tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333622072024-03-07T16:09:32.488-08:00Embracing my CupLord, You have assigned me my portion & my cup, and have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.comBlogger869125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-51650481378138984992022-07-19T07:06:00.006-07:002023-10-23T12:18:12.023-07:00Surrender is the Opposite of Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNIZyq8IZsphtEHpHXymF4WilV03di5Iz_va__Ha5NVVHLAagOe0KffLDEPyCEcTDlA9euhkVo86EOswP1a5O85N04i3W6CLT1NVTG8NEjw7Q52yQ2SihRlINY4uxTZmVJJNrQIVmv31nOGhWhLwhEZgyfUQedmo-em9oF6HLx3hEqDy7eQ/s4032/D6A1B0B9-7B5E-4E2D-BE2B-AA2893D67148.heic" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNIZyq8IZsphtEHpHXymF4WilV03di5Iz_va__Ha5NVVHLAagOe0KffLDEPyCEcTDlA9euhkVo86EOswP1a5O85N04i3W6CLT1NVTG8NEjw7Q52yQ2SihRlINY4uxTZmVJJNrQIVmv31nOGhWhLwhEZgyfUQedmo-em9oF6HLx3hEqDy7eQ/s320/D6A1B0B9-7B5E-4E2D-BE2B-AA2893D67148.heic"/></a></div>
I struggle with the desire to control. Comfort and safety are the longings of my heart. I long for heaven because there it will be safe and comfortable, and I won't have need to be afraid or concerned. God will physically be near and meet all my needs. But, here on earth? How can I be sure? When Josh drives the hour and a half to college, how can I know he will be safe? I can't. I have to trust God. Not trust God to keep Him safe - but trust God that He is near, that He will be with Josh, and He will be with me no matter what happens.
Teens bathe themselves and feed themselves. They don't need much by way of physical needs met. They don't even need me to drive them places. They come and go as they will. Practice at 4:00, they leave at 3:40. I'm not needed. Sounds so easy to the mother of five children under five. But, young mama, prepare your heart. It is easier physically. But it is much harder mentally and emotionally.
But as in all difficult situations, there is so much ground for God to cultivate and grow us. I am learning to take my hands off the wheel and trust God in ways that I haven't had to before. This morning I wrote the title of this post in my prayer journal and then made a list of all the things I needed to lay down this morning... all the things that I needed to surrender to God. It isn't easy, but I am committed to daily surrender. Lord, help me.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-33511853145770536202022-07-08T07:10:00.003-07:002022-07-08T07:12:01.446-07:00Seasons<p> How many times over the years have I begun a post only to stop mid first paragraph and quit. I've been praying about returning to this space regularly. Not what I will but what He wills. We will see if He gives words to my thoughts. My time is short these days, and so the words will have to flow easily...</p><p>I love the seasons. We live in the south, and we have the blessing of enjoying four distinct seasons. I love every single one of them ~ fall and winter are my favorites. But, what would life be without the joy of new birth in the spring ~ the glorious green everywhere. And summer with sticky watermelon juice dripping from sweet little faces, hot sweaty hard at play kiddos, and the sound of water splashing mixed with squeals and laughter. The hotter the summer and the thicker the humidity, the sweeter the coming of fall seems ~ a reprieve from the heat. It rolls in gently on the soft winds of change. Pumpkin patches and Thanksgiving dinner, family gathering together ~ the smell of apples and pumpkin spice... Then, comes winter, Christmas, cinnamon scents, cozy snow days with hot chocolate, and curling up in blankets by the fireplace... </p><p>I love the seasons. As much as I love any particular season, I wouldn't want to stay in it all year long or forever for that matter. Though eternal fall sounds heavenly ~ I would miss corn on the cob and picnics on sweaty kids... And, I am reminding myself of this as I look toward this fall ~ when my oldest will leave my home for college for the first time. Our family will enter a new season of life. I will enter a new season of motherhood. This is hard because I love the other seasons of motherhood so much!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPK2XH2wH-zHwmsOpxF9dtEeBFAaulL9VZoxGAjN9bx2l5Ra3BuF3GmvKa2Sg95VoqrZ777B1cNlFaqHIV8s04tgkNs7938yMbEWFVD842m7BqnGhXVIEN20nT_UhgydLNbHGGyNE4mIBkFedQLa3OzK7k2NdCLEkpZvi65w5pCp8YvyqRg/s3264/D07FC02A-8DE7-45D8-93A9-6AA67ED99F49.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPK2XH2wH-zHwmsOpxF9dtEeBFAaulL9VZoxGAjN9bx2l5Ra3BuF3GmvKa2Sg95VoqrZ777B1cNlFaqHIV8s04tgkNs7938yMbEWFVD842m7BqnGhXVIEN20nT_UhgydLNbHGGyNE4mIBkFedQLa3OzK7k2NdCLEkpZvi65w5pCp8YvyqRg/s320/D07FC02A-8DE7-45D8-93A9-6AA67ED99F49.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I loved the little years! So much of those years is safely recorded here on this blog. The years when all were homeschooled in our sweet home here on 7 acres. Years of nature walks, looking at the horses up the road, baking cookies, swimming, playing on the swings out back, jumping on the trampoline, nap times, and read alouds...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVjBkmu2LMLf0fbKY__GMlGrr2HuNFrmbRixNrZjE1umbK409FEFzPRGasX8yPBB2mRifw5JbzXnIxBDE2i2NB0Hwa9wCSL89lTkIeHfrb6GrcZlt9gh-IgLyHON_YiHTuT56477DSv_O6mS-ExH8RMO1dGKSyY1gQJK7imuxkZiwdeJYNQ/s1242/D673E12D-CF8F-4294-A773-B1B79A0F7154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVjBkmu2LMLf0fbKY__GMlGrr2HuNFrmbRixNrZjE1umbK409FEFzPRGasX8yPBB2mRifw5JbzXnIxBDE2i2NB0Hwa9wCSL89lTkIeHfrb6GrcZlt9gh-IgLyHON_YiHTuT56477DSv_O6mS-ExH8RMO1dGKSyY1gQJK7imuxkZiwdeJYNQ/s320/D673E12D-CF8F-4294-A773-B1B79A0F7154.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh's first day of 7th grade with his good buddy Gage by his side.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Slowly one by one they have left my homeschool in 7th grade and gone to middle school to play basketball. And, now my homeschool has gone from 7 students to 3 students. This season has looked different. I've still been homeschooling the same ~ morning time and read alouds, crafts and science experiments, but it has also looked different.... It is a distracted homeschool. Mom having to run out to see or take part in various activities at the school during our homeschool day ~ pep rally's, homecoming events, etc. all change the flow of our homeschool. And, I will forever miss the sweetness of the days with all at home ~ such sweetness filled our home during those years. But, what wonderful things I have experienced when my boys went to school ~ they thrived! FCA president ~watching Josh learn to lead and speak and love people well, their growth as basketball players ~ lots of 5 county tournament champions, STATE CHAMPIONS, a state champion MVP... Going to games, driving hours, becoming like family with his teammates' families, cheering until my throat hurt, watching Josh and James start together and fight together and ultimately win it all together! This season has been such fun. I wouldn't call it "sweet" like the little years, but it has been "fun." And, I am grateful for it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gyz9TtOTdA6onX6Jh6Hz0yD6VLQm1mdgS85MG8HQoGpJes6PxrOurPrIbxbOBLfSNZgruXJzU6U1qyWWZGW4jwVG9s86IkAqbreH0tf79vZ6HKGJ3cz6ETcHpdbDkFehoBH2nNYznATZikyP4fWtyLCbIne-sHkkMV83spW3fbtY2osGcg/s1440/7DEC9977-A2EA-4FD4-930F-70A97E16DC0A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gyz9TtOTdA6onX6Jh6Hz0yD6VLQm1mdgS85MG8HQoGpJes6PxrOurPrIbxbOBLfSNZgruXJzU6U1qyWWZGW4jwVG9s86IkAqbreH0tf79vZ6HKGJ3cz6ETcHpdbDkFehoBH2nNYznATZikyP4fWtyLCbIne-sHkkMV83spW3fbtY2osGcg/s320/7DEC9977-A2EA-4FD4-930F-70A97E16DC0A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVcgAi-lKav362hkTwVD00qEA82xCTUgdYlPPQFdB5dGbKrVx3sSjQ1l9N1h7C7HWRfgDx0fF045CJ4xdIKxZ2YSdUcWhMOdl0psOhyOBjSiTn6UHpsZlssXz8R8EXZ-9nfeLK4n9WVOKK3KiFETWTELJpqTrHyOOmRwV33E-RTDmf5gu9w/s1568/93510711-23A9-448F-84A9-F7A103E14656.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVcgAi-lKav362hkTwVD00qEA82xCTUgdYlPPQFdB5dGbKrVx3sSjQ1l9N1h7C7HWRfgDx0fF045CJ4xdIKxZ2YSdUcWhMOdl0psOhyOBjSiTn6UHpsZlssXz8R8EXZ-9nfeLK4n9WVOKK3KiFETWTELJpqTrHyOOmRwV33E-RTDmf5gu9w/s320/93510711-23A9-448F-84A9-F7A103E14656.jpeg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O1FX34aMTI95UaWwB_Dv0pRUmffcOQXgqaUrmr4iBZWYDiPfabMIea0lsy_NvIOOmfQw7sY5w1m4_fy-HI3YKcRfztBBzISU_qburmeF13s0bbgk_0APue6VvwUj_0MQxvs5uSrrOB3PBWIaw22Ovwt-vrAA2s9JJRvUm5NDMUYELGzPwQ/s968/FAC74354-7896-4A51-B943-DC719E047E35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="968" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O1FX34aMTI95UaWwB_Dv0pRUmffcOQXgqaUrmr4iBZWYDiPfabMIea0lsy_NvIOOmfQw7sY5w1m4_fy-HI3YKcRfztBBzISU_qburmeF13s0bbgk_0APue6VvwUj_0MQxvs5uSrrOB3PBWIaw22Ovwt-vrAA2s9JJRvUm5NDMUYELGzPwQ/s320/FAC74354-7896-4A51-B943-DC719E047E35.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xk3LmLw9Yu78hoYoTeg1NbXhaO3asKwDi8DdP1m4vlMnhLc0x19fNPBJlaMeDr3FJ0lU78cM-K2nmVtNYxfL9Nh265SUhweMjOsWoXQXHOstvL1PYPAoUUWelvhowyDvGXsWLqcYmsnzCXnflwDENwqF12HVDEbFRAU_PHXfDuwR7rMPXA/s480/CC79F10D-E12A-4C55-8C8E-CC7D0A3BD39D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xk3LmLw9Yu78hoYoTeg1NbXhaO3asKwDi8DdP1m4vlMnhLc0x19fNPBJlaMeDr3FJ0lU78cM-K2nmVtNYxfL9Nh265SUhweMjOsWoXQXHOstvL1PYPAoUUWelvhowyDvGXsWLqcYmsnzCXnflwDENwqF12HVDEbFRAU_PHXfDuwR7rMPXA/s320/CC79F10D-E12A-4C55-8C8E-CC7D0A3BD39D.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Now, I stare a new season in the face. What will it hold? This fall we will have: two sons and a daughter playing travel basketball, one son playing middle school basketball, two sons playing high school basketball, and one son playing college basketball. How will we see all of their games? We won't. A new season has emerged and Josh will play in various states, and when he looks into the stands, he won't see his two biggest fans. We will do our best to see as many games as we can, but we won't be able to do it all. And, he will not live in my home. I won't see his face every morning, or hear him singing praise songs through the walls as he showers. How many times have I leaned my ear to the door to hear his sweet voice sing in the shower and thank God for his heart. I don't want this season with everyone living at home to end. Just like I didn't want the season of all 7 in my home being homeschooled together to end....<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87k1O0oP2OwVn0k_e8fj7F4w4SEsfy7kO2NbGRKiRM3hE4CM6CKSq4L8dR2mLye1GY5MpfXrlAOcrpF4RuD1ue7DChrfVyvjB0Aw4p4VtFFh2QqWz9GS9i7UTOXmKUx6iL69qM7G1SRFV5tYlsanYDEpnoCw4vA_Eg3FSqNhOWhIthojC_w/s1440/FE0C75E2-38D4-4B99-85C6-58A5A1CBD298.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1440" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87k1O0oP2OwVn0k_e8fj7F4w4SEsfy7kO2NbGRKiRM3hE4CM6CKSq4L8dR2mLye1GY5MpfXrlAOcrpF4RuD1ue7DChrfVyvjB0Aw4p4VtFFh2QqWz9GS9i7UTOXmKUx6iL69qM7G1SRFV5tYlsanYDEpnoCw4vA_Eg3FSqNhOWhIthojC_w/s320/FE0C75E2-38D4-4B99-85C6-58A5A1CBD298.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>But, life goes on, the winds of change blow again and move us forward, onward to what God has next. The story must continue. We can't stay in the same chapter forever no matter how sweet or fun it is. Josh is ready to try life on his own, to spread his wings. I know he will do well. He has what it takes. And, I will watch as this new season unfolds... God will be with him, and He will be with me as He always has been. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJztjemaSNTdi_MzE2EhxmqLYfQuLyp9Z07wP4TvkrfkpZZZOLiRsCAsQORUC9JWbt-btoLST4X4N1N4zpadsjn2IYszQjjUDXoeltNUcMWGk_Joh5JJ1RY9Tku_A23p2j7xDwNt7KhDJRA22JaJazUstjLcZ-iVLWa21w2TNxk8oFSi2g/s4032/7249ED49-D32E-4144-83B6-8DFB08CE721D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJztjemaSNTdi_MzE2EhxmqLYfQuLyp9Z07wP4TvkrfkpZZZOLiRsCAsQORUC9JWbt-btoLST4X4N1N4zpadsjn2IYszQjjUDXoeltNUcMWGk_Joh5JJ1RY9Tku_A23p2j7xDwNt7KhDJRA22JaJazUstjLcZ-iVLWa21w2TNxk8oFSi2g/s320/7249ED49-D32E-4144-83B6-8DFB08CE721D.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p>Last night I did something I haven't done in years. I walked outside and stood at the end of our azalea bushes just past the breezeway but not quite to the front porch. When the kids were little and the noise and chaos overwhelmed me, I would step outside to this exact spot and stare at the sky, the sunset, the stars, the moon, and I would pray for the strength to go back inside and love them well. I would take a minute to see God and feel him with me right there by the azaleas. So, last night I walked to that same spot, and I stared at the sunset, and I thanked God for being with me all through the little years and the middle years. And, I thanked Him that I can know with certainty that He will be with me during these later years of adult children emerging from my home. He holds my heart. Like Mary I ponder so many memories deep in my heart. My heart is full, my cup overflows. He has been with me and always will be and that is my comfort as the seasons change. Lots of things will be different, but, He and I, we will walk it out together just like we always have.</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-81147069996461276432017-05-22T13:18:00.002-07:002017-05-22T13:20:04.536-07:00You Have to Start Somewhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I allow myself to stop long enough to think about it, it makes me so sad ~ the thought that I haven't blogged faithfully in sooooo long!! In a strange way, I feel like several years of my life have been stolen from me. :-( Life has come at me so fast and so hard for so long now. When I think back over the last few years, the memories are sketchy at best. I so wish I had just taken even 15 minutes once a week to record a bit of my heart. Just enough to remind me of how it felt in the midst of the chaos. But, I didn't do that. Bummer.<br />
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In so many ways I feel like I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. My baby is three! My oldest went to middle school this year! Everyone is out of diapers! Everyone sleeps through the night! When we go to baseball games, we don't need to take a stroller! I don't have to nurse or spoon feed anyone! There are still many needs and demands but not nearly as many as there has been in the past. So, slowly, I am trying to add a few things I enjoy back into my life here and there, and this has been such a blessing! But, I keep putting blogging off because I know I can never ever catch up. I don't have time. So, all I can do is start today. So, that is what I am doing! I'm starting today.<br />
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This is a random mix of what is going on in our neck of the woods...<br />
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I am attempting to organize my entire house. Insert exhaustion. But, I am actually getting somewhere!!<br />
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We added on a dock this spring...<br />
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My baby is growing up, and the days of him falling asleep on me are coming to an end. So, I'm soaking it up!<br />
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We had a small injury last week. Our old pool pump motor fell off of something and onto Elijah's toe!! Ouch!<br />
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That is it for today! But, I do believe I will be back soon!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-32333703069261822852016-10-13T14:55:00.002-07:002016-10-13T14:59:05.002-07:00Nature Study...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love nature study! But, to be totally honest, I haven't always been very faithful about taking the time to simply make it happen! I have all the books, and we keep a nature shelf! (I think I got the nature shelf idea from Soule Mama??) </div>
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But, in the past I have made all the plans... only to be disappointed when I didn't follow through with them! Kids love nature, and being outside discovering things together is so fun!! And, to make it even more enticing, Erik had an oval shaped trail cut through the woods directly to the right of our house this summer. It is perfect for nature walks! </div>
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So, this year I was determined that we would find a way to be faithful! I set the bar super low! I find that setting the bar low helps to motivate me. I am easily overwhelmed and give up when expectations are set too high. So, here is what we are doing...</div>
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We take one nature walk a month! One focused walk. The kids look forward to it. We collect leaves and flowers. We chase butterflies and whatever else they find that interests them. We notice the changes in the trees/insects/wildlife from month to month. We eat a picnic lunch. When we get back home, we pull out our journals and write about what we noticed, and we draw something we collected. (Everyone except James Christofer that is... His nature journal is a video put to music of pictures and videos he took of the rest of us while we were on our nature walk. I'm always so excited to see the videos he puts together! Sweet memories in the making!) We, also, use the things we have collected to decorate the house! :-) And, some months we even do a nature inspired craft of sorts! It all just makes me so happy! </div>
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The best part is that we have been faithful three months in a row! Easy peasy! This I can do!</div>
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Love it!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-67487675853766389182016-10-11T12:13:00.000-07:002016-10-11T12:13:51.625-07:00The Beach and Adding a Bit of Margin...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It feels sooooo good to prioritize blogging, memory keeping, taking time to write and reflect. I love to reflect, think, analyze... It is who I am, how I was made. And, for years I have not made it a priority, and my soul has yearned for it! So, I am making a space of time in my day, at least once a week, for it! Surely, cross my fingers, surely, I can make this happen! If for no other reason than for my own sanity, I need it!</div>
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We took Columbus Day weekend and went to Santa Rosa Beach! It was beautiful and fun and wonderful!</div>
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Sweet Emery...</div>
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Crazy Josh....<br />
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Jack and Emery playing a friendly little football game :-)<br />
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The condo we stayed in had kayaks with it! We are now spoiled and will have to rent them every time we go! The boys (Erik included) loved them.</div>
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Josh and James spent hours out there paddling away... They went a bit farther out than my comfort zone would have liked, but they were adventurous together, and I love that!<br />
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This is my resident marine biologist. He really ought to live close to the ocean one day. His heart is found somewhere deep in those deep blue waters. He loves to fish and study all kinds of marine animals. This is his happy place...<br />
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We had so much fun! New adventures...<br />
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I tried to take a selfie with Emery and Zeke, but I had to settle for one with each of them separately. Somehow I couldn't get both of them in the same picture!<br />
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Every year all the boys have to play their annual beach football game! Erik is the quarterback for both teams. :-)<br />
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Hours at the beach makes even this energizer bunny... Zzzzzzzzzzz....<br />
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Menchie's yogurt for dinner?!?!?!</div>
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The condo we stayed in was perfect! We loved just hanging out there!<br />
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I took this picture from Erik and I's room at sunset one night...</div>
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We always load all our things and the kids in the van, and then Erik and I come in and run through one last quick time to make sure we haven't forgotten anything. It is always quiet, and I always take one last long gaze out at the ocean. I always fight tears. I don't think it is so much that I love the ocean, but more that I love the time away from "real life" with the ones that I love the most. I treasure these little beach vacations. They have my heart. Until next time...<br />
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Usually we hit the ground running when we return home. But, I was determined we would not do that this time! I actually scheduled it so that the kids had only a few subjects to do today (our first full day home). I am learning that I tend to push myself too hard, and a little margin goes a long way when it comes to avoiding burn out. So, instead of a crazy first day home, we have had a relaxing, sweet day. I even made time to blog! What??? Yes, and I am so happy I did! And, I believe that by Friday I will be even more grateful for the slow ease back into "real life." :-)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-84554694590566044752016-10-01T14:42:00.002-07:002016-10-01T14:42:36.516-07:00Embracing the Change...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a while since I've visited this place, and I miss it! I always say that I hope to be back here regularly again, but life steps in, and it all falls apart. But, I hope this time it will be different. Yes, I am believing it will! I am beginning to see a little glimmer of a light at the end of the tunnel. Zeke is just about potty trained! Yikes! My baby will be 3 in just a few months. </div>
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I've said it hundreds of times, but the winds of change are blowing through our home. And, I guess they always are if I think about it. Life is never stagnant. It's always changing, stretching, growing, moving forward... And, so this fall has brought some big changes for our family. Number one, my sweet Joshua has started going to public school. Here he is on his first day walking in with a sweet friend... </div>
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It's been a bit of a roller coaster, but all in all, his transition has been painless ~ easy, even. In this small town, we know pretty much every teacher he has. Erik is so involved with the school athletics that he is very acquainted with coaches, teachers, and administrators. In a funny way, it has felt like a safe little nest to send him off to. I cannot complain. Everyone has bent over backwards to help him. When we walked into orientation, we were met with squeals of excitement from several teacher friends. Everyone has been so welcoming, so excited to have him! He is playing football and looking forward to basketball which begins in a few weeks!<br />
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As for the rest of us...<br />
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We are happily homeschooling. James misses Josh, and I am with him on that. He doesn't have his buddy during the day, and that is hard. But, we are slowing growing accustomed to this new normal. And, we are trying to make the best of it. When Josh gets home and begins his homework, James takes a seat next to him and busies himself with some sort of quiet work just to be near him. It's the sweetest...<br />
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We've joined a new co-op, and we could not love it more!!! I love it academically, and I love it for the sweet friends we have gained! LOVE! We are so happy! Here is my crew on their first day!</div>
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It has been a funny thing ~ beginning something new without Josh. We go on field trips. We go to classes. We sing our memory work. And, he does his own thing, studies for his own tests, does his own homework... This is a first. We've always been one unit, doing everything together. We've always studied history together, read aloud books together, gone on field trips together. And, now we are studying Middle Ages, and Josh is studying early colonial America.... We are going on field trips and discussing them at the dinner table, and he sits, eats, and listens, and my heart yearns a bit for the good old days. But, if there is one thing I've learned as a mom, it is that times marches on and that the very best thing to do is embrace the change and grow with it. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is the right decision for our family at this time. So, much prayer, literally years of prayer, went into this shift from homeschool to public school. Erik and I have had the greatest peace about this decision, and that helps on the days when we miss our sweet big boy. He has the sweetest friends from the sweetest families, and that makes my heart so happy!!</div>
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In other news... Fall is by far my favorite time of year. My heart is always so full during fall, so thankful. I love the colors. I love the chill in the air. I love the cool breezes. I love the smells of cinnamon and apples and pumpkin spice. I love a warm drink and a sweater. And, I love sunset football games between brothers. They are my fave...</div>
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Our little world spins on and on... Time flying by so fast that I am left stunned and speechless at times. When I started this blog, I had only Josh and James. Now look at our crew! Some days I feel fresh and happy and young like that mama I once was ~ the one who never had to think of lesson plans or dropping off or picking up kids at various activities. That mama who just took her little ones on walks and drew with sidewalk chalk for hours on end.... And, then, at other times I feel war torn and tired. I've lived a lot of life since the sweet simple days of only small children. It is an interesting place to be ~ to be the mother of big kids with football and basketball games, as well as, the mom of little ones who still want to sit in your lap and listen to you read Brown Bear, Brown Bear over and over again. And, so I try to find the balance, to be both these moms to both these types of children... Sometimes I find myself frustrated with the older boys' busy schedules or frustrated with the littles for not being "easy" for ME (note my selfishness) at their brothers' ball games. But, really, they are all precious, and I pray God will make me enough to be the mother they all need, all 7 of them.<br />
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I hope to be back again very soon! :-)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-42691873716011866022016-05-30T07:15:00.000-07:002016-05-30T07:15:40.694-07:00The Beach 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When our plans to go to the beach were in the early stages, Erik was hoping to find a place on Rosemary Beach or Destin. But, for some silly reason, my heart is here at Fort Morgan. I know it isn't as pretty. But, it also is not as touristy nor as crowded. And, when it came down to being 2 blocks from the beach or being directly on the beach for the same price, we again went with Fort Morgan. And, for 5 days we listened to old Jack Johnson (Curious George soundtrack) and took it slow...</div>
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Daddy did the big grocery trip once we got to Gulf Shores, and he bought some fun things!! :-)<br />
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I think one of my favorite things about the beach is how it wears out my kids!! So much fun!<br />
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I love that when we go (spring and fall) we almost have the beach to ourselves. It makes watching the kids so much less stressful!<br />
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Next year we will have to buy a tent because someone did not like the sun on her! :-)<br />
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Mother's Day 2016...<br />
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My favorite thing to do at the beach...<br />
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Steamers in Gulf Shores at the recommendation of some sweet friends! The perfect spot for a big family like ours!<br />
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Matt's Homemade Alabama Ice Cream was awesome! We will be back for sure!<br />
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Fort Morgan, thank you once again for a peaceful, wonderful family vacation! This makes our fourth trip to this beach, and it is beginning to feel like a second home to me!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-71074386725828293452016-01-21T19:08:00.000-08:002016-01-21T19:08:20.105-08:00The Pouring Out...Wow. It's quiet. I'm sipping hot chocolate and writing. What??<br />
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It's a rare treasure indeed. I couldn't decide how to spend my quiet 30 minutes or so... I could grade papers, get ready for tomorrow, or write...<br />
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I chose to write even though it is painful for me right now. It is painful and slow. I feel uninspired. I don't talk about it much ~ how hard it is. But, everyday is a challenge these days. This stage of life calls for me to be many things for a good many people. I work from sun up to sun down and give until I am literally, completely, and wholly spent. I crawl into bed so exhausted. Each day I give every ounce of everything He gives me. Never in my life have I felt this kind of tired. It is new to me. The laundry must be done, the counters wiped, the dinner for 9 made, the papers graded, the naked bottomed baby chased, the white boards readied for another day.... The list goes on and on.<br />
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I don't meant to complain. But, it has been on my mind a lot lately. Lord, how long can I continue at this pace with almost never a moment to myself? Being the introvert that I am, this is such a stretch!<br />
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And, as I ask this question, I feel His answer pressing in on my soul. He tells me that He is doing something, working some beautiful things in me, working some ugly things out of me... He assures me that He sees me on those days when I feel like no sees me. On the days when I feel like a body being drug from one fire to the next, doing my best to put each one out ~ little hands grabbing my sweater pulling me to the fridge for more milk, older boys asking for a grilled cheese or homemade cookies or a fried egg on toast, math questions, a stopped up toilet again... I'm stumbling through so bewildered and overwhelmed, trying to just. do. the. next. thing. On those days, He is near, and He assures me that His hands are on me, molding me, stretching me, holding me closely. He is not far removed. He is not distant. He is with me here in my chaos. And, that is beautiful. And, it makes everything worth it. <br />
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And, as hard as it is. I feel Him like never before. As we puttered through our school day today listening to praise and worship on You tube in the schoolroom, Oceans came on. I couldn't breathe, I cried so hard. I just worshipped right there with Zekey holding my legs and the boys working all around the table. I just cried and couldn't stop. I looked around the table. Do they get it? I know we have been faithful to tell them all about our great God. They could beat most adults at Bible Trivia. But, do they get it? Because when you are being stretched and pulled and tugged and worn ragged by the world, Bible trivia won't help you. But, the Holy Spirit of the Living God inside you breathing life, infusing hope, raining grace, and pouring out mercy ~ that will be all they need. Oh, how I pray that they get that!<br />
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I'd like to be perfect like... yesterday! But, I'm not. Try as I may, I cannot go long without derailing. He knows. He keeps assuring me that He is working, and I feel it, so I keep on. And, if you want to know the truth, that exhausted feeling that I feel at the end of the day....<br />
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I LOVE it. Is there a better way to live than to give all I have? I crawl into bed, pull up my covers up under my chin, and lay there just praying. My bed has never felt so wonderful as it has the last few years when more has been asked of me than ever before. I'm thankful. One day when life is quieter, less busy, I will miss going to bed completely spent. I'll miss the way it felt to pour myself out ~ empty. Only to lay down and let Him refill me for the next day.<br />
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Thank You, Jesus.<br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-76946802590386485952015-10-02T19:43:00.000-07:002015-10-02T19:45:44.751-07:00These are the days!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My boys and our sweet neighbor friends singing the pre game national anthem before beginning to play football in the front yard. Such fun! Fall makes my heart happy.</div>
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I can't explain it. I just love this time of year. Everything about it makes me happy! The smells, the colors, the cool weather... Happy.</div>
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These two are night and day different, but they get along so well. I love them so much.</div>
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Watching college football...<br />
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We were too into the game to stop and take Jackaroo to bed!<br />
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School outside... It happens during fall because mama can't stand to miss out on the nice weather!<br />
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This little dog,"Sniffer," continues to hang around. Now he has started sleeping on our doorstep. How sweet! If Erik would let me, I'd adopt you, little one!<br />
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One evening this week all the kids played on the swing set. Every now and then it hits me that one day this wooden structure will stand empty and quiet, no children crawling over every inch of it. I'm so thankful that this is not true today. Our swing set is 10 years old and going strong! It gets so much playtime. It is beginning to look a bit worn. I love it. My big boys still play like kids. I don't know what I'll do when they quit!?!?! I will miss these days!<br />
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Climbing trees...<br />
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I love fall so much, but I'm really trying to take in all the GREEN! I know that in less than two months the leaves will all be gone. The green is so lush and pretty, but it is slowly turning right before our eyes! One season bleeding into the next. Might as well sit back and enjoy the change!<br />
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Photo bomb!<br />
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She has my heart. There aren't words.<br />
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Leaves scattered on the pond means fall is on its way. Our home, our little neck of the woods, it means so much to me. The tall trees, the pond, the land for boys to run and play. I am always grateful for our little piece of land, but during the fall months it overwhelms me.<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-10404922908680219032015-10-02T19:01:00.002-07:002015-10-02T19:01:35.307-07:00Playing in the Evening Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is just simply my favorite. That is all there is to say.</div>
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-56299518073768935252015-10-02T18:59:00.002-07:002015-10-02T18:59:48.179-07:00Butterflies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We watched caterpillars turn into butterflies again this fall. The kids always enjoy this so much!!</div>
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I actually was able to get video footage of one of the butterflies emerging. I was putting a band aid on a child and just happened to notice it happening. Loved it!</div>
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We had sweet friends over the night of the butterfly release party, so they got to be a part of it! That is always fun!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-74168636555513731602015-10-02T18:55:00.000-07:002015-10-02T18:55:19.644-07:00Zekey!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
People always ask me what Zeke does while we do school. He is my only child not doing some sort of school this year. He is just there with us. When I do crafts with Jack and Emery, I give him something so he feels like he is a part of what we are doing ~ even if he really doesn't have the fine motor skills to do the craft yet. We have fun with Zekey!</div>
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He really is just there. Sometimes he totally interrupts, and it is difficult. But, most of the time, he just plays at our feet or at the table with us. We love having Zekey in our day!</div>
<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-60548162070453544852015-09-11T21:19:00.000-07:002015-09-11T21:19:02.470-07:00A Post Full of Happy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life lately has been so gentle and sweet. I feel like we are moving at a good pace for our family. I can keep up. I am able to think of and follow through with some fun things for the kids and myself. And, fall is around the corner! So, much to be thankful for!! This post is a hodge podge of the last few months. So, many sweet moments!</div>
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This is Sniffer. We didn't choose him. He chose us. He won't leave, so I guess he is kind of ours??</div>
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This little guy is growing up so fast!! Such a happy little fella!<br />
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Hearts are my thing. I've drawn hearts by my name since high school. I've always loved hearts in decorating, jewelry, etc. A sweet young mama from our church that I love surprised me with this in my mailbox this week. I love it soooo much!!! My new favorite!<br />
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Don't you love finding photos like the one above on your phone? It makes me so happy!</div>
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Erik killed a snake the other day! EEEEKKKK! Note the head is in the shovel.</div>
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I could not possibly love her more. It is not possible.<br />
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Some of the best friends a family could ask for....</div>
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You can't really see it, but my kids were playing at the neighbors house on the hill in the distance. I was overwhelmed at the blessing of it all and had to take a picture. Children running and playing wild and free and beauty everywhere. Grateful.<br />
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A yard full of happy makes my heart overflow...<br />
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James's newest hobby. It makes him so happy. Finish school. Go fishing. It's really that simple.<br />
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Educational movie time!<br />
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My little Michaelangelos!! I love teaching art and then setting them free to create!<br />
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My baby isn't looking so much like a baby anymore! Yikes!!<br />
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The younger three really have a blast together on school days. Zeke can hang with them pretty well, and they love him!<br />
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I was making dinner, and my older boys surprised me by bathing my younger three! They are so helpful and so fun! The littles love their big brothers!!</div>
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Nutella!!!!<br />
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A sweet friend teaching me to can grape jelly!<br />
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A surprise Labor Day midday rain shower! It came out of nowhere, rained hard for about 20 minutes, and the sun never quit shining!<br />
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These two melt me over and over... I wouldn't have planned to have children 11 months apart, but it has been such a joy!<br />
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Stealing a kiss!<br />
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He loves Pop best of all!!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-86955517449924680692015-09-11T20:42:00.000-07:002015-09-11T20:42:21.909-07:00Slight Overreaction...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a little dramatic. Well, maybe it is more that I just like to be prepared, overly, prepared. So, a few years ago I noticed this spot on the bottom of my foot while bathing. I thought it odd ~ like a stain that I couldn't wash away. I never thought of it as a mole. I watched it, noticing it here and there over the past few years. And, then one day a few weeks ago, I showed it to Erik who looked at it and said it was a mole and had asymmetry. He wanted our dermatologist to look at it. That was a week before my appointment. And, in the space of that week, I planned my funeral and what my family's life would look like without me. Seriously. I was convinced that I would be diagnosed with melanoma, and I was so upset with myself for knowing about this silly spot for literally years and not doing anything about it!!!<br />
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Erik, so sweetly, went with me to my appointment because he knew how nervous I was. And, as we sat in the waiting room, one of my best friends came to sit with me, too! Such a sweet surprise to see her sweet face peek in the waiting room door!!<br />
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Long story short. All was fine.<br />
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We went out to eat, and then went home and played outside with our children. It hit me as I walked Emery, Jack, and Zeke down to the swing set. A slight breeze, beautiful evening light, and I took a long deep breath. I felt my lungs fill and release, and my eyes filled with tears of relief. I had so prepared myself for the worst that I hadn't really considered that it might be nothing and I might get to go on as normal. So, in that moment it hit me that I still might get to see my children graduate and marry. I still might get to grow old with my love. And, I was overwhelmed. The trees looked more green, the air more crisp and clean, the sky was orange and red and beautiful. I felt alive, and it felt so good. I was literally filled with gratitude for every little thing.<br />
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I want to live like that every moment of every day...<br />
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Aware of the blessing that is being here with the ones I love.<br />
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I want to laugh more. Relax more. Worry less. Trust more. Get frazzled and frustrated less. Love more. Love deeply. Life is rich and beautiful and, oh, so blessed. I'm so thankful. I cannot even speak it.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-63471910351933062822015-09-04T21:21:00.001-07:002015-09-04T21:21:51.247-07:00Preschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year I have a three year old and a four year old. I debated sending them to a half day preschool, so that I could really focus on the older kids. But, I was torn because I LOVE PRESCHOOL!!! I love the kindergarten/preschool age to teach! I love the fun and the crafts and the food and everything! So, in the end, I ordered a curriculum based on literature and off we went! I am so thankful that I did it! We have had a blast so far this year! They love it. I love it. Win-win!! And, believe it or not, it is working out easily to teach them as well as everyone else! So far this is one of my favorite homeschool years ever! Here are a few shots I've taken over the last month...</div>
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We made applesauce for the letter "A" week. I used Pioneer Woman's recipe, and it was divine!!!! So, good! We made a ton and ate it all up!!</div>
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I'm really going to make an attempt to record more of what we are doing here! This is my scrapbook! I've got to use it!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-50543296196356072242015-05-01T14:25:00.000-07:002015-05-01T14:25:11.769-07:00The Spirit Within...Little by little, step by step, I feel the fog lifting. Coming off of three children in a row... One in 2011, another in 2012, and a third in 2013. I feel like I have been underwater for years, and I am finally getting a little air!!! The air has come in two very distinct ways....<br />
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Several months ago Zeke began sleeping through the night! GLORY!!!! So, now my phone sings a wake up song soft and slow at 4:45 every morning. And, I sip coffee and read and pray from 5:00 to 6:00 every single morning ~ even on weekends. It. Is. Glorious!!!! Some mornings I just sit there and in between sips of coffee I say, "Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for this. How I've missed this! Thank You, Jesus!!"<br />
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The other way is that I use recess to run on the treadmill. The big boys watch the little ones, and I get in a short little one mile jog all the while listening to Ann Voskamp, Jennie Allen, Jen Hatmaker, Emily Freeman, or the like on you tube. It is divine! I'm so thankful!<br />
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During my run earlier this week, Emily Freeman said something in an interview that I have been thinking about ever since. You know how sometimes you hear something over and over your whole life, and then all of the sudden one day it makes sense to you!?! Well, this was one of those times! She was talking about her book Grace for the Good Girl which is an absolute favorite of mine. Anyway, she said, and this is a total paraphrase... "I always tried really hard to be patient and peaceful and faithful and good, but then I realized... I already am all those things. If His Spirit lives inside of me, all that fruit is already there. I am all those things. I don't have to try hard to be them."<br />
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One thing you must understand... I had 7 kids in a little over 10 years. My youngest is 1 and a half and my oldest is 12. Not losing my temper, not losing my patience, not freaking out, not panicking, not becoming completely overwhelmed is a moment by moment thing here. This is my frontier. I may have thought for many years that I was a good girl, a sweet girl, but I am now constantly aware of my sin, every second of every day. I wake up fresh and try so hard to be kind and good, gentle and patient. I try with all my might, and I fail. I need grace like crazy!!! And, this statement by Emily got to me. I kept hearing it over and over in my head all day....<br />
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He lives in me. The fruits, they reside within me. I've had it all wrong. I thought my active role was to try to be patient, generous, good, to muster it up from somewhere deep within. But, really my active role is to not to try to do good, but rather to not quench the Spirit! If I let go and let Him be Him, He will pour these things out of me. Semantics? Maybe. But, to me this way of thinking focuses on not striving but rather relaxing in the fact that I am loved as I am. And, then letting go.... When I feel flesh rise up, see it as attempting to quench that which lives in me and wants to come out rather than gritting my teeth and trying hard to pull myself up by my bootstraps.<br />
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And, ya'll, it is there. The love is there. Let it loose! The patience is there! It really is. Sometimes it just takes believing it and living out of that belief. Rather than telling yourself you are hopelessly selfish... Realize that you are hopefully selfless, so act like it! Do something selfless, loving, and feel it well up inside of you. Like when Corrie TenBoom shook the Nazi soldier's hand. She didn't feel the forgiveness when she reached for his hand, but when her hand met his, she was overwhelmed by it!! The Spirit poured out of her and onto that man. She didn't will herself to forgive, she just held out her hand and God's Spirit poured it out. <br />
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Thank You, Jesus, that we don't have to muster up the love and patience from within our broken selves. It is a ridiculous statement. It would never be. Thank You that You sent Your Spirit to live through these broken vessels. What a beautiful grace ~ broken vessels made beautiful by the overflow of Your Holy Spirit!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-71789455279080706652015-04-17T14:27:00.001-07:002015-04-17T14:27:26.586-07:00Happy Anniversary, My Love!<br />
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Sixteen years ago today, I was excited to marry this handsome basketball player of a gentleman who I believed would take care of me, whose character I trusted. But, what I didn't know was how he would daily live as Christ, selfless and sacrificial.... how I would look across the table from him on our one year anniversary and with tears in my eyes, tell him that I had learned more of Christ's love in one year of being married to him than I had in all the years before. And, now years later, grey hairs slowly emerging, laugh lines deepening, seven little loves surrounding us, my heart says it with even more depth and passion... Thank you for pointing me to my Savior each and every day for the last 16 years. I am not the same because of your love and example. I thank my God for you. <br />
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It's not about us.<br />
It's never been about us.<br />
It was never meant to be about us.<br />
Marriage was always meant to point us to Christ and His love and devotion to the church. You have so faithfully displayed this. I love you, and I am so grateful.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-85011163639888169452015-02-25T20:40:00.006-08:002015-02-25T20:40:46.555-08:00Lessons from the Snowflakes...I love the snow. And, I don't mean a little bit. I completely love snow. I beg my husband often to move me further north. I just love it.<div>
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So, as I sat by the window sipping coffee watching the first of the snowflakes fall, the tiny noncommittal type, I felt myself get anxious. I know the feeling well because I feel it often in my daily life. When I am given something I enjoy, I tend to think about it, analyze it, worry that it will leave, instead of just sitting back and enjoying it! As I watched those baby snowflakes flutter and fall, I heard His voice strong and steady, nearly audible say, "Just rest. Enjoy. I will give you what you need. You have no control over this. You cannot will the snow to fall. Just rest and let me bring what I choose. If it is a lot or if it is not much, just rest and trust me. Don't look at the radar anymore. Just let me bring it and you enjoy it." I felt myself relax.</div>
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And, you know what?? The snowflakes came in droves. It snowed hard for hours on end. And, I loved every minute of it. I thanked him every third minute or so. I was so full, overflowing. We played hard. So much fun.</div>
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It was still snowing when we tucked the children in their warm beds after hot soup and warm baths. My house was littered with wet socks and coats and boots, and I was loving it! I began to feel the tension return. "It will all be gone by noon tomorrow.... You know how you hate to hear the drip, drip, drip of melting snow off the roof.... You'll have a day full of it tomorrow.... Everything will go from magical to dreary in a matter of hours..." </div>
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But, again I heard Him, "Just rest. This was a gift. Don't hold so tightly. You can't will the snow to stay. Let it go. Rest in Me, and just let it go. Find the joy in tomorrow, in the midst of the melting. Just rest."</div>
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Life is so full of ups and downs. Happies and disappointments. Great news and tragic news. The challenge is learning to rest whether he hands you a cup you are eager to drink or a cup you don't wish to drink of. Either way, resting in Him we can find the peace to steady our rocking.</div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-36625352620938945062015-01-23T04:42:00.001-08:002015-01-23T04:42:52.297-08:00Catching my breath...I love dawn. I think it is my absolute favorite time of day. The day is new, a fresh start. Coffee brewing. House quiet. I'm the only one awake - that's the best ever! <div>
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It has been so long. Jack and Em were only 11 months apart, so Jack slept through the night for one month before Em was born. Then, it was time to start over with a newborn. I think Em slept through the night 4 months or so before Zeke was born. So, there was that. But, it feels like forever and finally Zekey is sleeping through the night, and this means that I can set the alarm for 5:00 a.m....</div>
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From 5:00 to 6:00 is my favorite hour of the day. I sip my coffee in almost complete confidence that I will not be disturbed. I seek God's face through prayer, His word, IF videos, and books that feed my soul. Zeke has been sleeping through the night, most nights, for the past two weeks, and I already feel like a new woman. I start the day feeling like rested and ready. Each morning as I fumble in the dark to find my slippers and robe and then slowly make my way down the dark hall to the kitchen, I thank Jesus over and over for a full night of sleep and the ability to rise early to meet with Him! Such a gift!</div>
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I am finally catching my breath, finding time to do a few things I enjoy like writing, reading, and exercising. Thank You, Jesus!! My heart is so full of gratitude!!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-68559628068369030632014-11-13T08:07:00.004-08:002014-11-13T08:07:46.339-08:00Childhood.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not really a baby person. Don't get me wrong... I think babies are super cute and cuddly. And, I have loved mine so much that at times I have thought my heart may burst straight out of my chest. Though infants and babies have won me over a bit through the years, it is children who truly have my heart. And, as I stand here at this strange place in between babies and preteens, I realize that my heart is melancholy not so much because the baby days are nearly ending, but rather I find myself mourning the fact that my oldest is aging out of his childhood.<br />
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Oh, that takes my breath. It is hard to type. I love childhood. It is magical. Anything is still possible. Creativity abounds without borders. The sky is the limit ~ wide open and free. You've heard it said ~ every child is an artist. Well, I agree and I would add ~ every child is a dreamer ~ a dreamer of big beautiful dreams. And, I find great joy in helping to make these things possible as best I can. A fort in the woods, turning our kitchen into a store, creating a make believe camp out in the living room, etc. I love childhood. The world has yet to criticize, to feed them negativity, to burst their bubble, shatter their dreams... They are still living life to the full, going all out, playing with all their heart.<br />
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I wasn't expecting it. I hadn't even thought about it until it began to evolve on its own. I think the first thing I noticed was the way he spent his free time began to change. He used to dress up like a cowboy and lead his brothers in imaginative play. But, slowly his free time has become 100% sports related. He is either playing football or basketball or watching football or basketball. Last Christmas he wasn't all that interested in cutting out and icing Christmas cookies with me. And, then Joshua became "Josh." He decided his hair should be a little longer in the front. And, then he started flipping it with this gentle toss of his head that instantly became fodder for his father and I.<br />
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Somedays it doesn't bother me at all. But, somedays as I watch him move and talk and seem so mature, a part of me gets a little sad that this is actually happening. He is actually going to grow up. He is actually going to fly one day. Yikes! Makes me want to enjoy these moments so much because before long these moments will all be memories...Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-15154251435546388852014-11-13T07:00:00.000-08:002014-11-13T09:36:49.225-08:00To The Beach!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I talked Erik into taking us all on a little getaway to the beach! So, fun! We stayed in a wonderful beach house with a pool which was perfect for our family...</div>
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Five sweet slow days...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKpivRXJfimCeEyYYTEoLVP9evmja85yjjccMpTOqNyVEaFHSm_hvNEqQHHUgWszGwHV6ear_du9YKmkDPX1sZbzmhGm_YH4rnaaiM0nAsXfw4RU3QA5M2pjbkMdWGUkcQFv9/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKpivRXJfimCeEyYYTEoLVP9evmja85yjjccMpTOqNyVEaFHSm_hvNEqQHHUgWszGwHV6ear_du9YKmkDPX1sZbzmhGm_YH4rnaaiM0nAsXfw4RU3QA5M2pjbkMdWGUkcQFv9/s640/DSC_0189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The ducks all in a row...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4tHjy5GJFx7xM1SU1R4TK6fJo6r286dCWl8zjiN-sorPBWpzd4O6aZzplZvTNVyVoX2b3cHi-wAu7HlEy9GAfUHKN9SxQq92RMpGeUfhu0BklQrL5WCC5AOhUa3nObgmO_8L/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4tHjy5GJFx7xM1SU1R4TK6fJo6r286dCWl8zjiN-sorPBWpzd4O6aZzplZvTNVyVoX2b3cHi-wAu7HlEy9GAfUHKN9SxQq92RMpGeUfhu0BklQrL5WCC5AOhUa3nObgmO_8L/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Zekey loved the water...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYuvGK-yqc6fNjczmRYmKgVMN-BEKRhXuscMQSIV0V5Tu7KfG9AHKMq02CWYAWKPuMwac_fwmYN8ENg6zYvbBK81cSCohYGOpITsVDiCeeLrxjFbI1bK8aeOQ4-9aLRzk72iL/s1600/DSC_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYuvGK-yqc6fNjczmRYmKgVMN-BEKRhXuscMQSIV0V5Tu7KfG9AHKMq02CWYAWKPuMwac_fwmYN8ENg6zYvbBK81cSCohYGOpITsVDiCeeLrxjFbI1bK8aeOQ4-9aLRzk72iL/s640/DSC_0210.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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This boy. Be still my heart!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCg5wnjkB8xCou52KsM-319EBV8DFrG9nItO5L4skSWL0kVXyt9bwbDRZkjJzWE4ed9mcLF97B_01vpI5JfaZsUBG_99J6nTG1VpUCcraGkik6nX1HBToKQM1WbTQ7bw2INPE/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCg5wnjkB8xCou52KsM-319EBV8DFrG9nItO5L4skSWL0kVXyt9bwbDRZkjJzWE4ed9mcLF97B_01vpI5JfaZsUBG_99J6nTG1VpUCcraGkik6nX1HBToKQM1WbTQ7bw2INPE/s640/DSC_0216.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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And, then there is Eriky!! He's a hoot!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTj8h9AmccYExns585YPRvZFVLqUznj-yX2fUm0blgX-SEAQutSVZEq_Ey0IefV6fKSN2XUAXqz0qnY09XShhPtQgHP0_4gRebEold_fuWsI59TN9qNsOSh12-_2bK7Xc6scc/s1600/DSC_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTj8h9AmccYExns585YPRvZFVLqUznj-yX2fUm0blgX-SEAQutSVZEq_Ey0IefV6fKSN2XUAXqz0qnY09XShhPtQgHP0_4gRebEold_fuWsI59TN9qNsOSh12-_2bK7Xc6scc/s640/DSC_0217.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxmgOed6ODiqTuZc5AqKBmb9K68sdt5mv9ncUSz5-mjmRfRqJ8uivi956HNYPHJ8OryYsmQf7N8iPmHK3bOaK5vkR6l0d0L5XCkPfeMuoKedqYkp-y7uXStek-Gy6VBIxfyj_/s1600/DSC_0218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxmgOed6ODiqTuZc5AqKBmb9K68sdt5mv9ncUSz5-mjmRfRqJ8uivi956HNYPHJ8OryYsmQf7N8iPmHK3bOaK5vkR6l0d0L5XCkPfeMuoKedqYkp-y7uXStek-Gy6VBIxfyj_/s640/DSC_0218.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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But, Josh is cool...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquPX7N4-YTbYmlJp4QCpHRpIyF8WSqv118-NcqObh57ovbbfIZVeASMWGA4H-8tXcrHIsAPmV7BzvxxWW-EnCC4EfqJGyYsftRPNdvJugQOBoz89UmLskz3f6McXLFf8Kn0Yi/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquPX7N4-YTbYmlJp4QCpHRpIyF8WSqv118-NcqObh57ovbbfIZVeASMWGA4H-8tXcrHIsAPmV7BzvxxWW-EnCC4EfqJGyYsftRPNdvJugQOBoz89UmLskz3f6McXLFf8Kn0Yi/s640/DSC_0219.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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These two!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqb6o_elj5qD7P_jkUsFrNInyajCTfh6t1RwHV3qZlzcB7BL9W16DuCQSX5qJRntPPK0GWtkO84eoWyd9tTqxVPyT1rxVqHlWebgRDn3as5j1hyidXloZ844hfq4rdYyr5BmO/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqb6o_elj5qD7P_jkUsFrNInyajCTfh6t1RwHV3qZlzcB7BL9W16DuCQSX5qJRntPPK0GWtkO84eoWyd9tTqxVPyT1rxVqHlWebgRDn3as5j1hyidXloZ844hfq4rdYyr5BmO/s640/DSC_0223.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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And, so this was an animal filled trip which was awesome for my marine animal loving son, James. We saw a shark. First a fisherman just down the beach from us caught him. A 5 ft long black tipped reef shark. He let the boys get as close as they dared, and then he threw him back. But, later that evening as the boys were getting in their last bit of swim time, we saw him again. He swam right in front of us. Soooo scary. Needless to say, my boys did not get back in the water after that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2S7T761SQk0Td3x12XSAySwhQsBhySMDjpLRNZg3r6sEGs1Niknb1Rj9xv4zzLOwcaKbY1qlzQ2E_N2t_rzrEgz97OXUavJH5kAQ5essLguuONHHT8C9vE2-BbyblXwkHpRvM/s1600/IMG_8546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2S7T761SQk0Td3x12XSAySwhQsBhySMDjpLRNZg3r6sEGs1Niknb1Rj9xv4zzLOwcaKbY1qlzQ2E_N2t_rzrEgz97OXUavJH5kAQ5essLguuONHHT8C9vE2-BbyblXwkHpRvM/s640/IMG_8546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nana came along which was great fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJylXdDtmLhnJZRv6ksWML-qoWWty9An7096V6zt09RBMd6xhpFoJPzqvZu_QJW3-aLljMn80us_AnZznVNecu8oY3f_PiiXJF3OxlgFvf9D5NM8Ia6xTu1RdNV7gepSiD1AWx/s1600/IMG_8551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJylXdDtmLhnJZRv6ksWML-qoWWty9An7096V6zt09RBMd6xhpFoJPzqvZu_QJW3-aLljMn80us_AnZznVNecu8oY3f_PiiXJF3OxlgFvf9D5NM8Ia6xTu1RdNV7gepSiD1AWx/s640/IMG_8551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc0eY_yiUZpJJIlVmclmok7HIOORWa5QAErBmuD3kfte1b0-oiOghlGKhKB7TgezLePScHTaJHYTmu5yjZzswl67TBRlqaC1XeMXumoJx4ptojbk9yh5eqAns_gYn4QRTvSDo/s1600/IMG_8553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc0eY_yiUZpJJIlVmclmok7HIOORWa5QAErBmuD3kfte1b0-oiOghlGKhKB7TgezLePScHTaJHYTmu5yjZzswl67TBRlqaC1XeMXumoJx4ptojbk9yh5eqAns_gYn4QRTvSDo/s640/IMG_8553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I do love the ocean.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ1UBcFVnEklmqZNDabpykbgOcvMyVRBmOwikkSLiKs_W6UB0GODZqdML_l10VuI56ZhQ6AN2wC2aZaE3eT_K-c-gjB-CPggJX5OOZPSgrWVGszJpSiyFHzge-2nNo2BGB8iL/s1600/IMG_8554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ1UBcFVnEklmqZNDabpykbgOcvMyVRBmOwikkSLiKs_W6UB0GODZqdML_l10VuI56ZhQ6AN2wC2aZaE3eT_K-c-gjB-CPggJX5OOZPSgrWVGszJpSiyFHzge-2nNo2BGB8iL/s640/IMG_8554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Big breakfasts...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsTrQHU60pEY_EimEYNonf0C98-Bm2Qdu6eB93bkt5pqwPVt8ruEk0SSX5AYv4nzt4uz_70GWB_0WlXvX8YJTiwV0S89-hh24TFUHftxI7V8k9d2FGjEFyObvui9I5Rhc3Fd2/s1600/IMG_8562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsTrQHU60pEY_EimEYNonf0C98-Bm2Qdu6eB93bkt5pqwPVt8ruEk0SSX5AYv4nzt4uz_70GWB_0WlXvX8YJTiwV0S89-hh24TFUHftxI7V8k9d2FGjEFyObvui9I5Rhc3Fd2/s640/IMG_8562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLyfUfdBQCIqATzdxreCG11XpotxT-WX0FQlg4TI83KYywRwsEdubtRLZlLNJd3ZnyigK5_rlG0d5wBQobJgpjfbQh_pT3uyxLPp2Oa9f8QJHqU5XT9n1WHLxXQ90LU4zeqc/s1600/IMG_8564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLyfUfdBQCIqATzdxreCG11XpotxT-WX0FQlg4TI83KYywRwsEdubtRLZlLNJd3ZnyigK5_rlG0d5wBQobJgpjfbQh_pT3uyxLPp2Oa9f8QJHqU5XT9n1WHLxXQ90LU4zeqc/s640/IMG_8564.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiVmLBr5LhPD3MSyVBabSzzw5vnwK44Zv-glMGTs41fIMLdGWgi1rWoGs_8lO8QAcJeM7x0jK0-YsAtKHNLbjhz2sgG1KrdofiFSu0K72ebXVKzzbj6ZMz6uRe6TghI3RB9WN/s1600/IMG_8570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiVmLBr5LhPD3MSyVBabSzzw5vnwK44Zv-glMGTs41fIMLdGWgi1rWoGs_8lO8QAcJeM7x0jK0-YsAtKHNLbjhz2sgG1KrdofiFSu0K72ebXVKzzbj6ZMz6uRe6TghI3RB9WN/s640/IMG_8570.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLW3qOGYb4lEHZNpRZl_0Y_xxJ8Y8G7z8SNjT1ptjZiHipERDhUT0sgh8lfom3MuupCncZBbXrswHWAQANjafJ8wWJw6cdrClV-z_u0bNtZzj7dQAiBUIR4Ywv8aA6XwPnsNn/s1600/IMG_8572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLW3qOGYb4lEHZNpRZl_0Y_xxJ8Y8G7z8SNjT1ptjZiHipERDhUT0sgh8lfom3MuupCncZBbXrswHWAQANjafJ8wWJw6cdrClV-z_u0bNtZzj7dQAiBUIR4Ywv8aA6XwPnsNn/s640/IMG_8572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHQwxKDIXQ2oa72BZfO1i43mgDtA0-i3JJ68q9SJ_esGd2FxIkFVsbLbPHLuSg2IUGWDuFICGv4vkM8Wvvf8fRE0sv9JMymxd36P9Kv3L8TPl5nx-ijhOhL9QxScGlyBK3ZxI/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHQwxKDIXQ2oa72BZfO1i43mgDtA0-i3JJ68q9SJ_esGd2FxIkFVsbLbPHLuSg2IUGWDuFICGv4vkM8Wvvf8fRE0sv9JMymxd36P9Kv3L8TPl5nx-ijhOhL9QxScGlyBK3ZxI/s640/IMG_8576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love this picture!!!</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1ALB0An1RX0GDJRCUYRpbMF1wmHe3lfHr5qPqNaVt6fjw9PhPl8uM2eQC0Ox13zPQNakc0vkd5kCD_pdNdBKijgMvXGcyc9a5fSV3LWjXmvl-GHJkvAC2klSAp9qUDAG70i/s1600/IMG_8600.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1ALB0An1RX0GDJRCUYRpbMF1wmHe3lfHr5qPqNaVt6fjw9PhPl8uM2eQC0Ox13zPQNakc0vkd5kCD_pdNdBKijgMvXGcyc9a5fSV3LWjXmvl-GHJkvAC2klSAp9qUDAG70i/s640/IMG_8600.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If only our living room at home was large enough for a set up like this!!! Love the layout. So much seating...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJ0XuaXY7iZeCzeRNPa6DhbI4gKbCH6Yt_mzQhlR2kd5MTEFpdxPUi1q1reCPtfKmQEg50br088VELBpUAeFthL_OvARjKN4JlG6Hbk_Z-A92ljmsty_PMKSJOVWT1vjBms2Y/s1600/IMG_8603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJ0XuaXY7iZeCzeRNPa6DhbI4gKbCH6Yt_mzQhlR2kd5MTEFpdxPUi1q1reCPtfKmQEg50br088VELBpUAeFthL_OvARjKN4JlG6Hbk_Z-A92ljmsty_PMKSJOVWT1vjBms2Y/s640/IMG_8603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAK4llIwwe4CcZ1K8xwIY6vhweMWz-2zClfMnxsqKbbP4eOS27LPDRVixqCfA76oWXE25KbzE10aHKMTZ_97F3OYKxTA-zbOOUhYalZDbeNDo6szXBjkQxUzv4IK5FpcIhdLp/s1600/IMG_8606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAK4llIwwe4CcZ1K8xwIY6vhweMWz-2zClfMnxsqKbbP4eOS27LPDRVixqCfA76oWXE25KbzE10aHKMTZ_97F3OYKxTA-zbOOUhYalZDbeNDo6szXBjkQxUzv4IK5FpcIhdLp/s640/IMG_8606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The night before we left we went out to eat. The place we went had live music, and the man with the mic sang "My girl," so this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KuF8fdtpDaDDmpL8npKMsSKewitoYowmxRreEHRVDsTTlLme61bFLVbOLdlppmba3jAb1td9xyxn86E0rXkhkSKjh-AGpRKr0tQwXplAb0UJOpW_KIbqgIBYOtXVg3pNvTjq/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KuF8fdtpDaDDmpL8npKMsSKewitoYowmxRreEHRVDsTTlLme61bFLVbOLdlppmba3jAb1td9xyxn86E0rXkhkSKjh-AGpRKr0tQwXplAb0UJOpW_KIbqgIBYOtXVg3pNvTjq/s640/IMG_8617.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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They kinda like each other...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT6GbGTpCAwd58NlL4pn_dqtoFIT1NR7PyV_vxdfRi_75TSr5EKCnNIYkZK3W78vu1zJAf-N49y9UziO_jD4A0wTHozyG9DX132tVduoL972t_R-HLQdrvhPZavg8xAB2_4T_/s1600/IMG_8625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT6GbGTpCAwd58NlL4pn_dqtoFIT1NR7PyV_vxdfRi_75TSr5EKCnNIYkZK3W78vu1zJAf-N49y9UziO_jD4A0wTHozyG9DX132tVduoL972t_R-HLQdrvhPZavg8xAB2_4T_/s640/IMG_8625.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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ALOT!!!!<br />
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So, our last day on the beach James picks up this little black thing and is like... "Wow! A shark egg sac! Can I keep it?" Thinking he had no idea what he was talking about I said, "Sure." You'd think I would know by now that this kid does his research and knows his stuff, but I doubted. Later that evening I looked it up. And, yes, he did in fact stumble upon a shark egg sac. Erik is taking him to Vegas next spring. Just kidding! It was totally a God thing. What are the odds? Thank You, God, for letting him find it! Here is the picture I googled to confirm his discovery along with a picture of his discovery...<br />
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And, Krisy Kreme on the way out of town....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWbISZw3bXy-KDtGhj_yzq9bM3dRCjBi7WR87Hoo6hwmhGblKe-lL3p0kFdApb2nTZzcfyaqTBhA_9eqrFZqmaM5b6XVEzEK5Qb6bYrLTKO1yimzu9G7GQwZQ6-W97LWYWcwF/s1600/IMG_8632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWbISZw3bXy-KDtGhj_yzq9bM3dRCjBi7WR87Hoo6hwmhGblKe-lL3p0kFdApb2nTZzcfyaqTBhA_9eqrFZqmaM5b6XVEzEK5Qb6bYrLTKO1yimzu9G7GQwZQ6-W97LWYWcwF/s640/IMG_8632.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Bye bye Beach Trip 2014.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-27617302625527798472014-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:002014-11-13T09:45:22.641-08:00Daddy's Girl...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwrB-cpQ5qON6MmhJFmv7TC5sJ7_Kljiqmwhg02d6fYN1Y87zAUoOtdDkkzYQhNVT0958j2dCe23ed9eMCWmU9xGn1iOzIMbT7j7l57YXhYLrfGZ5OwR_fzikVE2oQp2b7e_Q/s1600/IMG_8495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwrB-cpQ5qON6MmhJFmv7TC5sJ7_Kljiqmwhg02d6fYN1Y87zAUoOtdDkkzYQhNVT0958j2dCe23ed9eMCWmU9xGn1iOzIMbT7j7l57YXhYLrfGZ5OwR_fzikVE2oQp2b7e_Q/s640/IMG_8495.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Love.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-3275585286630867042014-11-13T05:30:00.000-08:002014-11-13T09:56:04.786-08:00Life Is Good!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP2B9_4N5mAYLV-fqW6FI48aQHK_8lZ7NC6spXlvtjT0iq6Kd7-NBfDEdkEA0sNjBV9lJBwHZ_8LkASMMh_q8d1gaksVX1dRFeU44HsAbE0VuOeb54CoCEuiqTxQlP1O71mLd/s1600/IMG_8424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP2B9_4N5mAYLV-fqW6FI48aQHK_8lZ7NC6spXlvtjT0iq6Kd7-NBfDEdkEA0sNjBV9lJBwHZ_8LkASMMh_q8d1gaksVX1dRFeU44HsAbE0VuOeb54CoCEuiqTxQlP1O71mLd/s640/IMG_8424.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And, this cutie is part of the reason why...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrmo8UpxKFWcKN78lYcrqnoTE_DXqkXoLIF9IgzwF6YZpjecaMAyXN4DUvIkiMGOghknW09-ABkrVvxRSgtkXi0QjTg-WoBh9xXmB6VDxNuAJLGHpnhOMxsTY5YWS41socbxF/s1600/IMG_8322.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrmo8UpxKFWcKN78lYcrqnoTE_DXqkXoLIF9IgzwF6YZpjecaMAyXN4DUvIkiMGOghknW09-ABkrVvxRSgtkXi0QjTg-WoBh9xXmB6VDxNuAJLGHpnhOMxsTY5YWS41socbxF/s640/IMG_8322.PNG" width="426" /></a></div>
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So loved!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5kPH6Hl4XYGATOf_A7ArDJD1RdKUc-1EWuRCX6k_93AGqDOhbN9hRIf3vsJdgleZVDSu2mZotH9qHyOz5rAr9P4V1SB_7kOV5_YDGGL1-IwHF5sHtIXJ8tvALjjcdQKqdbhb/s1600/IMG_8327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5kPH6Hl4XYGATOf_A7ArDJD1RdKUc-1EWuRCX6k_93AGqDOhbN9hRIf3vsJdgleZVDSu2mZotH9qHyOz5rAr9P4V1SB_7kOV5_YDGGL1-IwHF5sHtIXJ8tvALjjcdQKqdbhb/s640/IMG_8327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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These two have such a special bond...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLO8yKXYmQYxQh4RuspXFj7DMujo3VWeFB68Bdv4eFcOUC0B8KtHzD-6zrVGD71F8eiPeoWOz_q4YKFRlzaO0GaJi8UVRJ2J8k2m_ncq0Ot2vkWh59eCSHapcwUq2QpDfgT64/s1600/IMG_8483.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLO8yKXYmQYxQh4RuspXFj7DMujo3VWeFB68Bdv4eFcOUC0B8KtHzD-6zrVGD71F8eiPeoWOz_q4YKFRlzaO0GaJi8UVRJ2J8k2m_ncq0Ot2vkWh59eCSHapcwUq2QpDfgT64/s320/IMG_8483.PNG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVIXKvLOtZMgZXjOlq8AFCguhUzAhVX3C3J-fP_t5sG3zZPFfQFaTrHXc9sJU6LW4wIZiRYnw_8oPb4Hln9JCWd0dRFpmedha90k9QrgJqR9TZRWS5kZ_UBrZOMfRgfwYDRXd/s1600/IMG_8365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVIXKvLOtZMgZXjOlq8AFCguhUzAhVX3C3J-fP_t5sG3zZPFfQFaTrHXc9sJU6LW4wIZiRYnw_8oPb4Hln9JCWd0dRFpmedha90k9QrgJqR9TZRWS5kZ_UBrZOMfRgfwYDRXd/s320/IMG_8365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She loves this hat. Even in the summer, she wears it almost everyday!</div>
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I told Josh that when life gets stressful I just stick my face in Zekey's neck and breathe him in, and it lowers my blood pressure and soothes my mood instantaneously. Baby therapy. Josh tried it and agreed...</div>
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I keep finding them like this. Him doing his schoolwork and her sitting beside him... just to be near him....<br />
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She loves to watch Frozen on itunes. Elsa is her favorite. I keep telling her that she looks like Anna. But, she assures me that she is not Anna. She. Is. Elsa. So, I just Let It Go....</div>
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Love my little man...<br />
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One of my favorite times of day... Reading time! <br />
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Cousin buddies being creative...</div>
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Cousin buddies watching football...<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-75501276059996336422014-11-12T08:57:00.000-08:002014-11-13T08:57:33.106-08:00Just a few more!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
James and Katey are teaching science class ever Friday to their younger siblings! They are great teachers! Really, they are!!</div>
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Okay, so this is new. Zeke occasionally wants Josh over me. Seriously. This is a new one. I've always been the fave. But, I'm thankful for the sweet bond they have. Everybody loves Josh.<br />
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This picture speaks for itself. I love it. These two. The dynamic duo. Recently I forgot and left a doggie bag of birthday cake in my van. The two of them found it, locked themselves in the van, and proceeded to devour the cake while their brothers went crazy laughing and banging on the windows. I love them, my little Irish twins.<br />
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All the cousins...</div>
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Miss EM!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33362207.post-72265517929835751552014-11-12T08:43:00.000-08:002014-11-13T08:44:11.367-08:00Playing Catch Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a bit of time today, so I am going to try to catch up!</div>
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Josh and his cousin Caleb got to play football on the same travel football team. This was a lot of fun for our whole family!!</div>
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Watching games with Pop...</div>
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Loving Miss Emery! This was a dream come true for me. I have been waiting for the day when Em's hair was long enough for us to wear twinkie braids! Having a daughter is proving to be great fun!!<br />
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Just look at this cute pony tail! Good grief! We are all quite taken with her!<br />
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I just love this one. Just because. I found her just like this completely immersed in her art!<br />
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My boys will be great daddys! Love how they are so comfortable with babies!</div>
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Look who is walking! I think he may be my earliest walker at 10 months. Josh was 11 months. All the others were over a year old when they began.<br />
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And, this is what the boys were doing one day this week while I was teaching spelling and grammar to their younger brothers....<br />
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And, Jack. Love him. Enough said. <br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348121177245784622noreply@blogger.com0