tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56208516331757924792024-03-13T17:53:01.275-07:00SeeRallyRallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-90115435399981355952010-12-01T12:29:00.000-08:002010-12-01T12:35:34.208-08:00Mother's Workshop<div>My sweet neighbor has invited me to attend this following workshop:<br /><a href="http://www.wholeheart.org/our-events"><img border="0" src="http://www.wholeheart.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/MHC2011_badgewithheart_150x150.jpg"></a><br />Why am I telling you all? Well, if I post it on our blog, my name is placed in a drawing. Secondly, I would encourage any mother to attend for a retreat and encouragement for their soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why not take the time and invest it in ourselves, so we have more to give our spouses and kids? </div><br /><br />I hope each of you has had very blessed Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-53016478334607860952010-07-22T19:14:00.000-07:002010-07-22T19:29:45.617-07:00Action Jackson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkI0tSpSXAYuLl8kxvwVcL_Y0L1_EuZmPy8Ewk2GYzs7efunoxQdz31vf80TwhyphenhyphenEmRuEnXdUPnaot6c_P46x6moYFeMyAJ_ajWfwpA4cK8ALOW75Sh2b_dtM3E1OcCzroRpOjGTL7Vpg/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkI0tSpSXAYuLl8kxvwVcL_Y0L1_EuZmPy8Ewk2GYzs7efunoxQdz31vf80TwhyphenhyphenEmRuEnXdUPnaot6c_P46x6moYFeMyAJ_ajWfwpA4cK8ALOW75Sh2b_dtM3E1OcCzroRpOjGTL7Vpg/s320/IMG_3482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496922168389338546" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">Each Day I realize that I am blessed to have an amazing wife!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"></span></span><div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u-T9tiFRzbnnGR6wEkAa9F_h3dyZUU_zvFWVUx_7mAsdLm3yv7fev9OancfUdNI2E-oKcozD3IhxEtbmA7m31Obv0AMSDB-N7rKMl3tkC76foJZz03f9H4LRprioLL2Gr0jBJcENEi4/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u-T9tiFRzbnnGR6wEkAa9F_h3dyZUU_zvFWVUx_7mAsdLm3yv7fev9OancfUdNI2E-oKcozD3IhxEtbmA7m31Obv0AMSDB-N7rKMl3tkC76foJZz03f9H4LRprioLL2Gr0jBJcENEi4/s320/IMG_3837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496921550756891186" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jackson and I watching some Golf.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE3_kARY4qo73lL-oj0j23HVlZVYLn1EoifSXSiGPDIclDr9TTfg1yAaaELig3c6ypHay1fgWjmwVITF_BLI9kjjvpXkV3J-eTfb_Gsbl9Smjhrrf4Iit-mf3FtTJ4nHmz3bONB1xukD4/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE3_kARY4qo73lL-oj0j23HVlZVYLn1EoifSXSiGPDIclDr9TTfg1yAaaELig3c6ypHay1fgWjmwVITF_BLI9kjjvpXkV3J-eTfb_Gsbl9Smjhrrf4Iit-mf3FtTJ4nHmz3bONB1xukD4/s320/IMG_3792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496913808645494466" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dad, come pick me up!</span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqpzFTfrWmnee0teSAQhFm8u5S_61fBciOCa5Yx9occFqE_gSQfMySG5LQ4FS98wCayd7ZAdwqJe7hLJFaW2h8CKo9qXoug6RcW0mE-4Gkcl74rX_qR2BNtVQi_nKjLsaI5yilVglv_3o/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqpzFTfrWmnee0teSAQhFm8u5S_61fBciOCa5Yx9occFqE_gSQfMySG5LQ4FS98wCayd7ZAdwqJe7hLJFaW2h8CKo9qXoug6RcW0mE-4Gkcl74rX_qR2BNtVQi_nKjLsaI5yilVglv_3o/s320/IMG_3542.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496913802599577474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></span></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-74256154255583704652009-07-23T16:26:00.000-07:002009-08-03T12:30:35.365-07:00Some highlights of Jackson Thomas.<div>Sorry for the long wait and much needed updates and pictures<br /><br /><div><br /><div>Welcome Jackson Thomas Born July 2, 2009 at 2:35am</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>8-5 lbs, 21 1/4 in. long</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361804353248819714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1xH6iGfV3ruFkXfyOPqJAmir3yzsdcf9U0SXFBD05lLiztFMU4Xz6-ZFmib54VNXW7eAASO6KYrltIHN0oRjAII37ct77wh4k51bgq5nkJQst8NbYa2hK6VGt8VvStezhv2gxWVhFlw/s320/DSCN1693.JPG" border="0" /> Precious Moments:</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361804372409387234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ8r9rLtqiBPwWRy4toD5mmOL_RtKA5zl0aqmoYRTBVo9n74sUSuVJiJ7N2XRRcAX1Mdjz4P-jnd1AP-r3YLrv4MNCKVcYgJsvqXksgzu1I1pkLApXtKXjb4LEKtDoqoVIf8tFaY8sGA/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+012.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Coming Home from the Hospital:</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361804356546350322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9VSc0n0ZvJPcc8g-gZfjB56tLL0oE3xlMsTu1_ce1bTVkeM4gGddFHcA7MByUuGpIL6Cyq3kBdOqXqZ0hFh8Rj6O7wZa1pSLNJifjMjDar_M_dkt8rkttliTt6SwfoF4uh6BrpB9w4c/s320/DSCN1704.JPG" border="0" /><br />Exhausted after getting settled in at the home- Daddy and Jackson taking a much needed nap.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805171761651762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wnqo05UqUVJCUKZjF6dRk9agGyuJcUf4wf_Ws3TwiUlVnG1UdkWO49b43T4MBj0dP61O1LW6LuapgvfKoAZPuMp6QhS4gv00yqaVf-j8TqfaukYsoXw4yAAeFYB1PKhBQVz1b7DE_1s/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+022.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>Rob's Mom came into town to help for awhile. Yes, we enjoyed our naps with Nana too!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805180063138242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUshkTHDZ-ilZyYlJZR0mgT_mNgvyzDFM3AILXGT8v-6H_OE30cnsWY_DyJYxqcklTeEJnMKfUAs10OwyVu_QDlLTehYcX0TGzjVlFkBgloFv-_oGHQLwee9Zfu-YNDkZmKTcYr3xrUc/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+038.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Aunt Sarah came down for a visit:</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfgeozbCXdLZMxbxFmbY-XJh-44FCRv9mhcSlRHZjQQqdYk8fboye5q43yCwh0pqMsLikxwCTysFnM1Qkwr5iDx6-ZqUBah1_JCoExMawenWJkGD5Fa5fg2ZG7YvCdEFcuACuZn2b2v0/s1600-h/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805179051275762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfgeozbCXdLZMxbxFmbY-XJh-44FCRv9mhcSlRHZjQQqdYk8fboye5q43yCwh0pqMsLikxwCTysFnM1Qkwr5iDx6-ZqUBah1_JCoExMawenWJkGD5Fa5fg2ZG7YvCdEFcuACuZn2b2v0/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><br /><div>Brunch with both Grandmas<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28nqektsLu2xzeiJV-NJi1INBjiuvJoJXjSPwJOQq1uuz2cm4Dh1i9NAz2ugC-RCvEaLRWmnXVHHWlW_dE61V02cNx6s8r9VT1wZAYP6sH7ROU9A1eIuVquSkKn4fV1TU0lnfJYdquIE/s1600-h/DSCN1708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361804359838736578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28nqektsLu2xzeiJV-NJi1INBjiuvJoJXjSPwJOQq1uuz2cm4Dh1i9NAz2ugC-RCvEaLRWmnXVHHWlW_dE61V02cNx6s8r9VT1wZAYP6sH7ROU9A1eIuVquSkKn4fV1TU0lnfJYdquIE/s320/DSCN1708.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Two Weeks Old:<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805188992974530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2GtORkbOmoYYXLJojXj9NYc9tL1MLt36HXYD42OUZph7eD_4V_FbZOl5n3bSFrzPNHmVGwanXsfJ1UZPplO2fRBJVdhMU_qWG006qpTeoPrv-CbJ64C944EfAVAGWN9lphMYsBGPs5Q/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+040.JPG" border="0" /> Smile or Gas???<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365821152829415730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtw37fYEajhBDbFTyw6PvclHTssVkIMLvIbpvlncTL56BWWbR8Kvrr6NDDUTdVtIZvFV9Yj4L-pC7ewb2aSSRRFOZGoV53RWMmpIjdNk7MHLLETdY5Dpj8C4h2A_pT5AuD4hIEy0nH70/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+052.JPG" border="0" /><br />Three weeks old:<br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365819016931530034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_HR-EfXxNZXRvt90cAwvfU3bReKCDxAWGnxDTGRH0_QPb5OqUs99JkFkw2GNI7n_eEwnaSWyRIbQCJyvNB-8WAPG4NNd53yXPBZ6vHg46dAWP6gpO1C0RcoZhxopb_aBUtZmuywlFgg/s320/Jackson+Thomas+Cashell+013.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>more to come... </div></div></div></div></div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-55740646233513739762009-06-19T20:06:00.000-07:002009-06-19T20:29:32.388-07:00"Things are popping out around here"<div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBPxGKVElsXg0bVRg0OvF5zzFtFZzc3rWzE0DisnAza8DWjqH4eBCIPxcdSCYcivrsgedjgR-_YY-sSxSEB4zFlJKacwwZpjzDLIj5EkdSl7fdSUz0vsEhj87AZq5QDjcW4mOUtRYhVM/s1600-h/Animals+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349243060331607922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBPxGKVElsXg0bVRg0OvF5zzFtFZzc3rWzE0DisnAza8DWjqH4eBCIPxcdSCYcivrsgedjgR-_YY-sSxSEB4zFlJKacwwZpjzDLIj5EkdSl7fdSUz0vsEhj87AZq5QDjcW4mOUtRYhVM/s320/Animals+002.JPG" border="0" /></a>The other morning, I saw this deer wondering around our yard, eating our roses, and trying to eat our spinach. I shewed her away to try and prevent her from deciding our garden was a place to feast. Well, come to find out, she was looking for a place to nest. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>For that night, our neighbor calls our house phone and was leaving a message when I awoke my husband to check things out. He looked out our front window and there were two cops shining their spot lights in our yard. Come to find out, there was the deer who decided to birth her baby in our front lawn, and our neighbor witnessed the entire thing! </div><div><br />Now, we do not live in a forest or even near a forest, we live in the middle of the city a mile or so from downtown; so for a deer to have her fawn in our front lawn is very big news! I was very sad that I didn't get to witness any of it, for deer have always been a symbolic part of my life. The symbolism is truly a blessing from God, because at our wedding we had two deer bucking heads in the back of the ceremony, and now I am days away from having a baby and a deer decides to have her fawn in our front lawn. God you truly have a sense of humor!</div><div><br /><br />Secondly, we have had a very persistent Robin building this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC1p710ONEomLFFPQ-0-zf2yxk7Z4dg8G2Rg2E9IXiXg1gU_oe3Q6dsd3hAEyCW-edD55BfVL3_vqAk7EoqdULoBaBH0ygUwSf3ytQR5t5dfFAuqtnT3LbBccPupsQJaEzzk8YbpH1RM/s1600-h/Animals+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349243051774152034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC1p710ONEomLFFPQ-0-zf2yxk7Z4dg8G2Rg2E9IXiXg1gU_oe3Q6dsd3hAEyCW-edD55BfVL3_vqAk7EoqdULoBaBH0ygUwSf3ytQR5t5dfFAuqtnT3LbBccPupsQJaEzzk8YbpH1RM/s320/Animals+006.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>and laying these:</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBxk7nkQVZFmrMYjXWRtWBkg202p5iL-RLniiBv5MJKlaPu0KWx3GCv3i6cA_IMkl08zkdW92n_HntZmtsE_UIkwEh4NdH1UpwYUYcR_y9QXvMijti0GIT1_Q0tHnF5yc45Xi73AT4NI/s1600-h/Animals+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349243055559102114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBxk7nkQVZFmrMYjXWRtWBkg202p5iL-RLniiBv5MJKlaPu0KWx3GCv3i6cA_IMkl08zkdW92n_HntZmtsE_UIkwEh4NdH1UpwYUYcR_y9QXvMijti0GIT1_Q0tHnF5yc45Xi73AT4NI/s320/Animals+005.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>When we realized she was nesting, we would knock her nest down because we knew that we would consistently disrupt her going in and out of the back door; but she won. Therefore, I watch her everyday tend to her nest.</div><div> </div><div>So, there are lots of things "popping out around here" as my neighbor said. We are just waiting for Baby C to make his/her grand entrance. Luckily, I will not have to labor and do my birth on our front lawn with my neighbor as our witness. :).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-6633581086983613162009-06-01T17:18:00.000-07:002009-06-02T06:54:32.004-07:003 Weeks and Counting<div><div><div><div><div>Well, it has been awhile since I have updated the blog, so let's begin.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>As of today, I am 3 weeks from my due date. Everything is going very well. I feel big, a bit uncomfortable, but cannot complain knowing that in a few weeks (or any day for that fact) all this could be over. I am just trying to embrace every moment, movement and feeling of this pregnancy- for it will never be a "first" again.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let me share the BIG SURPRISE that I received last weekend. My husband and I went away on our last "baby moon" to Santa Fe. It was such a joy because one thing I have really desired this pregnancy is a jetted tub. The tub allows me to control the water temperature but to have the luxury of the jets, and that is one item my husband guaranteed me in the room. Sure enough, when we got to the room, the first thing I did was grab my book- draw a big bubble bath- and didn't get out until I absolutely had to! It was WONDERFUL! But this isn't the big surprise...</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the background story to the surprise:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I had given up on the idea of completing the nursery before the baby was born. I am still working 40 hours a week, pregnant, with not much extra energy these days. Plus,we have chosen other house projects to complete before diving into the nursery- i.e. planting the garden, installing a wood floor in the kitchen, paint and organize the laundry room, etc. Another reason was the crib set I had picked out tends to be on the boyish side, and I didn't have the time to invest on being creative to make it work for a boy or girl. So, decorating the nursery waited.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>While away enjoying the weekend- my husband had secretly hired our friend, who is an amazing artist, to have full range to the nursery. He had shown her the crib set and the furniture and said "Go for it..." When we walked in the door, my husband blindly lead me into the baby's room to see this...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaFkTjfkoQJCKhp_jZa000fiIJbpzVwP6DGmPXN254_WW9T9xdJQ_FlcGC4EG3P_6ZJURkt1_jbIML7UV5fxVQOJEuJzj5Y977sLnoO4INd6eqeJaM0u0Dz3z12Z1LXELZabg20JddWg/s1600-h/Florida+and+Baby+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521251467546738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaFkTjfkoQJCKhp_jZa000fiIJbpzVwP6DGmPXN254_WW9T9xdJQ_FlcGC4EG3P_6ZJURkt1_jbIML7UV5fxVQOJEuJzj5Y977sLnoO4INd6eqeJaM0u0Dz3z12Z1LXELZabg20JddWg/s320/Florida+and+Baby+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB44Ds_tivkecpXxzKgD7yXaENap-Wf9RYTf7XEhjiElZZnzys3krNOIwmA7-w_Uq_8lbDzCfF9mF2ZdOa5hGz7NJAZpsS4X-Dm4tnXFVHb087F_z74tCs3ZRbI6ta2kRwt9xNNanRS0/s1600-h/Florida+and+Baby+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521254546413666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB44Ds_tivkecpXxzKgD7yXaENap-Wf9RYTf7XEhjiElZZnzys3krNOIwmA7-w_Uq_8lbDzCfF9mF2ZdOa5hGz7NJAZpsS4X-Dm4tnXFVHb087F_z74tCs3ZRbI6ta2kRwt9xNNanRS0/s320/Florida+and+Baby+032.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ryg7HXyHfY3eA59C-teOywBa6ekmD7ojVeJoo8_MWs90ZlbpT1sB9Gn6u5ZChWO_5znCg6EZ-eJx9V0CU17f2v5eCs5970J0TnccpLsM90oivudURlyfV-Lm-YjRh3hD8M2Q3deETeU/s1600-h/Florida+and+Baby+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521258262331202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ryg7HXyHfY3eA59C-teOywBa6ekmD7ojVeJoo8_MWs90ZlbpT1sB9Gn6u5ZChWO_5znCg6EZ-eJx9V0CU17f2v5eCs5970J0TnccpLsM90oivudURlyfV-Lm-YjRh3hD8M2Q3deETeU/s320/Florida+and+Baby+033.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt4jSRMSbr-agmTvV5_MoWdcaQVbHV-ipMdXxfpS5SOKmhNofQi148jF9tOUBOEmR4xkaVspNe-vRLYkC_ecEIoSmmoeYdDUzZG_QOA8XlilMxWe6q4nYEs7JW9GeimGsndoQg2q7x1E/s1600-h/Florida+and+Baby+038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521267575455538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt4jSRMSbr-agmTvV5_MoWdcaQVbHV-ipMdXxfpS5SOKmhNofQi148jF9tOUBOEmR4xkaVspNe-vRLYkC_ecEIoSmmoeYdDUzZG_QOA8XlilMxWe6q4nYEs7JW9GeimGsndoQg2q7x1E/s320/Florida+and+Baby+038.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>This is a picture of the crib set.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBPP4IZGzEpMEd0p6iRRRhev-N8E9b0RVoKOa6ea9vhhxWwKNjcpfr7udziu36Ulf3448iD9VWnbQG9qqL_wjKXsicsP413RAkV6-K46zKAni8X1ZRwsluEaNtgiyc_fEkIHMrQpAZQ0/s1600-h/Florida+and+Baby+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521263405008114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBPP4IZGzEpMEd0p6iRRRhev-N8E9b0RVoKOa6ea9vhhxWwKNjcpfr7udziu36Ulf3448iD9VWnbQG9qqL_wjKXsicsP413RAkV6-K46zKAni8X1ZRwsluEaNtgiyc_fEkIHMrQpAZQ0/s320/Florida+and+Baby+037.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>To say the least, I cried in my husband's shoulder, for my heart was absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. I loved that it was gender neutral, original, it matched the crib set we purchased, and it was more than I ever expected or dreamed of!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>So, here are the pictures of the completed nursery:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1rDU5RZI6hUe19JnOwyaAUoZc91t3FziQ4HhcjGLDy0JCFfkMMxR9Dinhm3wTe-UoU9U1o3IBaom11I6lUJlzsIGOC6KpbAID6hWUpKgoA5HZVaV2wvlyn4YqGKSED5aWjGUTJelY2M/s1600-h/Completed+Nursery+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342526297991454098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1rDU5RZI6hUe19JnOwyaAUoZc91t3FziQ4HhcjGLDy0JCFfkMMxR9Dinhm3wTe-UoU9U1o3IBaom11I6lUJlzsIGOC6KpbAID6hWUpKgoA5HZVaV2wvlyn4YqGKSED5aWjGUTJelY2M/s320/Completed+Nursery+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKz8TZjOmhsLzFPwNELEWYHp5c-uS2Wh27E8T2s7P7ZF9XytD6Q9RlEGCCm7578XLXGO3amnqcTZSwQfcYelX1lsC4wX2gIjtzO3NR-mp5hJTylBd7XBb515MnVPQvxp7bk4n-EFDrF8/s1600-h/Completed+Nursery+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342526290242386050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKz8TZjOmhsLzFPwNELEWYHp5c-uS2Wh27E8T2s7P7ZF9XytD6Q9RlEGCCm7578XLXGO3amnqcTZSwQfcYelX1lsC4wX2gIjtzO3NR-mp5hJTylBd7XBb515MnVPQvxp7bk4n-EFDrF8/s320/Completed+Nursery+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrrJBYA1Ak4jSVSgcbDzrqlTjGBBuC46FyoUvRl-ppTU2_a1y-gUh9y1YlB9LiwOxbKEjAl3_5mv48_IY6UvigFYKh_Gegjzlt7oW5SYpxCHWFvnIvTBtHF0e-O_dLmzzT1FrrHlQKS0/s1600-h/Completed+Nursery+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342526291308763234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrrJBYA1Ak4jSVSgcbDzrqlTjGBBuC46FyoUvRl-ppTU2_a1y-gUh9y1YlB9LiwOxbKEjAl3_5mv48_IY6UvigFYKh_Gegjzlt7oW5SYpxCHWFvnIvTBtHF0e-O_dLmzzT1FrrHlQKS0/s320/Completed+Nursery+002.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Now, we just are awaiting for the baby to come...</div><div></div><div>Honey, Thank you SOOO much for taking care of our family, and facilitating a welcoming environment for our little one. </div></div></div></div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-10601191653475951462009-03-18T16:56:00.000-07:002009-03-18T17:10:03.105-07:00"Prayer works!"Dear Family and Friends,<br /><br />We have a wonderful announcement to make...today we had a follow up visit with the specialist regarding the dilation of our baby's kidneys. As I laid on the ultrasound table watching our child, the ultrasound tech snapped a shot of the kidneys and said "Wow, there really isn't much to say about them." I asked for clarification, and she said, "They are normal size". Rob and I looked at each other and just smiled and said "Prayer works"! Of course, these results had to be confirmed by the specialist, and sure enough he said the same thing. We have to follow up again in 4 weeks to confirm that nothing has changed, but we know that we serve a big God!!!<br /><br />Many, many thanks for the multitude of prayers that were offered on behalf of our family. <br /><br />Much love,<br />Rally<br /><br />P.S. One of our favorite parts of the ultrasound was watching our baby's mouth move. He/she yawned and was practicing a sucking motion... So precious!Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-47840068487574621662009-03-14T06:36:00.000-07:002009-03-14T07:24:33.899-07:00A walk down memory laneTwo weeks ago Rob and I had a much anticipated date to see this <a href="http://http//www.rascalflatts.com/site.php?content=past_tours&tourYear=2009">band</a> perform. Rob and I were out on a Saturday morning errand run getting breakfast burritos at our favorite place in<a href="http://http//www.lacasitapatiocafe.com/"> town</a>, when we heard on the radio that they were coming to town. Since we have been married, we have discussed the opportunity to see this band play, and when we got home we immediately got on the internet and purchased tickets. Sure, it was a splurge for us, but we are trying to make the most of every opportunity to "play" before our baby comes.<br /><br />The concert was worth every penny spent!!! We had such a great time watching the amazing talent this band displays. They would play each other's instruments without a break in the song- very impressive. They were wholesome and very interactive with the crowd, besides having great music. Rob is a bass player, and their bass player writes the majority of their songs, so Rob has always been inspired by him; so to watch him on in concert was a quite a treat.<br /><br />So, why a walk down memory lane? Before we went to the concert we ate at my favorite <a href="http://http//www.tommysthaidenver.com/index2.html">Thai restaurant</a> in Denver... well at least it had been before. I lived in Denver for 2 years after I graduated from nursing school and worked at University of Colorado Hospital. It was very unique time of my life were I was diving into the academics and skills of nursing, lived with a couple of special friends creating unique memories of exploring Denver. During the first year there, it seemed like on a weekly basis, my roommate or I would call in an order to the Thai restaurant and we'd pick it up to eat at home watching a movie we rented from the Library. We would order the same exact thing every time... it was a no brainer! (BTW, J. if you are reading this, it wasn't the same great taste we had experienced that year... the thai tea was a little to sweat and I would want my chicken a little more spicer now days :).<br /><br />As I sat there, with my husband, reminiscing about the experiences and times spent wondering what life was all about. My hope, as I worked at a teaching hospital, would be meeting some med student, fall in love, and the rest is history. As I sat across from the love of my life (who gets light- headed with the sight of blood), with child, and basically working at a community hospital... I just had to smile with the way that God orchestrated my life path. How happy I am that God did not answer my prayer/hope of "big city" living. I enjoy visiting Denver, and if God chose to move us to a bigger city- we would absolutely make the most of it! <br /><br />I appreciate those two years living in Denver, they were full of great memories, laughs, prayers, socilizing, lessons, and molding me into the person I am today.Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-58734275513581118322009-02-22T03:15:00.000-08:002009-02-28T05:10:00.712-08:00"It's Just Been Busy"Hello again... Honestly, I need to say- Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentine's Day as all of these holidays have passed and I have not updated our blog since the beginning of December!!!! Yikes!... Yes, it's been a little busy.<br /><br /><br />We are trying to stay afloat the many demands of life- working full time, being pregnant, and getting ready to be parents, our schedule has picked up Bradley Classes on Monday night, graduate studies on Tuesday, and squeezing in water aerobics/exercise to keep up with our health. There hasn't been much time to sit down and keep the blogging world updated, but my husband is out with a friend this afternoon having a beer, which gives me a minute to check this outstanding task <em>off </em>my list:).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />How am I feeling? GREAT!!! Honestly, this has been a wonderful pregnancy. I LOVE the second trimester. Sure, there are days that I am discouraged that I have gone up a pant size, but it is apart of this beautiful season/journey... Right?! The best feeling in the world these days is feeling this little one move in my belly. Today, the movement is a little higher in the abdomen meaning the baby is growing and so is my belly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyFe2tcHxYdycFxPDZYe0QYVQVR24E5xVtvx0bgZNzo0Ug-EOUh5dzHvJdHNFL4u9LrwmlsAiXG4PrIacaaaipnMbDYAYOmUGPOEpbPPxiik7qxCkgxakOEgF0TM90VMiB8AQ2xuA_XM/s1600-h/Hand+Cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307643235643820066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyFe2tcHxYdycFxPDZYe0QYVQVR24E5xVtvx0bgZNzo0Ug-EOUh5dzHvJdHNFL4u9LrwmlsAiXG4PrIacaaaipnMbDYAYOmUGPOEpbPPxiik7qxCkgxakOEgF0TM90VMiB8AQ2xuA_XM/s320/Hand+Cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We are now 23 weeks into the pregnancy, with the sex of our baby remaining a surprise. We had our first ultrasound about a month ago measuring all the beautiful organs of our little one. At this time, they had two concerns- the stomach was absent/small and the kidneys were dilated- finding these abnormalities we were referred to a specialist. It was a long two weeks of waiting for this appointment- I wanted to know what was occurring with this little baby.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJxtb937Z2oVf6evo2M3jLHwVhyGg1DEioPAnBhSo-7rv85jLVpwbcEBYcWuYZFfA8_shzqsXACIHx8WvbomfnrxxtNRPYmNQth-UoADIqHcUpopYHdDEBcPYfhfKoudT8H6Rgtn_x-Y/s1600-h/Hand+Cropped.jpg"></a><br />The appointment finally came, and I received the greatest blessing of watching our little baby for an hour or so as they got ever measurement possible to make their final diagnosis. In every ultrasound, I have yet to leave with a dry eye- not because of bad news, but just amazed that I have this life growing inside of me. I cannot wait to meet this little one!!!!<br /><br /><br />Now the results: the stomach measured normal, the kidneys however are still dilated. This could be one of two reasons: 1. The blood flow from the placenta and/or estrogen level from me is creating this dilation to occur. 2. It could be a small marker for Downs Syndrome a "1/2000 chance". The news at first was a lot to digest, but the more we processed and thought through the small chances of having a child with Downs, the more excited we became. I cannot tell you the peace that has reigned over us the past weeks. For those of you who have known and prayed for us, we have definitely felt the Lord's presence in our lives- so thank you.<br /><br /><br /><br />So now what? We have more doctor's appointments and ultrasounds to continue to monitor the kidneys. If they continue to dilate while in the womb, surgical intervention will be needed after birth. If this occurs, we will cross that bridge when it comes with strength and grace that only comes from the Lord.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-9mPTcElGMmX7R87-JgglgTye_JmHh8Q7MQEH63bOmr8KrfbQP-xUWdyP96K30e2pcO9G3_M3wpKbQ9DpSe42N-3PDxqSNVKRJbhmlLpfXlJUPxrTlsGmMwSwG-fN6kheZOxCVWlvOc/s1600-h/Thumps+Up+Cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307639968974549058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-9mPTcElGMmX7R87-JgglgTye_JmHh8Q7MQEH63bOmr8KrfbQP-xUWdyP96K30e2pcO9G3_M3wpKbQ9DpSe42N-3PDxqSNVKRJbhmlLpfXlJUPxrTlsGmMwSwG-fN6kheZOxCVWlvOc/s320/Thumps+Up+Cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the meantime, we are continuing to work on ideas for the nursery, reading books, house projects, and preparing my heart as a mother. I am going to be a mom... that word strikes a million different cords as I think about it.... sigh. Can I do it? Can I give this child everything it needs? We are beginning a new heritage... can I really be old enough? Am I ready? ... I believe our baby is giving us a thumbs up :).Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-15490917432693950582008-12-10T05:06:00.001-08:002008-12-10T18:38:56.513-08:00UpdateLast week we had our first appointment, and boy was this fun! We had our first ultrasound with the ease of mind that everything looks good so far.<br /><br /><br /><br />Answers to my main questions:<br /><br /><br /><br />1. There is only one baby :).<br /><br />2. Our due date is June 22nd<br /><br />3. Currently, I am 12 weeks along<br /><br />4. I am doing fine on my weight gain<br /><br />5. So far, everything looks healthy and normal... Praise God!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Introducing our little peanut... Doesn't he/she look just like us?? :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278354648605490162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFLYuHU9AYM9UblhzyHhoq7jDQqcs1lHn6FcgZ4jQXmrdG5eOqu9yybBm6MMiQwwGwb8coX-GXyW5iu5gCMVmkHPg0cZiknFWKvcpiqow0Z9zvgW79zOsn-02keW_CzaKcIMzaSDJGDE/s320/Baby+C+cropped2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>(I love this picture, for you see his/hers' little arms waving... "Hey mom and dad, doing fine here..." So sweet).</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278354644183658066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG_Jq9iiniR1kLY_hKJ2DACTj_uh8B5rEbBA8d-r-EklIQssya4KRmz6ZKhkc2ESImqBz-QyHsvk53xId7JO8qbwvGK6uY4M2VEeToG9tDLGzOiXF_B1NphuIg1XCUcZ3Ltqj5nlABSY/s320/Baby+C+cropped.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>So what else?</p><p>Week 11- 12 is great! Food is beginning to taste good, with the cravings starting... Yesterday, it was bratwurst- ideally from Home Depot. Go figure, when it is freezing outside and there is no one manning the grill at Home Depot. Rob suggested Phantom Canyon, a local brewery. I was willing to give it a try, being that it would be a bratwurst. We sat at the bar, so the waiter who delivered our food didn't know who had ordered what. It make sense if there was an order for mac and cheese and bratwurst... the woman usually orders the mac and cheese right?? Well, that is what he guessed and boy was there an out roar of laughter and NOOOO---- the Bratwurst is for the pregnant lady--- you might get hurt if you take those bratwurst away from her. It was quite funny and I enjoyed my bratwurst with leftovers for today's lunch ;). Thanks babe for accommodating my craving ;).</p><p></p><br /><p>I love hot chocolate in the morning, due to the smell of coffee made me sick for so many weeks and tea doesn't do the trick. Trying to get the most nutritional value out of not a very nutritional drink, I have switched to using "real" chocolate milk delivered from our milk man. I dilute the chocolate milk with white milk and heat it up on the stove (still no microwave in this house). That way it counts in my diet for calcium, protein, and helps my craving for a warm drink in the morning. Yummy!</p><p>Being pregnant, working full time, and trying to keep up with the house definitely has it's own challenges, but the challenges increase with a husband that also works full time and is going to grad school. Quitting for me really isn't an option for the time being, but here are some thing that Rob has implemented to ease my work around the house.</p><br /><p>1. A housekeeper every other week... how we love the Monday's that she comes!</p><p>2. Supper Solutions for meals. I couldn't stand cooking for several weeks, it's getting better though.</p><p>3. Dry cleaners for his shirts.</p><p>4. Two-minute pickups at the end of the day to keep up the maintenance of the house. </p><p>5. A change in my attitude to receive these services, as I felt like I should be able to do it all (and still have energy to work out, time for my husband, and did I mention energy??). What was I thinking??? So now that I have let go of my pride and received these gifts, life is easier. I realize that I am blessed to receive this help, so thanks babe for implementing what is best for our family.</p><p>One more person to thank... After reading <a href="http://twiaa.blogspot.com/2008/12/today.html">this post </a>there is a big THANK YOU that goes out to my lovely sister who went through quite a journey to send me this:</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278148904883349138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqARmxz1deOkGAo5BVaHLKdkVmzcTOxqrYc1BWPmCT6_KKlq6trPP67hZzqEUZ4hjTS8M-rgCUv3RYlJMY0r90RqCTsrsjGhtd4anz3cLZADlqTg2OTJl87GoeA4TcDSIUG7vbXsGFAwQ/s320/Changes+019.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278148899098900866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJVyawmN8pTZtc6TM4w9R7ETm2YQoBkaKn5bPUTCk4F8nFqaXOQS8zSQx7lrKE7UQiO_-f3DwJu2MvccVyt1X18uvv9C0MHJJX9GI22lL72vXaK47LhF6XcD_gM312LuozqxC4kj8n9I/s320/Changes+017.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>A maternity care package!!! It was filled with clothes, books, and information for baby equipment. (Don't you love the art work from my nephew? Absolutely precious!) Thank you for the your generosity and effort to bless us... Aunt Rebecca ;).</p><br /><br /><p>A question for everyone else:</p><p>Any recommendations of books to read, recipes, baby items, blogs, etc. that people found helpful? I'd love your input.</p><p>Lastly: Rob's sister has posted a blog... check out my cute nieces <a href="http://www.2monks.blogspot.com/">here</a> or listed in my family and friend's as <em>Buffy and her girls</em>.</p><p>Note from Rob; What kind of pickles did you crave? My wife has the most random cravings, but I'm enjoying going to the store for Cheese pizza and Chocolate milk.</p><p>I think guys should have maternity visits with doctors as well, am I gaining the right amount of sympathy weight, and is my sympathy fatigue normal?</p><p>Allison is a rock star!<br /><br /></p><p></p>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-62100370288872014622008-11-13T05:59:00.000-08:002008-11-13T06:38:44.543-08:00SURPRISE!!!!My apologies for not writing or even reading my blog (or others) for awhile... it's been well... a couple of great weeks, yet much to digest. I will share...<br /><br />A week ago, my sister and my husband were scheming up a way to surprise me for my birthday- And they did a FABULOUS JOB!!!! Both of them kept inquiring about what I wanted to do for the big 3-0!!!! My answer- "I just want to see my sister and nephews in Austin". Rob's response: "Babe, you know we can't do this right now." Well, little did I know that Rebecca and her boys were coming up here to surprise me. <br /><br />Rob, took me to Red Robin on the way to Bible study, saying the group was meeting here for the night, when I turned the corner, there was my sister and nephews (one that I had not met yet), my mom, Rob's sister and her family, and our dear friend Craig (which was the Bible Study part). Tears streamed down my face as I hugged my sister and met little Sam. It was a great night of laughter and fun as the nieces and nephews all played around us. I wish I had pictures, but I was not prepared. I felt so blessed as an Aunt- it truly was a great 3-0! If my sister post pictures I will post the link.<br /><br />Our special day was Monday: I had taken the day off of work, and we went shopping, out to lunch, and enjoyed each other's company~ We almost completed our Christmas shopping as well, and even got a head start on wrapping the presents. I have never been this ready for Christmas! Thank you Rebecca for coming to Colorado and making me feel so special and loved!<br /><br />Tuesday was special time with the boys- we went and played at Focus on the Family Adventures of Odyssey, including my brother's son. It was a great fun spending time with the family. <br /><br />SURPRISE #2<br />WE are Expecting!<br /><br />I have known for a couple of weeks now, but I was trying to think of a creative way to tell the blog world. Nothing came to mind, as my mind is currently just trying to do the best things for our family, and trying to process of all the changes that are ahead of us. <br /><br />I am 8 weeks along, so God willing, at the end of June, we will have a healthy, beautiful baby! We ask that you join with us in praying over this little one, that everything will go well through the pregnancy and labor. The last couple of days, I have felt much better than week 5 and 6- those weeks were just difficult dealing with all-day nausea. It was hard to even function. But the last couple of days, I have felt well enough to make it to the gym and do some cardio (of course, keeping a close account of my heart rate).<br /><br />We certainly feel blessed as the Lord has decided to give us a child. The surprise was- it wasn't our timing, but when is ever our timing God's timing? There is so much to be grateful for as we get the opportunity to nourish this baby in our womb. <br /><br /> <br />So... that is why I have been a little distant. Things have been a little crazy around here ;).Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-35994365999354169802008-10-16T13:31:00.001-07:002008-10-16T13:53:48.904-07:00Pics<div><div>The summit of Pikes Peak- all in day's hike;)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257855646248515570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPyFZvSXQ-072p0dmsqVQFgdsHgYVLdrsEsCXduAo2bDFvNb-rr6vK0XGUiPEL2SSY-B1LPAY-tqQEpvPKaOT1dl8FqSxVMoZHlilpKSAZoNCNUqG50TDHRbJSzC1rU2OR39n9Hh6GAs/s320/Summer+2008+016.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div>The descent. You can see that the wind was coming from the west blowing the clouds back over the city. Really cool to witness.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257853982213389010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE0WbbjJwCYJGtzEk0f3xQbn4Cme1lJhjW2L8eiTTJfdchok4P0gmPDtaDCZXA5SqSCuu8H7jm6x2crsS4arn2X4AFCMEj54dkrPaiZxY-Ljljp_Tze5cpCoTCnSygGn3LxX2rxEoyqs/s320/Summer+2008+019.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257854816395097378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuDy8j6i_2VIZ0k0IoMN9Dy8g73hnmI-ctglos_LJc6seeblatYqNfzFyOwd5gCNc1M1LH86QGc7noXL66i7iVz31la9dIJBXqCvphZ556x4HGYGq4K1_joKKYUXLd6tEiQMFoQSSIOg/s320/Summer+2008+018.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Styled with my natural curls. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257853996784991426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJloHdOJBOlG-7y6_EUQIMsGvFrim06J-Kdp8Z2gPlWPON9jRbkhRRnJMHVm_HXvBKNSCl2Ft1B_6XW7h8e6xrIlYnfb8tfM2NfSbieNpxQbLTakoIIzyvTip_hSrFPJepz1wL5bSw07g/s320/Summer+2008+025.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Breckenridge, CO. Spending time with our folks.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257854817241143906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1ZC6Gky414QUw7-ScIQ98evo-j3FgmwkJDWFSPeNmSdqxVFS3D76O0wozC6jRFfysBQVmOzJljscgFkBtz9mDPtHJG51gG-OfAG82mBuvYcmcfqCAtLzUtAGSDPlq12YNcKHbFmmy4k/s320/Breckenridge+024.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>My Parents:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLfiNRh1KHtuIJDMcwNK6CCR1V0eE87lDkNRmff4HCX2fgVUPYADsAbf7BlxsysgpIc9PKBGH_jvb_H3cqQc55RIX07l8pgQUulXuTyocJ6k9JnNKDuwZMbIz8APlm3nqjQV_-CcPCF8/s1600-h/Breckenridge+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257853992683284530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLfiNRh1KHtuIJDMcwNK6CCR1V0eE87lDkNRmff4HCX2fgVUPYADsAbf7BlxsysgpIc9PKBGH_jvb_H3cqQc55RIX07l8pgQUulXuTyocJ6k9JnNKDuwZMbIz8APlm3nqjQV_-CcPCF8/s320/Breckenridge+021.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>His Parents</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257854827457547762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3xWP5Nd0-yit8_Ad2My0ye9Cu8iYwqt2RNB7rOVxSRNre9GSltQXGI6KzvYNiEVpL13fHoIyD5dlN9qc_IOpvS4m61ostOrkWJthYCYRmruh6S60yYSxvLXEFQSQpQGH-I0lK5khRj8/s320/Breckenridge+025.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Awaiting Ski Season...</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257854831956208978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgQLKoR7ZfuOKKfLrK16kYdy5H6a2YmmzLqeatTr-Cxff8TcT9j2bvObqHzNwlUtsVHQBRLe2b7w06Noce0izqR4A0JLJzZkRto0U44-GBq8UVO6KHFRZxkMnwBj2rFTroT3AWyAh1fM/s320/Breckenridge+027.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>It's not too far away... It snowed the last night we were there and woke up to this view.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257854833260821586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIwTy5c7vyNkDjFw2e8Mnic9n9OXpbRYuDHjRuSIagZNNthtbLny-4UnF39j1iVZKx9jd8oZxBhPqlWMlM_WGj46pQAYZJvEeZa3a2ecvY7QwLIN2gocKKR9ejHgUY6sX_SIk0x4mGcg/s320/Breckenridge+035.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE4yh4eQOUKqvNBidDEwimvRIqMiDs9QbOLc4OyhimA6eqRL76riGpUkQbfUgdS2pIwwbLR6sNzWfU-bVe1J-cUYda5K-KZBR6rwz5LwzWa62_LfXzjNTqRydorHN8FmN7D0pOvFK9T4/s1600-h/Breckenridge+015.JPG"></a></div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-83399543629522689792008-10-14T04:48:00.000-07:002008-10-14T05:21:41.682-07:00Fireproof<div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256983510199325858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="114" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP1x2JHtfW6pi1ky0PL6v-NY6dD3EoFa2f53ivf74tgSlzt9EnrfOR7mZiIUBBxJwgpu5I7TDXtS8Y7Ki2623z4aBLV1ZJfzQSemHG8UdtqDreGKPeMmfkkTc1MgH6QpqQEdqjRD8-Kw/s320/fireproof.jpg" width="320" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/index.php"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday I had the day off, and completed many projects around the house - finished washing the windows, painted the ceilings in the study and hallway. I was touching up the paint job in the hallway and realized I had used the "adjusted" paint to do my touch-up- creating more work for me, because I now actually had to paint the hallway the rest of the "adjusted" color. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was in the middle of doing these projects when my wonderful husband came home and said, "I want to take you out tonight- I need you ready by 5:45". When he said this, of course I was excited, but it was very difficult not to argue and ask to do it another evening when I am not in the middle of so many projects. Nonetheless, I kept my mouth shut, stopped my painting, hurriedly got ready, and out the door we went. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As we are driving away, he says:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"We are going to dinner and then see Fireproof." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>YES, YES, YES!!!! I have been asking since opening weekend to go and see this movie! My husband wasn't that excited about it, because he thought we would be a "cheezy Christian film". But one of his co-workers had seen it over the weekend and encouraged my husband to take me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Fireproof.... It's great! Husbands and Wives go see this movie (bring Kleenex too)!!!! Our society needs more movies like this. Sure, there were some "cheezy" moments, but it's not enough to not see the movie. We talked about the movie the rest of the evening, and woke up this morning with it on our hearts. It truly makes an impression. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I looked on their website this morning (<a href="http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/">http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/</a>) and here is an insert from an interview with Dr. Phil. Alex is the co-writer of the screen play.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>“Alex, what was your main objective in doing this film?” Dr. Phil asks. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>“You know as well as I do that marriages in this culture are being devalued, watered down, called a piece of paper, and we want to bring a standard and honor back to marriage,” Alex says. “So doing this movie was one way to put a message out there of hope, and inspiration and faith for couples to say, 'Hey, marriage is worth honoring and fighting for.'”<br /><a href="http://adopt.specificclick.net/click.sm?adv=1363&href=http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3016.SpecificMedia/B2839195.11;sz=300x250;ord=1223984538351?"><br /></a><br />Alex says the old addage “Never leave your partner behind” has significance to non-firefighters as well. “You know, it’s now national policy for firefighters: two in, two out. If you go to a fire, you stay with your partner, you go in and you come out, and that applies to marriage as well. You’re going to go through fire. The meaning of fireproof is not that fire will never come, but when it comes, you can withstand it. And the only way to do that is to purposefully stay together, to have a higher standard than living just with yourself and meeting the other person’s needs.” (<a href="http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4632/?id=4632&showID=1130">http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4632/?id=4632&showID=1130</a> for the interview)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Put down your paint brushes, and go on a date with your husband. It is actually worth the price of the movie ticket.</div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-31554774233865568252008-09-23T04:43:00.001-07:002008-09-23T05:29:53.023-07:00Happy Anniversary!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FX56ohZbkkfw7L1xJB-yog3LSi9un9JL8KX2jTXM6Ga4XCksLknASXnNRtresrvPqz1LZatvAl8PSX6HMJ06ts7VoNWkrkunkuYg2p0c6wNml4Lthi5J-vUJTfe27gDpunMR7_EZBwA/s1600-h/Rapunzel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249185794089403650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FX56ohZbkkfw7L1xJB-yog3LSi9un9JL8KX2jTXM6Ga4XCksLknASXnNRtresrvPqz1LZatvAl8PSX6HMJ06ts7VoNWkrkunkuYg2p0c6wNml4Lthi5J-vUJTfe27gDpunMR7_EZBwA/s320/Rapunzel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><div>On Sunday, the 21st of September, marked our one year anniversary. Friday, I pampered ourselves to a couples foot message, and he surprised me with a night away at the Westin near Boulder, CO. Our evening included an excellent, beautiful dinner and then a short walk over to the improv theater- MadCap, where we laughed till our sides hurt. My husband even volunteered to make the sound effects for one of the actors:). </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Sunday, we took a nice walk in the morning, with Starbucks as our destination, and then left the Hotel to enjoy an afternoon in downtown Denver. Upon returning home, we finished our celebration by eating our wedding cake topper.<br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249181978411254434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGqowThmfpMgdDfm77XdhsGiSrKV4DlRIASUQ2L_VGAw1yN11O8SZmPO9eizuzx1UCsbiBL5leTFA0yClR5wZBmCogCF1xSmJzxZa3ImNj8-0TfJupd5_tDnvLzbiwCJtszWRniirJrE/s320/Happy+Anniversary+009.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><p>Here is the best part, the bakery, where we ordered the cake, makes you a fresh cake to enjoy on your anniversary. The candle symbolize "we are truly one now" per my husband.</p><br /><br /><p>So those are the details, but my favorite part was having time with my husband. With both of us working full time jobs, and my husband starting his MBA, we are just busy. And getting away just for the night, with no agenda except to enjoy each other's company, was the best gift that could have ever been given. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249181966148567314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykevWFiqcqIL6ZvLAAzrfdpO5_R3gmQwuuYmJNiULgqC1q6oQW3vq45h7VIXKxrZq4Pdo7DYv6N5jyMrZxgo44-5vpbLSKz9dHh3pdNtNmsL7Y7qWxT76HYb-4u1llXeo_UKkJ1blGRU/s320/Happy+Anniversary+008.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>To My Dear Husband,</p><p>This past year has brought me more laughter, tears, realizations, and yes, even some refiners fire than I ever expected. But I would say "yes" to you all over again if you were to ask me to marry you again tomorrow. </p><p>Thank you for demonstrating to me the tangible love of Christ- as I have been so humbled to receive love from you when I did not deserve it. Thank you for providing for us not only in a tangible way, but also spiritually, protecting our home with your prayers and accountability. </p><p>I love you and look forward to the rest of our journey together, as the Lord wills for our lives.</p><p>With all my heart- Your bride. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249181969535252306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezlTM1X8pWfOlnrKCUWbgPt61qbSAMFvxTBmw7UcLZH1whSZQY9pijk0jfHq3gfGD6Kpwpbnw94lJiTvRaHjpnK1f30rLua2KOixSaP4up33j1WhlrkmeHyqdQYOSeOEkGVznHhTLG28/s320/Happy+Anniversary+010.JPG" border="0" /></p></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-39487442528345445802008-08-24T16:56:00.000-07:002008-08-24T17:23:17.946-07:00Snap Shots of August...<div>One of our glorious sunsets (looking out from our picture window in our kitchen)...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryA6UBD9apcIwGtg0utHBTud9fH7h_y9UC57RarKn-QMAR8Sh44srQ2WPNi7NDRHcdw69IoHjGVSb3fG9aknzE8fxVfmNWV5tcoua3_sU_I0h2sje1eLO9jCXTmjhA7ZaS1KWRRGHkjc/s1600-h/Summer+at+Home+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238238613014423842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryA6UBD9apcIwGtg0utHBTud9fH7h_y9UC57RarKn-QMAR8Sh44srQ2WPNi7NDRHcdw69IoHjGVSb3fG9aknzE8fxVfmNWV5tcoua3_sU_I0h2sje1eLO9jCXTmjhA7ZaS1KWRRGHkjc/s320/Summer+at+Home+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Rob chillin' on his port-a-ledge (babe did I spell that correctly?)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbAdY9bQ4SfJ5I3XttFe5aEg4ibR7XJC_S7ufUnfDkDBr1RsAkNYZUAbSlVUVc4XtPj910KqI3-xiNADUevSPSu4tZoRIXagHfdevc4qZB5WrEURZjsTT1D9tmlxzFTpfA-QcrYy21FI/s1600-h/Summer+at+Home+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238238617616456642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbAdY9bQ4SfJ5I3XttFe5aEg4ibR7XJC_S7ufUnfDkDBr1RsAkNYZUAbSlVUVc4XtPj910KqI3-xiNADUevSPSu4tZoRIXagHfdevc4qZB5WrEURZjsTT1D9tmlxzFTpfA-QcrYy21FI/s320/Summer+at+Home+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>Chopped my hair :).<br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja85dyri_sTJiRUorRILx7QH4vgV_Me_nkZIaYcDfw3lHaJGzjjsTZpn3TimK0cGYj4UZetBHeHBjmlVE7dI3wLYIZxn1sTUwxBL1K79HLff6u-Mbwz4Vkfc7-7QdstLgXIoKq0RcmCsI/s1600-h/Summer+at+Home+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238238622390493682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja85dyri_sTJiRUorRILx7QH4vgV_Me_nkZIaYcDfw3lHaJGzjjsTZpn3TimK0cGYj4UZetBHeHBjmlVE7dI3wLYIZxn1sTUwxBL1K79HLff6u-Mbwz4Vkfc7-7QdstLgXIoKq0RcmCsI/s320/Summer+at+Home+012.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Enjoying the Veggies of our Labor...<br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOiLe_vFLFib-XcHxKcZs1WswKtUAo7DmEDqGpWeUEf01O8JvN3_qaG0hEFUJhsR6sfCgv7uEkHqrI728VjSORVkv1POp9xqNubCiskrMr6feHBW_OJifZL2IHFuEYdAKVaFQhPxZ1w0/s1600-h/Summer+at+Home+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238238627091366786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOiLe_vFLFib-XcHxKcZs1WswKtUAo7DmEDqGpWeUEf01O8JvN3_qaG0hEFUJhsR6sfCgv7uEkHqrI728VjSORVkv1POp9xqNubCiskrMr6feHBW_OJifZL2IHFuEYdAKVaFQhPxZ1w0/s320/Summer+at+Home+016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9lNE4ZZaO3OaRqboPa-pyYbZVHCp55S2NJjSkI2j4XjgRJDnTyburdfX6d9X0P69_T5OmrkQ-q_RyhO_oUfSoCLrXBzFfDKwSG45Ud6e3G6dkb63iMAOMMNBj_qdCuH1TCvKEJmCUfM/s1600-h/Summer+at+Home+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238238634519769970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9lNE4ZZaO3OaRqboPa-pyYbZVHCp55S2NJjSkI2j4XjgRJDnTyburdfX6d9X0P69_T5OmrkQ-q_RyhO_oUfSoCLrXBzFfDKwSG45Ud6e3G6dkb63iMAOMMNBj_qdCuH1TCvKEJmCUfM/s320/Summer+at+Home+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The New Addition to our Home:</p><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238240900737429634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2moATIO0pneP7EEIBevFJLgpeTldogmGZvlZhCGWg9hyphenhyphenL9XeuDGJlgcDLjp7pLgHWj231YLCRVzOavXF29zWDuUW2iZIDSbBnN-XaaAqoNNXVOrHib4-PvZhWDtZaB-1r6BJWFcNb4VA/s320/Summer+at+Home+020.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>(We sold our microwave at our garage sale. So far so good, I might regret this decision later, but trying to keep our health in mind.)</p><br /><p></p></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-78359326524289637542008-08-14T18:41:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:04:48.860-07:00Remember...Your wedding day? <div><br /></div><div> I am getting ready for a garage sale in a couple of weeks and cleaning out closets. It has been great fun to get rid of stuff and also to find that one item that floods your memory with memories. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had my wedding dress hanging up in our guest bedroom closet, and pulled it out. I started to hastily pull out items that need to go in the garage sale pile, when I stopped. I went back to the day that I married the man I love. I put it on.... a flood of memories and emotions...I remembered my sister holding my hand during the moment reality hit me... "I was getting married today!" She has always been there for me. Remember picking out the dress and admiring it as it hung on the hanger. Seeing him for the first time that day... he looked SOOO handsome and joy filled my heart. I Remember my precious bridesmaids helping me put my dress on, then buttoning all 50 pearl buttons laughing that "he will have fun getting these undone tonight". I remember my guests and thanking them for attending and being a witness of the best day of my life. I remember dancing and not wanting to leave the party, but my husband saying "Let's go". The limo, the cookie dough, the toast, our first dance, and I never want to forget. Sure, sure, it's been 10.5 months; but I don't ever want these memories to fade. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I stood there in front of the mirror, a stream of tears rolled down my cheek as I remembered. Then a smile lit up my face as I have fallen deeper in love with my husband, than the day that I married him.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Randomly, put your wedding dress on and just live in the moment. It was well worth the time to break up the task mode and just... remember. </div><div><br /></div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-55087178752160933372008-08-01T12:26:00.000-07:002008-08-01T13:04:48.951-07:00The Creative Room<div><div>Several months ago, I received this urgency to create a space for me. Space to paint, start going through boxes that are scattered throughout our basement from being a single, start organizing recipes, pictures, and hopefully photography; but the best part is I can leave the project behind, shut the door, and come back and work on it in increments. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>As I surveyed the basement, I recognize that there is a lot of space that is available it is just UGLY! We have 70's green carpet throughout the main room, cement floors everywhere else, wood panelling makes up the majority of the walls, foundational solid... cosmetically needy.</div><br /><br /><div>I asked my husband if I could take the bottom room and make it my creative room. My personal budget was less then $500 to transform the room. He agreed to the idea, with some doubt of the finished projected, but humored me enough to go along with my idea.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Here are some pictures at the beginning stages:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229636144565829266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrffGK9dPXMYNuisUbe-CHdc6xmGGcSHrAgPHrGEtU86fzRO66iFcfr6gFyAsMKQjqEdwe7fh5rOx_mdVLfeAdExWilDA9P7ED-mThsvcg47vhbrYt7FRD3tFEpOWjrA1dFvNN0ttV5A/s320/Ella's+Birthday+011.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229636150214031762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmRXl5Y3A6mGwDsrFbWRUCJYwz0d9150jCUrJG4ZX4KvFVORYJZqW2o0S98r1VlAGTqHHdih5GEU9e-lpJIjn04BrNFunQE-FRo0u_1jCnF0QDaBBJeT0cU2r6NVzktNaZQaE0swCaJo/s320/Ella's+Birthday+012.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229636165833574386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdQ9DtMVNGrBi_BwFz_rjc6HJRUWfKa-O1FJD7T10ARyr-MKhneDkddYrXEPwLkmNvR7OxOipLmRnAHlgbSVhYM3ucvvTxBJ8dVM-u3ho_P85gD9KejPRNOExTETTce1XJB2jrWrmYus/s320/Ella's+Birthday+013.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>At this point, I had primed the walls, and my husband marked out the strips for the eastern wall. I then went to the paint store and purchased "oops" paint, which is $3/gallon. I bought a green and brown, but then actually matched a pink accent.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Notice the ceiling tiles? We debated whether or not to cover, pull out, or leave alone because we were unsure whether or not we'd be dealing with asbestos in the tiles, being that our house was built in the 1940's. Our neighbor down the street has the same ceiling tiles and they just repainted it and it looked great~ so we spent $20 on ceiling paint, $30 on a new light fixture. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last but not least, trim. I painted over the wood trim with the trim paint used on the rest of the house. We looked around at remnant carpet pieces for the floor, but found that it was cheaper to purchase a new piece at Lowe's and then we paid for someone to install it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The corner desk I bought at a garage sale for $10.</div><br /><div></div>Total cost of the makeover: $350<br /><div> </div><div>Here is the after pictures.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229639166726883442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkGdchx1mxwebX0UNhLKZnyTgRchVOHRS92Xsxo1EGumus_fO8EGz6kAJL5HOuMURleIXRqNbrKei_zT-z1f5C1osgJL30ip6RDPmqDEdKyjsHICfUalFXLBiCN5tfRfbERxbIeCnNZU/s320/Ramon's+Shower+030.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229639170280785266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZcrxPQ9tKObnxWAZXkW9XSZuC40Ez-az0ZQsNkfyxoGyF8pU2y87fYA0bJU5aorl4AELDfaVyR4yeN3qwNHoLFW28qtHRj9UPxLRGMKeBAx2NrUbJQe-KlV2V-b9_6Ps2iNCq9V4ovo/s320/Ramon's+Shower+031.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229639181755520994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixm9qjx2FF6jI-2dtCtrrv6owr9VUdsWsEfqWsAYF_fIYSwPWc_nyURcA6u_Ymg2QkLgn_NAnYjsMgSwdrGw5eRYWCtIr1-VOuiaU-OY3KBO7N8fgrnDMvtiqsytRmtwaZHXdmn4YA4Sw/s320/Ramon's+Shower+032.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229639190794691362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCMbgoKVv_roWQ5hLow2Asc8dcYUy9I8Jb775KUBKR3xfbkUZOF_y7ZDgpaFSRXG2Yo9Nuvti34iikhSEZkoCx0JWEf-VeH1x9LjR6oO9AXgbfDN93aC870OxMuKjZ4YVyYgbshrCMAc/s320/Ramon's+Shower+033.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>(See the green carpet, wood panel, and boxes that sit through the doorway... this is why I needed a room to start putting things away=).</p><p>Now we just have to nail down the rest of the trim and put up curtains... and let the creativeness flow! </p><p>My husband loves the way this room turned out, that he now wants his "own creative room". I guess there will be more pictures to come of our basement transformation. So Fun!</p><p> </p><p></p>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-803883373370374882008-07-24T11:11:00.000-07:002008-07-24T11:25:49.879-07:00Hey honey, look what's for dinner<div>So I'm a slacker when it comes to blogging, My wife is a much better and more creative blogger. Creative inspiration comes at the least convienent times for me, still I feel the need to express my creativeness (is that a word?) when it happens. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My wife had put a meal in the crock pot this morning, and I was responsible for removing the meal (which smelled great) from the crock pot and making salads for dinner.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We often laugh about what we are going to have to change when we have kids, it's just about everything. I'm sure our first Parent teacher conference will contain the phrase "I've never had a student do that before, did you teach that to your children?"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So while I still have a chance to play with my food, here is what came out of th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCT8uy5zN2rrfx4IsfvLukiA5pl6_zTlfPddYLxCGQuvOvnA8HRMCbS-kQyMBg5udFl3CTUQKW10BeBsyEJygfKgRXB6wEeAny38J6XzLjmVPoyNUSkgn5sVZMQ_2deIlQ93SGPknATM/s1600-h/DSCN1606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226647891379147714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCT8uy5zN2rrfx4IsfvLukiA5pl6_zTlfPddYLxCGQuvOvnA8HRMCbS-kQyMBg5udFl3CTUQKW10BeBsyEJygfKgRXB6wEeAny38J6XzLjmVPoyNUSkgn5sVZMQ_2deIlQ93SGPknATM/s320/DSCN1606.JPG" border="0" /></a>e crock pot.</div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-78280896135314191042008-07-13T19:28:00.001-07:002008-07-13T20:11:08.615-07:00Sandy... Why are you following me?Remember <u>Annie</u>? "Dumb dog, why are you following me? I don't have a crumb dog..."<br /><br />Well, today, we ended up with our own "Sandy". He is a gray Lopso apso without anyone to claim him. We put him on a leash, while we were gone today, with some water, a sign saying take the dog leave the leash and call us. But when we got home, he was still there. We also called the Humane Society for their lost and found, but no one has put a request in for him yet. Poor pup.<br /><br />This is the funny part: The other evening, we were at a local cafe playing cribbage, enjoying a glass of wine, and the live music, when a lady sat down next to us with her small, dog carrier. I was a little annoyed that these small accessorised dogs are allowed in restaurants. These dogs get treated better than people at times. Anyways, walking home we were discussing the scenario and we both agreed... "We will NEVER own a small dog!"<br /><br />BUT, now that we have a stray we are seeing that there are some perks for having a small dog:<br />1. They do not tear up your yard like a larger dog<br />2. This particular dog is very mellow and doesn't demand much attention. <br />3. The dog is older and potty trained... another great perk!<br />4. This dog I have yet to hear bark... Hmmm, not all small dogs are yippy dogs?<br /><br />So, are delima... do we keep him till we find the owners, or do we turn him into the humane society? He will be held for 5 days before getting adopted at the H.S. We were thinking of housing him for those days, but knowing us, we will become too attached and he will become our permanent stray. Any thoughts?<br /><br />Owners... PLEASE come and get your dog!Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-9647315321860709252008-07-12T20:47:00.000-07:002008-07-13T19:28:11.638-07:00What do you do...With old textbooks, childhood papers/stuff animals, that are now sitting in a box? Any creative ideas? My thought right now... Pitch em.Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-21378470084934865212008-07-12T11:22:00.000-07:002008-07-12T11:34:40.970-07:00Parents for the weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1iULZk78qPcrsbCKmuyGudXaaZ1ZNGdI6fC08sBusEEYRYdere-RC0ehUEmYH4A-MTYx57s91aEGEXoaICfhoDL8NU4yu23q1KyNhioGUYTMdcUyEb21vnp9HIbQgxeg_m5QCxGThf0/s1600-h/Zoo+004.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div>Last weekend my brother and sister-in-law went away for the weekend to have a retreat before baby #2 comes in Oct. We were adopt a parent for the weekend and had a great time with our niece. It was challenging and fun, and both of us decided that it's not time to have kids quite yet... we will just borrow others for awhile.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcCYTVWo0PeSHQCby6khsJPn5DF1m7zeuR6IcpNMOklBh2dvuyJfhSOMZPguleyT9lPoWWNH8VkMzMok_K_PAJxOLhldRReC2CbcIGd9tzaXSbpTcHaY3vwiHsKAYVHPPvpnlRUvUWa4/s1600-h/Zoo+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222196065418154626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcCYTVWo0PeSHQCby6khsJPn5DF1m7zeuR6IcpNMOklBh2dvuyJfhSOMZPguleyT9lPoWWNH8VkMzMok_K_PAJxOLhldRReC2CbcIGd9tzaXSbpTcHaY3vwiHsKAYVHPPvpnlRUvUWa4/s320/Zoo+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S07z4J1vplWItEx0OiXxGWBqYar05wjW7dsU5tfcoqtcDMScz_a1l4eby1GSfwCUOCkIkGeMyPCMGkp_F9s9aIVoMGtkEPTFKxSdTTp2ynu0YZnXpV0KFvmwBAzLEdm4MWBqyq-Y8Pg/s1600-h/Zoo+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222196072942654274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S07z4J1vplWItEx0OiXxGWBqYar05wjW7dsU5tfcoqtcDMScz_a1l4eby1GSfwCUOCkIkGeMyPCMGkp_F9s9aIVoMGtkEPTFKxSdTTp2ynu0YZnXpV0KFvmwBAzLEdm4MWBqyq-Y8Pg/s320/Zoo+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGWl1gaoC55OVAhVFXNE_a3QiYylJx35pKzx-0piCms6VMq57gSvVP7sjJHjyCaz6fp4DUbbH5rvzd2rQS1kLRVIKRsxr6ndakZOSp9Ocw8GurZK5adG4nbxrdQNbuAni6CNhzMcQVDQ/s1600-h/Zoo+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222196074525818626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGWl1gaoC55OVAhVFXNE_a3QiYylJx35pKzx-0piCms6VMq57gSvVP7sjJHjyCaz6fp4DUbbH5rvzd2rQS1kLRVIKRsxr6ndakZOSp9Ocw8GurZK5adG4nbxrdQNbuAni6CNhzMcQVDQ/s320/Zoo+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEKlYeKQa3n3A0THqEtQ_yJ3fEspvMVStiVxO_2oFC389eRoJ0ubk6KYLSXn50KaKzCYg-40_L-KNmiffEzsJOgF9xq4LGJelflpZykzDo7JNv0LGp4P7xy2rojqxN1zB_ygnsNR2wiQ/s1600-h/Zoo+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222196078954505538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEKlYeKQa3n3A0THqEtQ_yJ3fEspvMVStiVxO_2oFC389eRoJ0ubk6KYLSXn50KaKzCYg-40_L-KNmiffEzsJOgF9xq4LGJelflpZykzDo7JNv0LGp4P7xy2rojqxN1zB_ygnsNR2wiQ/s320/Zoo+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222197433247019202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY5vx67JOgtvPj2aJrL8kUg2MQKZu7RoktdayLJZDYxdOM2CayXeSkV2xqBw65eAyaDFCO0nRjCAIOhp_ck_yQA_va9cRPPJr5gDuhkHlfDe5jbhNi38H9vMfeehRY4j9WfnsPSKf6Bs/s320/Zoo+007.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222196084213659762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFAmBXopx88xkAPGGDVY1E14E-DB3R4SHdB-kcjwKXf77FH3YJlenJQdpwVVWpzRnJnraUo8lKeXZ5YJCa5iwUDTQMfATdCt-ixfWJmh2b9s_pyKU6xe6HNCKPeqarOdFnO2kOPRKvdw/s320/Zoo+027.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222197437939754418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNZOFtkL_RwWuKKyCF6yBXJ8hoS7usUsZmcjGWJD7UxqMsesAdSJKIHwv2ixXsXabpxechj700knprcd2N7V3XBl7GEV6aBiix6KnlnZSROSCPMgk7IXfNUvbDDiCdhSLkL3I1Cg4llQ/s320/Zoo+024.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-58709408675608248222008-07-08T04:31:00.000-07:002008-07-12T11:08:36.946-07:00What about the rest of our trip?<div><br /><br /><div><br /><div>(This has been saved in my box for a couple of weeks... just needed time to post. We've been a little busy these days.)<br /><br /><br /><div><br />From Vancouver we started down memory lane for my husband. We drove to Othello, WA where he worked on a farm for a couple of summers while attending Washington State University... Go Cougs!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>In Othello, being that it is a small town, there were several people awaiting to see "my hubby's wife" and who she was. For they had all prayed for me back when he was working on the farm. I met and heard all sort of stories from my husband's past. It was great! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Farm Golf: the second evening, while we were there, the people we were staying with had set up 9 holes around their home. Friends had come over again to visit with us, and the golf game was absolutely necessary and an absolute blast! The "holes" were hitting the "orange plastic on the tree", hitting it into the baby swimming pool, or through the PVC pipe. Other rules were if you hit your ball on the gravel it was considered water/dead ball, but if you actually hit your ball in the irrigation ditch (where water actually runs) it's still a live ball=-). SOOOO many laughs!!! It will always be the most memorable golf game I have ever played.</div><br /><br /><div>From Othello we drove to Pulman, WA to visit WSU were my husband graduated from school. Here are some pictures of the beautiful rolling hill country. It reminded me of the wallpaper on Microsoft Program or maybe it's Gateway. You know what I am referring to?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220606386643285666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUdrb2-ftyLovnQy5aVMinfXC7MQfRUVxoaFuQRkW0PN41GcwqXQhZTSt4zinaeSAB6JqHyCJILplgIXa5BYWU3uLOglv7wmQe92vpzntTy8k35tOMVrS8fXR_CQlMcYvD-ltV0MbBL0/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+060.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220606390804887906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXfexF1C1_AiABSpfXV0Fs57_9k_aa8kSSu3kSvVnW53wXd4K8o2lGI1Z6dBEk_kK1t-a81kOJF9EfZUGVYvue9gWf2ZwBO21j8AR0-YtF2hrA7Wjq_hRrESz-SDCjL-VC2EapFGuNWE/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+062.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220606395384803394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbMsm-n4Aywv6HDEAXdL4-UI63R5Iq39H2oUdRfzY5P5Z8rfl1ukkZ2efvt3nwo6b2h76ZIhYjsIohjLXu5bdRhePPBW-GOjuXiHUwPYiTmdNUmOy4NrVzDlJSZncR1WF7DMxylEcz4o/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+064.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>(His name was Pepto the pig=).</p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p>After visiting my husband's stomping ground and the Bookie at WSU, we met with his old Pastor and started our drive to Spokane to stay with another college buddy and his family. Here we had a wonderful evening... again walking down memory lane with stories, prayers and many laughs. </p><br /><br /><p>In the morning we visited the Damn of Spokane and had late morning snack and much needed cup of java.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220611888130149714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeBSw8taOcpz8VyaaphdQoo2rbgDY3oTX45ilRupI0z2Nhz5oPTKXSKHkPNVoMCfPDDtjYF9kTlb3-tQjFux9tr3pUnwB2Sytt69LwVZyKmFyPBAPakcUSRnZMMEPRp1sMEQnHSb-PFU/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+067.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220611897107142162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5dY2mU7kVKDZH1OR8WUINUPak7GIcrW68ngwwZfpsb-eufay_r8yBbYGp643hbURI7Pzo6S6fNlVcujs7NqSnEi4VtgmJz_IlMzbWiWMpbhOcKIuRor_KpzrioOXm7OdW7GbXGqN82I/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+066.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220611902759892658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGSmRlUvhWCZZ5zAc5aRUD7scAbKdGGF_RieM3usuK8sbGB2ns7Nf1xOtKMwb-D8Od1kbRy915nSavqbbbsytMNVlCRuAoerkMkpRT3eJl05DMt7T8a0BjwIzouhjv4KZVWJmWacBzh0/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+069.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Then our road trip took us back to Seattle. We stated at The W in downtown Seattle. It was a much needed retreat, especially for me, as I had met so many new people. I needed some down time. The W was a big treat for us... having a bell man, very comfortable down comforters and soft sheets, and our own personal bath robs. We were on the 14th floor and could look over downtown from our window. (A pic of our bathroom... so relaxing!)</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220617261169644770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEATZtVkz92gw8r43HR45JNCjCjtlOnNmjDqm_Lh58zzRvSRHDs_yQkeaqouBLPoiNJZ6PGOlhQG7m3x2c5LF6qgclH0yh3V2k9aXslJDhEuXu-smq5dCWsflxNnnr0f7b4WDgTB4tnA/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+072.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div><br /><p>The next morning we visited:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220611916742581090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvu4-vIH6jDWAwkW_p5HSCgWe0W08FKSwGW4UpMUvffeearEVmTkNBAyc4Vi6euWLo7sZoHGCr9OxifehBxB7OApkbMtpB84A63aHI0fTXRvaRmcm7a7zi0Ve186FSrXemXmg21R8Ics/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+075.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Rebecca, Vicki and Jana... Remember Flying Fish and screaming;-)....</p><br /><p>We took a ferry over to Bremerton, WA where my husband worked as a Mechanic at the Naval Ship Yard. There was another homecoming hosted by his good friends, inviting the old worship team over to again... see who this girl is that he married. </p><br /><p>Here are some pics from the ferry ride. It was a beautiful, clear day!</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220617275414772386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jMTzkIBTP4DsgP-BE1dIPp_N8XDi1bZSWm58y51m2h6b2vUGE8uSfWXda7NUooIjo_3wT6DwApeacYWjDPZ7YUd97WktXcOhWA-dZQicD8fdmPpE81MlCvLLItwmg9UQgTsUMeou2NA/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+081.JPG" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222190937765017074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZT7koATVApP1gEL-n8MsHiPsKHPEjHWNyt1OZcx2prgKJWbvURDjF1NkxCbG7NH5f3PsR4vNPqFJ0950DdBEIW9PZqHseu8kaeGUW2Oa937TVegaJHFxYI0aqevOtty6Qq7uqHunQVQ/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+088.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>This trip made me realize how amazing it was that we even met. Has anyone ever felt this way? The many paths and choices that people make, yet God in his faithfulness bring two hearts together... Even Mt. Rainer wasn't too big for God. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220620591902025650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6lXeIyiJtaYHarg5-dKdK1r14mYoxKDn5Mb2Phtn9-tCu-6bBKqsdLOC5xTyqoU_Q2jZjvy_Y9bNVpGjNvawr3KHUOB790mxk6L9__pfiYvPO7dIiwrQwZc_ufvINXWhR46st8Ui8Vg/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+090.JPG" border="0" /></p>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-72029334484139712372008-07-02T06:25:00.000-07:002008-07-02T07:06:26.606-07:00High Fro... more thoughts from my tripNo not hair, but our nickname for High Fructose Corn Syrup.<br /><br />This is one ingredient in my home that I work very hard to keep out... And it is work! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HFCS</span> is in almost <em>everything</em>, and it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sooo</span> damaging to your body. The one example that has stuck with me, in the midst of my reading, was a research study performed on rats receiving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HFCS</span>. The rats' liver was similar to the liver of an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">alcoholic</span> (aka <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cirrhosis</span> of the liver). Being a nurse, this was enough information to work hard at not consuming it... making grocery shopping a challenge and sometimes expensive. Check it out... start reading the ingredients on the foods you buy- you'll be surprised what it's in (i.e. soda, ketchup, yogurt, jelly, cereal, even <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Worcestershire</span> sauce). <br /><br />Portion Control:<br /><br />When we go out to eat, we usually split a meal. This does several great things: 1. cuts down on the cost of a meal. 2. Allows you to eat a normal size portion. 3. If the 1/2 portion wasn't enough, allows you to think about dessert : ).<br /><br />Why am I addressing this? Because in Canada our eating habits changed. I could not find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">HFCS</span> in the ketchup they served at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">restaurant</span>, in soda, or other foods I looked at. Secondly, my husband and I couldn't share our meals anymore <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">because</span> the portion sizes were <em>normal</em>!<br /><br />It makes me wonder if only the US has approved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HFCS</span> as an ingredient. For those who read this from other countries, can you tell me if it's in your foods?<br /><br />When I saw this, it made my wheels start turning, almost in anger... Does Heinz Ketchup really create a separate batch for Canada? Why do we get the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">HFCS</span>? And if you don't want it you have to pay more at a health food store to not have it in our house! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">GRRRR</span> <br /><br />My heart is saddened by the health in our country. We have to change.<br /><br />2 Corinthians 5: 8-10<br />Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-24167160010366951502008-07-01T04:31:00.001-07:002008-07-01T06:04:05.934-07:00How did you do?<div><div><div><div><br /><div>Is the question that I am getting these days... and the answer, "Better than predicted". </div><div></div><br /><div>Our travels ended late Saturday evening, and this week contains getting back into the swing of things. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Last Saturday, we flew into Seattle and after a delay at the rental car company, finally got on the road heading towards Vancouver, BC. We got to the here and enjoyed an hour and 1/2 wait to cross over into Canada.</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218011184926188098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAbxwMZZgYcaqq6BcIsZULSBTxlLXgXxVs9MjuLVBiMJt3yH9SLif8G7bbhQDr6pOFBkyevqWnOPkgJqWHBFv10pT7gACzegNgGSxmsH14Svt77GSSuAmT_W8ShXb9JZ98r8_niqYAnQ/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+054.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218010764013825410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="236" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPan0XNwcVJKm06fCOBQn6cdha_-PKn5ztcRMM3YhekhzMKoY1lX96y4YTsQJl4IAm8UKM7JuDRcF-0o-bnRQ0v0lUPNMfYsOcNz-LwGZkn4m9HK1YEz5WI1YkEeW5beNJtbNVSntTfBo/s320/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+004.JPG" width="301" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218012065148564194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38UdTtHFZWi6WTnirB7W3GkLIhSF3X4snFYqZI0e5LpK7EY2TWjGPCo8Aj6Zh8hjIs1Bo1xxvzdu7YhrHBfrLp_hV1y6G3q3LpFy5UlULhEUqywAVYuHNnHevPrKnStQaLbqXO6veNyw/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+011.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>We had to pick up our packets at the expo by 5pm in able to run the race, and with our delays at the car company and the border, we were cutting it really close! In addition to our previous delays, our directions to the hotel were very confusing... meaning more delay, turning around, stopping for clarification, etc... we finally drove into the driveway of the sponsoring hotel at 5:15, threw our car keys to the valet, and took off with a pre-marathon warm-up to the expo. They were tearing down the event, and someone had mercy on us and gave us our packet and shirt :-). WE WERE GOING TO RUN!!!!!</p><br /><br /><p>Reflecting on this stressful time of being so close to running the race but having a BIG possibility of being disqualified, made me realize how badly I wanted to run this race. It was very encouraging to see my hearts desire to run (spiritual implementation I will touch on later).</p><br /><br /><p>So Sunday morning came...</p><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyE75wPSZdUOK6cJWgj7Vyt-eJStA9_ZIwukowZqqDFYoZ98L4XE-wXZjUD9Pmn9IsUY1y73ejXkls0jyS6OA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><br /><p>Isn't this hysterical! I definitely hadn't had my coffee yet ;).</p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>During the race, I had a blast... mentally. Physically, my lungs were great (benefit of training at 6000 ft and running at sea level), but my legs were hurting a little. During training we ran a lot on trails instead of pavement... my muscles suffered a bit. </p><p>There was so much to look at and embrace in the moment. Several times I found myself skipping, singing, praying, praising, and a smile on my face. The course took you from University of British Columbia to Stanley Park. When you left the residential area of the race, it opened up overlooking the ocean and skyline of downtown Vancouver... beautiful!</p><br /><br /><p>Here are some pictures driving backwards on the course.</p><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218012066693339314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pP9DnUuOh3Van_HgYm2A423x0XMpw95ICBVunIsSz1OcdPB3gpp4jXGeLtjHQwnoXLKpNgFXRSIXQ61RqH8OEDfCnY__d4m21UET5onaYjdr0d5aRYScwR83PHs585pcHXSO-Damx48/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+013.JPG" border="0" /></p></div>(Where my husband met me and ran me in...)<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218025763900644962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYZCMHHOt73of8dHItucI17AHAE4VzLainDO10djewiWVq4oq69Lb-D4wlqX1ClzMKu10yuQnA1ZsyoQkAGJQHgSX3t3XRgGd_fAbbfLpsGjdG7I7aPHHuqFTXtPjfdanLDZROy8BWFI/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+014.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218025770264356034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HPIK73Uy52jVFW2lRlLW-EEJ8lzx5Vg4lsEkrmgK6MonVvLhZLCdnU0OJ2IVGKzzPng2mxuLbCTKv7suhMPYDnwT8Vx1EI_7LF9ChsnVKRjs8fIK1_vugoZThc-mA6eu0sIIDQOsOt0/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+018.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218025779995241186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVf95sE1dMlzDmo8SGy4TRGedNlYaaq_1WITrsq4GE5XnKlH2_mStlTky6UkqVZTEdt1eJi7VRMKQJmjvlBXRF8PAQsrg1NfaHAIlSaimjo-SD6k92dqYlEbasAZPATc1Nk1iK-SCSTA/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+021.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218025820222726930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhthmGJ19JlYNbjnD1JvBmayte_WJg3ERo20h4NVcaIXC2T1U0r_FJ1yR24Qkn-EoJExbP3uMRhOkrOur7n4l7uDD-C88J9kl5F-wJnU_6wPJXs77-8eFtklMUXfdpYWHu5huB7boYMK4/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+032.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>(My favorite house I ran by).</p><br /><p></p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218027180000035426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DEYhR1OHlZ73MstiqExmcr4mWmJNTbd8446oHpcz96Rnyh5u6zw41AMgiTIhkkvlM0RfXyKAAr766bEZjw36BSK7LE-uFyL76G1W2NC3YDn-I_HkWFIeAmMXBIKVkgWj6SpVHjfOzkQ/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+036.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218027170143827442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm-m1s9DtaZp-4RJmS_s1wYZFeGJYf_x_0vXLWb5eLdv30UswrroaYmqchgwqxLHxAR_Ge2yi09Cy-Zh2Ri9rUXftcqfmxJY1KKutBtrQv7OSI8BmbgIGwaM75m0nhc0qoQoXOgLigps/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+035.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218027183997563906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbcBlmq1RkDSqFoOIwu89QkjpzNfBkRJ1JiZr-utQGEsHjQLNQPqIpQIRffRBoNDFEVgSd2SxWsXIg_-swx9HqUYDdV3k6Q-oFWE2HdaX_e6CXCdKUvcABurDH1D_2nHo8cKNqJERh30/s200/Liam's+Happy+Birthday+046.JPG" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p>Time: 2:33:52... and enjoyed every minute. </p>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-57620361390059172392008-06-20T06:11:00.000-07:002008-06-20T06:45:51.054-07:00Victory!Well, this Sunday is the 1/2 marathon my husband and I have been training for. The next couple of days consist of hydration awareness, diet, and rest. We will be traveling tomorrow, which can be taxing on one's body, but we've been packing and getting the house ready to leave all week, so that there really isn't much to do- except leave. Understand, this is NOT the way I used to pack when I was single... I'd wait to the last minute to get everything done then leave stressed. My husband and I have made it a goal not to have this be the trend before we go on vacation. In fact, I believe we will enjoy a round of golf this evening and get our vacation started a little early. It pays off to plan ahead=).<br /><br />Running a 1/2. I have run a full marathon in 2005, because it was on my life goal list and my dear friend Sarah and I put our mind and legs to the challenge and did it! So, a half you'd think wouldn't be a big deal. In my mind, I know I have completed this mileage before but due to my injury I wasn't able to complete the long mile runs I was hoping to... and there is some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">anx</span> about the race and my time completion.<br /><br />So the reflection part... I have mentioned a little bit about running and how it not natural for me and in fact a lot of work and dedication. But, I was thinking and discussing with a dear friend this week where I have come from... When I was in nursing school, I let my body go and weighed my heaviest. Since that point, I have lost 32 lbs. and am currently in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BMI</span>. (Boy, this is vulnerable to state~) I have a personal weight goal I'd like to be at before I have children, and I believe I will get there. But, there are still days that I look in the mirror and see the "old" me weighing 30 lbs heavier, and the old tape recorders come and play over and over of negative, failing thoughts. These are the days that I really have to take every thought and make it obedient to Christ and stay steady with the better habits I have established in my life. I then think back and remember I wouldn't have run 1/2 a marathon 30 lbs heavier, nor would I have the desire to do so... So, when the thoughts of not completing in record time start to creep in and convince me I have already failed before I've started... I remember where I have come from and where I am going!<br /><br />...I will cross the finish line on Sunday and enjoy the victory of not only joining in on the race, but the lifestyle changes I have made to make it across the finish line.<br /><br />Psalm 108:13<br />With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620851633175792479.post-12213761083644160142008-06-17T05:12:00.000-07:002008-06-17T05:44:22.878-07:00It is well..."That is what beauty says, <em>All shall be well</em>.<br />And this is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">what</span> it's like to be with a woman at rest, a woman comfortable in her feminine beauty. She is enjoyable to be with. She is lovely. In her presence your heart stops holding its breath. You relax and believe once again that all will be well. And this is also why a woman who is striving is so disturbing, for a woman who is not at rest in her heart says to the world, 'All is not well. Things are not going to turn out all right.' 'Like a fountain troubled,' as Shakespeare said, ' muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty.' We <em>need</em> what Beauty speaks. What it says is hard to put into words. But part of it's message is that all is well. All will be well."<br /><u></u><br /><u>Captivating</u> by: John & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stasi</span> Eldredge pg. 38<br /><br />The words <em>It is Well </em>has sent me to look at the words of the familiar hymn:<br /><br />"It is Well with my Soul"<br />By: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Spafford</span>, music by Bliss<br /><br />1. When peace, like a river, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">attendeth</span> my way,<br />when sorrows like sea billows roll;<br />whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,<br />It is well, it is well with my soul.<br /><br />Refrain:<br />It is well with my soul,<br />it is well, it is well with my soul.<br /><br />2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,<br />let this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">blest</span> assurance control,<br />that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,<br />and hath shed his own blood for my soul.<br />(Refrain)<br /><br />3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!<br />My sin, not in part but the whole,<br />is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,<br />praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!<br />(Refrain)<br /><br />4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,<br />the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;<br />the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,<br />even so, it is well with my soul.<br />(Refrain)<br /><br />Anyone ever considered this Beauty?<br /><br />As I write this post in deep thoughts. It is a beautiful, foggy morning and I am sitting in my favorite spot at home sipping a cup of coffee. I am still. Relaxed. My heart has room to breathe. In the background, I have Pandora.com playing from one of my favorite mixes, and the following song came on:<br /><br />"At the Foot of the Cross"<br />At the foot of the cross<br />Where grace and suffering meet<br />You have shown me Your love<br />Through the judgment You received<br />And You've won my heart<br />Yes You've won my heart<br />Now I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">can</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error">Trade</span> these ashes in for beauty<br />And wear forgiveness like a crown<br />Coming to kiss the feet of mercy<br />I lay every burden down<br />At the foot of the cross<br />At the foot of the cross<br />Where I am made complete<br />You have given me life<br />Through the death You bore for me<br />I'm laying every burden down<br />I'm laying every burden down<br />Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott© 2003 Vertical Worship <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SongsCCLI</span># 4157353<br /><br /><em>A big sigh and smile... God is so good.</em>Rallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06550463222998477254noreply@blogger.com0