a0CoN7je4AyO-SOkmmbQ3Y7/s1600/a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Sl_tw_01hC7U4TvPSLXtMLV6pG-2JObWIsWnjWVgPV2zpf_JJRc0frNQEPCka4k_cuNQf_BjR6M-afT2kzGNZuNi8i88CozA3jg7bPpUIFo3R3cryPu_a0CoN7je4AyO-SOkmmbQ3Y7/s320/a1.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-53855841399085152822011-05-10T22:48:00.000-05:002011-05-10T22:48:56.512-05:00Soccer girl :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What fun Abigail has had playing UPWARD Soccer this spring! Though she has done this many seasons before, this has probably been her best season ever. Coach Kuhn has done a WONDERFUL job of teaching the children some fundamentals...but also being a great encourager and Christian leader. Abigail's confidence has grown and she has learned to enjoy playing the position of goalie. She has only one more year of eligibility left. We will request that she be put on Coach Kuhn's team again next year!! Her last game will be this Saturday, followed by an awards ceremony...then we will hang up the cleats once again. Seems like the season just started!! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb0m0lsFXmpypgFDqeoSoBiOeBKn48X9wHGkSj6u1iaZpVTz0_CJ76kSfBfNPF4kiqrPDL6f8VYtWzVvd5P9swATgSE9YLjQJNyFWKV8GSqUpCQOPcfkcaiDNawVlctCqDWfHSNMwFsDU/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb0m0lsFXmpypgFDqeoSoBiOeBKn48X9wHGkSj6u1iaZpVTz0_CJ76kSfBfNPF4kiqrPDL6f8VYtWzVvd5P9swATgSE9YLjQJNyFWKV8GSqUpCQOPcfkcaiDNawVlctCqDWfHSNMwFsDU/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47zEyCvSiGtopH5pnGHThD4HP3D22voPmMDqpc3zgypv-YQhdOjaBU0lTGJ1vXb595zP3XTiYaaUowzsTXc3LyMBdfmLuWg-xK3oGogYc086PbWNLsqfNTjF28wTKbNMdvuCzvwLmdu8X/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47zEyCvSiGtopH5pnGHThD4HP3D22voPmMDqpc3zgypv-YQhdOjaBU0lTGJ1vXb595zP3XTiYaaUowzsTXc3LyMBdfmLuWg-xK3oGogYc086PbWNLsqfNTjF28wTKbNMdvuCzvwLmdu8X/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-8080277092671138222011-05-09T09:02:00.001-05:002011-05-09T19:58:52.443-05:00Easter Weekend.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a blessing it is to serve at West Huntsville Baptist Church! On Good Friday and Easter Sunday morning, we were able to participate in a very moving drama called "Bow the Knee" for the second year in a row. Bruce was "Marcus"..a pretty nasty guy. Abigail was in the crowd scenes and sang along with the choir and I was a crowd extra, sang with the choir and had the honor of singing a solo called Via Dolorosa. This picture of our family was taken just before the Sunday morning performance.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvQ9YXcTmKAT-HpQQ_fhs-k1ifz31U_CqqfSFJIePhn3QUKgDJp6MpuyN9PASy4BCKzr-aSSuWuUrvTxYzUdZWTiHjtXxnNoBJFlfzqjGpboLaGlmN1b4oqXk19BEfJTQ_wIgFvIHBEj/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvQ9YXcTmKAT-HpQQ_fhs-k1ifz31U_CqqfSFJIePhn3QUKgDJp6MpuyN9PASy4BCKzr-aSSuWuUrvTxYzUdZWTiHjtXxnNoBJFlfzqjGpboLaGlmN1b4oqXk19BEfJTQ_wIgFvIHBEj/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10LxmEBQcAkjGeU2mx12Hcfd1YfEuHaTcG17Ckgna1SJRvn25Q9E7FwuMKUYr92YTowEbr_t2Uh-TdWB812JPkyQxMlzXarrMAy8RE1lu2Zv7ycCv3X6s0CZEHoeUkV_quWKAsHHTpom/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10LxmEBQcAkjGeU2mx12Hcfd1YfEuHaTcG17Ckgna1SJRvn25Q9E7FwuMKUYr92YTowEbr_t2Uh-TdWB812JPkyQxMlzXarrMAy8RE1lu2Zv7ycCv3X6s0CZEHoeUkV_quWKAsHHTpom/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+015.JPG" width="320" /></a>This very moving photo was taken during the crucifixion scene. You could not watch this or participate in it and not be moved.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MQrNRGoFNNWTi7iKTbczP5dLggS_fNOVKm3ewKVbmeuIKgijUTTbit3OFqEJ4EwBtFgrPXMmYTy5jyDWgHVS0Vet5SdOS6fe6tD6n7czhZQXbk9t2vekH6-o7NAKOsBrQsAFQ9zXY6nX/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MQrNRGoFNNWTi7iKTbczP5dLggS_fNOVKm3ewKVbmeuIKgijUTTbit3OFqEJ4EwBtFgrPXMmYTy5jyDWgHVS0Vet5SdOS6fe6tD6n7czhZQXbk9t2vekH6-o7NAKOsBrQsAFQ9zXY6nX/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+013.JPG" width="320" /></a>Mom and Dad came over for lunch after the Sunday performance :) We are so glad to have a visit with them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetAEzuku694jNS7vNiN09ti3jRRjiJR-HouOf9vc1mq4wnBJokxTfP6sM1phe6pM0JtDnen_iNKkJHsu5ZUjCHbVMG5HQq9mdC_VOugqiLOS8FjB-NXfU5H9E0fjxhrM1NPF5aLpsJ6_9/s1600/Easter+weekend+2011+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetAEzuku694jNS7vNiN09ti3jRRjiJR-HouOf9vc1mq4wnBJokxTfP6sM1phe6pM0JtDnen_iNKkJHsu5ZUjCHbVMG5HQq9mdC_VOugqiLOS8FjB-NXfU5H9E0fjxhrM1NPF5aLpsJ6_9/s320/Easter+weekend+2011+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was during the beginning of the Via Dolorosa scene...as Christ is being made to carry his cross..and as he falls. Our crowd is visibly reacting..and I have to be honest...it was very hard to see and hear what was happening and still sing through it...but what an honor to do so!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-63339249439866168552011-04-27T11:15:00.000-05:002011-04-27T11:15:03.513-05:00I did it!!!Yes! I did it!! I finally did a camera dump so I have LOTS of photos on the computer :) And, I am ready to create blog updates. Why is is that I get lazy and just fail to hook the camera to the computer to show you what's going on in our lives??? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5vo1TADmSP-Gu9vWyHp8lLSWCzmNmNMRsVJ4GT7dglu6-QO_yiAJ5o0zW_nsOxDH4sTmj6bYqP28mj5LXEmEJliivjLBNLBlHFlvZ5YUVipkRfVAIe5hyus7X8OfCaOdem9pMmnNgxHo/s1600/Spring+2011+part+2+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5vo1TADmSP-Gu9vWyHp8lLSWCzmNmNMRsVJ4GT7dglu6-QO_yiAJ5o0zW_nsOxDH4sTmj6bYqP28mj5LXEmEJliivjLBNLBlHFlvZ5YUVipkRfVAIe5hyus7X8OfCaOdem9pMmnNgxHo/s320/Spring+2011+part+2+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, here is one update....Abigail got NEW glasses. Her vision has changed a great deal since her last eye exam a little over a year ago. At that time she was about 20/80, but now she is 20/150. She is pretty near sighted!!! So, we got NEW glasses and she can watch tv and play her wii and read street signs without squinting!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-16845962126646313202011-03-03T08:50:00.000-06:002011-03-03T08:50:44.760-06:00Wait!?!?!?!I thought I had posted at least 2-3 times in 2011...only to find the first two months of this year have slipped past me without a post at all :( Where did the time go?<br />
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Well, in January we had snow...and it was nice because we never lost power. We also managed to plug away at school, so our calendar will still allow us to end at mid May as originally planned. I also had my annual Crop Til You Drop retreat..getting a lot of pages done in my own albums. Most of the ladies got a lot done as well. Each year I learn more about how to put together a retreat that works well for those who are in attendance...and many of the 'repeat' attendees commented that it was the best yet as far as their productivity. <br />
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In February, I turned 44 years old. The years just keep ticking away, but God is faithful and I am grateful for that. Overall I feel that I have good health and a caring family and friends as well. <br />
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During this time period, I also learned that we'd be having a reunion to honor our high school band director. I am very excited about this, as he was a very influential man in my life on so many levels. Going back to my hometown to join many former classmates in late April is something I am already looking forward to.<br />
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We are praying about schooling choices for Abigail next year as she enters sixth grade..and there is a good possibility that she will attend 'traditional' school after 6 years of being homeschooled. We are trusting God to open the doors to the right school as well as to part time employment for me to pay for her tuition. Trusting and waiting is not always an easy thing for me...so your prayers would be appreciated. There are so many good options out there....but we want HIS best for our family.<br />
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So..those are just a few of the things going on right now with us......Happy new year..a few months late!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-12361972221903035772010-12-24T10:23:00.000-06:002010-12-24T10:23:26.095-06:00ICE--a fun tradition<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfodvpQ4M85STmOLjgFoYrPSsZMDfbDNM2g3N-0uQLcH6RlFQqyznGwM_lGGClOthaM2cQCAPB4rbuSUogYLCQ2TzCNXXX6VHjjgk5761CHtdwCwB3kZgUlTyMi50lIVvyAI1CBZmhAS5/s1600/December+19-21+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfodvpQ4M85STmOLjgFoYrPSsZMDfbDNM2g3N-0uQLcH6RlFQqyznGwM_lGGClOthaM2cQCAPB4rbuSUogYLCQ2TzCNXXX6VHjjgk5761CHtdwCwB3kZgUlTyMi50lIVvyAI1CBZmhAS5/s400/December+19-21+060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nativity at ICE (near the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeVPydHbMAL4OfsJQGddc5Nir0saZBkeDTOmIi-RM6cI4jBrouXzOicA9H3lGNIwSb-DJhgZ7pIzlf1uczmsDjB5C3y9HNl9N1MYqjF00ApXAyVTYlZTROd5MdKklyQ3NjdFaNJRJV6fX/s1600/December+19-21+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeVPydHbMAL4OfsJQGddc5Nir0saZBkeDTOmIi-RM6cI4jBrouXzOicA9H3lGNIwSb-DJhgZ7pIzlf1uczmsDjB5C3y9HNl9N1MYqjF00ApXAyVTYlZTROd5MdKklyQ3NjdFaNJRJV6fX/s400/December+19-21+009.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail and Bruce before entering ICE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTubWg9ohZO-N43GsInFf2LTNzb_vlQrHAvmMWnfPkt0iYjQoYe7AhOUpgxTn2aAJJy1O8gpdiRg8ojrSeYefdjhMsXmTqKVLR_34G7Ul0yAiH2W7Bg2jZIJvjGiYiO9XRJskyEvjrTDa/s1600/December+19-21+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTubWg9ohZO-N43GsInFf2LTNzb_vlQrHAvmMWnfPkt0iYjQoYe7AhOUpgxTn2aAJJy1O8gpdiRg8ojrSeYefdjhMsXmTqKVLR_34G7Ul0yAiH2W7Bg2jZIJvjGiYiO9XRJskyEvjrTDa/s320/December+19-21+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail and Laura with Kris Kringle and Jessica (young Santa and Mrs. Santa before they were married)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCNGBzt5TTzY6xKZjIZhnDtshZ047Blah6m3ninnccOHDnzQ1tR0PpZEzpaWNJp58KOTECjsqWxixchKq-LdmdvwmH-z3Wt1aq4XFLl9MHfhUH_wWtwRBaDEd_ntm_ZBFaVw575usI2vq/s1600/December+19-21+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCNGBzt5TTzY6xKZjIZhnDtshZ047Blah6m3ninnccOHDnzQ1tR0PpZEzpaWNJp58KOTECjsqWxixchKq-LdmdvwmH-z3Wt1aq4XFLl9MHfhUH_wWtwRBaDEd_ntm_ZBFaVw575usI2vq/s400/December+19-21+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail at the beginning of the exhibit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dIjLh4AAW972xImP8df1o_9u34_fK3VIYT9gDIZzv0p1LgycbdjoSuSGCx7PBDgd2xWwjURDuE26nAzrhRhcsniRWAOQyYmyqbOoOaWjxa6isFH2k12FbbGyNIyq4Gwy7C1qkrOHix3x/s1600/December+19-21+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dIjLh4AAW972xImP8df1o_9u34_fK3VIYT9gDIZzv0p1LgycbdjoSuSGCx7PBDgd2xWwjURDuE26nAzrhRhcsniRWAOQyYmyqbOoOaWjxa6isFH2k12FbbGyNIyq4Gwy7C1qkrOHix3x/s400/December+19-21+047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce and Abigail..soon after Baby Santa was found by the elves</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoy visiting Nashville each year around the holidays. This year we visited ICE again. The theme was <u>Santa Claus is Coming to Town.</u> The carvings were incredible..and boy was it cold..about 17-18 degrees!!! They issued us parkas to wear as we toured the exhibit. As usual, we had fun..but it was nice to exit into the balmy 30-something degree weather :)</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-30271040253210530392010-12-18T08:53:00.000-06:002010-12-18T08:53:59.653-06:00Happy Birthday, Maddie!<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/AVvXsEjdN18eE8bYmnFZXziDtVO4-mMvyjaIjhjj92kou1QD3_adNfBiIGE8L0CGsBiBspZdNgUMW_pgLNBRDyjRqPRrBX6NnagGrBOT-SaBzhZPJVeEYZ5txqLBto4nYow9iog-I2M6NHubYrZA/s1600/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN18eE8bYmnFZXziDtVO4-mMvyjaIjhjj92kou1QD3_adNfBiIGE8L0CGsBiBspZdNgUMW_pgLNBRDyjRqPRrBX6NnagGrBOT-SaBzhZPJVeEYZ5txqLBto4nYow9iog-I2M6NHubYrZA/s400/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the family--front row--Maddie (the birthday girl), Abigail and Ben; back row--Laura, Bruce, Grammy and Vincent (dad of birthday girl)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKqlzv-md-vJFfM312jGpqpcx1P-b41snk9VVEIOjoFwIykb0VMNCuNhGHbyq9VEuxBnvNxXDscFPv0fvoDV5rqky0iWVZf6gGDC0Rl0y5wi7BzW-PV2l05etTLsYy-X6eUGqAg3aJl3I/s1600/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKqlzv-md-vJFfM312jGpqpcx1P-b41snk9VVEIOjoFwIykb0VMNCuNhGHbyq9VEuxBnvNxXDscFPv0fvoDV5rqky0iWVZf6gGDC0Rl0y5wi7BzW-PV2l05etTLsYy-X6eUGqAg3aJl3I/s400/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy with the three grandkids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_g4IhilyDHKTE6YEytpPvrBEZr8eU7m_2BLHmtJFSY36mrc0iwvs__GBKd79d5kBMogwqru7IC73Zq8beKRNoKQ5yuL21vSDL-4pprf5g2tg5-9lO_i3Qbjcj8lB9j5BdlX_6TenHABj/s1600/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_g4IhilyDHKTE6YEytpPvrBEZr8eU7m_2BLHmtJFSY36mrc0iwvs__GBKd79d5kBMogwqru7IC73Zq8beKRNoKQ5yuL21vSDL-4pprf5g2tg5-9lO_i3Qbjcj8lB9j5BdlX_6TenHABj/s400/Maddie%2527s+party+and+the+Christmas+program+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">three silly grandkids...waiting for everyone to arrive so they could order and eat :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Maddie turned 10 years old this week. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Olive Garden with most of the family. These children are growing up WAY too fast. Happy birthday sweet Maddie!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-40605911352615611462010-12-12T15:44:00.001-06:002010-12-12T15:49:49.512-06:00Adult One Sunday School Party<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/AVvXsEhfOePCOgkg8zTbxlL1t_jKfjH4MR0nmXIA47auAch0CHttj7fHv-GCQwp9dD0GUElx5huIvhH_grqnqTBTzqL-OprsxtM7EZya-8OwhWnvFkSY9hmQRU8MmP7gM05xCdgQ6CB-R9Q9Hnai/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOePCOgkg8zTbxlL1t_jKfjH4MR0nmXIA47auAch0CHttj7fHv-GCQwp9dD0GUElx5huIvhH_grqnqTBTzqL-OprsxtM7EZya-8OwhWnvFkSY9hmQRU8MmP7gM05xCdgQ6CB-R9Q9Hnai/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony, Cindy, Sharon (background) and Joe look on as Loly opens her 'dirty Santa' gift....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuPIIfO0eECOFdmYP3rJiH_8YIukqVcmP5OMh4BcG2PN8V9sfVYq1Sv415uS0nuL4ORvuSesUhZFg6UiPPVS5cXN2muQxWDccme5-6Z3OKO64ItXVMfiIPVEQ9qSlBQzgY-JpMgGf_p9X/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuPIIfO0eECOFdmYP3rJiH_8YIukqVcmP5OMh4BcG2PN8V9sfVYq1Sv415uS0nuL4ORvuSesUhZFg6UiPPVS5cXN2muQxWDccme5-6Z3OKO64ItXVMfiIPVEQ9qSlBQzgY-JpMgGf_p9X/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Debbie wonder what could be in that package....maybe some more Santa shorts or a hat??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_n7RZLnkRUTqc-vewd1C97jwny9Sx6jRcbyfgaZjEoqOiFutRgb5FMCI_-BK0HJXSaOYKwJNXpeo55o8hzFeE1V7MV6PTb3NjNFzXWvt3v4Qf7ZR11yHI9O73iaRIArWLlNUzR_pXXw/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_n7RZLnkRUTqc-vewd1C97jwny9Sx6jRcbyfgaZjEoqOiFutRgb5FMCI_-BK0HJXSaOYKwJNXpeo55o8hzFeE1V7MV6PTb3NjNFzXWvt3v4Qf7ZR11yHI9O73iaRIArWLlNUzR_pXXw/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill, Scot, Kitty and Steve are watching poor Cheryl choose another gift..she held the record for being stolen from the most at the party that night....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtafNgy8p_FIIyI4TmAr_mfo8rwWOVmXNVihXkqkrO5tfD79YvzSNf8FaSC6oo8TWHdvIL6d_uXNYzQJ7OPiJk_hal5dqIMi2ErNLtfem-2_mSzwGS3yyi2CmmL3Vz16MdfJqbZtGOG_w/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtafNgy8p_FIIyI4TmAr_mfo8rwWOVmXNVihXkqkrO5tfD79YvzSNf8FaSC6oo8TWHdvIL6d_uXNYzQJ7OPiJk_hal5dqIMi2ErNLtfem-2_mSzwGS3yyi2CmmL3Vz16MdfJqbZtGOG_w/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What will Chris get????</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPvFreZQKYEE5oSbIFZk7iHfZWfrZ7e_D4UYp1g8PCm_rPTlLxNxtVeZcASdxDz4st_7uBIwX3KT1qfXqO2MDEtjCngY1lC74GzVlbZnMqcQsqFY_pjrJ2EXS9iG-CP5zqwSYDy8tXU40/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPvFreZQKYEE5oSbIFZk7iHfZWfrZ7e_D4UYp1g8PCm_rPTlLxNxtVeZcASdxDz4st_7uBIwX3KT1qfXqO2MDEtjCngY1lC74GzVlbZnMqcQsqFY_pjrJ2EXS9iG-CP5zqwSYDy8tXU40/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George, Cindy and Suzanne.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoxpdR1Jv0Wmn3b5cS0_VrItov_lFHYzSbH5j8oDRwUIv55zRkH6vo9ENijnNdw1_TAlZ_SLDffpP11wQqNh032GpWpV-d7AdNVG3T59EojFNRwAAR-QO-UQ4aFAgnY2da6GRfGQZgh76/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoxpdR1Jv0Wmn3b5cS0_VrItov_lFHYzSbH5j8oDRwUIv55zRkH6vo9ENijnNdw1_TAlZ_SLDffpP11wQqNh032GpWpV-d7AdNVG3T59EojFNRwAAR-QO-UQ4aFAgnY2da6GRfGQZgh76/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+023.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce loved his hat..until CINDY took it :) but here he must be telling a story.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje0QoEnbPpmDJhcVSs0e60iVE_3UrzM8I0Qcs1joF_IcsRuS7Dium4gL7qOrl_5HjqCqbhRk6UakXH4ti0h7bbTal961IT5gwwSyHn7v5WfQDy_QFlDGra7wR-9KnBWHMUh7yMDSX4cZY/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje0QoEnbPpmDJhcVSs0e60iVE_3UrzM8I0Qcs1joF_IcsRuS7Dium4gL7qOrl_5HjqCqbhRk6UakXH4ti0h7bbTal961IT5gwwSyHn7v5WfQDy_QFlDGra7wR-9KnBWHMUh7yMDSX4cZY/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or opening another gift....<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a wonderful time at our annual party! Thanks for hosting us Bill and Kathy!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-10351324298389990682010-12-11T09:24:00.000-06:002010-12-11T09:24:52.588-06:00Running....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Back in late September, Abigail attempted her first one mile "fun run". Considering that she did not train one bit, we were very proud of her for finishing the race :) Next year, we plan to train a bit beforehand..and I hope to run with her also. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpRjY1X2EJKJZ-BWxj0U7aBuFDsvFSQ8L5TFEKtF9C7qvBLcQwIXL3SbqzacYx72a2or__1gdRMUYLIwlHL3EzIWUELBDbBeYAhkyZpe6ySdQC1Xo8tLohoKLbcmrtt3ZmKGzWiQ5jGEo/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpRjY1X2EJKJZ-BWxj0U7aBuFDsvFSQ8L5TFEKtF9C7qvBLcQwIXL3SbqzacYx72a2or__1gdRMUYLIwlHL3EzIWUELBDbBeYAhkyZpe6ySdQC1Xo8tLohoKLbcmrtt3ZmKGzWiQ5jGEo/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before....</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-V65LX7d9-Jedwn9Cz19rLdsKCnpM0zgV0n1ds-CMyZlaEh0jOy7IEMPZZLtrT5Bnl3oV9WqRy6GZ8bcyJEdgO7-VTbiwHs6twOtcPOLQcyZV8jZXqshB2rGkkNfgZ2_Xls_Eewbe5w-/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-V65LX7d9-Jedwn9Cz19rLdsKCnpM0zgV0n1ds-CMyZlaEh0jOy7IEMPZZLtrT5Bnl3oV9WqRy6GZ8bcyJEdgO7-VTbiwHs6twOtcPOLQcyZV8jZXqshB2rGkkNfgZ2_Xls_Eewbe5w-/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During.....</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeClWiRyDW0AkIMbktLz22c5efV2eJM3RVdUXtducLyZtChT8vLTeiBgvtKxffUIqw8NEbE3BWEFs0YJrEb0RWPjUwDAQeIbmnq8CTT043m_S653-Mo85wkSL4fAleqswAY9gH8-KZSAUH/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeClWiRyDW0AkIMbktLz22c5efV2eJM3RVdUXtducLyZtChT8vLTeiBgvtKxffUIqw8NEbE3BWEFs0YJrEb0RWPjUwDAQeIbmnq8CTT043m_S653-Mo85wkSL4fAleqswAY9gH8-KZSAUH/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finish time...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs1v75pOqjTWO3TU8ORLedwo2ErwroVwXo4oa-sMTcwOrwLeVT8BxN-3b6h-2AYoOaLUaDo2zj_xmHpBYduwqONAU8EzBbw7rcmrPguZxTmtW3IUEkytTsqgcI_QhUfc0eQqrx0WLT09Q/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs1v75pOqjTWO3TU8ORLedwo2ErwroVwXo4oa-sMTcwOrwLeVT8BxN-3b6h-2AYoOaLUaDo2zj_xmHpBYduwqONAU8EzBbw7rcmrPguZxTmtW3IUEkytTsqgcI_QhUfc0eQqrx0WLT09Q/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+206.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">and getting a drink of good cold water :)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-59037668779363532632010-12-10T16:45:00.000-06:002010-12-10T16:45:23.196-06:00a few special memories...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJrIiGoScRH_XRrGAJbB3IbChMMJP6WwRLNs_Yq7-rzjgCiyrMWaNik3V6iGd1DahgU0WHwhKKt_EREBinbz7NL7g7STEVxBObfi6TQZShDkizUSbx3NEzdH8Z-20Z8SjdEl3ng4JXO-A/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJrIiGoScRH_XRrGAJbB3IbChMMJP6WwRLNs_Yq7-rzjgCiyrMWaNik3V6iGd1DahgU0WHwhKKt_EREBinbz7NL7g7STEVxBObfi6TQZShDkizUSbx3NEzdH8Z-20Z8SjdEl3ng4JXO-A/s400/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+103.JPG" width="300" /></a>Our first year with Abigail......</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "kitty" ornament is the first year we were married....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b9x482vJpNmfD4ZgdYYkVQ__fZ1fkvD5YMapER8jHqtOVvHTI6jUtPASSmAvq_TEfMBJur_njn0PW_5YDmC0yNVX2po7-ytXnJ0Rvp9KVLDTFCmghRJRMBzL-_hahiV-7XFrROMVzr4s/s1600/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b9x482vJpNmfD4ZgdYYkVQ__fZ1fkvD5YMapER8jHqtOVvHTI6jUtPASSmAvq_TEfMBJur_njn0PW_5YDmC0yNVX2po7-ytXnJ0Rvp9KVLDTFCmghRJRMBzL-_hahiV-7XFrROMVzr4s/s320/Fall+break+thru+Dec.+9%252C+2010+100.JPG" width="320" /></a>We finally got our tree decorated last Saturday....and as we did, I photographed a few special ornaments. Our tree is not 'themed' like so many beautiful ones that I see in magazines or on other blogs....and while I admire them, I doubt we'll ever imitate them. Our tree is beautiful to us because it is totally full of ornaments...and the vast majority of them have a story behind them. So, I guess our theme is 'sentimental' which works for us..... Our tree won't ever grace the pages of a magazine..but that's okay. It will always hold a special place in our hearts anyway.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-18950963256298391432010-12-06T09:23:00.000-06:002010-12-06T09:23:46.573-06:00Sick House.....Ugh...we have ALL been battling sinus/allergy stuff for the last several days. Abigail was first. She saw the doctor TWICE and walked away with an antibiotic, inhaler, decongestant with cough suppresant and nasal spray. She was pretty much laid out from Tuesday thru most of the weekend. The cough is lingering, but thankfully is not too bad. Bruce started feeling rough on Saturday. He has the same allergy/sinus induced symptoms. He is hoping to get in to see the doctor today. I am dealing with just sinus stuff and have been fighting with everything in my personal arsenal to keep it at bay. The oil of oregano and nasal flush is helping me..and I am trying to get extra rest. Thankfully I don't seem to feel quite as bad as either of them because SOMEONE has to be the nurse. At least we are not contagious...just feeling icky :( Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-39304867889172380412010-11-25T08:14:00.000-06:002010-11-25T08:14:18.416-06:00Thankful Thursday.....Well, another Thanksgiving has arrived. It does not seem like it could possibly be November 25, 2010. Where has this year gone!?!?!?!? As I sit here typing, my 20+ pound turkey is finishing up in the oven, my potatoes are ready to go into the pot to start cooking and I still need to mop the kitchen floor..but, it's only 7:45 a.m.....so I have a little time :)<br />
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I cannot adequately express my thankfulness....words fail me miserably. But, I am thankful to God for giving me life and a family, friends and a wonderful church family that are such a blessing to me and give me great places/opportunities to serve (which I love to do).<br />
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I am thankful for a husband who is caring and understanding. He is supportive and a hard worker....and Godly man who cares for our family. He has had to deal with a lot and overlook a lot since my recent surgery as I have not had an easy recovery...and I am still adjusting to life with artificial hormones. But, he has handled it (and me) with grace when so many spouses would not not have done so. <br />
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I am thankful for our daughter, who is really becoming quite a young lady. She is eleven and plays the part well (for better or for worse), but I have seen her mature in so many ways in recent months. I am proud of her and thankful for her kind and helpful spirit when that shines through. Her sense of humor is incredible...and I am SO glad that God gave her to us. <br />
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I am grateful for my health. It's not perfect...but at one point this year, I was concerened about a mass. We were relieved to learn after a LONG wait from pathology that it was not malignant. And, even with another recent procedure...even though we were not too concerned about a blockage/tumor causing the symptoms I was having, it was nice to get that 100% confirmation..again nothing of that sort. Yes.....I am facing some challenges that still have to be ironed out....but nothing that is life threatening...and for that, I am grateful :)<br />
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I am thankful for my parents and my mother in law as well as other family members who are so kind and loving and supportive. <br />
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I am thankful for the freedom to make a school choice...and at this time, we have felt led to homeschool Abigail. I am also grateful that I am blessed to teach two outside classes (American History and Latin) of which Abigail is a part....as well as teaching piano and voice lessons to several children. I love teaching in various capacities and working with such WONDERFULLY sweet children.<br />
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I am thankful for friends near and far...and for things like Facebook and email that have allowed me to reconnect or simply help me stay closer to those who are my friends when I cannot always see them in person due to schedules that just don't mesh as often as we'd like. <br />
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I am grateful for scrapbooking...my most favorite hobby and part time business as it has brought me many friends and an opportunity to relive many memories as I commit them to the pages of a book. It also allows me the opportunity to set up 'memorial stones' (Joshua 4:7) for my child and future grand children/great grandchildren....to share what God has done in our lives as a family. <br />
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I could go on and on....but my turkey needs to be tended to as do other lunch duties.......so I will stop for now.<br />
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But, I will say, that I am grateful...so grateful for God's love for me...and all that He has done for me and through me.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867054943715736746.post-27718472881765006692010-11-04T18:01:00.000-05:002010-11-04T18:01:47.749-05:00lazy bones.....Two weeks have passed since my surgery (well actually two weeks and two days)...and I still feel like a big old LAZY BONES!!! I returned to the doctor for my post-operative visit on Monday (a bit earlier than scheduled..because I thought an incision was infected). While the incisions were healing pretty well to the outside... I learned that the stitches that were supposed to be dissolved were not cooperating...thus causing some issues..not really an infection, but an inflammation. So, Dr. Purvis removed those stitches and that problem was solved :) I also had been battling a secondary infection since just after the surgery (unbeknownst to me). It was fairly mild until last Friday...but enough to make me feel a little icky and finally escalating to a point that I was having some pretty notable symptoms.<br />
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Now I am on antibiotics for the infection and meds for the spasms....and if I can just get over this allergy/sinus stuff, I think I will be feeling almost normal again!<br />
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At the visit, I got my pathology report and praise the LORD!!!! the mass was not malignant...though it was large (half the size of the ovary) and the type of mass it was is known to be quite painful. <br />
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I will return for a follow up visit two weeks from today...and we'll discuss my next round of treatment. Every case is different....and in my situation (because of age and family history) I have decided to follow the protocol until I reach my 50's unless there is something that pops up along the way to let us know that is not wise.<br />
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My advice to anyone reading....listen to your doctor...but also know your body and do your homework..then prayerfully make the choice as to how you will proceed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0