tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324719442024-03-05T05:38:58.133-06:00The Florida Whitakers...chronicling the adventures of Vance, Terri, Isaac, Claire, and Evie...Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-54239627764269210222014-09-30T18:24:00.000-05:002014-09-30T21:44:16.754-05:00Evie is Four!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Saturday, Evie had her long-awaited fourth birthday. Up until now, I have escaped with having little family birthday parties for Evie. That has always been enough for her, but she is more aware this year, and so she requested (and got) a Rainbow Unicorn party.</div>
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Unlike many of my friends, I am not a champion party thrower. I'm not super creative with decorations, never prepared enough, and I always feel like I'm running around too much and not spending enough time with my guests. But I don't think Evie noticed. She was happy with her unicorn treasure hunt and Pin the Horn on the Unicorn game. She floated around all day, graciously deigning to enjoy her friends' company. And I did make a yummy rainbow cake, which makes up for a lot.</div>
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How can I describe my Evie Lynn? She is spunky and precocious, cuddly and bossy and smart. She is my first of all my children to have a permanent imaginary friend with a growing storyline (Her name is NeedleSew, in case you're interested). She is constantly celebrated and doted on, and I am not as strict with her as I was with Isaac at this age--when my oldest was 4, I was pregnant with a toddler, and I needed him to be a big boy. Evie is my baby, and I don't require as much because I have older children and I just forget. Despite the attention and constant "help", she is fiercely independent. She dresses herself all the way now (and puts her underwear on backwards 80% of the time). She loves to choose her own clothes, so I usually let her, which means pattern on clashing pattern with tights and flip flops. She already knows her letters and sounds, and is starting to churn out some very recognizable drawings. She loves blue, doughnuts, unicorns, preschool, ballet, and talking incessantly with very adult expressions. I love her so. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!</div>
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<br />Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-47425515841256795192014-09-30T16:36:00.002-05:002014-09-30T16:36:46.228-05:00A Little Light ReadingLast week, Isaac passed a big milestone--he read through the Bible for the first time!<br />
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That's a big deal in our house. My real goal for him is to develop a genuine devotional time every morning. We aren't there yet...he will read when we ask him to, but he generally doesn't do it on his own unless he's on a finish-this-book jag. It is a challenge to cultivate a Bible reading time that isn't just something you check off your list. For adults too, I admit. Does anyone have any ideas for encouraging private prayer and meditation in the word with kids?<br />
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Way to go, buddy! May it be the first of many readings!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-78473056509896675742012-12-31T21:44:00.001-06:002012-12-31T21:44:53.769-06:00Evie is 2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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....Well, Evie turned two in September, but who's counting? :)<br />
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Eve is 2 going on 6. For the last few months, when people would ask her how old she was, she would say, "Six!" She acts that way, too. She is shockingly verbal for her age, and she understands pretty much everything that people tell her. She captures the heart of every mom that volunteers at our school group's nursery, and she makes friends everywhere she goes with her outgoing nature. She is climbing the ladder up our new tree fort like a pro, and she insists on doing everything by herself. She is my cuddly, affectionate girl, and she is also my little pistol, with a stubborn streak and a temper that could only come from her mama's Welsh heritage.<br />
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She's a little too small to interview, but Evie loves:<br />
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baby dolls, playing mama, stealing my phone and sending gibberish text messages, dressing up like a "booful pwincess", climbing, coloring (anything!), and reading lots of books (she is loving Maurice Sendak's Nutshell Library, Dr. Seuss, and My Lucky Day right now). She is rivaling her older sister in her love of singing, constantly entertaining us with Frere Jacques, Jesus Loves Me, and Somewhere over the Rainbow, and singing anything from our Classical Conversations memory songs. She loves telling and retelling the story of the Three Little Pigs, playing with (and bossing around) her older siblings, telling jokes, making people laugh, mastering the art of procrastination at bedtime, and keeping Daddy from leaving the house with countless demands for "hug! hug! kiss! kiss!". <br />
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She is my bright girl, my enthusiast for life, my comidian, and my snuggle bug. We love having our sweet Evie as a two year old!<br />
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<br />Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-46198351349661279812012-12-31T20:32:00.000-06:002012-12-31T20:32:03.247-06:00Claire is 5!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Wednesday my girl turned 5. In so many ways I feel like she's been five for a long time...sometimes I have to stop and remind myself of how little she still really is. Five years old finds my Claire full of life: artistic, creative, generous, social, and so loving. She is my kitchen assistant, my little mama, and her daddy's sweetheart. We love her so.</div>
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Like last year, I interviewed her on her birthday, asking her questions about herself. Some of her answers are similar to last year's, but others are different.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Claire at 5:<br />
1. <i>Favorite color</i> –pink and purple and blue and gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. <i>Favorite food</i> – macaroni and cheese, pizza, hot
dogs, cake, and other kinds of treats<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. <i>Favorite dessert</i> – strawberry cake<br />
4. <i>Favorite friend</i> - Sydney<br />
5. <i>Favorite play activity</i> – play princess<br />
6. <i>Favorite fruit</i> - watermelon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7. <i>Favorite vegetable</i> - salad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i>8. What do you want to be when you grow up?</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A doctor<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>9. What are you most excited about for this upcoming year?<br />
</i>Having people over to my birthday party<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i> What is your favorite Bible story?
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus dying on the cross, and Jesus being born<br />
11. <em>What kinds of things are scary to you?</em>M<br />
Monsters. If I saw an angel I would be afraid (we've been reading through the OT and the gospel of Luke, can you tell?)<br />
12. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Who makes you laugh?<br />
</i>Isaac doing funny things<br />
13. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>What is something that you're really good at?<br />
</i>climbing the tree fort, cutting paper, drawing pictures, writing my name<br />
14. <i>What is something that's difficult for you to do?</i><br />
carrying very heavy boxes with lots of stuff in it.<br />
15. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Who do you want to marry when you grow up?<br />
</i>Daniel (a friend from church)<br />
16.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Where do you want to live when you grow up?<br />
</i>Australia (she has my wanderlust already....she is always planning to live on other continents)<br />
15.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>What is something that you love about God?<br />
</i>That he loves me and takes care of me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>16. What is your favorite movie?<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Toy Story<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">17. What is your favorite book?<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Princess books that Papa and Noni got me for
Christmas<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>18. What instrument would you like to play when you grow
up?<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The violin<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>19. What is your favorite sport?<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soccer<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">20. What is so special about being 5?<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Turning the number 5, and I love my new presents.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-73455594885970939282012-08-25T20:01:00.001-05:002012-08-26T13:48:37.395-05:00First Week of School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Isaac's first day of 1st Grade!</div>
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Eve, insisting on wearing a "packpack" like the big kids</div>
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Claire's first day of preschool!</div>
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Well, we have completed our first ever week of homeschooling, and I lived to tell the tale. We started school on Tuesday with Classical Conversations, a homeschool group we've joined here. The kids LOVE it there, and I feel really grateful for enthusiastic teachers, structure, community, and the "safety net" CC provides. It may not be a perfect fit for my ideal style of learning (we'll have to wait and see), but it's a flexible program and I'm still in the drivers seat. So far, we're all happy. And that's important.</div>
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So how does it feel, starting school at home? Exciting. Overwhelming. Tiring. Saturation point with kid-interaction. Fun. Lots of adjustments. Chaotic. I've been enjoying seeing how much they've learned just in one week, and it's been fun to teach them. On the one hand, teaching with a squirrely toddler on your hip (who is screaming "RAISINS!" and trying to eat your preschooler's skip counting activity) is a little nerve-shattering. On the other hand, having a toddler sit nicely in your lap while you have Bible time and your older children raise their hands nicely and eagerly answer questions is kind of exhilirating. Claire and Isaac are really doing well, and they seem to be engaged. They do not fawn at my feet in utter delight after a morning under my expert tutelage. They are not blown away by my efforts, nor do they gush to their friends about how much they adore school. I hope that's okay. I am not a super "fun" teacher (I hope that's okay too), and I'm glad they have CC as an engaging place where they get to do a lot of activities I don't have the energy to plan out. I know it's going to take a little while to get my feet under me, get the hang of this new schedule, and settle into our new routine. I'm really glad that it's going so smoothly so far. Part of me misses the excitement of sending the kids off to school, but the other part of me is cherishing this opportunity to be with them and to learn as a family. There are just always tradeoffs in life, aren't there? I feel like Claire, Isaac, and I are really learning together as a team, and that's a treasure. </div>
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But I was pretty glad for the weekend, for sleeping in, having my man home, and relaxing with everyone. Next week will be great too, but I'll take my weekends whenever I can get them :)</div>
Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-12341462938825864202012-08-21T15:13:00.001-05:002012-08-21T15:13:47.304-05:00First Day of School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Isaac's first day of 1st Grade!</div>
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Claire's first day of preschool!</div>
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Just another day of awesome for Evie! (but with a backpack like everyone else :)</div>
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Today was the first day of school for us. We've joined a Classical Conversations group here, and after their orientation last week, the kids could not WAIT to get to school. They jumped out of bed, barely ate their special breakfast, obsessed over the packing of lunches and backpacks, and bundled into the car in record time. <br />
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Eve had a bit of a rough start in the nursery class (due to some other unsettling screamers), but she settled down, and I spent my morning in Claire's class. Classical Conversations is a homeschool program from a Christian, classical perspective. There is a lot of memory work, but the tutors work so hard to make it fun, hands-on, and engaging. I was really impressed with Claire's teacher. It can be hard to bring some of the concepts they're learning down to a 4 year old level, but she really did it. Claire has memorized the continents effortlessly today, and we learned other things like skip counting by 2s, the first 5 of the 10 Commandments, prepositions, geography of the Fertile Crescent, and Latin cases. Isaac is learning the same information in his class, which makes reviewing it at home really streamlined and fun. I so appreciate that they set the memory work to music, because that helps all of us (but especially Claire). <br />
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This is our first year of homeschooling, so there's going to be a lot of trial and error I'm sure. So far though, I'm excited to have a group we're plugged in with that is making learning so engaging and fruitful for my kids, and I like the safety net it provides for me. I hope it works out in the long run.<br />
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The kids were super excited for today. We still have more fun "First Day" things, like mac n cheese, ice cream, and a movie night. It's been a great first day. But tomorrow is really my first day...I hope it goes well! Wish me luck :)<br />
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Musical Chairs memory activities</div>
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Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-66911546634848819182012-08-21T14:56:00.001-05:002012-08-21T14:56:59.847-05:00NC Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went up to NC two weeks ago to visit with the family and get some vacation in before school and strawberry season hit us with their one-two punch. We went to my family's first, and got a lot of Austin time. <br />
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Granny and Merle came down as well, so it was a great time with the extended family. My girls in particular loved doting on the new little guy. I think Evie was glad to have someone around who was younger than her. We got to spend a lot of great time with Allie too, and a bit with AJ and Julie, although Ian was sick for part of our visit, which kept them away unfortunately.<br />
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Then we went to Swansboro for "The Cabin Experience". The Whitakers have an old, turn-of-the-century cabin on the White Oak River, and I had never stayed there. This year was my chance, so we met up with Vance's parents and sister's family for some beach time. It seemed a bit ironic to leave the nicest beaches in the US for Emerald Isle, but I realized something as I stood on the shore of the Atlantic: This is my ocean. The waves, the sound of the surf, the sand....everything about the Atlantic speaks to me of childhood summers and the awe and wonder of a massive body of water. The Gulf is beautiful, and I love it, and my kids can play in it without having me in arms reach. It's wonderful. But there is something special about being on the east coast for me.<br />
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We also did some fishing, when the weather allowed. Isaac was very proud of his black drum he caught on the first afternooon.<br />
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There was a lot of laughter, lots of kids, and a lot of relaxing. Also a lot of eating. My kids look forward to eating Nana's snack mix every time we visit, and they are never disappointed. I always look forward to real tomatoes, and Claudia didn't let me down either :).<br />
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My nephew Ben turned one last week, and we celebrated with chocolate. He approved.<br />
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We also got to visit some good friends in Raleigh. Joy and I have been next door neighbors, not-friends, friends, basketball teammates, in youth group together, campus fellowship leaders together, and bridesmaids in each others' weddings. I'm so glad that we're still close friends despite the distance, and it makes me very happy to see our kids growing up together. There's something wonderful about knowing someone through all the awkward and wonderful stages of life that just makes things real and precious.<br />
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Sorry for the out of order (and fuzzy) picture....Papa Frank took us fishing on the boat, and Claire helped us catch this black drum. We fried up the kids' fishing booty and it was delicious.<br />
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All in all, we had a wonderful visit to NC. It has been a really restful, relaxing, fun summer, and I'm so grateful. Here comes the fall, with all its busy and fun and active events, ready or not!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-43177295415112367222012-07-11T13:52:00.001-05:002012-07-11T13:52:10.030-05:00Good times with old friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend we had some precious friends come visit us. Yesupadam and Monika, Bethany and Benjamin spent part of their yearly US visit with us. I am always so glad and grateful to get any time with them in their busy schedule--it is always refreshing to my soul. It is really so encouraging to be with believers from another culture and background and way of life and ministry. I find myself more able to think outside of my force of habit, and re-invigorated to live a life of complete obedience to the Lord. This year brought back my desire to be back in India full force. I don't know when we'll be able to afford the plane tickets, but I keep hoping that someday I'll be able to go back and participate in Love-n-Care's ministry in person, alongside of Vance. One day!<br />
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Please be praying for Yesupadam. It looks like he has shingles, and those of you know anything about this disease know that it is very painful. There is also not much available for treatment (that I know of). Please pray for God's healing power over his body, and strength and perseverance as he travels and speaks and stays in other people's homes for the next month.<br />Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-11003622194622848752012-07-05T08:27:00.000-05:002012-07-05T08:27:14.472-05:00Happy 4th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We hope you all had a great Independence Day! The kids wanted to make a flag cake this year, so we did. They are getting to be pretty good cooks, and they made the cake, the frosting, and put the fruit on with only a bit of direction from me. I'm going to be handing over my kitchen pretty soon at this rate!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-59914553543734717352012-06-17T17:12:00.000-05:002012-06-17T17:12:19.469-05:00Back Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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.......And the back yard. There are a few more finishing touches for the back, but you get the idea...<br />
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The side yard. I really love having a shell path instead of grass over here! Much easier to manage, and more functional for a space that doesn't have much visibility.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-62443144774277614972012-06-17T17:06:00.001-05:002012-06-17T17:06:46.689-05:00New Landscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In honor of Father's Day and Vance's birthday, I am posting pictures of Vance's latest, greatest project. Do you remember what it looked like before? Before all the grass died, it was a pretty traditional setup. Then the grass died and it just looked bad. Thanks to Vance's design and tender loving care, it looks like something that he can be proud of.<br />
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I think it looks pretty different. Some friends (who have been to our house only a handful of times, and not recently), actually called our house when they were in our driveway to make sure they were at the right address--so I guess it is a landscape transformed!<br />Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-38250413301984022712012-06-01T19:50:00.003-05:002012-06-01T19:50:51.047-05:00America's Favorite Pastime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometime during March Madness, Isaac caught the sports bug. I think he's infected for life. Now that basketball season is over, he has temporarily transferred his affections to baseball. We are big Texas Rangers fans around here (I went to high school with Josh Hamilton and his wife, and we love his testimony for Christ as well). Isaac corners anyone who will listen to him and regales them with sports stats.<br />
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Most evenings will find Vance and Isaac playing a game of baseball in the backyard. Lately the girls have been getting into it also (with a little help from Daddy).<br />
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His form is getting pretty good.<br />
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Even Evie is enjoying a little time at bat.<br />
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Vance demonstrating his switch-hitting ability.<br />
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Safe at third base, barely!<br />
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Evie running to first. Vance has a tough job...he plays against the kids, but has to hit with the girls, run Evie around the bases, field the ball, and tag the kids out. No wonder the little people usually win!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-69010139386330138972012-05-31T07:39:00.001-05:002012-05-31T07:39:07.125-05:00At the Car Wash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a lovely and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. It must be a sign of old age that I look forward to having a chance to get some house projects done on the weekend! The kids and I had a lot of fun washing the cars together. They got soaked, as any self-respecting child should when using a hose.<br />
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Tutus: they aren't just for dance anymore!<br />
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Isaac is working pretty hard--check out the tongue action there.<br />
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The sign currently taped to Isaac's room. It is living proof that I have a sweet elementary school boy, not an angsty teenager. I hope it lasts.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-9042841250934564882012-05-31T07:33:00.002-05:002012-05-31T07:33:50.821-05:00May visit to NC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We took Isaac out of school for a long-overdue trip up to NC. We usually drive overnight, and it works great for us, but this time I was coming down with some virus that made it feel like a never-ending slog through the rural southeast. We made it, though, and I collapsed at my in-law's door, handed off the kids, and crawled into bed. Thank God for grandparents, right?</div>
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Vance was pretty tired too, but we recovered. We had a lot of celebrating to do in Oak Ridge, since it was Mom's birthday and Mother's Day that weekend! Ellen, David, & co. drove over for a day, which was great. The older the kids get, the better they play together. I didn't grow up knowing my cousins well, so it's especially heartwarming for me to see my kids get to have those relationships.</div>
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We had a lot of fun trying to spoil Claudia on her big day, although it's hard to get my mother-in-law to stop working :). We made her meals, Isaac and Vance took her out on a date for lunch, we visited family, and Claire and I had a little tea party with Mom. It was all a lot of fun.<br />
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We stayed with Ellen and David while we were in Raleigh, and even though we were in and out a lot, it was still really nice to get to spend a little more time with the Bragdons. Our family eats about twice as much as theirs does, so Ellen went to a lot of effort to keep up with our eating habits (thanks, dear!). I didn't get the best picture of Ben, but he is growing up so fast. Eve has been saying "Baby Ben" ever since our visit. We were all smitten by his cuteness, and he even warmed up to me to let me hold him!<br />
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You know it was a fun trip when Isaac wore himself out enough to nap on Vance one afternoon!<br />
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The biggest reason for our visit was to see Dad and Deonni's new baby, little Austin. He was born in early March, so he was already cooing and smiling and interacting with us by the time we got to meet him. He is such a sweet baby, and his social smiles and gurgles won us over right away. Granny, you were right: he is very alert! Deonni is already recovered and back to her energetic self. I'm sure Austin's going to be so changed by the next time we see him...but it was great to get to meet him while he's still tiny.<br />
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Eve was giving everyone her patented stinkeye while we were in NC, but when I tried to capture it on camera, she gave me this. Typical :).</div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-91284241009377364442012-05-31T07:07:00.000-05:002012-05-31T07:07:42.297-05:00Easter (backtrack to April)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have obviously failed miserably when it comes to keeping this blog updated over the last few months. Sorry about that! My good camera has died a (probably long-overdue) death, and I'm shooting with my little camera. It's uninspiring and frustrating, so it's been hard to take many pictures. I'm not going to try and recapture all of our winter and spring, but here are a few photos from Easter. <br />
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The kids really enjoyed an Easter egg hunt with friends!<br />
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It took Eve all of 3 eggs to figure out that there was something worth having inside: chocolate! Her daddy was foolish enough to let her have a candy early on, which destroyed her emotional equilibrium for at least 15 minutes. Sound familiar?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xbwOSXZacy8Sg59Mn9S-oxIflpFznSFZx6AYE510hEAqta6lZpq4bIPUPSE3g4KE9l2fBo449ufNQ8BHJhXrBJ6QkykY9RNhEosy-GzufJVu-G9dqVUtzQznBHQrHW5zijTg/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xbwOSXZacy8Sg59Mn9S-oxIflpFznSFZx6AYE510hEAqta6lZpq4bIPUPSE3g4KE9l2fBo449ufNQ8BHJhXrBJ6QkykY9RNhEosy-GzufJVu-G9dqVUtzQznBHQrHW5zijTg/s320/085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The best we could do at a family photo.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-12855735685440859652012-02-07T18:25:00.004-06:002012-02-07T19:49:42.319-06:00Isaac is 6!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l92LipkSXxoUWGqdvdX4zTiPemfReL5AOwqlyNC5CVjkLqItmK1moexsPNdLE8O35gsWNAhU1mGBTrRjccNwQgyuV5KnbUCb_2mFhOio4qxknNM3kV72kKSTRC4q9EkLJsEW/s1600/DSC_2600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706569995979750306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l92LipkSXxoUWGqdvdX4zTiPemfReL5AOwqlyNC5CVjkLqItmK1moexsPNdLE8O35gsWNAhU1mGBTrRjccNwQgyuV5KnbUCb_2mFhOio4qxknNM3kV72kKSTRC4q9EkLJsEW/s400/DSC_2600.JPG" /></a>This has been a milestone year for my boy. In the past year he has learned lots of new skills....reading, throwing a football, riding without training wheels, drawing recognizable figures in his art projects, and writing. He has started school and learned a significant degree of independence in Kindergarten. It's amazing to watch him develop skills that he will be using for the rest of his life.<br /><br />But there are many things that have not changed. I'm so glad that he's still my affectionate boy who gives me lots and lots of cuddles and kisses. I'm so glad he still likes to hold my hand. I'm glad to see him reading the Word with enjoyment and memorizing Scripture with enthusiasm. He's still my passionate, active, perfectionistic, confident leader. He's just growing up.<br /><br />This year Isaac asked for a Cars cake, which he got. He had eggs and donuts for breakfast, had cupcakes with his class (which excited him to no end), and finished the day out with Granny & Merle's arrival and a dinner of mac n cheese, hot dogs, and broccoli. What a birthday!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaFKNpcEfgZ4oaRD6RAkdYl45xvRhMGu1R05uIuQ7s94HIkF_2ZiQxTBQVq8d25L2_KPoSitW4tyhu-_ESAgVAC4sFgJg8S7DtjXiVDSUirWCcBAVdnPmpkOuS7dqxKxMpP6/s1600/DSC_2602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706568246294704338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaFKNpcEfgZ4oaRD6RAkdYl45xvRhMGu1R05uIuQ7s94HIkF_2ZiQxTBQVq8d25L2_KPoSitW4tyhu-_ESAgVAC4sFgJg8S7DtjXiVDSUirWCcBAVdnPmpkOuS7dqxKxMpP6/s400/DSC_2602.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I interviewed Isaac this year as well, and here are his (somewhat random, I think) answers:</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDBeqmBbjq7O-CwUCa6gSlipKMKCLuqBpEO-6S4sG3t7beCYOz5fjTw3gj9nBdT7j4Iwn7oslsd8YD1FW0ZWG8wdliSmxzJ-IjrwwzIhLuZ8zWgVn4nzSnewM-U3Ectz04-y_/s1600/DSC_2537.JPG"></a><div> 1. Favorite color - Green</div><div>2. Favorite food - macaroni and cheese</div><div>3. Favorite dessert - jello </div><div>4. Favorite vegetable - cucumbers</div><div>5. Favorite fruit - strawberries </div><div>6. Favorite friend- Lucas</div><div>7. Favorite play activity - playing Star Wars</div><div>8. Favorite part of the day - playing with Lucas</div><div>9. What do you want to be when you grow up? An athlete, especially a football player</div><div>10. What was your favorite part about being 5? Going on visits to see Papa Dan and Noni, Nana and Papa, and going on vacation.</div><div>10. What do you like most about turning 6? Working in free centers in Kindergarten</div><div>11. What is your favorite Bible story? the Parable of the Sower and the Seeds</div><div>12. What things are scary to you? Dragons and giant bugs</div><div>13. Who makes you laugh? Papa Dan</div><div>14. What is your favorite song? Tutti Frutti</div><div>15. What is your favorite book? Curious George goes to the Aquarium</div><div>16.What is something that is a challenge for you this year? Fly Swatter math because sometimes I get it, but sometimes I lose.</div><div>17. What is something that you're really good at? Science</div><div>18. Who do you want to marry when you grow up? I don't know</div><div>19. Where do you want to live when you grow up? Oak Ridge, NC, with Nana and Papa</div><div>20. What is the most important thing in life to you? Nana and Papa</div><div>21. What is something you really love about God? Jesus healing people.</div><div>22. Other important things you'd like to add? Saving my money is important, and playing with my toys is important.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-89965495269276320992011-12-26T18:56:00.000-06:002011-12-26T18:57:11.725-06:00Claire is 4!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffoFgcamlbksnMH0BCL31caPjqu78cmcxUtXsOYkA1fB6XaeCgfDy68gekHYlRHPiNYaO5LhW-8CV2NKDY5y754m3CvYlrUcEmXBzjMH_QtL_yNKgIb2qSTuGRBcgMu_Omc1/s1600/DSC_2357.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffoFgcamlbksnMH0BCL31caPjqu78cmcxUtXsOYkA1fB6XaeCgfDy68gekHYlRHPiNYaO5LhW-8CV2NKDY5y754m3CvYlrUcEmXBzjMH_QtL_yNKgIb2qSTuGRBcgMu_Omc1/s400/DSC_2357.JPG" /></a> </div>Claire has been in a state of majestic exhiliration all day. She is the birthday girl, and boy howdy does she know it. <br /><br />When I look back over the last year, I am amazed at how much Claire has grown. In the past year, she has gained so much self control. She is still quite a drama queen at times, but she knows how to control herself more and more. I am so proud of the way she is learning to deal with her emotions in a productive way. She is learning to focus more on other people, and prioritize other people. She has been such a great big sister over this past year. Mostly, I'm amazed at how much her understanding of God has grown. Last year, her prayers were adorable gobbledegook. Now she understands so much about God's nature and his work, and I think she is really growing in her love for the Lord. I am so glad to see it all, and am praying for anther wonderful year.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXobn6pHmWjAkBpEvWZQ_Obge3uXmDl2mT6SfwMR3RzWs3YEOd9eswp13QRQMT4yBlcE3-mGVEl_Eg9erDEw23G5TMTUKFjegPMlpRv9sooUqoPhk2woO_aLKAwE7AAf4qi0s/s1600/DSC_2361.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXobn6pHmWjAkBpEvWZQ_Obge3uXmDl2mT6SfwMR3RzWs3YEOd9eswp13QRQMT4yBlcE3-mGVEl_Eg9erDEw23G5TMTUKFjegPMlpRv9sooUqoPhk2woO_aLKAwE7AAf4qi0s/s400/DSC_2361.JPG" /></a> </div>Claire had her favorite sticky bun breakfast, and her favorite mac-n-cheese dinner. She requested a castle cake, and I ambitiously decided to make fondant from scratch and assemble a 3-D palace, even though I'd never touched fondant in my life before. Ambitious? Yes. Misguided? Absolutely. The cake was a wreck. But at least there was enough beauty for a 4-year old's eyes.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTWGFt_Wy58yGcIW_YX2ddFXDN1M1CCpGl99t_Vgut17PgTKwZywfjN-Nl181DZJfYgqr0wvDSQfrqzv1gjp58ghLZ_n-jaoHUi4a-zCOiRqmEKnXAHFibBu5UuocA9H3PRV5/s1600/DSC_2359.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ysqksb-YEcYC8ZT61GKMALgE0KpBWh5g8MN2NxYg_1A3PuBaBQ0eiQiBJXn-Wg-DJbTNkSx0cLC1c4qdyLpBTH8_Stz0EyJSeQADwDh9rPt97tFrQ0gT_XRmiM3S6e_J7kr/s1600/DSC_2371.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ysqksb-YEcYC8ZT61GKMALgE0KpBWh5g8MN2NxYg_1A3PuBaBQ0eiQiBJXn-Wg-DJbTNkSx0cLC1c4qdyLpBTH8_Stz0EyJSeQADwDh9rPt97tFrQ0gT_XRmiM3S6e_J7kr/s400/DSC_2371.JPG" /></a> </div>This year, I decided to interview Claire. It's so much fun to discover what's going on in her little brain!<br /><br />Claire at 4:<br />1. <em>Favorite color</em> - pink & purple<br />2. <em>Favorite food</em> - macaroni and cheese, cake, colors pasta, and bacon.<br />3. <em>Favorite dessert</em> - cake and brownies and ice cream, lollipops<br />4. <em>Favorite friend</em> - Anna Christine<br />5. <em>Favorite play activity</em> - playing princess (dress-up), dolls<br />6. <em>Favorite fruit</em> - watermelon<br />7. <em>Favorite vegetable</em> - salad<br /><br /><em>8. What do you want to be when you grow up?</em><br />I want to be a mama and do lots of things like working in the kitchen and driving places.<br /><em>9. What are you most excited about for this upcoming year?<br /></em>Turning 5.<br />10.<em> What is your favorite Bible story?<br /></em>Nicodemus and also baby Jesus being born.<br />11. <em>What kinds of things are scary to you?</em><br />Monsters and the darkness when you go outside.<br />12. <em>Who makes you laugh?<br /></em>Papa Dan<br />13. <em>What is something that you're really good at?<br /></em>Painting, playing playdough, drawing pictures, taking care of babies...<br />14. <em>What is something that's difficult for you to do?</em><br />Things that make me very destructive, then I need Daddy's help.<br />15. <em>Who do you want to marry when you grow up?<br /></em>Daddy. Maybe Isaac.<br />16.<em>Where do you want to live when you grow up?<br /></em>In North Carolina.<br />15.<em>What is something that you love about God?<br /></em>I'm so happy he was born in a manger. He loves me and I love him!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-28080500412338985192011-10-06T10:32:00.000-05:002011-10-06T10:33:09.793-05:00Eve's Birthday, part 2<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YPMw_42yZOC29xVekc18NlLGRNcDFI3R6ZSXoCnlKu9SmN0dJbpyenD0W-3CIw-O3KTLmOEeRILGsOM4m9NJT99QnOlRfuSzfKnbFOvuxVOqqijOlktYoemSCQiI7qqGSWZ-/s1600/DSC_2089.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YPMw_42yZOC29xVekc18NlLGRNcDFI3R6ZSXoCnlKu9SmN0dJbpyenD0W-3CIw-O3KTLmOEeRILGsOM4m9NJT99QnOlRfuSzfKnbFOvuxVOqqijOlktYoemSCQiI7qqGSWZ-/s400/DSC_2089.JPG" /></a> </div>Birthday the Second took place when we got back from Hawaii, at Dad and Deonni's house. This go round was pretty different. <em>Everyone</em> wanted to be more involved, including the older kids. Eve was much more excited about the singing, and I don't even need to tell you how she liked the cake. The pictures speak for themselves :). Maybe it's because of the chocolate.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jrIAByM2HiRLMNrE_HYr2Qy_V0CfKJYDFo48Og7M8EDgZOHD_A4N_-gRtwxNSM8fSnWhljP3_wtJMqVvNfVIQVbWFZsMepKsSt5NZOPsNAvllHMP0TwrSOmMO32aHHuR6GQh/s1600/DSC_2103.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jrIAByM2HiRLMNrE_HYr2Qy_V0CfKJYDFo48Og7M8EDgZOHD_A4N_-gRtwxNSM8fSnWhljP3_wtJMqVvNfVIQVbWFZsMepKsSt5NZOPsNAvllHMP0TwrSOmMO32aHHuR6GQh/s400/DSC_2103.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9HfoRqqa5t00j5cPuitrylsU1vZLAd1awQbuP6okG9BwEeuCtX4UZdFvQBW1vldJsyHwaPIZjxL2-D5vfJKjQHep_Pp3XOmRRRg2XB85UTRukhnclP02YjkZpxrVK9iLSuxm/s1600/DSC_2104.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9HfoRqqa5t00j5cPuitrylsU1vZLAd1awQbuP6okG9BwEeuCtX4UZdFvQBW1vldJsyHwaPIZjxL2-D5vfJKjQHep_Pp3XOmRRRg2XB85UTRukhnclP02YjkZpxrVK9iLSuxm/s400/DSC_2104.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eBn78pgGxFRqb3tvEQuu016PzR5XBfd1N1UJcCuCqU-E_4xTuAIx3R8dpv7_abuD4D6BTdH9rJofDdkDy5cVB9xOq0EbAwd4kW8phah1fbEi2qsSOL3NvlE7jfQXGgGpzZj0/s1600/DSC_2109.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eBn78pgGxFRqb3tvEQuu016PzR5XBfd1N1UJcCuCqU-E_4xTuAIx3R8dpv7_abuD4D6BTdH9rJofDdkDy5cVB9xOq0EbAwd4kW8phah1fbEi2qsSOL3NvlE7jfQXGgGpzZj0/s400/DSC_2109.JPG" /></a> </div>Eve's 12 month stats are: 21 lbs (70%), 29" (70%), and 93% head. We're the brainy type :). Here's to many more happy, healthy birthdays, sweetie!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-83795280466973174252011-10-06T10:26:00.000-05:002011-10-06T10:26:24.393-05:00Happy Birthday, Eve!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT5hx1BD20wRIPT-BaQXD2dlCU2DK5CossKwBEmYqvOgWRWHrxAnxwhLhqGUnyTJQTNMPqugOX8_LWahfBoGY9LLUwNd8Ve_WBEnr0noSrJIojmZtakKRZTLWEPpaqdRYFA71/s1600/DSC_1872.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT5hx1BD20wRIPT-BaQXD2dlCU2DK5CossKwBEmYqvOgWRWHrxAnxwhLhqGUnyTJQTNMPqugOX8_LWahfBoGY9LLUwNd8Ve_WBEnr0noSrJIojmZtakKRZTLWEPpaqdRYFA71/s400/DSC_1872.JPG" /></a><br />Vance had a work conference in Hawaii at the end of September that left me with a conundrum: to go to a tropical paradise with my man, or to stay with my kids at home and be there for my baby's birthday? If you guessed that I would stay home, you probably overestimate my maternal devotion :).<br /><br />We had a wonderful, wonderful time in Hawaii (more on that later), but I had to deal with my mommy guilt in some way. I also had to find a way to deal with a birthday in the midst of Vance's fatigue and all our travels. The solution? Two birthdays! Round One was at the Whitaker's house. </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMyjMraC2hDML1uX_cPJkrkjYhJceYPtRKhLEKVL2SpV2g422sRdXap7hQZxmCMc5Uy13aiXDIhfH_HTl5VVGvpgnzNopcMiG04SwyhV-t6NLMEmU5_cIWxQAj4rmZgmiyhyF/s1600/DSC_1866.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMyjMraC2hDML1uX_cPJkrkjYhJceYPtRKhLEKVL2SpV2g422sRdXap7hQZxmCMc5Uy13aiXDIhfH_HTl5VVGvpgnzNopcMiG04SwyhV-t6NLMEmU5_cIWxQAj4rmZgmiyhyF/s400/DSC_1866.JPG" /></a> </div>As we sang Happy Birthday, Eve looked a little shell-shocked. You could tell she wasn't sure she wanted quite so much attention. She was mesmerized by the birthday candle, but didn't quite know what to do with the cake. She gingerly touched the icing, but eventually tried the "all in" approach in an effort to keep her fingers cleaner. It only lasted a few minutes, though, and then she wanted to be done. She really surprised me! I thought she was going to really go for it.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw57Ilo3gVw7ZFSBV8oJWiorbldu9DnfTgR6zU-GUlzDnAIja48uYovSw_Yy2fcqg-OPINaz1zJaAxK-BmBZ648kFeyqMoLCvCKUvDp4Rcp88EcrSs1C-pWWNnsTJBLHLqNBL3/s1600/DSC_1881.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw57Ilo3gVw7ZFSBV8oJWiorbldu9DnfTgR6zU-GUlzDnAIja48uYovSw_Yy2fcqg-OPINaz1zJaAxK-BmBZ648kFeyqMoLCvCKUvDp4Rcp88EcrSs1C-pWWNnsTJBLHLqNBL3/s400/DSC_1881.JPG" /></a> </div>I can't believe my littlest one is a year old. She's gained 3 new teeth in the last week, and has started to stand uncertainly on her own, but isn't quite ready for that first step. She is a talkative one, and I think we have another comedienne in the family...she loves to do silly things to make us laugh! I haven't been able to stop kissing her sweet cheeks since we've been back, and I'm glad she still lets me cuddle her so much. Slow down, baby girl!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidP-fl2-zRgL1vNGuxaS9KWbCMr3msMTuX5-egVYCoVMs9dtWwfqDTn6KYB9bpeqe48-FIbFJrzyjdSg3_KETrp14evWC5lz4mbehd-0PRtM4Jgj6nx4bL2syjb6K9_hkDWs5/s1600/DSC_1884.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidP-fl2-zRgL1vNGuxaS9KWbCMr3msMTuX5-egVYCoVMs9dtWwfqDTn6KYB9bpeqe48-FIbFJrzyjdSg3_KETrp14evWC5lz4mbehd-0PRtM4Jgj6nx4bL2syjb6K9_hkDWs5/s400/DSC_1884.JPG" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-16333531345797113472011-09-16T12:14:00.001-05:002011-09-16T12:44:40.889-05:00Updates<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/c952318ccc4521c4.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/c952318ccc4521c4.jpg?size=400" /></a> </div>Isaac:<br />At the end of August, Isaac started Kindergarten! As you can see, he was beyond excited to go. Four weeks later, he still is. This "where should Isaac go to school?" question has been a long and very involved decision for us. We both have strong homeschooling roots, although I also went to public and a private school growing up. There are a lot of things that I love about homeschooling, but I have always been of the persuasion that any decision about my children's education should involve a lot of prayer and a willingness to follow whatever course seemed the best for them and the family as a whole.<br /><br />Obviously education is another one of those hot topics, particularly within evangelical Christian circles. I am not going to expound on my philosophy of education here, except to say that this is an area of Christian freedom that requires great discernment. Regardless of the education we choose for our children, we as parents are responsible to educate and train our children in the Lord. That means a lot of time and involvement, whether at the kitchen table or in our children's classrooms. It also means a lot of observation on our part, to see how are children are processing their education, and how it's impacting their hearts. I don't know what we'll end up doing with our kids long-term, but we are open to pursuing whatever direction the Lord leads us.<br /><br />I have been encouraged by the increasing diversity I've seen on this front. I know some families who are homeschooling that I would never have pictured doing so...and families who are sending their children to public and private schools that I would have pegged as "the homeschool type". Vive la difference!<br /><br />It has definitely been a change of pace around here, but we're adjusting. We were able to "choice" into one of the top elementary schools in the county. Our friend teaches there, and we were able to request a Christian teacher. So far we've been very happy, and so has Isaac.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/3141c324b0609142.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/3141c324b0609142.jpg?size=400" /></a> </div>Claire:<br />One of the reasons we put Isaac in public school this year was so that I could have more focused time to concentrate on Claire. She is the middle child now, you know :). With Isaac being the loud, gregarious, leader-type, we felt that she needed increased one-on-one time. I think it has been so helpful for her. She is really blooming lately. She really wants to have my attention the whole time Isaac is away, so we have been playing a lot of games, doing "school", and talking lots and lots. She is growing up so fast, and is more and more of a help to me. I realized recently that I haven't heard her call green beans "bean beans" or her bathing suit "baby soup" in probably a year and a half. But she's becoming more willing to talk to strangers now that Isaac isn't here to cover for her. I have been really enjoying my Claire time!<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/908db8a55caca291.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:49973/cc2bf0144bf4920406c7e67de72512ea/image/908db8a55caca291.jpg?size=400" /></a> </div>Eve:<br />It didn't take long after she started crawling for Eve to become a cruiser. She's pulling up on anything and everything, and I expect to see her walking soon after her birthday. She is showing signs of becoming something of a fastidious eater, although I think maybe the other kids did the same. She thinks Isaac is the funniest person alive, and to watch her pump out the belly laughs while Isaac performs his very-5-year-old humor is good for the soul. She is sleeping better these days, and seems to have adjusted to our new school schedule without much of a hitch. I don't know what I'd do without my sweet baby for snuggles!<br /><br />Us:<br />Well, we're still here. The last two weeks have been pretty hard, and I feel like I'm running on empty. It is truly the kindness of God that Vance has to go to Hawaii for work and that we made the decision months ago for me to come. Initially I felt like it was too expensive for me to go, but I am SO glad we opted to buy me a plane ticket anyway. Frankly, I'm exhausted, and heartsick from so many months of hoping and praying and yearning for this man I love to be healthy again. I know this trip isn't going to fix anything, but it comes as a sweet mercy when I feel the need for a reprieve. I can't wait to feel that sand between my toes!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-3756125121187517372011-08-21T21:38:00.000-05:002011-08-21T21:39:10.582-05:00Signs of the Times<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0OOeaFxNzZt5AQFjDj515UfVwIPcIYaMeXj0wPMfHgbfptvMzYCY3qSypPqlNk4kJJ4M_b7ue0IAdV81ChyphenhyphenZUGEsIZ3hSlx-0IvtR7suspef14_gGwXlLbo7xJcrqhxBB8ac/s1600/DSC_1793.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0OOeaFxNzZt5AQFjDj515UfVwIPcIYaMeXj0wPMfHgbfptvMzYCY3qSypPqlNk4kJJ4M_b7ue0IAdV81ChyphenhyphenZUGEsIZ3hSlx-0IvtR7suspef14_gGwXlLbo7xJcrqhxBB8ac/s400/DSC_1793.JPG" /></a> </div>Isaac has spent the last day or so labeling everything in the house. I fully expect to wake up tomorrow morning with a "MAMA" sign taped on my forehead. When he is labeling the trees in the yard by their Latin genus and species, we'll know he's approaching an obsession. He's his daddy's boy...a scientist who wants to find a category for everything.
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<br />I refuse to intervene and correct his spelling (unless, of course, he asks me). It'll be over before I know it, and I'll be asking him about the "I before E" rules. I will mourn on the day he starts to put spaces in between his words, and it looks like that day is just around the corner.
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xQIalzK9Mwtk8PUXT-Eu7X8oApBkIx-5LWhomOsh4unOKm4AbJ6bpP7WfyD-G7CN2fqcVmBsN5MPLaPoaSfFZtVbKnkG16W_FPSfxC99iDVZofK2OypE9Zj8uet7mScMe8Za/s1600/DSC_1799.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xQIalzK9Mwtk8PUXT-Eu7X8oApBkIx-5LWhomOsh4unOKm4AbJ6bpP7WfyD-G7CN2fqcVmBsN5MPLaPoaSfFZtVbKnkG16W_FPSfxC99iDVZofK2OypE9Zj8uet7mScMe8Za/s400/DSC_1799.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-61619887013807770272011-08-21T21:24:00.000-05:002011-08-21T21:24:26.912-05:00Neat Freak<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaq_DcJgqr2CCYVcjddM09dmv2Qil40NxATOwAiJd3WovxiaiwbiQwwqgnAXW_8W5Z9QG3ar_swUlATseYplMbsIA7CFN4LevunS7elkuRKoAZzTPEqSowEssE6z5ys0A6yJG/s1600/DSC_1787.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaq_DcJgqr2CCYVcjddM09dmv2Qil40NxATOwAiJd3WovxiaiwbiQwwqgnAXW_8W5Z9QG3ar_swUlATseYplMbsIA7CFN4LevunS7elkuRKoAZzTPEqSowEssE6z5ys0A6yJG/s400/DSC_1787.JPG" /></a> </div>My kids have always been messy eaters. The hose-down-the room-after-every-meal kind. I have lots of documentation from Isaac & Claire's respective high chair days. Eve, not so much. She's just not the type to put alfredo sauce in her hair or yogurt in her thigh rolls. Tonight we had our traditional Sunday smoothies, and this is about as messy as she gets, so I figured I should take at least a few pictures. Proof that she can be (a little) messy.
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQb57HQSOoWvmctkAWZEGxHu-n4-RWCT3bPxbpWW5wq5dY8JBOVItLt9M0nK6IQ0ae7bzbQlbERYDMfj6WSIUop4XHRuREJ1utpmJ-rROrmAUdQuqPyl-sYk9QV7Vmdp2bHnP/s1600/DSC_1765.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQb57HQSOoWvmctkAWZEGxHu-n4-RWCT3bPxbpWW5wq5dY8JBOVItLt9M0nK6IQ0ae7bzbQlbERYDMfj6WSIUop4XHRuREJ1utpmJ-rROrmAUdQuqPyl-sYk9QV7Vmdp2bHnP/s400/DSC_1765.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4DH-pRPI6K3i4tUEv1-AhKxal-bQ7pc6o-vLM60XAwnBhqFtKnPH0uWBSQuf3NngWLV_Wx8iUlcNAmevXdoB8qa0SnPgUBkGo_C7ssxudZmgXjHm2EDg3EETL6h2tlD8dMrG/s1600/DSC_1777.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4DH-pRPI6K3i4tUEv1-AhKxal-bQ7pc6o-vLM60XAwnBhqFtKnPH0uWBSQuf3NngWLV_Wx8iUlcNAmevXdoB8qa0SnPgUBkGo_C7ssxudZmgXjHm2EDg3EETL6h2tlD8dMrG/s400/DSC_1777.JPG" /></a> </div>I haven't made much popcorn since Vance has gone on his new diet--actually, no popcorn in the last 2 months--so Eve had never had any (don't worry, we crumble it up). You would have thought we'd handed her the moon.
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrPE7aRWJWrpz4QTr1Y90fcWPznlCzB_D0ICHBxkrceafgxnIZrFev9nzgC7TQQzc0opl1sgqr_URt1JL4zUrU2Cdlv6EmqnNOTwFL77O63vX1Yzqm3xSgRCLJXRmxSiQwLs1/s1600/DSC_1783.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrPE7aRWJWrpz4QTr1Y90fcWPznlCzB_D0ICHBxkrceafgxnIZrFev9nzgC7TQQzc0opl1sgqr_URt1JL4zUrU2Cdlv6EmqnNOTwFL77O63vX1Yzqm3xSgRCLJXRmxSiQwLs1/s400/DSC_1783.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-3291678478368360182011-08-08T14:30:00.000-05:002011-08-08T14:31:04.791-05:00Landscaping<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKGA6eOcSn6OQZjtF3E6NZjLLIdk3R_1LavJvc9zCZCS8NPeuj3QANu8GiBqknepzfq-42VrBKuHZTO5NYQmBryeVXy0SSEgj2h5aj1Qi-thuTjIAf8rNfrZbs0UHQ3ZIazWb/s1600/DSC_1752.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKGA6eOcSn6OQZjtF3E6NZjLLIdk3R_1LavJvc9zCZCS8NPeuj3QANu8GiBqknepzfq-42VrBKuHZTO5NYQmBryeVXy0SSEgj2h5aj1Qi-thuTjIAf8rNfrZbs0UHQ3ZIazWb/s400/DSC_1752.JPG" /></a> </div>Have you heard the saying, "The cobbler's wife has no shoes, and the doctor's wife dies young"? I like to add, "and the landscaper's wife has no yard." (However, my friends have called me out on that one, because the breeder's wife does indeed have strawberries :).
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<br />We took a step in the right direction on Saturday. Vance felt well enough to make a Home Depot run on Saturday, and he came back with about 10 foundation plants. Isaac could not wait, and since Vance wasn't feeling the best, he took an advisory role and let his wife do the actual installation. He acted all surprised to see me shoveling--I reminded him that I am also proficient with a pickaxe. So watch out, all you people.
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbAHjpLuJhSbNoE0_9Go0Iwe3EFq-0Rst4-mkUsV1MKNo5iEEbXil_4cJvJ7hq9UbvhA8szn6baPpAGAQVzKERU09cN4p-fxyOds3WQZ5s_LOP1ApSjWuwPfck1OVqPAQfUb0/s1600/DSC_1753.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbAHjpLuJhSbNoE0_9Go0Iwe3EFq-0Rst4-mkUsV1MKNo5iEEbXil_4cJvJ7hq9UbvhA8szn6baPpAGAQVzKERU09cN4p-fxyOds3WQZ5s_LOP1ApSjWuwPfck1OVqPAQfUb0/s400/DSC_1753.JPG" /></a> </div>Isaac was in charge of fertilizing and spreading mulch. Vance was in charge of critiquing. I was in charge of the gruntwork. Eve was in charge of soil sampling. We all had fun!
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVT5utlhsHANZZpRt-RiFulSk5A4zop3yoDG8_J7ctAMPQDIYSwNuugCuDOo7IdKZ1_nIpzV1hSzgACRRC2PXbj0HPMU4IH4zgNL93cGJP8Hsnl6EReBciJNpmuTsmuhFujP1/s1600/DSC_1757.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVT5utlhsHANZZpRt-RiFulSk5A4zop3yoDG8_J7ctAMPQDIYSwNuugCuDOo7IdKZ1_nIpzV1hSzgACRRC2PXbj0HPMU4IH4zgNL93cGJP8Hsnl6EReBciJNpmuTsmuhFujP1/s400/DSC_1757.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-85647201002871010032011-08-04T10:27:00.000-05:002011-08-04T10:27:49.348-05:00A Little R&R<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTm0kasCS4xzJD6W4uUdvpCe1i-gzmT7zC4ESnOGMgYHE4i043re-FEyPqGir3keKR3y9J1WLe_rMooxNsKrNAqoOoEBi61hfgMbZ-olTnueSgaCCObUDrMuzrUGiPRVrFKx7D/s1600/DSC_1713.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTm0kasCS4xzJD6W4uUdvpCe1i-gzmT7zC4ESnOGMgYHE4i043re-FEyPqGir3keKR3y9J1WLe_rMooxNsKrNAqoOoEBi61hfgMbZ-olTnueSgaCCObUDrMuzrUGiPRVrFKx7D/s400/DSC_1713.JPG" /></a> </div>Thanks to some very gracious friends of ours, we were able to spend a couple of days at their condo near Fort de Soto Beach. It was so fun!<br /><br />You know how, when you're in charge, suddenly vacation seems almost like too much work to be worth it? Isn't it sad that adulthood can almost talk you out of having fun sometimes? With three little kids and a sick husband, I had a hard time getting a vision for a 2-day vacation. It was going to be longer, but Vance wasn't feeling well enough to go for the first day. There were many times while I was getting everything ready that I was struggling with self-pity. It's just hard to have to do everything sometimes...or at least that's the way I felt. And it is true that these days, if it's going to be done, it's going to be me doing it. It's a battle most days.<br /><br />But as I was standing in the Gulf holding my baby, looking back to the white sandy beach where my children were happily playing, I had to repent of my skewed vision. Yes, we have trials we are facing. But in the grand scheme of things, we are so blessed. It's one thing to ask for the mercy of relief and healing. I do countless times a day. But it is quite another thing to be so blinded by the difficulty of life that I cease to marvel at the mercies he is continually giving. God save me from myself.<br /><br />And while I look forward to the day that I am not trying to pack, clean, load the car, take care of the kids, AND simultaneously look cute enough in a sundress to go out for dinner, it was so worth it. :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxEw5TNF16n-cRI87gQMuUjJa3pijsUGNJx3LsIkpW8sNpv37Q-J54xquGexVxQdeNBOKDxGBIZdaCfI4xmUvCIQ6FFv3JhnS6KGRICnrvhC2etUdCjyadXhyphenhyphenilAntAVXlsy8/s1600/DSC_1706.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxEw5TNF16n-cRI87gQMuUjJa3pijsUGNJx3LsIkpW8sNpv37Q-J54xquGexVxQdeNBOKDxGBIZdaCfI4xmUvCIQ6FFv3JhnS6KGRICnrvhC2etUdCjyadXhyphenhyphenilAntAVXlsy8/s400/DSC_1706.JPG" /></a><br />Eve needed a bit of convincing that the beach was fun, but she warmed up. Crawlers sure do get sand everywhere!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGC52zIK2jV3HXvZHfosXz8GW8ppF5CwwG_g_q6W21YJVlFgd6zqlyCo8xsBo22UX9iUnB_FxdNu8eUStvRtUiVq9mO1t9xjWIFTdiD2Am_jNYRfx2CjRiyLYGKWb6jognHhM/s1600/DSC_1731.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGC52zIK2jV3HXvZHfosXz8GW8ppF5CwwG_g_q6W21YJVlFgd6zqlyCo8xsBo22UX9iUnB_FxdNu8eUStvRtUiVq9mO1t9xjWIFTdiD2Am_jNYRfx2CjRiyLYGKWb6jognHhM/s400/DSC_1731.JPG" /></a> </div>My favorite part of the trip...grilling out at the beach for dinner and walking back to the water for the sunset...<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuEXgitJz6cDjcr1Vl9olQ20wCY0dKGFaEEGz6IBXdlKEfm0Cco_4gjeqDTmUCE8XwonKCa16AIGRXSNlGHCU3Dky4ePFl2JWWlqd4cpdowThonAoMk5NvvzOWgBQqZdIEcN/s1600/DSC_1742.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuEXgitJz6cDjcr1Vl9olQ20wCY0dKGFaEEGz6IBXdlKEfm0Cco_4gjeqDTmUCE8XwonKCa16AIGRXSNlGHCU3Dky4ePFl2JWWlqd4cpdowThonAoMk5NvvzOWgBQqZdIEcN/s400/DSC_1742.JPG" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32471944.post-821885759516346392011-07-27T14:48:00.000-05:002011-07-27T14:48:21.266-05:00an update on Vance<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc92v5YFodUq9nKxwTb5Sor6qnUGAofdP5Zk1lKYXE3p5k34Phg2nCg9vJW-JuFsGdPa8qIQjGf9Voy6t8twl8Cy0TW1LcyOyez5RotMHh4gv24cyTKV_DZpU3m45iXpSbQEpd/s1600/DSC_1482.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc92v5YFodUq9nKxwTb5Sor6qnUGAofdP5Zk1lKYXE3p5k34Phg2nCg9vJW-JuFsGdPa8qIQjGf9Voy6t8twl8Cy0TW1LcyOyez5RotMHh4gv24cyTKV_DZpU3m45iXpSbQEpd/s400/DSC_1482.JPG" /></a> </div>It's been too long since I've reported on Vance's health: that's left those of you who are so faithfully praying with us hanging. I'm sorry about that. Here's a bit of an update.<br /><br />About 6 weeks ago we put Vance on the <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/02/the-gaps-diet-what-it-is-and-why-you-might-consider-doing-it.html">GAPS diet </a>to try and relieve some symptoms of his chronic fatigue. We also kicked up his "exercise" regimen into a no-matter-how-I-feel priority, and worked harder on the insomnia front. Within four or five days we saw noticeable improvement, and since mid-June he has been working pretty much full time. Praise God! For about a month, he had enough energy to play with the kids after work, was increasing the intensity of his exercise, and even started mowing the lawn again. As he described it, some of the low points in his illness have brought him to about 30% of normal. Lately he's been more like 85%. That's a pretty huge change.<br /><br />At least it was, up until a week and a half ago. He had been feeling well for several weeks, and was feeling well enough to do some yard work. He was encouraged at how energetic he felt, and he did more than he should have. The bummer with CFS is that the recovery period from one afternoon of overdoing it is brutally long. Weeks, even. It's so discouraging, especially because I think we were both feeling that maybe he was done with the worst of it, and on the way to recovery. Chronic fatigue just doesn't give you much room for error when it comes to limits.<br /><br />Our friends Yesupadam and Monika came over yesterday for lunch (so grateful for overseas friends who travel to us!), and they took the opportunity to pray with us for Vance's healing. Obviously we've been praying daily for healing, but as we prayed together Vance and I both felt a new level of faith that God would bring restoration to his body <em>soon</em>. We were also both impressed that this is an issue of spiritual warfare. I think in the spiritual culture I'm in, we pay more attention to the tempations of sin and self than to external foes like the devil. Generally speaking, that is probably fine...but Satan is still our adversary, and one we are commanded to actively resist.<br /><br />After we laid hands on him, Vance felt significantly better, and has continued to. He's not completely healed yet, but I am waiting in expectation, even as I am so thankful for all the healing that God has thus far granted. Please pray with us!<br /><br /><em>Did we in our own strength confide<br />Our striving would be losing<br />Were not the right man on our side<br />The man of God's own choosing.<br />Dost ask who that may be?<br />Christ Jesus, it is he<br />Lord Sabaoth his name,<br />From age to age the same<br />And he shall win the battle.</em><br />~ M. Luther<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380838698707698310noreply@blogger.com1