tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57401678390003458042024-03-14T06:05:12.315-05:00The Bechtel'sAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-72946589028142774172012-09-13T09:01:00.001-05:002012-09-13T09:01:14.686-05:00It's Worth It . . .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was reading in Luke 18 today (The Bible) and loved the reminders that popped out at me while reading the Parable of the Persistent Widow. I wanted to share them.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is such an emphasis in our society today, to raise funds and awareness for social injustices. These are undoubtedly admirable and worthy causes to raise a banner for, but Luke 18 suggests to me that the answer to getting justice in an unjust world is PRAYER, and constantly requesting of God that there be justice done in the dispute with our enemy. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the story, the widow came repeatedly asking the judge for justice. Even though the judge "neither feared God nor cared about people", he wanted to see that the widow got justice, "because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!" (vs. 5)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I think about the word enemy, I think about more than a singular person. Rather I think of <u>ideas</u>, <u>social or economical practices, and sickness or disease</u>. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">By definition enemy is: <span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">person</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">who</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">feels</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">hatred</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">for,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">fosters</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">harmful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">designs</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">against,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">engages</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #0055bb; cursor: pointer;">antagonistic</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">activities</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">against</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">another;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">an</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">adversary</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">opponent. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the definition above you could replace "a person who" with any of the words underlined above and the definition would hold true.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5" id="en-NLT-25661"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Perhaps you're standing up against an idea that opposes God's biblical truths. Maybe your fighting against a social injustice, or possibly you or a family member are struggling with a reoccuring sickness or disease.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I want to implore you to PRAY and never give up! Keep asking God for justice. It's worth it.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="woj"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="woj">“Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.</span> <span class="text Luke-18-7" id="en-NLT-25663"><span class="woj">Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?" (vs. 6-7)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-18-5"><span class="woj"></span></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-62697921007799495002012-08-29T10:26:00.002-05:002012-08-29T10:26:24.715-05:00Dreams and Reality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been just over a year since my last post. I'm taking a little time this morning to reflect on all that has happened in this past year, and I wanted to share some of the thoughts that have been most impacting in my life this year.<br />
<br />
Christine Caine posted a blog entitled "Dream Big" that listed 20 things she's learned in 20 years about seeing her dreams come to pass. I've hung them up in my office and get encouraged by them every time I read them...I pray that you do the same for you:<br />
1. Get planted in your local church<br />
2. Do wholeheartedly whatever is before you.<br />
3. Don't have any agenda, but serve wiillingly.<br />
4. Wait for God to open doors.<br />
5. Submit to leadership.<br />
6. Trust God because He is always in control especially when we are not.<br />
7. There is no wasted experience; God uses everything.<br />
8. God makes a way where there seems to be no way.<br />
9. Have faith.<br />
10. Be courageous.<br />
11. Hold your post.<br />
12. Be loyal.<br />
13. Always remain part of something bigger than you.<br />
14. Stay accountable.<br />
15. Be surrounded by wise counselors.<br />
16. Do nothing from selfish ambition.<br />
17. Keep stretching and growing.<br />
18. Continue to be grateful.<br />
19. Bring others along the journey with you.<br />
20. HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.<br />
<br />
I never dreamed I would be working with kids in a church setting, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity and priveledge. Sharing God's truth with kids is a constant reminder of the importance of having FAITH like a CHILD. Sometimes I over think how to share a "difficult" biblical principle with a child. I forget that their hearts haven't been completely filled with doubt and unbelief. They take God at His word and embrace the Bible as truth. It's refreshing and energizing to be apart of.<br />
<br />
My current reality is somewhat far removed from my dreams, but I praise God that there is no wasted experience and that the work I do each week is preparing me for what God has already prepared next for me. <br />
<br />
I'm thankful that God has given me a passion to do wholeheartedly that which is before me! It's my ATTITUDE towards God not my EXPECTATION of God that determines my ability to serve Him.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-28074552991355557852011-08-16T21:14:00.002-05:002011-08-16T21:19:49.714-05:00New SeasonsA 4 year chapter of my life has come to a conclusion. I'm no longer working at <a href="www.ventureexpeditions.org">Venture Expeditions.</a> I'm now a proud (and somewhat overwhelmed) staff member of <a href="www.rivervalley.org">River Valley Church</a>. <div>
<br /></div><div>There have been some significant changes in our life this summer. We've moved, I've changed jobs, and Mikelle has become a full blown toddler - temper tantrums and all! Even tonight, she was in an uproar because I wasn't giving her the "up high" & "down low" high five in the proper way. She holds a grudge too, so even when I was putting her to bed she wanted nothing to do with my attempts at getting it right. I'll let it (and her) rest until tomorrow!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-59411975336966823332011-06-15T23:10:00.004-05:002011-06-15T23:23:27.636-05:00My Hobby<div style="text-align: center;">I love re-doing and re-using stuff. This picture is the completed version of my most recent "redo". Chris found a hat hook just hangin' out on the side of the rode with a "Free" sign on it last summer. I finally got around to painting it this summer. It's now ready for a comfortable spot in our new home! This isn't the best "staged" picture of it. It's missing a little pop of color with some accent pieces, but all in due time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJoOqVkC33Fn9ed5Ju2jT1p4OzRC7BhSSw_LquFYeyAwqwENIQ-OUxEJE9lYjSu9YoACiXy5fjySNXW3CtTfYqoYrtbxmf7KI7j_vP4FIfrt94sG_7qLMroSnCzclBJ84yT29cQb_3eg/s400/IMG_4814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618667176406043570" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHgL187rFm92S02Npr1a5fNBOwn5NQwu4Q8mFZh20ROg_MKpgTlaEjlyc4gkZCLFM8MQrK0fBP76jCVxPG7fsflG5oMfnITWB5zXV4ynjWlFLOk9jNWD5lZpGUhFDFaeFneWbOjCAREw/s400/IMG_4777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618666342367201250" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvtIrGerTH_KrlTdCW69__XrlXwq2DJdKqSoMqV-8sNmr-X_0ubYLOlrg3cF1g9Kw9nPd-awSTKp4vi1j2vOLaea0-3lERQcrv0rvdfWp2gWDso2fZHNFYyfRTYAehuidsiTlGMCYyQY/s400/IMG_4778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618666345513249026" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySnLBucdQt6l-1SZ0I0C_VJzU6KUplilxcRays4jiOaHUbTWl0hRnqVB1KgjeSSWAzHJuMMt_5DDafa0IIfC4qwuGVoStfDCtDWugxgl2xC4BlRSPEqQeRv4q0tUcD2-PjLuYS9v7qPg/s1600/IMG_4783.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySnLBucdQt6l-1SZ0I0C_VJzU6KUplilxcRays4jiOaHUbTWl0hRnqVB1KgjeSSWAzHJuMMt_5DDafa0IIfC4qwuGVoStfDCtDWugxgl2xC4BlRSPEqQeRv4q0tUcD2-PjLuYS9v7qPg/s400/IMG_4783.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618666369993478354" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2qKtNH69vQOVWQ1Q3i4Ha0-brqAjeyC7c01HJQTZOq6u3LDfayQ2MdrylIMX5Bkt7aofSBv9WldeflvaOEi4h7vvPyV9gFxbnoiZN_uR7LqFyxImy0Jmtm6_DpLqIwA2TyHNZSirJBU/s1600/IMG_4780.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2qKtNH69vQOVWQ1Q3i4Ha0-brqAjeyC7c01HJQTZOq6u3LDfayQ2MdrylIMX5Bkt7aofSBv9WldeflvaOEi4h7vvPyV9gFxbnoiZN_uR7LqFyxImy0Jmtm6_DpLqIwA2TyHNZSirJBU/s400/IMG_4780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618666355995025314" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-18688992718975698602011-06-15T22:50:00.003-05:002011-06-15T23:09:45.503-05:00Prior Lake - Our new spot!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDme4fScdjlhC1yGDw_8zu5W2wOjW8r3rrbmPIzWpu3RiZVHK43EogeHWuwwr9zsfx5wupfif6ZH2o8PGlBdZ9StSrdIkHN8qEwyvJ4Kx_SxHa3rpPqXH6EfPm6RMUCxojLV3d1LvB9nE/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDme4fScdjlhC1yGDw_8zu5W2wOjW8r3rrbmPIzWpu3RiZVHK43EogeHWuwwr9zsfx5wupfif6ZH2o8PGlBdZ9StSrdIkHN8qEwyvJ4Kx_SxHa3rpPqXH6EfPm6RMUCxojLV3d1LvB9nE/s400/IMG_4760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618661803605134306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">As of July 3rd our family will become residents of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Although the town is only 10 minutes away from where we currently live, we are excited about what it has to offer . . . A beautiful lake, a delicious pastry shop, and a pleasant Saturday morning farmer's market. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday for the first time and captured a few of the cozy corners on Main St., Prior Lake. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpm7H8TDYucSzGE570ErdCUbtJBx2KQD3k_kJCHukT85Je3PcJpS0qF0jQVOhok76VqPfdGVV54lXVE_mh6iRs2cBXDqD94uNKn0x0Ej6YP4sN6-1vkyJyDNDSe89_OOFSQRjvM8nYs0/s1600/IMG_4763.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpm7H8TDYucSzGE570ErdCUbtJBx2KQD3k_kJCHukT85Je3PcJpS0qF0jQVOhok76VqPfdGVV54lXVE_mh6iRs2cBXDqD94uNKn0x0Ej6YP4sN6-1vkyJyDNDSe89_OOFSQRjvM8nYs0/s400/IMG_4763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618661790554669730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVwi0jAzaMytNKptxsmDqv1hDobypyTMDJeKwnwRkj73MQRMAFRq_50gYGyOa0FdUitFD3eFM5km_AyuKWFETRAi1XpGfURLZ2-mar5jMe3RWnYZce6aKeDZoqDbH-xu3yJI1mDMEsxY/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVwi0jAzaMytNKptxsmDqv1hDobypyTMDJeKwnwRkj73MQRMAFRq_50gYGyOa0FdUitFD3eFM5km_AyuKWFETRAi1XpGfURLZ2-mar5jMe3RWnYZce6aKeDZoqDbH-xu3yJI1mDMEsxY/s400/IMG_4764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618661787708306898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBfEg1Zz1W6MmR66q3YvOpLzLtU5MNjmMHsf8MWCE2S6rQZUObqDq5N9t_CDWWSvJarV_I3qajbE5KUYbzVBzvSmjD-46dhKwwhzlc8CHzYa4xUEQDvAloM96soAcsKrXSr-6GISOIvo/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBfEg1Zz1W6MmR66q3YvOpLzLtU5MNjmMHsf8MWCE2S6rQZUObqDq5N9t_CDWWSvJarV_I3qajbE5KUYbzVBzvSmjD-46dhKwwhzlc8CHzYa4xUEQDvAloM96soAcsKrXSr-6GISOIvo/s400/IMG_4768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618661778459318706" /></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-70628940411061283812011-06-10T21:49:00.005-05:002011-06-10T22:50:56.298-05:00RiverValley Church Picnic & Outdoor Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfuwoqWMR3tNtJ3CxxLMpNb1NDQeiWAGWdHRMZK2LINQZQ6ZC0rqyTr2YccClwp0bHqzmzOfMtE4-sHzHsxKJiH6WXJ1lRb1etIkQNZZbAyP95XdfSJwJW5rRO_KLKZKffvTyw_kmIec/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfuwoqWMR3tNtJ3CxxLMpNb1NDQeiWAGWdHRMZK2LINQZQ6ZC0rqyTr2YccClwp0bHqzmzOfMtE4-sHzHsxKJiH6WXJ1lRb1etIkQNZZbAyP95XdfSJwJW5rRO_KLKZKffvTyw_kmIec/s400/IMG_4694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616800780010804770" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3WA8_5E6bmAVJkIOCy9QppD7TZZQn5AlvZcjFBClnKU6FCJhqZgqgK9ZzXjRn4rlO_wDXPb4a8GYnxYs2i6Q6JsBRF1HkUAaD7En33AGEBFoG1cvdwQGwafvnavIfGlK-bcqfwn6i5s/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3WA8_5E6bmAVJkIOCy9QppD7TZZQn5AlvZcjFBClnKU6FCJhqZgqgK9ZzXjRn4rlO_wDXPb4a8GYnxYs2i6Q6JsBRF1HkUAaD7En33AGEBFoG1cvdwQGwafvnavIfGlK-bcqfwn6i5s/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">We have the joy of temporarily sharing our home with a family of 5. This is the youngest of the family. Isn't she a dolly! It's so great to have a baby around the house.</a><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3bvl34-0acfR4T_qa8lhwuQxym-1JFvbPl_1ZEPc85RpynFeOSnlGtFcPN7cSXeU3Kyd4X9WRlpXdpcWtCukTQhWhHfZER69fvm1yDfvw9PbjBKovKnoatZBLVnSDdmInLNadJUCKcQ/s400/IMG_4690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616800770308979266" /></div><div>The nifty face painting is my handy work! Ava was begging for it to be done, so I did her face and she did mine.</div><div><br /></div><div>The trampoline that was such a hit at Christmas is still a big hit! Money well spent.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS4Iq1HhKxwoGdhqa4XhoKOHVs0FZYiXjnzwUNJnQdR9NbfbEeRyOxKvXdN5cG3VRLFEObCYi3LPlwDPvyKymEfnpkTWCT-12x9JsQm5F-_g6FZ8mtvpPQnBidn5MbVXvPgHd8ceWokQ/s400/IMG_4685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616800764126979634" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eXoHQkatwTprgZVbp3Zc26-dhfTw1eyifNklqqZF-qIPmwNbkGKUfBYNYqyKzghS8tkLL6VOmWB-xdtUqcp2OvZgf-Bhn1xZIjc53DRoAgzKemmJX0sB-BFwLRdlZOtMDrq5WkencPA/s400/IMG_4683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616800759003961874" /><div><br /></div><div>Our neighbor girls have a play haven next door, including a toy house, jungle gym, sandbox, and teeter totter . . .yes, the little one is pouting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend we had our "local" church campus picnic. For those of you who don't know, Rivervalley church in Minnesota is one church, but multiple locations. Chris is the campus pastor at the Savage campus. We'll have our all church picnic (meaning all 4 campuses) in August. Anywho . . .we had a ton of fun. The weather could not have been more perfect, it was a sticky hot mess, and considering that we're now in the 60 degree temperature range I would prefer hot and messy any summer day.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN7fkQ5H0fOQPq2N6clfb6TY4zxkj5_qyWsuyLLMIXGuP63NIeDCpVI-GyaGmFOtrYnypp18S2-byhgojsd8it9KnZWrkRA5l7hXwi5M4ylwvJpQmsIVOwvp18GwHc4l_NMiXLKwmD14/s1600/IMG_4657.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN7fkQ5H0fOQPq2N6clfb6TY4zxkj5_qyWsuyLLMIXGuP63NIeDCpVI-GyaGmFOtrYnypp18S2-byhgojsd8it9KnZWrkRA5l7hXwi5M4ylwvJpQmsIVOwvp18GwHc4l_NMiXLKwmD14/s400/IMG_4657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616799606420810162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MgW32VrgdSLIg8yb53tNzO-EQa6VU-0EPI6GWgxPgUy5n1E3buDrMglTB-BpfMSEGRFADHJqP3P8Ov13XJZ0dlctXUQaBjxP8vU0Cmannt1h5dpG72zUAHW71bhlxUUIfVJ-B5YIZ9A/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MgW32VrgdSLIg8yb53tNzO-EQa6VU-0EPI6GWgxPgUy5n1E3buDrMglTB-BpfMSEGRFADHJqP3P8Ov13XJZ0dlctXUQaBjxP8vU0Cmannt1h5dpG72zUAHW71bhlxUUIfVJ-B5YIZ9A/s400/IMG_4654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616799595415036258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUST4mvTPAr30dza9PLatfnmbwK5_14SZ4qHoXBGISHFYKMuLw3hkS5vV9nwZbMvPti2nLE0H_7vIPVAGIT3egBvm2_8U4Zw10GE9gUQBsErNAuX-xO9aPXsUCl2RP2ltbZXRnj4hAXdQ/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUST4mvTPAr30dza9PLatfnmbwK5_14SZ4qHoXBGISHFYKMuLw3hkS5vV9nwZbMvPti2nLE0H_7vIPVAGIT3egBvm2_8U4Zw10GE9gUQBsErNAuX-xO9aPXsUCl2RP2ltbZXRnj4hAXdQ/s400/IMG_4653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616799593465573538" /></a><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-84599774629125203212011-06-04T22:20:00.005-05:002011-06-04T22:40:48.364-05:00To Do's: Done<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwg_1IQ4NFeMs5g4OOdtMV9tPT7fjABs4joZnsT9C7fNjszVMTzw21tBIl6C60YPb1NeMSJdPocnDrj0gZM7h0V1t9CVRxPB1KKc2cBWUGiYyCHzdzMAYo3hDG_ZXRlf4Fp5wbmWNc8o/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">I woke up this beautiful Saturday morning ready to conquer the world! We all know a feeling like that can go one of two ways . . .either you get going and your momentum carries you through the day, or you get going, hit a hiccup in the schedule and your "can do" attitude turns into "care less". Well, I'm happy to say that today was a "can do"</span></a>day and I got so much done! Breakfast by the lake with friends, yard work that nudges our yard up to "best in the neighborhood" status, a bathroom completely painted , cleaned, and put back together, playtime with the girls, and 2 loads of laundry done! My body is tired, but my brain is racing - I'm energized by the thought of how much I was able to do today. I'm grateful for the ability to have health, youth, and energy on my side. Now I'll settle in for a good nights sleep and dream about our super fun church picnic tomorrow!<div><br /></div><div>Ava as the Unicorn, Raina as the Princess & sweet Mikelle as the onlooker!</div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwg_1IQ4NFeMs5g4OOdtMV9tPT7fjABs4joZnsT9C7fNjszVMTzw21tBIl6C60YPb1NeMSJdPocnDrj0gZM7h0V1t9CVRxPB1KKc2cBWUGiYyCHzdzMAYo3hDG_ZXRlf4Fp5wbmWNc8o/s400/IMG_4628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614573858139396610" /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEsgdCTHqiISnlhrMwcpqx52Qy7f7swHuBxbb4hdPFJsvdwM2X1dhXzMPGV3acMxzSxALKBvqm7b4A-CTkC8D1lFnQoer33Y9Xqtenb_osw2o3Q67i91Wv6LOKAQCPNOSwAZIAAki-oE/s400/IMG_4626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614574100033455346" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-84735914281275046772011-06-01T22:15:00.004-05:002011-06-01T22:36:23.252-05:00The Garden<div>I love the idea of gardening. I like to fancy myself a green thumb, although I'm not absolutely sure I have one. I do have 2 surving house plants that have lasted years, and each summer I'm able to plant and grow multiple containers of flowers. Does this mean I have what it takes to garden? I hope to find out. This weekend I got the chance to help my father-in-law plant his garden! It was great to walk barefoot in the dirt with my hoe in hand, working the soil. It was so energizing for me. One of the highlights of my weekend . . . so thank you Papa Al for letting me be apart of your labor of love. The girls couldn't resist their chance to "help" too!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZjaEV8dpmc4DGmUuAqRv_Ny-Ce8esDkqfLQ-oAqPEHteGP79uaKBSs_NHrDF2X-IsZY9nb2ojLTQNbmIAupw7YocWPUOQgvnpMzHF-CnMo5Y1wD-FGQomD12HXE2npSTuknNHxKH5qQ/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZjaEV8dpmc4DGmUuAqRv_Ny-Ce8esDkqfLQ-oAqPEHteGP79uaKBSs_NHrDF2X-IsZY9nb2ojLTQNbmIAupw7YocWPUOQgvnpMzHF-CnMo5Y1wD-FGQomD12HXE2npSTuknNHxKH5qQ/s400/IMG_4615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613460546900209010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_RfcI4C_y58gGzfdrdrrIhblOBtKKlHoAM1GXJ6IncWUrlYU17mWerOTVyaphYArL2Gn8kBdBWtn0eeLgAWyAQPtMZDolsYiuLOaf0z4R_Nn88T1zGMXHK0XVr3v4SixtcqhPF23zWk/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_RfcI4C_y58gGzfdrdrrIhblOBtKKlHoAM1GXJ6IncWUrlYU17mWerOTVyaphYArL2Gn8kBdBWtn0eeLgAWyAQPtMZDolsYiuLOaf0z4R_Nn88T1zGMXHK0XVr3v4SixtcqhPF23zWk/s400/IMG_4603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613460544873644610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2HNL0XyQYECF3OQrITRgKIRXIcwaOounbT2FKjo07hjMGFrcPhIB48UU_LIkjP4n05xr5aQ1pjqsf2kdQXBpn9XDYCGOdEun8cY-dicDFAHBVP7PXgoVN4ZrLB-hFbRgOgmFKhZsH8A/s1600/IMG_4607.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2HNL0XyQYECF3OQrITRgKIRXIcwaOounbT2FKjo07hjMGFrcPhIB48UU_LIkjP4n05xr5aQ1pjqsf2kdQXBpn9XDYCGOdEun8cY-dicDFAHBVP7PXgoVN4ZrLB-hFbRgOgmFKhZsH8A/s400/IMG_4607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613460537137957858" /></a><br /><div>And this has nothing to do with gardening, but she's just so dang cute . . . I had to include it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQZ-ssM3XGEI2bNaCUwenUtsemq7vtSCLAg9tf81W8O34_tAbS4zCFP8KxtHDGk0cnhN-r36qbWK0bD49M2-0JlMRa8LWpjQc9xXrYmXrxn4jXzGQJYWSMAkgKQv6DYMLpDkx-OVjJc/s1600/IMG_4636.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQZ-ssM3XGEI2bNaCUwenUtsemq7vtSCLAg9tf81W8O34_tAbS4zCFP8KxtHDGk0cnhN-r36qbWK0bD49M2-0JlMRa8LWpjQc9xXrYmXrxn4jXzGQJYWSMAkgKQv6DYMLpDkx-OVjJc/s400/IMG_4636.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613458043486861330" /></a><br /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-86096450244781392452011-05-30T14:19:00.005-05:002011-06-01T22:43:03.143-05:00Memorial Day<div>We were at the local Waukesha City parade earlier this morning. It was a great way to spend some time remembering the men and women who have given their lives for this country. Ava & Mikelle don't understand all that quite yet, but they do get excited about the marching band, fire trucks, and baton twirl girls!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntZ9RLkdJ1CCh4unHzesWZ8vhC69rxILrwpPlGP9oeDeLW80Xmfsy9Oxpe22zi9h-jpiw7cXae70hc0keCNrQ4ZQwgXEzwKdjkAfcITLP3-bPLl6flkJ22bZarLgzEVtSI3dNU1qVT20/s1600/IMG_4589.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntZ9RLkdJ1CCh4unHzesWZ8vhC69rxILrwpPlGP9oeDeLW80Xmfsy9Oxpe22zi9h-jpiw7cXae70hc0keCNrQ4ZQwgXEzwKdjkAfcITLP3-bPLl6flkJ22bZarLgzEVtSI3dNU1qVT20/s400/IMG_4589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613462567227160594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxA9vF0ztS4bS2a4sfjgt5juNBU2yHRiq9asvctgtcVFuAZWdb4V6-V3zU6mxboc0JVOKnBaaUiYwkpMROSQOvnHKZDzgXingIx0vma3OQp7JmuvwSRBYhsJDNPtyX3w9jBHOvUZeCJo/s1600/IMG_4594.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxA9vF0ztS4bS2a4sfjgt5juNBU2yHRiq9asvctgtcVFuAZWdb4V6-V3zU6mxboc0JVOKnBaaUiYwkpMROSQOvnHKZDzgXingIx0vma3OQp7JmuvwSRBYhsJDNPtyX3w9jBHOvUZeCJo/s400/IMG_4594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613462560856250594" /></a><div>After the parade it was time for some Fun in the SUN . . . God has given us a beautiful day today and we're showing our gratitude by being outside and enjoying it. Papa Al setup a makeshift water slide that Chris and Ava are wearing out! Poor Mik's naptime always interrupts her fun, and she misses out on the afternoon!</div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAFfkusImpfURtQmjCvAmulr0c757Z5bdXBK1opVKPUCxFed7T_AOrjrZXDf5fFeedIiuQLu9KKTr9v-N-SMOM_SFeceZwDKKuCOjbNgdi0O1SXpZW_GygT1nuz9QuslXjeN-QlFGihM/s400/Photo+on+2011-05-30+at+14.17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612591504250767842" /><br /><div><div>I'm sitting a safe distance away so as not to get wet!. I'm on the deck with my feet up, reading about Gardening in Minnesota, while sipping on a LaCroix. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ27qZC-4uBar2sM557nFqcqJvAylpoBk13B8NNbmX1yvUvFvkEpwRcF1Z9VlZSX8Nww4u5re8fIHbzOkklGZmZQ3MWHoujlUFBU9-uz4kIOOoUNWw-KNFn3z7gW9ATR7oqypDF8JoFCU/s1600/Photo+on+2011-05-30+at+14.18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ27qZC-4uBar2sM557nFqcqJvAylpoBk13B8NNbmX1yvUvFvkEpwRcF1Z9VlZSX8Nww4u5re8fIHbzOkklGZmZQ3MWHoujlUFBU9-uz4kIOOoUNWw-KNFn3z7gW9ATR7oqypDF8JoFCU/s1600/Photo+on+2011-05-30+at+14.18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ27qZC-4uBar2sM557nFqcqJvAylpoBk13B8NNbmX1yvUvFvkEpwRcF1Z9VlZSX8Nww4u5re8fIHbzOkklGZmZQ3MWHoujlUFBU9-uz4kIOOoUNWw-KNFn3z7gW9ATR7oqypDF8JoFCU/s400/Photo+on+2011-05-30+at+14.18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612592267801556546" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSvljL9vCRa7oSvnKKq-ZUOfQFJlThhaSdMfqcMNXwOoC8PyTfImsDvR3RwtdxytHcIqYVLmER0l1XKs6JO9yJYTSYVlixpjW2lBPlfpPr4Pg7j_jvv6pj34HiWtS59DlnpEmbViNRC0/s400/Photo+on+2011-05-30+at+14.15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612592268776778914" /><br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-52083462987163104922010-05-19T21:41:00.003-05:002010-05-19T21:43:57.479-05:00<div>My sweet Mikelle . . . </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03EYLGzQAtNJqE2d9uhs102F3Mtiv2kkztloW6yDUP63abwfxMQ15XNodSoLitsBG86gTEXfj8IJoB8s10ESIvRVHjnSaLltxhLytrRuvDpxbShcKeSHbeMy2Cka8fO6pL3ATeVzDijk/s1600/100_2951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03EYLGzQAtNJqE2d9uhs102F3Mtiv2kkztloW6yDUP63abwfxMQ15XNodSoLitsBG86gTEXfj8IJoB8s10ESIvRVHjnSaLltxhLytrRuvDpxbShcKeSHbeMy2Cka8fO6pL3ATeVzDijk/s400/100_2951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473177193058646642" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-69296954066317824652010-05-19T21:15:00.001-05:002010-05-19T21:40:50.796-05:00<div>Ava marches to the beat of her own drum (which I absolutely love). When she tells me she's going to play "princess" this is what she creates! The hat is courtesy of a "RUN DMC" halloween costume that Chris used last year. Classic!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYVCfEA0YQ1pPyLo3fzvcx3BOll6w6lLqOf-fpleL3QpXul0LY1o6Q7Xsr8F78312Sf7YE5JHZ-_THueW-xmDVw02kgLyy3i5BYRUgzH3jkVoXrxXbauEOo13RMFJcBcLUs1epZwqs8o/s1600/100_2946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYVCfEA0YQ1pPyLo3fzvcx3BOll6w6lLqOf-fpleL3QpXul0LY1o6Q7Xsr8F78312Sf7YE5JHZ-_THueW-xmDVw02kgLyy3i5BYRUgzH3jkVoXrxXbauEOo13RMFJcBcLUs1epZwqs8o/s400/100_2946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473170817013182066" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-63015049239128829792010-05-19T21:06:00.002-05:002010-05-19T21:15:25.951-05:00Peace & QuietI consider myself a people person. I really love people. I especially love "my" people. That is, Chris, Ava, and Mikelle. The sound of our laughter or daily banter is great fun, but tonight I'm enjoying the quiet of a peaceful house, or rather the peace of a quiet house.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-85647399060893371392009-11-12T20:25:00.003-06:002009-11-12T20:46:18.329-06:00Money!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZYuXOwLKKYqmKT-np5_4JMwzOjgpGPh4z7pSoTrU3US8Fka-B9e-S-DlGN6MtI6MvfgLNz-qTGn79LKF2-Y8wbOyekjFp9mQpAo53W685OBSdbMUlFglLGpgHHhnKutCSY81Tc6pqno/s1600-h/november+09+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZYuXOwLKKYqmKT-np5_4JMwzOjgpGPh4z7pSoTrU3US8Fka-B9e-S-DlGN6MtI6MvfgLNz-qTGn79LKF2-Y8wbOyekjFp9mQpAo53W685OBSdbMUlFglLGpgHHhnKutCSY81Tc6pqno/s400/november+09+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403413684764215426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESRXM-FUhsJP2yNlqcWG05P6GePen1gJ6CzR0w27TW-5AQSsOg40YH0tUECct1igdXkrfq53d-Kk2ylkiRegJv7cizP5yaL8-bkSmVG9OHosduGqKlPbl6Wx4zNzVu76GNQDaoB03p0c/s1600-h/november+09+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESRXM-FUhsJP2yNlqcWG05P6GePen1gJ6CzR0w27TW-5AQSsOg40YH0tUECct1igdXkrfq53d-Kk2ylkiRegJv7cizP5yaL8-bkSmVG9OHosduGqKlPbl6Wx4zNzVu76GNQDaoB03p0c/s400/november+09+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403413679421695298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkK-sEQBWpwGfUrVgO8zFEeCzgH-3ZqofUNhzYqJyOcNCUAq1aig1fIATWAoKdlDCAwqWUStxtGlzK_tTntpis-wS1By6ldCL1fKn-Dru5y2OnK1MyORupaCh_trBE3kp1e94Q2oR0js/s1600-h/november+09+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkK-sEQBWpwGfUrVgO8zFEeCzgH-3ZqofUNhzYqJyOcNCUAq1aig1fIATWAoKdlDCAwqWUStxtGlzK_tTntpis-wS1By6ldCL1fKn-Dru5y2OnK1MyORupaCh_trBE3kp1e94Q2oR0js/s400/november+09+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403413672198879058" border="0" /></a><br />Ava loves to play with money. . . no bills just coins. We have a Green Bay packers mug full of coins that we keep in our junk drawer (there's no better place than a junk drawer for Packer paraphenelia). Anyways, Ava likes to grab a few coins here and there and carry them around, put them in a pouch, or stack them up. She calls them "her guys", cute right . . .<br /><br />Mikelle is weeks away from crawling. She's at the really frustrating point where she's up and rocking but can't get the forward motion, so she's crawling backwards. Today I walked in from work and she's on the floor butt naked. Chris likes her to "air dry" after he's changed a diaper. So, she butt naked and on all fours crawling backwards. It was great. She got excited when she heard my voice and started doing her "stalker noise". No joke - she does this heavy breathing almost panting thing. A little creepy, but mostly adorable. I took the opportunity of her being completly nude to give her a couple big sherberts on her little booty. She was loving it so much that I kept doing it until her little giggle turned into a cry and the crocodile tears were rolling. Bad mommy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-18711695203670343092009-11-11T14:24:00.002-06:002009-11-11T14:29:51.496-06:00The Lovelies . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kqoi083oBd8mpEfzZR_wM1Fnwm_gvxaXQIk9sCXgjgYYP0EM8cQapGvZNSYxcTEoFch6wYbpd1SxBojfmEOuzGOY0k6NF5EzsB18g-WsaVlP2FkfFuF0wgG1nfUfucko37Ef0h0d7VE/s1600-h/september+09+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kqoi083oBd8mpEfzZR_wM1Fnwm_gvxaXQIk9sCXgjgYYP0EM8cQapGvZNSYxcTEoFch6wYbpd1SxBojfmEOuzGOY0k6NF5EzsB18g-WsaVlP2FkfFuF0wgG1nfUfucko37Ef0h0d7VE/s400/september+09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402945294116951522" border="0" /></a><br />SHE'S A NATURAL IN THE KITCHEN<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z6AkFhDce5ymW0seM8kXEB-iCFZoJT9NtJl6qyroe_wNnXHR686g-wOpYL4qSglIxZSXaQCc_D3FV4Puf-g1HfSzn88LO6YmMh83R7VZaaHU8UCwa502xZdKZMO_p8_0JSXAh8Ea-dQ/s1600-h/september+09+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z6AkFhDce5ymW0seM8kXEB-iCFZoJT9NtJl6qyroe_wNnXHR686g-wOpYL4qSglIxZSXaQCc_D3FV4Puf-g1HfSzn88LO6YmMh83R7VZaaHU8UCwa502xZdKZMO_p8_0JSXAh8Ea-dQ/s400/september+09+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402945290348935218" border="0" /></a><br />I KNOW - ADORABLE!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJqWRLZs73EF_QfnWnYaLD-0g3sZGupqohs6D625QdelrFe6H0H2Nsfvq_ARjV7zX1yUiBWgeSqCQrnjKob42yMdgqAZqUkOBhsoN1PcZvnz_A65sVIo6HRwM5RJ2PeyTgW37LdArJgk/s1600-h/september+09+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJqWRLZs73EF_QfnWnYaLD-0g3sZGupqohs6D625QdelrFe6H0H2Nsfvq_ARjV7zX1yUiBWgeSqCQrnjKob42yMdgqAZqUkOBhsoN1PcZvnz_A65sVIo6HRwM5RJ2PeyTgW37LdArJgk/s400/september+09+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402945282679638498" border="0" /></a><br />THEY WERE THE BEST OF BOTH LION & TIGER = LIGER<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-32758149617679682362009-08-18T21:41:00.008-05:002009-08-18T22:29:57.635-05:00i'm back . . .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-10869633884304568432008-11-15T05:42:00.005-06:002008-11-15T06:08:01.604-06:00Ava in real life!We've spent a lot of time training our dog Cleo to sit, stay, and come. Ava probably hears us say those phrases at least 15 times a day. So now she's training us . . . You can hear the authority she thinks she has in her voice:)<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbE0J7QFwqh-5pmnoZ0gP4CFK12TtPi07sFaVhOcZAiFMmvmx1mvvfAfWtR0X-ky-a5OpNeg3O5-tzD343cw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><p>Ava's on top of the world . . .<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxeAkHfykBl6GoEw7Dn8mJ0mFOJ-wPtZIyIAQj9iEROYXe_MVODgPZwLjdVeqkX_zGW_FdmuBlcVB35vfs47g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-70094668732941735682008-11-15T05:31:00.003-06:002008-11-15T05:42:54.258-06:00In way of news . . .As many of you know, (or can remember), there is a lot that goes on with a toddler in the house and a baby in the womb. The last 8 weeks of pregnancy haven't been really bad, but I wouldn't say pleasant either. I've been much more emotional this round. I know it's silly, but on my bad days, my almost 2 yr. old can hurt my feelings. A "no mommy", or refusal to hug/kiss can really get to me. Luckily, Chris is never short on affection and is more than happy to give me either whenever I want:) I'm now 4 months along and beginning to show a bit. Still not enough to tell the differece between being pregnant or just putting on a few. We'll find out the sex of the baby on Dec. 3rd . . . only 2.5 weeks away. According to an ancient Chinese birth chart it's going to be a girl.<br />Next week we leave for a cross country road trip. From here to Indiana where we'll visit with Chris' family and then meet up with my parents and brother to travel to Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Lots of memories to be made.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-40319634402796886332008-11-15T05:10:00.006-06:002008-11-15T05:31:06.645-06:00Strike a Pose!<div>Lately Ava has really enjoyed the camera. She'll ask for us to take picutres of her and then she wants to see them immediately. We probably oblige this way too much, because when she doesn't get her way it is DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA. I actually got to catch it on camera!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf19XbvcMf5TRam6TRi2I5NofwyHrlJ0Dfc7-SG7PE1_AVnQbHuITjrME81nMt0xgRkgQaL8YpNh5SZZAITYjDxoYsnkc6K1_4B3V8ARUSP6VoT0tKNHw314aOFO82EG3Wb6IPnFwj0M/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268842980011582146" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf19XbvcMf5TRam6TRi2I5NofwyHrlJ0Dfc7-SG7PE1_AVnQbHuITjrME81nMt0xgRkgQaL8YpNh5SZZAITYjDxoYsnkc6K1_4B3V8ARUSP6VoT0tKNHw314aOFO82EG3Wb6IPnFwj0M/s320/027.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdlK35-g6Oqpnxcg-FKpKO833MpFjPxziLBqIGoXZLk4bOeIWmq-w4gfYb6nmJlmB_QihAsj8qmggw2mJfOha4bWissNmuv0-SQLeeJfr1GTwtnuS36k7YMe-VR72fEEWm2cUNki4kSI/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268842965775601682" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdlK35-g6Oqpnxcg-FKpKO833MpFjPxziLBqIGoXZLk4bOeIWmq-w4gfYb6nmJlmB_QihAsj8qmggw2mJfOha4bWissNmuv0-SQLeeJfr1GTwtnuS36k7YMe-VR72fEEWm2cUNki4kSI/s320/026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>If you're wondering, no, I don't enjoy seeing my child cry, but sometimes it's just so cute!</div><div>Some of her happier moments in front of the camera . . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHGBQS4uivO-RpDtNuoGbVJXmkYlTojSjVdHhWEyilXEgJolaQa-uJ0vj14owvdo9b1FMT8vqTWIot83VK7rB634QXf1tswlg95EQx1gpbq_zqGXjimX59nPGR497Juv7Z59Ucv-g3Sw/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268844401102435826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHGBQS4uivO-RpDtNuoGbVJXmkYlTojSjVdHhWEyilXEgJolaQa-uJ0vj14owvdo9b1FMT8vqTWIot83VK7rB634QXf1tswlg95EQx1gpbq_zqGXjimX59nPGR497Juv7Z59Ucv-g3Sw/s320/052.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgC5LR0SfxDvNwaYzl_GMMiZB8GQ1sORRRbj37W5y2myMN4UjepYmAtUYx5zlXGZ1gktCg8s4ZJKIjO_puKLHq-aGcFnUJs6GutcS1s-6J0-cQy3aZJ5cHtqYrOzca1wh37n2sIlIoQQ/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268844391245237218" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgC5LR0SfxDvNwaYzl_GMMiZB8GQ1sORRRbj37W5y2myMN4UjepYmAtUYx5zlXGZ1gktCg8s4ZJKIjO_puKLHq-aGcFnUJs6GutcS1s-6J0-cQy3aZJ5cHtqYrOzca1wh37n2sIlIoQQ/s320/049.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplr8ILx1ilHETE5N2OdGRIDw1wNNviZalxyD4QWOOXUbuyJF7FPsz84zsbkoRV1w0I-_x4fD-ZQqA4L3URAm3CaFn_PZcl4tJnr2FAWhGXdwy2HF9T4NSubxCqh8kxjISgiTEjB21Awg/s1600-h/044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268844383632218226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplr8ILx1ilHETE5N2OdGRIDw1wNNviZalxyD4QWOOXUbuyJF7FPsz84zsbkoRV1w0I-_x4fD-ZQqA4L3URAm3CaFn_PZcl4tJnr2FAWhGXdwy2HF9T4NSubxCqh8kxjISgiTEjB21Awg/s320/044.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuiCsAUkoSOKz9Ez6gkeISRXEGCcvLZ32r-nD41k1R1RVnlxVMOQD_ReRK72ubNmqrT-w5IVtiLOHSncpBZYAPVLDOZ5OyDgOFNCvs1TikE0bmaEimGjINSkVnoXu114vLqK8vlpCu1o/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268845050800251090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuiCsAUkoSOKz9Ez6gkeISRXEGCcvLZ32r-nD41k1R1RVnlxVMOQD_ReRK72ubNmqrT-w5IVtiLOHSncpBZYAPVLDOZ5OyDgOFNCvs1TikE0bmaEimGjINSkVnoXu114vLqK8vlpCu1o/s320/028.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-59403294353457391242008-11-04T21:35:00.002-06:002008-11-04T21:41:35.299-06:00Ava's Big Girl Trike<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfATOhSvKHPlcJ6PE_HmdNhG1X2_2NEsbaC5GbNo6pA_6mkC4iCR-nyoLrCGIMKpMtzSh3EAw62O8lIRz_D1f-xtN3H1ClXPgpHM1BQ587QBbM3XK60v-ZUeh5YQrILj_7Dvt__AsEB_c/s1600-h/Harvest+Fest+%2708+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265013387547652834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfATOhSvKHPlcJ6PE_HmdNhG1X2_2NEsbaC5GbNo6pA_6mkC4iCR-nyoLrCGIMKpMtzSh3EAw62O8lIRz_D1f-xtN3H1ClXPgpHM1BQ587QBbM3XK60v-ZUeh5YQrILj_7Dvt__AsEB_c/s320/Harvest+Fest+%2708+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We picked up a couple great things from the Harvest Fest . . . Ava's first trike with old school bell & a goldfish! We'll see how long that lasts:) The poor fishy has been moved from a plastic bag, to a fruit bowl, to a mixing bowl, and is currently residing in pitcher! Maybe I'm too cheap to have another pet, but Ava loves waking up and saying hi to her fishy and puppy Cleo!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-10484440193868141202008-11-04T20:55:00.003-06:002008-11-04T21:33:33.065-06:00Happy Harvest!Our church hosted a Harvest Festival for the community. We've done it several years in a row now, and it's always a nice alternative for those of us with kids who don't love venturing out after dark in the weather with the rowdies! There was A TON of candy, great costumes, free food and fun games for the kiddies. Ava's favorite game of the night was the trike track (below with Daddy). Chris & I took turns going round and round, and the only thing that would pull her away was . . . you guessed it FOOD.<br /><div></div><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdw3hKCVUKfCHUJalq65BlA17w337NlvZoSM4nSZviYyM9O_UJdoQpBTUzLEuAySkQjDfL8b3fhdRtaHBq' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">I didn't want to waste the energy it would have taken me to come up with Egg costumes for me and Chris, but wouldn't that have been great . . . a baby chicken and 2 eggs! Instead Chris picked up a sherrif's costume for me and RUN DMC for himself. If you are as clueless to who that is as I was, it was a rapper in the '80's.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265002286470381906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62b-zyTCa8ruJMg5u_UW3pRhM6vZYgWYK8_0mSjL_KAefvs2K80bbAKjN2s1pDyACZCaJbMXxQCEqzY1QVOlVBRU5TeYRL84lpEgLVJ-nSyAugecZwxGr3st0R1oFPPwGfJ9dtrwpIWg/s320/Harvest+Fest+%2708+004.jpg" border="0" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-57811705233502444582008-10-26T19:41:00.005-05:002008-10-26T19:53:04.595-05:00Fall FunChris' parents came for a visit a couple weekends ago and Ava had a blast with them! She still goes into our guest bedroom that they stayed in ands says "Nana, Papa's room?" Papa had a constant side kick and little helper. Thanks for a great time Mom & Dad Bechtel. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629115826146994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XCtmKys-_eVWAYt5OlJw0mC1kMXmKAGXZG20BAthVMYJGDJuTg4i5NpwE7gbKGBbgD1wXWQqZQ1MFsk2ZeJ3j4OLTqv2zjVbIFmNk1WoZ9nd2i-I9uy3eT_tK4IfnDwWsCffurME8Vc/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+005.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629097208500722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHvdvCu42NqRdIrCu4z2C3h_UlGWxLupKaaKqy9E89fcRBId864fum2AhcDQSxT-3OQGLbsh4Df2Wc7i5M69dq_prIBr4Bp8nrisGQj6p0u_gRQJcnwSxe7oUzkMinY3E-nPu0fvTAfY/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+020.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629119167685250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAl-AO7YEmi81LxzykFE3GBQwf5lKiGiYueP5BE_DAhwdIO_RuThr7JHByMvHifcNqct8vOGhABzTpNkFT8y4hj1oFcqHs-JVq2Ewpzcu0bfbNb59G53XRnWkgtWMfR4QqhaAVZ-Ns78/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629127443462434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LJAIBr07GTUZPczwUu8SbfZhlMreGPVlE5Mw2rdRkiVv9flGmiDDj2Z91Bg9uhEB2yVbTJ3CWEI_KLcr4K-2VSjkHXZPOJeuDsVHxrj0VpmbiyBfPfpAg67fb-_CfzE0sVBVN8Gd5m4/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629103750588834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslW1jSXwpV7hZkgdaOT5_NZfF3S1pujZnyzddUjY0CeRXm-8DC9jrcY4sQp9XkTiaIACpyLRk8zZMCrD08lLwpGlkIrMlLpioxAE6M2-PDgFP7Db7g0abxVxTO5uDxepqmM2CjIQitV0/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+013.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261629798177613538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjKH1ZJif0D2mjABEpa3KSz8hEdb-ewJp-wDMR35ECSrKYFmQlXQaucECAmHYiwzCN7bItogeS36a0EEjYP1KZdXACppZz8t9Z_yogMOw8PR408RGoaOmylkNMs3SGzPRmj-Uwuw_fZ8/s320/Nana+%26+Papa+Fall+Visit+%2708+034.jpg" border="0" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-75314749140078412432008-10-01T13:52:00.003-05:002008-10-01T13:59:29.751-05:00New Milestones!<div align="center"> Probably like most toddlers, Ava loves to do things the "big girl" way. Exhibit A: Eating whole fruit. She can almost finish a whole peach or apple in one sitting. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252260633467866050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNBiDwhCT619RVkndQf_WjQDxZN3mNR1v6sUahr4ORTskNwnJx0oBLCkeFFZnJfNV10aXU13aVK-_UnK5HUHff4YQ_RAiG5bK4NOSj4e5nM5PaSfNqXtQDkqIMfqUzN7FEfM45eaZk6M/s320/summer+08+019.jpg" border="0" />People couldn't get enough of this adorable outfit when she wore it to church. They were most impressed by the fact that she kept the hat on the whole time. When it fell off, she placed it right back where it went. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4THmHcgghU13FxbCxIeKrYAY3akc7tV-_fjbsV3giq_hDwQDeibgD-UtF0oQmjkCt7gAoPo81Mr4TVfv_2QBQ0N-CCLXTkJ_3dcHraSm3lro_kTEulD9RPadrqDd8PuaqUDTYX8MAzk/s1600-h/summer+08+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252260633833129618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4THmHcgghU13FxbCxIeKrYAY3akc7tV-_fjbsV3giq_hDwQDeibgD-UtF0oQmjkCt7gAoPo81Mr4TVfv_2QBQ0N-CCLXTkJ_3dcHraSm3lro_kTEulD9RPadrqDd8PuaqUDTYX8MAzk/s320/summer+08+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-74104562580817177132008-10-01T13:45:00.003-05:002008-10-01T13:52:06.813-05:00Late Labor Day Pics!<div align="center"> We spent a great Labor Day at a local lake with our friends, Jeff & Tiffany, and their two boys. <strong>This was a priceless picture of Ava in her own little world on the beach front!</strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252258937509611106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDBS7rK9siogzngrbrm6HWBwUfPZA7UZ4AXcygu1I4srrSTyIchk3cMt1BKz0srMF2ZCXfDIFQ0DCUUnfGwsbG-QsLs_2OgyCFRNo-kEsjBOC6tqo6q8xRlf6pnq1hKgXrcbPqRTXK38/s320/summer+08+023.jpg" border="0" /><strong>Ava & Noah are 2 months apart, but Ava is totally into the older brother Jack!</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfChLzBu24Opp4x24RCqO87dSKmUzqClkIbqwya2q8Sfi3G3UHCnbpMHYWIuPQTeQgKEW7XKW2Li2-javyo7TGC9vYLfDTkDAtfvFT7O2X33g1vj6bMNI1qNT5zwfsvXU04Lemr7-ro1E/s1600-h/summer+08+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252258945183154914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfChLzBu24Opp4x24RCqO87dSKmUzqClkIbqwya2q8Sfi3G3UHCnbpMHYWIuPQTeQgKEW7XKW2Li2-javyo7TGC9vYLfDTkDAtfvFT7O2X33g1vj6bMNI1qNT5zwfsvXU04Lemr7-ro1E/s320/summer+08+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Meet Jack . . . wants not to love?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwo2Nxep6Srj1N-T1o0krVFlbPr1XJjHH6ZiysnioWHhK3EODE3nRcaIxVzM8qF1yMqzqVKUzumDhXBQkYdhL5o-ST3bFP2IXQB0xFS8CQfj16doJT0OuOaeCFR_RjfgmYOBK5U_2Y6E/s1600-h/summer+08+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252258942796335394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwo2Nxep6Srj1N-T1o0krVFlbPr1XJjHH6ZiysnioWHhK3EODE3nRcaIxVzM8qF1yMqzqVKUzumDhXBQkYdhL5o-ST3bFP2IXQB0xFS8CQfj16doJT0OuOaeCFR_RjfgmYOBK5U_2Y6E/s320/summer+08+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-49291606678306543572008-09-30T19:50:00.004-05:002008-10-01T13:44:40.335-05:00Chris' New LookLast week Chris decided it was time for a new hairdo. He made an appointment at a Jon English Salon and went ready for anything. He asked the stylist, "What do you think I need to do?" The guy said "Well, to be honest, I think you need a more masculine cut. You look like a little boy". Chris was happy for the honesty and gave the all clear for they guy to do whatever he wanted.<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>BEFORE</strong> . . . </span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252257029462773842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG18GPE0grx4RWKd5PIxab4kEZwY3O6BZqItIc-UjjLqcvhJgF6zP9r-Vl5MNrz0xD9TcKtr6VOfjoEY7RDW-4MDbx3vAFACqChDpf7Xj50eJBoTx4V75VvFmGVPEdx1MYblZlCTWSJgQ/s320/Memorial+DAy+003.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252257029448855922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-mTkDV5NQy-TpMwmqMgG-yhz0T7-l6OcAX5Kudd6Xdxuap78iEg0P1DB7NBhl0eskNyprJRYi8YLHUdWoYnBouPbzIltre_SQrrXq6NiNVzuJi73a9CYNB-DRsqRM7N2O_am1tDgYCw/s320/summer+08+027.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><strong>AFTER . . . </strong></p><p align="left">Chris, like many husbands never makes a "normal" face in pictures. This is his "Italian Stallion" look! I'm not gonna lie, I totally dig it!!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740167839000345804.post-89975432671623507642008-08-16T19:47:00.002-05:002008-08-16T20:12:51.879-05:00UNBELIEVABLEI wasn't extremely thrilled to go to the wedding I went to last Friday, but I did. It proved to be a mistake . . . perhaps it was pure coincedence that bad luck would follow a wedding I begrudgingly went to, but whatever it was I'm a good mixture of bummed out and ticked off. So what happened??? Well, there were bubbles used to wish the newly married couple off to their car. Afer blowing the bubbles I placed them in my clutch purse along with my shiny Blackberry Pearl. 20 minutes later I was purchasing a Matahari (coffee drink), reached into my purse and then realized "THE PROBLEM". My Pearl was soaked! I tried all the suggestions handed to me . . . stick the phone in a bag of rice, don't put the battery in until completely dry, I even bougth a Torx T-6 and took the thing apart, rubbed it with rubbing alcohol and put it back together. Nothing worked. I went to the T-Mobile store to get some help, but only Chris' name is on the account so I can't get any information about my phone. The guy at T-Mobile didn't seem to care that Chris was in El Salvador and unreachable . . . GRRRRR! So I resorted to a 1990's phone that we happened to have here at the house. The SIM card worked so I was happy with my temporary solution. That's when the unbelievable part happened . . . on Friday (2 days ago) I was driving to my friend's house and in a hurry must have put my phone on the car and drove off. About 6 hrs. later I realized my phone was nowhere to be found. I drove the route to my friend's and found my phone in pieces about 3 minutes from my house. GRRRRR, and I mean GRRRRRRRRRR. My SIM card is nowhere to be found and I am once again without a phone. Can you believe it?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18133182234876392845noreply@blogger.com4