tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66958856632860815582024-03-20T10:40:22.982-05:00Dallas DelightBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-25514808485312251592011-12-28T00:01:00.003-06:002011-12-28T00:44:30.275-06:00Thirty-sevenToday is my thirty-seventh birthday. I thought I would share 37 things that I am thankful for and update you on our lives along the way. This last year has been one of, if not the most challenging years of my life. From the death of my best friend, job uncertainty for Tim, and the general toughness of raising four kids. <br />
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Here we go:<br />
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1. I am thankful for <strong>God</strong>. I definitely would not be standing today if God was not my strength. He is my provider, my comforter, my healer, me helper, my rock, my hope and so much more. I am thankful that He chose me as his child. He has proven himself faithful over and over again. His mercies are new every morning.<br />
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2. I am thankful for <strong>Tim. </strong>I love doing life with Tim. We have four beautiful, talented children. He sacrifices daily to make sure that we have a good life. His faithfulness to God is unwavering. Tim cares deeply for people and the students at Texas Tech.<br />
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</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3. I am thankful for <strong>Zach</strong>. Zach is my firstborn. He is shy and sensitive. He is kind and loving. I love his heart. He feels deeply and is a good friend. He likes to play baseball but is better at soccer. His piano teacher also says he is a talented piano player. I like that he isn't needy but is still willing to give me special hugs. He asks on a weekly basis if he can sleep either in my bed or on the floor next to me. He has a special bond with Calyn but is also very caring towards Grant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFXJF0OJDnY/TvqYeOdrl_I/AAAAAAAABMk/YlODh1VnOV0/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFXJF0OJDnY/TvqYeOdrl_I/AAAAAAAABMk/YlODh1VnOV0/s320/3.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. I am thankful for <strong>Calyn</strong>. Calyn is my special girl. She loves to read and play sports. She loves Jesus. She is quick to catch on to new concepts but sometimes lacks common sense. Currently, her top tooth is loose and she messes with it constantly. Calyn likes to help me with chores. She talks all the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crHPj13u67I/TvqYtfYcQ9I/AAAAAAAABMw/KLDgJd7JcuY/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crHPj13u67I/TvqYtfYcQ9I/AAAAAAAABMw/KLDgJd7JcuY/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. I am thankful for <strong>Abby</strong>. Abby is our happy child. She is almost always in a good mood and laughing. Abby loves to have fun. She is definitely the middle child-not old enough to be big but also not the baby. Abby is the only one of our kids who is attached to a blanket and like to suck her thumb. Abby is intelligent and likes to make sure that rules get followed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHU1QVOGeh8/TvqZDItv5GI/AAAAAAAABM8/Xy6lfxRtp7U/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHU1QVOGeh8/TvqZDItv5GI/AAAAAAAABM8/Xy6lfxRtp7U/s320/5.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>6. I am thankful for <strong>Grant</strong>. Grant brings a lot of joy to our family. He is a happy boy but also has a mean streak. Everyone thinks that he is so sweet. He loves, loves, loves to get his hair cut. He also likes to eat snack food instead of a proper lunch or dinner. He stays up til at least 11pm and has his daddy wrapped around his finger. Grant is a daddy's boy and often prefers Tim over me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gudun2G9qwQ/TvqZQh4qZSI/AAAAAAAABNE/aEA2yKyJ8cA/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gudun2G9qwQ/TvqZQh4qZSI/AAAAAAAABNE/aEA2yKyJ8cA/s320/6.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>7. I am thankful for my <strong>Dad and Lou. </strong> They treat my kids great and also help me in so many ways. It is great to see my dad so happy. I like that we go to their house every year for Thanksgiving. It is a fun tradition. I just hope that my brother and Lou's daughters can join us next year.<br />
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8. I am thankful for Tim's parents- <strong>John and Terry</strong>. John is such a friendly, outgoing fellow. Terry has such a great love for my children. They visit us several times each year and blend so nicely into our family.<br />
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9. I am thankful for both <strong>Williams'</strong> families. Tara and Melissa are two of my closest friends and I would be lost without them. Both families are experiencing rough times, but I know that God will prove himself mighty.<br />
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10. I am thankful for my friend <strong>Laura and her two daughters</strong>. We go to gymnastics together every week and then have lunch at Chick-fil-a. I can always call Laura when I am in a bind and she will help me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9zCNeN8lTQ/TvqZv0d3taI/AAAAAAAABNU/U00-BKvv45o/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9zCNeN8lTQ/TvqZv0d3taI/AAAAAAAABNU/U00-BKvv45o/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">11. I am thankful for a new <strong>mom friend</strong>. Sjanna and Sydni have become very close friends. I love that we have friends to hang out with. We go out for ice cream, play basketball, go to dance recitals, and just have fun together. Even Abby and Grant love Sjanna and Syd. In fact, I think Abby would move in with them if she was given the opportunity.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRibvL38rkQ/TvqZj8F64OI/AAAAAAAABNM/iEyGA6Vgov4/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRibvL38rkQ/TvqZj8F64OI/AAAAAAAABNM/iEyGA6Vgov4/s320/10.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">12. I am thankful for <strong>Leah and her family</strong>. Even though they moved away, they still come visit us. We miss them a lot. Leah loves Jesus and makes honoring her husband a priority. I often learn a lot from her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xPNOvDGRD0/TvqZ8SLzk_I/AAAAAAAABNc/L_FwWMzdWCM/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xPNOvDGRD0/TvqZ8SLzk_I/AAAAAAAABNc/L_FwWMzdWCM/s320/12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">13. I am thankful for my <strong>running partner</strong>. God has blessed me again by allowing Jennifer and her family to move back to Lubbock. Jenn and I rum most Saturdays and chat throughout our runs. We challenge each other to be honoring of our friends and to be more like Christ.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">14. I am thankful for <strong>running</strong>. So thankful, in fact, that I have planned to run a half marathon with my big brother at the end of January. Yikes!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">15. I am thankful for <strong>Janis Buschman</strong>. Tim and I help Janis and Job out with the graduate class at church. I love getting to spend time with Janis as she imparts godly wisdom in such a loving way. I have also gotten to know one of Janis' daughters better over the last year. Grant and her daughter are about the same age and we love seeing them at church.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">16. I am thankful that this sweet lady is <strong>cancer-free! </strong>The kids and I had the privilege of taking Rita to weekly radiation treatments during the month of October. She was such a trooper and is healthy. We want her around for a very long time</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncXfN5oz5gY/TvqZ-GGWriI/AAAAAAAABNk/3jeh8pUDr2I/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncXfN5oz5gY/TvqZ-GGWriI/AAAAAAAABNk/3jeh8pUDr2I/s320/16.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>17. I am thankful for <strong>weight loss</strong>. Over the past month, I have lost 17 pounds. I am not exactly where I want to be, but I am a lot closer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHG8uP-UnQc/TvqaLNoT1ZI/AAAAAAAABNs/jVnp_i8JFgk/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHG8uP-UnQc/TvqaLNoT1ZI/AAAAAAAABNs/jVnp_i8JFgk/s320/17.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>18. I am thankful for <strong>Bible St</strong>udy. I attend the weekly women's Bible study at our church. Over the years, I have learned so much and developed many new friendships. I am thankful for our church and the women in our church that know and teach the truth.<br />
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19. I am thankful for <strong>OLBC</strong>-old lady birthday club. Ladies, you know who you are and I am thankful for each and every one of you. We should have started this years ago as it has rapidly become one of my favorite things.<br />
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20. I am thankful for <strong>Cora and her momma, Carrie</strong>. Through Brie I had the privilege to meet Carrie. My crazy friend, Melissa and I recently made a whirlwind trip to meet Miss Cora. She was precious, but more precious was bringing a little piece of Brie to her best friend Carrie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zry28SrF6tY/TvqaLzWkuTI/AAAAAAAABN0/X31fMCE-od8/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zry28SrF6tY/TvqaLzWkuTI/AAAAAAAABN0/X31fMCE-od8/s1600/20.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uLyZeTEvZ8/TvqaMA0EEII/AAAAAAAABN8/4cwKE_bVb3c/s1600/20b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uLyZeTEvZ8/TvqaMA0EEII/AAAAAAAABN8/4cwKE_bVb3c/s1600/20b.JPG" /></a></div>21. I am thankful for <strong>new babies. </strong>Two of my cousins adopted baby boys this year. I am thankful that they opened their hearts and homes to two boys that needed to be loved. God is good.<br />
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22. I am thankful for <strong>PDO</strong>. Grant and Abby attend Parent's Day Out for 5.5 hours a week. I get a little alone time while they get to play with their friends. They both have great teachers that really love on them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1d8f_JJV0M/TvqaMsiIJwI/AAAAAAAABOE/9vG2YP1TiTE/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1d8f_JJV0M/TvqaMsiIJwI/AAAAAAAABOE/9vG2YP1TiTE/s1600/22.JPG" /></a></div>23. I am thankful for <strong>Zach and Calyn's school</strong>. They have learned so much and have made so many friends. Their school and teachers are amazing. We are so blessed to have a good public school. They recently took a field trip to the local corn maize. It was such a fun day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mh2TdWqAA4/TvqabcQz5hI/AAAAAAAABOM/NO5Zzt3QfG0/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mh2TdWqAA4/TvqabcQz5hI/AAAAAAAABOM/NO5Zzt3QfG0/s320/25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>24. I am thankful to be able to do <strong>volunteer work</strong>. I help out quiet a bit at Zach and Calyn's school. I am the Box Top coordinator for their school and was proud when their class collected over 1000 Box Tops. They won the Fall competition and as their prize they got to decorate gingerbread houses at their Christmas party.<br />
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25. I am thankful for <strong>my volunteers</strong>. Please don't anybody tell my children that raking leaves is not fun. They actually fight over the rakes. They make doing a mundane task so much more fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YvxvZROY4E/Tvqai1dUvyI/AAAAAAAABOU/MVDhLwRoOYY/s1600/26a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YvxvZROY4E/Tvqai1dUvyI/AAAAAAAABOU/MVDhLwRoOYY/s320/26a.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmbaYZ-dW08/TvqapMOF2iI/AAAAAAAABOc/IW8nOnLkhkI/s1600/26b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmbaYZ-dW08/TvqapMOF2iI/AAAAAAAABOc/IW8nOnLkhkI/s320/26b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">26. I am thankful for <strong>Parkridge Pregnancy Center</strong>. Tim and I both support the work that they do (Tim in an official capacity). They teach young pregnant girls about their developing babies and how God can change their lives. They are amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">27. I am thankful for <strong>basketball</strong>. Both Calyn and Zach enjoy playing basketball. This Spring I get to help coach Calyn's team.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">28.I am thankful for <strong>volleyball. </strong>I play on a women's team and while we are not terribly talented, we have a lot of fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">29. I am thankful for <strong>Eric</strong>. Eric impresses me more and more each day. He has grown in his role as a father so much this past year. I am incredibly proud of him. He could have given up, but he chose to fight for his family. I pray that he continues to teach his children about Jesus and about Brie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">30. I am thankful for the <strong>Carol of Lights</strong>. In years past, Brie often brought the girls to this annual event. This year, Eric brought them. I was very happy to have them with us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBZfPthgyDw/TvqauELM9gI/AAAAAAAABOk/OwvZFqdnQbo/s1600/32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBZfPthgyDw/TvqauELM9gI/AAAAAAAABOk/OwvZFqdnQbo/s320/32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>31. I am thankful for <strong>hot chocolate</strong>. We had hot chocolate after seeing the lights and it hit the spot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nul-VvL4IsA/Tvqa05lyTlI/AAAAAAAABOs/SsVlaMXqNFQ/s1600/33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nul-VvL4IsA/Tvqa05lyTlI/AAAAAAAABOs/SsVlaMXqNFQ/s320/33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>32. I am thankful for <strong>Eleri</strong>. Eleri now has such a special place in my heart. She has grown into such a fun, little girl. No more baby. She recently told me about her Tinkerbell wings that she is going to wear so that she can fly to visit her mom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CxEVlFXofQ/Tvqa_CubU7I/AAAAAAAABO0/JabbfR8u9ag/s1600/34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CxEVlFXofQ/Tvqa_CubU7I/AAAAAAAABO0/JabbfR8u9ag/s320/34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIGQRXJzrhw/Tvqa_vYStuI/AAAAAAAABO8/o88bL_o-0zA/s1600/34a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIGQRXJzrhw/Tvqa_vYStuI/AAAAAAAABO8/o88bL_o-0zA/s1600/34a.JPG" /></a></div>33. I am thankful that we got to take <strong>Mali to see the Nutcracker</strong>. Zach, Calyn, and I went to Amarillo to take Mali. It was my chance to fill Brie's shoes for a few hours. I was honored to have that privilege. The dancing and the costumes were amazing. Mali was enthralled. I quickly saw why Brie insisted on taking Mali each year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WU0XbT_csY/TvqbJ4hsfpI/AAAAAAAABPE/cuh0k7mdJyE/s1600/35a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WU0XbT_csY/TvqbJ4hsfpI/AAAAAAAABPE/cuh0k7mdJyE/s320/35a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41KDErG3lM8/TvqbTpXPLjI/AAAAAAAABPM/fQ3aGvgjqrs/s1600/35b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41KDErG3lM8/TvqbTpXPLjI/AAAAAAAABPM/fQ3aGvgjqrs/s320/35b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlePnDPlRHs/TvqbWsOcikI/AAAAAAAABPU/05E3TnGGL98/s1600/35c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlePnDPlRHs/TvqbWsOcikI/AAAAAAAABPU/05E3TnGGL98/s320/35c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">34. I am thankful for <strong>Christmas vacation</strong>. It has been nice to spend extra time with Tim, Zach, and Calyn. We have done many special projects and attended some fun events. Sleeping in a little is also a bonus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">35. I am thankful that <strong>my mom started the tradition of filling stockings for my kids</strong>. We do not celebrate Christmas in the traditional manner, but we do continue to fill the kids' stockings. I really enjoyed buying special presents to put in their stockings (Tim also gets a stocking).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb_NgnGcOdM/TvqbcQG44NI/AAAAAAAABPc/IIBDuhgZ7X8/s1600/36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb_NgnGcOdM/TvqbcQG44NI/AAAAAAAABPc/IIBDuhgZ7X8/s320/36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">36. I am thankful for <strong>Curren</strong>. He recently turned one. He is a miracle. He is a champion. He is happy and healthy. When he smiles at me, my heart skips a beat. I miss my friend for a second and then I am able to smile back at this precious miracle. I thank God that he chose to spare Curren's life. A recent update was added to his site. You can read it at <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/currangomez">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/currangomez</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-AmO-G3ws/Tvqbc7EBDKI/AAAAAAAABPk/WHtPqhV6DHY/s1600/37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-AmO-G3ws/Tvqbc7EBDKI/AAAAAAAABPk/WHtPqhV6DHY/s1600/37.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEAKZzZR5KU/TvqbdJO8n_I/AAAAAAAABPs/c1LgYRfoDKg/s1600/37a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEAKZzZR5KU/TvqbdJO8n_I/AAAAAAAABPs/c1LgYRfoDKg/s1600/37a.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">37. Lastly, I am thankful for <strong>simple things</strong> like not having to do laundry on my birthday.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-69533732028296196472011-09-22T16:57:00.001-05:002011-09-22T17:04:21.889-05:00Beth MooreI've had several people ask me how the Beth Moore conference was. I am currently buried in work for my part-time job, but my pal Melissa gave a good summary <a href="http://walkinfree.blogspot.com/2011/09/little-bit-of-beth-moore.html">here</a>. Janis so sweetly gave me my ticket for my birthday last year and allowed me to spend the day with her and her girls. I so love each of the Buschman women and am constantly amazed at how different their personalities are from each other. They all, however, share a passionate love for Jesus. It was an excellent day (although I missed two soccer games). Check out Melissa's blog entry and watch the video if you want to see me.<br />
<br />
Also, I was allowed to be an encourager to women as they came forward and asked for prayer. I did not realize the magnitude of the task I was given. As I looked into the crowd, so many women were crying. Women approached us that were hurting and so broken. I am thankful that God allowed me to minister to them by encouraging them and praying with them. I am forever changed and humbled by this experience.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-71923930401161532862011-09-03T22:16:00.000-05:002011-09-03T22:16:12.944-05:00First Day: Take 2<br />
Abby and Grant are going to PDO one day a week again this year. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-qD9SELXJtiOVLU2rD1ELmqytvUu8wvIFRGrq_sjAuG6ZfBnd4-lN66njy8Jsryn7wzXDkr9iM3EeXbOrUq_deyPo8SktxBeSwlTiuvH-w0ySTHkjQ3pR845NI5nXjqa3twscN2cbs/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-qD9SELXJtiOVLU2rD1ELmqytvUu8wvIFRGrq_sjAuG6ZfBnd4-lN66njy8Jsryn7wzXDkr9iM3EeXbOrUq_deyPo8SktxBeSwlTiuvH-w0ySTHkjQ3pR845NI5nXjqa3twscN2cbs/s320/IMG_9039.JPG" width="230" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> New back pack for Grant:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGPAzppnJ4oWN55oKAlEwcjNuThVlf2oZPsCImBMNnebhP9cjqFD2B1P2FE1sIPBSDH9TbqzUvFvAOsFD56mNccIwfbbkHIMKx25Hgpvbb1mkFj_rsypQbPCs-Kzj1pdZo1QAUZ4pd70/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGPAzppnJ4oWN55oKAlEwcjNuThVlf2oZPsCImBMNnebhP9cjqFD2B1P2FE1sIPBSDH9TbqzUvFvAOsFD56mNccIwfbbkHIMKx25Hgpvbb1mkFj_rsypQbPCs-Kzj1pdZo1QAUZ4pd70/s320/IMG_9049.JPG" width="249" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Grant is not so much into the love. Just goes to show how different these two are than the twins. Abby will come up to Grant to kiss him or love on him and he will punch her in the face.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA1zj-WHKW2c0M15jpLNqt5ehM5LbZFIsJg7q6EQh1Zo0bEdHdPMG1RLo0OSwGm1pWshUbPGXpgFlYK2t37Vw9PCAN4eFkARlS0uaBoQy7-QqGwpt-UGuUgMu7Qew9sg0QIjGk6cfc3g/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA1zj-WHKW2c0M15jpLNqt5ehM5LbZFIsJg7q6EQh1Zo0bEdHdPMG1RLo0OSwGm1pWshUbPGXpgFlYK2t37Vw9PCAN4eFkARlS0uaBoQy7-QqGwpt-UGuUgMu7Qew9sg0QIjGk6cfc3g/s320/IMG_9047.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope they have a great year and enjoy their time at the same "school."</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-67380481050788760672011-08-23T20:28:00.000-05:002011-08-23T20:28:03.375-05:00Scriptures for school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the never-ending quest to teach my children scripture, I decided to choose verses for them for this school year. I wanted to select a verse that would be specific for each of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Zach, I chose Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zach is usually good at things that he tries. However, when things are difficult for him, he experiences anxiety or does not want to participate at all. I want him to remember to ask the ultimate giver of strength and talent when he needs confidence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Calyn, I chose I Corinthians 10:31- Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Calyn too has success in most things she attempts. I want her to know who created her and gifted her with her talents. I also want her to remember to use her talents to please God and to bring him glory.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wrote the scriptures on the binders that they carry to school each day. I'm sorry the picture is not great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZymVAgJzIYviYPEVIus4u7hwsCUSFDI1czy6lE0Q1wEtfl5Pa3bZKPHrq6xFdSGNDmQGZPCrXF_0aVrgqs5K3_tjBy2tKHopjHxlFjhfPjRBy2kUdDWKEbET-L1zSz4ydRu0lOHsgJVQ/s1600/IMAG0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZymVAgJzIYviYPEVIus4u7hwsCUSFDI1czy6lE0Q1wEtfl5Pa3bZKPHrq6xFdSGNDmQGZPCrXF_0aVrgqs5K3_tjBy2tKHopjHxlFjhfPjRBy2kUdDWKEbET-L1zSz4ydRu0lOHsgJVQ/s320/IMAG0308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-76046200933836304022011-08-22T21:39:00.000-05:002011-08-22T21:39:14.094-05:001st grade for Z and CToday was the first day of first grade for Zach and Calyn. Zach was not too excited to go, but Calyn was very excited. They are in the same class again this year. The class is 2/3 boys. They have a few friends from their class last year. Their best friend, Sydni, is in the class next door. I think it is going to be a great year for both of them. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Only binders allowed in first grade (no backpacks):</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0kI6sqfy-l0u_pJCKedqXVDOqSM-U9H-DQjslI9MN3m9I4Iri7bDx4GFnFgUr1lmHkNh_d_LcIyml4mU_g0i2zsO3cey5_Nn21bpXDkaEtSP7NXYMUgSSP73p95jnr2mbxfXERRUxLA/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0kI6sqfy-l0u_pJCKedqXVDOqSM-U9H-DQjslI9MN3m9I4Iri7bDx4GFnFgUr1lmHkNh_d_LcIyml4mU_g0i2zsO3cey5_Nn21bpXDkaEtSP7NXYMUgSSP73p95jnr2mbxfXERRUxLA/s320/IMG_9019.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">new kicks:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdN_QgZNkfz-cNxdprdwjDgKE8CCsE-wCgMVfuCvaoV9_oCj9CnXMwi8VFnLodDGA7WUxZ9XuBSbdR3Es5NL8Xu-loUMwtajyBpqsj3vuEIEKFyGs77Edqi2Ym3kbgdQjDg859jO9G14/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdN_QgZNkfz-cNxdprdwjDgKE8CCsE-wCgMVfuCvaoV9_oCj9CnXMwi8VFnLodDGA7WUxZ9XuBSbdR3Es5NL8Xu-loUMwtajyBpqsj3vuEIEKFyGs77Edqi2Ym3kbgdQjDg859jO9G14/s320/IMG_9028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how they still hold hands:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-sMbKMyv664xQFiMCVa-QT2vyqgWo7lR1osrLOAWISC17YKnA9poFZuIwa3VGm64nUdJ0qqsIXb1Wc_mojphlkjXxvFIdyDqSUMzh7fE3ysECH3VoEq99mlae3QF0Po4TRS8rXChaU/s1600/IMG_9031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-sMbKMyv664xQFiMCVa-QT2vyqgWo7lR1osrLOAWISC17YKnA9poFZuIwa3VGm64nUdJ0qqsIXb1Wc_mojphlkjXxvFIdyDqSUMzh7fE3ysECH3VoEq99mlae3QF0Po4TRS8rXChaU/s320/IMG_9031.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-88755120085763749942011-08-20T17:57:00.000-05:002011-08-20T17:57:55.679-05:00Recognize this guy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMxN8tQS5BJ6TB2iWwRPQCJRoyW_hE2C9CM353MRUrigpIuHQnVRq2K4x01FuOqz8WWqEqzYK4H1gN8Ry1f2NR2qR74XaZ2QIA37t6m5kYUBxeGUWJCUfb_0Qf2eqdDvilcINl-7hN48/s1600/IMAG0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMxN8tQS5BJ6TB2iWwRPQCJRoyW_hE2C9CM353MRUrigpIuHQnVRq2K4x01FuOqz8WWqEqzYK4H1gN8Ry1f2NR2qR74XaZ2QIA37t6m5kYUBxeGUWJCUfb_0Qf2eqdDvilcINl-7hN48/s320/IMAG0304.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboXSMiCCPYUJQ1pOXBH7Hh_SJvEZxAYMMvYg8hV6iVCoaxEtjxyLvhLGfv0DNthuYchIc9C8TV6URcbXUzVsSRvbZzRrFm-lE7IrMkr50GFJIQhpxC9-jhK0a4zerZUjey979wXzXoLI/s1600/IMAG0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboXSMiCCPYUJQ1pOXBH7Hh_SJvEZxAYMMvYg8hV6iVCoaxEtjxyLvhLGfv0DNthuYchIc9C8TV6URcbXUzVsSRvbZzRrFm-lE7IrMkr50GFJIQhpxC9-jhK0a4zerZUjey979wXzXoLI/s320/IMAG0305.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXBFWSTcSmYlRiHlEtEAhsuaAY3YbqXkv5yJNbLZYPzNh_ib9OQtC-2wT4n_aYIkuIKG1hvFQ1a9jJF0sxBVp4HUBd6k-BUZ51EIVL_75wzprKPdJHMEBkrQvS3h_ZGGJ2LRjt_V6it4/s1600/IMAG0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXBFWSTcSmYlRiHlEtEAhsuaAY3YbqXkv5yJNbLZYPzNh_ib9OQtC-2wT4n_aYIkuIKG1hvFQ1a9jJF0sxBVp4HUBd6k-BUZ51EIVL_75wzprKPdJHMEBkrQvS3h_ZGGJ2LRjt_V6it4/s320/IMAG0306.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>When Zach played catcher last spring, his job consisted of standing next to the adult catcher in hopes of catching a foul tip. Fall ball has changed everything. His team moved to a new league to get some experience with machine pitch baseball. Now Zach has to wear full protective gear and catch fast moving balls. He has done such a great job and is getting more and more involved in the action on the field. His team has had a rough go of it as many of the teams are older. But true to the past, fall ball has been a chance for them to grow and develop as baseball players. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-82330465779342373562011-08-07T21:47:00.001-05:002011-08-07T21:48:35.146-05:00Join the club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Zach lost his first tooth tonight. He was pretty excited to finally lose a tooth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMoCNgT5jINKm8lSZjnHAhr0zvoXsySPRh-nuxiT7SWpSUx-rjiLk0A4tInxR-fHRPO0U2XQFahczGvv0kLixw6xiO-YXWthHUGF_lnoHngNsSWeEHMHxM0w1ghu5SzXolIa8u-jsfJc/s1600/IMG_9006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMoCNgT5jINKm8lSZjnHAhr0zvoXsySPRh-nuxiT7SWpSUx-rjiLk0A4tInxR-fHRPO0U2XQFahczGvv0kLixw6xiO-YXWthHUGF_lnoHngNsSWeEHMHxM0w1ghu5SzXolIa8u-jsfJc/s320/IMG_9006.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Calyn lost her third tooth yesterday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKQhxuqF02oJPi1h3nY6xAGXSqiwzUB_PdF6ZljZ0-MVhYvY5eM2S-YntrRgy1MHiY3RgizuUjfSlqLhGvY462lrJ4F5haMDyexTYS10Hj7-Vu5xFNIWlTJXY8LysWQXEV14yxWcepHM/s1600/IMG_9008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKQhxuqF02oJPi1h3nY6xAGXSqiwzUB_PdF6ZljZ0-MVhYvY5eM2S-YntrRgy1MHiY3RgizuUjfSlqLhGvY462lrJ4F5haMDyexTYS10Hj7-Vu5xFNIWlTJXY8LysWQXEV14yxWcepHM/s320/IMG_9008.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>They are both getting so big. They start first grade two weeks from tomorrow!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-78086069722619810432011-07-14T15:33:00.001-05:002011-07-14T15:34:28.884-05:00God's Promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff18GnZZa8WWUEcAWpVB7S7hcRg8oAuCt4SY3zOl4QuLonUhNUWZR4vMBdHc5M2JvqDH4LgzX92YHeWSFBxeSHTLCg6y0Ueq943Uq91fWNfyrggtHsUaeEHNHCS14eOsETnXZUjskMTw/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff18GnZZa8WWUEcAWpVB7S7hcRg8oAuCt4SY3zOl4QuLonUhNUWZR4vMBdHc5M2JvqDH4LgzX92YHeWSFBxeSHTLCg6y0Ueq943Uq91fWNfyrggtHsUaeEHNHCS14eOsETnXZUjskMTw/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>In the last two weeks, we have driven to Colorado and back (via Los Angeles, California). One night we were fortunate to see several rainbows. Calyn excitedly exclaimed, "God sure is making a lot of promises." While she did not quite have the correct understanding of the rainbow, I loved that she connected the rainbow to God and his promises. Her statement got me to thinking of all of the promises that God makes to his children. I am thankful that He is God and that even when we do not see the big picture, we can rest in Him, his love, his goodness, and his promises.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-29487612375502630222011-06-02T22:22:00.001-05:002011-06-02T22:23:53.637-05:00A 1st for our first and a 2nd for our second<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zach hit his first home run tonight. It was also a grand slam. He was one excited little boy. His batting has steadily been improving all season, and he hit well all night tonight. For his last at bat, he knocked it to the fence for a home run and ended the game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Calyn lost her second tooth. As you might remember, the dentist pulled her first tooth. She let me pull this one. She was also quite proud of herself and of her momma.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHrpjf0GJYWGLky4PF9c3lDS1oSWIhPKl774Hc3-PYohKW-mao7snc2Z5W27k6x1J_wR2kmV60qG_inAjgDQ1Ca26MjqSpqPmleWgOMu8r-53xC5pyFrkb_jmEWfBpI7ttW7hHEWd0YU/s1600/2011-06-02+21.58.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHrpjf0GJYWGLky4PF9c3lDS1oSWIhPKl774Hc3-PYohKW-mao7snc2Z5W27k6x1J_wR2kmV60qG_inAjgDQ1Ca26MjqSpqPmleWgOMu8r-53xC5pyFrkb_jmEWfBpI7ttW7hHEWd0YU/s320/2011-06-02+21.58.44.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a busy and exciting first week of summer.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-79379621213293776422011-05-28T23:39:00.000-05:002011-05-28T23:39:18.739-05:00First and Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First day of Kindergarten:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yAGhyphenhyphenbD_Q-U9M80DwnfyfJj0Whugli858uX8ynWt4zG6NSZTKCNU4HMitB0BGrg7xFirgFLuo8Hpoj_Cc9cIOMgnkvnGVbpBHpjz85SZmokn1bAAK1jbXzbGwMOjvvH_ZKG3mjwzveA/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yAGhyphenhyphenbD_Q-U9M80DwnfyfJj0Whugli858uX8ynWt4zG6NSZTKCNU4HMitB0BGrg7xFirgFLuo8Hpoj_Cc9cIOMgnkvnGVbpBHpjz85SZmokn1bAAK1jbXzbGwMOjvvH_ZKG3mjwzveA/s320/IMG_4928.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> Last day of Kindergarten:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sTCun88bVLzHHwXxx9QaMVzDub3mTgkw91awBU0Ib81Z_SCx1Pecp6Au7ct7-kxp5peSC7qpV9leDL_EViUv5PMVm2cg5EvoOayBd-5GSbHBdUBRAJ-Bg36EIY4g2mmXTrj1YjhF2dM/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sTCun88bVLzHHwXxx9QaMVzDub3mTgkw91awBU0Ib81Z_SCx1Pecp6Au7ct7-kxp5peSC7qpV9leDL_EViUv5PMVm2cg5EvoOayBd-5GSbHBdUBRAJ-Bg36EIY4g2mmXTrj1YjhF2dM/s320/IMG_8423.JPG" t8="true" width="191" /></a></div> Good friends:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kDfDkn-naK8hACD0IUNlwNkNFaJpm632_bX781cVf-DOegO0STFeDVg2aGPCkAv2H8vR1qUYCXHAX9migriKrb_WRRjB-wr2e_aDj9WUXxocm8UKPMCdy6x5ltevCMa1hXaovU0Z8jg/s1600/IMG_8446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kDfDkn-naK8hACD0IUNlwNkNFaJpm632_bX781cVf-DOegO0STFeDVg2aGPCkAv2H8vR1qUYCXHAX9migriKrb_WRRjB-wr2e_aDj9WUXxocm8UKPMCdy6x5ltevCMa1hXaovU0Z8jg/s320/IMG_8446.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J49hZU2UELi-ZJC35jxdNsSVpGS5ZOnjdjMweuTRpbk54CkbEI8z80tOXyLK-oOclj59g-wb14LJXC3xHpwXU77TAW0TiMUG1FcbR_pSBaLvEYEU2s7FVUvTphD7ORm8dVcAfA56KUs/s1600/IMG_8260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J49hZU2UELi-ZJC35jxdNsSVpGS5ZOnjdjMweuTRpbk54CkbEI8z80tOXyLK-oOclj59g-wb14LJXC3xHpwXU77TAW0TiMUG1FcbR_pSBaLvEYEU2s7FVUvTphD7ORm8dVcAfA56KUs/s320/IMG_8260.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Great teacher:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uWoXSh_yqGMpAlIU_mGAktaIDM_cJb5r1FBMsbX-zqsjWP_vV9BZvsXUJ-UAX3oPbG-vg69Ld9XmQiNIVO-D6udWPnsLpa9s7yGvAf3TtBrsyrCGOmo9DxysVTFgoQHGmsMQeRM7WIo/s1600/IMG_8464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uWoXSh_yqGMpAlIU_mGAktaIDM_cJb5r1FBMsbX-zqsjWP_vV9BZvsXUJ-UAX3oPbG-vg69Ld9XmQiNIVO-D6udWPnsLpa9s7yGvAf3TtBrsyrCGOmo9DxysVTFgoQHGmsMQeRM7WIo/s320/IMG_8464.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Kindergarten graduate Calyn:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpEhpGzqnk_DwxNonoNxTVByBKGhOcp5SRfsevW01um-OluOnugh6CjWBXwHJL7zVdABALn6pnr12RThtvepUIBv3zKwG47BPWW7y2Lr4ySAolc7PVR76KlEV4wVYjNQzPPYf3MJB2cQ/s1600/IMG_8267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpEhpGzqnk_DwxNonoNxTVByBKGhOcp5SRfsevW01um-OluOnugh6CjWBXwHJL7zVdABALn6pnr12RThtvepUIBv3zKwG47BPWW7y2Lr4ySAolc7PVR76KlEV4wVYjNQzPPYf3MJB2cQ/s320/IMG_8267.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Kindergarten graduate Zach:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjR5lOdB3kCL-wVQMPUPrfgjFOqjhppbL4mnsPDILVgHMOlELSJZswPjofM2-E-iNzm1rxXtOFkPSTZFX90RTbuQAB9acnVWH5tfmxvDt69J3GvY5FRLt3uVR8m86EzBllsYE5n9lXUw/s1600/IMG_8268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjR5lOdB3kCL-wVQMPUPrfgjFOqjhppbL4mnsPDILVgHMOlELSJZswPjofM2-E-iNzm1rxXtOFkPSTZFX90RTbuQAB9acnVWH5tfmxvDt69J3GvY5FRLt3uVR8m86EzBllsYE5n9lXUw/s320/IMG_8268.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mrs. Daniel's Kindergarten class: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_8Zp-dJ7ISmP35EqlqzAqlzA3FbdBvORA6uLMn6xolcGL7K-hXB175SMpN6AiwY6X7zMfmyijyFJM0RmQqltMHfkZr9PskJTeBM49ZoMsE2zR9rg0hyphenhyphenapF4BvHWwlT0U9TzMTie4lCc/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_8Zp-dJ7ISmP35EqlqzAqlzA3FbdBvORA6uLMn6xolcGL7K-hXB175SMpN6AiwY6X7zMfmyijyFJM0RmQqltMHfkZr9PskJTeBM49ZoMsE2zR9rg0hyphenhyphenapF4BvHWwlT0U9TzMTie4lCc/s320/IMG_8277.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div> 2nd place Kindergarten AR reader:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4uuA_kZm9ughLUyqWpf4VbVnOgr4eWJQFrDWvRNff5EQg51AH3vld0GN805eVCG6AcpqvSBun4WfIvJsYZN1V6Okmsp3uANmZD6rvcJVXzBPhSksUhm6nZwcUWy_9UdZNYg-3FBcPCU/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4uuA_kZm9ughLUyqWpf4VbVnOgr4eWJQFrDWvRNff5EQg51AH3vld0GN805eVCG6AcpqvSBun4WfIvJsYZN1V6Okmsp3uANmZD6rvcJVXzBPhSksUhm6nZwcUWy_9UdZNYg-3FBcPCU/s320/IMG_8285.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div> 1st place Kindergarten AR reader:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDljqOkxglCgFxvAspqCn3P6Xhm2cRKUaDG6_A3QhAj_V2_rUQ3NJV3XY9gpt2DIcSNhIv3eKLK8lVRV8aq__wICB3_hA_0zB1vGlD_qMSnhzk8ukAOkUrK6vz-VEuETNXAseaW0Ih6I/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDljqOkxglCgFxvAspqCn3P6Xhm2cRKUaDG6_A3QhAj_V2_rUQ3NJV3XY9gpt2DIcSNhIv3eKLK8lVRV8aq__wICB3_hA_0zB1vGlD_qMSnhzk8ukAOkUrK6vz-VEuETNXAseaW0Ih6I/s320/IMG_8288.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div> Top 3 Kindergarten AR readers:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMbUU1ARw6Sb22IsI4TBQQW_qthlO4gsZXXpn2bIMRUg5EXqFwSGcyHB27NNdJjywR70aWyBsL2thMAzmwZPOKzTs0Kwa10TxfkdDZJ5bY5_8HtAawcHjkICmcQN_f3BqJJNrVmh-2Y0/s1600/IMG_8296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMbUU1ARw6Sb22IsI4TBQQW_qthlO4gsZXXpn2bIMRUg5EXqFwSGcyHB27NNdJjywR70aWyBsL2thMAzmwZPOKzTs0Kwa10TxfkdDZJ5bY5_8HtAawcHjkICmcQN_f3BqJJNrVmh-2Y0/s320/IMG_8296.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Zach and Calyn had a wonderful year. They learned so much. They learned to read. They learned about presidents, Texas, dinosaurs, sharks, plants, and teeth. Zach and Calyn learned to be a good friend and how to respect other peoples' personal space. They celebrated Fall, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Spring, and the last days of school. Their class won the Spring Box Top collection competition and received sno cones from Bahama Bucks.<br />
Their teacher was so good. She taught them a lot. I was impressed with the way she treated her students, especially compared to what I saw from other teachers. Zach and Calyn wanted to attend school everyday and passed on every chance to go home early. I think that says a lot about their overall experience. They chose to stay at school even when other students were going home early. <br />
Zach and Calyn also received a special award for PE. The PE teacher chose them as the best athletes in their class. They both also were recognized as top AR readers. Calyn took first overall for Kindergarten. Zach took second. This was the first year they even recognized Kindergarten AR readers. I personally think it was because they had earned so many points. Both Tim and I read a lot. I am thankful that my kids enjoy reading and learning.<br />
I am thankful that Zach and Calyn had such a good first school experience. Tim took them to school alot, but I also took them many times. We made it a point to pray for them before they exited the car. I often prayed about how thankful I was for their school, teacher, friends and just the opportunity to go to school. I knew they did not realize how fortunate they were to go to a good school, but I wanted God to know that I was thankful. I also wanted for them to see me thanking God for these things.<br />
We are looking forward to summer. We have a lot of fun things planned. We will also slow down and enjoy our time together.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-10885498153912941652011-05-16T23:46:00.001-05:002011-05-16T23:49:17.834-05:00Mom's Day 2011My friend Melissa just posted an excellent blog entry detailing our shared Mom's Day. You can read it <a href="http://walkinfree.blogspot.com/2011/05/different-kind-of-mothers-day.html">here</a>. In case you don't click on the link, I'll give you a synopsis. We (the Dallas' in our car and the Williams' in their car 12 miles behind us) set out for Amarillo early Sunday Morning. The purpose of the trip was to see Curren Gomez get dedicated (along with 40 other new arrivals). Eric, the girls, the grands, and the nannies all took the stage to dedicate Curren. I know this day was hard for Eric and his family but I was so proud of all of them and blessed to get to spend the day with them. The week leading up to the service was really tough for me. I struggled with really missing both my mom and Brie. While I know my mom is in far better shape in heaven, sometime I play the "what if" game. I wonder what my life would look like now if mom had stayed healthy. What kind of relationship would she have with my children? I could go on and on. I usually don't because I am satisfied with her being whole in heaven. For some reason it hit me hard this year. Most likely because I was also missing Brie and feeling so broken for her children. I know that God has and will continue to place wonderful, godly influences in their lives. But selfishly, sometimes I just want Brie back.<br />
The day in Amarillo was good. I had a rough time during praise and worship, but made it through. We all had lunch together. The kids played in the kiddie pool and watched a movie. I got to hold, feed, change, and love on the Champ. We left in the late afternoon. We stopped in Tulia so the rest of my family could meet my cousins' newly adopted baby boy. We got to eat at Chipotle (my favorite) when we arrived in Lubbock. Once we got home, the kids were excited to give me all their homemade goodies. They worked hard on their cards and poems. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgch-Dvo4KUN-KzIqNXjgkrzclfHMG-OgvRvL2NnH1FmP_Zrl1lTSal2o5t7rJVH0BJzOXm3_RVQxqbh5IvOkeLVb6avQ6ke8aZ5qTGDK_y0a1hlFj9ZhaMpcW08-paGgWJVXwKCh0Y610/s1600/IMAG0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgch-Dvo4KUN-KzIqNXjgkrzclfHMG-OgvRvL2NnH1FmP_Zrl1lTSal2o5t7rJVH0BJzOXm3_RVQxqbh5IvOkeLVb6avQ6ke8aZ5qTGDK_y0a1hlFj9ZhaMpcW08-paGgWJVXwKCh0Y610/s320/IMAG0254.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7S_FdPiFMqH4IKM59oALF5z7vgENZafDOmPB0brWywjvgKqpQsM-RRd9ifvMBCa_UJbltUyWZb0TnXgxmALt49uBF-HibtOP7QY5hq6jqQ3ng0jn6C6xdCWe2usu-uKc8hKGMAH3bA/s1600/IMAG0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7S_FdPiFMqH4IKM59oALF5z7vgENZafDOmPB0brWywjvgKqpQsM-RRd9ifvMBCa_UJbltUyWZb0TnXgxmALt49uBF-HibtOP7QY5hq6jqQ3ng0jn6C6xdCWe2usu-uKc8hKGMAH3bA/s320/IMAG0256.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHqduHeMzr97ojcJI28rEk88UbAMT_eyhEzzsYVKY2goOLTQoyghGmQj0TuATme28q_XDh80jT3UB82hi3tW0EqBUB43s0lwRbMjgdvksSDxessMnxlqKzd40D92naabJ3wji41HMrqY/s1600/IMAG0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHqduHeMzr97ojcJI28rEk88UbAMT_eyhEzzsYVKY2goOLTQoyghGmQj0TuATme28q_XDh80jT3UB82hi3tW0EqBUB43s0lwRbMjgdvksSDxessMnxlqKzd40D92naabJ3wji41HMrqY/s320/IMAG0257.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>They also got me a new bike which my friend, Laura, helped me pimp out with a baby seat. Pictures of that will have to wait.<br />
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I love being a mom to my kids. Although they do things that annoy me like Zach showing up to baseball practice without his shoes. Not just the right shoes, but shoes at all. Or like Abby peeing in my bed as I type this post (she was in my bed because she has strep again and Tim is out of town again). They also do and say funny things like Calyn coming upstairs in the middle of the night saying that Grant's crying is making her ears hurt. Today, Zach pointed to a Chihuahua in the car next to us. While I was impressed that he knew the dog was a Chihuahua, Abby didn't see the dog and said, "Where is the enchilada?" Abby does not think it is funny at all when Grant scratches or bites her. She is however, the first to comfort him and feel bad for him when he gets punished for scratching and biting her. She hugs him and tells him, "It's okay bubba."<br />
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There is almost never a dull moment at our house. I would not trade our chaos for anything. Losing my mom and Brie has taught me a lot about not taking things for granted. Brie and I talked just before her death about whether our goal was just to survive or to thrive. We both decided while we go through seasons of just surviving, we did not want stay in those places. We wanted our families to thrive and our relationships with Jesus to thrive. I think I am more than surviving but still have a way to go before I can claim to be thriving.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-3296651127605379222011-05-11T16:23:00.000-05:002011-05-11T16:23:49.166-05:00The fifth of May<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I f<span id="goog_512398730"></span><span id="goog_512398731"></span>ound the cutest cookies on one of my <a href="http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/">favorite blogs</a>. Sweet Sugarbelle is a South Plains native and makes me want to bake more. Her cookies looked like this:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPWJw4jLLNW4w3ZGCC3zgzhYgN8Vlw8fVixJ8Y7naLEwAFS7I39aPnXAZmUqSeOw2dEy9S_KXiIEWjNWK0LiG3UPQ8fLQVUfl-C2DcbaNFBKIdqUcSzXfUS2wM6GXK58kX0XzQV3sLUA/s1600/075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPWJw4jLLNW4w3ZGCC3zgzhYgN8Vlw8fVixJ8Y7naLEwAFS7I39aPnXAZmUqSeOw2dEy9S_KXiIEWjNWK0LiG3UPQ8fLQVUfl-C2DcbaNFBKIdqUcSzXfUS2wM6GXK58kX0XzQV3sLUA/s320/075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My cookies looked like this:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4iiUsb-C4ryHCkajUs5Pr2XvAm94o1BO_CncSIfFPkgR1nXolOiCnfH8KvBtAUVEPcRyyuZkMHdvPloSFw9BdhSqDzLz7GdwvD3fDJpxEEqgkZVKE-9rHAmYp76gQ6bbgbre5Br1nHA/s1600/IMG_8237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4iiUsb-C4ryHCkajUs5Pr2XvAm94o1BO_CncSIfFPkgR1nXolOiCnfH8KvBtAUVEPcRyyuZkMHdvPloSFw9BdhSqDzLz7GdwvD3fDJpxEEqgkZVKE-9rHAmYp76gQ6bbgbre5Br1nHA/s320/IMG_8237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I made guacamole and queso for dinner:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyE2Oyw0apzyGLZ2TdnhOpwI3APmT3QmzP9rE4lHe1mAgRUQTitgzWWZucnXS2O04z3nQwRJLNFsRnU51E_qX7LWjRbgo5_W9aJdhqoZ7QgsCUtXWx93Hl4UwfEPFzzm524-0LPOMJmo/s1600/IMG_8231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyE2Oyw0apzyGLZ2TdnhOpwI3APmT3QmzP9rE4lHe1mAgRUQTitgzWWZucnXS2O04z3nQwRJLNFsRnU51E_qX7LWjRbgo5_W9aJdhqoZ7QgsCUtXWx93Hl4UwfEPFzzm524-0LPOMJmo/s320/IMG_8231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We had the tortilla chip cookies with guacamole (fruit dip) and salsa (strawberries and kiwi) for dessert. Tim questioned me as to when we started celebrating Cinco De Mayo. I replied, "When it gave me an excuse to make something cute."</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-5412419791529994302011-05-07T14:54:00.001-05:002011-05-07T22:37:23.629-05:00Prayers PleaseMy cousin's family is going through a very difficult time right now. Would you please stop and pray for them? Please pray for peace and comfort and understanding.<br />
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Also, tomorrow we are headed to Amarillo. Curren is getting dedicated. Please pray for the Gomez family as they go through their first Mother's Day without Brie and for Eric as he dedicates his son without his wife by his side.<br />
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One more- our family is also going through a very challenging time. I do not have the freedom to share but would appreciate if you would pray for courage, wisdom, and encouragement for my husband.<br />
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Thank you!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-91145744291519284472011-05-02T16:36:00.000-05:002011-05-02T16:36:20.193-05:00One down, seventy-nine to go<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbaKoz-38Q2OapoEOqhZ_Vqewgirjl1GDweHwiH-cAqfhLb72CXcKlKs3t-WVSM44xk17IzeNMc7hD3-PtM-KO8O6IekEXIKTd-EIEXuxjxRdSe0u5JMTv3pEg0-LIcx96PcNIEvvGwo/s1600/IMAG0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbaKoz-38Q2OapoEOqhZ_Vqewgirjl1GDweHwiH-cAqfhLb72CXcKlKs3t-WVSM44xk17IzeNMc7hD3-PtM-KO8O6IekEXIKTd-EIEXuxjxRdSe0u5JMTv3pEg0-LIcx96PcNIEvvGwo/s320/IMAG0232.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx4cWi1Xxotm9WtcqIVKEvrZV57rSXbc4_89E4okDkj1Kd_WvqYrrVWQdnoknIemlekbfxvFSB63rIiw1m92hZmBG2TOV-lU_k9uP3mEOeouXne3zezPyd6aQzIk7JpnNf4y-7jIS7v4/s1600/IMAG0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx4cWi1Xxotm9WtcqIVKEvrZV57rSXbc4_89E4okDkj1Kd_WvqYrrVWQdnoknIemlekbfxvFSB63rIiw1m92hZmBG2TOV-lU_k9uP3mEOeouXne3zezPyd6aQzIk7JpnNf4y-7jIS7v4/s320/IMAG0236.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Calyn recently "lost" her first tooth. She had to have it pulled by the dentist because it was infected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thinking about her teeth, reminded me of the dinosaur project the twins did for school (not sure why but probably all of the teeth <strike>we</strike> the kids had to cut out). The twins worked with one of their friends and they each produced a dinosaur fossil head. They were Zach's archeopteryx skull (2 liter Sprite bottle), Calyn's tyrannosaurus skull (gallon milk jug), and Sydni's triceratops skull (half gallon milk jug and paper plates).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipgmYZDUXWYsu4zf6_5JLFvcBy_9C-0Ek37nHIurmr_0BbJwaIE3qutQtnqB9GwFCZOOxVKFa4ENInRHDy-GB64-1MmHb7i-fxGXH92J4xlPXfB8nSbVzEV3I0SmapdfaolC6cQBeMws/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipgmYZDUXWYsu4zf6_5JLFvcBy_9C-0Ek37nHIurmr_0BbJwaIE3qutQtnqB9GwFCZOOxVKFa4ENInRHDy-GB64-1MmHb7i-fxGXH92J4xlPXfB8nSbVzEV3I0SmapdfaolC6cQBeMws/s320/IMAG0224.jpg" width="320px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvtmzxHHcIUaVxpXYEWPvA50CwWnWxDllN1JUiKME6FkPqlboUHnYQfbF7TBC1ot4-XzW0YkMrg00Cc0vaXz93SAYMPILo-keHlckOzAstbQGY18irZ9GB7aDi0smTjuFIed-ThRTqk/s1600/IMAG0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvtmzxHHcIUaVxpXYEWPvA50CwWnWxDllN1JUiKME6FkPqlboUHnYQfbF7TBC1ot4-XzW0YkMrg00Cc0vaXz93SAYMPILo-keHlckOzAstbQGY18irZ9GB7aDi0smTjuFIed-ThRTqk/s320/IMAG0225.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-22258330818081290712011-04-25T18:52:00.000-05:002011-04-25T18:52:40.494-05:00How can you tell when Grandma visits?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your dinner plate looks like this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbi_gLbhuKfgXmnA7mXMiKjCtNpySpD1_-hcLa6ausssXXwvFLgn3HaUf1kqXerdEVFc7RRC-7tLWZnNBPVx9guuEWa1GIWSAxcSCsRAi75sk4N3lm3fyhcYkFibft7F-n9uENZ9tTfI/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbi_gLbhuKfgXmnA7mXMiKjCtNpySpD1_-hcLa6ausssXXwvFLgn3HaUf1kqXerdEVFc7RRC-7tLWZnNBPVx9guuEWa1GIWSAxcSCsRAi75sk4N3lm3fyhcYkFibft7F-n9uENZ9tTfI/s320/IMG_0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your <strike>baby</strike> toddler looks like this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG8_qix4A0KkTie39ZZczVjx6X7WQn_pM8fdzzUIHOaMm3P-wNLT1siOccLaqyxCoA2HQOxmhtUw_vd0kjqBGT0P9ZkxP2aPHtOLZCFehhM8PUcpuBpBaoy1GCCZtNV0ajYBENJcGSUs/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG8_qix4A0KkTie39ZZczVjx6X7WQn_pM8fdzzUIHOaMm3P-wNLT1siOccLaqyxCoA2HQOxmhtUw_vd0kjqBGT0P9ZkxP2aPHtOLZCFehhM8PUcpuBpBaoy1GCCZtNV0ajYBENJcGSUs/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your big kids smile like this while they play outside in 50mph winds:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZInL_RUaaOgVUUU0iOQt-ZCQR0gyzuUahLGMBfSOw8HNLqwUSe9X_Rcz2jV9U19j5ZpYODe08JOalvVS59-Nf3aQIoBu2Kr8fD3JmaE6iRjAt5saHB80OSvKnAd5F-TaqbpydOtftgUs/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZInL_RUaaOgVUUU0iOQt-ZCQR0gyzuUahLGMBfSOw8HNLqwUSe9X_Rcz2jV9U19j5ZpYODe08JOalvVS59-Nf3aQIoBu2Kr8fD3JmaE6iRjAt5saHB80OSvKnAd5F-TaqbpydOtftgUs/s320/IMG_0739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks Grandma for a fun visit.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-11343346817113123502011-04-24T23:07:00.000-05:002011-04-24T23:07:23.786-05:00Resurrection Sunday 2011We had a wonderful day. We went to church and then headed over to the Buschman's house for lunch. Grant and Addison hunted a few eggs after lunch. The weather was beautiful. Neither of them touched their lunches, but they each stopped and opened each egg in order to get to the goods inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09PYry5szwhVzcm5mQE6kuxF3FBlTGUZsj3H1MKCieL4n98HB_V97ljU5JSMoGwUL-Skfd6Jpod5hHJ0TwTiIyW-yJAwc0xXvUdGV38lzalHrD5gSItGs4XXY0EB5kg7cec_1L27PcYE/s1600/IMG_8165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09PYry5szwhVzcm5mQE6kuxF3FBlTGUZsj3H1MKCieL4n98HB_V97ljU5JSMoGwUL-Skfd6Jpod5hHJ0TwTiIyW-yJAwc0xXvUdGV38lzalHrD5gSItGs4XXY0EB5kg7cec_1L27PcYE/s320/IMG_8165.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodc8Zt496Dx7pBnanwwu5g4cAA0hXHy3hrf4uE7eNYcT5Q9E0j8D6ljid1176YKpZBgGGh92pJ7G6GOjNmpud8kp3rpGjuyWg4OHoS7zFdcefX3u659OZ0BhwbyPEdzYPRe4lFDLOswk/s1600/IMG_8162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodc8Zt496Dx7pBnanwwu5g4cAA0hXHy3hrf4uE7eNYcT5Q9E0j8D6ljid1176YKpZBgGGh92pJ7G6GOjNmpud8kp3rpGjuyWg4OHoS7zFdcefX3u659OZ0BhwbyPEdzYPRe4lFDLOswk/s320/IMG_8162.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzywUHccE95AM8aO7VAVJycL_gKbAm2TLUNRtsOnVhjbsi_uksxcSi7bngook0Xq0KgLvkrOuukGaAWJjZ0x46ignhwDoCQ3zZLfcE2oPr5jQPMnQ_qGPAq0Xd2Z0VPKHPu5omHdiJNe8/s1600/IMG_8140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzywUHccE95AM8aO7VAVJycL_gKbAm2TLUNRtsOnVhjbsi_uksxcSi7bngook0Xq0KgLvkrOuukGaAWJjZ0x46ignhwDoCQ3zZLfcE2oPr5jQPMnQ_qGPAq0Xd2Z0VPKHPu5omHdiJNe8/s320/IMG_8140.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-deYYrFaZPRbz0-u0XA4HNc6exsSJrc5NSqyQ7aEvnKQx9dzSOwZmwQBd6UDzI0_HFc-ZjGRoT2-KLYizJotm2OGJXdDwm9qCkp8p_1MeM8x3xv-yv0S471NtOMdhj-wGPyUGHE4Usso/s1600/IMG_8153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-deYYrFaZPRbz0-u0XA4HNc6exsSJrc5NSqyQ7aEvnKQx9dzSOwZmwQBd6UDzI0_HFc-ZjGRoT2-KLYizJotm2OGJXdDwm9qCkp8p_1MeM8x3xv-yv0S471NtOMdhj-wGPyUGHE4Usso/s320/IMG_8153.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3ThlIwDfGM1ar-KDlDe0HnSOVAUbMfleLdjZzaGUjpkH2UfUSxBjqZyFbnml62IhgSENNXaj_xwQ4LBMoiEwGLlh3baMz61lDEGOlECfCM-yGx7uQXoMdZPcoSAnhVUVyYAuR2g7kvk/s1600/IMG_8151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3ThlIwDfGM1ar-KDlDe0HnSOVAUbMfleLdjZzaGUjpkH2UfUSxBjqZyFbnml62IhgSENNXaj_xwQ4LBMoiEwGLlh3baMz61lDEGOlECfCM-yGx7uQXoMdZPcoSAnhVUVyYAuR2g7kvk/s320/IMG_8151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWznf9oriXbOnKkGAcq-4bSK5nJ1WL6TejFImTaMW2sd7EJiZ3A86dI3WMbUs5gYLrMbFR2sincL6Z3UWXUaRWJSM7yBD-SkR9MDpCwHEKEklhiAdZC5AYaV5c-iQJzd_cyAxQeDrK5g/s1600/IMG_8141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWznf9oriXbOnKkGAcq-4bSK5nJ1WL6TejFImTaMW2sd7EJiZ3A86dI3WMbUs5gYLrMbFR2sincL6Z3UWXUaRWJSM7yBD-SkR9MDpCwHEKEklhiAdZC5AYaV5c-iQJzd_cyAxQeDrK5g/s320/IMG_8141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was Grant trying to give Addison a kiss. Addison declined his offer.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoiJaZQd5ue88wMKnRkucYUOH7E_SvOjpunPlAFREkShtImgzx7WajTvenVGVQ9-550MktGcGHI5-wUDhA_K-b5K-0OV9Tk_D5V8jmB4SxtUQaGt3S-_CcXZPBBaI1NdGOej0uFDpF-g/s1600/IMG_8187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoiJaZQd5ue88wMKnRkucYUOH7E_SvOjpunPlAFREkShtImgzx7WajTvenVGVQ9-550MktGcGHI5-wUDhA_K-b5K-0OV9Tk_D5V8jmB4SxtUQaGt3S-_CcXZPBBaI1NdGOej0uFDpF-g/s320/IMG_8187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are so very thankful for the sacrifice Christ made for us on the cross. Today we celebrated that He is Risen!</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-48097806072604941472011-03-22T14:48:00.003-05:002011-03-22T15:05:43.218-05:00Brie's Blog Book<a href="http://mcculloughmoments.blogspot.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586993692108129970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjWfSy33k12nc0n-Px0WKDVzU2GkGOFrKNUUPQjrf-0wa_xE9uCbKsD9Pn9EJPbJk7Y-fEEwlcgwU5bwSllVNdygKKZifv9ZZsAOqibTSOjClorn0ZY18ihPIVoJ3QYbripYl-9-d-dw/s400/188849_1913850567778_1287348674_32329426_3719752_n%255B1%255D.jpg" /> Carrie</a>, <a href="http://walkinfree.blogspot.com/">Melissa</a>, and I helped Brie's dad turn her blog into a devotional book for mothers. This was such a labor of love. When Tom first mentioned the project, I eagerly agreed to help. I had no idea that he meant that we would have to get started immediately. Talk about fast forwarding the grieving process. All three of us went through Brie's blog and pulled out the posts that we thought pointed to how Brie lived her life for God and dependent on God. We edited the posts for ease of reading and then added scriptures and journaling questions. Although the job was rushed, I think the book turned out great. All proceeds form the sale of the book will be used to pay for college for Mali, Eleri, and Curren. If you want a copy, you can order a book <a href="http://web.me.com/currenschampions/Currens_Champions/Welcome.html">here</a> or I can deliver one to you. We are asking for a $20 donation for books delivered locally (they are also available in Amarillo, Dalhart, and Dallas) or $25 if ordered on-line.<br />Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayer for this family. Please do not grow weary in praying for them.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-82253538447710594242011-03-13T21:56:00.000-05:002011-03-13T22:27:14.196-05:00Hair cutBefore Grant turns one and a half (tomorrow), I figured I'd better blog about when he turned one (and a few other events since he turned one).<br /><br />This picture does a good job representing the four Dallas children. Grant is questioning why he is where he is and why someone is taking his picture. Calyn is carefree with an easy smile. Abby is being her usual the rules-don't-apply-to me self. Zach is sulking and finding great joy is frustrating his parental units.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577109213928615810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOES6WaikPZOEedAdsG3TbWcVERdE-BND5cHxA0E_854VNRLbFvV-fVqBip__q81VcJeXfPr_GRG0lqiICVO9M97cTREf1Z4s3TkS8dURQ944kj6qg2C7MU8qOa6S53g-yv0RTNEN6jI8/s400/IMG_1628.JPG" /><br />We celebrated Grant's first birthday with a backyard bbq on September 11, 2010.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577102556137497634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Ux53h7nvSnGGxlcOVjM8_bjZpqKQOO6MiSme3WKkU_VmXciYI-79JCATaRcCE7mfkGvtqlYlKZb_Gu5QBqwcuGIw_sPrehvjaSpDVN0rN6exRQUct-F-hrPXJOq5qBOpNgsnXPA-pc/s400/IMG_5197.JPG" /><br />We had family and friends celebrate with us.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577108874122798834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe1_rfhkix8GlUsnsGQg9nYP1WzcrHE_vrMLAippWUdVCiXp_nXQF1rm8ye-QbIoUStIcpt-yimErjAFyUvWsBY-KnupPmaTjshwVnMCNe5sq-FYTg5gndh8D6QCYD94XbVFGcjsmjUY/s400/IMG_1643.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577108581627800770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4Mct3EXrnguXgWFV_bPg62L1QZBUvSg1KM9GopNf_2iEiIgGoEv-LKVjuATBZMhU8SFofLSYdl8s1lnAWXnNwpmmeam6p0-j8rS6M9W07fPJejz4Afar0_0Gae7jj0JBF6KmOtTFl2Y/s400/IMG_1644.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577108354548344578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIcF1jIIHwHxwfzz7G6AY73XKwNALFAcHliM93ytbRUQ2N2LEXLDVvrvPrPbfQhaTKMFve4vU0-qFe-6xZt-1RRajzN2lvzVrok-x_ME9R5CtrkXIVNPwtNFle4dmtU_Ih1jwh7kVNo0/s400/IMG_1645.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577107985606001442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwcwuZieIuXf_50fmI7gu0TL92l-h5db1gd73ci68rov8PWlyBh4jxJGd2yFj2jN9HnL8Ap_jvN0A1r_qYWzZEmcf0hXtr6qeYMVvqOkkHeFFEbkSV8hoaIOdSs6ux2lvtZaZ7CbXXxI/s400/IMG_1646.JPG" /><br />There was a lot of food.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577103777460505746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0w2rvuoPnmKHFbJoUIYhmoYgfWakaaDRbXZxcwpsteARL9IRJA6_AIjMblXCDxzG8q1SVNEu5fBMITX4wHbLIblzsvmQTj9UislAavRNpCnErj2iqC5hqw5cPnLq2XMDRSlRwQHWn5s/s400/IMG_5223.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577104164662080274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93IlWSmvNJc8ghKJjipgW1rNX0R296NuGr65WQ6AXs-crmc4pKhrVRUpvuUwz-uNfpFs3UL5dD655eicdFgvYVr6lcbSInMmzwdSDFZRheQeYtDnlKDpFbuo1NKQ8nSA3qZA3qLagHVM/s400/IMG_5224.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577104822346760786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKCT2KFpEqpcL4Uifz0yZ9GxEgAgB7wM6FzkAcFCQphs8-K8PEUPg7UvhYFmaD_Gv7YQasd-keSMpr4set9QweohzCeu99zykgOBtUarqQc4zmK9wScB8yOGrzV4PRJhcLL7QnVmtALQ/s400/IMG_5238.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577105338456299010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVHLjsfgI8gP6Q8Rj14ivkbYKb8jXGsBmbFxCIDCCbAvrAkypbilbMrPoZdmcHGVWALojk-GuMaLj9oS9fUyxAJ0IBYIEdLP4I_clYd8k9rJp6afFJaRXpPcRs4-mnMkba51GK_gQU_o/s400/IMG_5246.JPG" />There was a happy birthday boy.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577105070657229538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG3arPHAiXgm47tSjkhcCk-WnY90APeB8-3nCVO5wD6ZamyczQPPy476lMu325CY4Qmi3y38ijqS8y9gbkgegp_iIhTt5xYWYzUtHUmj2NuQhSHSgU2CtT1hD0fBUF302V-Lc_BDrJuE/s400/IMG_5243.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577105566746490258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVMBH3l6_J4tc2OXEpWUb4PtUqNKjrgmC3aKri2bbNOh09cmCbk9-t7P4knGg7LJ7Wv9Ahkm1SOXBuCnWjeoZf0pcHTsgS0cfWhuVgahFGUk7TES0LX0PL2fyqwpJAK-LGzxYqQNK8Fw/s400/IMG_5272.JPG" />This one is for Brie:).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577107427828686210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJErS8yYGfTgCtFG7JUYFOufZTDd6fdRONbffPZ3VdyoyZQf1b51gViYj_-5LDmzGwRDi0dDajc9m_IAQfU57fm1L9U9Iuh7LLCpfO2l3CwN9v6VEXPi2smaU3_zrkAGyvmUDmWpN4l1M/s400/IMG_1676.JPG" />Grant was trying to impersonate a smurf.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577105954510742498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxOOL92Hl39gg4KLtK4WVP7espRKxds4QYcLkNbjwkTF-zgW5MPz9D9WbSiuzc5-j17xvV9BTW2C3niyBqs2DXJfUF8Y315aQrRJ3hUcAA7hyphenhyphenqMDedbSdXAiYOBDXkz5MNYB4T0AZ8Zo/s400/IMG_5277.JPG" />Luckily he had an appropriate change of clothes.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577106739196544850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAZAgT9CsBNkZMuPGecXbNwNr_GywZcmyglPJSU2rTgY_bjhpDgs8-x-YOjDSHXOKOB8YY0-m0_pNS2zPSzKi5TS8__5voMPCsnAlJPOdzcaPLsq_bHTEyqemIPUOkPfXZH5IOb8_Z7U/s400/IMG_1707.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577102739238558850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZEeEYDlkICSuh7CnDwqtKOEc3vjI3OeTwMUb9WPx9Qo5kygfNzF-BEhnz9BI4bBxxXCgLcnO-bg1awZhntmYSB1-8fNgK2IiwB6l-CbHT6x6rgyhbigajXCfxwbY_RMfaKR9ZyXtUW4/s400/IMG_5190.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577103408931622066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhrUbbeiYnHbmvz1gV1FNf9ehFDKZjaFh0VkhACBR21O7uOZmsSoDN7ZfzBLHfK2jA-130LImzLJhf3WV4AiaCjx0h5SJ9JzO4CIoVMXXPZZSnYZL7mCxfPmL4krAKFrkfjSQ6fYcE2U/s400/IMG_5212.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577107256921263522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9mE7txK7JmKWm4sTrWUbe9Nx5nFSsglZ224uTMs2ZQvFz1_P0fra3MDRU3hSFvPd6TLxnh5zUYDe0cnRkA2kXAUG-FY4Y6bTZ85gZQxR37XL7uBrrgUGrFY5j-28D3lvJs0ATzbZcxY/s400/IMG_1713.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577103114085843938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP6LBNWP2BjdRGAx3UqRX1yreCru3ZeXJzitFdWXHpDc7C6epZTZDmbskpl-Dqk3Y6G29H0aGyJVPiKQE37QOp2YDJzzXm4idpdB6NcXjjmIoeSOZCGFUHPmoUMRU3Wb1w7a0iegjqz4/s400/IMG_5202.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div>At the first of December, I took Grant for his first haircut. It was so sad to see his baby hair fall to the ground, but he did look so handsome after the cut. </div><div>Before:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XDuPeydW-WjZjGA_-F2_3INZozWUNX8Y-u5RWVgD4htPc1pLxe3QBJ-uCQnN5mQbxlwhjBcub69E5tDUe1KHW7YwPe2R_phpZi4VZ-1lM20LpeT2GAOQrczkN9VSv7w-n_wm4fB-mfY/s1600/IMG_6322.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551124467735195010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XDuPeydW-WjZjGA_-F2_3INZozWUNX8Y-u5RWVgD4htPc1pLxe3QBJ-uCQnN5mQbxlwhjBcub69E5tDUe1KHW7YwPe2R_phpZi4VZ-1lM20LpeT2GAOQrczkN9VSv7w-n_wm4fB-mfY/s400/IMG_6322.JPG" /></a></div><div>During:</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXy2pP75rk3CZt9ocp-pIf2t6uDCHaPTokzF2koeuWabwZ1OvMlfy1H7OaN4e_GHbx741Hk5o0evIWnAAsvStDTd1lFPCPvuYZ7iS5Onj7eS-SK10S5WLXKAYf_3gJvqN6W4TXwjeiQ/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551124798616436098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXy2pP75rk3CZt9ocp-pIf2t6uDCHaPTokzF2koeuWabwZ1OvMlfy1H7OaN4e_GHbx741Hk5o0evIWnAAsvStDTd1lFPCPvuYZ7iS5Onj7eS-SK10S5WLXKAYf_3gJvqN6W4TXwjeiQ/s400/IMG_6327.JPG" /></a> </div><div>After:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577101946400610866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdPePDQ4fu-4DjUNIUvgxoHHEfuBo8PMY6WdLjh5ODQCqV8ttJPjFgUqXdj72_1gZTg7atoDjHVGTlfPhaR80FRUOWMHXIH54pUgBJxhA4KGGHYjmLdCcZ8yHIigmWmFGZKm4q4YUoTU/s400/IMG_6364.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />He has gotten his hair cut twice since these pictures.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-89277702329150611402011-03-07T14:41:00.005-06:002011-03-07T14:50:52.896-06:00I miss this smile<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKMuGFElWZ3PNQjMC7qJdLknJt9xhk3dPb3mphCjoHLQtOmdLcId9I-luHgYFhe1ao9tlwLnFPDrEUgORTYUMZ9b3rdfW1t1l3C5mP5CCGHWiYErfNRQLULacA3CT_lhcKoG1HeUliaE/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581442939883519698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKMuGFElWZ3PNQjMC7qJdLknJt9xhk3dPb3mphCjoHLQtOmdLcId9I-luHgYFhe1ao9tlwLnFPDrEUgORTYUMZ9b3rdfW1t1l3C5mP5CCGHWiYErfNRQLULacA3CT_lhcKoG1HeUliaE/s400/IMG_0925.JPG" /></a> <div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KzRmzjpmor5opU0vvynjuII7ce_NsESG_56HHK4DUDYh0Pvl5xIYIf_yxlochMhMrhSOsj7RH5JnsaBaLft9X3ihKVqYSkzK6XCadKaHCnowMoQ_9Uu3UqICrDcvkrKShTUvcXzHgXI/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581442558425200450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KzRmzjpmor5opU0vvynjuII7ce_NsESG_56HHK4DUDYh0Pvl5xIYIf_yxlochMhMrhSOsj7RH5JnsaBaLft9X3ihKVqYSkzK6XCadKaHCnowMoQ_9Uu3UqICrDcvkrKShTUvcXzHgXI/s400/IMG_0926.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGkmNX9sv7SQPsy852xxXL4CPat7U_YgQC_GWG4GuAaYy4WCQARnEuewF9I_A17o430x8C1xVd5UWS1vEB83C3fVzuQtSSzLDSxY205cCpwyPhLWNIOlFQPOvfZavOcBZZsHxGGrx3q4/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581442404243823106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGkmNX9sv7SQPsy852xxXL4CPat7U_YgQC_GWG4GuAaYy4WCQARnEuewF9I_A17o430x8C1xVd5UWS1vEB83C3fVzuQtSSzLDSxY205cCpwyPhLWNIOlFQPOvfZavOcBZZsHxGGrx3q4/s400/IMG_0927.JPG" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-78586854362133990772011-03-07T14:41:00.001-06:002011-03-07T14:41:16.690-06:00Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-76016173485138348902011-02-24T16:39:00.010-06:002011-02-24T16:55:48.449-06:00Our story in picturesLast October (I know I am so far behind), we attended a wedding reception that had a photo booth. I think the couple got their money worth on our family alone. The kids spent much of the evening taking their pictures. The rest of the evening, they spent on the dance floor. Based on their re-enactments of Dancing with the Stars, I much preferred the photo booth option.<br /><br />All of us in order of addition to the family:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577391112514946482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOTZYeGHwFUxOu2Gm8HWaTAwxx751S51cFhsgQTM8mxqAZ8tUHjxCiAfKXgGID_5ZcuKux0ONwB58rdTNWgdH-IInQYxb6Ulf0t6eoyIochCufMpVWf9tbQhqHgXQlifFsTdEsA45ZPc/s400/Dallas_01_0013.jpg" />Our efforts at having personality:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7mKXmEYFWPizOx8OlBifHgsq4UvH3sskiIqQilsU-e90807ea812SE2EiwiGe9weT0pxcYfMeveGbIgUfUlc0MGs-o71Qb0plZ2UCwlnJ26Wmw2eGbRKBsBcZ897TyBN4hBDAnYxnvo/s1600/Dallas_01_0005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390966473108098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7mKXmEYFWPizOx8OlBifHgsq4UvH3sskiIqQilsU-e90807ea812SE2EiwiGe9weT0pxcYfMeveGbIgUfUlc0MGs-o71Qb0plZ2UCwlnJ26Wmw2eGbRKBsBcZ897TyBN4hBDAnYxnvo/s400/Dallas_01_0005.jpg" /></a> Tim and the kids:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifULHw7D89VJ_vcwKx4T3cXR1q0f7RSihMfCrWocPZKVDlxIKsO_ri-RZZCOqTIhP3QB1RA1iXSiMgvrowDKmOHs_tbPdhVBV1RpB8uv-4ciDpBQ01NXhmIEhsAou5Q9xAEMRwwyymS4A/s1600/Dallas_01_0006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390813954026178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifULHw7D89VJ_vcwKx4T3cXR1q0f7RSihMfCrWocPZKVDlxIKsO_ri-RZZCOqTIhP3QB1RA1iXSiMgvrowDKmOHs_tbPdhVBV1RpB8uv-4ciDpBQ01NXhmIEhsAou5Q9xAEMRwwyymS4A/s400/Dallas_01_0006.jpg" /></a>The 3 Dallas girls:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrRXXDsUV80e5sVMGZ3IqR-ciLML4m7Vjfil-YOUoKnxPYWpG5cjIb_i055uvX2ou4QIP-kvU3_6o80-Cj8bZcYnIHfk_oKVtjrBzwQwuSp2XbfpJLOMetNLvy6hJsGJBvvGQhjY_FQ8/s1600/Dallas_01_0008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390679560614354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrRXXDsUV80e5sVMGZ3IqR-ciLML4m7Vjfil-YOUoKnxPYWpG5cjIb_i055uvX2ou4QIP-kvU3_6o80-Cj8bZcYnIHfk_oKVtjrBzwQwuSp2XbfpJLOMetNLvy6hJsGJBvvGQhjY_FQ8/s400/Dallas_01_0008.jpg" /></a> Calyn and Abby:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPsajhRWjZJI8998bsoehx29DeqhCUaqWB8d6ZAFXW66x-pBShqlQKQsCb5TvLdT3qdSqrZDlnhUXPJ6TcTmCD1QNxq5Z-Q8pj9QUbi6Lq5xDEFHazl67PWvHPOSTrDKHCfRYwDIQErM/s1600/Dallas_01_0003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390513535610562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPsajhRWjZJI8998bsoehx29DeqhCUaqWB8d6ZAFXW66x-pBShqlQKQsCb5TvLdT3qdSqrZDlnhUXPJ6TcTmCD1QNxq5Z-Q8pj9QUbi6Lq5xDEFHazl67PWvHPOSTrDKHCfRYwDIQErM/s400/Dallas_01_0003.jpg" /></a> The three "big" kids:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPbeYegkIcpVkD5oj8UMOC_4F56Uuk6ZvCU6e_lBBPJYncx2goll2-3ieg9ZWobOyIzcbIopztV1rHL9TkdZ36ZvByHVVXAw-F7I2QDEOpKBU4sLa1MwENiAziTILGiUfFb9vY2VBcV0/s1600/Dallas_01_0009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390335631340802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPbeYegkIcpVkD5oj8UMOC_4F56Uuk6ZvCU6e_lBBPJYncx2goll2-3ieg9ZWobOyIzcbIopztV1rHL9TkdZ36ZvByHVVXAw-F7I2QDEOpKBU4sLa1MwENiAziTILGiUfFb9vY2VBcV0/s400/Dallas_01_0009.jpg" /></a> Zach (can I just mention what kindergarten has done to my sweet boy):<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY43pKns9X1Du6H2ZrKu9WT998JNNK_jVbU19DAabqyDV9SiqMqqN5WvzRbBguott6RKr8XtWMnrPNGsBJXh9snz2LlGwrDYwoGFCstf8gSgreVKUHXVi9GUGfzA77Ta2e3W4xnJgHFI/s1600/Dallas_01_0012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390206811514114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY43pKns9X1Du6H2ZrKu9WT998JNNK_jVbU19DAabqyDV9SiqMqqN5WvzRbBguott6RKr8XtWMnrPNGsBJXh9snz2LlGwrDYwoGFCstf8gSgreVKUHXVi9GUGfzA77Ta2e3W4xnJgHFI/s400/Dallas_01_0012.jpg" /></a> Calyn (serious and smiling):</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNm6-e_bbuxbcgcy_Uv4vhDqFjelnt5X7-u6OtI27xsYhFbHvn_fxvdytN33HjsQN-8bfdF-iQAd_dPFqyIRGJc3lGD57G2CxOSNCD9KEoJSMLhFQyBKaI6BUS8uH-JhefIWtli-e4-M/s1600/Dallas_01_0007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577390019986724242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNm6-e_bbuxbcgcy_Uv4vhDqFjelnt5X7-u6OtI27xsYhFbHvn_fxvdytN33HjsQN-8bfdF-iQAd_dPFqyIRGJc3lGD57G2CxOSNCD9KEoJSMLhFQyBKaI6BUS8uH-JhefIWtli-e4-M/s400/Dallas_01_0007.jpg" /></a> Abby (the party girl):<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk6h53huHWTPID8eAy1ORk1OAjaw6LywCTKyIlMSOgCzX896QDmH0vGm_DCK5nwVjIJ6Oz6H_p48RJMdegn9L6rs09ebZfJSXoQS5PHn9jXY0UwD6NHlgjrerCfEPJxGz8a__WAq9zmM/s1600/Dallas_01_0004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577389825095342706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk6h53huHWTPID8eAy1ORk1OAjaw6LywCTKyIlMSOgCzX896QDmH0vGm_DCK5nwVjIJ6Oz6H_p48RJMdegn9L6rs09ebZfJSXoQS5PHn9jXY0UwD6NHlgjrerCfEPJxGz8a__WAq9zmM/s400/Dallas_01_0004.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-90520580107201861642011-02-14T12:10:00.003-06:002011-02-14T12:23:13.113-06:00Happy Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kNS7ZUFDO7Y8IqjaE0AZ1guX3AbxEbwJJ69tuKExUZO98i0y1hWZ2QvC4qnu6Jy5Kq6KQFRDkdsE37ucf07t-wSfcOwjsN_eJNOHn436WexGv0iBg-4W37SKHCiQYP82_csKCvx6JB8/s1600/Dallas+Kids+Valentine+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573611930876032642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kNS7ZUFDO7Y8IqjaE0AZ1guX3AbxEbwJJ69tuKExUZO98i0y1hWZ2QvC4qnu6Jy5Kq6KQFRDkdsE37ucf07t-wSfcOwjsN_eJNOHn436WexGv0iBg-4W37SKHCiQYP82_csKCvx6JB8/s400/Dallas+Kids+Valentine+11.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb2eilY4gsLKeZmal4OB6wFwXFl64uPpywskq4O-80Dp1IeorK_Qez4CbaWnSkmXcB3Ap0PwMBLmjurg784SXADL1v9GyDVw7zTW8K4KRIfsbsOknljaLJPmSDCqmt-t_EFf7G0xCSK4/s1600/Dallas+Kids+Valentine+11.jpg"></a>Side note: I promise that we are not abusing Zach. He had yet another "incident." He tripped and managed to break his fall with his head. Poor guy!<br /><br /><div></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-7607144360953728312011-02-13T22:52:00.007-06:002011-02-13T23:13:37.041-06:00Squeeze it inI have to get this post in before tomorrow. Valentine's Day is one of my most favorite days of the year. But before we get to the love, let's re-cap the recent winter weather. <div><div><div><br />The kids were so excited about playing in the snow. I felt like it was way too cold for them to be outside. So we compromised. We have to check our neighbor's mail everyday because she is in the hospital (has been since October-feel free to pray for her-her name is Leona). I bundled up the big kids and let them go get Leona's mail. I went out with them and let them play as long as they wanted. We were outside less than 10 minutes! It was cold!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA-HiD5kiy0H7vYI6vp7U81BQKX_yNZtGLqFIxw990mxYFYmtzhX3OZj6j5LmGZHfScUXTTi5N4rbnVdDBEcIEBPW_kK2klKOH5aKZ36-ASU6yV81C6WWBt2hCcrBvkqxnDK6PM604gs/s1600/IMAG0118.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573404255311966962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA-HiD5kiy0H7vYI6vp7U81BQKX_yNZtGLqFIxw990mxYFYmtzhX3OZj6j5LmGZHfScUXTTi5N4rbnVdDBEcIEBPW_kK2klKOH5aKZ36-ASU6yV81C6WWBt2hCcrBvkqxnDK6PM604gs/s400/IMAG0118.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl2mTn2n04cRWEVdYN8XeIp3_dGh-eIfiPSJo-VrxriyyPwoY_kbBJNKzAK42iYMwo-Q3Soh5r8DEbQk0KwPsWVgZS0hnRs6KWUOYbPRRb1Ezmnxp7LGJvLcuhdpyqCRJRMDUuD0jLMI/s1600/IMAG0120.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573404474973745074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl2mTn2n04cRWEVdYN8XeIp3_dGh-eIfiPSJo-VrxriyyPwoY_kbBJNKzAK42iYMwo-Q3Soh5r8DEbQk0KwPsWVgZS0hnRs6KWUOYbPRRb1Ezmnxp7LGJvLcuhdpyqCRJRMDUuD0jLMI/s400/IMAG0120.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4haalIfbw9MLIGl4zCJd26xwBeCVI6cFgGWKrwe2ICQOpeqypVM9VVHloIdciN0PZrpoEHiU8H8mrgd0jNpXzMF10Wt08SPFnor30FBAVOwu9Z88iF0LZFBLiBRp2njkFn-2a-4VSxvE/s1600/IMAG0123.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573404574640353506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4haalIfbw9MLIGl4zCJd26xwBeCVI6cFgGWKrwe2ICQOpeqypVM9VVHloIdciN0PZrpoEHiU8H8mrgd0jNpXzMF10Wt08SPFnor30FBAVOwu9Z88iF0LZFBLiBRp2njkFn-2a-4VSxvE/s400/IMAG0123.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdrJXHbUQTpbPnbExzU4BQVIeG470uLQuI2owiEj6ZclhHhmqGPfOoPS9znQ59WE0du6qQIvOVl027WR9MeErWl35s06CnE0i4SrUHCqDIzvbHqJU7PtyoVPK-vZ5ES_MG-TS2zZUB8/s1600/IMAG0125.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573404697976071538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdrJXHbUQTpbPnbExzU4BQVIeG470uLQuI2owiEj6ZclhHhmqGPfOoPS9znQ59WE0du6qQIvOVl027WR9MeErWl35s06CnE0i4SrUHCqDIzvbHqJU7PtyoVPK-vZ5ES_MG-TS2zZUB8/s400/IMAG0125.jpg" /></a></div><div>Grant was SO mad that he did not get to go outside (he is not outside in the picture but it looks like he is)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBcihomN3ZqRWXL8MYk7oLgV2YAlfhcZIhvLl8o_iXHcKOb5-urKecB04Tmp-IaviAqTzx24yksmuzalWJf9bkX64Pls0Y175E6bVjJ0YBt6awwvGpcP3BeK7lC5zhFS_-UBCyS21TVA/s1600/IMG_7154.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573406026927053602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBcihomN3ZqRWXL8MYk7oLgV2YAlfhcZIhvLl8o_iXHcKOb5-urKecB04Tmp-IaviAqTzx24yksmuzalWJf9bkX64Pls0Y175E6bVjJ0YBt6awwvGpcP3BeK7lC5zhFS_-UBCyS21TVA/s400/IMG_7154.JPG" /></a></div><div>We enjoyed the week of very cold temperatures. We enjoyed several fires in the fireplace, stew, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">smores</span>, chili, and hot chocolate. It was fun to take a break from our normal routine and just enjoy lots of time together as a family.</div></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-32424947887205890892011-02-01T22:31:00.005-06:002011-02-01T23:03:24.934-06:00Be still my heartLast Saturday, Melissa and I loaded up our children and headed to Amarillo. Thanks to a large freezer, I only had Makenna and Grant in my car. Mak watched a movie while Grant slept, making for a quiet trip.<br /><br />Part of me was dreading this trip. Part of me was hopeful. Several of Brie's friends had met in Amarillo the previous Monday in order to spend time with the girls and help organize. I was set to make the trip and even had grandparents come from Wichita Falls to watch the kids for me. However, a vicious stomach bug struck on Sunday night. It took out me and the three older kids. Calyn also had strep. Grant and Abby had sinus infections. It quickly was clear that I was not meant to go to Amarillo. Melissa, Carrie, and Rachel were able to love on the girls, meet the new Nanny, see/hold Curren, and organize closets. There was a lot of crying involved.<br /><br />Once we arrived in Amarillo (for Eleri's birthday party) my heart was happy. Uncle Brandon held Eleri while she opened her presents. She was beaming while everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. Mali's smile was such a sight to see. She played the big sister role excellently as she helped Eleri open her presents. Eric looked good and was having fun playing golf in the backyard with all the men. It was so good to see each one of Brie's special loves doing well.<br /><br />After cake and ice cream, I asked Eric about seeing Curren. It was about 20 minutes past his normal visiting time but Eric called up to the hospital anyway. The nurse informed him that Curren had just had a major diaper explosion and that if we came immediately that I could hold him. I was in the car so fast that I did not even tell my children that I was leaving. Curren was just finishing a bottle when we arrived. I then got to hold him. He looks so big in the pictures, but he is still so, so tiny. It meant so much for me to be able to hold this precious boy. I got to tell him about his mom and how much she meant to me. I got to gaze over him and thank God for his life. I tried singing to him but that was just not my thing (sorry Carrie-there was an audience).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiw52dfm3HctHxxh5ZR_ePcZdwYeZD2iIsgBurgRugEokYPDlnht9RGwjF7pcY6RWicm8M7nYXPb35ISXXuFR2ik_VhwQgwNucpHCtohMF2dfWX2FWCKZ75r5UynJHjh6iyWA9CRydkM/s1600/IMAG0104.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568945585807225202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiw52dfm3HctHxxh5ZR_ePcZdwYeZD2iIsgBurgRugEokYPDlnht9RGwjF7pcY6RWicm8M7nYXPb35ISXXuFR2ik_VhwQgwNucpHCtohMF2dfWX2FWCKZ75r5UynJHjh6iyWA9CRydkM/s400/IMAG0104.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqkYLNpR41iZ30vh04VOprEdFR4r2WgfDGBdacwAMu1YqofAdeV3Ouqu1zJEqGMN39LwRlXIsJAobyfgGbHMrh_sKcJ2P8pMmdE1NwuJJrjzutigMiGNZbZR9HS1xf5lrTARzb8xUq8c/s1600/IMAG0102.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568945466331859106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqkYLNpR41iZ30vh04VOprEdFR4r2WgfDGBdacwAMu1YqofAdeV3Ouqu1zJEqGMN39LwRlXIsJAobyfgGbHMrh_sKcJ2P8pMmdE1NwuJJrjzutigMiGNZbZR9HS1xf5lrTARzb8xUq8c/s400/IMAG0102.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50hPIuvQyEsB6aNNDXdTGPBHgiVOJ2wBD08TfkxoAikyo_OARYUS8u07Oe4CQlNHRzgtRN0UlYtwjPjeFYQB8WELEK9K11knXljYVYXyECKQyktbnoL_er4D2YAyjl4J4ZCnlOicn9aM/s1600/IMAG0105.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568945828445046290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50hPIuvQyEsB6aNNDXdTGPBHgiVOJ2wBD08TfkxoAikyo_OARYUS8u07Oe4CQlNHRzgtRN0UlYtwjPjeFYQB8WELEK9K11knXljYVYXyECKQyktbnoL_er4D2YAyjl4J4ZCnlOicn9aM/s400/IMAG0105.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>I hated to leave Amarillo but am so thankful for the ways that God has and continues to provide for Brie's family. I miss her everyday but know that she is where she was meant to be. Now I am encouraged that her family will make it through. It will be a daily struggle but God is good. He will hold then through every step. Please continue to pray for this family.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695885663286081558.post-56982323607699105732011-01-16T17:01:00.003-06:002011-01-16T17:13:45.408-06:00Black and BlueZach had an "incident" involving a metal pole on Thursday night.<br />Zach, Calyn, and I arrived about 8:15 pm at a local junior high for my volleyball game. The school is always dimly lit at night. Calyn and I were walking towards the main sidewalk that leads to the front entrance of the school. Zach ran ahead of us to go up another sidewalk that intersects with the main sidewalk. For some reason, he left the sidewalk and cut across the grass, probably in an effort to get to us before we got to the intersection. What he did not see was a metal railing that ran the entire length of the main sidewalk. He was running full speed as he collided with the metal railing. I saw him hit and knew that the impact was bad. He started screaming hysterically and instantly got two giant knots on his head (in the middle of his forehead and above his right eye). Fortunately, he was not seriously injured. He is a little beat up but otherwise okay.<br />This is a picture of him on Friday:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wbYGA6PSH_ApTV51Xhvr_hgNfolPH0INA7qHgbrh54uZLWdrPxJXOYryq11IhAk88yTEa8D4RSUxlSHxjEZ6iIsB6DOekHGDntCg_XloMZK6ihtqD_KGoUppyu4stZgFCnVjJ7E_yhU/s1600/IMAG0080.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562923188936861010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wbYGA6PSH_ApTV51Xhvr_hgNfolPH0INA7qHgbrh54uZLWdrPxJXOYryq11IhAk88yTEa8D4RSUxlSHxjEZ6iIsB6DOekHGDntCg_XloMZK6ihtqD_KGoUppyu4stZgFCnVjJ7E_yhU/s400/IMAG0080.jpg" /></a><br />This is a picture of him on Sunday:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyYGpFHshYUo01f-WIgw3lhOtxjN8udU2gIuSqd3G2XSMLrqqcvDsckRKZqgafb9TEqdvxyCZ65koMhoMVwYEY-RGUFcUXXJTQDOOQ3d1UB6GIl3AyvRcXQgyrRIS1XL8KbbKdC80ogg/s1600/IMAG0085.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562923041661251106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyYGpFHshYUo01f-WIgw3lhOtxjN8udU2gIuSqd3G2XSMLrqqcvDsckRKZqgafb9TEqdvxyCZ65koMhoMVwYEY-RGUFcUXXJTQDOOQ3d1UB6GIl3AyvRcXQgyrRIS1XL8KbbKdC80ogg/s400/IMAG0085.jpg" /></a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293899641355091258noreply@blogger.com1