tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86495003939296646932024-03-05T17:10:20.956-08:00PHANEROOEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-82092121921346306872016-02-15T16:52:00.000-08:002016-02-15T16:52:44.952-08:00It Occurred to MeIt occurred to me that after I homeschool five children all the way through high school, I myself will have completed K-12 on five separate occasions. This would qualify me for five high school diplomas (not counting the one I already have from my youth). I may just re-take the ACT and SAT when I'm done homeschooling. I should pretty much score perfectly and then walk right into Yale or Harvard or anywhere I'd like to go.<div>
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It also occurred to me that I have now successfully taught four children how to read. Charlotte learned to read before she turned five. It's not due to my superior teaching skills. She's just an enthusiastic learner. Even today while she was sick with a fever, she insisted that I do school work beside her on the couch so she could read and practice math skills. I hope she never loses that love!</div>
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And then it occurred to me that I have been teaching for six years. I think that means I've now earned tenure and they can't fire me.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-6878201731482636482015-12-13T17:47:00.001-08:002015-12-13T17:48:30.154-08:00Nana's CabinBack in early September, BJ's mom (whom the kids called Nana) passed away after a five-year courageous fight against cancer. She was only 60 years old. She was truly inspirational the way she faced her terminal illness, how she pushed herself onward every day despite horrible side effects of endless chemo therapies. She refused pain relief drugs because she didn't like taking medications. Although many of us would have sought any form of relief that we could get, she dealt with the discomforts and pains of her illness and treatments without complaint. She would never allow any focus to be upon her, nor would she allow any pity. She was one tough lady who fought until the last moment of her life here on earth. We are sad to be missing her, especially during the holidays, but we are relieved knowing that she is resting, completely free of disease and pain, with Jesus. It makes losing her to cancer a little easier to bear knowing that she is no longer suffering.<br />
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Nana has left us with a lot of great memories and a home full of very special treasures that reflect her personality, her appreciation for simplicity, and her pleasure for being surrounded by the familiar, the unique, and the memorable. Her home is a combination of a late-1800s log cabin combined with a more modern log cabin designed to blend the old and the new. She had a great eye for how to meld the two concepts while retaining special features of the antique architecture of the historic cabin. Her home sits on approximately 3 acres in a small cove surrounded by trees, a creek, fruit trees, and sunny garden spots. The kids have always enjoyed our visits to Nana's house. It's a special place.<br />
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I was recently told about how Nana drafted a layout of the old cabin and her ideas for the new additions on the back of a brown paper bag. And that's the draft she took to city hall to request a building permit. From that draft, she began work and basically she was the general contractor over the entire building project. She asked friends and family, folks whom she loved and trusted, to do the work that she was unable to do. Every cabinet in the kitchen and bathrooms were custom built by a friend who created the cabinets from a pile of lumber. In this day-and-age, when most get their cabinets from big box retailers (Lowe's and Home Depot), she wanted to be surrounded by craftsmanship by people she knew and cared about. Many elements of the home reflect that love and care for detail. She also took great pains to salvage as much as possible. She was recycling building materials before it was the cool thing to do. She also appreciated the local arts and crafts that the area offers. Her home is full of those types of treasures. For instance, she has 4 cane-bottomed chairs which were hand-caned by the <a href="http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2010/08/25/archives/clippings-curiosities/sisters-ways-alive.html" target="_blank">Walker sisters</a>. In addition, she has many handmade pottery pieces, wooden bowl and utensil sets, handwoven baskets, and original pieces of art. In some aspects you feel like you've stepped back in time, but then again you get the incredible comforts of modernity when you fix a meal in the family-size, gourmet kitchen or relax on the over-sized, plush sofa beside the 8-foot-wide stack stone fireplace.<br />
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Another favorite tidbit that I enjoyed hearing was how Nana selected the three screened doors that are on her back porch. She had become aware of an old home nearby that was dilapidated and was in line to be demolished. Nana visited the home at one time and remembered how the screened doors there had that perfect squeak from years of use, which also reminded her of the sound of her grandmother's screened doors. So before the old house was demo'd, she retrieved the three doors, hardware included, and incorporated them into her own screened-in back porch. The squeak is still in tact. There are many antique pieces of furniture scattered throughout her house with similar stories - rescued from old homes, salvaged from renovated inns, or acquired from closed-down businesses.<br />
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Nana was a creative and industrious woman. Her handmade quilts are treasures. Her canned goods from her own garden are still being enjoyed by our family. Her ideas for how to create a special, warm and welcoming home is a wonderful legacy that she leaves behind. We are blessed to be able to enjoy the labors of her love when we spend time at her home. Here are some photos, most of which do not do any justice to how special this place is, but it's fun to share so others might see and appreciate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dYoRtkzHbSYQiMVx6ZCMQVRchbyobUbCvg2Z52KifOl5-E5o4sHvcOyjyCFxINQaw5rl3SN5ggmzollvuAJtwhaFtxj_eIOBIiinc2pArDlmQUteKXNafj3uT7f1HF9O5m3n8-98ZJE/s1600/IMG_3160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dYoRtkzHbSYQiMVx6ZCMQVRchbyobUbCvg2Z52KifOl5-E5o4sHvcOyjyCFxINQaw5rl3SN5ggmzollvuAJtwhaFtxj_eIOBIiinc2pArDlmQUteKXNafj3uT7f1HF9O5m3n8-98ZJE/s320/IMG_3160.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of cabin. The section of cabin with the stone chimney is the two-story historic 1800's cabin. The section on the front with the blue arched window and the section on the left with the shed roof porch are the newer additions. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view of cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the screened porch with one of the salvaged "squeaky" doors. Large river rocks serve as steps to the porch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old corn crib that houses gardening supplies, and a little fenced garden spot to deter deer, rabbits, and black bears.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKYoLyc8R0FqPofG5WQV3Tv7yEAPn1nBghFQw4AoxEdgncecvkipRi5eb-zMJXbDC8z50uPaUyneLpgkEkfwMmOUaubX7hBf9sHUsoVV4ASrvRieJVjA6hbc_IJcmH1oROD_qOWy2wJo/s1600/IMG_3050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKYoLyc8R0FqPofG5WQV3Tv7yEAPn1nBghFQw4AoxEdgncecvkipRi5eb-zMJXbDC8z50uPaUyneLpgkEkfwMmOUaubX7hBf9sHUsoVV4ASrvRieJVjA6hbc_IJcmH1oROD_qOWy2wJo/s320/IMG_3050.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spring house which now serves as the pump house for the well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY84SiqQ5WkT2-f4jr6cGNvY1udd2Gs46iFdznVXshXtwYN5nSAfKfJQHGSv6Yfa_UwtbJSgJMoCrssobIVjgjTe0LiFJDyw1GdiJ4FWwuX6IcSEqtDPug7QuJCiQXlwlu_Kc0eMxT5H4/s1600/IMG_3164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY84SiqQ5WkT2-f4jr6cGNvY1udd2Gs46iFdznVXshXtwYN5nSAfKfJQHGSv6Yfa_UwtbJSgJMoCrssobIVjgjTe0LiFJDyw1GdiJ4FWwuX6IcSEqtDPug7QuJCiQXlwlu_Kc0eMxT5H4/s320/IMG_3164.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the small cabin which is used mainly for tool storage and extra building supplies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlj4lXSCL-rLiW2H2gVPd3lRNkhg_GcnVMpS8nv8t14Kjfm_Wwl7UPv2aYoRR3_cKzccfjFVVLeD11-vJ3X_tQhGjasN3TMp3yZg5ExW8F2TSfYl9nbX4PHblMZDzmW_cnTBR71-zf7U/s1600/IMG_3168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlj4lXSCL-rLiW2H2gVPd3lRNkhg_GcnVMpS8nv8t14Kjfm_Wwl7UPv2aYoRR3_cKzccfjFVVLeD11-vJ3X_tQhGjasN3TMp3yZg5ExW8F2TSfYl9nbX4PHblMZDzmW_cnTBR71-zf7U/s320/IMG_3168.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view of the small cabin and a creek that runs along the property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi639A0vtyPFZtt82CItKNmDJ5ucZLS-D2CYUIyw3unROkKZoNhMtC0eVCjIsEJaOqN09dPfiFedZjxh_OJ3oysP29nb3dz1qT_1Leasm5p-LqH1O0-IjRpB6zc49_lEZYcE5yvbBct3rQ/s1600/IMG_3045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi639A0vtyPFZtt82CItKNmDJ5ucZLS-D2CYUIyw3unROkKZoNhMtC0eVCjIsEJaOqN09dPfiFedZjxh_OJ3oysP29nb3dz1qT_1Leasm5p-LqH1O0-IjRpB6zc49_lEZYcE5yvbBct3rQ/s320/IMG_3045.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the newer addition looking toward the historic cabin with the exposed hand-hewn timbers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a portion of the lovely modern dine-in kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuR-6KmD_RjHQtHGjZT_MGDEzthABCs8-3AeZ3bb8f4AymkY-rU6TL0q4q0xL4Sn-MYpPwkkjrPvK7yrW4ESQ3UvBzGjubMJMuEtJTdW6cnKBw_plKUBX6BNCbyVejGXtEzVqxwVn7j8/s1600/IMG_3042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuR-6KmD_RjHQtHGjZT_MGDEzthABCs8-3AeZ3bb8f4AymkY-rU6TL0q4q0xL4Sn-MYpPwkkjrPvK7yrW4ESQ3UvBzGjubMJMuEtJTdW6cnKBw_plKUBX6BNCbyVejGXtEzVqxwVn7j8/s320/IMG_3042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the original stack-stone fireplace in the historic cabin.</td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-89218157564355008852015-06-15T20:02:00.000-07:002015-06-15T20:14:07.759-07:00What Foster Parents Wish Others KnewI happened upon an article entitled "What Foster Parents Wish Others Knew," and many of the points rang true for our family. We have encountered similar questions, comments, and sentiments. So I edited the article a little bit for our circumstances and wanted to share it here:<br />
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<b>Foster Parents are not “special” or “saints” but are ordinary people. </b> We are doing this because it needs doing. Many do it because the Lord expects it from His followers: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). Some foster parents expand families this way, some do it for the pleasure of caring for a child, and some are compelled by the children of family or friends needing care. But all foster parents are the blessed ones – to care for precious children. The truth is the world needs more ordinary, human foster (and adoptive) parents.<br />
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<b>Foster kids are not “fake kids,” and we are not babysitters.</b> How children come into a family is not the point. While he is here he is our real son, he is our children’s brother. We love him entirely, treat him the way we do all our kids, and would never, ever forget him if he left.<br />
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<b>Please be careful what you say around the kids (biological, adopted, and foster). </b>Everyone is curious about the new baby in our home, and their excitement leads to lots of questions. Sometimes those questions are better asked when children are not present, such as: “Is the mom an addict?” or “Where’s his mom?” or “Do your kids like him?” We are truthful – yet careful – how we handle sensitive information with our children, and all our children love one another deeply. Just like you wouldn’t let someone talk “smack” about your mom or your brother, we are protective that way too.<br />
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<b>Some questions should never be asked of foster parents.</b> Some questions are hurtful, such as: “Doesn’t he have family who will take him?” or “What if the mom gets him back?” Those types of questions hurt, and honestly, foster parents don’t know the answers to speculation any more than you do. It seems that those questions are meant to stir up a reaction, and that’s not helpful considering all the raw emotions foster parents already have to deal with. In addition, many questions are private and foster parents aren’t allowed to reveal certain details.<br />
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<b>Don’t hate on his parents. </b>Birth and Foster parents often work really hard to have positive relationships with each other, so it doesn’t help to say ugly things about them. In fact, foster parents can have a sincere love and care toward the birth parents.</div>
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<b>We don’t get paid.</b> We don’t get government aid for being caretakers. Some foster parents can get a portion of the child’s expenses reimbursed, and that money is only for the child and does not cover everything.</div>
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<b>When you say, “I could never do that,” it is hurtful.</b> Letting kids go – and facing the reality that it might happen in our home – is really hard, but someone has to do it. It doesn’t make foster parents heartless or insensitive that they are able to endure it. Just because something is hard doesn’t make it bad, and no one is heartless for enduring pain for the greater good of their children. Any regular parent would put their children’s interests ahead of their own.</div>
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<b>No, it’s not “official” yet.</b> Lots of variables are at stake. The court system and government agencies are involved. This is a complicated process. It can take a long time. However, our hearts already feel “official,” and we are Mom and Dad regardless of a court order.</div>
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<b>Everyone struggles sometimes.</b> All parents struggle with parenting, but all parents deal with it no matter what. Saying or implying, “I told you so,” is never helpful. Yes, we knew that could happen. That doesn’t make it any easier.<br />
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<b>Yes, we need help.</b> Treat foster parents with a new placement the way you would a family that had a new baby – it is just as exciting! And of course, it is just as demanding, exhausting, and stressful. Most importantly, when you support foster families, you are showing compassion for orphans even if you are not able to foster or adopt.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-50263253699214162272015-05-21T11:42:00.000-07:002015-06-16T14:54:41.388-07:00Other Things We've Been DoingBack in January, Lily, Schaeffer, and Griffin started violin lessons and Charlotte began ballet lessons at Concord Performing Arts Academy (CPAA), which is a Christ-centered performing arts company that meets at First Baptist Concord. They've really enjoyed the experience! Everyone recently had a recital or concert to perform. I'm a very proud momma!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte and the dance company were backstage getting ready for their performances for the Spring Recital. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte is on the back row on the left. The little girls in Charlotte's dance class did a sweet performance to a children's praise song, "We Can Praise the Lord."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lSTbCid8t-kJt-R1Iboep8nrK8muUcH5acwtXlYCXAkXISaV5eyu056SIff_boGFgf-tQLTPZjWnMukCXYBJc8lVjYnMKfGOyEsfNzKRwO6RGMWTRrHs-rFfX7vUuRSMh2tfY-m5VuY/s1600/CW+practice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lSTbCid8t-kJt-R1Iboep8nrK8muUcH5acwtXlYCXAkXISaV5eyu056SIff_boGFgf-tQLTPZjWnMukCXYBJc8lVjYnMKfGOyEsfNzKRwO6RGMWTRrHs-rFfX7vUuRSMh2tfY-m5VuY/s320/CW+practice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">Lily, Schaeffer and Griffin warming up before going on stage for the Civil War Sesquicentennial Peace Jubilee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two little Civil War era kids running around the World's Fair grounds. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to jam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-21674087330441646042015-05-01T20:58:00.000-07:002015-05-01T20:58:53.437-07:00Words of ComfortThese Words of the Lord have been a major comfort to me in the past few months. One day I hope to share openly about why these particular verses are so meaningful to me. But I can say that God is good all the time in every circumstance of our lives!<br />
<br />
"Jesus said, 'Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak'" (Matt. 26:41). Watch and pray! Never give into the temptation that defeat is at hand. The Lord fights spiritual battles in the spiritual realm with His powerful armies for His own glory. When things look bleak, the Lord is still at work on His ultimate plan.<br />
<br />
"He will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness for not by might shall a man prevail" (1 Samuel 2:9). Do not fight with might, instead fight on your knees in prayer. Trust that the Lord's purposes will prevail.<br />
<br />
"Lord, you have made sure that children and infants praise you" (Matt. 21:16). The Lord will work out His purpose and He will be praised.<br />
<br />
"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7). Do not be concerned with what others may think. Be obedient and let the Lord work out the heart matters of others.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-14161812429513311572015-02-12T14:48:00.002-08:002015-06-16T14:55:40.139-07:00Love Hurts: Lessons I've Learned in Love<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This is my
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no
one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">John 15:12-13</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In life I’ve learned tough lessons about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> – more specifically, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love for the unlovable</i>. Loving my
husband, my children, and friends who love me back is an easy task. It’s a
natural response. I have learned that true love – the love that comes from the
Lord - is a wonderful, marvelous thing that overcomes a multitude of wrongs. I
have also learned that when we demonstrate love the way Jesus wants us to, it
usually doesn’t look or feel the way <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i>
want it to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some hard lessons I’ve learned about true love:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">True love may not be reciprocated</b>. We can love someone with all our
hearts and never feel love in return. But is it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">true love</b> if we expect something in return?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">True love may appear as naivety</b>. When we show love despite the
circumstances, we may feel used, deceived, or naive. But is it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">true love</b> if we withhold grace and
mercy in the most desperate of times?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">True love may hurt</b>. When we open our hearts to love someone, the
end result may not be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">happily ever after</i>.
But is it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">true love</b> if we are
seeking personal happiness?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">True love may feel vulnerable</b>. To love someone means we have to put
down our guard, be authentic to build a relationship, and lay aside time and
energy that we will never get back. But is it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">true love</b> if we aren’t willing to lay down our lives?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Demonstrating true love can be a great joy when we look to
the Giver of Love, Jesus Christ, and trust in His goodness. Here are some
Truths about true love that offer hope and joy:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We can offer true love because it was first offered to us when we
didn’t deserve it.</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">But God, being rich in mercy,
because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">(Ephesians 2:4-5). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">True love can
endure hardship and distress because we have been given eternal hope and joy through
salvation in Christ.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will rejoice and be glad in your
steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the
distress of my soul (Psalm 31:7).<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">There is a great
reward for showing true love even to our enemies. </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">If
you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love
those who love them (Luke 6:32).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We do not have to
rely on our own strength and determination to demonstrate true love. </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">God’s
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us (Romans 5:5).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Around
the same time that I was reflecting on the hardships of true love, my husband
read to me an excerpt from Oswald Chambers’ <u>My Utmost for His Highest</u>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Are you ready to be not so much
as a drop in a bucket – to be so hopelessly insignificant that you are never
thought of again in connection with the life you served? Are you willing to
spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
believe this is the same with true love. True love does not seek attention,
reward, recognition, nor anything in return. In fact, we should expect the same
results that Jesus received when He demonstrated His love: persecution,
humiliation, denial, and rejection. Love hurts, but it also never fails.</span><!--EndFragment-->
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-23335694827536696752015-01-06T16:10:00.001-08:002015-01-06T16:10:58.635-08:00Nature TherapyHere's the ultimate in nature therapy and a great <a href="http://treehotel.se/">destination</a>. If only the Smokies could offer a place like this.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-32761320289209919872014-12-04T18:46:00.000-08:002014-12-04T18:46:43.771-08:00A Photo Update: From June until TodayWhere have we been?! I can't exactly remember, except I do have these photos to prove we've been up to a lot of things...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8crIcgtoCcDG7mNeY4fV3ihb2h5a8yY3cYo_MwOJXPmbwW5m7s-oJVZuGUiRDfKgR8TF1hjxhVBnMPbPHDqws7kuyxx3Z38yBN0twEmY5ca_1OXzM7zZLudCJwIrFsE_P9-ARLjYaa8/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8crIcgtoCcDG7mNeY4fV3ihb2h5a8yY3cYo_MwOJXPmbwW5m7s-oJVZuGUiRDfKgR8TF1hjxhVBnMPbPHDqws7kuyxx3Z38yBN0twEmY5ca_1OXzM7zZLudCJwIrFsE_P9-ARLjYaa8/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schaeffer snagged this big catfish by it's tail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcmptKNxqS4OyYuRld8Do1O0BRhBYYYd0q5NAOrjn0R3KFXSbgjuiGaiAMDLES7LB_2ukStp64yPvjMnzVsGyuTq-ox5945d_M8G_aEUnW1BUzbfhewzCy-U5Mc1Wd0v8bH-_usy11Vs/s1600/IMG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcmptKNxqS4OyYuRld8Do1O0BRhBYYYd0q5NAOrjn0R3KFXSbgjuiGaiAMDLES7LB_2ukStp64yPvjMnzVsGyuTq-ox5945d_M8G_aEUnW1BUzbfhewzCy-U5Mc1Wd0v8bH-_usy11Vs/s1600/IMG_0667.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BJ rode his bike along the greenway from our house to this field of sunflowers in the "urban wilderness."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlH2y3hxDZpf0A7IJwBfz-dcI-ouw7VPFfRJeXz7UzMfE_tnRzWEj5GS94_7jTr_fpMNoU5LV9YlFW99kZKAB80w7F2Dw-Lv5gaWnidnQxyGqNjBFKGotDrxW4Bnzw_KKpAmjpgM4gfA/s1600/IMG_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlH2y3hxDZpf0A7IJwBfz-dcI-ouw7VPFfRJeXz7UzMfE_tnRzWEj5GS94_7jTr_fpMNoU5LV9YlFW99kZKAB80w7F2Dw-Lv5gaWnidnQxyGqNjBFKGotDrxW4Bnzw_KKpAmjpgM4gfA/s1600/IMG_1527.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BJ and I went to a Jack Johnson concert at the Verizon Ampitheater in Atlanta. He got us VIP passes...because he's a Verizon VIP, of course!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBfU-wPNkFxEjJL7VM8MuHR878ld-99ryJiDisHonywbBlf9ikAc-tKGxnJCOMFWaK0WvgjSKB1Am4YmV4mZzhkFbHvqQQyPHlgO-f2BaIgpL9drdm-7tufDfC0Tnk7CLOvdogmrOzdE/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBfU-wPNkFxEjJL7VM8MuHR878ld-99ryJiDisHonywbBlf9ikAc-tKGxnJCOMFWaK0WvgjSKB1Am4YmV4mZzhkFbHvqQQyPHlgO-f2BaIgpL9drdm-7tufDfC0Tnk7CLOvdogmrOzdE/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schaeffer is a butterfly magnet at Chattanooga's Aquarium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QuKas4ByQXMIN1_A6doI5a9Phv2DpIVUL7nXfhRwqEOYie9NOlWXTEjpZTGKpFb5JRggNLdJqDDhDEERBOqv4jCXb70ASuyOS7pOqtM1Jqenc8N5Kb4T3muAkq5oO_rZRgrZucoJ31w/s1600/IMG_1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QuKas4ByQXMIN1_A6doI5a9Phv2DpIVUL7nXfhRwqEOYie9NOlWXTEjpZTGKpFb5JRggNLdJqDDhDEERBOqv4jCXb70ASuyOS7pOqtM1Jqenc8N5Kb4T3muAkq5oO_rZRgrZucoJ31w/s1600/IMG_1642.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griffin is trying to tame this lion's mane at the Knoxville Zoo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSToRhZY2uUpucPM7LpaStZzstAALvqrmsmk-wjitgsvmNGW6e03IsU4OpgY9YQ8YfFJG6WQddCbIdhWx_eFNeKCEW42iuzLSKQ9EvnNkG-XBNHn7N1FkTrJH1jdfNHPgd7gP9SFG2WUw/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSToRhZY2uUpucPM7LpaStZzstAALvqrmsmk-wjitgsvmNGW6e03IsU4OpgY9YQ8YfFJG6WQddCbIdhWx_eFNeKCEW42iuzLSKQ9EvnNkG-XBNHn7N1FkTrJH1jdfNHPgd7gP9SFG2WUw/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family went paddle boarding. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTWOnYveU3AXhKe4yZsvJMlMVigAlwrTFzMg8TYC1glM0XkPsfg7-1sjWVayNDIirxTCuLBouoJXEKenF-JKLtM_k2y-qNIIKD7eJJE1wTTH1_WWxkL483-TaMHK7TleDzB2ksvy8UU/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTWOnYveU3AXhKe4yZsvJMlMVigAlwrTFzMg8TYC1glM0XkPsfg7-1sjWVayNDIirxTCuLBouoJXEKenF-JKLtM_k2y-qNIIKD7eJJE1wTTH1_WWxkL483-TaMHK7TleDzB2ksvy8UU/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a trip to New York City with my friend Betsy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0krJzJML1A8qkaK4rOFE2SfToHxkQPhPSWxdOFRwEupdj5DZULslAv6ZQ4_2NC6CRflLA0wXdK8MtAPnyKMx6-qiu3hVAS_STG5ylhvvajNa9Uz7t3zLKTwwAJiOhBCcn9wRbQxYjGU/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0krJzJML1A8qkaK4rOFE2SfToHxkQPhPSWxdOFRwEupdj5DZULslAv6ZQ4_2NC6CRflLA0wXdK8MtAPnyKMx6-qiu3hVAS_STG5ylhvvajNa9Uz7t3zLKTwwAJiOhBCcn9wRbQxYjGU/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We raked leaves in our front yard and then jumped into the huge pile later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJlHtToV9EI66uiWNlgItV-HaE0rSFRCn_6H3IBIz-niwpNNxR4fHfM1WmFABfvhgh0Q64m30vuzFAFzHpz3DKj_fS_YQINjKtY5-OiUXbsx5n9PnmUr8GN93u0pLi6NlHkU3sL6jq5Y/s1600/IMG_1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJlHtToV9EI66uiWNlgItV-HaE0rSFRCn_6H3IBIz-niwpNNxR4fHfM1WmFABfvhgh0Q64m30vuzFAFzHpz3DKj_fS_YQINjKtY5-OiUXbsx5n9PnmUr8GN93u0pLi6NlHkU3sL6jq5Y/s1600/IMG_1908.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited Oakes Farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVNN8hehgH4vFzZKS4uMU5HAjvGvW_5CNG5s_LtGvX46a1bFPfCHvoJ1PbSX8IgOkvt3M95fqxPUiKF7E4SKNFY_m_iuax80kCzZOgH8769MybAMLU70cxSxIxaGppprwfqINJ8EFaGQ/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVNN8hehgH4vFzZKS4uMU5HAjvGvW_5CNG5s_LtGvX46a1bFPfCHvoJ1PbSX8IgOkvt3M95fqxPUiKF7E4SKNFY_m_iuax80kCzZOgH8769MybAMLU70cxSxIxaGppprwfqINJ8EFaGQ/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily picked out her pumpkin at Oakes Farm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-9trWoTCfcl17CEqXGRYf0jJGfil7lDtwTR_iaWSNP7mV50yE_dhguHjEHHApOdCr5NiFbWYIrrxIPHQBU518FdzlZpxt5RbatzM07N0jTaaN8dnSDa-IXLIK2Pccnp2y4oNbC4sSH0/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-9trWoTCfcl17CEqXGRYf0jJGfil7lDtwTR_iaWSNP7mV50yE_dhguHjEHHApOdCr5NiFbWYIrrxIPHQBU518FdzlZpxt5RbatzM07N0jTaaN8dnSDa-IXLIK2Pccnp2y4oNbC4sSH0/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fair maidens dressed up for Reformation Day.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTckZm5wnt1lS9CwNhd7RkmmqIHcNnAXSsBB501AG-5IqxzwW2N2sW8D2bJgkBp4fxHBaSIMcV9PtPuKVpEGXBBy7Ub-U31sWW-o-qTDULR0oEHRqpfYkV0nPE8xx2app9PPYUHhYxx4/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTckZm5wnt1lS9CwNhd7RkmmqIHcNnAXSsBB501AG-5IqxzwW2N2sW8D2bJgkBp4fxHBaSIMcV9PtPuKVpEGXBBy7Ub-U31sWW-o-qTDULR0oEHRqpfYkV0nPE8xx2app9PPYUHhYxx4/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brave knights were ready to defend the fair maidens on Reformation Day. But even their fiercest fighting could not fend off the inclement weather that kept us from attending.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZfUdo7odUcz5-rhb8vBCP30rDMaA6prIqc90OaKG6b-d82RqtEs5SZsycvPrYD-cZJc3vaNGIxIQ7ttXfDLXCEgnvUNseCR1d0TJe_iwz23ySwbKFdDCcRcF8YET-3YUrYs24W6rOs/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZfUdo7odUcz5-rhb8vBCP30rDMaA6prIqc90OaKG6b-d82RqtEs5SZsycvPrYD-cZJc3vaNGIxIQ7ttXfDLXCEgnvUNseCR1d0TJe_iwz23ySwbKFdDCcRcF8YET-3YUrYs24W6rOs/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've begun enjoying the winter festivities.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkfNytvRQRCsSiBucto11N3XfcTcR4ytjGW3TmPWf-bg631bivuBKolpRsOELGi-TUesWT8s_wwxk-c0bRXgR2lXaUex_B9YuICyYZ4-wZIAsdNBCLar4wAknj3niAzkyD5INZiEFNV0/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkfNytvRQRCsSiBucto11N3XfcTcR4ytjGW3TmPWf-bg631bivuBKolpRsOELGi-TUesWT8s_wwxk-c0bRXgR2lXaUex_B9YuICyYZ4-wZIAsdNBCLar4wAknj3niAzkyD5INZiEFNV0/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Thanksgiving morning, the kids (one cousin included) ran the AutumnFest Kids Run. BJ and I (and another cousin) ran the AutumnFest 5K. It was so cold!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRCBwBEe8pMK75UDetQ_Av_tG_JCVBNLjwuwbVqMxfoSBJHSfGNqSvyreEo1T_758u4fNv44VPXs0raXJj0UAdKMjWgXXSQuiuKtBVH6sON4UXCE1Mo66QJqGe3x9Kh3VBPtd_irCVLE/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRCBwBEe8pMK75UDetQ_Av_tG_JCVBNLjwuwbVqMxfoSBJHSfGNqSvyreEo1T_758u4fNv44VPXs0raXJj0UAdKMjWgXXSQuiuKtBVH6sON4UXCE1Mo66QJqGe3x9Kh3VBPtd_irCVLE/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked Windless Cave trail with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins the day after Thanksgiving. We traditionally head for the hills on Black Friday.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE0FYVMEeIrBF0m4st7aRAFTZLGT4xEhzF6YfgcykIm0i_aJ4nkBGmakKFKWief3pdoql1L251Lx0XWoPs2Zt1FFBFDhI6t1giwvuydBg3sIMN0gQ1LkG8MNhX1SxDK60muQq-yKPj-o/s1600/IMG_2053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE0FYVMEeIrBF0m4st7aRAFTZLGT4xEhzF6YfgcykIm0i_aJ4nkBGmakKFKWief3pdoql1L251Lx0XWoPs2Zt1FFBFDhI6t1giwvuydBg3sIMN0gQ1LkG8MNhX1SxDK60muQq-yKPj-o/s1600/IMG_2053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've begun counting down to Christmas with the Jesse Tree advent and our handmade paper ornaments.</td></tr>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-49225509505476228902014-06-27T11:13:00.000-07:002014-06-27T11:13:39.313-07:00Hilton Head Island 2014At the end of May, we enjoyed a week at Hilton Head Island again this summer. We absolutely love this place for a family vacation. We rent a three-bedroom condo on the beach. The condo complex has a wonderful swimming pool perfect for the ages of our kids. And we make friendships with other families in the complex during the week. We even got reacquainted with a family that we met last summer. The condo is just a block away from Coligny Plaza which has restaurants and shopping, including a Piggly Wiggly for groceries. We walk to the Plaza every evening for dinner, dessert, and to restock snacks and other groceries as needed.<br />
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We love making memories at this place! Here are some of those memories I captured in photos:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP-m2BOkxIN-zLgv43cY1Jg7SBVXf7WhrbtGJ4GBmXAA2NN_U15F9OgX6-1nFY1i2ig6dTYXFrfCXQJ9At1qAwz-huwclPxftuur60sYIRiYKwO2au6Kwcl0uY9_RhJfx1r56NTqpE4E/s1600/IMG_1428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP-m2BOkxIN-zLgv43cY1Jg7SBVXf7WhrbtGJ4GBmXAA2NN_U15F9OgX6-1nFY1i2ig6dTYXFrfCXQJ9At1qAwz-huwclPxftuur60sYIRiYKwO2au6Kwcl0uY9_RhJfx1r56NTqpE4E/s1600/IMG_1428.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fisherman holding his catch, a six-foot shark, directly in front of our condo. Impressive!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrekrUmxFhu6_Agh0O7CFaLyN91JCyWne3iStwBC3ldyV-ss6fqMs6fEC-6NBh4wn-_UTQ4_jU7mRfgqjOxCzjcr1MCsdrj5FGCPPKRnK36x2QvgGlJpz4motlOkw8HxwI6IyMoUCxTKA/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrekrUmxFhu6_Agh0O7CFaLyN91JCyWne3iStwBC3ldyV-ss6fqMs6fEC-6NBh4wn-_UTQ4_jU7mRfgqjOxCzjcr1MCsdrj5FGCPPKRnK36x2QvgGlJpz4motlOkw8HxwI6IyMoUCxTKA/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening stroll at sundown.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9pzhAIeD4XtVctf5Ve2iVVjnbpFt2xQXfqZHuu0fxQu9D2YCR2g_lOajkAru8_Ls_brdj1CttNap8pBj8F4Vykx2PiKZvrWhQbqrrZFV1Izx1H2nKljZEK0qyenokNmxEYr_8q4Nm5M/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9pzhAIeD4XtVctf5Ve2iVVjnbpFt2xQXfqZHuu0fxQu9D2YCR2g_lOajkAru8_Ls_brdj1CttNap8pBj8F4Vykx2PiKZvrWhQbqrrZFV1Izx1H2nKljZEK0qyenokNmxEYr_8q4Nm5M/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught this 'selfie' with the whole family in view. Would that make it a 'groupie'?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-0wgalolodMi_pJAbEebebcUcNsuFAXAsAtyoFzZxAnNhgCpYMCxN3JFqbBnsBChlbGezspqUSCwhStXH9GzzE5xVF3vn2zZvDsd_zSv7zMRHYz8C0b7bk_6G_p47LKx4cN4ALi70wU/s1600/IMG_1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-0wgalolodMi_pJAbEebebcUcNsuFAXAsAtyoFzZxAnNhgCpYMCxN3JFqbBnsBChlbGezspqUSCwhStXH9GzzE5xVF3vn2zZvDsd_zSv7zMRHYz8C0b7bk_6G_p47LKx4cN4ALi70wU/s1600/IMG_1442.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This caption should read something inspirational, but I'm at a loss for words. Just seeing Charlotte's joy is inspirational enough for me!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqye_wfAbpE5OzoNpyoScnsjdP0WXpxn6aExdSXlkMqkHhhIj7sbKHCNRNdZ9vR9uxBftJSv5HhxsVaeosw6KxcjbhlQVAZT9g8dbiyRqBOTEeYhG3QdurWHTXbutCpsjhoiaSpPf1JDw/s1600/IMG_1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqye_wfAbpE5OzoNpyoScnsjdP0WXpxn6aExdSXlkMqkHhhIj7sbKHCNRNdZ9vR9uxBftJSv5HhxsVaeosw6KxcjbhlQVAZT9g8dbiyRqBOTEeYhG3QdurWHTXbutCpsjhoiaSpPf1JDw/s1600/IMG_1446.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plate of crab legs made these two kiddos very happy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxutReX6JyeA7dSSW1gjQ_uCaie80zR8zpESeVeCvWFsFPdOtScr34BhuytWXyrZ1sPy3G6abE2wJ5xHRYuBsUeOdZaAfN0B4OOaqHkUc4iYg3DDX5kn6eatSczob_B5ZUBKyZQ8Us9k/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxutReX6JyeA7dSSW1gjQ_uCaie80zR8zpESeVeCvWFsFPdOtScr34BhuytWXyrZ1sPy3G6abE2wJ5xHRYuBsUeOdZaAfN0B4OOaqHkUc4iYg3DDX5kn6eatSczob_B5ZUBKyZQ8Us9k/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before boarding the pirate ship, The Jolly Roger, everyone had to put on their best pirate accent and a skull cap. Aaarrgh!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ykPbpgujRvfFn_R3BzzHkYIz7TWTIGF73O18tsazOKMFCFDsVbiipgQHBpiMCZLFKgSjExvpISMXsZRRvd6sGssjrC1mh2EdEh-SuSldynBmP8-053jtszC17V51CDHmpM2SSCIO2M/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ykPbpgujRvfFn_R3BzzHkYIz7TWTIGF73O18tsazOKMFCFDsVbiipgQHBpiMCZLFKgSjExvpISMXsZRRvd6sGssjrC1mh2EdEh-SuSldynBmP8-053jtszC17V51CDHmpM2SSCIO2M/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun, fun, and sandcastles!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOp50LQR28LTbSEQeycxWXqe3uyQF2ppMwAVK1IM4C5KSVTTMlPqWad3f2A7CcaPlB6j2VYB-mktl0BcDOXh9N1XvYLspn_OxD-y_bDhhQCWSLBK74F0CC4vMH9g2Q16YMbdczsp16bU/s1600/IMG_1489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOp50LQR28LTbSEQeycxWXqe3uyQF2ppMwAVK1IM4C5KSVTTMlPqWad3f2A7CcaPlB6j2VYB-mktl0BcDOXh9N1XvYLspn_OxD-y_bDhhQCWSLBK74F0CC4vMH9g2Q16YMbdczsp16bU/s1600/IMG_1489.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nightly routine after dinner.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc4JotPzooce0q8KP4KLcZoRYHUNGklm0FAPtKREbtIG1FkNZouN7wj_eMk2acrc1-AA_gPbPu3oJdpr_oYq7iYOpZHvBWUIVbXgyOXZeIFrJHuiiR-gYu9RpRHbkYAlJ7wFzxdbbMQE/s1600/IMG_1499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc4JotPzooce0q8KP4KLcZoRYHUNGklm0FAPtKREbtIG1FkNZouN7wj_eMk2acrc1-AA_gPbPu3oJdpr_oYq7iYOpZHvBWUIVbXgyOXZeIFrJHuiiR-gYu9RpRHbkYAlJ7wFzxdbbMQE/s1600/IMG_1499.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy-daughter dance at dawn. Very special!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iEZ7jxn03EoW1Y5i6V1OHBJN74LutQZ7HabzBNfYPj0wn126s9jltfRNLmWsn9U5wB3Rb2wYKyPbklz3VTg1ys4ZzcXTAuGLjCi-MxYuL9zRZOHec4gF3vUue-bKFNv9tmeknzFPWhc/s1600/IMG_1505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iEZ7jxn03EoW1Y5i6V1OHBJN74LutQZ7HabzBNfYPj0wn126s9jltfRNLmWsn9U5wB3Rb2wYKyPbklz3VTg1ys4ZzcXTAuGLjCi-MxYuL9zRZOHec4gF3vUue-bKFNv9tmeknzFPWhc/s1600/IMG_1505.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last look at the beach before heading home.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg015YZBmvOpjcW8-RZZNLGJMJOxy2UbYv42ndcBKy3D0bDTYVfjwkyJX4krwQWfCG2Wi8Oz968TSUgrapEEvDbhrp6q-huT-b3i8dYjXGw_tjlfijJNGg68NMOKzqWJQcmUveMrNPqn5Y/s1600/IMG_1510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg015YZBmvOpjcW8-RZZNLGJMJOxy2UbYv42ndcBKy3D0bDTYVfjwkyJX4krwQWfCG2Wi8Oz968TSUgrapEEvDbhrp6q-huT-b3i8dYjXGw_tjlfijJNGg68NMOKzqWJQcmUveMrNPqn5Y/s1600/IMG_1510.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griffin, our little ham bone!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbZkikg4YJX19dkK5fJOxt8k0FxeU4rQ9rmDC6V4hwkwvZrUKpSofgmIBlUijWmBaequ8yFRWTLC5kM9LsbJKq_JuqrsCW6oEZJ276m_NqsBWE8kT8ZrNmQxB98-e5-K95MfZGHH3KUw/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbZkikg4YJX19dkK5fJOxt8k0FxeU4rQ9rmDC6V4hwkwvZrUKpSofgmIBlUijWmBaequ8yFRWTLC5kM9LsbJKq_JuqrsCW6oEZJ276m_NqsBWE8kT8ZrNmQxB98-e5-K95MfZGHH3KUw/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before leaving, Lily was proud of the completely intact starfish she found. That's a good note to leave on.</td></tr>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-5142395522727364182014-04-18T18:13:00.003-07:002014-04-18T18:13:56.890-07:00My Name is Mary Magdalene<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hi, My name is Mary
Magdalene. I will never forget the day I met Jesus. Before I met him I was
worse than an outcast…you see, I had been possessed by 7 evil demons. I was out
of control. I was not seeking the Messiah like many others had been. I was
living a life fully consumed by the work of Satan. He had me in his grip so
tight that no one could save me. I was hopeless. Everyone I knew wrote me off
and left me to suffer in my bondage. Until, I met the man Jesus, because He had
the power to set me free. With authority he spoke and cast out the demons on
that very day! I was finally set completely free just by the power of his word!
Everyone had said it was impossible, and right then I knew this man Jesus was
the Son of God. He was the promised Messiah, and he had found me. He had worked
an impossible miracle in my life and he saved me. From that moment my only
response was to devote the rest of my life to him and his ministry. Along with
the 12 disciples and several other women, I followed Jesus and offered help
with anything he needed as he went from town to town. I witnessed him work many
more miracles in the lives of others. He continued to teach and speak with such
authority. Sometimes I did not understand the things that he said, like when he
ran the money exchangers and vendors out of the temple courts with a whip, and
then he said to them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in 3
days.” I did not understand, and neither did the other Jews among us because it
had taken 46 years to build that temple! But in time I would come to
understand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then came the day when Jesus
was arrested. It seemed inevitable as some in the crowds around him became more
hostile about his teachings, especially the teachers of the law. But what
happened next I could not understand. From a distance I watched as the man who
had spoken with such authority and who worked miracles and who had rescued me,
and I watched as he was nailed to a cross. What shame I felt for I knew he took
the punishment that I deserved. I had followed this man and I had never once seen
him sin. He had compassion and he had healed the sick and blind, he fed
thousands, he calmed seas and fears and he even raised a dead man to life. I
was confused and broken when I watched his hands and feet nailed to that cross.
I couldn’t understand why he didn’t work a miracle that day by the authority of
his voice like he had done so many times before. And then right before he
breathed his last breath, the sun completely stopped shining right in the middle
of the day. And then Jesus cried out to the Almighty God and then he died. I
sat at the foot of the cross weeping and bewildered. In my grief I begged for
answers as to why he was taken away from us – away from me! Surely his work was
not done here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then early on the morning
after the Sabbath, on the 3<sup>rd</sup> day after his death, Jesus’ mother and
I went to the tomb to anoint His body. As we were going to the tomb we felt a
violent earthquake and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. I could
hardly believe my eyes. So easily the angel rolled back the huge stone that
blocked the tomb, and then he sat on it. We were scared to death! The guards
even shook and fell to the ground for fear. Then the angel said to Mary and me,
“Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus. He is not here. He is
risen!” And I looked in the tomb and sure enough there was no body in there.
The angel then told us to go quickly and tell the others that he is risen and
he is going ahead of us to Galilee. So Mary and I ran – our hearts filled with
fear and with joy all at the same time. We ran to tell the disciples everything
we’d seen and what the angel said. But then Jesus himself met us on the way. He
said, “Hello!” I could recognize that voice anywhere! I immediately fell on my
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eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He is Alive! He is Risen!!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-22704457134960132172014-03-07T18:05:00.001-08:002014-03-07T18:06:33.629-08:00There You Are!I've let the time slip by without a post. So here's a little update and some photos.<br />
<br />
1. We are settled into our urban home. But, we are still trying sell the suburban home. We will feel a lot more settled once we finalize everything there.<br />
2. We are loving the spring weather lately. It's pretty neat that we've had warm, sunny days followed by 7 inches of snow. What a cool way to enjoy the great outdoors - bikes to sleds in one month.<br />
3. We are looking forward to camping, swimming pools, and a beach trip in May.<br />
4. We are losing motivation to complete schoolwork each day. The beautiful weather does not help one single bit! Hurry up summer break!<br />
5. Charlotte and Lily both celebrated a birthday in February - ages 3 and 9.<br />
6. I feel like I'm living in a dentist office. Three of the four kids are losing teeth almost weekly. We have a Ziploc baggy with our collection. Ewww!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SERBwVRFsnU9gj4KsbqIN2JGrtmNwV3YpWQcvprAQEJkoaoCT5SXFjIWWxjrFmuYL-G4-A_ftWIF-ME-dviGxCv6mwNqFv5KNF6tBL2kmrbbhXHj1n99lH0YVfKNGeE1ORIaHhkgmLg/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SERBwVRFsnU9gj4KsbqIN2JGrtmNwV3YpWQcvprAQEJkoaoCT5SXFjIWWxjrFmuYL-G4-A_ftWIF-ME-dviGxCv6mwNqFv5KNF6tBL2kmrbbhXHj1n99lH0YVfKNGeE1ORIaHhkgmLg/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E9KqwDepWNAU5JStw808Ax4xgraXiujM_uj4JuCT4bQqmT9PkKkC_fyk1DZ_WgIKi5yRlwWR3DphfLvsEHSLYJp755Lr_TJWqVx2GSZMP0jj4PtjK7EyyhsNX1RhQ7IPeu8wzDjsmaM/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E9KqwDepWNAU5JStw808Ax4xgraXiujM_uj4JuCT4bQqmT9PkKkC_fyk1DZ_WgIKi5yRlwWR3DphfLvsEHSLYJp755Lr_TJWqVx2GSZMP0jj4PtjK7EyyhsNX1RhQ7IPeu8wzDjsmaM/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nappers enjoy their late afternoon couch time together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q4DYuOmpvVpCiKhR4wnWoNjBMq8RSQNSrLkXLwrwReD1X8wyPSSbtYw0ydRyIi3au8LBQgLPaFbdN5xBoiuUQFqDj4ilMXFb6RDg7lUf1Tzdan-nWnviioR688-ky0T2AUpECClxscQ/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q4DYuOmpvVpCiKhR4wnWoNjBMq8RSQNSrLkXLwrwReD1X8wyPSSbtYw0ydRyIi3au8LBQgLPaFbdN5xBoiuUQFqDj4ilMXFb6RDg7lUf1Tzdan-nWnviioR688-ky0T2AUpECClxscQ/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girlie doesn't even begin to describe this little bit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxxgdNpwZaFhM_CUJ_IfmTlva1LSM3XMUxYRvQmQvk22NFVgdXO6HVSQ561LhrR4kLmX5f5dyK9XM8D-Inr3Z634szb_9jMZin8_o9j5rYCIpj_VmmhGJ31LBnXUlcyo4WUFq58GfV3A/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxxgdNpwZaFhM_CUJ_IfmTlva1LSM3XMUxYRvQmQvk22NFVgdXO6HVSQ561LhrR4kLmX5f5dyK9XM8D-Inr3Z634szb_9jMZin8_o9j5rYCIpj_VmmhGJ31LBnXUlcyo4WUFq58GfV3A/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griffin's first lost tooth. It seemed so early that I questioned his siblings about hitting him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DTlwhrgZp03RadKY-S5rr0ZlpbxMLxNbdeFI6PsTq2SYf9B2hxzn0fEMd1IUY4b3-w2SvCRIgnnHnFO1HyaLhyphenhyphen21Oq9VaEeiYRvRRKygsCWyexPkQG3CzIRqnfK6VknlbWKAy2rek8A/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DTlwhrgZp03RadKY-S5rr0ZlpbxMLxNbdeFI6PsTq2SYf9B2hxzn0fEMd1IUY4b3-w2SvCRIgnnHnFO1HyaLhyphenhyphen21Oq9VaEeiYRvRRKygsCWyexPkQG3CzIRqnfK6VknlbWKAy2rek8A/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday girls at Build-A-Bear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5o2fS9Hg-EtvsBmSjycaXYmcWxGO_lmMQKUJyC_w3nNhoFIdFB67CO5qX-xy_im29wqZW82AEvgtxrEqhRAZA21V_w-Kh73mFClX0rWUmVRODQH0Ebym6YEECYRG3F_HY-cKwRGCBzs/s1600/IMG_0585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5o2fS9Hg-EtvsBmSjycaXYmcWxGO_lmMQKUJyC_w3nNhoFIdFB67CO5qX-xy_im29wqZW82AEvgtxrEqhRAZA21V_w-Kh73mFClX0rWUmVRODQH0Ebym6YEECYRG3F_HY-cKwRGCBzs/s1600/IMG_0585.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome boy!</td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-35063988495726002632013-12-14T19:43:00.000-08:002013-12-14T19:43:24.042-08:00His Name is Jake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqhE5bdCylfOCO8QoWbi6Ho4twj7vjTqkwBvgGowY8vScpHzGMlORsYLK1xc-sYf7_dgp8-Khr2nAbtlF6dOGXytAIQcQ8UVP4ir5syqB3sbsGzwKB99w04P5sCKeQJQTJuWXhb91UfI/s1600/IMG_1021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqhE5bdCylfOCO8QoWbi6Ho4twj7vjTqkwBvgGowY8vScpHzGMlORsYLK1xc-sYf7_dgp8-Khr2nAbtlF6dOGXytAIQcQ8UVP4ir5syqB3sbsGzwKB99w04P5sCKeQJQTJuWXhb91UfI/s320/IMG_1021.jpg" width="240" /></a>We named him Jake. It just seemed to be a good Treeing Walker Coonhound name. Lily is smitten. He's gotta be one of the snuggly-est doggies I know. He's not content unless he's on a lap with his nose nuzzled into your neck. Jake sleeps in Lily's bed with her. That seems to make both of them very happy. Jake is doing well with house training with less accidents every day. He knows how to sit on command, and he's learning his boundaries as far as what he can chew and what he cannot chew. It's been said that hound dogs aren't all that smart, but this boy is breaking the hound dog mold. This boy is pretty smart, and a real family man. I've owned a hound before, a Bassett Hound named Oscar. He was sweet but annoyingly stubborn and difficult to train. Jake, however, responds perfectly well to correction and doggy treats. The vet says he'll probably weigh between 60-70 pounds. He'll know for sure how to estimate his growth when he sees him again at his next vet visit. According to the vet, if he gains 2-3 pounds per month then he will reach about 70 pounds at adulthood. However, if he gains 4-5 pounds per month he'll probably reach 80-90 pounds at adulthood comparative to a large Labrador. We saw Jake's mother at the shelter where we found Jake. She was a good-sized Coonhound, probably 70 pounds. But we aren't familiar with Jake's father so time will tell how he turns out. For now, the kids (and their momma) are all about Jake.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-80810960910294839122013-12-02T19:42:00.002-08:002013-12-02T19:43:36.770-08:00The Day-After-Thanksgiving HikeIt's a tradition with my family to hike the day after Thanksgiving. No shopping and bargain hunting for us. No sir-ee! We hit the trail. Go <a href="http://creatorworship.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/bright-friday/">here</a> to get a glimpse of the day through my uncle's lens.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-43361966865269340342013-12-01T17:36:00.000-08:002013-12-02T19:44:50.064-08:00A New AdditionOver the past 9 years, we have added a new family member every two years. Hence the ages of our children - 2, 4, 6, 8. It seems the tradition continues with our newest addition…<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxqxTjzvKDi_LkscoYZ1hAODMkybDuyIC0gFfnIXdVK7hgSc89cd45NlYaciF6IKNazrvNDPq01D58HSEIN-zpA-Wmz6WNYf_7LS1w1cxOVhBU4Ii1NKfEXVsYLfNbqfgWUR7LjjKvTw/s1600/IMG_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxqxTjzvKDi_LkscoYZ1hAODMkybDuyIC0gFfnIXdVK7hgSc89cd45NlYaciF6IKNazrvNDPq01D58HSEIN-zpA-Wmz6WNYf_7LS1w1cxOVhBU4Ii1NKfEXVsYLfNbqfgWUR7LjjKvTw/s320/IMG_1005.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newest family member…still nameless.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMXh6Z_vksvQrm9IsJXeZ_SpvCLLAtJYIB7B80w_H7AdGEDBrn2m4_jJTFwmjRL0nnx4HBCKB57pYxUC7Dm6arCeeSP1i2jxKuo9ljSroCOkDxkolys8ysiJ7iB12IbGop6zzf8M39S8/s1600/IMG_1010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMXh6Z_vksvQrm9IsJXeZ_SpvCLLAtJYIB7B80w_H7AdGEDBrn2m4_jJTFwmjRL0nnx4HBCKB57pYxUC7Dm6arCeeSP1i2jxKuo9ljSroCOkDxkolys8ysiJ7iB12IbGop6zzf8M39S8/s320/IMG_1010.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's a 3-month-old Walker Coonhound puppy at the animal shelter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrBRnHmyyq59Uce0CZUrNEYLtj7Q4NbsUCaTFYEX88ZH9VyHvqiT4XP7DS7U0EhHw9LWAz6BWBco0Qaa07o8tfvZj_Tsg7zTfrRQ13MD1K_Y3LuEKFakg_11oBGjJA-5vku3O-qhB0kc/s1600/IMG_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrBRnHmyyq59Uce0CZUrNEYLtj7Q4NbsUCaTFYEX88ZH9VyHvqiT4XP7DS7U0EhHw9LWAz6BWBco0Qaa07o8tfvZj_Tsg7zTfrRQ13MD1K_Y3LuEKFakg_11oBGjJA-5vku3O-qhB0kc/s320/IMG_1012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BJ said he knew this was the moment when it went from a rational decision to a purely irrational one. There was no turning back. In my defense, I just thought he smelled like a puppy, and he liked to snuggle :-) </td></tr>
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We sign the paperwork tomorrow (Monday) and pick him up on Tuesday after he's neutered. He was a perfect gentlemen with the kids - friendly, lovable, and even sat at their command. He will be one big lap dog.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-43634618850770565642013-11-19T19:48:00.001-08:002013-11-19T19:49:15.624-08:00A Man of GodAlthough he has a few years ahead before he can officially be called a "man," my little man Schaeffer now has the power of Jesus living in his heart and life. That surely makes him a mighty man of God! God is so good to answer a humble mother's prayers! BJ had the honor of baptizing Schaeffer on Sunday, Nov. 10. Schaeffer actually prayed to receive Christ back in August, but was fearful of baptism. The week leading up to Sunday, Nov. 10 Schaeffer eagerly asked to be baptized. BJ called our pastor and it was all set. Lily, Griffin, and I observed the baptism from the side (Charlotte was in the nursery).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcK1AEmjECiA2UlnI6yqop_jiabHRTqlEG2Ehe2EA1JX9KI4Z3GMGhIIww3s4jWzPnJ0p1BYlU-nqkB4KN08j4VV8NREqYNV_RZtkFqFblvxYlrejXYIfIAKYsnyiv86UjbaQ8vRTiOQ/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcK1AEmjECiA2UlnI6yqop_jiabHRTqlEG2Ehe2EA1JX9KI4Z3GMGhIIww3s4jWzPnJ0p1BYlU-nqkB4KN08j4VV8NREqYNV_RZtkFqFblvxYlrejXYIfIAKYsnyiv86UjbaQ8vRTiOQ/s320/IMG_0963.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pastor observing BJ baptize Schaeffer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcjljrfrLvwz73O06e1fCutdlCIiDr2au59ZK2ejjnKvhK5fG9zDqzasvCBkFU13SUIt-OitvGJM1cnRDEKV88w05uSNIFFqEOchRQPOcym_vebm-rItHkoz40THITgEJWBUcBacHwz8/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcjljrfrLvwz73O06e1fCutdlCIiDr2au59ZK2ejjnKvhK5fG9zDqzasvCBkFU13SUIt-OitvGJM1cnRDEKV88w05uSNIFFqEOchRQPOcym_vebm-rItHkoz40THITgEJWBUcBacHwz8/s320/IMG_0964.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just about now is when Griffin let out a loud "Whohoo! You did it Schaeffer!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCdlHC_4SSpCXleWH3DWzO7MnkkTTJPDWMX1POZtL4JaelbJaURnEk26qTGStWbrrGCoIHMk-5cAVSlacG_nOYyhVLwjsDg5RDT1U9l_jyZtmYWp2Zbe9q583T0S0dq1DGMgkAs3xR1A/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCdlHC_4SSpCXleWH3DWzO7MnkkTTJPDWMX1POZtL4JaelbJaURnEk26qTGStWbrrGCoIHMk-5cAVSlacG_nOYyhVLwjsDg5RDT1U9l_jyZtmYWp2Zbe9q583T0S0dq1DGMgkAs3xR1A/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an amazing answer to prayer!</td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-88396040728175871412013-10-20T19:24:00.002-07:002013-12-02T19:45:23.230-08:00Life Don't StopFor about a week prior to our move and three days after our move, our family life was chaotic to say the least. But now we are moved into our new house and we are back to our normal busy schedule. Here are a few pictures of places we've been recently...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYLTf4V6tZqclOKS2u78ZOgwWw803I36sW04CZAdzuCGzs4SXge7Rj_vIySu-Jlqe60cQlhy5RgSxPp2FZRR24k4op3DXaGplX7nhA4t-YNjmdKpHb9B120CN_i0yC9W6wLxPaa2wYJ8/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYLTf4V6tZqclOKS2u78ZOgwWw803I36sW04CZAdzuCGzs4SXge7Rj_vIySu-Jlqe60cQlhy5RgSxPp2FZRR24k4op3DXaGplX7nhA4t-YNjmdKpHb9B120CN_i0yC9W6wLxPaa2wYJ8/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park along the river in our new neighborhood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAQsxaplIJmI9WJHzEhBao3mG6kKAGO_Bx-tmt38u3akWlJhCo37bi8kOLfrrlyKM2OH6eLmJeL86ZeXJvMzLIGac0AYZpf7E9jL1G2mwQbg6-fw8hYtbRns-oqz1NDeMJ5jT5ikFJ2o/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAQsxaplIJmI9WJHzEhBao3mG6kKAGO_Bx-tmt38u3akWlJhCo37bi8kOLfrrlyKM2OH6eLmJeL86ZeXJvMzLIGac0AYZpf7E9jL1G2mwQbg6-fw8hYtbRns-oqz1NDeMJ5jT5ikFJ2o/s320/IMG_0580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see Nana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKN_BYeNzfcv7Zj8k6uYCrHciT5hXh6oLFcVwWGlsoZqUVIEnkHrpZzlZyxRS3M-mTjMhl66hVMuqUNrEk2CgbvqemgWS52aVldMmKe16JA16vNo-yabDt9ahjjHX8IP8WJFWtcNQ5Ly0/s1600/IMG_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKN_BYeNzfcv7Zj8k6uYCrHciT5hXh6oLFcVwWGlsoZqUVIEnkHrpZzlZyxRS3M-mTjMhl66hVMuqUNrEk2CgbvqemgWS52aVldMmKe16JA16vNo-yabDt9ahjjHX8IP8WJFWtcNQ5Ly0/s320/IMG_0918.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McBee Dairy Farms (that's a cow jaw in case you were wondering)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge on the day, unbeknownst to us, that TN Forestry had planned to do controlled burning. An entire field was completely burned in under 10 minutes. The kids were amazed. We decided to leave before they began burning the grassy field you see on the right because we would've been enveloped by smoke.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cabin at Standing Stone State Park. We joined friends who were staying in the nearby campground.</td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-63903733673184939662013-10-08T12:24:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:45:40.819-08:00House For SaleWe are now moved into our new (which is old) house, and the old (which is newer) one is officially on the market. Check out the listing <a href="http://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=ztyin52gel7&s=16&id=1&cid=1">here</a> and pass it along to anyone you know who is looking for a great family home in the Knoxville area.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-82192739914242328852013-09-12T20:06:00.000-07:002013-09-12T20:08:11.009-07:00Photos of Our New Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are getting all packed up and ready to move! We close on the new house on Monday and hope to be moving the following Saturday. Because this is a downsize for us, we are paring down our belongings. This has made the packing process a little more complicated because every object and piece of furniture is being scrutinized. We will be eliminating 1,000 square feet so not everything can go. I'm sure that sounds crazy for a family with 4 kids. But with homeschooling and the way we live, we think "less is more." We are a busy family, always on the go, and we enjoy outdoor activities. Our home is a place for learning, discipleship, meals, and sleeping. There's some playtime, too, but we have found that our kids are content with just a few favorite things. More stuff causes stress for them and for the Mommy and Daddy who have to clean it up. Despite my affection for farmhouses on little country roads, we are excited to be moving into an urban neighborhood close to downtown, parks, greenways, and the like. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view from the street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-car detached garage (Yes, the neighbor's garage is that close!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining area with access to back deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzM0229zKL43vg_PXDv0xfqIsiZzui77SOJkTXb2wbGKkNwEth71-_HRg9kjXVOUmYU5FX7qVsxUv0-28Bt1y59qJTHHxkkiwFQ4QqdhG_pznR15KIKg4KfWlvSKgBC40Kqb0cO38dVI/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzM0229zKL43vg_PXDv0xfqIsiZzui77SOJkTXb2wbGKkNwEth71-_HRg9kjXVOUmYU5FX7qVsxUv0-28Bt1y59qJTHHxkkiwFQ4QqdhG_pznR15KIKg4KfWlvSKgBC40Kqb0cO38dVI/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSexPAVOC1_Uz6Rq3aCgL8fm7A4Z2sWbBPt3MBzR9cbELqBO4GYXmUmLc-8tPx5Cg4h4q0lAHfWLrE324P3eub9Kx5xnd2mU9PIVqL2f_DPwgODigLBWSlYM3dTcS8C4q98u5Z5pAv10U/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSexPAVOC1_Uz6Rq3aCgL8fm7A4Z2sWbBPt3MBzR9cbELqBO4GYXmUmLc-8tPx5Cg4h4q0lAHfWLrE324P3eub9Kx5xnd2mU9PIVqL2f_DPwgODigLBWSlYM3dTcS8C4q98u5Z5pAv10U/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte's bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs hallway and stairwell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0YmacQEE0ZhX5FprZsUAkQw8hDKNOlO-DuCls0Y5RWUke3mnkCaETcp7WDGVAGUnM2majo2FGegfjXRR8TKaC1PAhthHBIcD4UMwJ8pNuCbKfOu7kDo5HqP391Awhv-uCG56gdU15tI/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0YmacQEE0ZhX5FprZsUAkQw8hDKNOlO-DuCls0Y5RWUke3mnkCaETcp7WDGVAGUnM2majo2FGegfjXRR8TKaC1PAhthHBIcD4UMwJ8pNuCbKfOu7kDo5HqP391Awhv-uCG56gdU15tI/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys' room - this is only a partial view of their massive bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GC5FB22yE0jlr4P3jGPWUpPc29MPkFnyuZeflS5tkDermJKOZx3HmduOXAHEBEX5kmi92jHolUzmVipvhScp-7vfqu77qih21h1JsA1aATXvCEAuSdaCJsMLU04oCuMenI5PV3Ta5gc/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GC5FB22yE0jlr4P3jGPWUpPc29MPkFnyuZeflS5tkDermJKOZx3HmduOXAHEBEX5kmi92jHolUzmVipvhScp-7vfqu77qih21h1JsA1aATXvCEAuSdaCJsMLU04oCuMenI5PV3Ta5gc/s320/IMG_0835.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily's bedroom - only a partial view</td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-38898799985886792632013-09-12T19:43:00.000-07:002013-09-12T20:16:05.809-07:00A New Family MemberWe welcomed my newest nephew on Wednesday, Sept. 4. He was born happy and healthy at 6 lbs 9 oz and 19 inches. His Mama was a whiz at labor and delivery - just 4 short hours of labor with no meds. He's a cutie, for sure!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that sweet bundle!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents, Granddad and Grandmama, with their 10 grandchildren (ages: newborn, 10 months, 2 years, 2 years, 4 years, 6 years, 6 years, 8 years, 13 years, and 16 years)</td></tr>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-13064768002000967972013-08-27T18:55:00.001-07:002013-11-19T19:49:42.553-08:00Mom Lesson #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mom Lesson #1 in homeschooling: Don't underestimate what the 2-year old is learning while over-hearing lessons with the older children. Unfortunately when I caught this video, Charlotte was distracted by the others in the room. But earlier in the morning while she was playing, she was quoting this verse on her own. My jaw dropped when I overheard her and I ran to get my phone to get video. She had learned the verse when the older two were practicing the day before. A few more practices and I think she's got it!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-29592032920388116602013-08-27T18:48:00.000-07:002013-08-27T19:01:46.915-07:00How American Homeschoolers Measure Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever wonder, or hear different opinions, about how homeschoolers stack up? Here's a nice <a href="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/">summary of facts and stats</a>.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-74778488828643591812013-08-25T19:30:00.000-07:002013-08-25T19:30:15.878-07:00We Are Moving!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWDgBbZihEtbFnZx_rcP_ycKQy_ck1kxbcS2Q4BazdFUEK8FvpLgBqsrCtexp-OjxZshRnXbXA6w-mg6SZQYKMxwp-SG7RC8r0t-JHGeUFN4rvPh8Rccis5wVKwJhNhPdOHof-4r0RJ4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWDgBbZihEtbFnZx_rcP_ycKQy_ck1kxbcS2Q4BazdFUEK8FvpLgBqsrCtexp-OjxZshRnXbXA6w-mg6SZQYKMxwp-SG7RC8r0t-JHGeUFN4rvPh8Rccis5wVKwJhNhPdOHof-4r0RJ4/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a>Right now it all seems so sudden, but it has actually been in the works off-and-on for a year or two. In three weeks we are officially moving into a new (65 year old) house. We are super excited that we have found a house and neighborhood that fits our family perfectly and still accomplishes our downsizing goals. Do you know how difficult it is to find 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms with an open kitchen-dining area in 2400 square feet or less in a family-friendly neighborhood located perfectly between BJ's office on the west side of town and church on the east side of town with a level yard and with great places to bike and walk (and, if it's not too much to ask, a space for my painting studio)? Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's a one-in-a-million house. It was a real fluke that we even found the house since it was in a neighborhood we hadn't previously considered due to the prices of houses in the area. The house had only been on the market 24 hours when we viewed it. We were scheduled behind 8 other potential buyers. Turns out our offer was the third one received, which goes to show how amazingly priced the house was. So we were super surprised when our realtor called to let us know that the sellers had accepted <i>our</i> offer, despite the fact that even more offers continued to roll in on the second day. If everything goes according to plan (fingers crossed) then we should close on Sept. 13. We plan to list our current house for sale as soon as we get mostly moved to the new one.<br />
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For the fact that everything has fallen into place so perfectly, we can't help but believe God's hand is involved in the details. He does things so perfectly like that! I'm a little anxious about the moving process and transitioning 4 kiddos to a new house, but I'm confident God will walk us through it. If you live in the area, we'll be excited to have you come and visit once we get moved in. I hope to post more photos soon, but the one above is all I have for now.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-14529097600559009862013-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:002013-08-27T19:02:29.099-07:00Super Duper Birthday Surprise!The surprise all began on the afternoon of my birthday when a black limo pulled into my driveway at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Alan the chauffeur drove me to the spa for a massage and pedicure. And then Mr. Alan drove me to meet my "Knight in White" at the Hilton to get dressed up for dinner at The Orangery. We stayed the night at the Hilton, went out for a midnight snack at the Waffle House, and then brunch at Gourmet Market the next morning. I felt like Cinderella the whole time! Thanks, Babe, for the wonderful surprise and princess treatment.<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-58772827960936576852013-07-12T20:27:00.000-07:002013-08-27T19:02:17.604-07:00Summertime Hippie<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: wvhippiefest.com</td></tr>
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There's something about summer that sets free my inner hippie.* For me, summers mean cut-off denim and leather sandals. I have a rotation of three pairs of cut-off denim shorts that I made from vintage jeans. I'm old enough to call my own stuff <i>vintage</i>. With my homemade denim cut-offs, I prefer to sport a pair of brown sandals - either <a href="http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?productId=1415_2819_207&catId=cat3120012">leather thong sandals</a> or a pair of classic <a href="http://www.birkenstockusa.com/products/women/sandals/mayari/habana-oiled-leather/17132">Birkenstocks</a>. And when we are getting outdoorsy or sporty, I grab my red Keen sandals. I think I've pretty much worn this cut-off/sandal combo since my college days, and maybe even since middle school or before. Come to think of it, my parents have this adorable picture of me in denim shorts with my belly pooching out from beneath a white eyelet cropped halter top. I mean, how hippie can you get?! I never did outgrow that baby-fat roll around my mid-section.<br />
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There have been some variations on the summer sandals, but not much variation on the cut-offs with the exception of the waistband size. I still prefer good ole worn-in Levi's. My favorite sandals were from my college days. They were two-strap clog sandals that I purchased at the J. Crew outlet store and were similar to <a href="http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/low-heel-clog/wide-2-strap-with-buckle-low-heel.html">these</a>. They became a chew toy for a dog I was doggie sitting. Apparently she loved to eat leather. I cried and cursed that dog under my breath. I still mourn for those clogs. They were super comfy and a lot hippie. And I'm sure I had saved up for weeks working at my minimum wage job to get a new pair of brown summer sandals just for them to become a chew toy shortly after. I have not found a suitable replacement for them for less than $150. Hippie ain't cheap these days!<br />
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I've kept a clothing budget rule for many years now. I generally won't purchase a piece of clothing that costs more than $20 and ideally less than $10 (budget rule exceptions: jeans, shoes, and handbags.) Have I <a href="http://www.phaneroo.blogspot.com/2011/01/thrift-store-fashion.html">mentioned</a> that I like thrift stores? So when I find a website like <a href="http://www.zara.com/us/">Zara</a> selling classic pieces with <a href="http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/t-shirts/t-shirt-with-chains-appliqu%C3%A9-c437595p1050213.html">subtle hippie nuances</a> within my budget rule, I bookmark it and check back often.<br />
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I'm pretty sure I was born in the 70's in the month of August for a reason. Peace out!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* I do not condone, nor take part in, illegal drug use, casual sex, or political anarchy. Just to set the record straight.</span>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8649500393929664693.post-39204131687779619042013-05-24T17:56:00.002-07:002013-08-27T19:03:31.096-07:00Is Your Sunscreen Protecting You From Cancer or Causing It?We began the process of packing for our first ever vacation as a family of six. We are headed to Hilton Head Island. (I promise to post lots of pics upon returning). The kids are beyond excited. I'm hoping to read a book while they are entertained by the endless surf and sand. Earlier this week we began shopping for all the items we would need to have a fun and safe vacation. Then, I ran across this <a href="http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/what-not-to-bring-on-vacation/">information</a> which made me re-think the sunscreen that I would be packing for our family. On the same day that I referenced EWG's Sunscreen Guide, BJ told me that Rush Limbaugh talked about a chemical in sunscreen that is a proven carcinogen. Lucky for me I was already educated on the issue. So today I ran out to the grocery store for traveling snacks and some new, non-toxic sunscreen.<br />
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My biggest concern is for Charlotte, who is only two years old, and Griffin, who is four. Griffin's epidermis is already compromised by severe eczema. That means his skin is very sensitive to certain chemicals and fragrances. In addition, eczema weakens the protective outer layer of skin and even deeper layers within. When working properly, the protective layer blocks out harmful substances while absorbing moisture and expelling waste. Griffin's damaged skin doesn't do that well so I'm more careful about what I allow on his skin, including laundry detergents, soaps, shampoos, and lotions. The past two years I had only used on him an extremely sensitive (and expensive) sunscreen that was sold by his dermatologist because everything else would cause burning pain when I applied it. And even more convincing, last week we sprayed a "baby" sunscreen on all four kids, and two of them ended up having a reaction involving an itchy rash. That stuff went straight into the trash. Now that I know more about the chemicals in some sunscreen, I'm not sure I want anyone in our household slathering it on until I've thoroughly checked the label.<br />
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I ended up purchasing <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19134766">BabyGanics Cover Up SunScreen Spray</a> and <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11130359">BabyGanics Cover Up SunScreen Lotion</a>, which met EWG's criteria for non-toxic. I purchased both from Toys R Us/Babies R Us, but they also carry this brand at Target. For a while now we have used <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12934903">BabyGanics Foaming Body Wash & Shampoo</a> on all four kiddos because it is not as expensive as other natural, non-toxic, and sulfate-, phthalate-, paraben-free brands.<br />
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After discovering the dangers of some sunscreen, I'm even more convinced that I need to be more adamant about what chemicals, lotions, soaps, shampoos, etc. that I allow into our home. We cannot assume that anyone - the government or consumer goods companies - are looking after the best interest of our families. That duty falls on us, the gatekeepers of the home, Moms!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085561738798524089noreply@blogger.com1