tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6536380752181325282024-02-20T03:36:04.841-05:00There's Not One of Them I'd SwapJanishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-81066743295823957982011-01-23T20:45:00.004-05:002011-01-23T21:27:27.242-05:00CaughtYesterday I caught my husband singing a love song...to someone else. And not only wasn't I jealous, but I was reminded again just how blessed I am. No, this is not a new version of "Sister Wives". And no, I haven't become so thoroughly progressive that I accept some kind of modern definition of love. It's just, I can't blame him. <br /><br />The One to whom he sang IS perfect after all. It seems this One really did hang the moon and stars. And when my husband is focused on this One, he can love ME with a perfect love. And this One gave up His only Son to die for me (and you) so how can I complain when my husband sings to Him?<br /><br />My husband loves the Lord, Yahweh, and seeks to put Him first in his life. That is, Andy loves the Lord more than he loves me. And I am so thankful. Truth be told, I love the Lord more than I love Andy. I completely believe that this is the reason that I have been married to this man for almost 14 years and love him more today than I did the day of our wedding. See, the Bible tells us in John "If you love Me, keep my commandments." That's Jesus talking, you know, Emmanuel-the "with us God". God in the flesh. And just what are some of His commandments for husbands and wives?<br /><br />"Husbands,love your wives, just as Christ loved the church." Ephesians 5:25<br />"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Colossians 3:19<br />"Wives,submit to your husbands" Colossians 3:18<br />"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. " Ephesians 5:33<br /><br />Not easy to do when we are acting in our own flesh and with our own interests. But if we love the Lord and put Him first, we CAN submit and respect our husbands. We CAN love our wives and treat them gently. And our marriages can be a live picture of the beauty and harmony that Christ demonstrated in His love for us.<br /><br />Thank you Lord for a husband who loves you more than me and who I occasionally "catch" singing you a love song.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHR8Q6Pv6hxuGWKLqmtdlFVyTAUuBfQ8c66d8ckBZdM7CQiPd66FKpMfs4cfHPfjKaBG1fsT-YICbK3L3l4zhs19VKotA_L1ljp3tBWRFaYNVShABF7mfniN6OIr3iEBHt7QNDcJA7TbE/s1600/IMG_3013-1-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHR8Q6Pv6hxuGWKLqmtdlFVyTAUuBfQ8c66d8ckBZdM7CQiPd66FKpMfs4cfHPfjKaBG1fsT-YICbK3L3l4zhs19VKotA_L1ljp3tBWRFaYNVShABF7mfniN6OIr3iEBHt7QNDcJA7TbE/s400/IMG_3013-1-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565572970962494978" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-78067127684663834362010-06-28T12:35:00.000-04:002010-06-28T12:35:00.645-04:00Sailing Camp-2010 Edition-Part 3For the final installment of the Sailing Camp saga, I'll show what happened after camp was over...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMG0RMPNJ66rHH9uCyaiQd9XvpVD93gve5SMGZNk6_gpfjoAEovQCr0YstSreww097zEuXj6nVM6JG5HCbdYPdRfLXGct-_efJGqSIiyVs_Pnkd-LricNZpzx6Q5e85uMd7zWYn6BGZOJ/s1600/IMG_2490-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMG0RMPNJ66rHH9uCyaiQd9XvpVD93gve5SMGZNk6_gpfjoAEovQCr0YstSreww097zEuXj6nVM6JG5HCbdYPdRfLXGct-_efJGqSIiyVs_Pnkd-LricNZpzx6Q5e85uMd7zWYn6BGZOJ/s400/IMG_2490-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487122614572369634" border="0" /></a>Ian really wanted to go sailing on my dad's boat, a 25' Venture. Unfortunately, there was very little wind. We sailed out to the middle of the lake and the wind died. But that didn't stop us from having fun! The kids jumped overboard and swam in the lake around the boat as we drifted around. Here (from back to front) are Doodle, Ian, Mator and Muffin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP81gUZ8kby8ZlMNrbzCbhercQZR0gnhZOyRH4p9l6727cYtH_3DEOTp8LntD88zwN-qItXzGEfOQJfCV5EQU5NZ7mYY6BMW0GqyXU7H68t3NBeKcUJQopp8kgqjzLqR1LVy4wZzpgO-l/s1600/IMG_2498-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP81gUZ8kby8ZlMNrbzCbhercQZR0gnhZOyRH4p9l6727cYtH_3DEOTp8LntD88zwN-qItXzGEfOQJfCV5EQU5NZ7mYY6BMW0GqyXU7H68t3NBeKcUJQopp8kgqjzLqR1LVy4wZzpgO-l/s400/IMG_2498-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487122604528291794" border="0" /></a>The fender is attached to a line that is attached to the boat. The idea was that if we started to sail off, they should grab the line and hang on! We used to do this all the time when I was a kid and we would sail on Lake Erie and Lake Huron with this boat. When it was really windy, it was the sailors equivalent of tubing, just about 25 MPH slower! :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDNsenzpqh9Am908gg_i4j6KnhAL-VnQhdbRdg6WSnuPlMOof267qNgMkJ1k-4MnwZ_Fi_93o2LGUyGjmRPTwZWN1132pbuDA7TWdlHT3tXY-HEwuSZN8oiMGwPmk_KIFurKaDQt-UXku/s1600/IMG_2496-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDNsenzpqh9Am908gg_i4j6KnhAL-VnQhdbRdg6WSnuPlMOof267qNgMkJ1k-4MnwZ_Fi_93o2LGUyGjmRPTwZWN1132pbuDA7TWdlHT3tXY-HEwuSZN8oiMGwPmk_KIFurKaDQt-UXku/s400/IMG_2496-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487122612611605682" border="0" /></a>And yes, I actually did get in the lake and swim a bit too. As proof, I can still taste the lake (a day after the event!) There were 8 kids with my dad and I and we played out there for about an hour. We had to cut it short because we had dinner reservations at the Club so we headed in (by motor) and had a terrific dinner. After dinner, the kids weren't done having fun so we spent another couple hours back in the pool. Some of the big boys had fun lifting (and throwing) the littler girls on a raft in the pool. Here is Doodle on her throne.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8tbqu7qZ5jshY7tCBkEdIIAIyd_qUCivxq3_qzHN6VpMSUyZ7rVtwFx16jzvfz9dQ9sqigHvdOPCLcuM0pchyCJHDH_fZrhiIHwxLsl10CpU_SW_scDZj-hwgt966yHyx0JQr-o-HCh2/s1600/IMG_2511-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8tbqu7qZ5jshY7tCBkEdIIAIyd_qUCivxq3_qzHN6VpMSUyZ7rVtwFx16jzvfz9dQ9sqigHvdOPCLcuM0pchyCJHDH_fZrhiIHwxLsl10CpU_SW_scDZj-hwgt966yHyx0JQr-o-HCh2/s400/IMG_2511-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487122596853850322" border="0" /></a>What a fantastic week capped by an awesome evening. We stumbled back to the car at 8:30 and Mator fell asleep on the way home. I can't blame her, I almost did too!Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-83617145512569701152010-06-27T12:19:00.001-04:002010-06-27T12:19:00.200-04:00Sailing Camp-2010 Edition-Part 2While not registered for camp, Doodle came with me on Thursday to watch and was able to get some experience sailing which got her excited to come to camp next year!<br /><br />Here she is in an Opti with Mattew Davis, an experienced ten-year old who was more than happy to take Doodle out for her first sail. She seemed to love it and didn't stop smiling the whole time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_I8Cv4RZOP0idKN9Tx3nK8BbWg-h98Lv63Z9XuGt06XGlLeeHW0CvtxOJoEywjMc7sHeizJ7Lh-M6niN5HpsaXk_H3Fg1Tm__UhGjW3CupbSvUiDF6Md3ev47_I3izqu2uL62abz-BWt/s1600/IMG_2332-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_I8Cv4RZOP0idKN9Tx3nK8BbWg-h98Lv63Z9XuGt06XGlLeeHW0CvtxOJoEywjMc7sHeizJ7Lh-M6niN5HpsaXk_H3Fg1Tm__UhGjW3CupbSvUiDF6Md3ev47_I3izqu2uL62abz-BWt/s400/IMG_2332-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487118060733531234" border="0" /></a>And here is my adorable niece, Annabelle (7), skippering with her friend Emily in an Opti...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjjf-irtLQPk0aSOdm_mCYth4ibZOFWhw0siCmqwnwXQbXfLJ3cccvQFdKSZjSPkDpq2zutWrYo6X9y4RT3_RW4G8dLxc5tcQQ7Yl5Uk0fF9fGXq5rhwVTWPs7b02Ndv6cDYr7agGp_za/s1600/IMG_2401-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjjf-irtLQPk0aSOdm_mCYth4ibZOFWhw0siCmqwnwXQbXfLJ3cccvQFdKSZjSPkDpq2zutWrYo6X9y4RT3_RW4G8dLxc5tcQQ7Yl5Uk0fF9fGXq5rhwVTWPs7b02Ndv6cDYr7agGp_za/s400/IMG_2401-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487119724235178594" border="0" /></a>The last hour of camp is dedicated to the traditional greased watermelon competition. Yes, a watermelon is greased up and thrown into the lake (it floats) where the girls (who outnumbered the boys about 2:1) tried to get the watermelon to the boys' goal and vice-versa. There are usually tears as someone gets "almost drowned" but it is worth it for the fun. Here is Muffin jumping in the lake before the competition starts:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPpPYbHviG54472Wrk0Z9DVpU1e2p2X94ndS7-uhUKNATR0VYQBQOWLgl5TG4vw0Ms_pGcd-IEf0tIut2MceG4DiBmyICSvIF99WRxMnzdOHCwYhOHz-PIJ2GeZdXAEgLDWetOPRQmswe/s1600/IMG_2420-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPpPYbHviG54472Wrk0Z9DVpU1e2p2X94ndS7-uhUKNATR0VYQBQOWLgl5TG4vw0Ms_pGcd-IEf0tIut2MceG4DiBmyICSvIF99WRxMnzdOHCwYhOHz-PIJ2GeZdXAEgLDWetOPRQmswe/s400/IMG_2420-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487119702023332386" border="0" /></a>Mator got to watch the action but was definitely more into swimming in the pool. She was especially attached to Daddy since he had been gone for three days this week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx90LObjbB5p01ArJ275jaeuvm9GLgug56Y6Qlrv2QVDFv2osMGw8oxrKT6WgaD0857nZzmU2mjDw_OIX646ltDeJl4EdcQvuMDTI3UsZAL9aDyv-TLQJImhhIPa_K30tjkYs90WrcVIUh/s1600/IMG_2466-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx90LObjbB5p01ArJ275jaeuvm9GLgug56Y6Qlrv2QVDFv2osMGw8oxrKT6WgaD0857nZzmU2mjDw_OIX646ltDeJl4EdcQvuMDTI3UsZAL9aDyv-TLQJImhhIPa_K30tjkYs90WrcVIUh/s400/IMG_2466-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487119721882531970" border="0" /></a>Here are the sailing camp graduates: Muffin, Olivia, Elle and Ian (Olivia's brother) who was named most valuable sailor for all the help he gave to the instructors. That's my dad's boat with the sail up in the background. Just after this picture was taken, we departed for a "three hour tour"...see the next post for more details!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCN_D5ahmAQTdcF34G-nqvYTS2uOBjpGaY3H0vSZpDOPGmm8vDxM6hfmf8yJrwnCt-vmn7MM0zffNpW-zTwco6gWWPrkpOqlDJGNaMc0a_9D4pqVlnboWgOOnXAufQb7ox3VcxIG2q5X_/s1600/IMG_2484-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCN_D5ahmAQTdcF34G-nqvYTS2uOBjpGaY3H0vSZpDOPGmm8vDxM6hfmf8yJrwnCt-vmn7MM0zffNpW-zTwco6gWWPrkpOqlDJGNaMc0a_9D4pqVlnboWgOOnXAufQb7ox3VcxIG2q5X_/s400/IMG_2484-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487119711686406194" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-1031556706989803102010-06-26T11:21:00.005-04:002010-06-26T12:18:08.565-04:00Sailing Camp-2010 Edition-Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEFUagnT67DIqMAzNCJ5EjnNQZsh26KDZwf3yte9h9OIOMYAH50Lpz2eXSMRscl_rKBjy0707Jj0ZJVBRsfn-2sYwKPplsIZaXm4iZpEEAZM5SQ0ofmShAFliMDccfm7s1L9acU8zPqX0/s1600/IMG_2327-small+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEFUagnT67DIqMAzNCJ5EjnNQZsh26KDZwf3yte9h9OIOMYAH50Lpz2eXSMRscl_rKBjy0707Jj0ZJVBRsfn-2sYwKPplsIZaXm4iZpEEAZM5SQ0ofmShAFliMDccfm7s1L9acU8zPqX0/s400/IMG_2327-small+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487108579864304258" border="0" /></a>Muffin completed her second stint of sailing camp at Buckeye Lake this week and had great fun again this year. Here she is (above, center) with her second cousin, Olivia (left) and another camp sailor. They are sailing in a Flying Junior (FJ) which has two sails and races with a skipper and one crew member. As a teenager, I raced as both a crew member of an FJ and skippering a Laser (a much smaller boat-one sail and one person sailing it) on Lake Erie during Jr. Bay Week. I'll just say for the record that I wasn't very good. My most memorable race was at Lake Erie when I was about 13 and sailing a Laser. The wind was gusting to 25 knots and I had very little control over the boat. I constantly capsized and turtled (capsize-the boat is on its side with the mast parallel to the water. Turtle-the boat is upside-down with the top of the mast pointing to the bottom of the lake and the bottom of the boat pointing to the sky so that it looks like a turtle's shell) the boat despite my best efforts. If you want to read about a really awesome teenaged sailor who, at 16, attempted to sail around the world by herself but recently had to give up that quest, read here: <a href="http://soloround.blogspot.com/">http://soloround.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />The next picture shows the boat heeling a little. Muffin is on the leeward side so you can't see her. There was a nice little bit of wind this day and the boat continued to heel...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuNsluLY5pCZ0_K-m8YL1Cpaj8Te1yJ03PHX8_lHt6jhI-hcAFP29IYsijFJCYmYwgCrCHXsKclByrpddOD8B0I710vpo8soFgSXW9J5bnzliwvRrruO4W7Bp33KgOjsbw9LKa0NSKmHI/s1600/IMG_2328-small+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuNsluLY5pCZ0_K-m8YL1Cpaj8Te1yJ03PHX8_lHt6jhI-hcAFP29IYsijFJCYmYwgCrCHXsKclByrpddOD8B0I710vpo8soFgSXW9J5bnzliwvRrruO4W7Bp33KgOjsbw9LKa0NSKmHI/s400/IMG_2328-small+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487108572618130242" border="0" /></a>And then it capsized. Again, Muffin was on the leeward side of the boat so you can't see her. Olivia and Austin (the skipper) are trying to right the boat by pulling down on the centerboard. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get up there when you are small and are wearing a bulky life jacket. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqK46bRUf80W-sZwjvBA9Ys4ACb1bed2ISmXCQoFS5HWtlW9dYzpv-jLFdtvXjRxiexzDMCG8YSGzYtWqsjhKESakyNQHeU-yShWnA_kmTOaqjxUEhjmZmWVJXAG3K-2SV7ERrD7pgx0W/s1600/IMG_2344-small+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqK46bRUf80W-sZwjvBA9Ys4ACb1bed2ISmXCQoFS5HWtlW9dYzpv-jLFdtvXjRxiexzDMCG8YSGzYtWqsjhKESakyNQHeU-yShWnA_kmTOaqjxUEhjmZmWVJXAG3K-2SV7ERrD7pgx0W/s400/IMG_2344-small+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487108563756319010" border="0" /></a>So John, the instructor, motored over and helped them right the boat. Muffin was helped in the boat and here she is helping her other two sailors back in. The small boats capsize relatively easily and are made to be easily righted. The only scary things about capsizing a boat like this are:<br />1-Losing any valuables that sink-don't take anything on the boat that can't get wet or doesn't float.<br />2-Getting back into the boat-this can be challenging for little people but is not impossible and can be learned (and you develop great upper body strength)<br />3- Getting caught under the sail while it is capsized. This happens and while not really dangerous, you feel like you might suffocate. Life jackets actually exacerbate the problem because it is harder to got under water and swim out from under the sail. You may even feel like you are tangled up in some of the lines that are attached to the sails making you feel trapped. This happened to Muffin in this incident and she was a little shaken up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XzuTiDqpVFiMye87L7IgKkz7-NACi2M4IrXiUcFBgNtZFhcnYDIGxf7c6xoSa9KxxWE248-7D88bqB85QVRw4mKK-RZAy72cw1tiCiUmQwJZza48gPh_PPGPSjWESfvUPlCsg58wjg4X/s1600/IMG_2348-small+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XzuTiDqpVFiMye87L7IgKkz7-NACi2M4IrXiUcFBgNtZFhcnYDIGxf7c6xoSa9KxxWE248-7D88bqB85QVRw4mKK-RZAy72cw1tiCiUmQwJZza48gPh_PPGPSjWESfvUPlCsg58wjg4X/s400/IMG_2348-small+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487108552396498994" border="0" /></a>Instructor John sailed with them for a while and allowed Doodle to go with him too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEdYn70fr1SpcbCh4i4Utpa7gvtcHdjT00ZBjTzbZjFgazcsmbXFDub0Rbg7bV8C5AvaMJwxMx_pbTJFQmpuA-gXDPtQmE1TmxkOEtaC6_a3HPcHgQyQP3iYHbRCLJ32bYENfhoUgINmh/s1600/IMG_2383-small+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEdYn70fr1SpcbCh4i4Utpa7gvtcHdjT00ZBjTzbZjFgazcsmbXFDub0Rbg7bV8C5AvaMJwxMx_pbTJFQmpuA-gXDPtQmE1TmxkOEtaC6_a3HPcHgQyQP3iYHbRCLJ32bYENfhoUgINmh/s400/IMG_2383-small+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487108548117527058" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-55305825391659333752010-04-23T09:31:00.005-04:002010-04-23T09:53:18.640-04:00Doodle is 6Doodle had a birthday and of course, that is never the end of any story around here. It seems that any holiday (Christmas, birthdays, vacations) must be marked by an accompanying trip to urgent care.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQQreAhymZXAarGTPmig0VfCCYp5Wdyk1R2SqHRkNrhwis_MqU8j77EcMKEAx1dhVWy9BaOYuNQl73SAMB0jFdvVwUq1v0AoTlmcBYnxpKnh5Tsowv9lmZiqKVjj2Ze9G0DrSxp5umPlD/s1600/IMG_9685-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQQreAhymZXAarGTPmig0VfCCYp5Wdyk1R2SqHRkNrhwis_MqU8j77EcMKEAx1dhVWy9BaOYuNQl73SAMB0jFdvVwUq1v0AoTlmcBYnxpKnh5Tsowv9lmZiqKVjj2Ze9G0DrSxp5umPlD/s400/IMG_9685-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463325663005677554" border="0" /></a><br />Thankfully, we've never had any broken bones and only once, stitches were required. Rather our result is usually in the form of an antibiotic prescription. Maybe I'm exaggerating. The last time Doodle had a prescription filled for her was 2006. But when I think of the major illnesses my kids have had, they all seem to fall on a holiday / celebration! I suppose I just remember those the most, anyway!<br /><br />Doodle had her friend party last Saturday. She had asked for a surprise party. Now, keeping a surprise amongst 5 six year olds is like trying to keep all the Polly Pocket pieces from ending up in the sweeper. Or trying to keep the Littlest Pet Shops safe from becoming permanently embedded in your feet. It is impossible. But the parents of these dear girls are wise. They didn't tell their daughters when or where the party was going to be. In fact, Doodle came home from school one day insisting that, "Rachel NEEDS to know when the party is going to be!" But we successfully surprised her and didn't even have to tell any lies to do it!<br /><br />The theme of the party was "True Beauty" and we based it on "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gigi-Little-Princess-Sheila-Walsh/dp/1400305292/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272030082&sr=1-1">Gigi-God's Little Princess"</a>. After Muffin read the story describing how we are all princesses and princes of the King of Kings (God) we talked about how a real princess acts using scripture as the basis. The girls had come to the party all dressed up and then we treated them to a pedicure (compliments of my mom's foot bath and Muffin's artistic abilities), a manicure (Muffin and I shared these duties) and a young lady from the cosmetology school at our local high school did some beautiful hairdos. Here are the resulting princesses...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVhgwuzs71KsLPKNiNeGtwpBE5-B1GbPC4brmmGpjmuU9o95ZXISNBLvFj1qoEMj_emI48zrafFWokVBUacX0E1uV7ZEpEh-9JXYxN3eb_dWW628oxAP-Y2egeZR4L_3EW0D74eVW0mtl/s1600/IMG_9670-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVhgwuzs71KsLPKNiNeGtwpBE5-B1GbPC4brmmGpjmuU9o95ZXISNBLvFj1qoEMj_emI48zrafFWokVBUacX0E1uV7ZEpEh-9JXYxN3eb_dWW628oxAP-Y2egeZR4L_3EW0D74eVW0mtl/s400/IMG_9670-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463325655778566658" border="0" /></a>Almost immediately after the last guest left, Doodle began to complain that her throat hurt. I figured she was just exhausted and put her to bed a little early. I gave her some Ibuprofen in the middle of the night and by the time we got up, she seemed fine. So we skipped Sunday school so that she wouldn't infect anyone else if she was sick. We did make it to church and had the big girls stay with us in the sanctuary. Doodle's meds wore off in the middle of the service though and I had to take her out. In my defense, you would never know she was sick when she had some ibuprofen in her. So we went ahead with the family party that evening at our house. Here is a picture with the cousins. The first picture I said, "Smile!" and then I let them take a couple silly pictures and then I said, "OK, no smiles." I thought it was pretty funny how they were trying so hard to be serious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmr7LjGu59_Dvq12Sxwy64NX3vvw_HD2I2NtFDLAOiRb7fgyKUjuAZp2XVzjlV9WQ81FexumjmIY0c4HIdeQnPgncdfwos6ILv03wH9onqPYFLwUll0B0vcjXW5Eec_V9lPcaCzYFbuec/s1600/IMG_9716-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmr7LjGu59_Dvq12Sxwy64NX3vvw_HD2I2NtFDLAOiRb7fgyKUjuAZp2XVzjlV9WQ81FexumjmIY0c4HIdeQnPgncdfwos6ILv03wH9onqPYFLwUll0B0vcjXW5Eec_V9lPcaCzYFbuec/s400/IMG_9716-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463325648455405186" border="0" /></a><br />The rest of the week was a pattern of this....Give Doodle some meds at bedtime, she acted fine in the AM. Came home from school and had a fever, repeat. I kept her home one day and the nurse finally called me on Thursday whereupon I finally took her to the urgent care convinced that once we had paid the copay, the healing would begin. It turns out she actually has strep throat. This is the first diagnosed case of strep in our house in ten years! I had thought maybe we were immune. Alas, she is home again today and we are waiting to see who else might get it.Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-62641745534659446982010-04-01T10:00:00.001-04:002010-04-01T10:00:03.762-04:00Mator SwimsMator is about to finish her 12th week of swim classes and she has made amazing progress. Part of our ritual is for Mator to hide in a locker (she completely shuts the door) and then I find her. This is all well and good if I am in on the game. It's not really funny when I go to the bathroom and return to find her, well, missing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwMBuecdQXea5X9Ko5IbA-V28bUuU0CxnYaPWrQK3dDQpgr_wc6XONIPsC1uC0Hi9MGf-K0s9fC02KBAaydWujQfLere6faXMvHEHhp6n9u7Se9olj56Q9EzK7bDoZoEMd4G10zsxb3hX/s1600/IMG_9135-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwMBuecdQXea5X9Ko5IbA-V28bUuU0CxnYaPWrQK3dDQpgr_wc6XONIPsC1uC0Hi9MGf-K0s9fC02KBAaydWujQfLere6faXMvHEHhp6n9u7Se9olj56Q9EzK7bDoZoEMd4G10zsxb3hX/s400/IMG_9135-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453434630329599314" border="0" /></a>The first few weeks of class all she did was smile the whole time. I can't believe her cheeks weren't tired. She even smiled as she was swimming across the pool. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oBn7r_Oeur3Vg7v9eHHZZGMUi6EY6ON3qDglfPxcPcnRANEkpyv7IhPs1Uy2CkwFjPu-jbGZEKMrgQLWI5m6W0E92-uFOfTO_IImXitVnHS83yRAFTvbO11Q-uvxAIcTpha6rlYyigXV/s1600/IMG_9175-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oBn7r_Oeur3Vg7v9eHHZZGMUi6EY6ON3qDglfPxcPcnRANEkpyv7IhPs1Uy2CkwFjPu-jbGZEKMrgQLWI5m6W0E92-uFOfTO_IImXitVnHS83yRAFTvbO11Q-uvxAIcTpha6rlYyigXV/s400/IMG_9175-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453434644316239602" border="0" /></a>Things got harder and she doesn't smile all the time but still has a great time. She can now jump off the side with no floaties, turn around and swim back to the side without any help. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7oxEiI57ensLWMKgYzj7urEm_3aP8BFuaJSUpnmF0JWhQokLXN2fEmSsO1uI9Vo3dyeI7ulztYqpJBUXH6zKTofp1SW2ZlPLvriL7zGD2gFYRpRvvwNCVX6wjLvWmafBqqj2iO-zyfad/s1600/IMG_9163-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7oxEiI57ensLWMKgYzj7urEm_3aP8BFuaJSUpnmF0JWhQokLXN2fEmSsO1uI9Vo3dyeI7ulztYqpJBUXH6zKTofp1SW2ZlPLvriL7zGD2gFYRpRvvwNCVX6wjLvWmafBqqj2iO-zyfad/s400/IMG_9163-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453434640691190754" border="0" /></a>This will make me feel a lot better, especially after last summer's scare. We were at the pool and she took her life jacket off because she needed to go to the bathroom. As is the prerogative of two year olds (at that time), she quickly changed her mind and wanted to swim again. I left her at the edge of the pool while I went to get the life jacket. I gave her strict instructions: Do not move from this spot. Now, these instructions would have gone a long way with my older two children. I would have expected to find them in the same spot and they would have been there. Not this bird. I reached our chair, picked up her life jacket and turned around. She was gone. I surveyed the 25 or so feet between where I was standing and where I had left her. Mostly there was pool. I immediately looked down into the water and there she was, standing on the bottom of the shallow end, eyes as big as saucers looking up. All of 40 seconds passed between the time I left her side and the time I jumped into the pool and picked her out of the water. She started coughing and crying and spent the rest of that afternoon on my lap.<br /><br />I wish I could say that it scared her so much she obeyed me from that moment on. But, I can't. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">can </span>say that I will feel a LOT better when she is old enough to be on the swim team and tread water and oh yeh-obey!Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-38029536255842645912010-03-30T10:00:00.001-04:002010-03-30T10:00:10.317-04:00Doodle Donates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SDh0Mk484e3zHkxonmbYHKq7cJVtGQBokzdtfs6jSo3tHE1MIMXFUyfEew46zHRGDkDuuQci1ywrfChiGl40_e8cMTdSzbyZP7Lgmy0-36T4bPeXns2qF1o2oXXirPEiEoqDAYxdPdYI/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SDh0Mk484e3zHkxonmbYHKq7cJVtGQBokzdtfs6jSo3tHE1MIMXFUyfEew46zHRGDkDuuQci1ywrfChiGl40_e8cMTdSzbyZP7Lgmy0-36T4bPeXns2qF1o2oXXirPEiEoqDAYxdPdYI/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453431873787067634" border="0" /></a>Doodle, my almost six year old, came home from school a few weeks ago ready to cut her hair. This is quite significant. Doodle was born with more hair than Mator had when she was two. The picture above was her first Christmas when she was about 8 months old. Doodle has always been known for her long locks. So it was with a heavy heart that I agreed. Her aunt Andrea reminded us that she might be eligible for "Locks for Love" and that definitely softened the blow for me.<br /><br />I picked her up from school and we headed over to do the deed. She was VERY excited. I was a little less excited. The whole process was very quick. I actually wish they would have taken off more so it would have been more useful. The stylist just said, is this OK? And I said yes but she could have easily taken four more inches.<br /><br />Before the cut:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0wQthXk8mtuO62tieNjB69vy098Sh3WE-Qm6GF9SCPpY5o1oB8JYoU1DMq3LPlyy1mRyC8MzSc5gyp9C-jfIUFfvtWZ0BNyU95yuFOQYhJYG0Yt0RoaF5G582HP-tkrXxrJT5tWRiVM0/s1600/IMG_9111-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0wQthXk8mtuO62tieNjB69vy098Sh3WE-Qm6GF9SCPpY5o1oB8JYoU1DMq3LPlyy1mRyC8MzSc5gyp9C-jfIUFfvtWZ0BNyU95yuFOQYhJYG0Yt0RoaF5G582HP-tkrXxrJT5tWRiVM0/s400/IMG_9111-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453432880597160242" border="0" /></a>Holding her donated locks one last time...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqALApaukwRIzojhETt2wmCr93elhMxd8kTCfl37e7Ag9I8tsCBdmyCkPFtxVv2EDqTTSV_oBdZXDbSubyvR-Di0E1lYSgDv6HtSBJMhB_oPxP0H2pfJ6bUxHTgk-GRINLaV4jpQSfjbNR/s1600/IMG_9117-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqALApaukwRIzojhETt2wmCr93elhMxd8kTCfl37e7Ag9I8tsCBdmyCkPFtxVv2EDqTTSV_oBdZXDbSubyvR-Di0E1lYSgDv6HtSBJMhB_oPxP0H2pfJ6bUxHTgk-GRINLaV4jpQSfjbNR/s400/IMG_9117-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453432883206454258" border="0" /></a>Her pretty new do makes her look so much older!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd2j9FdO2nxnTfVLbMzv1NrU88Mn9WBLRf_v7owsffR_6adO_JbOJ2ep8Y2f1JpygGRe-oOXN5vAFHmo9spYEsp27uAyP_5fSc4dRLhl1DYWvfViQOXN2xox8es4nqffJa_cnJJuAn0WB/s1600/IMG_9120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd2j9FdO2nxnTfVLbMzv1NrU88Mn9WBLRf_v7owsffR_6adO_JbOJ2ep8Y2f1JpygGRe-oOXN5vAFHmo9spYEsp27uAyP_5fSc4dRLhl1DYWvfViQOXN2xox8es4nqffJa_cnJJuAn0WB/s400/IMG_9120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453432893646010754" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-84425889633017716242010-03-27T17:19:00.012-04:002010-03-29T19:26:41.749-04:00Our Weekend: Part 2I know you've been waiting on pins and needles for the second installment of our weekend-so here it is....<br /><br />On Sunday, we went to church minus one child who had spent the night at a friend's house and went to church with her. That was a first (going to someone else's church without us) but yet again, I am reminded that they grow up so fast!<br /><br />After rushing home and gobbling up lunch, we headed out the door again to see yet another niece and nephew in the local theater's production of "The Little Mermaid". My niece (Justine) was a "toady" and my nephew (Jared) a sailor. So cute! They both did a terrific job and the play was lots of fun, especially for Mator who wanted her picture taken with every character!<br /><br />Here is Jared looking like a thoughtful sailor...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivMy1vao8GoilsS9sPkbExt483zua8pKivDcBcuWMTjpDYhRPL3CZJQ1IG6KDd4Ob0wbrVyVgOePoG2yz491s-3r7apgQtDF2ce2zdEKAL-ubR1RO2F149i6yM-2ofonksnUIAMlCut8c/s1600/IMG_9222-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivMy1vao8GoilsS9sPkbExt483zua8pKivDcBcuWMTjpDYhRPL3CZJQ1IG6KDd4Ob0wbrVyVgOePoG2yz491s-3r7apgQtDF2ce2zdEKAL-ubR1RO2F149i6yM-2ofonksnUIAMlCut8c/s400/IMG_9222-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454200461743111282" border="0" /></a>Justine is the "toady" on the left...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cQ10hvUUgQbUNS3z2xEEQ26BXP3KEw9C685Vnf3pIb7fwl6jRQ9rWZrH7OA0BOZgxuKbv5hSC5b5H0bioIRT8BvuLksdBAluyh_RQ7C20ME6P61z-hzg-YazD_4PEYVY1Xf83wqI-T59/s1600/IMG_9228-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cQ10hvUUgQbUNS3z2xEEQ26BXP3KEw9C685Vnf3pIb7fwl6jRQ9rWZrH7OA0BOZgxuKbv5hSC5b5H0bioIRT8BvuLksdBAluyh_RQ7C20ME6P61z-hzg-YazD_4PEYVY1Xf83wqI-T59/s400/IMG_9228-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454200454570461778" border="0" /></a>After the show there were autographs and Mator was ready to give Justine her flowers...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRFGIHtyhMOhoO083QPF3guPp3gXjkyZJfxeodK9Xh6znK3QjMWftk5dv_dwf-ciUC4Q4jWir6gI9XyMqSe20r2maDH2pPGAq8lm7d9OYZyH4dRDuUXM2eRslr33vSBOcUkjaAOVofVij/s1600/IMG_9241-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRFGIHtyhMOhoO083QPF3guPp3gXjkyZJfxeodK9Xh6znK3QjMWftk5dv_dwf-ciUC4Q4jWir6gI9XyMqSe20r2maDH2pPGAq8lm7d9OYZyH4dRDuUXM2eRslr33vSBOcUkjaAOVofVij/s400/IMG_9241-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454199975631619890" border="0" /></a>The sea witch had fantastic makeup and happened to be very good with the kids too...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10PgiZswaOPJzoKp0EbuiQcpSJMK0Xa7gczwsE6yLUL9lACkZyV_6VloEMBp1rVa0zvIpo5TBTSVAdgzJn_W2k-Zb0-HO_ZpaYKDbOYgKvhlhqvzZg3L3gDeolQ_4p8upvcNT66retuqz/s1600/IMG_9245-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10PgiZswaOPJzoKp0EbuiQcpSJMK0Xa7gczwsE6yLUL9lACkZyV_6VloEMBp1rVa0zvIpo5TBTSVAdgzJn_W2k-Zb0-HO_ZpaYKDbOYgKvhlhqvzZg3L3gDeolQ_4p8upvcNT66retuqz/s400/IMG_9245-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454199963710084370" border="0" /></a>Here is our toady, Justine, up close...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31nk0T2vNoGV6mlz9SptV8vQV1P-rRNQphAGbAxfrDC-IsRAtGFDSTnTzPdChOX30W3iGqlb5IISov6kGiXoQEBkF4OMDSKNxoXsdvPJWqM4Y9V09bwyFH_DiVY6tSjw1T9YVIvGEyqzI/s1600/IMG_9247-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31nk0T2vNoGV6mlz9SptV8vQV1P-rRNQphAGbAxfrDC-IsRAtGFDSTnTzPdChOX30W3iGqlb5IISov6kGiXoQEBkF4OMDSKNxoXsdvPJWqM4Y9V09bwyFH_DiVY6tSjw1T9YVIvGEyqzI/s400/IMG_9247-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454199960499166178" border="0" /></a><br />After this production we headed out to dinner and ice cream to celebrate all of our thespians. And then back to church for the final night of our Easter Cantata. This is a mix of music and drama to bring the Easter story to life. And it is very realistic. Last year (Doodle's first) my then five year old had quite a difficult time with the beating and crucifixion of Christ. I debated whether I should take her out of the sanctuary or not but I finally realized that if she missed the ending part-the resurrection-then she would miss the most important part. Lots of people died on crosses during the Roman's rule-but only one was raised from the dead. That's why we worship Him.<br /><br />This year she was as "prepared" as she could be but it was still hard for her to sit through parts of it. But then again, shouldn't we all be troubled by the sight of our Savior suffering for us? Doodle's response serves to remind me of the purpose of reliving this difficult time in the life of Christ every Easter, and more often than that! We need to be reminded of the price of our sin as both a deterrent and a reminder of God's grace.Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-39585160281591074742010-03-27T16:54:00.005-04:002010-03-27T17:17:48.035-04:00Our Weekend: Part 1What a weekend! Well, it's only halfway done but we are packing in the fun!<br /><br />Last night we got to see my oldest niece in her school's production of "The Wizard of Oz". Newsflash to me: my 15 year old niece is all grown up! Wow! She was Dorothy and did an awesome job. Everyone said so. Especially after I would open every conversation with, "Dorothy is my niece. Wasn't she awesome?!" Not surprisingly, no one disagreed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEpcivrmnftIdlT2ohXtBMzavQssd_LqxCLr8NPMJesiNbJbMrjR5OZ49zACWuJBUKUB9NopKaCrFAZ3sn2o6NVUrvhSh-zAiYYYFkNRR3fZ8xP8-8rutbfTRb-t6OI-ci4X4A_UEzJLp/s1600/IMG_9189-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEpcivrmnftIdlT2ohXtBMzavQssd_LqxCLr8NPMJesiNbJbMrjR5OZ49zACWuJBUKUB9NopKaCrFAZ3sn2o6NVUrvhSh-zAiYYYFkNRR3fZ8xP8-8rutbfTRb-t6OI-ci4X4A_UEzJLp/s400/IMG_9189-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423091372389522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamv6bdYMjnBprai5rdujiFu9x2pSzT_Hv9zhY4O4nJwwtPg6iDOvc0Ye2LT0s9S0ARBsBWyRlPD5niA4G3Y6iYZ7ndgfxIBL-ahUaYqLccjjmQ0si7JuCVzmXRdFMcwKUuBr_4Z76TM0M/s1600/IMG_9196-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamv6bdYMjnBprai5rdujiFu9x2pSzT_Hv9zhY4O4nJwwtPg6iDOvc0Ye2LT0s9S0ARBsBWyRlPD5niA4G3Y6iYZ7ndgfxIBL-ahUaYqLccjjmQ0si7JuCVzmXRdFMcwKUuBr_4Z76TM0M/s400/IMG_9196-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453420861382704738" border="0" /></a><br />We got home and were in bed at around 11:30! This is crazy for my kids who are usually in bed by 9:00. So it wasn't too surprising that we slept in late. I decided I was going to try and stay in bed until I got hungry. Well, considering we went to this great Greek restaurant for dinner last night, I stayed in bed until after 9!! I justified this by the fact that my kids went to bed about 3 hours after they usually do so I should get up about three hours after I usually do. It worked for me!<br /><br />This afternoon we went to Giant Eagle because the Easter bunny was visiting and they had some games and hey, I like Giant Eagle! Here are my cuties with the Giant Eagle brand Easter bunny.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspLWZNR8ZAsULhrIUngft057CZZVWl-7pLc7lx__mie5dbhfTOPRvQ2RLWil8nKX2eFnvl8BvhkQAAPYDgzFkVORsrZT1wGGR7bDNF4ahcPP8uv3SLoDQ4IZy8Fymi6Act0Jcjt1UIJeg/s1600/IMG_9207-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspLWZNR8ZAsULhrIUngft057CZZVWl-7pLc7lx__mie5dbhfTOPRvQ2RLWil8nKX2eFnvl8BvhkQAAPYDgzFkVORsrZT1wGGR7bDNF4ahcPP8uv3SLoDQ4IZy8Fymi6Act0Jcjt1UIJeg/s400/IMG_9207-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453420875874778386" border="0" /></a><br />After lunch and some sisterly sparring (purportedly a result of lack of sleep-pshaw!), the kids went outside to play a little. About 15 minutes later, Muffin yells, "Look out the window if you want to see Doodle riding a bike!". So I did. And Muffin, my little 9 year old teacher, had filled in for her lazy parents and taught her almost-six-year-old sister how to ride a two wheeler! And she's off...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7VuzDQSUS5V61b-4A-IBxX5b5FNMHOcM6bq0W55gUr6toQG5CRPUAzMg03uxiJI_UsmrJfhGzy6BTccSvXCGypFT7ukkIXfVhRRj1gqWO3VWWrvbd-qlbN8OPaCzY3p6eJ-ycUgFOn5v/s1600/IMG_9208-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7VuzDQSUS5V61b-4A-IBxX5b5FNMHOcM6bq0W55gUr6toQG5CRPUAzMg03uxiJI_UsmrJfhGzy6BTccSvXCGypFT7ukkIXfVhRRj1gqWO3VWWrvbd-qlbN8OPaCzY3p6eJ-ycUgFOn5v/s400/IMG_9208-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453420887507248226" border="0" /></a><br />Riding into the sunset...another step closer to grown up! Before I know it, she'll be in her own high school musical and I'll be wondering where those years went!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16T9gEri0q-laEnS78OqQlhLhiIQKkjXlw6KscO-VZtA1oSMhi488-Rin3dsVk6Xanl_iLdSNBwXCXlJBAXPlAcvp_q8NbaR6-Z7Yx8AdZV_Tdw55AxfdZi6dmm69x6gQN7jRztZSeTHe/s1600/IMG_9215-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16T9gEri0q-laEnS78OqQlhLhiIQKkjXlw6KscO-VZtA1oSMhi488-Rin3dsVk6Xanl_iLdSNBwXCXlJBAXPlAcvp_q8NbaR6-Z7Yx8AdZV_Tdw55AxfdZi6dmm69x6gQN7jRztZSeTHe/s400/IMG_9215-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453420880955847026" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-20180980770344706282010-03-26T09:16:00.004-04:002010-03-26T09:30:52.684-04:00Mator's FriendsMator has some best buddies. Well, truth be told, she's her own best friend. She has been playing in her room with her "Little People" for the last twenty minutes totally engaged and having a ball by herself. But, when she wants some company, she loves to play with these guys. Ethan and Bryce are friends from church and they go to preschool on Wednesdays with Mator. So she sees them Sundays and twice on Wednesdays (school and church again). There is another boy, PJ, whom she also adores. She sees him at church too.<br /><br />These boys are gems. God didn't give me any boys for a reason, but if he had, I would hope they would be like these three little guys. They give me hope that there are nice boys who are respectful and kind but also manly-men (as far as little boys go).<br /><br />Here are Ethan, Bryce and Mator on their second day of preschool last September (singing, "If you're happy and you know it")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxr5bPXpb6JMCv3-ouVphv9Z_LDfURn11JnFuRotrOXlEI_ZBRZ9MW8xAveyxUZy6eLF1JHaULlQmAt_B3g8ynY2KsDc4bgMRsTnevOoKvusZFo2v07wc91KIN1-OQyMhhPgVKvb-2KLv/s1600/DSCN1408.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxr5bPXpb6JMCv3-ouVphv9Z_LDfURn11JnFuRotrOXlEI_ZBRZ9MW8xAveyxUZy6eLF1JHaULlQmAt_B3g8ynY2KsDc4bgMRsTnevOoKvusZFo2v07wc91KIN1-OQyMhhPgVKvb-2KLv/s400/DSCN1408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932128479026562" border="0" /></a>After school that day I took them to Rising park to burn off some energy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt9RznaELAIWZci-h0ke9cZ9p9eXDs1E34nqBZcITmIfy0z3Vw8VG98Uqu0XzfG3SpQ0HglmbdIfOiT0OxA7VKlfBzYalcm9M6fV63IOq4gGGWMBIEVto-l9RXwUp31hOb_b2CYpoiG5q/s1600/DSCN1415.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt9RznaELAIWZci-h0ke9cZ9p9eXDs1E34nqBZcITmIfy0z3Vw8VG98Uqu0XzfG3SpQ0HglmbdIfOiT0OxA7VKlfBzYalcm9M6fV63IOq4gGGWMBIEVto-l9RXwUp31hOb_b2CYpoiG5q/s400/DSCN1415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932124420384722" border="0" /></a>Here they are this week at our house. I sent them out to the deck to play and gave them some bubbles. Then Mator came inside and asked for some towels so they could have a "beach party". Sure, that sounds like fun. I was sitting just inside the deck door working on my computer and when I looked out at them, I noticed that they were undressing. Hmmmm, what kind of beach is this?? I let them all go topless (it was 65 degrees!) and they seemed to be OK with that. This is why I just love 3 and 4 year olds-aren't they so cute!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pCNcBq6J5ufeR7BfF-kPGJQ9rPO9rUdNFTWgV_l5EW1hjNrS9Q5gKB6yOgUXa6FCkgCziVc47uTJ5oR3HBnczFnxWj10BQg5-eIEBMCjzdeluQTzKxKLULiyBT49BxRD0p29YupzL-ZS/s1600/IMG_9182.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pCNcBq6J5ufeR7BfF-kPGJQ9rPO9rUdNFTWgV_l5EW1hjNrS9Q5gKB6yOgUXa6FCkgCziVc47uTJ5oR3HBnczFnxWj10BQg5-eIEBMCjzdeluQTzKxKLULiyBT49BxRD0p29YupzL-ZS/s400/IMG_9182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932137689811282" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-49024243224868870662010-03-21T14:48:00.004-04:002010-03-21T15:10:47.300-04:00Winter Review of Mostly DoodleHere are those famous Glitter Angels that made our cheerleading season so much fun! And a special mom (Kathy) and special niece (Justine) that helped so much!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSui7b-fsb5OaZkJqj0Kn3KSo_tBbgHsLypJSVD8b4RwVoNBmFgaAx9NVsZdMh6dIfDV7GRLx0k9QzINHEHLte1Uzveq0T28MXOtGg9FfcM1zYyLQDUONSkQlBmLEt-5jHS822qh5xmgxK/s1600-h/IMG_9062-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSui7b-fsb5OaZkJqj0Kn3KSo_tBbgHsLypJSVD8b4RwVoNBmFgaAx9NVsZdMh6dIfDV7GRLx0k9QzINHEHLte1Uzveq0T28MXOtGg9FfcM1zYyLQDUONSkQlBmLEt-5jHS822qh5xmgxK/s400/IMG_9062-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451162011509228994" border="0" /></a>And here's the reason I became a cheerleading coach....Here is my Doodle, perfectly perky and cheery before a game....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-rgz2D1IeNYvqo-qt1jIoFkGzOg21xlTPYQeT0Nyr73G1BWQAl_EQfwVHHUfqC9dp3vb4Gwqr-8T2B0oxpM45nGifT6iYAzer7O1KnbmpD8VPVrUmZoSDXPvQcXD-zch_nsLVU4_-3dJ/s1600-h/IMG_9060-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-rgz2D1IeNYvqo-qt1jIoFkGzOg21xlTPYQeT0Nyr73G1BWQAl_EQfwVHHUfqC9dp3vb4Gwqr-8T2B0oxpM45nGifT6iYAzer7O1KnbmpD8VPVrUmZoSDXPvQcXD-zch_nsLVU4_-3dJ/s400/IMG_9060-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451162007446781234" border="0" /></a>And this is my wonderful niece who was such an awesome helper-Justine!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzUV2qXvyum4qcppeIolBTQOfAmC7UuGKvWTXnqo2sPgHvPPx9-utuM893x01-tMt5u62KZgk2jSRaBoEFnl8-BEjjNytlWMqpqQicGiVyBOh8HYpILTRjI3SxL2xOLQuE4LO7emF0D8w/s1600-h/IMG_9064-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzUV2qXvyum4qcppeIolBTQOfAmC7UuGKvWTXnqo2sPgHvPPx9-utuM893x01-tMt5u62KZgk2jSRaBoEFnl8-BEjjNytlWMqpqQicGiVyBOh8HYpILTRjI3SxL2xOLQuE4LO7emF0D8w/s400/IMG_9064-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451162017635365794" border="0" /></a><br />Now that the snow is melted, I feel like I can begin to appreciate its beauty again. I am pretty sure that we had snow (a LOT of it) on the ground for every day of February. Now for Vanessa, my friend that lives <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=yellowknife,+Canada&sll=39.782169,-82.589021&sspn=0.006992,0.013797&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Yellowknife,+Fort+Smith+Region,+Northwest+Territories,+Canada&ll=60.930432,-137.8125&spn=79.111815,360&z=2">practically in the arctic circle</a>, that may not be a big deal. But around here, if we do get a big snow, it is usually gone in a week. I will say, we made the most of this snow! Across the street from our house is my dad's pond. We make this our four season resort. The dam of the pond is a nice little sledding hill and also a fun place to build snowmen. <br /><br />Here's Justine, Doodle and Muffin with our house in the background. Don't be too confused. The lens can fool you. Our house is a good 400 yards away with a road dividing the property.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS5XyHLVj3eaMi7d7Z_3pXW87pStSHg0VGNrVZm06ZL-nVhw1LtGX1h0BFA-KITcC6ZJWBmegABw_5ILLk7myorCP4zOQ_P5tHHMkmLeOSg6dLYgcKGHJX2AVbPupiT2wacQOIOl6cmPA/s1600-h/IMG_9054-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS5XyHLVj3eaMi7d7Z_3pXW87pStSHg0VGNrVZm06ZL-nVhw1LtGX1h0BFA-KITcC6ZJWBmegABw_5ILLk7myorCP4zOQ_P5tHHMkmLeOSg6dLYgcKGHJX2AVbPupiT2wacQOIOl6cmPA/s400/IMG_9054-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451161575303800130" border="0" /></a>My brother got his snowmobiles running too. Here's Andy scaring the life out of Doodle... no wait, she loved it. It was me that was scared. Especially when I hear things like this...<br />Muffin-"Daddy let me drive the snowmobile and my bottom came OFF the seat when we drove over the driveway."<br />Doodle-"Daddy only fell off once when it tipped over but I fell off a bunch of times!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltZVDU-PBpnzujinl0nfF4ZOmwh4zh4ovIdQD_T5yvVAaHya0m3q3GCzIVC7kS2SmPZm6zPV6N1o4ebd2CQUCkRW1mygQ_iGycLtNo3u7Be6nr14pQMXN_COi5KyWKgf4KPCTkXGwgj87/s1600-h/IMG_9007-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltZVDU-PBpnzujinl0nfF4ZOmwh4zh4ovIdQD_T5yvVAaHya0m3q3GCzIVC7kS2SmPZm6zPV6N1o4ebd2CQUCkRW1mygQ_iGycLtNo3u7Be6nr14pQMXN_COi5KyWKgf4KPCTkXGwgj87/s400/IMG_9007-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451161567502705266" border="0" /></a>And, to continue the Doodle theme of this post, here she is the night of her school program about dinosaurs. This is her best friend, Faith...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz5vQ09ZwV-7Moks8rnhQIb7MDB27N5Zy2wMMe1nxJl2N77iEH5zHNqpe4bAbxs0ZRUGKnDXkOF5mGaP88GsuxmUkKjxi5VIzLeqElVZE6xlkmhcM-eYM8B_esPJkXiwyqekdYdRb36T6/s1600-h/IMG_8843-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz5vQ09ZwV-7Moks8rnhQIb7MDB27N5Zy2wMMe1nxJl2N77iEH5zHNqpe4bAbxs0ZRUGKnDXkOF5mGaP88GsuxmUkKjxi5VIzLeqElVZE6xlkmhcM-eYM8B_esPJkXiwyqekdYdRb36T6/s400/IMG_8843-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451161562844678370" border="0" /></a>And here she is performing in the program. So stinking cute! And did I mention she had one of the hardest speaking parts? She had words like "evolutionists" and "fossils" and a lot of others that are hard to say in a microphone by yourself. But, after taking a few seconds to adjust the mike, taking a few more to swallow hard, she did an awesome job!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkcjdfpXKUOnzrOBZPK_xhOPRlIc5xfZVhGghDQKCNfT5S5nYfeNrItpGQk95lECba7NIRK1lM7QpgDOmYeheZpjd2Aaey83hYQ6M1pIsoT4k02OhwwRgRntDZFWBdzV_L_9aWBnb6uwC/s1600-h/IMG_8831-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkcjdfpXKUOnzrOBZPK_xhOPRlIc5xfZVhGghDQKCNfT5S5nYfeNrItpGQk95lECba7NIRK1lM7QpgDOmYeheZpjd2Aaey83hYQ6M1pIsoT4k02OhwwRgRntDZFWBdzV_L_9aWBnb6uwC/s400/IMG_8831-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451161553790218178" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-54177437581426665082010-02-24T15:05:00.004-05:002010-02-24T15:20:34.129-05:00Glitter Angels: Take 2The Glitter Angels learned a few more cheers and a dance routine! Our last game is this week-it has been a lot of fun to work with these great girls!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNDYanw2sra65mh9vJLpvvcQh5g3NcJMvEe7FcJKifVzgybLOQ0IJa4eyo3firbdaDEt74RxIsPiEq9gcG6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-36204797798448017282010-02-10T16:12:00.004-05:002010-02-10T16:27:18.256-05:00Fabulous and 36!I had a dream birthday last Sunday. It started with being a tad late for church. Now, this is not ideal but I had to print some things to distribute and was a few minutes late for Sunday school. Andy had taken the girls at our regular time and they were already safely perched in their classes. While I was driving to church, Doodle notified her teacher (one of our deacons) that it was my birthday. He took Doodle and her friend on a search for me! He visited every sunday school class informing them that it was my birthday. Needless to say, by the time I arrived, I was greeted with many birthday wishes!<br /><br />After church I took the girls to visit my father in law in the hospital who is now recovering nicely at home. Andy had a meeting after church. We had a really nice visit as he was feeling much better and the girls were so well behaved.<br /><br />In the evening, my wonderful husband had managed to independently organize a nice birthday party. Most amazingly, he was able to get the National Football league to play their annual championship game on my birthday-thus allowing the entire country to celebrate my birthday! I enjoyed the great company of my family and the great foods that always includes. Andy even insisted on cleaning the whole place by himself after the party. What a dude! <br /><br />Here are a couple pictures from the festivities!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RCxuIpFLFWlFVPvTuLRsE3xM9B3MgbIrtsEKtDhLMkxSKjlpChHsMyC3WESQ4SpXd3VaNpo7Bhi9DK6HVmdo6AkGsl-78m3W85q-qLVQkAMY5QnGL-r-8hAx6WhAXxII5yWmPgSYKdQs/s1600-h/IMG_9021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RCxuIpFLFWlFVPvTuLRsE3xM9B3MgbIrtsEKtDhLMkxSKjlpChHsMyC3WESQ4SpXd3VaNpo7Bhi9DK6HVmdo6AkGsl-78m3W85q-qLVQkAMY5QnGL-r-8hAx6WhAXxII5yWmPgSYKdQs/s400/IMG_9021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436728728916887922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VRhyphenhyphenbnvuWLkjRftbgo_N0m2uCbzIHMRiy3F29uSDaQ-MZGDyhlheOO5RQXk-vGEf9CA591kU8hLMoT7brTKZ2ehDBWurtxPl764eLKAmo-ti2eTB9itOipUsNMn7K_o5XfUPULMaK6yA/s1600-h/IMG_9022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VRhyphenhyphenbnvuWLkjRftbgo_N0m2uCbzIHMRiy3F29uSDaQ-MZGDyhlheOO5RQXk-vGEf9CA591kU8hLMoT7brTKZ2ehDBWurtxPl764eLKAmo-ti2eTB9itOipUsNMn7K_o5XfUPULMaK6yA/s400/IMG_9022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436728740361649826" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-39231253170624263312010-02-01T22:01:00.004-05:002010-02-01T22:10:29.962-05:00Tell me again why honesty is so great?**********************<br /> I was sitting in church and was feeling a little self conscious. I leaned over to my darling nine year old daughter and whispered, "Does my sweater smell funny?" She dutifully took a whiff, looked up at me and whispered back, "No. But your breath does."<br />*********************** <br /> It was a rare moment indeed. I found myself alone in the bathroom. And miraculously - there was sudden rush to join me. No one was maimed and bleeding profusely, no one had feelings that were hurt by a sister, no one felt obliged to access the facilities that I was inhabiting (even though we have two other equally lovely facilities in our home). Then, as soon as I had realized the solitude one is entitled to at such times, it was broken. Mator entered the room with one hand full of Polly Pockets and the other full of accessories. She sat down on the floor (because after all, where else would Polly want to hang out?). Then the little angel stands right back up, looks at me accusingly and asks, "Do you want some privacy?". Indeed!Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-89810211211916888132010-01-21T16:50:00.004-05:002010-01-21T17:29:29.046-05:00The Glitter Angels!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='498' height='413' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyViULNVn3aQrpTNWq_2UJOs1OgO_xxpW50mv5R9ZUI4FB4CsGOdfTIogZb9H06mjclvzMxBlBbZo-KWOwrA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />This one is for the Glitter Angels! For those of you who don't know (and will certainly be quite surprised) I am moonlighting as a cheerleading coach. Yes, the pickings were slim for coaches, I know! But I have been blessed with six awesome girls who are so much fun! This video is so that they can practice their cheers at home. It is NOT so that anyone can post funny comments about me being a cheerleader! :-)Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-56399147962317809252010-01-11T21:06:00.004-05:002010-01-11T21:33:50.663-05:00Time Keeps on Slippin'...Into the Future<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lobOtdUsQeQpZRMPVGRCGP-T7rGiT_VSyUJHx002KsuD_hzDa_iWUzAVa5JgSz03CcAjPQmPtOhDB2rFxdpg5Np8dY7sjJHWQ-zfNaCEkbGpQAcNhxo7l47v7Aok4m3s7fH2pBDjt_AN/s1600-h/DSCN1565.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lobOtdUsQeQpZRMPVGRCGP-T7rGiT_VSyUJHx002KsuD_hzDa_iWUzAVa5JgSz03CcAjPQmPtOhDB2rFxdpg5Np8dY7sjJHWQ-zfNaCEkbGpQAcNhxo7l47v7Aok4m3s7fH2pBDjt_AN/s400/DSCN1565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425669245051426706" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes it seems that the work around here is never done. Yesterday I was cleaning out our entryway closet where all the shoes congregate. It involves removing three bins of shoes ranging from a child size 9 to a (getting bigger every day) size 4. Next, I sort through them and pull out the shoes that don't fit any more or aren't weather appropriate (crocs are year round though-as far as I'm concerned!). Of those that don't fit, I need to evaluate whether a younger sister will wear them in the future or whether we are done with them. If we are done with them, are they in good enough condition to donate or are they trash? THEN, it's time to sweep out the closet and carefully rearrange the remaining shoes into bins. The picture above shows what the empty, clean closet looks like just after sweeping. <br /><br />It took 45 seconds for me to vacuum this closet and during that time I experienced a sweeping range of emotions. I started out a little irritated and the thought went through my mind that I had to deal with this mess far more often than I'd like. Then the practical side of me realized that I could probably do this once a month so that it would be cleaner /nicer. And a little bit of prideful indignation started up the back of my throat ("Like I have time for one more commitment!") Then suddenly, I saw that empty floor and a third thought crossed my mind: Someday there won't be any shoes in that closet. Perspective in 45 seconds.Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-55306288864165107102009-11-15T16:12:00.004-05:002009-11-15T16:23:50.540-05:00This One's for the Out-Laws<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgn6W-ufHxq_gYIDbCYszvgP1TmA2P8uBshgPjY7iMuGk_1ymLjtRu7n4Y3IZNdmuGswGv5tINkx8F3fneFTr0aGFhQMq7xR67Dbho39n0My6Z8fiUrul7FklHyeJnZdpswTlI7wCupEB/s1600-h/IMG_7958-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgn6W-ufHxq_gYIDbCYszvgP1TmA2P8uBshgPjY7iMuGk_1ymLjtRu7n4Y3IZNdmuGswGv5tINkx8F3fneFTr0aGFhQMq7xR67Dbho39n0My6Z8fiUrul7FklHyeJnZdpswTlI7wCupEB/s400/IMG_7958-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404443151989321186" border="0" /></a>This is my cheap and easy way of letting my in-laws see the pictures from our fall shoot. But for those of you who are interested:<br />Andy's grandma-Mona; parents - Jim and Sue; brother-Todd (and his wife Julie) and their three kids; and us.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BEfiov_YesxwhQJA4hLs4XgpW6hLqSBtYTRg6lkFipBMIQbIGu76zvQg5uKmiCPRcnS2-UrSj3B2epT6VnPa8TyN8ZYmq5Bk6GB_IjnfahT5akns5uEZbBmdO-yZDWtYtTM4RUKotAeD/s1600-h/IMG_7959-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BEfiov_YesxwhQJA4hLs4XgpW6hLqSBtYTRg6lkFipBMIQbIGu76zvQg5uKmiCPRcnS2-UrSj3B2epT6VnPa8TyN8ZYmq5Bk6GB_IjnfahT5akns5uEZbBmdO-yZDWtYtTM4RUKotAeD/s400/IMG_7959-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404443147274588098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG14yXDY_YfdAoceLGpBoTtWVTvtAPViI0UUu2afvnA1gswJpNSYg-AezXVs4N2NS4KPAwIshQURE9FLjbdeDdGNCx31Aq3WIsWa1YqzJ4a6KFRvhDNHNfPyeHWcSC9Coa2JSTxlIUsJg/s1600-h/IMG_7960-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG14yXDY_YfdAoceLGpBoTtWVTvtAPViI0UUu2afvnA1gswJpNSYg-AezXVs4N2NS4KPAwIshQURE9FLjbdeDdGNCx31Aq3WIsWa1YqzJ4a6KFRvhDNHNfPyeHWcSC9Coa2JSTxlIUsJg/s400/IMG_7960-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404443138653548658" border="0" /></a>Todd and his family:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPoZ_O5FxIdFrWaV4FpmSR3a8l7ocSLgpW7UbZqdJ0CARdM7kPJjtNFvoDPoZW4VIYywn8RhoAJGHvICYvq3t1i54yb5cPsMkPUa0_mRY89wIVnvFBia7A1EpbyW5W7YnuY80-D5KsbRF/s1600-h/IMG_7961-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPoZ_O5FxIdFrWaV4FpmSR3a8l7ocSLgpW7UbZqdJ0CARdM7kPJjtNFvoDPoZW4VIYywn8RhoAJGHvICYvq3t1i54yb5cPsMkPUa0_mRY89wIVnvFBia7A1EpbyW5W7YnuY80-D5KsbRF/s400/IMG_7961-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404443132375785170" border="0" /></a>Andy and our family:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzokkUMZuiEQAXQQ_2pQxyw6dByVdKD1i_XBlIUBdYhHASw4G_TtxlMQtQFYCncBVGp0aWxb75LfIgYonTdCG2sMaH8JJK1WpqYNGHgCRHfGUJYiy4AiEVOFORxz2cXrWXB1QN_QH9gPc/s1600-h/IMG_7963-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzokkUMZuiEQAXQQ_2pQxyw6dByVdKD1i_XBlIUBdYhHASw4G_TtxlMQtQFYCncBVGp0aWxb75LfIgYonTdCG2sMaH8JJK1WpqYNGHgCRHfGUJYiy4AiEVOFORxz2cXrWXB1QN_QH9gPc/s400/IMG_7963-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404443124947367986" border="0" /></a>great grandma Mona:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMSyl614cWUaCNl5E_Z8STMBQ58DWOoyZHsf6dFV-fSgBRuGaLKoOFUTsu83ePsYbUbKJmlCJOX7zPq3mQhSfbY9Rd_2EXqn9zTIGrWlpwEG-Ss1Bixtjapp632WOFofOwAwZbyr1EOjV/s1600-h/IMG_7965-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMSyl614cWUaCNl5E_Z8STMBQ58DWOoyZHsf6dFV-fSgBRuGaLKoOFUTsu83ePsYbUbKJmlCJOX7zPq3mQhSfbY9Rd_2EXqn9zTIGrWlpwEG-Ss1Bixtjapp632WOFofOwAwZbyr1EOjV/s400/IMG_7965-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404442258060260914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVjqFsURUr0rEpLG3sj_JBgrcX8jgK_WMCJRdsqPjF5Zu8NGGb455beDS8wcGWnDpIHNLnRFa5-JSt7RcMIFQhH4b5cgTf3GFyl4bG-lvCHQV3Uji1xVcs0IUVwqsp0YiWU5UzsPrFUNx/s1600-h/IMG_7967-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVjqFsURUr0rEpLG3sj_JBgrcX8jgK_WMCJRdsqPjF5Zu8NGGb455beDS8wcGWnDpIHNLnRFa5-JSt7RcMIFQhH4b5cgTf3GFyl4bG-lvCHQV3Uji1xVcs0IUVwqsp0YiWU5UzsPrFUNx/s400/IMG_7967-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404442252048298514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ReNgJ722pqSbXRju3yjqBZam-puU67Hkz9QZZ1Yv0LYQAT1moyeKawyTzArNOe7VYfc3gQffkEBx850uxuJthKi2qfq3sxPF8uK0kjyKWnMX4WBXePAIy7EueR4xvk2aQxVV33trDbI4/s1600-h/IMG_7968-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ReNgJ722pqSbXRju3yjqBZam-puU67Hkz9QZZ1Yv0LYQAT1moyeKawyTzArNOe7VYfc3gQffkEBx850uxuJthKi2qfq3sxPF8uK0kjyKWnMX4WBXePAIy7EueR4xvk2aQxVV33trDbI4/s400/IMG_7968-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404442246627911026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgica5BrU6OSc-B1In7MY_uVfh_WUc702PNNvMRPliUN1LQwM4Bl_EplYnOyRAnYIBPF8Fliw0BDLVgTZKul1Vaa2xRnPsD13D2TVi6QcaRmes2NmVe9kAfbAbb1M8cvkXOj8-7xj9iSUcU/s1600-h/IMG_7970-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgica5BrU6OSc-B1In7MY_uVfh_WUc702PNNvMRPliUN1LQwM4Bl_EplYnOyRAnYIBPF8Fliw0BDLVgTZKul1Vaa2xRnPsD13D2TVi6QcaRmes2NmVe9kAfbAbb1M8cvkXOj8-7xj9iSUcU/s400/IMG_7970-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404442241898847586" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-29091018686495026092009-11-12T14:12:00.004-05:002009-11-12T14:27:55.664-05:00Raiding the Dress up BoxI kind of resent the fact that Halloween is celebrated on the last day of the month. Somehow, that makes my posting in November about it seem late. But the reality is, it was only 12 days ago. And that's not too bad for me!<br /><br />So here they are ready to go trick or treating.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJylWHQTUc3QJSAI4UozeCQqZnFJffEOj-6yMhd_oExWxGKSp2e9CefPBufAMzLzMHO28cKFR-5WUMlFIku0EuTmxJJSPNzEqeRp1dHp-N79wW961Yxaxo1HJBXqNYxk2GVjUZJSwZ7xq/s1600-h/IMG_7973-small+costume.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJylWHQTUc3QJSAI4UozeCQqZnFJffEOj-6yMhd_oExWxGKSp2e9CefPBufAMzLzMHO28cKFR-5WUMlFIku0EuTmxJJSPNzEqeRp1dHp-N79wW961Yxaxo1HJBXqNYxk2GVjUZJSwZ7xq/s400/IMG_7973-small+costume.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403299039952878818" border="0" /></a>There's muffin the clown.... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e3B-HOG3kKDgk9_fSXpUQyHyubzqPeOC2DMWdjGWi6-1m2A4PRRbcPQGAxwzlOVTMyCrdyW0SwHvz9UExNYrenF_hFKaSg-Cip8X_TyaNBw3Idtc5uC1eXQrRYuNAeCDQjTSnXUSNRkp/s1600-h/IMG_7974-small+clown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e3B-HOG3kKDgk9_fSXpUQyHyubzqPeOC2DMWdjGWi6-1m2A4PRRbcPQGAxwzlOVTMyCrdyW0SwHvz9UExNYrenF_hFKaSg-Cip8X_TyaNBw3Idtc5uC1eXQrRYuNAeCDQjTSnXUSNRkp/s400/IMG_7974-small+clown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403298574739219410" border="0" /></a>Mator is Cinderella...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Yatx6Za7bjOqZoh3MORRBXrwXJQU_0VNnnglSzK-VpP42qZYDGq2PtfmH75oHwdLocbRKMZvkF5le14mt2q3bu4Qc-6KnuEe51my_mD0h8oett2ZZgzqYnn4874PT8W8ZclZ9HXtUlx/s1600-h/IMG_7976-small+cinderella.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Yatx6Za7bjOqZoh3MORRBXrwXJQU_0VNnnglSzK-VpP42qZYDGq2PtfmH75oHwdLocbRKMZvkF5le14mt2q3bu4Qc-6KnuEe51my_mD0h8oett2ZZgzqYnn4874PT8W8ZclZ9HXtUlx/s400/IMG_7976-small+cinderella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403298582143773106" border="0" /></a><br />and Doodle is.... any guesses? Give up? A roller skater. Really. I am not making this up. I tried to gently persuade her to possibly add something to her costume in the minutes before we headed out the door. And her response? "I am. I am wearing roller skates." There is a connection to last year's Halloween <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaTXpbigi7p_MGgk59hQ1PMe40Bf4hbyzEHHqzfA0bImHp0l2CMwIu3-v_VeYqPu_rRSjMcEge0Ryhotob4Ut8Uivap1Xo5YXnW8bfc2Mab6ctMO60Tl6j0NvJUYAhAkj8In73lKaHLHk/s1600-h/IMG_7971-small+scarecrow.jpg"></a><a href="http://jandy5.blogspot.com/2008/10/trick-or-treat-on-budget.html">(click here to read that).</a><br /><br /> So what is a mom to do? I was a little afraid of having "that kid" who wouldn't wear a costume but wanted candy. But in her mind, she was totally incognito. Here is how she dressed up for the kindergarten party at her school. They don't celebrate Halloween but they do celebrate with a harvest party. All the kids are allowed to dress up as scarecrows or farmers. Now this is cute...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaTXpbigi7p_MGgk59hQ1PMe40Bf4hbyzEHHqzfA0bImHp0l2CMwIu3-v_VeYqPu_rRSjMcEge0Ryhotob4Ut8Uivap1Xo5YXnW8bfc2Mab6ctMO60Tl6j0NvJUYAhAkj8In73lKaHLHk/s1600-h/IMG_7971-small+scarecrow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaTXpbigi7p_MGgk59hQ1PMe40Bf4hbyzEHHqzfA0bImHp0l2CMwIu3-v_VeYqPu_rRSjMcEge0Ryhotob4Ut8Uivap1Xo5YXnW8bfc2Mab6ctMO60Tl6j0NvJUYAhAkj8In73lKaHLHk/s400/IMG_7971-small+scarecrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403298587303039298" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-69672600914730051512009-10-30T17:30:00.002-04:002009-10-30T17:30:00.950-04:00Can You Feel It?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbC3IvZeT_IfmYLoR5rrtSHbzl3spb41QbSgnlgsphgcA2atjJ-2l_zHkAa5AKR9ilKMuOL82hUWBVQv04H6V89Q8o1bpiLZurpAn36IB2z_fVWAGREPWLWZWT7BZd3qGdPhNCdRK1BRO/s1600-h/l_debbiesiebers06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbC3IvZeT_IfmYLoR5rrtSHbzl3spb41QbSgnlgsphgcA2atjJ-2l_zHkAa5AKR9ilKMuOL82hUWBVQv04H6V89Q8o1bpiLZurpAn36IB2z_fVWAGREPWLWZWT7BZd3qGdPhNCdRK1BRO/s400/l_debbiesiebers06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398045735392587714" border="0" /></a>I've been using a video (<span style="font-style: italic;">yes I said video-we've had this for at least six years and had varying degrees of success-largely dependent on the amount of time we actually do it-doesn't that stink?</span>) exercise series called "<a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/best_sellers/slim_in_6.do">Slim in Six</a>". I usually get the chance to do it before Mator gets up but this last time, she got to "obseve" for a twenty minute workout. She didn't appear to be paying that much attention but suddenly Debbie Siebers commented on the tape "I'm feeling it, you should be feeling it too!" and Mator asked, "Are you feeling it Mommy?" Was I ever!<br /><br />I was really tempted one late night by this "<a href="https://www.tryabcircle.com/flare/next?tag=y9agschyah&sourcekey=Y9AGSCHYAH">Ab Circle Pro</a>" which promises a fit and healthy body in three minutes a day. Well, I've been around the block enough to know that <span style="font-weight: bold;">THAT </span>is a bunch of hooey but what if I did it for <span style="font-weight: bold;">FIVE </span>minutes a day?????Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-13582639513487151622009-10-28T13:56:00.007-04:002009-10-28T16:13:33.257-04:00The End of Me...I've found myself saying it over and over these past couple days...."I am at the end of me." There is no more left of me. It is wasted and gone. I want to give up. Crawl into bed and yell to my three children and husband, "I am finished! Fend for yourself!" This month has been amazing and yet I cannot wait until it is over....<br /><br />**Andy was ordained as a Deacon in our church [PRAISE GOD!] We do not have elders in our church so this is a revamped ministry with increased responsibility.<br />**Andy recently joined the personnel committee at our church [PRAISE GOD] so now he gets to participate in the hiring and evaluation of staff. I truly believe that when he listens to the Holy Spirit he has major giftings in the line of encouragement and challenging people in a loving way. But it is more time too.<br />**Andy took over a new job at his school. He went from teacher / department head to Dean of Students (this is what used to be called an assistant principal). It is an extra two weeks before school and two weeks after school but for the first month this year he had to continue to balance his former teaching job (as a replacement was found and then hired), former dept. head job (same thing) and his new job (more meetings after school, more money, etc.) [PRAISE GOD]<br />**Andy finished up his last month as the Sports Director for our local radio station. He has been there two years and mostly LOVED this job but it is too much to do that and the Dean and do them both well. Football season is particularly crazy since they broadcast three games a week, have a daily sports report, pregame shows, Monday night sports show and the occasional volleyball game too. It has been a lot. This job has been a huge blessing for Andy but it will be over this weekend and will provide more time to so the other things (see above) [PRAISE GOD for providing this job, and the friends he made there]<br />**We all got a stomach virus that erased about a week from my memory. [Um, PRAISE GOD for healing!]<br />**Andy ran in the Columbus Half-Marathon while I managed the donations that came in. Over $8000 and over 100 donors were thanked and still continue to arrive. [PRAISE GOD!]<br />**We went to an Ohio State game Saturday (vs. Minnesota) and then to see one of Andy's students as she tried to defend her state golf championship. It was about 40 degrees out.<br />**Andy got sick again. This time it was the flu. Mator got it too. We're still waiting...[PRAISE GOD for healing and that it wasn't much worse!]<br />**I've had six photography clients this month and two last. That is insane for a part time job. This is the busiest month of the year because everyone wants their family pics taken outside since it is so beautiful. I also took our family picture (Andy's side) [PRAISE GOD]<br />**Our photography business also did the pictures for a local preschool / daycare. Two days of shooting and about 100 order to fill.<br />**I gave a midterm and collected a paper from the students in my online class. In addition to the regular weekly assignments that need to be graded.<br />**We had our county fair and I got to attend a teacher's workshop with the teachers from our children's school.<br />**We attended Cirque du Soleil.<br />**My nephew had a birthday!<br />**I've been homeschooling Muffin in science, reading and social studies.<br />**I lead Doodle's AWANA club at church (it's basically Christian scouts where they can earn badges for memorizing scripture)<br /><br />That's all that I can remember right now. But I am tired. And I am at the end of me. There, I said it again. But then do you know what happens? I hear that still small voice of my Lord, Jehovah-Jireh (God our Provider). The God who provided all the good (see list above) and the not so good (see list above). And I hear Him saying, "Awesome. That's right where I want you to be!" Why would He say that?<br /><br />"And He said to me, "<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.</span></span>" 2 Corinthians 12:9 This is Paul talking here. About the three times that he begged God to take away his afflictions, his pain, his sorrow. And this was God's answer.<br /><br />When there is nothing left of me, all that gets me through is HIM. Now I can see Him more clearly. Now I know that any good that comes from within me is REALLY from God, cause I am empty. It's exhausting, but so worth it. His grace is sufficient for you too. I know it is. Hang in there.Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-65047279714102303692009-10-26T20:55:00.001-04:002009-10-26T20:55:00.268-04:00Pumpkin PatchMoving back through the month of October, one of our annual highlights is a trip to <a href="http://www.pigeonroostfarm.com/index.html">Pigeon Roost farm</a> which is about 25 minutes from our house. It is one of a few traditions we have so I feel quite obligated to keep it up! This is the first year we had to pay for Mator but she probably had the most fun too!<br /><br />First of all, since some of my readers live in the frozen tundra and I'm not really sure how pumpkins grow elsewhere, I thought I'd show you one of the locally grown beauties with Doodle, my five year old:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtyvdNb9wP-tNLYTkcBG-ibll8yfw9sVRs-jB-5ZG3n2gtWWFYKxtxNSrjNfNC5N0IwME54cmU_vPhFOUsQnJ0nPyuWORlamyXqhGIEynC8BdU7Xa5XX-xvlxtVw9cOSqilkmXaesyRVJ/s1600-h/IMG_7676-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtyvdNb9wP-tNLYTkcBG-ibll8yfw9sVRs-jB-5ZG3n2gtWWFYKxtxNSrjNfNC5N0IwME54cmU_vPhFOUsQnJ0nPyuWORlamyXqhGIEynC8BdU7Xa5XX-xvlxtVw9cOSqilkmXaesyRVJ/s400/IMG_7676-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709230970713362" border="0" /></a>Now, I know this doesn't compare to the prizewinner in nearby Circleville which topped out at over <a href="http://www.pumpkinshow.com/">1600 pounds</a> but hey, it's still fun to see! And here is the annual group shot with the heads through the animals (always preceded by "I want the horse!" "I said it first!" a dispute which always lends itself to wonderfully natural smiles):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynvFQJLVPVMTh7jCbEMQwZ7WR1mgdwerozUM9Zh8zAzl1BGX6sOhXNSGsE28_uHyPYn9kmGB640L9CqmCRMxJQKxF5qab8BoVkQDyJqH3wZyopCvQO_QNalytI2Qg0otH5gv-U-CnlKqN/s1600-h/IMG_7753-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynvFQJLVPVMTh7jCbEMQwZ7WR1mgdwerozUM9Zh8zAzl1BGX6sOhXNSGsE28_uHyPYn9kmGB640L9CqmCRMxJQKxF5qab8BoVkQDyJqH3wZyopCvQO_QNalytI2Qg0otH5gv-U-CnlKqN/s400/IMG_7753-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396710289402408498" border="0" /></a>Here is a clever game set up to race rubber ducks down a PVC pipe:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrskSsljfslZcGBZGzYv1nrDlEEn8PnhQFuILteqBC_f0bLQNxRkp1bG1Y6lJ5jW763aS6pfQAZ61_mEv_bvyInFZ7e-_G7MfSfp4v_zA5Ca9W7XOudbNYiztiAYASV7beKfIqMVO4tyQf/s1600-h/IMG_7732-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrskSsljfslZcGBZGzYv1nrDlEEn8PnhQFuILteqBC_f0bLQNxRkp1bG1Y6lJ5jW763aS6pfQAZ61_mEv_bvyInFZ7e-_G7MfSfp4v_zA5Ca9W7XOudbNYiztiAYASV7beKfIqMVO4tyQf/s400/IMG_7732-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396710282289216002" border="0" /></a>See that corn cob next to Doodle? SHHHHHH don't tell her that there are seven million more in the adjacent corn maze. The three that she found are unique treasures and cannot be misplaced! Or replaced, it turns out. Here she plays in the corn box.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQDUubFrrEGSck-F3QnleGH8pvK6BGnAOdwqx2jSHQY_IQvIqvJdjSfhj0ece38bzmZfUf8zGA0GgUrCr21DrhaT9QhTHfLNCIVYS5BlpILDcSU7-annweErh-XnUdHn6ReP5lyGanOuF/s1600-h/IMG_7711-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQDUubFrrEGSck-F3QnleGH8pvK6BGnAOdwqx2jSHQY_IQvIqvJdjSfhj0ece38bzmZfUf8zGA0GgUrCr21DrhaT9QhTHfLNCIVYS5BlpILDcSU7-annweErh-XnUdHn6ReP5lyGanOuF/s400/IMG_7711-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396710272587001730" border="0" /></a>Daddy and Mator as we walked through the corn maze. Isn't that a cute princess sweatshirt around his neck? Real men wear pink (especially when their daughters refuse to wear said sweatshirt!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEVJ2QsaAnTKuAeJ1-tzViVfUlKAmGfeSD3QZKp56fgSKeOFhAwFZGxg12E2SHugDrFzLjnqnBnc2kTV2j40JmXk5E9GANHqSSdbGuIhmCU51lfgEvv00mPOEbA5HXcAu8DgJJ9LAInet/s1600-h/IMG_7708-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEVJ2QsaAnTKuAeJ1-tzViVfUlKAmGfeSD3QZKp56fgSKeOFhAwFZGxg12E2SHugDrFzLjnqnBnc2kTV2j40JmXk5E9GANHqSSdbGuIhmCU51lfgEvv00mPOEbA5HXcAu8DgJJ9LAInet/s400/IMG_7708-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709732001422882" border="0" /></a>Here are all three girls in one of several tube slides. You can only see Doodle's feet but Muffin was a good sport about helping Mator on all the new things.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokeWibdPP7znxaXV53b0nxjLNOXPjY8_yFwSOB2hsf3qUOa9GNaYRKax8u0cA2miavYmJ6uc2JIWLfkrxP68jnFiZnLsy5oQBJj59a0n0_ZlEDGaTz1UeZfmrneouVxz01jbvuBGGAuJI/s1600-h/IMG_7703-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokeWibdPP7znxaXV53b0nxjLNOXPjY8_yFwSOB2hsf3qUOa9GNaYRKax8u0cA2miavYmJ6uc2JIWLfkrxP68jnFiZnLsy5oQBJj59a0n0_ZlEDGaTz1UeZfmrneouVxz01jbvuBGGAuJI/s400/IMG_7703-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709726973841554" border="0" /></a>Here Muffin crawls through a much smaller tunnel.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsrZESqaklHOVjHCF6SdgGqI4mC1Clo3IcWqH2g2nY7pp04gKBrM4y6IgPcDGWIA7fbmmSbwpUSg8xio7QpqJi9b0ivs9qXyF1QcOE3RIkKioBFjPRolDeAO8rywj3QVW9SMJlVm-0w59/s1600-h/IMG_7696-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsrZESqaklHOVjHCF6SdgGqI4mC1Clo3IcWqH2g2nY7pp04gKBrM4y6IgPcDGWIA7fbmmSbwpUSg8xio7QpqJi9b0ivs9qXyF1QcOE3RIkKioBFjPRolDeAO8rywj3QVW9SMJlVm-0w59/s400/IMG_7696-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709724343881650" border="0" /></a>Here she acts as the magic carpet so Doodle and Mator can have a fun ride!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhVcrIHnivy8XelLHS_8771Ilk2XhYpj8IgLSqu_YlnU4UTiZ2Ouka05A0znaeX7EVlLtr8fO2sEQ1x7r4KckrQKQW8mF-OneGsQMcLlT4pmNMfXkndVKqqzgbQp6Qyd9ZzT8dqajeHU7/s1600-h/IMG_7693-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhVcrIHnivy8XelLHS_8771Ilk2XhYpj8IgLSqu_YlnU4UTiZ2Ouka05A0znaeX7EVlLtr8fO2sEQ1x7r4KckrQKQW8mF-OneGsQMcLlT4pmNMfXkndVKqqzgbQp6Qyd9ZzT8dqajeHU7/s400/IMG_7693-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709718802849618" border="0" /></a>A rare shot of me with all three girls:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxDMSIEBtXWH1Ig8BXy1iObm-uwnMKZeoTxOZN3PVrd4kvsDST3-Ypc1H0GWNgfPfnbhdILDqWS4dFCvdZQh3DKDXVGo1yB1llIY56vetib0CxnLcHECx2VR-M6lowTasYq4qNwEYVsVX/s1600-h/IMG_7684-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxDMSIEBtXWH1Ig8BXy1iObm-uwnMKZeoTxOZN3PVrd4kvsDST3-Ypc1H0GWNgfPfnbhdILDqWS4dFCvdZQh3DKDXVGo1yB1llIY56vetib0CxnLcHECx2VR-M6lowTasYq4qNwEYVsVX/s400/IMG_7684-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709241174222098" border="0" /></a>Sometimes, after a long day, it doesn't take much to CRACK me up...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYx1x7_hyphenhyphenZQ8vsD_N20rSDBglbPq1LgvGzgrRVvRgWJDbisot87yrDmiy1I32aZj3AQssjZAzGenabcqb0zC6o0AJnt1UaM0SJZ0wgd91ERzUqz0OCBRNge9-iNu0uMGimFMDwJR4aLdP/s1600-h/IMG_7750-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYx1x7_hyphenhyphenZQ8vsD_N20rSDBglbPq1LgvGzgrRVvRgWJDbisot87yrDmiy1I32aZj3AQssjZAzGenabcqb0zC6o0AJnt1UaM0SJZ0wgd91ERzUqz0OCBRNge9-iNu0uMGimFMDwJR4aLdP/s400/IMG_7750-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396710283994942450" border="0" /></a>Here's a much better side of my three year old cutie...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHqdRLHuzaHRTgibIdEFi-GJ_RGvoYfkNaB209Zq0BEpvETr2y1mZVupmn3f7Ad0sRiYJ1nNfiRSdtQSfnsD5GftYc0w5fRQooK3pEUsf7GIGnCVbtjluh9Tki-ueAHB5I97Ojxwehddq/s1600-h/IMG_7679-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHqdRLHuzaHRTgibIdEFi-GJ_RGvoYfkNaB209Zq0BEpvETr2y1mZVupmn3f7Ad0sRiYJ1nNfiRSdtQSfnsD5GftYc0w5fRQooK3pEUsf7GIGnCVbtjluh9Tki-ueAHB5I97Ojxwehddq/s400/IMG_7679-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709239305026594" border="0" /></a>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-73355141266267926592009-10-23T11:24:00.003-04:002009-10-23T13:51:37.240-04:00Andy's RaceWith all that October has brought, I am way behind on blogging. This post is a necessity so even though it gets out of chronological order (I'll go back and fill in details from before) I wanted to post it now...<br /><br />What a wonderful experience! We left the kids with Andy's parents at lunchtime Saturday before heading up to Columbus. We went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Easton</span> to get some necessities (you know, golf gloves and kitchen canisters!) Next we headed to the convention center to <del> get suckered into buying unnecessary race items</del> pick up Andy's race packet. It was amazing to see the number of people and all the things you could buy to improve your race. We did buy a couple of $3 t-shirts from previous races because they were nice Nike shirts.<br /><br />From here we checked into our hotel, the Columbus Athletic Club. This was great for a lot of reasons. First, it was less than $100 which is $60 less than any other downtown hotel we could find. Second, we ended up in the EXACT same room we were in our wedding night! Of course, there are only ten rooms so the odds were good but anyway...Third, we were one block from the start of the race. Finally, I asked the concierge if there was any way I could get some roof access to take pictures of the race. He said, "Meet me in the lobby at 7:00 when I take up the press." What!! So I got to go up to the roof for the start of the race and had the best view in town!<br /><br />After getting settled, we had dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse and I had my first meal since Tuesday. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yeh</span>. We had a bout of stomach virus that ravaged our household this week. Knocked me out for 48 hours. Everyone else had a slightly lesser version but I am convinced that it was only some fervent prayers that allowed Andy to get the 12 hour version. Otherwise I don't think he could have run the race. The bad part is that the food I ate Saturday night at dinner was more than the previous four days combined. Needless to say, that is not good for the stomach...but SO worth it!. We had a really hard time sleeping. The rooms were comfy (although it was one of things that you think you have the heat adjusted but wake up at 2:00 AM sweating as if you had already run the marathon so you adjust it again and by 5:00 AM little ice crystals of sweat have hardened all over your body). No matter. We were up at 5:30 and took our time getting ready. We headed downstairs at about 6:45 and then it was just a blur.<br /><br />As I mentioned, I got to see the sunrise and the race start from the roof of the Athletic Club. It was an awesome sight to see 15,000 runners and thousands more volunteers packed into a one block area. From Andy's perspective: he mentioned that he overheard someone say that as tight as things were down there at the starting line, that conception could have occurred. When the race started at 7:30, it took over twenty minutes for all the runners to cross the starting line.<br /><br />I took my time coming down and walked down two blocks to mile 9 of the race. I have to say, it was EXHAUSTING just watching for Andy. I knew he was running about a ten minute mile and that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">adrenaline</span> would probably lower that, but I didn't know when he had actually started so there was a thirty minute window where I was entirely focused on trying to pick him out of the runners. Then I saw him! I yelled and waved and almost forgot to take the picture so that by the time I did they were all blurry and horrible. So I sprinted almost two blocks to try to catch him again and it was too crowded so I totally missed that chance to take pictures. I walked up to about the 12.5 mark (in front of the statehouse on High Street) and waited. This time I didn't take any chances. No waving, no screaming, just focused on getting the picture.<br /><br />I knew there was no chance of me beating him to the finish line and furthermore, the other 10,000 spectators would all be there too. So I eventually made my way to our meeting place about a block from the finish line-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chipotle</span>. Andy finally made his way there and it was an emotional ending to a fantastic morning.<br />God is so good-let me count the ways:<br />*Andy finished the race.<br />*His time was 2 hours and 1 minute (a 9:15 mile pace) which was great for him<br />*We had great weather. It was about 39 degrees at the start but it was sunny and apparently perfect for running<br />*The illness that swept through our house allowed Andy to take Friday and just totally rest up which he otherwise would not have done<br />* As of today, over $8000 has been donated to help the family that he was running to benefit! More donations continue to arrive every day.<br />* This was something that Andy and I did as a team which is a great marriage builder. He did all the running and I did all the paperwork. I like that format (I think he does too!)<br />* Andy's parents were a big support too. They watched the kids for us so we could better enjoy the experience and Sue also mailed out all the support letters!<br />* We have been so blessed by all the support. It says so much about the Beavers family that so far we have had over 110 different donors. It just blesses our hearts to see the love that has poured out from so many people.<br /><br />A big thank you to all who wished him well, sent a donation or prayed for him! Here is a highlight film:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxy9__AqXpd0rDOTVQHWM32urJBCnpoova-LdTqHFR3ddzXAC9Eo6YY0ZYAibtOhLJkg1ip5AgXNeh8NQl2xg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-49774370056928822602009-09-22T15:54:00.000-04:002009-09-22T15:54:00.209-04:00Swine flu paranoia getting out of hand...Thanks to my friend Nicole for sending me this picture and letting me know I'm not the only one who overreacts to these things...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCKTLlS6r1X9Uqwi9Il_KG3a6oGOPk9YVYGOSHq4hvl8l3WT6XyNGUwT3H_xxFS32K6wVowRBZw2TRUXOt0v952IpKBX4RKx0apMp0U1R9htMhdwLQVa3oihlEOJP-IcCPf6YvRTIMJWs/s1600-h/swine+flu.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCKTLlS6r1X9Uqwi9Il_KG3a6oGOPk9YVYGOSHq4hvl8l3WT6XyNGUwT3H_xxFS32K6wVowRBZw2TRUXOt0v952IpKBX4RKx0apMp0U1R9htMhdwLQVa3oihlEOJP-IcCPf6YvRTIMJWs/s400/swine+flu.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384011619435562098" border="0" /></a><br />And for giving me a great laugh!! Hope you did too!<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-56304212275470841792009-09-20T17:02:00.004-04:002009-09-20T17:29:34.761-04:00What a Man...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPIdFYl5GlBa6zB6fwiW5n0Ms_wCk-Q7Lu1SlbYU9uyvQ9C4eQ7fealt_QU0GIdzn02UnGOnvGyEuSCWeoeRSyMbs70VwHBGeYWjoxS-yl_JjulwBPCAxFzZUCJaEu1kFeYHn-O8j5D12/s1600-h/IMG_4258-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPIdFYl5GlBa6zB6fwiW5n0Ms_wCk-Q7Lu1SlbYU9uyvQ9C4eQ7fealt_QU0GIdzn02UnGOnvGyEuSCWeoeRSyMbs70VwHBGeYWjoxS-yl_JjulwBPCAxFzZUCJaEu1kFeYHn-O8j5D12/s400/IMG_4258-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383661021324339106" border="0" /></a>I've been waiting a while to tell you about this guy I know. But I couldn't figure out how to talk about him without sounding like I'm boasting. So here's what I realized. Being married to a totally awesome guy really says very little about me - you can just ask my parents who both know that I married up (it does say two things and I'll get to that later). No, you wouldn't have to know me very long to realize that I don't deserve this man who is so patient and humble. A guy who so genuinely desires to work hard and do the right thing that even people who may not agree with his spiritual leanings tend to trust him. He's a guy who is reliable and intelligent and when he sees a problem, he tries to solve it or help the other person solve it. And what does having a husband like this say about me? Well, I think I was faithful in seeking God's will to choose a mate.Second , I know how good I've got it. And even though I could never make it clear enough that I am blessed beyond measure, I still try.<br /><br />So what has Mr. Perfect (for me) done lately? Three cool things.<br />First, he is training for his first half marathon in October. He has run a few 5Ks over the last 3 years but this is a 13 mile journey. I got a few shots early one Saturday morning...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf30H-y1H4CcfFhxVfczYA01pTZnTL0065I39lHm6TjgsaBPUqZnjgXEjDSunzsfN9JnRocdFK9h6PCxkhB8FsyHqIa9raMi3StAIQKYALnV77Zn8ksgJgqQxSQmYLw0WB9DCcThMdvKz/s1600-h/IMG_4245-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf30H-y1H4CcfFhxVfczYA01pTZnTL0065I39lHm6TjgsaBPUqZnjgXEjDSunzsfN9JnRocdFK9h6PCxkhB8FsyHqIa9raMi3StAIQKYALnV77Zn8ksgJgqQxSQmYLw0WB9DCcThMdvKz/s400/IMG_4245-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383660871073909586" border="0" /></a>When he told me he was going to do this, he said he needed a higher purpose and so we talked about and prayed about who he could help. He chose Al & Phyllis Beavers. You can read all about it <a href="http://www.post11memories.blogspot.com/">here at the blog we set up to tell about it</a>. You can also read an article from <a href="http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20090913/SPORTS/909130317/1006#pluckcomments">our local paper here.</a> He has had an amazing response which has also really encouraged him. I am so proud of him for all of this.<br /><br />Also, he recently moved from being a teacher to a "Dean of Students" at his high school. The new position is like an assistant principal and he has been dealing with a lot of behavior issues as well as curriculum and teacher issues. It adds two weeks to his responsibilities at the beginning of the school year as well as the end.<br /><br />Finally, he is about to be ordained as a Deacon in our church. We do not have elders so this would be the equivalent in many churches. The group of men that are being ordained have spent the last 10 months studying together and learning about their awesome responsibility to lead. I think he is ready.<br /><br />So thanks for listening, at least I know that my mother in law will read this! :-)Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653638075218132528.post-65773208072489177552009-09-11T08:37:00.003-04:002009-09-11T08:51:28.666-04:00A ConfessionI am what I would consider to be an incredibly loyal person. I find it intensely distasteful to abandon the ones you love in favor of something new or "improved" (remember I'm the one whose daughter inherited my tendency to not want to hurt my stuffed animals' feelings?). Anyway, lately I've had a wandering eye. I feel like if I confess it here, perhaps I can get a little accountability.<br /><br />It started when I heard my friends talking about how cool it was. But I resisted the urge to consider such things and even thought a little less of them. But then once, when I had a few minutes alone, I found myself being drawn in; and that's how temptation begins. Nothing happened and I felt really guilty and sort of fled the situation. But then there I was with all three kids and I was tired. And I gave in.<br /><br />I went to Giant Eagle. I'm usually a Meijer or Kroger kind of girl. Occasionally even a Carnival foods woman. But this new Giant Eagle has been wooing me (it seems) with its slick ads, double coupons and (irresistible) free child care while you shop. For so long I've ignored its attempt to impress me with that beautiful produce and artfully displayed bakery items. But yesterday I could no longer resist. And frankly, I think I'm in love. <br /><br />Let me be clear. I spent more money there at one time than I've ever spent on simply groceries. I know that is their tactic. I'm on to them. But I loved it anyway. And I only bought necessities and things that I had a coupon for (and only if those were on sale). Plus, unlike Meijer and Kroger, I only came home with food and not other random items (lunchbox, new shirt, ice cube trays, etc.). I used to fantasize about carefully prepared grocery lists and coupon lists that I stuck to and from which I refused to deviate. I dreamt of time to spent pondering the per ounce price of grated parmesan vs. the block. And now those dreams are coming true.<br /><br />My next step is to plan a date night with my wonderful husband. We'll take advantage of the free child care, head over to the little restaurant area of the store and enjoy our (maximum) of two hours. A little bit of heaven. <br /><br />But shhhhhh, don't mention it to Kroger please.Janishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201006754846296124noreply@blogger.com3