tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7292363625742621022024-03-12T19:15:05.801-07:00Mud & Make-up; Puddles & PursesLiving a Life of Perfect PandemoniumLWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-14810613934469828332012-01-16T05:09:00.000-08:002012-01-16T05:16:46.573-08:002 years of SamMy littlest munchkin turns 2 today. What an incredible adventure these 2 years have been. Samuel has enriched our lives tremendously. I'm always amazed at how even the smallest children (even those who speak no intelligible words), can challenge us and teach us and bless us in such huge ways. Samuel has certainly done that. Thus far, the journey has certainly not been easy.<br />
Challenges abound along the road. But, he can change all the frustration or discouragement or irritation you are feeling with one grin, one snuggle, one belly laugh, one garbled string of "words". Samuel is boy through and through and I am so grateful.<br />
He loves to be wild, to be thrown higher than high, to be bounced, or wrestled, or swung upside down, to jump from inappropriate heights for a 2 year old. Hence, the ungodly number of black eyes and busted lips. He will hurl himself off the diving board- a water lover, yet hates having his hair washed and rinsed. Sam thrives on being around people he loves- always wanting more time with cousins. He loves trucks and trains and his winding race car track. There is no "medium" with Sam. He is either full-speed ahead or laser focused and still. He has tantrums with wild animal like ferocity; strong willed to his core.<br />
He loves his sister, delights in his daddy, and adores his mama. He survives on Goldfish, crackers, peanut butter, and smoothies. His blanket is his constant companion. He often doesn't sleep through the night, and still drinks his milk from a bottle. He is not "normal", and I mean that in the best way you can imagine. He is unique and gifted and special beyond words. He is my son. My beautiful "melt me in an instant with his morning smile" boy.<br />
I'm so blessed to spend my days with this little man. My Sam.<br />
**Here are a very very short videos that just make me smile. They are horrible quality and even though my husband constantly reminds me to turn my phone sideways, I always forget and thus, the skinny vertical ones that are even worse :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's birth day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam, 1 year old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam, 2nd birthday</td></tr>
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</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-31416975810068038322012-01-03T11:13:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:14:57.108-08:00A whole lot of pictures from 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are too many pictures that give you a glimpse into our year. Sorry for the overload.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam couldn't join in the fun last year so he watched longingly from the window. This year he can- if he stops boycotting gloves. We shall see...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva's snow-head</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's first birthday cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a zillion times Eva dressed up like a princess in 2011.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zoo carousel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva's first birthday party at school. Cheesin' it up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a zillion trips to long wood gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and his sidekick. Love this picture of the boys in my life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing Jill doesn't read my blog. I'm not sure she even knows I have one. This was one of the trips to the hospital when she was having strong contractions while Neil was still in Ethiopia with Gashaw. The look on her face just cracks me up- a picture speaks a thousand words- and so does a facial expression :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUyHXuTWkn4/TwJA_HLxhzI/AAAAAAAABHQ/WM7DG0rR9mg/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUyHXuTWkn4/TwJA_HLxhzI/AAAAAAAABHQ/WM7DG0rR9mg/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva with Israel. She is SUCH a good cousin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP3k5xGtAJM/TwJA_0c7o9I/AAAAAAAABHY/sqC-9iZgtdA/s1600/IMG_1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP3k5xGtAJM/TwJA_0c7o9I/AAAAAAAABHY/sqC-9iZgtdA/s320/IMG_1104.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you come to our house unannounced (which I am totally ok with), you have a very good chance of seeing Eva in one of her best outfits, like this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a lot of time without clothes on in 2011. And by "we"- I mean my children. Promise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 4 or 5 black eyes of 2011. Actually, it hadn't blackened yet in this picture. But, it has happened so much in his short little life, I can't even remotely remember what he did, but I am pretty sure it involved Judah...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXzL5tVIwCM/TwJBBx9M6tI/AAAAAAAABHw/vcLt_FP43v4/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXzL5tVIwCM/TwJBBx9M6tI/AAAAAAAABHw/vcLt_FP43v4/s320/DSC_0144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva meets another cousin, Gashaw. This was his first day home after traveling with Neil on a LONG journey from Ethiopia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gashaw's first Phillies jersey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's grace: brothers and almost instant best friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvtnV-FhNrw/TwJBDdTE0zI/AAAAAAAABII/8D-IV731P0c/s1600/IMG_1208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvtnV-FhNrw/TwJBDdTE0zI/AAAAAAAABII/8D-IV731P0c/s320/IMG_1208.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is. (the black eye)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva in her Ethiopia dress from Uncle Neil and Gashaw. She looked really beautiful in it and she knew it. Her cousin was riding her around and she was waving to her admirers in "a parade". </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa takin' the kids for a ride. The car looks so funny with 2 massive carseats in the back!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1p-GVmhS2Bc/TwJBFs31YMI/AAAAAAAABIo/ogjvr22e_5I/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1p-GVmhS2Bc/TwJBFs31YMI/AAAAAAAABIo/ogjvr22e_5I/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2011. That's love, folks.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfjfSOxN9No/TwJBGRM0ZQI/AAAAAAAABIw/xRz19DczM68/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfjfSOxN9No/TwJBGRM0ZQI/AAAAAAAABIw/xRz19DczM68/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, too. Eva and Addie on Easter.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uISO7fy4Q0E/TwJBHat4FvI/AAAAAAAABI4/N6KdoTXXtQY/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uISO7fy4Q0E/TwJBHat4FvI/AAAAAAAABI4/N6KdoTXXtQY/s320/IMG_1345.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring/Summer/Fall 2011- the year of wearing a princess dress in ridiculous places.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mseZBi2mqc/TwJBIvecxbI/AAAAAAAABJA/cmQNt65aG1E/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mseZBi2mqc/TwJBIvecxbI/AAAAAAAABJA/cmQNt65aG1E/s320/IMG_1381.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my girl.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlNEmSL9P34/TwJBLfR3ILI/AAAAAAAABJg/J_LZ85m2LzI/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlNEmSL9P34/TwJBLfR3ILI/AAAAAAAABJg/J_LZ85m2LzI/s320/DSC_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and Caleb on messy day. Eva LOVES worms. I think you can see how Caleb feels.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8Jf4I6cVhU/TwJBL_kYevI/AAAAAAAABJo/85NYVSxysEk/s1600/IMG_1395_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8Jf4I6cVhU/TwJBL_kYevI/AAAAAAAABJo/85NYVSxysEk/s320/IMG_1395_2.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my word I love this kid's smile.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLSJiPlKrZw/TwJBMYboE_I/AAAAAAAABJw/4XwwI1OXotY/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLSJiPlKrZw/TwJBMYboE_I/AAAAAAAABJw/4XwwI1OXotY/s320/DSC_0072.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SAM ATE MEAT. He gnawed on that rib like it was the best thing on earth and then never ate anything like it again. Oh the joys of feeding Sam- they are never ending.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFrlALHHIc/TwJBN0qUeeI/AAAAAAAABKI/TGTVQ5bz2mg/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFrlALHHIc/TwJBN0qUeeI/AAAAAAAABKI/TGTVQ5bz2mg/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who falls asleep like that on the back of a bike? Sam- the kid who didn't sleep almost all night on the way down to NC on our trip to the Outer Banks.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ytH3gwRdPM/TwJBOuhg6UI/AAAAAAAABKQ/EVyQggxQhX8/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ytH3gwRdPM/TwJBOuhg6UI/AAAAAAAABKQ/EVyQggxQhX8/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses for mommy. I NEVER get these anymore. :(</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jANcTd4B_uY/TwJBPLLJ93I/AAAAAAAABKY/66r1sgs1jGk/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jANcTd4B_uY/TwJBPLLJ93I/AAAAAAAABKY/66r1sgs1jGk/s320/DSC_0020.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new swimmer takes the sport VERY seriously.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_c7raRMIaLQ/TwJBPrYnsRI/AAAAAAAABKg/hd2f6hG04wE/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_c7raRMIaLQ/TwJBPrYnsRI/AAAAAAAABKg/hd2f6hG04wE/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammer-Bammer!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku0dJWEAdOE/TwJBQPZ3FRI/AAAAAAAABKo/cPcE2zROU7s/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku0dJWEAdOE/TwJBQPZ3FRI/AAAAAAAABKo/cPcE2zROU7s/s320/DSC_0190.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Sam's expressions. Need I say more??</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHL37eQ7-6Y/TwJBRpwIPPI/AAAAAAAABK4/wyL9W71UDgo/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHL37eQ7-6Y/TwJBRpwIPPI/AAAAAAAABK4/wyL9W71UDgo/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family picture night ended with Caleb and Eva in the water in their dress clothes :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZeHSQRjWoQ/TwJBSfAjhTI/AAAAAAAABLA/KU4Segvx-SU/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZeHSQRjWoQ/TwJBSfAjhTI/AAAAAAAABLA/KU4Segvx-SU/s320/DSC_0290.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trip to highland orchards</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vpYoA6ibU/TwJBTLQBKwI/AAAAAAAABLI/AsikFhBaOig/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vpYoA6ibU/TwJBTLQBKwI/AAAAAAAABLI/AsikFhBaOig/s320/DSC_0364.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl LOVES her berries.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3szSJFTKl4/TwJBT6pXiYI/AAAAAAAABLQ/6JivN05ha1E/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3szSJFTKl4/TwJBT6pXiYI/AAAAAAAABLQ/6JivN05ha1E/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun day with the Weldon boys while Mommy and Daddy were bringing Emery home. We were very happy to be making a pit stop at Dunkin Donuts before a day of swimming!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIOCHg_wDrg/TwJBVM40t2I/AAAAAAAABLg/PsZCgDaDnD8/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIOCHg_wDrg/TwJBVM40t2I/AAAAAAAABLg/PsZCgDaDnD8/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another black eye</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EnpN45MnwM/TwJBW4-GNhI/AAAAAAAABL0/X7JerSafkX4/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EnpN45MnwM/TwJBW4-GNhI/AAAAAAAABL0/X7JerSafkX4/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea party with Penny</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dOctX6ze_0/TwJBXt2H4wI/AAAAAAAABL8/nQQgR-Y9UeY/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dOctX6ze_0/TwJBXt2H4wI/AAAAAAAABL8/nQQgR-Y9UeY/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nap with Penny. How sweet is that??</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyrfD-M-YEY/TwJBYwrvSqI/AAAAAAAABMM/Adfjxjfdx-w/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyrfD-M-YEY/TwJBYwrvSqI/AAAAAAAABMM/Adfjxjfdx-w/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2011, we discovered a love for shaving cream bath paint that rivals that of candy and ice-cream.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfIGE_B7Iag/TwJBZoWraDI/AAAAAAAABMU/i-4JFfmu8bc/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfIGE_B7Iag/TwJBZoWraDI/AAAAAAAABMU/i-4JFfmu8bc/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and her girl cousins</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTMei20y9QI/TwJBaHrT0qI/AAAAAAAABMc/TpN2x9m2k-I/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTMei20y9QI/TwJBaHrT0qI/AAAAAAAABMc/TpN2x9m2k-I/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture just captures my girl's joyful spirit and I love it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGTfLYRMS8Q/TwJBbcafSNI/AAAAAAAABMk/IcdXD3Qwm5s/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGTfLYRMS8Q/TwJBbcafSNI/AAAAAAAABMk/IcdXD3Qwm5s/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strasburg railroad with Uncle Nate!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYrLhyASxvk/TwJBcqclQuI/AAAAAAAABM0/I97SVGr_T_Y/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYrLhyASxvk/TwJBcqclQuI/AAAAAAAABM0/I97SVGr_T_Y/s320/DSC_0187.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and Mommy on the railroad.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVsEpy8kgRc/TwJBfFZtTjI/AAAAAAAABNQ/2MP8cGbrGzs/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVsEpy8kgRc/TwJBfFZtTjI/AAAAAAAABNQ/2MP8cGbrGzs/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys wanted to dress up like Eva and I wasn't going to fight them on it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7C3f1LuFKo/TwJBf1sWAbI/AAAAAAAABNc/JXaRnM9jI7w/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7C3f1LuFKo/TwJBf1sWAbI/AAAAAAAABNc/JXaRnM9jI7w/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springton manor. She's super cute.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsrftSlFefY/TwJBgldO0OI/AAAAAAAABNg/wrDComa5IZ8/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsrftSlFefY/TwJBgldO0OI/AAAAAAAABNg/wrDComa5IZ8/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles!!! Sam LOVES bubbles.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRlTpQwXrDA/TwJBhZGAgoI/AAAAAAAABNs/voLYjg4BzHs/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRlTpQwXrDA/TwJBhZGAgoI/AAAAAAAABNs/voLYjg4BzHs/s320/DSC_0172.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure joy :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUfGIT-mYRU/TwJBiaCED_I/AAAAAAAABN0/Z5qiAlQMih0/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUfGIT-mYRU/TwJBiaCED_I/AAAAAAAABN0/Z5qiAlQMih0/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We laugh a lot in our house. A LOT.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ch5ekq1APw/TwJBjKBTLXI/AAAAAAAABN8/kHXehQIT4W8/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ch5ekq1APw/TwJBjKBTLXI/AAAAAAAABN8/kHXehQIT4W8/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judah and Sam are really good buddies. Judah takes care of him and loves on him and Sam ADORES Judah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6F9f06-OEZM/TwJBjjEy6zI/AAAAAAAABOE/LyzFeP84Tug/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6F9f06-OEZM/TwJBjjEy6zI/AAAAAAAABOE/LyzFeP84Tug/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva never stops talking. EVER. She uses her hands constantly and her expressions are just ridiculous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6teFAKPVkw/TwJBlVKsSXI/AAAAAAAABOU/mCRO9OJZaZ8/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6teFAKPVkw/TwJBlVKsSXI/AAAAAAAABOU/mCRO9OJZaZ8/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballerina</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INA0dUGcfsc/TwJBmHrWpsI/AAAAAAAABOc/jA0BtaQIdTU/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INA0dUGcfsc/TwJBmHrWpsI/AAAAAAAABOc/jA0BtaQIdTU/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousin sloane, Sam, and Eva on a walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SZH7Oj1-b4/TwJBmsrlDRI/AAAAAAAABOk/bAi9HjrVteU/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SZH7Oj1-b4/TwJBmsrlDRI/AAAAAAAABOk/bAi9HjrVteU/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am dinosaur- hear me ROAR!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKOW7ThnHag/TwJBnWkmjQI/AAAAAAAABOs/RtwdORK-0PA/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKOW7ThnHag/TwJBnWkmjQI/AAAAAAAABOs/RtwdORK-0PA/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing gives the kids more joy than when daddy gets to stay home "FOR THE WHOLE DAY?!?!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgvCip2li60/TwJBoEuzJYI/AAAAAAAABO0/2K89M8NJO94/s1600/DSC_0190+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgvCip2li60/TwJBoEuzJYI/AAAAAAAABO0/2K89M8NJO94/s320/DSC_0190+-+Version+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and Liam (cousin) watching the workers pave our street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ5ay1KvhCs/TwJBpeAcCVI/AAAAAAAABPI/W35hiZUMDdA/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ5ay1KvhCs/TwJBpeAcCVI/AAAAAAAABPI/W35hiZUMDdA/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor kid has to listen to his sister sing constantly. Look at those faces!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMTrDGfvr58/TwJBp7zBjoI/AAAAAAAABPQ/4XIKyCN-SIg/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMTrDGfvr58/TwJBp7zBjoI/AAAAAAAABPQ/4XIKyCN-SIg/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gorgeous 3 year old. Not looking 3- at all. It's very upsetting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIX5RCd8xZQ/TwJBqr00NpI/AAAAAAAABPY/E5N_UTwuFBg/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIX5RCd8xZQ/TwJBqr00NpI/AAAAAAAABPY/E5N_UTwuFBg/s320/DSC_0225.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A summer fave- picking berries from the tree and shoving them into pockets, baskets, bags and everything else she could find.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JEqn5DNBOY/TwJBsKTFR8I/AAAAAAAABPw/Iu8F7f4FNeA/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JEqn5DNBOY/TwJBsKTFR8I/AAAAAAAABPw/Iu8F7f4FNeA/s320/DSC_0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yo, yo, yo, What up?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eeHg_hVMZ1w/TwJBtoBTfAI/AAAAAAAABQA/rv-zgBaam0E/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eeHg_hVMZ1w/TwJBtoBTfAI/AAAAAAAABQA/rv-zgBaam0E/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and the baby chicks at Cherry Crest farms. She was so in love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4raf4GkUuI/TwJBu32l0eI/AAAAAAAABQI/gTrvACfRcjY/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4raf4GkUuI/TwJBu32l0eI/AAAAAAAABQI/gTrvACfRcjY/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and Addie- burlap sack slide. SO FUN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Un2iyxqorz8/TwJBv-R5-8I/AAAAAAAABQY/AZziiko1BMI/s1600/DSC_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Un2iyxqorz8/TwJBv-R5-8I/AAAAAAAABQY/AZziiko1BMI/s320/DSC_0385.JPG" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Im telling you- no personality in this one...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYj027kYp5M/TwJBwEuv_qI/AAAAAAAABQg/MHHivF0QO1w/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYj027kYp5M/TwJBwEuv_qI/AAAAAAAABQg/MHHivF0QO1w/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Wells and Sammer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s7Dik4WFa4/TwJBwyRPzFI/AAAAAAAABQo/sG-TG74H4vg/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s7Dik4WFa4/TwJBwyRPzFI/AAAAAAAABQo/sG-TG74H4vg/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Runway Party!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBWaa6Q_rVw/TwJBxtTqE7I/AAAAAAAABQw/8_kjnaI_sF8/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBWaa6Q_rVw/TwJBxtTqE7I/AAAAAAAABQw/8_kjnaI_sF8/s320/DSC_0195.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva & her friend, Morgan, at the party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82O_O0W45LQ/TwJByXHvs4I/AAAAAAAABQ4/MydtiUzU1bU/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82O_O0W45LQ/TwJByXHvs4I/AAAAAAAABQ4/MydtiUzU1bU/s320/DSC_0095.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little cow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7htOTxHnXv4/TwJBzndxtWI/AAAAAAAABRI/llB51G2pBwI/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7htOTxHnXv4/TwJBzndxtWI/AAAAAAAABRI/llB51G2pBwI/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 2011 SNOW.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjNdEnaQm6U/TwJB0Zs5jII/AAAAAAAABRQ/9KkisVQqM14/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjNdEnaQm6U/TwJB0Zs5jII/AAAAAAAABRQ/9KkisVQqM14/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polar Express- First timer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GY9WpEXuW3Y/TwJB07ryisI/AAAAAAAABRY/xgFRWFxzzSk/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GY9WpEXuW3Y/TwJB07ryisI/AAAAAAAABRY/xgFRWFxzzSk/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silvermist for Halloween</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtvCIeMZGmM/TwJB1jvE4NI/AAAAAAAABRg/CWsY6uWvSzM/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtvCIeMZGmM/TwJB1jvE4NI/AAAAAAAABRg/CWsY6uWvSzM/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my monkey and my fairy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZAyXbzVTQw/TwJB3XEt1hI/AAAAAAAABR4/WCeVxSV14iQ/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZAyXbzVTQw/TwJB3XEt1hI/AAAAAAAABR4/WCeVxSV14iQ/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva with her friends, Penny and Morgan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCXS1mCj_sA/TwJB4Ob-elI/AAAAAAAABSA/zJ-vt-ueW2k/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCXS1mCj_sA/TwJB4Ob-elI/AAAAAAAABSA/zJ-vt-ueW2k/s320/DSC_0243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they really love each other and it blesses me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yH-fUYV7-fg/TwJB4oT8uVI/AAAAAAAABSI/9ciau-iuS18/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yH-fUYV7-fg/TwJB4oT8uVI/AAAAAAAABSI/9ciau-iuS18/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and my girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlXVxbmFUoo/TwJB5J0Kg2I/AAAAAAAABSQ/Y0UVUqPyDWI/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlXVxbmFUoo/TwJB5J0Kg2I/AAAAAAAABSQ/Y0UVUqPyDWI/s320/DSC_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">once again, poor guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGV_Rap_tDE/TwJB6m_VB5I/AAAAAAAABSg/TM4OsTteKGg/s1600/DSC_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGV_Rap_tDE/TwJB6m_VB5I/AAAAAAAABSg/TM4OsTteKGg/s320/DSC_0405.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's one adorable kid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5CQyX-tQvU/TwJB7g77grI/AAAAAAAABSk/_Q2Vfp7ayCw/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5CQyX-tQvU/TwJB7g77grI/AAAAAAAABSk/_Q2Vfp7ayCw/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family Christmas pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNGwX-8yl58/TwJB8JwikNI/AAAAAAAABSw/KbqcGCUGj7c/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNGwX-8yl58/TwJB8JwikNI/AAAAAAAABSw/KbqcGCUGj7c/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvmqeuoU5Lo/TwJB8_MYzRI/AAAAAAAABS4/Muh7TBprJaM/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvmqeuoU5Lo/TwJB8_MYzRI/AAAAAAAABS4/Muh7TBprJaM/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slYxjs9EkyM/TwJB9kJm71I/AAAAAAAABTA/93lSZjHe6GI/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slYxjs9EkyM/TwJB9kJm71I/AAAAAAAABTA/93lSZjHe6GI/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Chester Christmas parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSWd_2iOAnw/TwJB-VOqX-I/AAAAAAAABTI/JJwzbrY3FGU/s1600/DSC_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSWd_2iOAnw/TwJB-VOqX-I/AAAAAAAABTI/JJwzbrY3FGU/s320/DSC_0381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls at the parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdn8I0mPNc4/TwJB_FPpPQI/AAAAAAAABTQ/gNz8CdgaDgA/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdn8I0mPNc4/TwJB_FPpPQI/AAAAAAAABTQ/gNz8CdgaDgA/s320/DSC_0389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and Daddy. 2 peas in a pod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkMPlC0ML_g/TwJB_6geX2I/AAAAAAAABTY/z_SIMsFIFBY/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkMPlC0ML_g/TwJB_6geX2I/AAAAAAAABTY/z_SIMsFIFBY/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he loves the piano.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldLUlnV6JrU/TwJCA1IpE1I/AAAAAAAABTg/eefO1ckJdms/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldLUlnV6JrU/TwJCA1IpE1I/AAAAAAAABTg/eefO1ckJdms/s320/DSC_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva at our fancy Advent dinner- crazy hair from pretending to be Mary constantly for the entire month of December, and no clothes on. We really know how to do "fancy" here at the Wells house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mP6wYd4gl0I/TwJCBQYvwcI/AAAAAAAABTs/QwgH93xTARQ/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mP6wYd4gl0I/TwJCBQYvwcI/AAAAAAAABTs/QwgH93xTARQ/s320/DSC_0137.JPG" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas performance at church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ6QP64DnZA/TwJCCa-keYI/AAAAAAAABT0/5Cfb1Qi8300/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ6QP64DnZA/TwJCCa-keYI/AAAAAAAABT0/5Cfb1Qi8300/s320/DSC_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give my girl a microphone at your own risk. I had nothing to do with it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_rDO0Cqg1o/TwJCDCOu35I/AAAAAAAABT8/CoXrgQRhjDM/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_rDO0Cqg1o/TwJCDCOu35I/AAAAAAAABT8/CoXrgQRhjDM/s320/DSC_0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning. Curious George DVD!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fKkQ8nXNYM/TwJCDwGjFTI/AAAAAAAABUE/snekyezhVQE/s1600/DSC_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fKkQ8nXNYM/TwJCDwGjFTI/AAAAAAAABUE/snekyezhVQE/s320/DSC_0572.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and her princess Barbie collection. She gave 3 of them away when we were going through stuff to give to kids in need this week. Love her generous heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95WI7-XmT4I/TwJCE2RbaLI/AAAAAAAABUM/LJdFLjdpjhk/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95WI7-XmT4I/TwJCE2RbaLI/AAAAAAAABUM/LJdFLjdpjhk/s320/DSC_0723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whitnah family- 19 of us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-32725513756129694452012-01-02T14:06:00.000-08:002012-01-02T15:41:51.243-08:00Goodbye 2011, You were reasonably good to us :)<div style="text-align: left;">Hello. My name is Lauren and I am the worst blogger of all time. Phew, glad that is over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Try as I may, I just cannot get into the blogging groove like so many of you! I'm not giving up blogging altogether, but I am giving up on being good at this. It's just not in me, just as I suspected when I sat down to write my very first post.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Mike just left with Eva for diving practice and I am listening to poor Sammer-bammer practically hack up a lung while trying to take a nap. My little fella is so exhausted, but so sick and rest is not coming easy. So, I am alone for the first time in what feels like FOREVER, and it is January 2nd, so this time was begging to be filled with a New Year's post...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">But, I have no clue what this year will bring. None what-so-ever. So, instead, I will tell you a few things about 2011. I'll do my best to just sum up the year with whatever comes to mind. It won't be in chronological order because I don't have time to get out the calendar :) I'll miss a ton because I have a feeling Sam isn't going to be sleeping for long. Here goes...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I welcomed 3 nephews in 2011! Gashaw, Israel, and Denver came into our family and are an amazing blessing. That makes 9 nieces and nephews for Mike and I.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">My Grammie died the day before Eva's birthday on February 17th. I miss her. I think of her constantly as my house now holds quite a few of her precious things. She was a talented and generous lady. I am blessed to have known her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnM3MVYF-Zs/TwJArqZRWnI/AAAAAAAABFo/zcIitWmeORk/s1600/grammie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnM3MVYF-Zs/TwJArqZRWnI/AAAAAAAABFo/zcIitWmeORk/s1600/grammie.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5N3r_jLAwE/TwJAtniAfEI/AAAAAAAABFw/ybZD_lG8rIw/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5N3r_jLAwE/TwJAtniAfEI/AAAAAAAABFw/ybZD_lG8rIw/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I was part of a big fundraising effort for No One In Need (my brother-in-law and sister's non-profit helping to raise funds for adopting families). A beef a beer with silent auction and raffle- CRAZY in terms of the amount of work and organization, but more so in the way God blessed it and made it fruitful. Lots of money was raised that helped families adopt. Kudos to Bryan and Sara for being the big guns behind it all.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I took my first Yoga class with <a href="http://www.angiedweldon.com/">Miss Ang</a>. We scored a "20 classes for $20" deal on LivingSocial. I'm hooked. LOVE IT and have scooped up 2 more deals (at 2 different studios) to get me at least 2 more months worth.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Eva took swim lessons. <a href="http://mikeandlaurenwells.blogspot.com/2011/06/swim-lessons-not-for-faint-of-heart.html">CRAZY swim lessons</a> that taught her how to swim independently at 3.5 years old. She's had plenty of practice and has really gotten amazingly good!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We got our wills done. The whole shebang. So depressing; so necessary. You need to do it, even though talking about who will get your kids when you die and how long you want to stay on life support is SUPER SUPER not fun, you really gotta do it. Georgia Stone of <a href="http://www.stonestonelaw.com/">Stone & Stone</a> did ours. She's awesome; consider her if you need them done.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Eva turned 3 and Sam turned 1 at the start of the year. That means I am about to have a 2 and 4 year old. WHAT?! Time has gone by much too fast. "Cherish the little moments, Lauren. Don't miss this!", I tell myself CONSTANTLY.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I started <a href="http://mikeandlaurenwells.blogspot.com/2011/08/pin-spiration.html">pinnig on Pinterest</a>. This was the start of many a craft project and I am proud to say I have surprised myself at my crafty abilities. I went through a minor addiction for a few months, but I am back on track and only spending a few minutes a day on it. I actually DO many of the things that I PIN :) Here are a few of my projects.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOEoKtPU1BI/TwI4vGP4T2I/AAAAAAAABCI/EGzFILM71Ks/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOEoKtPU1BI/TwI4vGP4T2I/AAAAAAAABCI/EGzFILM71Ks/s320/DSC_0055.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqnVIWLwHBE/TwI4v_It1HI/AAAAAAAABCQ/hBvWSTS1TYk/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqnVIWLwHBE/TwI4v_It1HI/AAAAAAAABCQ/hBvWSTS1TYk/s320/DSC_0088.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB8lqkcM7hc/TwI8T4Rya-I/AAAAAAAABFQ/R5p_B9Oh8MY/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB8lqkcM7hc/TwI8T4Rya-I/AAAAAAAABFQ/R5p_B9Oh8MY/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E is for Eakin- Mike's littlest sister</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tss7FilK0Uo/TwI44lsSD2I/AAAAAAAABCo/9SqdKoKZKeE/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tss7FilK0Uo/TwI44lsSD2I/AAAAAAAABCo/9SqdKoKZKeE/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wARgduYrSlg/TwI45OD6ewI/AAAAAAAABCw/0Uh2kSyaSSU/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wARgduYrSlg/TwI45OD6ewI/AAAAAAAABCw/0Uh2kSyaSSU/s320/DSC_0038.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H is for Harper, my friend Bethanie's baby girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-v5EDoRSVg/TwI47Stk47I/AAAAAAAABDI/k2vk6roTq3Q/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-v5EDoRSVg/TwI47Stk47I/AAAAAAAABDI/k2vk6roTq3Q/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W is for Wells. duh.</td></tr>
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I went to an insanely fun <a href="http://mikeandlaurenwells.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-reunion.html">reunion with college girls</a> in August. It makes me tear up just thinking about it and how much I miss all of them.<br />
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I think I made a record number of meals this year for friends who had babies or who were sick or going through some other difficulty. I am always happy to bless a family in this small way if possible.<br />
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I did the flowers for quite a few weddings last spring and summer. I'm lined up to do several more this year (June seems to be the month of choice- don't expect me to be available that month). Ordering and estimating and all that is very stressful, but once the flowers arrive and I start putting things together, it's very therapeutic (although not so much for my back).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkxSDR3oQ1s/TwI77T1d7RI/AAAAAAAABE4/4Dx1_fzB8Vo/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkxSDR3oQ1s/TwI77T1d7RI/AAAAAAAABE4/4Dx1_fzB8Vo/s320/DSC_0128.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />
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Eva had a little foray into ballet. It didn't last long because she began to cry before classes, not wanting me to leave. She said, "It takes too long for the mommies to come back and the teacher holds my waist too tight." (the class was one hour and the teacher held her waist so she didn't fall on her head while doing a cartwheel). The reality is that the time is bad- she's too tired by early evening- and the teacher wasn't warm and fuzzy enough for her sensitivity level. We are looking for alternatives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuzpRXzZ5NM/TwI6nS6np0I/AAAAAAAABDc/rvKki6IIlks/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuzpRXzZ5NM/TwI6nS6np0I/AAAAAAAABDc/rvKki6IIlks/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0n9bmWJHtgo/TwI6oKbws5I/AAAAAAAABDk/hMl3LyR_C_o/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0n9bmWJHtgo/TwI6oKbws5I/AAAAAAAABDk/hMl3LyR_C_o/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Rn_jpCYgQY/TwI6o-WnxYI/AAAAAAAABDs/BalupJEGk0g/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Rn_jpCYgQY/TwI6o-WnxYI/AAAAAAAABDs/BalupJEGk0g/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><br />
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Eva's first 2 trips to the dentist were this year. She chipped her tooth- the same one- twice. $350 later, we have a smoothed down tooth and clean chompers.<br />
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In December, Sam was evaluated and qualified for Early Intervention services for Occupational and Speech Therapy. We are hopeful that these therapies will be helpful in terms of dealing with many of the struggles that we have encountered with him over the past year.<br />
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Record breaking number of sick days here this year, folks. I cannot even begin to calculate the amount of snot, poop, and vomit that occurred because we got what seemed like every single virus possible. Several times there was vomit at very inopportune times (a birthday party- sorry, Foster- and a play date- sorry Kesh and Julie). Twice, we were very worried about Sam as he had serious breathing trouble and more recently, a fever of 106 for several days, but we are blessed that none of us had to be hospitalized or had more serious complications. The Lord was gracious to us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ5f-GPRC8o/TwI4j7vF6pI/AAAAAAAABBo/dVPS14p8ooA/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ5f-GPRC8o/TwI4j7vF6pI/AAAAAAAABBo/dVPS14p8ooA/s200/IMG_1280.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sick eyes :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8bkZb3k65Q/TwI4mDVO01I/AAAAAAAABBw/R9HelmrRsA8/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8bkZb3k65Q/TwI4mDVO01I/AAAAAAAABBw/R9HelmrRsA8/s200/IMG_1210.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super sick eyes :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rR05RYTI3AE/TwI4novKuuI/AAAAAAAABB4/UlAz42n6wkQ/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rR05RYTI3AE/TwI4novKuuI/AAAAAAAABB4/UlAz42n6wkQ/s200/IMG_1310.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many breathing treatments for both kids</td></tr>
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Mike had real success with <a href="http://www.wellsfit.com/">Beachbody coaching</a> this past year. He is making a steady income that has helped us to stay afloat financially. I am so grateful and blessed beyond measure to be married to the hardest working man I know. He is also coaching diving for Rustin again- his 4th job. He often takes Eva to practice and she gets to swim and go off the board. It's her favorite thing in the world right now because she gets to be with her daddy. (He also plowed last year and probably will again this year- BOO for my husband being up over 24 hours at a time in the winter.)<br />
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4th vacation to the Outerbanks with the Wells side of the family was tons of fun, as usual.<br />
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We had lots of fun outings this year- countless trips to the playground, moon bounce festival, long wood gardens, the railroad, the orchard, the farm, Cherry Crest farms, Disney on Ice, etc. The list goes on and on.<br />
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Eva ended her first year of preschool and started her second. She LOVES it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qNjI2Xe_ug/TwI7JTdPtQI/AAAAAAAABEE/z8Vnj6Lie3Q/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qNjI2Xe_ug/TwI7JTdPtQI/AAAAAAAABEE/z8Vnj6Lie3Q/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing program in May</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWtiy6L-zpE/TwI7J2SKe6I/AAAAAAAABEM/q9JENbtx0ig/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWtiy6L-zpE/TwI7J2SKe6I/AAAAAAAABEM/q9JENbtx0ig/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone knew ALL the motions and performed them with gusto</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWHSkFC9IQ/TwI7KXcTAcI/AAAAAAAABEU/7dI9R2kVZOA/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWHSkFC9IQ/TwI7KXcTAcI/AAAAAAAABEU/7dI9R2kVZOA/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone else had trouble with his pants</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4zzJfDiITg/TwI7K35Ka1I/AAAAAAAABEc/1vGno1H4hzM/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4zzJfDiITg/TwI7K35Ka1I/AAAAAAAABEc/1vGno1H4hzM/s320/DSC_0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Azqip10IvH8/TwI7OB8Cs7I/AAAAAAAABEk/YBUMNBDsHM8/s1600/DSC_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Azqip10IvH8/TwI7OB8Cs7I/AAAAAAAABEk/YBUMNBDsHM8/s320/DSC_0158.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day this September</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdTCO6b3RNs/TwI7OzfkeSI/AAAAAAAABEs/AsK9YGSd1xE/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdTCO6b3RNs/TwI7OzfkeSI/AAAAAAAABEs/AsK9YGSd1xE/s320/DSC_0215.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I took a photography class with my sister in law and bought a new lens for my camera. This means I have actually taken a few half decent pictures of my kids this year, which was the goal when I took the class. I'm not artsy or creative, so my mind doesn't even remotely get how to take a really good, aesthetically-pleasing picture, but I'm at peace with that :)<br />
<br />
I dyed a white rug that was 11 FEET by 9 FEET in my bathtub. I dyed it navy. I don't want to discuss this experience further. I haven't recovered.<br />
<br />
More seriously, I have watched some friends walk through some horrifically painful trials, and have wondered about God's plan and purpose in all the sadness. I am reminded, as I have been over and over again throughout my life, that He is good in all of it and my questioning of Him doesn't change a thing, nor His love for me (a good friend once said, "God isn't offended by your questioning- He is aware that you are only human"). He is still deserving of my praise and my life. I will continue to surrender to Him, knowing that I will see how His plan all fit together someday. I know I will have to wait until I join Him in heaven for most of it to make any sense.<br />
<br />
<br />
HELLO 2012. Please be kind to us :)<br />
<br />
(Pics of 2011 coming soon. No really, I promise. SOON.)LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-34555295768677770372011-10-13T12:18:00.000-07:002011-10-13T12:39:07.168-07:00Blogs you should be readingI'm over-choosey about what blogs I read. I don't have time to follow very many, so I want to read only those that edify me in some way. Here are two blogs that you should be reading. I promise<br />
<br />
1- <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/">Under the Sycamore</a> by Ashley Ann Campbell. I've been following her for about 2 years now, I think. Her most recent post sums up my feelings about what I strive to teach my kids perfectly. She is amazing and inspiring. At the very least, read <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2011/10/13/18-00/">this post</a>.<br />
<br />
2- <a href="http://thelakes-foreverafamily.blogspot.com/">Forever a Family</a> by Alison Lake. She is an amazing young mom and I know her because she was in my small group Bible Study a few years ago. She is walking through one of the most difficult situations I could ever imagine. It makes my "infertility story" seem like a cake walk. You MUST read her story because it is the most amazing picture of what it looks like to give God all the glory, to rely on Him completely, and to have mountain-moving faith all while traveling through an immensely painful journey. You will be challenged and you will be blessed. Start at the bottom. There are only 5 posts- it's a brand new blog, so it won't take very long.LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-45567463946168237312011-10-13T11:42:00.000-07:002011-10-13T11:44:41.550-07:00An ordinary doctor's appointmentThis is what Tuesday meant for us. I'll just give you the basic run-down.<br />
<br />
Picked Eva up from school a few minutes early for her doctor's appointment. She was to get her "spots" re-treated since they didn't go away completely after the last treatment. It isn't painful and she was totally ok and prepared for it.<br />
<br />
She asked if she had to get a shot on our way. I thought the doctor had the flu mist immunization, so I told her that I didn't think so.<br />
<br />
Arrived at doctor's office.<br />
<br />
Taken back to the exam/treatment room and saw the nurse. Asked about flu-mist and was given the TERRIBLE NEWS that they did not have it. Of course, at this point Eva didn't know what I was talking about. And, side note, she has never been awful with shots- never one of those kids that freaks out and has to be held down. She even had to have blood drawn twice over the summer and was scared, but not terrible.<br />
<br />
The doctor comes in (who she loves) and I decide that I should probably give her some time to let it sink in that she does have to get a shot. I say in my sweetest, calmest voice, "Eva, I have to tell you something. I was wrong about the shot today. You do have to get a shot and I am so sorry. You are going to be just fine, I promise. I am so sorry that I told you you didn't have to and I was wrong."<br />
<br />
Cue wailing. Cue meltdown. Cue complete refusal to let the doctor treat her "spots" (weird bumps on her arm).<br />
<br />
Doctor said we will do the treatment another time. If she rubs her arm and doesn't let the acid dry, it will be a problem. I agree and we just decide to do shots (including a flu shot for sam and I).<br />
<br />
Then he looks at her chart and says, "Oh, and we need to do her 2nd Hep A, too". Fabulous.<br />
<br />
He then left and I was left to try to calm her for 25 freaking minutes (it has never taken so long- no idea what the problem was). Nothing I said, no reward I offered, would even remotely calm her. She was totally hysterical for 30 minutes by the time the nurse came.<br />
<br />
Nurse enters. Cue even more hysteria. I am first and Eva watches. She gets so upset she starts gagging. I know what is coming, so I say to her, "Evangeline. Take a deep breath. You are going to throw up if you don't calm down. See, mommy is fine. It didn't even hurt. See? I'm fine. Breath. Stop gagging."<br />
<br />
Then I am holding Sam. She is crying and watching. More gagging as the needle goes in his leg and he starts to whine. Sam is done and I look over at her and know it's there- it's coming out at any second. I throw Sam at the nurse and get Eva to the trash can. She vomits and she hasn't even gone yet.<br />
<br />
Sam cried for about 3 seconds. She is still hysterical and now even more so since she threw up. IT'S HER TURN!<br />
<br />
It took both the nurse and my full strength to hold her down. She is fighting and screaming and like I have never seen her before. Nurse gives the 2 shots and she is gasping for air. I scoop her up and notice she is soaking wet. She stops crying, and looks up at me with a terrified look on her face. "Mommy, I PEED!" she wails.<br />
<br />
My child who practically potty trained herself in a day and was dry overnight since her first day of potty training and has had only a handful of accidents was so terrified of a shot that she peed herself.<br />
<br />
Off with the undies. Off with the leggings. Off with the shoes that were full of pee. Clean up the exam table that had pee dripping off of it and down into the cracks where you pull out the drawers and foot stool.<br />
<br />
During "operation clean-up", Eva looks up at me and says, "Mommy, the shots didn't even hurt really bad". Cue internal rage, which quickly dissipated and turned into a laugh, "See, Eva, that's what I told you. You didn't trust me. Mommy never lies to you. You can believe what I say. You didn't trust that I was telling you the truth and you didn't trust that Jesus would help you."<br />
<br />
I wrapped the clothes up in paper towels, put them in the bag, and had to hold Eva (so that she didn't completely flash the waiting room). Sam would have to hold my hand.<br />
<br />
Walking out the door Sam falls and nails his head on the wall. Cue wailing. Cue instant massive goose-egg accompanied by a scrape that starts bleeding.<br />
<br />
I scoop him up. Run by reception yelling at them to "bill me" and run through the waiting room with 2 screaming kids- one almost naked and the other with a huge bleeding bump on his head.<br />
<br />
It was awesome, and we didn't even accomplish what we went there for. Isn't that totally rad?<br />
<br />
On a more positive note, that has turned into an ongoing conversation about trust and bravery that has been very challenging for her. She now recognizes that she didn't trust me and that she allowed herself to become overcome with fear instead of asking God to help her to be brave. It has been eye- opening for her and that has been so neat to watch.<br />
<br />
Also, I share this store mostly just to amuse people. I do know that there are many people who have an ordinary doctor's appointment that becomes something so much worse when they get bad news or something is seriously wrong. I am grateful that despite a lousy appointment, I have healthy kids. God is good!LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-38793718608238734412011-09-13T09:24:00.000-07:002011-09-13T09:24:37.929-07:00Eva's (2nd) first day of PreschoolLast Thursday was Eva's first day of preschool. She LOVED <a href="http://mikeandlaurenwells.blogspot.com/2010/10/schooligan.html">last year</a>. I mean, really really LOVED it. Her teachers were so amazing and they adored her; it was obvious that she had hit teacher jackpot because they truly loved each other.<br />
I was a little nervous that this year she wouldn't have the same connection and wouldn't be as excited about school. I was wrong. Yes! She is having a ball and wishes that school was every single day, just like last year. Here are a few pictures of her first day last year and this year. I cannot believe how much she has changed and grown. She is such a joy, I actually miss her even though she is only gone for 2.5 hours a few days a week. This little munchkin has a big piece of my heart...<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhnOBLcYllPlDMbVaaNlgOS7RVyNGbZT7OxS5sYPtb9DCA2jpTz-cei9DnuqE_UVyR3WBapdcleGl0ZxoZGDFK8QKY95c7xNN-C6lHJVxLZn8PX7m6asRpnUpv4du3GdBs32jD9pKh4t0Q/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOBLcYllPlDMbVaaNlgOS7RVyNGbZT7OxS5sYPtb9DCA2jpTz-cei9DnuqE_UVyR3WBapdcleGl0ZxoZGDFK8QKY95c7xNN-C6lHJVxLZn8PX7m6asRpnUpv4du3GdBs32jD9pKh4t0Q/s320/DSC_0077.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgjJFO2_I11nyHARLUmqVlUZQtH-f7DbIIMtaUcYjRez-7iAmQW4ZhbzMs0N_G6fGBpwjaATbc9HerFAFjTvcsVybDptjZ0i-1Gtwm-89X3IF8zGZdYkHk3fRBw0cpz3y1mJfj_ndZ8Dyg/s1600/DSC_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJFO2_I11nyHARLUmqVlUZQtH-f7DbIIMtaUcYjRez-7iAmQW4ZhbzMs0N_G6fGBpwjaATbc9HerFAFjTvcsVybDptjZ0i-1Gtwm-89X3IF8zGZdYkHk3fRBw0cpz3y1mJfj_ndZ8Dyg/s320/DSC_0158.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9HJPpIRWS2jjY3N-yx9gXknD8V1kJHeJjLmp45ohpVhmtKsnpQeRN_VB0793J3EQapA9g6HpwmzGSVzX-opipy_92Qfvno47VnKU2l7QEz60y5YgnrA0rEG92DitM_HuE0LPHfDzPms/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9HJPpIRWS2jjY3N-yx9gXknD8V1kJHeJjLmp45ohpVhmtKsnpQeRN_VB0793J3EQapA9g6HpwmzGSVzX-opipy_92Qfvno47VnKU2l7QEz60y5YgnrA0rEG92DitM_HuE0LPHfDzPms/s320/DSC_0172.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTON7twTFVhbTZQxjkzBp8PDBbbErk-EM2DebXgZgpwvOvpV2R-6Zo2KjI79ECj4XPPzOACc8jKCUAWPhmJr-A8hM4YtsO8rgFRYxJSuD0s3EymJ14Pb2eyasQ5nTs2cvZpP_q34HKHE/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTON7twTFVhbTZQxjkzBp8PDBbbErk-EM2DebXgZgpwvOvpV2R-6Zo2KjI79ECj4XPPzOACc8jKCUAWPhmJr-A8hM4YtsO8rgFRYxJSuD0s3EymJ14Pb2eyasQ5nTs2cvZpP_q34HKHE/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8XkLj6-CjcpNtSXkCx-3CnrssKz9gmkeanVCbuZcZ2TfuARAh2mkIYgVYuQhwFk-o5gyuoAJSWsKlAhOnhBwyUYNV7eMDkH1Bze5HwRzHwSBUfBkH0qyJxvlliKuzoZ_d5Q5z50-LKc/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8XkLj6-CjcpNtSXkCx-3CnrssKz9gmkeanVCbuZcZ2TfuARAh2mkIYgVYuQhwFk-o5gyuoAJSWsKlAhOnhBwyUYNV7eMDkH1Bze5HwRzHwSBUfBkH0qyJxvlliKuzoZ_d5Q5z50-LKc/s320/DSC_0215.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYsEg-PDnLaGGGIV6PXxNuw4-VGcBKC47PpFaAVtgwgVfzxiFgkjGrpqDoTGTVq7v1uia88fvmV_sFY7FHozvXNTM1SBsgBcWyBTPjYgvBxugLF-TldtIDbLCI9X_IlXEQzcxwG2supI/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYsEg-PDnLaGGGIV6PXxNuw4-VGcBKC47PpFaAVtgwgVfzxiFgkjGrpqDoTGTVq7v1uia88fvmV_sFY7FHozvXNTM1SBsgBcWyBTPjYgvBxugLF-TldtIDbLCI9X_IlXEQzcxwG2supI/s320/DSC_0216.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQagiECW32rosKZKlADPWWqZ-NSkN8MU-bXkE8s1LiUm1TxT8Y1ddiqdRQXMoOXzkNZ6wJ2fjZQvTmTQ5Wj6vfyPT6z837O92dUf5q-jPSDMVxGWLtPhhQv_8rQOB7jKb6WPP9D8sKKA/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQagiECW32rosKZKlADPWWqZ-NSkN8MU-bXkE8s1LiUm1TxT8Y1ddiqdRQXMoOXzkNZ6wJ2fjZQvTmTQ5Wj6vfyPT6z837O92dUf5q-jPSDMVxGWLtPhhQv_8rQOB7jKb6WPP9D8sKKA/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice, once again, the size of that back-pack. All the kids have the same one provided by the school.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVqhhtshxxveo5y07io-V74vmr2GNcE1bOXs2o929rCQEvbAaKUsyq8HFCFyaGMnQSxoc4-BDSqav7feGNzMWU_aHh9GZOo0wJCu2fDyPTHrWENqpIgekiWCaVbttlf4xTSAnKdkFVMw/s1600/DSC_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVqhhtshxxveo5y07io-V74vmr2GNcE1bOXs2o929rCQEvbAaKUsyq8HFCFyaGMnQSxoc4-BDSqav7feGNzMWU_aHh9GZOo0wJCu2fDyPTHrWENqpIgekiWCaVbttlf4xTSAnKdkFVMw/s320/DSC_0254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxpDF1JhgarVrXUY7yo6eaqSlaJ2GDL1iE7Bqv-t38bykYIqxBb1-LpS0ktioVXf79V_dGHi7DxmeGKnryWwAcwkDwrXRnZZO6mi5qD25i8QbKODdBxtbhoFfx118luX7DHl0z3HBrrQ/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxpDF1JhgarVrXUY7yo6eaqSlaJ2GDL1iE7Bqv-t38bykYIqxBb1-LpS0ktioVXf79V_dGHi7DxmeGKnryWwAcwkDwrXRnZZO6mi5qD25i8QbKODdBxtbhoFfx118luX7DHl0z3HBrrQ/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKKwUYw_5DH0kHPVCF4AOFlaA7lYYLY256bD0gs7N4rN1iseG7gBw9-zg7CoVjLF8nZbXbTqN5nwtrcI7BfYB2JniCz8sdaFjha5VjSjgf686EQlZhMvNI21IZv5ygk8RhBhwRu5ck4/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKKwUYw_5DH0kHPVCF4AOFlaA7lYYLY256bD0gs7N4rN1iseG7gBw9-zg7CoVjLF8nZbXbTqN5nwtrcI7BfYB2JniCz8sdaFjha5VjSjgf686EQlZhMvNI21IZv5ygk8RhBhwRu5ck4/s320/DSC_0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This year<br />
(Love this one- her cousin, Caleb, has his back-pack on upside down)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-5yyV2VMmLTzHDp22dhYrpTAKvLNGJdrOOmIXOoWypDU3M4NNzHiHDLVZ9s-B2zH2G-gKECSMSPsoqcyq1ehoI5VxfXJUm__9LEtQkOZ2K3-xFBqZeEniEs6Qgn7vie6CGWGcPLIUJ0/s1600/DSC_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-5yyV2VMmLTzHDp22dhYrpTAKvLNGJdrOOmIXOoWypDU3M4NNzHiHDLVZ9s-B2zH2G-gKECSMSPsoqcyq1ehoI5VxfXJUm__9LEtQkOZ2K3-xFBqZeEniEs6Qgn7vie6CGWGcPLIUJ0/s320/DSC_0281.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rFEYTkOLrhYWrlrWYN_n_eFNOa2D77tDyF53c6subhfwZ1wOSinzM9gG0A0IAKodO4WvS7DmtsgTYqA-JN_1-p62DvS2JE5w9i4Q7yscoaJfHhfGecoXKi9Qbfzd0U1QHJVGzk_a8rI/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rFEYTkOLrhYWrlrWYN_n_eFNOa2D77tDyF53c6subhfwZ1wOSinzM9gG0A0IAKodO4WvS7DmtsgTYqA-JN_1-p62DvS2JE5w9i4Q7yscoaJfHhfGecoXKi9Qbfzd0U1QHJVGzk_a8rI/s320/DSC_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmm8DhQCmY8HO2IJ5alWD03ik2JitZJGWZqjS-H38_fFty_qgnaeScRpS0OO7MGOvXJKHuRogwBYfCc7xqC3QXm3O8UNmSSNAAc8NtIiq-oi2ULpAMEo7vSgcniQ-QTpZr6d_BEEA1Yw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmm8DhQCmY8HO2IJ5alWD03ik2JitZJGWZqjS-H38_fFty_qgnaeScRpS0OO7MGOvXJKHuRogwBYfCc7xqC3QXm3O8UNmSSNAAc8NtIiq-oi2ULpAMEo7vSgcniQ-QTpZr6d_BEEA1Yw/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXjBXXO4ToWCerJAL6XLZYt1mCs9wN4IAmlWfupZX20Xl99Ralts7Ggp8v-MCVLyhNTrps_Q0cgGSBHNcvE9M3fafxdKwBOxhlmlehiHqgSg7LEb_i5oIxJ3aEdpxwcCCKN_0QJzMz5U/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXjBXXO4ToWCerJAL6XLZYt1mCs9wN4IAmlWfupZX20Xl99Ralts7Ggp8v-MCVLyhNTrps_Q0cgGSBHNcvE9M3fafxdKwBOxhlmlehiHqgSg7LEb_i5oIxJ3aEdpxwcCCKN_0QJzMz5U/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="224" /></a></div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-41002077547281414162011-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:07:10.789-07:00Update on the home front :)Well, once again, I have neglected the blog. I am really the world's worst blogger, but I just can't bear to shut it down because it's such a nifty little place where I have documented a lot of what has gone on in the past couple of years.<br />
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So anyhow, I have also been doing some more projects around here. Here are a few pics of the latest :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>FAMILY PRAYER BOARD</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02nXXJ5qyrY4vFZfaejB9m5nbdSWdpTEvRBbriy99sqy_H2E37rdeBPSrxNPbSYo8dJGskMHdDow1tpBRLagBTj5GFD2jQfD_J3GqX-eRwe2NhTB4qmWVE-dB0DY8tJ-UTdvVzaNQe6c/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02nXXJ5qyrY4vFZfaejB9m5nbdSWdpTEvRBbriy99sqy_H2E37rdeBPSrxNPbSYo8dJGskMHdDow1tpBRLagBTj5GFD2jQfD_J3GqX-eRwe2NhTB4qmWVE-dB0DY8tJ-UTdvVzaNQe6c/s320/DSC_0020.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0jeZuEk3Iq7ZKu1y2RTQETOah9DmEi4ACQ1gAkex79e_Ylnmd6z9_Mus4GJxY4fMRwSMmLqxf5ZD07knedIvf6QLmgejcTKui1ebrtvxAkjU6L16FAQWUxsr-p2CmBahWV01ZXoy7Ow/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0jeZuEk3Iq7ZKu1y2RTQETOah9DmEi4ACQ1gAkex79e_Ylnmd6z9_Mus4GJxY4fMRwSMmLqxf5ZD07knedIvf6QLmgejcTKui1ebrtvxAkjU6L16FAQWUxsr-p2CmBahWV01ZXoy7Ow/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwEqx-GBR1zVMLYsmmtdaDtB4JrQ2Vtji4yze1k0Dr68QpKD_JRaepRAX59aoVberOHz3QhUI5CcESy_TReodHDe3UNvYQZt98CmhELROxFLz0Fth63_sE_Qf5QoquyzH9klK2_3qN8/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwEqx-GBR1zVMLYsmmtdaDtB4JrQ2Vtji4yze1k0Dr68QpKD_JRaepRAX59aoVberOHz3QhUI5CcESy_TReodHDe3UNvYQZt98CmhELROxFLz0Fth63_sE_Qf5QoquyzH9klK2_3qN8/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0vuTnpRKlZGY6P8M4_R8xOeGCWFnLMhxQ-8hOzqSWkc3CpVPld0ZEKMt1x5Z8RmM-fT9hYp1ymQ7GhepaTYAQEv4oVveDcD2q1XlOiYtoqMLR3rYBjC7B0pRLDMYPsDL5w-3a_F_3c/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0vuTnpRKlZGY6P8M4_R8xOeGCWFnLMhxQ-8hOzqSWkc3CpVPld0ZEKMt1x5Z8RmM-fT9hYp1ymQ7GhepaTYAQEv4oVveDcD2q1XlOiYtoqMLR3rYBjC7B0pRLDMYPsDL5w-3a_F_3c/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0FQ2HKD8zd4zwCovwRiIg0KR0hCFCUGQ00A6Kd4K7THkAJjzhA5uNGYh6rMJy3FqnC5JDIMgnkQqzHpwak5e2oDnf6hLSLN4Kby6Q7elpIk9dExzHjLDrZH6ZOMgdhCp3ZrDFuKG86o/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0FQ2HKD8zd4zwCovwRiIg0KR0hCFCUGQ00A6Kd4K7THkAJjzhA5uNGYh6rMJy3FqnC5JDIMgnkQqzHpwak5e2oDnf6hLSLN4Kby6Q7elpIk9dExzHjLDrZH6ZOMgdhCp3ZrDFuKG86o/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> RUG</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>before </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ikea 6x9 Erslev rug, white)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-81-nNxQiEKDzyNUu79ky3w9ikNy8Qs0kLAgOrs4fQ0qj0oIF_7llFD8Eltn1DweaWjs5oZe0fqXFFM08Bm9r1B_RCIa8R_rJlbWcQ4_zMPpuPgV6JyxcBtBkb1tCKZh313pJEiuSzo/s1600/erslev-rug-flatwoven__0131977_PE249066_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-81-nNxQiEKDzyNUu79ky3w9ikNy8Qs0kLAgOrs4fQ0qj0oIF_7llFD8Eltn1DweaWjs5oZe0fqXFFM08Bm9r1B_RCIa8R_rJlbWcQ4_zMPpuPgV6JyxcBtBkb1tCKZh313pJEiuSzo/s320/erslev-rug-flatwoven__0131977_PE249066_S4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>after* </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I dyed it navy blue in the bath tub- trust me, it was not a fun process)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmLhAtkvEQPByjU41T-19fX2bwYjyw04vUWWrLR9K9cd-VtGzGqTBNnQi11-SeXF6Z3ePCyJCR5_bIjnYwoxkD3D3bz_Rc2CP8HtQlsjMcMiXzXJTzRTMO1bgEU2vTWRxRDx3CYcfqPI/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmLhAtkvEQPByjU41T-19fX2bwYjyw04vUWWrLR9K9cd-VtGzGqTBNnQi11-SeXF6Z3ePCyJCR5_bIjnYwoxkD3D3bz_Rc2CP8HtQlsjMcMiXzXJTzRTMO1bgEU2vTWRxRDx3CYcfqPI/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbDfRl15Z9AlB248c794a_JhjLgjKZyOWZQz887Mc_XK1QJLYVUzaT5qMVFqkOME0jyus65Gwq1B90sq6kf_yh2g8dCAaRzAbBTGi82L6sHfJgTZDTDSOg98nibHOqkTcEDSVuRzhKZ8/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbDfRl15Z9AlB248c794a_JhjLgjKZyOWZQz887Mc_XK1QJLYVUzaT5qMVFqkOME0jyus65Gwq1B90sq6kf_yh2g8dCAaRzAbBTGi82L6sHfJgTZDTDSOg98nibHOqkTcEDSVuRzhKZ8/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">**there will also be another after because I am also painting it, because it has not been enough of a pain in the A** yet.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>JEWELRY FRAME w/lace and hooks</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>before</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(lovely heart print with pink frame, Goodwill)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NCExjTfM4qMA5V7Yk1qHFaOk9F-lCh-7tzqjRhNT8KVV-kzEfw5f_OORCUwrX-dP_MveS4TJhtTwGoHiAPaBUHJNICX6FIC5zQbhLQwT_wIvb5_Pbn_v3t7sW59DcyT_FGVtzAHyisk/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NCExjTfM4qMA5V7Yk1qHFaOk9F-lCh-7tzqjRhNT8KVV-kzEfw5f_OORCUwrX-dP_MveS4TJhtTwGoHiAPaBUHJNICX6FIC5zQbhLQwT_wIvb5_Pbn_v3t7sW59DcyT_FGVtzAHyisk/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> print removed, with the lace</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8Sdkv3YdLRn7VYloszR3Lo9luwnizZNyFVyLJPSiS0GXKz9JlbpDdmyqnyjmbWqhmg970hZYo1nRVA_6DJeEb0BtD8ZLfuFaEA9ZhU6BsmQBkvJmynROyQzYCDSoaowkcGWmwH5wA0/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8Sdkv3YdLRn7VYloszR3Lo9luwnizZNyFVyLJPSiS0GXKz9JlbpDdmyqnyjmbWqhmg970hZYo1nRVA_6DJeEb0BtD8ZLfuFaEA9ZhU6BsmQBkvJmynROyQzYCDSoaowkcGWmwH5wA0/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>after</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(this all came out of my jewelry box- </div><div style="text-align: center;">now there is actually room for the other stuff in there, which is finer chains, pendants and bracelets)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsT-W_ug1FtXxFCJCHe11F9jqUSi3MexipNA0k-K47kgAitQfSuja6x9MqZDEJ8df33jqeBnNAZ7AW7TCnCtketEY3q88w2uaO8YWtd51o_SFZqVlus7hZPYPQNOhp-0Ira1cBl5Pkh4/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsT-W_ug1FtXxFCJCHe11F9jqUSi3MexipNA0k-K47kgAitQfSuja6x9MqZDEJ8df33jqeBnNAZ7AW7TCnCtketEY3q88w2uaO8YWtd51o_SFZqVlus7hZPYPQNOhp-0Ira1cBl5Pkh4/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1XF6klpfJNg8kFZ6xkTQl7M2jyokaLD6Oik2M7p1nfEgwBl6Y6L_ttk_1zp9rRLw24PQYNxGChgk6lZ6R1Q8XdCNbEuvD-tjhYUnR8Zemtve8BLvWjgSANeRtQg36y41zYZsAURb44Y/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1XF6klpfJNg8kFZ6xkTQl7M2jyokaLD6Oik2M7p1nfEgwBl6Y6L_ttk_1zp9rRLw24PQYNxGChgk6lZ6R1Q8XdCNbEuvD-tjhYUnR8Zemtve8BLvWjgSANeRtQg36y41zYZsAURb44Y/s400/DSC_0055.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What can I say? I am a sucker for a cheap, fun, useful project, which all of these are :)</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-33260424104703082202011-08-22T09:55:00.000-07:002011-08-22T09:55:59.286-07:00Pin-spiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, Pinterest. Have you heard of it? If so, you will completely understand this post. It will speak very clearly to you and you may even recognize some of the photos. If not, you may want to stop right here. Be forewarned, if you do not know pinterest, this post may cause you to take a look (pinterest.com). And if you take a look, there is a chance that the addiction could start. Heaven help you! You have no chance :) Basically, Pinterest is a place to "pin" things that you find online onto a virtual "bulletin board". It helps you keep track of things you want to remember when you are browsing online. You can also just browse items that other "pincers" have already "pinned" to get ideas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This makes me smile because it's so true:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MpkFB95nkXJ061ff56E_lZ77SteEc2V4PCog_41cCxMoN1WWduScmC-R_vj_MSYH8DmTdbNSpgP8Nkgz-sE9UdI-XrQVPcmN-ZmjKayhWounPOrKAQ9K1MFkhhAeneoU3CT2aGRFD6M/s1600/128553873_bbZQ0Nzc_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MpkFB95nkXJ061ff56E_lZ77SteEc2V4PCog_41cCxMoN1WWduScmC-R_vj_MSYH8DmTdbNSpgP8Nkgz-sE9UdI-XrQVPcmN-ZmjKayhWounPOrKAQ9K1MFkhhAeneoU3CT2aGRFD6M/s320/128553873_bbZQ0Nzc_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a visual to help you understand a little better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a view of all of my personal bulletin boards:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija8Dm0ju8DQBqzWdupA25c_kgxoXgSbhfb4O4Co9sSOsZxuzqKBa-0A-StHrP8IDCJj-Y9rIACI9ecU_SLZGv-pbxoYfoQyT1Wpgxskteiko0isdyVdQt282MmfEUZX944pBKRCbjx3k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-21+at+3.06.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija8Dm0ju8DQBqzWdupA25c_kgxoXgSbhfb4O4Co9sSOsZxuzqKBa-0A-StHrP8IDCJj-Y9rIACI9ecU_SLZGv-pbxoYfoQyT1Wpgxskteiko0isdyVdQt282MmfEUZX944pBKRCbjx3k/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-08-21+at+3.06.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here is a view of my "projects" board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPhyT6iMmdm5yT0iaNZ1VkX85vgIVipyEZ-jxpiO-3Pyqa_tzkz8nJ7BwJVNRkudbm63KNO2chraXA3IXO_r9SqqnO0-jEm9_Hbu-dEmGta3rT_vyEcTsYZgvePgTcHEAl58TwCjNTRc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-21+at+3.09.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPhyT6iMmdm5yT0iaNZ1VkX85vgIVipyEZ-jxpiO-3Pyqa_tzkz8nJ7BwJVNRkudbm63KNO2chraXA3IXO_r9SqqnO0-jEm9_Hbu-dEmGta3rT_vyEcTsYZgvePgTcHEAl58TwCjNTRc/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-08-21+at+3.09.15+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I joined Pinterest a few months ago and the addiction began almost immediately (so did the trips to the craft store). For me, it's the DIY (Do It Yourself) projects that are so inviting and pull me in. For other's it's the recipes or the decorating ideas or the photography inspiration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do not consider myself to be super-crafty. (My sister, Jill, on the other hand- CraftyMcCrafster- is another story.) But, Pinterest somehow made me believe that I could do all these awesome projects, and the good news??? I CAN DO ALL THESE PROJECTS. Very exciting stuff :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, here is what I (and Eva) have been doing during Sam's nap time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PINSPIRATION:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (<i>aka something I saw on Pinterest that inspired me</i>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Back to School wreath</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkiMknOyJjmtdHza6EmKyQkZTzXy-6ichZ-3xKZzk4sGoWP8PRvzH2J2cQTIPrmiXxDd5ehTXVH6gM3-GjC8QKl_pFLNq4YDJ5fNU0KpYGr9AEpP3zlzhWleDChSSHkPqFzSCC59CVz8/s1600/43719666_E3H06OLH_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkiMknOyJjmtdHza6EmKyQkZTzXy-6ichZ-3xKZzk4sGoWP8PRvzH2J2cQTIPrmiXxDd5ehTXVH6gM3-GjC8QKl_pFLNq4YDJ5fNU0KpYGr9AEpP3zlzhWleDChSSHkPqFzSCC59CVz8/s1600/43719666_E3H06OLH_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY WREATH:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cSzomyIieJNT5D_7bD6I3hFgLO9c2EXas37ot_ZMuO462FD1XxwSOUZDuh1jCQetzVPhff-_iGM7GvkNr9G2pQ4tf8J6L566s1GVKcsOyF_-IQ9ZO7VwxLQAcqaAFa4E5k_0ZJk2xB4/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cSzomyIieJNT5D_7bD6I3hFgLO9c2EXas37ot_ZMuO462FD1XxwSOUZDuh1jCQetzVPhff-_iGM7GvkNr9G2pQ4tf8J6L566s1GVKcsOyF_-IQ9ZO7VwxLQAcqaAFa4E5k_0ZJk2xB4/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PINSPIRATION: Button/Bead Monogram</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBZfZyP9wDoAnprIxdNd0chfD-fdiBANO4QZ0t-NeiTSUOLe4JcvPNLBsKJTmdEhhpRYnMPkTg7-khvOiEziuurbLLcgS6n9ca1d3xffxDd52R4xSMvF0phhFyrm5Is7hlrzMPNUW40c/s1600/43720090_guWPhuvC_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBZfZyP9wDoAnprIxdNd0chfD-fdiBANO4QZ0t-NeiTSUOLe4JcvPNLBsKJTmdEhhpRYnMPkTg7-khvOiEziuurbLLcgS6n9ca1d3xffxDd52R4xSMvF0phhFyrm5Is7hlrzMPNUW40c/s320/43720090_guWPhuvC_c.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY MONOGRAMS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for my friend Bethanie's baby, Harper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP8qetgaMQvXDa39S48u9gDbpw8A_bCv4K6se9EjGfqle3w9BxQhCjbc40Vv92Qw5CW42Q65sAlCk_3mT1mUceJTZSwdhVbtt8CB5qu6JH1bOrpOLT1Gbu0Vzp7JGbK_0TL8gU8yXJWg/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP8qetgaMQvXDa39S48u9gDbpw8A_bCv4K6se9EjGfqle3w9BxQhCjbc40Vv92Qw5CW42Q65sAlCk_3mT1mUceJTZSwdhVbtt8CB5qu6JH1bOrpOLT1Gbu0Vzp7JGbK_0TL8gU8yXJWg/s320/DSC_0038.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For us, The Wells'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj53yCx7cCrfW2PPtQ9tW8s3z6WLe4400p8d8XAaj4b30K8lUKTcgcBh8EIqKWr4HerqAJ1fpyJuzc2TgIoXfVXa7nI6_AUvsyZyiqW3sk2BaWVeVC5X0uO9O91yDD2NM6ozchf9r3Occ/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj53yCx7cCrfW2PPtQ9tW8s3z6WLe4400p8d8XAaj4b30K8lUKTcgcBh8EIqKWr4HerqAJ1fpyJuzc2TgIoXfVXa7nI6_AUvsyZyiqW3sk2BaWVeVC5X0uO9O91yDD2NM6ozchf9r3Occ/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">PINSPIRATION: dry erase board with scrapbook paper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9MvX_-De8ghq02EaTif9d0RxT7QavJr6v63OGYZYQEY9DJo8su-KqWfOvO-ZLofg4ugVVXDZFpOk-7Opkep5IeHJHe_Z_uvoYnWUCtm-GOURUUeUJmGkRmp6mmmSi4iDoge-yT1PzMI/s1600/43720403_kGLguAdN_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9MvX_-De8ghq02EaTif9d0RxT7QavJr6v63OGYZYQEY9DJo8su-KqWfOvO-ZLofg4ugVVXDZFpOk-7Opkep5IeHJHe_Z_uvoYnWUCtm-GOURUUeUJmGkRmp6mmmSi4iDoge-yT1PzMI/s320/43720403_kGLguAdN_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY DRY ERASE BOARD: made with Eva's own watercolor project</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7v1lI9SyPGQMZJ21W42J4vJu4R0GlxjusEyq5wGZo2tyRJR3h9_J3UvNqBFonbB7eXfO5wHL0sFlJvRKhWhAXGW82Mc-YtOI3KzIw9GEvF8rjB4SarvioB1-qJGHa_DFK-NX77V6dFk/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7v1lI9SyPGQMZJ21W42J4vJu4R0GlxjusEyq5wGZo2tyRJR3h9_J3UvNqBFonbB7eXfO5wHL0sFlJvRKhWhAXGW82Mc-YtOI3KzIw9GEvF8rjB4SarvioB1-qJGHa_DFK-NX77V6dFk/s320/DSC_0070.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVt0K69fLh7H03FA32Bb6pX6ZJU9s6VS1Dg933XdohHlHBjDusnpMQavnvWyjasODv3Js71wD0sFmhPCs3OVU-9LHZ5YZysGeu1IYDW-A9mYsolsOSdHps2UjzujTdDQGSiBlbE_DJc8/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVt0K69fLh7H03FA32Bb6pX6ZJU9s6VS1Dg933XdohHlHBjDusnpMQavnvWyjasODv3Js71wD0sFmhPCs3OVU-9LHZ5YZysGeu1IYDW-A9mYsolsOSdHps2UjzujTdDQGSiBlbE_DJc8/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PINSPIRATION: Ombre Garland</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TeX6XSxbZIgfxGz1o5HZDRrOKzUyjI55pxUDXmxiOPG_rus8Yye6nahjTnlAm2B4wLEfYsf-fX1pHE_oCISMtCvLEoi2urLAp_jQDivht8q6sJteXGgkeI3ppE9DZ3WZ8wLNybBH3zg/s1600/106800376_3UCsDOY6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TeX6XSxbZIgfxGz1o5HZDRrOKzUyjI55pxUDXmxiOPG_rus8Yye6nahjTnlAm2B4wLEfYsf-fX1pHE_oCISMtCvLEoi2urLAp_jQDivht8q6sJteXGgkeI3ppE9DZ3WZ8wLNybBH3zg/s1600/106800376_3UCsDOY6_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY GARLAND (made with ribbon instead of fabric)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(hung on an antique window, which I was also inspired to hang- after sitting in our basement for 5 years- by Pinterest)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCgghUQdq8i0iayzfKTd7gJY7aW7zcgBHvBmEvHdahBjDpaWhnoKHySOmOUsmk9OvJgiBox4af8E6loAZK1oVNYOW5TVboloafFlmHkPJxy4Tx3GNyN70DcNGXYpJjteYkb833e6Bxqc/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCgghUQdq8i0iayzfKTd7gJY7aW7zcgBHvBmEvHdahBjDpaWhnoKHySOmOUsmk9OvJgiBox4af8E6loAZK1oVNYOW5TVboloafFlmHkPJxy4Tx3GNyN70DcNGXYpJjteYkb833e6Bxqc/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And the one I did for Bethanie's nursery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ19Q6DBT3ulISs00VlkgRpziTq4k4yFZIahAvPMxTIyWxCL6gR_-DL5yytxP56sNOootF435WhxQj-_FM9ohpNC1UoctidVju2u38De-81VsPwPPvaDS-tm8youaNzYMvED6Qtg-FvY/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ19Q6DBT3ulISs00VlkgRpziTq4k4yFZIahAvPMxTIyWxCL6gR_-DL5yytxP56sNOootF435WhxQj-_FM9ohpNC1UoctidVju2u38De-81VsPwPPvaDS-tm8youaNzYMvED6Qtg-FvY/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>PINSPIRATION: Ribbon accented draperies (NO SEW!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34ZuS35HFJUA8J3O7jygo-XQPbRw7IavBzIBEFKw3YDGul3SPyvgwsGC4SDlTz7-0nIL2hio1b5f_GX6ZIN0uyd5ApGDVHGecBxciYkCepI9tKCxW9oetz3rWENEF8fLytQTn5VAxrdY/s1600/124008173_uZCHoPxT_b-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34ZuS35HFJUA8J3O7jygo-XQPbRw7IavBzIBEFKw3YDGul3SPyvgwsGC4SDlTz7-0nIL2hio1b5f_GX6ZIN0uyd5ApGDVHGecBxciYkCepI9tKCxW9oetz3rWENEF8fLytQTn5VAxrdY/s1600/124008173_uZCHoPxT_b-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY CURTAINS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did 6 panels- 2 for each large window downstairs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpBsgSXgg5tzvurad50USSf-mo2R_49vWOppDGMWAf_KDbbRfZBAkj42E61X9tSf-NsYL3hI-YLR9IB0a_tmNzrxaRLD5xRGthpL1FdDqo4lzXogGD339YHmqlbs51zUi-gC9Qmdd_gg/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpBsgSXgg5tzvurad50USSf-mo2R_49vWOppDGMWAf_KDbbRfZBAkj42E61X9tSf-NsYL3hI-YLR9IB0a_tmNzrxaRLD5xRGthpL1FdDqo4lzXogGD339YHmqlbs51zUi-gC9Qmdd_gg/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, there you go. I don't just LOOK at Pinterest, I actually do some of theprojects that I find on there :) I have also done a chalkboard for keepsake photos <i style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">and next week's project is a dyed, AND painted rug!!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pictures to follow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have been inspired, here's to Happy Pinning! </div><br />
LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-45017375652950777152011-08-20T15:59:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:08:50.143-07:00Sweet ReunionI've spent the past 24 hours with some of the dearest souls. It is so good for my heart! My college years were really wonderful and I hate that so many of those girls are so far away from me now. We have gone through years of doing so well being in touch, and years where we were terrible. But no matter what, when we get together, it's like we haven't missed a beat (part of that, we realized this week, is the beauty of Facebook- for all it's annoyances and flaws, I'll stick with it for this reason alone)! It's amazing how that happens though, when you truly have a heart of love for someone. It's doesn't even matter that some are not so good at keeping in touch- we all let it go because we have a genuine love for one another. There is no judgment, and because of that, there is a peacefulness about our relationships with one another that is just so beautiful and refreshing despite our differences. This struck me this weekend- we are all SO very different in SO many ways. It's incredibly rich and stretches you to think beyond where you normally do.<br />
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Anyhow, we had a great weekend of togetherness. We went to an outdoor concert, stayed up REALLY late looking at pictures, reminiscing and telling stories, sharing struggles and heartache (sometimes involving tears), shopping, eating, drinking (not too much), laughing, and laughing, and laughing. AND LAUGHING.<br />
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Ah, I love these women. They have such lovely hearts! How amazing is it to be around people who love you- really love you- despite all your ugly stuff, your quirks, your snorty laughs. There is no pretense, no holding back, we let it all "hang out", so to speak because we really trust one another. We support each other in all our individual journeys- singleness, dating, kids, wanting kids, careers, marriage, AND, most importantly, <i>working out our faith in each aspect of these stages</i>.<br />
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We haven't scheduled a "next" time, but I'm already beyond excited to be with them again. I'm ready to see my kids- I always miss them no matter how much I need a break- but I'll be sad to leave tomorrow, too. There were a few "dear souls" missing this weekend, but I want to give a shout out to Angie James- <b>THANK YOU for initiating this. You are the reason this reunion happened!</b> I cannot even remotely tell you how sad I am that you missed it. Next time, we will make sure you can come :)<br />
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Here are just a couple of pics from our time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_24ABbNNHXLff9Zud3UpPxL5ECTv5hgdWwczsrd4gUj997lM87rjw_WriZlHfv75JxFAn5SCKuoiRA0ZIBEUD5PdccLcdnlM59mxWwj09yFARCqcylzxY7eXfBlergqHFdQIh67bUIeo/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_24ABbNNHXLff9Zud3UpPxL5ECTv5hgdWwczsrd4gUj997lM87rjw_WriZlHfv75JxFAn5SCKuoiRA0ZIBEUD5PdccLcdnlM59mxWwj09yFARCqcylzxY7eXfBlergqHFdQIh67bUIeo/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet Jen, chatting and having a glass of wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfih3MF732c700x4XNSMEFY1uYHw7sgU3go0V2Htf21WRg-Eh6Ja-SJRyKLQVhPgKkgJatTcqQGvsps1oesJGr7VHggbpbbUGupvsdgn5vS99Wt2UULjt2C9JEmcw0ANbzaasLZC7joI/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfih3MF732c700x4XNSMEFY1uYHw7sgU3go0V2Htf21WRg-Eh6Ja-SJRyKLQVhPgKkgJatTcqQGvsps1oesJGr7VHggbpbbUGupvsdgn5vS99Wt2UULjt2C9JEmcw0ANbzaasLZC7joI/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wendy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIalpOwkn6oeJOy0sIaJMFwIBufd2lO9XFhMBrlUCs1x4SSKGZPz_wILSMpx9NvtZVX2j2U1at89ns6Zj3yPyaoW84mqnHlnrbq-MXiLWFdTz3fm1GakHfsjuJx5EaC9uFiW03u2rLYg/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIalpOwkn6oeJOy0sIaJMFwIBufd2lO9XFhMBrlUCs1x4SSKGZPz_wILSMpx9NvtZVX2j2U1at89ns6Zj3yPyaoW84mqnHlnrbq-MXiLWFdTz3fm1GakHfsjuJx5EaC9uFiW03u2rLYg/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christiana- the hostess with the mostest (she was awesome)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFXjZLhiNC84cGgQ7QmcVfTlLKSqWoJ9ZdDMCpbi7KiMjS8FmdgwkJ5XGoQiNanQjZ_8JsdmMkhJoCCPeSM3ACd0UEH6B6kfkCR143yFxyUHvjzsy4x_CrRnDvoWCySVJ3APJ1LXVXKM/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFXjZLhiNC84cGgQ7QmcVfTlLKSqWoJ9ZdDMCpbi7KiMjS8FmdgwkJ5XGoQiNanQjZ_8JsdmMkhJoCCPeSM3ACd0UEH6B6kfkCR143yFxyUHvjzsy4x_CrRnDvoWCySVJ3APJ1LXVXKM/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Vanessa and Krissy to arrive, all giddy knowing what is about to come!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQjTPp1QA4HHuM6S5YZtekDnA1Pk9i47s8P_gy3dhoYkY_OwNYt846GYAE2l-5q0skPxt07S9ZYd7K_f8cEKwDcD-aDnON3uy21KZvye0CbWyflfA9TIBT5CdfW-BJrGG0xuWZZLcUUY/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQjTPp1QA4HHuM6S5YZtekDnA1Pk9i47s8P_gy3dhoYkY_OwNYt846GYAE2l-5q0skPxt07S9ZYd7K_f8cEKwDcD-aDnON3uy21KZvye0CbWyflfA9TIBT5CdfW-BJrGG0xuWZZLcUUY/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vfo6b-Qj5MR1p2zW0GeptlaN-DQlyUqgjrtGOFARuamvntgb0z1fiziqWLEjF_L_I0uSeX97qGoXRzRLFK_7jnL1TPk8A56YNlLBsPLZCD8JvPX4WGlgqZGLCcvClLy3dUBZFNWa0w8/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vfo6b-Qj5MR1p2zW0GeptlaN-DQlyUqgjrtGOFARuamvntgb0z1fiziqWLEjF_L_I0uSeX97qGoXRzRLFK_7jnL1TPk8A56YNlLBsPLZCD8JvPX4WGlgqZGLCcvClLy3dUBZFNWa0w8/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vanessa and Wendy cracking up looking at old pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpW3mJDDf5fQdnV5soVuEvNeYEMoKp1_Ji3ERqKqxWiLbsxz_JdaX6En77TLI8_I1jyYYMvI5Km1foIuT6swMwzL_JAZUAnMeEoCj07U04O2nxDoHxcFJivA5Mr3urxuoBYXnL23ijYs/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpW3mJDDf5fQdnV5soVuEvNeYEMoKp1_Ji3ERqKqxWiLbsxz_JdaX6En77TLI8_I1jyYYMvI5Km1foIuT6swMwzL_JAZUAnMeEoCj07U04O2nxDoHxcFJivA5Mr3urxuoBYXnL23ijYs/s320/DSC_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday night- somewhere around 2am </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEkQgUjA5Lo4QEOkMZzzVbDmZLI31-K-Kl_diKXmnYpv60XaEjwpknOGnHGaBxNq-KY4oQbweG0nzZ_U_ItYTZUxPko3gTd4m2GYyy5vAy1vvGHsMU9oUApsDr2UW92Q0iQ0RRsHqMvI/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEkQgUjA5Lo4QEOkMZzzVbDmZLI31-K-Kl_diKXmnYpv60XaEjwpknOGnHGaBxNq-KY4oQbweG0nzZ_U_ItYTZUxPko3gTd4m2GYyy5vAy1vvGHsMU9oUApsDr2UW92Q0iQ0RRsHqMvI/s320/DSC_0148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning- looking a little "fresher"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2m5yfzquOvoMAZ-m5HpxDwrQKsSQvZTk7Dq2JZ0BY_DpAB3_5Ymd9WUasusaYCRjlW5x8Y-yBNS4T9KSxLI1W_4ZEMwqa6xjvUhngmXVALt6neLloesouAxboZB1RT63sZevbMf4AMo/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2m5yfzquOvoMAZ-m5HpxDwrQKsSQvZTk7Dq2JZ0BY_DpAB3_5Ymd9WUasusaYCRjlW5x8Y-yBNS4T9KSxLI1W_4ZEMwqa6xjvUhngmXVALt6neLloesouAxboZB1RT63sZevbMf4AMo/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">About to hit the towne center for some shopping</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QXs3WllLUwHRtpr2Jc2S1UmarFYU-iESblwhp1_bfqeZ4kCV0VZ1MoMJmJ7bL1l1QQz-V706Hsby6i3xLwpcBgIpppJF1ehbCRyc4p2S6KaNvf0U3xc4mh4BdxHZCQB0o3EFKvCrvpA/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QXs3WllLUwHRtpr2Jc2S1UmarFYU-iESblwhp1_bfqeZ4kCV0VZ1MoMJmJ7bL1l1QQz-V706Hsby6i3xLwpcBgIpppJF1ehbCRyc4p2S6KaNvf0U3xc4mh4BdxHZCQB0o3EFKvCrvpA/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Missing Wendy and Krissy and having our last night together.</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-63309438651168602182011-08-15T18:27:00.000-07:002011-08-15T18:39:56.063-07:00The Hiatus :)Yeah- that's what I'll call it- "The Hiatus". My absence from the blog world has been getting worse and worse. Well, that's actually not at all accurate. I have been heavily engrossed in my favorite blogs- I never miss a post! But, here on my shabby, pitiful blog that only gets posts when I think blogger might shut me down from inactivity, I just haven't been motivated so it's been very neglected!<br />
It's not that I don't have things to tell or things to say, but, I'll just put it out there- things have been rough here in the Wells' house. It's not that we are struggling with anything major at all- just the mundane and common challenges that parents of one and three year olds face. I'm not going to go into detail, but life has been a little daunting.<br />
This morning I got up before the kids (who, as you may know, get up at the crack of dawn). I got dressed and ready for the day. I got my coffee and did a little yoga (my back and neck pain have gotten worse and worse under the stress of our lives and lack of sleep lately and yoga really helps). And I prayed. And prayed. And prayed. I needed wisdom BADLY, and don't you know, God delivered like He ALWAYS does when I'm at the end of my rope. I wrote down much of what He told me and when I looked back at it, a couple things stood out. As far as the kids- Consistency in disciple and expectation, Routine in much of our days, and Kindness. As far as I go- Take care of your body, Spend time with Me (God).<br />
So, I started by writing down what I thought our day should look like. I scratched out a few notes and when the kids woke up, I started putting it into practice. I told Eva all about it- step by step- and explained each little piece. She was IN. So IN.<br />
Here's what I came up with in the 3 minutes before the kids came downstairs this morning. You can see in there what some of our issues have been in the past few months, some which have started to wear on me.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Wake<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Yoga/Stretch/Coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Kids wake<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">ONE 25 minute show<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">breakfast- 2 OPTIONS (Eva wash hands/face independently)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">One cleaning chore (vacuum, dishwasher, one bathroom)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Mommy/Eva conference- talk about things we want to do, places we may want to go, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Kids dress, brush teeth, comb hair, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">FREE TIME- play (NO TV), games, errands, park, Grammie’s, etc (one HEALTHY snack)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Lunch- 2 OPTIONS (Eva wash hands/face independently)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Quiet play (drawing, dollhouse, read books, cutting/gluing, flash cards, one 25 minute show a few times per week)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Sam’s nap<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Mommy & Eva time including memory verse, prayer time, and one of Eva's chosen activities (30 minutes)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Eva rest time- 1 hour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Mommy devotional time (30-45 minutes)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Mommy organizational time (return e-mails, check bills, make phone calls)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Prep dinner<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">FREE TIME (one HEALTHY snack)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Dinner<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Pick up daily messes, straighten rooms<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Treat (only if ALL meals are eaten reasonably throughout the day)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Bath<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">25 minute show<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Bed time routine and lights out</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><br />
And our day went great. Even though Sam took a sucky nap and the evening was pretty crazy, we had a good day. The kids responded to my calmness and firmness and kindness. Hallelujah!!<br />
This is not to say I won't be spontaneous, or give in to one of Eva's crazy ideas involving paint and glitter, or let the kids watch a movie every once in awhile, but we need this because I am a better mom when all of us know what to expect in our day.<br />
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But just in case you thought we weren't having any fun here recently, here are a few pics of the past couple weeks...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Kz8SGIWcT268kvZuNLqAft9mlyfppZXq2B9QNY9VKjBZ0xiD2g8Py_5gihFdly1OSJT4Du5keGZHzqyvzvhVhCkA4BVcmPYp12oy7D_ZsrPXPnmllV6wf7V5MGFYEcbkR7-ePQWXFc/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Kz8SGIWcT268kvZuNLqAft9mlyfppZXq2B9QNY9VKjBZ0xiD2g8Py_5gihFdly1OSJT4Du5keGZHzqyvzvhVhCkA4BVcmPYp12oy7D_ZsrPXPnmllV6wf7V5MGFYEcbkR7-ePQWXFc/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our dear friend, Penny, came over and we did an impromptu princess tea party :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN3xT5MBlgRhPkqnkv34QW__Bg1Nfd_vnZVP212ks9oLlJrgRf4LtwyMo4tGgeV_GFHZ1AlH4SUf0yW1i6nm-C1obPHSQULA0cz9hubkh9RygfnxByI8V0twUlNlqeOpS3e_raggYWoc/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN3xT5MBlgRhPkqnkv34QW__Bg1Nfd_vnZVP212ks9oLlJrgRf4LtwyMo4tGgeV_GFHZ1AlH4SUf0yW1i6nm-C1obPHSQULA0cz9hubkh9RygfnxByI8V0twUlNlqeOpS3e_raggYWoc/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently, it was exhausting!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN3xT5MBlgRhPkqnkv34QW__Bg1Nfd_vnZVP212ks9oLlJrgRf4LtwyMo4tGgeV_GFHZ1AlH4SUf0yW1i6nm-C1obPHSQULA0cz9hubkh9RygfnxByI8V0twUlNlqeOpS3e_raggYWoc/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwka4BaNqCXkcf2OX7HeW2K_Vx_uQVHVfAK6isTv9GocoSjJazDFfZ6AHs012fng9gWp0VJNeWYcc_IOm6qGJO10qbJzDbcPZsNft9CHexOEjKhQJT-9Nn4vpzsiXY_h9OJqlM-SFGvo/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwka4BaNqCXkcf2OX7HeW2K_Vx_uQVHVfAK6isTv9GocoSjJazDFfZ6AHs012fng9gWp0VJNeWYcc_IOm6qGJO10qbJzDbcPZsNft9CHexOEjKhQJT-9Nn4vpzsiXY_h9OJqlM-SFGvo/s320/DSC_0292.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fun with friends at Highland Orchards</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCGcMCeq0yvBm-aOdlHnROwWStn4HggcE4EhpWdO9QtlWIiajjyxNpiAx6Yyx1F35-GuvRUYI5yYRq59325v_s859jobzOO_v-3dtt0BXr5Y4Ss6anNNgKHfPPq-L9FJpGa6mbw_nvL0/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCGcMCeq0yvBm-aOdlHnROwWStn4HggcE4EhpWdO9QtlWIiajjyxNpiAx6Yyx1F35-GuvRUYI5yYRq59325v_s859jobzOO_v-3dtt0BXr5Y4Ss6anNNgKHfPPq-L9FJpGa6mbw_nvL0/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While my dear friend, Angie, was in China picking up her daughter, we had the pleasure of having her boys for a few hours. This picture was taken right after I told them we were going to Dunkin Donuts for a treat :) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwysVU2A36Gi-FyYL1QqZQzwFHvm1UoRmDbDaXFCf4ynNM85OduuLifmzEmHLN8gkl7eZ08TXmK03wVgIPlFuxNYDpFkQLXHH2rjg5wmTuKQaQrA4C8MXYyLptxPzuPCDkjLMLbZRQvc/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwysVU2A36Gi-FyYL1QqZQzwFHvm1UoRmDbDaXFCf4ynNM85OduuLifmzEmHLN8gkl7eZ08TXmK03wVgIPlFuxNYDpFkQLXHH2rjg5wmTuKQaQrA4C8MXYyLptxPzuPCDkjLMLbZRQvc/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, we went swimming and Foster and Eva CRACKED EACH OTHER UP!!! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3DdTGtM7OxtjQKH5YfZifMReN9I93c2PVs1OwhL1hK3b46GdYEhliaMB6HGsWZrw3KJmlqbuyps2Sd41rClWPYRIzuF4UotZGr-WlGldc8CCFeoeQbl6dnUy97eN01JXPL7xvgzr03o/s1600/DSC_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3DdTGtM7OxtjQKH5YfZifMReN9I93c2PVs1OwhL1hK3b46GdYEhliaMB6HGsWZrw3KJmlqbuyps2Sd41rClWPYRIzuF4UotZGr-WlGldc8CCFeoeQbl6dnUy97eN01JXPL7xvgzr03o/s320/DSC_0255.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One day at Grammie's, we spotted a chipmunk. It went into the woodpile and Judah thought he should try to get it out. Eva watched him poke around with a huge pole and was VERY concerned for the little guy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm6xawH1ANa7CvFTQnX-RSyujAf1UBRoPToPM033PcRo95Ju_EzB1zCbYQ2x9kR8YqlDYe7ic9mt9_ktuXNcO24hA_GhYPXabL_yU8qmKwwc98GsqNxqhkbSz8WRI-w__KwXAsYt5_Zk/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm6xawH1ANa7CvFTQnX-RSyujAf1UBRoPToPM033PcRo95Ju_EzB1zCbYQ2x9kR8YqlDYe7ic9mt9_ktuXNcO24hA_GhYPXabL_yU8qmKwwc98GsqNxqhkbSz8WRI-w__KwXAsYt5_Zk/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" width="224" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzzoYmswLzOVXyDGofFI76yRDapYHvwVSTnx0OEG3DTpsskbZwLtBbe605mKxtw2nIx0Syr5BerMeT3cWsfoikTpKT5dzQcZbVQTXfl5pixf3qTqXML9TZtYwOcsKmP-vKA9GOYjT580/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzzoYmswLzOVXyDGofFI76yRDapYHvwVSTnx0OEG3DTpsskbZwLtBbe605mKxtw2nIx0Syr5BerMeT3cWsfoikTpKT5dzQcZbVQTXfl5pixf3qTqXML9TZtYwOcsKmP-vKA9GOYjT580/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took advantage of the rain and did some splashing one day. And several more times the days after :) Eva wasn't happy when I said "no" to it because there was thunder and lightening. She doesn't quite get the danger in that yet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVxhGC1VjuxgAtFYeENDgKi5GGlpp9pmX-u2Xi249BF1urPohGaNQTdhWl194KtGLfld4Lxy4EdC1ohQjhSQGpcBNygt-UEVNGPqC0Xksw2jOl_jKDEY7DvNZS_gRzG3WouO1_eb5qX8/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVxhGC1VjuxgAtFYeENDgKi5GGlpp9pmX-u2Xi249BF1urPohGaNQTdhWl194KtGLfld4Lxy4EdC1ohQjhSQGpcBNygt-UEVNGPqC0Xksw2jOl_jKDEY7DvNZS_gRzG3WouO1_eb5qX8/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We love to go to the playground at Pickering Valley Elementary.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHuKYFsB5bSzVpUEb2dxngS4z4T8h4PZ8YB3OsQCiV-M0fYBDpIHtSuIeAqsZDOSG5VwnmNd3USqCqxfZDm5Avjgj0IWcBiMgHqF9GFOUTBBm4yxVa_LPw4tR8H3NvBXZyrsS31L3ajo/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHuKYFsB5bSzVpUEb2dxngS4z4T8h4PZ8YB3OsQCiV-M0fYBDpIHtSuIeAqsZDOSG5VwnmNd3USqCqxfZDm5Avjgj0IWcBiMgHqF9GFOUTBBm4yxVa_LPw4tR8H3NvBXZyrsS31L3ajo/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And they both ALWAYS end up looking for acorns nearby.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG5zt39YPIpnedc1r6JhP_WDR_cPCc8wtcuNnhVZuekKjgO77YC6xTcjnon7FLiFj5JR1kz4Ib8KCn4nPl3FEngc_uaa9HVa3PzSNkaRRVYRvMtporbGKnKwHpBMZjCXeMWu0FI04GKI/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG5zt39YPIpnedc1r6JhP_WDR_cPCc8wtcuNnhVZuekKjgO77YC6xTcjnon7FLiFj5JR1kz4Ib8KCn4nPl3FEngc_uaa9HVa3PzSNkaRRVYRvMtporbGKnKwHpBMZjCXeMWu0FI04GKI/s320/DSC_0126.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/AVvXsEg7sq8poya0dtWLWuKMvbDbMYchoa7ox6Z9_amYasMujatVF_ll4RzRPZa-spfdKUHhXoaoX-35sS1gMYnwd2CaMaTD3IpSfiM8vKE9Anr6G95FbRAQwHMoSaIyN6b0l-ItkEUpsj3aznI/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sq8poya0dtWLWuKMvbDbMYchoa7ox6Z9_amYasMujatVF_ll4RzRPZa-spfdKUHhXoaoX-35sS1gMYnwd2CaMaTD3IpSfiM8vKE9Anr6G95FbRAQwHMoSaIyN6b0l-ItkEUpsj3aznI/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have found a new love- shaving cream bath paint. We have done it 4 days in a row (3 of those days in the middle of the day). We ran out of shaving cream- OH NO!!!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD54gsfT_EdAVWuiyQwUhQXfPrAh9Q4_qDBljOWUuDjdUiRfezzY-SDdSJ7j49rQsw1y35A2fKPAPeWkmkDdOds2ZSkGhCLfTRc2pHl49TBYCtNP0bcgJgc7I9w0a64Ciddnmqd9XKAI/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD54gsfT_EdAVWuiyQwUhQXfPrAh9Q4_qDBljOWUuDjdUiRfezzY-SDdSJ7j49rQsw1y35A2fKPAPeWkmkDdOds2ZSkGhCLfTRc2pHl49TBYCtNP0bcgJgc7I9w0a64Ciddnmqd9XKAI/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They like to paint each other, too!</div><br />
LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-38449278951577871742011-07-16T09:44:00.000-07:002011-07-16T10:43:34.509-07:00Delighting in DaddyLast year, I posted an entry about Evangeline drawing all over herself with markers while on Daddy's watch. But I am constantly thankful for an amazingly fantastic husband who, as a dad, despite the "marker-like" occasions, completely blows me away! He truly is the best dad, and it's obvious that his children adore him by the way they <i>absolutely delight in his presence</i>. He can make them laugh until their bellies ache and nothing comes out of their mouths but gasps and squeals!<br />
He's a "get down on the floor and roll around" kind of dad, a "throw up in the air and almost give mommy a heart attack" kind, too. But, most importantly, he's a "squeeze 'em and kiss 'em and love 'em like crazy" kind of dad. He's the kind that never hesitates to go to the preschool Christmas party even though he knows he'll be the only dad there. He'll have his toes painted, and is an expert nail painter, too- even when Eva insists on hot-pink. Mike loves our kids with tenacity. He is a real-life, concrete example of how God loves them with even more intensity.<br />
He's extremely sensitive and doesn't hesitate even for a second to show his kids just exactly how important they are to him. The other day we were talking about a friend of ours whose daughter is about to graduate from high school. We remember very clearly when she was a bouncy toddler and it truly seems only a few years ago. I casually said, "Eva's gonna be going to homecoming before you know it"! I looked up at him and there were tears in his eyes- just the thought of our precious girl in a homecoming dress instantly made him well up. He asked if he was going to get to come along to pick out her dress- we shall see if he has the stomach for that one :)<br />
My husband is a gift to our family. He sacrifices daily to make our lives what they are and we are grateful for all he has given. He's a tireless worker (at times working up to 4 jobs- carpenter, plowman, beachbody coach, & Rustin HS diving coach) and is the best example of hardwork and perseverance I can imagine.<br />
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</div>I wouldn't choose any other man to be Evangeline and Samuel's daddy if given every man in the world to choose from. He's truly the best!LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-15606568588105443232011-07-11T10:40:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:52:10.584-07:00AND I JUMP!At what, you ask???<br />
Well, when my friend Katie told me about her latest idea to raise funds for her pending <a href="http://canadianenns.blogspot.com/p/why-congo.html">adoption of a little angel from Congo,</a> I jumped at the opportunity to tell everyone who might read this blog, and to hopefully get some of you on board to help bring their baby girl home by purchasing tickets to win an iPad2! How sweet is that?<br />
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<a href="http://canadianenns.blogspot.com/p/our-family.html">Ryan and Katie</a> are the amazingly wonderful parents of two precious little boys, and they have jumped head first into the journey of adopting. You may know how incredibly daunting this process is- there are so many hoops to jump through, including many checks to write. They KNOW that God has called them to adopt and they are standing in faith that He will provide the ways and the means. Maybe God is calling you to help? Please consider this. It's amazing how God can create a network of people, often unknown to one another, to bless each other. I promise, you will be blessed when you give to a cause that is so good and so wonderful. There is a little girl out there who needs a family like the Enns. She has no family, and a perfectly wonderful waits for her here in the US. They just need a little help bringing her home.<br />
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If you would like to purchase tickets that may win you an iPad2, you can see all the instructions and can donate at the link below :)<br />
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<center><a apple-style-span"="" href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class=" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ccenter%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://canadianenns.blogspot.com/%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%22http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h390/katerbug88/widgetcongoleselove.jpg%22/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/center%3E"></a><center><a href="http://canadianenns.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h390/katerbug88/widgetcongoleselove.jpg" /></a></center></center>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-33372544406529169722011-06-26T18:26:00.000-07:002011-06-26T18:26:27.380-07:00Swim Lessons: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEARTFor a boatload of reasons, Mike and I wanted Eva to have swimming lessons this summer. Mostly, Mike wants her to be <i>just like him</i> (he's a swimming superstar who still holds the state record for 10 year olds or something like that), and I want her to be <i>safe in the water</i>. Thus began our search for a swim instructor who would teach her and 3 "not-yet-4-year-old-friends-so-can't-do-the-WCU-lessons" to swim at my parents' pool. We wanted a program to help her really swim; not just float or kick while holding a board. SWIM. Finding an instructor to do this proved to be really difficult, but I finally found a KICK-A** instructor who is, well, KICKING A**. Our kids are learning to swim for real! Renata is the teacher's name, and she is totally rad. :)<br />
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</div><div>This, however, has not been an easy-peasy journey. Turns out, the "real-deal" kind of swim lessons are not for the faint of heart. If you can't handle having your toddler RIPPED out of your arms kicking, clawing, and screaming, or swallowing so much water that she vomits on her teacher (several times), or somehow can still cry and scream bloody murder while sinking under the water, or refusing for days to stay on her back, and thus peering at you just under the surface of the water with the most petrified face you could ever imagine because they think they are drowning (and you think for a few seconds that they might be, too)- Well, DON'T DO THESE KIND OF LESSONS.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'll admit, I cried a few times. Eva did great the first 10 minutes of the first session. The other 3 kids were crying hysterically, and she was sitting on the side, holding her ears to block out the noise. The teacher came to her for her turn, and she went right to her, calmly doing exactly as she was told. I was so proud. But, then something terrible happened. I don't know if her friends' crying just got to her, or what, but she began crying, and she didn't stop. It became more intense, and more hysterical, and more irrational as the lesson went on. When it was all over she announced she was not going to do this again, very matter-of-factly. It was the second lesson, which was even worse than the first, that had me in tears, too. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I did everything I could think of to help her calm down- praying with her, singing to her, quoting verses to her, telling her that the other kids couldn't hear the teacher, asking her to cheer for her friends, bribing her with candy and cake. The list goes on and on. Nothing worked. On day 3, I was doing flowers for a wedding, so it was Mike's turn to take her. Smart man- he decided to send his mom out with her. The lesson began like the others with all the crazy crying until her very last turn (lessons are 1 hour so this gets REALLY old). She calmly went to Renata and listened AND OBEYED!! She did it. What a relief- I hoped we were over the hump.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Fourth lesson (today): 1st turn, crying. Then, MY GIRL ROCKED! She did it! Swam on her back all by herself. I've never been so proud. We made pink icing for her to dip fruit and graham crackers in for a special treat to celebrate (this is what the princess requested)!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Her buddies- Caleb (cousin), Rowan, and Penny are also doing so great! Rowie and Penny still cry some like Eva, but they ALL can swim without help on their backs. It's awesome! And, my nephew, Caleb, is a superstar! He went off the diving board and is even learning strokes for swimming on his belly. I'm so proud of these kiddos! What an amazing picture of facing a fear, persevering, and having success. This has been a powerful example of "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" None of them thought they could swim alone, but they prayed for God to make them brave and now they KNOW He answers prayer!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzz-uCbyWBNHRgb7BKjj64KavU8Mos1c755_VKh7RQ-ValIn0FQRNtu4B4CpGX9KA3kd6M76GCKofbvv4LZdg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sSb7aVtR7PUcYX-Ka0qT9CiTBFXvIcLjUjD8rgA5_3OqTqG_-KvipAISyxrH-ZWRPuByXtLc4hntK1kC2tKYQTJ3JerWyS35Da_n17dHw9cN-bsreMfZYm2w0TSwDo7_zsND1N-X8Rc/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sSb7aVtR7PUcYX-Ka0qT9CiTBFXvIcLjUjD8rgA5_3OqTqG_-KvipAISyxrH-ZWRPuByXtLc4hntK1kC2tKYQTJ3JerWyS35Da_n17dHw9cN-bsreMfZYm2w0TSwDo7_zsND1N-X8Rc/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva crying as Mike passes her off to Renata.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn6OAg-k577uK5p_YJ44-PO0wgkofXpp8ENB8gPp4McISOSfQfBNo_0mKhPOWKMzBrRYAoZgnqjnGfE0w3NFXWkGIDyYsEFV_hFL1oTCEb_aN4sxKTztITJLzs9RykbagSyRisxlrKds/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn6OAg-k577uK5p_YJ44-PO0wgkofXpp8ENB8gPp4McISOSfQfBNo_0mKhPOWKMzBrRYAoZgnqjnGfE0w3NFXWkGIDyYsEFV_hFL1oTCEb_aN4sxKTztITJLzs9RykbagSyRisxlrKds/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva later as she learns she can do it when she listens and obeys!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VJQRNaLbT54bJekUcqvoIOF0RHbfzxYcxNSCko0VsTF99vK2WnzFmeB4xpVv2WLkTxx9rwB90HzRtuYVBGj2dCn3ULxIheWxkz0LW4w1Hlu7w0yE1qoICfJghp0_7ogX_fC16vIRDgw/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VJQRNaLbT54bJekUcqvoIOF0RHbfzxYcxNSCko0VsTF99vK2WnzFmeB4xpVv2WLkTxx9rwB90HzRtuYVBGj2dCn3ULxIheWxkz0LW4w1Hlu7w0yE1qoICfJghp0_7ogX_fC16vIRDgw/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rowan- floater extraordinaire</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tvzlTi_e_Q-iAL4zZqGJ2sPZ0uApy-R-VIg_7aSdWEe-D9pH3kQdVsOX_uJQRkNBeWA96bAUHefj7FwnEXEIYoq0pzweigAeQ4iajv_BsWydxk10MxNjDImN_5URhBuG_Yy9pDODVI8/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tvzlTi_e_Q-iAL4zZqGJ2sPZ0uApy-R-VIg_7aSdWEe-D9pH3kQdVsOX_uJQRkNBeWA96bAUHefj7FwnEXEIYoq0pzweigAeQ4iajv_BsWydxk10MxNjDImN_5URhBuG_Yy9pDODVI8/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva watching Rowan and feeling proud.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7xSPCjTQ8DMvLPE7L_cKJ1rBLk7To92q1Cw2V7uIxjRzKr3bvj62aufDnh5tJTfbREJDKDzItdqyslDg_Dz6LbumMXdhzzzeOKDqJIIEfinssUkS0fxM4pwMQW9ehB8_ZiTnoCMVjXk/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7xSPCjTQ8DMvLPE7L_cKJ1rBLk7To92q1Cw2V7uIxjRzKr3bvj62aufDnh5tJTfbREJDKDzItdqyslDg_Dz6LbumMXdhzzzeOKDqJIIEfinssUkS0fxM4pwMQW9ehB8_ZiTnoCMVjXk/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penny needs a little pep-talk before her turn.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitre1b0xMz8-TF7tCbpSUpjjLyTzpRSB4xk-ABDqpWH7bnENN1Rzrh8PD3Cjhnunvm3CyKOUqKrQlp1GGvJDT5s49yuVXHbORbiS3OHAF5nvecdDF4GhRvp3Xa8wrm1RdqaXlm6UcILnI/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitre1b0xMz8-TF7tCbpSUpjjLyTzpRSB4xk-ABDqpWH7bnENN1Rzrh8PD3Cjhnunvm3CyKOUqKrQlp1GGvJDT5s49yuVXHbORbiS3OHAF5nvecdDF4GhRvp3Xa8wrm1RdqaXlm6UcILnI/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rowan makes it to the steps all by himself!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-dGuZ6M5lpeQxHaPNjDzQbNQKmQPJ80s9mAvSMz15oI9gqZRICymNoRHkXFNzbJOPZUtIEwWjJLWKWB2FMh73_i7BnN28WzFSQKk-wjslb3KhTfWeAsOyAPFZ6y1zGTKJN3i2AwtIG4/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-dGuZ6M5lpeQxHaPNjDzQbNQKmQPJ80s9mAvSMz15oI9gqZRICymNoRHkXFNzbJOPZUtIEwWjJLWKWB2FMh73_i7BnN28WzFSQKk-wjslb3KhTfWeAsOyAPFZ6y1zGTKJN3i2AwtIG4/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rowan is scared to jump in, but he does it and goes right to his back and swims!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZGuLzr0XyvclT8eMal9rspptkYWHC5l65sM40KVnqy257qRomih9aTLgnXLnmLRbOv_obLyWDTag3q7GTO7TDkpt8-8w_173Zd9l_Z6kTXi9SB8X7HVB5DxVPygdEvStRuiqw3zbp4/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZGuLzr0XyvclT8eMal9rspptkYWHC5l65sM40KVnqy257qRomih9aTLgnXLnmLRbOv_obLyWDTag3q7GTO7TDkpt8-8w_173Zd9l_Z6kTXi9SB8X7HVB5DxVPygdEvStRuiqw3zbp4/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caleb is learning strokes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjiv8CSOfLeeFvan0e-pgUWrx6BOl6x1A8IUxnovrdnVd4mS5fuiZhgObQVvc4Lc7DB-HDGLjtQi2815TvOG4M-hS8hg-wIgyw_jSAVW7g3vL7jG2SDRCcOeWygFC3Xllges3YuIuIas/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjiv8CSOfLeeFvan0e-pgUWrx6BOl6x1A8IUxnovrdnVd4mS5fuiZhgObQVvc4Lc7DB-HDGLjtQi2815TvOG4M-hS8hg-wIgyw_jSAVW7g3vL7jG2SDRCcOeWygFC3Xllges3YuIuIas/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXydDVbrHgm7sdCiSbTxkxgAcbMFvQIfMiNgTDJXNGDhou8kyzA4dj59LWvcDIIa7-S9eEAiCXzNoNBBuhaLVtcjt9j6FFuGpZEdcAqamv3co4d25whg9ZZcRS6BhBSEADZOFBudWaKDU/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXydDVbrHgm7sdCiSbTxkxgAcbMFvQIfMiNgTDJXNGDhou8kyzA4dj59LWvcDIIa7-S9eEAiCXzNoNBBuhaLVtcjt9j6FFuGpZEdcAqamv3co4d25whg9ZZcRS6BhBSEADZOFBudWaKDU/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caleb swimming like a pro.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoZyHRm44EHc5H3j9nBG78sJQGvP68yAvratB4wekhPPoG3f7ufQ1gkggtmMBgFLcjlHZQMEjlmrOhg0cY6BpEYpvtlmvQOfC81ttNgnl8qZDN941VTxSeufLLHgGtKqogcGCPiGATHc/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoZyHRm44EHc5H3j9nBG78sJQGvP68yAvratB4wekhPPoG3f7ufQ1gkggtmMBgFLcjlHZQMEjlmrOhg0cY6BpEYpvtlmvQOfC81ttNgnl8qZDN941VTxSeufLLHgGtKqogcGCPiGATHc/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So proud, and rightfully so!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dUv_7aMzP4unpCg-RXiYH5_RRs6JTga-upiVqpWRr4iYw2Zp9t274yoc1cFpWDgkvOZfPga5tVyUyCZALWpN871RYZIZiVSzP41-xKEBnfEWiq8Nxr7u-xHFqKgUMSKsPVbs6-vg-wM/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dUv_7aMzP4unpCg-RXiYH5_RRs6JTga-upiVqpWRr4iYw2Zp9t274yoc1cFpWDgkvOZfPga5tVyUyCZALWpN871RYZIZiVSzP41-xKEBnfEWiq8Nxr7u-xHFqKgUMSKsPVbs6-vg-wM/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva getting some hugs from a proud papa.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCpMi8ctjMjGoDCwxTVeIR6IjSs0vNFmNZrXBByhGnxxhObYFKmBRpNyhyj2FwNP38ugbsbyEBOhbmJ74Ykk4TQq0by7A58qh2PEPUW7Jxxoeo0tlQ3mpmu0QL_kNLbwNnFZ6-vWqedE/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCpMi8ctjMjGoDCwxTVeIR6IjSs0vNFmNZrXBByhGnxxhObYFKmBRpNyhyj2FwNP38ugbsbyEBOhbmJ74Ykk4TQq0by7A58qh2PEPUW7Jxxoeo0tlQ3mpmu0QL_kNLbwNnFZ6-vWqedE/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caleb jumping in- no fear here, folks.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio54hvfKVFA1Rvp-3nj9547zREGmQN2H9F4TRxiLfQUhyphenhyphenAD5RAx6WaTdSNqDtPSCWdRr25TvAFBc1NkhFMILzbH1zcgDZGiAPwk9-LkHZigQmNieaT86qFJKCt3Wuq9RIp_Univk6eKro/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio54hvfKVFA1Rvp-3nj9547zREGmQN2H9F4TRxiLfQUhyphenhyphenAD5RAx6WaTdSNqDtPSCWdRr25TvAFBc1NkhFMILzbH1zcgDZGiAPwk9-LkHZigQmNieaT86qFJKCt3Wuq9RIp_Univk6eKro/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penny knows her turn is coming and isn't too happy about it!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1DEX-A1MAwb_l3DuB3exvEXVfnwmF2YdCQARrD0fnC7I496bPwvK1dTkdeE5rXe53ERWxQ61-tSh9Kw9qm6Rz1NVYK6c4ae2xTHH6EVm6y0UFZFk6R9EjPphtk77Yz6n_BPXz8rRL8E/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1DEX-A1MAwb_l3DuB3exvEXVfnwmF2YdCQARrD0fnC7I496bPwvK1dTkdeE5rXe53ERWxQ61-tSh9Kw9qm6Rz1NVYK6c4ae2xTHH6EVm6y0UFZFk6R9EjPphtk77Yz6n_BPXz8rRL8E/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Show off :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcONDICgOumS4fe8i5f13JyJsiRvr8gpSgvrtj9RUw6o-LRwPk7ikHmus-kBabgJfUShZKQsq6PjIwECYveOPCqQyFZVAUzQjk8LVsDPrNy7hx8depmYVIifs-KGUnTeTSJln9CVtAQs/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcONDICgOumS4fe8i5f13JyJsiRvr8gpSgvrtj9RUw6o-LRwPk7ikHmus-kBabgJfUShZKQsq6PjIwECYveOPCqQyFZVAUzQjk8LVsDPrNy7hx8depmYVIifs-KGUnTeTSJln9CVtAQs/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rowan- isn't he adorable?!?!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfq_3zv4eExsStFemaGnenV5jk0tIkoxD8Oe_-HcTuoTWvqZhRQkkPpGjvNO4Q0xARJiAcMtWSg7WqihhvzkHyjAc6shJdJtRDz4rNKmwuSWuJRJiSQWB-OKid_d6s3-xHAtMaCN-lw4/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfq_3zv4eExsStFemaGnenV5jk0tIkoxD8Oe_-HcTuoTWvqZhRQkkPpGjvNO4Q0xARJiAcMtWSg7WqihhvzkHyjAc6shJdJtRDz4rNKmwuSWuJRJiSQWB-OKid_d6s3-xHAtMaCN-lw4/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are doing it, Penny!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVLmGc17rCLzPiN8j4h2TUq47YanqnLSEZ38jZHD7BrlNIYUVtmbiqqY78pHuKdlYL7y_TNl0mpzus-eN0YoC9TomypsurR9wnBJKcE8Kpgq7e97Z_VVXeIySApTP-av_tXx4kLtxlKY/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVLmGc17rCLzPiN8j4h2TUq47YanqnLSEZ38jZHD7BrlNIYUVtmbiqqY78pHuKdlYL7y_TNl0mpzus-eN0YoC9TomypsurR9wnBJKcE8Kpgq7e97Z_VVXeIySApTP-av_tXx4kLtxlKY/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go Eva Go!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1IMs_-cdzjRiwltwWoAzHb2ywJtDfsgBz1FH_kKd8EoyLg59pfH1KMEIqF648FwLxd0v1HbQ-eKk_bO9SAWWJS7kXFQQBAI-akM5rIsMo8w2jNQgDwkNjy31CIF6MN9vJF8Do1pDkOo/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1IMs_-cdzjRiwltwWoAzHb2ywJtDfsgBz1FH_kKd8EoyLg59pfH1KMEIqF648FwLxd0v1HbQ-eKk_bO9SAWWJS7kXFQQBAI-akM5rIsMo8w2jNQgDwkNjy31CIF6MN9vJF8Do1pDkOo/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Made it all the way to the steps!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcxf7i2fs4qlmq01KE9cIBY-8m4jBjGBKHL9PnWCQqvJyK_liHgEmSvQ-_C-Oltep6bjrwjZUMmepUA7TKGAvBAlXAR7NmUw7Hz3jLy2QJgy92T5EdoQaLMuhyphenhyphenTzK7S9R6wSVqsJjId4/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcxf7i2fs4qlmq01KE9cIBY-8m4jBjGBKHL9PnWCQqvJyK_liHgEmSvQ-_C-Oltep6bjrwjZUMmepUA7TKGAvBAlXAR7NmUw7Hz3jLy2QJgy92T5EdoQaLMuhyphenhyphenTzK7S9R6wSVqsJjId4/s320/DSC_0098.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do I have to jump?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbkjBkYt9U0fTpian0oM_xrC73KUl9QNkv18kOnf0I7f3BMc_KXeUtzqoVcI5xLb-e1kvhsd5KPGdm2y6JXxMP0875yzyAhxH78mISd5uKVYb2pks1m34WqQTBRu4NJ_zqBx75fAf7Js/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbkjBkYt9U0fTpian0oM_xrC73KUl9QNkv18kOnf0I7f3BMc_KXeUtzqoVcI5xLb-e1kvhsd5KPGdm2y6JXxMP0875yzyAhxH78mISd5uKVYb2pks1m34WqQTBRu4NJ_zqBx75fAf7Js/s320/DSC_0102.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Uh, YES!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYwTOXy9bLL5OTXJmW1uaaFik62xNnCB7F_4cEc9ASyoXztlsjgdOLL-3TebfnmkEVfrl-o8OLoL5OyvkrW1bN8j8HFXwGjLuKa0p_wMYgF6m7wNS6jSwffKlJJ_njNuIRYMi9919Jto/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYwTOXy9bLL5OTXJmW1uaaFik62xNnCB7F_4cEc9ASyoXztlsjgdOLL-3TebfnmkEVfrl-o8OLoL5OyvkrW1bN8j8HFXwGjLuKa0p_wMYgF6m7wNS6jSwffKlJJ_njNuIRYMi9919Jto/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She swam the entire length of the pool by herself.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy3EFYSlz_-SBK_Rs9rVbNFD-cPDsxbUQ5ORixsQxMFBkhgf7dESQfEw5t2R6JSybPF8tcbMId2u_ppHA0-R9Lvfvzfqlo27aWwXhZ8h83hP9ULkK81Fi2N29jyGfhY7DL1XcQKbvvAs/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy3EFYSlz_-SBK_Rs9rVbNFD-cPDsxbUQ5ORixsQxMFBkhgf7dESQfEw5t2R6JSybPF8tcbMId2u_ppHA0-R9Lvfvzfqlo27aWwXhZ8h83hP9ULkK81Fi2N29jyGfhY7DL1XcQKbvvAs/s320/DSC_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Definitely needs a high five for that!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcvU3g-nqzW77bH44YbaHmB7ulfk6gr1w3Oel89IRiLAPT2Oez0Zu55Fxv071YxPe0oNu2sBhVTVzdWmWSR2Q_DJZ50t3V27AMGF7mOGdL-AYBF38a5ycGULBhE9zXbFXUIqvf0tVg-k/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcvU3g-nqzW77bH44YbaHmB7ulfk6gr1w3Oel89IRiLAPT2Oez0Zu55Fxv071YxPe0oNu2sBhVTVzdWmWSR2Q_DJZ50t3V27AMGF7mOGdL-AYBF38a5ycGULBhE9zXbFXUIqvf0tVg-k/s320/DSC_0144.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rowan is a champ!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5apB6uyrg746wAu1Zr11gkzYu9IcNMTQy4fLIRxoz9xwpWo6xzgRNvxCA29h7Jrf7faP421JZdhC5f1hWpLvnEpctrjuRTOpKFXU0cINw15UX6Pma9gpRdJMAQ53xxAbLepb_nZ8y4v0/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5apB6uyrg746wAu1Zr11gkzYu9IcNMTQy4fLIRxoz9xwpWo6xzgRNvxCA29h7Jrf7faP421JZdhC5f1hWpLvnEpctrjuRTOpKFXU0cINw15UX6Pma9gpRdJMAQ53xxAbLepb_nZ8y4v0/s320/DSC_0155.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While in the water, he said to Renata, "Are you going to leave after this one?!?!" </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAzpArGOTH1HTmzfH8FoIY2SlA-PaF-_MoBmWtZQnY3l2eeCQVW7PUO4zd3_ddiQYfJDxUa6Kj6LvoSJnGdrjBxbSyMDShAOwR2mFsENJjRuRSGwCvUH3TtXyGFAtpzIGdk0MRcJkvdk/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAzpArGOTH1HTmzfH8FoIY2SlA-PaF-_MoBmWtZQnY3l2eeCQVW7PUO4zd3_ddiQYfJDxUa6Kj6LvoSJnGdrjBxbSyMDShAOwR2mFsENJjRuRSGwCvUH3TtXyGFAtpzIGdk0MRcJkvdk/s320/DSC_0156.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's happy- it's over!</div><div><br />
</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-50985752065612277972011-06-04T12:31:00.000-07:002011-06-04T12:31:00.135-07:00Loosen your grip! The challenge of confronting selfishness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIYKXvH_ZofxbWqhZxpUEWie-qmn62mz1MnCzVh82uVVNJSQ2BcB4K4szz5RlQdbXi8piy9RlrWpNp1OHAPAu6eE-5O2BWOXrp_z_5j6xC1pOJZQphtqTTkNsD_X4C0YKm346ht0YPk0/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIYKXvH_ZofxbWqhZxpUEWie-qmn62mz1MnCzVh82uVVNJSQ2BcB4K4szz5RlQdbXi8piy9RlrWpNp1OHAPAu6eE-5O2BWOXrp_z_5j6xC1pOJZQphtqTTkNsD_X4C0YKm346ht0YPk0/s320/DSC_0187.JPG" width="224" /></a></div><br />
<br />
There are moments when she SHINES. I mean, really SHINES. She goes so far above and beyond what I think a 3 year old is capable of in their "world revolves around me" thinking (which is developmentally appropriate in some ways). She's had some of those moments recently, and when they happen, I whisper a silent prayer, "Oh God, root this type of generosity deep in her heart! May it become entrenched in who she is as your child and creation."<br />
And then, of course, there are moments when I CRINGE. I absolutely want to crawl into a hole and stay there for long periods of time because I am so mortified. The selfishness of her sinful nature emerges and rears it's ugly head. "Oh Evangeline!! How could you?" The look she gives me after snatching a toy right out of the hands of her happily playing little brother, which leads him to hysterical crying and looking at her like she is some sort of mean and terrible monster, is almost creepy.<br />
I know, I know. There isn't a child in the universe who hasn't done this same thing. We all have selfishness bound up in our hearts to one degree or another. But lately, the past 2 weeks, Eva has really been struggling with this. I have seen her literally, and figuratively, hold so tightly to her material possessions that I know it needs to be addressed. I remember vividly having this same struggle as a child and teen. I was relatively generous with my time- making cookies for someone, helping friends with their homework, editing papers, picking up and dropping off in my car, leading bible studies, and volunteering. But, I was not AT ALL that way with my "stuff"- my money, my clothes, etc. Looking back, I am so bothered by this. Why did I think it was so important? Why did I hold so tightly to it?<br />
I don't want Evangeline to have this struggle. I want to give her opportunities as a 3 year old to know that our stuff isn't important. It doesn't bring us happiness. And, in fact, IT'S NOT OURS. The last few months in church we learned about stewardship- what does God have to say about how we spend our money? I think of the, "It Ain't Yours" sermon often. I remind Eva of it, too. I told her that all of our stuff is a gift from a generous God who allows us to take care of it, but expects us to be generous with our blessings. In the car, we talk A LOT, so I use it to my advantage. Selfishness has been the topic of the last month, at least. Eva pretty much never allows any more than 4 seconds of silence, so she isn't bothered by it :) <br />
We saw tornado coverage on the news recently and she was horrified by all the "broken houses"- she wanted to know what those people were going to do and where all of the kids toys went. I took the opportunity to tell her that most of their things were lost and that many people won't have enough money to buy things to replace all the stuff that was lost and damaged. I asked her if she wanted to give some things to kids who don't have toys. She said yes, so we started in the basement and made our way to the main floor and then upstairs. We went through every single item and I asked her, "Give away or keep?" I didn't MAKE her give away anything- I told her, "Eva, I am not going to make you give anything away. I want you to think about each thing and decide how important it is to you and whether or not you really want or need to keep it." She made quick decisions about many things, but some required further pondering.<br />
Her princess dress collection had me worried- she has 7. She wears them every single day- no exceptions. I spread them in a row on the floor. I said, "which one is your favorite?" We put that one aside to keep. I asked, "Do you think you could give one away?" Her head moved back and forth over the dresses, scanning each one and stopping occasionally to think harder. Finally, she looked up at me and said, "Little girls will really like these 2". She handed me two of the dresses. Then she said with a huge smile on her face, "AND CINDERELLA! A little girl will love Cinderella mom. And let's find the purse, and necklace, and gloves that go with her. Oh my! A little girl like me is going to love this!"<br />
Cinderella is her favorite, and one of 2 dresses that she has all the accessories to match. I have to admit that I teared up at this precious glimpse into her heart.<br />
Eva is learning, and it's a work in progress. I'll keep praying, and keep taking as many opportunities as I can to reinforce this in her. I know it's a long road because she is so much like me. Here goes- I'm going to embrace the journey.LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-11940161163631121002011-05-06T05:27:00.000-07:002011-05-06T05:27:42.366-07:0010 annoying thingsThat happened in the last couple weeks...<br />
<br />
10) Sam pooped in the bath. And by poop I mean diarrhea. Eva was in the bath with him when he "pooped".<br />
9) We have an ant problem in the kitchen and Sam has taken a liking to smashing them with spoons, which he can now reach in the top drawer.<br />
8) Eva chipped her tooth when she got sassy about not getting ice-cream & flung her head down on the couch.<br />
7) Sam peed on Eva's bed. Got that cleaned up. Sam peed on Eva's rug. Cleaned that up. Sam peed on Eva's carpet and bed-skirt. Working on cleaning that up & learning to get a diaper on that kid immediately after taking him out of the bath. (Aren't they supposed to pee right when they hit the water?!?!)<br />
6) Sam pooped in the bath again.<br />
5) The dentist appointment for Eva's chipped tooth- Got lost 3 times on the way there. Parked in the wrong parking lot, and had to walk 3 times as far in the pouring rain carrying both kids and obviously no umbrella. Had to chase Sam around the dentist office for 70 minutes during appointment. (Eva did great).<br />
4) Sam barfed in the carseat.<br />
3) Eva barfed EVERYWHERE, including all over herself and in her hair, minutes AFTER taking a bath. (This was a result of being upset about the chipped tooth- she barfs when she becomes hysterical. It's super fun since she isn't dramatic or high-strung at all).<br />
2) Sam's biting has gotten worse and worse and his favorite is to stand behind me while I am cooking and chomp away on the back of my thigh. Isn't that neat?<br />
1) Eva has been waking up about 3 times per night. She's been worse than an infant lately.<br />
<br />
So, why bother sharing?<br />
1) To remind myself that Sam clearly has problems with "output", so I really should be more on top of this by now. I'll do better :)<br />
2) To remind everyone to plan for appointments to last a painfully long time and read signs to make sure you are in the right parking lot.<br />
3) To simply stand in awe that if these are the most annoying things I can think of for the last couple of weeks, then we are blessed beyond measure! How great is my life?!<br />
<br />
I have awesome kids that have really improved my gag reflex.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgser1oeGVRAgOcAtt3Pu7ehOEVB_q0LIH-fBoXD-882bVYhPxwPHW6tFmoCMeW0JbsB2_kBmrIU9E-oFe4e19dnYSJbdkeN6DMOlSHISPK5mzRjDYRphFC09ncSvVKZ8X8H6GYl9217fY/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgser1oeGVRAgOcAtt3Pu7ehOEVB_q0LIH-fBoXD-882bVYhPxwPHW6tFmoCMeW0JbsB2_kBmrIU9E-oFe4e19dnYSJbdkeN6DMOlSHISPK5mzRjDYRphFC09ncSvVKZ8X8H6GYl9217fY/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-21492153825483735482011-04-05T10:23:00.000-07:002011-04-05T17:43:42.593-07:00Boys will be boys?What does that even mean? I recently read a book that got me thinking about the challenge of raising boys and girls- each so different with unique gifts and needs. As a mom, how do I raise Eva to be a woman of God who embraces herself as a female and all that means- to have good expectations of others and standards for herself, to be strong and compassionate and nurturing? And, how do I raise Sam to be a man of God, a protector and a warrior, but gentle and mindful of others? How do I protect him, yet still allow him to take risks and be adventurous as God so designed the heart of men?<br />
<br />
As a female, I find that the task of raising a boy seems a bit more daunting because I can't fall back on my thinking as a woman. I have to remember he's a boy and embrace that he is different than Eva. I so desire to raise him to be a warrior, but to be a protector. I want him to know that his strength is a gift from God, but one that MUST be used for good- to heal and protect and help, and NEVER to hurt, destroy, or discourage. So often, I see boys who use their strength to <i>prove something</i>- that they are bigger, stronger, smarter, faster. It's more than just a competitive spirit, which is not wrong. There often seems to be a deep desire to be "better than someone else". They will crush anyone in their path, pushing them out of the way, because they can. Our boys' hearts have to be nurtured into servants' hearts that desire to please God first or else I fear it will turn into one that seeks to pull others down so they can be lifted up.<br />
<br />
Sam is just 1 year old, but I find that I have to be thinking in this way even now. When he takes a toy from someone or pushes his sister, it's not that my expectations are different than they are with Eva, but I find it's helpful to come at it from a different angle. I'm believing God every day to give me the wisdom to raise my kids for His purpose, and under the lordship of His design for them as male and female. I'm humbled at just the thought of this. Only by His grace will I have kids who, when grown, are confident yet humble in who God created them to be, but this is my heart's desire and I will fight in prayer until I am dead to see it come to fruition.<br />
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I'm thankful for women in my life who are doing this with their older boys because I have such wonderful examples to watch for guidance when it comes to my son. I watched a mom just last week get on her knees when her 2 year old pushed Sam aside. She said something like, "Do we use our strength to push and hurt? No, we use our strength to help and protect!" He repeated it after her and a few minutes later when he saw Sam trip and fall, he was the first one to come over and help him up, and then gave him a hug. She is sewing this into his heart as a two year old and he is hearing her! God is blessing this mom's desire to raise her son in this way. I have another friend who regularly reminds her son to let the girls go first, and to hold the door for them. I know many other boys who push their way past the girls because they are faster. The do not view girls as the "crown of creation", which is God's intent. We must be so careful not to excuse bad behavior because, "He's just being a boy" or "he's such a boy!" Boy behavior might be jumping off the counter and launching themselves headfirst off the bed and playing endlessly with mud and worms and bugs, but it is NOT aggression. I'm asking God to give me the heart to address Sam's behavior in a way that is open to who he is as a boy, but always shepherding him towards Jesus, no exceptions, no excuses.<br />
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Moms of boys, we have a big job to do, let's pray for one another that our boys will be warriors and protectors!<br />
<br />
Moms of girls, our task is equally as challenging. Let's embrace our own strengths and weaknesses so that we pass on confidence to our girls, that they might delight in being women who are strong and nurturing, compassionate and beautiful.<br />
GO MOMS!LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-11227340064430433312011-03-28T12:10:00.000-07:002011-03-28T16:56:18.471-07:00Our ever-expanding extended family...I'm just thrilled to death about the new additions and soon-to-be additions to our family. Jill gave birth to my nephew, Israel James, just 3.5 weeks ago. He's perfect and precious in every way. Now, my brother-in-law, Neil, is in Ethiopia as I sit here writing this picking up my nephew, Gashaw. It has finally come to be! Gashaw is coming home to join his forever family, and I am overjoyed!<br />
God's faithfulness shines through and through in the story of this family. If they would have learned they were pregnant before they chose Gashaw, they would have put a hold on the adoption process, and Gashaw might still be waiting to be adopted. In the years and moments leading up to the pregnancy and adoption, God's ways seemed more than just mysterious- at times, it seemed cruel. After being passed over by quite a few birth mothers, hope was fading and the heart ache was almost more than they could bear. But, how else could God have done it? Gashaw wasn't up for adoption yet, and although He knew he would grant them a child from Jill's womb, He also ordained Gashaw for their family. And, of course, Israel is the baby God had for their family. No other baby would do!<br />
The waiting was a necessary part of the process for their family to be exactly what it is today, which is just as God has destined it to be. It's miraculous when you really consider all that had to be orchestrated. They found out about the pregnancy just DAYS after their referral for Gashaw was accepted. Only God puts together stories like this! I get to meet my newest nephew on Friday. My stomach has butterflies each time I think of it! And, in a few more weeks, we will welcome another niece/nephew to the family when my twin brother and sister-in-law have their second child- that will be number 9 on my side of the family. Big families are totally crazy, totally fun, totally beautiful :)LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-14611868111197635972011-03-15T17:45:00.000-07:002011-03-15T17:45:26.594-07:00We needed todayWe needed the sunshine and we needed the fresh air- BADLY. Sam loves being outside, but I'm not a huge fan of bundling up a baby and a toddler to go outside for 10 minutes. Even though today was a little chilly, we HAD to get outside, and Sam loved it. I think that he and Eva share the same love of swings. This makes it easy for me- I get to stay in one spot and push away! The sun was shining and warmed us a little, so we lasted 45 minutes, which I thought was pretty good :) <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0AK7bypDGkWSNWAld97ohs7TcQsDvAybsRuRQ62BTQjlQDfY7VyCbpE5Jg44gLjq30YPFnc3GwbIE53H_SfTqKoaGwCjpe8aDIxPDxtrv6TuNtkfwK3x_Jx-w0-oWtYoZquM4Hh8NL4/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0AK7bypDGkWSNWAld97ohs7TcQsDvAybsRuRQ62BTQjlQDfY7VyCbpE5Jg44gLjq30YPFnc3GwbIE53H_SfTqKoaGwCjpe8aDIxPDxtrv6TuNtkfwK3x_Jx-w0-oWtYoZquM4Hh8NL4/s320/DSC_0555.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-72605634043704022642011-02-25T18:52:00.000-08:002011-02-25T18:52:43.080-08:00DIY- and i'm no crafter...Eva has a bulletin board type thing with ribbon that criss-crosses it that my sister made.<br />
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She loves tucking special little things under the ribbons and admires them on a daily basis. I wanted one for Sam, too, but I knew I wasn't going to pull off what Jill did for Eva. I thought it would be nice to use some of the leftover wall-paper we had from his "picture frame" wainscoting room project. You can see it in the bottom right of this photo.<br />
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I found <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30159442">these magnetic boards </a>at Ikea, $13.00, and figured it would be super easy to cover it in wall-paper and use magnets to attach some special momentos.<br />
I bought two, because I had another idea for Eva's jewelry. That's next.<br />
Here is Sam's board (Mike is going to hang them this weekend):<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eva has acquired quite the collection of jewelry in her short little life. Her love of all things shiny and sparkly and girly has gotten her quite a few gifts that fall into the "bling" category. It was all just a tangled mess in a drawer until I saw these boards and had this idea to organize it all. Now it can be worn, and enjoyed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I simply "wrapped" the board in wrapping paper- literally like you wrap a gift. And found <a href="http://www.staples.com/Staples-Power-Magnets/product_516098?cmArea=SEARCH">these magnets</a> at staples.com that work really well. This would be great for a little crafting station, too. I hung a pair of large scissors on one of the magnets and it held just fine. It also needs to be hung this weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Eva's loving hers. Sam is not all that impressed. Oh well.<br />
TOTAL COST: Sam, $17 (board, magnets); Eva, $23.50 (board, magnets, wrapping paper)LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-7052083818456838182011-02-18T18:33:00.000-08:002011-02-18T18:33:25.577-08:00You can't turn back timeSometimes, I just want to stop the clock. I just NEED a few more minutes, even seconds, to let it all soak in. It's going too fast. I'm missing it. It scares me to death. My kids are growing up and, in many ways, I love watching it happen. I relish seeing them learn news skills and grasp new ideas; it's breathtaking. But, I just wish that it would all slow down. I want a slow motion button every once in awhile- one that works in real life when Eva is praying for babies she's never met at night or when she leans in and whispers in my ear, "I love Sammer Bammer. He's my best brother and I really love him."<br />
SHE IS 3 YEARS OLD TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVANGELINE JOY!!!<br />
Today I have 19 things on my to-do list, but I am going to just stop and reflect on Eva's 3rd year. I'm going to write about her and it's going to make me so happy (even if I do have a 19 item to-do list to get to when I am done). I need this. I don't want to take her for granted.<br />
Three years since we went to the hospital on a very rainy February night and a few hours later she was here. The baby I had longed for and prayed for and, quite frankly, went through a lot of pain for! The moment is seared into my memory; it's easy to bring it back and feel it fresh again. Ah! She is such a joy. She is a stubborn and independent little spitfire, and she can make me want to pull my hair out, but she is my daughter. I love her so completely. She captures a little more of my heart each and every day. I'm biased, obviously, but I honestly don't know any child whose heart is more tender and loving.<br />
Here is a look at her 3rd year. I know- it's like a million pictures. But, I just had the hardest time choosing because in some way, each of them exemplify a little piece of her growing personality. Each facial expression is accompanied by some priceless comment that I can still remember.<br />
Last night, we lost our Grammie. Eva's Great-Grammie. So, today we celebrate both of their lives and I especially love that I see my Grammie in her: her stubbornness, determination, fierce independence, tell-it-like-it-is nature, generosity, quick wit. The list goes on and on. I wish Eva could have known her. She would have loved her.<br />
<i>Excerpts from the journal I keep for her are italicized.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
FEBRUARY:<br />
We celebrated Eva's 2nd birthday with a Winnie the Pooh theme. She was totally enamored with Tigger and giggled uncontrollably- to the point of losing her breath- at his crazy antics on the show. She wanted a "BIG ONE CAKE" (said in a deep voice with saucer-sized eyes) for her birthday, and she got it! Sam was 5 weeks old and Eva was adjusting incredibly well. She genuinely loved her brother from the moment she met him and never looked back. Not an ounce of jealousy or anger; she just leapt right in and was the big sister I knew she could be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT6KJdSI8YtgtFxC2DEs93iaHf7RQdSaF3Lsx1BbQqVnm6TsAL5Yh39EGYGomZZdWCgV5enKQ9rmKK9zc3alxBxzvOmfC2BvGazXNRs3v1ZjeMwIVAfJV_nSmtdSdK2jEtfUPvOKz-ys/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT6KJdSI8YtgtFxC2DEs93iaHf7RQdSaF3Lsx1BbQqVnm6TsAL5Yh39EGYGomZZdWCgV5enKQ9rmKK9zc3alxBxzvOmfC2BvGazXNRs3v1ZjeMwIVAfJV_nSmtdSdK2jEtfUPvOKz-ys/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eva adjusted to life with Sam like a champ. We have lots of pictures that resemble this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ4KmVjgNVlj-bpPDV_oBGrajH94su9-_jWDvJu3dQ76aDDUh0BYlSCNkVWf9wmkENUA2mzQ7K5rspSRr7dFK4lyilT9D-yGQfaGcbK2rLWvsOqSh-RJrRI1ITQ3BPLp4V_4dStABviY/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ4KmVjgNVlj-bpPDV_oBGrajH94su9-_jWDvJu3dQ76aDDUh0BYlSCNkVWf9wmkENUA2mzQ7K5rspSRr7dFK4lyilT9D-yGQfaGcbK2rLWvsOqSh-RJrRI1ITQ3BPLp4V_4dStABviY/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWw8aBNRiiTlVlBVvQeR6LMtMvrc0SHUhXooFne6gZS4gT2H88qA-mzd5vDQx9J5BpdIT-r0GWTdfjN9Pt1Ad8QRcR3z5-ZskSMrR_IOX1Ln958obxKoAdlYwvspb7CYi5LmBXE1erog/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWw8aBNRiiTlVlBVvQeR6LMtMvrc0SHUhXooFne6gZS4gT2H88qA-mzd5vDQx9J5BpdIT-r0GWTdfjN9Pt1Ad8QRcR3z5-ZskSMrR_IOX1Ln958obxKoAdlYwvspb7CYi5LmBXE1erog/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here, Eva sports one of her famous ensembles. PJ's, Tigger hat and gloves (bought for her by her daddy because he can't say "no" to her batting eyes and sweet "pleEEEEEEse??"), snow boots, puffy coat, and her baby in it's backpack carrier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-5_4c0UgOUbVxSpUcJaMhIOKSCgAJP1QO-Vk-OAAnWP3bOgaV2bfDtGpw4XJz5K2DFuffgtBt-pshT6BV2kCRzEGd_BVvfXLYaPuMegdiLgRMniMAMNca-DmeCsecq7A9JvkZgVswHs/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-5_4c0UgOUbVxSpUcJaMhIOKSCgAJP1QO-Vk-OAAnWP3bOgaV2bfDtGpw4XJz5K2DFuffgtBt-pshT6BV2kCRzEGd_BVvfXLYaPuMegdiLgRMniMAMNca-DmeCsecq7A9JvkZgVswHs/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" width="181" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKwoPbcWqQ5K26lPHzbTCp2jVTpLOF2Rrt-9RhaBRqLoZfpnjx1n4h1MTwulDHXDY09MLy1VE06kDSLnMIbY0mvcc5G4hbvqbBAj9-u1Vd8hBLurK2EzRtj0YWC_J8JmjKLIl_7OERoU/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKwoPbcWqQ5K26lPHzbTCp2jVTpLOF2Rrt-9RhaBRqLoZfpnjx1n4h1MTwulDHXDY09MLy1VE06kDSLnMIbY0mvcc5G4hbvqbBAj9-u1Vd8hBLurK2EzRtj0YWC_J8JmjKLIl_7OERoU/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love all these bath pictures. They are some of my favorites of her. She and Sam both LOVE bath time. Sometimes it goes on for an hour and we "re-warm" the water 4 or 5 times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEFLgJ8jEj0Gae4CXcqm7z7jzTMzbxM2pxnXGon7Itg8tZZL4hjh8tjpgj8GumonUjOBLKpchEmiuvrmwvqKCpJIzXZdWg3NgosaA88R_4EB2Jn0iHyUhEhlyGJ7zmwpAr8GPjwSsPsk/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEFLgJ8jEj0Gae4CXcqm7z7jzTMzbxM2pxnXGon7Itg8tZZL4hjh8tjpgj8GumonUjOBLKpchEmiuvrmwvqKCpJIzXZdWg3NgosaA88R_4EB2Jn0iHyUhEhlyGJ7zmwpAr8GPjwSsPsk/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
MARCH: <br />
Eva continued to adjust like a pro to our new addition. We took every opportunity to go outside after not being able to handle one more second of being cooped up. I would take the monitor outside during Sam's naps and we got in all we could before he woke up. Sometimes she wouldn't want to go in yet, but she never got angry because she knew "brother needs us". She really upped the anty on her climbing antics, too. Jumping, nay, SOARING off of everything in sight. People still think I am crazy for the things I "let her do", but honestly, it's so much a part of her, I decided early on at the advice of my mom that it wasn't worth trying to fence that energy in. She rarely gets hurt; her balance is amazing. We are blessed.<br />
<i>I love watching you with Sam. You're heart towards him truly astounds me at 2 years old. You think of him first. You pray for him under your breath and share your most precious and favorite things with him. I look at you two and think, "MY KIDS!!". I still can't believe I've been blessed like this! You are both so incredible. Honestly, there is no way I could be prouder. You two have made daddy and I happier than we ever dreamed we could be. </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkd3zB1J7kX7_jMhGa_SBx41Jc6kDSG5fFlilgu2dvKfW_mhHbRk7AH7P88UupBQLV4dR0_H5SJsi9lcv7U2BpUIVYhWrTQCfslbzOcdbBHUvVAg0vLA0sqofMpHlSo_GtO6a111uhcs/s1600/IMG_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkd3zB1J7kX7_jMhGa_SBx41Jc6kDSG5fFlilgu2dvKfW_mhHbRk7AH7P88UupBQLV4dR0_H5SJsi9lcv7U2BpUIVYhWrTQCfslbzOcdbBHUvVAg0vLA0sqofMpHlSo_GtO6a111uhcs/s320/IMG_0274.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eva loves to be outside and is a MAJOR swing lover. She would swing for hours if I pushed her that long...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtJLUrWKSyQt5uWpFT83HwW_kJcz-9G_sNWwW2R4Tu3bBXYvOPjbiVyQX3hGFJAq-wQknWIgXNhwwC47Pd6jLyiCJd9BStoGouw_PRsB_LVu0ltANtTp8_GLssCdZJCpy95F_ffG7zVE/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtJLUrWKSyQt5uWpFT83HwW_kJcz-9G_sNWwW2R4Tu3bBXYvOPjbiVyQX3hGFJAq-wQknWIgXNhwwC47Pd6jLyiCJd9BStoGouw_PRsB_LVu0ltANtTp8_GLssCdZJCpy95F_ffG7zVE/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> In the pictures of both kids when Sam was really little, he's almost always crying and she's always looking confused.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>APRIL:<br />
Eva's ability to memorize songs is really amazing. She gets this from her dad, I think. She sings constantly, and knows the words to SO many songs. She loves to dance and we had a lot of dance parties this month. And, the girl has quite an imagination and can't get enough "pretend". "Let's pretend there are woozles in there!" "Let's have a pretend tea-party". "I'm going to pretend I have a baby." Having a little girl is SO MUCH FUN I CAN'T STAND IT!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw0098JwaLq81htvRrGvm11qazmjHOLv341AWNte-1tgVD1O-ZsU2FOCgglMTs674txZvqLDifMqMSe_dc08sUvhxFhBIw4i21y3T0ztw69_SOXypETOx4ohmlsKu2JpBLQPXb5FtbD4/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw0098JwaLq81htvRrGvm11qazmjHOLv341AWNte-1tgVD1O-ZsU2FOCgglMTs674txZvqLDifMqMSe_dc08sUvhxFhBIw4i21y3T0ztw69_SOXypETOx4ohmlsKu2JpBLQPXb5FtbD4/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can hardly tell she's mine, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIEYM8KaqF0PUPjFZ93ilpoV6rSYcAVN42-T_d2Cj9W0wOkrfxEKCS3qGnYiOekiKJvPo11gTixXZbYprNqUDcbWwi626jUIStcJQJ6exBhPFMlIvLlPqR2z_FsdUAou0cuiNkETkAvw/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIEYM8KaqF0PUPjFZ93ilpoV6rSYcAVN42-T_d2Cj9W0wOkrfxEKCS3qGnYiOekiKJvPo11gTixXZbYprNqUDcbWwi626jUIStcJQJ6exBhPFMlIvLlPqR2z_FsdUAou0cuiNkETkAvw/s320/DSC_0077.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ03wJU6-5CqpyAHF9wdcwW4dMP0bjXSHhAp67s67J_LPxQHBlcmgyGLK16OSP1yzL0f_XeeqzlAKM8N-bYh-KCRAa7xEFhMBvkuE2DMY-xY72F_UT18sGJQG8-76RolbUw_BtbOSvr4/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ03wJU6-5CqpyAHF9wdcwW4dMP0bjXSHhAp67s67J_LPxQHBlcmgyGLK16OSP1yzL0f_XeeqzlAKM8N-bYh-KCRAa7xEFhMBvkuE2DMY-xY72F_UT18sGJQG8-76RolbUw_BtbOSvr4/s320/DSC_0139.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzGzrZQh-fn2rGsT2mXxapOoudddiBidu_ZgMfP1xI58_-2EFaJx05TCqnxNJA7mIxqfNcr02v7yJOrVkbMnhT7BN5uR5rjxE2mOI7hnnURXg2caha306rZ7inoyZLCOSIEdZ6chVcgg/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzGzrZQh-fn2rGsT2mXxapOoudddiBidu_ZgMfP1xI58_-2EFaJx05TCqnxNJA7mIxqfNcr02v7yJOrVkbMnhT7BN5uR5rjxE2mOI7hnnURXg2caha306rZ7inoyZLCOSIEdZ6chVcgg/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sitting with Papa on the hammock on Easter. It was very warm this year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgyAsr7e9Zrh9ECp0auTuFQQonncg9Ce1_mFdgCtRXUgKy8I-N50uPmgxRh9AvxpiKYh1UTO8pP0UQ0K-VJ7XMVL1XwPzlrs0jrbvxyTJ-C8HodWNfbkwZ6Tp6t32G_VOFGsBap6m6Ys/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgyAsr7e9Zrh9ECp0auTuFQQonncg9Ce1_mFdgCtRXUgKy8I-N50uPmgxRh9AvxpiKYh1UTO8pP0UQ0K-VJ7XMVL1XwPzlrs0jrbvxyTJ-C8HodWNfbkwZ6Tp6t32G_VOFGsBap6m6Ys/s320/DSC_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Talking to Sam. She tells him secrets. Her favorite secret is, "I love you so much, Sammer Bammer". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2CKqkDVCM2TF8cM7SHsqxdsxlvia7jSXb7rAD1ncbQFwUfOj4-N65pTHwUUeZn1QD38jQvtpa2-6tNQHoV9hkw9bnyZ3PugvaGmXURgNfKpl6sQvt9KlMCk-FAO_FaL3T5BVVRucsNE/s1600/DSC_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2CKqkDVCM2TF8cM7SHsqxdsxlvia7jSXb7rAD1ncbQFwUfOj4-N65pTHwUUeZn1QD38jQvtpa2-6tNQHoV9hkw9bnyZ3PugvaGmXURgNfKpl6sQvt9KlMCk-FAO_FaL3T5BVVRucsNE/s320/DSC_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More of these to come. I don't know why they crack me up, but I can't help but laugh.</div><br />
MAY:<br />
A big month- Eva was potty trained in about a day and a half. She was so easy; so amazing. We are praying for a repeat with Sam in a year or so...<br />
We also welcomed a niece and a nephew. Eva loves all the activity and loving on all the babies in our lives. She's going to be one AMAZING mommy some day. Sometimes I think she's a better mommy to her pretend babies than I am to my real ones.<br />
Loves this month: popsicles and Curious George<br />
<i>Although you are definitely beginning to assert your independence (read , "don't like to be told no")- I am really loving this time with you. You talk constantly- literally ALL THE TIME. You are a Wells for sure! We laugh and play together and have so much fun. You are loving being outside and are so patient when we have to wait on Sam. </i><br />
<i>Daddy and I still go into your and Sam's room every single night to pray over you and just soak you in. We always look at each other and one of us says something like, "Can you believe how beautiful she is?" or "Can you believe that she is OUR daughter?"</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvnYAURK-evRV_2QlFNx3PrhIokYKt8TWHf41jtiha9e-f4oGcqnSbaxdVlMYwwStCFVi6UdnaPz4ucK_lvlbn5Q1D1UpBb2JzLUuNhmka2j7Ru0pC9QEY5msu02UfaoVPtiFp3EacB8/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvnYAURK-evRV_2QlFNx3PrhIokYKt8TWHf41jtiha9e-f4oGcqnSbaxdVlMYwwStCFVi6UdnaPz4ucK_lvlbn5Q1D1UpBb2JzLUuNhmka2j7Ru0pC9QEY5msu02UfaoVPtiFp3EacB8/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kids and I on Mother's Day. Eva's hair was in a crazy stage and I had a very hard time figuring out what to do with it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGjo0ijtke4Sal0Lt5R8Cn8w1ZBpvcVFX1btNHlWS79MGZqIaBewXHWt5279FD9ymFsJ5C-0gdFxg2RNr9HN7vVlaRfRldbN1uRMocaEet8Xh-hyMMjMRdma4KZkkeSnMi9mPSPxqWXE/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGjo0ijtke4Sal0Lt5R8Cn8w1ZBpvcVFX1btNHlWS79MGZqIaBewXHWt5279FD9ymFsJ5C-0gdFxg2RNr9HN7vVlaRfRldbN1uRMocaEet8Xh-hyMMjMRdma4KZkkeSnMi9mPSPxqWXE/s320/DSC_0253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She kept saying, "he's falling! he's falling!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69J3gPhG3aLbwhfzxAfCiz4AlwtNUSSNxAcUme2QSX_Cvx6RDg0sl44bv7Za_cI1fTwrQwXQq6UY4TOBBWIL_107mcfeusP0dLsm-5ZQYA12lcyBxqGxdzQ-C25AnEZAKEF8Pg8HpGjQ/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69J3gPhG3aLbwhfzxAfCiz4AlwtNUSSNxAcUme2QSX_Cvx6RDg0sl44bv7Za_cI1fTwrQwXQq6UY4TOBBWIL_107mcfeusP0dLsm-5ZQYA12lcyBxqGxdzQ-C25AnEZAKEF8Pg8HpGjQ/s320/DSC_0296.JPG" width="182" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Unlce Bryan declared this day in May "Messy Day" and Eva got a little crazy with the shaving cream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfDaploGIVtSQ_vmqQnxLX-bsqN2Qp1ujloMc19oiQjxOKMtQz6M0YUeZ069GVa1vN66QkTdDQVNmYdFQITl2AGaRP1WrODQ8kGAdudvrFlFH3l_wH0g5i4d-1NrMI8x8uFgkyPOwTJM/s1600/IMG_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfDaploGIVtSQ_vmqQnxLX-bsqN2Qp1ujloMc19oiQjxOKMtQz6M0YUeZ069GVa1vN66QkTdDQVNmYdFQITl2AGaRP1WrODQ8kGAdudvrFlFH3l_wH0g5i4d-1NrMI8x8uFgkyPOwTJM/s320/IMG_0393.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On most sunny, bright days, Eva asks for her sunglasses (one of 4 pairs). I think she looks hysterical in them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Bvc16iSb4UfWr0YlaB1uXyuFmusG6_7-apEpJ4MuZoK2VV3iaPEv_tRU0VsstHp684jEYpVVjPBseH9TthdUQTM6bHfishHKx93SWxPSujZYh1fzZsHxFSPmnt7ngK6GURBHuqh64A/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Bvc16iSb4UfWr0YlaB1uXyuFmusG6_7-apEpJ4MuZoK2VV3iaPEv_tRU0VsstHp684jEYpVVjPBseH9TthdUQTM6bHfishHKx93SWxPSujZYh1fzZsHxFSPmnt7ngK6GURBHuqh64A/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva loved nothing more all summer long than swimming at Grammie's house with her cousins, and POPSICLES!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JUNE:</div>We were just loving summer this month! The weather was amazing and we had lots of days at Grammie's pool. Our CSA also started on Memorial Day, so we got to go to the farm every Monday and pick up our share of fruits and veggies (and pick some off the vine, too). This started a long summer of trying new recipes (especially ones that end up as delicious popsicles) with all the goodies from the farm. Eva loved kale chips!<br />
My dad had surgery this month and the outcome was "cancer free"! Evangeline saw him soon after surgery and showed such concern and compassion. She knew he was hurting and she prayed for him on the car ride home. I hope I always remember that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML6uT2Ms32flz_C5Tt83FSGR6K-amMtvQY17mZGmjIMEmPP4Eci9vJ75GdcEh00Wszfg090Md2zyJZJ7DpNEN73-PZp5gVlXiPubrRMcHeKYP3NTnGmmktXgdJjkwvMpeZwVIYIYSITI/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML6uT2Ms32flz_C5Tt83FSGR6K-amMtvQY17mZGmjIMEmPP4Eci9vJ75GdcEh00Wszfg090Md2zyJZJ7DpNEN73-PZp5gVlXiPubrRMcHeKYP3NTnGmmktXgdJjkwvMpeZwVIYIYSITI/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I don't know if Eva is a Mommy's-girl or a Daddy's-girl because she loves on us both an awful lot. Of course, it's always thrilling when Daddy comes home from work because he's been gone all day. Maybe she'd miss me more if I ever went away :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPq_Xxe7czXQj-r57DWI15IJ6hGnagjh37D3NS9PpCAoVd7-X_563C1B3Ap1nws4gcUU4MLYydZM14hJlahfot5jU8HWA8VhN7NI3GSaFhSdp4-sFuxbn8l1mYl_i_f5uBc5OA2xK-iU/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPq_Xxe7czXQj-r57DWI15IJ6hGnagjh37D3NS9PpCAoVd7-X_563C1B3Ap1nws4gcUU4MLYydZM14hJlahfot5jU8HWA8VhN7NI3GSaFhSdp4-sFuxbn8l1mYl_i_f5uBc5OA2xK-iU/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGATvJmoA-bHTfWHvcUHZ_pojwJtWB4BkXEuA1YphPwRr6-y0hOBFDc8WhnvM34W7r-oWaCJ_T5er1Q6luUjinSkmMmlD4ShqOW7UGB8IpbUzIh-XF5sW5vxoGehsQfD27FQmxygQLsU/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGATvJmoA-bHTfWHvcUHZ_pojwJtWB4BkXEuA1YphPwRr6-y0hOBFDc8WhnvM34W7r-oWaCJ_T5er1Q6luUjinSkmMmlD4ShqOW7UGB8IpbUzIh-XF5sW5vxoGehsQfD27FQmxygQLsU/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eva sleeps in a sea of silkiness. She loves the feeling of satin and strokes her "silkies" until she falls asleep every single night. Her favorite blanket is a white one that is silky on one side (see picture below). I don't know what we will do if she ever loses it. Honestly, it will devastate both of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidODA12T8YEPfgB3VWVA54w76n3JMsKTylo7Ey4iCAALJR2a46-xU31ZqCdUdiKKJME0xdRaKp1XyYJIwne9ok7qq4JBQz0fUF_FRP-VhhVgBtaS9HpjbupLrsy5G9IAACXrU9jX63nAM/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidODA12T8YEPfgB3VWVA54w76n3JMsKTylo7Ey4iCAALJR2a46-xU31ZqCdUdiKKJME0xdRaKp1XyYJIwne9ok7qq4JBQz0fUF_FRP-VhhVgBtaS9HpjbupLrsy5G9IAACXrU9jX63nAM/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, is this the MOST IRRESISTIBLE FACE YOU'VE EVER SEEN OR WHAT?? How can I be irritated at 5:30 when I am greeted with this sweetness? I love this picture of her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_w5bjlBtYe6678CQRCw2jLJx5JyBanRKfnxtQEe6aNE1GmL3s9suIq9VishRgt4HL7Py5g_A8tjEb-1b0QbNoEkEg9zN9wi8o99bLedbp3_cotdvQUeh2nXf8VvdPocRXzTx_N_nVZE/s1600/IMG_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_w5bjlBtYe6678CQRCw2jLJx5JyBanRKfnxtQEe6aNE1GmL3s9suIq9VishRgt4HL7Py5g_A8tjEb-1b0QbNoEkEg9zN9wi8o99bLedbp3_cotdvQUeh2nXf8VvdPocRXzTx_N_nVZE/s320/IMG_0442.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva with one of her 5 or 6 babies. She loves this one and it goes to bed with her. She's excited about something here, and if I remember correctly, I am pretty sure it had something to do with chocolate.</div><br />
JULY: This month we went on our 3rd annual OBX vacation with the Wells' family. We always capture some great pictures and this year was no exception. Eva loves water (pool or beach or lake- so far she doesn't discriminate but I am fairly certain she will be a pool girl). She loves helping me clean. And, I do mean LOVES- sometimes she cries when I tell her we are all done.<br />
<i>You are 2.5 years old- I cannot believe it! It's amazing how fast time goes. You are going through a "that's mine!" stage- you say it about everything. I'm not sure how to handle it, but I am thinking maybe I should ignore it? I'll let you know how you are doing with this next time I check in.</i><br />
<i>You are developing the most unreal personality. The other day I asked you what you wanted to do and you said, "Maybe go to Target?". I asked if there was something in particular you wanted there and you said, "Maybe get a purple dress?" We went and sure enough we found one on clearance for $2.75 and it was pretty darn cute! You wore it to church on Sunday and were acting like quite a show-off! You are loving Sunday School and ask all week if we can go again yet. </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcPcwPrrTEFbeArViyKe7fZ9kFMjsq_6KpTHs93qsBJblTSoKu4tyTd43Qh_dUG7DnAmksU6s2sBAy80Ua0J3TqKWTS8RfELKrjhVDlwJvCVQrwkViFfheEA6z2XkCApFuLhMEqfl0aE/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcPcwPrrTEFbeArViyKe7fZ9kFMjsq_6KpTHs93qsBJblTSoKu4tyTd43Qh_dUG7DnAmksU6s2sBAy80Ua0J3TqKWTS8RfELKrjhVDlwJvCVQrwkViFfheEA6z2XkCApFuLhMEqfl0aE/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" width="231" /></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/AVvXsEg0M7WBORxDtxTr8suixYit10_dIzMbiwz2iU-ODpdLN4HTJnqFksGRq_vVPs6zLX3xdGe5yPFHhEdU0Vuy_UHqZrGpItkecNjfXEwlgKiqujYjiz8ZPl6hfVfoO0GkxJQzEo5xSOxLrrQ/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M7WBORxDtxTr8suixYit10_dIzMbiwz2iU-ODpdLN4HTJnqFksGRq_vVPs6zLX3xdGe5yPFHhEdU0Vuy_UHqZrGpItkecNjfXEwlgKiqujYjiz8ZPl6hfVfoO0GkxJQzEo5xSOxLrrQ/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmwRq97rlhKd0Q2fe9XsJ9cq4zTIO9mMxPGwlm8A30fpd99dcKuwWjzm11TyIt3cR9wHr3s_65hrQXZJuW3501tMboYOLc4iUIFmpV4u5IL9N9QU9hQSMSo4mTK56xLEfYEvYYjQQTqI/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmwRq97rlhKd0Q2fe9XsJ9cq4zTIO9mMxPGwlm8A30fpd99dcKuwWjzm11TyIt3cR9wHr3s_65hrQXZJuW3501tMboYOLc4iUIFmpV4u5IL9N9QU9hQSMSo4mTK56xLEfYEvYYjQQTqI/s320/DSC_0387.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eva is a bit of a dare-devil and she loves being thrown- the higher the better. People always gasp when they see how high Mike gets her sometimes. I can guarantee that she's gone WAY higher than what I got in this picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYV7MdR7LhA_OugAVVHS1klYVMts0odY2kUrNWlKplHKTxALED_1KDC17ACEEFLQb5qHYm2y7gMjP5m02ysGlFFnUlgh-6KzcGtbYbgVJ-aFY1z1PJ0A6JHbbNuO3-KH3K3fcZO19itc/s1600/DSC_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYV7MdR7LhA_OugAVVHS1klYVMts0odY2kUrNWlKplHKTxALED_1KDC17ACEEFLQb5qHYm2y7gMjP5m02ysGlFFnUlgh-6KzcGtbYbgVJ-aFY1z1PJ0A6JHbbNuO3-KH3K3fcZO19itc/s320/DSC_0203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a63aoFT8JVhVQa14zZK_XYujnQXrk4X3wkQJe1Wg5fUD5dFo_nynycfXarBugyRGJEqvjMBYP8ub_vjMT04oerfr5a7-dNguq22rkvaFuUEeNs18kFmbxi5TB_8HX5x0Bc5-UubD1B8/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a63aoFT8JVhVQa14zZK_XYujnQXrk4X3wkQJe1Wg5fUD5dFo_nynycfXarBugyRGJEqvjMBYP8ub_vjMT04oerfr5a7-dNguq22rkvaFuUEeNs18kFmbxi5TB_8HX5x0Bc5-UubD1B8/s320/DSC_0122.JPG" width="190" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another picture of Eva that I simply adore. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UOlmba72tC1YuCS9dqp7pPIt0qEo_UnYovVP5bJHysXcQcoEgCJeb5aS2VI-MAvgSXG-vRlAIHGTZu7GKqjAVL-_tuhAU5FtRFyjP8Hp7l6DTrcF-lY55aQNw8w4pCVt1gBiHUE7wGI/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UOlmba72tC1YuCS9dqp7pPIt0qEo_UnYovVP5bJHysXcQcoEgCJeb5aS2VI-MAvgSXG-vRlAIHGTZu7GKqjAVL-_tuhAU5FtRFyjP8Hp7l6DTrcF-lY55aQNw8w4pCVt1gBiHUE7wGI/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Girl loves her ice-cream. Any sweet treats she's actually pretty fond of- if she doesn't like it and it has sugar in it, you must have screwed it up bad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmfLXbGnPIlTYFxDMSnal4yS7KDfUR3UOaSCWf8L0NFUZxPc9_OrCs-pQ125i9ZFeQ7qfVsn1tcvXHbf0DYVq3TEyz0xcxy2BMPpq3bH5XJT-31VDyIaxauXq7uNhSoP3UKxa0lmH6vs/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmfLXbGnPIlTYFxDMSnal4yS7KDfUR3UOaSCWf8L0NFUZxPc9_OrCs-pQ125i9ZFeQ7qfVsn1tcvXHbf0DYVq3TEyz0xcxy2BMPpq3bH5XJT-31VDyIaxauXq7uNhSoP3UKxa0lmH6vs/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smiling at the Strasburg Railroad. Watching her take in new things is always so fun for me. She delights in learning and seeing new things. </div><br />
AUGUST:<br />
We spent several days at Longwood gardens this month and took full advantage of the "pick your own" blackberries at our CSA. Eva got stung picking one day by a hornet (I got stung twice)- her first "sting" experience and no reaction so that was a silver lining! Eva's love of playgrounds got pretty intense this month and there was a lot of whining when we passed one and couldn't stop. But, no worries- she still got plenty of playground time in. She also got to go to the aquarium for the 1st time and we found a secret creek stomping spot! Full month of outdoor fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7SeGdtlQSf192wyDbfZEXcv4Fuet1xXZ6f0aLbDIp3-eM2tEKCNfvsfQ3ZGSKeujdv64Ca7tvLOINhS25htk7ext_8z34HM5i9oUuIK3_j336KSYKfk3JZx7Nz8ZGdVos1SATqBlNfg/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7SeGdtlQSf192wyDbfZEXcv4Fuet1xXZ6f0aLbDIp3-eM2tEKCNfvsfQ3ZGSKeujdv64Ca7tvLOINhS25htk7ext_8z34HM5i9oUuIK3_j336KSYKfk3JZx7Nz8ZGdVos1SATqBlNfg/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittL95hEo4AO66X9lL59JhRUr9AagriOxj5E8eU2edC7e87z_yCuKhgbk_vkhJhfT7YroXgvGqaa1FhscwZ6FGoGXVeJvJc7XlqhmlnCIQT7FJn-YI0gQbC_UUnga8QiY117bUiIyVDXM/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittL95hEo4AO66X9lL59JhRUr9AagriOxj5E8eU2edC7e87z_yCuKhgbk_vkhJhfT7YroXgvGqaa1FhscwZ6FGoGXVeJvJc7XlqhmlnCIQT7FJn-YI0gQbC_UUnga8QiY117bUiIyVDXM/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittL95hEo4AO66X9lL59JhRUr9AagriOxj5E8eU2edC7e87z_yCuKhgbk_vkhJhfT7YroXgvGqaa1FhscwZ6FGoGXVeJvJc7XlqhmlnCIQT7FJn-YI0gQbC_UUnga8QiY117bUiIyVDXM/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>She loves to play in the rain on warm summer days. Why not get the hose out and add more water?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlxcn5ZqwG_jRbljt3x7QI2_im57zfejuiK5EzXSB-t2MmsvpafkrpIYmPD73TCW4s7xtGfgScQ6S7YtcZOGrOZW2wXXlkJ4fgYwPxlGFclvh04ZnRdFKaemWoW7IS4NHLD8CmZUzXZo/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlxcn5ZqwG_jRbljt3x7QI2_im57zfejuiK5EzXSB-t2MmsvpafkrpIYmPD73TCW4s7xtGfgScQ6S7YtcZOGrOZW2wXXlkJ4fgYwPxlGFclvh04ZnRdFKaemWoW7IS4NHLD8CmZUzXZo/s320/DSC_0122.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She loves chasing the water on this fountain at Longwood Gardens. This is one of her favorite places and this picture was taken during her "I love purple and I love tank tops" phase. I was seriously worried about the fall coming- she fought it hard, but long sleeves finally won. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7blGPIDgd_PL5RLO8cF9D6Pp3LDc0YPz49_tb-iyF53c_vQGLnXRRCuPCiHaS4rp0liFFoa91RBtNzzDL4VaaWiSUl_yDW_q50Ut_uKiuYNv33hiiWmG1w6E21GeyvmJg_1y2MMLW0BM/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7blGPIDgd_PL5RLO8cF9D6Pp3LDc0YPz49_tb-iyF53c_vQGLnXRRCuPCiHaS4rp0liFFoa91RBtNzzDL4VaaWiSUl_yDW_q50Ut_uKiuYNv33hiiWmG1w6E21GeyvmJg_1y2MMLW0BM/s320/DSC_0232.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRKReuUHoIjj6ofVPclAaRJJFnIgC8GWMDUFVTqy8It83KIuZz7QvWaXa0aIuEmg5mkZ0mju6ZBhu1XP0kVS7PGffDZP5SeSg-XLP-lSzAyltWIm5SA01QpPjezusx3cSy63vub_sNWk/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRKReuUHoIjj6ofVPclAaRJJFnIgC8GWMDUFVTqy8It83KIuZz7QvWaXa0aIuEmg5mkZ0mju6ZBhu1XP0kVS7PGffDZP5SeSg-XLP-lSzAyltWIm5SA01QpPjezusx3cSy63vub_sNWk/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She loves when Sam laughs at her. When she does something and he laughs, she does it over and over again until he stops. It can go on for a very long time and Sam is gasping for breath. On this day, she was hiding in the closet and running out to him and he couldn't get enough of it. I love that she finds so much joy in making him laugh.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPPCOmvhDTRJHS1GZmecb3uHlVoyRx-9nUJv9f4sYffx1XIOQwXpCrDNyMnuL25Nn507lamGPMwYGjK9gMfceiOJ6TFouz7sz7uPFCwaJT98ZCvhm9BV-FyxUm_f65dO3LsVuNdiK56k/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPPCOmvhDTRJHS1GZmecb3uHlVoyRx-9nUJv9f4sYffx1XIOQwXpCrDNyMnuL25Nn507lamGPMwYGjK9gMfceiOJ6TFouz7sz7uPFCwaJT98ZCvhm9BV-FyxUm_f65dO3LsVuNdiK56k/s320/DSC_0149.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oos2OuoKFLh6VIdqPrdortecybhKs4Tp2gcuaWQdLWgHv1s3u6nkaJ2D0-lksqvz2sqa2mDDx6qOyRduDBoWlj1478Zg-IOu3PwSLln2hbhfk_wvJsNc_u0sHtFEjDtJJqTEiRnzPOU/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oos2OuoKFLh6VIdqPrdortecybhKs4Tp2gcuaWQdLWgHv1s3u6nkaJ2D0-lksqvz2sqa2mDDx6qOyRduDBoWlj1478Zg-IOu3PwSLln2hbhfk_wvJsNc_u0sHtFEjDtJJqTEiRnzPOU/s320/DSC_0172.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tiny heiny. So stinkin' cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAST-GZx3O0bXI3YW6RqVNQ-Nz-y6h-shnZefF3z2ga9wKOSAb1sOdC1wey4ht40eKVFOFiZTvTB17Fs6LxXUZyiz7yg7Uz0ghigosh2w-_ZsoMUDcKoeozMLEIiCm8NKwbkIjI3W4pUs/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAST-GZx3O0bXI3YW6RqVNQ-Nz-y6h-shnZefF3z2ga9wKOSAb1sOdC1wey4ht40eKVFOFiZTvTB17Fs6LxXUZyiz7yg7Uz0ghigosh2w-_ZsoMUDcKoeozMLEIiCm8NKwbkIjI3W4pUs/s320/DSC_0068.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watching Tigger and Pooh with her buddies, Buster and Pooh.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QX2Wzhc06YlYYlIMHrcPgffrUMNSky15ZWg6uN4sgF7FLcsLvuQ1FA9cQiS2UNdxUto3h6pTy6uuKFl5342LsNYIt2GLrSFGxeTG-pYiWxqSPUZoJsUyR80PAoqI870x-qRrdxG2TkI/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QX2Wzhc06YlYYlIMHrcPgffrUMNSky15ZWg6uN4sgF7FLcsLvuQ1FA9cQiS2UNdxUto3h6pTy6uuKFl5342LsNYIt2GLrSFGxeTG-pYiWxqSPUZoJsUyR80PAoqI870x-qRrdxG2TkI/s320/DSC_0140.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She loved flip-flops but didn't really have the hang of them this summer. Whenever we went to someone's house and she spotted a pair (these were Judah's), she put them on and wore them until we left.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84rDw_7p_okqm_lupS-aR20xwxUatgOazjKX6HU2hh-eqhsKZw9jt_qEKb0GBDGZVNc9jz00QyfaCdOECYqL-9LkQfmXJyG0QLVk7rtoevvjhxtOjk8iYKSWFw0f3aaq6kGmr1Ur7v4U/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84rDw_7p_okqm_lupS-aR20xwxUatgOazjKX6HU2hh-eqhsKZw9jt_qEKb0GBDGZVNc9jz00QyfaCdOECYqL-9LkQfmXJyG0QLVk7rtoevvjhxtOjk8iYKSWFw0f3aaq6kGmr1Ur7v4U/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Always the helper, feeding Samuel. She did a really good job (she only made him gag 3 or 4 times).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX_qbB06tOfg5DxeZjzKrnK40_j_D55vKL7RwSHPQj0iuqMowMwp1lfTBvNTgBgw3xmQFwFsoSPt4-x8T8q5bNFmnSUQCwFzbKY5aLUcbIBMgOsATsqalSYYTOBVCo7SBlu_q7sDbRwU/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX_qbB06tOfg5DxeZjzKrnK40_j_D55vKL7RwSHPQj0iuqMowMwp1lfTBvNTgBgw3xmQFwFsoSPt4-x8T8q5bNFmnSUQCwFzbKY5aLUcbIBMgOsATsqalSYYTOBVCo7SBlu_q7sDbRwU/s320/DSC_0083.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Um, check out those freakin' moves!!! Evangeline is a dancer. She doesn't need music- here, she found herself inspired by the penguins at the Aquarium. </div><br />
<br />
SEPTEMBER:<br />
Eva started preschool this month. She loves it and is doing SO well. It was quite an adjustment for me, but I was so happy to see her go off so independently with a huge smile on her face. She continues a love of jewelry and all things "girl"- painting her nails, pretend makeup, playing dress up, trying on my heels. I often sit her on my bed with a drawer from my jewelry box while I am putting Sam down for his nap. She just ohhs and ahhhs at all the sparkly, shiny things and loves to try them on. An hour later though, you'll find her picking up worms, digingg in the dirt, splashing in the mud, and searching for bugs. This child is such a delight!<br />
<i>When I dropped you off for your first day of preschool you were thrilled. You walked right in, waved good-bye, and started talking with your teacher. No tears, no fear. You AMAZE ME! You had a great day! Your teacher sent the parents some pictures of your day and you were in 3 of them- and in all 3 of them you had only one pig-tail in. Only you. Why do you always rip out your bows, clips, and hair ties? It makes me crazy! </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMKsfR0mKTHBKjZQOv8ZilepiKPNSnXok5ao-KRxBY6YkpHVYmooNX2FtammSVlHe02xb0IaVbPwXgECDP8XlLLY-x2CV-0dULSU8L_l_Dm9jwlCZwBqOhEl6bzu-R2LPvicsOuvVXPQ/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMKsfR0mKTHBKjZQOv8ZilepiKPNSnXok5ao-KRxBY6YkpHVYmooNX2FtammSVlHe02xb0IaVbPwXgECDP8XlLLY-x2CV-0dULSU8L_l_Dm9jwlCZwBqOhEl6bzu-R2LPvicsOuvVXPQ/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Watching a movie with daddy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNSflQz3vbk_JcZtCBW0hWF9geqo7yDi1FBNsB3jgkAIixh3zl9hZNu5H9i_v_m8HogYaOsKaeaj2ZS_K-vAtKa8u0lg-iwCDgn-EJR1zsaf30xuiBeeCby6aAzbNbTCnPDKJuFrcyZ4/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNSflQz3vbk_JcZtCBW0hWF9geqo7yDi1FBNsB3jgkAIixh3zl9hZNu5H9i_v_m8HogYaOsKaeaj2ZS_K-vAtKa8u0lg-iwCDgn-EJR1zsaf30xuiBeeCby6aAzbNbTCnPDKJuFrcyZ4/s320/DSC_0069.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>First day of school with her "almost as big as I am" backpack.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZETsxp517wG-qRWN0Vu54n8m1HIEnNbaLGqlwzjXBwn42vCmLT-EBt8gUJ1sI7CHHeGUk14Zr0GTFEpked5njOju7NQU5EhXOIyMru7hOYA8ykB3a7lVj5NcLzvhipm3pxSfjJVbWFHs/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZETsxp517wG-qRWN0Vu54n8m1HIEnNbaLGqlwzjXBwn42vCmLT-EBt8gUJ1sI7CHHeGUk14Zr0GTFEpked5njOju7NQU5EhXOIyMru7hOYA8ykB3a7lVj5NcLzvhipm3pxSfjJVbWFHs/s320/IMG_0614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A simple joy- the playground. She LOVES them and we went A LOT this year.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3jwNAqhucJfO0qNzmi2BDqMv5ZngsKwsksx0bInpNZZNb7Q35gdELH5eTSc0jUYPiQYlbsxqxMhK6oPoO-uSVY2qe1pS6FMzzU70Vr9-1XmAmmCxAViH0usodvQS_tZkHJy5nvIfeZg/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3jwNAqhucJfO0qNzmi2BDqMv5ZngsKwsksx0bInpNZZNb7Q35gdELH5eTSc0jUYPiQYlbsxqxMhK6oPoO-uSVY2qe1pS6FMzzU70Vr9-1XmAmmCxAViH0usodvQS_tZkHJy5nvIfeZg/s320/IMG_0702.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves "paint nails". "Daddy, can I do paint nails on your toes?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
OCTOBER:<br />
Eva's third halloween- we went "Tigger-training" as opposed to "trick or treating" like the rest of the world. She was a fairy. She started LOVING Tinkerbell since Mike bought her the movie, so it was an obvious choice. She also had a little crush on Terrence (Tinkerbell's friend), which I was not fond of! She wasn't thrilled about the jackets and coats and sweaters that come with the colder weather, but it didn't keep us from enjoying being outside for at least a little while each day. We squeezed all we could out of the warm days of fall! Her sweetness was in full force, too. One day she came over and gave me a kiss and said, "Mommy, you are the most precious, precious girl in the whole world."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oSD88L1v2155PdobaAoTIa-rvXjYvuyIuwkvvweIY9cNy12C38XE2pjOf4aOwlmvuw4vbIoxmTUyYbbta1T3W9_PJ9GQZNAhscUk8cseYf_qhfbuH8WUJu5MTUfg2rPWyydlaLaLDhI/s1600/IMG_0716.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oSD88L1v2155PdobaAoTIa-rvXjYvuyIuwkvvweIY9cNy12C38XE2pjOf4aOwlmvuw4vbIoxmTUyYbbta1T3W9_PJ9GQZNAhscUk8cseYf_qhfbuH8WUJu5MTUfg2rPWyydlaLaLDhI/s320/IMG_0716.PNG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another simple joy- the neighbor's sandbox. It may have been 50 degrees, but she's having loads of fun!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02BB6quihLitFMVEeye1UXlM8NS8LmYlQQbOY3pJzsdsxaqEuOB2CjwXI9tXh-yHoS2aJpwwVGCj3UzAUu9cOvOton3D3Y8etz8ZfDQyVXSnfdzu5VPC_RAfYhXp3fEDUPynFjrdGDDk/s1600/IMG_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02BB6quihLitFMVEeye1UXlM8NS8LmYlQQbOY3pJzsdsxaqEuOB2CjwXI9tXh-yHoS2aJpwwVGCj3UzAUu9cOvOton3D3Y8etz8ZfDQyVXSnfdzu5VPC_RAfYhXp3fEDUPynFjrdGDDk/s320/IMG_0718.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mommy, this is what Moses looked like when he was sad". We went to see a Moses play and Eva was completely enamored with the whole thing. I was amazed at her ability to follow and understand what was going on at 2.5 years old. And, she retained it. She still tells me about how "Moses' mommy and sister were sad about what Pharoah said so they put him in a basket and put him in the river! And then the princess takes care of him". I know I am biased, but she is really smart!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZdtPjskK6xYS5xyclqxmOg59TX4zJmD1Z8LxLmR7HFm0CAIyNw2DlUbTIac5AFOf9qahY6u0Bdn6PPRgAnWZZf-D30t5O-GcFC-BnVj8iDjSTfdHq3ZLPTSHths3S65fERbJI2crqMc/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZdtPjskK6xYS5xyclqxmOg59TX4zJmD1Z8LxLmR7HFm0CAIyNw2DlUbTIac5AFOf9qahY6u0Bdn6PPRgAnWZZf-D30t5O-GcFC-BnVj8iDjSTfdHq3ZLPTSHths3S65fERbJI2crqMc/s320/DSC_0296.JPG" width="209" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9Z6iIe8v5ODHzyMFk9E2WBPoj2x8ce8YXWK5EV-XyyufRLT6Iv21iV_XhsBgE-m1ZvGt_mBwNqFnXLPtrCgRNsqiz_zw-Bs6naecvRhGe-sa0AuonvZUbjOPjnApbZswVa93s379jdc/s1600/DSC_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9Z6iIe8v5ODHzyMFk9E2WBPoj2x8ce8YXWK5EV-XyyufRLT6Iv21iV_XhsBgE-m1ZvGt_mBwNqFnXLPtrCgRNsqiz_zw-Bs6naecvRhGe-sa0AuonvZUbjOPjnApbZswVa93s379jdc/s320/DSC_0440.JPG" width="229" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see the full story on this <a href="http://mikeandlaurenwells.blogspot.com/2010/10/shes-got-markers-so.html">here</a>. It really was a priceless moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB05FkjuFbDM9lS4Vrap-YQNVpN1PkyjZm9Iab9UOed-19KyVGDf4nR5uHjtiz9O5aSANsyk_DuYZBacpaNNeHnOWBjvgd4D0JwqBLNpKh_v13n_H16LR8tueS5_uYlBLUQFAqArdziH4/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB05FkjuFbDM9lS4Vrap-YQNVpN1PkyjZm9Iab9UOed-19KyVGDf4nR5uHjtiz9O5aSANsyk_DuYZBacpaNNeHnOWBjvgd4D0JwqBLNpKh_v13n_H16LR8tueS5_uYlBLUQFAqArdziH4/s320/DSC_0016.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An adorable cow at her school's Harvest Party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUHbotwHpF-UnO76oTK8JN3Do5etm09gY_P7ygfrEVwxJx_LLJcQRNcVmtGlg4FCkK1jy3tlxdhVavWy7WbOjWC4w2AADuHyRS593bmVkFwtvB8lFvkS-jfEwYF3VmMbI9M9mKs86OFE/s1600/DSC_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUHbotwHpF-UnO76oTK8JN3Do5etm09gY_P7ygfrEVwxJx_LLJcQRNcVmtGlg4FCkK1jy3tlxdhVavWy7WbOjWC4w2AADuHyRS593bmVkFwtvB8lFvkS-jfEwYF3VmMbI9M9mKs86OFE/s320/DSC_0202.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_go1oUAOWWdvIdHgxxAYO1g4CzDUZ4_0b9acQC_wnU9CkVS7XPSfx5E2tV1OC8n5yXjROtCK-h-NeJRoTenD0jm-A6MvF9wT4kuKB19V6H1RiOyEGfDv69ct5yrJPJWwdy7_-Aq1zyy0/s1600/DSC_0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_go1oUAOWWdvIdHgxxAYO1g4CzDUZ4_0b9acQC_wnU9CkVS7XPSfx5E2tV1OC8n5yXjROtCK-h-NeJRoTenD0jm-A6MvF9wT4kuKB19V6H1RiOyEGfDv69ct5yrJPJWwdy7_-Aq1zyy0/s320/DSC_0361.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My little fairy.</div><br />
NOVEMBER:<br />
Eva (and Sam) had her first overnight away from mommy and daddy. We went away for the weekend and she stayed with Aunt Jill, Uncle Neil, and Judah. She slept on Judah's trundle and had a great time. This was quite a milestone as sleeping does not come easily to either of our kids. Since potty-training, Eva's sleep was pretty erratic because she would wake to go to the bathroom and then have a hard time getting back to sleep. Sometimes I would hear her jumping on her bed for HOURS in the middle of the night.<br />
This month Eva started to really enjoy watching me in the kitchen and wanted to be my big-helper. She helped (genuinely) me make a casserole and pecan pie for Thanksgiving at my moms!<br />
<i>You are sweeter with Sam everyday, I think. You truly love him and work hard to protect him, making sure he doesn't grab small objects ("No, no Sammy! You could choke!") or go up the stairs. You entertain him and just LOVE when he giggles at you. And boy, does he giggle at you! You are like his personal comedian, I swear!</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuIbXKBGsMHBQbH8DrBTmwRTN1h64osVT8jD982m2gOGPnLKa6UH94wE4_2cvlU57eL3mNqPxnyQhnOsL8HBKNgqceu1tyNlJ3TONdo2atUbJ49uITGSG1b17pXu4PgS5CgLm0ilOnQs/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuIbXKBGsMHBQbH8DrBTmwRTN1h64osVT8jD982m2gOGPnLKa6UH94wE4_2cvlU57eL3mNqPxnyQhnOsL8HBKNgqceu1tyNlJ3TONdo2atUbJ49uITGSG1b17pXu4PgS5CgLm0ilOnQs/s320/DSC_0272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS-IojinZOwE3LtEy895TpnJvoMS_pTZhC3kCvK0nBQtE_6FsVphjpo8jTjp7DnNKp8cAzKOV28f7E8Wx0NkYjJTrLAsE0WUFoocclFP81kKag9k7wG4284raETSaQ0tQqHNJnuB_Vj8/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS-IojinZOwE3LtEy895TpnJvoMS_pTZhC3kCvK0nBQtE_6FsVphjpo8jTjp7DnNKp8cAzKOV28f7E8Wx0NkYjJTrLAsE0WUFoocclFP81kKag9k7wG4284raETSaQ0tQqHNJnuB_Vj8/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva loves working out with daddy and practicing yoga moves. She sees his P90X shirt and says, "Daddy, that's P-Piney-X. You gonna work out?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP86yRVE0X1bvwNq4l4WI5sNkUfUWOz-FHqgAXkQyZmDCXwgOyCd-7zmM8NvKfOx4l1amGRi7g6fl_URQIFoxRWhzvAyqHHVRE4yQ-6Ar5IDAT_yrE_zKxfto4-z6GYCN4L4EISqNG24/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP86yRVE0X1bvwNq4l4WI5sNkUfUWOz-FHqgAXkQyZmDCXwgOyCd-7zmM8NvKfOx4l1amGRi7g6fl_URQIFoxRWhzvAyqHHVRE4yQ-6Ar5IDAT_yrE_zKxfto4-z6GYCN4L4EISqNG24/s320/DSC_0091.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva bowing to pray at her class' Harvest Party presentation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMRLtIAj_ohW6wr6sqPXYQCjGHYsVhyZK7FMifSEinPSFuVKe4ioClmlSp_GE9f6pcBuF5Nh4ALafKO2UlM5L4oh4xUd9pq9ugv2f-stAQq6i2Aimdgw0JDgg_-VR1uEDKtpPCvErk7g/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMRLtIAj_ohW6wr6sqPXYQCjGHYsVhyZK7FMifSEinPSFuVKe4ioClmlSp_GE9f6pcBuF5Nh4ALafKO2UlM5L4oh4xUd9pq9ugv2f-stAQq6i2Aimdgw0JDgg_-VR1uEDKtpPCvErk7g/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sipping Tea on Thanksgiving. She is a tea party expert! (We have one in the bath almost every night).</div><br />
DECEMBER:<br />
What fun to celebrate Christmas with a child! We did a daily activity on our Advent Calendar and she loved opening them up each day. She really took in the meaning of the season and, of course, loved all the lights and sparkle that Christmas brings. This month is when I got the news that my Grammie was very ill and was dying. I made the decision to fly to Oklahoma with my siblings and was away from Eva for the longest period ever. It was so difficult for so many reasons. She had a hard time and it was clear when I came home that she wasn't happy I up and left her without saying good-bye. We recovered and had a wonderful Christmas.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JANUARY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh the SNOW. We got very stir-crazy from being inside and it was bitter cold most of those days. I have nothing more to say...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OlfuWLKE6gshbmKbIzsCpT317_xq1BT8s1UwwS_afGUKPAgLP0nIzvKXvErPDmoDpHWA7Xf1gS_YsHDFHKdOMfxJxwfyQ671chhfkJ9a3B1g-4V8FfEZrcvZMow2CQ9XA7tPWwThD-g/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OlfuWLKE6gshbmKbIzsCpT317_xq1BT8s1UwwS_afGUKPAgLP0nIzvKXvErPDmoDpHWA7Xf1gS_YsHDFHKdOMfxJxwfyQ671chhfkJ9a3B1g-4V8FfEZrcvZMow2CQ9XA7tPWwThD-g/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgDzQ2c0dbwFVNtnSdri6kEP-p6f5g6Azf0SouVPXv9zkJerxroiayWqZN5cmVcYFLqd0umzwWLuSB-94jE7j-wXZEtmFvI5wZNlv6H3815h1PiMMGCRz8i_YIiOlfpICrUH5j5-QnMg/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgDzQ2c0dbwFVNtnSdri6kEP-p6f5g6Azf0SouVPXv9zkJerxroiayWqZN5cmVcYFLqd0umzwWLuSB-94jE7j-wXZEtmFvI5wZNlv6H3815h1PiMMGCRz8i_YIiOlfpICrUH5j5-QnMg/s320/DSC_0087.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Paci fairy came this month and brought Eva a snow white dress.</div><br />
FEBRUARY:<br />
We celebrated Eva and Sam's birthday's together this year. Here is another story to further illustrate her love for her brother: We got each of them a cake (Sam had a whale cake, Eva had a Tinkerbell cake), and brought each of their cakes to the table where they were seated next to each other. Everyone started singing and when it got to the part where you say the name it was a little muffled, but most people said, "Happy Birthday, dear Sam and Eva" or something close. After Eva blew out her candle, she looked at me with this very confused look and then burst into tears. She was able to tell me through her sobs that "we didn't sing to Samuel!" I couldn't convince her that we sang to both of them (she didn't hear his name I guess), so we sang again. She was then a happy girl!<br />
The pics below are of her on her birthday at school, which was yesterday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1KZ29r00jtmXyaCliAbvrRH1o42o2ISvRlGQJr6-vYOiUvVEIzkoxsXfFJvyfJpwuwIEvbKG2YyiA_BzaoRpFD4FOhy5FyeweLXbD3tQLPANHX-PPz-tsG_qWjotk9YF88E5n7lKuKk/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1KZ29r00jtmXyaCliAbvrRH1o42o2ISvRlGQJr6-vYOiUvVEIzkoxsXfFJvyfJpwuwIEvbKG2YyiA_BzaoRpFD4FOhy5FyeweLXbD3tQLPANHX-PPz-tsG_qWjotk9YF88E5n7lKuKk/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is what I have been getting lately when I say, "smile!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouxHz7BBzdvZXK2jfCLMjyQ3zznGd_Inruo9hQtvOJcsueC5FN6fQzB8HjYKe7ihO-vW3CXtp3UATy3DZ2FvXc6Ks_G2iJPeRfWkBfkz9msmfSRJMr3OAzfjsR0-GberKh0nMPeO9Jeo/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouxHz7BBzdvZXK2jfCLMjyQ3zznGd_Inruo9hQtvOJcsueC5FN6fQzB8HjYKe7ihO-vW3CXtp3UATy3DZ2FvXc6Ks_G2iJPeRfWkBfkz9msmfSRJMr3OAzfjsR0-GberKh0nMPeO9Jeo/s320/DSC_0043.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sam and I got to come in for the first part of her day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AVssRO96QqaJ3ynOL2EiwnlYZn4UOGiTAktioW4vOj_HXRtWK-H48-Y98rreVT_YsFi-ZA2wrneuK-VxnHR6QKlHPD4W3sXnbvPw4nRrQhmBBoAs1Gfu5hywQmck3hbcnhDpWQfQhoM/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AVssRO96QqaJ3ynOL2EiwnlYZn4UOGiTAktioW4vOj_HXRtWK-H48-Y98rreVT_YsFi-ZA2wrneuK-VxnHR6QKlHPD4W3sXnbvPw4nRrQhmBBoAs1Gfu5hywQmck3hbcnhDpWQfQhoM/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Starting circle time. Eva was really happy we got to be there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd0q-5zfpRKF9117bHbiQSCCOnxupkh4GAKO4CY-2HIaDg3jl1bXsqEwJnIcbCqKYa0b3eqUoBQAoR2DKN7orD6YbLTNFNqyMWPiws16asvGSGPHp-USrnfL7c_MDF-HrbZFAfhLnjNo/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd0q-5zfpRKF9117bHbiQSCCOnxupkh4GAKO4CY-2HIaDg3jl1bXsqEwJnIcbCqKYa0b3eqUoBQAoR2DKN7orD6YbLTNFNqyMWPiws16asvGSGPHp-USrnfL7c_MDF-HrbZFAfhLnjNo/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She doesn't get into the singing part AT ALL :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHHGg00dFQR8QQAJ8ph9Dd5GZ70LuBNDbBdXXXxL4U7C_N5RPdaLgqrkoG3R-9rcDS02J1lZnRjRU3L9MkIRz5PcM694OsxdBJ8CaQsNZz88ZPtPCiktSS9VbUqGR4MP_aEwp1SfWW0A/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHHGg00dFQR8QQAJ8ph9Dd5GZ70LuBNDbBdXXXxL4U7C_N5RPdaLgqrkoG3R-9rcDS02J1lZnRjRU3L9MkIRz5PcM694OsxdBJ8CaQsNZz88ZPtPCiktSS9VbUqGR4MP_aEwp1SfWW0A/s320/DSC_0088.JPG" width="223" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny5ahjZ16phXMi3zb0NQ5kBKofasmgQp9nLXP8doG9h-Nu7dfbRv7jarqCI631TiFMm0c30LVG7acPqUTkXdMIQ8kT2LSJJf3dqTMhkbSWZOOAdlBYoH51EUdgTx106w6RubhRQq-vbU/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny5ahjZ16phXMi3zb0NQ5kBKofasmgQp9nLXP8doG9h-Nu7dfbRv7jarqCI631TiFMm0c30LVG7acPqUTkXdMIQ8kT2LSJJf3dqTMhkbSWZOOAdlBYoH51EUdgTx106w6RubhRQq-vbU/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dressing "weather bear".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC5_XcPXAMWU9epC4wjhR_t-B7Xb6bhRqyls2dsnDQaAuJs99n8rmYX6A8Yd0APXY_v0UTLNfevaDKBWgtUzLJcNlXL3jes1tmBIsC1RwBQTapvohJmlavNU2Eej8axHTajDSNsubc08/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC5_XcPXAMWU9epC4wjhR_t-B7Xb6bhRqyls2dsnDQaAuJs99n8rmYX6A8Yd0APXY_v0UTLNfevaDKBWgtUzLJcNlXL3jes1tmBIsC1RwBQTapvohJmlavNU2Eej8axHTajDSNsubc08/s320/DSC_0097.jpg" width="187" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhAAhNYG06R0C2Ckhd60sBVXG9Yqf5622BgQxW-7nZqWcKiuffdtCtokzdH2BPf93XxVsomx6A37vkq859A1wXEepkHyJ3ZVsN3RA1_oYv4cN75pg4SWcGlZoVGW4vlqZ0hGsGW41Q2c/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhAAhNYG06R0C2Ckhd60sBVXG9Yqf5622BgQxW-7nZqWcKiuffdtCtokzdH2BPf93XxVsomx6A37vkq859A1wXEepkHyJ3ZVsN3RA1_oYv4cN75pg4SWcGlZoVGW4vlqZ0hGsGW41Q2c/s320/DSC_0185.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After school we went to Longwood Gardens and both the kids got SOAKED in the children's garden. She had so much fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxstB8QB6jSgqhIUExGf-yxCb7B147iXq83sFw_9RjrcaAMtlIphyphenhyphenkaBNAWVWvdRuSc8PmBdXnuvwB90SELbTZrYyu4CJVAI-Ni9K6vkA5PVEx2JOdWgLQRcDeV5QSD8MDxve_v2xDK4/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxstB8QB6jSgqhIUExGf-yxCb7B147iXq83sFw_9RjrcaAMtlIphyphenhyphenkaBNAWVWvdRuSc8PmBdXnuvwB90SELbTZrYyu4CJVAI-Ni9K6vkA5PVEx2JOdWgLQRcDeV5QSD8MDxve_v2xDK4/s320/DSC_0175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's Eva's 3rd year. And a marathon of a post. Holy cow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-10545868495664372422011-02-07T17:48:00.000-08:002011-02-07T17:48:20.078-08:00Love Love LoveMe and Valentine's day...<br />
There is nothing to say really. I let it pass every year without thinking much of it honestly, and, neither does Mike. And, it doesn't hurt either of our feelings. We love each other- a lot. Like, a lot-a lot. We don't have much money. Like, very little-very little. Spending money on Christmas gifts doesn't get high priority, so Valentine's Day? PLEASE! I am pretty sure I'd be pissed if he brought home some expensive gift. I am pretty sure I'd make him take it back (of course, I would say this all in a very nice way and tell him how thankful I was for the gesture).<br />
But, now we have kids. One of them is in school. Do you know what this means?<br />
IT MEANS I CANNOT IGNORE VALENTINE'S DAY ANYMORE!<br />
At least for a dreadfully long time. Since I could not bear the thought of going to the grocery store and buying those little Valentine's that have little cards with some character on them, we headed to JoAnn's to see what we could find for a bargain AND a fun little craft for our winter-blah feeling (which we have all been experiencing lately). I think we spent $9- that includes the candy (for 9 Valentine's) and the mugs for the teachers.<br />
We had fun, so I'm embracing Valentine's Day.<br />
Well, that might be going too far. I'm trying to :)<br />
<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are cute, huh? I kinda want one myself...</div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-32498052924655333312011-01-28T19:39:00.000-08:002011-01-28T19:39:12.891-08:00PrincessEvangeline is my princess. Of course, I'm her mommy. The funny thing is that she seems utterly convinced that she is a princess to everyone! Her obsession was truly born out of NOWHERE. She has never seen a princess movie, and we own no princess books. She knows all the princess names and insists that she is called by that name when wearing that costume. She calls Mike her King, and Samuel her prince. She was given a dress up "kit" for her 2nd birthday and she immediately loved dressing up in the twirly dress, the tiara, high-heels, and, oh-my-word, she waved her wand like a professional even though she had no idea what is was for. Maybe that was the beginning of it?? Who knows, but I will indulge her inner princess as long as I, the Queen, get endless hugs and kisses from Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, & Tinkerbell.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iDHIcniujB8skEuAf9ZbJdXkieASCHw0ZyUcpTPjhGb3E00bNhmj8npluK0kD6Mgg8hMf_0WlImyrwxhprIHzevmIc_urtLM35jHSTt1Pc9BPFJe43BhWykb8T2fOpFx7DowKB094kg/s1600/DSC_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iDHIcniujB8skEuAf9ZbJdXkieASCHw0ZyUcpTPjhGb3E00bNhmj8npluK0kD6Mgg8hMf_0WlImyrwxhprIHzevmIc_urtLM35jHSTt1Pc9BPFJe43BhWykb8T2fOpFx7DowKB094kg/s400/DSC_0080.jpg" width="228" /></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/AVvXsEg1xTxOPQgchS9A1ZYmes8YWjI0SF7TGo292qflY3GUdkUOp0ml1BFD2OpODdQMqo2U2OKqF-okHShHcGxaR0wTjpl2XMmdx9zOQsP72PfdMFjsKDhuLwPT98USVT39uAjLBd9faazPThw/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xTxOPQgchS9A1ZYmes8YWjI0SF7TGo292qflY3GUdkUOp0ml1BFD2OpODdQMqo2U2OKqF-okHShHcGxaR0wTjpl2XMmdx9zOQsP72PfdMFjsKDhuLwPT98USVT39uAjLBd9faazPThw/s400/DSC_0105.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-46864405757569134632011-01-28T19:09:00.000-08:002011-01-28T19:10:27.452-08:00Family Fun, Wells' style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We do this on a very regular basis. What does that say about us?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxzun1gzG0e0KuAhEHvaT3OJ3h934K48yR8K7TJlxBT0J21uVcJws-uUKoR7fwmp5jnheIz_fJkX5aQNGdnyg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
By the way, I have no explanation for what she is wearing in this video.LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-63777497322071908782011-01-28T18:43:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:43:57.619-08:00A little jewel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva and the vacuum...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwI03PnYjKizUmz_l_NBdOkpgmxsCXpqqGXolCCYUOytZydbdCccmpqvJWWz4q4e_dtnN-gi7gH0irFchtMjQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Looks like fun, huh?LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729236362574262102.post-11169003777229530522011-01-16T04:57:00.000-08:002011-01-16T04:57:09.278-08:00Not sure how this happened...But, alas, it has.<br />
Sammer-Bammer is 1!<br />
Here are highlights of our first year with our special boy. What a treasure and a delight this little man is in our lives. In italics, I shared parts of the journal I keep for him.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">January</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">:</span> Sam was born on the 16th. A very easy delivery and only seconds of pushing and there he was- my son, in my arms. Unspeakable joy! 6lbs, 3oz of teeny, tiny perfection. I left the hospital 24 hours after delivery, and couldn't have been more ready to get him HOME! Sam's jaundice worsened within a few days and sent us back to the hospital several times for more testing. I remember watching them try to get a blood sample from his foot for one of them in particular. They had such a hard time filling the little vial and he was screaming the whole time as they squeezed his entire leg and little heel. It didn't work so they had to switch to his other foot and do it all over again. It took over 15 minutes and he seemed like he was being tortured. I cried the whole time, too. Thankfully, his levels were just under what would have forced us to admit him. I have so much respect and admiration for parents who have to endure REAL health issues with their little babies, sometimes for months and months on end...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW5-BVU8fwGqRVJ26HD8SLtjDrEU4IXGtHrNduYcGrwvEuN7oqGOFR9B9JbTjODtgD-YJWBbRy9kW1lSX7pLvi9jOlAjDxC9Si7Tth9zxcXhZUeeCOm8pNP7todIU3oXOJ8WXoL0jASg/s1600/DSC_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW5-BVU8fwGqRVJ26HD8SLtjDrEU4IXGtHrNduYcGrwvEuN7oqGOFR9B9JbTjODtgD-YJWBbRy9kW1lSX7pLvi9jOlAjDxC9Si7Tth9zxcXhZUeeCOm8pNP7todIU3oXOJ8WXoL0jASg/s320/DSC_0824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW-tmyZRWO_bYcLqHk2bYbhbiSFvqUAKVpZv25LonuuScbjSYsnRb50i-rl2npMUdf-znzC_Sxypv4dsxuh9jt0ns5xZ-h_l8VXhpvDxZZa-goeU9tCt7LsSlCpJpKY0j7Y4T86VEGIU/s1600/DSC_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW-tmyZRWO_bYcLqHk2bYbhbiSFvqUAKVpZv25LonuuScbjSYsnRb50i-rl2npMUdf-znzC_Sxypv4dsxuh9jt0ns5xZ-h_l8VXhpvDxZZa-goeU9tCt7LsSlCpJpKY0j7Y4T86VEGIU/s320/DSC_0943.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eva & Sam's first sibling picture. Isn't it horrible?!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWa8i698KCG0p4oeYaiU3_HyUhaZ0-qyPvZeBBQyKTNY9Q-ym46LMMPk51q5OK3lrhbqNstix5ijUvD11XYOgC9QavfFHMstzmGOr3EtwIs-l3Yh8AwPE72InVIHyL5Q8xexOF2kNlkE/s1600/DSC_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWa8i698KCG0p4oeYaiU3_HyUhaZ0-qyPvZeBBQyKTNY9Q-ym46LMMPk51q5OK3lrhbqNstix5ijUvD11XYOgC9QavfFHMstzmGOr3EtwIs-l3Yh8AwPE72InVIHyL5Q8xexOF2kNlkE/s320/DSC_0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>February:</b> </span>Sam was still waking every couple of hours through the night to eat, and the exhaustion was settling in as adrenaline reserves were running low. But watching him take in the world, smile, and begin to respond to us with a turn of the head kept me going. Eva was beginning to take a liking to her new brother, instead of just ignoring him, which she did for the first two weeks. What a tiny cutie pie!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPYrZmOmtVmTVzDconDOcEUq5domP_BMgoNfx3jxRuGoMtQIdEHmAiaSUDUG6-3DUezgdUGvos9qKbRlssJSjMhvGHeSf0NFygral5eXdtR8H8_002WzW_0IyCASe1p8LPkXDNfiWPKk/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPYrZmOmtVmTVzDconDOcEUq5domP_BMgoNfx3jxRuGoMtQIdEHmAiaSUDUG6-3DUezgdUGvos9qKbRlssJSjMhvGHeSf0NFygral5eXdtR8H8_002WzW_0IyCASe1p8LPkXDNfiWPKk/s320/DSC_0174.JPG" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>March:</b></span> Sam gained 5 lbs in his first 8 weeks. By March, we had already dealt with 2 major storms- at one point we had over 4 feet of snow on the ground. This exacerbated the sleep deprivation because Mike plowed all that snow, which meant days of him being home for only a few hours. The last week of March, Sam teased us by sleeping through the night for 7 days straight- he didn't do that again for many, many months. Eva began to adore her brother this month!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"Daddy and I have loved you since the day we knew you were coming, but that love grows every single day. It's just amazing how deeply I love you, my little angel boy. You are such a precious gift! I am so thankful to be your mama!"</i></div>These black and whites are by <a href="http://www.lindsaymcintire.com/">Lindsay McIntire</a><br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>April: </b></span>Sam started medication for reflux this month, but unfortunately, it didn't seem to help his feeding issues. Liquids continued to be a major struggle all the way up to about 9 months. Sam's personality really began to show and the giggles were almost endless- almost always in response to something Eva or Daddy did repetively (once we got him to laugh once, we just kept doing the same thing over and over and the laughter just kept on coming)! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"You are almost 14 weeks old. These 3 months have been quite a whirlwind. You weigh around 12.5 pounds and are a really chunky little guy (especially compared to Evangeline)! You've got rolls, which is a big deal, and I love it! I can't stop kissing on you- you don't seem to mind so I'm taking advantage of that while I can!"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9to5TqBIO9bekanvLQae1pohPib9NYlg-TzmVlOIfDPPSgQfKT4usRSfAfzuVfFZcs8vZ215PNUpG48nPt5J6fc-2ECCHLwauWRxPVQSkJXcmGMsg94JKSzm3I4bJgM4lo0cZwTi2KMk/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9to5TqBIO9bekanvLQae1pohPib9NYlg-TzmVlOIfDPPSgQfKT4usRSfAfzuVfFZcs8vZ215PNUpG48nPt5J6fc-2ECCHLwauWRxPVQSkJXcmGMsg94JKSzm3I4bJgM4lo0cZwTi2KMk/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaZWtp7edJ6TH8RChRTr_6EcLVgJrCl8vGM7sBdWx36UgaBd7OLdooZJ0gDLAgFFo87YGX5tSwideRa6O2cnype10XMv-s3LhNON93EEcdtr15b5BVQZVivO_IVsAkMn22i81Z7qoqnI/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaZWtp7edJ6TH8RChRTr_6EcLVgJrCl8vGM7sBdWx36UgaBd7OLdooZJ0gDLAgFFo87YGX5tSwideRa6O2cnype10XMv-s3LhNON93EEcdtr15b5BVQZVivO_IVsAkMn22i81Z7qoqnI/s320/IMG_0321.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sleeping in my arms- it was very often like this for naps for about 5 months.<br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>May: </b></span>We welcomed 2 cousins exactly 1 week apart at the end of April/beginning of May, so the fun just increased even more. It was my first Mother's Day with 2 kids, and I felt really blessed! Sam's feeding and sleeping issues continued and there seemed to be a time this month that it was all consuming. It's all I thought about, and almost all I prayed for. God gave me supernatural energy to get through each day because my exhaustion was reaching it's threshold with him up every couple of hours still at night. And worse, he seemed to be in pain, but nothing medically could be found.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFshq7jui2YraTHuEhtK9C-CqaSkXaebZVkxI-5PMyLvPVYW8O2pe_uut9VDbyHEsg2ILdx5PJYVgolfYeAdhLPQCqTQGOEhQup60lcozBRkfiWXrkO1o9X16UPw3in63oX2KH4CY0xkU/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFshq7jui2YraTHuEhtK9C-CqaSkXaebZVkxI-5PMyLvPVYW8O2pe_uut9VDbyHEsg2ILdx5PJYVgolfYeAdhLPQCqTQGOEhQup60lcozBRkfiWXrkO1o9X16UPw3in63oX2KH4CY0xkU/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sam and Nora (aka Norki)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-odxPfHw9rUWaLk8PRk9yRu2gk4hVFMWEH05THG_-Be9G3fzRhykzW6vQFRlammrjUdX3ZBCnvpNl_zC7dL41WIXlZl9PVDmDNKS4gY3fzeytUL5iowNIL4m37RXIittHjQpunzos84/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-odxPfHw9rUWaLk8PRk9yRu2gk4hVFMWEH05THG_-Be9G3fzRhykzW6vQFRlammrjUdX3ZBCnvpNl_zC7dL41WIXlZl9PVDmDNKS4gY3fzeytUL5iowNIL4m37RXIittHjQpunzos84/s320/IMG_0465.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sam and Liam</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>June:</b></span> Summer began and Sam continued to be an incredible joy, despite the difficulties we had related to his eating and sleeping. He started rolling over, and began infant cereal, but didn't like it too much- Shocking :) I was feeling like a pretty crappy mom at this point...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"I keep telling myself that all of this has to get better (feed/sleep), and I truly believe that it will... I often feel completely inadequate and like you deserve so much better. I am so full of flaws. I lose my temper with the dumbest things, or get irritated with you or Eva when it's not your fault- you're just being a baby and a toddler. I am so sorry for all the times that I fail you. Please forgive me, Samuel. I am praying that God will fill in these gaps with grace and mercy where I fail and leaving a gaping hole. I pray he protects you from any unintentional wounding and that you know I love you desperately."</i><br />
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</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KRqaWeuB3WTE7AJKJ66x3Y2vhAGZdBMSEhqMPjnvtqA-hKBgVGc4szZ0k4_msh0LA3BdDMd0mAqQEz1_UPtUnGaX2eR-m21SM-GREUUJobco75cQeJSU9Fn6RHxaWUqt0wlYIwnkVAU/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KRqaWeuB3WTE7AJKJ66x3Y2vhAGZdBMSEhqMPjnvtqA-hKBgVGc4szZ0k4_msh0LA3BdDMd0mAqQEz1_UPtUnGaX2eR-m21SM-GREUUJobco75cQeJSU9Fn6RHxaWUqt0wlYIwnkVAU/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKkS3JGBT04Xp-8WmKY-aiNZ5vbs17nWoFvuio6R8d94nxQ48F4PMxg3Jq2y6pWzIItoLqUV34OUMohucCNzW9dc4sjigr8IMBIq5BNGj_MBXTGv2s2gdAHHXqPbEGLaCdoZRQFSzzKY/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKkS3JGBT04Xp-8WmKY-aiNZ5vbs17nWoFvuio6R8d94nxQ48F4PMxg3Jq2y6pWzIItoLqUV34OUMohucCNzW9dc4sjigr8IMBIq5BNGj_MBXTGv2s2gdAHHXqPbEGLaCdoZRQFSzzKY/s320/IMG_0448.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kid has like, a million, priceless expressions!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEEIKQhg_tXGJ1weo2lnU_dXCfVwZuybC0uP3gjS8Wc1uXEYKrN4fWtO2xaAwKHT_dUL5OpPYAfyNyV7ZFAzZKXeYUU6Mf_KQG0LZBP6ce3ktWveWiNqtPFiZWIfnj3pqYgIUbSO6DU8/s1600/IMG_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEEIKQhg_tXGJ1weo2lnU_dXCfVwZuybC0uP3gjS8Wc1uXEYKrN4fWtO2xaAwKHT_dUL5OpPYAfyNyV7ZFAzZKXeYUU6Mf_KQG0LZBP6ce3ktWveWiNqtPFiZWIfnj3pqYgIUbSO6DU8/s320/IMG_0459.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have lots of pictures like this- Eva trying to hold Sam and him falling out of her arms.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">July:</span></b> Sam's first vacation! We went to the outer banks with Mike's side of our family for the 3rd year and had a blast. Sam LOVED the pool (took an entire nap with me holding him in it one day), but he was wishy-washy about the ocean. It was a VERY hot week and we found it difficult to keep him cool. Feeding an infant on the beach proved, once again, to be a very difficult task (we did the same trip with Eva when she was the same age). I took his pacifier away in a moment of frustration this month (I had re-plugged him about 6 times during a nap). It never returned and I regretted my decision. There began very small improvements in the eating (pureed solids were going very well) and sleeping, but still things were not great. During times NOT related to sleep or eating, Sam was almost always incredibly joyous- laughing and smiling all the time. This month he transitioned out of a swaddle, but it was tough, sat up on his own, and got his first 2 teeth!<br />
<i>"We are loving this time with you. Despite the challenges we have faced, you have brought us great joy and have made our lives so much richer and fuller! And, you are so stinking adorable I cannot even take it!"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qB7xw79FcCNnl8cprmjFNKJbZQ2VaR5RNZ8oy52TqdY13MIEffoEnWic9TTMr6dc4ftuuc2r4y1QwOgM8Bopr35ghZrIG66xnsy_PcgOdxSkXYQ_9vxk7maXLUg6qaNrHNEVrcquvDc/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qB7xw79FcCNnl8cprmjFNKJbZQ2VaR5RNZ8oy52TqdY13MIEffoEnWic9TTMr6dc4ftuuc2r4y1QwOgM8Bopr35ghZrIG66xnsy_PcgOdxSkXYQ_9vxk7maXLUg6qaNrHNEVrcquvDc/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" width="209" /></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/AVvXsEjNZXrLBtMaQR1Ya5GuPfiUxe1sRDXTPRfgpWtXnm5wFdydbiHxFoMmTP3w-R9Kbdxtp7OvVgCxNv0loQxXBL3rr96i5FHsqGL-sm2c8BT1wfcc4_qLC-Pv1Uv53FXHV8JhHehiC3R7eCc/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZXrLBtMaQR1Ya5GuPfiUxe1sRDXTPRfgpWtXnm5wFdydbiHxFoMmTP3w-R9Kbdxtp7OvVgCxNv0loQxXBL3rr96i5FHsqGL-sm2c8BT1wfcc4_qLC-Pv1Uv53FXHV8JhHehiC3R7eCc/s320/DSC_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigct8Ntqp0Rb0Ls2uVnh0S84QJzkIlhM903pe_Li810Z4FuWhXWX7AAAsFF_M0jh6EXE8PtIUmmMyE5TBuScUasjzhyphenhyphenHR0J5ynPS5zgcpuSwgH9tRP6kjPmV7pN2T5iE5crmhNSTfgZWI/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigct8Ntqp0Rb0Ls2uVnh0S84QJzkIlhM903pe_Li810Z4FuWhXWX7AAAsFF_M0jh6EXE8PtIUmmMyE5TBuScUasjzhyphenhyphenHR0J5ynPS5zgcpuSwgH9tRP6kjPmV7pN2T5iE5crmhNSTfgZWI/s320/DSC_0303.JPG" width="174" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite pictures of Sam. He is with one of Mike's sister, his beautiful Aunt Lauren.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94wCJRgKtdn7jPBmGZVFoGIiiXrFj_9MYE5u3ftmtSAWhbmMdcids0kBR0vmcaawKHOW-5KiPLTEyZDEpZak1Zk0EYi9WTTPFDasDZpNyYIvs3THyg9DuNayGk-Eua-0jtdq7sudku1Y/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94wCJRgKtdn7jPBmGZVFoGIiiXrFj_9MYE5u3ftmtSAWhbmMdcids0kBR0vmcaawKHOW-5KiPLTEyZDEpZak1Zk0EYi9WTTPFDasDZpNyYIvs3THyg9DuNayGk-Eua-0jtdq7sudku1Y/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>August: </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Sam was constantly giggling this month and became quite the expert jumper. He absolutely loved his jumper thingee! He started trying to crawl, but it was more of a scootch/creep. He also started drinking from a cup :)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhBQSq5wNXFnx43X3hHdN9uDBEZvB8qeI1DX50wK7msS-XtW9j-v6iAd24432PzJf5cjK0zPcdYT_ELOyyYfILECJ5vdq4yeXo7vOBi4v8UIDOAk5bJB3AO7ivVY5YZ224Vev1BIMHvs/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhBQSq5wNXFnx43X3hHdN9uDBEZvB8qeI1DX50wK7msS-XtW9j-v6iAd24432PzJf5cjK0zPcdYT_ELOyyYfILECJ5vdq4yeXo7vOBi4v8UIDOAk5bJB3AO7ivVY5YZ224Vev1BIMHvs/s320/IMG_0477.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV4WqLQsM_kD5IOnN7ySjoEp3_zP8lK7wM6vfTsSSRvcwNMKseV3DPyM89Z7596WxcqpbthsuEqyK9qbjsf5d7XVQXd6VeNHmb-80yx4yyvx50GX8ihJ1LimaadUrsuYaV3g_MbGHcPU/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV4WqLQsM_kD5IOnN7ySjoEp3_zP8lK7wM6vfTsSSRvcwNMKseV3DPyM89Z7596WxcqpbthsuEqyK9qbjsf5d7XVQXd6VeNHmb-80yx4yyvx50GX8ihJ1LimaadUrsuYaV3g_MbGHcPU/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">September:</span></b> This month Eva started school and that meant more time for me to spend with Samuel, just the two of us. Many days he napped, but we still always had some time where it was just us. I treasure that time with him; I became very aware of how hard it is to give each child their own time when you have more than one :) September was a beautiful month and we spent a TON of time outside- going to Longwood Gardens, the park, or just at the neighborhood playground. We started a new sleep technique with Sam, and committed to NOT feeding him overnight. It worked when we were consistent. Isn't that true about almost everything?? Sam also started crawling (the real deal- on all 4s) this month- a big milestone! I was still feeling like a pretty crappy mom many days...<br />
<i>"I can't believe it's been 2 months since I have written to you. I had planned to do better. Plans, plans, plans. Ah, how much I have learned about MY plans lately! God has used you to teach me to rely on Him and trust Him and His timing instead of making so many freaking plans all the time... The past 2 months have been crazy. I have been crazy...I can blame it on lack of sleep, but ultimately, I am responsible for what I say and do and I have allowed myself to lose focus and have lost perspective. You deserve better and I am so sorry for that, Samuel. Please forgive me! I wish you could forgive me. I suppose you can- your smile and affection for me speak volumes even when you can't say it. Thank you, sweet boy!"</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ho2Y4_-gkWxXkZwjvNNQncT0Bd90UG6vIzzXoVz-Wp7AAhQnMvXr5xxdHb6HaOKjA0cCD3DpXeQpTpgnH-9_MGdhUmxQKVQG6fRYENhvt1jUjrpM4HEe9nJ0nxj_ol5r5N0DwIqCKZo/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ho2Y4_-gkWxXkZwjvNNQncT0Bd90UG6vIzzXoVz-Wp7AAhQnMvXr5xxdHb6HaOKjA0cCD3DpXeQpTpgnH-9_MGdhUmxQKVQG6fRYENhvt1jUjrpM4HEe9nJ0nxj_ol5r5N0DwIqCKZo/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I simply adore this picture of him. It captures the wonder of a child. He was looking at a waterfall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c-JHzxfhbUlpaiIbIbYd_FUBoZx41AgPDjmiJu5TuchXcJPcpzSXdZ7uJ4l928YboeO6SUC9fjAnRtZZYp8UUs3_TfOad8jUpWcoeQGVFWU7Eq5nJFSaUBM93DrIC3BL46r1PuTvZQ0/s1600/IMG_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c-JHzxfhbUlpaiIbIbYd_FUBoZx41AgPDjmiJu5TuchXcJPcpzSXdZ7uJ4l928YboeO6SUC9fjAnRtZZYp8UUs3_TfOad8jUpWcoeQGVFWU7Eq5nJFSaUBM93DrIC3BL46r1PuTvZQ0/s320/IMG_0558.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He absolutely loves to swing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">October: </span></b>Sam was a champion crawler by this month- he could move SO fast. I think it's hysterical to follow him and watch how his little tush sways back and forth as he furiously moves his legs to go faster and faster. He literally chases after Eva or anyone else that is nearby. He had his first Halloween and dressed as an adorable little tiger. We carried him around for awhile as Eva went trick-or-treating, but it was FREEZING, so daddy took him home before we ended the night. He was also dedicated at Providence Church this month, where we publicly committed and surrendered his precious life to Jesus.<br />
His personality had really come out at the point and it was clear he was a VERY social baby. Babbling and smiling at everyone in sight. Having said that, I should also say that if one of the 3 of us are not around- he pretty much screams hysterically. At this point, we had not made it for more than a few minutes before the nursery workers at church called us back because he was inconsolable. (By the way, this continues to be an issue. What can I say? The kid loves his mama, daddy, and sister.) BIG NEWS: Started sleeping through the night!!!!<br />
"<i>Hi Sweet Angel! I really have to get to bed, but I just HAD to tell you how amazing you are! You have consistently slept through the night for a solid week! You wake up at the CRACK OF DAWN- for real, like 5am- but, you aren't waking up all night long anymore so this is a very big deal in our house! I'm like a whole new person! Good job, Sammer-Bammer!"</i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduYmadu02ekMqm1jgcB5_qxbRRnApyLxtZ8mLTs3jZQ-RzNBNxZNnIy5ovX9P7VUe7IZrMuskyFTanBiYUhcUyNuFak-CyLSZkARWEKR31mj5g8XwgRyb1YlIUa3DLDFJJaxXE-ozGc4/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduYmadu02ekMqm1jgcB5_qxbRRnApyLxtZ8mLTs3jZQ-RzNBNxZNnIy5ovX9P7VUe7IZrMuskyFTanBiYUhcUyNuFak-CyLSZkARWEKR31mj5g8XwgRyb1YlIUa3DLDFJJaxXE-ozGc4/s320/IMG_0592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGdGx1Dj9P3IDYMcYI6Izrh7_tnI98UUGuzZoflmhlgpmlyP0i9fOlGgeBQOnEDK0tcrPOqWFI7yGPvMqOjL4x_mQl6OSzHJ48b8b42qVymzdcNVhYyBvIxDyfBRskrniCUGqLmGhvbk/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGdGx1Dj9P3IDYMcYI6Izrh7_tnI98UUGuzZoflmhlgpmlyP0i9fOlGgeBQOnEDK0tcrPOqWFI7yGPvMqOjL4x_mQl6OSzHJ48b8b42qVymzdcNVhYyBvIxDyfBRskrniCUGqLmGhvbk/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sam absolutely loves the bath and has since early on. He splashes like a crazy man and seriously soaks us and the bathroom. Eva is not a fan of the splashing because she doesn't like water in her face (puh-leeze)!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZG9G2ba4_WNhKMNu9JVrduYrmqymLVVNS82rDniCP2RvJQFmXSOc8f1XUDiNzrYFOxWBuqOuM0xfwMYbX7M1kuu2pfVctaFg3pIcELopAeyNc5GZ16PkOxiQlOzOFntHYKFvyTGV_fc/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZG9G2ba4_WNhKMNu9JVrduYrmqymLVVNS82rDniCP2RvJQFmXSOc8f1XUDiNzrYFOxWBuqOuM0xfwMYbX7M1kuu2pfVctaFg3pIcELopAeyNc5GZ16PkOxiQlOzOFntHYKFvyTGV_fc/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at that smile. Makes me melt :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUWEYui0Mz2E8iNVTF8zx0V7NBKxCmsNaSZFvpSGZnnV3O1rPQxKGEXN0CIxJkc-RYCqYxlTpzvq4YC9kqRF928y6ewsCKRNyxhmPYkqwHxKb6AOdBQjtl6k2ZjeLDx9XgOetDNz71vM/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUWEYui0Mz2E8iNVTF8zx0V7NBKxCmsNaSZFvpSGZnnV3O1rPQxKGEXN0CIxJkc-RYCqYxlTpzvq4YC9kqRF928y6ewsCKRNyxhmPYkqwHxKb6AOdBQjtl6k2ZjeLDx9XgOetDNz71vM/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at those beautiful blue eyes, too. This kid is seriously photogenic, in my opinion :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOrvySlwunNOFKIOy3fsMH5nDt7oSZVh5Nw5VxW1SocCYPQot0M7-cAsrCwjJ7IzUMOnQebw5gP1uTVGjtkP2V2G5JgVw7gC4xKRY9FQGR8b2yQalQitDcdDs06djAFaBd6RVL9Bgbbw/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOrvySlwunNOFKIOy3fsMH5nDt7oSZVh5Nw5VxW1SocCYPQot0M7-cAsrCwjJ7IzUMOnQebw5gP1uTVGjtkP2V2G5JgVw7gC4xKRY9FQGR8b2yQalQitDcdDs06djAFaBd6RVL9Bgbbw/s320/DSC_0251.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took the kids to the farm to "practice" dressing up mid-October.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXINtzIBgVDDof-YAeNwDA_S0Epq-TxlG2PeSm790HVLe8zCr-0Ghr4ydDjrbtZw0bltflOeqsgI7DOlCB1oyakIfc4Vnz6BqzU5RbX06auCf9HIuNfAsUcbOWGX6lVQhgWxllIS6dpqA/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXINtzIBgVDDof-YAeNwDA_S0Epq-TxlG2PeSm790HVLe8zCr-0Ghr4ydDjrbtZw0bltflOeqsgI7DOlCB1oyakIfc4Vnz6BqzU5RbX06auCf9HIuNfAsUcbOWGX6lVQhgWxllIS6dpqA/s320/DSC_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At Springton Manor farm with mama</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9XTg-pgsKT8HQOKBBoMZxaWjXUAB7AcbBwRMYJxPp5yyezcHlRExlrsYdKW1jsS-lEaA2Sov3mLZIXHq8H872jYIvb6ega4o0kQPzulvb44HBdng6BtPqs4lx5TgXxQdoYCdOvKc5bc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9XTg-pgsKT8HQOKBBoMZxaWjXUAB7AcbBwRMYJxPp5yyezcHlRExlrsYdKW1jsS-lEaA2Sov3mLZIXHq8H872jYIvb6ega4o0kQPzulvb44HBdng6BtPqs4lx5TgXxQdoYCdOvKc5bc/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for his dedication</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBkk9k9sIBgJTLBMLL-nFoc4BlZZMxrlyMiNcPplBvsaGnbNGQgOPHWfaSfV3i1xyeFHICIiqdlBx0cFD7PHQ9q8gpMZfq2rX8Qs8Q4R0qoKM5xv39mOJB6_TTv5kLIrc-McKI8Jt4U0/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBkk9k9sIBgJTLBMLL-nFoc4BlZZMxrlyMiNcPplBvsaGnbNGQgOPHWfaSfV3i1xyeFHICIiqdlBx0cFD7PHQ9q8gpMZfq2rX8Qs8Q4R0qoKM5xv39mOJB6_TTv5kLIrc-McKI8Jt4U0/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halloween night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>November:</b></span> Sam's first Thanksgiving was this month. I had been anticipating how fun it would be to spend the holiday season with my TWO kids this year. I am so incredibly blessed to have them in my life. What a treasure to be entrusted with the gift of raising and nurturing them- sometimes, when I really let that soak in, it takes my breath away...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sam decided this month that he loved the piano- he'll sit there as long as you will let him and bang away on the keys. Sleeping and eating continue to improve in small increments- every baby step makes a difference!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Jw87bGdKS_4oekECsUqn2iSfJ-Dw7yeeDaECrUnb7MFMTlhw2pOaAvGgXSnpR47sF13r7tXKJuIa_KjroOYU9RnbDwzxWUK9bMiVrYnD4kTZer51pOrVYbNFemL0yDOulyqRrF3KyEE/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Jw87bGdKS_4oekECsUqn2iSfJ-Dw7yeeDaECrUnb7MFMTlhw2pOaAvGgXSnpR47sF13r7tXKJuIa_KjroOYU9RnbDwzxWUK9bMiVrYnD4kTZer51pOrVYbNFemL0yDOulyqRrF3KyEE/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQomtiyaJZWIK4npsR1jSf1nSFQCYs0Kp2EtmECAsL_7TCUoVshDzsccOuMHLIe1sURGhR6cfU6ATJ9O5qDPCslFYr6oj5tUaF8JDpJJ8UwsfhB5p9dlnulRsG0qeW63u9zU1n7mS4-Y/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQomtiyaJZWIK4npsR1jSf1nSFQCYs0Kp2EtmECAsL_7TCUoVshDzsccOuMHLIe1sURGhR6cfU6ATJ9O5qDPCslFYr6oj5tUaF8JDpJJ8UwsfhB5p9dlnulRsG0qeW63u9zU1n7mS4-Y/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With Papa at Eva's "Thankful feast" performance. Another one of my favorites of him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcLtAIHAvXDRCwm7zROh13ABEFFUiYhT4mFreoGp379Lk3AzWcivByZJTOhbpwd5XwjqyKmemO5fxa6xRranirvNFod6f3qBoaZT2BPacLX72NzWcUFG6CBBX9IsqLXK9mn1REIhRgrw/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcLtAIHAvXDRCwm7zROh13ABEFFUiYhT4mFreoGp379Lk3AzWcivByZJTOhbpwd5XwjqyKmemO5fxa6xRranirvNFod6f3qBoaZT2BPacLX72NzWcUFG6CBBX9IsqLXK9mn1REIhRgrw/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What does that expression say exactly? He does it constantly for as long as he'll get a good reaction from us. It's accompanied by a lovely snorting sound and really is hilarious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsTZUeqBxu56qNQN0Vhnuc43zbnNiheLXWMqp4lC1i1-RWhPZaXH2n_HNN8AVrfZiojqTTuPQDOZ2iJBrmN4ZRmoT9L0n9hgrBCDcI8-7ttS-mZMWqtHoiw7kPsJ0wtj9qelcSVOjTg/s1600/IMG_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsTZUeqBxu56qNQN0Vhnuc43zbnNiheLXWMqp4lC1i1-RWhPZaXH2n_HNN8AVrfZiojqTTuPQDOZ2iJBrmN4ZRmoT9L0n9hgrBCDcI8-7ttS-mZMWqtHoiw7kPsJ0wtj9qelcSVOjTg/s320/IMG_0803.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cold glass feels simply delightful :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71N-EqYFw37TutCcnjdCTPNF6a9pbwM-T3uStoFsb-Iv4sMbFfoTRZBpQMsB3iRKfYuO-koWbL88937NG7Qvt3jBe43scubpg5zAkhDD3Q5Tn8jptO7JWND9Vd__llPuwJ5fTpAZTDak/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71N-EqYFw37TutCcnjdCTPNF6a9pbwM-T3uStoFsb-Iv4sMbFfoTRZBpQMsB3iRKfYuO-koWbL88937NG7Qvt3jBe43scubpg5zAkhDD3Q5Tn8jptO7JWND9Vd__llPuwJ5fTpAZTDak/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is his constant expression during bathtime. He loves it THAT much. And, he cries everytime we take him out. That is getting really old. Crying is actually not an accurate description- it's pretty much the baby version of outrage- "how dare you take me out of there!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0qQjz6SQaWWytM2gFH5SQZx_ibM6FAqCSWazgKr_jeEpY3jZUpoei7bJJX8NrUfUryE_aYPVEhf9zLQft3JB7Yf9qF6SDKYx4WJ2POWs-rVOHxHwKjXB6ztaRWr4CL_LoFIwaU6sufs/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0qQjz6SQaWWytM2gFH5SQZx_ibM6FAqCSWazgKr_jeEpY3jZUpoei7bJJX8NrUfUryE_aYPVEhf9zLQft3JB7Yf9qF6SDKYx4WJ2POWs-rVOHxHwKjXB6ztaRWr4CL_LoFIwaU6sufs/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Freaking scrumptious, right???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>December:</b></span> Christmas with kids is just so much fun. Most of it was lost on Sam this year, but I know next year he will understand much more. He didn't really open any presents and just watched all the chaos, but he had fun and it was amazing to see him stare in wonderment! By this time, Sam was sleeping even better, not waking most mornings until at least 6:00. His naps also began to improve- he was consistently taking at least one 1.5 hour nap per day (at least 4 days of the week). He still won't eat any finger foods except "puffs" that dissolve in his mouth right away, but his issues with liquid feedings had completely resolved by this month! A HUGE praise! He does great with pureed foods, but gags and vomits on anything solid (besides the puffs).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmnHlVJWkMUCNtVipPihjxiXfz2YoRHOxCgF1HUg8Ceio4w5VG5yIoBTmajFNuxbBhnaZ38lMcv_udOQdtRHWXL5TxX16pVVJRU5UavWrYjvT4SBG3zH_yYUryenXcaI4f7311pF3k0s/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmnHlVJWkMUCNtVipPihjxiXfz2YoRHOxCgF1HUg8Ceio4w5VG5yIoBTmajFNuxbBhnaZ38lMcv_udOQdtRHWXL5TxX16pVVJRU5UavWrYjvT4SBG3zH_yYUryenXcaI4f7311pF3k0s/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First Hess truck<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovGO0lVvD1WXeNv9lnf-Vx-jN8-YNGovwn8-B4EV1Vju1VsJfp_JGiozm2GLTWdCfO0abHP6iWmgE9aViVDWb1IOJi9BLs4DxUn9Ch8D6rUQuFwBipE3UQedQfhWi1O-1Er11SKsSdgk/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovGO0lVvD1WXeNv9lnf-Vx-jN8-YNGovwn8-B4EV1Vju1VsJfp_JGiozm2GLTWdCfO0abHP6iWmgE9aViVDWb1IOJi9BLs4DxUn9Ch8D6rUQuFwBipE3UQedQfhWi1O-1Er11SKsSdgk/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" width="223" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">His eyes look so dark in this picture. I love his expression. This is on Christmas morning.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">January:</span></b> This brings me to today, Samuel's first birthday. I can't quite find the words to describe how I feel today. My heart is just filled to overflowing. I never knew I could love quite like I love my kids. I never knew that it was possible to look down at a little, tiny sleeping person and burst into tears because the love in my heart is so huge and the responsibility so looming that tears are the only language I have to express it. I am blessed beyond measure to have had 365 days with this little angel. Oh, how I long to have thousands upon thousands more with him. I'll end this the way it began: What a treasure and a delight this little man is in our lives. Happy, happy Birthday, Sammer-Bammer!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiWH1o6Xepe5LMQTwBnCxn37z9N0ul95d8bWhQwzpCQDWOLu87jkdgo6SEXQ2z73Jj6zs9guoZlLL0OrACDMpDwyTW8PyKYYjbkOFLnPboLmpS5Cj5UrOkSzWdjRWdKeZLRWVp7O6ZyQ/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiWH1o6Xepe5LMQTwBnCxn37z9N0ul95d8bWhQwzpCQDWOLu87jkdgo6SEXQ2z73Jj6zs9guoZlLL0OrACDMpDwyTW8PyKYYjbkOFLnPboLmpS5Cj5UrOkSzWdjRWdKeZLRWVp7O6ZyQ/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" width="229" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Always laughing :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8HTKxZLx17_E5DKqPIOY0fgrMw0ehSPULJs4Z7VIyVRvc7Z3G73fpi_7Hxr6z1OfqjwhBXYyYTthlhcQ5TMjZIwSE2HWQQosogRdHbJ-B4Z4iWel5KBYeBG1CDM_tXp-PQn2Kutu9s/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8HTKxZLx17_E5DKqPIOY0fgrMw0ehSPULJs4Z7VIyVRvc7Z3G73fpi_7Hxr6z1OfqjwhBXYyYTthlhcQ5TMjZIwSE2HWQQosogRdHbJ-B4Z4iWel5KBYeBG1CDM_tXp-PQn2Kutu9s/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I mention that I think he's pretty photogenic??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</b></span></div>LWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03589781839633600180noreply@blogger.com2