tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70072761663095569322024-03-05T05:37:44.400-08:00Twirls 'n CurlsLoving and laughing my way through motherhood and life in generalLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-53417206689279570432020-09-07T17:32:00.003-07:002020-09-07T17:33:09.533-07:00Days of Our Lives, Part 1: Lessons from Our Pets<p>Like many of you, we've had plenty of time lately with our furry (and not-so-furry) friends at home, and they've been teaching us a lot. Augie is our good-natured Golden Doodle who is about ten, and Ginger is Amaya's four-month old bearded dragon. (We still technically have a 5th grade class fish named Pancake too, but she's not quite as much fun as the others.) They have definitely helped fill these long summer days, and they both seem to enjoy the extra attention they're receiving... most of the time, anyway. Here are few lessons we've picked up from them along the way, about doing life together at home: </p><p>1. <i>Respect each other's boundaries.</i> People often ask me how we've survived the pandemic cooped up with a fairly large family. My motto: "Give 'em grace, and give 'em space!" </p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXz7l3QsCjTVnLb4BBZFjHOPx2EudHL3UdVV91TrS0bvfimRsFNefv5GgFGxg7q2c0uufs_1o5AXiJyGf-N_in71A4dqVWKiMJVf6AVY-RL4xRqzQ9KX_tQlwu4HFEYOQwsJLCx54Km2Y/s2048/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXz7l3QsCjTVnLb4BBZFjHOPx2EudHL3UdVV91TrS0bvfimRsFNefv5GgFGxg7q2c0uufs_1o5AXiJyGf-N_in71A4dqVWKiMJVf6AVY-RL4xRqzQ9KX_tQlwu4HFEYOQwsJLCx54Km2Y/w500-h375/IMG_4772.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br /><p>2. <i>Go where the fun is.</i> If you're lonely and someone else looks like they're having fun, just join in! (Keeping in mind of course, Rule #1) Boredom has led to some pretty creative projects, spontaneous games, and lots of memories since March!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi678nKpPaVIBrJ_yEabv9dnB8gYgFhnZKPJx-JK1PyNh0iOh_ecPO0lcChl-T2Vc2UP2nc8FZy2H6yeVZ9Ri2KHGuiMkYK-sn7nTGuipf1vuNSoCHRpqZLc04zvBU0MR-4aLneb_XkgT/s2048/IMG_4489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi678nKpPaVIBrJ_yEabv9dnB8gYgFhnZKPJx-JK1PyNh0iOh_ecPO0lcChl-T2Vc2UP2nc8FZy2H6yeVZ9Ri2KHGuiMkYK-sn7nTGuipf1vuNSoCHRpqZLc04zvBU0MR-4aLneb_XkgT/w375-h500/IMG_4489.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><br /><p>3. <i>Always look like you're doing </i><u style="font-style: italic;">something,</u><i> even if you don't know what it is. </i>Otherwise, your parents will likely give you something to do... or worse, they may try to help you figure out your homework.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJCDtEdgvGUB7ixsb-mp48vFI_hOVaJ_rvJuQDrfZOFDkgYrBMHKvQMvZJybAeVnV9xA3DxYTVAuRy79F0DNn9WZXWHw79Ll7PFpgKhooOqyjK5sjm6-rSvw7cxtzaAovj9XDGiO7x3il/s2048/IMG_4720-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="2048" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJCDtEdgvGUB7ixsb-mp48vFI_hOVaJ_rvJuQDrfZOFDkgYrBMHKvQMvZJybAeVnV9xA3DxYTVAuRy79F0DNn9WZXWHw79Ll7PFpgKhooOqyjK5sjm6-rSvw7cxtzaAovj9XDGiO7x3il/w500-h355/IMG_4720-2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>4. <i>Find joy in the little things, and smile a lot. </i>Since our family has slowed down, we've found more time for swimming and playing together, watching old movies (by old they mean 1990's - eek!), and sending little notes and packages to people we can't see right now. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY9jZrkdMyNSO4FEJRfGypF9XYbBVE4tl1n1UmE2UFTRMO-enKgdXdQWMbhT7cyOeCJrzs2-EMvUJoXabGAGOCBmMRknq4U_aPbw4RTJ8b4bRy8tZVgXDZ3orVBvsBfzfx9qbPzH_gGMt/s2048/IMG_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY9jZrkdMyNSO4FEJRfGypF9XYbBVE4tl1n1UmE2UFTRMO-enKgdXdQWMbhT7cyOeCJrzs2-EMvUJoXabGAGOCBmMRknq4U_aPbw4RTJ8b4bRy8tZVgXDZ3orVBvsBfzfx9qbPzH_gGMt/w375-h500/IMG_4683.JPG" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ginger's daily walk on Tom's shoulder </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>5. <i>Don't hold back. </i>Boy, it's not easy to be a teenager in 2020. We have always tried to make our home a safe space for our kids to express their feelings, thoughts, and questions, no matter what they are, just to keep the lines of dialogue open for times like this. We've had many deep conversations lately as our kids are processing all that is going on in our world, and I'm grateful those communication lines are wide open as we navigate these uncharted waters together.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty4e4AtDZUi3Vmd1F2uJ11GVH_pG0bkJnwylr7TLb_TYbm_0Vv-mSIjWG-D_CZh9yltB7VXNnxOS53_1gjjff9mPcqLKBSHmccCYFLmzCIGJtXLvYT_8ykww79763f3MI3VjIKh6loarC/s2048/IMG_4875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty4e4AtDZUi3Vmd1F2uJ11GVH_pG0bkJnwylr7TLb_TYbm_0Vv-mSIjWG-D_CZh9yltB7VXNnxOS53_1gjjff9mPcqLKBSHmccCYFLmzCIGJtXLvYT_8ykww79763f3MI3VjIKh6loarC/w375-h500/IMG_4875.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>6.<i> Sometimes, just sitting beside someone is all they need</i>. With 4 adolescent girls, 3 pets, and 2 parents, there is rarely a quiet moment in our house, which I love. But with everyone home 24/7, we've all had times when there's just not much to say lately. And, well, I'm learning that's okay too. In fact, it's kind of nice sometimes!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-GhfupG_3a7JtY7LemAAhtn1qTaAIYUrl1r7VYxcZE0mWH1LHjMsvG0v9W2omot42r75MuB8iC6LHMC5Z3z27Oo2jiiUG-cTamsH3vdGs8mpSP6a9tnaysgCmg4mrJHYoaXlp51opys7/s2048/IMG_4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-GhfupG_3a7JtY7LemAAhtn1qTaAIYUrl1r7VYxcZE0mWH1LHjMsvG0v9W2omot42r75MuB8iC6LHMC5Z3z27Oo2jiiUG-cTamsH3vdGs8mpSP6a9tnaysgCmg4mrJHYoaXlp51opys7/w500-h375/IMG_4979.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>7. <i>You've got to come out of your shell once in a while.</i> A positive from the past few months has definitely been watching the girls become closer, if for no other reason than the lack of options of people to hang out with. We've played hours of board games, made-up games, and just had fun being silly together. While we are all anxious to hang out with people who don't share our DNA or last name, until that time comes you can find us laughing, talking, and doing life with Augie, Ginger, and each other.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfvUu1epdzu977BaHWh_9TV6gbNmMtAZHP_Ctk0LAcg6nJZzPkwcvfT22fiMMS2nJdyl7GrAtX4Zb20cRWNU9JavYNKubYQgYDBWfXL4JB9VupO7UIpArnMl8mFLdklMJLq_uCV1IAQ6b/s2048/IMG_4753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfvUu1epdzu977BaHWh_9TV6gbNmMtAZHP_Ctk0LAcg6nJZzPkwcvfT22fiMMS2nJdyl7GrAtX4Zb20cRWNU9JavYNKubYQgYDBWfXL4JB9VupO7UIpArnMl8mFLdklMJLq_uCV1IAQ6b/w500-h375/IMG_4753.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-22878807086928101262020-04-04T14:13:00.001-07:002020-04-04T14:13:23.577-07:00Learning to Play by Ear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3-XzgSCp9gaeEglvw3qZ62ko3-qRDHM1YeIVZ_9NBn2hDeiWEq-mJke2n4aT3a6yaWsCU_HvOYJBuN6tGhwjLvPNzipgu1qUBcb2bIilNE203Dhyphenhyphen_5B7GSthPdkK1IgZ1dnvvPOlRBZD/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3-XzgSCp9gaeEglvw3qZ62ko3-qRDHM1YeIVZ_9NBn2hDeiWEq-mJke2n4aT3a6yaWsCU_HvOYJBuN6tGhwjLvPNzipgu1qUBcb2bIilNE203Dhyphenhyphen_5B7GSthPdkK1IgZ1dnvvPOlRBZD/s400/IMG_3770.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On one of the first days they canceled school due to the coronavirus pandemic, our youngest, Natalie (10), was practicing her cello when she stopped and ran over to me. "Guess what, Mom?" she asked. "I was practicing another song and the first few notes sounded kinda like 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' So I kept listening to the notes and tried to figure out the rest of the line playing by ear... and I did! Listen!" Then she carefully played a melody that would have made Dorothy from the <i>Wizard of Oz </i>proud<i>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>That conversation got me thinking: Learning to play by ear... one note at a time... without the benefit of instructions [aka sheet music]... isn't that what we're all trying to do right now? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Playing by ear in the music world r</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">efers to </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">playing</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> compositions without the benefit of sheet music. Instead, the musician would simply use his/her </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">ear</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> to feel out the composition and follow the musical progressions.*)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe it's trying to figure out if you need to quarantine your family because you have a front-line job, or wear a mask to the store, or how to support your kids' online learning while getting your own work done... we're all playing it by ear right now, and the melody is changing daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a (mediocre) musician myself, here are a few tips I've learned about playing by ear that are also helping me get through these long days:</span><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The key to playing by ear successfully is listening. </b>To play a song by ear, you need to be familiar with the melody you want to play, through careful listening. Right now, for me that means tuning in to those around me - credible news sources for safety practices, of course, but also my family and even myself. <i>What needs are presenting themselves right now? </i>Some days my kids need me to back off our schedule and just let them be. Other days my husband needs time he's not responsible for anything. Today I decided just to sit down and write, because that's therapeutic for me, and not stress about the dishes or work or anything else. The key is in the <i>listening</i>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You won't always get it right.</b> Sometimes you'll try a note, then another, searching for the right pitch. Other times you think you have a note right, until you add another one in, then you realize the first one was wrong to begin with. It's the same with life, especially right now. We are all figuring this thing out, one note at a time. Decisions we made last week might shift this week with new information, or maybe we start down one path and have to start again. That's okay! The key is to <i>keep trying</i>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Your end result will be different than someone else's, because we're all different.</b> One of the great aspects of playing by ear is that you aren't confined to the notes someone else wrote - there's lots of room for improvisation. And one of the things I have loved about watching our community deal with this crisis is seeing all of the creative ways people are <i>helping others, expressing themselves, and staying connected. </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You may be the savior supplying your friends with essentials because you saw this coming in January, or the cheerleader writing encouraging messages on your sidewalk and hanging up Christmas lights. Or maybe, you're just bingeing on Netflix and hugging your kids a lot. However you're surviving this time (as long as you're not hoarding toilet paper or having parties at the beach), there's no judgment here. And I hope the same goes for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">*</span><a href="https://www.ericksonliving.com/tribune/articles/2009/12/play-ear)">https://www.ericksonliving.com/tribune/articles/2009/12/play-ear</a></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-19460049575844367552019-11-28T22:37:00.000-08:002019-11-28T22:37:51.547-08:00Embracing Life: Thankfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipieBFciKez27jO1ZILPkTwPgQiARbNPw0u0WaFBzD1XYLzLYmqIQAAfpCG_LpfOFHQvN4ut3rNpC5PK5sYOHplA9NbM81qd7IpTCou_Tp67DVtSNiMb6a28n19pFZDAIYkFUvKlr_nQBp/s1600/thanksgiving_101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipieBFciKez27jO1ZILPkTwPgQiARbNPw0u0WaFBzD1XYLzLYmqIQAAfpCG_LpfOFHQvN4ut3rNpC5PK5sYOHplA9NbM81qd7IpTCou_Tp67DVtSNiMb6a28n19pFZDAIYkFUvKlr_nQBp/s400/thanksgiving_101.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retrieved from:<br /><a href="https://busybeingjennifer.com/give-thanks-free-chalkboard-printable/">https://busybeingjennifer.com/give-thanks-free-chalkboard-printable/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm sitting here on Thanksgiving night, 50 feet from the beach in a beautiful Mexican vacation home, listening to one of the worst windstorms I've heard in at least a decade. As with many rentals, it's obvious ours isn't cut out for this kind of weather. The wind is howling around and through the windows, rattling the glass and creating a noise similar to a tea-kettle whistle, with rain seeping in through the edges.<br />
<br />
(I'm also, I should add, typing in the dark at the kitchen table, trying to provide support to a scared, tired kiddo who doesn't like the storm any more than I do. Apparently, even paradise has its rainy days.)<br />
<br />
It's yet another reminder of a powerful lesson I've been learning, or re-learning, recently: Embrace life. All of it. The good, the bad, the funny, the downright ugly. It's all there anyway. We can hate it, and become bitter. We can ignore it, but it won't go away. Or we can embrace it. We can accept the paradoxes, the complexities that define the human experience. We can love ourselves and those around us, imperfections and all, and just be thankful that we get to be a part of this crazy thing called <i>life</i>.<br />
<br />
So today, I'm starting small, and practicing this polarity embrace in my tropical wind tunnel, on a Thanksgiving that isn't even a recognized holiday here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Today I'm thankful...</i><br />
<br />
... for the people who love me, because an essential part of the human experience is to love, and to be loved. I'm also thankful for those who don't love me, because they remind me that the world doesn't revolve around me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YPZfTRxBwJ2RU4m05NudErLAywPplK-vmyiu0lbnrqfDZdnCW8TGlawhKZ6PR4T7oiQ4Gevgt9Hf9uak-0cguqAN-8d9mXxRFQXSLJZKrw0RfuUARMZ69gKpunSL_ZjqJr3sMOjPbZ_T/s1600/8E1A522C-1A68-4B6F-9486-27A0C390A293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YPZfTRxBwJ2RU4m05NudErLAywPplK-vmyiu0lbnrqfDZdnCW8TGlawhKZ6PR4T7oiQ4Gevgt9Hf9uak-0cguqAN-8d9mXxRFQXSLJZKrw0RfuUARMZ69gKpunSL_ZjqJr3sMOjPbZ_T/s320/8E1A522C-1A68-4B6F-9486-27A0C390A293.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
... for the things I'm good at, because I know I've been given those gifts to make the world a better place. And I'm thankful for all the hundred zillion things I'm not good at (that Pinterest and my kids remind me of every day), because they allow me to stay humble, to admire the strengths other people have, and to seek their help.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAh81NOPmwHBVPqEncv5sjFy0xZNtr1rikRqhEz0YD9mB3x78CahPyDbuG2-WCe-4SHUddY4WyuxmsWhr4YaFtjozsfAS4f2Fiebzix6XGC8gwRTARh4k-n8c5KlOUfHNL4uF3GJcEBYg/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAh81NOPmwHBVPqEncv5sjFy0xZNtr1rikRqhEz0YD9mB3x78CahPyDbuG2-WCe-4SHUddY4WyuxmsWhr4YaFtjozsfAS4f2Fiebzix6XGC8gwRTARh4k-n8c5KlOUfHNL4uF3GJcEBYg/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backing up. One of those things I'm not good at.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
... for the easy kids, who bring joy to our days and make parenting seem like a breeze. (God bless the easy kids!) And I'm thankful for the challenging kids, who teach us more than we ever wanted to know about ourselves and keep us on our knees.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3sBCb9Ziu6oP5NO2L-PoNSuMreW3bCahIk8nWvQqJu5r7ZO_y26f4XRqTfOBN71Rt_p8vaoRmKO_VaLNE6iPzdr3zVGmlnIkZtwfs6bT91XC-Svc6NdTHW3cVpncE96jKhHQcz5qsGOa/s1600/IMG_0023.HEIC.heif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3sBCb9Ziu6oP5NO2L-PoNSuMreW3bCahIk8nWvQqJu5r7ZO_y26f4XRqTfOBN71Rt_p8vaoRmKO_VaLNE6iPzdr3zVGmlnIkZtwfs6bT91XC-Svc6NdTHW3cVpncE96jKhHQcz5qsGOa/s320/IMG_0023.HEIC.heif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">They're all my favorites, I swear...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
... for old traditions, because they ground us and help create meaning in a chaotic world. And for new traditions, because they fill our lives with joy and expectation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihL7NXh-8Vl1o05A7D3lramaSEC7Z9onwtvN9T5YRsO9qSDbcHmQ2L4IClKlPuyFj0nF8OU3sVp3mgtSXi5Xg_2twA4DbVvwWbebf7eGKtKt8-DXixevNPtNGI7f_1OLux220lkReZhiF4/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihL7NXh-8Vl1o05A7D3lramaSEC7Z9onwtvN9T5YRsO9qSDbcHmQ2L4IClKlPuyFj0nF8OU3sVp3mgtSXi5Xg_2twA4DbVvwWbebf7eGKtKt8-DXixevNPtNGI7f_1OLux220lkReZhiF4/s320/IMG_0498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
... for sunny days, when everything goes how it's supposed to, and for stormy days, because it's in adversity that our wings get stronger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOjU6D9C82SncL0T5xdnSi5SZ0E8XP9emE_CNq-NZ39yoNmA8GB4ZGE5XfQ0KecdzVjXGHUF60m-IpMITSdY17xJ-ODgd5fafibrrXSEgthH6wA_0BCBzLyOk_AtMpGUuwnTMWafdFO7c/s1600/RP19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOjU6D9C82SncL0T5xdnSi5SZ0E8XP9emE_CNq-NZ39yoNmA8GB4ZGE5XfQ0KecdzVjXGHUF60m-IpMITSdY17xJ-ODgd5fafibrrXSEgthH6wA_0BCBzLyOk_AtMpGUuwnTMWafdFO7c/s320/RP19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Happy Thanksgiving from our tea kettle to yours!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-44263977574606425842019-11-21T22:21:00.000-08:002019-11-21T22:21:48.595-08:00Celebrating TodayThe other day, I was scrolling through some pictures on my phone when I thought, <i>That looks like it was so much fun!</i> After which, I immediately thought, <i>Wait a minute, stupid, YOU were THERE - YOU took the pictures! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
That's when I realized, we do a lot - I mean, A LOT of stuff. Work. School. Volleyball. YoungLife. Drama Class. Voice Lessons. Improv. Family Nights. Church. And the list goes on each week. (Don't even get me started on the animal shelter and Rubix Cube Club!) And while I feel I do a good job of being fully present in each activity and event as it happens (that's something I've had to work at), I don't always make the space to pause and reflect on all that's happening. It's like I take the picture and move on. <br />
<br />
Sometimes, we need to mourn the end of something, before we can really move forward with our lives. Other times, we need to give ourselves a break after completing a difficult task. Or maybe we just need pause to celebrate the good that is tucked inside each and every day.<br />
<br />
And so, with a grateful heart, here is what I'm celebrating this week:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Natalie's Baptism - </b>Our youngest, who is 10, has been bugging me for months about wanting to get baptized, to take the next step in her faith. Last weekend she finally did, and I am so excited to see what God will do with this bold, creative, compassionate young woman!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFCBG6pNu8BIVd2CQw8498gaAFZvDT8-DcK6MGaAxAhwKamExOFM3bWoIAIyyK7rSPK1JORfe4qXDGf3yAurLG1lm1LYf6U_9bSDphUMh3nQFXLMqlkuFXnOky5Q47E_A2tSk8o5ZxQGV/s1600/013NatalieKinsfatherBaptismFullyAlivePhotography2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFCBG6pNu8BIVd2CQw8498gaAFZvDT8-DcK6MGaAxAhwKamExOFM3bWoIAIyyK7rSPK1JORfe4qXDGf3yAurLG1lm1LYf6U_9bSDphUMh3nQFXLMqlkuFXnOky5Q47E_A2tSk8o5ZxQGV/s400/013NatalieKinsfatherBaptismFullyAlivePhotography2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2. At this moment in time, <b>all 4 of my kids are passing </b>all of their core classes with flying colors! I feel like I've aged like 10 years in the past two semesters, so that is one I don't want to miss.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. Personal Goals Met </b>- This week I met three of my goals for the year - I completed the first class towards my master's degree in Organizational Development, and I took a two-day training on Trauma-Informed Care. Both of these have been on my "to do" list for a while, and both have been transformative in my thinking already. AND I finished my Level 3 Improv class - it was quite a week!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbfJFAQMy5a7PnBr_DOSyvGYbu4ExLCEQBzXj2mWnRRKm4z9zVFFNdNp5-9RHrB5uS4cyvPTAafa-QXE_pZcCEF319E8o_XTE1tK6XQbVJa1M0UpbD1kUfqmiP-HXDZPA3XMnXlO6D_Y4/s1600/savingPNG.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbfJFAQMy5a7PnBr_DOSyvGYbu4ExLCEQBzXj2mWnRRKm4z9zVFFNdNp5-9RHrB5uS4cyvPTAafa-QXE_pZcCEF319E8o_XTE1tK6XQbVJa1M0UpbD1kUfqmiP-HXDZPA3XMnXlO6D_Y4/s320/savingPNG.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy was on my table during Trauma-Informed Care training.<br />He taught me that ANYONE can become activated/triggered under the right circumstances, <br />and recognizing our own triggers is the first step in managing them. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. I am thankful for the <b>rain and scarf weather</b>! Outside of monsoon season, there are only a handful of days when we get real rain out here in the desert, so we have loved the past 3 days of clouds and rain. Granted, I'm thankful it's clearing up tomorrow, but it's been fun to have a few drizzly days and even hear thunder now and then.<br />
<br />
5. Finally, I'm thankful I still have one kiddo who wants me to come to her school for their <b>annual Thanksgiving Lunch.</b> The other ones, not so much - holding onto these last couple of sweet years with my littlest! Although it was nice only having to stay for one lunch hour instead of three...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblCNXI08JJ0GQs-A6w0DBPd7HccdWTkkCnUh1oVNAZo9sJZaqs1zsZi6vDXuKLM06ljLrmVw3d5EcbxcwajIqfMc_PChGz8S-CSr3Rf3NZTDEpOAgAB-zs1LE-ZolvgSpPCF5qx7VHI3r/s1600/IMG_2552.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblCNXI08JJ0GQs-A6w0DBPd7HccdWTkkCnUh1oVNAZo9sJZaqs1zsZi6vDXuKLM06ljLrmVw3d5EcbxcwajIqfMc_PChGz8S-CSr3Rf3NZTDEpOAgAB-zs1LE-ZolvgSpPCF5qx7VHI3r/s320/IMG_2552.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-9183581445136808102019-04-07T15:53:00.000-07:002019-04-07T15:53:01.117-07:00Don't Forget to Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoBQ8cRt8BsA8kP8n05j42fSPUxTCnr2XzzXSbRzZxlaEozWX-E3cOczoHT8SJXVGOJE0PJyvuP8Ou2_mIvKlkLQag_K1-j9rvqjQzIkHXKZ4GVLc_gqx8Z8KKMsMFpHlDNYQXwwBpU_G/s1600/IMG_0773-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoBQ8cRt8BsA8kP8n05j42fSPUxTCnr2XzzXSbRzZxlaEozWX-E3cOczoHT8SJXVGOJE0PJyvuP8Ou2_mIvKlkLQag_K1-j9rvqjQzIkHXKZ4GVLc_gqx8Z8KKMsMFpHlDNYQXwwBpU_G/s400/IMG_0773-2.jpg" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We try hard to get away together a few times each year -<br />
it helps us remember why we like each other!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was midnight when I opened our front door and slipped inside. I was coming back from taking my parents to the airport after their holiday visit, and I was both sad and exhausted. Cold, too - even in Phoenix, it's chilly in late December. Just as I was about to crawl into my side of the bed, I realized my husband was all cozied up in my spot, fast asleep.<br />
<br />
Total honesty here: At first I was a tiny bit annoyed. <i>Tom always stays on his own side - what's the deal? I just want be warm and asleep like he is! </i> Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind, from our earliest years of marriage.<br />
<br />
We were flat broke and working at a church about 80 miles away every weekend. To save money, we kept the central heat off at home and used a small space heater to warm up whichever room we were in. When we came home on Sundays, if we were lucky it would be around 48 degrees inside our tiny house. (Seriously, one weekend our fishbowl froze, along with our beta... but that's another story.)<br />
<br />
Needless to say, our house was c-o-l-d when we would first settle in. We'd put the space heater in our bedroom, brush our teeth, jump into pajamas, and head for the covers. It became our tradition: whoever got in bed first would lie in the other person's spot until they got there, to warm it up a little. Then, of course, we'd snuggle and tickle and do all those things newlyweds do when it's 48 degrees in the house at 11pm on a Sunday night and you both work the next day.<br />
<br />
Sixteen years later, that same small gesture meant even more to me than it used to on Sunday nights, when loving and putting each other's needs ahead of our own came pretty easily. But throw in some kids, a dog, a few career changes, and a mortgage, and buddy, you'd be safer staying on your side of the bed some nights!<br />
<br />
It's in my most important relationships, the ones where I am fully known and accepted, that I can be the most selfish. When people are there for me time and again, I may begin to expect their commitment more than I value it. Life is busy. It's easy to forget the little things that keep us close - the inside jokes, the loving gestures, the silly traditions. <br />
<br />
But those little things are the life of a relationship. They connect us to each other. So my challenge to you is the same as my challenge is to myself...if you really care about someone, don't forget to remember the little things. You'll be glad you did.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-44191388580911788232018-11-05T22:01:00.000-08:002018-11-05T22:01:02.301-08:00Look Alikes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt74ZfzFMaRqPvKesGLrF4pA_bhNQ-8KwsSpobAyBXPeVPs_I_o2Oxu6A2-fFmiWJSXLql6SolISeYky_UvbYUR98BMgwQj3BgMcJ5lRjxrnXqBtDAQcISU3RDYOCO89euzqWNvmyAOL5d/s1600/IMG_9210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt74ZfzFMaRqPvKesGLrF4pA_bhNQ-8KwsSpobAyBXPeVPs_I_o2Oxu6A2-fFmiWJSXLql6SolISeYky_UvbYUR98BMgwQj3BgMcJ5lRjxrnXqBtDAQcISU3RDYOCO89euzqWNvmyAOL5d/s640/IMG_9210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw it.... in the way my nine-year old came up beside her sister during the worship service, circled her arm around her sister's waist, and began singing softly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I heard it.... she was talking cheerfully to a roomful of preschoolers, <i>"Okay now, in 5 minutes we're going to clean up, and I need you all to help, ok?" </i>Two minutes later, with strained politeness, she added: <i>"Let's be sure we're talking nicely to each other, ok?!" </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M08ek-MMOuluocbmMksd7iBl3THyq_k6xW0R-ymMu7bLGM3oB1T5vcY3UF_EhDlywAZRToQrsrTdd-hZt1AR0GR3yXvloQcO6rLd-OOMFhaRXeq5_uwcb6glB-Q31toZUFjFzUgchH7S/s1600/IMG_9146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M08ek-MMOuluocbmMksd7iBl3THyq_k6xW0R-ymMu7bLGM3oB1T5vcY3UF_EhDlywAZRToQrsrTdd-hZt1AR0GR3yXvloQcO6rLd-OOMFhaRXeq5_uwcb6glB-Q31toZUFjFzUgchH7S/s320/IMG_9146.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt it... at 9:00pm, just after I'd tucked her in, when her eyes flew open in panic, <i>"My spelling! I forgot to to my spelling! Mom, I CAN'T turn it in late. I have to do it NOW!"</i> I flinched, knowing she came by her perfectionism honestly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good, the bad, the sweet, the ugly. My girls are mirror images of me and my parenting, with smatterings of my husband thrown in. The way they speak to each other, take care of each other, and leave trails of discarded activities behind so they can get to the "next thing," whatever that is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way they see themselves - outer beauty, inner beauty. Their perception of God and all things spiritual. The way they manage others' expectations - and their own, for that matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I see them and feel pretty good about myself, <i>"Wow, maybe I'm on the right track!"</i> Other times I think, <i>"Surely they didn't get that</i> (insert negative behavior here) <i>from me! Must be their dad's fault." </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been given such a gift, these terrifyingly fragile yet amazingly resilient young women to love, to teach, to protect, to grow and nourish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know we're all ultimately responsible for our own actions, I do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I also know how much my parents influenced my life, my perception of the world around me and my place in it. Yours probably did too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if there is anything that drives me to become a better person - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to let go of grudges... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to admit when I'm wrong...</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to be kind to myself and others...</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to be fully present in my relationships...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's knowing these four are right behind me, taking it all in... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not realizing that in their quest for individuality, they will likely take a bit of their parents with them, like the rest of us did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just hope it's the good part. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCaeUPxMe7i_gcODEHMrQqSrm4m0j3Z4gFlgufAR7w_QQHbBiFn6BtqRkHJYeMxcYPm009hKn17D6wSrMu7ajMcuoGP-bZFGNJ12m_DrSruuc62AF4VkUVZHTdZKoy5aQyEHXxDV4lt9H/s1600/IMG_7875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCaeUPxMe7i_gcODEHMrQqSrm4m0j3Z4gFlgufAR7w_QQHbBiFn6BtqRkHJYeMxcYPm009hKn17D6wSrMu7ajMcuoGP-bZFGNJ12m_DrSruuc62AF4VkUVZHTdZKoy5aQyEHXxDV4lt9H/s640/IMG_7875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-87239315091497619492018-09-30T08:04:00.000-07:002018-09-30T08:04:05.537-07:00Unmatched Socks: A Defining Moment<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtSYZwv48jd1U6imd4KgMIrHsrmj3oCOP0RU0hX1nPVByIoh9hyphenhyphengC8C2k0hTKuDrm28ob-XFwdmrJeoTM-P_HUvxpKwkd-KuysqxHUfmPnw9nGvDMXKDNg6x4nYpvGSDUt5Tc56DH2IfW/s1600/100_0293.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtSYZwv48jd1U6imd4KgMIrHsrmj3oCOP0RU0hX1nPVByIoh9hyphenhyphengC8C2k0hTKuDrm28ob-XFwdmrJeoTM-P_HUvxpKwkd-KuysqxHUfmPnw9nGvDMXKDNg6x4nYpvGSDUt5Tc56DH2IfW/s320/100_0293.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So young... and so clueless!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<i>Order. Efficiency. Productivity. </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />These are words I'd use to describe my life... before kids.<i> </i>Back when I crammed 4 years of college into 3 years, or worked 40 hours a week plus spent 20 hours each weekend helping start a church in Los Angeles. I was stretched. I was exhausted. And I loved it. <br /><br />Just before we had our first child, my husband took a job as the senior pastor of a small, rural church, and I stepped down from my job in a busy office to be home with the baby and help him at the church. I’d read some books on motherhood to prepare myself, but all in all, I wasn’t too worried. I mean, I’d been taking care of executives for quite a few years by that point. Their needs are much more complex than a tiny baby’s. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How hard could this be, really?</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it turned out, much harder than anything I’d ever done. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I remember the most about those early days was the overwhelming frustration of not being able to get anything done. I loved my daughter so much, and I even loved being a mom. But feeding her every couple of hours, changing her tiny outfits every time part of her leaked… it was so draining. (no pun intended)</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Order. Efficiency. Productivity. </i>I lived by these values, remember? <br /><br />This all came to a head one day when I was scrubbing yet another soiled outfit. I remember thinking bitterly, <i>God, I could do so much more with my time, so much more for Your church, if I wasn’t stuck doing all of these trivial things! </i>I was at my wits’ end. I mean, am I the only one who has ever felt… stuck?<br /><br />And then, like a cup of cold water thrown in my face, it hit me. <br /><br />I realized, Right now, this IS the important work! Providing a safe, loving home for my family and meeting their needs – at that moment – was the most important task I could be doing, and I needed to see it that way.<br /><br />Slowly my perspective began to shift. A few weeks later came the real test. I was attempting to battle the ever growing mountain of baby laundry in Linsey’s room, and I set a pile of socks I’d just finished sorting and folding on the stool beside me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unbeknownst to me, as I turned to put the other clothes carefully into the drawers, my little angel grabbed each pair of socks, separated them, and threw them over her head like confetti. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I turned around and observed the sock party, I realized I had a choice to make. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could scold my one-year old for, well, acting like a one year old, and inevitably make both of us cry. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, I could choose to laugh. Laugh because of the silly smile on her face as the socks tumbled down around her. Laugh because my life of <i>order, efficiency, and productivity</i> had been literally thrown to the wind by this blond tornado. <br /><br />And so, I laughed. Then, inspired by my new outlook, I snapped a pic. Then, I wrote a poem to memorialize this moment. Not surprisingly, it's called <i>Unmatched Socks</i>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbshFcasVED7pOseR804o8oYjRCnsLfpzQO4SWxzZTdN3RLZKtjja-AoFfx9jWu2W0HFIBrTofIUy6Jj-LTRh3hHPKowWWHDp30jRfzA8qC41nPN9SHFNVigro7NKMhg-LuHtPa2ZCsL9m/s1600/Socks+.jpg" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbshFcasVED7pOseR804o8oYjRCnsLfpzQO4SWxzZTdN3RLZKtjja-AoFfx9jWu2W0HFIBrTofIUy6Jj-LTRh3hHPKowWWHDp30jRfzA8qC41nPN9SHFNVigro7NKMhg-LuHtPa2ZCsL9m/s320/Socks+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Unmatched Socks</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I live in a world of unmatched socks, and shoes that don't quite fit</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On tiny pink feet that won't stay still, and messes that just don't quit.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I live in a world of books with torn pages, and baskets overturned,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Of pictures taken just after the smile - you'd think by now I'd have learned!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I live in a world of stains and tears, although these can be cleaned and mended;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But not until after my baby is grown, and these special times have ended.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Times when very flower has to be smelled, and we pet every "kiddy-tat,"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And I don't even mind the thousands of times that I have to answer, "Mama, what's dat?"</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In a world where laundry will never be done, I'm glad to see smiles galore.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With giggles and snuggles and so many hugs, who could ask for anything more?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I'm a mother, you see, and I like my world with toys and clothes astray.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yes, I live in a world of unmatched socks, and I want it no other way. </i></div>
</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I printed this poem with the picture, and it's still hanging outside my bedroom today. It's a constant reminder of what turned out to be a defining moment for me, when I learned to be fully present in my relationships with even the tiniest of humans... to accept and enjoy each moment as it comes... <i>rather than wishing I could be doing something else. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I’m constantly checking my phone while my friend pours her heart out, that sends a message.</span></div>
<div>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I’m a productive employee but always negative, that will hinder me in the long run.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as a mom, if my focus on being productive means I'm scowling at my kids as I help with their homework or slopping food on a plate so I can get back to the computer, then I'm missing the bigger picture. I'm missing the chance to speak into their lives, to show them how important they are to me. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Order, efficiency, productivity. </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still nice to have, but I’ll take unmatched socks and a goofy smile any day.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiv8HRNK6nMcl3msiIFZFgQRBhON09o8SOHetRqwXVHM4JTCRUsu7QNQbgIjE6dDmmmcwugRN3Z2thwZEgVOu8broe7a5P1n4pLVpC5s4Duvp9y0F-vNCiad4vanFX40-PY7a58Ah11wG/s1600/100_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiv8HRNK6nMcl3msiIFZFgQRBhON09o8SOHetRqwXVHM4JTCRUsu7QNQbgIjE6dDmmmcwugRN3Z2thwZEgVOu8broe7a5P1n4pLVpC5s4Duvp9y0F-vNCiad4vanFX40-PY7a58Ah11wG/s400/100_1078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-18511282674116862102018-09-17T18:13:00.003-07:002018-09-17T18:13:53.915-07:00Morning Adventures: The Egg Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaol5qzYylnSrEObZ95Fb42AwrN0BzKYt9zFSN2eqj0CYYQqH33v5xeYPWEBTWnR5LbepjlGrsphCRdKLjsVGhhXb1baj8K6P-izuarsl4aZBe1Ke2kgcYRBHDiDfFJ_Cyqqv5Tjfs8Jk/s1600/IMG_6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaol5qzYylnSrEObZ95Fb42AwrN0BzKYt9zFSN2eqj0CYYQqH33v5xeYPWEBTWnR5LbepjlGrsphCRdKLjsVGhhXb1baj8K6P-izuarsl4aZBe1Ke2kgcYRBHDiDfFJ_Cyqqv5Tjfs8Jk/s400/IMG_6635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
People often ask me what it's like raising 4 girls so close in age, especially working full time. I always mention a lot of emotions, a lot of fun memories, and a little bit of crazy. A few months ago, on a particularly hectic Thursday, I decided to chronologize a few of the events, to give you a glimpse into my life: <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Wednesday</i><br />
11:50pm - Finally decide to call it quits on turning 300 chopsticks into wands in time for the Harry Potter-themed dance on Friday at my kids' school.<br />
<br />
<i>Thursday</i><br />
6:50am - Hit snooze again on my alarm and realize I have lost any potential morning time sans kids by choosing to decorate said chopsticks until midnight.<br />
<br />
6:57 - Roll out of bed to wake up the kids. On the way to their room, note that my oldest, Linsey, is sitting in a yoga pose on the bathroom counter, doing her makeup.<br />
<br />
6:58 - Turn on shower to get warm because It. Takes. Forever.<br />
<br />
7:01 - Weigh myself and vow to do better than the takeout I had yesterday.<br />
<br />
7:02 - Check on kids once more and hop in the shower.<br />
<br />
7:12 - Get out of the shower and make each kid answer me when I ask if they're up. Note that Linsey is still doing yoga makeup on the bathroom counter.<br />
<br />
7:20 - Frantically try to cram my new prosthetics into different pairs of shoes, realizing the only pair they actually fit in are my ballet flats. Really?<br />
<br />
7:22 - Braid Amaya and Natalie's hair.<br />
<br />
7:25 - Remember to give Hannah allergy medicine before her outdoor field trip.<br />
<br />
7:30 - Take Amaya to school early. Natalie, who currently sleeps in her school clothes, is also ready, so she tags along.<br />
<br />
7:36 - Ponder Natalie's thoughtful question, "Mama, how come I feel all alone?" As I launch into my comforting speech, she interrupts, "No - Mom... Mom! I don't feel lonely. We have a house full of people. I said, 'How can I grow my nails out long?'"<br />
<br />
7:37 - Switch to speech about eating healthy, keeping nails clean and filed, etc.<br />
<br />
7:42 - Return home. Make a smoothie and grab a boiled egg for breakfast, proud that I'm doing better than yesterday. Set egg on top of leftover chicken soup I'm taking for lunch.<br />
<br />
7:52 - Load the rest of the kids into car for school. Carefully set soup and egg in the middle console.<br />
<br />
7:53 - Run back in to write check for lawn guy.<br />
<br />
7:54 - Mutter to self while driving to school.<br />
<br />
7:56 - Walk kids into school loaded with decorations for the dance, while Linsey pretends she doesn't know me and walks behind us.<br />
<br />
7:58 - Drop off decorations. Head to teacher's lounge for butcher paper to make a whomping willow later. Oh the joy.<br />
<br />
8:12 - Set out on 15-minute drive to work, savoring the quiet.<br />
<br />
8:14 - Reach for boiled egg and notice it is no longer on top of my soup. Begin gently patting around the car for egg while keeping my eyes on the road. Because, of course.<br />
<br />
8:20 - Intensify search for missing egg as I realize the importance of finding said egg in warm weather. Plus, I have to have protein at breakfast or it throws off my blood sugar.<br />
<br />
8:23 - Text Linsey to see if she took my egg. (She didn't.)<br />
<br />
8:25 - Still driving carefully, begin picking up everything around me to see if the egg rolled under something. (It didn't.)<br />
<br />
8:26 - Give up on finding the egg and pull into a drive-thru for breakfast sandwich. Vow to do better tomorrow. Except that it was a BOGO sandwich, so I bought two. Maybe the next day...<br />
<br />
8:35 - Pull into work, quickly put on mascara and make one more attempt to find the egg. (I didn't.)<br />
<br />
8:45 - Grab a cup of coffee and acknowledge the fact that I'm still a little hungry.<br />
<br />
8:50 - Realize I'm not working tomorrow, so I won't need that extra breakfast sandwich...<br />
<br />
8:51 - Eat sandwich.<br />
<br />
~WORK~<br />
<br />
4:45pm - Pick up Linsey from school activity.<br />
<br />
4:50 - Linsey finds egg while opening passenger door.<br />
<br />
Lather. Rinse. Repeat. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-77882484431418775542016-08-21T11:21:00.000-07:002016-08-21T11:21:37.438-07:00Life Lessons from my Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pretty much any parent will tell you, our kids teach us MUCH more than we could ever teach them. Here are a few lessons they've had on display this summer that I just had to share:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>Character Traits</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRCp27pk2I37XLkloX4ZHaRnXf7qd76Zy3Lg-nrtXh3vHHIrNlgZtSKxzejd67XgxhMputVGVpt-pwK3h9PjTFUvDihRIbG2xlGBZ39RjOv_RlI6Eiz5mV1m-h6g2CupfMzJZJXCgsJUB/s1600/IMG_2954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRCp27pk2I37XLkloX4ZHaRnXf7qd76Zy3Lg-nrtXh3vHHIrNlgZtSKxzejd67XgxhMputVGVpt-pwK3h9PjTFUvDihRIbG2xlGBZ39RjOv_RlI6Eiz5mV1m-h6g2CupfMzJZJXCgsJUB/s400/IMG_2954.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Empathy</b>: the art of making your expression match someone else's for awhile</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6uSN_lljwM1caChTjWu7i3gM9Ul_2sGQp7UI9MPxVZIvCOcEnJe6q7dyCTYEkDwliUVntkHG0dDUTv1mQ-JJQDPvUu_cnmRn-ocpncT2n8oGpUqGYL6LBC2BSs6eHZqDQVEZKDpi4HyB/s1600/Lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6uSN_lljwM1caChTjWu7i3gM9Ul_2sGQp7UI9MPxVZIvCOcEnJe6q7dyCTYEkDwliUVntkHG0dDUTv1mQ-JJQDPvUu_cnmRn-ocpncT2n8oGpUqGYL6LBC2BSs6eHZqDQVEZKDpi4HyB/s400/Lessons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Industry</b>: Our willingness to learn from the generations before us </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
connects both teacher and student to something bigger than themselves. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh9GpcG7cbtA7IX6y0AmYwacqBjO5l7v0FjG7JaapBPsKI9VNKaER2_go0cwmClisFMp0z12qmor64LcRk1oicwtwbRhcPYgh2ptc2w36kOgY4lL9s7n3Sj2C8vwNJ3G6GZcGtBY3S1nh/s1600/IMG_2536.jpg"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh9GpcG7cbtA7IX6y0AmYwacqBjO5l7v0FjG7JaapBPsKI9VNKaER2_go0cwmClisFMp0z12qmor64LcRk1oicwtwbRhcPYgh2ptc2w36kOgY4lL9s7n3Sj2C8vwNJ3G6GZcGtBY3S1nh/s400/IMG_2536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Serving</b>: Learning to do things for yourself is great. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Learning to do things for others is even better. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>On Style </b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ioe01wDByDizZyJ3Z4SWN_JXe_gtNqQQeHW-IWD9ff0onVEHIv_NeltTDZBFT9_JxU3_IW9TdiVoXC51WBASP0NPiqHkYhAizsE0GBVFp5udTRLaHoumpZ0hgHRsxjgqUm4fJJZLwlYz/s1600/Nattie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ioe01wDByDizZyJ3Z4SWN_JXe_gtNqQQeHW-IWD9ff0onVEHIv_NeltTDZBFT9_JxU3_IW9TdiVoXC51WBASP0NPiqHkYhAizsE0GBVFp5udTRLaHoumpZ0hgHRsxjgqUm4fJJZLwlYz/s400/Nattie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Flair</b>: There are certain mundane tasks one simply can't avoid in life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, one always has the choice to do them with style.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgWhWdo4jfqkDwhO_luLCWeL2EInTDxMYEsPiiEXwkb-aLC5iyaGaSIHTHvTKXvbLn8np-b2DxEBuCABZcxSue-Fb5hYA9wkT8ovHfMDWm2Vs_ouxI7uw0GlKY19XvMwjxSyuZnUhWZKa/s1600/IMG_3055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgWhWdo4jfqkDwhO_luLCWeL2EInTDxMYEsPiiEXwkb-aLC5iyaGaSIHTHvTKXvbLn8np-b2DxEBuCABZcxSue-Fb5hYA9wkT8ovHfMDWm2Vs_ouxI7uw0GlKY19XvMwjxSyuZnUhWZKa/s400/IMG_3055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Uniqueness</b>: Be proud of who you are, quirks and all. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Today you are you! That is truer than true. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is no one alive more you-er than you!" - Dr. Seuss</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNMxngLYnO_EY0FOuScBH1RvjI-X51KWoWODf-n1NdN3R6icYOBFXKC8e0kXk87Y3RInOdHfgMdNIjE9wLkaHCnRohWQE1UyiJLMQUVnPFdYcqIB1xK_joG-RycHtoWxCNxBhyphenhyphenkpluLdl/s1600/IMG_2323+%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNMxngLYnO_EY0FOuScBH1RvjI-X51KWoWODf-n1NdN3R6icYOBFXKC8e0kXk87Y3RInOdHfgMdNIjE9wLkaHCnRohWQE1UyiJLMQUVnPFdYcqIB1xK_joG-RycHtoWxCNxBhyphenhyphenkpluLdl/s400/IMG_2323+%25281%2529.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tech-Savvy:</b> Can't get the perfect selfie, no matter how hard you try? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just put on a pair of sunglasses.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>Aspirations</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ42yXQYlXlRPPcla6ePU-flCBOg8hrqaYpAlHOKBlKdsXzsEVQRivjLKeCeb1FzaagJqmRtELrUDwYAZWqo6RIbNrCq4mqU20r3vA41oG-SfIPjTktLy7N2vyaFpnEatOxoJAacecn0m4/s1600/IMG_3118+%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ42yXQYlXlRPPcla6ePU-flCBOg8hrqaYpAlHOKBlKdsXzsEVQRivjLKeCeb1FzaagJqmRtELrUDwYAZWqo6RIbNrCq4mqU20r3vA41oG-SfIPjTktLy7N2vyaFpnEatOxoJAacecn0m4/s400/IMG_3118+%25281%2529.jpg" width="350" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Behind every superhero mask is someone who wants to feel important</b> and do big things. <span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee;">It's our job to <span style="color: #0000ee;">convince those people the<span style="color: #0000ee;">y are <span style="color: #0000ee;">just as important without the ma<span style="color: #0000ee;">sk. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqNIGYRGCABrwTTRjig9V8LTzXVrTo9ZKB1cIQNBabRgZBXxjExXrr-Exszk1bQ5Fv6MvX9vp_2oPOzXylbaIV8ecveQGzFJugGl46dg3kagEhIz8hL2SbxduRVMzYroDsMjUdlEg-c_-/s1600/Linsey.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqNIGYRGCABrwTTRjig9V8LTzXVrTo9ZKB1cIQNBabRgZBXxjExXrr-Exszk1bQ5Fv6MvX9vp_2oPOzXylbaIV8ecveQGzFJugGl46dg3kagEhIz8hL2SbxduRVMzYroDsMjUdlEg-c_-/s400/Linsey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking good will never replace hard work. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have to be willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals. </div>
<br />
<br />
And finally...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjqO4CqVPS7YHDab-mwV2S3jCayLF_9iHnxNbIDNeaEBjCY4YxtNfXpAK2XGkT5yvHVoTEFUoSsxYTeJJtNKaN9SltRqbNPJXq7Ye1opgK3jsl-HG6dgXy3L2a8ukB2n97raRDWfy7Zn8/s1600/IMG_1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjqO4CqVPS7YHDab-mwV2S3jCayLF_9iHnxNbIDNeaEBjCY4YxtNfXpAK2XGkT5yvHVoTEFUoSsxYTeJJtNKaN9SltRqbNPJXq7Ye1opgK3jsl-HG6dgXy3L2a8ukB2n97raRDWfy7Zn8/s400/IMG_1955.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Don't give up! </b>Never stop learning and searching. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Often, the answers are closer than we think.</div>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-72716809845837892392014-08-07T23:02:00.003-07:002014-08-07T23:02:59.696-07:00How It All Began: Adventures in Motherhood, Part ITo bring you up to speed on our lives: This week, my youngest started kindergarten, and the other two started in 2nd and 4th grade. This week, my mom left after a two-week stay here where she did all my dishes and laundry. (Thanks, Mom!) This week, my husband went on a week-long backpacking trip to Colorado while I stayed home to get the kiddos off to school. (Thanks, dear!)<br />
<br />
We're also in the middle of buying a house and becoming foster parents. Like, right now. One life event never seems to be enough in our family, we prefer juggling two or three simultaneously.<br />
<br />
But, I digress. Lately all these changes have caused me to think about defining moments in my life, moments that clearly outlined the path I knew I wanted to take. <br />
<br />
9 1/2 years ago, I felt like my life should look like this all the time:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HTwf-YvnGwUxAfukgAn7eB1Eh8Moi84p7m4NgXlOlco-_SpbWJPam_6n3stZbyzmC8q-inT9fBD9gp5pv2LjnD3qDbmNwzyr0qJNyWCVfzHn-8hkesr8w5vPXTFjzsz6jkKaTo_LO1Ak/s1600/Kinsfather+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HTwf-YvnGwUxAfukgAn7eB1Eh8Moi84p7m4NgXlOlco-_SpbWJPam_6n3stZbyzmC8q-inT9fBD9gp5pv2LjnD3qDbmNwzyr0qJNyWCVfzHn-8hkesr8w5vPXTFjzsz6jkKaTo_LO1Ak/s1600/Kinsfather+Family.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Regal, intellectual husband who "abounded in the work of the Lord" as the senior pastor of our small church in a rural town </li>
<li>Modestly clad, doting wife who spent hours each week at church helping said pastor-husband to abound while maintaining a meticulously clean house, cooking 3 meals a day from scratch, taking care of an infant, and entertaining guests daily, always with a smile on her face </li>
<li>And finally, our beloved firstborn Linsey Ruth, love child of the abounding individuals mentioned above, who would supernaturally enhance the abounding work of the ministry rather than distract from it. </li>
</ul>
<i>(And, of course, the picture wouldn't be complete without a wooden cross in the background) </i><br /><br />
Yeah.. that was my psychosis in a nutshell.<br />
<br />
My husband quickly came to loathe those days our beloved firstborn and I came to church to help him abound in ministry, which I couldn't understand. So I often worked on church duties at home, which was fine, but I found myself increasingly impatient with this infant who daily soiled multiple outfits, wanted to eat constantly in the daytime, and also woke me up several times each night. On top of it all, my regal husband would come home from a hard day at work, and I was so flustered with the baby and all the "ministry" I was doing that often, the house would be in disarray and dinner a far-off dream. This was not what I had envisioned at all, and I was frustrated. (So was he.)<br />
<br />
I remember washing Linsey's fourth or fifth dirty outfit of that particular day in the laundry room sink and crying, "God, don't you know I could do so much more for you if I didn't have to spend so much time on all this trivial work?!"<br />
<br />
Some say they hear God speak to them. While I've never known that to be true for me, this event was as close as I believe I'll ever come to that happening. It was like I felt His hand on my shoulder, and in my heart I heard the words, "Liz, you've got it all wrong. THIS is what I have for you right now, at this season of your life. I want you to take care of your family - when you make dinner and wash the clothes and get up in the middle of the night to nurture your tiny baby, I want you to do those things for Me. They are what's most important."<br />
<br />
That moment began to define motherhood for me. Realizing my <i>family</i> was my greatest ministry took away some of the competition between church and house work. I began to sing songs about being a servant while doing the laundry. I hung a prayer list above my kitchen sink on a clip so I could pray as I was cleaning up. I scrubbed the floors to a shine, for the Lord.<br />
<br />
But most importantly, I began to delight in being a mom. Oh, I liked it before, but now I was able to play with my baby and hold her and not feel like I should be doing anything else - because <b>nothing</b> was more important than being the best mom I could be.. for the Lord, and for my family. <br />
<br />
As our family has grown, so has the chaos, and that moment continues to define motherhood for me. My family is my first priority. This helps me say no to activities I could do that would needlessly take me out an extra night or two each week. It helps me relax and have fun with my girls even when there are things I "should" be doing around the house. When they want me to create masterpieces with them out of play doh, or watch them twirl like a ballerina, I try my best to either stop what I'm doing, enlist their help, or wrap up quickly so we can create memories together. It motivates me to get up after I finally sit down at night and tuck them in, so I can pray with them and listen to what's on their hearts. My family is the most important ministry God will ever give me, and I am determined to serve them - and Him - well. Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-23338173454970327712013-12-01T20:49:00.000-08:002013-12-01T20:52:14.107-08:00Christmas Down the Road<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>ome Christmas down the road, my towering pine </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Will have matching ornaments, all in a line, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And red ribbons cascading down tinsel of gold; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But that's some Christmas down the road.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKbTxXP6mCdYgNHXdh6AFgMnRlqms3L628x-JmeL_YMIaTWeceWbYWq5mP5AuS_TUsWSFsiSwYjOuzikXWF9GYRzGxJK8cFHVLUGUhGbSPHPoAVfNIYrKcA6bQZsQMgPA36TBMYOif_mO/s1600/IMG_5997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKbTxXP6mCdYgNHXdh6AFgMnRlqms3L628x-JmeL_YMIaTWeceWbYWq5mP5AuS_TUsWSFsiSwYjOuzikXWF9GYRzGxJK8cFHVLUGUhGbSPHPoAVfNIYrKcA6bQZsQMgPA36TBMYOif_mO/s400/IMG_5997.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>n that same Christmas, my Nativity Scene won't come from Fisher Price, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And no one will ask, "How long till Christmas?" more than once or twice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">No fingerprints in my fresh-baked fudge, no meltdowns from sugar overload - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But that's for some Christmas down the road.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee2oiwIdjJ0SAjJp72K67b1SNnxbQ-HXthyphenhyphent-SyGSM2JOeBGvtJYF9TMAsR-iJS3P2ZaZJi4RM0dgWw6rpsRZuUYPxK3911fwE7rA3vMR7TYILVoRBruIo2-5tpjUpdZu1buYdErepnzy/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee2oiwIdjJ0SAjJp72K67b1SNnxbQ-HXthyphenhyphent-SyGSM2JOeBGvtJYF9TMAsR-iJS3P2ZaZJi4RM0dgWw6rpsRZuUYPxK3911fwE7rA3vMR7TYILVoRBruIo2-5tpjUpdZu1buYdErepnzy/s400/IMG_6001.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>hat festive season yet to come will hold no reindeer ears </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blocking my view of the Christmas parade, no childish games that end in tears. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">No holiday parties with tokens or tickets, and no cheap "treasures" bestowed...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But that will be Christmas down the road. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Plv0QTCd8S4X5gLWR2HGlEMox5Z5MW13CkW4nd_8IrDTOW6-zFx3EdzRhNl_nOLhe6vUa_jMqURw5jGvIhX947UFSousnX6bdsTuyy21MF9j6TYJ-g2njaln9TtFSz5pelNml7VaZWPQ/s1600/IMG_5960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Plv0QTCd8S4X5gLWR2HGlEMox5Z5MW13CkW4nd_8IrDTOW6-zFx3EdzRhNl_nOLhe6vUa_jMqURw5jGvIhX947UFSousnX6bdsTuyy21MF9j6TYJ-g2njaln9TtFSz5pelNml7VaZWPQ/s400/IMG_5960.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>his year, I'm holding on to the mistletoe kisses, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My handmade crafts and those batter-smeared faces.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'll take smudges, bad jokes, and a mismatched tree </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">If it means having Christmas again with these three.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNletqEr7yZdQPgn69r_gXRkmWq0iXo_8JaDx5opCcE0rpYMjiPrNQXWdVMbdaksonDI-G704WLcfyZPtelhaFX3Hi2YT3_3ZEAOH0I-zdX6hOw7_MueRmFBPvLHNLDntvZzgCFMDzxm/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNletqEr7yZdQPgn69r_gXRkmWq0iXo_8JaDx5opCcE0rpYMjiPrNQXWdVMbdaksonDI-G704WLcfyZPtelhaFX3Hi2YT3_3ZEAOH0I-zdX6hOw7_MueRmFBPvLHNLDntvZzgCFMDzxm/s400/IMG_5852.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Y</span>ou can have your resort - I'll take the parade,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And those ornaments that with such care were made; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, I think I'm happiest in my current abode,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even if I never see that "Christmas down the road."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl0Rwm6RRUVTb-wOvJlkZbDfjX_L-5WJ-WPRmEKCgWubNoe4ZR1TC-ROoJlCisOStguf8HdH35lUJOObsoqB12Dig5-eef-2snfRF9FJ0iV89zAN-7znI0qiOnKj7V8TjFkA4_eTyO8U9/s1600/IMG_5998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl0Rwm6RRUVTb-wOvJlkZbDfjX_L-5WJ-WPRmEKCgWubNoe4ZR1TC-ROoJlCisOStguf8HdH35lUJOObsoqB12Dig5-eef-2snfRF9FJ0iV89zAN-7znI0qiOnKj7V8TjFkA4_eTyO8U9/s400/IMG_5998.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-71306247012024314612013-10-23T22:33:00.002-07:002013-10-23T22:33:48.264-07:00My Incredibly Blessed Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63dZlbIio6YlZkcATBVbAa5VRjWnkADV5Mj4-7qilQcl-n-ndCgR-9_J9Z4m42S9-SleNyiJ6aZ4ZApEeXm7jKMYWqqeUW6gVqFtdgdnYW3wU7RwDBxakq_bKEJxm_QCsLHSy84OGl2w/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63dZlbIio6YlZkcATBVbAa5VRjWnkADV5Mj4-7qilQcl-n-ndCgR-9_J9Z4m42S9-SleNyiJ6aZ4ZApEeXm7jKMYWqqeUW6gVqFtdgdnYW3wU7RwDBxakq_bKEJxm_QCsLHSy84OGl2w/s320/IMG_5495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A coworker was having a rough week awhile back, so I told him that I'd been praying for him. His response struck me - he simply said, "Keep doing that. I live an incredibly blessed life... the correct prayer is for me to recognize it far more than I do."<br />
<br />
For some reason I was thinking about that conversation tonight after I sleepily went through the motions of making lunches, putting the kids to bed (and back to bed again..and again), and picking up the house. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the keychains we'd picked up for the girls on our recent trip to California. They reminded me of how much fun we had, how many friends we saw, what great memories we made...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ4B3VwTMThxBvs2VirPeq3bMi5N9RCGhZKbppJYWNFolUBK_Qi33qPNTZofxeg43GO5QsV2wpuYPXi-YJocbVuCeNCgxnq7WA44gygVKnmJxReRIV-CoeqvstSPsoP-8UXtkZllvPjg/s1600/IMG_5501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ4B3VwTMThxBvs2VirPeq3bMi5N9RCGhZKbppJYWNFolUBK_Qi33qPNTZofxeg43GO5QsV2wpuYPXi-YJocbVuCeNCgxnq7WA44gygVKnmJxReRIV-CoeqvstSPsoP-8UXtkZllvPjg/s320/IMG_5501.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
That's when it struck me, <i>I am so blessed! The signs are everywhere, I just need to wake up and see them</i>. So, being the literalist I am, rather than going to bed early as planned, I grabbed my phone and began snapping pictures around the house of more things that remind me of how amazing my life is...<br />
<br />
<br />
Funny things, like this mysterious cardboard sign I found in Linsey's room while cleaning in there earlier. Our oldest is crazy, creative, and overall hilarious. So glad to be her mom!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyic9vXmQOWlkZXkxKOC27nK5VN75vUztC1RPbUyvMkoxTrn3MQJrkU6cCsOuzuV7AcZdRM4k8ecFgegwQrWgWR9pToLE4OQ_4u6-Oi2Uf58Te_1njjKE88oMKRcKpTfLZh7YDK3X9wY/s1600/IMG_5500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyic9vXmQOWlkZXkxKOC27nK5VN75vUztC1RPbUyvMkoxTrn3MQJrkU6cCsOuzuV7AcZdRM4k8ecFgegwQrWgWR9pToLE4OQ_4u6-Oi2Uf58Te_1njjKE88oMKRcKpTfLZh7YDK3X9wY/s320/IMG_5500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet things, like this picture Hannah made for her Daddy of the two of them. I'm SO very thankful to have a guy my kids adore as much as I do!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZskGMUcSEhLhepkl9teLdpY9azIiRyW0cVQWisEbLWIaDjVI00xFG9N1UWbc91Luh-Iz-H3dTlUkgIURreiDvJ-quW_PMendvcWo-hv063w2jSquvJCus50GQ8iEB43xnPWtbvjInNU/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZskGMUcSEhLhepkl9teLdpY9azIiRyW0cVQWisEbLWIaDjVI00xFG9N1UWbc91Luh-Iz-H3dTlUkgIURreiDvJ-quW_PMendvcWo-hv063w2jSquvJCus50GQ8iEB43xnPWtbvjInNU/s320/IMG_5496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then there are more sobering reminders, like this picture of our sponsored child, Simon, who lives in Uganda.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbXEHO8NyZtIpPWovWmCLrgWPpH56vZdA2AI5Sk0SbaZ3z0ZOftrAQBS287hyphenhyphenZecpQnzw9BBZ2tbT7hMCis17LUhFO8Satwij00Mf13kb-ITQr8PSJsyCHUBFrJEKEoMq8HkX1WyfK2w/s1600/IMG_5488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbXEHO8NyZtIpPWovWmCLrgWPpH56vZdA2AI5Sk0SbaZ3z0ZOftrAQBS287hyphenhyphenZecpQnzw9BBZ2tbT7hMCis17LUhFO8Satwij00Mf13kb-ITQr8PSJsyCHUBFrJEKEoMq8HkX1WyfK2w/s320/IMG_5488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of Simon's daily jobs is bringing drinking water to his family from the swamp a few miles away. He caught malaria last year and spent months out of school. We've sponsored Simon through <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/">World Vision </a>for several years, and his letters are a constant reminder to our whole family that 1) we have been blessed beyond measure, and 2) our "extra" can make a world of difference to someone else.<br />
<br />
And finally, there are many, MANY reminders around my house that are "handmade with love" - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3h57N7jhfpWcN6CWPA0s3yW7UqvCoxxvwhFQ3PM_VcMHWBxjcugXgXyv_jHl4k0ppfLK7s5W86k6UFaq1pkr7WGDBIuG8loEJOEbSPIs1jUm33zpUmSseZY9BlqIH2x37BGuY0-GZao/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3h57N7jhfpWcN6CWPA0s3yW7UqvCoxxvwhFQ3PM_VcMHWBxjcugXgXyv_jHl4k0ppfLK7s5W86k6UFaq1pkr7WGDBIuG8loEJOEbSPIs1jUm33zpUmSseZY9BlqIH2x37BGuY0-GZao/s320/IMG_5499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Thanks to art class, I may never have to buy decorations again!) </div>
<br />
Each one has a special story, like this banner our kids made to welcome the international student from Japan who is staying with us this semester. Hosting students has been an amazing experience that allows us to share our incredibly blessed life with others and, with any luck, help them see the blessings around them as well. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3qJhdtKw7Cjpt9oc7H0WP45LAZD3OJcdC02LFtEb14x3RQv52OTy15HT1U45nxsC6UniXDGjgsD0OhtcLEpBmBkoZzkhlXrePemdz2TkIpVTlWYuCo5idHfet4PgKLS6aBZbzvBrFa8/s1600/IMG_5498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3qJhdtKw7Cjpt9oc7H0WP45LAZD3OJcdC02LFtEb14x3RQv52OTy15HT1U45nxsC6UniXDGjgsD0OhtcLEpBmBkoZzkhlXrePemdz2TkIpVTlWYuCo5idHfet4PgKLS6aBZbzvBrFa8/s320/IMG_5498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So thanks for following my little journey to finding the blessings around me, and let me challenge you to take one of those trips yourself soon if you haven't done it lately :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-70161521844861176712013-06-23T22:33:00.001-07:002013-06-23T22:33:55.321-07:00Home AgainHi! You haven't heard as much from us lately with new schedules and activities and jobs to adjust to, trying to get back into the swing of things though. I thought I'd start with some highlight activities for our family the past few months, what we've been up to since our transition to AZ.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Activities</b>:<br />
<br />
It's been great having more family time since we moved, especially on the weekends. We go hiking at least monthly, which is totally fun and addicting. I never get tired of the desert mountain view! The girls do great too, and we usually try to drag at least one or two people with us, so that's an added perk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV30fg90bgfYIJIljhQ2aCiY-pZkBtmSxz-jWTjkPQfrT7vEQ0jDXTiJw4bwI2uRow_4bJlMhDS8bLdIDk7VpgF0VsT-xqnSy-q1GaG0Ko_TIlzQ9Edd0QtA6Q9xDAcnVhjikf6tpPDm8/s1600/IMG_6871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV30fg90bgfYIJIljhQ2aCiY-pZkBtmSxz-jWTjkPQfrT7vEQ0jDXTiJw4bwI2uRow_4bJlMhDS8bLdIDk7VpgF0VsT-xqnSy-q1GaG0Ko_TIlzQ9Edd0QtA6Q9xDAcnVhjikf6tpPDm8/s400/IMG_6871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah loves collecting rocks on our hikes! New rule: she carries them down herself :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpoxjDOngR-MN0JaagoSocgIcVE15fdCGHIATCBaKQD3UNUGcm_LyRc0Muqqe0awN2cJGibbfjOJU6TL2gTExqwDsRzhgv_C1dH9KNA8HHHkNlM59nw2bOCIxI02Zdbo0baAszI-UN2Q/s1600/IMG_6486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpoxjDOngR-MN0JaagoSocgIcVE15fdCGHIATCBaKQD3UNUGcm_LyRc0Muqqe0awN2cJGibbfjOJU6TL2gTExqwDsRzhgv_C1dH9KNA8HHHkNlM59nw2bOCIxI02Zdbo0baAszI-UN2Q/s400/IMG_6486.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phoenix Skyline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also have fun doing "city" things we haven't ever really lived near before, like having a zillion movie theaters and restaurants to choose from, and more stores than I could visit in a year (although I'm trying!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Zryqsi0KEeCpK56M0bGTWVx9C0MILmgVq6hZQYWVUT29IZBOZci2PF9l-CVBkkef-W2IRmLFEFx9OYhlkVUTW6bQpAPfTZmo_LnIknh2k9m3DuA4Jb306rOtIwdochCeU6AvnQN010/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Zryqsi0KEeCpK56M0bGTWVx9C0MILmgVq6hZQYWVUT29IZBOZci2PF9l-CVBkkef-W2IRmLFEFx9OYhlkVUTW6bQpAPfTZmo_LnIknh2k9m3DuA4Jb306rOtIwdochCeU6AvnQN010/s400/IMG_3811.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our local dollar theater has was statues that Natalie likes to imitate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV0SqKnTMJBtY7qW2Em5IDaIz_8ZMKyRBbbJfZd17QnyGqcSe6ASw2bQoAJD0cc-yzrRehXHGedXrA9Phm1GxGiqqpCPg7SEWZOar9Fzn-TXIr3WJg_fCIQ-cqHQgGFXviojqot0pDrs/s1600/IMG_4316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV0SqKnTMJBtY7qW2Em5IDaIz_8ZMKyRBbbJfZd17QnyGqcSe6ASw2bQoAJD0cc-yzrRehXHGedXrA9Phm1GxGiqqpCPg7SEWZOar9Fzn-TXIr3WJg_fCIQ-cqHQgGFXviojqot0pDrs/s400/IMG_4316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, maybe Nattie is slightly obsessed with mannequins and loves to pose with them..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For Christmas, Tom's aunt got us a year-long membership to the Phoenix Zoo too, and we've taken advantage of that several times... the girls never get tired of going! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrexOLQdbBTaYqVlwCkLeirglOeSjoYYVlC1jG14jy5GoqugQbSt_lMvH-SarBofrAxBbHiDRlUMdKPy2FpG-kTKa7JbftaUsh0KQv-FpgHoFJgNexcXKvEXEjl3WXjsRBRSyPwb2vuA/s1600/IMG_6276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrexOLQdbBTaYqVlwCkLeirglOeSjoYYVlC1jG14jy5GoqugQbSt_lMvH-SarBofrAxBbHiDRlUMdKPy2FpG-kTKa7JbftaUsh0KQv-FpgHoFJgNexcXKvEXEjl3WXjsRBRSyPwb2vuA/s400/IMG_6276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Meeting Really Cool People</b><br />
<br />
One of our favorite things to do since we moved to Phoenix is to host international students. We've had two from Japan now and one from China, plus a Korean exchange student we still keep in touch with from years ago. My girls love learning phrases in other languages and about different cultures right in their living room!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0nLE64PUYwp4lgDCRVToyuU_VnZuVmIhaL9NqnkCt724cWPn6g_lIQ5_EuYzHKMc3hhum6kZ4TFzdOwnoPw97q1UTPRL4NHn2SMb3NxeAAciUPUr4H-uCivMU-RDgcZrWuet2SlX6fg/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0nLE64PUYwp4lgDCRVToyuU_VnZuVmIhaL9NqnkCt724cWPn6g_lIQ5_EuYzHKMc3hhum6kZ4TFzdOwnoPw97q1UTPRL4NHn2SMb3NxeAAciUPUr4H-uCivMU-RDgcZrWuet2SlX6fg/s400/IMG_6544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family with our first exchange student, Mutsumi. Miss her!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And for Hannah's birthday, we had the chance to attend a concert in Phoenix by an amazing singer-songwriter friend of ours, <a href="http://www.bobbyjovalentine.com/">Bobby Jo Valentine</a>, and he stayed with us for a couple days. Natalie was only slightly bummed when he didn't show up for her birthday last month, but he promised to come soon :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtvFJMlQKLjYR-JIrPWNO2UAW1FfQPj8Ol83PLho255nbpnvrKuGOQ7a9To_zFbcTqRWXnw9VKQPcHpwwZTkv1MVhds-T-P74KvTJYbvdu60cdYSf2WwslRkziQoaF-phzsBbtzTA354/s1600/IMG_6589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtvFJMlQKLjYR-JIrPWNO2UAW1FfQPj8Ol83PLho255nbpnvrKuGOQ7a9To_zFbcTqRWXnw9VKQPcHpwwZTkv1MVhds-T-P74KvTJYbvdu60cdYSf2WwslRkziQoaF-phzsBbtzTA354/s400/IMG_6589.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We love living near Tom's aunts and uncles and cousins - lots more to come about them too. And of course, we do all the crazy things we used to do too - dressing up and having indoor picnics and swimming and just enjoying being together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHEzyX0a0CwF6cuFad8FId7YRsH_dtKYXYRsI_OP7EhlpE2LztT4S9iQ0dzGxU2AU1yEbSiZc7gXGzlH9ojwQxPsu2FoVMfCz8MP9WL2zsD-MJ5PAA4PQLtiVz4cKughmNx8fUDa_NnM/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHEzyX0a0CwF6cuFad8FId7YRsH_dtKYXYRsI_OP7EhlpE2LztT4S9iQ0dzGxU2AU1yEbSiZc7gXGzlH9ojwQxPsu2FoVMfCz8MP9WL2zsD-MJ5PAA4PQLtiVz4cKughmNx8fUDa_NnM/s400/IMG_4052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our location may have changed, but our family is stronger than ever. It was a difficult transition, but it didn't take us long to realize that home is where your family is, no matter where that may be. And we have come to love our home here in sunny Arizona! Thanks for reading :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneisK1j2Ujqmj7eRU93RqGCDHI1MQBCH3Rsi1pPtTjjibDV5uqJFb6ZPBIHrb8XsPAJgY38wEdvOqXx5_iPjKuMEhlSxM8UW7Ozmen_HQHYOoIViw8li7LO7KOXqy8N5t6BrFm64wZeg/s1600/IMG_6969.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneisK1j2Ujqmj7eRU93RqGCDHI1MQBCH3Rsi1pPtTjjibDV5uqJFb6ZPBIHrb8XsPAJgY38wEdvOqXx5_iPjKuMEhlSxM8UW7Ozmen_HQHYOoIViw8li7LO7KOXqy8N5t6BrFm64wZeg/s400/IMG_6969.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-55603064338016122402013-04-07T22:33:00.001-07:002013-04-07T22:33:08.631-07:00If I Could Keep You Little...Dear Nattie,<br />
<br />
As my youngest, my heart is torn watching you grow up. I love it - and I hate it. I love that you're getting more independent and doing more of those things "the big girls do,"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyErD4FeAirw40P97BJL3FVt9hNALTLxNwUZ2FJftB3xGO2VZA7QjEP0gy8KwAavkvkFkP7VJLDIDtdAM9qUv1s3B1raKhqp3m_eeYb18DTlB1lGI0GN79gTplbemBDGLH_TBDx7elVYI/s1600/IMG_3675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyErD4FeAirw40P97BJL3FVt9hNALTLxNwUZ2FJftB3xGO2VZA7QjEP0gy8KwAavkvkFkP7VJLDIDtdAM9qUv1s3B1raKhqp3m_eeYb18DTlB1lGI0GN79gTplbemBDGLH_TBDx7elVYI/s400/IMG_3675.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And I hate that this means you don't need me as much as you used to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH8lVlRZORol7l_EatwZFmjDVPFmgAQJvc6TYLvyqza3fv7FMyePkd96HdxMVeH9ha-FO8bYBK9WSnLbwJFaiA4dBiRh9JHkAt7DVuPXz2pgZlZ_L9gl4GHPtsvAgFijDB5WeWXA48tc/s1600/IMG_3528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH8lVlRZORol7l_EatwZFmjDVPFmgAQJvc6TYLvyqza3fv7FMyePkd96HdxMVeH9ha-FO8bYBK9WSnLbwJFaiA4dBiRh9JHkAt7DVuPXz2pgZlZ_L9gl4GHPtsvAgFijDB5WeWXA48tc/s400/IMG_3528.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I love that you're old enough to have your own style -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PjSngG6u8HmMmavS0PM6gb5UrVHPwGSEPYci_2ay6e_7vXhto5lCgmcmJXCvBWq4-4hP6GphTml-75QM-xsd07vdwW_kBwRETjySjmfhHTSLSpiTxdWes2-JqpCXP-FkLk4fsydAoBE/s1600/IMG_3864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PjSngG6u8HmMmavS0PM6gb5UrVHPwGSEPYci_2ay6e_7vXhto5lCgmcmJXCvBWq4-4hP6GphTml-75QM-xsd07vdwW_kBwRETjySjmfhHTSLSpiTxdWes2-JqpCXP-FkLk4fsydAoBE/s400/IMG_3864.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
But I hate that it often conflicts with mine (and that of mainstream society!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEtyBsRFSzFSBtZqnQpO9KoJyY_t8FN5AuxnEEqmuATh6fnHEdtJGu06-hcm8gyIFPIub2oE44kasvHqFX33L98zCIyPpx_ycL47AMWZtUj6Humj44WXoU3gmC1b2LA77Q3jKrlOg3FY/s1600/IMG_3348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEtyBsRFSzFSBtZqnQpO9KoJyY_t8FN5AuxnEEqmuATh6fnHEdtJGu06-hcm8gyIFPIub2oE44kasvHqFX33L98zCIyPpx_ycL47AMWZtUj6Humj44WXoU3gmC1b2LA77Q3jKrlOg3FY/s400/IMG_3348.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mo-om, I'm ready for school!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So after much thought, I've decided: if you will agree to stay little, just for an extra decade or two - here are some of the perks I can promise you:<br />
<br />
<br />
You will be able to eat all the chocolate you want and never gain weight (trust me, this is a big one!!) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJjp3lr3GSHF777d-xxcuG_7rCcNpnHHBAV8BDHC4RUzkIkuqbLpLpKI7X1U9DMgSfZouoqo-RuGHegg9Z-NPJk67D77x_RqHdkpJlj3zZV_7ig2_wwirq3rHwoVqIqma6MbxtxRL5eQ/s1600/IMG_6481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJjp3lr3GSHF777d-xxcuG_7rCcNpnHHBAV8BDHC4RUzkIkuqbLpLpKI7X1U9DMgSfZouoqo-RuGHegg9Z-NPJk67D77x_RqHdkpJlj3zZV_7ig2_wwirq3rHwoVqIqma6MbxtxRL5eQ/s400/IMG_6481.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You'll never get too big to sleep with your candy cane Christmas
blanket, which you've slept with every night since you stole it from
Linsey's room as a baby. (she didn't mind!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqKn3QW4zkd6NAXGIa-HWNaNs2RfEtSu7e-J_Y3njtFS1N4hmTToN3nlWR2-grfamYvyRsc_LKkOyHE1f8YF7U0K_gjOw5XkF5N8DULcIjMXpk0XAJEU2yK8z28CippTfOvTqbhpUuj4/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqKn3QW4zkd6NAXGIa-HWNaNs2RfEtSu7e-J_Y3njtFS1N4hmTToN3nlWR2-grfamYvyRsc_LKkOyHE1f8YF7U0K_gjOw5XkF5N8DULcIjMXpk0XAJEU2yK8z28CippTfOvTqbhpUuj4/s400/IMG_3748.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Additionally, I promise to buy you a lollipop (your favorite candy) every time I go to the store, no questions asked...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GAYgGkbCrE0GGPTx5dOjW3tL8hLvn8cEKgj6J1PscnttMqdEzZ3WvkMl2nbzb7gbONN8Im1W2PGus0sWs5TCKHyx34EVIrRh4AKp7KlvX0vYD4bpltW7ciw0N9ZPS0Fwf1nonNghglE/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GAYgGkbCrE0GGPTx5dOjW3tL8hLvn8cEKgj6J1PscnttMqdEzZ3WvkMl2nbzb7gbONN8Im1W2PGus0sWs5TCKHyx34EVIrRh4AKp7KlvX0vYD4bpltW7ciw0N9ZPS0Fwf1nonNghglE/s400/IMG_3519.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
...And the best part? You'll never grow out of your lion costume!! (Though I'll still need to wash it sometimes)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wQm8M3LbuXdUqOnMDfnJWErzJDN-7mEpO6eHgxxUtNFfOvpxq6bgJ2juEO_JJEGt73yZJAPrg3J2V0oHXt0DEFxr5aXQeE5G-d8VMgwy9X7Sj1-G54AgAdRPsWyGtEljR4ahfPAPpBE/s1600/IMG_3340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wQm8M3LbuXdUqOnMDfnJWErzJDN-7mEpO6eHgxxUtNFfOvpxq6bgJ2juEO_JJEGt73yZJAPrg3J2V0oHXt0DEFxr5aXQeE5G-d8VMgwy9X7Sj1-G54AgAdRPsWyGtEljR4ahfPAPpBE/s400/IMG_3340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I promise to love you either way, and to make the most of every day I get to watch you grow, but I've gotta ask...Nattie, do we have a deal?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
<i>Your Adoring Mom</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo-BiV3y_cZEIWC5wNpHUWMYrX0BgxvmWmpSL38frqvWu2zaRgH1fT47YA46wjBX9YbB1i7w2mKxN0xrdEBt0UVwNnmZDpaSuOtbRydS_gL_1tWFF7sK7mlsOOn08L8gKB_S57PPXrgE/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo-BiV3y_cZEIWC5wNpHUWMYrX0BgxvmWmpSL38frqvWu2zaRgH1fT47YA46wjBX9YbB1i7w2mKxN0xrdEBt0UVwNnmZDpaSuOtbRydS_gL_1tWFF7sK7mlsOOn08L8gKB_S57PPXrgE/s400/IMG_3538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-42386405522703783722013-01-26T21:47:00.001-08:002013-01-26T21:48:30.746-08:00Working Mom, Part I: Office SuppliesAs you may know, I've recently transitioned from works-from-home(schooling) mom to full-time working mom who put all 3 of her kids in school for the first time within 2 weeks of each other. (I don't recommend that, by the way, it was mildly traumatic!)<br />
<br />
While I am pleased with how this transition has played out, and my husband seems happy with it as well, Linsey, who is 8 going on 35, is not as impressed with my office job. We were watching a reality TV show recently about people who worked in a cupcake bakery that were making a 1,000-cupcake replica of a Mardi Gras mask, when she quipped, "Wow, Mom, aren't you glad you don't have to do that kind of hard stuff at <i>your</i> work? All <i>you</i> have to do is type." And I immediately thought, <i>Yeah, tell that to my boss!</i><br />
<br />
Although my becoming an executive assistant has yet to impress her, there are a few perks at our office that she admits are "pretty cool:" <br />
<i> </i><br />
<ul>
<li>A popcorn machine that puts microwave popcorn to shame,</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQfle5d9NeOe5mxMZyWL69_pdoZMZmPRB5PHe8bedBIXdfahEkF5nrSLzMbR4BnCe2081ZSxfrhDhU71uT2cUU1179wHUhgRbL7rZS6ENKZdDirn73Pl7f10ipTBGQsrsmQ5nRZENHVQ/s1600/popcorn-machine_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQfle5d9NeOe5mxMZyWL69_pdoZMZmPRB5PHe8bedBIXdfahEkF5nrSLzMbR4BnCe2081ZSxfrhDhU71uT2cUU1179wHUhgRbL7rZS6ENKZdDirn73Pl7f10ipTBGQsrsmQ5nRZENHVQ/s320/popcorn-machine_8.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<ul></ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>An Atari, (which occupied her for about 15 minutes) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxm0xVv1Yei9jgORLUYgvJCp-nEMEHkL8OtMyUPduqktosj4etgA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnpC8zEmFPujx2fAcw_R8Qz0pgVnLp_TPpc0GEXZ4Qdbh8AjueR3gX0xDsXvGwxc2LNxQS79DSme3p7InZT-PjFvE2oTie6Wi6rJqu0MGF7I60SXyQKh0yYXAjAlK3orCCrdHOKNc2hU/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnpC8zEmFPujx2fAcw_R8Qz0pgVnLp_TPpc0GEXZ4Qdbh8AjueR3gX0xDsXvGwxc2LNxQS79DSme3p7InZT-PjFvE2oTie6Wi6rJqu0MGF7I60SXyQKh0yYXAjAlK3orCCrdHOKNc2hU/s400/IMG_3402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>"So all you can do is run back and forth, that's it?!" Linsey asked incredulously. </i><br />
<br />
<i>"Look," I said, "This was one of THE first video game systems. Ever. They've come a long way since then, but this started it all - the Wii, the PlayStation, XBox..."</i><br />
<br />
<i>"Oooh, so it's old!"</i><br />
<br />
<i>"No. It's RETRO." (Which is, in fact a cool way of saying, "Yes, it's old.")</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We also have a gigantic exercise ball that doubles as a chair in my friend's office, </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Big whiteboards with a rainbow of colors for the kids to draw with, </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And, most importantly, the shredder. </li>
</ul>
When Linsey walked into my office for the first time, she gasped, "You have a SHREDDER? That is SO cool! Can I... can I please shred something?" Kids.. you just never know with them!<br />
--- <br />
<br />
Hannah, on the other hand, thinks our office is the coolest place in the world. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpbS1AkC4DouZgY288hK1KOwFMRQEaMh0DWf-CT38O0s50V1kH3mYT4u1BGp8Z_r8NH2bcU36hG0jNVEQOA7HoezOj6cri_gskJqNclJiSpheVXUzZOfGF99hlJLVEx7Q46NCeiWhfGg/s1600/IMG_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpbS1AkC4DouZgY288hK1KOwFMRQEaMh0DWf-CT38O0s50V1kH3mYT4u1BGp8Z_r8NH2bcU36hG0jNVEQOA7HoezOj6cri_gskJqNclJiSpheVXUzZOfGF99hlJLVEx7Q46NCeiWhfGg/s400/IMG_3399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When she spent half a day with me at work because she was feeling under
the weather and my boss was out of town, I wasn't sure she would ever
go back to school. "I feel like I'm at the movies!" she giggled. I guess I wouldn't go <i>that</i> far, but it is a pretty great place to work!<br />
<br />
So while a lot about our lives has changed lately, some things are still the same: We still love each other like crazy, we find humor in the everyday happenings around us, and we're always busy making crazy memories together! Stay tuned for more adventures :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR3p3YGvg7c_s_YXGueN2ST4rCXeHvo7KY0r8_DLKA22iHNiPFhGduyw-_U1v4__otYqEHLGvXPHNP954Hj0LFsmVMwR5fwWMKb903wVSZLrYx3mRaoqA7bDwJ0tiyKroKN-0j_Bb8Jw/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR3p3YGvg7c_s_YXGueN2ST4rCXeHvo7KY0r8_DLKA22iHNiPFhGduyw-_U1v4__otYqEHLGvXPHNP954Hj0LFsmVMwR5fwWMKb903wVSZLrYx3mRaoqA7bDwJ0tiyKroKN-0j_Bb8Jw/s400/IMG_3288.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my girlies!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-43680402186858651392012-10-24T21:20:00.000-07:002012-10-24T21:20:05.773-07:00Why I Love My Family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Why I Love My Family:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>#1: They care about me, even when act like a monster.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv_Izvsw2GY9vm-EHxHLg2_aGGFZZsf32rtZ4sCsyTQASSfIcj8UUKnIRS4Nx_-lzvjFIc8FezrqLNT9F1edVifAoSESgaVlZAxhePRrDMwHi-sGtOMzWxiidVtPWe6Z40Io-Y9M9DYA/s1600/IMG_1761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv_Izvsw2GY9vm-EHxHLg2_aGGFZZsf32rtZ4sCsyTQASSfIcj8UUKnIRS4Nx_-lzvjFIc8FezrqLNT9F1edVifAoSESgaVlZAxhePRrDMwHi-sGtOMzWxiidVtPWe6Z40Io-Y9M9DYA/s400/IMG_1761.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>#2: My family loves me, just because I'm me.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOUevjQj4p1GUoFJsBKSxUGNA_9YRRlsZ1rw_NvwFXURxSIETzH-IWFlizZNjJB3Ltoxd6HwpJqnEkndhWgyvDHUCQRvvJzme7Dkhxy31Kh7qKL57Mj2ofIqSOqAMSVHahJp0kJ1sOrg/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOUevjQj4p1GUoFJsBKSxUGNA_9YRRlsZ1rw_NvwFXURxSIETzH-IWFlizZNjJB3Ltoxd6HwpJqnEkndhWgyvDHUCQRvvJzme7Dkhxy31Kh7qKL57Mj2ofIqSOqAMSVHahJp0kJ1sOrg/s400/IMG_2430.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>#3: And when I can't quite see what the next step should be... </i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUqHOBxfBNcM3UzbL0J3-KV6o89jTLgSb1eiKbMI9WwoAmkdGnK70GyQekNm_KdorBerhfok2cgHrQ3q9LS_YdVgOGCHmHyHd6g7W7hSV11cboI7H8QpzBTZuWW2jFpUJrudjKedBE-g/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUqHOBxfBNcM3UzbL0J3-KV6o89jTLgSb1eiKbMI9WwoAmkdGnK70GyQekNm_KdorBerhfok2cgHrQ3q9LS_YdVgOGCHmHyHd6g7W7hSV11cboI7H8QpzBTZuWW2jFpUJrudjKedBE-g/s400/IMG_2351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>... someone is always there to lift me up.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzhK_63YU590awkal5TWFGtwn3WmdY0X0bajf2ynvTZ7opkXuKjJcw-oyDb-leLhHP9SPAyxrtE5gD_wD9X87ZX6WJVbehKzbj4k74uca10fBCRV7wesdTzrxS-OsCnAdRxe6pT5j0mg/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzhK_63YU590awkal5TWFGtwn3WmdY0X0bajf2ynvTZ7opkXuKjJcw-oyDb-leLhHP9SPAyxrtE5gD_wD9X87ZX6WJVbehKzbj4k74uca10fBCRV7wesdTzrxS-OsCnAdRxe6pT5j0mg/s400/IMG_2453.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOUevjQj4p1GUoFJsBKSxUGNA_9YRRlsZ1rw_NvwFXURxSIETzH-IWFlizZNjJB3Ltoxd6HwpJqnEkndhWgyvDHUCQRvvJzme7Dkhxy31Kh7qKL57Mj2ofIqSOqAMSVHahJp0kJ1sOrg/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>#4: My family knows how to make me feel special,</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwJxpbptxJvZfo-X1x0tSjwCI_3PPPgTbgChuvbFJD955BD7IdNU26d7dJwr7et4BEO8yDZ7O9KFRzTKvcaM6MHyKXNYjVxXzTp4IPzcUc-q86o1knnJcp7Jw5S_cCcHrrQoYS-_1f-I/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwJxpbptxJvZfo-X1x0tSjwCI_3PPPgTbgChuvbFJD955BD7IdNU26d7dJwr7et4BEO8yDZ7O9KFRzTKvcaM6MHyKXNYjVxXzTp4IPzcUc-q86o1knnJcp7Jw5S_cCcHrrQoYS-_1f-I/s400/IMG_2729.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> and they're never afraid to show a little love.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMkFZUUN0JDa0U6nEhJM8jTgzRviHOlJqB44XruZ456MJB-ABILp3u80azvwjm6DQdwhO8nQsYdEcg87ggh2bxzzH6aREnzib-y_HgaFx6bWMylbt4ZTYhBF4-7axlti7IxRHz6JWmZs/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMkFZUUN0JDa0U6nEhJM8jTgzRviHOlJqB44XruZ456MJB-ABILp3u80azvwjm6DQdwhO8nQsYdEcg87ggh2bxzzH6aREnzib-y_HgaFx6bWMylbt4ZTYhBF4-7axlti7IxRHz6JWmZs/s400/IMG_2778.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> #5: No matter what lies ahead,</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK5pzFKssvldvrN6Enqbt8jcPv615NxaR2kRMttweHZ6WEDZ7TMdls8mfArxUjU75nCU8E71vxbBtDJ3nzvW4Q_HsISP_ArhHVaHImu5si04VnT8SscsOMYt3EBs7iIpfZMmMwwzFVlo/s1600/IMG_5724.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK5pzFKssvldvrN6Enqbt8jcPv615NxaR2kRMttweHZ6WEDZ7TMdls8mfArxUjU75nCU8E71vxbBtDJ3nzvW4Q_HsISP_ArhHVaHImu5si04VnT8SscsOMYt3EBs7iIpfZMmMwwzFVlo/s400/IMG_5724.PNG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I know my family will see me through... 'cuz that's what families do best!</i><br /><i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfp1vritNBy4F9AnijaZ_kwxBa2EYDCaRdTwwkH13GSbGDXhe98GGupKmAQSXi3sYg3OySLPxiZQq0MmQp0-O1F4AZo2jzsCJ2roDg3C2yf3_Uml4Tto8jUu-dbPQC-dypW9lgGaOrsKI/s1600/IMG_4749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s400/IMG_2316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNYPAV3_xnfNz4bty2ko4b1D86vDvxB3FQyC5PfJ9ozItlQXFUiSZ49s6sVOlzMkuV-a5ApjgQ9XdiOVkCN3-6QZ1XUd6ptSRlEssYNDzyHmujJr_Ih5hHALNT3R4rGm7WXoJ4E-1C48/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-59165885299214140002012-08-29T16:31:00.000-07:002012-08-29T16:31:05.379-07:00Sky Vacation Bible School Theme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLdEXI2ltvsNFBKguIauAQmZJiihyd7rEeqzbOYll4QqVyyFsTdj2_uj1sY2NWcWs7kwRXrfaHqwNS_c1rH5mHdTyO2kovz-AjSSZ_WRPKKLSEsm8Qqyr7Ui1jusLdetBt4UP5uxvG7g/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLdEXI2ltvsNFBKguIauAQmZJiihyd7rEeqzbOYll4QqVyyFsTdj2_uj1sY2NWcWs7kwRXrfaHqwNS_c1rH5mHdTyO2kovz-AjSSZ_WRPKKLSEsm8Qqyr7Ui1jusLdetBt4UP5uxvG7g/s400/IMG_1894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A few weeks ago we had a fantastic Vacation Bible School! This was our first year using the Group Publishing curriculum, which really impressed us. They had tons of hands on, small-group activities and key points each day that really drove the lessons home. The songs were fun and got the kids moving, but they had a great message. The Bible stories were amazing - I'll try to post about those later.<br />
<br />
The main auditorium is where we have our opening and closing sessions, so it's decorated to the max. Some easy ideas for any flight/sky theme:<br />
<br />
1. We flew objects all over the room by hanging them from vents with fishing wire, such as kites, small airplanes, and hot air balloons. To make hot air balloons, blow up beach balls and attach a basket with ribbon for hot air balloons. Our "baskets" were small round tupperware containers covered with brown construction paper. You can also use empty rolls of packing tape. How easy is that?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE40L-JKUWJtVtbH04He24zHxoxOP7yGGsXW0Tc2cooN3MRoo1-6io71l-vfH5g5chwQPzOA2CUGy-C-1l3-f7wNg_dPBjRQYblulDPO42vXAKBnHE_FMCRrk4rO_Z409BUODL7_-7gFE/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE40L-JKUWJtVtbH04He24zHxoxOP7yGGsXW0Tc2cooN3MRoo1-6io71l-vfH5g5chwQPzOA2CUGy-C-1l3-f7wNg_dPBjRQYblulDPO42vXAKBnHE_FMCRrk4rO_Z409BUODL7_-7gFE/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
2. To make a large hot air balloon, just tack up the sides of a pre-school parachute activity toy to the ceiling, and hang streamers down from it. We used flexible cardboard to make a round basket, but you could use a large box to make a square design, or cover any large container with brown paper.<br />
<br />
3. A balloon column is semi-easy to make yourself and looks great! I made these in about an hour each, and it was my first time - a great tutorial is <a href="http://www.balloon-decoration-guide.com/balloon-column.html">here</a>. I didn't know you can purchase gel to make your balloons stay inflated longer - in the heat of summer our air-filled balloons looked good 4-5 days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcis-V4tNvpU9Au4XSwhkIwGbsPTx8jh8VoE1RJv7YUlJn8EOABqVtX84qEqqh-E4PhQqN2aIM0LGKCtMupvVoq7CIDxHiP9Xi8r5Vszlez3ZAyGrUoYT3CzOKvoAM3EYhDmcvdLpHcy0/s1600/IMG_1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcis-V4tNvpU9Au4XSwhkIwGbsPTx8jh8VoE1RJv7YUlJn8EOABqVtX84qEqqh-E4PhQqN2aIM0LGKCtMupvVoq7CIDxHiP9Xi8r5Vszlez3ZAyGrUoYT3CzOKvoAM3EYhDmcvdLpHcy0/s400/IMG_1896.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Clouds<br />
<br />
We used tons of white balloons to look like clouds all around the floor. Simply tie two balloons together, then tie another set of 2 together, and twist the centers around each other and have 3 balloons as the base and one sticking up (see pic above). <br />
<br />
The other 3-d clouds were made by cutting cardboard cloud frames and covering them with batting. We spray painted a little blue in ours, but you could also glitter, or just leave plain. (The cloud background was purchased from Oriental Trading and was worth every cent! They have the sky decals you see, too).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhfmnu4gOG5V0BuXExvFREwE9GCliXmWmoDtAH-gT-R7Q57XxBIN9xMqhet8RU5ih57uJ6xFmnB2GdridCnaWzZRLoruHtpniO38PL_KkIFSm0vodEIcesKqApMKfrf7zhWo85XEhOVY/s1600/IMG_1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhfmnu4gOG5V0BuXExvFREwE9GCliXmWmoDtAH-gT-R7Q57XxBIN9xMqhet8RU5ih57uJ6xFmnB2GdridCnaWzZRLoruHtpniO38PL_KkIFSm0vodEIcesKqApMKfrf7zhWo85XEhOVY/s320/IMG_1898.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
5. Rainbow streamers - You'll see these in two places, on the walls of the church and on our giant hot air balloon. Streamers are cheap, simple, and add a splash of color. We strung a fishing line to hang the streamers on top, then taped them to the wall on bottom and covered the tape with clouds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMycECFWDDWK9YvWxZKb2SqxRHhVJG0Gd-eZlYb-L7q8o0A_hCTRyykoBKEZMXmhBFbIgk9hOnChxM9qHmmxz2qxP-bpmcL8k3SNKb2kaVE5qe79bPVx1ytnSTRYRMGbWCn1KCTDyRXYM/s1600/IMG_1889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMycECFWDDWK9YvWxZKb2SqxRHhVJG0Gd-eZlYb-L7q8o0A_hCTRyykoBKEZMXmhBFbIgk9hOnChxM9qHmmxz2qxP-bpmcL8k3SNKb2kaVE5qe79bPVx1ytnSTRYRMGbWCn1KCTDyRXYM/s320/IMG_1889.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
6. Ask around and see if you can borrow large kites, inflatables (we scored a B-W bomber inflatable raft!), and such. This bomber was a great focal point to our lobby entrance. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWS7GDySa5r8SRGFCY4Fr7wwn1C6agQ0kXyXOH2W6YV1mgYnXwvQezMhaPmiAArfmIqGn8wCnrpUfknIj7joaaF_t6AX86_oMJ7my_0P6I0bRjFTBDs7P_JzQqWjAWwWrgC08pTw5aSM/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWS7GDySa5r8SRGFCY4Fr7wwn1C6agQ0kXyXOH2W6YV1mgYnXwvQezMhaPmiAArfmIqGn8wCnrpUfknIj7joaaF_t6AX86_oMJ7my_0P6I0bRjFTBDs7P_JzQqWjAWwWrgC08pTw5aSM/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
7. Another fun idea - use cotton or leftover batting to "write" messages in the air!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hbTHa1LgDXiFhKmJSgwvfHobm2mj0-9yBDLvtkdG1y-XMvY3CxZ0w47HgpGGg0l5vh9ON4oNGI_qUbvZ_42n8LWnGaL993ktT9T26SIzQPn32Z0qGNYHzJK_8_bciXsOVZk4VP9lHrE/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hbTHa1LgDXiFhKmJSgwvfHobm2mj0-9yBDLvtkdG1y-XMvY3CxZ0w47HgpGGg0l5vh9ON4oNGI_qUbvZ_42n8LWnGaL993ktT9T26SIzQPn32Z0qGNYHzJK_8_bciXsOVZk4VP9lHrE/s400/IMG_1897.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a blast brainstorming and decorating for this week, and the kids raised enough money to purchase 50 mosquito nets for kids in the country of Mali! They made cards to go along with the nets - what a great way to for them to realize they can make a difference! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdg6dyp2fqpt-cjBPxrtEXQbZ6uIKzwpeZ0z_YfovOWN0BeIt2gBnRaxZQHIlAHIjugUkHLhCFiVCdFmt4DXojslTvRN8kxLfeQhghZI7vtmFupw7IF9-YQxrVYW7Kxg5aLge-wrwPJg/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdg6dyp2fqpt-cjBPxrtEXQbZ6uIKzwpeZ0z_YfovOWN0BeIt2gBnRaxZQHIlAHIjugUkHLhCFiVCdFmt4DXojslTvRN8kxLfeQhghZI7vtmFupw7IF9-YQxrVYW7Kxg5aLge-wrwPJg/s400/IMG_1902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We set up a net and mock bed so the kids could visualize our goal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are a couple pics from that week so you can see what it was like - it was definitely our favorite Bible school yet, and no question we're planning to use Group again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthLqqoERWXBWVij_VRvuNYXS38h8Q1L9wR_f3482NsiALeEeFPKl2H9LoyKWu7gWrX6vTpbgsg_gCoC6tQMKyhd0vqFUGFaX2PztkjKCmNR5oTG9xembjRJnc_FvFtvCe_HGYG1FsYd0/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcO-etV3-cU_5LUzPlcP2q0eJNmroh7fN338FKErl7Az-iR4G8LKg0wQGi4-BqcA25uNbFuoGjcpSN9K5mFQzOGJD5CIqEyok8qTXWS42MrTbr-n94BQ61vQ8eqIa1bWwvF25ujy-WPaw/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yqLKclv2-3YtZWjqte795i749dgH2UJ0pjoRd1Rb7k1kEaqGy4I2r_MYUaaIy8eQHaTCQOTUnmpdLsQqCFCQKuhtM1rXVOw7_9-RB53G5u2c06KlSlFrRNQdFMUjPpxe0i3rPeKrjls/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yqLKclv2-3YtZWjqte795i749dgH2UJ0pjoRd1Rb7k1kEaqGy4I2r_MYUaaIy8eQHaTCQOTUnmpdLsQqCFCQKuhtM1rXVOw7_9-RB53G5u2c06KlSlFrRNQdFMUjPpxe0i3rPeKrjls/s400/IMG_1932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8M4E-uXT9-e1YxZCFzyQnc5NFHyjWW4nzIwzw3sews19OWZWy1c1DqG21oqHWBW8rV4I7oM59UmEeUOTkr_HGoKB1pICvDdtVhWA6nSmI70eX6enb5DLt93flmsPzLFpHGFwaTBvh3k/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8M4E-uXT9-e1YxZCFzyQnc5NFHyjWW4nzIwzw3sews19OWZWy1c1DqG21oqHWBW8rV4I7oM59UmEeUOTkr_HGoKB1pICvDdtVhWA6nSmI70eX6enb5DLt93flmsPzLFpHGFwaTBvh3k/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl_ucdvRcd-B4cZsG9rs1b8DfPNBlpXiHcCu2jJyKQH-RqzDFIAbgeZyQL3dRcqI2wuLl8QlsWZriAAoJND8kyv1yO00835Lwg9wM3_05AzFl9qRru550PZMPhEJVKnPWPLRumAuU2os/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6Hz2qZXC0GFd_i32ZTb0DRDCPZsaLL5Ea6R3LiZvQHPS3BJ8FE7H-dEp6PgMoKJUzDuuJOYhPolAEXDbq6AYOKb5fdVu6zs7Gxk8SanVMtALnulxS7Q0R2aYY-dFG-YnEUibsxte-no/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL6eCLAUMcLZvhxpJK-LIS74jxjrk8NKgIYf3qmFczcm6TxZ3KrFNLe5jvf8cMpLHfdEJUSSDiq4Qj7oanlB170Cd5W0MOSRcZLgMOjQ66dNIpUQvLeKiSMYHtVBQgYa_rw9xNjc0wRw/s1600/IMG_1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1MJ9QPPzDAOSpBfGmf1pQXl_j-2g-tMDBF9YM-UtfH8s71p0Mu15LUUUmlSmw0kVFqs5dgbJmj3wEWlolnC9iYea5o263YxRBZhdBQzu8U_xAIA5fY0Fmi6dbKranbVcvprlhaa1x2A/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-36994453819417848812012-08-23T20:58:00.000-07:002012-08-23T20:58:02.294-07:00Life... with Sprinkles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXUcCCPf6-YVHaeKQwQQXZ2c0TIJicEg7BiJE8oSEbKX6S2GLcVEUVj59ZPTjDz_cCzgD0RFSRRNLC4Bs-0_v6uZqblpcb4pmvbu1efY72Cm1IG2zh9p7ELhmgZ6yoCbo8nJ6A9muLok/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXUcCCPf6-YVHaeKQwQQXZ2c0TIJicEg7BiJE8oSEbKX6S2GLcVEUVj59ZPTjDz_cCzgD0RFSRRNLC4Bs-0_v6uZqblpcb4pmvbu1efY72Cm1IG2zh9p7ELhmgZ6yoCbo8nJ6A9muLok/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had one of those defining moments recently. You know, where you see something - perhaps one of those things you've always done - in a new light. My girls had two friends over for the day, which meant they outnumbered me 5 to 1. I knew it was futile to try to get any housework done, so we packed up and went to the park instead. Once it got too hot to be at the park (in the desert, that's about 10:30am - the slide was steaming!), we decided to cool off with some ice cream at our local diner.<br />
<br />
As the waiter handed me five ice cream cups, I noticed several containers of sprinkles on the counter. "Do you mind if I put some of those on?" I asked. He hesitated, then gave me a half smile. "I guess it would be all right." I sprinkled about 10 mini fish-shaped sprinkles on each scoop and brought them over to the table.<br />
<br />
The girls squealed with delight. "Mine has fish sprinkles!" "Mine too!" "They're soooo cute!!" And I realized, <i>it doesn't take much to make something special</i>. Ten fish sprinkles made all the difference to them between a fancy parfait and vanilla ice cream in a styrofoam cup. And the guy didn't even charge me for the sprinkles!<br />
<br />
Life has a way of getting us to do many of the same things over and over again: Appointments. Laundry. Cooking. Church. Work. Errands. Laundry. Since becoming a mom, more and more I find myself inventing new ways of looking at and doing some of these monotonous tasks, for my own sanity as much as my kids'! And thanks to that nice waiter, I even have a name for it now: <i>Life... with sprinkles. </i><br />
<br />
For example...<br />
<br />
<i>~ Life</i> will leave you broke and stuck at home on some hot summer day because, well, you just can't afford the water park every day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWsYD5XhRNu4DHz2g2tNdtbPiYkRvWY3szDy84doJ1OGrvm0uCr7HHOajGxjmD0CSObddCNdFIwD3IUozuGV3IknOni_N1m3fCX-nrMj-o4enR08kDiS9On5IMnZPtMCv5oASeEghSyo/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWsYD5XhRNu4DHz2g2tNdtbPiYkRvWY3szDy84doJ1OGrvm0uCr7HHOajGxjmD0CSObddCNdFIwD3IUozuGV3IknOni_N1m3fCX-nrMj-o4enR08kDiS9On5IMnZPtMCv5oASeEghSyo/s400/IMG_2190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life with sprinkles</i>
will turn the kids loose with a big piece of bubble wrap, soap, and
water for the best slip 'n slide ever! And they'll get clean too... <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>~ Life</i> will inevitably have your kids bored, waiting for you
to finish a project somewhere (in our case, often the church building) so they can go
home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVx_ZQ7xVHQ8a1OLHAp2QhNfKu_0iMZx1uLBbPaVO2sKhEcoYLaMce0gnFavqw64jc1KJXnuvHnUsDIZw262GIKhsQDQBh4tHV_w2YBbL8EUoJTRGsOycAUHkwZCZyrDxx1Z8M5-4S24/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVx_ZQ7xVHQ8a1OLHAp2QhNfKu_0iMZx1uLBbPaVO2sKhEcoYLaMce0gnFavqw64jc1KJXnuvHnUsDIZw262GIKhsQDQBh4tHV_w2YBbL8EUoJTRGsOycAUHkwZCZyrDxx1Z8M5-4S24/s400/IMG_1038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life with sprinkles</i> will turn on the lawn sprinklers and let the kids go wild, to the point that <u>they're </u>the ones not ready to go home!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>~ Life</i> causes one to spend, on average, 45-60 minutes waiting each time you go to a doctor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqfebLU-J_1nBFWBJs4fklrN7Rm19U8pYjWoiQ1ba4OyqSrgjL6bIXmzFXwDzEqpExj7trCbuAtg8Hk5e5S8VdcrKq-41eX-XYNuCBWIf1tMjTk-N8VQvs304jeAo3FjOBgRSlUyt7lg/s1600/IMG_1644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqfebLU-J_1nBFWBJs4fklrN7Rm19U8pYjWoiQ1ba4OyqSrgjL6bIXmzFXwDzEqpExj7trCbuAtg8Hk5e5S8VdcrKq-41eX-XYNuCBWIf1tMjTk-N8VQvs304jeAo3FjOBgRSlUyt7lg/s400/IMG_1644.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life with sprinkles</i>
dyes their kids' hair pink before coming to their 3 year checkup, then
has them hide in the examining room closet like a spy and play doctor
with a tongue depressor (don't judge me! We waited more than two
hours..).<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>~ Life</i> sometimes makes you tempted to tell your kids, "Go outside and play, you're driving me crazy!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmwLFZnWEsP2QKiAv5PljlnDXCNGMyeujPJ5tlBo5XRdxrS-6-eLXUrh5tGodnZjoSO5GRZKQHdbYipgdvuSOiiLh_YdqaLfolj1DaYHZzDgSYYD4vRyPjCqTxJbyw5-ML_WKJJ67gzY/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmwLFZnWEsP2QKiAv5PljlnDXCNGMyeujPJ5tlBo5XRdxrS-6-eLXUrh5tGodnZjoSO5GRZKQHdbYipgdvuSOiiLh_YdqaLfolj1DaYHZzDgSYYD4vRyPjCqTxJbyw5-ML_WKJJ67gzY/s400/IMG_2140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life with sprinkles</i> will send them outside, armed with an old ball of yarn so they can make a giant spiderweb/obstacle course (and <i>maybe</i> leave off the last part about driving you crazy).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
~<i>Life</i> means running errands with small, sticky, sometimes ill-tempered children.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil58lv_W6qJDc6Bsmgpm7m8_gQXEcJ_ePegaEwPkPeMor3ori1MI2myTeMJVf8pObBCXSW15oOg57ZLVYnlXZTcgiX116V_EruWM1mw-MZg2uNZ4mHjT9Xa8xmVBPxVWxm9emaM19OJ4/s1600/IMG_5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil58lv_W6qJDc6Bsmgpm7m8_gQXEcJ_ePegaEwPkPeMor3ori1MI2myTeMJVf8pObBCXSW15oOg57ZLVYnlXZTcgiX116V_EruWM1mw-MZg2uNZ4mHjT9Xa8xmVBPxVWxm9emaM19OJ4/s400/IMG_5200.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life with sprinkles</i> means letting them pretend to talk on the department store phones once in awhile, <i>if</i> no one is looking and <i>if</i> you know that picking it up won't call anyone.<i> If</i>.<br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
<br />
<i>~ Life</i>, at some point or another, will probably get you pulled over for something. (If life doesn't, <b>speeding</b> definitely will!) <i> </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj5AUBQx6-7DZwGl6YFVcv5CQ7qB0_Bd3yOFEpUFMlRAGIcsms6CIall7rKCrMAAIRJQEHhdmgwa9e1IYT6SD72irY3gNKuJBSsQGFUHATbsClPi8332a8S2XuoubLxXBCp805BX-qg4/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj5AUBQx6-7DZwGl6YFVcv5CQ7qB0_Bd3yOFEpUFMlRAGIcsms6CIall7rKCrMAAIRJQEHhdmgwa9e1IYT6SD72irY3gNKuJBSsQGFUHATbsClPi8332a8S2XuoubLxXBCp805BX-qg4/s400/IMG_2044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the record, I got off with a warning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Life with sprinkles </i>will take a picture of the cop car and text it to your husband with no message. Just for fun... not that I did that or anything. :) <br />
<br />
But you get the idea -<br />
<br />
<i>Life</i> will have its share of booboos, mishaps, long days, and traffic jams. It's unavoidable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEMEDRA-pjSah2WsDkJdecvDZ5_YnFG38DdWhDArZ594jFtzMWpsezsv8C2PR6kU7Nqt7i9jioP8H_SLAbTJ99YUT3wiMsZBj2VK5XncR58R3O6g8qQwylNG58_PaxJ4c1D6CaMyViwc/s1600/IMG_1979.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEMEDRA-pjSah2WsDkJdecvDZ5_YnFG38DdWhDArZ594jFtzMWpsezsv8C2PR6kU7Nqt7i9jioP8H_SLAbTJ99YUT3wiMsZBj2VK5XncR58R3O6g8qQwylNG58_PaxJ4c1D6CaMyViwc/s320/IMG_1979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But<i> life with sprinkles</i> will have an ample supply of Angry Birds bandaids to make them feel a little better.<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
So go ahead - Use a little creativity and add your own sprinkles... you'll be glad you did, and so will those around you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAq6VpVnB6Vvm0HIbt3D2IAxu4Nujn5nvkQaWcBM3LrSoiQmDCXY_ztrPnj7xNqqPGeG_Us1uDXkpQqqRJ7ylDes5c9dFqTk3FWDqycdYbOEunyajUQTvFiSgxttu4re7FjUVWaF1chWk/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_127439184"></span><span id="goog_127439185"></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaV-tnBnfYZZ2mU_vRkk-Ouo6O2ypajbTk24loZvxANAFhexkMe14GIlhrTn8y-pRwrKpgzbPyRknQ50IJco2nozlObhKZTDUQATMbWzHdsx6zpxMw8oHfM0k21TaGlPL4EMFPDdflDo/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaV-tnBnfYZZ2mU_vRkk-Ouo6O2ypajbTk24loZvxANAFhexkMe14GIlhrTn8y-pRwrKpgzbPyRknQ50IJco2nozlObhKZTDUQATMbWzHdsx6zpxMw8oHfM0k21TaGlPL4EMFPDdflDo/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-72586877491098812632012-07-21T15:42:00.000-07:002012-07-21T15:42:44.600-07:00Remember When...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEQ6cc_CCscWiAPfOUO0a5_UmvupUMtGwRi1dcoNpyg7bld90f4EqWcup1a-hcwKccXUkU8HekIA-dnYxFf-mILEU1KoSLYv2SgOWKeQWm9iiPwy24zU4wLVJUDwcY2YV-6vZHtYWXbw/s1600/20120524130545_00103A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEQ6cc_CCscWiAPfOUO0a5_UmvupUMtGwRi1dcoNpyg7bld90f4EqWcup1a-hcwKccXUkU8HekIA-dnYxFf-mILEU1KoSLYv2SgOWKeQWm9iiPwy24zU4wLVJUDwcY2YV-6vZHtYWXbw/s400/20120524130545_00103A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ten years ago, we thought we knew everything about each other, about parenting, about the world. About 2 weeks later, we realized we didn't have a clue - but we were together, and that made everything all right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsswtNkFb3rvkt3IxJsfb_cZBQ8G8aIfYnhfZJjVzNN9Bt4Zeti_c6b2m69JcdTDVsXXqaMLtyKD2xksoJvD2B0ofx1uHO9wIMTQSzB6YBpk_NxAxNCg_czresLF0ITTFH3p1sYyeZKM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-07-21+at+2.55.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsswtNkFb3rvkt3IxJsfb_cZBQ8G8aIfYnhfZJjVzNN9Bt4Zeti_c6b2m69JcdTDVsXXqaMLtyKD2xksoJvD2B0ofx1uHO9wIMTQSzB6YBpk_NxAxNCg_czresLF0ITTFH3p1sYyeZKM/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-07-21+at+2.55.02+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As soon as we got the routine of "us" down pat, Baby #1 came along and threw us into a tailspin again. Diapers, midnight feedings, and laundry abounded. But we were together, and that made everything all right.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNn8kBm-5fHVomZgraJ0CzDB_WeFoqIHfIMIt0_irjCSPO6TXpk5pmzP8KnPgfNGY6WloKuOJ5F2IKj9AsP2EuqDy0SPsXtosc4EREJ0xshagEm4vtfhm5NthhKM-Qd0MFQwmmF-Rb7s/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNn8kBm-5fHVomZgraJ0CzDB_WeFoqIHfIMIt0_irjCSPO6TXpk5pmzP8KnPgfNGY6WloKuOJ5F2IKj9AsP2EuqDy0SPsXtosc4EREJ0xshagEm4vtfhm5NthhKM-Qd0MFQwmmF-Rb7s/s400/IMG_0160.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Baby #2 made us wonder why we thought having one was so hard... <br />
<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeSFg3IsweTfurefzy0LZHeU3227nEIVEQ6B16aH6bWfaZEjWrw739_coix_KacPA0D-_JGNf_UxPpdvqVu22shrIzELbOV4HmHCQKq3V5M0Nrqgt-9QXHXwAcLFumpzr3oni5dXGo4w/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeSFg3IsweTfurefzy0LZHeU3227nEIVEQ6B16aH6bWfaZEjWrw739_coix_KacPA0D-_JGNf_UxPpdvqVu22shrIzELbOV4HmHCQKq3V5M0Nrqgt-9QXHXwAcLFumpzr3oni5dXGo4w/s400/IMG_3059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And by the third we were just plain exhausted. But we were together, and that made everything all right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHxJXDF8NnrghwKVX6TdA-kvCMC4qxloD2smgNu2ZblP0qcroQ2ZyPLTLvuLaL3sbWcHpA9lyjwAkUlqJcECWvggiTOlvgV5oAee4k8X0J0mg117rzyVDZuNvvS6EiCtrlIFKgaFAnPw/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHxJXDF8NnrghwKVX6TdA-kvCMC4qxloD2smgNu2ZblP0qcroQ2ZyPLTLvuLaL3sbWcHpA9lyjwAkUlqJcECWvggiTOlvgV5oAee4k8X0J0mg117rzyVDZuNvvS6EiCtrlIFKgaFAnPw/s400/IMG_3691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For better for worse, for cheesy, for poor...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dOt-OovZHqe7g_s-yhWDpPl2lvlwoVWfkGumb61bBcY-S2C6on9DyqVaLYURUc37IujAlrWs3mm5YM0jxBjy2PTerEstlIM9s6KdAcuuKLfmUyJMJbkksoG_8QeRUP6N4ZzhXain_jk/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dOt-OovZHqe7g_s-yhWDpPl2lvlwoVWfkGumb61bBcY-S2C6on9DyqVaLYURUc37IujAlrWs3mm5YM0jxBjy2PTerEstlIM9s6KdAcuuKLfmUyJMJbkksoG_8QeRUP6N4ZzhXain_jk/s400/IMG_0952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You light up our home, you bring laughter into so many situations - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fghvq3qDkJYk2fvfwhS9SgSMS0U6EJYIHjVuNzqS1mEuxb_3rWoI8A_KmCF4q3MaMrVt-3W4NIa-hxbUr5_9oGNs2zjObzHprHksfsrbgjW1fqtYl1ldZAVnXI8Ctz2wt9yeGZX3O2U/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fghvq3qDkJYk2fvfwhS9SgSMS0U6EJYIHjVuNzqS1mEuxb_3rWoI8A_KmCF4q3MaMrVt-3W4NIa-hxbUr5_9oGNs2zjObzHprHksfsrbgjW1fqtYl1ldZAVnXI8Ctz2wt9yeGZX3O2U/s320/IMG_1553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And I know that no matter what, everything is going to be all right when we're together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7m0f686Z27OgK1EGvrxzbMr5Zea4IPAvK2Uo8WcmDQ4QzVUUuunX_QNcd3ixPavjxRTg-Woo2FnehgYrjm5JYDf1WA77Fnlzl29lv5-O2TtEBJCMG0qjqwnYc5xpD-0CjIElvUfWuAo/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7m0f686Z27OgK1EGvrxzbMr5Zea4IPAvK2Uo8WcmDQ4QzVUUuunX_QNcd3ixPavjxRTg-Woo2FnehgYrjm5JYDf1WA77Fnlzl29lv5-O2TtEBJCMG0qjqwnYc5xpD-0CjIElvUfWuAo/s400/IMG_0536.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Because no matter where we are, no matter what we're <strike>eating</strike> doing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJXqA9O4ZWmPgbgqAfruZDFpJiar-qpKZrx1SIJ7an5PxN6z_Wekwy2vX7Vy0699qPUuADWo8qhcrpRRZB0he45GGnIk_uTcvJ59dOBfn6HmwJVLkORE3MbNx4NL_NhCLJYPleYH6oDc/s1600/home.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJXqA9O4ZWmPgbgqAfruZDFpJiar-qpKZrx1SIJ7an5PxN6z_Wekwy2vX7Vy0699qPUuADWo8qhcrpRRZB0he45GGnIk_uTcvJ59dOBfn6HmwJVLkORE3MbNx4NL_NhCLJYPleYH6oDc/s400/home.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You never fail to make me feel like the luckiest girl alive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgrKja1AI8UzrYMymVt92Zq-LxrS1NqnjBBErv3ZQlA7OftwmC7IEZiWLNiiwlKUeezH_Q3TQ1-Y-S4jGI7dLJC-z69zYI5CFzd4kSo7VtMkg2dlOiuWZ0dplZlfGkSrjGK9A_hjBqUI/s1600/china.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgrKja1AI8UzrYMymVt92Zq-LxrS1NqnjBBErv3ZQlA7OftwmC7IEZiWLNiiwlKUeezH_Q3TQ1-Y-S4jGI7dLJC-z69zYI5CFzd4kSo7VtMkg2dlOiuWZ0dplZlfGkSrjGK9A_hjBqUI/s400/china.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I love you with all my heart, happy anniversary! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thanks for joining me on this amazing adventure we call our life.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpPHQgTKPsVLgYHeJUncOkzCLDJXcnZZhevCuH0Kmh-CiNYwgeraX_TOlmaouzDoKKLBNo4RAQk04vYHt_AJANLTVWZehXJZC1XCrskYnDkbidDw5U26l09D-otPobTn-Gu9m0lBnbiE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-07-20+at+5.16.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpPHQgTKPsVLgYHeJUncOkzCLDJXcnZZhevCuH0Kmh-CiNYwgeraX_TOlmaouzDoKKLBNo4RAQk04vYHt_AJANLTVWZehXJZC1XCrskYnDkbidDw5U26l09D-otPobTn-Gu9m0lBnbiE/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-07-20+at+5.16.06+PM.png" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtNLpmSco9qgg_nzQDQIOno2m_ituZfXS5oHmS1AERKMoy8pC5OTIL2_7JKMV3xgLI1nzWQWDcl7jFnPjNuoWvlgjThOewTrSg3adaLA8i7COYrfBWhs7K7vqB8_RdD7mKo7QTqRZg5c/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rubo2QjaPgO_Lxp6Cfzd0OVRvLvHTuawOCzEuOMC5n4BR6cwDCBOiHrb5K7vNkSwn27v_GoRh4wIbvolX0m7Q06cnnJpRg5RNVLxxtABQjIs_PVSWWOkNZlVWHNp7VWPy5WjalUD0Tg/s1600/IMG_1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-40431879242397335622012-07-15T17:53:00.002-07:002012-07-15T17:53:47.726-07:00Summer Fun Zone<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFeQTT10mO6jgKmEU82gdzUvg_z9mazzTR1qmSyxpjx-x45W4LooB6Ta7rDZb_URcX2ZA99qw77Z0R3-lU-7XDqZpRuqK73uwLoQskmuTagxM86kS_W8ZXDE2wdoB_hJhNoYxf_lv_wA/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFeQTT10mO6jgKmEU82gdzUvg_z9mazzTR1qmSyxpjx-x45W4LooB6Ta7rDZb_URcX2ZA99qw77Z0R3-lU-7XDqZpRuqK73uwLoQskmuTagxM86kS_W8ZXDE2wdoB_hJhNoYxf_lv_wA/s400/IMG_1419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck? Who's stuck?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some people may feel, well, stuck in the desert heat, but we've managed to keep pretty busy - and have a lot of fun - this summer! So busy that my blog has completely gone to the back burner as we swim nearly every day at the local pool and go on countless adventures... isn't that what summer's all about? Here's a recap to catch you up...<br />
<br />
We've played dress up and been people from all over the world, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W7ID78hllyDRUbavG4efipvrfG06cr2Y4Jc6GKwNffEdNY1DiUzYBEfWc70uloADRps3gatz8aIPiY8azGHLc7EfJ29R97lHOzl0V-AyrTpvTTMFvfBD0i4fHiKSqQf8NsTp1Tpvp9U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-07-15+at+5.23.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W7ID78hllyDRUbavG4efipvrfG06cr2Y4Jc6GKwNffEdNY1DiUzYBEfWc70uloADRps3gatz8aIPiY8azGHLc7EfJ29R97lHOzl0V-AyrTpvTTMFvfBD0i4fHiKSqQf8NsTp1Tpvp9U/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-07-15+at+5.23.09+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And found out that Nattie has a passion for stickers.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub_sl-W-IZnvhQG5VtWapdQKZW6-hrQyZ7PL-qsmq0e8Xm_guQciYAhg6Bc8CGl9wllm2-_Ebw6zWY1DbIbja2J2v5psvcot-ubMNPnOqpzul6pG_aKAtPxjK6A92xSaTNX0d3X2xTZw/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub_sl-W-IZnvhQG5VtWapdQKZW6-hrQyZ7PL-qsmq0e8Xm_guQciYAhg6Bc8CGl9wllm2-_Ebw6zWY1DbIbja2J2v5psvcot-ubMNPnOqpzul6pG_aKAtPxjK6A92xSaTNX0d3X2xTZw/s400/IMG_1232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We went on adventure one day to a small nearby town with 200 people and drank from their hundred year old soda fountain. Root beer floats, anyone? <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/AVvXsEg9Qd8ZdJ0b9zLmURWBsP6skjkP21j2K1piFkSZ0QHb-bE-hQfPIXTbkl6tJoZT3Qx2DsrKOfz4AeB_i0WiEDKJescr56ckgs1RVkLkQsIpxfCf4vpUVZr15V0qpKvEvrdlS7h19eZYPFc/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Qd8ZdJ0b9zLmURWBsP6skjkP21j2K1piFkSZ0QHb-bE-hQfPIXTbkl6tJoZT3Qx2DsrKOfz4AeB_i0WiEDKJescr56ckgs1RVkLkQsIpxfCf4vpUVZr15V0qpKvEvrdlS7h19eZYPFc/s400/IMG_1112.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We've made several trips to the park in the early morning - any later than about 10am and the equipment is too hot to use, no kidding! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIptkX6v7knOmyLjo9GorT_ioWgaWTg3IQaIjYT-tbAjKloEAleqeYu1Ny4OtcOtXXk8dihqmGl7gpWKxBI1uq3ObW7v2rPcLxPogeP6SFyCDpvVoCNMavb913ZOVswmtWZUizPyyuCo/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIptkX6v7knOmyLjo9GorT_ioWgaWTg3IQaIjYT-tbAjKloEAleqeYu1Ny4OtcOtXXk8dihqmGl7gpWKxBI1uq3ObW7v2rPcLxPogeP6SFyCDpvVoCNMavb913ZOVswmtWZUizPyyuCo/s400/IMG_1370.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But mostly, we've just enjoyed being together, and that's a big part of summer for us :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsrPEVBmRdWwCoRsZncJTmxRVUTQQkD1UjdewICZOlBNuerubobS3C5TxftRM8PhzgR1QkfbTQYq3HK7XBrcKRG76k8uhYqgi8coh9ecASWddSkzmF0RDZluv1741iFOhEICbtO_oG7g/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsrPEVBmRdWwCoRsZncJTmxRVUTQQkD1UjdewICZOlBNuerubobS3C5TxftRM8PhzgR1QkfbTQYq3HK7XBrcKRG76k8uhYqgi8coh9ecASWddSkzmF0RDZluv1741iFOhEICbtO_oG7g/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stay tuned for more summer fun!</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-18840692031325084872012-05-28T08:37:00.000-07:002012-05-28T08:40:53.449-07:00Miscellany Monday 501<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Memorial Day, everyone! We are headed off to a church picnic in a couple hours, but here's what we've been up to:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
1) We did it, we did it, yay!! (Can you tell Dora is on in the front room?) Despite a 9-day trip to China, Tom's hernia surgery, and numerous other distractions, Linsey finished her schooling on May 11, two weeks ahead of schedule! Her final unit in science was on the human body - let's just say I don't think she'll be going into the medical field in the near future! "That's disgusting!" was a phrase I heard often, but she did learn something, because the other day she came to me with a pathetic voice, "Mom, my esophagus is hurting. I think I need some medicine!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgrXA9Yg4ZWRK9cDQr6k9L1NLVoAeAK-maqN6IQdY7Sjsm_cjfRmJ_kHsVPDawAXJ1TYRjZoR1mxQ6AfTX1cNj_RR1i7paus9zd_pQBb5OrRr5AccZQdDb-30Mc1ZlVWcBtDm3YBWCik/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-20+at+4.18.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgrXA9Yg4ZWRK9cDQr6k9L1NLVoAeAK-maqN6IQdY7Sjsm_cjfRmJ_kHsVPDawAXJ1TYRjZoR1mxQ6AfTX1cNj_RR1i7paus9zd_pQBb5OrRr5AccZQdDb-30Mc1ZlVWcBtDm3YBWCik/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-05-20+at+4.18.32+PM.png" width="365" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
2) This is Nattie, my adorable, devilishly stubborn almost 3-year old. We bought her these "sparkly shoes" a couple weeks ago, and she's hardly taken them off. Actually, for the first 48 hours or so, she didn't take them off. She begged me to let her sleep in them, and I was so ready for her to go to bed that night I finally relented - the third kid will do that to you! Besides, now we can tease her about it when she gets older :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsShyau7moDr__Uk4_NXJMeJNE5TXzU6H0xhgUdC14UBoeAzmAm1lIHvVVMbd14QomF1mDBsdxopqCco1UxpAIJNhyphenhyphend4kahAlIf_bod3cJxdy4hkrKWkNFY2we-qycsGcFeEWiPTe78YU/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsShyau7moDr__Uk4_NXJMeJNE5TXzU6H0xhgUdC14UBoeAzmAm1lIHvVVMbd14QomF1mDBsdxopqCco1UxpAIJNhyphenhyphend4kahAlIf_bod3cJxdy4hkrKWkNFY2we-qycsGcFeEWiPTe78YU/s400/IMG_0928.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3) The girls, all on their own, decided to have a lemonade stand! Only they didn't want to charge anyone, they just wanted to give it away (not the entrepreneurial spirit, I know!). Unfortunately, pretty much the only reason people go down our road is to get to the high school, and it was the middle of the school day. So we couldn't even GIVE the stuff away because no one came by! They were so bummed. Finally, we grabbed a kiddie grocery cart and made a 'traveling lemonade stand.' We went to neighbors' houses, including some just moving in that day, and made a few new friends.<br />
Love my girls and our little adventures!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3k5WpWbhnAQzbfaPiDk9PMmi1nbh3imYs1zeq9MnF22Mwx38DZvQi2tvvl7E9vjymAIOEVnFJ30JiJ6YH2lxO0ydjCsZbgPbLxo8QU7CtHda5FdAbZH74IUbvEV6aCPk1QTKdptu3PE/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3k5WpWbhnAQzbfaPiDk9PMmi1nbh3imYs1zeq9MnF22Mwx38DZvQi2tvvl7E9vjymAIOEVnFJ30JiJ6YH2lxO0ydjCsZbgPbLxo8QU7CtHda5FdAbZH74IUbvEV6aCPk1QTKdptu3PE/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4) A friend and I made our first cake pops a few weeks ago for a wedding shower! Not perfect, but definitely the most crafty thing I've done in awhile that didn't need wiggly eyes glued to them.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUKyWDfz_IEImS-65tV7OHsRpNbqY-9plwV2LwRX631MVVKdLnNiFSpk0rShdcUH9XRIF8rpteGTccsh8a1XmjbJvK-Ne1HJM1xrgJsveM5ygh69AFxqZr8f31To2ilX6bHxudRaR39Y/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUKyWDfz_IEImS-65tV7OHsRpNbqY-9plwV2LwRX631MVVKdLnNiFSpk0rShdcUH9XRIF8rpteGTccsh8a1XmjbJvK-Ne1HJM1xrgJsveM5ygh69AFxqZr8f31To2ilX6bHxudRaR39Y/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5) And here we all are on Mother's Day - my one wish was for all 3 girls to wear matching outfits. They made me breakfast, cards, and macaroni necklaces, and Tom grilled ribs for lunch. The best part is that nearly every day since, Nattie has come up to me, given me a hug, and said, "Happy Mother's Day, Mama!" I'm guessing they must have practiced that a lot :)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG3ds5lvgA0b0POQ0sM-tn4fFb-MZRuPwH_5jaaDJzc4ycFsS_HAOCPDCpfTV3SDOnHen3CoRFHLwGQe_AM3OcBXXHBqQ9g97dNKUMjlpEt8Jyn9Gs9s_1L_uDYlOr6acBkcH6NeHX14/s1600/mday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG3ds5lvgA0b0POQ0sM-tn4fFb-MZRuPwH_5jaaDJzc4ycFsS_HAOCPDCpfTV3SDOnHen3CoRFHLwGQe_AM3OcBXXHBqQ9g97dNKUMjlpEt8Jyn9Gs9s_1L_uDYlOr6acBkcH6NeHX14/s320/mday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell which one keeps me on my toes??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.carissagraham.com/search/label/miscellany%20monday"><img align="center" alt="miscellany monday at lowercase letters" hspace="none" src="http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/ElvishAuthoress/MMbutton3.png" vspace="none" /></a>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-72585241104178277452012-05-22T23:04:00.000-07:002012-05-22T23:04:17.696-07:00White Girl in China: Watch Your Language!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrgfd3m6jJl9wBXUtIl-k4jn_9M1CHEl5u89Ok2D4EhJ4jeoErecXHXI4FOt0_ufMkcK6gzqt3cL-SiYr9XnZbbWDY4S8XTAjMQrT8Chy59rOss5RTuSlpVU5eFXt3cp4QavGceivVtM/s1600/IMG_0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrgfd3m6jJl9wBXUtIl-k4jn_9M1CHEl5u89Ok2D4EhJ4jeoErecXHXI4FOt0_ufMkcK6gzqt3cL-SiYr9XnZbbWDY4S8XTAjMQrT8Chy59rOss5RTuSlpVU5eFXt3cp4QavGceivVtM/s400/IMG_0639.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising on the Yellow River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am a talkative person. And I used to think I was fairly good at getting around language barriers - I speak Spanish, so I can get by in most Latin-based language situations if I have to. I also know a bit of sign language and I took shorthand in college, which really has no relevance in the 21st century. Plus, we had a Korean exchange student stay with us for a year. All that to say, I had many frustrating - and humorous - attempts at expressing myself in a language where we don't even share the same alphabet. <br />
<br />
On our first night, we took a boat tour of the city on the Huangpu River. I noticed the locals pointing and staring at us, but being a group of 34 white tourists on an otherwise all Chinese boat tour, that was no shock. (Much of our vacation locals either asked us to pose for pics with them or just took pictures of us being tourists, like this guy filming Tom hacky sack..)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7eohZAsKs_Eb4qXwuljipXDk4__fP1fqslyUafgxZwsKUqDdP3oKRXi-eVOO2Abu9vTMAJH9YbLYDyTEhaCfzqO1NMCu76GhXKFIon9640nSwjOPSk8ixRcqQQ8WKzVyeRMiWE8AfKQ/s1600/IMG_4489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7eohZAsKs_Eb4qXwuljipXDk4__fP1fqslyUafgxZwsKUqDdP3oKRXi-eVOO2Abu9vTMAJH9YbLYDyTEhaCfzqO1NMCu76GhXKFIon9640nSwjOPSk8ixRcqQQ8WKzVyeRMiWE8AfKQ/s400/IMG_4489.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You film my husband, I film you... :)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2VTGwlMF3t0vbGtBltAWMH1NLIjyT2BXnX5JrfTYrzeFt3Q9yWGdinEEkRHHmNTkoBREv5KSJac7U5joBDMEivOVSzqi72LeaN_CGta-U6T3U7M0yZ5S0AT_wkSiIvYtRvWsQwKDNNY/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2VTGwlMF3t0vbGtBltAWMH1NLIjyT2BXnX5JrfTYrzeFt3Q9yWGdinEEkRHHmNTkoBREv5KSJac7U5joBDMEivOVSzqi72LeaN_CGta-U6T3U7M0yZ5S0AT_wkSiIvYtRvWsQwKDNNY/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a 6'2" redheaded Irish-American, Tom achieved a near-celebrity status.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But I determined to make a new friend. Or even two. I was seated by our tour guide William, and the women around him immediately began staring and asking him questions about me. <i>Was I married? Did I have kids? Would I take a picture with them?</i> After about 5 minutes, William made his hasty escape from the female chat zone, and I decided to continue the conversation on my own. <i>"What is your name?"</i> I asked. Confusion marked their faces. My subconscious told me to speak slower and louder...<i>doesn't that work in the movies? </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPvnS_Aq5MH84IzdiWngIh5F2RI_btxHEEXvukBDmTb-BqisJ_-kZ9NZRRiyL67ZZLxKEELwrJQW68A_w-dZ1VneotIFM44XX8MwgiNY8q7baWtlz2YoloD4xYMLwiOP-rL7VFA0ocq4/s1600/IMG_4538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPvnS_Aq5MH84IzdiWngIh5F2RI_btxHEEXvukBDmTb-BqisJ_-kZ9NZRRiyL67ZZLxKEELwrJQW68A_w-dZ1VneotIFM44XX8MwgiNY8q7baWtlz2YoloD4xYMLwiOP-rL7VFA0ocq4/s400/IMG_4538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture really is worth 1,000 words! Especially when you don't understand them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"What....your....NAME?" I asked with the speed of a snail. Still no response. I tried in Spanish, "Su nombre?" Nothing. I thought about using sign language but decided instead to flip open my Chinese dictionary app and show them the sign I thought I was asking for. They giggled.<br />
<br />
Frustrated, I decided to try the Tarzan approach. S-L-O-W-L-Y I pointed to myself. "Elizabeth." Blank stares. "E-LIZ-A-BETH." I thumped myself so hard I nearly lost my breath, and still they shook their heads. Then it dawned on me, <i>Elizabeth</i> probably doesn't even sound like a name to them! Most of their names were simple, two-syllable words. Tom snickered, "Honey, they probably think you're having a heart attack! Leave the poor women alone." Defeated, I waved goodbye (turns out that's a universal sign) and went upstairs.<br />
<br />
It was humbling, not even being able to tell what kind of items a store sold from the outside. We went in one place thinking it was a coffeeshop and found a daycare center instead. Then when we actually found a Starbucks, the clerk, who spoke some English, asked me for 50 juan (pronounced ywon), which is their currency. I gave him 50 juan, and he said, "No, 50-juan."<br />
<br />
Defensively, I replied, "I just gave you 50 juan!"<br />
<br />
"No!" he exclaimed, clearly frustrated. "Not 50 juan, 50- juan!" and he held up 5 fingers on one hand and 1 on the other.<br />
<br />
"Oh!" I said, laughing, "51!" and he gave me a resounding "Jess." <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ1P54wx82d3wHTUUovzh7BY1Gd97Zu5pkWfWCTf61UGJHW0qtrWBubZzcGWGHpJhZgqg-J9WqQxbBjOcOeK2SmJCzZjJflLCjd7A5YUfQh_1u7jC5ADGtqY6WVjhGzkXlI9xLuNnMzE/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ1P54wx82d3wHTUUovzh7BY1Gd97Zu5pkWfWCTf61UGJHW0qtrWBubZzcGWGHpJhZgqg-J9WqQxbBjOcOeK2SmJCzZjJflLCjd7A5YUfQh_1u7jC5ADGtqY6WVjhGzkXlI9xLuNnMzE/s400/IMG_0459.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To make matters worse, when I picked up our drink, the barrista called, "venti white chocolate latte!" Trying to be encouraging, I responded politely, "Thank you. And good English!" The guy looked at me, rolled his eyes and gave me a curt "Thanks" in a very American accent. Tom rolled his eyes too. But at least I didn't give <i>that</i> guy my Tarzan impression.<br />
<br />
(To catch up on China posts, click <a href="http://twirlsncurls.blogspot.com/search/label/White%20Girl%20in%20China">here</a>) <br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-60236120845871925152012-05-16T16:03:00.001-07:002012-05-16T16:03:35.791-07:00Girl Time= Mother Nurture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AQV_RjN3ZYSLopR4p5aQtInVz_mEhym5AYSTcfcXCAy0jindD6EE7epPKYn1zXwhdrsdafH8NooPEZUmgHVWAZ0tXSLuQdviKR_hdrw6mtydYWm91Zk_IQu3Zdbb2IeKJzY6IJ2rd8U/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AQV_RjN3ZYSLopR4p5aQtInVz_mEhym5AYSTcfcXCAy0jindD6EE7epPKYn1zXwhdrsdafH8NooPEZUmgHVWAZ0tXSLuQdviKR_hdrw6mtydYWm91Zk_IQu3Zdbb2IeKJzY6IJ2rd8U/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love, love, LOVE having girls. <i>(more posts on Girl Time <a href="http://twirlsncurls.blogspot.com/search/label/Girl%20Time">here</a>)</i>
I was never much into hair, makeup, or princesses, until I held my own
little princess for the first time. I was smitten. She wore nothing but
pink and purple for a year, when her white-blond hair was finally long
enough for me to make a little ponytail on top with a ribbon. She
carried a purse and baby doll wherever she went. Add two more princesses
to the mix, and, 7 years later, my life is a flurry of braids, nail
polish, and "No, you cannot go out of the house like that"s. Already.<br />
<br />
One
thing I love about having girls is that their soft, nurturing side
comes out so often. After our second girl, I decided they needed some
"neutral" toys, so we bought matchbox cars. No sooner had I gotten them
out of the box than the girls ran to their room and tucked the cars into
their beds. "There, there," they said, "aren't they cute?!" I'm pretty
sure lullabies ensued.<br />
<br />
So far we've had a
guinea pig, a mini sea turtle, and a few fish, all of which the girls
are sure were of the fairer gender. Whenever Natalie is looking for
something and then finds it, she exclaims, "Oh, there <b>she</b> is!!" Even the
tea. Or her undies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4AKq1KENPKBVZV7hplECS7aEvSvm9fMHP3h5_T5STNil0vEE5xXsyi-sOwR7_yPMxYv1Ht9bAl9MOp1YDhj6qs-hNxKIi3RrevqOgRUR_dScem-FJHQh_4ziqjRWn2gOUxTlW6l04Ls/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4AKq1KENPKBVZV7hplECS7aEvSvm9fMHP3h5_T5STNil0vEE5xXsyi-sOwR7_yPMxYv1Ht9bAl9MOp1YDhj6qs-hNxKIi3RrevqOgRUR_dScem-FJHQh_4ziqjRWn2gOUxTlW6l04Ls/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy about my crazy girlie!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And when I walk into the restroom, Nattie has begun to take over the washcloth shelf, making beds for her dolls:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4jE4YFSu0mEZ1DoLA2IDrh6D-vBMhXVGwApq5FVyw7ZtBRvfNMdT8A3p-Yi73wz5pBzvmh1S9ETML9LcETS_HSjzhjAo-Rl6__W76H20gqQJOgpOceZduFTsgVMT8Old05yCKXO1icc/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4jE4YFSu0mEZ1DoLA2IDrh6D-vBMhXVGwApq5FVyw7ZtBRvfNMdT8A3p-Yi73wz5pBzvmh1S9ETML9LcETS_HSjzhjAo-Rl6__W76H20gqQJOgpOceZduFTsgVMT8Old05yCKXO1icc/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
While they have their moments, most of the time my girls adorable together I overheard my two oldest talking the
other day. Hannah said, "Linsey, my heart would break if I had to be
without you forever!"<br />
Linsey patted her hand, "Well, we'll just have to live next door then!" I love it.<br />
<br />
This is the card Linsey, 7, made for Hannah's 5th birthday last month:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qlTdAuccCvjE5jwWH99iYquceTgChVvW9DPsXOf80wsEh-AuoG9olJRnslmhHAo-eFYqwjOzbX6XZBZSyKPvP2-s5zaDgScMsYnt4o4EfNZFWiSlx4inhNiXkKh8hSwzW_ivxvzS9zo/s1600/IMG_1158.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qlTdAuccCvjE5jwWH99iYquceTgChVvW9DPsXOf80wsEh-AuoG9olJRnslmhHAo-eFYqwjOzbX6XZBZSyKPvP2-s5zaDgScMsYnt4o4EfNZFWiSlx4inhNiXkKh8hSwzW_ivxvzS9zo/s400/IMG_1158.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Seeing you smile makes me so happy. Seeing you grow so tall..."<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's awesome to see their heart for
other people too. Our neighbor's dog just ran away, and Linsey asked if
we could take them cookies. They're always asking to have people, young
and old, to our home, especially if they don't have a family. And when
Tom went away overnight, the girls insisted that we make him cards.
Hannah dictated exactly what she wanted: "Mommy, say 'I love you.' And
make sure you use a lot of words, so he really knows I do!!" <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXext7hpxj3F2bHxM1j80Z18D3YAdHNaplDxBlKRHQHHYtCwl0UjqltuaWQBScJUe_9SwW7V_tCMV2x17Y-LW5X8Gdx4IZP14JZEK7ZYK2RYAap9MDrDPPEG59HyFuJKSZrtZvQS8JjE/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXext7hpxj3F2bHxM1j80Z18D3YAdHNaplDxBlKRHQHHYtCwl0UjqltuaWQBScJUe_9SwW7V_tCMV2x17Y-LW5X8Gdx4IZP14JZEK7ZYK2RYAap9MDrDPPEG59HyFuJKSZrtZvQS8JjE/s400/IMG_0112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It
comes in handy for me too. The other day, I messed up trying to start a
movie for the girls, and I apologized. Hannah came over and gave me a
big hug. "That's all right, Mommy... you're still the best Mama for us!
We love you!" And I sure love them :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVTFuy3HO5OzkyFMXZzAjZh8P42wPxgPAi2U-ILesm1EpNgMK14KD0Uy5_1Nx8DoppHwBeYu0qCutOU923IuY0h5IRzdwVspTmk_66Rdz9jC0-gzOcHZtk2wufLUl0YnNybasPNsYLHk/s1600/IMG_9962.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVTFuy3HO5OzkyFMXZzAjZh8P42wPxgPAi2U-ILesm1EpNgMK14KD0Uy5_1Nx8DoppHwBeYu0qCutOU923IuY0h5IRzdwVspTmk_66Rdz9jC0-gzOcHZtk2wufLUl0YnNybasPNsYLHk/s400/IMG_9962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily snuggle time in Linsey's bed<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-49741358142277841702012-05-11T08:34:00.001-07:002012-05-11T08:34:55.498-07:00White Girl in China: Fine Dining<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsWCENPAbh2zZcrESoL0f0qyPYuqw7EDiHZpiEbnYVHAz_rbcksPTE2gAtiig067u5FU0B-u29Prvj4PWtvtsyDeqmkisIYOdg28hzOVAThmfSao4QfiesV1-LajGVDly4V2OJCI-lOI/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsWCENPAbh2zZcrESoL0f0qyPYuqw7EDiHZpiEbnYVHAz_rbcksPTE2gAtiig067u5FU0B-u29Prvj4PWtvtsyDeqmkisIYOdg28hzOVAThmfSao4QfiesV1-LajGVDly4V2OJCI-lOI/s400/IMG_0731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating scorpion on Snack Street, a famous tourist spot in Beijing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>(To catch up on the other posts in this series, click <a href="http://twirlsncurls.blogspot.com/search/label/White%20Girl%20in%20China">here</a>)</i><br />
<br />
The food in China was amazing! We ate each breakfast at our hotel, which had everything from traditional bacon and eggs to a noodle bar and sushi. Lunches and dinners were eaten mostly at restaurants like the above pics, with 8-10 of us sharing a round table and eating family-style. There was usually an egg dish, several noodle dishes, plenty of rice, and lots of veggies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKM5CZem79MMP_dsL9JdCStc7eqEyu_cPcP0syki9jBBIG_YnA_aDcUzlHsuEjb-uhelIk5DycoPtm_tuMbxYivnBwEx5AMrMrRbxzl2FPS0F4QePRtoVTaNdR5iVDlnQiYPvdsm2i2E/s1600/Fine+Dining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKM5CZem79MMP_dsL9JdCStc7eqEyu_cPcP0syki9jBBIG_YnA_aDcUzlHsuEjb-uhelIk5DycoPtm_tuMbxYivnBwEx5AMrMrRbxzl2FPS0F4QePRtoVTaNdR5iVDlnQiYPvdsm2i2E/s400/Fine+Dining.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I took pics of our last full day's meals in China, just to give you an idea of what it was like:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQPiQFA5pQpVkONdUZTgvexBKK6tX_EpQY5BO3ioVC32cU1E0lsCQ-QGIjgdX5fNbcvpPHP9ok_pJkbjk1h0MbedOzm1XX7NdiGL_CHdQNPZNx74SXvaqMiDy9sUZV4RuHmNsHw7B0OM/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQPiQFA5pQpVkONdUZTgvexBKK6tX_EpQY5BO3ioVC32cU1E0lsCQ-QGIjgdX5fNbcvpPHP9ok_pJkbjk1h0MbedOzm1XX7NdiGL_CHdQNPZNx74SXvaqMiDy9sUZV4RuHmNsHw7B0OM/s320/IMG_0752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Breakfast: Omelet bar, fried rice, dumplings, dragon fruit, bacon, muesli, and a noodle bar. <i>(That would normally feed us for the whole day!)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_gp-GtZ26RryfTs2BU9A8K-P4TVsIHC24JSxqh0C2jBid6r5hobGhY5C3fH0_-siyhv6AUkHnANKrT5EAGbuAUQEJZIMzD2npEDlp0ORQGIkyv5bOqvTfD3qkHXE5vEl2Js49Macn10/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_gp-GtZ26RryfTs2BU9A8K-P4TVsIHC24JSxqh0C2jBid6r5hobGhY5C3fH0_-siyhv6AUkHnANKrT5EAGbuAUQEJZIMzD2npEDlp0ORQGIkyv5bOqvTfD3qkHXE5vEl2Js49Macn10/s320/IMG_4579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
For lunch, we were on our own because it was a shopping day in the local flea markets. There were several American chains in the city - Starbucks, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway, but KFC is the biggest American food chain there. After 8 days of only Chinese food, we were ready for some fries! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstLSRPGkR4YQ1lEre5Gx7I-jqsHc9-4CVlQZ0fK7HEBRX0PXAmV7iV1DMGwHV0lVkdob93nz2_xF5z_9WKOdHo0Wttzunj_os2fdA8xgyn7zfyCoNKSemVF9QNwIKLhyX-g_sYC6-O0/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstLSRPGkR4YQ1lEre5Gx7I-jqsHc9-4CVlQZ0fK7HEBRX0PXAmV7iV1DMGwHV0lVkdob93nz2_xF5z_9WKOdHo0Wttzunj_os2fdA8xgyn7zfyCoNKSemVF9QNwIKLhyX-g_sYC6-O0/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dinner was a bit more adventurous that last night, as we all told the tour guide we wanted to eat like locals. The meat in the background was a big hit, as it was the most meat we had gotten at once since our arrival. The guide wisely waited until after we had all eaten it to tell us it was donkey! Also pictured: century egg, boiled peanuts, and noodles that looked too much like jellyfish tentacles. That night we also had shrimp, chicken, mushrooms, and of course, rice :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6Bvm2MftcnG4rgvnkkffCCaEp1bqVUMKzNpZ-jngGYQOPYoqvZef4jEVZTcQpUUjjwRCS2uD1HF70iEagRdD7ILWh9JSBftrVcaVYwh1p0KLy-9XBl0a2h_dw-8XvFkiN4SYuBig638/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLlcaHFdSldUDjqjK400TNr851L1Vh-dcBf6pZ_xSAgqNza_lThwzR5lyiyzOdkiRPPM2FHiSpAdbVrmCcLarv9qSBB-SQX9VJxweB9n41Ur_llVA7y3jxtiewIler1tG2zwh7t0XMgc/s1600/IMG_4593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLlcaHFdSldUDjqjK400TNr851L1Vh-dcBf6pZ_xSAgqNza_lThwzR5lyiyzOdkiRPPM2FHiSpAdbVrmCcLarv9qSBB-SQX9VJxweB9n41Ur_llVA7y3jxtiewIler1tG2zwh7t0XMgc/s400/IMG_4593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After dinner, we went to Snack Street, a long strip of outdoor booths
that have everything from dragonflies and dumplings to shark and
tarantulas to eat. They get more than 100,000 tourists daily - it was
intense!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN94kirJACKrqLtySnFgS8YCaWGL0ginHnTBbQMSHCfNe9CiQ6pRumxbB8VhFIhyphenhypheneizKz3IpcgE9WjRSTWBzxSJVTiH77oGCKQRQVQnDnpop2HRMHzNp2U30gclm0qKk7WaVCxtIu92w/s1600/IMG_4600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN94kirJACKrqLtySnFgS8YCaWGL0ginHnTBbQMSHCfNe9CiQ6pRumxbB8VhFIhyphenhypheneizKz3IpcgE9WjRSTWBzxSJVTiH77oGCKQRQVQnDnpop2HRMHzNp2U30gclm0qKk7WaVCxtIu92w/s400/IMG_4600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Mr. Shark</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDsrWAD_wlGLiG2Uyfv3Aax97auIo-EmD2EtGpz5jAqbJgDkaXIpNUjYVdmeSGMscD9Dg2oa1e0dEysXv0uSksf1bcy01jv8LsUDv5vpe_7BcSYFNgS9TseihgLKiZ6-PI4MOLlGsQ98/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDsrWAD_wlGLiG2Uyfv3Aax97auIo-EmD2EtGpz5jAqbJgDkaXIpNUjYVdmeSGMscD9Dg2oa1e0dEysXv0uSksf1bcy01jv8LsUDv5vpe_7BcSYFNgS9TseihgLKiZ6-PI4MOLlGsQ98/s200/IMG_4602.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6vMn3eC_M2SrHA1kqtkwD8t6lAMH0_vNAnkOBNlnyClDrqTQjQmbHhgmUXzWa6vvabqKsm4lSzzCdzH_k89DmX0MMKT3XLYShSHDhyphenhyphenVlKL0LM_anJiTBREEmrWM-wzfoFFdUKYgNuzE/s1600/IMG_4604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6vMn3eC_M2SrHA1kqtkwD8t6lAMH0_vNAnkOBNlnyClDrqTQjQmbHhgmUXzWa6vvabqKsm4lSzzCdzH_k89DmX0MMKT3XLYShSHDhyphenhyphenVlKL0LM_anJiTBREEmrWM-wzfoFFdUKYgNuzE/s200/IMG_4604.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Seahorse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tom and I were fairly adventurous, we tried scorpion, dragonfly, and shark. Others in our group had sea horse and snake too, but I was shopping by then... I can only take so much adventure!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnAVKrCQJpUktUefjBla2H7FyrvDtiUSfDDEHxx6oyB_dNEikJoF3qGOk2CMsrmmMfRsjsQDm44Wqr1t-jOgCqvrCfgFFUDbZ-ypS1oBMJbUhLvaPMj8Aikburw16nOXXCMUYgTTDOA4/s1600/IMG_0744.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv7.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D7a93b13336178a9d%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1336770508%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DC373063EF889BFEDE95C6883E98287B2034906C4.1D52A41DBF58EBC2257764544A292BA45636EFE5%26key%3Dlh1" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv7.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D7a93b13336178a9d%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1336770508%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DC373063EF889BFEDE95C6883E98287B2034906C4.1D52A41DBF58EBC2257764544A292BA45636EFE5%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007276166309556932.post-13861852810283980312012-05-03T22:00:00.000-07:002012-05-11T08:36:57.442-07:00White Girl in China - Squatters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfE0HQ-fflBRSiL5SiozkGd_AFiv6o7hIpmzGnXCie4Nn7-jB6f7YERwIshOKBSil_fz9jtwGz2loEhDWUpTNtaMLSJblNT52s1xdBD-6ZiSla2Se3e6Kd33mkA3x-3tl73s16fHkxU8/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfE0HQ-fflBRSiL5SiozkGd_AFiv6o7hIpmzGnXCie4Nn7-jB6f7YERwIshOKBSil_fz9jtwGz2loEhDWUpTNtaMLSJblNT52s1xdBD-6ZiSla2Se3e6Kd33mkA3x-3tl73s16fHkxU8/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>(For other posts in this series, click <a href="http://twirlsncurls.blogspot.com/search/label/White%20Girl%20in%20China">here</a>)</i><br />
<br />
Shortly after our arrival in China, I discovered, much to my naive American snobbishness, that not everyone uses the restroom the same way. It seems I had been using a <i>Western</i> toilet for my entire life, or a "sitter." In China, sitters are not as common as a Westerner might hope. (Neither is soap or toilet paper, our tour guide informed us the next day, but he always let us know when and where Western toilets could be found!) Hence, I opened the bathroom door at the very urban airport to find this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvVuCNRlIWt_hAoACPchVBGWslI-ahLoaTxMwPiW_8oE15D0ZR1fKExSL7QRFSbl3-V2rndTcqmJsx2f41tP3cTGN4P2eFzeVkSOYMeQsf2m3LjWaLJjERI9KzzLE3SQVsnYLZyTdh3k/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvVuCNRlIWt_hAoACPchVBGWslI-ahLoaTxMwPiW_8oE15D0ZR1fKExSL7QRFSbl3-V2rndTcqmJsx2f41tP3cTGN4P2eFzeVkSOYMeQsf2m3LjWaLJjERI9KzzLE3SQVsnYLZyTdh3k/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No instructions. No toilet paper. Just a recessed urinal-type device. Had I gone into the men's room? Doubtful. Should I sit on top of it? Probably not. Putting my college education to good use, I surmised that I should engage in some sort of hovering maneuver. I cast a look back at the kind cleaning lady, who smiled wanly and urged me into the stall with the handle of her mop. She was obviously not going to be a help. I decided to step in and try my luck - my <i>bad</i> luck, that is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUdiEVaXkT_NjbobVq-LJAgjEwjptDor9gdETEDNYcRZT8wEShL2Fd3ud0FB6y4JBzYKjis12lnRiPl7cEjOPQRjy9boBfwb-feuC_mMaPMNmWLjnfVHbwCfQcltw7Bd4gi3EuKy4_I/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUdiEVaXkT_NjbobVq-LJAgjEwjptDor9gdETEDNYcRZT8wEShL2Fd3ud0FB6y4JBzYKjis12lnRiPl7cEjOPQRjy9boBfwb-feuC_mMaPMNmWLjnfVHbwCfQcltw7Bd4gi3EuKy4_I/s320/IMG_0751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What <i>should have been</i> on the restroom sign at the airport. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As I carefully prepared to use my first squatter, I decided to hold on to the door lock for balance. Bad move. As I reached out to grab it, my foot slid on a slick spot on the floor and went over my head while my hand hit the lock and knocked the door open. My ummm... hinder parts went under the stall to my left, my feet slid under the stall to my right, and I found myself lying sideways in said squatter. Not at all the pose I was aiming for. The woman in the stall where my feet wound up began shrieking in rapid Chinese, perhaps surprised to have company while squatting.<br />
<br />
The Canadian woman to my left, who was on our tour, asked if I was ok, then chuckled when she heard my uncontrollable laughter. After determining that nothing was wounded (besides my pride), I realized I no longer had to use the restroom and walked out with what little dignity I had left, my head held high. (It turns out that nicer restrooms have someone mop after each use, hence the wet floor.)<br />
<br />
I did master this bathroom feat the following day, determined to "get back on the horse" that had so viciously thrown me off. And, just so you know that Westerners aren't the only ones who need a little help when encountering a new culture, I found this very helpful picture on a website about Western toilets:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGnx2mHF95UD6BHxHfiQtnUk7zdeBccNiYC3sgMpGAstL5BpDBRYsKmQtgGPQO2W4QbRfrJIZV9U-dxW2RgIE4Kgw6iOusE6d90TmsyrX3nhYqS6rWE3g4fw8E_xKxwjxepkasKkT1z4/s1600/1282-how-to-use-western-toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGnx2mHF95UD6BHxHfiQtnUk7zdeBccNiYC3sgMpGAstL5BpDBRYsKmQtgGPQO2W4QbRfrJIZV9U-dxW2RgIE4Kgw6iOusE6d90TmsyrX3nhYqS6rWE3g4fw8E_xKxwjxepkasKkT1z4/s320/1282-how-to-use-western-toilet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd love to hear the story that inspired this little sign!!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935634775093828607noreply@blogger.com2