tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294722472024-03-07T22:54:32.144-05:00bura ellenAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-41445633519800195362013-07-11T08:44:00.002-04:002013-07-11T08:44:46.080-04:00bura ellen on etsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I have exciting news! I am finally opening my etsy <a href="http://www.buraellen.etsy.com/" target="_blank">shop</a>! I have wanted to do this for years and I am thrilled to finally have it all together and ready!<br />
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My spoon necklaces are a lot of fun to create. I have been picking up old spoons for a while to start making these. One of the great things about these is that I get to spend some time with my daddy in the process. He has a great workshop. We start out with him cutting the handles off the spoons and then hammering the spoon flat (he's strong like that). We then drill a hole for the necklace and polish it. Then its ready to embellish. Michael's dad had an old set of metal stamps that he gave him years ago. I use those to stamp a word on the spoon and then add beads. Fun and unique.<br />
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I absolutely love old books. My collection is rather large. I have always been drawn to the sweet illustrations in many of them. I have been trying to think of ways to share these images because they are just too great to be stuck in a closed book. So you will find these one of a kind book image necklaces in the shop, too. This little deer one is particularly hard for me to part with.<br />
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I hope you will hop over and visit me in the <a href="http://www.buraellen.etsy.com/" target="_blank">shop</a>! It opens at 11 a.m. est. today!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-58461063269785389672013-05-16T14:32:00.001-04:002013-05-16T15:21:24.548-04:00hope<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Back in November, my mama was diagnosed with cancer. In December she had surgery to remove tumors in her abdomen. The surgery was successful, with only cells remaining. We were told by doctors that the rare type of cancer she has does not respond to treatment, but that they were going to try and treat it anyway. About a month ago, half way through her chemo treatments, they did a scan to determine how her body was responding.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">We didn’t get the news we were wanting. Not only had the cancer returned, but it had also spread. She was sent to a group of specialists who all concluded that there is nothing they can do for her. However, her local oncologist doesn’t want to give up, so she is two rounds into another type of chemo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Reading those paragraphs seems so blunt, so matter of fact. But, really, there is no use in fluffing it up. It is what it is. Cancer. It is blunt and dark.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I have felt just about every emotion possible through this time. At times I am so proud of myself for being strong and believing for a miracle. At others, I have wallowed and found myself already in mourning. The balance is a difficult one. I know that I have to believe in a miracle, while at the same time accepting that she may not be healed. And that no matter what the outcome, God is good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">After we got the news that her cancer had returned, I came home in a fog. Complete desperation and sorrow. I came across a photo of her and my dad from a few years ago and I fell apart, almost as if I had already lost her. Later that afternoon I got an email from a friend. A friend that did not know the latest news or my state of emotions. It opened like this...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>“Nurture and protect your hope for your sweet mom. Hope is a driving force. Hope’s power is in its ability to transcend logic, facts, circumstances… and time itself. Hope is a sweet gift from the hand of God.”</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I fell apart. It was exactly the words I needed to hear. I had done such a good of job of hoping and I had just let it go. The email couldn’t have come at a better time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Later that night, I got into bed and picked up the book I had been reading. I had started the book weeks before and, not having a proper bookmark, had just grabbed a piece of paper from my desk and tucked it inside. Weeks had gone by with me pulling it out and laying it aside while I read, always sticking it back in without much thought. But that night was different. I realized that the paper had always been upside down and I didn’t even know what was written on the other side. And I felt moved to turn in over to see just what piece of paper I had grabbed all those weeks ago. My heart seemed to stop.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Every Christmas my parents give me and my sisters the same small gift with money hidden throughout the present. This Christmas we each received a set of Rubbermaid containers. As usual, money was hidden throughout the containers, but this year my mama had decided to write a few notes and hide them as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">On that night, I realized that the piece of paper I had tucked in my book, was the one on which she had written the word, “Hope.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">There, in my own mama’s beautiful handwriting was the word God was speaking to my heart. It washed over me. This beautiful, tiny little word with so much power. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Hope, v.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>2. To have confidence; trust.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Hope, n.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>2. Something that is hoped for or desired.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>3. Trust; confidence.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span>{from the free dictionary}</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The following week, we went back for a short visit, and before we left, Michael and I laid hands on my mama and prayed with her. A big prayer. A prayer that asked for a miracle.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Later that night, as I got in bed, I noticed <i>Wonderstruck</i>, by Margaret Feinberg, on my bedside table. I started it a few months ago and hadn’t read any more since our move. I felt like it was a good time to pick it back up. It didn’t have a bookmark in it, so I was just going to open it up and scan until I found where I had left off. The page I opened up to had two sentences underlined, <i><b>“A prayer marked by faith </b></i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #232323;"><i><b>is never about what happens on our terms or time lines, but God's. Faith-stained prayer brings us to a place of trust and hope.”</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Hope. Again. Still.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I know that God is giving me hope. And I’m clinging to it. That I can trust him. Its really all I can do. Just live in obedience to Him and know that He is good. No matter our circumstances. No matter what happens with my mama. He is good. He is always good.</span></span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-19347989968220433332013-01-21T12:47:00.000-05:002013-01-21T12:47:09.993-05:00a new year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year! Twenty-one days late. I'm a little behind. Actually, way behind considering how long it has been since I blogged. Eek! September. Really?</div>
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A lot has happened since then. Some really great things. And some that break my heart. I will be sharing some of those things in the days to come. But for today, I just wanted to come here. To return to this little space of mine. Because I miss it. I really do need it and I hate that I have neglected it.</div>
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Its a new year. A fresh slate. And time to stop procrastinating and being lazy. Ooh, and I have some exciting news to share very soon (along with the catching up bits). Stay tuned!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-18216351452402307292012-09-21T16:58:00.000-04:002012-09-21T16:58:11.223-04:00Blue Ridge Craft Weekend Giveaway<br />
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This past weekend I was able to spend time crafting in Blue Ridge, Georgia with these amazing women (from left to right): <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.penandpaintblog.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffcc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Lindsay</span></a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlegreenthread.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Alison</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepickledpoppy.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Autumn</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ang4332.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Angie</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;"><wbr></wbr>, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thepleatedpolkadot.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Melissa</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wearetheholdens.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Heather</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Amy</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://honeyholden.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Steph<wbr></wbr>anie</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bonterue.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Julie</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sugarfootspeaks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Christa</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I can't wait to share with you all the fun things we made (and the fun we had), but first I must address something special for you. Upon arriving at the cabin, we were each greeted with a basket full of goodies. It was like Christmas! I mean, this basket had some fantastic treats! And lucky for you, we have one to give away! Here's a glimpse of what you could win...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Each of the items in the giveaway:</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleGreenThread" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">CREATE banner by Little Green Thread</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/penandpaint?ref=si_shop" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8x10 art print by Pen &amp; Paint</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bubblewrappd" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"love." wood block by Bubblewrappd</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonbeamwishes" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Set of "hello" note cards by Moon Beam Wishes</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunbasilgardenSoap?ref=seller_info" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Natural Glycerin Soap by Sunbasil Garden</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleGreenThread" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold-over clutch by Little Green Thread</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wifeysinger" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Earrings by Happy Days</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://glitterandgloss.storenvy.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Paper Straws and Daisy Lids by Glitter and Gloss</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/penandpaint?ref=si_shop" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Set of 16 "Handmade with Love" mini cards by Pen &amp; Paint</span></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MiloandMolly" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">20 yards of baker's twine by Milo &amp; Molly</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ball Mason jar, wooden clothespins, wooden spools, scrapbook paper, 2 rolls of washi tape, supplies for geometric, wooden bead necklace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And a special thanks to <b><a href="http://babyboybakery.storenvy.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Baby Boy Bakery</a></b> who provided yummy goodies for each of our swag baskets!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enter through rafflecopter below.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 22nd </span></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6d855c2/" id="rc-6d855c2" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-11992458425345658962012-07-11T12:43:00.001-04:002012-07-11T12:43:32.245-04:00what i'm afraid to tell you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As I sit down to write this post, I think of how many times I have come back from a blog break feeling awkward about the amount of time that has passed. This time is really not much different. Except that perhaps the break was a bit different.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I love this blog, I love documenting things in my life and I like being a part of a community that encourages one another and learns from one another. At the same time, I can be overwhelmed at all that is out there. So many great blogs and bloggers. So much great inspiration and encouragement to be found. However, with all of that inspiration and encouragement, also comes feelings of discontentment and inadequacy. I find that at times it is easier for me to unplug in order to focus on the joys in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I have found that even when I am unplugging and not engaging on the blog, I am still “writing” posts in my head. And over the last few months I have really started to figure out what my desire is for this blog. I knew that I didn’t want to give it up all together, but I also knew that I wanted it to be different.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Then came this <a href="http://aholeistodig.blogspot.com/2012/05/things-im-afraid-to-tell-you.html" target="_blank">post</a> by Hannah (part of a collective of bloggers talking about “Things I’m Afraid to Tell You”). I have read Hannah’s blog for a while and always find it encouraging and I love our interactions on Instagram (as a side note...while I may have been absent here, I am quite active on Instagram...it seems it is a great way to blog without actually blogging). I was struggling with a post I wanted to write, but was unsure if I really wanted to share it. Hannah’s post provided just the push I needed (even if it took me more than a month to sit down and write this.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So, what am I afraid to tell you? About two and a half years ago, after much prayer, Michael and I moved to Hickory, NC for a position that was available to him at a church there. The economy was already in crisis mode, so rather than try and sell our house, we decided to rent it. God blessed us with great renters who actually moved in the same day that we moved out. A year later they bought their own home and we went a few months without renters. During that time we had two break-ins at the house, one of which involved the burglar breaking the chandelier in the dining room with his head and bleeding all over the place. It was a stressful time of just wondering when the next crisis would occur with no one occupying the house. Again, miraculously, God brought renters. However they were unable to pay us an amount even close to the mortgage. At that point, it was so much of a relief just to have someone in the house and at least part of the mortgage being covered, rather than none. However, after just a couple of months, we knew that we wouldn’t be able to sustain paying rent in Hickory and the mortgage payment on the house in Atlanta.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So, we did what the mortgage companies tell you to do, and we tried to modify the loan, but they declined our requests after reappraising our house at a sickening low price. Our house was in a transitional area fraught with crime and mortgage fraud. We were then made aware of the option of a short sale and we were excited when we found an acquaintance who wanted to buy our house. So, last November we started the short sale process.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Here is where I will make the story short. We went through five months of paperwork, faxing, paperwork, banks being sold (unfortunately a home equity line was involved), more paperwork, faxing, a move back to Georgia (but not to the same area, so not back to the house), more paperwork and even more paperwork. You wouldn’t believe the amount of paperwork. Toward the end of the process, it felt like we were faxing the same documents every couple of days. The whole process was exhausting. I am not a very patient person and the waiting was like torture. But, I had such hope in it all working out in the end, that I just dealt with the frustrations.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">At the end of April, with deadlines looming, I still felt confident it was all going to work out. The amount of the offer was fair for both the mortgage company and the home equity line bank. In April, we got a letter stating that the house would go to foreclosure on May 1. A week prior to that, we found out that all the items we had faxed to the home equity line bank had not even been assigned to a negotiator and that it was unlikely that it would get assigned and reviewed prior to the foreclosure date. We were shocked, we had been led to believe that someone was reviewing it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I would love to say that at this point a miracle occurred and everything fell into place just in time. But, I can’t. The truth is our house was foreclosed on May 1. And that is what I was afraid to tell you. The word foreclosure has such stigmas associated with it. I was afraid I would be pegged as one of those “irresponsible” ones. I do realize that foreclosures are much more common these days, but it still stings and it is still embarrassing. Did we buy a house that we couldn’t afford? No. Were we careless with our money? No. We've just found ourselves in a place with many other people like us, feeling the all too common effect of a troubled economy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So where are we financially? Not the greatest place. A foreclosure isn’t exactly a blue ribbon on your credit report. </span>I really had my hopes set on a short sale that would look a bit better on our credit report and settle our home equity line debt. Also, even though this post isn’t about this, our income is at an all time low. But I realize that God's plan is much bigger than the one I had dreamed up. I have no idea what His plan is, but I do know that it is for my best. I know that great things will come out of our situation. Our lives are pretty amazing. Our marriage is strong and our kids are happy. I feel closer to my Savior than I ever have before. I have grown in many ways in the last six months. I have always been one to worry about money and I can honestly say that I am completely resting in Him. Don't get me wrong, I have moments of worry and sadness (read crying). I think that is natural. But, what is important is that I don’t dwell there. I have chosen to dwell in joy. Not just happiness that can ebb and flow, but in true joy that can only come from God. Ya’ll, He is SO good!<br />
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Last week our pastor posed the question (in my words but really close to his), "If God doesn't give you what you desperately want and what you think you need, is HE enough? If He isn't, then when that thing does come, it won't be enough." That truth blew me away. Earlier that same day, Michael had said that one of the most important lessons in our situation is that we have to believe that GOD is enough, no matter what else we have (or don't have). We have to live a life in which God is enough. And we strive to live that truth.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">At the beginning of this post I mentioned that I knew that I wanted something different to come out of this blog. I want to be real. And this is about as real as it gets. I want this to be a place to find inspiration, yes, but also for it to be a place to find encouragement and truth even in the messes. I hope that wherever you may be right now that you can find the hope and peace that only God can provide.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>I am not saying this because I am in need,</b></i></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. </b></i></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.</b></i></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,</b></i></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.</b></i></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></h4>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>Philippians 4: 11-12</b></i></span></span></h4>
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</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-8729662943228714892012-03-21T09:53:00.004-04:002012-03-21T10:15:17.561-04:00simple joys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH25wkyc45fhNySX1mIqSy7ruLhPAU1LuSDJawlRbIw6l0fsJOIAjTEAYIHgQNpdIRtt4NWY3i_ppnKBqvelajgrq4zbqINHnfGj2SNnbF0PNsH7T5QdwXg_PHgNtKpF90uXT8/s1600/IMG_4536.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH25wkyc45fhNySX1mIqSy7ruLhPAU1LuSDJawlRbIw6l0fsJOIAjTEAYIHgQNpdIRtt4NWY3i_ppnKBqvelajgrq4zbqINHnfGj2SNnbF0PNsH7T5QdwXg_PHgNtKpF90uXT8/s400/IMG_4536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722349895983118466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Here in our new town, we live just up the road from the very small local airport. We pass the runway on our way home. Several weeks ago, as we were heading home, we noticed several planes and gliders waiting to go up, so we pulled in next to the runway so we could watch. The kids loved being so close to the planes taking off. OK, so did Michael and I.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We recently happened to drive by when the local skydiving chapter was meeting at the airport and people were parachuting left and right. It was so fun to watch! And all the colorful parachutes made quite a beautiful sight!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ_vEcWFwx9V4sEJ7qmg7mdtRCUIrNR5EBHopdkaY19S2mgoCU3DNNrCHGFZgWHPB2GkANFgOWk38S32zSf0nqkBaAywjxrJ8pUug89Y9WfbgSVCt-zAvUrUMG7HCORpEZnNg/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ_vEcWFwx9V4sEJ7qmg7mdtRCUIrNR5EBHopdkaY19S2mgoCU3DNNrCHGFZgWHPB2GkANFgOWk38S32zSf0nqkBaAywjxrJ8pUug89Y9WfbgSVCt-zAvUrUMG7HCORpEZnNg/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722348519621285858" /></a><br /><div>A few days later we saw more planes taking gliders up...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6k1Dr2HUDeRcnCd182zCZwqv6dB6aL77rX4JmWT4jvK0vmSKeZ6DE348vLAy8Efykvgz5FeBf_s2UZ3qqQ8YBPRchiWHHtJ11r0KGnlLKqwobzREdUqdIJ2hwypth1WsyIHx/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6k1Dr2HUDeRcnCd182zCZwqv6dB6aL77rX4JmWT4jvK0vmSKeZ6DE348vLAy8Efykvgz5FeBf_s2UZ3qqQ8YBPRchiWHHtJ11r0KGnlLKqwobzREdUqdIJ2hwypth1WsyIHx/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722348506456955794" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is still so amazing to watch the gliders as they soar through the air without the help of an engine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mE68oB4VFYhO03bqMXNDdMe1jTKwenz37SCWTN0q_IjnBYOLGT54B3eyPUj8rVrMp-BmH-OO3ZTHiMHfegoJSi8Jfqa1TmpKJwi5NxVim9dWX6K6Ovqc8zpyN7lZGsT0_-LB/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mE68oB4VFYhO03bqMXNDdMe1jTKwenz37SCWTN0q_IjnBYOLGT54B3eyPUj8rVrMp-BmH-OO3ZTHiMHfegoJSi8Jfqa1TmpKJwi5NxVim9dWX6K6Ovqc8zpyN7lZGsT0_-LB/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722348516823702146" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Watching these planes and gliders has become one of our favorite things to do. We get excited when we drive by the runway and see that they are out. Last week we drove by just as a plane passed right in front of us to land. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We really are enjoying this simple little joy we have found in our new town. What are you enjoying these days?<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-11754415488188909202012-02-27T09:34:00.004-05:002012-02-27T16:37:04.486-05:00birthday number nine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ7ei8aUD4b-XAeCDZE1MFFrsMnxotzaYrjDKKXbn_OU6IU7i6qJzfocNZiMlQJvEsY5g8OwEwbUiBGodQI5O2Y0krUhj_6vwK7bDRomboIZj1zzExNR_HG7j-4pXULmJ9HRn/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ7ei8aUD4b-XAeCDZE1MFFrsMnxotzaYrjDKKXbn_OU6IU7i6qJzfocNZiMlQJvEsY5g8OwEwbUiBGodQI5O2Y0krUhj_6vwK7bDRomboIZj1zzExNR_HG7j-4pXULmJ9HRn/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824713512562466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I love this fella. I can hardly believe that he is now nine years old! And like many nine year olds, he loves Legos. Not a day goes by that I don't find at least one stray Lego brick somewhere in our house. As a matter of fact, I can see one right now on the kitchen counter. When I asked what theme he wanted for his birthday, I was not surprised to find that he want a Lego theme. So, like so many others, I started <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinning</a> ideas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC0HnJ8VZl7dtjE4Ze6iatS65UiB_pPbTMav_YGzai1uoQofiGXY2QKHkI7F_V3g6E8IXqXkWPTIr617vq1vM-r9groDdsqNtdJ50ZfAMQuxIbhCRtMk7PXB89r63F5ch4t77/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC0HnJ8VZl7dtjE4Ze6iatS65UiB_pPbTMav_YGzai1uoQofiGXY2QKHkI7F_V3g6E8IXqXkWPTIr617vq1vM-r9groDdsqNtdJ50ZfAMQuxIbhCRtMk7PXB89r63F5ch4t77/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824703855048178" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I found this banner idea <a href="http://partiesandholidays.blogspot.com/2011/01/lego-themed-birthday-party.html">here</a>. I downloaded a Lego font, then colored around each letter with a yellow marker and then cut around the yellow to give the letters the yellow border. I then pasted them on red cardstock and threaded them onto black ribbon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we moved, I found these candies at my favorite bulk food <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matties-Pantry/160973347300013?sk=wall">shop</a>. I went ahead and bought them for the party. You can even snap them together!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupSlbJcl_Qbxo4nWofNIK_9aWmPo0BbkWDCwDWwYkXM9akxgMPS3ocsmY41jTnCLKc5aUEpeS47cutxDhl68Oc-bFLXX3togh2TQZWmqgnFATWkshX-GnhFSHWHtbIkvir9wr/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupSlbJcl_Qbxo4nWofNIK_9aWmPo0BbkWDCwDWwYkXM9akxgMPS3ocsmY41jTnCLKc5aUEpeS47cutxDhl68Oc-bFLXX3togh2TQZWmqgnFATWkshX-GnhFSHWHtbIkvir9wr/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824379986255058" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I decided to use them as cupcake toppers. I think they are so cute!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqq6xTg7Bj88BGu60yX24PstxFZgHXnvkjV4JpgWqzuswgyElGtyFMzowob9KL-MntBJsD4xtTDpHHAgDDkCdlEfX01OZ3J0e3ZhhQWfdDo_sMsDhEzr_HQSMMXrlTnRVEmZT/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqq6xTg7Bj88BGu60yX24PstxFZgHXnvkjV4JpgWqzuswgyElGtyFMzowob9KL-MntBJsD4xtTDpHHAgDDkCdlEfX01OZ3J0e3ZhhQWfdDo_sMsDhEzr_HQSMMXrlTnRVEmZT/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824408030716066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1NHsBocifV3vMCVEpkkOIXtLc_U7gd3tJrMWYqlU0h_lJPKo4b5RB-xibheXNd695jc87PPshEWH-McwdTHZGzhOcVJ_fpnLKVsKUvaxNCCLg9a9wLkMT65bXdak7zP0kqII/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1NHsBocifV3vMCVEpkkOIXtLc_U7gd3tJrMWYqlU0h_lJPKo4b5RB-xibheXNd695jc87PPshEWH-McwdTHZGzhOcVJ_fpnLKVsKUvaxNCCLg9a9wLkMT65bXdak7zP0kqII/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824396985667298" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, for a dose of reality. I was so excited when I found this cake <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/building-blocks-cakes/ca36541e-624c-48af-ab78-68ef256e8903">idea </a>on Pinterest. Click on the link for the full effect. Now, here is my version of said cake. People, it was hard. I don't know if I just become incompetent when icing is set in front of me or what, but my cake did not turn out like the photo in that link. But, you know what? I asked Larkin to come look at it and he was so excited. He told me it was awesome. And that is good enough for me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTaSbueN9MsXjNwYAgbee13Y64p9W8lur7-ipBIbwnSNYt_nuTV8GAfUEM3jb17HP4m2k4yPX-n-ei7yp7y7NKb-jnieFciIkNxQOx-xav0_O7fjimERrEAJBPZYHYpwfeEa-/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTaSbueN9MsXjNwYAgbee13Y64p9W8lur7-ipBIbwnSNYt_nuTV8GAfUEM3jb17HP4m2k4yPX-n-ei7yp7y7NKb-jnieFciIkNxQOx-xav0_O7fjimERrEAJBPZYHYpwfeEa-/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824391478529762" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Plus, it tasted great. The lesson here, moms? If it makes your child happy, then you have accomplished your goal. Don't be hard on yourself if your cake wouldn't fly on Cake Boss. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOkphy5_lNmx82rog7k8WR8TX5a1l6q11sPnbL2Nuz7ups-CoxDO9Xsm5DniYrm8U9fpcbG-BEm0WA6G9dm7zqc357XhyC8DVKIntjgjaOrxuH5Jg81ZTsska68o0XVMjZ3o0/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOkphy5_lNmx82rog7k8WR8TX5a1l6q11sPnbL2Nuz7ups-CoxDO9Xsm5DniYrm8U9fpcbG-BEm0WA6G9dm7zqc357XhyC8DVKIntjgjaOrxuH5Jg81ZTsska68o0XVMjZ3o0/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713824353771560498" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I really did try to get some shots of Larkin opening his gifts, but there was such a frenzy, I could hardly get near him. When I was finally able to get down on his level, I sat right down into a drink that someone has spilled. Good times. I love how excited all the kids get, even when it isn't their party!</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, it was a great day. Larkin was surrounded by people who love him and wanted to celebrate him. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bitsofsplendor.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://www.bitsofsplendor.com/"><img src="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m107/danielleburk/new%20pictures/bits-1.png" border="0" alt="bits of splendor monday" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-57049617214137408792012-02-23T09:47:00.008-05:002012-02-23T10:24:01.621-05:00found: a servant's heart<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I am very excited about the new site, <a href="http://www.beautifullyrooted.com/">Beautifully Rooted</a>. It is a great place for women to to connect and be encouraged and inspired to deepen their relationship with God. If you haven't checked it out yet, go now! There are articles on faith, food, projects and more.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Once a week there will be a photo link up. I think their words explain it best, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"<span class="Apple-style-span">We challenge you to join us by being intentional about capturing God </span><span class="Apple-style-span">in your everyday life through your camera lens. Our hope is that through this process </span><span class="Apple-style-span">we'll not only be able to slow down so we can live in His comfort & peace each day, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">but that we'll also be able to create a collection of images to look back on as a </span><span class="Apple-style-span">visual reminder that He really is with us every single day.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" span=""></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" i=""><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Yesterday, while Larkin and I were doing his spelling lesson, I could hear Lucy working rather busily in the kitchen. When Larkin and I came into the dining room, she had made each of us a snack.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUbBt8A5Uo18MKj77DZc7cwfd5-fnr4expDzruOwYiXS5gyPxoc-ajmS_cr48VhFedAD-4Wcd-ykv6Hc6qX7SdahP-YZ79XTtnj332wT5Iqdfm0OoZcxt2XGdZ_RNNr0Len0/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" style="line-height: 21px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUbBt8A5Uo18MKj77DZc7cwfd5-fnr4expDzruOwYiXS5gyPxoc-ajmS_cr48VhFedAD-4Wcd-ykv6Hc6qX7SdahP-YZ79XTtnj332wT5Iqdfm0OoZcxt2XGdZ_RNNr0Len0/s400/IMG_4732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712346914623079874" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">She even put peanut butter on his crackers! In that moment my heart swelled to see her servant heart shining through. Few things do my heart as good as seeing God working through my children!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">linking up with...</span></div><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautifullyrooted.com/search/label/found"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/foundlinkupbutton2.png" /></a></center></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-82252815279176522012-02-07T09:40:00.004-05:002012-02-07T09:50:53.277-05:00my first guest post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDqqt9sKpLKZ0U8g5HXxrLFIrinz7vpF5A73HuF87jmlajvGwKk1gbV-2n-JWkvksXg0MJANfv86zcZFKzwufGT8LmCvh69orA1zRrOc747AgoWT0h3EV6TULRN39aeImhqaQ/s1600/5THINGS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDqqt9sKpLKZ0U8g5HXxrLFIrinz7vpF5A73HuF87jmlajvGwKk1gbV-2n-JWkvksXg0MJANfv86zcZFKzwufGT8LmCvh69orA1zRrOc747AgoWT0h3EV6TULRN39aeImhqaQ/s400/5THINGS.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706405143585030162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My friend <a href="http://apearantlysew.blogspot.com/">Alison</a> started a "5 Things" series on her blog. Each Tuesday she will post tips on a variety of topics. I was pretty excited when she asked me to write a post about homeschooling for the series. The post is up today, so go <a href="http://apearantlysew.blogspot.com/2012/02/starting-homeschooling-journey.html">check it out</a>! And while you are there look around. Her blog is great and there are already some fun posts in the series!</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-45523231532334232402012-01-30T22:08:00.003-05:002012-01-30T22:26:03.359-05:00a little something<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp8of_7DqmdA38SFxX9_tZR0R3ODKeI0obREwpvknuzAeH5PNIfhDhktro-csfdP5y1hDTNfUpniae5QVZDRiA_vroZnitgsKcfk5WWLkBacv07M0t3VuHkAJ5MOsD7LERYpb/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp8of_7DqmdA38SFxX9_tZR0R3ODKeI0obREwpvknuzAeH5PNIfhDhktro-csfdP5y1hDTNfUpniae5QVZDRiA_vroZnitgsKcfk5WWLkBacv07M0t3VuHkAJ5MOsD7LERYpb/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703628081849274914" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Back before Christmas I was able to sneak a few minutes to work on a skirt for Lucy. Even in the midst of the busyness, a girl has to have time with her sewing machine, ya know? However, somehow it has taken me over a month to get photos of it. She wore it to church and I figured that was a good location to take a couple of shots (even if just with my phone). Seriously, there are some really great walls at our new church.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several months ago I made a <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html">scarf </a>with this floral fabric. I really love the fabric so I went a bought another yard and some coordinating fabric for a double layer skirt for Lucy (similar to <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2009/04/finally.html">these</a> I made a few years ago). I also bought a bit of lace to put in between the layers.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno-wVZK-npr2_kQB6ikmSm48V1IcvSZe946jNtkcPBV11f2fZdVUY97wQk3OoNG1Xq63SdUZMVAUrc6HAavgESSEsWP1SDZUYhqWQhehjayZmYITVRYJdZGL8CqxnuefcaOjw/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno-wVZK-npr2_kQB6ikmSm48V1IcvSZe946jNtkcPBV11f2fZdVUY97wQk3OoNG1Xq63SdUZMVAUrc6HAavgESSEsWP1SDZUYhqWQhehjayZmYITVRYJdZGL8CqxnuefcaOjw/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703628067756990914" /></a>I also decided to make a coordinating headband for her. I'm not sure which I like more, the skirt or the headband!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9n_dZjJ6UR3prEsW1rUvNN90pkBjyRHbwSzYVRypIMWgnoIZmJNlhH-cPnTx8XOLwHYYNlxrnZKF2HfAKTDtQ3JWAiZs8KRusu50NRvAvfOUJRWHZ_IWZ1y_z0HOdmXhwrYz/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9n_dZjJ6UR3prEsW1rUvNN90pkBjyRHbwSzYVRypIMWgnoIZmJNlhH-cPnTx8XOLwHYYNlxrnZKF2HfAKTDtQ3JWAiZs8KRusu50NRvAvfOUJRWHZ_IWZ1y_z0HOdmXhwrYz/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703628071391039874" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I really look forward to getting my sewing machine back out. It really is hard for it to still be packed up. I don't have a dedicated sewing space in this house, so I've got to figure that part out. But, I am itching to do some sewing!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-81743369139228950222012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-26T08:00:11.499-05:00settling in<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADs7RLuS1mTy3o_WO2ZZniD5Y7wEiI0ZLxqVK3NcHSQiq_MnnQ3TRBE10ONeGuDOgIdZMOQsnRy-xqxbXG5pkKlrkJLXfXg35c_LUCvV1yyZZ5dtUSLox_Vb493HK1_ievIDV/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADs7RLuS1mTy3o_WO2ZZniD5Y7wEiI0ZLxqVK3NcHSQiq_MnnQ3TRBE10ONeGuDOgIdZMOQsnRy-xqxbXG5pkKlrkJLXfXg35c_LUCvV1yyZZ5dtUSLox_Vb493HK1_ievIDV/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701775157067806146" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">News flash: Moving is hard. When I announced that we were moving, I thought it would be really great to blog about the process. Not about how to pack boxes or in which order to pack them (although sometimes it felt like it would be helpful if someone would just tell me those things), but more about the emotional parts of a move. The good and the bad. The fun and the not so fun.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I was hit with a pretty big dose of reality. In December, Michael was on tour and for two weeks we had various band members and their families staying with us (which was a lot of fun). The tour lasted until December 23 and then we went to visit family for Christmas for a week. We then returned home to a whirlwind of packing and preparing for the move. I was still homeschooling during most of that time. I was determined not to get too far behind. Did I mention that I was sick through Christmas, too? Because that makes things cleaning and packing easier.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honestly, there wasn't a whole lot of time to sit and really digest all that was going on, much less be able to blog about it.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6QbUF3F3H1RqNuoLMNvDF5dWj8OqvDT3X5C6hwJPQFv4G40COzs5k1KpkrTuD9tyHb4UdzHH6vIATeYbaC5Q6cJQLZK9c9pdOjHZNzx2_J8nHgJhF-54t5BG01WJpnkCpWI1/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6QbUF3F3H1RqNuoLMNvDF5dWj8OqvDT3X5C6hwJPQFv4G40COzs5k1KpkrTuD9tyHb4UdzHH6vIATeYbaC5Q6cJQLZK9c9pdOjHZNzx2_J8nHgJhF-54t5BG01WJpnkCpWI1/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701776367285658130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{At this point Michael and I decided we had all we really needed in the moving truck.}</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The good news? We are on this side of the move and mostly settled. I found this photo on my phone after Lucy had it the other day. Apparently she is enjoying our new back porch...</div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwLzRIyZGsZRsZgf0TSDvH9maqj2-Jgb4JltN3fWMSNYCTpJJPWwC4wu7yL1Bd53tlDyTGBQ980uqOpPSG308i9KBF_nGDiI5fnzV5eQ5Uy4zerGGx7VMtDhaPYezmED44v1w/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwLzRIyZGsZRsZgf0TSDvH9maqj2-Jgb4JltN3fWMSNYCTpJJPWwC4wu7yL1Bd53tlDyTGBQ980uqOpPSG308i9KBF_nGDiI5fnzV5eQ5Uy4zerGGx7VMtDhaPYezmED44v1w/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701776361313327442" /></a></div></div>As a matter of fact, this picture is a great representation of how we feel right now. Happy. Very very happy.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-55827233208330830712011-12-13T13:26:00.004-05:002011-12-13T14:27:51.218-05:00announcement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc2A9Ql_ciKxCnOcc7lq4ieeJrW9rbk9vqLkwnNVxJuJP7mjojXRq9PxOUrwzMoAkq1s4oELCJ1Z144_JoIBUtoDJid8iKizjdhLIx0tJoZ2N0sxRqMSzAj3OPU3qM4K731nF/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc2A9Ql_ciKxCnOcc7lq4ieeJrW9rbk9vqLkwnNVxJuJP7mjojXRq9PxOUrwzMoAkq1s4oELCJ1Z144_JoIBUtoDJid8iKizjdhLIx0tJoZ2N0sxRqMSzAj3OPU3qM4K731nF/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685688154528612690" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">So, my short blog break turned into weeks with not posts. And breaks like that overwhelm me. For starters I was without my computer for nine days. Much longer than I expected, not to mention a bit inc<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">onvenient. Then we were with family for Thanksgiving. I am that weird girl that actually has a harder time starting back with the blog once I take a break. It is like I don't know if I should "catch you all up" on what has been going on or if I should just jump right back in. I know it doesn't really matter, but, for whatever reason, those thoughts just make me avoid the blog. I sound really lame, I know.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Anyway, as you may have guessed from the picture, one thing that is going on around here is packing. We are moving! At the beginning of the year we will be able to call ourselves Georgians again. Well, truth be known, I will always be a Georgia girl no matter where I live, but we will physically be back "home."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">It is a very busy time to be packing (and purging). We have guests arriving tonight for the week, Christmas is right around the corner, and then we move! Whew! While it is a busy time, there is a whole lot of goodness in the mix. So, I am going to try and enjoy it all. Yes, even the packing (more so the purging). But, mostly, I want this busy time not to distract me from the wonder of Christmas, and the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It could be so easy to get overwhelmed with "busyness" that I forget to rest in Him and celebrate Him.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">May we all be able to focus on the beauty and true meaning in this season...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">linking up with</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><center><a href="http://www.callmeblessed.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/weencourage.png" /></a></center></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-56833953187155480242011-11-16T21:26:00.003-05:002011-11-16T21:46:45.985-05:00giveaway winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWzJ79pp-I0uQKv2zVRoLtbgBqb9E0tQW5oEPS9pK1kc1VSA-GpgPYObrKPjbR5O7Qv_G85awnct55QQdkxebEgh7JMUe8vSuFFtVqzJYlgz6ETJ3ONldKoIOwZv5ZtrmByYr/s640/blogger-image--541094809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWzJ79pp-I0uQKv2zVRoLtbgBqb9E0tQW5oEPS9pK1kc1VSA-GpgPYObrKPjbR5O7Qv_G85awnct55QQdkxebEgh7JMUe8vSuFFtVqzJYlgz6ETJ3ONldKoIOwZv5ZtrmByYr/s640/blogger-image--541094809.jpg" /></a><br /><br />So...sorry for the delay in announcing a winner for my giveaway. My computer is at the lovely Apple store being repaired. By the way, I really don't like being parted from it. Tonight I found out their is a Blogger app for my phone, so I am using it now. I am even having to use an image from my phone. Here's to hoping it works.<br /><br />But let me get on to announcing the winner...Tammy, you are the winner! Please contact me with your info and I will get a CD in the mail to you!<br /><br />Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone for entering!<div><br /></div><div>*OK so I can't format the text or the photo with the phone app. Oh well, it isn't really worth complaining about. At least I posted, right?</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-56320640158915174162011-11-07T06:45:00.005-05:002011-11-07T07:14:23.246-05:00smalltown poets christmas giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJaN2FFt8IK4kCnZ3qX-Ga5G-jY_lu7gkC5nQNcufz5hofJEuixJ2ELXBdrwZPe6nN35WIODSt4hga4eHU7-Uk6ST1ek_niTW4O-MDfHL-PAXADMlyVWvq7Zy62tUFs1twxvV/s1600/1209592082-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJaN2FFt8IK4kCnZ3qX-Ga5G-jY_lu7gkC5nQNcufz5hofJEuixJ2ELXBdrwZPe6nN35WIODSt4hga4eHU7-Uk6ST1ek_niTW4O-MDfHL-PAXADMlyVWvq7Zy62tUFs1twxvV/s400/1209592082-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672224203103902642" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I have <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011/08/singing-in-trees.html">mentioned</a> the release of the new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/smalltownpoets">Smalltown Poets</a> Christmas album. Well, the day has finally arrived and we are so excited! I must admit that my husband's voice sure is dreamy. The whole album is amazing. You can even here my smalls lending their voices to the last track.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There just happens to be a very large stack of boxes full of CDs in my foyer, and since I think it is imperative that you have a copy, I am giving one away right here!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song. For an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway with a link to this post (my Twitter handle is @abjohnston) and leave a comment saying you did.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This giveaway will close on Sunday, November 13 and I will announce a winner on Monday, November 14. If you just can't wait to add the album to your Christmas rotation, you can order a copy <a href="https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/smalltownpoets2">here</a> or you can <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/o-come-o-come-emmanuel/id476117307?i=476117353">download</a> it on iTunes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Merry Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-12684736679071399942011-10-24T20:59:00.004-04:002011-10-24T21:30:06.431-04:00pink lady day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKCVXvaHuMXvqA7EzlPTZENvRQQHB7bwWrG1nKsNebxhbH_LS3g764W2sq_9cRE59j64iZhR5y2sV-1OZcCcYNfMswBUUdxx_RKv9_IfQsK-3tt79g1itpmdzQROZrYBvyi6I/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKCVXvaHuMXvqA7EzlPTZENvRQQHB7bwWrG1nKsNebxhbH_LS3g764W2sq_9cRE59j64iZhR5y2sV-1OZcCcYNfMswBUUdxx_RKv9_IfQsK-3tt79g1itpmdzQROZrYBvyi6I/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667228793362281922" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Wow, I missed a whole week on here! I have good reason, though. My mama came last Monday and stayed with us all week. I had not seen her in over three months. I am almost positive that we have never gone that long without seeing each other. So, I soaked up every single second of our time together. Ya'll, I love my mama.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We visited the apple orchard a few weeks ago, but the pink lady apples weren't ready yet, so I have been calling to make sure I was there the first day they were available. I really love me some pink lady apples. Friday was the day and I termed it, "Pink Lady Day." Truth be told, I squished the cheeks of each of my family members while squealing, "It's Pink Lady Day!" I know they loved it.</div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU78XmHMB6DLSgUw3rQy2XDcsMepcAqhsFoXxKGOZO87m8eO2pYNsa4yKuSWZqbqdJf0CjspD_w5rmIYY0ADmQCHgXAhVQkeyr6jjTjFPMZ9Ty21u-V3KxErYpDV7x4bbV9WE3/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU78XmHMB6DLSgUw3rQy2XDcsMepcAqhsFoXxKGOZO87m8eO2pYNsa4yKuSWZqbqdJf0CjspD_w5rmIYY0ADmQCHgXAhVQkeyr6jjTjFPMZ9Ty21u-V3KxErYpDV7x4bbV9WE3/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667228756705604418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{I really think he is so handsome...even while up in a tree.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCvd-KCQsVRrwVIeOTzMhy0tCv31IcG_V4sqaw9QS4UiUe9pVudy-Y_qgg2rR6p8alaGfP1l86ULb7VO9qM_tuKwQ1g9bwJ9Z0n_hJ5PtC3oeIPNpWd6PHpNwnrDKHP60mYpX/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCvd-KCQsVRrwVIeOTzMhy0tCv31IcG_V4sqaw9QS4UiUe9pVudy-Y_qgg2rR6p8alaGfP1l86ULb7VO9qM_tuKwQ1g9bwJ9Z0n_hJ5PtC3oeIPNpWd6PHpNwnrDKHP60mYpX/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667228768042584930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Someone wanted to be like Dad.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAWmnbpNFUchyphenhyphen9KXZ2YvOWuCml3qALzl2zh612mOgJ-M24Ew052wG5QKWSMXZrN49LRBirHXCnMxzjHWV-x6v6O-SbedgS1tLVFRIky2KXYumRekxzik_u3MUzTCCrGXUFMF_/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAWmnbpNFUchyphenhyphen9KXZ2YvOWuCml3qALzl2zh612mOgJ-M24Ew052wG5QKWSMXZrN49LRBirHXCnMxzjHWV-x6v6O-SbedgS1tLVFRIky2KXYumRekxzik_u3MUzTCCrGXUFMF_/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667228788490498722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Someone else also wanted to be like Dad.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6KQqgq0nfHy6oJGCdwJmHZa2laFjFsv4m5y3CBz9_TdMvwlTxutAoGN6yDu_V2Ishbl03V0uUyzlmtchDuLzdzDHZgz7wp-0lwB_P-xQo6J628yPIMjQmLq1FYb96dq07tAJ/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6KQqgq0nfHy6oJGCdwJmHZa2laFjFsv4m5y3CBz9_TdMvwlTxutAoGN6yDu_V2Ishbl03V0uUyzlmtchDuLzdzDHZgz7wp-0lwB_P-xQo6J628yPIMjQmLq1FYb96dq07tAJ/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667230056510395042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{We went home with a bushel of apples. That is a whole lot of apples.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSMSvxxMSJUPKL_IbtCxJ3x7btpHHTCnih_hHoKbt-jTh6iBIBdxfH6KXEMbUrH3iikUAuu3dWAkdPcytmUhwkwTc2Mt41wjvGlU8gYMZR6uA60RqdhPXb-s3FAdS3Cb-J1qa/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSMSvxxMSJUPKL_IbtCxJ3x7btpHHTCnih_hHoKbt-jTh6iBIBdxfH6KXEMbUrH3iikUAuu3dWAkdPcytmUhwkwTc2Mt41wjvGlU8gYMZR6uA60RqdhPXb-s3FAdS3Cb-J1qa/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667228815436934562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{There are a couple of horses at the orchard that are more than happy to take an apple or two.}</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There will be lots of apple products coming out of my kitchen in the coming week. Tonight we started things off with this <a href="http://chickwhocooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/apple-crisp.html">apple crisp</a> that I found on Pinterest. It is delicious! There is a good chance that I will have some of it for breakfast in the morning. Shhhh, don't tell anyone!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-9939592266851060062011-10-14T11:19:00.004-04:002011-10-14T11:52:56.738-04:00psych night<div style="text-align: justify;">I know that my <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011/09/simply-connecting.html">love</a> of <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/">Psych</a> is no secret around here. Wednesday was the season premiere so we had a small party to celebrate with friends. And we went with a full-on Psych theme. And wouldn't you know that my camera battery died and I had to use my phone for pics, so only Instagram photos for you today :)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3_uFYDLY6ntrQ6uWH6FgL9AC816DZStdX5_Kd-aFT9YRfuONvP33LdDLky9ESkuV6Uk8t0PMgXDax6LdUAaH77C4DfzxUnx-Bx8v-gMM-uS2AsVXxNqph_GTGzihWr5bqA-3/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3_uFYDLY6ntrQ6uWH6FgL9AC816DZStdX5_Kd-aFT9YRfuONvP33LdDLky9ESkuV6Uk8t0PMgXDax6LdUAaH77C4DfzxUnx-Bx8v-gMM-uS2AsVXxNqph_GTGzihWr5bqA-3/s400/IMG_2907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663368494679702322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{There is a <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/pineapple/">pineapple</a> in almost every episode of Psych and it is a lot of fun to try and spot it. No Psych party would be complete without one.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMy99hreGqYji5Botkj8aaz89XhERuHYPPj1ClHuYA1fbylQZdsguD3bMUG0MsAkUE8h7cfDqiygM3B8KnUjqdzxgw6Y2QrPHQfNHnlEUpBqIyGLQmpWL6VD-ataeAYLGBye7/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMy99hreGqYji5Botkj8aaz89XhERuHYPPj1ClHuYA1fbylQZdsguD3bMUG0MsAkUE8h7cfDqiygM3B8KnUjqdzxgw6Y2QrPHQfNHnlEUpBqIyGLQmpWL6VD-ataeAYLGBye7/s400/IMG_2913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663368485808684994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Our food was based on references from the show, hence our <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0828981/quotes?qt=qt0475479">Anna Banana</a> flavored <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nsJGThAdqo&feature=related">muffins</a>.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBf5EY5_ZCFtqZpFyARujCdOWgtrrd-SqOpIOu_afO1K9ds8I048ObmSIf_DpMgaee2Y7w0e5uuhvZtwkUjp8PD4R9sqY5o3a7NmtvLSl9jsuWMraWdrNss8RKGprCZFO5hr/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBf5EY5_ZCFtqZpFyARujCdOWgtrrd-SqOpIOu_afO1K9ds8I048ObmSIf_DpMgaee2Y7w0e5uuhvZtwkUjp8PD4R9sqY5o3a7NmtvLSl9jsuWMraWdrNss8RKGprCZFO5hr/s400/IMG_2917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663368479002104466" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">{Alien potatoes getting ready to become a flavor seizure known as <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189421/quotes?qt=qt0973628">Fries Quatro Queso Dos Fritos</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniekjW1751Q5a25P6rkeUIzwMhInOvlxu4QF7lYaXrpQIlwmW3y6LKyYXGrNz2LnugFTetPViXOkRH-A9Zb1JwcevSrA9BHoWdoIhsJ_kImR1UVnPDutvSWNw9hyphenhyphene6AQrVXpv/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniekjW1751Q5a25P6rkeUIzwMhInOvlxu4QF7lYaXrpQIlwmW3y6LKyYXGrNz2LnugFTetPViXOkRH-A9Zb1JwcevSrA9BHoWdoIhsJ_kImR1UVnPDutvSWNw9hyphenhyphene6AQrVXpv/s400/IMG_2934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663368463543345714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{I saw this <a href="http://cutestfood.com/2093/rainbow-drink/">idea</a> on Pinterest and used lime kool-aid for the ice cubes to match the theme. Let me assure you, lime kool-aid ice cubes and ginger ale is drink perfection.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEV8zA1fk-G8Kj0ri-ltCff-aQ_cFmF4vykMtBeXoU9n4lKBO_r22oLfRHndXbeUIQrHXyPUaeHoaFqdM4MAmj3pv1HvV6QksGPQzynM1aLJ8VD_vjNZIQStss8PNlzILOnhc/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEV8zA1fk-G8Kj0ri-ltCff-aQ_cFmF4vykMtBeXoU9n4lKBO_r22oLfRHndXbeUIQrHXyPUaeHoaFqdM4MAmj3pv1HvV6QksGPQzynM1aLJ8VD_vjNZIQStss8PNlzILOnhc/s400/IMG_2932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663368452709283682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{The spread. Oh, that is a pineapple cheese ball. Delicioso.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">People, it was a fantastic night. Great friends, yummy food and the best show on television. Not to mention, it was a lot of fun to put together. I can hardly wait for next week's episode!</div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://liferearranged.com/"><img alt="life rearranged" height="120" width="200" border="0" src="http://liferearranged.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/instafridaybutton.jpg" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-48119437975479892322011-10-10T14:07:00.004-04:002011-10-10T16:14:26.240-04:00give thanks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADak9u-t6koKIOsia8yHqkfjCWXt1SehXxoXfwPICoNqoXBCXtuihzfBZ6-MN1_P0NWQQLt8uJ26tMB_YrKeNW-PzvNfK9bCrcVi2FxPlWy4uzUM_L0h183Ug46ejDe3hRc0a/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADak9u-t6koKIOsia8yHqkfjCWXt1SehXxoXfwPICoNqoXBCXtuihzfBZ6-MN1_P0NWQQLt8uJ26tMB_YrKeNW-PzvNfK9bCrcVi2FxPlWy4uzUM_L0h183Ug46ejDe3hRc0a/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661927533056506658" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week at craft night we changed things up a bit and rather than each bringing something different to work on, we all worked on the same project. <a href="http://apearantlysew.blogspot.com/">Alison</a> found a fun <a href="http://thebarefootseamstress.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-burlap-bunting-tutorial.html">tutorial</a> for a burlap banner, so we all set to making our own.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7pvqU-lCVB0nA1mOMeg7M9VPPtUZwHdgDCDz7Eu3vsXmlY0QY2q2OeDgbeNGjPWF_0phEY2Vb3QjoqibVtLZMTi7rBuFbC2FwSLcUasbhUBVLhw-RgkXOuz5vqDZJ3TJka3E/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7pvqU-lCVB0nA1mOMeg7M9VPPtUZwHdgDCDz7Eu3vsXmlY0QY2q2OeDgbeNGjPWF_0phEY2Vb3QjoqibVtLZMTi7rBuFbC2FwSLcUasbhUBVLhw-RgkXOuz5vqDZJ3TJka3E/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661927523143931730" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">For whatever reason, the lettering doesn't show up well in photos, but it does in person. Go figure. Here is a bit of detail...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTMGOF27HbBamb3db8xQ0oRmFbkehlO3qexgGRQEp3UzhNTHf8cIzkQDUluMbztVzR-tQEQkPLGAwpMNwhPAPB_KFSzUDvwvnRqdEcyDO87avUiF_mp1BLKAbJkZ_MIeEAelu/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTMGOF27HbBamb3db8xQ0oRmFbkehlO3qexgGRQEp3UzhNTHf8cIzkQDUluMbztVzR-tQEQkPLGAwpMNwhPAPB_KFSzUDvwvnRqdEcyDO87avUiF_mp1BLKAbJkZ_MIeEAelu/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661927526848560578" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our living room is separated from our kitchen by an old brick chimney with wooden pillars on either side and I thought it would be the perfect spot for the banner. As I was taking the photo, I was annoyed by the thermostat because I felt like it was messing with the aesthetic of the photo. I had to remind myself that the thermostat means that we have heat in the winter and for that I should give thanks like the banner suggests.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkNRq1uU3MNhHJnzmRnFSRrKv8Go2XQHHLC_D2PQ9qEj1AU35dWrTORcWIviP4cvcPUJJi5xbvVuLp6iZyQRfABg9Zl3ToitfgceGvaKcuT0iGf8ewXH-DbEuaHHIXNl4t1BO/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkNRq1uU3MNhHJnzmRnFSRrKv8Go2XQHHLC_D2PQ9qEj1AU35dWrTORcWIviP4cvcPUJJi5xbvVuLp6iZyQRfABg9Zl3ToitfgceGvaKcuT0iGf8ewXH-DbEuaHHIXNl4t1BO/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661927517576182514" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">On the dresser below the banner, we keep our gratitude journals. In these journals we can appeal to our kinesthetic sides as our thoughts take on the physical form of ink on paper...just one way to bring our thanks to the front of our minds and give them a sort of permanence.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGxqCXO_Z7tn1QEAqtJASshqaE11zfHP_BVKeezSMviOPdf3h-ZcGwPu1FzVjWr45RNYDtjchyphenhyphenrWQnpMbtIrNGgaJ73S4lLb13JPBYr3usaBB7QLXVa73riaUoj2Ov01ojbsO/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGxqCXO_Z7tn1QEAqtJASshqaE11zfHP_BVKeezSMviOPdf3h-ZcGwPu1FzVjWr45RNYDtjchyphenhyphenrWQnpMbtIrNGgaJ73S4lLb13JPBYr3usaBB7QLXVa73riaUoj2Ov01ojbsO/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661927512420397458" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">Ann Voskamp</a> tweeted today, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; ">God calls us to *do* thanks. That thanks-giving becomes thanks-LIVING. That our lives become the very blessings we have received." My hope is for </span></span>this spot to be a constant reminder to us to be thankful and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; ">to never forget to live a life full of thanks. It is easy to dwell on things that aren't as we wish them to be, and as a result, be robbed of our joy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; "><i>"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-21808801650211414332011-10-07T09:11:00.008-04:002011-10-07T09:49:49.671-04:00insta-friday :: week 8<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mdPxXOsJVvatjH3MjLNGvtXD1-eQDEFpgD8ex6MiPz-oIg4RjvouXdkwDg9GAlDs-esH3vdoWEnVPe3Xd1VU884kmH0HHkYvjlN0qOpNKZl4FMO0fp0FhK-pqBnEeZBVRWPz/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mdPxXOsJVvatjH3MjLNGvtXD1-eQDEFpgD8ex6MiPz-oIg4RjvouXdkwDg9GAlDs-esH3vdoWEnVPe3Xd1VU884kmH0HHkYvjlN0qOpNKZl4FMO0fp0FhK-pqBnEeZBVRWPz/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660740206513615282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Meet Jillyboo. She showed up at our house and we cared for her a couple of days before finding her a home. I so wish our home could have been hers. Isn't she beautiful?}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehN1kwWJqIfVd9nFK6HEokSQzyEt8DgWn4v6t3jGzfQNkZUxnRyEkEgMW80G4rVZbKpHx9cYPbS-A46eEXSUgafF_M43uYOQYmAW0lLkWyW7_jyZolwH2HsjgH_Vc5tIq7ELR/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehN1kwWJqIfVd9nFK6HEokSQzyEt8DgWn4v6t3jGzfQNkZUxnRyEkEgMW80G4rVZbKpHx9cYPbS-A46eEXSUgafF_M43uYOQYmAW0lLkWyW7_jyZolwH2HsjgH_Vc5tIq7ELR/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660740200477348946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Our latest artist study was of Raphael. The kids really enjoy the projects in this <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38769.Discovering_Great_Artists">book</a>.}</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaItsWwpfeqlMn7i_an99xTQ7C4XEKfEz4VUcTGwcjJHVBx6-B1e4YydcIeV2zhtCApYHLcjqJC9hjOAApSP2jKRUB_UdAlXaI56tJOgnNK01CGV8WsnKyF2P4Vni7EmW4gJ-/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaItsWwpfeqlMn7i_an99xTQ7C4XEKfEz4VUcTGwcjJHVBx6-B1e4YydcIeV2zhtCApYHLcjqJC9hjOAApSP2jKRUB_UdAlXaI56tJOgnNK01CGV8WsnKyF2P4Vni7EmW4gJ-/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660740195597682674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPLjP5yF063YUku3m5e-IHVW5FYiApXg4ihxa-Y_4Ltyhx5pK3P_gyCDB0wjwGo_xBKG8dkY1M-xoTDT9f2Y1k-9vg836wUCsK3sJKivgXy0-JTwspiinp8Ols_vAaEHIj2Q2/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPLjP5yF063YUku3m5e-IHVW5FYiApXg4ihxa-Y_4Ltyhx5pK3P_gyCDB0wjwGo_xBKG8dkY1M-xoTDT9f2Y1k-9vg836wUCsK3sJKivgXy0-JTwspiinp8Ols_vAaEHIj2Q2/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660740191479639842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{It is apple season! We went for our first visit last week and I can't wait to go back.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lvc3E2qW-K3jiKrHvQRygmeguq8AsXCbFN7t0m8YySgR2u1B-3f_yvEQDKoA43RvGaMgXftWw8vHjCVAfr7k0I2zuPQhwrvwNbO-IlSVQP9hyrPATi-cMT7xHMfXBNHz4b-Q/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lvc3E2qW-K3jiKrHvQRygmeguq8AsXCbFN7t0m8YySgR2u1B-3f_yvEQDKoA43RvGaMgXftWw8vHjCVAfr7k0I2zuPQhwrvwNbO-IlSVQP9hyrPATi-cMT7xHMfXBNHz4b-Q/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660739271881088754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHxs-FtqGffAPkFav1Re8W2IsABGxxadGDIHqu3kUg6cjNCvtouPOfNZDTPq8J5MdCUZUb_YWp5KJyY6DD9NVPOdvI8KRsC2RhrwyjIFgH0XNQS26bqBtcKGyLTuOYK62C0Y0/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHxs-FtqGffAPkFav1Re8W2IsABGxxadGDIHqu3kUg6cjNCvtouPOfNZDTPq8J5MdCUZUb_YWp5KJyY6DD9NVPOdvI8KRsC2RhrwyjIFgH0XNQS26bqBtcKGyLTuOYK62C0Y0/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660739273390799186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{I agreed to have Reptile Day at our house for a group of fellow homeschoolers. Need I say more?}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSQXPwezwS57yXOpGn8OGPvQx87qwPQiU5cOzmeEYiFdLUE9hrptPpiuhUTZ7DvrehyjLXgKcHURQOap71gREmLrAI5xzUp2dJuj6BFFLHkq4N0fFEOzRVM04dDm2n2NEqiyD/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSQXPwezwS57yXOpGn8OGPvQx87qwPQiU5cOzmeEYiFdLUE9hrptPpiuhUTZ7DvrehyjLXgKcHURQOap71gREmLrAI5xzUp2dJuj6BFFLHkq4N0fFEOzRVM04dDm2n2NEqiyD/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660739263370011266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{There is a large statue of a bear across from our house. The kids love to climb under his belly. Note the shoes. After the bear we headed to the track so she could run. In a skirt and tights.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhzZwPSmN54gW15-UsudD2i6c2_6gGPHOTN3l78X3eNplzNFKnB2bFvXDIPRLZd_B6OQGJIL6QPOuqhqg9Wg16x7aPb6dMQ8-M49L4fSJTLssgpONaz8zBtDkZ4McRFB91mB9/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhzZwPSmN54gW15-UsudD2i6c2_6gGPHOTN3l78X3eNplzNFKnB2bFvXDIPRLZd_B6OQGJIL6QPOuqhqg9Wg16x7aPb6dMQ8-M49L4fSJTLssgpONaz8zBtDkZ4McRFB91mB9/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660739264787027506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Craft nights are a little messy but always a ton of fun.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEAPl2Og47v5_0VKsxECXXoxOHzsVCN41UraUdx6iVf6pREJZE8fANTjqmyt2vLveTfdx9SdPkBbg2Xr04d4-NCEXAOwVLRnUEfMSWXXue6wF0YcG-72mxSUAPRaASpU6uwTR/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEAPl2Og47v5_0VKsxECXXoxOHzsVCN41UraUdx6iVf6pREJZE8fANTjqmyt2vLveTfdx9SdPkBbg2Xr04d4-NCEXAOwVLRnUEfMSWXXue6wF0YcG-72mxSUAPRaASpU6uwTR/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660739260532960818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Sherlock Lucy joined us for school this week. She said she was solving "The Mystery of the Burglar's Hideout."}</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://liferearranged.com/"><img alt="life rearranged" height="120" width="200" border="0" src="http://liferearranged.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/instafridaybutton.jpg" /></a></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-16691852961899802522011-10-06T10:41:00.004-04:002011-10-06T10:54:38.213-04:00fall wreath<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCk_tMf2JUN3pJ9g-gFxdDJg1yzZ8DxJ4ki-rcmwFXbjO9qtBaSSsiO4LT0fxA9PBZ-J79dGIuMHOfarhJ8x5TRr42kkr2vw7nIL6mjEJxWxjRaEy0oTtZgcZV6YEFdbEQ1dH/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCk_tMf2JUN3pJ9g-gFxdDJg1yzZ8DxJ4ki-rcmwFXbjO9qtBaSSsiO4LT0fxA9PBZ-J79dGIuMHOfarhJ8x5TRr42kkr2vw7nIL6mjEJxWxjRaEy0oTtZgcZV6YEFdbEQ1dH/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660390278412550242" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I mentioned in my last <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011/09/finally-little-sewing.html">post </a>that I had started and finished two projects in one night. People, this is significant for me. I am excellent at starting projects and I little less than awesome when it comes to finishing them. So, I was pretty excite to have two completed projects in just a couple of hours.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know there have been a lot of wreaths and fall decor out in blogland recently and I didn't want to be left out. Actually, we have several doors in our house that lend themselves to wreath hanging. I made<a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011/01/christmas-revisited-week-day-1.html"> this one</a> last year and it still hangs in our living room. And honestly, I really enjoy making them, so I may have to make a few more. They are such inexpensive projects! I think I have less than five bucks in this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssScx3Hhxvm7SObMpeS3t7dts3iSiHQg2Hh_bYdcOi6FVksDolB7I4bPXMIAppR7qPR37X7ZlhhpPdvnJP5PbsySHaHJgVd9VdlnlZ9J67e3NSFxI41kReJ9QdAYUKSTjgsCp/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssScx3Hhxvm7SObMpeS3t7dts3iSiHQg2Hh_bYdcOi6FVksDolB7I4bPXMIAppR7qPR37X7ZlhhpPdvnJP5PbsySHaHJgVd9VdlnlZ9J67e3NSFxI41kReJ9QdAYUKSTjgsCp/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660390278217061010" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I really love looking at these swirly flowers. I also really love making them. Anyone else having fun will fall decor?</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-35927216417254060022011-09-27T09:57:00.003-04:002011-09-28T10:18:30.735-04:00finally a little sewing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NRR5-EESUeeGcFTO1rEwYED-pu5TNperTclVN9xOz-lKgjLX0KxRVr6oM5uGeY9Sjr8nw0_bVApdhp8uPGU8NuvuEZMi1R1OygyXr1H6vFPD3tUjcl-F3hCoafAc9jjm-Ist/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NRR5-EESUeeGcFTO1rEwYED-pu5TNperTclVN9xOz-lKgjLX0KxRVr6oM5uGeY9Sjr8nw0_bVApdhp8uPGU8NuvuEZMi1R1OygyXr1H6vFPD3tUjcl-F3hCoafAc9jjm-Ist/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657039287114999442" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I went way too long without using my sewing machine! Last week I had <a href="http://sugarfootspeaks.blogspot.com/">some</a> <a href="http://apearantlysew.blogspot.com/">friends</a> over for craft night and I finally made something! I found this fabric last week and I just fell in love with it. Yellow and brown aren't my usual picks. Well, yellow is, but I guess that particular combo isn't. Anyway, it is a super soft lightweight cotton.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I knew it would be a great choice for an infinity scarf. I only bought a yard and it was the perfect amount for the scarf and it sewed up very quickly. So quickly in fact, that I had time for another project that night that I look forward to sharing this week! There's no stopping me!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWgGwB78uz7w7CBo2pyZ_Bub7zx3NJPsJSXpQguvaYaFvB-2EHGuGE3WRUHRpVq8c8LTZuOQ_aI5puEtDKPq2-x4w7l3-7ejhY6d6UKmel_Jves5PSTMLzPuK2GId1n9miYHw/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWgGwB78uz7w7CBo2pyZ_Bub7zx3NJPsJSXpQguvaYaFvB-2EHGuGE3WRUHRpVq8c8LTZuOQ_aI5puEtDKPq2-x4w7l3-7ejhY6d6UKmel_Jves5PSTMLzPuK2GId1n9miYHw/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657039281174298738" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the first day I could post photos of the scarf because it has been rainy/cloudy for over a week! The rain was great and all, but I was starting to get rather drained. I need sunlight!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ixAOUCochq80-2mrckxoliesO_B0wbsPVyhcMxKjVlL3_KsSJ2hX19lPXpDWLebIz2dxlDNqmtPVBKkyt3-IBa1tONop5mUVRALdDvzKgZ4dIfwqweeJzb_MmqmKmeWmU-b/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ixAOUCochq80-2mrckxoliesO_B0wbsPVyhcMxKjVlL3_KsSJ2hX19lPXpDWLebIz2dxlDNqmtPVBKkyt3-IBa1tONop5mUVRALdDvzKgZ4dIfwqweeJzb_MmqmKmeWmU-b/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657039280720734162" /></a>I hope your days have been sunny and creative!</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-58612440814855625632011-09-26T10:01:00.004-04:002011-09-26T14:52:30.403-04:00little reader<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhixxRUplc3cm1Xn0U2xnhnYBUvhsRX2hFnKKU5WyDfMQ08py2EAH81sm53GIZJMxEH6nuYkJVcP_TgymtZAEBlAoFaF2dLppvDKctq8QPcxOEz9uK-C3_vduQ1kAA4ERrJwiM/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhixxRUplc3cm1Xn0U2xnhnYBUvhsRX2hFnKKU5WyDfMQ08py2EAH81sm53GIZJMxEH6nuYkJVcP_TgymtZAEBlAoFaF2dLppvDKctq8QPcxOEz9uK-C3_vduQ1kAA4ERrJwiM/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656668513848400674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>The more that you read, the more things you will know.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>-Dr. Seuss</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have said many times that one of the most touching things as a homeschool mom is teaching my children to read. Actually, I get excited about my children learning, period. But, there is something extra special about watching them learn to read. Just seeing all the pieces come together...I love it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lucy is learning to read. We use this <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6619.Teach_Your_Child_to_Read_in_100_Easy_Lessons">book</a> for our lessons. We are about a third of the way through it. Most days she will ask to do more than one lesson per day. She gets so proud when she reads something new. Her eyes light up and she clasps her hands together in excitement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She has not been reading books, but last week during a trip to the library she asked to pick out one she could read. In the past, I have liked the small simple books by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57972.Margaret_Hillert">Margaret Hillert</a>. I pulled <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1378324.The_Little_Runaway">this one</a> off the shelf first and Lucy was very pleased with the pumpkin on the cover.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">She was so excited about reading it that she tried to start while we were still walking through the library! Once we got home, she had to have a little bit of help, but I was so proud of how well she did.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-Bpe3gSUyjczcqqrHspgp8nsPnmtdwt5ale4fViV5EZA0iHfqPdAoEpw4bixHfOnNYX0YwmJQJoObIHIHwsxfISixwz0X3fMKN21Bfyx-WeQQZBRuZn6VkJeooOoUIAoIIvI/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-Bpe3gSUyjczcqqrHspgp8nsPnmtdwt5ale4fViV5EZA0iHfqPdAoEpw4bixHfOnNYX0YwmJQJoObIHIHwsxfISixwz0X3fMKN21Bfyx-WeQQZBRuZn6VkJeooOoUIAoIIvI/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656668520701617714" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe one reason that it is so exciting to see them learn to read is knowing that once they are able to read, they can take some other learning into their own hands. Not to mention all the places they can go with books (thanks, Dr. Seuss)!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was just getting ready to close this post and Lucy entered the room and I asked her why she is excited to learn to read and she replied, "So that I can read on my own." And then I asked her what is so great about being able to read. And she replied, "You get to read mysteries and funny books. And you get to read the Bible and learn about people in it." I think those are some pretty great answers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-57116979995321567802011-09-23T09:42:00.006-04:002011-09-23T10:15:44.870-04:00insta-friday :: week 7<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0GFHEvBjYV43TFqiVq6gY9iL6MuVFZiPhohstyYkcYlullKTUAazoq0fZN3hctnNOI_mb13uygP7sAJJAynXfrgerQx9mfKXqUiKjgd-ILD0bBdjigORWeCl4A_1sZwNMf79/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0GFHEvBjYV43TFqiVq6gY9iL6MuVFZiPhohstyYkcYlullKTUAazoq0fZN3hctnNOI_mb13uygP7sAJJAynXfrgerQx9mfKXqUiKjgd-ILD0bBdjigORWeCl4A_1sZwNMf79/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655551364041521250" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">So, I skipped a few Insta-Fridays. Oops. Don't worry, I won't share every photo that I would have posted had I been keeping up, but some of these are a couple of weeks old. Indulge me :) We have been doing artist studies with our history lessons. The photo above was taken during one of our Da Vinci lessons.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOfI1cZFnWxZIIHwx9cgLcFaFmUSTwCc7khatL_XVl8Tt0SJL18s9wORNOgcOOh6O2gzpZ2e_kxdrg8BQOm7ch5Z4lubT4eqtjhFdyrkiwP7IYWJMAmA-P0539zPfp5e4thsI/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOfI1cZFnWxZIIHwx9cgLcFaFmUSTwCc7khatL_XVl8Tt0SJL18s9wORNOgcOOh6O2gzpZ2e_kxdrg8BQOm7ch5Z4lubT4eqtjhFdyrkiwP7IYWJMAmA-P0539zPfp5e4thsI/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655551361493593858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Bird mapping. We love using Apologia's <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_62&products_id=4">Flying Creature's of the Fifth Day</a>.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTNLeEa2WZYb6rMfICV7-pLOzn9j0QZMW_BXIUnyv-iqOn2PRNa4gTyRyScAKsMJ0ui8cVAR6OSJrM5qCxqSrWjpiWLdvNEX3YVG3137ZTeVKbKmS-dyWwQXWfklDxPTbucod/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTNLeEa2WZYb6rMfICV7-pLOzn9j0QZMW_BXIUnyv-iqOn2PRNa4gTyRyScAKsMJ0ui8cVAR6OSJrM5qCxqSrWjpiWLdvNEX3YVG3137ZTeVKbKmS-dyWwQXWfklDxPTbucod/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655551357323312370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Nature study with a <a href="http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/house-centipedes">house centipede</a> we found on the back stairs. Eek!}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gG2-2csqcSshTC3dFTXFZtgTvhxwmfty5KXSx1J1itmcAysStOjZxf37X0utkNLGuZ-gY5D_kEEwJOVSrgpF3NebiGd-qv3BFkuX-IT-33nZwkY25MsX8Qt9xnfHPk9utFDn/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gG2-2csqcSshTC3dFTXFZtgTvhxwmfty5KXSx1J1itmcAysStOjZxf37X0utkNLGuZ-gY5D_kEEwJOVSrgpF3NebiGd-qv3BFkuX-IT-33nZwkY25MsX8Qt9xnfHPk9utFDn/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655551356372851282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{We have consumed more marshmallows in the past couple of weeks that I care to admit.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsCCvQ4GB4xrlvIBE7Mq_i7e_wH0SfGWpoviDURr3dJk92BjEeceWUvSv3jKHgxo_wNCbDIy-oX7apU4Ju3XrBJZUFZeovcvqnPvqE8Dcdhw2jRm9qwiTwWbRXEn-2MwEeRdN/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsCCvQ4GB4xrlvIBE7Mq_i7e_wH0SfGWpoviDURr3dJk92BjEeceWUvSv3jKHgxo_wNCbDIy-oX7apU4Ju3XrBJZUFZeovcvqnPvqE8Dcdhw2jRm9qwiTwWbRXEn-2MwEeRdN/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655551353752662258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{The kids have been taking part in an electricity class with some fellow homeschoolers. They love building batteries and circuits!}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bQ-S9PgnwlSr7LbZK1qXOMn-cc6ZrIdH62A5bhrCjqMiKQS2lBXQx0iQ2dJrDOZ6dp8to_PCUJhvglBil0s7U86vNhIR1vaRWdfqlm8H9IesWWpDh37A5gkiIySaEeqnqg6q/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bQ-S9PgnwlSr7LbZK1qXOMn-cc6ZrIdH62A5bhrCjqMiKQS2lBXQx0iQ2dJrDOZ6dp8to_PCUJhvglBil0s7U86vNhIR1vaRWdfqlm8H9IesWWpDh37A5gkiIySaEeqnqg6q/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655550951699505026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{A little road trip with the family may have involved singing Yankee Doodle to entertain ourselves while we were stuck in traffic.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WMK6fmsdlNbAmvC27QvuaeOveqhS1aIoDafbYuwKrVj2Ia4qUAL2UQr1jU3d0qVaNSJsIl-EX6xB1VceRdABmFCuqw6WKVeRFtudkGPzvKIT0YcSmn6YyRqoKaSQ8OXm1WiT/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WMK6fmsdlNbAmvC27QvuaeOveqhS1aIoDafbYuwKrVj2Ia4qUAL2UQr1jU3d0qVaNSJsIl-EX6xB1VceRdABmFCuqw6WKVeRFtudkGPzvKIT0YcSmn6YyRqoKaSQ8OXm1WiT/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655550943770980818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{The first banana bread of the fall.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qf2IwaGPcI9SDFgaKQyI2gwYwIbGHRN-KLKvC-2xDT6140JXPDBpMsWtOfGkg1kbXRglSxt0Uc5LEBCRFbvEDDNeB4LIaTS7t5ExYr2opu_nLhUclOhlbiS2pdZQylKPue39/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qf2IwaGPcI9SDFgaKQyI2gwYwIbGHRN-KLKvC-2xDT6140JXPDBpMsWtOfGkg1kbXRglSxt0Uc5LEBCRFbvEDDNeB4LIaTS7t5ExYr2opu_nLhUclOhlbiS2pdZQylKPue39/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655550938064914802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{Our study of Michelangelo involved seeing what it would be like to paint on a ceiling. In our case, the ceiling was the underside of the dining room table. I use <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38769.Discovering_Great_Artists">this book</a> along with our history for activities related to each artist. I highly recommend it.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GaobAt9UYyLunBgq3Re7bioSRTsMvDN6c4JOFKkpYYo230V5za0Hgl7f9LnTHookZDK1_ibcAjceOzJm2MTpwzHUuAwuHV0iBBEKXLqoDGk3cvU9_MmpRIr_xTtXvC_x-5Rv/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GaobAt9UYyLunBgq3Re7bioSRTsMvDN6c4JOFKkpYYo230V5za0Hgl7f9LnTHookZDK1_ibcAjceOzJm2MTpwzHUuAwuHV0iBBEKXLqoDGk3cvU9_MmpRIr_xTtXvC_x-5Rv/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655550936824394834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{The Smalltown Poets Christmas record has been mastered and we are really excited. Lucy was listening to it with Michael in his office/studio/library that we dubbed "Christmastown" during the recording of the album.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://liferearranged.com/"><img alt="life rearranged" height="120" width="200" border="0" src="http://liferearranged.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/instafridaybutton.jpg" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-2002708830609973832011-09-19T09:36:00.005-04:002011-09-19T10:02:51.205-04:00ok with that<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLEHUCaOXybqtOGrKf1nKBHdXdGhDI9jCFNWV7yTU12rJUfVPiMleHKk7w0_dFYKZkuSiPzjLACf8Ct-tldMco4sC043EWPdheZPgx9tDnD8vgpxWljD3AMRerM6X88r7C9Gj/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLEHUCaOXybqtOGrKf1nKBHdXdGhDI9jCFNWV7yTU12rJUfVPiMleHKk7w0_dFYKZkuSiPzjLACf8Ct-tldMco4sC043EWPdheZPgx9tDnD8vgpxWljD3AMRerM6X88r7C9Gj/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654065387267488802" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My, this has been a quiet week here on the blog. I have thought about posting, but every time I would think of something it seemed kind of boring. For me, sometimes when I read other blogs I get a bit overwhelmed and I feel a sense of pressure to post something amazing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The truth is, in the past few weeks, my days have looked a lot like the photo above. By the way, Lucy took that photo with my phone and I was really impressed with the composition. I haven't created any amazing dishes, or sewn anything, or worn any outfits that would make you all drool, or made an amazing craft to make my home sparkle. And I am trying to be ok with that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do remember the day that this photo was taken. I was in a bit of a grumpy mood and I was being very short with the kids. And it made me feel horrible. After I sat and read to them and I got up from the couch, I felt a sense of peace. Kind of like I had a chance to start the day over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only thing my children have been concerned with me creating is time with them. Well, and meals. I think they care about me creating meals. But seriously, I am learning that, while crafting and baking and the like do fulfill me, knowing that my children are happy and feeling loved (or, as we call it around here, that their "mommy tanks" are full) fulfills me way beyond those things. And I am more than ok with that.</div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-5234211418870228372011-09-13T08:49:00.007-04:002011-09-13T11:28:55.040-04:00balcony homeschool<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIURFbUy-jKmCANy7ezpdGIu83wCZKc9VO-xrpOpbgZ-yLnhCCkQ7v4SyBb9qgAeF9mc46kbc3WJ9aMLLc05PtSXD6EDReHDDthN1yOT7H6f-fjkvLTy82Cg5UWqtmH0WoSFN/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIURFbUy-jKmCANy7ezpdGIu83wCZKc9VO-xrpOpbgZ-yLnhCCkQ7v4SyBb9qgAeF9mc46kbc3WJ9aMLLc05PtSXD6EDReHDDthN1yOT7H6f-fjkvLTy82Cg5UWqtmH0WoSFN/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651829648259205218" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">We are finally starting to enjoy cooler mornings here! Yesterday morning Michael suggested that we start school on our balcony. He is a genius. We have a pretty large second floor balcony, so we went out on it, spread a quilt and then piled our schoolbooks on it. We actually did almost all of our school day out there until we had to come in for lunch</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_ZN7wN28UmqIyqY-Lv0_EFL85wlKYKpQZabXWCAR7SKb0Azoy_Eu33X7C34WrNlLrUECYumTPH4X41ylCfPr8nVXucCMQcrzF9vvkQFnK6DoTWowGRPazE3CKDpzwNxiM7t-/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_ZN7wN28UmqIyqY-Lv0_EFL85wlKYKpQZabXWCAR7SKb0Azoy_Eu33X7C34WrNlLrUECYumTPH4X41ylCfPr8nVXucCMQcrzF9vvkQFnK6DoTWowGRPazE3CKDpzwNxiM7t-/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651829653907503122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4W5zPRaURXkB7Ap1lugcF8T1xMVOiQHpfuoA_AS8UnKf4SJqiLwdlMsWsGnwwVZLYlcNsRdPWDxCGlXEJzmZ0jbolK0EhYiO7Ys5tdBG1EmXf3fmfN7LAghyphenhypheno96Ru6JsmMMP/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4W5zPRaURXkB7Ap1lugcF8T1xMVOiQHpfuoA_AS8UnKf4SJqiLwdlMsWsGnwwVZLYlcNsRdPWDxCGlXEJzmZ0jbolK0EhYiO7Ys5tdBG1EmXf3fmfN7LAghyphenhypheno96Ru6JsmMMP/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651829650183798946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{I think that being outdoors may have actually helped them focus.}</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgensNqZM6sXm4EruP7v5PDw0-2bNRSVoIe_o4k0kY9Bqgajx9nUVHiaLej4wz5RrtCoDHjal-J1O7TpWx4C9wOGYEcJieu5m8LGElGp8QqokYV0d6LBVb5NflUi7mFxuqSe7w5/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgensNqZM6sXm4EruP7v5PDw0-2bNRSVoIe_o4k0kY9Bqgajx9nUVHiaLej4wz5RrtCoDHjal-J1O7TpWx4C9wOGYEcJieu5m8LGElGp8QqokYV0d6LBVb5NflUi7mFxuqSe7w5/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651830016908784306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">{The oak tree was kind enough to give us acorns to go along with our lesson about seeds.}</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H7PfC87SWJ618h9FbgzxuMQ45YzH7XOA8dKU6vQqUsFoQUgs8hpyDAG_uCzzdc20lHjakqDtdMxaZ5uCEx6Cv5Jk5L3IdHR8StiWzygPqjbNjHF9JhIX5IwHwC_dZ8g4s5ta/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H7PfC87SWJ618h9FbgzxuMQ45YzH7XOA8dKU6vQqUsFoQUgs8hpyDAG_uCzzdc20lHjakqDtdMxaZ5uCEx6Cv5Jk5L3IdHR8StiWzygPqjbNjHF9JhIX5IwHwC_dZ8g4s5ta/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651829638572754530" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We so enjoyed yesterday, that we have already had school out there again this morning. This may be a frequent happening until the weather gets too cold. I think it was beneficial for all of us. The change of scenery was so nice. It is easy to get in a rut with school, but this was a simple way to change things up a bit and refresh us!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29472247.post-87006402251050407972011-09-05T17:43:00.005-04:002011-09-05T18:15:48.462-04:00simply connecting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOHpEOqIxbBrzPQziyfi311SGBAnTeRhoELv8ZCfzYBMM4hquIZvJFc-xWgaH-qMG_twcx1FbOZscmojUbrN2tph2__t91ecQHSSR5WVI4psNlEqVvbbxrr9d761YkfKAsmhs/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOHpEOqIxbBrzPQziyfi311SGBAnTeRhoELv8ZCfzYBMM4hquIZvJFc-xWgaH-qMG_twcx1FbOZscmojUbrN2tph2__t91ecQHSSR5WVI4psNlEqVvbbxrr9d761YkfKAsmhs/" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648994665159102386" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is a rainy day and I am pretty happy about that. I love how rainy days seem to slow us down a bit and make us enjoy simplicity. Michael is home and we actually did a lot of our school together as a family and I really enjoyed it and I know the kids did, as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love spending time with my family. I guess that is a good thing since I homeschool my children! And I love "date nights" with my love. Last night was one such night and you can see from the photo, I really dressed up for the occasion. By the way, I know it is perspective, but my feet look huge. I do have long feet, but they are not bigger than Michael's! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We don't get a lot of date nights out of the house, but at least once a week we have one at home. Once the kids are in bed, I pull out the air popper, mix up a mean batch of popcorn, hit the secret dark chocolate stash and we watch a little television. Ninety-nine percent of the time we watch re-watch episodes of <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/">Psych</a> (Hey, I <a href="http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2011/01/christmas-revisited-week-day-1.html">told</a> you that we are addicted. Watch Shawn and Gus and you will be, too.). The other one percent allows for movies and <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway">Project Runway</a>. He watches Project Runway with me...I love him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These date nights may not look like much, but I cherish them. Don't get me wrong, I love a night out as much as the next girl, but I am so very thankful that we can connect in such a simple way. And how often do you get to take your dog on date nights? (See bottom right corner of photo).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, as this day nears to a close, I am thankful for my family who are happiest just being together, even in tattered pjs on the couch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">linking up with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays"><img border="0" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/hamiltonfive/lifemadelovelybutton.png" /></a></center></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852496551877127162noreply@blogger.com10