tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23132489864310587922024-03-13T07:26:42.982-07:00Just one kind of folksRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-78176539718378843502014-12-31T14:11:00.001-08:002014-12-31T14:11:27.676-08:00Bloomin'It's been quite the year, 2014. <div>
<div>
Ups and downs.</div>
<div>
Fun and discouragement.</div>
<div>
Joy and grief.</div>
<div>
Exhilaration and exhaustion.</div>
<div>
Moving twice in 14 months will do that to you. </div>
<div>
Leaving loved ones behind--1800 miles behind--will do that to you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I find myself jumping on the "my word for the year" bandwagon.</div>
<div>
Bloom.</div>
<div>
God has planted us here, and here we shall bloom.</div>
<div>
Until the next uprooting.</div>
<div>
But there is joy to be found and life to be lived.</div>
<div>
People to know and new beauties to discover.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE_UzYxYf7_Lj12gb_fqxN78ZTZWJr9opF2A5R1snWeDhonDXDXncm1OtxIvwmxcvWcYfa8lnS9Qf6511Uc2p1057Gbs7ozWzlo0AsXwKYVf0OUNqLjAoEkzgylOxKvxp7ZfLHy0VB0k/s1600/20141231_145126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE_UzYxYf7_Lj12gb_fqxN78ZTZWJr9opF2A5R1snWeDhonDXDXncm1OtxIvwmxcvWcYfa8lnS9Qf6511Uc2p1057Gbs7ozWzlo0AsXwKYVf0OUNqLjAoEkzgylOxKvxp7ZfLHy0VB0k/s1600/20141231_145126.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Hello, 2015. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-16577910755599850282014-10-15T07:48:00.000-07:002014-10-15T07:48:52.328-07:00LightThoughts and feelings, rumbling about inside, a bit scattered and confused, angry and grieving. Thoughts for my precious friend,this sister of my heart, who has found herself in the midst of a trial, a sifting full of heartbreak.<br />
<br />
Prayers have been going up without ceasing for days on end. Insomnia filled nights provide more opportunity for pleading with the heavens. Every thought of my friend and her beautiful family is followed by a true, heartfelt entreaty. <i>Deliverance, Father. Justice, Lord. Protect this well-deserved reputation of integrity, refuse to allow lies and conjecture to be seen as truth. To be the victim of one bearing false witness...so devastating, so unfair. Above all, please keep untruths from becoming public knowledge. Please, God.</i><br />
<br />
As the days have gone on, the lies have been made known. In these days of social media and online reporting, news (particular that of the bad variety) spreads like wildfire. I admit to an initial response of, "What the heck, Lord? We believed you for deliverance. We believe you for justice and protection." Yet He allows this to go on, to happen. Ugly comments online, people acting as judge and jury before all of the facts are in, believing the absolute worse of someone that I love and care about. So, so hard to take. Impossible to accept. Yet there it is. So where does that leave us? Why do we pray? What's the point, Father??? Why does the worst possible scenario have to become the actual scenario??? Why does the darkness get to score so many points???<br />
<br />
I'd love to be able to claim a non-angry response to all of this nastiness. Alas, I cannot. During a few hours of sleeplessness, however, I was reminded of another injustice--an injustice that occurred centuries ago, and led to death. Our Jesus knows of injustice. He has felt the heart wrenching grief and anger that come from being falsely accused. He knows. Enduring the absolute worst case scenario brought light into the world. He is that light, our light.<br />
<br />
Once the anger has passed and I find myself able to listen, I remember that we are citizens of earth, which guarantees each of us seasons of trials and tribulations, grief and anger, right along with seasons of joy. The Father doesn't promise to deliver us from every trial, but He does promise to never leave or forsake us. He promises to bring light to the dark places and make good come from the evil. He is a promise keeper. I choose to trust.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-69739769511157152432014-07-24T07:24:00.000-07:002014-07-24T07:24:15.654-07:00What Moving Tells Me About Me....plus a few other random observationsMoving Sucks. No way around it, it just stinks. It's exhausting physically and emotionally, especially if you happen to be gluttons for punishment and decide to make two 1800+ mile moves in a mere 15 months. (Whoa! Who in the world would decide to do that?????) Anyhoo, here are some of my thoughts and observations from the past week or so...from my journal to your ears. I really just want to bless your day with my deep thoughts.<br />
<br />
#1~I like to feel sorry for myself and cry sometimes because, you know, my life is hard. (Read that in a whiny, teary, privileged American voice.)<br />
<br />
#2 (relates to #1)~I actually say things to myself like, "Suck it up, Buttercup, and get crap done!"<br />
<br />
#3~Once I finally stop feeling sorry for myself and get to work, I'm task oriented and I can get crap done, y'all. Project ADD is not one of my weaknesses. Well, usually.<br />
<br />
#4~I do not dust as often as I should.<br />
<br />
#5~ I also do not vacuum under the couch cushions as often as I should. It's my prepper mentality. Zombie apocalypse? No problem! Just raise the couch cushions and you've got meals for a week! (And pens, paper, bobby pins, hair ties, popsicle sticks, random wrappers, and dog hair.)<br />
<br />
#6~Speaking of dog hair. I concede. I can fight no more forever. Trust me, owners of black labradors, you delude yourselves if you think you can win this war, armed though you may be with Swiffer, vacuum, and broom.<br />
<br />
#7~I can deal with the chaos and disorder if my kitchen is in some state of clean. ("What? Oh, the world is blowing up around me? I'll just go do the dishes!")<br />
<br />
#8~When attempting two cross-country moves in 15 months, your precious possessions become the enemy. ("Are you absolutely certain we need that youngest kid? She does take up a lot of room with her yarn, books, and tea!")<br />
<br />
#9~Taking a little time to sit, ALONE, with a cup of coffee and my journal, becomes a survival skill rather than an indulgence. Don't talk to me and don't deny me a few stinkin' minutes of peace in the morning. Unless you want things to get ugly.<br />
<br />
#10~Rolls of packing tape and those tape gun things are tools of Satan.<br />
<br />
#11~I only wash curtains when we move. Or when friends visit and their dog pees on them.<br />
<br />
#12~Rugs cover a multitude of sins.<br />
<br />
#13~Year-round warm weather = ceiling fans that are on year-round = invisible dust on the blades. If I can't see it, it obviously doesn't exist. Duh.<br />
<br />
#14~I am obviously stalling by writing a blog post. It is time to get a move on.<br />
<br />
I love y'all!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-20970827342996723002014-07-21T07:35:00.000-07:002014-07-21T07:41:33.578-07:00Practicing GraceIt's been a tough few weeks around here, folks. Big decisions being made. Career changes. Yet another 1800 mile cross country move. We are stressed, tired, overwhelmed, and sometimes thinking we might have a touch of the crazy. (Ok...maybe more than a touch.) Packing has commenced and, once again, we are living in the disorganization of preparing for relocation.<br />
<br />
Emotions are all over the map. One minute thoughts are exciting and rosy--eager for the adventure of the unknown. The next minute brings panic and something akin to, "What the hell are we doing? Have we gone completely bonkers?" (Why yes, yes we have. But that's ok.) Unsurprisingly, we've experienced anger, hurt, fear, nervousness, worry, but every day is better than the day before as we grow used to, and embrace, the coming changes.<br />
<br />
From the moment this craziness began, we made a pact. After 21 years of marriage, we know that stress can breed ugliness--words spoken that aren't really meant, fights that would never have happened otherwise, irritation over things that would normally be overlooked. So we made a pact to have grace for each other. Lots and lots of grace. Guess what? It's worked. Grace works. In those moments when an argument is imminent over some dumb thing, we've worked hard to stop and remember that this is stress talking. A long hug and a deep breath help remedy the ugliness, bringing a calm. Yes, I am proud of us. Life is hard enough. No need to worsen the trials with harsh or unloving words that accomplish nothing beyond hurt. Joy, peace, and laughter, even in the midst of stress. It's all about giving grace. To practice grace every single day, in every relationship and in every situation, is a goal worthy of our very best effort.<br />
<br />
Love you, JP. Here's to a relationship full of grace, love, laughter, and a touch of the crazy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kLRFpkH0_Zs6qCmwvfIQTFfNYLMmmQpg1ZrKfWICqYC6X1V_l67zolM9ZZ5j26N9pcJvc843OyMwVKl8WF4T61_Exl81OxZFCp66httHFDlRV9XG9aiXGt9SSqkaOurdkU9TNftV-0/s1600/20140612_191519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kLRFpkH0_Zs6qCmwvfIQTFfNYLMmmQpg1ZrKfWICqYC6X1V_l67zolM9ZZ5j26N9pcJvc843OyMwVKl8WF4T61_Exl81OxZFCp66httHFDlRV9XG9aiXGt9SSqkaOurdkU9TNftV-0/s1600/20140612_191519.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-88542261293849433492014-07-14T09:35:00.000-07:002014-07-14T09:35:51.106-07:00Change.....A Bit of Pierson Family NewsThere's another big change coming up for my little family. After much discussion, prayer, crying, nerves, sick stomachs, waffling, and more discussion.....we have decided to make a move to Boise, Idaho. Yes, I said Idaho. Jay has accepted a position there and we will be heading out of Houston in a month or so. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are, at present, experiencing a mixed-bag of emotions. While we've known for a while now that Houston isn't exactly the place for us, Idaho was certainly never on our radar. My heart hurts to think of once again being so far from my family, but I also know that nothing ever stays the same in life and I am grateful for the past year.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is much more to say, much more to this story, but for today, this is all I've got in me. Feeling a bit tired, a bit worn. Underneath it all, however, is hope and a burgeoning excitement. We asked God for adventures. He's delivering.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So we move forward.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-39596658918186336382014-06-19T07:50:00.001-07:002014-06-19T07:50:59.270-07:00Dads, Daughters, and a Bit of WeirdnessAs Father's Day was nearing, I kept seeing <a href="http://www.faithit.com/this-guy-is-about-to-go-on-the-best-date-ever/#.U5-43nkztl2.facebook">this video</a> posted on my Facebook timeline. Not gonna lie, I find this video and others like it to be quite disturbing...and creepy. Then there are the incredibly strange photos of fathers and daughters taken at Purity Balls. Whoa! Have you seen those???? Does this bother anyone else??? This stuff literally makes my skin crawl, people. Seriously. Just weird.<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
A few rather random thoughts on this...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love my dad. He's always been a constant in my life, there with caring, support and encouragement even when we might disagree (to be honest, this can be quite often). I've never doubted my dad's love and affection for me and am so thankful for the unconditional love that both he and my mom always bestow on my kids. My parents are huggers, bless their hearts. :) BUT when I hear people say things like, "You'll always be her first love," when talking about fathers/daughters, it just feels wrong. I recall clearly my first love. Those feelings I had for Alan White in 5th grade in no way resemble the love I have for my daddy, and are ABSOLUTELY not the same love I have for the hubby. If it was, I think we'd all agree, that would be icky. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dads don't date their daughters. They parent them. They love them unconditionally. They affirm them, firmly instilling self worth and self esteem, encouraging them to follow their dreams. They play and laugh with them. They take time to listen without judgement. They protect and cherish, and teach their daughters how to take care of themselves. They are dads, fathers. They aren't lovers or boyfriends. They are parents.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stop it with the weirdness. Enough already.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc6P8GCyDLKH49B0ygDHX-IWQJYfApwJc5i2sG7wjtUPwBbRfRlgx2nTtyhAArNnLUSxCSMNrP9L70VWZk6LUmoGJ-0lbefzcLzNpNJNCvaSQz6kbE5BllGbG9sKNYzpWUiTePo3JDJc/s1600/309554_208362542569103_60177528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc6P8GCyDLKH49B0ygDHX-IWQJYfApwJc5i2sG7wjtUPwBbRfRlgx2nTtyhAArNnLUSxCSMNrP9L70VWZk6LUmoGJ-0lbefzcLzNpNJNCvaSQz6kbE5BllGbG9sKNYzpWUiTePo3JDJc/s1600/309554_208362542569103_60177528_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pops and I </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-88294964146342669212014-06-04T06:50:00.000-07:002014-06-04T06:50:35.258-07:00Only the Best Breakfast...Ever!It's avocado season, y'all. Around our house, this means a whole lotta avocado eatin' goin' on. So in the spirit of the season, I am sharing with you....The Best Breakfast--Ever!<br />
<br />
1- Go to your local Farmer's Market and purchase a yummy loaf of homemade sourdough (or, if you are awesome, break out a loaf of your own homemade sourdough).<br />
<br />
2- If you happen to be lucky enough to live in an area where these delectable fruits grow, then by all means grab yourself a few avocados while at the Market. If not, head on over and grab some at the grocery store. (Here's a nifty little help from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/photos/how-to-choose-store-and-ripen-avocados.html">Food Network</a>, should you be a bit uncertain about how to choose avocados.)<br />
<br />
3- Get yourself some of this. You'll be so glad you did.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSme0J3VpYDm2YH3FjkJgSaKQO58jSeU6Gd4abrbrdVvbjIwMlBoLUpRu5RlltgW4CR00R1fEl-rMDU7-AKXjdJA1vAgwO8a0Nl0oVImnURPeVd6F8dHD3TlBQptLxA7DStBnEzJoQlY/s1600/seasonsalt-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSme0J3VpYDm2YH3FjkJgSaKQO58jSeU6Gd4abrbrdVvbjIwMlBoLUpRu5RlltgW4CR00R1fEl-rMDU7-AKXjdJA1vAgwO8a0Nl0oVImnURPeVd6F8dHD3TlBQptLxA7DStBnEzJoQlY/s1600/seasonsalt-500x500.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
4-Gather your tasty loot, along with some butter from pastured cows. (If you've never, you should. It's crazy wonderful. Check out <a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/where-find-butter-from-grassfed-cows/">this post from Food Renegade</a> about pasture butter. It'll change your life...in a good way.)<br />
<br />
5-Toast up a slab of the bread, slather it in the creamy, yellow butter. Slice up your avocado. (How much is entirely up to you, and will likely depend on the sizes of both your fruit and your appetite.) Sprinkle with RealSalt.<br />
<br />
6-Enjoy with a cup of black coffee.<br />
<br />
Holy Moly! You are welcome.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-38216472863499952982014-05-07T07:10:00.002-07:002014-05-07T09:06:47.166-07:00Sassy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jay and I were out and about last night. Being such a responsible parent and all, I texted the boy to see how things were going at the house. I know....my kids are 16, 18, and 20 years old. Whatever. I was just checking on them. Geeeeeeez.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Note the sweet, thoughtful, "Hey,thanks for caring about us, Mom!" response from the boy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, of course, there is my answer because I believe in using kind, respectful words. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's some stellar parenting right there, folks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvmErXi6t9A/U2o8P345HVI/AAAAAAAAGU8/3uvJGbxHhe8/s1600/Screenshot_2014-05-07-07-04-35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvmErXi6t9A/U2o8P345HVI/AAAAAAAAGU8/3uvJGbxHhe8/s1600/Screenshot_2014-05-07-07-04-35.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-90262435670555944222014-04-29T08:59:00.000-07:002014-04-29T08:59:03.258-07:00NotesA few days ago, I decided to make a change in my kitchen. I moved the butter. If this sounds like an inconsequential decision to you, then it's likely you don't love butter or consume it at the same rate as does the Pierson family. Upon choosing this move, I realized it might bring about many questions (you know, such as, "Where the heck's the butter???), which could, in turn, start to be rather annoying to me. Behold my brilliant resolution to this potential problem....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGL7vxZJlqI/U1_F3Xfp_VI/AAAAAAAAGRU/dqD3O4XZVLQ/s1600/20140429_102618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGL7vxZJlqI/U1_F3Xfp_VI/AAAAAAAAGRU/dqD3O4XZVLQ/s1600/20140429_102618.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This morning I woke up, perused Pinterest while enjoying a cup of tea, and thought, "Perhaps a piece of toast would be lovely." So I headed to the kitchen, opening the cupboard that is now home to our butter dish, and what did I see? Not the butter! Instead, I saw a note. One note led to another and another and another. It was a quest. Brought to me by my oldest, who apparently stayed up quite late devising a scheme to bring consternation to his mother's morning. In truth, it was a funny start to my day. I love that goofball.<br />
<br />
I did, eventually, find the butter. So all is well.<br />
<br />
Here are the notes...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjISYQoTbPU/U1_F-4uSI7I/AAAAAAAAGRc/LegsW6QmSiE/s1600/20140429_102651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjISYQoTbPU/U1_F-4uSI7I/AAAAAAAAGRc/LegsW6QmSiE/s1600/20140429_102651.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC_rP5KfPqE/U1_GCTOrsUI/AAAAAAAAGRk/W51WDQb-rZk/s1600/20140429_102701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC_rP5KfPqE/U1_GCTOrsUI/AAAAAAAAGRk/W51WDQb-rZk/s1600/20140429_102701.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogjhcoydvts/U1_GGCI3cTI/AAAAAAAAGRs/LsDtprs9Zh4/s1600/20140429_102711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogjhcoydvts/U1_GGCI3cTI/AAAAAAAAGRs/LsDtprs9Zh4/s1600/20140429_102711.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0spECzC3-Ec/U1_GLO_5GrI/AAAAAAAAGR0/bXtsbsQpoFA/s1600/20140429_102738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0spECzC3-Ec/U1_GLO_5GrI/AAAAAAAAGR0/bXtsbsQpoFA/s1600/20140429_102738.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m64BTUAHDuY/U1_GOvuOECI/AAAAAAAAGR8/-vKlqvc5VXM/s1600/20140429_102748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m64BTUAHDuY/U1_GOvuOECI/AAAAAAAAGR8/-vKlqvc5VXM/s1600/20140429_102748.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQbBn39viJM/U1_GSLG7QZI/AAAAAAAAGSE/IdRW9Ou197Q/s1600/20140429_102803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQbBn39viJM/U1_GSLG7QZI/AAAAAAAAGSE/IdRW9Ou197Q/s1600/20140429_102803.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecez13fmhCw/U1_GWGRZ4mI/AAAAAAAAGSM/pBE9QG9AvSM/s1600/20140429_102815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecez13fmhCw/U1_GWGRZ4mI/AAAAAAAAGSM/pBE9QG9AvSM/s1600/20140429_102815.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GjJz-_Vn2w/U1_GaJJ8RwI/AAAAAAAAGSU/rEqzhhZ_D_Y/s1600/20140429_102825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GjJz-_Vn2w/U1_GaJJ8RwI/AAAAAAAAGSU/rEqzhhZ_D_Y/s1600/20140429_102825.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kthvPcROUA/U1_GdBzc5cI/AAAAAAAAGSc/5NT4TD6LGc8/s1600/20140429_102838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kthvPcROUA/U1_GdBzc5cI/AAAAAAAAGSc/5NT4TD6LGc8/s1600/20140429_102838.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ia7n0InjTrM/U1_GgKHLOBI/AAAAAAAAGSk/lmRqmcDG6_Q/s1600/20140429_102850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ia7n0InjTrM/U1_GgKHLOBI/AAAAAAAAGSk/lmRqmcDG6_Q/s1600/20140429_102850.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0GwOi2DCZuA/U1_Gi5jIX5I/AAAAAAAAGSs/4Vu3PYFCYq8/s1600/20140429_102907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0GwOi2DCZuA/U1_Gi5jIX5I/AAAAAAAAGSs/4Vu3PYFCYq8/s1600/20140429_102907.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVGysCloFHs/U1_GltE2QRI/AAAAAAAAGS0/N8EyMAiiKR8/s1600/20140429_102923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVGysCloFHs/U1_GltE2QRI/AAAAAAAAGS0/N8EyMAiiKR8/s1600/20140429_102923.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhVFx1Bd-bM/U1_GpeKr3HI/AAAAAAAAGS8/NDaIPFn6E80/s1600/20140429_102949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhVFx1Bd-bM/U1_GpeKr3HI/AAAAAAAAGS8/NDaIPFn6E80/s1600/20140429_102949.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-33725090538841184412014-02-12T08:33:00.000-08:002014-02-12T08:33:58.160-08:00Marriage is ToughMarriage is tough. I'm sure we can all agree on this, especially given the divorce rate in this country. Some things have been on my heart lately, in part due to the realization that Jay and I will be married 21 years in April and were married at age 21. Wow. We made it. (Thank you, Jesus, because without you we'd never be together today. Truth.)<br />
<br />
I have daughters, two beautiful, strong, brilliant daughters. I have a hardworking, fun-loving son. My prayer and hope for them is, and has always been, to know who they are, to live out a life full of God-adventures, passions and dreams.<br />
<br />
Here is the honest truth of my heart...to my amazing daughters and my precious son...Be You. Enjoy your twenties. Be fearless. Race motocross. Fly airplanes. Study midwifery in the Philippines. Backpack through Europe. Travel to a developing country. Go out on a limb--way out of your comfort zone--with only God to hold you up. Do the things that thrill your heart, the things that move you to tears. Learn to serve the marginalized and love the unloved. Love justice and change your corner of the world. Jesus is enough.YOU are enough. You don't need a wife or a husband to make you whole. Live out the Father's plan for you so that if you do meet the "one", you begin that relationship knowing who you are.<br />
<br />
I believe in marriage. Through all of the difficulties and hard times, I have grown to love and cherish my man. We aren't perfect and there are still days when I'd just as soon smack him as look at him. (Hey, just keeping it real.) Rarely does a day go by that he doesn't make me laugh, however, and I know that our next 21 years will be our very own God-adventure. But I cannot leave without saying this. I love my kids. I love my husband. I don't believe in regrets. Would I make different decisions if I were 20 again and knew what I knew now? Yes. I'd finish my degree, travel, sing, do the things my heart longed to do when I was in my twenties. And yes, I would wait to marry. Perhaps you married at a young age and you feel differently. That's ok. We all have our own experiences, opinions and paths to follow.<br />
<br />
I read this blog post a couple of days ago <a href="http://www.shebreathesdeeply.com/2014/02/he-doesnt-complete-me.html">(link here)</a> and love this woman's perspective. It's worth reading, particularly if you are the parent of a daughter. Love to you all!<br />
<br />
Aaaand here's a laugh for all of you "old" marrieds out there...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9CMot9lTs6_2XkUWvAAa8M36c6vgpgNj_HEzwUjSD_aBxbgeD-GTPZTYGEa0toJr7rhyphenhyphenFNxmxj23lIdZpepBajzPRHekC7wpNaw6kuDXdxdcPNc0M-sOWNqeUNlsJXrP5VyixcLx4xc/s1600/eyesight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9CMot9lTs6_2XkUWvAAa8M36c6vgpgNj_HEzwUjSD_aBxbgeD-GTPZTYGEa0toJr7rhyphenhyphenFNxmxj23lIdZpepBajzPRHekC7wpNaw6kuDXdxdcPNc0M-sOWNqeUNlsJXrP5VyixcLx4xc/s1600/eyesight.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from www.memeinside.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-91572917206218915012014-01-22T10:10:00.000-08:002014-01-30T06:37:17.466-08:00More Than You Can HandleThe Father recently afforded us the chance to be a teeny, tiny part of a big, beautiful, difficult moment in the lives of the sweetest little family. Unable as of yet to have biological children, this couple had been in the process of international adoption when they unexpectedly received a life-changing call. A precious little boy, born the previous day, had no home to go to. These amazing young people immediately flew to Houston from Atlanta--nervous, terrified, excited, but willing to embrace this gift and love with all of their hearts. It just so happens that this new young mom is someone recently brought into Kyra's life through her travels. Who could have imagined that we would be able to take part in this, all because of a move to Houston and a trip to Rwanda? Although our part was small, it was a blessing to be able to help a bit, to give encouragement and hugs, to see and hear of all the love our God was pouring out into the life of this little boy, born alone with down syndrome and no mommy to hold him.<br />
<br />
As I sat talking to this woman, who was suddenly and unexpectedly a mother, I saw fear, exhaustion, worry, and stress, right along with the love. I was suddenly overwhelmed with a realization as I found myself almost spouting off a little Christianese and saying something like, "You can do this. God doesn't give us more than we can handle." Struck by the realization that sometimes, perhaps even all of the time, God does exactly that--He gives us more than we can handle. It's called life. Life is more than we can handle. All of these trite sayings that we like to spout off, you know the ones..."Let go and let God." "The Lord works in mysterious ways." "Everything happens for a reason." All of these are to me, quite honestly, neither helpful nor true. <br />
<br />
This is what I know to be true. Life is hard, even the beautiful things can be full of adversity and trials. God isn't the author of the ugliness, the grief and heartbreak, the bad things that devastate this world. Being human and a citizen of earth means that we'll experience these things. The amazing truth of the Father is His faithfulness during it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Perhaps a better way to respond to the difficulties in life is to acknowledge the hurt, the fear, the grief, the worry and then remember this...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_y-JNNuB-sdTvLpFfiJxMVCR9JxJnxTBn0_1njAsFUZH8dN9MkNrjzLcEfn4fYtztEvBs00CRBUVezECAFO0z7l645Ey5WRRxwr4SQggPI5dTGWEVQu0qHryOXUemo2lcs0McDSm7qY/s1600/DSC_0026-007edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_y-JNNuB-sdTvLpFfiJxMVCR9JxJnxTBn0_1njAsFUZH8dN9MkNrjzLcEfn4fYtztEvBs00CRBUVezECAFO0z7l645Ey5WRRxwr4SQggPI5dTGWEVQu0qHryOXUemo2lcs0McDSm7qY/s1600/DSC_0026-007edit.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-65463558657596318002014-01-20T08:54:00.002-08:002014-01-20T08:54:58.705-08:00Books for the Little Bitty Ones<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2Y3m-8JuEc_466FtZdIFAVAPT2OL76rfgV_Prjs-PRbkQ_KCr1SNdJgUhCKEvhtdyUt-W83VFOFNYw9bUBptccSp8TtJBLgsnhsCzNS5etF8cRm05CqYhyphenhyphenTRXiw1l_QzwJrJB_a-zNg/s1600/jane+austen+board+book.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2Y3m-8JuEc_466FtZdIFAVAPT2OL76rfgV_Prjs-PRbkQ_KCr1SNdJgUhCKEvhtdyUt-W83VFOFNYw9bUBptccSp8TtJBLgsnhsCzNS5etF8cRm05CqYhyphenhyphenTRXiw1l_QzwJrJB_a-zNg/s1600/jane+austen+board+book.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
While out shopping for a baby gift this weekend, the girls and I happened upon the stinkin' cutest baby board books ever. Seriously. If you need a baby shower gift, or if you have little munchkins of your own, these are a must have! A series of classics made into darling board books, these are filled with wonderful illustrations inspired by the original stories. Stinkin'. Cute.<br />
Check out the website <a href="http://www.babylit.com/">here</a>, but be forewarned...you'll want to buy one of everything.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2Y3m-8JuEc_466FtZdIFAVAPT2OL76rfgV_Prjs-PRbkQ_KCr1SNdJgUhCKEvhtdyUt-W83VFOFNYw9bUBptccSp8TtJBLgsnhsCzNS5etF8cRm05CqYhyphenhyphenTRXiw1l_QzwJrJB_a-zNg/s1600/jane+austen+board+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKVnA6hTCcoCEZhZFY-eySEBhbqnwDJg4U7Eosu-xIq-be3BxseOUFng7QQeWr5fhiL6nFdEuqDTs-jGJalAu1FmrBehAy73NmQ2bXQb4oMQbIoikUHJFgShplgrXcBxAhZfZ0nX9x4E/s1600/moby+dick+board+book.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKVnA6hTCcoCEZhZFY-eySEBhbqnwDJg4U7Eosu-xIq-be3BxseOUFng7QQeWr5fhiL6nFdEuqDTs-jGJalAu1FmrBehAy73NmQ2bXQb4oMQbIoikUHJFgShplgrXcBxAhZfZ0nX9x4E/s1600/moby+dick+board+book.jpg" /></a> I want to buy all of them and keep them, but am having trouble
justifying that expense since my kids are 15, 18, and 20. Hey, wait
just a minute--someday, in what better be the VERY distant future, I'll
have grandkids! I'm off to Barnes and Noble...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKVnA6hTCcoCEZhZFY-eySEBhbqnwDJg4U7Eosu-xIq-be3BxseOUFng7QQeWr5fhiL6nFdEuqDTs-jGJalAu1FmrBehAy73NmQ2bXQb4oMQbIoikUHJFgShplgrXcBxAhZfZ0nX9x4E/s1600/moby+dick+board+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-67520921104608121072013-12-28T10:56:00.000-08:002013-12-28T10:56:15.693-08:00Taking a Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZAnqLgEyXTgvJrFeNCJhUswuIpLiedRmdwEBDL6fZa2o2AIYVNkf1Bj-VfQS_YrCSgq1lR0NAYynp23r0-n8fopzC3UOHaaG5jNrXgVUsmaeQ3GxW3JZMikLoMo-ErnGKR1XL6X5BuM/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3mAhfa-VDqVIDnx8VH5SN8i2USPjE1LQW98DWSrAMtkjnEjzP2UN0BTf5RpodXNA8LAYtbxqG3uckCuIznZEFyqD0fIGMmk3_-XcFmsgNjc89-OS2ItuGL6vxUUfXiFPvuVGxjQ4y-s/s1600/DSC_0006-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3mAhfa-VDqVIDnx8VH5SN8i2USPjE1LQW98DWSrAMtkjnEjzP2UN0BTf5RpodXNA8LAYtbxqG3uckCuIznZEFyqD0fIGMmk3_-XcFmsgNjc89-OS2ItuGL6vxUUfXiFPvuVGxjQ4y-s/s1600/DSC_0006-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3mAhfa-VDqVIDnx8VH5SN8i2USPjE1LQW98DWSrAMtkjnEjzP2UN0BTf5RpodXNA8LAYtbxqG3uckCuIznZEFyqD0fIGMmk3_-XcFmsgNjc89-OS2ItuGL6vxUUfXiFPvuVGxjQ4y-s/s320/DSC_0006-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9hWK8g-FBXWGMgHEnsLCDkZeaoyx4kEuCBBHCPWlBMdCUDdxsPI9Otl1q-aUvyBTJywe1PLIJDs_jE8lKL2RxGWVTMLcs7_X8AsPuvgNE1SnrxZf72xdkMBCng7eQq-bwuLthYK_8HA/s1600/DSC_0038-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9hWK8g-FBXWGMgHEnsLCDkZeaoyx4kEuCBBHCPWlBMdCUDdxsPI9Otl1q-aUvyBTJywe1PLIJDs_jE8lKL2RxGWVTMLcs7_X8AsPuvgNE1SnrxZf72xdkMBCng7eQq-bwuLthYK_8HA/s320/DSC_0038-001.JPG" width="320" /></a>And suddenly....it's all over. Gifts, thoughtfully chosen and wrapped to shiny, sparkling perfection, are handed out, oohed and aahed over, proper thanks offered. The Christmas ham, the hors d'oeuvres, the brightly frosted cookies are no more. Family has come, bearing more food and more gifts, and they've gone. Gift boxes have been flattened, ribbon rolled up and stored until next year. Strange, this whole process of preparation, planning, anticipation, execution...and then exhaustion.<br />
<br />
There have been years when I would un-deck the halls as soon as the hoopla has ended. Not so this time. Lights still twinkle on the tree. Snowflakes still surround the glittery "Let It Snow" that hangs on the mirror. A teeny manger scene continues to sit on a bookshelf as a reminder of a night in a stable when Love came down. I find myself rather pensive and unwilling to let go. Perhaps I need a few days more to accept the ending, to gather the gumption to face a new beginning. Already I know there are challenges to overcome, joys to be discovered, plans to make.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
What lies ahead, the known and the things we can't possibly imagine, they roll soon. But not today. Not this moment. Today I am choosing this quiet with my journal, a hot cup of coffee, good music and a little something full of chocolaty comfort. This moment is mine to just be. Quiet. Rest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIuJ5edLNdUA-bKW4PhRcVhWIKHQE-Euql0CwJY5dcadeI4l2y0T9NmtkIj8AKWcsaRUNNSHtyPMB7VEwNGh863-ED4LgphA_tgYUsmtv7zr1gItvgKjtIiPeAR5BFB5I3la7908Qmjs/s1600/DSC_0008-001mnh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIuJ5edLNdUA-bKW4PhRcVhWIKHQE-Euql0CwJY5dcadeI4l2y0T9NmtkIj8AKWcsaRUNNSHtyPMB7VEwNGh863-ED4LgphA_tgYUsmtv7zr1gItvgKjtIiPeAR5BFB5I3la7908Qmjs/s320/DSC_0008-001mnh.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The new year? I'm allowing myself a Scarlett O'Hara moment. I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-30896176149372675802013-12-13T09:16:00.000-08:002013-12-13T09:25:37.635-08:00RemindersAnyone who knows me knows that crafting ain't my thang. Really. Just thinking of sewing, knitting, scrapbooking and the like, I start to feel dread. I can spend an entire day in the kitchen chopping and creating wonderfulness, but give me paper, pencil, scissors and glue, and I can promise you disaster. Allow me to share an example of my ineptitude...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGteuPN1IT5aCIjfD_BboaVY6No4gcgw68Su0wTAPvZWrNPs_2bKVlKz09TufKOxq2KHKysRDGkJwYE3TY_CHeWVzZAkraond69XsKjtUxZPymieLpQskoQ395Xv0BtiDpuQUbPQ_7Ko/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGteuPN1IT5aCIjfD_BboaVY6No4gcgw68Su0wTAPvZWrNPs_2bKVlKz09TufKOxq2KHKysRDGkJwYE3TY_CHeWVzZAkraond69XsKjtUxZPymieLpQskoQ395Xv0BtiDpuQUbPQ_7Ko/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The really sad thing here is, I was actually trying to draw Harry Potter. Honestly, I was. When Maddy was younger, she liked to give us family art lessons (how cute is she!?) and this was my project. With Harry's neck so thick, I decided to rename the book.<br />
<br />
All that to say that, in spite of my decided lack of crafting ability, I created a little something a few days ago. Ok, Kyra helped a bit. She's marginally better than I when it comes to paper and scissors. As I was reading a post by <a href="http://addiezierman.com/">a favorite blogger</a>, I discovered a link to yet another blog (you know how that goes) with the most wonderful idea, <a href="http://mydailybreadandbutter.com/2013/11/25/a-baby-a-child-2/">a creative and beautiful way to celebrate Advent</a>. Take a look at it...it is lovely (she probably actually enjoys crafting.) <br />
<br />
Here is our version---photos of some precious people (many are newly-made friends from Kyra's Rwanda trip) hanging at the foot of the stairs to help us remember to pray. Some nights we choose one to pray for as a family, but their beautiful faces are there for us to see many times during the course of every day, a reminder that there is so much more to this world than our little corner of it. I love it. Think I'll keep it up after Christmas, changing out and adding to the photos as God puts people on our hearts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlfZ5tA5yWV1N7enu-fNAobl-fCPwum7yMSFib5glwlhCaPAKiEf1SU1_BOPe2LnxezGo21XR578QTVhyitOx17LcToz3hTnJwmSERoJvK8GVWtVu-4dEISxAon8qDTN48Dz35iRY1s/s1600/20131213_102744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlfZ5tA5yWV1N7enu-fNAobl-fCPwum7yMSFib5glwlhCaPAKiEf1SU1_BOPe2LnxezGo21XR578QTVhyitOx17LcToz3hTnJwmSERoJvK8GVWtVu-4dEISxAon8qDTN48Dz35iRY1s/s320/20131213_102744.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj093rrgn4hBI264QgyIMe7LY9l92_-frBMLRqzAoHLADj_zgBXPK-hnbgLqtzdf3YTvzPcxl1c219dfYTC0JzgJj_DDDNbEu7jEKSXBnGsTcOdQSAaJGaIhAl6CN7ewKMHdc7r9l4Dr8/s1600/20131213_102755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj093rrgn4hBI264QgyIMe7LY9l92_-frBMLRqzAoHLADj_zgBXPK-hnbgLqtzdf3YTvzPcxl1c219dfYTC0JzgJj_DDDNbEu7jEKSXBnGsTcOdQSAaJGaIhAl6CN7ewKMHdc7r9l4Dr8/s1600/20131213_102755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj093rrgn4hBI264QgyIMe7LY9l92_-frBMLRqzAoHLADj_zgBXPK-hnbgLqtzdf3YTvzPcxl1c219dfYTC0JzgJj_DDDNbEu7jEKSXBnGsTcOdQSAaJGaIhAl6CN7ewKMHdc7r9l4Dr8/s320/20131213_102755.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Thanks and blessings to Devi at <a href="http://mydailybreadandbutter.com/">My Daily Bread and Butter</a> for the beautiful idea!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-43308774054967847222013-12-11T09:47:00.000-08:002013-12-11T09:54:32.862-08:00What to do with The Ugly<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The past. We all have one. Some of ours may be a bit more "colorful" than others. I have to admit to a bit of a rainbow myself. Yep, I've got a past full of mistakes of all shapes and sizes, bad choices, and seasons of falling flat on my face in a nasty mess of horribly lacking faith. But...I have a Savior whose sacrifice has covered my past, removing it as far from me as the East is from the West. I choose to walk in that grace, that forgiveness--to believe Him and trust that He keeps His word. I choose to trust that He is enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So what do we do with our pasts once we are forgiven, once we have been delivered? We extend grace, love, and mercy to others, just as it was extended to us. Use the ugly to make your little corner of the world more beautiful. Did you get pregnant in high school? Go love and support a scared, stressed teen mom. Have you overcome an addiction? Give real help and mercy to someone in the throes of their own struggles. Were you guilty of condemning others, mired in graceless judgement? Go be there for those in the fringes, without a place to belong. Be Jesus...grace, mercy, kindness and true empathy. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">What do we not do with our pasts? Wallow in them or let them control our present. Don't believe the enemy when he tells you that the hard times are punishment for your shortcomings. See this for what it is--a big, fat lie. His desire is for you to walk in defeat, but you already have victory...you've only to claim it, walking into a new future. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My heart has been heavy these past few weeks for some of you struggling so and allowing your pasts to affect your present. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">This quote from Graham Cooke spoke volumes to my heart. I hope it touches yours as well.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><i>"Whenever God gives freedom, it is always implicit that the freedom He gives you can be given to other people. You go around setting other people free from the very thing that you were victimized by. God comes into your life and He turns the areas of abuse into areas of ministry and significance. He gives you a calling in the area where the enemy tried to strip you of your identity or even kill your life. Your testimony is the beginning of your ministry!"</i></b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6pcl1LYZTq4WN2177W_bjVVbYeixsVYfLCGKDaZ2muf-D9bTYxAmlm636b6JOQpYkHOEwoFAm4QEfmxfhmmJy8atuyu5nX_18Ayw11n1uGxrFch4YDicjHGvbBCEKcHvQQJu-t15TyU/s1600/DSC_0075-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6pcl1LYZTq4WN2177W_bjVVbYeixsVYfLCGKDaZ2muf-D9bTYxAmlm636b6JOQpYkHOEwoFAm4QEfmxfhmmJy8atuyu5nX_18Ayw11n1uGxrFch4YDicjHGvbBCEKcHvQQJu-t15TyU/s400/DSC_0075-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-6818714868484266002013-12-05T07:44:00.000-08:002013-12-05T07:44:15.051-08:00Best Ever Hair Product...No Jokin'A quick little post today for those of you with fine hair or (like me) fine hair AND a cowlick on the crown of your head that ALWAYS wants to make a part from the crown of your head and down. Ugh...freakin' annoying. Anyway, I have found the solution.<br />
<br />
About a year ago, my full-of awesomeness niece, Bobbi (who just happens to be a rock star hair stylist), introduced me to this....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqsf97uTroDNztZpbINJCHUuNkEIf-khxZ59P41GgYkjNroMXGIBxAD1Yz__NcFkpT41B_mZJ46m8mrBjRdjVlP5gLIPw_0kqZ1jQLB0EYov6zMnuRy-oT8NDPh4_vQ7tk-UuyEwO5I/s1600/big+sexy+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqsf97uTroDNztZpbINJCHUuNkEIf-khxZ59P41GgYkjNroMXGIBxAD1Yz__NcFkpT41B_mZJ46m8mrBjRdjVlP5gLIPw_0kqZ1jQLB0EYov6zMnuRy-oT8NDPh4_vQ7tk-UuyEwO5I/s1600/big+sexy+hair.jpg" /></a></div>
Poor Bobbi, so nicely listening to my lamenting of the cowlick and subsequent lack of height where hair should have some height, says to me, "You just need to get some Big Sexy Hair Powder Play. Sprinkle it in your roots. Gives it some grit." Simple words. Big life-changing impact. (I'm only sort of exaggerating here.)<br />
<br />
I love this stuff, people, in case you can't already tell. If someone were to tell me that it was made of radioactive plutonium, I'd have to give serious thought to whether or not it is worth it to give it up. Kyra has fine hair as well and she would wholeheartedly agree. On a recent trip to Boston, I introduced my cousins to the wonderful new world of Powder Play, which was followed by a trip to TJ Maxx to buy every bottle they had (it was half price there, just so you know.) <br />
<br />
So there ya go. That's all I have for today.<br />
<br />
You are welcome.<br />
<br />
Bobbi, I love you anyway....but I'm pretty sure I love you more now. :)Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-44050603136633651042013-11-07T13:59:00.001-08:002013-11-07T14:28:57.702-08:00The Worst of Times<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..."</i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
I find myself contemplating a bit of Dickens this morning, recalling a very trying season of our lives. This season, begun so auspiciously and ending in such ugliness and heartache, rarely comes to mind these days. However there is, on occasion, a happening or a comment that brings with it a rush of memories. Last week was one such occasion. It all began with a story--news of dishonesty and lying, of crime and punishment, a story of someone I once knew, distrusted, and who had caused so much hurt.<br />
<br />
It's quite interesting really, my default reaction to this news. Suffice it to say, it was ugly. And prideful. It was the urge to grab the phone and call those who had weathered this season with me, those who knew. It was the longing to email the story to a few people along with a big, "I freaking told you so!" It was even, I'm truly ashamed to say, laughter. I suppose it could be said that it was one of those moments in life when it seems that a wrong has been somehow righted, when someone who caused you pain gets their comeuppance.<br />
<br />
It wasn't long before I felt that nudging, that little voice in my spirit and, to be honest, I didn't really want to listen. I wanted to have my little "victory" that I was so enjoying. Self righteousness. Justification. Validation. This reaction of mine included not one ounce of compassion, grace, or mercy. (Oh my, I find it difficult to even type that now. Shame on me. I told you it was ugly.) I even chose to ignore, for a little while, the voice of my Father crying for me to stop. But my Jesus is patient, kind, long suffering. He is grace and mercy, always turning my heart around--as soon as I choose to listen.<br />
<br />
I could tell you the exact moment I chose to hear his voice, the moment when he broke my heart with loving reminders of my own imperfections, of shortcomings and times when I, myself, had wronged others. It was a moment of questioning as well, for I thought I'd forgiven. I thought I'd let it go, but something in my heart was still holding on to things thought to be long gone. There was still forgiveness to be had, grace to be given, healing to be done.<br />
<br />
If there is anything I've learned in my 41 years, it is this--God is all about the process, using life experiences to constantly mold us into His likeness. I find myself without the ability to express what is in my heart. His love overwhelms me, drawing me closer, changing me. I am learning, albeit very slowly, to react with grace, to love without judgement, and to trust. Thank you, my precious Jesus, for loving me and for bringing healing through the ugliness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAcXF4jd-bgfIer26VaqkyZ8m1zs_HkJPtu6DHroFhrcYrfDbjA9bmHVDik5_Pv_CJH8VGLPyfNw6FNSjcFQ_SLOhu6k-siHenpgtIgtyi1GABrV6RqVBtpNTyItUXcXBJI0IWz5Pwx4/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAcXF4jd-bgfIer26VaqkyZ8m1zs_HkJPtu6DHroFhrcYrfDbjA9bmHVDik5_Pv_CJH8VGLPyfNw6FNSjcFQ_SLOhu6k-siHenpgtIgtyi1GABrV6RqVBtpNTyItUXcXBJI0IWz5Pwx4/s400/DSC_0104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Kyra...<a href="http://agreatmanymiracles.wordpress.com/">http://agreatmanymiracles.wordpress.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-70425902469837878982013-10-28T12:07:00.001-07:002013-10-28T12:34:11.442-07:00Good Food on a Budget...Waste Not, Want Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpqp3GxAYFk8xjKnU1cSN9EHe7dRguhC8jgO8OdvzbDncJ3xlh-eLdsZboXiaTyfRoAomk4I4sQr6tJtQii3I5zmzyashEjjp1PHd7X1ki5uuIyOFVcG1f7NmBb1Id4yMhugYKBGRaTM/s1600/20131028_105842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpqp3GxAYFk8xjKnU1cSN9EHe7dRguhC8jgO8OdvzbDncJ3xlh-eLdsZboXiaTyfRoAomk4I4sQr6tJtQii3I5zmzyashEjjp1PHd7X1ki5uuIyOFVcG1f7NmBb1Id4yMhugYKBGRaTM/s320/20131028_105842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Food is stinkin' expensive. In an ideal world, we'd all have be gathering the bounty from our backyard gardens to feed our families. Unfortunately, that's not the case for most. Our family recently made a 2000 mile move from Montana to Texas, making gardening an impossibility at the moment. I really, really miss my garden, but life goes on...and you go to the grocery store. Months ago, I'd promised to do a few posts on keeping costs down while feeding a family whole, live, organic (mostly) foods. Since our move has happened and we are somewhat settled, this is the first of said posts. Hopefully you will find it helpful.<br />
<br />
It is, as we all know, more budget-friendly to buy in bulk and larger quantities. The downside to this is sometimes having food go bad before it gets used. Oh my goodness, I really hate that! It makes me quite upset with myself when I bring home lovely bunches of greens or carrots, only to let them get limp and slimy in the fridge. Unacceptable. Here are a few solutions I've found to work nicely.<br />
<br />
Fresh is best when it comes to fruits and veggies, so I always leave out an amount that I know we will use up before they can go bad. The rest is usually either juiced or frozen. Onions and peppers, for example, freeze nicely if you just cut them up and put them in freezer bags. I once bought an entire basket of peppers at farmer's market, which I cut up and put in the freezer, giving us yummy peppers to enjoy all winter. You can do this with many veggies--celery, carrots, kale, chard, etc. If it is more than you can use fairly quickly, I recommend<a href="http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/blanching.html"> blanching</a>, as some things, greens in particular, can get bitter if in the freezer for an extended amount of time. While frozen produce isn't always ideal for some dishes, it is great for things like soups, smoothies, etc. Simply take out what you need, putting the remainder back in the freezer.<br />
<br />
If you have a juicer, use it to juice foods likes apples, pear, carrots, celery, or cucumbers. Simply freeze in ice cube trays and pop them into a freezer bag or mason jar. Fruit and veggie juice cubes are great in smoothies! Citrus fruits, like lemons and limes, can also be juiced and frozen. Be sure to zest them first and freeze that as well. *(Sprinkle baking soda and salt in your sink and give it a little scrub with the leftover lemon rind or put the rinds in a jar of vinegar. Let the jar sit for a few weeks, adding rinds as you have them, making a great citrus cleaner for around the house.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKpuwVi2HBJl2XeCcCIjyWEBnWQEkxw0KKzPdrOAUjltIGeY9y7MX8ZEF3amtlPrATSwNKp3_u9iPkZ4zKyP4DHdEBgpMDMObqi9zXe45VHnkVRuPiZV108TYDg4RfPNx8TRINoE6ixQ/s1600/20131028_114725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKpuwVi2HBJl2XeCcCIjyWEBnWQEkxw0KKzPdrOAUjltIGeY9y7MX8ZEF3amtlPrATSwNKp3_u9iPkZ4zKyP4DHdEBgpMDMObqi9zXe45VHnkVRuPiZV108TYDg4RfPNx8TRINoE6ixQ/s320/20131028_114725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fresh herbs don't last long, even in the fridge. Use ice cube trays filled with sprigs of herbs and olive oil to freeze them. As with other things, just pop the cubes out and into a jar or freezer bag. It's really easy to grab a cube or two out of the freezer to use in a broth or skillet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd_qa16Jf2Y2v74BEdU7qCIFmunUUZ2EK-EogjcexV1nsPPrejQpWR9l8Sh1n1a1Y8LnvyzH5GThfUODpJygayDA6qmh_D7biClJfIh5EXYum11ecBmG38iyw8WsBo4cFbKUXTprvpQs/s1600/DSC_0020-018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd_qa16Jf2Y2v74BEdU7qCIFmunUUZ2EK-EogjcexV1nsPPrejQpWR9l8Sh1n1a1Y8LnvyzH5GThfUODpJygayDA6qmh_D7biClJfIh5EXYum11ecBmG38iyw8WsBo4cFbKUXTprvpQs/s320/DSC_0020-018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Life can get crazy busy, I know, and sometimes doing things like blanching, chopping and freezing may sound like more than you have time for. In the long run, however, it makes things easier and has the added benefit of saving your family some money on groceries! Good luck!<br />
<br />
Next up:<br />
Just Say No! to Canned Beans :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-89205994238893979892013-10-21T04:23:00.000-07:002013-10-21T04:53:50.322-07:0018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsJIkC4v2ThRVQQjTAwKCfpYGvbeePU7__FrECn3ZdE61FDOB5ZoHF9vuN2wJaINUCUXhzEj-TZhzBFRSNmwAkswMFdqyvy4NJU9nyuJOk5Jz68er8589j7nF6LhjJlB2eFFW5QkEWvI/s1600/DSC_0014-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsJIkC4v2ThRVQQjTAwKCfpYGvbeePU7__FrECn3ZdE61FDOB5ZoHF9vuN2wJaINUCUXhzEj-TZhzBFRSNmwAkswMFdqyvy4NJU9nyuJOk5Jz68er8589j7nF6LhjJlB2eFFW5QkEWvI/s320/DSC_0014-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My Kyra. So lovely--inside and out. Witty. Fun. Tougher than she realizes. Already plotting her course, her heart leaving our nest to live out her very own God-adventure. My girl with the hippie heart, Birkenstocks, and dreams of living a life to bless others. My goodness--how I love you, Bitty. Happy 18th birthday!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIKqw_t__cJnmOpU7OP-uuiwXvhnvsDcuZM7qogayGU_049BqJMzb7Miuh-XZtoDhC6xOPsCxoOTUJXxUfq4tUlUrqguWR6BKtGNKZq3p2JByA4HoZYLkKy3GlfaKb1svsree6-bbGJw/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIKqw_t__cJnmOpU7OP-uuiwXvhnvsDcuZM7qogayGU_049BqJMzb7Miuh-XZtoDhC6xOPsCxoOTUJXxUfq4tUlUrqguWR6BKtGNKZq3p2JByA4HoZYLkKy3GlfaKb1svsree6-bbGJw/s200/IMG_0087.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzlgJrG6Y59Cs1pYk3Ba775aKj-o8ZK24ZCjRq-i8Wa6LuZ9osqU_E2w5ZzLI67bbskrGqIe-GhSNtP7iaLkn-_Q-tUa1nNBR9YwK-6-MQZnu_UDNiid7HypcD0nNKT2fXzhKHOI-TGw/s1600/IMG+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzlgJrG6Y59Cs1pYk3Ba775aKj-o8ZK24ZCjRq-i8Wa6LuZ9osqU_E2w5ZzLI67bbskrGqIe-GhSNtP7iaLkn-_Q-tUa1nNBR9YwK-6-MQZnu_UDNiid7HypcD0nNKT2fXzhKHOI-TGw/s200/IMG+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z8kC7xn3oXT9-rGa4wDzGyYjQUcNsj1FNjIAmMdu5SuU3b3ZSLMBE7xfEJJMbWE9LRKlmjQKTByh8lq8S-6jrJo7xDXnM2BVu1iKwrih1tsI-Oxc4JRpozQskhyphenhyphensqxwrHkna-ERA030/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z8kC7xn3oXT9-rGa4wDzGyYjQUcNsj1FNjIAmMdu5SuU3b3ZSLMBE7xfEJJMbWE9LRKlmjQKTByh8lq8S-6jrJo7xDXnM2BVu1iKwrih1tsI-Oxc4JRpozQskhyphenhyphensqxwrHkna-ERA030/s200/IMG_0048.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl3esrrni5wNzga62EXrqimhE7j7blxt7p8PnziCQxf_Fcdvso_FV8mC3Ng4nt4W9xVGCoqw700F9pqBExbw0YmvVRy-kNIjV-YCYmT0dyqeZ1TC1Zq7ktjAKg1qJ3weP_hPNNjMkwqk/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl3esrrni5wNzga62EXrqimhE7j7blxt7p8PnziCQxf_Fcdvso_FV8mC3Ng4nt4W9xVGCoqw700F9pqBExbw0YmvVRy-kNIjV-YCYmT0dyqeZ1TC1Zq7ktjAKg1qJ3weP_hPNNjMkwqk/s200/IMG_0058.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9f8TgenMYUViEYDPwcd0u18ytpp4gXtGk8LTJJtwUU2PxM04r4PmN3kNZ_WlXntAfhg-7ZYqxbzypqMkE3E4WRXS5xMci_8H49NIN6t-9vWe0PmIs_8ifz-U72BeGauv6Ry19BCU-24/s1600/IMG_0001+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9f8TgenMYUViEYDPwcd0u18ytpp4gXtGk8LTJJtwUU2PxM04r4PmN3kNZ_WlXntAfhg-7ZYqxbzypqMkE3E4WRXS5xMci_8H49NIN6t-9vWe0PmIs_8ifz-U72BeGauv6Ry19BCU-24/s200/IMG_0001+(1).jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9SOE4cMG-IQ7WAfW2K1XGfAjBvlGe1rh9vTynBtaWCiAV6UR0n3JwuuqAV00IoP6blbiX5FAjpQOvHUBkMZ3APU7z-uD_ENumsfxn1okYyLTmKyi0jFYDDKSb-qw2lpNgOmqhdkCGc4/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9SOE4cMG-IQ7WAfW2K1XGfAjBvlGe1rh9vTynBtaWCiAV6UR0n3JwuuqAV00IoP6blbiX5FAjpQOvHUBkMZ3APU7z-uD_ENumsfxn1okYyLTmKyi0jFYDDKSb-qw2lpNgOmqhdkCGc4/s200/IMG_0089.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofEIxZQXj3VFuEJjpq0i53LicdAnIvVSD3Djn-mcGoMSMFgWIMT8JJBYg5CcfNZY4CENy0WlCMiILng3gZjv18dqHXxo4ra0R8P6YHVf2zME_bTopzq8wijyCbmW56s3FEo40wXa4QPI/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofEIxZQXj3VFuEJjpq0i53LicdAnIvVSD3Djn-mcGoMSMFgWIMT8JJBYg5CcfNZY4CENy0WlCMiILng3gZjv18dqHXxo4ra0R8P6YHVf2zME_bTopzq8wijyCbmW56s3FEo40wXa4QPI/s200/IMG_0088.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDuQKPLzAp0s6XjozEGh7FBGBf39CYnVAIX4Lp2OROq9e7yKsqEz7In5bHfTKRqBfxvbh-mgZqWbS23s271lFW5rhFEE_-hWKzea0xf5SoCyy4h8wzfPhSZsy4UL4DevwyODTdLakAmA/s1600/IMG+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDuQKPLzAp0s6XjozEGh7FBGBf39CYnVAIX4Lp2OROq9e7yKsqEz7In5bHfTKRqBfxvbh-mgZqWbS23s271lFW5rhFEE_-hWKzea0xf5SoCyy4h8wzfPhSZsy4UL4DevwyODTdLakAmA/s200/IMG+(5).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nesRI9yEwyODkUEWchZrH-KA48ZIPHpQhaww6xSG51ukT5xtbD0Aqs3bhzr42HUpsS6sqrl3WFY3GN9jjNoh9sdaBvdGzWsaoxgm_ec1hG5HmVK1giSaZpQ2N0c3ejG7U3xPPGBVfmw/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nesRI9yEwyODkUEWchZrH-KA48ZIPHpQhaww6xSG51ukT5xtbD0Aqs3bhzr42HUpsS6sqrl3WFY3GN9jjNoh9sdaBvdGzWsaoxgm_ec1hG5HmVK1giSaZpQ2N0c3ejG7U3xPPGBVfmw/s200/IMG_0091.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG841lCwn8efQO_t14APq3JQwYRmIR3_Jyf6TjpwGBj3CPcMHZo7HiItjzKOyPV_-IlYtul0XHb5Jw_NOZvVpRDw8-aLqqokCeMjJhWal922hkwbA3LdKEcXZAVTXhs44A_-cBgDA16go/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG841lCwn8efQO_t14APq3JQwYRmIR3_Jyf6TjpwGBj3CPcMHZo7HiItjzKOyPV_-IlYtul0XHb5Jw_NOZvVpRDw8-aLqqokCeMjJhWal922hkwbA3LdKEcXZAVTXhs44A_-cBgDA16go/s200/IMG_0093.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiDJGo0lrNh8jDbx2rnwOsfVPCIV9rTd3VLr1IixwP4jUHZYcpgQkxVudqc6K8YzvfTWui-8YuDMwGZ63HM_5fck3-a4LPxn7Ik1-_nxLwtc94zLkInbNKIEJ4jUpVQjCEwMRNimJZsw/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiDJGo0lrNh8jDbx2rnwOsfVPCIV9rTd3VLr1IixwP4jUHZYcpgQkxVudqc6K8YzvfTWui-8YuDMwGZ63HM_5fck3-a4LPxn7Ik1-_nxLwtc94zLkInbNKIEJ4jUpVQjCEwMRNimJZsw/s200/IMG_0094.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNKqPTtV-Dmrh7th0E2uI_xywb62P7oyRBI43U3eY_2YDDem5vJjNuHTbzx_st-mZZE3D2JAQX8bMbbKZiTdvniJadE1FnTpj0wU7ie45Gr8QZDuagwVpmUe6GAucO8DOhEushcP7cJ4/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNKqPTtV-Dmrh7th0E2uI_xywb62P7oyRBI43U3eY_2YDDem5vJjNuHTbzx_st-mZZE3D2JAQX8bMbbKZiTdvniJadE1FnTpj0wU7ie45Gr8QZDuagwVpmUe6GAucO8DOhEushcP7cJ4/s200/IMG_0090.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgile6bcS4EyTA5DpDmSE9-B6y3bcwOImDBWTJCL1P7JtEutcjEq52Wqtq0ZiWk6aAMmjeGnbSKPn-NulKvfZIC24Po1LuqIUskl5LqF50gyp04X4wZF-1xlz9nfHmhJcJ7giGHEnfd0JI/s1600/IMG_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgile6bcS4EyTA5DpDmSE9-B6y3bcwOImDBWTJCL1P7JtEutcjEq52Wqtq0ZiWk6aAMmjeGnbSKPn-NulKvfZIC24Po1LuqIUskl5LqF50gyp04X4wZF-1xlz9nfHmhJcJ7giGHEnfd0JI/s200/IMG_0092.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX2GSGGYEtNQSIJ62MJu_3S42BVv6tEcbke_SAhkaqZMXRuMsO2qlW-qe3f2fO1GiJyiuj47UvKLpDBCd6oRlxLGzEJrjZ9RBzf0qVs-vu8kq6nKPrx2fTpOxaMnR16ksANGdQGaEfI0/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX2GSGGYEtNQSIJ62MJu_3S42BVv6tEcbke_SAhkaqZMXRuMsO2qlW-qe3f2fO1GiJyiuj47UvKLpDBCd6oRlxLGzEJrjZ9RBzf0qVs-vu8kq6nKPrx2fTpOxaMnR16ksANGdQGaEfI0/s200/IMG_0095.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgm6LZIIdfeK9OcZusPxqB0KlCffxqcUhU9dUm4qC6M6GVAgYerC8YktX3z-gWGffshyx9Ka4YIya0zH4z3MJne7SWJjpaQGiu3xgmaD3VXPBWgaqeIWpZsg3DWovGDcsVTviMgdq9lM/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgm6LZIIdfeK9OcZusPxqB0KlCffxqcUhU9dUm4qC6M6GVAgYerC8YktX3z-gWGffshyx9Ka4YIya0zH4z3MJne7SWJjpaQGiu3xgmaD3VXPBWgaqeIWpZsg3DWovGDcsVTviMgdq9lM/s200/IMG_0096.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAl2GNgjD3w9rBVqIkv3Rc6j29ZD9GTEHviZADWLRvmdC7s05EgkErFwt2tRW_PR7drUYMJ3KAT_vz4lBOAdd-knDzNUdNSHJc5kDnxgSwa1ZNJSHot6XbVxnySXG1iq9ZoxiJG0GVpc/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAl2GNgjD3w9rBVqIkv3Rc6j29ZD9GTEHviZADWLRvmdC7s05EgkErFwt2tRW_PR7drUYMJ3KAT_vz4lBOAdd-knDzNUdNSHJc5kDnxgSwa1ZNJSHot6XbVxnySXG1iq9ZoxiJG0GVpc/s200/IMG_0051.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8-fcaoGWxgCg1N0yY24tRgON8gAO2La2zXu9adbOJKP44TQhhX4vRHQNVhDkoH3cq74FnnPpkKWMfVvgI7fWGjVnr4r4EvEM5BZYLckz0nJSiyFU-g3oOQRT_YhfoGNAv_5Vh2oeBV8/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8-fcaoGWxgCg1N0yY24tRgON8gAO2La2zXu9adbOJKP44TQhhX4vRHQNVhDkoH3cq74FnnPpkKWMfVvgI7fWGjVnr4r4EvEM5BZYLckz0nJSiyFU-g3oOQRT_YhfoGNAv_5Vh2oeBV8/s200/IMG_0097.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL7yM97dZ6NoX9IlZ2D_htrCxAXh7brG_2G98onQhEEHK16d9Gj1xm8WAbBuP-kUNXqo-ZfxaWm0k8sx02XG8o8CzUv0sIflUyNLYhZ7l0RiYBigNYWQyAB_5kCGYIgFvV3dTOxplg3E/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL7yM97dZ6NoX9IlZ2D_htrCxAXh7brG_2G98onQhEEHK16d9Gj1xm8WAbBuP-kUNXqo-ZfxaWm0k8sx02XG8o8CzUv0sIflUyNLYhZ7l0RiYBigNYWQyAB_5kCGYIgFvV3dTOxplg3E/s200/IMG_0066.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHjl0spnZqtmK0E2uTdbu5aho50op1YvoGtJ-uhjTeEtAsIbdzV-3vgSjXu2diNCmihfM9RrSdzvaBy_rkhy1eYgbVH65QOd0d2G42t4NJh4YaEvl65lL_Vdvx1Ppjp9_qG0RxG0BB4c/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHjl0spnZqtmK0E2uTdbu5aho50op1YvoGtJ-uhjTeEtAsIbdzV-3vgSjXu2diNCmihfM9RrSdzvaBy_rkhy1eYgbVH65QOd0d2G42t4NJh4YaEvl65lL_Vdvx1Ppjp9_qG0RxG0BB4c/s200/DSC_0179.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC20VssdWDFjrpNvmtoNbRPRjsFYvRYBb49BPRDvdO4aNgPBGBTWUFy3MywhwTeyq0sTJBcOfx3UxWGIXBW5MlVKh7v5E78A1lqwFP84NBgOvOQnK5axyJKHY1cdkd30tmIKJvbvrUa8w/s1600/091400_1247%5B00%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC20VssdWDFjrpNvmtoNbRPRjsFYvRYBb49BPRDvdO4aNgPBGBTWUFy3MywhwTeyq0sTJBcOfx3UxWGIXBW5MlVKh7v5E78A1lqwFP84NBgOvOQnK5axyJKHY1cdkd30tmIKJvbvrUa8w/s200/091400_1247%5B00%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6WIO18b9dikUPokDAKJc97jVvV5-SbTX_okKXSnOsMcyKavrzOcaQ1-tH_y47Ao7IdGW3EO5O_WAFgy_ShK6_iucm4ljaB_RD-uNPHHv_FfhyphenhyphenYf4itrrt35meNvXtVk9CH9QRWa0wIw/s1600/DSC_0005-025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Zq23rfkB1MhtHuSydkUeonF6tVWPzDEi-pI8T6Lpr5J9q150ozPcr_b1Ja2CBYPJa61Td_-1NwGD3HgabcvMiivQ-keJiPJUsHcb_TJIN_LEQWnWd7OTlNJQykybAfioJThKSg0ym8/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Zq23rfkB1MhtHuSydkUeonF6tVWPzDEi-pI8T6Lpr5J9q150ozPcr_b1Ja2CBYPJa61Td_-1NwGD3HgabcvMiivQ-keJiPJUsHcb_TJIN_LEQWnWd7OTlNJQykybAfioJThKSg0ym8/s200/DSC_0044.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6WIO18b9dikUPokDAKJc97jVvV5-SbTX_okKXSnOsMcyKavrzOcaQ1-tH_y47Ao7IdGW3EO5O_WAFgy_ShK6_iucm4ljaB_RD-uNPHHv_FfhyphenhyphenYf4itrrt35meNvXtVk9CH9QRWa0wIw/s1600/DSC_0005-025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6WIO18b9dikUPokDAKJc97jVvV5-SbTX_okKXSnOsMcyKavrzOcaQ1-tH_y47Ao7IdGW3EO5O_WAFgy_ShK6_iucm4ljaB_RD-uNPHHv_FfhyphenhyphenYf4itrrt35meNvXtVk9CH9QRWa0wIw/s200/DSC_0005-025.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKvwMt8DjOjVMhxw6EqSNTDXJX89OEF8GgpnQksr36W1zK_9zFtOOg3ukCr7ZycXqr9tm1FPfdUjRNxF0cgGBDmIuDqesfLjF4JPudMMvva83Cb-aQCSPzPtrfSP3zyRWcgx65g-1G6A/s1600/DSC_0025-010+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKvwMt8DjOjVMhxw6EqSNTDXJX89OEF8GgpnQksr36W1zK_9zFtOOg3ukCr7ZycXqr9tm1FPfdUjRNxF0cgGBDmIuDqesfLjF4JPudMMvva83Cb-aQCSPzPtrfSP3zyRWcgx65g-1G6A/s320/DSC_0025-010+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIKqw_t__cJnmOpU7OP-uuiwXvhnvsDcuZM7qogayGU_049BqJMzb7Miuh-XZtoDhC6xOPsCxoOTUJXxUfq4tUlUrqguWR6BKtGNKZq3p2JByA4HoZYLkKy3GlfaKb1svsree6-bbGJw/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-57591458822897577012013-09-26T06:01:00.002-07:002013-09-26T06:11:51.021-07:00When Life Gives You Brown Bananas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEVz2pWEZ_GsWvbLyDc-LfCd0kMkhD8bxRl05SMpbxNwuqPSulZTRFGZACV3fbrB56gmJCdMxSsNde-GOFUisM20j216pRJ2xouJBMtL-iceEJ-oU64Ir6_heuFjQwy4H0nPnJCtgRlw/s1600/20130926_073711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEVz2pWEZ_GsWvbLyDc-LfCd0kMkhD8bxRl05SMpbxNwuqPSulZTRFGZACV3fbrB56gmJCdMxSsNde-GOFUisM20j216pRJ2xouJBMtL-iceEJ-oU64Ir6_heuFjQwy4H0nPnJCtgRlw/s320/20130926_073711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the 5,214,697 ways that South Texas differs from Montana is the rate at which fruit ripens as it sits in my fruit bowl. I find myself with many, many overripe, brown bananas. I don't think we've made it through an entire bunch yet without at least a couple of them ending up in the freezer. What to do with a bunch of brown bananas??? Make banana bread, of course!<br />
<br />
For all of you who may actually be experiencing fall temperatures (it was in the 90's in Houston today) and for my Montana friends who are under a winter storm warning, here is our family's favorite banana bread recipe. Happy Baking!!!!<br />
<br />
<b>Banana Nut Bread</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Cream together:</b><br />
<b>3/4 cup butter, softened</b><br />
<b>1 1/2 cups sugar (I usually add less than this.)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Blend in:</b><br />
<b>1 1/2 tsp vanilla</b><br />
<b>2 eggs, beaten</b><br />
<b>1 1/2 cups mashed banana</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Mix in separate bowl:</b><br />
<b>2 cups flour</b><br />
<b>1 heaping tsp baking soda</b><br />
<b>3/4 tsp salt</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Add flour mixture to banana mixture alternately with 1/2 cup buttermilk.</b><br />
<b>Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bake in 2 greased and floured loaf pans.</b><br />
<b>325 degrees for 1 1/4-1 1/2 hrs.</b><br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-67332564742385071702013-09-25T08:39:00.001-07:002013-09-30T14:55:59.640-07:00Turmeric<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUe0vI2hZ1h2_RnNn7sYan0jD6KFNdXMEySJkB7wh03PMPMwv9ox0Sro3tR12dSs2LgJpvENrPfNvNSuHpPCCry8dIsY6HHnUYqAgcKSKMyIbEtLqBqyxtYxKItCxFF3O4HHiajx45io/s1600/Turmeric-Root-and-Powder-1024x666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUe0vI2hZ1h2_RnNn7sYan0jD6KFNdXMEySJkB7wh03PMPMwv9ox0Sro3tR12dSs2LgJpvENrPfNvNSuHpPCCry8dIsY6HHnUYqAgcKSKMyIbEtLqBqyxtYxKItCxFF3O4HHiajx45io/s320/Turmeric-Root-and-Powder-1024x666.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(image via Pinterest, unable to find original post)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A natural antioxidant and powerful anti-inflammatory, turmeric (circumin) is getting a lot of press in holistic circles at the moment. After taking it for a time, I can attest to it's healing properties. It has definitely helped me with a health issue. Though I originally took a turmeric tincture, I now just include it in my diet. In case any of you are interested, I thought I'd share a couple of easy ways to incorporate more turmeric into what you eat.<br />
<br />
If you are someone who believes in eating pastured, local eggs, a great way to eat turmeric is to sprinkle it on your eggs. It adds a yummy, subtle flavor and it's a lovely yellow color. :) (Beware--it REALLY stains clothing!) A second easy way to eat tumeric is to add it to your green smoothies. Since turmeric is a fat soluble nutrient, be sure to include a healthy oil like coconut or hemp.<br />
<br />
Spicy, flavorful, and fragrant, Middle Eastern and African cuisine is an absolute favorite around our house. Nothing smells more amazing than a simmering curry or tagine. Oh my goodness gracious. Not only does it smell and taste fantastic, it's also full of herbs and spices that can help improve health. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. So make a trip to your local Hallal market. If that's not an option, many supermarkets are stocking a bigger variety of interesting spices nowadays. I'll share with you one of my family's favorite dishes and a great spice rub for roasting chicken. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Beef Kofta Curry<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Meatballs:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 lb ground beef<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3 T finely chopped onion<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 T fresh cilantro, chopped<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 T plain greek yogurt<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4 T flour<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 tsp ground cumin<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 tsp garam masala<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 tsp ground turmeric<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 tsp ground coriander<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 fresh green chili (seeded and finely chopped)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 garlic cloves, crushed<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>¼ tsp black mustard seeds<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 egg<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For the curry sauce:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 T butter<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 onion, finely chopped<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 garlic cloves, crushed<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3 T curry powder<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4 green cardamom pods (you can take these out after it is finished cooking. Pretty nasty to bite into!)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 ½ cups hot beef stock<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 T tomato paste<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 T plain greek yogurt<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 T fresh cilantro, chopped.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Put beef in large bowl, add remaining meatball ingredients and mix well with your hands. Roll into small balls and put aside on a floured plate.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>To make curry sauce, heat butter over medium heat. Fry onion/garlic about 10 minutes or until soft.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reduce heat and add curry powder and cardamom pods. Cook for a few minutes, stirring well.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Slowly stir in stock and then add paste, yogurt and cilantro. Stir well.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Simmer for 10 minutes. Add meatballs a few at a time, allow to cook briefly and then add a few more, until all of them are in the pan. Simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Avoid stirring, but gently move meatballs around. The curry should thicken slightly, but you can add a bit more stock or some water if it gets too dry.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Serve hot with rice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> <span style="font-size: large;">East African Spice Rub for Roast Chicken</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Mix together:</b><br />
<b>2 Tablespoons soft butter</b><br />
<b>3 crushed garlic cloves</b><br />
<b>1 tsp ground black pepper</b><br />
<b>1 tsp ground turmeric</b><br />
<b>1 tsp dried thyme</b><br />
<b>1 Tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)</b><br />
<b>4 Tablespoons thick coconut milk</b><br />
<b>4 Tablespoons dry sherry</b><br />
<b>1 tsp tomato paste</b><br />
<b>1/2 tsp salt</b><br />
<b>Sprinkling of chili powder</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipes from <i>The African and Middle Eastern Cookbook </i>by Josephine Bacon and Jenni Fleetwood</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-81660942270484950272013-09-13T15:42:00.000-07:002013-09-13T16:55:22.735-07:00TreasureOne of my best friends just found out she is pregnant with twins and is now so sick she can't get off the couch. She already has 2 little ones to care for. Oh how I remember those days. When I had my Maddy, Shelby was only 4 years old, Kyra merely 2. ( My goodness--what were we thinking??? Obviously, thinking wasn't at the top of our priority list. ;) ) Definitely a crazy few years. I recall not being able to get off the couch myself when I was pregnant with Maddy, and I have a very vivid memory of these 2 tiny faces staring at me as I was lying there trying not to lose my lunch. <br />
Shelby looked at me, shook his little head and said, "Mommy, are you EVER going to get off the couch?" To which I replied, after I had started sobbing, "Nooooo, I don't think so!" <br />
Oh for Pete's sake.<br />
Thankfully, we survived. Maddy was born, and now my cute little munchkins are so grown up.<br />
<br />
To all of you who are parenting little ones, navigating your way through pregnancies and piles of diapers--hang in there. These days, full of things that seem so never ending and exhausting, are fleeting. There are many things I wish I'd done differently, you'll someday feel the same. While it would be nice if each kid popped out with his/her own manual, this isn't how it goes and so we will all make mistakes. It's life.<br />
<br />
Here are a few things I've learned over the years...<br />
<br />
~Hug your kids...a lot! Hug them, kiss them, squeeze them tightly. Stop whatever you are doing and take time to let them sit in your lap. Tell them you love them, even if they they roll their eyes and say, "I know, Mom. Geez!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRf-T2j0SW3HJtqZocHquWMfRV-h8W0C1jAjfcFy8xnDC7DTvE4hkMghWDP4U5_SJt1mIEiBfUCHXXh22YHyvInvuQwJos19IBEQImZsXQV2HuiGX5oEhsPA6eCwRLZShLvntWmuB1l98/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprFgmMoBRGNCIWZjMkBS2WTIFriL1z609_Zl94_p_QUNnVC-HOlRkzfm2zkMWMCYmEcN1iGWbavmFkKnMxMROXdOuezVEPpRCcZx3KSvTZ-Mf7fHzyiAchjq8hwB6xtakFKuUkpHjzoQ/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK2zCNv8fvxUBPjA3el7ptqom3RvJCdERpyIdD4nLPpr2dfbrBiAMzKa8DyT1zBEJhczqcDtA10movaYyho2OiokYXSzyQ_YjUqKz-4zFukz5VZE2GNBiZxk1seSRrN6LAYoGlrshdXw/s1600/032000_0927%255B00%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK2zCNv8fvxUBPjA3el7ptqom3RvJCdERpyIdD4nLPpr2dfbrBiAMzKa8DyT1zBEJhczqcDtA10movaYyho2OiokYXSzyQ_YjUqKz-4zFukz5VZE2GNBiZxk1seSRrN6LAYoGlrshdXw/s200/032000_0927%255B00%255D.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprFgmMoBRGNCIWZjMkBS2WTIFriL1z609_Zl94_p_QUNnVC-HOlRkzfm2zkMWMCYmEcN1iGWbavmFkKnMxMROXdOuezVEPpRCcZx3KSvTZ-Mf7fHzyiAchjq8hwB6xtakFKuUkpHjzoQ/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprFgmMoBRGNCIWZjMkBS2WTIFriL1z609_Zl94_p_QUNnVC-HOlRkzfm2zkMWMCYmEcN1iGWbavmFkKnMxMROXdOuezVEPpRCcZx3KSvTZ-Mf7fHzyiAchjq8hwB6xtakFKuUkpHjzoQ/s200/IMG_0455.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJhQV0ST3peByIlOMveA7a-F_7L2H0ccDYfy4-zUlBsc3JWaBys5WOLX0CHmSPzKJpsxz8mQCPo0jKDPfMNh6zOXokv32-DX8xsPkIKeJamFIfUaQU-1S2DxTLmw__-NZYSI3_qDR8uk/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJhQV0ST3peByIlOMveA7a-F_7L2H0ccDYfy4-zUlBsc3JWaBys5WOLX0CHmSPzKJpsxz8mQCPo0jKDPfMNh6zOXokv32-DX8xsPkIKeJamFIfUaQU-1S2DxTLmw__-NZYSI3_qDR8uk/s200/IMG_1311.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>
<br />
~Let them be goofy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWo6DWBXasp2TbmD7Dyi1Gz4EDTfzMY0CgDB0P6Ffizvz5AtodgSbN9_Ut7NO9JGQEcdHaPZ5aciV_PTvI-vp47bqvL-bE7Vp42sJyb0Iwo5u-8ihNZRTWhUfBT4w5WB_OUhpG_V3HdI/s1600/HPIM2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWo6DWBXasp2TbmD7Dyi1Gz4EDTfzMY0CgDB0P6Ffizvz5AtodgSbN9_Ut7NO9JGQEcdHaPZ5aciV_PTvI-vp47bqvL-bE7Vp42sJyb0Iwo5u-8ihNZRTWhUfBT4w5WB_OUhpG_V3HdI/s200/HPIM2136.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP7NJv7gbNEFwoh9LVRq4keDDrf6M6DAMH8jV28HjCjshNoQnE1Ap_pV3QNTEfY9g53so49Ns5_yyYWmR3u5VXNs_WHbPwJGeNtXyLHuS5hes0-W3VnjuLCboB4lnfd6SqDSEoLd4e7U/s1600/HPIM0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP7NJv7gbNEFwoh9LVRq4keDDrf6M6DAMH8jV28HjCjshNoQnE1Ap_pV3QNTEfY9g53so49Ns5_yyYWmR3u5VXNs_WHbPwJGeNtXyLHuS5hes0-W3VnjuLCboB4lnfd6SqDSEoLd4e7U/s200/HPIM0523.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77dd7-f32vFO5PPqw_PlNVdATMg6odTcq6xCaZgvynKYxenQlatGvlVYA9LO1gqSrX0n6EF7Nw9FMbWeFHN5tuKiFFkEZEchlWi5Aw4lzeqtk0CPTaSXyU8og91gFmBmVgL6nQi6VqkQ/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77dd7-f32vFO5PPqw_PlNVdATMg6odTcq6xCaZgvynKYxenQlatGvlVYA9LO1gqSrX0n6EF7Nw9FMbWeFHN5tuKiFFkEZEchlWi5Aw4lzeqtk0CPTaSXyU8og91gFmBmVgL6nQi6VqkQ/s200/IMG_0752.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCccheoFyvZsdCCNoSKSCG5EA7ytUfYFP574iiVT83KYH66gKfFe6S2o5apNj0YWy51sOO9m-Hoh90Yzx-1cFi4I8hsFxGwRwPrEJkXnLHuI_aSSYp8vQi1lbxi37qwJs8S_8I60RP-TY/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCccheoFyvZsdCCNoSKSCG5EA7ytUfYFP574iiVT83KYH66gKfFe6S2o5apNj0YWy51sOO9m-Hoh90Yzx-1cFi4I8hsFxGwRwPrEJkXnLHuI_aSSYp8vQi1lbxi37qwJs8S_8I60RP-TY/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CRfzWRoNMrk3GdWOCzht6BWwojU4Ndp1kNMoONMBH1l23Oqm3qGvFmQ7T5VCJrWcrA1lXwFW9GM9aC0_jywZrmZnYmBMpcyl146l64Yz0JTpAM6wrfgkt7FeKtxEHqvkOk6Jmw1A9_s/s1600/IMG_0020+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CRfzWRoNMrk3GdWOCzht6BWwojU4Ndp1kNMoONMBH1l23Oqm3qGvFmQ7T5VCJrWcrA1lXwFW9GM9aC0_jywZrmZnYmBMpcyl146l64Yz0JTpAM6wrfgkt7FeKtxEHqvkOk6Jmw1A9_s/s200/IMG_0020+(1).JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLT6xkAd7g_oWCJJI60Uh_CJ7QrcElS8qNJEcshGtm6aKEoUsyAsrb50fXbqr6PksHQr8BxjoQveB535tSKbd7QB9a2KpLsjfxoF6x1ey4CTzQhdwyi5nLVpLahBsyBnvNm7aZLwug4I/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLT6xkAd7g_oWCJJI60Uh_CJ7QrcElS8qNJEcshGtm6aKEoUsyAsrb50fXbqr6PksHQr8BxjoQveB535tSKbd7QB9a2KpLsjfxoF6x1ey4CTzQhdwyi5nLVpLahBsyBnvNm7aZLwug4I/s200/IMG_1118.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ABkPenNa42HcNydrrNv6RDCygCLyIj23vQ2xvIIxnhtthePfH22VTbRoNiDYR51OY4TuxdGJmqM-b8lrveg5LXt-deo8q19er82jVd2JdNf8Ten4eLOy7r8N0jpbf6qYAKCwg8QjClY/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ABkPenNa42HcNydrrNv6RDCygCLyIj23vQ2xvIIxnhtthePfH22VTbRoNiDYR51OY4TuxdGJmqM-b8lrveg5LXt-deo8q19er82jVd2JdNf8Ten4eLOy7r8N0jpbf6qYAKCwg8QjClY/s200/IMG_0020.JPG" width="200" /></a>~And be goofy with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomakIDBG0138EPH8bGS1FJhCpUIpKdI7TxyOdQ5FPEVcqhwN8GKtZaa8lXA20oMqzk67to4nR6a06ZXOSiGSQu7U9EU18l-i03TXKsxIc28bTSaWlpa6dZmF2UkrqZ9s47699LE1Y4IE/s1600/100309_1002%5B01%5D-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomakIDBG0138EPH8bGS1FJhCpUIpKdI7TxyOdQ5FPEVcqhwN8GKtZaa8lXA20oMqzk67to4nR6a06ZXOSiGSQu7U9EU18l-i03TXKsxIc28bTSaWlpa6dZmF2UkrqZ9s47699LE1Y4IE/s200/100309_1002%5B01%5D-001.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrgg1CiIQO3Zbg5id8-BuZFuvZzYADJsVsGzvJABxQRpvsAr4IYBwp8_A5isczUhH6ghR8UOlXGhX_Vh7Qzd-bOq16h53m2l1DyOJzNJKP8aWftBBsCM-I_Wzmkvs4qvp6yg7C5mv798/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrgg1CiIQO3Zbg5id8-BuZFuvZzYADJsVsGzvJABxQRpvsAr4IYBwp8_A5isczUhH6ghR8UOlXGhX_Vh7Qzd-bOq16h53m2l1DyOJzNJKP8aWftBBsCM-I_Wzmkvs4qvp6yg7C5mv798/s200/IMG_0239.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwyN3KpPWZhWESX2Pefz7aOsc4rw6I8bXlbZfwMLKSX_5tV7Kx4QwWfsH09b1LkBH6BshyphenhypheniFzcB7iS2nRXyhzuPN_2X_zfJtPIpShQRga-0amSYaq1Y0XeSfvDaPYBbL2yw523s94TSM/s1600/411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwyN3KpPWZhWESX2Pefz7aOsc4rw6I8bXlbZfwMLKSX_5tV7Kx4QwWfsH09b1LkBH6BshyphenhypheniFzcB7iS2nRXyhzuPN_2X_zfJtPIpShQRga-0amSYaq1Y0XeSfvDaPYBbL2yw523s94TSM/s200/411.jpg" width="122" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q5ffJbZf2xlSJVgKvu_u8HJWPMqBR0Q_pmfFmQep_gKDaGI7O7RrVdWBU8hs1mBIEhIQYid6nQ2hLkeHxnx9bbTzw26H80IuCL2YsxYX7b4VfKPxgJDRpx1DBXzx4C3xjkYO7671VSQ/s1600/413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q5ffJbZf2xlSJVgKvu_u8HJWPMqBR0Q_pmfFmQep_gKDaGI7O7RrVdWBU8hs1mBIEhIQYid6nQ2hLkeHxnx9bbTzw26H80IuCL2YsxYX7b4VfKPxgJDRpx1DBXzx4C3xjkYO7671VSQ/s200/413.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
~Let them sleep outside on the trampoline...making a big mess with every single blanket, pillow and sleeping bag you own. When you hear them at 2am, running around the backyard, just be thankful and try to go back to sleep.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCWi6jlEM8UT-bPrXg3FRVlWltZXPM6TElVQVhu4myNuCON1WzKLchjPzKv8zvCdWbTzYOb53IhNqJ15VGHwOQcbMl2UyrXdbR4uskZSb2ia46iEi_lDVSdTswDYOc2V5VEgmfd3KXAs/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCWi6jlEM8UT-bPrXg3FRVlWltZXPM6TElVQVhu4myNuCON1WzKLchjPzKv8zvCdWbTzYOb53IhNqJ15VGHwOQcbMl2UyrXdbR4uskZSb2ia46iEi_lDVSdTswDYOc2V5VEgmfd3KXAs/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
~Let them play outside and get dirty. After that...let them bring home bugs and sticks and rocks and dandelions. When they offer you the gift of a gravel rock that they painted, accept it with a smile.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9GyX7RnhsdrBgm3f7sx3_lQZ9ZWtuWyUgIGJHm87vXljBCby2cUd3ol6SD5crVFKB-LcMhTx54CFHAD6lHJ2yg5i2_cs-vk13X4kEvAfsUTbh71NNbmkDC-4zzcE1tLcKgN9CpjpJfg/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9GyX7RnhsdrBgm3f7sx3_lQZ9ZWtuWyUgIGJHm87vXljBCby2cUd3ol6SD5crVFKB-LcMhTx54CFHAD6lHJ2yg5i2_cs-vk13X4kEvAfsUTbh71NNbmkDC-4zzcE1tLcKgN9CpjpJfg/s200/IMG_0014.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu2unZ5GvDR94VdArROW9CSizMhUQCR0Uy6DUbt-NFMnphsSfXXnM-2pWUwlH0Vc7bj2526ZVsZclFSy90cSNsotchUqxHLkD5feMaCxhwT1alDExvALaVGneAUlN54cB0teE0WoqD1I/s1600/090707_1743%255B00%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu2unZ5GvDR94VdArROW9CSizMhUQCR0Uy6DUbt-NFMnphsSfXXnM-2pWUwlH0Vc7bj2526ZVsZclFSy90cSNsotchUqxHLkD5feMaCxhwT1alDExvALaVGneAUlN54cB0teE0WoqD1I/s200/090707_1743%255B00%255D.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYsYBSneJs4TVuL62-AENaxI7MwvDJzGjwX-e9SxnZillgl_P9308NjxFjrWBRlNveAddb8PmqFVnj83Uasn61Ey22ClsGPFJ9pWoJYnp-iPow0YcdcYSwgscjDzTq4zmOS5Kqlwhw3w/s1600/074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYsYBSneJs4TVuL62-AENaxI7MwvDJzGjwX-e9SxnZillgl_P9308NjxFjrWBRlNveAddb8PmqFVnj83Uasn61Ey22ClsGPFJ9pWoJYnp-iPow0YcdcYSwgscjDzTq4zmOS5Kqlwhw3w/s200/074.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
~Let them paint the graffiti on the wall, play dress up, and make a mess baking cupcakes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufjit9lmSwY6CAv1CNx7KbTqKBTF-FXxrtAieklecH3OBI6JIaObRT40g70ZgR1CCHGjiYmj22q9sqn1ojthlff0llk7By1hLQmRklFOwrQk5id6qTBgPzjZfCWCyM0ALOtPpeCTD4os/s1600/HPIM1864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufjit9lmSwY6CAv1CNx7KbTqKBTF-FXxrtAieklecH3OBI6JIaObRT40g70ZgR1CCHGjiYmj22q9sqn1ojthlff0llk7By1hLQmRklFOwrQk5id6qTBgPzjZfCWCyM0ALOtPpeCTD4os/s200/HPIM1864.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jPBi-0l4OiEnqxtPPLp_prcvTeV-ek1bAbvlqckKKQgvhlmavrIMKgCtjAQIzvfdECjq7MDr7F9ggKuwNrQs3Yq2R7Z0LBZOAgTmFz2kZHzHiNKfSzhKKtDOr-wc4AD8KxjzxOCO34U/s1600/DSC_0044-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jPBi-0l4OiEnqxtPPLp_prcvTeV-ek1bAbvlqckKKQgvhlmavrIMKgCtjAQIzvfdECjq7MDr7F9ggKuwNrQs3Yq2R7Z0LBZOAgTmFz2kZHzHiNKfSzhKKtDOr-wc4AD8KxjzxOCO34U/s200/DSC_0044-009.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xCX5G7TlOE5NcNpKEBglJA88RY4RXqwJ5TgFU6cP7H33EEX19hI4I_wMT44m1KbzEMIqwkjlAcFMaLF2PmUTxqvXOveV6AQViD7w5FWrnytn8Dq7llNTGXbMq33iUyiA93AKPYY2MYc/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xCX5G7TlOE5NcNpKEBglJA88RY4RXqwJ5TgFU6cP7H33EEX19hI4I_wMT44m1KbzEMIqwkjlAcFMaLF2PmUTxqvXOveV6AQViD7w5FWrnytn8Dq7llNTGXbMq33iUyiA93AKPYY2MYc/s200/IMG_1323.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
~Love them enough to let them go through the tough things, and be thankful for every single day that you are blessed to be with them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt_rp-LIe_pnsCdsk1bvKCLGK4gvLCoPlV5wdoyGa3XE4rq1FAF3GtyCwV-hQyQ648LQtGe7yzJ2QDNGDT12zJdw-mip8ePPq68HEMj7cMtf8Nclz-UpO6LLy0l2XgZOVv-9IlNLdlvs/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt_rp-LIe_pnsCdsk1bvKCLGK4gvLCoPlV5wdoyGa3XE4rq1FAF3GtyCwV-hQyQ648LQtGe7yzJ2QDNGDT12zJdw-mip8ePPq68HEMj7cMtf8Nclz-UpO6LLy0l2XgZOVv-9IlNLdlvs/s200/IMG_0013.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqqq36KoBigb0EBx0QIpCC7hUwm0e4ITcmByvwzV2jxdS-ncOk-6KNIViP5n9Vw9LnxnXvS0Ofd_thwfUAgT-g1ohYv4_zpdNl52-4ocfcOZynZeKeijQ4crr5ZNKNi6T5cLmJ8C3DGo/s1600/061009_2013%5B00%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqqq36KoBigb0EBx0QIpCC7hUwm0e4ITcmByvwzV2jxdS-ncOk-6KNIViP5n9Vw9LnxnXvS0Ofd_thwfUAgT-g1ohYv4_zpdNl52-4ocfcOZynZeKeijQ4crr5ZNKNi6T5cLmJ8C3DGo/s200/061009_2013%5B00%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7w4awk35w5P9bO2CXdR66g1D7g2JR_apvkcpjpzHMpJzJD0OIS24pkZa_tdPGO4coEFtgLXLM-SZpK-qppz2HlTUgE3jJHPs3IkzMVVbS-6H6gKDRPWg47tH9aWk5zUQUugM12GpXaI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7w4awk35w5P9bO2CXdR66g1D7g2JR_apvkcpjpzHMpJzJD0OIS24pkZa_tdPGO4coEFtgLXLM-SZpK-qppz2HlTUgE3jJHPs3IkzMVVbS-6H6gKDRPWg47tH9aWk5zUQUugM12GpXaI/s200/IMG_0165.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
~Play ball, build a snowman, cherish the laughter, and play in the yard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7w4awk35w5P9bO2CXdR66g1D7g2JR_apvkcpjpzHMpJzJD0OIS24pkZa_tdPGO4coEFtgLXLM-SZpK-qppz2HlTUgE3jJHPs3IkzMVVbS-6H6gKDRPWg47tH9aWk5zUQUugM12GpXaI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdvd3Qe66sAFsAHsixNB5ZJAbz3Phns1PSCFZG6GfpoGIoVJRFHtEHK1pAcFMw2pjjB75MT1-ri2jbwJA80MPZ3sl7F2ybcr-5zxH-9n5hN3ODbfF77uREr2p6WGWd7SiOo7sqY12_oE/s1600/090707_1743%5B00%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYECdS-ezu0xzgnwsiuoMrhMpXBNQu_pWJM73Le3b0EgzT6GR1BvBB-Gj72W5-wsW8m8V4VKmqbvV34zC9lkLKdDxeWduoV2EM5jm0xzPUGHHnU5RZvYNiDi4jie3jA9pucTrzdWW-rQ/s1600/IMG_0056+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYECdS-ezu0xzgnwsiuoMrhMpXBNQu_pWJM73Le3b0EgzT6GR1BvBB-Gj72W5-wsW8m8V4VKmqbvV34zC9lkLKdDxeWduoV2EM5jm0xzPUGHHnU5RZvYNiDi4jie3jA9pucTrzdWW-rQ/s200/IMG_0056+(1).JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW9f0bPVZikGIPT03i3Bi0uwNSHo95A0yfENff_NhN71jP3uq8Y0iSmvy13ubfAdRnRYuuTvoHwmCGauexU_oHzhByd9xusfj3jkm3oTbycDhLZTM3rj7rSTvVRjEuh-NWFnTRRUea5I/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW9f0bPVZikGIPT03i3Bi0uwNSHo95A0yfENff_NhN71jP3uq8Y0iSmvy13ubfAdRnRYuuTvoHwmCGauexU_oHzhByd9xusfj3jkm3oTbycDhLZTM3rj7rSTvVRjEuh-NWFnTRRUea5I/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IwTpuAgDWqQgbWRcDqnPp7WZP8AEQlYSzOJIGxDeXL32ci_aTLmSLjVn7hP4yHedyn2iIrWxJDcE73ddOZaJoxXYDUzXa6tvAN5t97OnMbofwVJViExtOQ3Glc1Xtnwz07FK4Ww4JMY/s1600/IMG_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IwTpuAgDWqQgbWRcDqnPp7WZP8AEQlYSzOJIGxDeXL32ci_aTLmSLjVn7hP4yHedyn2iIrWxJDcE73ddOZaJoxXYDUzXa6tvAN5t97OnMbofwVJViExtOQ3Glc1Xtnwz07FK4Ww4JMY/s200/IMG_0032.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gwlj_v8_N-VER2wk_HMwFA5B8B-hfUEB3YPEnwIBwj-B8U9QYD8i74F8kwms-Qf5BL70Lf1GTFKQWxgKDKPPdolzGmw-mk2Q-4X6_p-PC5J5rUrSFCNbbMXzF2DuacvpReifjfAy23g/s1600/DSC_0009-023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gwlj_v8_N-VER2wk_HMwFA5B8B-hfUEB3YPEnwIBwj-B8U9QYD8i74F8kwms-Qf5BL70Lf1GTFKQWxgKDKPPdolzGmw-mk2Q-4X6_p-PC5J5rUrSFCNbbMXzF2DuacvpReifjfAy23g/s200/DSC_0009-023.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOEZ1Q_7R_N7NXDwv0Fzc4p470JU-qgbK1bC7akBRwZLa_GPNTiBwsX5Ymo4TT2x6Ig6uDa-L7lKdcury8_WwnwdVSfhBNc6vXf9XR7Cdu6tJPPHL0SnHX8ZGcgDfbbbdRynsvsyLMnI/s1600/DSC_0004-025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOEZ1Q_7R_N7NXDwv0Fzc4p470JU-qgbK1bC7akBRwZLa_GPNTiBwsX5Ymo4TT2x6Ig6uDa-L7lKdcury8_WwnwdVSfhBNc6vXf9XR7Cdu6tJPPHL0SnHX8ZGcgDfbbbdRynsvsyLMnI/s200/DSC_0004-025.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOEZ1Q_7R_N7NXDwv0Fzc4p470JU-qgbK1bC7akBRwZLa_GPNTiBwsX5Ymo4TT2x6Ig6uDa-L7lKdcury8_WwnwdVSfhBNc6vXf9XR7Cdu6tJPPHL0SnHX8ZGcgDfbbbdRynsvsyLMnI/s1600/DSC_0004-025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYECdS-ezu0xzgnwsiuoMrhMpXBNQu_pWJM73Le3b0EgzT6GR1BvBB-Gj72W5-wsW8m8V4VKmqbvV34zC9lkLKdDxeWduoV2EM5jm0xzPUGHHnU5RZvYNiDi4jie3jA9pucTrzdWW-rQ/s1600/IMG_0056+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">~Coach that team.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYb73EmZ2-2GIFPKWcnptkHSDHi6yK5TqafauF_eoGAIDF_K_AcEfWN5fC6hUg_sE9eNn4SjzRzraAqg-Pc5dHGQ0tW_q8N8e175YFKPQb09IibZBb9B_EkJX2efFsjtKAB3iWtT3OPA/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYb73EmZ2-2GIFPKWcnptkHSDHi6yK5TqafauF_eoGAIDF_K_AcEfWN5fC6hUg_sE9eNn4SjzRzraAqg-Pc5dHGQ0tW_q8N8e175YFKPQb09IibZBb9B_EkJX2efFsjtKAB3iWtT3OPA/s200/IMG_0056.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
~Love every handmade birthday card and Christmas gift. Put those sweet little drawings and paintings on the fridge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54NcNCSkFqoQTNwA6Ra9YQJKUXqWjwFIrRDxThWC2zQgyVij_2eiO-PBycgelWvZ8ceKEjlKtdWPjpzsFp0yfB5iOCnRezChCQDhMz-r-Ym32QRblgJJX_EC4-tBeMdNZyXiYtRkZns/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54NcNCSkFqoQTNwA6Ra9YQJKUXqWjwFIrRDxThWC2zQgyVij_2eiO-PBycgelWvZ8ceKEjlKtdWPjpzsFp0yfB5iOCnRezChCQDhMz-r-Ym32QRblgJJX_EC4-tBeMdNZyXiYtRkZns/s200/IMG_0647.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01h9jbnwwp6AM7HpkVPypWir6BxdAGhW5US-iiMuyfW1BLnnS2UTlaGx4GnCIruOr3Dt0-7HT-q5foJPScYxoJ4uIBrrz4arcMEh9JLK9x3WMq720Px8et3DDN6DyUVptDb9Ae7-etL0/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01h9jbnwwp6AM7HpkVPypWir6BxdAGhW5US-iiMuyfW1BLnnS2UTlaGx4GnCIruOr3Dt0-7HT-q5foJPScYxoJ4uIBrrz4arcMEh9JLK9x3WMq720Px8et3DDN6DyUVptDb9Ae7-etL0/s200/IMG_0646.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
~Love them for who they are, each so different from the other, with special talents and gifts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzPiD23M7u46e8Om7FAg9FilxrwsvGgbQA1rqEE9xX06S1yQtSieIcFXURyaYqf0fcRsAOCVH8lT_PQ9pB0XK-n3MSNPnPw9TDhmJugWkiXBVGY4Y_d_Mns_ykIrKy-eq6DnC4QNdLzs/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzPiD23M7u46e8Om7FAg9FilxrwsvGgbQA1rqEE9xX06S1yQtSieIcFXURyaYqf0fcRsAOCVH8lT_PQ9pB0XK-n3MSNPnPw9TDhmJugWkiXBVGY4Y_d_Mns_ykIrKy-eq6DnC4QNdLzs/s200/IMG_0057.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRVZ4SXsAQCOV-QrulhT5G7DXvXGG3xt5kAyE5hC6Iw9XtHMBEbukbTZjb4Rs5RLEgW51EAma0lRlBdIaumQjHC7GhtLPVjj7fY47Wvy3wuly_nAqbZRdOsT5RirdYaKo5uhjvvUowFg/s1600/IMG_0328-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRVZ4SXsAQCOV-QrulhT5G7DXvXGG3xt5kAyE5hC6Iw9XtHMBEbukbTZjb4Rs5RLEgW51EAma0lRlBdIaumQjHC7GhtLPVjj7fY47Wvy3wuly_nAqbZRdOsT5RirdYaKo5uhjvvUowFg/s200/IMG_0328-001.JPG" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlopeMPtSHzfFzbomNBz7DweaYWHI7tAm7L7D_xvzAY4P7ZzUqTi4NtrJsCluK-6cjN3H_jxUE26RhgaVyodjD7T1vT-5DjbUoaI9RCuoQfztgcNE8GlXJ5K_2flZqG1f7CRhahPMVjc/s1600/DSC_0030-014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlopeMPtSHzfFzbomNBz7DweaYWHI7tAm7L7D_xvzAY4P7ZzUqTi4NtrJsCluK-6cjN3H_jxUE26RhgaVyodjD7T1vT-5DjbUoaI9RCuoQfztgcNE8GlXJ5K_2flZqG1f7CRhahPMVjc/s200/DSC_0030-014.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Laugh. Laugh. Laugh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ57OXRWf90kPX26jeRXiCuxvL3rllzNhmrnFwplzugTur934Ff_j5Ku06-DKBk2UmEmmGem5gvSjp1hmRr-pwGWlq4lq6QW_w1JVpvsbRCI2iD1-AH1VIOey8xPwalfbu2GBenlDQgk/s1600/127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JpI0Fhn9PosUb57TQ0VU2k_zcr9NAiqVFkUvmCZNymdgog4-hEZ2SACRCfSynDw2vTmPLRKQWCBh-gU03CetbHdDjXIbdKbukVwik-nQ5QvO8y7hzGClOugV4HJg5wNXEvt9G0FtavY/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JpI0Fhn9PosUb57TQ0VU2k_zcr9NAiqVFkUvmCZNymdgog4-hEZ2SACRCfSynDw2vTmPLRKQWCBh-gU03CetbHdDjXIbdKbukVwik-nQ5QvO8y7hzGClOugV4HJg5wNXEvt9G0FtavY/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhqicx7hD0cubFn8mSTA_tmaUmEQqcxC8lCTx-lz1F4evBRXngtpfytWXFHrFbP5BtOg81wgDS3zuo7gZmHd0PiaNGrSoevJlRxXaDDFC_22CVIP72emkZYEwkzSYu7TKWGlZpciGddI/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhqicx7hD0cubFn8mSTA_tmaUmEQqcxC8lCTx-lz1F4evBRXngtpfytWXFHrFbP5BtOg81wgDS3zuo7gZmHd0PiaNGrSoevJlRxXaDDFC_22CVIP72emkZYEwkzSYu7TKWGlZpciGddI/s200/IMG_0025.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ57OXRWf90kPX26jeRXiCuxvL3rllzNhmrnFwplzugTur934Ff_j5Ku06-DKBk2UmEmmGem5gvSjp1hmRr-pwGWlq4lq6QW_w1JVpvsbRCI2iD1-AH1VIOey8xPwalfbu2GBenlDQgk/s1600/127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ57OXRWf90kPX26jeRXiCuxvL3rllzNhmrnFwplzugTur934Ff_j5Ku06-DKBk2UmEmmGem5gvSjp1hmRr-pwGWlq4lq6QW_w1JVpvsbRCI2iD1-AH1VIOey8xPwalfbu2GBenlDQgk/s200/127.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-62378031623098291822013-09-10T08:29:00.000-07:002013-09-10T08:52:30.370-07:00Love is Here<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Yesterday...just a normal Monday, full of laundry and floor scrubbing, the continuing Harry Potter marathon playing in the background, and a big pot of chicken and dumplings on the stove. Just an ordinary day around the Pierson house, but my God showed up, making it extraordinary. I love it when He does that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I received a text from a sweet friend, asking for prayer. An amazing woman, this beautiful friend of mine--full of love, life, compassion and laughter. I've known her only a short time, but she is a permanent fixture in my heart. As I was lifting her needs up to the Father, I kept getting a picture of Elisha and his servant. (If you've never read it--2Kings6.) It bugged me for the next couple of hours, this picture in my mind's eye of the battles fought over us in the spirit world, and so I prayed. I knew in my heart that what my friend was going through was from the enemy of her soul. You see, my friend is one of the bravest people I know--stepping out in faith against oppression and reaching out to share Jesus' love with those who believe He could never love them. The enemy hates people like her, those who embody the heart of Christ, those who don't just speak it--they truly live it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A few hours later, a message from her brought me joy. Not only was she delivered from this attack, another woman, without knowing that there was a struggle going on, spoke the same words to her that I had earlier in the day. So my friend was able to move on last night and speak love, mercy, and grace to a group of people who so needed to hear it. Amazing love. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If today is a struggle, the Father knows. The victory is already won, you only need to claim it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To my friend...you just keep on being love. Keep walking on this path He has put you on, with His hand in yours and His angels encamped around you. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Love is here.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Love is now.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Love is pouring from His hands, His brow.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Love is near, it satisfies.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Streams of mercy flowing from His side.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">tenth avenue north</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
</h2>
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</h2>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-6283427535465853802013-09-09T08:52:00.000-07:002013-10-28T06:31:36.069-07:00My Answer to the WorryAs lovely on the inside as she is outwardly, my precious girl leaves in a few short weeks for her second international trip. From the time she was a tiny little thing, we've known her heart was on another continent--that God had called her to a place miles and miles from her home. I know, have always known, that when the Father formed her heart, He made a big space there for Africa. The stories I could tell you of this girl...of tears running down her sweet 5 year old face as she learned of other little far away girls who've never known the love of a mommy or daddy, who've never had a dolly to play with, who've lain awake nights trying to ignore the pain of an empty belly. I could tell you of a day when she came into my bedroom, her most-loved doll in her bitty hand--an offering, a gift for one of those far away girls, a precious sacrifice carried by one of our dear friends to the hands of a sweet little Namibian girl. So many stories, so many memories, countless times when God has given my own heart confirmation of His call on her life...and He continues to do so.<br />
<br />
My girl, having barely turned 18, will leave in November for the country of Rwanda, a place mostly known for violence and horror. Our Father has given her an opportunity to combine her love for photography with her love for children--a photography trip with Visiting Orphans. Many have asked me, some reproachfully, how we could possibly let her go. Aren't we afraid for her safety? What if something terrible happens? This is my answer to you...<br />
<br />
How can I not let her go? Who am I to keep her from following this burning in her heart? Who am I to say No to God when His word continually reminds me that we aren't given a spirit of fear, but of love? My God faithfully keeps His promises. <br />
"<i>Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."</i><br />
Every decision, every trip possibility, every worry we could possibly have has been prayed over and let go. In those moments when worry starts to creep in, the evil one is rebuked in Jesus' name. Truly let go...standing on the promises, rebuking the lies.<br />
<br />
The Father has a beautiful plan for my beautiful girl. He doesn't promise an easy path, but He does promise to be with her every step of the way. The God of the Universe is traveling with her...what more could I ask than this? <br />
<br />
Sweet girl, this is only the beginning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqncfx4-IsAt_lnyj1XDYmeWMxZHVgMNhTWGdK-hcVV8DlRSUo2QrHMO3YQN6Bkym7hEf2vyzK-AyK8RsQoct7HiI2TlSGubVX_2jswi5ere6BTr7GXB3bIsDQwiCDNBCr1nTahdm990/s1600/IMG+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqncfx4-IsAt_lnyj1XDYmeWMxZHVgMNhTWGdK-hcVV8DlRSUo2QrHMO3YQN6Bkym7hEf2vyzK-AyK8RsQoct7HiI2TlSGubVX_2jswi5ere6BTr7GXB3bIsDQwiCDNBCr1nTahdm990/s320/IMG+(1).jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://agreatmanymiracles.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/to-travel-is-to-live/">http://agreatmanymiracles.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/to-travel-is-to-live/</a><br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313248986431058792.post-45758328992346290672013-09-05T20:12:00.000-07:002013-09-05T20:12:10.863-07:00Magnolias of MineBefore beginning the Herculean task of awakening the teenagers this morning, I took a few moments to be still. Just still. My heart hurt as I lifted up my friends to the Father--my precious friends trudging through the shock and grief of a lost loved one. It occurred to me then how incredibly blessed my life has been to be full of loving, strong women such as these. So very blessed.<br />
<br />
First and foremost is my mama-- moving to South Texas to care for aging parents, keeping the faith through seven long years of alzheimers, surgeries, hospitals, nursing homes, and so many trials. She, along with her sisters, are true Steel Magnolias. I come from a long line of strong women--big shoes for me and my cousins to fill. (<i>Beebs, you are my hero and I pray that God gives me the grace to take care of you so well as you deserve when your time on earth draws to a close. Don't worry...we'll pick out a nice nursing home for you...:-) )</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
To all of the rest of you, my very own Steel Magnolias ( I know some of you are Yankees, but that's ok--we'll just ignore that for now) I want to say thank you. You have enriched my life more than you could possibly imagine, encouraging me to push through the discouragement of the mundane on to the joy. You've shown me that life goes on despite heartbreak and loss. I've watched as some of you fought for your marriages when everyone told you it was hopeless, and others of you, with grace and prayer, worked through the grief of a marriage ending. Because of you, I know that there is grace enough to survive the loss of a child or a spouse--that there is hope for peace. Many things you do seem simple...preparing meals or cleaning house for a sick or grieving friend, bringing groceries to a family going through hard times, or babysitting for a tired, worn out young mother. Some of you have opened your hearts and homes to precious children who had no one, while others of you would, at a moment's notice, drop everything to be there for someone who needed you. True servant hearts.<br />
<br />
Prayers, tears, laughter, joy, worship, strength, grace, and love unconditional. You are all so amazing. My heart overflows. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ6ZXTOA6IhlVFvbtSii703AlQnaGGhlREOHJK-kntcdwBIOFYS53Jnszd72vrbyfBTEH6S-d3_jUQmf4KXw1N2VrJTHjy7DV6slljjHbyjacIebdZtAiaHuD3oYXaVUMXxUpOkv74ek/s1600/steel-magnolias.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ6ZXTOA6IhlVFvbtSii703AlQnaGGhlREOHJK-kntcdwBIOFYS53Jnszd72vrbyfBTEH6S-d3_jUQmf4KXw1N2VrJTHjy7DV6slljjHbyjacIebdZtAiaHuD3oYXaVUMXxUpOkv74ek/s320/steel-magnolias.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcfae7; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">"</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">"</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059042936366536786noreply@blogger.com0