tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57058783367624300132024-03-18T22:56:44.263-05:00The Ozinga OutlookLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1062125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-66399486939314622602017-03-21T16:03:00.003-05:002017-03-21T16:03:47.342-05:00Wild Thing: 1 Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HozL5S4_al1sTUzJDooNyTi0COh7_bPiUOMwv1R9oLjf-_RlL-_euxhtDi3mKrWBJa2XCJClBrTj8N76URFqsrsUaoXtLeiuwpguFD_lv8SUA9HdHQdRZC8rfcV4equ3egh1DOJP6ms2/s1600/DSC_0152+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HozL5S4_al1sTUzJDooNyTi0COh7_bPiUOMwv1R9oLjf-_RlL-_euxhtDi3mKrWBJa2XCJClBrTj8N76URFqsrsUaoXtLeiuwpguFD_lv8SUA9HdHQdRZC8rfcV4equ3egh1DOJP6ms2/s640/DSC_0152+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet Wild Thing,<br />
<br />
You aren't very wild, but you sure make our hearts sing! We're ok if that trend continues too, just in case you were starting to get any ideas. You've been to church every Sunday of your life, and you go for the twice weekly preschool drop off/pick up for your big brother. You made it to the rodeo with us, and you've been to see your Sandee horse twice. Granted you sleep through all of this in your 'blue pouch' (K'Tan in Man Cub speak), but we love having you with us! We pray you always feel loved and know that all of these good things you have are from the Lord. We love you, precious boy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcjbzYrRJ1_MgOaiu8NXN8mQahd8dWdwI0E0u02dULRyLjcucM_OayMlUsSj0CDf4JNPU6l_tI0F4InN__KDMFoJ5jZBoJ5x_9O0-McY_PeLuwHbsbhdNKCIIqyJXWOJWEOLGbUUnRpG_/s1600/DSC_0138+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcjbzYrRJ1_MgOaiu8NXN8mQahd8dWdwI0E0u02dULRyLjcucM_OayMlUsSj0CDf4JNPU6l_tI0F4InN__KDMFoJ5jZBoJ5x_9O0-McY_PeLuwHbsbhdNKCIIqyJXWOJWEOLGbUUnRpG_/s640/DSC_0138+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You love sleep! I think that's pretty common with newborns, so that's not saying much. You nap in 30 minute to 3 hour chunks during the day. For about 2 weeks now, you sleep 4-6 hours at night, nurse, and then go back to sleep for another 3-5. If I only got to sleep that much, we'd really be doing great! My sister-in-law lent us their rock-n-play. We're teaching you to sleep without it turned on so we can transition you to something stationary soon, but I do love how it keeps you propped up so you don't have has much reflux. You also like tummy time naps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSiDyWBTecfKu3ewI7To3z5NbbMGjJJJQ7QSM8Eim-C8IZskPiwqrUspBAkeyNFQ9T7V83C_h1plM4N-qjfGBAEM4Wpv2az8Z_ueVxtoNoq_bC_wb3jS70lhu_pNl_X4xE4dw0eV_fMG7/s1600/DSC_0147+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSiDyWBTecfKu3ewI7To3z5NbbMGjJJJQ7QSM8Eim-C8IZskPiwqrUspBAkeyNFQ9T7V83C_h1plM4N-qjfGBAEM4Wpv2az8Z_ueVxtoNoq_bC_wb3jS70lhu_pNl_X4xE4dw0eV_fMG7/s640/DSC_0147+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eating:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You're a little nursing champ! You let us know when you're hungry, but then you're right back to being a content little squish. Man Cub likes to ask me to, "pump Baby Brother milk so I can feed him", so you don't mind taking a bottle from your big brother either. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_Ub-h5WHGzz10HLQdGGrz0_pz3izttJT_AKs-FzVA5M1AvJemDmihe6JCrl5YfSC65aeIbmXe6ViXSVvhVIrNxF-M9isQn2SgeTDqGix8ITlyA9b1hTxVhYzwIiBlHSdVOfG66wUBcU3/s1600/DSC_0142+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_Ub-h5WHGzz10HLQdGGrz0_pz3izttJT_AKs-FzVA5M1AvJemDmihe6JCrl5YfSC65aeIbmXe6ViXSVvhVIrNxF-M9isQn2SgeTDqGix8ITlyA9b1hTxVhYzwIiBlHSdVOfG66wUBcU3/s640/DSC_0142+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can roll onto your side, and you are learning some pretty awesome head control. A few days ago you began giving us some cute little grins. You love when Man Cub lays down with you on the play mat<b>. </b>You seem to be super snug in the K'Tan, so dog walks and trips to the farm are a breeze. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglbTROrHSnmvt-4YAsWM_E0XB3PkjU_E-BYqa_GfA0WDfNX0iw_S3HrUCpzZN2Hd6-cbMbG7ln0NxwdFOvBENKdFozXNYfKZwqhy2hO6AohCFLcepDHqncuIyDh4ZvQDePoViFh_nhz18/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglbTROrHSnmvt-4YAsWM_E0XB3PkjU_E-BYqa_GfA0WDfNX0iw_S3HrUCpzZN2Hd6-cbMbG7ln0NxwdFOvBENKdFozXNYfKZwqhy2hO6AohCFLcepDHqncuIyDh4ZvQDePoViFh_nhz18/s640/DSC_0145.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sleeping, eating, baths, car rides, the K'Tan, your brother, music of all kinds</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAThBzH3EGfiSjMPDB7pQaLiirXb1FaquENUvzgfyyCgXHdBF4jUFUifHMqo6k_liROOGfBX7WzzRlFT0Smli3mvyiZeS7XgWB4Oe5Zor4OzB2Xl-5Vm8pqJZB45MsWDAr63lbfcu7qq0/s1600/DSC_0129+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAThBzH3EGfiSjMPDB7pQaLiirXb1FaquENUvzgfyyCgXHdBF4jUFUifHMqo6k_liROOGfBX7WzzRlFT0Smli3mvyiZeS7XgWB4Oe5Zor4OzB2Xl-5Vm8pqJZB45MsWDAr63lbfcu7qq0/s640/DSC_0129+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Dislikes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dirty diapers, being hungry, being in a room by yourself for more than 10 seconds<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzyoFlz4llWbuDxd4fSkG338uCSb4Yl8N17L63tXnyyP2RLEEhL2u07ux08O9S6eu0QgaESLrX-FC6mUc8OY58qAIwhwQ3_okXxS9EET1Vs-sCyxx1cEkz-mgdWV_ADO45M35DJjIyRL/s1600/20170321_155152+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzyoFlz4llWbuDxd4fSkG338uCSb4Yl8N17L63tXnyyP2RLEEhL2u07ux08O9S6eu0QgaESLrX-FC6mUc8OY58qAIwhwQ3_okXxS9EET1Vs-sCyxx1cEkz-mgdWV_ADO45M35DJjIyRL/s640/20170321_155152+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">19 Month Stats:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Weight:</b> 9 pounds, 12 ounces</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 22 inches</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing between 2:30 and 4:30 AM, 7:00 AM, and then roughly every 2-3 hours after that. </div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 8:00 and 9:00</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45 and 7:30</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> Whenever you want them!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Diapers: </b>Size: Newborn</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Clothes:</b> All newborn </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Shoes:</b> No shoes yet. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Month:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JN6-1WhiQmDnGAqZP3wZhx_pz4jqG3cDpWdoJuQHEYTx41SnjX7olZdEpReUdOnrdKPMHkeqwNb08eaeFx2I8jzNN5aKAubYry1OGmCLDOunzp4FmD1MXfNmDM1cjkdoV4-DuK9VF8-p/s1600/PicMonkey+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JN6-1WhiQmDnGAqZP3wZhx_pz4jqG3cDpWdoJuQHEYTx41SnjX7olZdEpReUdOnrdKPMHkeqwNb08eaeFx2I8jzNN5aKAubYry1OGmCLDOunzp4FmD1MXfNmDM1cjkdoV4-DuK9VF8-p/s640/PicMonkey+Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-62768211860829677652017-03-07T13:11:00.002-06:002017-03-07T13:11:40.086-06:00Welcome to the World, Wild Thing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two weeks ago today, on February 21 at 10:24 PM, our second little boy graced us with his presence. Thanks to inspiration from a little art print from sweet friends of ours, we're calling him Wild Thing on the internet, as he certainly does make our hearts sing.<br />
<br />
Little about this pregnancy was what I'd call easy or fun, but his labor and delivery was quite the exception. Spoiler alert: he was born less than 3 hours after getting to the hospital. Hallelujah! He was due on the 24th, but I'd known for a few days that he seemed like he might be here earlier than that. I wasn't going to complain, but I did want to be over the stomach bug that hit us hard and violently the Friday evening before he was born. Luckily, I was feeling better by Sunday, but Man Cub, a very excited big brother, was still down for the count on Tuesday. Isaac had to pick him up early from school due to a resurgence of tummy issues more than 24 hours after his last episode. After a trip to the pediatrician to diagnose the tummy virus and a double ear infection, my men went home to cuddle and nap.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I was at school, teaching away about Apartheid that morning, when I realized my contractions were no longer just the Braxton Hicks I'd been having since November. I kept track of them, but kept on teaching. Mid afternoon I thought my water maybe had broken, but I wasn't sure. It's not always a noticeable event like it had been with Man Cub. The contractions were stronger and slowly getting closer together, but I only had an hour and a half left to teach by that point and knew there wasn't a risk of anything exciting happening before then. It's amazing how well we can know our bodies if we listen to them!<br />
<br />
My mom was out running errands and said she'd pick me up from school since Man Cub was still napping away at home. Isaac drops me off at work most days since we work across the street from each other. It works out just fine most of the time! I got home about 4:45, ate dinner early because I was hungry, and then wanted a shower. Isaac was dealing with more tummy virus yuckies from our sweet two year old, so I wasn't telling him every time I was having a contraction, but I let him know to make sure he had what he needed because at some point, we'd head up to Texas Children's.<br />
<br />
While I was in the shower, he called the after-hours line for our midwife group to let them know what was happening with me. When we got the call back, I was thrilled it was Titi who was on call. Every single one of the midwives in the group at Texas Children's is phenomenal, but I had felt such a connection to Titi when we first met her at the orientation back in October. I had told my family and friends to pray it was her day on call for deliveries when our little guy decided to be born. Titi wanted to talk to me and not just Isaac, and when she realized I couldn't say more than a word or two during contractions, so told us to start making our way into the Med Center. I think my poor mom had just gotten home from dropping me off when Isaac called her and said we needed her and Dad to come get our sick kid and the dogs. Oops. She and Dad decided to camp out at our house for the night since Big Brother was pretty out of it. They're saints, I say!<br />
<br />
As soon as they got to our house, we left. I know it's totally a first world luxury, but I was grateful for seat warmers to ease back labor pains during the drive. What a treat! We got to the hospital about 7:15 and were ushered into a triage room about 7:45 so they could confirm I was truly in labor. I hate that part because I'm not going to drive 30 minutes just to be sent home, but it's protocol. Titi met us there, confirmed my water had indeed broken, and that I was 4 cm dilated. I guess I must've had a wild-eyed, panicked look on my face when Titi said that. When I had Man Cub, I arrived at the hospital with a broken water and 4 centimeters dilated and had hours of labor left in front of me, on top of nurses who were watching the 'broken water clock' like hawks and nearly insisted I use pitocin (I caved and did because I was dumb and didn't know better). Titi very calmly assured me everything was just fine, that there was no rush to get out this baby, and that I was doing great, all without me saying a word. That right there, her being able to read me without me saying a word, was exactly why I wanted her to deliver my baby. Thank You, Lord! Peace! <br />
<br />
Getting to a L&D room was a relief, and we got settled about 9:00. The L&D rooms at TCH are equipped with just about anything a mommy could want: birthing balls, jacuzzi tubs and big showers, lots and lots and lots of open floor space to walk or get on a yoga mat, and wireless monitoring so no one has to be hooked up the whole time. Lizzie was our phenomenal L&D nurse, and once she had a IV port in my arm, just in case, she let me back up to move around. I never realized with Man Cub just how much better labor is on your feet. I caved to an epidural when they started the pitocin with him, so I was stuck in bed, and it was miserable.<br />
<br />
After talking with many friends, I had wanted to hire a doula to assist the midwife, but Isaac assured me he'd be all I needed. I pretty much blew him off and figured I'd be relying on the midwife
during active labor to keep my bearings. However, my man had done more
than his share of homework and knew exactly what to do for me even
before I knew what I needed. Between all the awesome care he gave Man Cub and me while we were sick and then his doula performance, he's proven yet again I really did marry Super Man. I'm not sure Titi had to give him
instructions the entire time we were in labo<span class="text_exposed_show">r
and delivery. Isaac really did become Daddy Doula. He blew me away with
his calm and collectedness. He kept reminding me of my Zambian mommy
friends who do this all the time to keep me focused. He swayed and danced with me through contractions. Titi had two mommies in labor that night, so she was back and forth between us. She came in after a few minutes of us being in L&D and said we'd be having a baby very soon. What?! Isaac had been putting my YL oils on my ankles, and I knew my contractions were being effective, but I had no idea just how effective. Titi told me to get in the shower for 3 contractions (I couldn't do the jacuzzi due to my water breaking and the risk of infection), and sure enough, by the time I was dried off again, it was time to start pushing. Isaac physically knew
how to tell me to position my body to ease my discomfort. Man oh man, we
make an amazing team. Pushing caused my legs to have the worst charlie horse cramps, so I kept having to stop and let Titi and Ana, the newest midwife to the team, massage out my poor legs. If I hadn't had that issue, pushing would've been much faster than the 30 minutes it took to meet our little guy. Titi even let Isaac "catch" our sweet boy, and
then I got to cut his cord. With no epidural or drugs in my body, I was on a full adrenaline rush (sometime I completely missed with Man Cub), and it was amazing. I could fully enjoy this tiny little babe on my chest physically and mentally this time around. What a gift!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAcLscTL6mfPIOpoPi8-ah0hwxw8wKgrIOULUkEclSz4agEhYmXU1rK5KQupsm7zZ2rJudGbjZolVkdNF3VGblGzkLbhmK4jvddhMIe5OivJs_czzV5yA4n_NFbWYChKKU9MoRWpYainw/s1600/16865190_10109976127522354_3508874130392093974_n+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAcLscTL6mfPIOpoPi8-ah0hwxw8wKgrIOULUkEclSz4agEhYmXU1rK5KQupsm7zZ2rJudGbjZolVkdNF3VGblGzkLbhmK4jvddhMIe5OivJs_czzV5yA4n_NFbWYChKKU9MoRWpYainw/s640/16865190_10109976127522354_3508874130392093974_n+blog.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizZMQulqQ6NP0zdAhrB3XQrh-wvyDieBuOB5UoKOa6ivoTiKH8418Sff3SqcF4nhHoaGX7bCyLWOJh8Qmt2pFtoW4yBUXarDRPGUf23RFsHHONtBZDlUgMs0-SoTMQmVP_tCf0F0Q8NMK/s1600/16999025_10109978093502514_4307526087772448717_n+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizZMQulqQ6NP0zdAhrB3XQrh-wvyDieBuOB5UoKOa6ivoTiKH8418Sff3SqcF4nhHoaGX7bCyLWOJh8Qmt2pFtoW4yBUXarDRPGUf23RFsHHONtBZDlUgMs0-SoTMQmVP_tCf0F0Q8NMK/s640/16999025_10109978093502514_4307526087772448717_n+blog.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show">We didn't have a name for him until the next day, but "Baby Brother" had worked just fine for months, and worked for a few more hours as well. After we'd all cuddled and he nursed while Titi stitched up my tiny little tear, I let Isaac take him across the room to get weighed and measure. That squishy little baby was 20 inches and 8 pounds, 6 ounces. And, at least for a few days, he had a full head of jet black hair, just like I did when I was born. Score one for Mommy genes! Wild Thing has blonde roots though, and his hair is already brown. He has the most gorgeous purple gray eyes. They aren't blue, and they aren't brown, so yes, they almost seem purple right now. It'll be exciting to see what color they turn as he grows. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show">We had a great stay at TCH but I missed my big boy. He seemed better Wednesday, but then that night got sick again, landing him in the ER at TCH on Thursday morning with my parents while we were waiting to get discharged. Ugh. Poor, poor Big Brother. My parents really are saints. They took him back to their house that evening, and the three of us went on home. It was a odd, quiet night with no 2 year old and no dogs, though we were grateful for the sleep. Finally, oh finally, Man Cub was able to meet Wild Thing on Friday when he was well enough to come home. A part of me has had to mourn that there aren't any pictures of my two boys tucked into a hospital bed with me, meeting each other for the first time. This part of it was not how I envisioned it. We had lots of facetime chats while we were in the hosptial though, and that was nice. When it finally did happen, the meeting at home was flawless and absolutely precious. Brotherhood deserves its own post. These two melt me. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziZK6iWHLDvv7VvLfJ582JMrYJJG_AVst-jH6fTDBbvnH_uiJEqI0IKv94Tj9Tmh9Gz6R3hSyR3j-CAFfbxpv1W-DLXRKcKoPkldftI5AOwRJVslUvNCoSKSop_fk8m4sQDQ3I00xPXP1/s1600/DSC_0070+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziZK6iWHLDvv7VvLfJ582JMrYJJG_AVst-jH6fTDBbvnH_uiJEqI0IKv94Tj9Tmh9Gz6R3hSyR3j-CAFfbxpv1W-DLXRKcKoPkldftI5AOwRJVslUvNCoSKSop_fk8m4sQDQ3I00xPXP1/s640/DSC_0070+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-1229264681678747562016-03-01T17:34:00.001-06:002016-03-01T17:34:10.248-06:00Happy 13th Birthday, Bailey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QoekMIA_EOy40aAmB0Kb7OHz3EuOlcJy8r8IiAaGlYlyCZOoXEgyKjWVfT69vjemwse4QhN4CYttR_w-JsNKysU6yl2WtRY5m47hPoaHR2LbaM2ViQD_5dJy6Vf-VeOGazTkba1w5xyo/s1600/DSC_0188+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QoekMIA_EOy40aAmB0Kb7OHz3EuOlcJy8r8IiAaGlYlyCZOoXEgyKjWVfT69vjemwse4QhN4CYttR_w-JsNKysU6yl2WtRY5m47hPoaHR2LbaM2ViQD_5dJy6Vf-VeOGazTkba1w5xyo/s640/DSC_0188+blog.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
11 years ago today, I brought home a scrawny, sick chihuahua from the Brazos Valley Shelter. I still can't believe how much Bailey has changed in 11 years. He's 13 (or so) now, and his heart has grown even more in this last year as he's learned to adjust to a mobile baby in the house. <br />
<br />
Sweet boy, you're everything I dreamed of in a dog. A cuddler, a defender, a shadow, spunky, and loyal. Thank you for being my reason to get out of bed, even still, and countless snuggles in the evenings. You love a good chew boy and a newly filled Kong. Other than that, a cozy blanket is what you want most. Thank you for running to Man Cub's room each morning and after each nap. You make him feel so special, and he thinks you're just the greatest for it. Tonight you'll have eggs and dog bakery cookies from Buddy Bites for a special birthday treat. You're so spoiled a little extra won't hurt. I love you so stinkin' much, little bug. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-36211278442039701512016-02-25T20:53:00.000-06:002016-03-01T17:34:50.434-06:00Man Cub: 19 Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8q_T3_jE-yPNa1LSbL3UicQ0U7EjapW6uUFmCnwIAVrKaT8PLsnwvPzRupF2d78pezKoyXGWjaoYTBxcauAVJ1QPlkwZAKdk4ar2ebkseToVDtUeFojby3gxrwh7uwM8LIM8ldmloFmw/s1600/DSC_0217+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8q_T3_jE-yPNa1LSbL3UicQ0U7EjapW6uUFmCnwIAVrKaT8PLsnwvPzRupF2d78pezKoyXGWjaoYTBxcauAVJ1QPlkwZAKdk4ar2ebkseToVDtUeFojby3gxrwh7uwM8LIM8ldmloFmw/s640/DSC_0217+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet little Chimwemwe,<br />
<br />
We love you, we love you, we love you! Silly, silly boy! Your joy and your love are contagious. Your teachers at school and at church rave about you all the time. You are making such sweet friendships, and we love watching them blossom. You are infatuated with your horse Sandee. Bailey is still your favorite dog, and you seem to constantly want to be surrounded by animals. Just fall in love with Jesus first, baby. That's our prayer for you each day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8yZVCb2YviIOxsEdyUKGul6DfSMACWlgqIdT1QGSqgCpUC-crrQtSK6qM8ftIZSogfXQA_OsIyMtCUqaWAVnM4w1JqBpbK-yucAEaGMpN7ShfVVJDQZ5_c8SUbZU8zqsBaF8paTaX4MA/s1600/DSC_0264+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8yZVCb2YviIOxsEdyUKGul6DfSMACWlgqIdT1QGSqgCpUC-crrQtSK6qM8ftIZSogfXQA_OsIyMtCUqaWAVnM4w1JqBpbK-yucAEaGMpN7ShfVVJDQZ5_c8SUbZU8zqsBaF8paTaX4MA/s640/DSC_0264+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The little tree frog sleeper is still in love with his sleep! Yay! Keep it up, buddy. This past week has been a little rough because you're cutting 4 teeth, but once you're asleep, you're asleep. Yippee!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2rHVv_wSL_L0_PSlK9BZOTJ4PwPuYQbcvaV6vc4ptdwuXi6-4hGZKeGr6qsDqENPnAdV7U8zIX1Zf7NLZuVNuUi6awff7tW_CRAOc8C2o6T1MAE6N49aM2ZZE5WBkfbB1mpwWOqemGuw/s1600/DSC_0198+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2rHVv_wSL_L0_PSlK9BZOTJ4PwPuYQbcvaV6vc4ptdwuXi6-4hGZKeGr6qsDqENPnAdV7U8zIX1Zf7NLZuVNuUi6awff7tW_CRAOc8C2o6T1MAE6N49aM2ZZE5WBkfbB1mpwWOqemGuw/s640/DSC_0198+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eating:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nothing here as changed. Same old picky eater. One of my dearest friends comforted me greatly when she said she's convinced we either get good eaters or we don't<b>, </b>and that at this particular age, there's not much to do about it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6htKv3EBjrZ6-rVkNJ56CQ35c2Hw41NpCcp75T-0vEVEW1-sSVEOkdGgky_H2A0zxH6K9q6BgdNHyICwHqytbrqSTFzJ2kMCNmybaX-M7N1_X1ZFvfbZrEOWxDG4H9ibOECuPTk313NP5/s1600/DSC_0233+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6htKv3EBjrZ6-rVkNJ56CQ35c2Hw41NpCcp75T-0vEVEW1-sSVEOkdGgky_H2A0zxH6K9q6BgdNHyICwHqytbrqSTFzJ2kMCNmybaX-M7N1_X1ZFvfbZrEOWxDG4H9ibOECuPTk313NP5/s640/DSC_0233+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are now fearless around the horses! Getting Sandee for you has been such a dream! We still have a lot of horse safety to teach you, but you're getting it. And Sandee and the others adore you. It takes my breathe away to see 1200 pound beasts following you around so very, very sweetly. You are learning farm chores like filling up feed buckets with hay from the hay bale and feeding the chickens. When you ride on the big tractor, you know right where the horn button is, and you know that if the RPMs rev down, you're about to stop. That doesn't make you happy at all! You have your Papa's (my dad) hair-thick waves that won't stay put for anything. I guess that's an accomplishment?! You can jump now, and you've turned everything into a trampoline. You are a puzzle master and you like to color with markers (ColorWonder). The majority of the time, you correctly identify blue, green, yellow, and red. The Mega Blok set you got for Christmas has become a great new toy. You very much enjoy building towers and forts. New words: pictures, owie, eyebrow, (his own name), train, choo choo, yucky, milk, mac, bucket, mitten, flower, cheese, read, outside, playground, lights, clean up, jump up, nurse, phone, basket, room, necklace, fox, keys, town, love you, TV, wet, piano, potty, one, two, three, grape, flag, cow, jacket, bow, buckle, doctor, catch, float, help, cookie, tickle, that way, dance, spoon, snap, veggies, heart, leaf, happy, stem, house, barn, Sandee, applesauce, blue, green, red, yellow, pink, chin, hair, dolphin, oatmeal, raisins, breakfast, stairs, diver, shark, grouper, kong, 'chuff' (what a tiger says), tiger, thumb, hands, beads, pot, much, chair, ladder, rub a dub dub, swoosh, dip dip, hoops, Mickey, fries, night night, sticker</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y6paDB7uv100_ELc_7E9YaPh887RknzFZFWncWGnDavDJVNQrG8tYyHnTsahEoQ6ky5-WfaVFWW2scC_DVIRyKO_tEUXjOrqvoIy0cS5fmY_cFjqDy3I0sFywFxSWiIe_lwCTzBYXBHq/s1600/DSC_0202+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y6paDB7uv100_ELc_7E9YaPh887RknzFZFWncWGnDavDJVNQrG8tYyHnTsahEoQ6ky5-WfaVFWW2scC_DVIRyKO_tEUXjOrqvoIy0cS5fmY_cFjqDy3I0sFywFxSWiIe_lwCTzBYXBHq/s640/DSC_0202+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All the same things you've been liking along with puzzles, coloring, watching scuba diving videos, Mickey Mouse, blocks, and books, books, and more books! You've also found an even deeper desire to bang away on the piano. Play, baby, play!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYbbVvWnvZ3mS4g1MFsOhJZeOYz7Izve2NkfVANaoovhfjB33x_rmkMD6yLcOmJgmH_ndYHRJgVWcT6AwpkBC5_mGQiAktSQpoW2r_Q6HIj01-BrgETA7gPPUg0QYaDG-lpBrSy4XLHg5/s1600/DSC_0266+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYbbVvWnvZ3mS4g1MFsOhJZeOYz7Izve2NkfVANaoovhfjB33x_rmkMD6yLcOmJgmH_ndYHRJgVWcT6AwpkBC5_mGQiAktSQpoW2r_Q6HIj01-BrgETA7gPPUg0QYaDG-lpBrSy4XLHg5/s640/DSC_0266+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dislikes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Solid veggies, most meat, occasionally you don't like getting dressed, when Aggie Belle gets too close to your food.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK8vkj4wU-Y309j75liSY52BKEkisD9lbBit8OWck51o1wCDkXdyPKyu7cvgv2_6W-u70Hv82VYaAWTMQ-hfMFlDE8skxjmIqo6d6UCn0Y1CKfQxBh1r_XIRqd_yi4b-4Vsh00iKY4qO6/s1600/DSC_0222+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK8vkj4wU-Y309j75liSY52BKEkisD9lbBit8OWck51o1wCDkXdyPKyu7cvgv2_6W-u70Hv82VYaAWTMQ-hfMFlDE8skxjmIqo6d6UCn0Y1CKfQxBh1r_XIRqd_yi4b-4Vsh00iKY4qO6/s640/DSC_0222+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">19 Month Stats:</span></div>
<b>Weight:</b> 25 pounds, 2 ounces<br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 33 inches</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing
7:00 AM, 4:45 PM, and 7:30 PM;
breakfast around
7:15, lunch around 11:15, and dinner around 5:30.</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 7:30-7:45</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45-7:10</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> ~12:30-3:00 </div>
</div>
<b>Diapers: </b>Size 3<br />
<b>Clothes: </b>size<b> </b>12-18 months, and 18 months onesies; 12-18 months pants/shorts; 18 months
rompers. 18 months pjs.<br />
<b>Shoes:</b> Size 5<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year 1:</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSIbZ5ccL3uE4vFCWzOTtxVQkZZLUVPZ-9H8vJ2wKa3gtZbeVgHNZvryNRKJ2gW9fVnbJ6xy89CxzTO4mCILAmHd_q6ZtH1BRIedUeHTfVMV1jA2btKBWh5v6nPD35vm_Ol1rII-r0b0H/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSIbZ5ccL3uE4vFCWzOTtxVQkZZLUVPZ-9H8vJ2wKa3gtZbeVgHNZvryNRKJ2gW9fVnbJ6xy89CxzTO4mCILAmHd_q6ZtH1BRIedUeHTfVMV1jA2btKBWh5v6nPD35vm_Ol1rII-r0b0H/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year 2:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTSFy6EkXfbuIE5vkyzDJP-4OcgWawxDVASZ2-T294utlz5fX-XYV25AMdk1GVEYzyHQEGe4oyE1RPcjRtI-blk2AOnbOHD5C1lAtYCYYj89vQG6tbV5keKc-nHxTM3RvrGkCJcMIty3q/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTSFy6EkXfbuIE5vkyzDJP-4OcgWawxDVASZ2-T294utlz5fX-XYV25AMdk1GVEYzyHQEGe4oyE1RPcjRtI-blk2AOnbOHD5C1lAtYCYYj89vQG6tbV5keKc-nHxTM3RvrGkCJcMIty3q/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-72764313122159855292016-02-03T21:33:00.001-06:002016-02-03T21:33:28.841-06:00The Fragement: A Story of Intrigue and Adventure <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
With <u>The Fragment</u>, Davis Bunn has yet again woven a story of intrigue and reconciliation. Set against a backdrop of a collapsing Ottoman Empire and the end of the Great War, young Muriel is sent to France and later to Constantinople to use her talents as a photographer and antiquities researcher to identify a reliquary believed to hold a remnant of the cross of Christ. Muriel, with the help of U.S. Senator Thomas Bryan and French diplomat Charles Fouchet, sets out to uncover mysteries held long secret due to the silence of time. With governments changing hands and political tides ever changing in 1920s Europe and Southwest Asia, will Muriel and her new friends be able to piece together 2,000 years of history before new powers once again hide away the past?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-NqaA8GS3AaPjDc9tdiZNM8EPXMNn6Nj9nplIiqQUy7NBpNYnoAdFNL9x73R4lMiUBOPLKt1JYrvrpdRaYCM8edc-GYUKWM3jmpxsdKyTgqJQRceRqaJR4XQtRumr4H6V3D56J8KrgcI/s1600/The-Fragment-by-Davis-Bunn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-NqaA8GS3AaPjDc9tdiZNM8EPXMNn6Nj9nplIiqQUy7NBpNYnoAdFNL9x73R4lMiUBOPLKt1JYrvrpdRaYCM8edc-GYUKWM3jmpxsdKyTgqJQRceRqaJR4XQtRumr4H6V3D56J8KrgcI/s640/The-Fragment-by-Davis-Bunn.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This book served as a reminder to me that we can't force another's spiritual journey. We can pray, and we can be examples, but ultimately, the choice to follow Jesus is in the hands of each person. <br />
<br />
Whether or not the True Cross was actually split into reliquaries and divided among the early churches doesn't really matter. This is a work of fiction, after all. Yet, the idea of the cross still existing is oddly comforting. Relics don't save souls, but the idea of see what it is that brought about the blood of Savior is a unique perspective. Salvation came to us on that cross, and all of God's promises since Adam and Eve were forced out of Eden for their disobedience came to fruition the day Jesus overcame the cross. Hallelujah!<br />
<br />
As always, Bunn creates believable, well-rounded characters who draw in the reader into an adventure of suspense and spiritual discovery. <u>The Fragment</u> is a companion to <u>The Pilgrim</u>. The book releases February 19th, and you can purchase it <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Fragment-Davis-Bunn/dp/1616369345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454555807&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Fragment" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<em>I received a complimentary copy of this book from Franciscan Media in exchange for my honest review.</em></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-61229299154328246632016-02-01T20:18:00.000-06:002016-02-01T20:18:03.553-06:00Aggie Belle is Five!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwiADcTiY_BoOo25_PCPDrPcah6Vn_lZ5yA_fsxuCvOARO6Oaa1T9_B0QF4TW18DaRUgeSbT5cf7AzA9RGKdz0BGlqRFXW600znuryhn7u3HiulHTcDhSHXAgiD_oal9c8dAK0h_WEi2U/s1600/DSC_0185+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwiADcTiY_BoOo25_PCPDrPcah6Vn_lZ5yA_fsxuCvOARO6Oaa1T9_B0QF4TW18DaRUgeSbT5cf7AzA9RGKdz0BGlqRFXW600znuryhn7u3HiulHTcDhSHXAgiD_oal9c8dAK0h_WEi2U/s640/DSC_0185+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This gorgeous, cuddly, precocious girl is five today. How?!!? Wasn't it just last month Aggie Belle was the rolly-polley rescue puppy? <br />
<br />
Aggie Belle, you make us laugh each day. You still think you're an 8 pound lap dog, which usually isn't a problem. Little kids, bouncy balls, fluffy blankets, the beach, the park, , and all of your people are the things that make your world go round. You great us enthusiastically and guard us fiercely. <br />
<br />
We celebrated all weekend since your sweet little cousin Layla got to stay with us. Girl sleepover with the two of you are a hoot. You chase chew bones, wrestle, and then crash on the bed together. We didn't get any pictures of the two of you, but I think that made for the best party for you! The whole family went to Petco yesterday afternoon to get your free bag of cookies from their cookie bar for your birthday and to let you go shopping for one present. You love to sniff the displays until you find what you want. This year, it was a braided bully stick. Tonight, you and Bailey had a dinner of scrambled eggs and then enjoyed your bully stick. What a day!<br />
<br />
We are so glad that God uses you to remind us of His unconditional love, sense of humor, and wonder in life. We love you, sweet girl!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-23603349454976457032016-01-28T20:40:00.002-06:002016-02-29T20:39:38.949-06:00Man Cub: 18 Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHFiHCbCQOlxmPO9hxxT3zCsDRBYqlT4ZvvAN7k82-5b0XEofIZtMSCmOyaalxybYxlulMHGUCkLHCUKlW5F-NjbjeKY95RLWVtNXm9jbXLu804_Rg0H2c6GmP9CjVf7-RawHQslPo7ez/s1600/DSC_0166+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHFiHCbCQOlxmPO9hxxT3zCsDRBYqlT4ZvvAN7k82-5b0XEofIZtMSCmOyaalxybYxlulMHGUCkLHCUKlW5F-NjbjeKY95RLWVtNXm9jbXLu804_Rg0H2c6GmP9CjVf7-RawHQslPo7ez/s640/DSC_0166+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Our Precious Boy,<br />
<br />
We've had your gorgeous blue eyes and bubbly personality for a year and a half now. We fall more in love with you every day. You are learning so quickly and so fast. Your grandparents are convinced you're gifted, but Mommy and Daddy just know you are an answer to every prayer we pray for you. Smarts don't matter-your heart for Jesus and loving others does! You are enthralled with the world around you, and we're excited to help you learn. Keep shining for Jesus, Big Boy. We love you to the moon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR0qtRUNAMJfVHKluyUxr9hzWBXXFfkcg2tvtbdia5zMb3FyFQBxGLmzqW82srSsOhq1sJPgCUko_ViXvWew0omJQsVJzQjmkPC7cLAFNxtVfDxkEZEsSVxd269FYSRVUL23DITaAnjw8/s1600/DSC_0163+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR0qtRUNAMJfVHKluyUxr9hzWBXXFfkcg2tvtbdia5zMb3FyFQBxGLmzqW82srSsOhq1sJPgCUko_ViXvWew0omJQsVJzQjmkPC7cLAFNxtVfDxkEZEsSVxd269FYSRVUL23DITaAnjw8/s640/DSC_0163+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are still the same awesome sleeper we know and love. Apparently you wake up crazy early if you spend the night with Mama and Papa, but who can blame you? There is too much to do there to sleep! I think it's absolutely precious that you still sleep like a little tree frog. You have been our little froggy since you were born!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDs2hXHbbHRp0I-2Woy5qlpo_y3Tcoegb1TYieb0Q2tPwNz5DYKySTv2yN0w7BsEUWbiyEAG6dUMgabqjNvJXi78dDZGtd5pEoKTXWCIaJH6zdSBv-xf7wd4nIJowPnyaavF7G4URToWS/s1600/DSC_0175+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDs2hXHbbHRp0I-2Woy5qlpo_y3Tcoegb1TYieb0Q2tPwNz5DYKySTv2yN0w7BsEUWbiyEAG6dUMgabqjNvJXi78dDZGtd5pEoKTXWCIaJH6zdSBv-xf7wd4nIJowPnyaavF7G4URToWS/s640/DSC_0175+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eating:</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't think we've gotten you to try any new foods this month, but at least you aren't refusing foods that you normally like. You are a healthy eater, but we do wish you liked a wider variety of healthy things. You definitely don't care for cake, but you do like cookies, as we've learned with all of the January birthday celebrations we've had lately.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6qs5KSCFe0LWL-IS2F_L8gkAU-4UJXUr2Xqi8LBXOVWo08TfGinq1k8iJhNt5Br9D4yeDjDZe4F_StS2knZRUA5NVdhttaOVuiLITtTwCy7iRtBCika1b-8X_46U65_okyJdNK58jc8e/s1600/DSC_0158+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6qs5KSCFe0LWL-IS2F_L8gkAU-4UJXUr2Xqi8LBXOVWo08TfGinq1k8iJhNt5Br9D4yeDjDZe4F_StS2knZRUA5NVdhttaOVuiLITtTwCy7iRtBCika1b-8X_46U65_okyJdNK58jc8e/s640/DSC_0158+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are still working on blowing bubbles and floating in the tub. Come on, summer! You mastered the new playground in our neighborhood, including the rock wall, in one visit. You have gone on a few walks in the neighborhood without the stroller and done just fine. You still feed the dogs for us. You say thank you almost every time someone gives you something without being prompted. You rode Brownie (a pony we know) for the first time alone, and you did great!! No tears, and you balanced well with just a little help from me. I think this one is a little weird, but you like to go around putting trash in the trash can. New words: puddle, dump truck, bus, Jacob, Bonnie, show, Howie (a pig we know), Jack (another pig we know), horse, pizza, butter (for peanut butter), round and round, boat Gabe (a goat we know), touchdown, breakfast, beep beep, here ya go, all gone, all done, ostrich, what is this?, cup, orange, alligator, crocodile, NASA, arms, teacher, children, read, frog, bear, brown, oh no, stuck, water, stick it, stick, box, granola, sky, thirsty, twig, go, crackers, thank you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi0rVaRMBpLihleypeBDfMXOk4FPXgBiX4mwT1xNade_SfcdmQ6DQu-sIrJ3r2pR11Mic_f0fDnKCYi4k1SXEEyOk9bWp3Uu6dEPL8Jcef36wqePalEEQe6elpo4209IEUeLNetN4LDMp/s1600/DSC_0172+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi0rVaRMBpLihleypeBDfMXOk4FPXgBiX4mwT1xNade_SfcdmQ6DQu-sIrJ3r2pR11Mic_f0fDnKCYi4k1SXEEyOk9bWp3Uu6dEPL8Jcef36wqePalEEQe6elpo4209IEUeLNetN4LDMp/s640/DSC_0172+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Being on the farm, horses (finally!!!! No more being afraid!), Bailey, and all of the other things you've been liking. You and Aggie Belle are buds, and you play, but Bailey is just your favorite. It's so sweet seeing my boys together. You cannot get enough of being outside, even if it's cold or rainy. You had your first (and only) snow days this month, and you adore snow. Daddy is already planning ski school for next winter. Daddy won a little cork gun, and you love it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVCiRauexCK8ZRKDMFgWI_V2w-mIz5HWitvos6YrwpnLi61Mn-fv6my3Q9m-ngxfXI9Rj_yvsKmh0rTnCryWaFzXZp7bZppBcpbnx6g2yG6-FEyZvdMHuE5LYlX7aA0Zzk9OPMmwmIoCs/s1600/DSC_0150+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVCiRauexCK8ZRKDMFgWI_V2w-mIz5HWitvos6YrwpnLi61Mn-fv6my3Q9m-ngxfXI9Rj_yvsKmh0rTnCryWaFzXZp7bZppBcpbnx6g2yG6-FEyZvdMHuE5LYlX7aA0Zzk9OPMmwmIoCs/s640/DSC_0150+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dislikes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting dressed<b>,</b> being tired, being hungry<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-aohoy1HE2kKNnA1rv6Xaq_g8WgHb5qAeJ9eFZv6TNK1104agr4VncQnhbDVvbQk-XPP5N95WpSKmKQziham_w5DMCT7ApDoXPvJjmWM3wLep_zaOVZTqShn1Shwt3ATqW9XHHu-QL_N/s1600/DSC_0182+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-aohoy1HE2kKNnA1rv6Xaq_g8WgHb5qAeJ9eFZv6TNK1104agr4VncQnhbDVvbQk-XPP5N95WpSKmKQziham_w5DMCT7ApDoXPvJjmWM3wLep_zaOVZTqShn1Shwt3ATqW9XHHu-QL_N/s640/DSC_0182+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">18 Month Stats:</span></div>
<b>Weight:</b> 25 pounds, 6 ounces<br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 32.7 inches</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing
7:00 AM, 4:45 PM, and 7:30 PM;
breakfast around
7:15, lunch around 11:15, and dinner around 5:30.</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 7:30-7:45</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45-7:10</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> ~12:30-3:00 </div>
</div>
<b>Diapers: </b>Size 3 (I put you in size 4 this month, but they sagged something awful, so I bought more 3s instead)<br />
<b>Clothes: </b>size<b> </b>12-18 months, and 18 months onesies; 12-18 months pants/shorts; 18 months
rompers. 18 months pjs.<br />
<b>Shoes:</b> Size 5<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year 1</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5A1ikKfjgjyWSLz-o7GlhtcwbPRrRpV_k_8D-V2LHQkslOVGSO4JmEkbDxcAXOr36JHYBThvTSpznea8r2AAT8u-mCmMHVgsX3CZ5njfzI7zTYznTGpXRXDFrhukDXU2GzCHqiaytZOS/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5A1ikKfjgjyWSLz-o7GlhtcwbPRrRpV_k_8D-V2LHQkslOVGSO4JmEkbDxcAXOr36JHYBThvTSpznea8r2AAT8u-mCmMHVgsX3CZ5njfzI7zTYznTGpXRXDFrhukDXU2GzCHqiaytZOS/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year 2</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt9aR_Qwd_sK9ka3_INjSantkwTxrM23ZhNn3n2VOZFfzs9pDHNzmrRgt0qgHFgvHOjB3MmMR9R3hhnCkNf5-qwAKHwUurGICEYkUMc4PwyPFB5Us191uukMqbhH75h7BhNGBwh3LLTjW/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt9aR_Qwd_sK9ka3_INjSantkwTxrM23ZhNn3n2VOZFfzs9pDHNzmrRgt0qgHFgvHOjB3MmMR9R3hhnCkNf5-qwAKHwUurGICEYkUMc4PwyPFB5Us191uukMqbhH75h7BhNGBwh3LLTjW/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><br /></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-72131617408995014412015-12-30T21:52:00.001-06:002015-12-30T21:56:40.342-06:00Man Cub: 17 Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_xRp_3o76-hhj040BgQZPRe9A1NU8z6PDK-rs0_B4cbyupIDSISGeCpM0PBZSfrZZdxZWEOXmQNdusOvTFEx7b7A3Q_W0VI-_1kk9jP7rb0M9WaU_08w5TBugDElVSqqGnh1GQN_dmt1/s1600/DSC_0209+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_xRp_3o76-hhj040BgQZPRe9A1NU8z6PDK-rs0_B4cbyupIDSISGeCpM0PBZSfrZZdxZWEOXmQNdusOvTFEx7b7A3Q_W0VI-_1kk9jP7rb0M9WaU_08w5TBugDElVSqqGnh1GQN_dmt1/s640/DSC_0209+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet Little Boy,<br />
We have loved watching you grow and learn this month. Advent was extra fun this year as you took in all there is about our Savior's birth. What a treat. You fell in love with San Antonio during a quick visit. People tell us how much they are drawn to you, and we just love that about your sweet personality. We ask God each day to use you for His glory.<br />
<br />
We love you!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTzxvZAE16cw72vkCCDe1RrqOQ4Y36DBYjiRSAYHSTA43-WVUl6iztbslmXGkr0hHHUWZUIJxILa9OqZ2MGb7sHfX5iXFaP_mb5aSX-5X3FT9Rda4nPpV8e6qvC95Uef6EqrIA36iV47t/s1600/DSC_0182+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTzxvZAE16cw72vkCCDe1RrqOQ4Y36DBYjiRSAYHSTA43-WVUl6iztbslmXGkr0hHHUWZUIJxILa9OqZ2MGb7sHfX5iXFaP_mb5aSX-5X3FT9Rda4nPpV8e6qvC95Uef6EqrIA36iV47t/s640/DSC_0182+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not much has changed this month. You still love sleep, and you like having a pillow. You still sleep like a little tree frog, all tucked up on your belly. You've been that way since you were born. It's precious.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpeXYBulEf06RaILOjazQrt9n-eSMr9N849gePJGOEeTeY4-BMXvozT1gb4aDzr00ZXy8XXqW9Jf1d3j-F5w1U4g8-u7Uup2AfF8vCqknOwYQ06CaRHR5F2lOwQoNV8-OegvY8CXolQqV/s1600/DSC_0201+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpeXYBulEf06RaILOjazQrt9n-eSMr9N849gePJGOEeTeY4-BMXvozT1gb4aDzr00ZXy8XXqW9Jf1d3j-F5w1U4g8-u7Uup2AfF8vCqknOwYQ06CaRHR5F2lOwQoNV8-OegvY8CXolQqV/s640/DSC_0201+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eating:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have prayed and prayed God would make you an adventurous eater and willing to try new foods. He is certainly answering prayers. You love homemade oatmeal with raisins, cereal with milk, you will once again eat turkey sandwiches, and you now like PBJ. Fruits are still your favorites, along with mac 'n cheese. We keep offering you new things, and I know you will eventually decide to at least taste them! You also still nurse any chance you get, but definitely first thing in the morning, right after school, and before bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN2cKDFN9c5YOckRmv9276W2tRZh_OhibGSZ_t5ZKQorvD2PEQiHWZZYQ7SG81cBIf7klQPE4bOzBrF3ennlwkhCI15RxHkCa_7RhkImIqSkU5J0Ncky4byN5YHdfSpXAOJFXbLgiu3i4/s1600/DSC_0187+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN2cKDFN9c5YOckRmv9276W2tRZh_OhibGSZ_t5ZKQorvD2PEQiHWZZYQ7SG81cBIf7klQPE4bOzBrF3ennlwkhCI15RxHkCa_7RhkImIqSkU5J0Ncky4byN5YHdfSpXAOJFXbLgiu3i4/s640/DSC_0187+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b> </div>
Best new word: Jesus! Christmas helped you learn how to say Jesus, and hearing you say our Lord's name, or even Baby Jesus in your tiny little voice is the best thing ever. You can also say angel, tree, star, Mary, Joseph, down, horse, chicken, Santa, Papa (my dad), Dede (my granddad), Nanny (my grandma), tractor, firetruck, Vince (his tractor buddy), Brownie (his pony buddy), bye bye, mouth, teeth, button (for belly button and actual buttons), mole, book, walk, bath, brush (for brush teeth), I do!, nana (banana), butterfly, squirrel, bunny, and truck. You oink like a pig, quack like a duck, make goat sounds (thanks, Gabe), talk like George from Curious George, and buzz like a bee. All of that just this month, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. You love to put together shape puzzles, your new latch board, and identify colors on the Christmas tree. If we ask you to put something away or throw away something, you think it's so cool to do it. You also blow bubbles in the tub and float. I think you miss the swimming pool! You also still feed the dogs and give them their treats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ngEUSdBs8F2VQWe-qyNctqlanHMbOMNoYEJu1N9Ti5HRkT7XHMYte3Rft14z6POqT5ufs8Vdd4AZRtHnZPP0hPZlYxm8D7XCjQGGJQmviuVfT9i3-6b-S8DlozInL5-2wiVN8rY3XaS_/s1600/DSC_0211+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ngEUSdBs8F2VQWe-qyNctqlanHMbOMNoYEJu1N9Ti5HRkT7XHMYte3Rft14z6POqT5ufs8Vdd4AZRtHnZPP0hPZlYxm8D7XCjQGGJQmviuVfT9i3-6b-S8DlozInL5-2wiVN8rY3XaS_/s640/DSC_0211+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Most of the same things you have been liking. Doing things with the dogs tops your list. You loved opening your Advent book each day. Books are serious business for you. You 'read' to us, we read to you, everything in each picture has to be identified, and then the next book comes out. It's awesome. Your favorites are <u>Down By The Farm</u> (still) and the Veggie Tales <u>Silent Night</u>. You adore your new firetruck that you can ride in (Flintstone power), puzzles, George, feeding the chickens and egg hunting on the farm, driving tractors with either Daddy or Mr. Vince, and music. You still love dancing. Oh, and you love, love, love sitting on the piano bench and playing us your original songs. It's the best!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f7gZ9H1XwjlnPeE4eHhYS07zq6I6GRBIhrusyPWIXLx1YzEy59PmYf1LWka5bqIGVryIe5FC4Fgvlvc4GiyiC7JgSti7IhK0_slPbMnDZfbVAELiLZwWmgtaHbHzV-shbEG1TG68z5uH/s1600/DSC_0190+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f7gZ9H1XwjlnPeE4eHhYS07zq6I6GRBIhrusyPWIXLx1YzEy59PmYf1LWka5bqIGVryIe5FC4Fgvlvc4GiyiC7JgSti7IhK0_slPbMnDZfbVAELiLZwWmgtaHbHzV-shbEG1TG68z5uH/s640/DSC_0190+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dislikes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes you don't like getting dressed, you only wear hats when you want to, veggies that aren't in pouch form, most meat, if we try to feed you (you want to feed yourself), your high chair</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvnmKtlhQwo54sKGHMDvc1i6uIj96j649eD20QonTitrKzALdgYfKfCD2WmU_xEwiXU_pM0OmoPAvbG7ztmcm6O1X8STWM4BSQ9_dtn0cVxIVYU3CrLiVFaJ6WAq0xCmpblpvDfkR6VD7/s640/DSC_0198+blog.jpg" width="426" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">17</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Month Stats:</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Weight:</b> 24 pounds</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 31.5 inches (I think you were over measured last month...ha!)</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing
7:00 AM, 4:45 PM, and 7:30 PM;
breakfast around
7:15, lunch around 11:15, and dinner around 5:30.</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 7:30-7:45</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45-7:10</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> ~12:30-3:00 </div>
</div>
<b>Diapers: </b>Size 3<br />
<b>Clothes: </b>size<b> </b>12-18 months, and 18 months onesies; size 12 months and 12-18 months pants/shorts; 12-18 months, and 18 months
rompers. 12-18 months and 18 months pjs.<br />
<b>Shoes:</b> Size 4<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Year One:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4LgUkB9i5hr_YUyoGqBuGlBEDyjNRnRFdMA_XHaUDQSPUd8Wu7k7mChgOGNKWtQBwMcME-MFg8uBwoqMMxeOAhYnveVNoZOJzZBgi0BVnkmZjD6BmqWmrTtDg2RVOVl0K5mP0dbNsDpT/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4LgUkB9i5hr_YUyoGqBuGlBEDyjNRnRFdMA_XHaUDQSPUd8Wu7k7mChgOGNKWtQBwMcME-MFg8uBwoqMMxeOAhYnveVNoZOJzZBgi0BVnkmZjD6BmqWmrTtDg2RVOVl0K5mP0dbNsDpT/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year Two:</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin81E7euZrnYcmcMmskFGbFw7TRQXb_N5Ow9sA3dxUCkDj8WaweuGRDwylk2n0G8DJoRs52SaYfUJWmQAmrpr9HW03jkV3A3NlOTBCtGqbcVghOln8GLLk-X-TTa4SLP3YEbVLxtKhPjW/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin81E7euZrnYcmcMmskFGbFw7TRQXb_N5Ow9sA3dxUCkDj8WaweuGRDwylk2n0G8DJoRs52SaYfUJWmQAmrpr9HW03jkV3A3NlOTBCtGqbcVghOln8GLLk-X-TTa4SLP3YEbVLxtKhPjW/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-69645521199328499612015-12-27T15:17:00.000-06:002016-01-03T19:33:10.998-06:00A very Merry Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our Christmas was perfect! <br />
<br />
We woke up, made cinnamon rolls, and then let Man Cub open his little presents. He got a fire truck, fire man hat, an airplane, and a light up bouncy ball. We don't go all out for Christmas, but he had a blast opening his presents! I think next year will be even more fun when he understands why we give presents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSsW25ote7RFBIHPIrYzO_FMIDBr_c2ODwSRlGRnE8dAqIGegHicYGcdUVZgOC-irbZ1QcnvGFi0I2LmAKlgry7UsGIUkHlOeKAmuA744HRVrogAu8JzB6D7Fj8JaldCaWf1kokvYptxI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSsW25ote7RFBIHPIrYzO_FMIDBr_c2ODwSRlGRnE8dAqIGegHicYGcdUVZgOC-irbZ1QcnvGFi0I2LmAKlgry7UsGIUkHlOeKAmuA744HRVrogAu8JzB6D7Fj8JaldCaWf1kokvYptxI/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckcimQRGBwGIsWV5TTp0QlxhJLUT1M6WXha4OKa21q5FMsG7bGCCAV3X655xeQvY_FKuzh5qd75fpDZX0dD5zLlkZpXv5jgcFpoRkGgHcKGqHRzJvFLLghStCZUO7y53GEKOmQuJeHHH7/s1600/DSC_0141+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckcimQRGBwGIsWV5TTp0QlxhJLUT1M6WXha4OKa21q5FMsG7bGCCAV3X655xeQvY_FKuzh5qd75fpDZX0dD5zLlkZpXv5jgcFpoRkGgHcKGqHRzJvFLLghStCZUO7y53GEKOmQuJeHHH7/s640/DSC_0141+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After breakfast, we Skyped with Isaac's family so we could open presents with them. That was fun too, and it's nice to be able to have them in our living room without having to drive 20 hours. <br />
<br />
Man Cub took a good nap, and then we headed to my parents' house for the evening. The adults played a new game, or at least a new to us game. I had purchased several little treats and wrapped each one, one inside the other. We had games, kitchen utensils, small gift cards, candy, DVDs, and the 'big' gift was an Amazon gift card. Each layer had a gift and instruction with it, such as, 'Pass the present 3 to the right' or 'Pass the gift to the oldest player'. It was a lot of fun, but next year it's been requested we have more layers and sillier instructions. Will do!<br />
<br />
On the 26th, we went back to my parents' house for Christmas breakfast and presents with my side of the family. It was a laid back day of watching 3 dogs and a baby play and play and play. Oh, and really good food! I love days with my family because we always seem to be too busy to do this often. What a treat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZdJvs0hEHucHAlzJi-vafr3Ye2ay1ZpUdau12qWsVCyiJMy8i7TmizRUICu15g_DbR1z1QatCUq1QPz8AmEH_yL3j9eux6zJKV_HzxNW-oliCRvqI2UHylNEJ_ovRvEinnaEkBR__j7z/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZdJvs0hEHucHAlzJi-vafr3Ye2ay1ZpUdau12qWsVCyiJMy8i7TmizRUICu15g_DbR1z1QatCUq1QPz8AmEH_yL3j9eux6zJKV_HzxNW-oliCRvqI2UHylNEJ_ovRvEinnaEkBR__j7z/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS64UdT-eDUwR4t6TbPYl2a5Lh9sBrwZc0jG9eFqhQkLlGs3MAnYytWB4TLrHUlsh9ecBKTvcbH2n0Pi97I-OndtNKOBPHoVwoHmJ6_KrjA5CyTz0NV_Ba0VBy-p3lh1CRuPMCAqJWHLr/s1600/LRIMG_0556+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS64UdT-eDUwR4t6TbPYl2a5Lh9sBrwZc0jG9eFqhQkLlGs3MAnYytWB4TLrHUlsh9ecBKTvcbH2n0Pi97I-OndtNKOBPHoVwoHmJ6_KrjA5CyTz0NV_Ba0VBy-p3lh1CRuPMCAqJWHLr/s640/LRIMG_0556+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Christmas Day always seems like a bit of a let down after 4 weeks of Advent. Maybe that's why I like Advent so much. It stretches on and on, focuses on Jesus and preparing us for Him, and then gently ends with Christmas Day. I can't wait for January 1 when the SRT study on Genesis begins. Who else is joining in on this story of beginnings?</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-51257777395360667932015-12-24T21:48:00.000-06:002015-12-24T21:48:23.504-06:00Merry Christmas Eve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Christmas Eve is always an exciting day, but we had to wait for evening for some real excitement. This morning and afternoon were filled with errands and cleaning. That's real life, folks! <br />
<br />
Man Cub is much to big to reprise last year's role as Baby Jesus, but this year he was able to enjoy the animals in the live nativity. He did not want to leave the 2 goats and 2 sheep. Our time on the farm has come in handy since he walked straight up to them to gently pet them. When we finally coaxed him over the the donkey, he smiled so big! It was all so familiar to him from the farm. This donkey was super sweet and soft. Then Man Cub saw the camel quietly laying down to pose for photos, and his night was made. That boy beelined through the crowd straight for the fluffy, gentle giant. Mommy is faster than him though and caught him before he photo-bombed some poor, unsuspecting family. We waited our turn, got a smile out of the camel, and sunk our hands into some super soft fur. Poor boy was not pleased when he had to go inside for worship. Maybe we need to look into getting a camel for our future farm....<br />
<br />
Last year was our first time to visit the kid-friendly service, and we missed most of it since we were only on stage as the Holy Family for a few minutes during the middle of it. Y'all, it was wild! So loud. Ha. I'm all for littles being in worship services, but when it's smack dab in the middle of dinner time for tiny bellies, wow. We had a bag full of Christmas books, a nursing cover, and lots of family members for holding duty, so we made it through without too much of a scene. Little kiddos with tiny glow sticks singing Silent Night is pretty precious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih12jzIYJJIFHqiVhSjuc47ATNfkyos2IvhnV6Whv7cPTb5OkYrXLZhYrRC8XHufpse3fG2u0pxmFBaY1fZoDlKmuyIFns8_h4d_FAggwgwWyG2U-n2zK5Huqf_cEGeNum54swMLdZLRr5/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih12jzIYJJIFHqiVhSjuc47ATNfkyos2IvhnV6Whv7cPTb5OkYrXLZhYrRC8XHufpse3fG2u0pxmFBaY1fZoDlKmuyIFns8_h4d_FAggwgwWyG2U-n2zK5Huqf_cEGeNum54swMLdZLRr5/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My grandparents and parents followed us home for honey baked ham dinner and Grinch drinks. Yum! Man Cub entertained us all kinds of acrobatics and showed off more of his vocabulary to his great-grandparents. He stayed up way too late, but it was so worth it. <br />
<br />
Now Isaac is building a fire truck for in the morning. Can't wait to see the little guy's face when he see what Mommy and Daddy got him for Christmas! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEefLBJg5zvjy1WEX3ZfraoHctdR8mU1U9tWcy57xUKefCGI8I7nY9izoyt6CFoI3KD-wF6UnsmMaSbrNneVPC7Kabi8OiWM0Ln4DwJZ3xFYXQ-fSEEMAfsYvKggqsDjTFD36adeoZqu6U/s1600/20151224_214236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEefLBJg5zvjy1WEX3ZfraoHctdR8mU1U9tWcy57xUKefCGI8I7nY9izoyt6CFoI3KD-wF6UnsmMaSbrNneVPC7Kabi8OiWM0Ln4DwJZ3xFYXQ-fSEEMAfsYvKggqsDjTFD36adeoZqu6U/s640/20151224_214236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-53319827749919562802015-12-01T20:28:00.000-06:002015-12-01T20:28:03.835-06:00Raising Grateful Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Isaac and I try so hard to put Jesus' teachings into our parenting. Of course, that's relative when the child in question is only 16 months, but still. We're firm believers that there is little we are owed but much that can can be gained from loving on others. We fail at this all the time, but that doesn't stop us from trying.<br />
<br />
I've read Kristen Welch's blog for years, and when she announced she was writing a book on raising children who are grateful in a world full of entitlement, I knew I wanted to be on the launch team. I received my copy of the book last week, and I haven't been able to stop. Kristen has several years on us in the parenting game, and she and her hubby have fought their battles, and God is winning them for them. Y'all, it's tough to parent in a world that says to fit in and go with the flow. Even much of the church says that to us these days. I'm not sorry that we'd rather veer to the side of Jesus and work our way up stream. Reading this book and talking this past week with the other launch team members has been so encouraging! The timing has been perfect. It's Christmas and everyone has an opinion on how many gifts to get the kids and what kind and budgets and all that jazz. Being encouraged to stick with 'less is more' and 'experience' type gifts is so needed right now. Contentment is always relevant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHG85HuxFldgi5VGcNCuYPFNzGganjh57rOTJ1S4XwksTs3OsaV22lLZjwhqyIs32R3Nb8ZhNSgqnHXtz08NvxM2h6pjanxQQDDJ_rsGix7x3Ot9IKo6Mj_Abf9_N__vsIWahITcBZvf/s1600/12310720_838640437463_341301359899609168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHG85HuxFldgi5VGcNCuYPFNzGganjh57rOTJ1S4XwksTs3OsaV22lLZjwhqyIs32R3Nb8ZhNSgqnHXtz08NvxM2h6pjanxQQDDJ_rsGix7x3Ot9IKo6Mj_Abf9_N__vsIWahITcBZvf/s640/12310720_838640437463_341301359899609168_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Starting today, you can pre-order your copy of <a href="http://kristen-welch.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World</a>. It's only $16, and free shipping! And, until they're gone, pre-orders include a Global Family Kit to learn about families around the world. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2UdQUKXzPxu5yYmmA4PfklhddJ8ADDdgQX4J-edME6913o34LHJw8DjzDriNC_TUec60GxezI7QKrnfRxEgnOXlTSBY_BVtnWMmacdCGj2PQKxpsFp4DUE4A_iuOBsvBgR25LgPki0_C/s1600/12308649_10208154541251493_6552483562239917289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2UdQUKXzPxu5yYmmA4PfklhddJ8ADDdgQX4J-edME6913o34LHJw8DjzDriNC_TUec60GxezI7QKrnfRxEgnOXlTSBY_BVtnWMmacdCGj2PQKxpsFp4DUE4A_iuOBsvBgR25LgPki0_C/s640/12308649_10208154541251493_6552483562239917289_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We all need help not feeling like spoiled little princes and princesses sometimes, and this is a wonderful resource. We're all in this together, for God's glory and the making of disciples. <br />
<br />
I'll be writing more of my thoughts as I keep working my way through the book. Can't wait to share more!<br />
<br />
*I did receive a free PDF of the book to read and share my thoughts, but my thoughts are all my own. I would've bought this book anyway because Kristen and I pretty much seem to share a brain and heart, though we've never met. Love how God works!<br />
<br />
#RaisingGratefulKids</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-79645073315502503982015-11-30T07:31:00.000-06:002015-11-30T19:19:21.479-06:00Down On The Farm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sweet friends of ours moved out of their neighborhoods and onto a 15 acre farm back during the summer. Who could blame them?! Their new place is about 25 minutes from us, and we finally made it out to visit twice over Thanksgiving break. They arrived on the farm with their own pet pig and a handful of chickens and dogs, but they inherited 3 beautiful horses, 8 more pigs, more chickens, and have managed to rescue a pony, donkey, mule, and goat in the last 5 months. Phew! Their place is wonderful, and we are so grateful for their hospitality!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NxRiYa_lEkGOD3pJi2oP2-eqbZm6ZbWafU9PL9tBhuspQt5iiuW4Ku3qG40gSCWDgajzNNpvkDTjhwljrySQRkMwAWlkOvpeWXgWqPTmxnDGvbJNOtTPTZlBBAc9ZKqki1PIL9vBvj4d/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NxRiYa_lEkGOD3pJi2oP2-eqbZm6ZbWafU9PL9tBhuspQt5iiuW4Ku3qG40gSCWDgajzNNpvkDTjhwljrySQRkMwAWlkOvpeWXgWqPTmxnDGvbJNOtTPTZlBBAc9ZKqki1PIL9vBvj4d/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
During our first visit, Sandy the horse fell in love with me, and I with her. She kept wrapping her neck around my shoulders, and I was a gonner. Sweet heavens above, someone come hold me. My Dixie pony died over 8.5 years ago, and I just haven't had a right match to replace her in my heart. Sandy did me in though. When a horse blows on your ears and follows you around, that's it. Stick a fork in me and call me done. I'll spoil her forever if that's what she wants to give me. We'll ignore the fact that my son is suddenly terrified of animals bigger than dogs. He'll get over himself. Eventually. He has too, in his own way, in his own time. We're horse people, by George! He'll be a horse kid too once he realizes how insanely fun they are. #horsegirlproblems<br />
<br />
We also met Gabe, the rescued dog, I mean goat. Goat, he's a goat! But he thinks he's a dog, so there's always a little grey fluff ball following the people around on the farm. Poor goat. I kinda have a sweet spot for him too, but don't tell anyone. Aggie Belle was NOT happy when we came home smelling like goat. As in, snubbed us and refused to acknowledge our presence for hours. Ha.<br />
<br />
Man Cub was fascinated with the chickens. He knows most of his barnyard animals, so I heard a lot of 'chickchick' and 'peep' coming from him. They're the smallest animals, and he seems to go for things smaller than he is at the moment.<br />
<br />
We met Jack the pet pig too. I don't know why I didn't snap his picture, but he's precious and thinks he's a dog as well. The entire drive home, we heard 'oink oink' and various snorting noises from the back seat. Good work, Jack. Man Cub learned well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0auum3WaSnfkNnrDu7b5vU8Gr1NULNJ-fXxL_-88BYZfLTZBCVccS3w2Z5P9NteWey61MTeeiUtRWz1eLmLzB7r9fsYNH-L6td8JUTnq-KYMXH0osvZh7XYsDFu2eUDf1jKS_zPX3G4Q/s1600/IMG_20151127_192457+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0auum3WaSnfkNnrDu7b5vU8Gr1NULNJ-fXxL_-88BYZfLTZBCVccS3w2Z5P9NteWey61MTeeiUtRWz1eLmLzB7r9fsYNH-L6td8JUTnq-KYMXH0osvZh7XYsDFu2eUDf1jKS_zPX3G4Q/s640/IMG_20151127_192457+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We went back later in the week, bearing gifts of apples and carrots to <strike>feed</strike> spoil the equine girls. See that bottom left picture up there? That's my idea of Heaven, with an elephant and giraffe thrown in for good measure. Just sayin'. God has it all lined up for me. We talk about this often, and I can't wait. Thrill me, Lord!<br />
<br />
Brownie, the biggest pony I've ever met, moved in on the farm over the week, and we were able to ride him. Have mercy, I was reminded why I rarely ride bareback and haven't done it in 11 years. That's a workout! Man Cub rode with me, and Isaac walked beside us. Brownie is so used to being led that he wasn't sure what to do without someone next to him. I'm sure he'll figure it out soon in his new home. He has the BEST new family, and they're going to soak up this silky soft, thick furred boy.<br />
<br />
The baby drove the tractor not once but twice! A tractor monster has been created! I'm not sure his daddy minded helping him one bit. Those two! Melt me.<br />
<br />
Man Cub seemed more comfortable the more time we spent there, and he wandered the barn until he found eggs from the chickens! He was gifted with 7 eggs to take home. Yum, yum! What a special treat.<br />
<br />
My sweet mom keeps saying that if anyone needs to live on a farm, it's her girl. She's right, and she raised me. But it's a huge change and not cheap, so for now we pray and wait for guidance. And thank God all the time that precious friends love on us and indulge us while we wait!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-83789119442536732632015-11-29T18:05:00.003-06:002015-12-24T21:53:58.849-06:00Our Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our Thanksgiving wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but it was a relaxing day at home and later with my side of the family. We did massive amounts of cleaning and yard work in the morning before heading to my parents' after Man Cub's nap. Mom and Nanny made a wonderful feast (as always!), and we had fun chatting and just being together. We don't all seem to get together as much as we used to, so it was a treat watch the baby play and laugh together. Man Cub thinks it's a hoot to do something silly so that we'll all laugh and cheer with him. His favorite way to do this is to make baskets on his basketball goal, turn to face us, cheer for himself, and then keep going until we all join in. It's hilarious. That right there is more than enough reason to give thanks, but it's certainly not all we celebrated today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaoeNT7-j38fFzOGMN-DRc-ZXfHIb2V7L2y_JZ52n9pcmHyhmy6rz4BRzY8dwn0A9S9LBrQKcukC9qil1biZdjPgOj2uACbczJ9ecqEEwiLobWhF97_AxutwWnI_E-wsgfnq4arLJg6ON/s1600/IMG_0544c+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaoeNT7-j38fFzOGMN-DRc-ZXfHIb2V7L2y_JZ52n9pcmHyhmy6rz4BRzY8dwn0A9S9LBrQKcukC9qil1biZdjPgOj2uACbczJ9ecqEEwiLobWhF97_AxutwWnI_E-wsgfnq4arLJg6ON/s640/IMG_0544c+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-37837072288344770632015-11-25T21:38:00.000-06:002015-12-30T21:53:04.006-06:00Andrew 16 Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLmkYkgGN4vX4F6VkxyR42Fa7Sz_DsFu5LBW5wBBq1-VQVdlFSOpDGzApKOm_4KMo1NwutzjU_Co7cGQtmLlyPIKjFH6Y73iJAGKGQ_jYP5TNNhmm4eqiLJIP0KHLaLeBIFcAM5zfQenc/s1600/DSC_0134+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLmkYkgGN4vX4F6VkxyR42Fa7Sz_DsFu5LBW5wBBq1-VQVdlFSOpDGzApKOm_4KMo1NwutzjU_Co7cGQtmLlyPIKjFH6Y73iJAGKGQ_jYP5TNNhmm4eqiLJIP0KHLaLeBIFcAM5zfQenc/s640/DSC_0134+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Baby Chimwemwe,<br />
<br />
You are curious, loving, funny, and so cuddly! We love you so very much. We ask God each day to woo you to Him in all that you learn and experience. You're growing much too fast for our liking, and you're talking and talking. You fear very little and enjoy trying new activities. Keep making people smile, Man Cub!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeU5cAucbs_Zowo7FymjuIhfbQJIjY4Y91ygDtJ_dcDiGam_SoyPC6h6anavEHVHWXLeRBrQ8mES7RyMRbtdluVrQMJJORUgD0twv1L4PFhu48tQEkNtW6slS3_Lo8pylh1PUIXhxwqjW/s1600/DSC_0113+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeU5cAucbs_Zowo7FymjuIhfbQJIjY4Y91ygDtJ_dcDiGam_SoyPC6h6anavEHVHWXLeRBrQ8mES7RyMRbtdluVrQMJJORUgD0twv1L4PFhu48tQEkNtW6slS3_Lo8pylh1PUIXhxwqjW/s640/DSC_0113+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You still love your sleep! 11-12 hours a night is completely normal, and you nap 2-3 hours in the afternoons. Tonight, we gave you a flat pillow for the first time, so we'll see how that goes. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kgM09IQvb4fo-n6minPmoajFjd4spga96R1R8sTHaBKdyTCABWYwC6To6gt2A1IEvy-jlV7HgNUn6y6f623QPidBSAIUcQAFJVT4RKwyX57-fZ5NNS4ei0BgtBN23oJNQ1iPFdLzYms5/s1600/DSC_0126+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kgM09IQvb4fo-n6minPmoajFjd4spga96R1R8sTHaBKdyTCABWYwC6To6gt2A1IEvy-jlV7HgNUn6y6f623QPidBSAIUcQAFJVT4RKwyX57-fZ5NNS4ei0BgtBN23oJNQ1iPFdLzYms5/s640/DSC_0126+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Eating:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ugh. You try our patience daily with food. You still love dairy, but you are completely vegetarian now. I'm not worried about protein, but I don't like how picky you are. Daddy started making you smoothies with kale, carrots, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas, and ice, and you LOVE that. Yay! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipt3MOWdpf4mcL1wyNZBNHTyH8_m2xVN1mSC4FOydUe_O5-xd9HrF6SMXyq5n1EMGTZ9opxwtBjDKcFRxFiU7U3o1rjDTHA5SVOmYpNRZH378LSoOT-RX8OYhWx0vh4ZTQS47HgUcXURa/s1600/DSC_0114+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipt3MOWdpf4mcL1wyNZBNHTyH8_m2xVN1mSC4FOydUe_O5-xd9HrF6SMXyq5n1EMGTZ9opxwtBjDKcFRxFiU7U3o1rjDTHA5SVOmYpNRZH378LSoOT-RX8OYhWx0vh4ZTQS47HgUcXURa/s640/DSC_0114+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are still doing all of the same things from last month, but you've added identifying your eyes, mouth, knees, head, and toes. You have added lots of new words to your vocabulary: door, hat, cup, back, Jes-te (Jessy), baby, knee, toes, eyes, nose, up, George, and lots and lots of car sounds. You can go down the stairs completely unassisted. Yippee! You like to help Daddy with the sewing machine. You still feed the puppies their meals and treats. Books and the playground are still some of your favorite things.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dDmT4D96GvVGlO7gd7f0A6PA1M4Zj2LTS0fdP0zu2NkwNaF_S5-M97AzLuMTateib9XadvE9SgUKWN5rdzDqJZu74R8TrO1RoljVZrtlx0h2CmNQwCg6P2pOmUiNjXgGDDaT_82_t5WS/s1600/DSC_0132+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dDmT4D96GvVGlO7gd7f0A6PA1M4Zj2LTS0fdP0zu2NkwNaF_S5-M97AzLuMTateib9XadvE9SgUKWN5rdzDqJZu74R8TrO1RoljVZrtlx0h2CmNQwCg6P2pOmUiNjXgGDDaT_82_t5WS/s640/DSC_0132+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
Talking, hugs, kisses, cars, hugging Bailey, being outside,
bubbles, baths, books, Curious George, the playground, feeding the dogs, giving the dogs treats, being with you
family, music, and playing, playing, playing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjk3O93ywTVj70iXSNKlwtSW9UnW7UcKZMkNKnd9XSS6oClj42L8cWPO_8SLNap4kG4McJjDcU5vPA82ngKF7ysWrhBotVdVQRcOnFvjXXsjKARvLs0IzqPxV3sU2vFnvtqKJcGArlPlX/s1600/DSC_0106+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjk3O93ywTVj70iXSNKlwtSW9UnW7UcKZMkNKnd9XSS6oClj42L8cWPO_8SLNap4kG4McJjDcU5vPA82ngKF7ysWrhBotVdVQRcOnFvjXXsjKARvLs0IzqPxV3sU2vFnvtqKJcGArlPlX/s640/DSC_0106+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
D<b>islikes:</b></div>
<b> </b>Veggies, trying new foods, being tired<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_orEaxDy71-t9h10MEpJGuHuKsVXiGvezLY_-1QbiIsE9BbfAD7SoZzMQNKo5gh8odWmpzimpCBqRA_NyU1R0o78-W_LBytzMZcAeUncgwYSxoZYuaV4aWoY9QqbebUsy43d2xK-HI8/s1600/DSC_0138+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_orEaxDy71-t9h10MEpJGuHuKsVXiGvezLY_-1QbiIsE9BbfAD7SoZzMQNKo5gh8odWmpzimpCBqRA_NyU1R0o78-W_LBytzMZcAeUncgwYSxoZYuaV4aWoY9QqbebUsy43d2xK-HI8/s640/DSC_0138+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">16</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Month Stats:</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Weight:</b> 23.8 pounds</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 31.5 inches </div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing
7:00 AM, 4:45 PM, and 7:30 PM;
breakfast around
7:15, lunch around 11:15, and dinner around 5:30.</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 7:30-7:45</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45-7:10</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> ~12:30-3:00 </div>
</div>
<b>Diapers: </b>Size 3<br />
<b>Clothes: </b>size<b> </b>12-18 months, and 18 months onesies; size 12 months pants/shorts; 12-18 months, and 18 months
rompers. 12-18 months and 18 months pjs.<br />
<b>Shoes:</b> Size 4<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year One:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuLUMBSMZV9jFGdx3S7n2aovczgHcStY-7WNsUIZI6c3ORv5SyDFl0le_4t6vWn_Iqlc6Zs0M4FtX4tWEOSg694Owa5xg9HThDtanyRKx_c3717EA6i9iCQZAZQkKVpTV6HkuHV0Q5STD/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuLUMBSMZV9jFGdx3S7n2aovczgHcStY-7WNsUIZI6c3ORv5SyDFl0le_4t6vWn_Iqlc6Zs0M4FtX4tWEOSg694Owa5xg9HThDtanyRKx_c3717EA6i9iCQZAZQkKVpTV6HkuHV0Q5STD/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Year Two:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GPlc14I6W2rdmVhyvZUMs0YtiRUfSBZDEPJJR8zlkvuspMzh-U23wihyphenhyphenCmllJp5DLM2p5vyVUaqSXZiIk-h36FrqKYeRMeyksHq-LXCThl6LaQUC2dexYqeyBP1m4ZJcqkz7iEJLJU22/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GPlc14I6W2rdmVhyvZUMs0YtiRUfSBZDEPJJR8zlkvuspMzh-U23wihyphenhyphenCmllJp5DLM2p5vyVUaqSXZiIk-h36FrqKYeRMeyksHq-LXCThl6LaQUC2dexYqeyBP1m4ZJcqkz7iEJLJU22/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-56162882838760765632015-11-23T14:19:00.002-06:002015-11-23T14:19:24.575-06:00Thanksgiving Baskets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago, I received an email from our missions pastor asking if our family would like to put together a Thanksgiving basket for local refugee families. I asked Isaac, and the look on his face basically told me I shouldn't have even bothered asking him if we should participate. Of course we were! Noted, Honey. We will help refugees in our city. Got it. <br />
<br />
Our instructions were simple. We were to purchase a laundry basket (a very useful item!), and fill it with black-eyed peas, rice, cans of green beans and sweet corn, apples, a Thanksgiving themed card with a greeting of welcome, and a gift card to a grocery store. Once we delivered the basket to church, a copy of the Jesus film was added to it. Easy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoOwW0OPQAfsxQicdVEcm9UUhnn0H1zFZS9fJc9gVPLejiv1OMj1sC26rryoBHQBvN3ETYYIuQaDKy1vEVfv-y5pQr9wgM5omKors68Hp6MXCqlMv0HZMyEj81lugYbyhOXbEX1MhS82V/s1600/DSC_0102+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoOwW0OPQAfsxQicdVEcm9UUhnn0H1zFZS9fJc9gVPLejiv1OMj1sC26rryoBHQBvN3ETYYIuQaDKy1vEVfv-y5pQr9wgM5omKors68Hp6MXCqlMv0HZMyEj81lugYbyhOXbEX1MhS82V/s640/DSC_0102+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Man Cub enjoyed going shopping with Isaac and me for the items. He made sure I had sealed the gift card into the greeting card nice and tight so it wouldn't get lost. He liked counting the items, too! Man Cub might be just shy of 16 months, but he's not too small to learn to go shopping for others, to write notes to others, and to pray for others. Our little family gathered around that basked and asked some big things for the family who will receive it. We fully trust that our God is mighty enough to answer every single one of those prayers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBDaeVeaiU20-MIgT68nvfEbQmVhpgvsfmh6OAFmnkg2Uh8aTfF5_y0S90nD3R2dGBqlZZ_2HYtZt9bGbQWVQYphfSp4p7tyxk3OfZeuudWIR5vOizIvxNSSxJkgkxH8CT7Q32jGMInr8/s1600/DSC_0106+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBDaeVeaiU20-MIgT68nvfEbQmVhpgvsfmh6OAFmnkg2Uh8aTfF5_y0S90nD3R2dGBqlZZ_2HYtZt9bGbQWVQYphfSp4p7tyxk3OfZeuudWIR5vOizIvxNSSxJkgkxH8CT7Q32jGMInr8/s640/DSC_0106+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I kept thinking of other things I wanted to add to our basket, like warm fleece blankets, various sizes of socks, oranges, and basic school supplies. It would have been so easy, but since our church was asked to make numerous baskets that would be delivered at once, they needed to be uniform. I get it, but my imagination was running wild with possibilities. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvTMB00bFROF4ZV8td5-MmnTP9WTMfTBjBSJRFgT-R24L16edV_t93_Ckgo5K9IiE9f9QDdMM5VKrzNhKs7uyKf8nqbtwu4UhXc1NxLVBz0kqSy0BAi27nAtzS79NIespM5y6vz7GcUxm/s1600/DSC_0104+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvTMB00bFROF4ZV8td5-MmnTP9WTMfTBjBSJRFgT-R24L16edV_t93_Ckgo5K9IiE9f9QDdMM5VKrzNhKs7uyKf8nqbtwu4UhXc1NxLVBz0kqSy0BAi27nAtzS79NIespM5y6vz7GcUxm/s640/DSC_0104+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yesterday after church, several folks took the baskets to the various apartments complexes where the families live. Our friends met families from Burma, Bangladesh, Iraq, Somalia, DRC, and other countries. We debated long and hard about whether or not to help deliver. We finally decided that a cranky 1 year old in need of lunch and a nap would detract from our visit more than add to it, so we stayed home this time. We learned that lesson the hard way in Zambia this summer. It wasn't an easy decision to make though. I'm hoping for more opportunities to reach out so we can continue to instill in our little guy the attitude of Jesus. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul8QrT_BHl4qJIXN5EdKwvS80hUHFtpG2jzEhR-BB1re3ZB-_INwMLOrpxSVMb9AfNNOWdzPwgFcZbaDskZ2Jj3_QccMEHKAW9SMknnXokO9XP9eG3lEN7ihObYG1tLpYSYYzRJXQ3nvo/s1600/DSC_0105+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul8QrT_BHl4qJIXN5EdKwvS80hUHFtpG2jzEhR-BB1re3ZB-_INwMLOrpxSVMb9AfNNOWdzPwgFcZbaDskZ2Jj3_QccMEHKAW9SMknnXokO9XP9eG3lEN7ihObYG1tLpYSYYzRJXQ3nvo/s640/DSC_0105+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's not to late to do something similar where you live! If you have a missions pastor at your church, start there. Or, contact your local Interfaith Caring Ministry, <a href="http://www.namb.net/" target="_blank">NAMB</a>, or other local ministry that you know. If you don't live in an area that is helping refugees, call up your nearest homeless shelter, and ask how your Sunday School class or Bible study could minister to their clients. Perhaps a backpack with toiletries would be a more appropriate option in that situation. Most of all, be aware of everyone residing in your community. Love them. Be Jesus to them, and thank God for all of His children this Thanksgiving. It takes a village, and we are the village. <br />
<br />
*I always hesitate to write posts like this. I know Jesus doesn't want us to brag or show off our good deeds. The glory is never to come to us, but to be put on Him. When I do choose to write these kinds of posts, it's meant to encourage and share ideas about how to love and serve, not to say, "Look at us!". I hope that translates well and that God uses our experiences for His glory alone. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-13450081914602296022015-11-21T16:44:00.001-06:002015-11-21T16:48:40.025-06:00Advent Giveaway Winner!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had so many entries from old friends and new friends, long-time readers and new readers, and I was so excited to see who Rafflecopter would pick as the winner of the Advent giveaway. I'm grateful for Rafflecopter and how it handles all the entries, because if I'd had to sort for a best answer or something like that, it would have been an impossible task. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor9Szvi05JxNQbwfe5dkKs7apQE2EuRT57GiF7aIv_QNobERhsR3MjFNObK37zw9fwFAoMsOtWo_-5e67m6Gq-KlWUiSOjDVZgNQ8NJWTY9GmmmC67Kc612nhbq8tLQznvGzpQmwPcu9J/s1600/Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor9Szvi05JxNQbwfe5dkKs7apQE2EuRT57GiF7aIv_QNobERhsR3MjFNObK37zw9fwFAoMsOtWo_-5e67m6Gq-KlWUiSOjDVZgNQ8NJWTY9GmmmC67Kc612nhbq8tLQznvGzpQmwPcu9J/s640/Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet Lauren and I have known each other since we were tiny. Her big brother and I were in kindergarten together. I'm grateful social media and blogs allow us to keep up with each others adorable families. Lauren, congrats, and be looking for an email from me so I can get your book and necklace to you!<br />
<br />
So many of you left such awesome comments about how you hope to make Advent meaningful for you and your family this year. I wish I had the budget to send you all a paper copy of the study, but be sure to follow along the study all through Advent at <a href="http://www.shereadstruth.org/" target="_blank">She Reads Truth</a>. It's free on an internet browser! You are being prayed for personally as you celebrate the birth of our Savior the next 4 weeks! </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-45443192896928271242015-11-20T05:00:00.000-06:002015-11-20T05:59:52.456-06:00Advent Giveaway Ends Today!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Don't forget my awesome SRT and Noonday giveaway ends tonight! Go <a href="http://theozingaoutlook.blogspot.com/2015/11/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like-advent.html" target="_blank">enter</a> if you haven't already done so, and share the love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyDlN2zalPMd2tN8wXbfjsyZNMYuehOa98BomJ3DOqGQFZdkkzlX4rZ1Z8JJTcLmB8NFh9FNxnU5MQ8wxbITtxN0F-vGz4oxzrQIq38e0RdTvgLlnBo6vQuoXemtRGO2B0OakH8C-uvxS/s1600/DSC_0100+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyDlN2zalPMd2tN8wXbfjsyZNMYuehOa98BomJ3DOqGQFZdkkzlX4rZ1Z8JJTcLmB8NFh9FNxnU5MQ8wxbITtxN0F-vGz4oxzrQIq38e0RdTvgLlnBo6vQuoXemtRGO2B0OakH8C-uvxS/s640/DSC_0100+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Isaac has to do some work traveling in the middle of the days we normally decorate, so we're busting out Christmas this weekend for the first time ever. I have a precious stack of 25 Christmas books to wrap for Man Cub, a cute little nativity Advent Calendar, and of course our SRT study to sit on the table for dinner time devos and the <a href="http://www.sacredholidays.com/" target="_blank">Sacred Holidays</a> study for my own personal time in the mornings. And the tree! I'm secretly glad for one more rainy Saturday tomorrow so I can decorate away! <br />
<br />
Check back in the morning for the winner!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-27674661677811039192015-11-17T20:58:00.002-06:002015-11-17T21:05:00.856-06:00It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Advent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's not a secret that Advent is my favorite time of the year. I adore the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day. It's a joy to dig into the Word and focus on the birth of Jesus. Isaac jokingly said over the weekend that I needed an Advent Calendar to count down the start of Advent. Love that idea!<br />
<br />
We definitely let the Turkey get his day in our family, but we're getting ready to start our Advent studies on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. To share the love and joy, I purchased an extra copy of <a href="http://www.shereadstruth.com/" target="_blank">She Reads Truth's</a> Advent study, <u>Born is the King</u>, to give away to you lovely readers. I love how SRT keeps me in the word 7 days a week, and their Advent study never disappoints. This year's study comes in a full color book with Scripture and commentary. The website has more information, so check it out! Also, the guys in your life need to get in with <a href="http://www.hereadstruth.com/" target="_blank">He Reads Truth</a>. Isaac has loved their studies!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIYnw56WJmb50ZYJxfritgW0-o9DMi9AlZgICbmrhYGvNnrj1LSYJsbvewvbvoRWu_OL9s_24H4RvmtsAtJxHqqWNhKu6meeTj6qdALNyk5DWmeyH8922hyphenhyphenE656nNCdgH9_dGHJE6mbT-/s1600/DSC_0099+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIYnw56WJmb50ZYJxfritgW0-o9DMi9AlZgICbmrhYGvNnrj1LSYJsbvewvbvoRWu_OL9s_24H4RvmtsAtJxHqqWNhKu6meeTj6qdALNyk5DWmeyH8922hyphenhyphenE656nNCdgH9_dGHJE6mbT-/s640/DSC_0099+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The study also came with 4 Scripture memory cards for each week of Advent. They are wallet sized and perfect for carrying around to memorize Scripture. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gbZhQUxokFS5KWt9qL27uOhFWm70lkpGSYQvcyKknGD8PkJPDWA1ieuu6Ie2cRhuFfoLfa1S4U4biBODiA3skWANuYOEi4i3f3o3jdg2DRYKqJHDCrg0aNFVopK8lnzDEHFGkj_knukr/s1600/DSC_0100+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gbZhQUxokFS5KWt9qL27uOhFWm70lkpGSYQvcyKknGD8PkJPDWA1ieuu6Ie2cRhuFfoLfa1S4U4biBODiA3skWANuYOEi4i3f3o3jdg2DRYKqJHDCrg0aNFVopK8lnzDEHFGkj_knukr/s640/DSC_0100+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
To keep Jesus as the focus of Christmas, the SRT team designed two 8x10 prints. I think they're a gorgeous addition to any Christmas decor. I can't wait to put these up in our home after Thanksgiving. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5s_IuUBmSJfUg_Nw05FSfYR_uz1p57Av62TCJ7_A8ZwBFGmuIl_Zg3nyME6R0A6TOVuWxDpDYdZm0Ay8k7oUdJ2p_HCr213dV-09KVm53-2pL53H4utZEtvK7hDkWyYWa9vtujC0xW5T/s1600/DSC_0102+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5s_IuUBmSJfUg_Nw05FSfYR_uz1p57Av62TCJ7_A8ZwBFGmuIl_Zg3nyME6R0A6TOVuWxDpDYdZm0Ay8k7oUdJ2p_HCr213dV-09KVm53-2pL53H4utZEtvK7hDkWyYWa9vtujC0xW5T/s640/DSC_0102+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The last piece of my giveaway is this gorgeous <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/home.aspx" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> necklace handmade in India. Noonday teamed with SRT to remind us to buy fair trade and sustainable gifts this Christmas by sending a necklace with each order of 2 or more Advent books. I'll be honest, it was hard not to tuck this little beauty of gold and leather into my jewelry box, but that wouldn't be keeping with the Christmas spirit of giving, so make this little beauty all yours by entering the giveaway! Visit Noonday's website for other awesome gift ideas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLQGAavY9i5QfjXUPUeBT_-phJEy-r0pqrclCbDKB-_D5BNs2YahaH6mzVbIgIyWHJ8gOIZmrGJRkxtBBXMIu-W2_nZscvw1nTkr-X2Ew3uB0S3rMQ9xA3L2Wyyg2RaxWjvoqcU-ZoM77/s1600/DSC_0108+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLQGAavY9i5QfjXUPUeBT_-phJEy-r0pqrclCbDKB-_D5BNs2YahaH6mzVbIgIyWHJ8gOIZmrGJRkxtBBXMIu-W2_nZscvw1nTkr-X2Ew3uB0S3rMQ9xA3L2Wyyg2RaxWjvoqcU-ZoM77/s640/DSC_0108+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Are you ready to kick off Advent yet? Enter the giveaway, and do it soon! It closes Friday evening so I can make sure your goodies arrive in time for Advent to start. <br />
<br />
*Neither She Reads Truth nor Noonday Collection have given me anything for this giveaway. This is all my doing because I truly enjoy and appreciate their work. </div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="36d303233" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/36d303233/" id="rcwidget_eyll3hsk" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-66112536643193958472015-11-09T21:20:00.000-06:002015-11-09T21:29:15.877-06:00So Long, Snow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We finally had a morning to sleep in, and I was still awake before 7. Body clock fail. Ah, well, it allowed us to take our time packing up before we enjoyed one last tromp in the snow. It was so hard to leave. Much of the snow, especially on the south facing mountains, has melted, but tomorrow and Wednesday, Vail is going to get at least another half foot of snow. I wanted to stay and see it falling again so badly. Until this weekend, it was just shy of 3 years since I'd last seen any kind of snow. I've resigned myself to the fact it might be another 3 years before I see more. It's the fate of coastal prairie people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN50okPDVp-IFUo217zebWFW83Slix2UB8l4r8ZcmelDZwlYlLHL4eGLax1WJETtK_jbjOmhG9jb50kKqGp0weHIkTPma7270h3MhjXorVI8lqTlbadg9r5wqQqhlSSeLGtV6sGkZK1LMa/s1600/20151109_103549+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN50okPDVp-IFUo217zebWFW83Slix2UB8l4r8ZcmelDZwlYlLHL4eGLax1WJETtK_jbjOmhG9jb50kKqGp0weHIkTPma7270h3MhjXorVI8lqTlbadg9r5wqQqhlSSeLGtV6sGkZK1LMa/s640/20151109_103549+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4F6-uvEokkICrAg0WduYDCKHA0uRrPUTTRrX451fZXodbi5auebn37bkV9lVKZfwxwRwQjG43mZPgKEa0zR9gfC4OFpANOxP_XiwJ5xKAl8Dpcd8u5cZDa3LWqXSeh67ym88knKxPRNk/s1600/20151109_104607+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4F6-uvEokkICrAg0WduYDCKHA0uRrPUTTRrX451fZXodbi5auebn37bkV9lVKZfwxwRwQjG43mZPgKEa0zR9gfC4OFpANOxP_XiwJ5xKAl8Dpcd8u5cZDa3LWqXSeh67ym88knKxPRNk/s640/20151109_104607+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDpgBwZomu5ittNg6CnPgPa_9wb0XpoMZWIS4GsiZQVKxS0qQIUhRAre2JZHu_vDb_aXdKKqyTjtJ_lZ-KViXC7aQAgXe5jPbhTirswm77mhQHoy-PeiLCvW2ci5tYW2v8-5O3tKOzFSN/s1600/20151109_105358+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDpgBwZomu5ittNg6CnPgPa_9wb0XpoMZWIS4GsiZQVKxS0qQIUhRAre2JZHu_vDb_aXdKKqyTjtJ_lZ-KViXC7aQAgXe5jPbhTirswm77mhQHoy-PeiLCvW2ci5tYW2v8-5O3tKOzFSN/s640/20151109_105358+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had a fabulous getaway, and I know I'm grateful we saved up and found deals to make this happen. There was only one time we nearly killed each other. Apparently my fear of heights and ice make me say absolutely wonky things, and it might also mean I forgot that my hubby also really does know how to handle a car in winter weather. Whatever. We're safely alive because I play it safe and make us find hiking trails not halfway up mountains. That's what normal people do, isn't it? I apologized and we had chocolate at dinner for dessert to prove I was sorry, so yeah. What's a vacation without at least one real life moment, right? <br />
<br />
We love <a href="http://www.vailcascade.com/" target="_blank">Vail Cascade</a>, although without a super awesome discount like their Groupon deals, we'd never be able to afford it otherwise. Check out the resort, and all of the other places we've mentioned this weekend. They won't steer you wrong, and no, they didn't offer us any kind of anything for our review. We just really liked the places we found.<br />
<br />
Back to the grind. All of the kids, 2 and 4 legged, are sleeping, and we're trying to muster up the desire to unpack. Laundry tomorrow, friends!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-27350934364136292572015-11-08T21:41:00.002-06:002015-11-08T21:45:14.526-06:00A Hiking We Will Go<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We love to hike, but I've never had an opportunity to hike in the snow before. It took us a bit this morning to figure out a trail head we could reach with some of the side roads being icy, but we discovered one right in Vail called the North Trail. We hiked about 3.25 miles total and climbed a little over 1000 and back, while stopping for our Subway picnic lunch. A few places were really muddy where the snow wasn't think, but most of the trail was snow packed and perfect. We had great views of Vail village, and even saw New York Mountain and Beaver Creek ski runs from the last crest. A few chipmunks were out and about, enjoying the sun. We had a great time!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WxuVyvSZn4mx9AplnrF_anrLZpaM0CT72GMjDMfg_PeOVGE59bJiYde_4PW__Tg_J6n33SYEeu-zJ5gB94lBOIlS0Q6-9QuHUCSmbSYi88chJLZ6FLPfwmUSRY1bhNF6Ea81TE8vczLU/s1600/20151108_102843+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WxuVyvSZn4mx9AplnrF_anrLZpaM0CT72GMjDMfg_PeOVGE59bJiYde_4PW__Tg_J6n33SYEeu-zJ5gB94lBOIlS0Q6-9QuHUCSmbSYi88chJLZ6FLPfwmUSRY1bhNF6Ea81TE8vczLU/s640/20151108_102843+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW3Y-VrcL6nBoGD0mMiIMBcFIw0bv9wzTLZZm0BVAvPEV4UYOeBdjB_rdkoHIGNMR2Bzzx55Hd5CVgpJ0VbYbgKx2K9iEWmBbWn0L0YyrzckwvodLcJ9xzB2p-IAMCsg03hQt500X7ERf/s1600/20151108_105854+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW3Y-VrcL6nBoGD0mMiIMBcFIw0bv9wzTLZZm0BVAvPEV4UYOeBdjB_rdkoHIGNMR2Bzzx55Hd5CVgpJ0VbYbgKx2K9iEWmBbWn0L0YyrzckwvodLcJ9xzB2p-IAMCsg03hQt500X7ERf/s640/20151108_105854+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr3lE3mXsI-XQqnfWXP9AcY_FO2f1UkGz9InEN8KpuR6CZ-D4Y8DfOyuEMbtzYfEskNFPYjAXZowabEUhtnqpl9vEcQTJ50rrpO19Bbx2zxakh3XhhRXWoK7bgww5ZtIoF86nvwwAvu1b/s1600/20151108_111654+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr3lE3mXsI-XQqnfWXP9AcY_FO2f1UkGz9InEN8KpuR6CZ-D4Y8DfOyuEMbtzYfEskNFPYjAXZowabEUhtnqpl9vEcQTJ50rrpO19Bbx2zxakh3XhhRXWoK7bgww5ZtIoF86nvwwAvu1b/s640/20151108_111654+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkkEVXJvRcbv7omESH_Zag607wqKtnxsAj8_63_FZw50tdbZwWQdcXOhBGeR0o5kKbTkKfVgcPf__TxyO0nTGONgHdxbfBYVzf0t55obCTNG9onL_kOjKT9fysXcJUqCTVqmkZd2I-BwO/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkkEVXJvRcbv7omESH_Zag607wqKtnxsAj8_63_FZw50tdbZwWQdcXOhBGeR0o5kKbTkKfVgcPf__TxyO0nTGONgHdxbfBYVzf0t55obCTNG9onL_kOjKT9fysXcJUqCTVqmkZd2I-BwO/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3NaJ7HhwczT4d-K1_mDHYD4V5SXYdGqANMC4YkdJlbbM4U48mzL_DH84EiBqXjeXNoW6I7K6lYICy1tVlhUC8oH-XqzXI_8_AU82juqjMdBR0fi_-t79B9rSu9JeIU7ICAfJmBrxR7DP/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3NaJ7HhwczT4d-K1_mDHYD4V5SXYdGqANMC4YkdJlbbM4U48mzL_DH84EiBqXjeXNoW6I7K6lYICy1tVlhUC8oH-XqzXI_8_AU82juqjMdBR0fi_-t79B9rSu9JeIU7ICAfJmBrxR7DP/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This afternoon, we indulged in massages and the spa's relaxation room and aromatherapy steam room. It's the off season, so the spa had incredible specials to attract business. It was such a treat!<br />
<br />
Dinner was at <a href="http://bluemoosevail.com/" target="_blank">Blue Moose Pizza</a>. We were so tired that we didn't feel like looking for someplace super unique, but Blue Moose was adorable and really yummy. We loved that they had the tables covered in butcher paper so we could draw and play!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wLfEosJKl_WRs240EhpDL3hkapp85_w3g1LX_fWks2JCSj1-8Zm3TL96R43g8hOZiuaHmgl41S7tZHVGrSC7xNIm72jDbRiJPvNyhbDBNl0_JgH-q6rs2wjkHcIfZ5Wz6m1R408kJevs/s1600/20151108_190901+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wLfEosJKl_WRs240EhpDL3hkapp85_w3g1LX_fWks2JCSj1-8Zm3TL96R43g8hOZiuaHmgl41S7tZHVGrSC7xNIm72jDbRiJPvNyhbDBNl0_JgH-q6rs2wjkHcIfZ5Wz6m1R408kJevs/s640/20151108_190901+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-88020302876668980952015-11-07T23:38:00.000-06:002015-11-07T23:38:06.911-06:00A Mountain Ride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was not made for this cold. I don't know the last time I felt 10 degrees. Still, there is no way I'm going to let the temperatures keep me from enjoying the goodness that is Colorado. Layers, layers, and more layers, some sunscreen, and the sun that warmed us up made for a great day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9l4HZ1WdK7kP9srjLprDsfweHZGSVNMj5jxIKMR2Qh8NDNLxfD-cDV_nlzgMyULqN7lPnxL0LyufUzZusRKfrKwh0x8artFogDyDVECKCn_sDVwgI6exQaK8IwaPSKiom28S9Uo39ga_/s1600/Screenshot_2015-11-06-22-28-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9l4HZ1WdK7kP9srjLprDsfweHZGSVNMj5jxIKMR2Qh8NDNLxfD-cDV_nlzgMyULqN7lPnxL0LyufUzZusRKfrKwh0x8artFogDyDVECKCn_sDVwgI6exQaK8IwaPSKiom28S9Uo39ga_/s640/Screenshot_2015-11-06-22-28-23.png" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Today found us back at <a href="http://4eagleranch.com/" target="_blank">4 Eagle Ranch</a> for some horse time. We had ridden there 3 years ago, and we were anxious to get back to enjoy their horses and their 1200 acres of roaming room. 4 Eagle is amazing to their horses. Once their done with rides for the day and have been brushed down to their little horsie hearts' delight, they get to roam in huge pastures to munch and munch. They're obviously comfy with each other in their home because it's not uncommon to see several of the lay down to snooze in the sun. Horses only do that when they feel really safe!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbiB7G-44VcMfR_dZu-MYnNh1fpm4Y4EATCbQuI9xliotA8QgvBGkCoaT4xdhy7uO0w1hOE69_TRBCbXRqDvp1V0fPh1kU1vzMXqfbbUV8seqMckYJwoHpYqCmeDy7wSKQbpCmVEqt8IS/s1600/20151107_102004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbiB7G-44VcMfR_dZu-MYnNh1fpm4Y4EATCbQuI9xliotA8QgvBGkCoaT4xdhy7uO0w1hOE69_TRBCbXRqDvp1V0fPh1kU1vzMXqfbbUV8seqMckYJwoHpYqCmeDy7wSKQbpCmVEqt8IS/s640/20151107_102004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Isaac had requested an advance ride for us so we wouldn't have to stay on any trails or keep to a walk. Neither of us are experts, but we're certainly comfortable and can handle our own well on the average stead. Thannie was our guide today. By pure coincidence, I ended up riding Pepper again, and Isaac rode a sweet by named Fraidy. Apparently he's terrified of the cattle that come up from the other side of the mesa. That gave us a good laugh. <br />
<br />
We took off into the main pasture and worked out way to visit their Belgian draft horses and Percherons. I love draft horses, and they were excited to have some visitors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0DQirFqQUU1ZyDfQWY2_FOCmcpcL8yrwQIzNoQgtl1W1nuphJfMnOvz-8_LH388bP0i1oN2DyrN6SyXBLCL3ZGIDI5tXDfzYb3BJ6fyxT4wyYUJriP8djT1ztESrbR9vhArsZh99K7eT/s1600/20151107_105044+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0DQirFqQUU1ZyDfQWY2_FOCmcpcL8yrwQIzNoQgtl1W1nuphJfMnOvz-8_LH388bP0i1oN2DyrN6SyXBLCL3ZGIDI5tXDfzYb3BJ6fyxT4wyYUJriP8djT1ztESrbR9vhArsZh99K7eT/s640/20151107_105044+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The local Ravens were everywhere, and as we worked our way toward the mesa, we found coyote, snow hare, and deer tracks. Before the day was over, we found a golden eagle, a snow hare, elk, and deer. Gorgeous. It's crazy to me how we can travel 20 miles west from Vail and hardly see any snow. We had so much snow in Vail yesterday, but where we rode hardly had any. It was still so pretty though!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68szrNYULJYnEr3GZfaZGk9FBKzkpceuEbnZdxSKQ7kSRzaw-GAv3J8kibFLATBMWZYyRqeiDOch_9LfbGB6TvqJpK2NnIbKwTNjDQ92r8wrpAnsCZ40SRGV_WEMO74rnqcYA_Ag0J9YU/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68szrNYULJYnEr3GZfaZGk9FBKzkpceuEbnZdxSKQ7kSRzaw-GAv3J8kibFLATBMWZYyRqeiDOch_9LfbGB6TvqJpK2NnIbKwTNjDQ92r8wrpAnsCZ40SRGV_WEMO74rnqcYA_Ag0J9YU/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thannie and her mom both work at 4 Eagle, and they were fabulous to us today. Thannie took so many pictures for us and made sure we had plenty of opportunities to take off and explore. It was an incredible day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlumaI8iPTojV-hwqwDVt0isGdxl0W90H5KW8CV76TyOV-HPNzsiNbbsHz4_DR1ECxCNERYVZpupnry8shXbkIeUrVhmlqwdoG7lKh19mu4w27i9zVLm9ZaLD7ma3Ka3GXNF2OOVgA7Ypc/s1600/20151107_112220+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlumaI8iPTojV-hwqwDVt0isGdxl0W90H5KW8CV76TyOV-HPNzsiNbbsHz4_DR1ECxCNERYVZpupnry8shXbkIeUrVhmlqwdoG7lKh19mu4w27i9zVLm9ZaLD7ma3Ka3GXNF2OOVgA7Ypc/s640/20151107_112220+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP6VaTW2RmefskSgOqNTszK9T2CZoHW3TImfDL3B92AmmPCJc-ZyNzuIpXWnjc_v5bLPj8rpYiKo7jJBKmzuvosAaCfz_J80f8YCk-U5DKxvjdJUK5hJT5-14WD6rngOsYDOK-8hhuSD8/s1600/20151107_112322+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP6VaTW2RmefskSgOqNTszK9T2CZoHW3TImfDL3B92AmmPCJc-ZyNzuIpXWnjc_v5bLPj8rpYiKo7jJBKmzuvosAaCfz_J80f8YCk-U5DKxvjdJUK5hJT5-14WD6rngOsYDOK-8hhuSD8/s640/20151107_112322+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ila1Gpg7MwvJXEmoLkz7WRN1Ww50Soc6phfoRxINqXNwn-A-PMcBHn3-qR6ujTvvWWQCaywRIRN1lfJFUHqXl7MV3FpPaRRV71C2mxxZnsvcofSkECqmY14c2e52yScmw9RiPOn9CS-D/s1600/20151107_112405+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ila1Gpg7MwvJXEmoLkz7WRN1Ww50Soc6phfoRxINqXNwn-A-PMcBHn3-qR6ujTvvWWQCaywRIRN1lfJFUHqXl7MV3FpPaRRV71C2mxxZnsvcofSkECqmY14c2e52yScmw9RiPOn9CS-D/s640/20151107_112405+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-jfZrdrLxa4CMLZAJrnAWNCcCtkppwM7X0GPAttaPywBPXwaR-JG4vuDZDhJZ3RPU8UzauugwCJPs7wznkYt3iPcEs7W0Vt4oTFA_L6AmzPijDXTuUJ-E_LzD3cTjClvwGRoRLafKt6C/s1600/20151107_112645+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-jfZrdrLxa4CMLZAJrnAWNCcCtkppwM7X0GPAttaPywBPXwaR-JG4vuDZDhJZ3RPU8UzauugwCJPs7wznkYt3iPcEs7W0Vt4oTFA_L6AmzPijDXTuUJ-E_LzD3cTjClvwGRoRLafKt6C/s640/20151107_112645+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcvvJNmLWiO8_-xbPd6bAmiI4NXgYWvmp7ACNqcYTRr0mi8QLQC0fpyKTBFC_khvyCvC1kBmvIi8D21OFOQFGEMdKzhnsKedfvj6ubeE8tEecsCCq-iOQC1F3Ez6KUnbvS9bN1hLF9MsF/s1600/20151107_112740+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcvvJNmLWiO8_-xbPd6bAmiI4NXgYWvmp7ACNqcYTRr0mi8QLQC0fpyKTBFC_khvyCvC1kBmvIi8D21OFOQFGEMdKzhnsKedfvj6ubeE8tEecsCCq-iOQC1F3Ez6KUnbvS9bN1hLF9MsF/s640/20151107_112740+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiDWx6FoeucaVQaMXVmczyW769nBrgmiJcKD7YCDXlRi_js3NDsgmKDUxWW0ZrhyAMpfyFa-mSQf4yEkI5Njw3yGLC9KfB4i81-UWJNznmgaHA0Jyq_SlE-cdlif2gqZ5K6aHsBi3lhg/s1600/20151107_113158+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiDWx6FoeucaVQaMXVmczyW769nBrgmiJcKD7YCDXlRi_js3NDsgmKDUxWW0ZrhyAMpfyFa-mSQf4yEkI5Njw3yGLC9KfB4i81-UWJNznmgaHA0Jyq_SlE-cdlif2gqZ5K6aHsBi3lhg/s640/20151107_113158+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For lunch, we headed to<a href="http://smilingmoosedeli.com/" target="_blank"> Smiling Moose Deli</a> for soup and warm sandwiches. We had found a Groupon for <a href="http://www.crazymountainbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Crazy Mountain Brewery</a>, so we went there next. I wasn't a fan of most of the selections in the flight, but I did like the one made with blueberry tea. Figures.<br />
<br />
After all of that, it was time for a catnap before heading into Vail to explore and find <a href="http://Moe's Original BBQ" target="_blank">Moe's Original BBQ</a> for dinner. Some Bama boys opened it awhile back, and everyone in there was cheering for Bama tonight. We just laughed and laughed. They did beat LSU, but I think the fans were more entertaining than the game. I love Colorado...dogs are allowed in the restaurants, or at least some of them. We got some great love from a bull mastiff/pit mix. He was precious. And well made pulled pork hit the spot. We don't get that in Texas. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiufydyS_bsIyaRJtHcA41mBQLaO6dPbXAEcMLONlSK1eAcxhOIXmNeAzgy02BHbdN1tCBj41YSHnt7GmHcIY_ey-yhLrkAQezku7EEGwWuwcciXu4nFdgnvYoo5UQb91-LLgZeNQwTkBT/s1600/20151107_170435+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiufydyS_bsIyaRJtHcA41mBQLaO6dPbXAEcMLONlSK1eAcxhOIXmNeAzgy02BHbdN1tCBj41YSHnt7GmHcIY_ey-yhLrkAQezku7EEGwWuwcciXu4nFdgnvYoo5UQb91-LLgZeNQwTkBT/s640/20151107_170435+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs56_WF3bTVfpGsw5De3lb8dmNnSSTFjZJezjp5MKzpd0sU1mSLXDiXOZaru7qofe1Qkab_Db2z7RaKn3cabnCJPx07d-qH0COQvxp4ZdIm3vPFlmW2ujh0l0XvON584xy-BZ3Bm0kn9H3/s1600/20151107_170826+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs56_WF3bTVfpGsw5De3lb8dmNnSSTFjZJezjp5MKzpd0sU1mSLXDiXOZaru7qofe1Qkab_Db2z7RaKn3cabnCJPx07d-qH0COQvxp4ZdIm3vPFlmW2ujh0l0XvON584xy-BZ3Bm0kn9H3/s640/20151107_170826+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had some amazing star gazing tonight. We don't get that in Houston either. And sometimes, you just have to pretend to attack your abominable snowman hubby with a ridiculously large icicle because those don't happen in Houston either. Please oh please don't make me go home!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5JJTmm9o98ZPeqXaLxjBJN-Z7McBMqY0PlEMRyw7dTvom2DJ_l4AAdooN876-rg3UQfVWBnVIxzOwrm5vA_aqVGfIbArJNYoYKIGhxW3FXj4qKf1f1fkZwSzcmhqKZ2rPPKUmH2EP0eo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5JJTmm9o98ZPeqXaLxjBJN-Z7McBMqY0PlEMRyw7dTvom2DJ_l4AAdooN876-rg3UQfVWBnVIxzOwrm5vA_aqVGfIbArJNYoYKIGhxW3FXj4qKf1f1fkZwSzcmhqKZ2rPPKUmH2EP0eo/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-8899722911734192882015-11-06T22:16:00.000-06:002015-11-07T23:45:45.779-06:00A Snowy Little Getaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The hubby and I decided a few weeks ago that it was time for a getaway from home. We've had a night here and there away from Man Cub and the pups, but never anything long enough to truly play and have a full length conversation that went uninterrupted. With the baby still nursing, it meant pulling back out the pump, but getting away is so worth it!!!<br />
<br />
Southwest flights were our only limit as we had some free tickets to use. I began searching for great hotels, and found another Groupon for the same hotel we stayed at in Vail three years ago. We talked about it, and decided we wanted another mountain getaway. We love hiking and horseback riding, and wanted a chance to grab some cooler temps. We never dreamed we'd find the weather that we did this early in the cold season, but lots and lots of snow was waiting for us!<br />
<br />
Last night we flew up to Denver really, really late, and stayed in a hotel near the airport. The hotel at Aspen trees still in their golden glory. Love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsNNvcj4BfUFhVjjSCnMCzdk_W5ffZMZPCg3ICgF6RPrJy2vz9InIktryFDYSKjUG111JpxaQhdIbI3omA0-CuzChLAGWNdgYW1OSepQHmOu_Lp1q8CgEgDsttjdWWp4LUJoo9aUK0YA_/s1600/20151106_092802+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsNNvcj4BfUFhVjjSCnMCzdk_W5ffZMZPCg3ICgF6RPrJy2vz9InIktryFDYSKjUG111JpxaQhdIbI3omA0-CuzChLAGWNdgYW1OSepQHmOu_Lp1q8CgEgDsttjdWWp4LUJoo9aUK0YA_/s640/20151106_092802+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
This morning, we drove over to Vail. The further west we went, the more snow we saw on the ground. It was gorgeous! We stopped in Silverthorne on our way to Vail for lunch at <a href="http://www.bluemoonbakery.net/" target="_blank">Blue Moon Bakery</a>. For the love of all the gluten free amazing bakery goodness you can fathom, get yourself there and enjoy the hot sandwiches, amazing coffees, and phenomenal goodies. Yum! On the way out of town, we swung across the Dillon Dam to see Lake Dillon in the snow. Lake Dillon is a place we want to really explore some day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxRLUxtpRgqJdvZzbd3KFZOFJMMq_JNbDl9PGhRVCuY_CwRsryCzKjvB3bNcq23jfXAHBzFfkrVLIJ8973U7eB6RbmgBMpZe9bq4igFLbVfNXFG48DxQDIDmwoECJvoWwE9rSitsxdJge/s1600/20151106_114653+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxRLUxtpRgqJdvZzbd3KFZOFJMMq_JNbDl9PGhRVCuY_CwRsryCzKjvB3bNcq23jfXAHBzFfkrVLIJ8973U7eB6RbmgBMpZe9bq4igFLbVfNXFG48DxQDIDmwoECJvoWwE9rSitsxdJge/s640/20151106_114653+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Just before entering Vail, the snow fall turned from a light flurry to a full blown snow storm. Visibility went to nil, and it was AMAZING. This Texas girl was squealing just a bit. After we checked in at the hotel, we crashed for a nap. Two really bad nights of sleep had caught up to us. The snow was still falling after we slept, so we threw on the snow gear and went out to Gore Creek to play! There was more squealing and spinning in the snow, and lots of snow balls. We might have even made a snow angel. The silence of falling snow always intrigues me. We heard the softest sound as the snow settled and the ripple of the creek as it ran past us. It's so peaceful, and a treat I don't take lightly. Today's good gifts from our Father have thrilled me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6i2f5Aah98vf0ttC1kljCQ4we1DArma0mOxBp-PdKk_-YTMczbXLmCePeD9O2_CixctKRyY-pgY-OyTikYVp-bHuQHlnbMZTH4CT6-_6RZft4Nf5wblPKvVdZWXgIEl_I9zFmG2v8QWV/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6i2f5Aah98vf0ttC1kljCQ4we1DArma0mOxBp-PdKk_-YTMczbXLmCePeD9O2_CixctKRyY-pgY-OyTikYVp-bHuQHlnbMZTH4CT6-_6RZft4Nf5wblPKvVdZWXgIEl_I9zFmG2v8QWV/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On our walk back to the hotel, Isaac's snow boots literally fell apart. They had dry rotted!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NexGX1DffEHA2UjsbkW1rYS8AWjMqQ4poTPCj54eoAkOGwgfi9eUio7o8_fb0g6HyfQ-BOWW7LBh1-gstJpBTwFlrBaK3yznjSNJMeuS1qDH5jdYQ9bx44iSkaUrMdjvVF9Jl3twVTkj/s1600/20151106_164555+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NexGX1DffEHA2UjsbkW1rYS8AWjMqQ4poTPCj54eoAkOGwgfi9eUio7o8_fb0g6HyfQ-BOWW7LBh1-gstJpBTwFlrBaK3yznjSNJMeuS1qDH5jdYQ9bx44iSkaUrMdjvVF9Jl3twVTkj/s640/20151106_164555+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A trip to Avon led us to a new pair of snow boots before we feasted at <a href="http://www.gashouse-restaurant.com/" target="_blank">The Gashouse</a> in Edwards for dinner. We had incredibly tender quail, elk steaks, and bison steaks for dinner. They were served with fresh veggie zoodles that were so tasty. We love finding the restaurants that the locals frequent, and Gashouse is definitely one of those. On the drive home, I learned another reason I love being married to Isaac: he knows how to drive in snow and ice from growing up in Ohio. There were some black ice patches on the interstate, and he handled it like a pro. So thankful for a many who knows how to keep me safe in any situation!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is more fun in the snow, and we can't wait!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-19427918709777931762015-10-31T22:13:00.001-05:002015-10-31T22:13:14.746-05:00Happy Halloween!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our church usually has a huge fall festival on Halloween, so we aren't normally home for any trick-o-treating. However, crazy rain caused UBC to cancel the festival, so we geared up for a night of kids and candy at home. <br />
<br />
Our little guy was a Midnight Yell Yell Leader in his little maroon shirt and decked out overalls. He even had maroon shoes for a finishing touch. Yes, last year he was a game day Yell Leader, and he even had maroon shoes then. That's not easy to pull off, but last year they were a gift and this year they were hand-me-downs!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rmHZBuE9EWqBJX8fRbodbhyphenhyphend7lZw_WPeClTx2XHYrcebQKVSvgS_PWO1aaQCvsCEGSs-IcajfxfNMo1wWCL8U5GocDuUlZ1Jzs6UFsId_kTpnnrC1PdwvKxDMip1dj2vbz3xdME9i5WB/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rmHZBuE9EWqBJX8fRbodbhyphenhyphend7lZw_WPeClTx2XHYrcebQKVSvgS_PWO1aaQCvsCEGSs-IcajfxfNMo1wWCL8U5GocDuUlZ1Jzs6UFsId_kTpnnrC1PdwvKxDMip1dj2vbz3xdME9i5WB/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Man Cub had a blast trick-o-treating, once he figured out that we weren't going to drop him off at a stranger's house. Ha! That's never happened to him, but he sure wasn't going to let tonight be the night it started, either. I walked to a few houses with him and Isaac before heading home to set up a little spot in our hay bales to pass out candy. The dogs would go nuts if I was opening and closing the door all evening, so I camped on the porch to greet the neighbors. I have no idea how many ghouls and goblins we had, but it was drizzling or full on raining the entire hour I was out. Both of the huge bags of candy I had were gone, and I give out big handfuls, so my guess is about 30 kids. Not bad for such a crummy night. And yes, we pass out puppy treats too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lq20mPuYI23n-iyEbWBx1JcQXqk08zddMAAJn3GDaxjAg_SeFfzrvb9awADgIyuOu2JAip4-yqsYJiCSNrO1zI1tB8Z1Sg3kCgIIYNsdrb6YIcenxlcS9skZUUBW2wrvz3YlKYLGsV-G/s1600/DSC_0087+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lq20mPuYI23n-iyEbWBx1JcQXqk08zddMAAJn3GDaxjAg_SeFfzrvb9awADgIyuOu2JAip4-yqsYJiCSNrO1zI1tB8Z1Sg3kCgIIYNsdrb6YIcenxlcS9skZUUBW2wrvz3YlKYLGsV-G/s640/DSC_0087+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj2A0UTY1G6BnM2Wi6pUBGaoWULGU9dfEt0gT68IM2mZyM1mtRcj2Otsy919vTaFM_c6b33AFzmuQS1xlynTtb6R5YmLfEMrO1-aY5do6muqVjio_HLOnFOGALezwgY7syzV6GM4UQHVU/s1600/DSC_0095+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj2A0UTY1G6BnM2Wi6pUBGaoWULGU9dfEt0gT68IM2mZyM1mtRcj2Otsy919vTaFM_c6b33AFzmuQS1xlynTtb6R5YmLfEMrO1-aY5do6muqVjio_HLOnFOGALezwgY7syzV6GM4UQHVU/s640/DSC_0095+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Man Cub lasted about 30 minutes with Isaac. His little orange pumpkin bucket was filled to the brim when he came home, so he did well for himself. And yes, we'll share the candy with him, but I don't think he'll eat much of it. Man Cub just isn't a sweet lover. That excites me and saddens me all at the same time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYQXChMGOdZqqK0XnlnbVJgckADn_L5060MfPy7OL2PZbicGTVIhEnKQdYQUyroiyn5xyDzU0tKjfT-0XfFHNNAVlrYsrumgU-Ybbye8H71H8CDp6mm3frI0Kl_gMyUjwfpNd_DCzP6l/s1600/20151031_191558+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYQXChMGOdZqqK0XnlnbVJgckADn_L5060MfPy7OL2PZbicGTVIhEnKQdYQUyroiyn5xyDzU0tKjfT-0XfFHNNAVlrYsrumgU-Ybbye8H71H8CDp6mm3frI0Kl_gMyUjwfpNd_DCzP6l/s640/20151031_191558+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Halloween! We hope you had a wonderful evening being silly or scary, or a little of both, with those that you love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie43z58dOG83HzXbv5PRm3u0fLr5jBqJOLKlFnR4wLrOiI48hxpFZbEiJsjyhCj9kL6IGyO5pM6ajKT8L-w6tXref-WeupNx-YhoPyHpGZa9mGlmlF0_IS-q9lwY90dfDUoWGgoMl2Bj4t/s1600/DSC_0079+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie43z58dOG83HzXbv5PRm3u0fLr5jBqJOLKlFnR4wLrOiI48hxpFZbEiJsjyhCj9kL6IGyO5pM6ajKT8L-w6tXref-WeupNx-YhoPyHpGZa9mGlmlF0_IS-q9lwY90dfDUoWGgoMl2Bj4t/s640/DSC_0079+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-24415401734368742782015-10-25T21:30:00.002-05:002015-11-25T21:53:19.136-06:00Man Cub: 15 Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1rGIbuaWSbaT2i58Cu72Alz1YlE_CN93r-uD1Fcd22l536tHZRPfQIRbH7IkmhpzIXAB0TCioOLDNkCzjPJrF-DxGXD9o4KzGzXMJyAOt7wsIe7BzvEJ7rcRCqPmP11yMrG9XpoI76Zt/s1600/DSC_0082+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1rGIbuaWSbaT2i58Cu72Alz1YlE_CN93r-uD1Fcd22l536tHZRPfQIRbH7IkmhpzIXAB0TCioOLDNkCzjPJrF-DxGXD9o4KzGzXMJyAOt7wsIe7BzvEJ7rcRCqPmP11yMrG9XpoI76Zt/s640/DSC_0082+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Little Chimwemwe,<br />
<br />
You have been quite the little sponge this month. We've watched you blossom in so many ways. You are incredibly independent while still loving your cuddles. The puppies are your best buddies, and Daddy is the funniest person on earth in your mind. We pray each day God captures your heart and uses you for His glory. We love you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e0_3_Qjbv8rjvtffyaa579ahizT8bdt4_Jaegq-dMzukaupNIyuB4Rwe3cj0f84labP7BPbb-uc35J42WRY0hoBJk9R6ihb19-7fMqYiULj2k0aSbDO3KEZeT872a0aGmtmYHnHmM88t/s1600/DSC_0113+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e0_3_Qjbv8rjvtffyaa579ahizT8bdt4_Jaegq-dMzukaupNIyuB4Rwe3cj0f84labP7BPbb-uc35J42WRY0hoBJk9R6ihb19-7fMqYiULj2k0aSbDO3KEZeT872a0aGmtmYHnHmM88t/s640/DSC_0113+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Your sleep hasn't changed this month. You still love it, and we're all happy campers. Keep it up, little dude!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SRkQ3k4RaSuSXlUXhk2kXrdFu1sVlfToCTPKmtI_aBw6ZC6YdD14AqZnSV60fhMO-j-jY90bvTc1cCs46RApfe0j1_jMEQRaB-FcmRXUyMx5tKUaEdgNi_QMDfXE2WSQAwxLEy8vcRKD/s1600/DSC_0095+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SRkQ3k4RaSuSXlUXhk2kXrdFu1sVlfToCTPKmtI_aBw6ZC6YdD14AqZnSV60fhMO-j-jY90bvTc1cCs46RApfe0j1_jMEQRaB-FcmRXUyMx5tKUaEdgNi_QMDfXE2WSQAwxLEy8vcRKD/s640/DSC_0095+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eating:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Your eating hasn't changed this month either. You're just as picky as ever. If we put something new on your plate, you pick it up and hand it back to us. Joy. You won't eve taste new things anymore. What happened??!?!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRfGIQ8PrVDhT9zejpdws7aH8YFSWEgH8SXgwCw9wS2stv7T9nWZSXAGcn24Cy6uLe_m0FSQvGl4jrX4y3aQqovfuOLL9QtjnHI_YRWkNfCJUSRTQMIhhqhdzSSCRGJFwwmovzqSiUiPv/s1600/DSC_0116+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRfGIQ8PrVDhT9zejpdws7aH8YFSWEgH8SXgwCw9wS2stv7T9nWZSXAGcn24Cy6uLe_m0FSQvGl4jrX4y3aQqovfuOLL9QtjnHI_YRWkNfCJUSRTQMIhhqhdzSSCRGJFwwmovzqSiUiPv/s640/DSC_0116+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are getting better about giving real kisses. You love to hug us and pat our backs as you do. Adorable. You point to your belly, ears, and nose. You can pick out bears, dogs, and girls in books. Like your mommy, you LOVE to read! Your current favorite is <u>My Goodnight Book</u>, which was Mommy's favorite as a little girl too. You can say ball, block, boo, bubbles, belly, puppy, Daddy, Pop, Bailey, Aggie, thank you, and hi. You say ' doodle doo' for a rooster, 'roar' for a lion, and 'oo oo' for a gorilla. You enjoy building towers and knocking them down. Other than books, you're happiest sitting on Mommy's lap playing the piano or being outside running around, especially with the dogs. You can climb the playground and slide down all by yourself. Best we can tell, you have 12 teeth with 2 more coming in. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzFYq3mRBSdiGAvhkWMBPLNcSAcwTcMRjGx92VhYWAn13q6dfnDEd33wsO_ejSsr8uDIR1J2SnIljRTCRxyI_vHMPjVjCGxMHd8vybKuAKd55fRCTpZ-uE-38KPmY7VU66WupiRbBcYQE/s1600/DSC_0094+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzFYq3mRBSdiGAvhkWMBPLNcSAcwTcMRjGx92VhYWAn13q6dfnDEd33wsO_ejSsr8uDIR1J2SnIljRTCRxyI_vHMPjVjCGxMHd8vybKuAKd55fRCTpZ-uE-38KPmY7VU66WupiRbBcYQE/s640/DSC_0094+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Likes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All the things from you newest tricks, talking gibberish, hugs, kisses, bubbles, baths, feeding the dogs, giving the dogs treats, being with you family, music, and playing, playing, playing!<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pt5V1u0b3dUtHmnElItG0D5pG7eio5563_eOV0DdNnX_EwmtDKVJeWsZVODy0X_Q1fCbRZdOpZ0w9p42vbIHZkF1XtAI-3GKcWXHSjC044yDGoEWVuAQK55xTbO0F3Ue1Kmvvz_w5RQe/s1600/DSC_0109+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pt5V1u0b3dUtHmnElItG0D5pG7eio5563_eOV0DdNnX_EwmtDKVJeWsZVODy0X_Q1fCbRZdOpZ0w9p42vbIHZkF1XtAI-3GKcWXHSjC044yDGoEWVuAQK55xTbO0F3Ue1Kmvvz_w5RQe/s640/DSC_0109+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dislikes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Veggies, trying new foods, being tired</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhTdMQzA156erBjGT8yY0U8I9mKtTcGRjBU4WfYXehA-cPkof6savLfPxb_Mn8kucQ7z3KZppoDvqbA1R6_p38Q89qr09oGXFIg-CrpgVrR2akx42RQdNr7smVuNKPrkh1Sk7YV0ugcgx/s1600/DSC_0103+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhTdMQzA156erBjGT8yY0U8I9mKtTcGRjBU4WfYXehA-cPkof6savLfPxb_Mn8kucQ7z3KZppoDvqbA1R6_p38Q89qr09oGXFIg-CrpgVrR2akx42RQdNr7smVuNKPrkh1Sk7YV0ugcgx/s640/DSC_0103+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">15</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Month Stats:</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Weight:</b> 22 pounds</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Length:</b> 31 inches </div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> nursing
7:00 AM, 4:45 PM, and 7:30 PM;
breakfast around
7:15, lunch around 11:15, and dinner around 5:30.</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bedtime: </b>between 7:30-7:45</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Awake</b>: sometime between 6:45-7:10</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Naps:</b> ~12:30-3:00 </div>
</div>
<b>Diapers: </b>Size 3<br />
<b>Clothes: </b>size<b> </b>12 months, 12-18 months, and a few 18 months onesies; size 12 months pants/shorts; 12 months, 12-18 months, and a few 18 months
rompers. 12-18 months and 18 months pjs.<br />
<b>Shoes:</b> Size 4<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Year One:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeumLTqwonJSLXwm-QVmg7CEuRf0AH636XX7KtD5C2SXncFhZDNfrTLtfoHhYJunW43p_1ekIOWhgFPW-V9-C9UrPglIgCk2UNRlJt6OFcnRvxnD_afn8x7P2pPNM082u3JJHKevst6Nc/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeumLTqwonJSLXwm-QVmg7CEuRf0AH636XX7KtD5C2SXncFhZDNfrTLtfoHhYJunW43p_1ekIOWhgFPW-V9-C9UrPglIgCk2UNRlJt6OFcnRvxnD_afn8x7P2pPNM082u3JJHKevst6Nc/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Year Two:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZdg3nqDsdbQuun37rfz3kkvOe9G0W35e8WwGdIB-FsVXn0c_G9ey0lGfEsB-6NjTZs112zhJPQSS_6mu4D8UZqMf-poVNK0wfWpGpA5ADQE_drH7MrtG9NK6sWU74iX0EaabEnshCzDe/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZdg3nqDsdbQuun37rfz3kkvOe9G0W35e8WwGdIB-FsVXn0c_G9ey0lGfEsB-6NjTZs112zhJPQSS_6mu4D8UZqMf-poVNK0wfWpGpA5ADQE_drH7MrtG9NK6sWU74iX0EaabEnshCzDe/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5705878336762430013.post-15208531404758155402015-10-15T07:17:00.000-05:002015-10-16T05:51:39.339-05:00Man Cub and the Greats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Man Cub was a lucky little boy and spent all of Wednesday with Nanny and Dede, his great-grandparents. I was incredibly jealous that he was being spoiled at their house all day while we were at work. My grandparents' home was my absolute favorite place to be as a child and teen. I'd spend weeks with them during the summer and would always call home begging my parents to let me stay longer. There is nothing I love more than knowing that my son is getting the same love and attention with Nanny and Dede that I still receive. Such joy!<br />
<br />
The sweet babe learned how to open and close the back door so he could play peek-a-boo with his Dede all afternoon. He pushed his car all over the cul-de-sac, and he played plenty of two-handed catch. Nanny made him a yummy lunch to keep him going so he could explore the backyard. I can't wait until he's big enough to really enjoy all of her fabulous cooking. After nap, he cuddled Dede to watch some Disney cartoons, a real treat since we don't really watch TV at home when he's awake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_wXrV_GT6HhohgnY431C2b97D5TxKqWUK6p0YJJeaiKb9A3NLLVIvtKNgcvOiPGm9GJqIKyih5PMb-9IrmfvOK-oTRVm6mXkaSaaUTB0d52L4ph9ctbsp-mq0pFN6WJZjTBw5ZxCREbg/s1600/20151014_090640+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_wXrV_GT6HhohgnY431C2b97D5TxKqWUK6p0YJJeaiKb9A3NLLVIvtKNgcvOiPGm9GJqIKyih5PMb-9IrmfvOK-oTRVm6mXkaSaaUTB0d52L4ph9ctbsp-mq0pFN6WJZjTBw5ZxCREbg/s640/20151014_090640+blog.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBHYhBqzXJeSeWW2Nx3kXQb7FW0XBbEkuIz9YSI5jnK3rZtAdl_Cm_OuLEexqBjwqCslWy6OZ-9C2f03B9hsSYQOFfsaiWaTaNs43qyHIJRejewlPYFo2DM9Y0SeE6ld89yx5zGZcDJ4P/s1600/20151014_081016+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBHYhBqzXJeSeWW2Nx3kXQb7FW0XBbEkuIz9YSI5jnK3rZtAdl_Cm_OuLEexqBjwqCslWy6OZ-9C2f03B9hsSYQOFfsaiWaTaNs43qyHIJRejewlPYFo2DM9Y0SeE6ld89yx5zGZcDJ4P/s640/20151014_081016+blog.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHEt93XyMyZVzITpzrdPKxll06ZFfRFOx5HgWpytWDgcFwEYVJ-WZleBwwnsLMu8XXr8iFefvcfcWiatvhr2rVAPz6NqcIKc-cHefY7J0ydMPhZIALS_OEgt5EXuqZGLXf33fMOdAKQsk/s1600/20151014_115120+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHEt93XyMyZVzITpzrdPKxll06ZFfRFOx5HgWpytWDgcFwEYVJ-WZleBwwnsLMu8XXr8iFefvcfcWiatvhr2rVAPz6NqcIKc-cHefY7J0ydMPhZIALS_OEgt5EXuqZGLXf33fMOdAKQsk/s640/20151014_115120+blog.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Pi76zBBItaSHViaXmvIZB23OIpDkuTmXzGxlx2Z3X2bJL5YVQ02M7NWnTEVTVDs_M5kqAZq_-_NFWwI65WtBGFq6UKmu7QNWKwbC0jfTbbfWl5Z_TnYp9YwYfpgXQovK8kfhMTQACXx_/s1600/20151014_082236+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Pi76zBBItaSHViaXmvIZB23OIpDkuTmXzGxlx2Z3X2bJL5YVQ02M7NWnTEVTVDs_M5kqAZq_-_NFWwI65WtBGFq6UKmu7QNWKwbC0jfTbbfWl5Z_TnYp9YwYfpgXQovK8kfhMTQACXx_/s640/20151014_082236+blog.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Isaac arrived to find a little boy who didn't care one lick that Daddy was there. All he wanted was to keep playing with Nanny and Dede! I'm also glad Dede snapped this pictures on his cell phone for me. Thank You, Lord, for these special memories!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407471358888165047noreply@blogger.com1