tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23001223671399475882024-03-14T05:46:27.779-05:00Ramblings of a Homeschool MomOur family follows the Charlotte Mason Method of homeschooling. It has been called the "gentle art of learning." We read lots of good "living books" along with poetry and art study and spend a lot of time studying nature up close.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-10186399196847623962010-12-17T12:10:00.000-06:002010-12-17T12:10:40.445-06:00Eugene FieldI really enjoy the poetry of Eugene Field, his rhyme, his rhythm, his subject matter; its all enjoyable. Here's one I read to the kids today, which they loved, and so did I.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: blue;"><u>Pittypat And Tippytoe</u></div>All day long they come and go-<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe;<br />
Footprints up and down the hall,<br />
Playthings scattered on the floor,<br />
Finger-marks along the wall,<br />
Tell-tale smudges on the door-<br />
By these presents you shall know<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe<br />
<br />
How they riot at their play!<br />
And a dozen times a day<br />
In they troop, demanding bread-<br />
Only buttered bread will do,<br />
And that butter must be spread<br />
Inches thick with sugar too!<br />
And I never can say, "No,<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe!"<br />
<br />
Sometimes there are griefs to soothe,<br />
Sometimes ruffled brows to smooth;<br />
For (I much regret to say)<br />
Tippytoe and Pittypat<br />
sometimes interrupt their play<br />
With an internecine spat<br />
Fie, for shame! to quarrel so-<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe!<br />
<br />
Oh, the thousand worrying things<br />
Every day recurrent brings!<br />
Hands to scrub and hair to brush,<br />
Search for playthings gone amiss,<br />
Many a wee complaint to hush,<br />
Many a little bump to kiss;<br />
Life seems one vain, fleeting show<br />
To Pittypat and Tippytoe!<br />
<br />
And when day is at an end,<br />
There are little duds to mend:<br />
Little frocks are strangely torn,<br />
Little shoes great holes reveal,<br />
Little hose, but one day worn,<br />
Rudely yawn at toe and heel!<br />
Who but <i>you</i> could work such woe,<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe?<br />
<br />
But when comes this thought to me:<br />
"Some there are that childless be,"<br />
Stealing to their little beds,<br />
With a love I cannot speak,<br />
Tenderly I stroke their heads-<br />
Fondly kiss each velvet cheek.<br />
God help those who do not know<br />
A Pittypat or Tippytoe!<br />
<br />
On the floor and down the hall,<br />
Rudely smutched upon the wall<br />
There are proofs in every kind<br />
Of the havoc they have wrought<br />
And upon my heart you'd find<br />
Just such trade-marks, if you sought<br />
Oh, how glad I am 'tis so,<br />
Pittypat and Tippytoe!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Do you have a Pittypat or Tippytoe in your home? </span>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-689048167370178582010-10-27T13:27:00.000-05:002010-10-27T13:27:21.191-05:00The Death Of A Good FriendMy heart is sad today because we lost a dear friend. I was not aware of it until I heard Breck sobbing in the living room. I rushed in and took one look out our window. And then I knew. Our beautiful dogwood tree had been toppled by the strong storm winds. And then I was the one crying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVhQ9y6GC7ChwqSTV1OpkhyphenhyphenN8fJM21v_o686vKKgt0T9BHKwepOYL-XwNIUJnxEThsuVkKL4FN9hN0hR-BKhYGKU9cADzhgNilbjIccgSwo5sXtJ2XkGRlAJYQ_VJWUgd6RNBQ3BYfAP2/s1600/fallen+tree+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVhQ9y6GC7ChwqSTV1OpkhyphenhyphenN8fJM21v_o686vKKgt0T9BHKwepOYL-XwNIUJnxEThsuVkKL4FN9hN0hR-BKhYGKU9cADzhgNilbjIccgSwo5sXtJ2XkGRlAJYQ_VJWUgd6RNBQ3BYfAP2/s320/fallen+tree+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X4cQ5d1zAugOCoSaxPe9PmXOVTxZzNrzW3xd5PVoSrU00NObWqLzzN-_-j9Bt08Uq42QvR6jFAwt7cAgeUxVfvO4fnk9foJJEEE19U-kXBDaf5dJ_0zyxloCi3_1ZMyg3rt1K57qIhsQ/s1600/DSCI0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X4cQ5d1zAugOCoSaxPe9PmXOVTxZzNrzW3xd5PVoSrU00NObWqLzzN-_-j9Bt08Uq42QvR6jFAwt7cAgeUxVfvO4fnk9foJJEEE19U-kXBDaf5dJ_0zyxloCi3_1ZMyg3rt1K57qIhsQ/s320/DSCI0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XeSPQ8KbT1q7E9THVTPvzBjv3QfFWY0bqKToqalMWRkJU_bI08URv3UtWE9_Gucrj89MhufSoAhQ5QA8iswAwDasFBuHSbC1uzSUlp7cyiIhyphenhyphen-OaYEiZxLdE45kgFAhuPOGE-IL3Eg0J/s1600/Fallen+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XeSPQ8KbT1q7E9THVTPvzBjv3QfFWY0bqKToqalMWRkJU_bI08URv3UtWE9_Gucrj89MhufSoAhQ5QA8iswAwDasFBuHSbC1uzSUlp7cyiIhyphenhyphen-OaYEiZxLdE45kgFAhuPOGE-IL3Eg0J/s320/Fallen+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We live in a small subdivision in a small house with a small yard. This dogwood tree was our treasure. We loved it. The birds loved it. The kids played on it. We enjoyed her shade on hot summer days and spent many hours sitting underneath her beautiful boughs reading books together.<br />
<br />
Alas! She is no more. Our yard will seem quite barren now that she's gone. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnx43PEIEfuEVETt4tPK5hInP9o2De2Sczv-a1qwTi6xEU5yeNXF2IeMn3W58pNslVbeaybDT9VWa_5sP7cW2igtA7iNdz2-SDyAowsxrxZ07zRmjF9sX9dcmO1b23gcnzBefkd-lLTPL/s1600/breck+hanging+bird+feeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnx43PEIEfuEVETt4tPK5hInP9o2De2Sczv-a1qwTi6xEU5yeNXF2IeMn3W58pNslVbeaybDT9VWa_5sP7cW2igtA7iNdz2-SDyAowsxrxZ07zRmjF9sX9dcmO1b23gcnzBefkd-lLTPL/s320/breck+hanging+bird+feeder.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg9GD8HznGOP1QQdBLzzra-CH62GYChSEXREYs3hhfNDSvR01JfKkrhK__X4KXzDH0yrw40V5r1pcI4vCio420CwySGf2rFxFsVQPbbPTDfmBgAvsZ8Jz26bQu6x0EV86c0UBusdgWxo6/s1600/DSCI0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg9GD8HznGOP1QQdBLzzra-CH62GYChSEXREYs3hhfNDSvR01JfKkrhK__X4KXzDH0yrw40V5r1pcI4vCio420CwySGf2rFxFsVQPbbPTDfmBgAvsZ8Jz26bQu6x0EV86c0UBusdgWxo6/s320/DSCI0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Goodbye, Old Friend.<br />
<br />
The kids finally stopped their crying and then decided the tree was more fun laying down then it was standing anyway! Only its not so good for curb-appeal. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0SVmy4M6VPtZdEhuhgRybpKLV8BTQaNKQ6ieMwIwmr-nGlNHFFPuBbyS3e9yqSXrHETDTIdHPQppI1iw8FCHQ6WmoS5rp6rTrjbxXAwImpju8VXxcBGs_vMLQUbHqHMYiLwejzC6p4g/s1600/breck+on+fallen+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0SVmy4M6VPtZdEhuhgRybpKLV8BTQaNKQ6ieMwIwmr-nGlNHFFPuBbyS3e9yqSXrHETDTIdHPQppI1iw8FCHQ6WmoS5rp6rTrjbxXAwImpju8VXxcBGs_vMLQUbHqHMYiLwejzC6p4g/s320/breck+on+fallen+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVY8oNReTmOFK5X7oGrizz_lMtcqJVRAfgwwNSljomKlxvf9n9HbB7S43l39GsYAlrUMlqp21zIWcw9YUAtKHkiiuqwitgMAaX5xOqGOmKh2vfMXAHScvHj3i2dJfSPcyPgM5n-4_hwj6/s1600/Autumn+on+fallen+tree+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVY8oNReTmOFK5X7oGrizz_lMtcqJVRAfgwwNSljomKlxvf9n9HbB7S43l39GsYAlrUMlqp21zIWcw9YUAtKHkiiuqwitgMAaX5xOqGOmKh2vfMXAHScvHj3i2dJfSPcyPgM5n-4_hwj6/s320/Autumn+on+fallen+tree+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSXdJnUbgXpraNPpOq_0SP3fSuTwSaMhfstNklLb9p6vyQSF4wuIbvOqMGe0gEriIARqVaCXEOp6g1sJzKayBx0u7R7Kf8tvwyI0L8K471t6rgpL_-MU1w_rclwyytNT_f7N11zL3cYKw/s1600/DSCI0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSXdJnUbgXpraNPpOq_0SP3fSuTwSaMhfstNklLb9p6vyQSF4wuIbvOqMGe0gEriIARqVaCXEOp6g1sJzKayBx0u7R7Kf8tvwyI0L8K471t6rgpL_-MU1w_rclwyytNT_f7N11zL3cYKw/s320/DSCI0893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-50263254742956898502010-10-11T20:21:00.000-05:002010-10-11T20:21:03.555-05:00I have lots of things on my mind to blog about...lots of homeschooling stuff, since I'm up to my ears in homeschooling this time of year. But to be honest, at this point I'm way too tired and sick to think and put two cohesive sentences together, so hopefully soon, my friends.......Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-71674667512213441012010-09-11T15:06:00.008-05:002010-09-13T15:39:18.936-05:00Today I WILL Be A Mom!Today, I vowed, I would be a Mom. I know, I know, a funny vow for a Mom of three children. What I mean is I will be a real mom as opposed to the glazed, half-dead woman who has been <strike>walking</strike> staggering around here lately just trying to exist and in some small way meet the physical needs of her family. Just meeting your family's physical needs is not all there is to being a mom, though.<br />
<br />
Let me go back. This has been a hard week. I think I would be in the loony-bin had it not been for my loving husband and kind Mother-in-law. I'm not complaining...okay, maybe a little. Its the kind of week that has had me up crying in the middle of the night when everyone else has been asleep, not just because I feel so sick but because of the discouragement of knowing that tomorrow I will wake and feel the same way and will try to survive and pray for night when I might be able to get a little sleep, if I'm not too sick. Then there's the guilt. The heavy weight of guilt I carry around knowing that little children need moms who meet their emotional needs as well as their physical needs and husbands need wives who can carry on a small conversation once in a while instead of just glassy-eyed nodding and mumbling, and look cheerful and happy once in a while when they return home from work. There is a difference between tolerating your family and enjoying your family. So I cry because of the overwhelming guilt I feel.<br />
<br />
So today when I awoke I vowed that whatever I had to do, if I felt well <b>at all</b>, I would just be a mom-a real mom. I bypassed the mountain of laundry in the laundry room and after three doses of three different medicines, beginning at 5:00 in the morning, was feeling pretty good. I decided I would take as much of my precious medicine as I had to, even if I had none left for the next week. (If you have strong opinions about women taking medicine while they're pregnant, just don't speak to me.)<br />
<br />
And we've had a good day! We took the children to Tuttle's Apple Farm where they played on the farm, took pony rides, picked three kinds of yummy apples and drank fresh apple cider. We narrowly avoided the rain. Then we spent the rest of the rainy afternoon inside, making pencil toppers, writing letters together, playing games, enjoying a rare treat of homemade pumpkin muffins (I don't do much baking right now), made some homemade applesauce and watched a movie together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJVzL5GBxMhwBVyFjoGXyMunMiRZtnn8iQfW_aQrhi1ejZW6aIIJ7U-QuKOk7Jc5T_32PmL24Z6T8Zev-kwE3_GBfyrl9GWqQic5OQMIsdGyP9th2rVcBDusLO5qVTzeTR5ouHax6v2kv/s1600/B&A+with+pen-toppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJVzL5GBxMhwBVyFjoGXyMunMiRZtnn8iQfW_aQrhi1ejZW6aIIJ7U-QuKOk7Jc5T_32PmL24Z6T8Zev-kwE3_GBfyrl9GWqQic5OQMIsdGyP9th2rVcBDusLO5qVTzeTR5ouHax6v2kv/s400/B&A+with+pen-toppers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Yes, it was a good day! I felt that I really enjoyed my family and connected with them. And for one day, I was a mom, a <b>real</b> mom. Tomorrow I will probably be back to laying around in a half-comatose state, but today was good.<br />
<br />
And for that I will be thankful!Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-87129699739232347452010-09-09T18:35:00.000-05:002010-09-09T18:35:15.445-05:00Inside the Mind of a 7 yr. Old BoyTake a good look at this face.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAYQKAgSufKzXs1brqqBA3vpbuP3VjWF6a_haeXSr1sw90XiVwOi7CYyN2jJhhXhIGQ905RiebTtTLNNige4usn1bSlbUVRtHeG_Lo4My57ZErs7tn5IEjNjyRjgb8eYi8EvMOMXHNWe8/s1600/breck+being+silly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAYQKAgSufKzXs1brqqBA3vpbuP3VjWF6a_haeXSr1sw90XiVwOi7CYyN2jJhhXhIGQ905RiebTtTLNNige4usn1bSlbUVRtHeG_Lo4My57ZErs7tn5IEjNjyRjgb8eYi8EvMOMXHNWe8/s400/breck+being+silly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is the boy who has told me on more than one occasion, with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye, "Mom, I like to give you trouble!" <br />
<br />
There is something about boys that is so mischievous and fun. The thing about boys is that you never know what they're thinking or what they are going to say or do.<br />
<br />
Let me give you a few examples from the past week.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<div style="color: red;">During a school lesson Breck asked, "Mom, how do we know that God created the world?" This child NEVER asks easy questions. </div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">"Well, to start with you have to understand that everything in life has a beginning. God is the only One who had no beginning. So the world had to have a beginning."</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">"That's not true, Mom." "A fence that goes in a circle has no beginning or ending."</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">At which point I picked him up and threw him out the window!</div><br />
<div style="color: #0b5394;">I decided one day this week to have a "kindness contest" to see which one of the children could be the kindest to each other, with the winner receiving a prize at the end of the day. They both did admirably well and I was impressed. But toward evening Breck came to me with his head drooping and said to me with a big sigh, "Mom, being kind is <i>haaaard</i>!" He had managed to get through the day with only hitting his sister on the head with a shoe one time. </div><br />
<div style="color: red;">We were studying in history about how pretty much the entire world thought that the end of the world would be 1000 AD. (which by the way, if you're keeping track, didn't happen) This brought on a discussion of the end of the world and how it really would end. I told them the Bible says that the world will someday be burned with fire and God will make us a new Heaven and earth.</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">Fast forward to that evening:</div><div style="color: red;"> Autumn comes in crying because her older brother with his newly-acquired information about the end of the world has informed her that God is going to burn her alive with the world, which as you can imagine, did not go over too well with her!! </div><br />
<div style="color: #0b5394;">It is a pretty normal occurance for me and Leland to share a hug and kiss when he returns home from work. I imagine this is pretty normal for many households. Breck has watched us do this since he was born, but last night when he walked into the kitchen and found us hugging, he ran down the hallway yelling, "Autumn, do you want to see something <b>dis.gust.ing</b>????? Mom and Dad are<b> hugging</b>!!" </div><br />
I guess we've reached <b>that</b> age. Sometime soon I expect to hear him say that he won't sit by his sister at the dinner table because she has cooties!<br />
<br />
Boys are a <strike>handful</strike> <strike>trying</strike> delightful! They definitely keep things interesting, and I suspect they make God smile just a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN31D6XHYjhaVJF2EmimEq4i1cfwsqgtdI04fi5zPIJHiGO5Cj6Jg5brdfFYslwedeyZyvWGvWSo9eyHm9CkPQL-GMWyHE_e8k3vk0NORchFdy_S8Et3VRSDfdS4wxbDUP71hhj8rIKQN/s1600/100_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN31D6XHYjhaVJF2EmimEq4i1cfwsqgtdI04fi5zPIJHiGO5Cj6Jg5brdfFYslwedeyZyvWGvWSo9eyHm9CkPQL-GMWyHE_e8k3vk0NORchFdy_S8Et3VRSDfdS4wxbDUP71hhj8rIKQN/s400/100_0824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-15267653772896870022010-08-13T14:58:00.000-05:002010-08-13T14:58:29.377-05:00"School is Boring!" said the 5-yr. oldAutumn turned 5 years old this summer, thus ushering her into the school age world. A week ago I asked her if she was excited about starting school this year. "No," she said. I was shocked! How could she not be excited about that? I thought all kids were excited about starting school for the first time.<br />
<br />
<br />
"Why aren't you excited about starting school?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"School is boring," was her answer.<br />
<br />
Now I'm in a mental sweat. As an avid homeschool Mom, I am adamant that school should NOT be boring. School may be exciting, fun, challenging, even hard, but NEVER boring!! So I calmly collect my emotions and cried, "<b>How can you think school is boring when you've never even been to school yet??!!!"</b> Ok. So I wasn't so calm. <br />
<br />
"I've heard the other kids talk," she said in a very bored, grown-up way, "and they all say its boring." <br />
<br />
I heaved a sigh of relief-that's all, not some deep-seated inhibition against school! <br />
<br />
"Well, you wait and see, school is fun and you're going to love it!"<br />
<br />
Fast-forward to last night after our first day of school. I'm sitting on her bed as she prepares to go to sleep. "So, what did you think of your first day of school?" I asked. <br />
<br />
"It was fun!" she said, beaming.<br />
<br />
Then, "You were right!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvO_P6KP8tqm48jDtPbRmaMkT79TKNMo1mvxnM71d-V9e-JPYmXRe07xCuYIFTT9jDudxn7wxXBaLkrxl-HtURiV26W248jiW6t5JAliETMWW0au8Up0x9Xi9So-KaGvNdn7Kme-3LSoGu/s1600/3f7d0e11-4fff-4967-8b36-9aa1c3e3cec5w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvO_P6KP8tqm48jDtPbRmaMkT79TKNMo1mvxnM71d-V9e-JPYmXRe07xCuYIFTT9jDudxn7wxXBaLkrxl-HtURiV26W248jiW6t5JAliETMWW0au8Up0x9Xi9So-KaGvNdn7Kme-3LSoGu/s400/3f7d0e11-4fff-4967-8b36-9aa1c3e3cec5w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My big school-girl!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMW_aJ6QhiUcDG8HnlR79cb17O-D7cLAgiSJBOdsx97rieap_KMbFbaCZh4NTstiDjx0Iw3a9QYL2-oDaXrK8kOJ1wnVDemIzbPNUN8o3m0sN_n4_ozHzmOo-YjS6lygis77moSX8RnGP/s1600/bf78b90a-a6b1-451c-8adf-ba05709d22baw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMW_aJ6QhiUcDG8HnlR79cb17O-D7cLAgiSJBOdsx97rieap_KMbFbaCZh4NTstiDjx0Iw3a9QYL2-oDaXrK8kOJ1wnVDemIzbPNUN8o3m0sN_n4_ozHzmOo-YjS6lygis77moSX8RnGP/s400/bf78b90a-a6b1-451c-8adf-ba05709d22baw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-16418077080180212032010-08-06T18:51:00.001-05:002010-08-06T21:06:23.621-05:00Life's Lessons- Willingly or UnwillinglyMy blog has been strangely silent the last few months, but trust me- I have VERY good reasons. Our life went from cruising along at a somewhat moderate pace (as moderately as you can get with three kids) to a neck-breaking fast pace. I won't try to catalogue everything that has happened since May as the post would be too long and too dull and boring for any of you to read. Instead I'll share some things that I have learned over the past few months (willingly or unwillingly!)<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">About Weddings: </div>1. Planning a wedding is harder and takes more time than you think.<br />
2. If you plan a wedding, you must be very flexible-because anything can change at the last moment: for instance an out-door wedding can suddenly become an in-door wedding, leaving you with 2 hr. to get everything ready for rehearsal!<br />
3. I will never plan another wedding. No. Not even under Chinese torture!<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">About Lightning:</div>1. Children should not play outside in the rain.<br />
2. If you have to go out in the rain, try not to go into an open, unprotected field, walk around in water and hold up an umbrella like a lightning rod.<br />
3. God is more powerful than lightning!<br />
(If at this point you have no idea what I'm talking about, google "four children struck by lightning" and you'll soon see what I'm talking about. If you go to Youtube you will probably find a video with Leland in it...his day in the sun) :)<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">About Flying:</div>1. If you wish to prevent your children from crying and making a scene, don't forget the gum! (I am validated as my kids were not the only ones crying)<br />
2. Flying is boring for children, or so I was told many times!<br />
3. Flying is not for pregnant women.<br />
4. If a pregnant woman has to fly, she should NOT sit in the very last row where she feels every sway, bump and air turbulent!<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">About Camps:</div>1. Song Evangelism is hard work!!<br />
2. After 40 services in a row your kids will hate church, as I overheard one emphatic little girl put it.<br />
3. Nausea, vomiting, migraine headaches and dehydration are a bad combination-especially if you're the song evangelist.<br />
4. Collapsing on the platform is undignified, unladylike and ungraceful and should be avoided if possible.<br />
5. I will never give my kids pedialite. Leland made me drink the stuff. *sigh* Yes, I complied. WELL! He's bigger than I am!! <br />
6. If you notice scratches and lacerations on your child's stomach, it might be because they jumped out a tabernacle window.<br />
7. Camp food can actually be good, especially if you're in the state of Washington where they serve you thick, fresh salmon steaks!<br />
8. "There's no place like home, Auntie Em."<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">About God:</div>1. God is not hindered by or worried about my weaknesses.<br />
2. God is bigger than I think he is and is able to do more for me than I think. <br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">Lastly:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One grin and hug from a 15 month old who had to stay with Grandma and Grandpa is worth a fortune!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkAXru_mpi1xfzximLhbF7SmoiofV8gbHvDfxsryO-OU9o4L4SFZR_KN6TsDkf7QedkGiHno_hW-ZK2i8WJ92iDiq9NDYX9IsmOeG3Bq9rgjeePMgTbtHb20yzrHRgyibvifj1JHI2TKL/s1600/914869d4-7440-4bd2-b7df-5d6b4af6a5d2w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkAXru_mpi1xfzximLhbF7SmoiofV8gbHvDfxsryO-OU9o4L4SFZR_KN6TsDkf7QedkGiHno_hW-ZK2i8WJ92iDiq9NDYX9IsmOeG3Bq9rgjeePMgTbtHb20yzrHRgyibvifj1JHI2TKL/s320/914869d4-7440-4bd2-b7df-5d6b4af6a5d2w.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs0YWO5bGJh751HMTH3kZZiHVSOiK5bspJ1Ge-_uEkhscudBfH7bluZwI-sjWSYV84K7WC89L0kq9BcXxALpifQjb1ur1br4I0SQ81FPaY5gCafmv2fRxlhNJ3aXxveAk3VZpDIUVs082/s1600/593f0edc-6929-4eb9-99fc-d575c67c6d30w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs0YWO5bGJh751HMTH3kZZiHVSOiK5bspJ1Ge-_uEkhscudBfH7bluZwI-sjWSYV84K7WC89L0kq9BcXxALpifQjb1ur1br4I0SQ81FPaY5gCafmv2fRxlhNJ3aXxveAk3VZpDIUVs082/s400/593f0edc-6929-4eb9-99fc-d575c67c6d30w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ok. Enough already! (His Mommy really missed him.)Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-38577668807141865002010-03-04T09:34:00.000-06:002010-03-04T09:34:55.969-06:00Don't Give Your Kids Twaddle!!!!! Part 2 (Textbooks or Books?)I can't talk about the issue of twaddle without talking about textbooks. People, some of the worst twaddle is found in the textbooks we give our children to read. (Please stay with me, I don't mean to offend anyone.) Textbooks are among the least interesting and literary pieces of writing available. Textbooks are filled with facts, places, names and dates-not interesting, literary writing.<br />
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One of the problems with using textbooks is that textbooks don't inspire. The point of education is not to cram all the information possible into a child's heads in twelve years and then hope that they will remember it all. Twelve years is a relatively short time of their lives and it is impossible for them to learn everything there is to learn. The point of education is to foster a LOVE for learning, a LOVE for reading. If my child is inspired in his reading he will love reading and love learning and that will last a lifetime. Think about most of the textbooks you used in school...did they captivate your imagination, thrill you and make you want to read more, or did they bore you to tears? If you would not want to read it, why give it to your child to read? Instead, give your child a thrilling book and he will devour it.<br />
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We learn best from stories. Humans have selective memory, which is why you can remember vividly a scene from when you were four years old but can't remember what you had for dinner last night. Hey, I'm lucky to remember what I had for lunch today! Why do we remember some things and not others? It all has to do with emotion. We remember things that impact us emotionally. What happened to you when you were four impacted you emotionally and your dinner last night didn't. Its that simple. That is why the use of stories and good books in learning is SOOOOO important. Children will NOT remember boring facts. They will, however remember a good story, and in remembering the story they will remember the facts that went along with it.<br />
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Jesus taught this way. I am in no way a Bible scholar, but I think it was pretty rare for Jesus to teach anything without telling a story. In hearing the story his listeners made an emotional connection and through that remembered the teaching. That is why preachers use illustrations while they are preaching. They know that unless the audience connects emotionally with their sermon, the likelyhood of them remembering it all the way out to their cars is pretty slim.<br />
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Let me give you an example. Breck loves our Geography time. Its not because he has an obsession with maps or even because I'm a great geography teacher, truth be told, I'm rather poor at geography. He loves it because of the BOOK we are using. The book, "Paddle to the Sea" by Holling C. Holling, is the story of a Canadian Indian boy who carves out of a piece of wood a canoe with an Indian in it. He names the canoe "Paddle to the Sea" and sets it on top of the snow-covered mountain so that as the snow melts it will carry Paddle to the river and from there to the Great Lakes and on out to the Sea. As you read the adventures of Paddle not only do you learn about all the geography surrounding the Great Lakes, but you also learn about logging, how saw mills work, the coast guard and how they help to rescue people from ship wrecks, the Soo Locks, how it works and why it was built, freighter ships, forest fires, tides, winter on the Great Lakes and soooo much more. Its Geography Plus and its written in an interesting and literary manner. And Breck LOVES it! He has made an emotional connection with the little canoe and will remember the facts as he remembers the story. What a great way to learn!!<br />
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So tell me, which way would YOU rather learn?Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-75168086319354146542010-02-12T14:53:00.001-06:002010-02-12T14:55:02.506-06:00Don't Give Your Kids Twaddle!!!!! Part 1People may say that Dog is man's best friend, but they are wrong. Books are man's best friend. There is nothing better to do on a cold day than to curl up in a chair with a hot cup of tea and a good, worn book... ahhhh, bliss.<br />
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I can hardly begin to state the importance of books in our lives. Books mold our thought processes. From the earliest years, through fairy tales we learn of good versus evil; we learn about morality: right and wrong. We form our opinions and beliefs.<br />
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Books also teach us how to read, write and speak and therefore are (or should be) the foundation of a child's education. I can not underemphasis the importance of choosing the right books to give our children to read.<br />
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I am not just talking about getting books that are morally correct. I'm talking about something that Charlotte Mason called "twaddle." An outdated word, to be sure, but give the lady a break, she lived over 100 yr. ago! Twaddle is simple language, incomplete sentences, unimaginative writing, "UNLITERARY" writing..... you get the idea. We've all seen this type of writing. The library is full of such books. That's why its important to be selective.<br />
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Here is an example from a reading book I had picked up for Breck and had not checked over carefully:<br />
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"Rushing down the highway, rolling down the road. Truck Stop."<br />
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What was that? That's not a sentence. Breck was totally confused. He could tell that "rushing down the highway, rolling down the road" was not a complete thought. Needless to say, we will not be finishing the book.<br />
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On the other hand, here is an example of good literary writing by Rudyard Kipling. This is taken from the beginning of one chapter from his book, "Just So Stories."<br />
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"Once upon a most early time was a Neolithic man. He was not a Jute or an Angle, or even a Dravidian, which he might well have been, Best Beloved, but never mind why. He was a Primitive, and he lived cavily in a Cave, and he wore very few clothes, and he couldn't read and he couldn't write and he didn't want to, and except when he was hungry he was quite happy. His name was Tegumai Bopsulai, and that means, 'Man-who-does-not-put-his-foot-forward-in-a-hurry'; but we, O Best Beloved, will call him Tegumai, for short. And his wife's name was Teshumai Tewindrow, and that means, 'Lady-who-asks-a-very-many-questions'; but we, O best Beloved, will call her Teshumai, for short. And his little girl-daughter's name was Taffimai Metallumai, and that means, 'Small-person-without-any-manners-who-ought-to-be-spanked'; but I"m going to call her Taffy And she was Tegumai Bopsulai's Best Beloved and her own Mummy's Best Beloved, and she was not spanked half as much as was good for her; and they were all three very happy."<br />
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That's good writing.<br />
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All I'm saying is think about what you give your children to feast their minds upon. What you read is what you become and for what you will develop an appetite. I regularly read books to my children that are hard for them to understand. Sometimes I have to stop every sentence or two to explain what is happening or explain new words that they don't understand. THAT'S OKAY! They are learning. Their minds are being challenged and are expanding with new understanding every day.<br />
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There is one more reason for not allowing a constant diet of fluffy material, and that is because the main reason we teach our children to read is so they can read the greatest literary masterpiece ever written-the Bible. How can children be expected to grow up and read the Bible consistently, revere it, love it, and at least somewhat understand it if they have been fed twaddle all their lives. I'm afraid I've been around far too many Christians who stumbled around trying to read a passage from the Bible. The Bible is a difficult book to read, so we better be preparing our children.<br />
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Something to think about.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-81844612775933648472010-02-11T10:35:00.000-06:002010-02-11T10:35:15.880-06:00Try A Little TendernessIn honor of Valentine's Day here is one of my all-time favorite love songs. I have so many that its hard to say which on is my favorite, so this is ONE of my favorites. This song just gets me every time I hear it. I become a pile of mush every time. And Michael Buble is just....well, pretty awesome.<br />
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Oh, and if you're interested in seeing him up close and personal you can get a front row ticket at Conseco Field House this summer for only $1,700.00 That's just a tad over my budget, so I'll have to watch on youtube.<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day! <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68yM87fcktE&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68yM87fcktE&feature=related</a>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-46478854297691715372010-02-02T08:44:00.002-06:002010-02-02T08:46:50.097-06:00Mattise, Van Gogh or Picasso?I believe that every child can learn to draw. Its just like learning to read, sure it might come easier for some than for others, but they can all be taught. I am constantly amazed at the creativity and artistic abilities of children. All they need is a little guidance<br />
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Here are some pictures that my kids have drawn in art class this year (all but one are Breck's). Breck says that he either wants to be a carpet-installer like his Dad or an artist when he grows up. I think he has a good start on the artist.<br />
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The first two pictures are flowers in a vase.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBQUoESPuE9AhHsCosQ7Od-tA19VeUn8emSmJAAho11k4PjFGnk7H7wRIPfwKkUs6ohptiMOl5tzpndnvRhN6twZjoggmYaJlwP5_PfurBM6AQO0ZhgG0EmUdO8Md8AdduqXSS8BEcJWt/s1600-h/breckart-+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBQUoESPuE9AhHsCosQ7Od-tA19VeUn8emSmJAAho11k4PjFGnk7H7wRIPfwKkUs6ohptiMOl5tzpndnvRhN6twZjoggmYaJlwP5_PfurBM6AQO0ZhgG0EmUdO8Md8AdduqXSS8BEcJWt/s400/breckart-+flower.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
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The next picture is of his favorite hero...Larry Boy.<br />
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Space.<br />
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A Boy's Face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKEHFOPA2KWeYcVCxceY3eQ-J25M4_KvBFCcfboUFzV9EVRpVqnV3RgdJLZ2DSl_0V-eJi7ZTrwu8vGAsCIyyKAhwppLyJjxpeUeJTV4aEg6FBN08qDXJm8vepGx5agSGlBzVA5WmeqE-/s1600-h/breckart-boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKEHFOPA2KWeYcVCxceY3eQ-J25M4_KvBFCcfboUFzV9EVRpVqnV3RgdJLZ2DSl_0V-eJi7ZTrwu8vGAsCIyyKAhwppLyJjxpeUeJTV4aEg6FBN08qDXJm8vepGx5agSGlBzVA5WmeqE-/s400/breckart-boy.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />
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Autumn saw her big brother drawing a face and decided she should draw one too. Autumn loves color...LOTS of color. I absolutely love this picture. It really has quite a lot of emotion in it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi62J6_Wfjecjp6HgkRiU1qtDJDhwnjdTVlkRT2hSUtUhLN5clh59K642LP7rckT_BGsIeDF6iEG_f4n8fuHo_jXzV3BU9thbXA1Rn73tzWiddhNSunsWb0RScbtPH1jMKZHjPxKh5JMsP/s1600-h/autumnart-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi62J6_Wfjecjp6HgkRiU1qtDJDhwnjdTVlkRT2hSUtUhLN5clh59K642LP7rckT_BGsIeDF6iEG_f4n8fuHo_jXzV3BU9thbXA1Rn73tzWiddhNSunsWb0RScbtPH1jMKZHjPxKh5JMsP/s400/autumnart-girl.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I swear it looks as good as some stuff that I've seen in art galleries! Do we still have child labor laws?<br />
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JOKE, people, a joke!Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-84731295055733556652010-01-13T13:28:00.000-06:002010-01-13T13:28:52.127-06:00A Brilliant Idea From A Brilliant Man!Once again, Leland is my hero. If I had a dollar for every time this man solved my problems I would be a rich woman. (Lets just say I'm still waiting for those back-payments to kick in.) Well, once again he came to my rescue.<br />
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Here was my problem. A broken-down box full of hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. <strike> This is as bad as it ever looks.</strike> This actually looks good. Half of the time the items are not even in the box. Not only is it messy, but it is very frustrating clawing through the pile to find your one good pair of gloves on Sunday morning before walking out the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP8gnPmvQjD_MknMsZFRIcjKbtH4eVCZ4i8-QLDhIBw3kMG6QaeRzsZtlKEB0QPqFKA-KXandIE81Y5h5-vjuVRDFTYGw9cTBHy7_Ruzle-6bkq9DRd7gBHvmBX610T9a7z2y0Ay10iWw/s1600-h/box+of+winter+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP8gnPmvQjD_MknMsZFRIcjKbtH4eVCZ4i8-QLDhIBw3kMG6QaeRzsZtlKEB0QPqFKA-KXandIE81Y5h5-vjuVRDFTYGw9cTBHy7_Ruzle-6bkq9DRd7gBHvmBX610T9a7z2y0Ay10iWw/s400/box+of+winter+stuff.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Also, my kids like to play with them Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. They find it a favorite past-time to play dress-up with them. So I like to keep them out all year, which basically means I have a mess all year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw9ulpekvSQmTns7Y-Lm7GoJfmsb7mvHBVgJpNK__I1eXxBsUqeQzcqEDdegkVO4hKqrfFQJZT2QCCF9Ors7ityTpj8QnwU7tOCQM1NLh4e3Zv5m2igtQU9w3qp3A3cLioQ1A00bY2vsd/s1600-h/breck+and+autumn+being+silly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw9ulpekvSQmTns7Y-Lm7GoJfmsb7mvHBVgJpNK__I1eXxBsUqeQzcqEDdegkVO4hKqrfFQJZT2QCCF9Ors7ityTpj8QnwU7tOCQM1NLh4e3Zv5m2igtQU9w3qp3A3cLioQ1A00bY2vsd/s400/breck+and+autumn+being+silly.jpg" /></a><br />
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So what does a girl do? She goes to her husband and says, "What am I to do?!!!" *sob* *sob* *sob* No. Actually, I don't think there was any crying involved. This time. The time before that? Probably. Here was his brilliant solution. I'm kissing his feet over this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj040i7NTqFd_mKgLVgOGiVZVXpr7Y9uzcjxhM5LjjQCuTlGrLw4MQxiZodrSXP2tFxOCxrdKbP8QSdnugexYgcvQ_4vCj-2Cbfjl5D3-S4CEAGX4fxhMpdz4QIvqKUcMEZBrgzRCqHKfZJ/s1600-h/DSCI0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj040i7NTqFd_mKgLVgOGiVZVXpr7Y9uzcjxhM5LjjQCuTlGrLw4MQxiZodrSXP2tFxOCxrdKbP8QSdnugexYgcvQ_4vCj-2Cbfjl5D3-S4CEAGX4fxhMpdz4QIvqKUcMEZBrgzRCqHKfZJ/s400/DSCI0626.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>An over-the-door shoe holder. PERFECT!! Why didn't I think of this? Not only is it neat AND organized so you can actually find that wayward glove, but it is also a great space-saver.<br />
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So I went from this:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP8gnPmvQjD_MknMsZFRIcjKbtH4eVCZ4i8-QLDhIBw3kMG6QaeRzsZtlKEB0QPqFKA-KXandIE81Y5h5-vjuVRDFTYGw9cTBHy7_Ruzle-6bkq9DRd7gBHvmBX610T9a7z2y0Ay10iWw/s1600-h/box+of+winter+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP8gnPmvQjD_MknMsZFRIcjKbtH4eVCZ4i8-QLDhIBw3kMG6QaeRzsZtlKEB0QPqFKA-KXandIE81Y5h5-vjuVRDFTYGw9cTBHy7_Ruzle-6bkq9DRd7gBHvmBX610T9a7z2y0Ay10iWw/s1600-h/box+of+winter+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP8gnPmvQjD_MknMsZFRIcjKbtH4eVCZ4i8-QLDhIBw3kMG6QaeRzsZtlKEB0QPqFKA-KXandIE81Y5h5-vjuVRDFTYGw9cTBHy7_Ruzle-6bkq9DRd7gBHvmBX610T9a7z2y0Ay10iWw/s400/box+of+winter+stuff.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To This: <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2opu6uBZzf3dj0y2Dykw5ieCW1OMS9WxGwEL1eqGdpzEiXre-AU5qDscTddkwEZUjG1l0kR1w7_kAn7FsXob4SjCI6QO0DHzwsfwoeUPshYKOWsbj52cDuNQC3Hn0VPOV8Fd1nJWOUlo-/s1600-h/over-the-door+shoe+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2opu6uBZzf3dj0y2Dykw5ieCW1OMS9WxGwEL1eqGdpzEiXre-AU5qDscTddkwEZUjG1l0kR1w7_kAn7FsXob4SjCI6QO0DHzwsfwoeUPshYKOWsbj52cDuNQC3Hn0VPOV8Fd1nJWOUlo-/s400/over-the-door+shoe+holder.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Men's work gloves? No problem. Long scarves? No problem-just double them over a couple times. I put the kids' things on the lower rows so they can get their own and put them back in the right places when they're done with them.<br />
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I'm in nirvana.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-23179703125496394612009-12-13T13:52:00.002-06:002009-12-13T13:57:11.046-06:00Contrasting AppearancesMy kids had the priviledge of being angels today for about 60 minutes. I think that was all they could handle. Even before the costumes were off I could see the horns poking through in back of their halos. I'm sure they were chosen to be angels in our church's Christmas pageant ONLY because the costumes fit them and NOT because my children exibit angelic qualities.<br />
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Take a look at these pictures and you'll see what I mean.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjhetN6Jpu3_qqWUaeA4R0j7_3I0MxngPk2VWnpsX1SFUBEuGetdAXRr-4kO2UBG02rOJ9VtCfBRzdS1f-LvOPAgtInkgcIUcRJHC06GLSpB5Xx17izT4Cz_IyqpLiIcxW0Km-xmgzyOZ/s1600-h/b+%26+a+acting+silly+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjhetN6Jpu3_qqWUaeA4R0j7_3I0MxngPk2VWnpsX1SFUBEuGetdAXRr-4kO2UBG02rOJ9VtCfBRzdS1f-LvOPAgtInkgcIUcRJHC06GLSpB5Xx17izT4Cz_IyqpLiIcxW0Km-xmgzyOZ/s400/b+%26+a+acting+silly+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do these pictures look angelic, I ask you?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This or....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG99RYKhzQBRKPDRuZSOXF3E5PAInB1JzjC82EAwvAtI1I7mIgizd-Q8eEwp3zKzbcSLoyYrMuFu8CDxapvUki3VT0l3Bw8LLxdylYla8O86SWBHBxiUdYHbQaEBcVobU1gXbyQPy__g5d/s1600-h/b+%26+a+angels+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG99RYKhzQBRKPDRuZSOXF3E5PAInB1JzjC82EAwvAtI1I7mIgizd-Q8eEwp3zKzbcSLoyYrMuFu8CDxapvUki3VT0l3Bw8LLxdylYla8O86SWBHBxiUdYHbQaEBcVobU1gXbyQPy__g5d/s400/b+%26+a+angels+5.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Angels or.......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not? </span>Do you see horns? I see horns.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet and docile or....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mischievious? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You decide.<br />
</div>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-23120826612738082042009-11-11T09:00:00.000-06:002009-11-11T09:00:06.401-06:00Putting Away My BullwhipLately, life has become a series of to-do lists. My life has consisted of waking and then making a mad dash through my day to accomplish my list of things to do. When I do (which is seldom), I feel good about myself. I'm a good Teacher if I get school started on time and get through all my subjects. I'm a good Mom if I teach my kids how to work hard and tell the truth. I'm a good wife if I have the house clean, the clothes ironed and a nice supper on the table when Leland walks in the door. <br />
<br />
For instance, my list for today was:<br />
Start school on time (<span style="font-size: x-small;">ok, lets move to the next one</span>)<br />
Finish all Breck's school work<br />
Dust the entire house<br />
Make a nice supper<br />
Make it to Bible Study (<span style="font-size: x-small;">preferably on time</span>)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I know. Not a big list. But I have three little children, so give me a break here.)</span><br />
<br />
But when those things don't happen, well... I have this bullwhip that I keep in my closet. When the ironing doesn't get done...SLAP! Supper didn't turn out well...SLAP! I started school late...SLAP! I didn't make that pumpkin pie my kids were begging me to make because I had too many other things to do...SLAP! SLAP! I didn't write an e-mail to my dear Grandma...SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! <br />
<br />
After a while I feel bruised, frustrated, impatient, unloving, and........ Yeah. You get the picture. Not at all a pleasant person to be around.<br />
<br />
Its at a time like this that God has a way of making his point very clearly.<br />
<br />
I was having my devotions this morning when God suddenly spoke to me and said, "<b>You are focusing on the WRONG THING!!!</b> Your focus should not be how much you can accomplish today; rushing through your to-do list. Your focus should be serving Me with joy!"<br />
<br />
Why is it that we always want to focus on DOING rather than BEING?! God's ultimate goal is not for me to just read my Bible every day and go to church on Sunday and Bible study on Wednesday night. Those things are good... don't get me wrong. But what He really wants is re.la.tion.ship. My husband doesn't need a perfect wife...he needs relationship! My kids don't want a perfect Mom...they want relationship! <br />
<br />
WOW!! <br />
<br />
How liberating!<br />
<br />
I don't have to be perfect! I can put away my bullwhip! <br />
<br />
If I focus on relationships and serving God, I can still have joy when there are piles of laundry that need done. <br />
<br />
Who knew?<br />
<br />
So today I choose joy. And I hope my husband has something clean to wear to work tomorrow.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-52442529163005214072009-11-04T14:32:00.002-06:002009-11-04T14:34:11.678-06:00Teaching FonixAm I the only one who thinks that our English language is reediculus in the way we spell words? I am a firm believer in teaching reading phonetically, but people! why on earth do we have so many ways to spell out the sound "eee"?!!! "e" or "ee" or "ea" or "y" or "i" (am I missing any?) But depending on where that "e" is in the word it might also say "eh" as in "shed", but then "ai" also makes that same sound too, as in "said"... so don't get confused here.<br />
<br />
For instance, the letter "O" says Ah, as in "mop"....unless there is an "E" at the end, and then it says Oh, as in "mope". But then there is "soap", which should be spelled "sope" and "moat", which should be spelled "mote". And then there are words like "old", "sold", "host", "roll", "both", etc., that are spelled that way for no apparent reason...just because someone decided they look better that way, I guess. <br />
<br />
Then lets not forget that "th" sounds together if you are saying the word "the", but if you are saying the word "Thomas" <b>YOU JUST SAY "T" BECAUSE THE "H" IS SILENT!!!!!</b> Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!<br />
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There are also words like "sulk" that we really pronounce "solk". And the word "cute" should really be spelled "qoot". <br />
<br />
*sob* *sob* *sob*<br />
<br />
I mean, seriously, how am I supposed to teach a 6 yr. old all these stupid (yes, I did say stoopid) rules? <br />
<br />
Its no wonder our kids struggle with spelling. Could we <i>please</i> just stick to one sound per letter? It would make it <i>so </i>much eesier. I'm all for a revolt.<br />
<br />
If you need me, I'll be under my bed chewing my fingernails off. I can only take so much of this!Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-64424537053522758132009-10-17T19:57:00.006-05:002009-10-17T22:07:53.053-05:00It Was A Wet, Soggy VacationIt was a wet, soggy, misty, blustery, rainy vacation. I know, I know, it was our fault for taking a vacation in Wisconsin in September. What did we expect, right? Well, the forcast the week before said it would be beautiful weather. That was before it heard the Lindahl's were coming. Then it turned into a generally yucky week. Whoa. 50℉ feels REALLY cold when you've been used to 75-80℉ weather! We did have one day that was not rainy and blowing and I think it even got up to 65℉!!<br />
<br />
Thankfully we stayed in a very nice town home complete with fireplace and jacuzzi. I can weather ANY storm with a jacuzzi, fireplace and latte! Ooooohhhh yEEEEaaaahhh! (That's my Glenn Beck impersonation)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and steaks! Huge. Steaks. Steaks that Leland grilled to per.fec.tion. Steaks that melted in your mouth.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, it wasn't so bad.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We sat around. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">We drank lattes. (mostly Christy and I )<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">We watched movies.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">We acted silly.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We read.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Grandma spent time with her newest grandbaby.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We played nintendo games<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It was nice to just sit around and do nothing. That doesn't happen too often. Oh, and I found out that we're pretty talented at doing nothing. <br />
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</div>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-39067309941135698622009-10-05T21:30:00.000-05:002009-10-05T21:30:32.399-05:00If I end up dead, this post will be the reason. (Attn: district attorney)Psst, this is Leland. Just wondering how many other husbands out there are living in paralyzing fear of doing anything remotely cute that could end up on one of these posts and thereby vaporize any traces of studliness that may remain after 3 kids and 1 minivan. Uh-oh, gotta run; here she comes . . . .Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-37601968659137266572009-10-05T13:42:00.000-05:002009-10-05T13:42:47.442-05:00What Its All AboutIt was 8:30 in the evening. We had just made a 10 hr. trip home from Wisconsin where we had spent the previous week in a much-needed vacation. The kids had been put in bed, all except for Braden who was screaming his lungs out at having to be put in bed after being in a car seat ALL day. I was trying to get things unpacked as we had Sunday Worship the next morning. I felt VERY frazzled as I tried in vain to get Braden to settle down. <br />
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Braden had just drifted off to sleep in my arms while I was sitting in the recliner when I heard a soft, "Mom, Mom." I groaned inwardly as I debated what to do. Do I try to talk to Breck from in here and risk waking Braden or do I try to sloowly get up and go into the room without waking him? I finally decided on the latter and made it into Breck's room. <br />
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"What do you need, honey?" I was not prepared for his answer. I was expecting, "I need a drink of water," "I want a story on," "I can't feel my fan".....you know, the usual stuff kids come up with right when they're supposed to be going to sleep. <br />
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Instead, he looked at me and said, "I want to pray."<br />
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"Okay. What do you want to pray about?"<br />
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"I want to ask Jesus to come into my heart."<br />
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"I thought you already asked Him to come into your heart." He had prayed this prayer when he was three yr. old and he had always affirmed that Jesus had saved him then. <br />
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"I did. But I'm not sure that I meant it and I just want to be sure."<br />
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Wow! I helped him pray and rededicate his life to Jesus that night. I also explained to him that its always okay to pray and make sure that our relationship with Jesus is in the right place.<br />
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Sometimes being a mom can be a tough job... no, not sometimes- most of the time. You teach and train and discipline and nurture until you feel worn out emotionally. Sometimes you wonder if its doing any good or if you're doing a good enough job.<br />
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Its moments like these that remind me what its all about. Its about getting our kids to heaven. Its about making a difference in their lives. And its worth every emotionally-draining day. Its worth every frazzled moment. Its worth every moment that you have spent in your bed at night crying to God to <i>help you know how to do this</i>! Its worth <b>everything</b> to be a mom. <br />
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I know by the calendar its not Mother's Day, but then again, maybe it is. <br />
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<b>Happy Mother's Day</b>, my friends.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-42858698610318371892009-09-21T12:51:00.001-05:002009-09-22T13:11:41.846-05:00RecreationsYou know how you can have a great idea in your mind for a LONG time and just never do anything about it??? That's how I have been with regards to my kitchen/dining room. My kitchen is currently painted yellow and decorated in a blue and white Dutch dishes kind of theme. I have liked it okay, but unbeknowns to me, my husband didn't really like it. And since he lives in this house too I thought I should redecorate it. (Its really just a great excuse to get some new decorations....hehehe, but don't tell him.)<br />
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I love little French-Italian Bistros and Cafes. They are so delightful! I love the colors-so warm. I love the feeling. And I also love the food. I mean, who doesn't like alfredo and lasagna and pizza and french bread and alfredo and chicken cacciatore and alfredo. Do you get the idea that I like alfredo? Oh, and I also love the fat little chefs and the black chalkboards. ^-^. Soooo, I decided that would be the perfect theme with which to redecorate.<br />
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HOWEVER, that can cost a lot of money!!! We're talking two rooms here. So I decided to try my hand at some restoration and recreations of things I already had and things I could buy cheaply. I am having SO much fun doing this I'm afraid my husband is going to ban me from buying any more spray paint for fear that I'm going to spray paint the whole house! (I promise, honey, I won't touch your computer or your ipod!)<br />
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Here are just a couple of things I've done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't have a before picture of this because my camera wouldn't work when I went to take the picture. I thought the camera was broken. My husband found that I had put the battery in wrong......yep. I'm like that. I would not survive in a world of technology without my husband.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So just imagine this picture as a bright red frame with chalkboard and corkboard on the top and Mickey Mouse decals with three pegs on the bottom.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what it looks like now:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwAjOw7G_mell64e7m5CLCk3JD_wvDL11qfiWCc4wu_tiwXCc0IWjGD8mC38Q_bzbZ9UAhXRlJBcFwRpJpI6Mgv55zY_jHaLMY6waHhmoglItv9h66afC4cBxT-V4lQyAnLZSAN2Djk5h/s1600-h/menu+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwAjOw7G_mell64e7m5CLCk3JD_wvDL11qfiWCc4wu_tiwXCc0IWjGD8mC38Q_bzbZ9UAhXRlJBcFwRpJpI6Mgv55zY_jHaLMY6waHhmoglItv9h66afC4cBxT-V4lQyAnLZSAN2Djk5h/s400/menu+board.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>This is not the best picture. I couldn't get the right lighting, but you get the idea. The top picture is just a piece of scrapbook paper. Altogether this little baby cost me less than $10! $3 for frame at garage sale, $5 for rub-ons on clearance, $.41 for scrapbook paper.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot-CuN6Ll-MNXlRPTDFyf4CFICzB6X8jblTzCWl9LB4GNAZNK_Wm4YJ3qLlgvRYjKK8RhvSxADR4eAfu2CudiKZzdb3gejntwnq7Fi6rsGlW0SKJtpiY3LlxU88ykSNJfiE5h9cF3GBAC/s1600-h/DSCI0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot-CuN6Ll-MNXlRPTDFyf4CFICzB6X8jblTzCWl9LB4GNAZNK_Wm4YJ3qLlgvRYjKK8RhvSxADR4eAfu2CudiKZzdb3gejntwnq7Fi6rsGlW0SKJtpiY3LlxU88ykSNJfiE5h9cF3GBAC/s320/DSCI0285.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>The bottom decals are rub-on stencils. The package says "Instant Rub-on Stencils" HA!! I had to rub each one for half hour before they would come off!! But it was worth it because I love it. I especially love the chalkboard. You can write all sorts of stuff on it: "Cafe de Paris," "If you sit on your chair properly you WON'T fall off!" (Why is that so hard?!)<br />
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Here is my second project: This is what they looked like before AND.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVUTAAF7Z2fV0kHUID-DOsrQ5GZeJfs1uMFd8BXWz5o3fdN9lnN8eWEBMEww31-PPXzfBJAU5dQsqQM0jQlfH3EnaYftcCZs1Vr6smV4iKqc5AM4_Yqa_XBhyphenhyphenz3gzj8Hv-0YFNGCtDeW/s1600-h/wall+plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVUTAAF7Z2fV0kHUID-DOsrQ5GZeJfs1uMFd8BXWz5o3fdN9lnN8eWEBMEww31-PPXzfBJAU5dQsqQM0jQlfH3EnaYftcCZs1Vr6smV4iKqc5AM4_Yqa_XBhyphenhyphenz3gzj8Hv-0YFNGCtDeW/s320/wall+plates.jpg" /></a><br />
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here is what they look like now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPZr7XRkBlz16eXtQnm_xjKC12L7h9iAplECCxo746zp8fEC-jVNaSJ16Y9EXTX-Lh9fhhrp_HcMiRFcy1dSv4DplU28qbT-Rtpr3cBG3UgwA8NDpN9rDmk_vbE-A8KgT8HY6YAi9Wq2J/s1600-h/newly+painted+plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPZr7XRkBlz16eXtQnm_xjKC12L7h9iAplECCxo746zp8fEC-jVNaSJ16Y9EXTX-Lh9fhhrp_HcMiRFcy1dSv4DplU28qbT-Rtpr3cBG3UgwA8NDpN9rDmk_vbE-A8KgT8HY6YAi9Wq2J/s320/newly+painted+plates.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Ahhhhh, I am in love! All I needed was some paint. I still have to spray paint the shelf black. White won't do. I plan to paint several more plates to put here and there.<br />
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I have to give you a secret I learned from someone else. Do you see the word Cafe on the middle plate? I did NOT free hand that. Wall art is very popular right now but very expensive. You can achieve the same look for FREE! Print out the words you want in the font you want. Flip the paper over and scribble over the entire word(s) with pencil. (This is the back side) Tape the word wherever you want it and then trace over the words hard with a pen. When you lift the paper you will have an outline of the words. Then you just paint over the outline...simple and very fun! I'm just dying to try this in more places all over the house.<br />
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Stay tuned for more recreations. As I get more done I'll post them. Happy Decorating!Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-46015289926438825322009-09-03T12:04:00.001-05:002009-09-22T13:12:24.040-05:00Of Dragons and Fair Ladies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR8WbEOjrLNr6jowO9mxDO68mEcr51_4xSfJDH5F3bvREOrmDWcnR95Cw81NmB91OYRJ-A2tqv60g9KrJBVIPXuuOoElVByL8PhoJAHqdW7BW4tU7WWdVhNgnf0zIgq65FBn37uIE8R6L/s1600-h/The+princess.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">Once upon a time there was a fair maiden who was captured by a dragon. A brave knight took on the dragon, slew him and rescued the princess and they all lived happily ever after. The end.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR8WbEOjrLNr6jowO9mxDO68mEcr51_4xSfJDH5F3bvREOrmDWcnR95Cw81NmB91OYRJ-A2tqv60g9KrJBVIPXuuOoElVByL8PhoJAHqdW7BW4tU7WWdVhNgnf0zIgq65FBn37uIE8R6L/s1600-h/The+princess.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377292084412734354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR8WbEOjrLNr6jowO9mxDO68mEcr51_4xSfJDH5F3bvREOrmDWcnR95Cw81NmB91OYRJ-A2tqv60g9KrJBVIPXuuOoElVByL8PhoJAHqdW7BW4tU7WWdVhNgnf0zIgq65FBn37uIE8R6L/s400/The+princess.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 302px;" /></a>The Princess<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAFUDpaMjOjURCDwDnRGhEWM3ESiEGbxSL4InpOptfx0LRRNvOYSZqpleOrzyJL62qiu5pfQ0Q0gXfLhKlqmkptqhcG4TtniK-9dIw1PrMS7sByiH57ozYrfk0NanKlmHbmF0cv_1wi5W/s1600-h/the+dragon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377292078109964978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAFUDpaMjOjURCDwDnRGhEWM3ESiEGbxSL4InpOptfx0LRRNvOYSZqpleOrzyJL62qiu5pfQ0Q0gXfLhKlqmkptqhcG4TtniK-9dIw1PrMS7sByiH57ozYrfk0NanKlmHbmF0cv_1wi5W/s400/the+dragon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The Dragon (Don't be fooled by meek and mild-looking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tigger</span>-he can be <span style="font-weight: bold;">very </span>fierce!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskehLs5929BF0ZNzrqDG1QmhdMhMcF3X53lcEEMqkS0TCInkb00MIbLKO_OGEQQj1XbWuFqe-xNAW3bhW6cUw-BUTJEfZf48yWL6JUp680z3tBp4dUkv89I_NDfQrz7MLK5DXyGv_KNN4/s1600-h/breck+the+knight+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377295687610236402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskehLs5929BF0ZNzrqDG1QmhdMhMcF3X53lcEEMqkS0TCInkb00MIbLKO_OGEQQj1XbWuFqe-xNAW3bhW6cUw-BUTJEfZf48yWL6JUp680z3tBp4dUkv89I_NDfQrz7MLK5DXyGv_KNN4/s400/breck+the+knight+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>The Knight<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCi_z52QR3a_OJEKVik0YUZZHRAi_w5d13W6WXDe-g1pSNKoK-zifNzrkhfNDDG-ZKwJFxLCjO2fc_IJDO7FD9RwiuaAtGVfizZO5UiaALw2TlfiOMknebgqAHbsMScPsbHg6Xzqg6XSz/s1600-h/the+fierce+battle+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377291582369174978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCi_z52QR3a_OJEKVik0YUZZHRAi_w5d13W6WXDe-g1pSNKoK-zifNzrkhfNDDG-ZKwJFxLCjO2fc_IJDO7FD9RwiuaAtGVfizZO5UiaALw2TlfiOMknebgqAHbsMScPsbHg6Xzqg6XSz/s400/the+fierce+battle+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 301px;" /></a>A fierce battle ensues<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4l39PrqtdnmyRrPIFz_erV6A67NDcNkDgU1wiJ-kMJKfyl6dJf5-yVMan67Stv8DEeyFREwYfMRd2e7ZXEAhCkIEDgzVP8yG3SH5OOBwWjq5MkM9c_9sNi1OK3WbfpX39ZZCyd5gPQS36/s1600-h/the+fierce+battle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377291570003331794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4l39PrqtdnmyRrPIFz_erV6A67NDcNkDgU1wiJ-kMJKfyl6dJf5-yVMan67Stv8DEeyFREwYfMRd2e7ZXEAhCkIEDgzVP8yG3SH5OOBwWjq5MkM9c_9sNi1OK3WbfpX39ZZCyd5gPQS36/s400/the+fierce+battle.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 301px;" /></a>The Dragon is slain<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gmUnzhr5d-OtkmsIntHySrAnwmLWw4_GKzdtfD_jOr9HRKbfbp-T6byu_7KrkV20CsgjhG09U7LIJzi_brKu1ArQ58xPT46swn5jwu6yuzWRAuMzolRbZ7CX8Cys_Iwu2HhhXa3UFNyX/s1600-h/autumn+and+breck+playing+knights.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377291556787137122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gmUnzhr5d-OtkmsIntHySrAnwmLWw4_GKzdtfD_jOr9HRKbfbp-T6byu_7KrkV20CsgjhG09U7LIJzi_brKu1ArQ58xPT46swn5jwu6yuzWRAuMzolRbZ7CX8Cys_Iwu2HhhXa3UFNyX/s400/autumn+and+breck+playing+knights.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 269px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The Princess honors the Knight who saved her life<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6uG7woJrMgt51RKCQ0cmwmPtbymo9Pc_RKICWi05H4fbgmPfy0P9ekTItrPshdUdXgPazrZmUSg_FKG84Glamg8o0CP2qgJCLu1-WoRSS2S32nfgYPnu-vtM0vNdtl-8t9YKyUj3JdHH/s1600-h/breck+the+knight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296340795865458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6uG7woJrMgt51RKCQ0cmwmPtbymo9Pc_RKICWi05H4fbgmPfy0P9ekTItrPshdUdXgPazrZmUSg_FKG84Glamg8o0CP2qgJCLu1-WoRSS2S32nfgYPnu-vtM0vNdtl-8t9YKyUj3JdHH/s400/breck+the+knight.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>The victorious <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">conqueror</span>!Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-86769452976590128732009-08-31T13:01:00.001-05:002009-09-22T13:12:53.852-05:00Shameless Gushing!!There are few things more nauseating than a brand-new mother. They all think THEIR baby is <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> cutest, <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> smartest, <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> most cuddly, and on and on and on... You know what I'm talking about. Everyone else is going, "Yea, yea, yea...he looks like all the rest!" Grandparents are the only ones who appreciate this.<br />
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So far I have tried to refrain from gushing about my baby and making everyone around me sick. But a Mom can only do what she can do...I mean, give me a break here! So if you have a weak stomach you might want to jump to the next blog because this is going to be shameless!! I had some pictures of my darling baby boy that were simply begging to be posted. So at the risk of being completely annoying...here they are.<br />
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Laughing at something ...who knows what? Probably at one of his parents.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD182Db42rx7oyswznlYUpQ5PRT5hSKrtuN59VRl7odnq3JIcfSMIbRs2DIsGsKV-UPGxTilwf4fpHEsmFvV5PM040tvYrJS6mdrqM2Wy81PrWBauLjlvURKO8TqufcXLyTifJ9otKz4I/s1600-h/braden+smiling.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376201905323763138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD182Db42rx7oyswznlYUpQ5PRT5hSKrtuN59VRl7odnq3JIcfSMIbRs2DIsGsKV-UPGxTilwf4fpHEsmFvV5PM040tvYrJS6mdrqM2Wy81PrWBauLjlvURKO8TqufcXLyTifJ9otKz4I/s400/braden+smiling.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Taking a bath<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXptdVVgRNF9w0oynJUmYWNiTOj38EjA8SrRd33uBiXw-EAkDQnv8T2Brzm8R2ejxbzBnplqrx_8IPouK60T7z9IX5HF1-VGLjNqYu_mfuyzrrsintX0mwHhv4VhoIRnsjC9dN0lGbiLQ0/s1600-h/braden+in+tub+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376201014537130546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXptdVVgRNF9w0oynJUmYWNiTOj38EjA8SrRd33uBiXw-EAkDQnv8T2Brzm8R2ejxbzBnplqrx_8IPouK60T7z9IX5HF1-VGLjNqYu_mfuyzrrsintX0mwHhv4VhoIRnsjC9dN0lGbiLQ0/s400/braden+in+tub+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnbsB4f8xS39uKUdYGvLCMOlvVPVKIF_KTHbd9Ej_tbYfVs-n0LrAQgUGd-VewooSoAwspP11SnLbyrNfKd8vairpzXfXi6A2mSc7lnSM_LtHUFOvZNT3HvSwwUPB3cs5Z_BkwoBuZiCG/s1600-h/braden+in+tub.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376201005736929522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnbsB4f8xS39uKUdYGvLCMOlvVPVKIF_KTHbd9Ej_tbYfVs-n0LrAQgUGd-VewooSoAwspP11SnLbyrNfKd8vairpzXfXi6A2mSc7lnSM_LtHUFOvZNT3HvSwwUPB3cs5Z_BkwoBuZiCG/s400/braden+in+tub.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Watching life go by<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZydcaYBIfJtChU5Em8TGXj3U1L5Yl_VVE27GunWB9Rz5mQXnkIIPtcu5IrMs83sJn280hhOaWQ8UgZNWWc6Z2jleKVNCJJcAn6WSZ4APQIh9VJklKRrTxsMs47i8KNCSUV5zTXtMH02QL/s1600-h/braden+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200981963689330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZydcaYBIfJtChU5Em8TGXj3U1L5Yl_VVE27GunWB9Rz5mQXnkIIPtcu5IrMs83sJn280hhOaWQ8UgZNWWc6Z2jleKVNCJJcAn6WSZ4APQIh9VJklKRrTxsMs47i8KNCSUV5zTXtMH02QL/s400/braden+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 363px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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And lying around some more...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloLkwcI2jjDTpMEL2KpAU50q-MctqQg9yiDPbM7UhHdh9ggY0srgOzM5ejxye3F4tzEQt5f0nKQl80tarZN_XrrjruvpYQTyyvEHcFtHAchZSMqbaFemYoFiJYQKMsWWdyL4L7QMsXjhQ/s1600-h/braden+in+basinett.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197469539565170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloLkwcI2jjDTpMEL2KpAU50q-MctqQg9yiDPbM7UhHdh9ggY0srgOzM5ejxye3F4tzEQt5f0nKQl80tarZN_XrrjruvpYQTyyvEHcFtHAchZSMqbaFemYoFiJYQKMsWWdyL4L7QMsXjhQ/s400/braden+in+basinett.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-eSjfSs1A0AE9W5PZZMFxb2cS8K5hxGbL6SE73opOGWBhSWajt_zPM5P-5H7vvBSnKxt0oFJjqGrKpNcNOOLvFt4LpAhDzzClvBKie6TQV64aYAgIDcQ70BHpAQ9CF_mVmwQW0OtEmQz/s1600-h/braden+in+bean+bag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197441035943362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-eSjfSs1A0AE9W5PZZMFxb2cS8K5hxGbL6SE73opOGWBhSWajt_zPM5P-5H7vvBSnKxt0oFJjqGrKpNcNOOLvFt4LpAhDzzClvBKie6TQV64aYAgIDcQ70BHpAQ9CF_mVmwQW0OtEmQz/s400/braden+in+bean+bag.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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Boy, I wish I could lie around this much!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw_dXi55ZTmPrEuYpqzdBECgt5mCWuCLWNCYPpXjylUVPjSvA8PGD2fFmnnOBQSNPI6flM45xH1ChSrC5HhTp83bRz1LT3PSls1uo-tH9yrKbDCPw2I8cxbejblvDK0dWlfOxbg0eIEa5/s1600-h/braden+in+stroller+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376201914095965154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw_dXi55ZTmPrEuYpqzdBECgt5mCWuCLWNCYPpXjylUVPjSvA8PGD2fFmnnOBQSNPI6flM45xH1ChSrC5HhTp83bRz1LT3PSls1uo-tH9yrKbDCPw2I8cxbejblvDK0dWlfOxbg0eIEa5/s400/braden+in+stroller+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br />
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I know he was trying to quote Shakespeare<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2h_jSBoAl-0KTS9Zo1YgLZW7AG7O1xGVfwYBqRu3zatxNloz6geLBtcZo4NPJY16WmGa9BQIpCsQ66m5RiP6ucaStcquvuiY3LquLOAlbsNEAsTupx9CGrsD4MGngYKcdtmGb3S5GwDB/s1600-h/braden+in+basinett+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197463553206498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2h_jSBoAl-0KTS9Zo1YgLZW7AG7O1xGVfwYBqRu3zatxNloz6geLBtcZo4NPJY16WmGa9BQIpCsQ66m5RiP6ucaStcquvuiY3LquLOAlbsNEAsTupx9CGrsD4MGngYKcdtmGb3S5GwDB/s400/braden+in+basinett+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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"Mommy, I love you!" (I told you this was going to be nauseating.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoDZReTTdq03FU_Ho6pPe0fLLU1eZdZUmPTK0i536s6NULSNA7JQ3bfeJiYSnOkY97nHJiMBvjquiaavlLdfc5NKZz-QXTyic0aEYlq5xYINPS66tgnVZ9mHyYNZuqtU8KVyRDwW_bJEv/s1600-h/braden+in+basinett+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197451079347938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoDZReTTdq03FU_Ho6pPe0fLLU1eZdZUmPTK0i536s6NULSNA7JQ3bfeJiYSnOkY97nHJiMBvjquiaavlLdfc5NKZz-QXTyic0aEYlq5xYINPS66tgnVZ9mHyYNZuqtU8KVyRDwW_bJEv/s400/braden+in+basinett+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Alright, that's all (for now). Is anybody still here...... Hey... where did you all go?Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-68447914655470722852009-08-21T14:46:00.000-05:002009-08-25T13:59:13.287-05:00After One Week of Homeschooling...I have learned:<br /><br />* Children are smarter than we think.<br />* Parents are NOT NEARLY as smart as we think.<br />* School can be loads of fun.<br />* School is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">exhausting </span>for the student.<br />* School is <span style="font-weight: bold;">exhausting </span>for the teacher.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3qSSmkSwIKljdhAjmSGx2WPOBne8wJ3D8ybc-yGM5kh6CPJf6b7AG3Kq6GgFaYhbzBzxa7-Ep_F65JIzl9xHe4WULcYlI9vN09ZANYbMPFV9P3jB2iQ1AUhOseLe1py2soiTKSOR-P7B/s1600-h/Breck+sleeping.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/AVvXsEgs3qSSmkSwIKljdhAjmSGx2WPOBne8wJ3D8ybc-yGM5kh6CPJf6b7AG3Kq6GgFaYhbzBzxa7-Ep_F65JIzl9xHe4WULcYlI9vN09ZANYbMPFV9P3jB2iQ1AUhOseLe1py2soiTKSOR-P7B/s400/Breck+sleeping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372595991469375986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cWH1hYr_fd0f4tkaG7n5u2k9P7lAd4PRBhKylHcyshxjihtaVtHTZRo1xr7ZMDg57Fiu0tw6a4NgXOqvqANTmkLEFnx4urkeCAPlrER6XkWMmn4DDkhk6BVdJK78V68c1QX4Dipuob28/s1600-h/breck+sleeping+2.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/AVvXsEi0cWH1hYr_fd0f4tkaG7n5u2k9P7lAd4PRBhKylHcyshxjihtaVtHTZRo1xr7ZMDg57Fiu0tw6a4NgXOqvqANTmkLEFnx4urkeCAPlrER6XkWMmn4DDkhk6BVdJK78V68c1QX4Dipuob28/s400/breck+sleeping+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372596000080417810" border="0" /></a>This is what Breck looked like Friday afternoon. This is also what yours truly looked like Friday afternoon, although I don't have a picture of it. I've seen pictures of me sleeping... and lets just say that its something I should NOT put up on my blog. You. really. don't. want. to. see. it.!<br /><br />Thankfully, by the second week we have gotten into "the groove" and are feeling like its a "piece of cake!" <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I have a </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >baaaad</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> feeling that statement is going to come back and haunt me.</span> </span>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-19286402270309166862009-08-14T11:50:00.001-05:002009-09-22T13:13:36.301-05:00The Find of the Week!People, it doesn't get any better than this. While Breck was outside playing today he found nestled in our sweet little maple tree a Mourning Dove and her chicks. The nest was barely above my head and the foliage wasn't too thick so we were able to observe her for quite some time. At first I thought she only had one chick with but we soon discovered that she had two. I brought a step stool out and the kids took turns climbing up and watching her. She didn't squawk or try to get us to leave, instead she stayed perfectly motionless. Not even her eye moved.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa1VUkDv9W_ZFub2Iqx3g9sVz-omFI23pKTHjdFKP8MXqZ8PWda47xOmiDZbwx5zfQPzvefo7LAi62MIOK5aF0Lb4d2NhLF2O5WjZesp7ZFHtZ6poebh3uXILKdpf_XzJ4lIerUi1-H99/s1600-h/mourning+dove+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369877180591399522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa1VUkDv9W_ZFub2Iqx3g9sVz-omFI23pKTHjdFKP8MXqZ8PWda47xOmiDZbwx5zfQPzvefo7LAi62MIOK5aF0Lb4d2NhLF2O5WjZesp7ZFHtZ6poebh3uXILKdpf_XzJ4lIerUi1-H99/s400/mourning+dove+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtGCpjm_XSjjnyZllv1Tqj5cp26_YWIKt_JTKmyXwc_MSTSFw_amcYwFuz-dDfGIwwbCVts18YWevArGO2O-zSc9-uEt324SHB1Db39fPRQiBFn-axvoDaNZcRxDqkqwDpIf7pai6vven/s1600-h/mourning+dove.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369875888102331826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtGCpjm_XSjjnyZllv1Tqj5cp26_YWIKt_JTKmyXwc_MSTSFw_amcYwFuz-dDfGIwwbCVts18YWevArGO2O-zSc9-uEt324SHB1Db39fPRQiBFn-axvoDaNZcRxDqkqwDpIf7pai6vven/s400/mourning+dove.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 297px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFnjjf7MwAj3OFZu2Av2P3fgjQgVOPlRYwMc1ORmg7_OiivyqQRCrYn3yAdCPI2Qo76TeDgUFkeQsuTiEJ-_ssObjRYYN_Y0Us-7vMHrNka6zdQ2z320P0sG4FdiL8qdmGqMN8d8a89Ct/s1600-h/breck+watching+bird.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369878094175242386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFnjjf7MwAj3OFZu2Av2P3fgjQgVOPlRYwMc1ORmg7_OiivyqQRCrYn3yAdCPI2Qo76TeDgUFkeQsuTiEJ-_ssObjRYYN_Y0Us-7vMHrNka6zdQ2z320P0sG4FdiL8qdmGqMN8d8a89Ct/s400/breck+watching+bird.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Just as we were about to leave the little chicks began clambering for something to eat. So she opened her beak and they placed their beaks inside her beak to eat. We're not talking one at a time here...they both wanted it now! As you can imagine, we were delighted to watch them.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWncbeVgXWB8SoUnO9XUK9-elyN-Q3tn62oSKcSUYWPA7eCM00BE9Ar9CMxghn4jEFyo2MWVar9YN_jDp0KCPepbDzegG0MAGUl4OzP74ZgCkhGXRoF1ZrBemXUABriQCAfAQ_yR6UrOo/s1600-h/mourning+dove+feeding+chicks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369878089124376210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWncbeVgXWB8SoUnO9XUK9-elyN-Q3tn62oSKcSUYWPA7eCM00BE9Ar9CMxghn4jEFyo2MWVar9YN_jDp0KCPepbDzegG0MAGUl4OzP74ZgCkhGXRoF1ZrBemXUABriQCAfAQ_yR6UrOo/s400/mourning+dove+feeding+chicks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFQBrJY-rSEB9bw5k_0Y7VrXFYBXwjhBAUF9pHrtSV6_35a8a_ewVERAIjmtcVxDQNmXmbEFrYezdTNsFVDe1O4NndwuwSmT6rY2zwJ3GPtDtbevGYZF4-Rvxs90e6uURUsO5Q5VuEpEf/s1600-h/mourning+dove+feeding+chick+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369878074077618930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFQBrJY-rSEB9bw5k_0Y7VrXFYBXwjhBAUF9pHrtSV6_35a8a_ewVERAIjmtcVxDQNmXmbEFrYezdTNsFVDe1O4NndwuwSmT6rY2zwJ3GPtDtbevGYZF4-Rvxs90e6uURUsO5Q5VuEpEf/s400/mourning+dove+feeding+chick+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
This year our nature study is focused on birds so this little lady is going to be Exhibit A. We plan to watch her and her babies closely every day to watch them grow. We'll be reading every book we can get our hands on that talk about the Mourning dove. This is, <span style="font-size: 85%;">in my humble opinion</span>, the best way to study Science.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-66366762027332040452009-08-11T06:39:00.001-05:002009-08-12T12:50:02.566-05:00Making Math Meaningful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ibvRczYb1yGI7Cvzv1W1taWWMHLiocQKXrkwZz7x_9AuB9Ds1fDuWQbPNPcinSmodrIYxEplEU-VJU78g7rCUMZsQ_BJLOOHx5y725X5OHHNzW1ZZd3D4bJTJ5lt-F70V6xytaTC695Q/s1600-h/making+math+meaningful.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ibvRczYb1yGI7Cvzv1W1taWWMHLiocQKXrkwZz7x_9AuB9Ds1fDuWQbPNPcinSmodrIYxEplEU-VJU78g7rCUMZsQ_BJLOOHx5y725X5OHHNzW1ZZd3D4bJTJ5lt-F70V6xytaTC695Q/s200/making+math+meaningful.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369135861745480562" border="0" /></a>I HATE math. No, that's not stating it strong enough. I'm afraid you won't get the idea...I loath, despise math. When you mention the word math I feel like there are spikes going under my fingernails. I have ALWAYS hated math. I do not have a mathmatical mind...I like to read, write, play the piano...you get the idea. I really needed daily beatings to get me to do my math when I was in school <span style="font-size:85%;">(although my Mother out of the kindness of her heart did not do so)</span>. I practically cried my way through Algebra and I'm not even certain to this day how I passed because I didn't learn a bloomin' thing! That is why when it came to homeschooling, the one subject that gave me cause for fear was....you got it-MATH. How on earth was I going to teach my child Math when I can barely stand the <span style="font-style: italic;">sight</span> of a Math textbook?!<br /><br />To the rescue (<span style="font-size:85%;">trumpets please...</span>) came my older sister, Rhetta, who is a homeschool Mom. The Math textbook that she showed me forever changed the way I look at math and has become a God-send to me. No longer do I have fear and trepidation about teaching math; no longer am I afraid that my kids will hate it as I have. I actually enjoy teaching it! Imagine that!<br /><br />Making Math Meaningful by David Quine is the curriculum you NEED to use for your children. If you are using one curriculum for all your subjects, such as Bob Jones or A becka (<span style="font-size:85%;">I'm not sure how to spell that-you can tell that's not what I'm using ;)</span>, you need to take the math book and pitch it into the trash. Tear it into little pieces so you won't be tempted to pull it out again and then go to your computer and order Making Math Meaningful!!! You will not be sorry. No, I am not getting paid anything from Cornerstone or David Quine to give this testimonial. (<span style="font-size:85%;">Although some free curriculum would be nice!)</span><br /><br />Here are some reasons why this is the best math program out there. First of all, the math concepts are taken veeerrryyy slooowly so that your child has time to actually master the concept before moving on to something else. Secondly, they actually teach you WHY you do what you are doing. Am I the only adult out there that didn't know WHY we carry a number when we are subtracting??? <span style="font-weight: bold;">You just do it because that's the way you're supposed to do it!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't ask anymore questions!!!</span> This book teaches the principles before you ever do any addition, subtraction, etc. facts. Imagine what's its like to actually understand what you're doing!<br /><br />I'll just give an example: Breck has been learning about adding and subtracting. So the first thing they teach is the difference between things being equal and unequal. "If you have two towers of lego blocks that are different in height are they equal or unequal?" Answer: unequal. "What can you do to make them equal?" Answer: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Add </span>more blocks. "What's another way you can make them equal?" Answer: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Take some away</span> from the tall tower. Voila! They are learning the principles of addition and subtraction <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> having fun. What kid doesn't like building towers with lego blocks? This book will have your child adding and subtracting figures before they ever see a problem on a page. Instead of sitting and doing pages of math problems you work on math using blocks, straws, rocks, linking paper clips, etc. It is <span style="font-weight: bold;">very</span> hands on.<br /><br />Another thing I love is that they teach how to do word problems starting in kindergarten, not high-school so that they become completely comfortable with doing them. Most kids are completely baffled when you try to teach them word problems because they were not introduced to them early on. In kindergarten they show that a letter can substitute for an object in doing a math problem...<span style="font-weight: bold;">That's algebra!! </span>(I think. ;) My sister's kids were doing pre-algebra in 2nd and 3rd grade and lovin' it. My neice, Charity, is not mathmatically minded. She's like me...she likes to read and write and play the piano, not do math. But she loves it.<br /><br />These books are fun, clear to understand and very hands on...no long pages of multiplication here. Give it a try...you'll never go back.Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300122367139947588.post-64921232261430396242009-08-07T09:52:00.001-05:002009-09-22T13:14:23.507-05:00Family Reunion 2: The Faces Of My Family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wBZacmIODnxXujYfn5WvhE_RPaH30TwOXDb2hAjC6LYzYXuRiIrs20YW0_6x-cpnXoJ29UL6OUt3Gnq8YnVj3R4Q49npGNvuY1nd16EbLZQrw5b0eLCpg4zriGyimJZw0LZEQxOCSM6i/s1600-h/ron.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367252113355476946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wBZacmIODnxXujYfn5WvhE_RPaH30TwOXDb2hAjC6LYzYXuRiIrs20YW0_6x-cpnXoJ29UL6OUt3Gnq8YnVj3R4Q49npGNvuY1nd16EbLZQrw5b0eLCpg4zriGyimJZw0LZEQxOCSM6i/s400/ron.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My brother, Ron. He got a terrible case of poison ivy and poison oak from helping my Dad clear some land. He had to wrap his arms to keep the wounds from weeping. He was feeling pretty miserable and bedraggled <span style="font-size: 85%;">(bedraggled??? Is that even a word?)<br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit00168A3sW9uvyJVu4upqxRFlmhDzMy4nfjv8khHUWy8Iarf04teIIf0WpZ_UFJhjgrHSgaOVZ2weC4Y5Taps_RdbcOlRDwUCk8En9RWcPC69_erOuICvefjQCP07Lt9zXXZudRftp2u/s1600-h/robert+and+leland+eating+ice-cream.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367248175174424002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit00168A3sW9uvyJVu4upqxRFlmhDzMy4nfjv8khHUWy8Iarf04teIIf0WpZ_UFJhjgrHSgaOVZ2weC4Y5Taps_RdbcOlRDwUCk8En9RWcPC69_erOuICvefjQCP07Lt9zXXZudRftp2u/s400/robert+and+leland+eating+ice-cream.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Leland and Robert sharing an ice-cream cone (<span style="font-size: 85%;">well, not shaaarring an ice-cream cone... sharing an ice-cream cone)<br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighyW4M6IyF6HoOLh6U2DYQKJeJWbZa_T6CeCSKHc8Tqliw6dII8CftOx8xHZZe0lZxDiYI3GEenNCszyplkJnscStwEdr6bIS0EkBaaaPKV8fpBo4LwdiOR6eRq5Jx0NZQP4uaIkYdYh-/s1600-h/richard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367248167158482946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighyW4M6IyF6HoOLh6U2DYQKJeJWbZa_T6CeCSKHc8Tqliw6dII8CftOx8xHZZe0lZxDiYI3GEenNCszyplkJnscStwEdr6bIS0EkBaaaPKV8fpBo4LwdiOR6eRq5Jx0NZQP4uaIkYdYh-/s400/richard.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 265px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My brother Richard...notice what his shirt says, "I'm the kid your parents warned you about!" That's the truth!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EFgpfqueqfBLHIhFbWloOd5CsCrFNpgQQHbqIleggCifd89gMctol0LHGY9CSqjBEz1Xsd-TzM-uN7HEDRaTC4bUeAAGHdu2FwRRwA9FreNEHfD3XKYADuIIcAC1_p-9lQCGS4OA8Jzj/s1600-h/richard+and+jessie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367248165303404802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EFgpfqueqfBLHIhFbWloOd5CsCrFNpgQQHbqIleggCifd89gMctol0LHGY9CSqjBEz1Xsd-TzM-uN7HEDRaTC4bUeAAGHdu2FwRRwA9FreNEHfD3XKYADuIIcAC1_p-9lQCGS4OA8Jzj/s400/richard+and+jessie.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The newlyweds-Richard and Jessie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9V5Bkjj5RrFBlaphY111MmxHC5QMiz5vLSMjn1Ee8PfQ-aw9IAoynRgZOnmmSsubxGeNp5awZGOji_JnIeQs3jDkkat9Rc8Rhq30BvlG2_alrTcvc3yd_hn-xf5fUs93Iy8YUgnKFXCy/s1600-h/rhetta,+kieth,+robert,+carrie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367241827585047282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9V5Bkjj5RrFBlaphY111MmxHC5QMiz5vLSMjn1Ee8PfQ-aw9IAoynRgZOnmmSsubxGeNp5awZGOji_JnIeQs3jDkkat9Rc8Rhq30BvlG2_alrTcvc3yd_hn-xf5fUs93Iy8YUgnKFXCy/s400/rhetta,+kieth,+robert,+carrie.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Keith & Rhetta, Robert & Carrie. <span style="font-size: 85%;">(I think Carrie's picking fleas out of Robert's hair)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0u5CWrJ_NPLDKnLbwwD-9W2nRStHaM0XOyJSXckEGT_4NEfzOnHUAHE7QT6J9xGOecoV3Tp1-uOtT41WBLR1bItvyaqTkoEzGNveWn3_RQrgubNnNWwDhciiS9Id0FHYkh_fiAJRte-9/s1600-h/rachel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367241825206838242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0u5CWrJ_NPLDKnLbwwD-9W2nRStHaM0XOyJSXckEGT_4NEfzOnHUAHE7QT6J9xGOecoV3Tp1-uOtT41WBLR1bItvyaqTkoEzGNveWn3_RQrgubNnNWwDhciiS9Id0FHYkh_fiAJRte-9/s400/rachel.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My youngest sister Rachel<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6edgtxuBOH8pZLlX4cr2EOrIteOKtFx4xmJhyphenhyphenVX0Mh7BGKUDwsswvsM5IHa5mkD3QjRoLh1A8i6xzhOCpmdcEUCu2nvSwyQU4osMSGMf_4cUj5HE1322wLtUFPYsqdbws6417sDk1gCbN/s1600-h/mom+with+braden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367241813766442754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6edgtxuBOH8pZLlX4cr2EOrIteOKtFx4xmJhyphenhyphenVX0Mh7BGKUDwsswvsM5IHa5mkD3QjRoLh1A8i6xzhOCpmdcEUCu2nvSwyQU4osMSGMf_4cUj5HE1322wLtUFPYsqdbws6417sDk1gCbN/s400/mom+with+braden.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My Mom carrying Braden on our walk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZSloy9nIKjTfe_iuEEWB87NfoqZ_z_ziUKtWlSN0YCj3dpN2iOxMt5mHDuvFBaLRo9v_qJB_CGPPfXFfEsBNv5VndegPQ3sCMQUSlzYPUMVSt22ceAlXZKgelXxUebRsjyG6NKayFHW/s1600-h/kids+playing+in+water.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367241805834458146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZSloy9nIKjTfe_iuEEWB87NfoqZ_z_ziUKtWlSN0YCj3dpN2iOxMt5mHDuvFBaLRo9v_qJB_CGPPfXFfEsBNv5VndegPQ3sCMQUSlzYPUMVSt22ceAlXZKgelXxUebRsjyG6NKayFHW/s400/kids+playing+in+water.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Playing in the water<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv90y2iFYK3QdGN21X9FmoQ1DB5FOa6eLrqf-Y3LDUykLM9qsral_z5n05MQ4hKUXfLChd2SRS45sSrKWjPF4qnqeYw7RVMzMKdNocrPs2dCfLB4KPWUDRXRMORED6wNullQ7ZgnBogErD/s1600-h/dad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367241803752402242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv90y2iFYK3QdGN21X9FmoQ1DB5FOa6eLrqf-Y3LDUykLM9qsral_z5n05MQ4hKUXfLChd2SRS45sSrKWjPF4qnqeYw7RVMzMKdNocrPs2dCfLB4KPWUDRXRMORED6wNullQ7ZgnBogErD/s400/dad.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My Dad<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktZ6YV6cMaf18beA9FKQgOEUdswH2k7cLelg9SHLFmSTuPFm_mWIL7gdHjulHKaVHxO6oAitp9utvBN9Pd4O6VJ0NQOf2VBGCNd92b_eRpphPyhWHdKXA9TeDxieMALtZjQ9H7eSFf43/s1600-h/carrie+with+camera.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367239462538471826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktZ6YV6cMaf18beA9FKQgOEUdswH2k7cLelg9SHLFmSTuPFm_mWIL7gdHjulHKaVHxO6oAitp9utvBN9Pd4O6VJ0NQOf2VBGCNd92b_eRpphPyhWHdKXA9TeDxieMALtZjQ9H7eSFf43/s400/carrie+with+camera.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Carrie doing what she does best-photography<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZhSau_BfKzbferLgqUsauY1nHqAHIkajgtPySADai-78rYhPL0yCWQAaAWnbaa-jpewclYmwArsebXYvky9ireDdeEvN9wouZipskd9wyK1iHqjtB-wCbGqpvdYvxSO4WjIirAG_tYIx/s1600-h/brennan+and+jared.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367239452964344322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZhSau_BfKzbferLgqUsauY1nHqAHIkajgtPySADai-78rYhPL0yCWQAaAWnbaa-jpewclYmwArsebXYvky9ireDdeEvN9wouZipskd9wyK1iHqjtB-wCbGqpvdYvxSO4WjIirAG_tYIx/s400/brennan+and+jared.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>Brennan and Jared resting after a game of football. <span style="font-size: 85%;">(Notice what Jared's shirt says...*nod,nod*)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtrmTLPPkZEPvE6_TB4-QLdQo5gbVIDlYDmwCyz41n3POrb8VqEt2BFz0tutTQBbCMnbPQNuoji-euhGiSQ8Cc2CUXMTSrOms0KzTtP_wc2CLTtC_dPASeFG6Vu-JfvjPQBzZ2Z3ZTRWX/s1600-h/breck+and+kendrick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367239449158726594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtrmTLPPkZEPvE6_TB4-QLdQo5gbVIDlYDmwCyz41n3POrb8VqEt2BFz0tutTQBbCMnbPQNuoji-euhGiSQ8Cc2CUXMTSrOms0KzTtP_wc2CLTtC_dPASeFG6Vu-JfvjPQBzZ2Z3ZTRWX/s400/breck+and+kendrick.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Breck and Kendrick- they are 6 months apart in age and very much alike in personality. They get along great together (as long as the other one is doing things EXACTLY right). <span style="font-size: 85%;">hehehe<br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrw-mV6vKzPiPocgimkm876nkEH7fLsxYQwSNDgv1rEu4Z41qFicSBXfY9ZJaEEzXH7sdY5bBzjeiOyMJF82xhveYYJ_CmnfKn6kJwOE6Bfo2bCwfcyVbZNR8IrQgvjhZMX3kKKFWn7A-/s1600-h/autumn+and+brianna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367239440809425362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrw-mV6vKzPiPocgimkm876nkEH7fLsxYQwSNDgv1rEu4Z41qFicSBXfY9ZJaEEzXH7sdY5bBzjeiOyMJF82xhveYYJ_CmnfKn6kJwOE6Bfo2bCwfcyVbZNR8IrQgvjhZMX3kKKFWn7A-/s400/autumn+and+brianna.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Autumn and Brianna-they are 2 months apart in age and were inseparable. I call them the "kissing cousins."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdHKBBaX-wRb9dJlaGK2Oe0U6H4bOfeppk1gQJnuTLwUZHw65iC3doW4jzyNXIG6E6okqGbMWfbUowm0AMZELz7-A0dsCw0Mb1M3cEbzqV_iqhdbRD6VPJCxKSGh9OhGJ0SQb2iO9Pard/s1600-h/cindi+and+angel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367239435821931570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdHKBBaX-wRb9dJlaGK2Oe0U6H4bOfeppk1gQJnuTLwUZHw65iC3doW4jzyNXIG6E6okqGbMWfbUowm0AMZELz7-A0dsCw0Mb1M3cEbzqV_iqhdbRD6VPJCxKSGh9OhGJ0SQb2iO9Pard/s400/cindi+and+angel.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Cindi and Angel- Randall could not come to the reunion due to his job situation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHdeCmGaNigINLWj2-sawXfZze8zw8gJ3J_kWBEc9lkS885yizqGrcRvcrVg-BNweHa64f3RJn_QJiKYAVsDE1VzXk9GunOKYU0_rebwmHC4cVa9DSZ1Na4alYk-wiEXvLxBTSSW-VYfS/s1600-h/leland+and+kendrick+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367238016516792434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHdeCmGaNigINLWj2-sawXfZze8zw8gJ3J_kWBEc9lkS885yizqGrcRvcrVg-BNweHa64f3RJn_QJiKYAVsDE1VzXk9GunOKYU0_rebwmHC4cVa9DSZ1Na4alYk-wiEXvLxBTSSW-VYfS/s400/leland+and+kendrick+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>Leland playing with Kendrick<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2rVBuU63pMZDn5BIg3NIyu_77ExeahpFrXPkPgGVMVQlbjVYfusalYhO-Su5toiNqWho94AQVaQJlan0EGfoQthX5zYcWE6EMEYKDHbUmKDXBLkaAyr4TIZOtLZtlXJOgyT8SpM0lV64/s1600-h/kendrick+playing+cards.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367238004864587986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2rVBuU63pMZDn5BIg3NIyu_77ExeahpFrXPkPgGVMVQlbjVYfusalYhO-Su5toiNqWho94AQVaQJlan0EGfoQthX5zYcWE6EMEYKDHbUmKDXBLkaAyr4TIZOtLZtlXJOgyT8SpM0lV64/s400/kendrick+playing+cards.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Kendrick, the card shark<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxFqezlqKC7LrqrHyiCqrr8mo9-W_aUipRbSSp-TgZTFJfN7ZhNuJmWwcAMh4mG0iZbxFC1miNrpGwmRxDT9CrwDHNd-dbkf0Don1Pm9iAg2RX8TuLzMGYcCFyBlwr36N4hyphenhyphenzDa5bu_vQ/s1600-h/rondell.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367238002131734530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxFqezlqKC7LrqrHyiCqrr8mo9-W_aUipRbSSp-TgZTFJfN7ZhNuJmWwcAMh4mG0iZbxFC1miNrpGwmRxDT9CrwDHNd-dbkf0Don1Pm9iAg2RX8TuLzMGYcCFyBlwr36N4hyphenhyphenzDa5bu_vQ/s400/rondell.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Rondell got a serious case of poison ivy and poison oak while helping my Dad clear some land. She was pretty miserable, but she has some wicked pictures now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtQlIYtMcPvpGy-1CYiDiiA0cLLgQcAzkpZ4plsqg_X913zQ4RaT6-LI3JPgmEnsksZ1EbfyoZVyWhd7jIOtoGLd_KBnFL2BxN22VGO-4_BNWoXHU7Q9yaNg7WRvxrjDPLGs816eU9G_o/s1600-h/ruthie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367237992030456898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtQlIYtMcPvpGy-1CYiDiiA0cLLgQcAzkpZ4plsqg_X913zQ4RaT6-LI3JPgmEnsksZ1EbfyoZVyWhd7jIOtoGLd_KBnFL2BxN22VGO-4_BNWoXHU7Q9yaNg7WRvxrjDPLGs816eU9G_o/s400/ruthie.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My dear sister, Ruthie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVerPqvXqVd3qisu6HLb5geYLJnRwQyxCJQeBHqyGxIfaHsonJvfloA4a6rE6stkEiN4kxGNs5PERs5a91Z7Q_AQLnVbSkMZoWfqZY9Q4OdnYE7xNWOTdW7_tOvJskxFm82MaoPv8qDJSt/s1600-h/ruthie+and+michael.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367237984674645282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVerPqvXqVd3qisu6HLb5geYLJnRwQyxCJQeBHqyGxIfaHsonJvfloA4a6rE6stkEiN4kxGNs5PERs5a91Z7Q_AQLnVbSkMZoWfqZY9Q4OdnYE7xNWOTdW7_tOvJskxFm82MaoPv8qDJSt/s400/ruthie+and+michael.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>Ruthie playing with her son, Michael.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbNVGNgQ27ecoUNIIOSVgfezGAEQMjRQXN6O8KFahI0sjUamJeCPXBhIaqQUMGoYxNidkN0VlN4IWLSybDGUSH1uNkrmaeeKJB-b31MsDpoF2UBr9OpP-g22REjJrqTgmNd50uVJbzFln/s1600-h/autumn+in+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236708516840210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbNVGNgQ27ecoUNIIOSVgfezGAEQMjRQXN6O8KFahI0sjUamJeCPXBhIaqQUMGoYxNidkN0VlN4IWLSybDGUSH1uNkrmaeeKJB-b31MsDpoF2UBr9OpP-g22REjJrqTgmNd50uVJbzFln/s400/autumn+in+chair.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Autumn just havin' fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVyJcDJe9h_4yyTZVEIr6P0ShlmX5QLMCvoy26-ud_WsAdnbIqc08AGTBPR2ft-gHthePj9kFSLY2A4rspI2i_7_T45e4UwxD5EiMWGqMOT2oGbpUGSyCif8bGYgvE56LQGkx9IfS7NOI/s1600-h/lel+and+row+camp+fire.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236702047654818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVyJcDJe9h_4yyTZVEIr6P0ShlmX5QLMCvoy26-ud_WsAdnbIqc08AGTBPR2ft-gHthePj9kFSLY2A4rspI2i_7_T45e4UwxD5EiMWGqMOT2oGbpUGSyCif8bGYgvE56LQGkx9IfS7NOI/s400/lel+and+row+camp+fire.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Yours Truly and my wonderful husband. <span style="font-size: 85%;">(I would have cropped the picture in but then you might actually see how fat I am, and since this is my blog I can do whatever I want!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItuU-DEF1E3bH4YrykuF1OU6WPWWs8aT6r2bhp9Eo2z-2RakS5vA99dZx515QwGjfTK4mlF_WAUMnVVA6wcpM35JIMHAyHX9AyO_PJt4XkpFJ1CnHnMvIxbQpSqbfbDHw1dxQcLN8l0RT/s1600-h/leland+with+kids.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236697728553122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItuU-DEF1E3bH4YrykuF1OU6WPWWs8aT6r2bhp9Eo2z-2RakS5vA99dZx515QwGjfTK4mlF_WAUMnVVA6wcpM35JIMHAyHX9AyO_PJt4XkpFJ1CnHnMvIxbQpSqbfbDHw1dxQcLN8l0RT/s400/leland+with+kids.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Leland spending time with Autumn and Breck<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimnzn9q8jnexC-OERuGjhKbDOE7CYEzLQLer7rGIVTbnBlyuimJCKAJskFiRcL1DroQkGUb1qdK7JE_AQM9iydhaEsqrK_yGt3-gjzG0Hv28nMn4DXXgZ-llqMqPwO8jb_1YVL8fZlAiR/s1600-h/cameron+winking.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236685826115762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimnzn9q8jnexC-OERuGjhKbDOE7CYEzLQLer7rGIVTbnBlyuimJCKAJskFiRcL1DroQkGUb1qdK7JE_AQM9iydhaEsqrK_yGt3-gjzG0Hv28nMn4DXXgZ-llqMqPwO8jb_1YVL8fZlAiR/s400/cameron+winking.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Rondell's boy, Cameron. This kid is so stinkin' cute... I can hardly take it. He was showing me how good he can wink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KYaJo2CxedQKM11LwBg4qzER8EqIHBgsfzBlxRcuEQS3VN24UzU719Lidh9fI8U0Qx7D4WSb-44hihGlFAVtW5ywindpONmCs8wnvlhQc7tis9STdlu5KlfRjOFmrzuxyPLUTGZ7Kduk/s1600-h/cameron+winking+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236677629059170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KYaJo2CxedQKM11LwBg4qzER8EqIHBgsfzBlxRcuEQS3VN24UzU719Lidh9fI8U0Qx7D4WSb-44hihGlFAVtW5ywindpONmCs8wnvlhQc7tis9STdlu5KlfRjOFmrzuxyPLUTGZ7Kduk/s400/cameron+winking+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>He's pretty good at it...better than I could do! <span style="font-size: 85%;">(cuter too!)</span>Rowanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862586783138257074noreply@blogger.com8