tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86056551861117630052024-03-10T12:13:40.164-07:00Destination Taiwan: Our Forever FamilyLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-11047839652745658012011-03-07T10:23:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:29:43.065-08:00It's Never Easy.......<span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">saying goodbye</span></em>. </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong> :)</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em>But that's just what I'm going to do, at least with regards to my blog. This is something I have been considering for quite a few months now; months spent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vacillating</span> between feeling its the right time and then again maybe not. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">I think part of my indecision has been due to how much I have loved and enjoyed this blog. Never would I have guessed, over 2 and half years ago, when I stumbled through my first tentative post, the joys, challenges, friendships, stories and memories created with each tap of a keystroke and each decision ( sometimes followed by a deep breath) to <em>Publish Post</em>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">More than once I sat down to ruminate over something tugging at my thoughts or wished only to share a bit of happenstance here and ended up with something completely different by post's end. Those were probably my most challenging ones as I always wondered if it was meant to be shared; <em>with only one exception</em>, I always went forward, trusting that if it was important enough to nudge something else from the forefront, then it needed to said. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">Each time it was received with grace and understanding by so many of you!</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Initially my intentions were to use this blog as a forum to share our news and updates (with family and friends ) about our Baby Boy and snippets of the journey along the way. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm so thankful that it became so much more than that ~ at least for me.</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">I peek back at photos of my precious kiddos and am surprised anew at the swift passage of time. While I have not always been faithful to keeping scrapbooks updated this time around, this blog has stood in, <em><span style="font-size:100%;">capturing moments, moods, toothless grins, chubby cheeks, babes in the bath, sibling moments, memories, milestones and lots more.</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">On occasion it allowed me to advocate for causes I treasure and explore adoption as it relates to our family</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And something else too..........it brought me friendships and unique connections. As I look back at some of the first comments (received) I am so humbled to still have so many of those folks in my life; many of whom I have met and some I still have yet to! These were the Mamas who celebrated each little step along the way to Tyler; who collectively helped to hold me together when the path got bumpy and later reached out with patience and compassion during those jet lagged nights in Taiwan when I missed one child dearly, while still getting to know another. These were the Mamas who always remembered to "make" over Lauren too, knowing that , blog title aside, <span style="font-size:100%;"><em>our destination has always been family first.</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em>And I'm equally grateful for the friends who joined us later and laughed along with the toddler chapters and grade school escapades ~ they opened their hearts to our family while letting me get to know and love their own. What a tremendous gift it has been for me!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Some friends preferred to read along silently or send personal emails. I have treasured you all and feel blessed to count each of you among my friends. I have rejoiced in your good news, as so many miracle babies and children found their way home. Blog or no blog, I take those friendships with me and absolutely will be checking in on all of you who continue to share your joys and moments by blog! <em>How could I do otherwise?!?</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">But for me? It's just time. My sweet & insightful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggy</span> friend Rachel asked if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Face Book</span> was one reason for stopping. In truth it is a factor but this is something I considered long before joining <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">FB</span>. What <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">FB</span> does allow however, is for the connection to remain to so many of you who have come along this journey with me. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">AND that? ......does make it all the easier to step away from this.</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And I know with absolute clarity that I'm going to miss it. Already there are things we have planned or are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">anticipating</span> this Spring that will be tempting to document through this blog. <em>But I always said that if I couldn't do it justice, or the boundaries got blurred or if I couldn't be assured of relative safety for my family in blogging, then I would step away. Its meant too much to me to only visit monthly or let it languish.</em> I do intend to keep it open for the the time being as I so loved and appreciated exploring blogs of the BTDT before me. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">What I have shared is pretty much.....<em>well</em>......<strong><span style="font-size:100%;">me</span></strong>. An optimistic realist ( a twice blessed Mama ) who tried always to keep it pretty real, while not always sharing the minutia of every squabble, pet peeve or bad mood. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">I always kind of figured we all had enough of that stuff in our daily lives that no one needed or wanted to read about it here! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>LOL</strong></span></span></em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">I could say that I did it all for the kids and while I do hope and pray that someday this is a form of keepsake for them both, honestly I think I ultimately wrote for me. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cuz</span> I knew how fast it could go and I wanted to capture small moments of it, forever. All of you were part of that and I'm so lucky and happy that you were! <em><span style="font-size:100%;">Thank you!</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Someday I may decide to blog again but I don't expect to do so on this site again. Two years home now with our Taiwan Treasure and this April we celebrate eight years home with our beautiful Kazakhstan Princess (eight years!!!) ; the time feels right to close this chapter......<span style="font-size:100%;">knowing the journey still continues. </span>Thanks so much friends!!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>XOXO</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Lisa</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em></em></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-42329096176689919712011-02-09T10:05:00.000-08:002011-02-09T19:56:39.425-08:002 Years Of......<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">absolute blessings with this baby boy!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em>Today marks two years to the date that our beautiful boy was placed into our arms.</em> I always believe and have remarked to others that the first year home with these precious babies is so poignant, such a time of endless discovery and joyous <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprises</span>. Year 2 then is <em>pure sweetness</em> as you tumble further in love, as your family ties strengthen and are reinforced with the bliss of being able to remember back to how your little one reacted at any given holiday the year before.....to how your wee one has changed, flourished and in turn how they have changed each one of us!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">How tremendous it feels to celebrate two years of this one tiny boy, a son for us, a brother for our Lauren and absolutely our second miracle. He is and will always be my baby.........our family completed. <em>Our prayers answered twice.</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><em>Two Years of beautiful baby boy,</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MfXlN_5p3oCORXvF8r0DYUXBH6SpFlrp7iAbJ6jrU-iASE5O0PLanAWEXMMTGI1jkwZT65tuNC_3V7GC1a_KaOJJoxnORbWBSbHlNF_PBCC7CBOp_QkbUjMoxf6XwFt1wfHtH9vN/s1600/2+tyler+in+car+solemn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571760968278271458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MfXlN_5p3oCORXvF8r0DYUXBH6SpFlrp7iAbJ6jrU-iASE5O0PLanAWEXMMTGI1jkwZT65tuNC_3V7GC1a_KaOJJoxnORbWBSbHlNF_PBCC7CBOp_QkbUjMoxf6XwFt1wfHtH9vN/s400/2+tyler+in+car+solemn.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzrC8KXL2nGXVP_Y6EFXjUOMwsDFaLpJWHroYVJqTeLggsSJCzzrneGbCTWwMHqQmBNXygGES3D9h22qfHPuhSsCFtPcG-2al28BSM5sQqTX6__BRquJ3b1TI-crc9cLG-c3xfhdd/s1600/2+yr+all+3+of+us.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571760718645203042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzrC8KXL2nGXVP_Y6EFXjUOMwsDFaLpJWHroYVJqTeLggsSJCzzrneGbCTWwMHqQmBNXygGES3D9h22qfHPuhSsCFtPcG-2al28BSM5sQqTX6__BRquJ3b1TI-crc9cLG-c3xfhdd/s400/2+yr+all+3+of+us.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of special blessings, both near and far.......</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo0SYYWB4vCS_L7q9mITy4PSqMP30Pop560CfpgRlZL0C9aS96qqzV4Oe13OyZRMAvwvVrXmqvV1FLx-H15ABBkdVVjS84Zfb1olOzHvqmsGCHY6RbgHp2WqXu961aWY34I9IF5jl/s1600/2+year+mama+n+Ty+at+temple.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571760478029714690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo0SYYWB4vCS_L7q9mITy4PSqMP30Pop560CfpgRlZL0C9aS96qqzV4Oe13OyZRMAvwvVrXmqvV1FLx-H15ABBkdVVjS84Zfb1olOzHvqmsGCHY6RbgHp2WqXu961aWY34I9IF5jl/s400/2+year+mama+n+Ty+at+temple.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Of more kisses that I can count(!)..........</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURA18FZ9WZo_x0mG_cSJ0dDRrUU27bUZkeOcUYeypMHvapaXQ4ZmWeOFMEukckCRXdEuMyXOXoPBTv3stZzx2LySBVUt7pQFrkGZOLnRUe3xYkalj0tiiGX0Twu3GUsIt6ZZPlumK/s1600/2+mama+kissing+Ty+at+wall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 370px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571760209499552674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURA18FZ9WZo_x0mG_cSJ0dDRrUU27bUZkeOcUYeypMHvapaXQ4ZmWeOFMEukckCRXdEuMyXOXoPBTv3stZzx2LySBVUt7pQFrkGZOLnRUe3xYkalj0tiiGX0Twu3GUsIt6ZZPlumK/s400/2+mama+kissing+Ty+at+wall.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtA0oPj_lMgP-VLrjKZ4r4HCCW_wZHtfIoXtD9iN5106pJnxEFg2F2s6uqxF1ZRjhxTRY3jbOSuHry7ua-Ho5eiEITpcksJ7Jw2KmTocw1rKhD37VvRLFaDTvblk1tW8Vt9b34w3A/s1600/2+year+Tyler+looking+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571759991482733906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtA0oPj_lMgP-VLrjKZ4r4HCCW_wZHtfIoXtD9iN5106pJnxEFg2F2s6uqxF1ZRjhxTRY3jbOSuHry7ua-Ho5eiEITpcksJ7Jw2KmTocw1rKhD37VvRLFaDTvblk1tW8Vt9b34w3A/s400/2+year+Tyler+looking+up.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Of many "firsts".......and how those moments are never truly gone. Growing as a family means always experiencing "firsts" time & again,</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KkcIQmwBRI4BJ8GcidR07rOIBLLKp4Q3yumlPb-mBuwnWuoNtVuPWKOi72PFqp97ub1h5OXqktagpZenq73BsS8CxZN-YO82sOVz03E6tienZPeOetuMMUelT5KrC-132RGwV3hT/s1600/2+yr+first+bottle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571759586483959890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KkcIQmwBRI4BJ8GcidR07rOIBLLKp4Q3yumlPb-mBuwnWuoNtVuPWKOi72PFqp97ub1h5OXqktagpZenq73BsS8CxZN-YO82sOVz03E6tienZPeOetuMMUelT5KrC-132RGwV3hT/s400/2+yr+first+bottle.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Of smiles & moments that light up my world..........</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1oNQl6Zk2yNbfsh_XV4cwWsiwdQqcRZRZDu-_0yT9ctlzy9iEfbZkQiYLmmiO34bom6gxm-3mkJ7l6pm04OjC7WYuMM0smEJnaLvTdyemP5rDcupIRzBt4x5aDPUkdx4kn_wiYmv/s1600/2+yr+tyler+sits+at+one.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571759271399631394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1oNQl6Zk2yNbfsh_XV4cwWsiwdQqcRZRZDu-_0yT9ctlzy9iEfbZkQiYLmmiO34bom6gxm-3mkJ7l6pm04OjC7WYuMM0smEJnaLvTdyemP5rDcupIRzBt4x5aDPUkdx4kn_wiYmv/s400/2+yr+tyler+sits+at+one.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzRFtt4Up1lKfGqopg2mDu2UpggH13QsvcVKkY2zd5sYnNiI3tOCkVOjZoyy7SsISxGUrxd8cK2gSy5cPrR2k-ejgghF8N6zvtgjzSIvZWbpWc3Y2V3WlJ1hODgHX-7w84wP9SLh7/s1600/2+yr.+tyler+mickey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571759119428985810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzRFtt4Up1lKfGqopg2mDu2UpggH13QsvcVKkY2zd5sYnNiI3tOCkVOjZoyy7SsISxGUrxd8cK2gSy5cPrR2k-ejgghF8N6zvtgjzSIvZWbpWc3Y2V3WlJ1hODgHX-7w84wP9SLh7/s400/2+yr.+tyler+mickey.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Two years of sweet baby cheeks...............of one kind, <strong>:)</strong></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWUXBqtoK8o7E9C9FyvIdiV596voXbkh6-hWDF76D-YdGOAWMOfOhPE8cAW17p-CsPzUysfO73UTaBWpeDGFdc1-7e0HGtn_MHDRze87Kpm85_fi8PmX5nlRZ4hBBl_H6wtDQxb31/s1600/2+yr+tyler+7+peas+and+love.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571758570050471298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWUXBqtoK8o7E9C9FyvIdiV596voXbkh6-hWDF76D-YdGOAWMOfOhPE8cAW17p-CsPzUysfO73UTaBWpeDGFdc1-7e0HGtn_MHDRze87Kpm85_fi8PmX5nlRZ4hBBl_H6wtDQxb31/s400/2+yr+tyler+7+peas+and+love.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>and another...............</em> ;)<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswYvtfW_7sTuAQ1iOPh5T51s5vXUJxKQDO-ekmPdxjYBF7yQSMfAeWJTR8ygWWS5C0g9aRTVBjAIo-p7Rmxkasx62_58MbJ0rtPt5NMdssgeyN34896uSziYmTuqE4NdZkNiqc0iT/s1600/2+yr+tyler+up+close+sprinkler.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571758435953703826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswYvtfW_7sTuAQ1iOPh5T51s5vXUJxKQDO-ekmPdxjYBF7yQSMfAeWJTR8ygWWS5C0g9aRTVBjAIo-p7Rmxkasx62_58MbJ0rtPt5NMdssgeyN34896uSziYmTuqE4NdZkNiqc0iT/s400/2+yr+tyler+up+close+sprinkler.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of (occasional) tears and letting us know if we got it wrong........................<br /><br /></div></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtv99RAmw3KkhLQbqrg5Eo9uUlso9oxn5GPHxgdFWgV6jk5oNYNGivjRnHbYaI0EkdCMoXJN9e4VJ9ZLD68ymTkTHRIKZFF4qH3U2ZedPmBujrO9emLpSDraIPeZZNPqkzwCT8GHI/s1600/2+yr+cry.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571758178087844322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtv99RAmw3KkhLQbqrg5Eo9uUlso9oxn5GPHxgdFWgV6jk5oNYNGivjRnHbYaI0EkdCMoXJN9e4VJ9ZLD68ymTkTHRIKZFF4qH3U2ZedPmBujrO9emLpSDraIPeZZNPqkzwCT8GHI/s400/2+yr+cry.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>and of witnessing self discovery...............growing independence,</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDy-tRNZ2fr0Yb4VOCHJhXM1A3wtQS6B1CfJAQRNPMEadJN7deivfbA3a4cRwqlrRqCUyfDYZ8tjlcGV_Yu3MqTYSGzZIT1jYil2OqmaI9lkQ1BpW-hAod1ffQh5khDyN6dhemJBh/s1600/2+yr+smiling+in+tube.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571757972314140674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDy-tRNZ2fr0Yb4VOCHJhXM1A3wtQS6B1CfJAQRNPMEadJN7deivfbA3a4cRwqlrRqCUyfDYZ8tjlcGV_Yu3MqTYSGzZIT1jYil2OqmaI9lkQ1BpW-hAod1ffQh5khDyN6dhemJBh/s400/2+yr+smiling+in+tube.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>and of not giving up and trying to figure it all out.............<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFIl7s1ckOp6thqHiJj0D7HN3Zb7oA-rHO07fXq-16I0n9SzdgBw3l3hW41E8NIjPHkrJbV6SPLxtVzmR-S4NJ8zhM_SfZgaXZNU3OLUYr6VGtco9iFi1cu98PCtjVzNhFQKfDR13/s1600/2+yr+figuring+it+out+snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571757606800299794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFIl7s1ckOp6thqHiJj0D7HN3Zb7oA-rHO07fXq-16I0n9SzdgBw3l3hW41E8NIjPHkrJbV6SPLxtVzmR-S4NJ8zhM_SfZgaXZNU3OLUYr6VGtco9iFi1cu98PCtjVzNhFQKfDR13/s400/2+yr+figuring+it+out+snow.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of some surprises............ *smile*<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0cP5upR3baSKczA2ovA6FnC6ZC4xGVeDvWAFWepj6v4KPndFwNSIDbwILK3Uv9Dp-u4Pd9Qi8Sl1Bcnq_9oYzp2vUqcJJfsWyytDtft08UEyoNlkh7M03USCIxSoo78eqMNc0l1/s1600/2+yr+surprises.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571757225807836674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0cP5upR3baSKczA2ovA6FnC6ZC4xGVeDvWAFWepj6v4KPndFwNSIDbwILK3Uv9Dp-u4Pd9Qi8Sl1Bcnq_9oYzp2vUqcJJfsWyytDtft08UEyoNlkh7M03USCIxSoo78eqMNc0l1/s400/2+yr+surprises.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">TWO YEARS of being Mama to these 2 darlings.........and delighting in them, <em>of their moments together.............<br /></em><br /></div></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAJT1MEA5szw1WrUV_zJzAnd5tSC-FNQqFLohmE_32ZbI49GcwPe-wEsO97HYPRLPRz8eT65DrZcwy6qUwl9NXD1gAjGJSAiTf55qIyCdMq7j7BAFFYE_Xl35Al736U_zJveNXgLK/s1600/2+yr+lauren+and+ty+first.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571756655872099234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAJT1MEA5szw1WrUV_zJzAnd5tSC-FNQqFLohmE_32ZbI49GcwPe-wEsO97HYPRLPRz8eT65DrZcwy6qUwl9NXD1gAjGJSAiTf55qIyCdMq7j7BAFFYE_Xl35Al736U_zJveNXgLK/s400/2+yr+lauren+and+ty+first.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">**</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">One sweet girl who was desperately missed, waking up in the wee hours of the morning to finally hold her <span style="font-size:130%;">long awaited</span> baby brother. In my heart we were not really *home* until I saw them together and could hold them both close ~ forever.</span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></div></span></strong></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd4lY6zEBIKY_wcAE9FBuVhpIPZqdFatnlAE-zaiArazhd-hmH39XvRd3JMp79F1R_mexRBbAcZpYZ9mXVEhMzfgzMeM-M1vnLtu4N-vwP3OPdH5dKAMouj3OclsG48f2rlsiQKVS/s1600/2+year+T+n+L+outside.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 378px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571756477570763362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd4lY6zEBIKY_wcAE9FBuVhpIPZqdFatnlAE-zaiArazhd-hmH39XvRd3JMp79F1R_mexRBbAcZpYZ9mXVEhMzfgzMeM-M1vnLtu4N-vwP3OPdH5dKAMouj3OclsG48f2rlsiQKVS/s400/2+year+T+n+L+outside.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Two years of playing with Big Sis.............<em>learning about each others' worlds,</em></span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzor6ukxaxTMgvKxzoTyXWpxS6u-VduEmG5TG-GZOtiiiq9XAvp96tESRKPt8DgsqUsbM3Cf93KPpYxTQzj-QzN2zM7W2tSaHT5RNeTZisArbjG8Z-amiu267t7ja5wjnjfteP-JI/s1600/2+yr+l+t+ds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571755996635577778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzor6ukxaxTMgvKxzoTyXWpxS6u-VduEmG5TG-GZOtiiiq9XAvp96tESRKPt8DgsqUsbM3Cf93KPpYxTQzj-QzN2zM7W2tSaHT5RNeTZisArbjG8Z-amiu267t7ja5wjnjfteP-JI/s400/2+yr+l+t+ds.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of her helping hands...............<br /><br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW5Im1jCyVMTb4zpSq5f9Xf1reKcgWa4xjOZPZ17zXl5sIvpUGV7zC5AVV2eF3-ofZqaV7-qF4exftd7v6IlYDPmhBeAOpQIZzyjLGdh0tnOUduZkouqMdrdNSiORMHSfEvc79krU/s1600/2+yer+l+helps+Ty+on+swing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571755835826839634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW5Im1jCyVMTb4zpSq5f9Xf1reKcgWa4xjOZPZ17zXl5sIvpUGV7zC5AVV2eF3-ofZqaV7-qF4exftd7v6IlYDPmhBeAOpQIZzyjLGdh0tnOUduZkouqMdrdNSiORMHSfEvc79krU/s400/2+yer+l+helps+Ty+on+swing.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>And getting used to buckets and oodles of La La "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">kissies</span>".......</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkCHZLvmisWc3E45LIGzOUXg-FQqwavOCGeBgsN1EG6DeBHHhyphenhyphenb4XS9r9_cWLku-dj4SXV9nkrsOEnPgBDru4x9BNvTqICkjljcHB1StP6ceM-F86tcptUFVQ0ALt7NCins0aWab9/s1600/2+yr+sis+kisses.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571755550008326626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkCHZLvmisWc3E45LIGzOUXg-FQqwavOCGeBgsN1EG6DeBHHhyphenhyphenb4XS9r9_cWLku-dj4SXV9nkrsOEnPgBDru4x9BNvTqICkjljcHB1StP6ceM-F86tcptUFVQ0ALt7NCins0aWab9/s400/2+yr+sis+kisses.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of <strong>GREAT</strong> hair................</em> <span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1HDq3ktsi6u1wkq2QS5dbd9BJqLVTirlk4CcBlTyRgq1HBK9X0hpQSyVFzMKypH6PfKSAq4AFu0Ef7J3DeQ8a23N0SIq3rppyR8oFjAJuMIiLbC9UoYvZQ8JejfM7VpJLjIsov3C/s1600/2+yr+tyler+time+prompted+hair+cut.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571755187374875154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1HDq3ktsi6u1wkq2QS5dbd9BJqLVTirlk4CcBlTyRgq1HBK9X0hpQSyVFzMKypH6PfKSAq4AFu0Ef7J3DeQ8a23N0SIq3rppyR8oFjAJuMIiLbC9UoYvZQ8JejfM7VpJLjIsov3C/s400/2+yr+tyler+time+prompted+hair+cut.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiaBRSdDUHQ4Fj3LbjLEquyKWnAEZzZKRuQfvFpAYppWI66Haf8inObvl1t-FZBpOhi81q3TVGD_DfzpMryigJyyH1jARJcePnHdzwsOlFoKC1wXti8zORgtJ9jojFZ_NiAwFZO8/s1600/2+yr.+great+hair+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571755073252829986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiaBRSdDUHQ4Fj3LbjLEquyKWnAEZzZKRuQfvFpAYppWI66Haf8inObvl1t-FZBpOhi81q3TVGD_DfzpMryigJyyH1jARJcePnHdzwsOlFoKC1wXti8zORgtJ9jojFZ_NiAwFZO8/s400/2+yr.+great+hair+2.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of faith and of learning about & folding a third beautiful culture into our own..............of redefining our family again,<br /></em></span><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IE0kPcKmhuDBWG_m1ny3B5KGnWWdfZw1RMxSFSJVRfbyT0Kh_c6vTzch7mAmlD4jZUg27GWizPjCqbkrQzm1vSMkxfySoN45zGvwCybZoqDEKwD8SEyVbeLJWE0_8KV5qCClDN5x/s1600/2+yr+baptism+with+bib+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571754526255602242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IE0kPcKmhuDBWG_m1ny3B5KGnWWdfZw1RMxSFSJVRfbyT0Kh_c6vTzch7mAmlD4jZUg27GWizPjCqbkrQzm1vSMkxfySoN45zGvwCybZoqDEKwD8SEyVbeLJWE0_8KV5qCClDN5x/s400/2+yr+baptism+with+bib+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooxZG8zAQtxKgiQKqU_vZsmycKTq7WasAEjsT8HSo6-L8966V2jXTYa8IQnUQ0Nr-J-HiHij-uLayMXYR21GQQXWGru0bzoStUdOj4ZeDfOd0npr91rwpWP88lYCJPjubgxHL6AWI/s1600/2+yr+ty+first+birth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571754412479638354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooxZG8zAQtxKgiQKqU_vZsmycKTq7WasAEjsT8HSo6-L8966V2jXTYa8IQnUQ0Nr-J-HiHij-uLayMXYR21GQQXWGru0bzoStUdOj4ZeDfOd0npr91rwpWP88lYCJPjubgxHL6AWI/s400/2+yr+ty+first+birth.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Two years of tender moments and more joy than I can express.............<em>then,<br /><br /></em><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcSMzAAmZAKqxoKAxAe9CEsx428lcPjmancDPANyqMh3reUytwCjt-eaAR6zs8w5ZbpKP17Hqh5gOwdrnTsDj1XLLRBC1E7FxacrJZe4cMhrYguNWpSVrh63eK9kJJU_79UZA0osQ/s1600/2+yr.+with+towel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571754206879721522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcSMzAAmZAKqxoKAxAe9CEsx428lcPjmancDPANyqMh3reUytwCjt-eaAR6zs8w5ZbpKP17Hqh5gOwdrnTsDj1XLLRBC1E7FxacrJZe4cMhrYguNWpSVrh63eK9kJJU_79UZA0osQ/s400/2+yr.+with+towel.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnH8GIme-0sVlbE1YnYcMlAoOjd1sJhsxePiAGDFbDnKXGS4mnivzyl4EI1k93Z9pwVYwqVYXr_yHkVrsso7yMr6wzZd81I6tuXnMG4wIU3IYgwEj-Zi3S_-sDnWkF7axOw1FqXY1/s1600/2+yr+towel+yawn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571753979368219170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnH8GIme-0sVlbE1YnYcMlAoOjd1sJhsxePiAGDFbDnKXGS4mnivzyl4EI1k93Z9pwVYwqVYXr_yHkVrsso7yMr6wzZd81I6tuXnMG4wIU3IYgwEj-Zi3S_-sDnWkF7axOw1FqXY1/s400/2+yr+towel+yawn.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>and now.............</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C5IQ0sn5bm79cCrTzH7jdS8orwqTSD8mmxhzgOCYyV9mO61X8fS-Gs6OcQl3w3_c-3bDLkdZdOG9zxnLY9BT6WvnRm0BFVKB4OgKI4ACIKjcRSfPWisbpQ7mmgEW0JdO9yzufeV9/s1600/2+yr.+today.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571753657757673010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C5IQ0sn5bm79cCrTzH7jdS8orwqTSD8mmxhzgOCYyV9mO61X8fS-Gs6OcQl3w3_c-3bDLkdZdOG9zxnLY9BT6WvnRm0BFVKB4OgKI4ACIKjcRSfPWisbpQ7mmgEW0JdO9yzufeV9/s400/2+yr.+today.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Two years of being a family of four ( five with Lexi girl!).................<br /><br /><br /></div></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuH5sWg7XeHCcSEUdbrx_REFQCQ-sv4EkXR55MRhXn9M5Yj2JbJesUSgBqf31nURHndYvkA-mgv9ITFz7kmRAfFquH5_cZBCtZXevBme05GNlF72ZPdDF-sO9Wi3fmUA-tEf9Mcc5/s1600/2+yr+easter+fam.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571753212513467730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuH5sWg7XeHCcSEUdbrx_REFQCQ-sv4EkXR55MRhXn9M5Yj2JbJesUSgBqf31nURHndYvkA-mgv9ITFz7kmRAfFquH5_cZBCtZXevBme05GNlF72ZPdDF-sO9Wi3fmUA-tEf9Mcc5/s400/2+yr+easter+fam.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Two years of celebrations, discoveries, day trips, family, friendships, stumbles, challenges, triumphs, boo-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">boo's</span>, vacations, diapers, potty training, new teeth and lost ones(!).........2 years of easy mornings, hectic weekends, sleepless nights and snuggling close, sniffles, changing family dynamics, responsibilities, leaps of faith, trips to the park & sledding hill, rushed meals and savored over <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">itty</span> bitty</em> moments & <em>of loving</em>...........more than I can possibly share in one post. <strong>TWO YEARS</strong> (<em>and more!!!)</em> of utter thankfulness.</span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Two years that began with one moment...................<em>our first glimpse</em>,</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWzUAJUT5Qy8B9SYjk9QG8jVfRA8ex-ZAlCqe55KXoFL0CGsqDWCVGTn6qqOJkh-UVGZgsg4eoUlSGNWWf751yb5WJEMVGT9Ja_jve3TWUQgwIr4gUDS_I0Z8xnYaLaR_fg23pNga/s1600/2+yr+first+glimpse.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571752875126635458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWzUAJUT5Qy8B9SYjk9QG8jVfRA8ex-ZAlCqe55KXoFL0CGsqDWCVGTn6qqOJkh-UVGZgsg4eoUlSGNWWf751yb5WJEMVGT9Ja_jve3TWUQgwIr4gUDS_I0Z8xnYaLaR_fg23pNga/s400/2+yr+first+glimpse.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Two years <em><span style="font-size:85%;">and yes that picture makes me cry every time(!)...................</span></em>and the journey continues</span>.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-64327863091992436202011-01-27T18:55:00.000-08:002011-01-27T20:05:05.250-08:00Snow-riffic!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvniMAOGbf8unuX3UvhI6nYMc9Nr28DvcPfl-80WQKzl8k5u6d6zDSZSgcW0GRg8qLr72UoiFzyrR1P36I8YKaPpEqbAqK9H5ntACIgNaN82VLuby6rP9bt4fUNd7VdFi3Yhzvo63S/s1600/brace+lauren+lays.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567069005952925218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvniMAOGbf8unuX3UvhI6nYMc9Nr28DvcPfl-80WQKzl8k5u6d6zDSZSgcW0GRg8qLr72UoiFzyrR1P36I8YKaPpEqbAqK9H5ntACIgNaN82VLuby6rP9bt4fUNd7VdFi3Yhzvo63S/s400/brace+lauren+lays.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">And a little bit of this & that too!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Well, I have not been blogging regularly and I suspect that's been the case since late Fall. ( I could look back to check, but I'm too lazy. ) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong> Winter crept in and along with it the Holidays, a sinus infection (<em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span> Christmas, but blessedly healed beforehand</em>) a round of the sickies for our Littlest Little <strong>:) </strong>, an uneventful but joyous ringing in of a new year, excitement and much planning for our upcoming <em>Taiwan Reunion</em> ( <em>and happily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">RSVP'ing</span> to our much anticipated <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kazapalooza</span></em>!) a birthday tucked in for good measure and more school events (Lauren) , basketball games (Lauren) and birthday parties ( <em>again,</em> Lauren) than I can count! <em>In other words..........life as always! </em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">But its also Winter and I joined a family friendly health club. <strong>PK</strong> ( <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span> kiddos) I was an avid addict of one of our local gyms but with one thing or another, let that membership go and became a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">religious</span> walker and full time chaser of small children. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:) </span></strong>Through the encouragement of a friend, another returning addict <strong>:)</strong> I have rejoined, thrown caution to wind and have even been taking several<em> power</em> classes designed to sculpt, tone and shape! ( <em>and kick my bu** for good measure!)</em> All good things, all unique things to this once avowed solo workout creature and honestly all things I need now that I'm just barely on this side of 30.....<em>er....</em>40. *smirk* <strong>AND?</strong> I'm loving it! <em>Truly</em>. And sore muscles and newly minted schedules aside, I think its been a necessary and positive change; but did I mention its keeping me busy? There is that. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And its Winter.<em> I believe that deserves repeating</em>. We have been fortunate so far this season with fairly mild to moderate snow fall and New Years' Eve day it was actually hovering in the mid 50's. <strong>Unheard of around here</strong>! And while I know that many parts of the country have been hammered time and again <strong>:(</strong> those of us nestled here in our little corner of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Midwest</span> are making the most of it! Honestly our family relishes the snow and we make every effort to get out in it as the weather allows. Granted the extra layering can be a hassle and please don't even mention my daily destroyed foyer strewn with snow boots, mittens, hats and all things wet. And perhaps I could do without the slush and muck AND yeah, I'll probably be over it and ready for Spring in a couple of weeks ( <em>Spring won't oblige of course until closer to April</em>) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong> but until then..............<em>we have been having some snow-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">riffic</span> fun and savoring the outside time!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Here's our best girl</em>; no hesitation on her snowboard this year and apparently no time lost. She has conquered both of the larger local hills and now we are scouting for new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">horizons</span>. I don't know how she manages down those frosty slopes on a slim plastic board, but she does somehow ~ and somehow she stays on most of the time. I sure couldn't do it! <em>And gosh how I love to watch her fly!<br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn9Ws0ysz87LzAUSzrB6g2XV9Y_Y5xRrHVeU8TdSYX3ApcU2WOWeILJY5yqHFRBxEBFCBJo9hN7PAunzb4NTe94zZtF4TDel_ziSdNzUhyR_i5MGmdj6u0xU-9p5ggAzhaB6mBW5v/s1600/brace+new+one.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567068704007737042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn9Ws0ysz87LzAUSzrB6g2XV9Y_Y5xRrHVeU8TdSYX3ApcU2WOWeILJY5yqHFRBxEBFCBJo9hN7PAunzb4NTe94zZtF4TDel_ziSdNzUhyR_i5MGmdj6u0xU-9p5ggAzhaB6mBW5v/s400/brace+new+one.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBPX_ohdJix69Oelk70aVLOgd6ODC_CVsl8eOuiNm7Cs1dysa3JVEbOoYSI4Az2RFlll4M1iAwCc72CQwyzZsuusdU-LN6WkB-0FXaUtvNcTonUvnFejn8RdFcQBHG-kVm-uVmX-k/s1600/brace+Lauren+stands+with+board.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567067217654928674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBPX_ohdJix69Oelk70aVLOgd6ODC_CVsl8eOuiNm7Cs1dysa3JVEbOoYSI4Az2RFlll4M1iAwCc72CQwyzZsuusdU-LN6WkB-0FXaUtvNcTonUvnFejn8RdFcQBHG-kVm-uVmX-k/s400/brace+Lauren+stands+with+board.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E0NJW_egGx5zaB2KwItgBDm-k5rt437fRyXaHZTIXdvvvLUj-9Zaykd1O2eGhfnTYLUq1t4y9blSfM-btDgKkhcYGcCGKlkgYx1Cp7jRbFGy7uo9GowTD4uX4FodQMHSYL1Wln_T/s1600/brace+Tyler+sled.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066967841701922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E0NJW_egGx5zaB2KwItgBDm-k5rt437fRyXaHZTIXdvvvLUj-9Zaykd1O2eGhfnTYLUq1t4y9blSfM-btDgKkhcYGcCGKlkgYx1Cp7jRbFGy7uo9GowTD4uX4FodQMHSYL1Wln_T/s400/brace+Tyler+sled.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">And Baby Boy loves to ride the sleds and sample the snow. We taught him early on to avoid the yellow variety. <em>A timeless lesson</em>. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">;)<br /><br /></span></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCujwVMt-D-O0zEsgkf2dHVFk1KJ9AN7UaZm0SGVw19DJy4v1vERpWiyRr88RRVOuwQP7jT-9wCAkpIie3SpZcNap56nxzlfiKfU_8NOGEFlsauV8zXKZ3hDyYR_cmb_0_hb2A7Ry/s1600/brace+silly.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066668455097938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCujwVMt-D-O0zEsgkf2dHVFk1KJ9AN7UaZm0SGVw19DJy4v1vERpWiyRr88RRVOuwQP7jT-9wCAkpIie3SpZcNap56nxzlfiKfU_8NOGEFlsauV8zXKZ3hDyYR_cmb_0_hb2A7Ry/s400/brace+silly.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Snow brings out the silly in my snowchicks. Well, most things bring out the silly.......<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMkD3n0Fn4W6G6mnfa6ctHflcvP6GR9FUVlDFB5Bjt14LmUwTQCVWy7YLP9Gsaa0Xvd_ajwhPrUBiIUFWD5114iFgnAxex3kzSNaNvDAvXck56OdvKX7wJd4qQXYsZbDZYIpE4YXH/s1600/brace+tasting+first+snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 362px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066400362923746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMkD3n0Fn4W6G6mnfa6ctHflcvP6GR9FUVlDFB5Bjt14LmUwTQCVWy7YLP9Gsaa0Xvd_ajwhPrUBiIUFWD5114iFgnAxex3kzSNaNvDAvXck56OdvKX7wJd4qQXYsZbDZYIpE4YXH/s400/brace+tasting+first+snow.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">All the way back now to our first snow in early December. The ground was barely covered but that didn't stop one determined and spunky man from making the most of it. <em>And yes</em>......tasting it once again! <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span><br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS8ivK3Jvi9fQG7sCZ8BrIP0BMtwWw4ZhOUwk_BuMtxCQIrxWlLdrw0aLpP88k_-y_akPBTggA7nAPHfGT0B550jc6Maqsf-y-8rf8gcZ212BANUD3wY2YvLkdv2ImVq4-7kYld0K/s1600/brace+Tyler+cute+in+blue.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066109446931234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS8ivK3Jvi9fQG7sCZ8BrIP0BMtwWw4ZhOUwk_BuMtxCQIrxWlLdrw0aLpP88k_-y_akPBTggA7nAPHfGT0B550jc6Maqsf-y-8rf8gcZ212BANUD3wY2YvLkdv2ImVq4-7kYld0K/s400/brace+Tyler+cute+in+blue.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xbaPDm6mWSsC_kpUlM_8bUGMQ0Nbuy9rMI-6ZXdbUu2H4-yTPApOyTT5U9MRsc6rucCNHdLtpJx8sDnuipb2mf83fVFLva61_QV9zFqUaSsMZ7BUvlLK6_GXytuWisWsOc79twwb/s1600/brace+with+Lexi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 363px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567065836909265490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xbaPDm6mWSsC_kpUlM_8bUGMQ0Nbuy9rMI-6ZXdbUu2H4-yTPApOyTT5U9MRsc6rucCNHdLtpJx8sDnuipb2mf83fVFLva61_QV9zFqUaSsMZ7BUvlLK6_GXytuWisWsOc79twwb/s400/brace+with+Lexi.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">And for some reason they both look so serious.....maybe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> Mama made them stop for a moment and pose for a shot. <em>See how they suffer for my craft??</em> <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span> </strong>Lexi dog adores the snow too and often sports a snow beard romping along behind the kids! And my heart melts at how his little arm is draped around her......pinning her.......<em>ummmm....</em> *tucking* her close to his side. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>:)~<br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGkbvc-YOs_9-0AABE5C2G0X5Weu5X4tabx-_rb17eaCfDY-AHj4I6yi_ic2l4I3t0_UmfttIbcGlo0lNFEXKpTqI5fJjb9wYZpbpZlD157lfEr3PFGz4H-RvDsMW65dXrBrfElBq/s1600/brace+matching.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567065427937818578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGkbvc-YOs_9-0AABE5C2G0X5Weu5X4tabx-_rb17eaCfDY-AHj4I6yi_ic2l4I3t0_UmfttIbcGlo0lNFEXKpTqI5fJjb9wYZpbpZlD157lfEr3PFGz4H-RvDsMW65dXrBrfElBq/s400/brace+matching.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">And finally, <em>make no mistake</em>......Winter <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">can</span></strong> be long and sometimes a little whimsy is necessary. ( and yes, snow gear <strong>IS</strong> sporty and fun!) I spotted these coordinating coats last year, stalked them mercilessly until the price dropped a bit and made them mine. You can't put a price tag on finding something "matching" for an 8 year old girl and 2 year old boy and I smile every time I see them sporting those jackets.<br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Actually I smile just about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every time</span> I see them together, unless they are bickering, which ironically happens with greater frequency in the Winter too......hmmmm.......but that's for another post! (and maybe an Advil or 2) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Happy Winter everyone!</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-24049148817064820222011-01-24T17:55:00.000-08:002011-01-24T18:10:12.187-08:00Rock On!<span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">This will actually be a brief post........<em>yes, from me</em>!! <strong><span style="font-size:100%;"> :)</span></strong> I promise.......<em>no really, I promise!</em> <strong>*smile</strong></span><strong>*</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">I am tickled to redirect you all tonight to the <strong>Taiwan R.O.C.ks</strong> ( Taiwan adoptive families reunion) <em>blog</em> that has been created to keep everyone current and up to date on all the latest and greatest about this <em>First Annual</em> event set to take place August 12 - 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> in Dallas Texas.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">And I could say so <strong><em>SO</em></strong> much more and add oodles and oodles of thoughts about the why, the what and why this is going to be so special ~ but I think its already been said on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>R.O.C.ks</strong></span> website!</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Oh and just in case you are on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>FaceBook</strong></span>, please drop me a private note ( I just recently joined!!) and I would be thrilled to add you to our reunion related private group where even more information awaits along with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relevant</span> chatter and kiddo related threads of interest; <em>plus lots of cool Mamas and Dads too!</em> <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:) </span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Please check it out and hope to see you all in <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>sunny Texas</strong></span> this summer!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><a href="http://adoptingfromtaiwanrocks.blogspot.com/">http://adoptingfromtaiwanrocks.blogspot.com/</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-56033182237559416882011-01-09T17:46:00.001-08:002011-01-09T19:56:14.280-08:00Today<span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>our little guy turned 2 and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">half</span> years old</em>. Next month, <em>to the very day</em>, we will have had him in our arms for 2 years. Never is the swift passage of time more evident than during Holidays, milestones and significant events that mark the contrast from <em><span style="font-size:100%;">before</span></em> to <em><span style="font-size:100%;">the now</span></em>. Wasn't it just a moment ago he was blowing out candles on his Elmo cake, gleefully holding up 2 fingers and announcing to anyone (and everyone), " I two now". <em>Two indeed, plus 6 months!</em> And though I can recall with instant clarity the long months of waiting for our travel dates and the enormity of our journey to Taiwan, in all ways, both big and small, it feels as if he has been with us forever. <em>Somehow one tiny dimpled man filled a space that we didn't even recognize existed, added a joy and spark, we didn't know we lacked and claimed us for his own ~ and we him. He just fits.....perfectly</em>.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And because I've been a bit *ahem* <em>remiss</em> in my blogging duties of late I dug through my photo archives to share a few photos from late Fall and of course some more recent ones from our Holidays. <strong>*sigh*</strong> <em>Are those over too? So quickly?</em> I didn't have a spare moment to share, but we loved our time together and Christmas was lovely. Our sniffles cleared up just in time and<span style="color:#ff0000;"> Santa</span> found us at Mimi & Papa's house, just like always. He spoiled the kids again this year, so I guess they had been pretty well behaved. <strong>:) </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">AND because this blog is as much a journal & scrapbook (for our children) as it is a way to share snippets of our lives with friends and family, I thought it might be nice to share a few thoughts about Tyler as he marches forward, one day closer now to three than to two. When we still marked his age by months I sometimes shared bits about his color, number, shape, etc. mastery but this time I'm going in a slightly different direction. He's solid with all of that or at least when he chooses to be. <strong>:)</strong> But its the little things, all about what make him......<em>well</em>, <strong>SO him</strong>, that I don't ever wish to lose or forget. So that is what this Mama wishes to share and I appreciate in advance your indulgence as I do! <em>Pssst....plus there are pics at the end if you make it that far! Or you can skip right there......I won't tell anyone, I promise! </em><strong>;)</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its the way</em> he dashes up, full throttle from behind to wrap his arms around my legs and whispers, " I love you Mama". Sometimes he shouts it too! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Its in the way</em> his eyes dance and light up when I walk into a room.........<em>even if I've only been in the next room for an instant.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its about how</em> he just melts into my body, rarely ever being the first to let go of that hug and pats my back. And when he's on my hip and I need to set him down for a bit, its in the way he clings all the tighter, favoring me with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mischievous</span> grin. This prompted me one day to dub him my baby monkey and now he delights in reminding me of his monkey prowess by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">makin</span>' those ape like sounds and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">scritchin'</span> under those arm pits! <em>Ummm....yes, he's clever and a bit dramatic!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Its how</em> he asks if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lah</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ren</span> is home yet, <em>so hopefully</em>, every single school day following his nap and tells her she's his best friend. *sniffle* And when <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lah</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ren</span> was feeling nostalgic for the way he used to call her "La La" and requested he do so again, he told her <em>"sure, but its a one day special."</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>LOL</strong></span> Yes, he keeps us on our toes!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its sometimes the way</em> he negotiates to have his way, even when Mama or Daddy have said no. First its <em>tonsil city</em>, he might try on a scream(<em>oh yes, he does</em>!), quickly followed by the classic pout. He might fashion a half hearted temper tantrum but can usually be coaxed out of it with a distraction or silly face. <strong>AND </strong>you might think you've won the battle...... <em>but please don't be fooled</em> as he's merely biding his time, searching for your weakness, all the while keeping an eye out for another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">susceptible</span> target.......<em>er</em>.....family member. And when all else fails? He points to his very own dimple and asks: <em><strong>"how can you say no to this face?"</strong></em> <span style="font-size:85%;">I'm not kidding <strong>AND</strong> yes I have and do laugh out loud when he does! How could I not? But I still have to say "no" sometimes. <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Its always</em> in the way he hollers out,<em> "sing the song please",</em> which is the theme song from <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kung</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fu</span> Panda</strong>. And when you (o.k. me) begin warbling out the tune, he folds his hands together, bows deeply from the waist and then begins his karate like hip hop dance, personally choreographed by his sister. <em>And the actual movie?</em> He could care less about! Even better is if he can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">perform</span> for an audience which he does with no hesitation. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Me on the other hand? I could live without the public singing gig. <span style="color:#ff99ff;"><strong>*blush*</strong></span></em></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>It was the moment</em> last Fall when he and I were headed out to our Friday morning Mommy and Me two year old preschool class and he requested to wear his penguin backpack, which he lovingly filled with up with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zhu</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zhu</span> hamsters, slung it over his shoulder and wondered aloud if he would get homework like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lah</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">ren</span>. And later it was how he sat by her, sharing the moments of his morning, listing each one of his friends: <em>"<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">COOlin</span> ( Colin), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">GAvin</span>, Mac and Delightful" ( translation: Delaney....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>lol</strong></span>) and got his own pencil and paper out because he had"math" to do just like his sister. </em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Its the way</em> he has memorized passages from all 20 of the <em>Mercer Mayer Critter</em> book collection (his favorite!) he inherited from Lauren and brings them to me each morning asking for <em>"<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">cwackers</span> and books, please Mama".</em> And when I say yes, its those little legs dashing around the corner into the kitchen and the sound of the pantry door opening and his running dialogue as he rejects or selects a snack for our morning reading time. <strong>AND</strong> its about his willingness to share the <strong>VERY </strong>last iced animal cracker with Lexi dog who sits patiently by, pleading with her eyes. Of course he usually licks it a time or two first! <strong>*grin*</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its about</em> continuity in the face of so many changes: still not too fond of meat, though he does eat chicken, but man oh man does this kid still love his fruits, snacks and have a voracious sweet tooth! And lordy, don't get me started on his memory; <em>his recall is scary and we have to be <strong>SO</strong> careful about what we say, cuz he <strong>WILL</strong> remember and remind us.</em> With frequency! <strong>:)~</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>It was the way</em> he kept asking, in his sweet, but clear as a bell voice <em>(i.e., so loud we had to take ourselves to the sound proof kid room.</em>..<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>) ... to <em>"take walk and go see Baby Jesus"</em> at church on Christmas Eve and when at last, the baby had been placed in the manger near the end of the service, how his tiny hand flew to his mouth and he gasped <em>"oh my gosh, there he is Mama........happy birthday baby</em>". <em>Its also how we have <strong>LOTS </strong>of work yet to do on church behaviors before Lauren makes her First Communion this Spring.</em> <strong>;) <em>Yikes!</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its how</em> I had forgotten how delightful two year <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">olds</span> are and how they share every moment of their day's activity in a running dialogue all throughout the day. "Look how my legs can reach the coffee table Mama!" "Look <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lah</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">ren</span>, my toothbrush is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">lectric</span> (electric) just like yours'." "Daddy throws me up high.....more please!" "I got my hair cut ( <em>a month ago</em>) and didn't cry." <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(shared every single day since, thank you very much!) And how innocent and big hearted they are at this age!</span></em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Its how</em> one day he wears his <em>Lightening McQueen</em> undies for the whole day and stays dry and the next tells me that "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">undieeewares</span> are scratchy and I like my diapers." Because he knows his mind, he <strong>CAN</strong> be fickle and frankly I'm not in any hurry anyways! (yet) <strong>:)</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its in </em>his laughter that fills the house, in chorus with Lauren's, two sounds I might never have heard if not for the miracle of these these children. <em>Its all of this and so much more!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Happy<span style="font-size:100%;"> <em>half birthday</em></span> baby boy ~ the joy you (<em>and your sister</em>) bring to us is indescribable! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Now here's a bit of eye candy if you were patient enough to get this far! </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>XOXO</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z3y2eHzV9BTgmQtTJZpMC71LoNVyq9TsZu4pCIKZepnIRny6eXHaJimdmNDW0qrf9xPcBdqcfI5AMLhlZTnwv4wAiEB6QBwTI6gj2N2gMu_hZfj9cObhsyfE5iZ3NL9HkEc1DnAW/s1600/christmas+ginger.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373131210453058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z3y2eHzV9BTgmQtTJZpMC71LoNVyq9TsZu4pCIKZepnIRny6eXHaJimdmNDW0qrf9xPcBdqcfI5AMLhlZTnwv4wAiEB6QBwTI6gj2N2gMu_hZfj9cObhsyfE5iZ3NL9HkEc1DnAW/s400/christmas+ginger.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2hdpebl03Ec_SQ9LtlhKcjwMwcqxDLFZQC6KKvV5CDN2OfZqM025N4k44xnr0r7EAtAQLKVLr6JAMA9d7MdVwy0IkXNxRkieqj3T0RGtabErz0gZ6KdIlwZcXx7co_eJ7PgmiCY6/s1600/half+just+after+snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372881338246930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2hdpebl03Ec_SQ9LtlhKcjwMwcqxDLFZQC6KKvV5CDN2OfZqM025N4k44xnr0r7EAtAQLKVLr6JAMA9d7MdVwy0IkXNxRkieqj3T0RGtabErz0gZ6KdIlwZcXx7co_eJ7PgmiCY6/s400/half+just+after+snow.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Yewie7ZZ7nYWuCS6oxvTnvd_vPQ8tCwhBPIrfM8AyfX8I6llSulPHjf-AoXcU5WRdyD8RkCZCeMcttcpVFDIU8KturZ6jRyfBg6kOhIDwwObZhCUkfAHUgFhkv7wW0PiXaWkph_/s1600/half+my+2+presents.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560371327241343554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Yewie7ZZ7nYWuCS6oxvTnvd_vPQ8tCwhBPIrfM8AyfX8I6llSulPHjf-AoXcU5WRdyD8RkCZCeMcttcpVFDIU8KturZ6jRyfBg6kOhIDwwObZhCUkfAHUgFhkv7wW0PiXaWkph_/s400/half+my+2+presents.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Joy on Christmas day ~ <em>the two best gifts I will ever receive</em>.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl41EVOdWA2frGspIm_0cqCW_t9Fdppm1VsclHePVHP7rntZ2yjxREIgfiY7-gySPRAQxM1Uw7rCy1FINr8VWooJ4msAU0UIU4RQbTUyX07dcNp92EzVnRfSMX3zCRX5o0THzz3jp/s1600/half+posing+with+jack.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370869468104498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl41EVOdWA2frGspIm_0cqCW_t9Fdppm1VsclHePVHP7rntZ2yjxREIgfiY7-gySPRAQxM1Uw7rCy1FINr8VWooJ4msAU0UIU4RQbTUyX07dcNp92EzVnRfSMX3zCRX5o0THzz3jp/s400/half+posing+with+jack.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Winding down during our extended family Christmas a few days after Christmas.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZEMnLM-fB59B0NEs7BfZKcAmNvFVCesy63_iIYilcJ-EEfyKkUcKbaPBlreqr2h27fJQ0ZOzWMjDe61LAXVm9maF9nA3qb7JVPm1yNfwSWzb9vYNtl5Mn4xTRK1lU82n93BKJv_/s1600/half+finger+pointing+kids.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370555457502994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZEMnLM-fB59B0NEs7BfZKcAmNvFVCesy63_iIYilcJ-EEfyKkUcKbaPBlreqr2h27fJQ0ZOzWMjDe61LAXVm9maF9nA3qb7JVPm1yNfwSWzb9vYNtl5Mn4xTRK1lU82n93BKJv_/s400/half+finger+pointing+kids.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Ready for Mass on Christmas Eve; Tyler is practicing his perfect pitch so it carries the farthest during Mass. <strong>:)<br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5liU8EePtFwBw1BSu5u9U8FWFlnnPT9CScvBf6PEabVGRXcyZhfn129FJbaoodNeKAeIn-FJHKJ4iTq7lRbY8LUrHYFHX6yZghIBRJbt-wwSdbAEtTRl4IGipav7l7UKiRCL__vhc/s1600/half+penguin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370193340246402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5liU8EePtFwBw1BSu5u9U8FWFlnnPT9CScvBf6PEabVGRXcyZhfn129FJbaoodNeKAeIn-FJHKJ4iTq7lRbY8LUrHYFHX6yZghIBRJbt-wwSdbAEtTRl4IGipav7l7UKiRCL__vhc/s400/half+penguin.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Loving on Mr. Penguin. I love how sweet his face looks here and how tiny he seems. <em>Also sporting those new Scooby-Doo jammies!</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLPcP5_G-XqM26bunXhwjgJLNV6J5h4zhbIZ8mfABadcwY8g8aPJ-UnLpP5LNP_HhaubG8i2JzTt42Ow6sX6XWdD6NWi3wz7KOaOIXlUvIFdyZMitv0U6RKB9ca7YpaCQ1qkD_cnh/s1600/half+tiger+%2526+gum.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560369749664893986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLPcP5_G-XqM26bunXhwjgJLNV6J5h4zhbIZ8mfABadcwY8g8aPJ-UnLpP5LNP_HhaubG8i2JzTt42Ow6sX6XWdD6NWi3wz7KOaOIXlUvIFdyZMitv0U6RKB9ca7YpaCQ1qkD_cnh/s400/half+tiger+%2526+gum.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Two big hits from Santa: full size Tiger and yes (!) strawberry gum! <em>How smug does he look?</em> <strong>lol<br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHopKYSr8VNNyA7EPJC2D9uyUjBLec0vzm2b2Rhk4YoWzuQU9HGZW72jX9O3fxlbHK-rWyroHAS5cnvYpuR_bfwKSUkfp0NQFLrSjJTcCnx_NHhPR-MePOmkLwLCDTAA77hmsm0jWB/s1600/half+santa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560369302205342034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHopKYSr8VNNyA7EPJC2D9uyUjBLec0vzm2b2Rhk4YoWzuQU9HGZW72jX9O3fxlbHK-rWyroHAS5cnvYpuR_bfwKSUkfp0NQFLrSjJTcCnx_NHhPR-MePOmkLwLCDTAA77hmsm0jWB/s400/half+santa.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">He's funny too............quirky sense of humor. Oh, loves Mr. Potato head and singing greeting cards also.</span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L4RzzXDmYbZTSi-fdeOYKfri_E45SQMcbuLm4eq4p0tP82HiwV9vpEefExUnZUko4vSIohxBQknAsHsd8umc3Kf8oDzsnfBeB3MefJVnJ7hvdjKHNY7avHA_sVL7S6KmGZsrmrTv/s1600/half+potato+head+crack+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 355px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560369048174608002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L4RzzXDmYbZTSi-fdeOYKfri_E45SQMcbuLm4eq4p0tP82HiwV9vpEefExUnZUko4vSIohxBQknAsHsd8umc3Kf8oDzsnfBeB3MefJVnJ7hvdjKHNY7avHA_sVL7S6KmGZsrmrTv/s400/half+potato+head+crack+up.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Cracks himself up too! Not afraid to laugh at his own jokes. <strong>:)</strong></span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC3DH_W-zXt3WKcSk_WKizV9oQWzCmAqR5jxyq3V1nQe26aikI2kW7nAH1IL-EffxkJJEbzzSi-RcDeuY0j8Kff1DjAbxxTg1Z-lCC3t2Lbj04klNB6R9SG7Sa490oBtwyzzq7Ns3/s1600/half+shocked+grill.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560368591595256210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC3DH_W-zXt3WKcSk_WKizV9oQWzCmAqR5jxyq3V1nQe26aikI2kW7nAH1IL-EffxkJJEbzzSi-RcDeuY0j8Kff1DjAbxxTg1Z-lCC3t2Lbj04klNB6R9SG7Sa490oBtwyzzq7Ns3/s400/half+shocked+grill.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Master of the barbecue grill! "Cooks" for me daily and helps me set the table for dinner each night, one napkin at a time.</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblW_PaN6_6ofHbMTAp5b_IUjKVbcnNAnGJvqRcnmwgVeg8eefdesMJpY3W-dB4v7dfJIIdz-RTvNDcdvNRJ0qfOucUtdrj-YpxSfm4KwV9lTCGeucvvIYz58CXYuWPy9E1BXFonJR/s1600/half+chef+smirk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560368392203277906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblW_PaN6_6ofHbMTAp5b_IUjKVbcnNAnGJvqRcnmwgVeg8eefdesMJpY3W-dB4v7dfJIIdz-RTvNDcdvNRJ0qfOucUtdrj-YpxSfm4KwV9lTCGeucvvIYz58CXYuWPy9E1BXFonJR/s400/half+chef+smirk.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi1OHCv8ONrjXOvPR9-e6W4xtsl9oERspidD8TkNKzYMsEO39SNq-vCQqkAogrwQBZOwge_tzxJ86wZVEofQ-KqJf9daLJkx-P6ZaGtWtj83zUte7S6MSkk1nI-LU7UNRIzeo6JYx/s1600/half+smile+slide.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 372px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560368148178094978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi1OHCv8ONrjXOvPR9-e6W4xtsl9oERspidD8TkNKzYMsEO39SNq-vCQqkAogrwQBZOwge_tzxJ86wZVEofQ-KqJf9daLJkx-P6ZaGtWtj83zUte7S6MSkk1nI-LU7UNRIzeo6JYx/s400/half+smile+slide.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Never down or in a funk for long...........such a good natured and sharp little guy!</span></div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><em>Our Little Man...........</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-52185284019687104462010-12-20T18:25:00.001-08:002010-12-20T19:14:41.697-08:00May The Spirit of Christmas.........<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em>bring you peace,</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em>the gladness of Christmas give you hope,</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em>the warmth of Christmas grant you love.</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6R9bWIpJ5S1jP7e203EjMkrPU9fZiEG4DXfJEp5PPv-1hOI1cYXB09XH58PIC9D_6zuIYkxJBzmcgs_yIX4MCH8ja6elFQ-IFTB-COz8uD0ZOxnjsX5CkFwZG1wHisu9QcyNApXs/s1600/post+card+christmas+together+smile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552962273413843714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6R9bWIpJ5S1jP7e203EjMkrPU9fZiEG4DXfJEp5PPv-1hOI1cYXB09XH58PIC9D_6zuIYkxJBzmcgs_yIX4MCH8ja6elFQ-IFTB-COz8uD0ZOxnjsX5CkFwZG1wHisu9QcyNApXs/s400/post+card+christmas+together+smile.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3xUTapwR9MzNes9r63vBf7h6RpZ-QfHu_VJ-IxhdRZDxKi67QRgP3IB089fW0F4ATOGoR_3gxxBIAwHE5PtEnQj9eJMPXj07Ueu1B-FSk_SZwzj-KvGpb3dBxxE15X8FJe49iZts/s1600/post+funny+moment.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552962041758827890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3xUTapwR9MzNes9r63vBf7h6RpZ-QfHu_VJ-IxhdRZDxKi67QRgP3IB089fW0F4ATOGoR_3gxxBIAwHE5PtEnQj9eJMPXj07Ueu1B-FSk_SZwzj-KvGpb3dBxxE15X8FJe49iZts/s400/post+funny+moment.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May you always find a smile tucked beneath the tree and a friendly shoulder to lean on,</em></span></div><div><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4fbGE2YxvQ8vibRcwhjmdVGtU34TdwIW7cwT1OK2QNryFQERtujA3rlJdx1nQ0ce1ohs1aUwxpZQgGsZNPrmMe8H1KgOJSB4Szc9UJ2vcjTT5hyphenhypheneo8Sz6e98yopz_vILgAcDd66N/s1600/post+giggles.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552960029395811922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4fbGE2YxvQ8vibRcwhjmdVGtU34TdwIW7cwT1OK2QNryFQERtujA3rlJdx1nQ0ce1ohs1aUwxpZQgGsZNPrmMe8H1KgOJSB4Szc9UJ2vcjTT5hyphenhypheneo8Sz6e98yopz_vILgAcDd66N/s400/post+giggles.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May childlike innocence & the wonders all around rest in your heart, not just on December 25t<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">h</span>, but each day of the year,</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmx3Nxvn5gAQhvp7trpR2d9atQYk867OG9KHqKwOXoy_6_ErZwb1oONDj0McZsUjrAWbMJQbBP4qt0I9DFFEu8gkRb93hUiZoYd4bAQcUq5CHkbKofZbPeXx5ZKRlwdJwVnr4cBd_/s1600/post+Ty+smiles.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552959522118737026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmx3Nxvn5gAQhvp7trpR2d9atQYk867OG9KHqKwOXoy_6_ErZwb1oONDj0McZsUjrAWbMJQbBP4qt0I9DFFEu8gkRb93hUiZoYd4bAQcUq5CHkbKofZbPeXx5ZKRlwdJwVnr4cBd_/s400/post+Ty+smiles.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May light & peace guide your days,</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS19hpzPGI0xXZXeH-OF16Rvjw9KMAEzrGt8o8rmS7tboKJ-Vp325OC2YKZ6Emo9scpRw9QsvdlaLUNQspnjzyWwTrV_9MYyW_nLIWaHBL0_VI0dm9_f5m8hXsvC39h_fRsI5BUJ3q/s1600/post+hugging+Ty+serious.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552959163337535250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS19hpzPGI0xXZXeH-OF16Rvjw9KMAEzrGt8o8rmS7tboKJ-Vp325OC2YKZ6Emo9scpRw9QsvdlaLUNQspnjzyWwTrV_9MYyW_nLIWaHBL0_VI0dm9_f5m8hXsvC39h_fRsI5BUJ3q/s400/post+hugging+Ty+serious.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May the wonders of Christmas never fade, nor its magic cease to amaze,</em></span></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfWUBVF3R_ePBXH8l698c7EY38iSNWalcMz_VHDra2PUFxBdlrEPeYJuHcb8EMtbQFEcm8byggiB7nKLQ9XJyhEe7EHl7DbAFH5xqfoBoX2bFkgqpLiSY7aPAWFzn0tQSJ8J3vBy3/s1600/post+seated+looking+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552958409741329202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfWUBVF3R_ePBXH8l698c7EY38iSNWalcMz_VHDra2PUFxBdlrEPeYJuHcb8EMtbQFEcm8byggiB7nKLQ9XJyhEe7EHl7DbAFH5xqfoBoX2bFkgqpLiSY7aPAWFzn0tQSJ8J3vBy3/s400/post+seated+looking+up.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>"</em></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>It matters not how tall your Christmas tree is ~ to every child it will seem to be 30 feet high,"<br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbgn1l3PBn7sniu-gSQHiqn83deRF8FTooN1-dctd890UdoksRPj6Kusw4z6IhPFfC9qbNdWy8YOoQtYCNA2ggnP8M85CMBkTR4SAMXnQsg6aFxcS9pFq1wG3DfI8WMRiRd5yxCDX/s1600/post+hugging+surprised.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552958097049684978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbgn1l3PBn7sniu-gSQHiqn83deRF8FTooN1-dctd890UdoksRPj6Kusw4z6IhPFfC9qbNdWy8YOoQtYCNA2ggnP8M85CMBkTR4SAMXnQsg6aFxcS9pFq1wG3DfI8WMRiRd5yxCDX/s400/post+hugging+surprised.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May a warm embrace take you by surprise,<br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XnFujc_gY2NGquDBio8FLGyKtc_bLXrGmcXAHY9cduCJYPqO_pEsYX9s8PFHkMO-c-nsmTaGJ4Egm_oTkKMk0uthnyguhyphenhyphenIYVfhcfpQ_1E8XrwbAmbJ3fANEM6ufQhNwulXwYo3R/s1600/post+make+new+friends.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 386px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552957830222604514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XnFujc_gY2NGquDBio8FLGyKtc_bLXrGmcXAHY9cduCJYPqO_pEsYX9s8PFHkMO-c-nsmTaGJ4Egm_oTkKMk0uthnyguhyphenhyphenIYVfhcfpQ_1E8XrwbAmbJ3fANEM6ufQhNwulXwYo3R/s400/post+make+new+friends.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May you always make</em></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em> room in your heart for old friends & new,<br /></em></span><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-8sly-lZ6PWl_i1xxZApoxCS7p5kjVTsSdszOTzLTaRe1tl2Sj4XdN5xCyNIejf-1RKtzPUWtYKXtBVlIfofQEqhv1KiKnogNvbN-1HyQ1ufxO9nxp2QoNat4zhAwtCDA3JpY9c/s1600/post+kissing+better.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552956463672819346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-8sly-lZ6PWl_i1xxZApoxCS7p5kjVTsSdszOTzLTaRe1tl2Sj4XdN5xCyNIejf-1RKtzPUWtYKXtBVlIfofQEqhv1KiKnogNvbN-1HyQ1ufxO9nxp2QoNat4zhAwtCDA3JpY9c/s400/post+kissing+better.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>May you always remember that the best gift around any Christmas tree<br />is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em> ~ Burton Hills</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em></em></span> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>Wishing you all a merry, joyous and blessed Christmas Season, from our little slice of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">blogosphere</span> to yours. See you all in 2011!!!!</em> <strong> :)</strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;"><em></em></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas <em><span style="color:#009900;">ought</span></em> to be,</span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Christmas <em><span style="color:#009900;">is</span></em>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">X</span>O<span style="color:#009900;">X</span>O</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-8224860710878676282010-12-06T18:15:00.000-08:002010-12-06T19:16:18.781-08:00The Big Man in Red.........Himself<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fvYWjSc-D9B5OCsLMSd_7RDiyGDMGqXyBH0lxIbZbvNE59jO5xbSrI5-1hSBya10yBMN4yVdWn0QiuXTymq5uD4AtUYawIuzZoZTKFE0Q3jUrCbnveOC62H6Gwf2Fwd63S9Yw1r0/s1600/SANTA%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758990488558018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fvYWjSc-D9B5OCsLMSd_7RDiyGDMGqXyBH0lxIbZbvNE59jO5xbSrI5-1hSBya10yBMN4yVdWn0QiuXTymq5uD4AtUYawIuzZoZTKFE0Q3jUrCbnveOC62H6Gwf2Fwd63S9Yw1r0/s400/SANTA%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">A few weekends back we awoke to a Saturday that had no immediate obligations <strong>OR</strong> <em>in other words </em>an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurrence</span> so rare that it isn't even recognized in most dictionaries or encyclopedias. The kind of day you dare not whisper aloud lest you find yourself suddenly earnestly scrubbing those neglected floors, cleaning out the closet of no return or worse, your oldest child answers the ever <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">persistent</span> knocking door *ringing doorbell* to admit one or more (ready to play!) kiddos from <em>"the hood". </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">So we did what any other rational and sane '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">parentals'</span> do, thrust the children into a semblance of <span style="color:#ff0000;">Christmas</span> finery, loaded the knapsack <strong>:)</strong> with fundamentals ( mostly kid stuff and my C<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">armax</span>), squeezed toddler boy chariot into rear of mini van and dashed to the mall in search of bargains and the <span style="font-size:100%;">Big Guy Himself</span>. <em>Oh</em>, knocked back a few Diet Cokes too........<em>I mean I'm not Wonder Woman ya know!</em> <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)~</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oooh</span>...</span>rubbing hands together with glee here because you see it worked out splendidly ~ low crowds ( it was still November <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">after all</span> and all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pre</span><strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Black</span></strong> Friday), no wait for <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> and Daddy was in tow to distract said munchkins while Mama shopped. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Oh sweet bliss!!</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">But I digress. (<em>Shopping I say.....shopping!!)</em> This year's trip to <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> was marked by one very unique experience in that it was our first successful trip to Santa, <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">EVER</span></strong>! For you see each previous year, usually with just our best girl, we would gussy up, stand in what felt like the line from....well, <span style="font-size:100%;">"<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Foreversville</span></span>" only to witness her change of heart as her turn neared. Year after year...........2 years in a row we even took the train ride with <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> and pictures we got, but mostly of Me standing by <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> and Lauren in my arms as far over from <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> as humanly possible in the narrow aisle of a train car.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Last year, emboldened by her gaggle of girlfriends, she did finally sit on <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa's</span> lap at a school function (<em>pretty cute stuff too</em>!) but of course our Little Man would only peer out from the safety of my shoulder.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em>So really?</em> We had no illusions about this year. <span style="font-size:100%;">None</span>. <em>But a funny and wonderful notion kept coming up, </em>prompted by ( of all people) Tyler. <strong>HE</strong> really really wanted to see <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> and his Big Sis gamely agreed, cause honestly she can't really say no to him anyways. (Unless he's touching her beloved <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Squinkees</span> or D.S game). <em>Could you look into those dimples and begrudge him? </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">So we packed the family sleigh and sailed (<em>over the river & through the woods</em>!) to the mall. Delighted we were to find NO LINE for <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> and by golly Tyler marched right up (first) and waited patiently to be lifted high, all the while smiling with glee at the bearded one.<em> No fear ~ no hesitation!</em> Lauren followed and once settled BOTH kids posed for a photo<span style="font-size:100%;">.........at the same time! Looking (at the camera) I mean. <em>Both kids</em>!! <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And when asked what they would like, Lauren responded with a go-cart ( <em>I know</em>) or a kitten. (<em> yeah, I know</em>) <span style="font-size:100%;">And Tyler?</span> <em>Who had waited weeks for this moment, blurted out..............</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Strawberries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <span style="color:#6600cc;">Yup</span>. Strawberries.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em>And <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span></em>? Bless his heart, he chortled ( <em>oh yes, he really did</em> ) cocked an eyebrow and said that while that was a first for him, he thought he could manage it and maybe tuck in a surprise or two also. <span style="font-size:100%;color:#ff0000;">LOVE Santa!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Turns out?</em> Tyler wants <span style="font-size:100%;color:#ff0000;"><em>strawberry gum</em></span> and he's still chattering up a storm about his 2 visits to <span style="color:#ff0000;">"Santa <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Claussen</span>". </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ho! Ho! Ho!</span> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Here's hoping a bit of strawberry gum finds its way into every stocking this year!!! <em>And maybe a go-cart??? *gulp*</em></span></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B1eKyEe6NBKQj121PlWfe3QukpCmAv935_Ez7ejlJpBWNxSgAFFHZQ93T2uaHfCbxFTTf2QcEfSII4yF-drBOX0jUdpENYwDKviuxWKKTNXHAv-p6yZ9qg53uxxcu_mIcoMqHZYP/s1600/alyssa+santa.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758796691160066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B1eKyEe6NBKQj121PlWfe3QukpCmAv935_Ez7ejlJpBWNxSgAFFHZQ93T2uaHfCbxFTTf2QcEfSII4yF-drBOX0jUdpENYwDKviuxWKKTNXHAv-p6yZ9qg53uxxcu_mIcoMqHZYP/s400/alyssa+santa.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>And the extra cutie in this photo?</em> Mimi K. couldn't resist a <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa </span>photo over Thanksgiving weekend with cousin Alyssa and Tyler once again requested <span style="color:#ff0000;">strawberries</span>....<em>but this time he added the gum part</em>. <strong>;)</strong> Plus do you spy Lauren's boots? She calls them her "fashion heels" and its nothing short of a <span style="color:#ff0000;">Christmas</span> miracle that she is able to walk in them and stay upright! <em>And ladies she can run like the wind in them.........I've seen her!!!</em> <strong>:0</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-53049908909591948932010-11-30T18:42:00.000-08:002010-11-30T21:04:23.930-08:00Tuesday's Treasures<span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interrupting</span> my regularly scheduled post (<em> a Thanksgiving-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Palooza</span> wrap-up</em>) to share a darling website that came to my attention today that allows you to create personalized (email) video <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa Claus</span> messages for your children! ( Children of any age!) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I stumbled upon it while commenting on a friend's blog ( shout out to BuckerooMama and my <em>amazing</em> friend <span style="color:#6600cc;">Wanda</span> (at) <em><span style="color:#6600cc;">At Last.....</span><span style="color:#993399;">.)</span></em> and its......</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>well.....its pure magic</em><em>!</em></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Free, easy to use and best of all..... your kiddos will be in awe ~ frankly I was even nodding along with <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> as he recalled special moments from our children's past year, mentioned an item or 2 from their individual wish lists and reminded them to be kind and good, because <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> himself believes in them. I so rarely have anything like this to share and I'm beyond tickled to pass it along!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">A quick tip before starting would be to go ahead and save 3 favorite photos of each child to your desktop for ease of downloading and close up shots seemed best. I selected a close up of each child for "Santa's Book" and dug in our 2010 archives for pictures of special events. Lauren was incredulous to spot photos from Disney tucked into Santa's big book and Tyler thrilled at seeing a 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July picture!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>For a child on the cusp of wondering if <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> is "real", this was/is a tremendous gift. Its just that authentic and sweet. Even little Tyler was incredulous and his eyes were as big as saucers. He loved answering Santa's little questions and couldn't stop waving and blowing kisses. When it was all done ( they both watched each video 3 times!) <span style="font-size:100%;">Tyler flew to the window convinced <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa</span> was circling overhead</span></em><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><em>Pure delight and I hope the photos can share even a bit more!! Then check it out to make one for your Christmas sweetie!! </em></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em></em></span><br /><a href="http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home">http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuGSufUUswNmiTzCxuoj07xPphemj086UvCZh9OBxqV3vWc0HiI2MwtOkqiVtwt226uY4zub16DbIC8-KD7Ovyfsn9HlmruTckViCLf0mZAAUnwpxPtnnADmLAp5q_L8kH2vbWEAJ/s1600/polar+matching+j%2527s+cute+cute.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545545708740960562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuGSufUUswNmiTzCxuoj07xPphemj086UvCZh9OBxqV3vWc0HiI2MwtOkqiVtwt226uY4zub16DbIC8-KD7Ovyfsn9HlmruTckViCLf0mZAAUnwpxPtnnADmLAp5q_L8kH2vbWEAJ/s400/polar+matching+j%2527s+cute+cute.jpg" /></a><em> </em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>We told our matching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">jammies</span> clad munchkins that <span style="color:#ff0000;">Santa </span>was sending special email videos to some(very lucky!) children and that <strong>IF</strong> we were fortunate enough to receive one (or 2!) they would hit the Midwest after 7 p.m.; this (above) was their reaction to the news that Mama's inbox had 2 messages waiting</em>!<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOZi-c3O1jXIpCvnCxwCFIBCBL3Zo5xTXq8AMkMAugT0RQCGL7eEu0z_9g-lutJDw3DCmRBpHgjyldTLdfWDVzdFHHs7PYfceqyY4ugjvrGVquovdngNbm9xUpxohMpd86UNMk3fX/s1600/Polar+hands+at+mouth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545545420445846290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOZi-c3O1jXIpCvnCxwCFIBCBL3Zo5xTXq8AMkMAugT0RQCGL7eEu0z_9g-lutJDw3DCmRBpHgjyldTLdfWDVzdFHHs7PYfceqyY4ugjvrGVquovdngNbm9xUpxohMpd86UNMk3fX/s400/Polar+hands+at+mouth.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"> <em>I can't even look at this without grinning right back at them both!!</em></span></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPP-ssRTljbZ5KLX3YMjYBIPW9lw94c_lCpQoP8j15PhwBUGjhkQ7AZ9sqaL83kHsPG-tP706g2lfZUKHpv_KdTYYIGfRByfCASLcWd2tPNUnf2WanKUOSuzX4ea4RXVCTMjUUhXD/s1600/Polar+intrigue.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 361px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545544793408436450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPP-ssRTljbZ5KLX3YMjYBIPW9lw94c_lCpQoP8j15PhwBUGjhkQ7AZ9sqaL83kHsPG-tP706g2lfZUKHpv_KdTYYIGfRByfCASLcWd2tPNUnf2WanKUOSuzX4ea4RXVCTMjUUhXD/s400/Polar+intrigue.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOL46uoD3uBQYi0o1CqQmaleYhELPZBc0_Gl7vC3a-8WmqjykDF-_0e0Ht4Dypj6lHJBYh9_OkyItCvknCPEEDxqQ8xi4tGlLiQBYwxlnz9ukyqmIUch8PXNJ3Ml_UwAQD4uArV1p/s1600/Polar+Ty+lay.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 370px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545544476230502290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOL46uoD3uBQYi0o1CqQmaleYhELPZBc0_Gl7vC3a-8WmqjykDF-_0e0Ht4Dypj6lHJBYh9_OkyItCvknCPEEDxqQ8xi4tGlLiQBYwxlnz9ukyqmIUch8PXNJ3Ml_UwAQD4uArV1p/s400/Polar+Ty+lay.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Tyler...waiting patiently for his turn.<br /></em></span><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUW9KtQBr614GUBAcyn2uU-S5Um6n8blFxBw4DFLOg6oGgKhWy2P2T9VvZtxAAfFhLMyDrH2KYr_JsIcNKaNSH68Aw576guWSBIe2MScaD9RpO-RFub_EUqkWQrl-xejyL5i7XH5A/s1600/Polar+both.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545543928604404578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUW9KtQBr614GUBAcyn2uU-S5Um6n8blFxBw4DFLOg6oGgKhWy2P2T9VvZtxAAfFhLMyDrH2KYr_JsIcNKaNSH68Aw576guWSBIe2MScaD9RpO-RFub_EUqkWQrl-xejyL5i7XH5A/s400/Polar+both.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em> AND then it WAS finally his turn! And Big Sis was right there with a hug!</em></span></div><div>********************************************************</div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><strong>AND</strong> since my original intention was to share a bit (more) of our Thanksgiving tidings with you all, here are a few photos from our long and wonderful weekend at my parent's house. The time simply went too fast and already we are counting the days until we see everyone again!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWo-ebvDxXDsfPQ3wZcNnzQzOquG8Co-grAr9nCHHgIuCmKadNX16Qcpu3a82BoA7I-QFWWus60WksF195CkJVoaCWJ4q9l-ho2DDBELyuKQIPnaDZKfR2gBwyjwgYwjE_HwNtOwX/s1600/Thanks+metal+lid.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545543180302672098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWo-ebvDxXDsfPQ3wZcNnzQzOquG8Co-grAr9nCHHgIuCmKadNX16Qcpu3a82BoA7I-QFWWus60WksF195CkJVoaCWJ4q9l-ho2DDBELyuKQIPnaDZKfR2gBwyjwgYwjE_HwNtOwX/s400/Thanks+metal+lid.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YfZ6WZzxBAXrYJdlhGPAnechiouhjB0b5yWNz942wvkPe_cMIQJNvvLcSYPbDTXtzipx6jwQ7qa8X6o-inFydzXgFVLq9kUfKwPIeh3qdB3mbyua9qpve6KuaZkIwREhmy4ickjB/s1600/thanks+our+fam.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545542797927713474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YfZ6WZzxBAXrYJdlhGPAnechiouhjB0b5yWNz942wvkPe_cMIQJNvvLcSYPbDTXtzipx6jwQ7qa8X6o-inFydzXgFVLq9kUfKwPIeh3qdB3mbyua9qpve6KuaZkIwREhmy4ickjB/s400/thanks+our+fam.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYIGoxdNH0UkF39ErqwTQ7whkIUxwVI1vxeTo_5-hCt_V0QVk-6nEvJC2s7qwMx_DszUhM32riJ1uMy2GwWDDwBq-439ZimZ-2XdSVgcc0fc-65GXd_2hBgrtqhcCCTkYEB9GeQPm/s1600/thanks+T+and+Daddy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545542459905317298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYIGoxdNH0UkF39ErqwTQ7whkIUxwVI1vxeTo_5-hCt_V0QVk-6nEvJC2s7qwMx_DszUhM32riJ1uMy2GwWDDwBq-439ZimZ-2XdSVgcc0fc-65GXd_2hBgrtqhcCCTkYEB9GeQPm/s400/thanks+T+and+Daddy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BlmRRRPMQDwpU4h6nFv3sUGVlUr2H91d6aJeESL6aXXmPTpKEzl7WIeHGLEmPMFa0yjnqJpKZ7qNFAvd3_2OV-fjQQCIHPdSh9K9lybTD74FtTd0uEec6Afvxc73D90edstmNnGB/s1600/thanks+with+Mimi+and+Papa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545542111704401186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BlmRRRPMQDwpU4h6nFv3sUGVlUr2H91d6aJeESL6aXXmPTpKEzl7WIeHGLEmPMFa0yjnqJpKZ7qNFAvd3_2OV-fjQQCIHPdSh9K9lybTD74FtTd0uEec6Afvxc73D90edstmNnGB/s400/thanks+with+Mimi+and+Papa.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMT-aWIWm4YVaqVzffOxmSFYTnH-gtTKVPTmPys5ETSTIaATJv0QON4GFPIWtobSXF0AnV9GqF7QpjwyV3iWRPMrIw9d0aZ-DfgM9oQmKhiZ43Fh9Xqnp3pl7-y-5qrBKujZFbCUg/s1600/thanks+A+and+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545540193609493986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMT-aWIWm4YVaqVzffOxmSFYTnH-gtTKVPTmPys5ETSTIaATJv0QON4GFPIWtobSXF0AnV9GqF7QpjwyV3iWRPMrIw9d0aZ-DfgM9oQmKhiZ43Fh9Xqnp3pl7-y-5qrBKujZFbCUg/s400/thanks+A+and+L.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Sadly my Sister and her family were not able to join us this year due to work considerations; thankfully our niece Alyssa was able to spend much of the weekend at Mimi & Papa's and we all loved having her there with us! <span style="font-size:100%;">She's wonderful with both kiddos and so beloved by them too!</span></em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAnaXsK4LEO7QzruQajfVL2EjdUgc6Z0_AAyrRehoVHkGsQeD2r3EfUxc2O8q5jV1KOJLWSe1g26fRg2VLTnAhdhPAktxivNpfjqbUm3SF7riWzaUfBCBiIufse1IZMGSdICBYxqa/s1600/thanks+A+%2526+T.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545539819656944994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAnaXsK4LEO7QzruQajfVL2EjdUgc6Z0_AAyrRehoVHkGsQeD2r3EfUxc2O8q5jV1KOJLWSe1g26fRg2VLTnAhdhPAktxivNpfjqbUm3SF7riWzaUfBCBiIufse1IZMGSdICBYxqa/s400/thanks+A+%2526+T.jpg" /></a> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Ho Ho Ho!!!!!!!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-87977646731402770622010-11-23T17:50:00.000-08:002010-11-23T20:00:22.302-08:00Thank You, Thanksgiving<span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Oh Thanksgiving, such a sweet little respite before it all........begins.</em> <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I intended to share a peek back at Thanksgiving memories of past but instead find myself solidly rooted in the present, keenly aware of all that our family has to be thankful for, <em>both on Thanksgiving Day and every day.</em></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span></em><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our days have been so busy of late</span> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">( and doesn't it seem like I'm always writing and/or saying that now?!?) </span>but very sweet</em>. <span style="font-size:85%;">We have been relishing and taking full advantage of a very mild <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Autumn</strong></span>. To watch Little Man splashing in his rain boots in only a light coat yesterday morning is nothing short of amazing........<em>pure bliss</em>. <em>Oh</em>, I know Winter is coming and I welcome aspects of that Season too. <em>But gracious</em> ,this has been a gorgeous season and we have endeavored to make <strong>THE VERY MOST</strong> of it as only Midwesterners really can! <span style="font-size:78%;">(and maybe our friends to the North too!)</span> <strong>:)</strong></span></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And I'm so behind on posting the oodles of photos I have been wanting to share! You all might still see pumpkins and skeletons peeking out from behind my kiddos in December if I ever get around to actually piecing those posts together. <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span> </strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">But if you came to my doorstep today you wouldn't find a trace or hint of Autumn. We bid farewell to the last remnants this past weekend, taking advantage of another gentle late afternoon and welcoming our Christmas cheer.....at least on the front porch!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of bumping my pumpkins and gourds from their spot of honor before Thanksgiving but it seems that, like most other things, our family too was eager to leap into the Season & squeek out as many days of twinkle lights as possible! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Inside the house I caved in too. <em>Yes, I did</em>. Our big tree is up, festooned with its lights ~ but<strong> NO</strong> decorations yet. I stamped my foot right down on that, feeling quite smug in my self control, only to suggest this very afternoon that it might be fun for each kiddo to decorate their miniature trees and Lauren's petite bedroom tree. <strong>*sigh*</strong> Just call me Target or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wal</span>-mart( well, I sort of prefer Target then I suppose).......<strong>LOL</strong>.......clearing the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">debris</span> from one holiday before its even begun to make room for the next</span>!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">But gosh was it fun watching Lauren admire her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">diminutive</span> pretties, some from her very first Christmas with us and little Tyler thrilling at each successful ornament placed on its perch, no matter how unsteady it might have sat!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>And hey!</em> I did insist on <strong>NOT</strong> bringing out the classic Christmas DVD's. I mean, I do have standards ya know! And we read every single Thanksgiving book we own today. Twice! <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So here I sit, with handmade <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Turkeys</span> vying for attention ( and space) with the first few trinkets of Christmas; <em>there will be more to come</em>, as Turkeys get tucked away and Christmas treasures unearthed from their basement slumber. <em>Honestly? I can't wait!!!</em></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">There's also one more confession I need to make: we took the kids to see <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Santa</strong></span> this past Saturday</span>.<em><span style="font-size:78%;"> I know...I know</span></em>. <span style="font-size:85%;">More to share, photos and all, on that one ~ but can I just say that walking right up, with no wait (no line!!), no fidgeting kiddos and overheated husbands AND witnessing our tiny guy hop right up beside Santa with no hesitation.........<em>well, it was mighty darn magical even <strong>IF</strong> it <strong>IS</strong> still November. <span style="font-size:100%;">Ho Ho Gobble??</span> *grin*</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And our attempt at taking our traditional <span style="color:#ff0000;">Christmas</span> card photo? <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ummmm</span>....</em>let's just say its a work in progress and there's good news! It seems I will have another post of "outtakes" to share much like last year........<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> getting them both to look(and not appear constipated or in pain) in the same general direction <strong>AND</strong> smile <strong>AND</strong> have outfits coordinated, smoothed and wrinkle free?.........<em>yeah, this year I might just settle for coordinating outfits! </em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And that brings me to my only grievance to share tonight. I do believe that at least one of you <em>*ahem*</em> or more</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">( you know who you are!)</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">were supposed to remind me to begin taking said Holiday photo in June this year <strong>OR</strong> seek professional help as needed. Somehow I missed that memo friends. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;"> :)</span></strong> <em>But its okay, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> even if you had sent word in June, I probably would have been secretly eyeballing our Halloween (decoration) tubs down in our basement and would have missed it anyways!</em> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <strong> ;)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>And</em>,</span> I'm going to be offline for most of the coming long weekend, so I'll wish you all a blessed & yummy Turkey weekend now. <em>I'll be anxious to get caught back up with you all again soon!</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Of course I can't close a Thanksgiving post without sharing a bit of sugar.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>How thankful I am for these two</strong>: <em>for his dimpled grin and belly laughs and her quick wit and huge heart. For his exuberance and her flair. For all that they are and because I wake up each day, not just on Thanksgiving, grateful for the gift of them. Just so happy to be their Mama.</em></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH3F-_y9H63Ezg6y3qlO7HwIP52ZOeIMMSgKUqrvtKM5fSCWIH1-buhyphenhyphen1KYvXiRo4UkFR4ct8oSRduIaU4HXYzAmQ8voZzaQOSYJAkxAakxMKwh5a66j9uy598JXfZHyDqaBlxTZn/s1600/Tyler+by+tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542932135924383186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH3F-_y9H63Ezg6y3qlO7HwIP52ZOeIMMSgKUqrvtKM5fSCWIH1-buhyphenhyphen1KYvXiRo4UkFR4ct8oSRduIaU4HXYzAmQ8voZzaQOSYJAkxAakxMKwh5a66j9uy598JXfZHyDqaBlxTZn/s400/Tyler+by+tree.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP47-y93kP5aT5hKSFGZLixOx58hcSu5mvLOjvQ2rH_GJE58S2aRYaOhxcdqBfAf5dgqX-ftePM68kguR8MrJi8_23EJIWGNEW4AJh2K9-iIfhHaSiEEf-D0nyVpUsnYGm22sPSHJf/s1600/Tyler+tree+serious.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542931510679788594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP47-y93kP5aT5hKSFGZLixOx58hcSu5mvLOjvQ2rH_GJE58S2aRYaOhxcdqBfAf5dgqX-ftePM68kguR8MrJi8_23EJIWGNEW4AJh2K9-iIfhHaSiEEf-D0nyVpUsnYGm22sPSHJf/s400/Tyler+tree+serious.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Z3jvs3MBkhs4yesqJD209j4Irznm6i5N3QkFHirA2dIyTn5JRXrbK4bIprWpc-afGLpdsrFkDUV8zJjOw1U-fQtLb3ITi1mq_AUDOixGLO8_vrFo16XJTNnX4pjWvVPZIBns86K/s1600/tree+day+pretty+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542930675801320706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Z3jvs3MBkhs4yesqJD209j4Irznm6i5N3QkFHirA2dIyTn5JRXrbK4bIprWpc-afGLpdsrFkDUV8zJjOw1U-fQtLb3ITi1mq_AUDOixGLO8_vrFo16XJTNnX4pjWvVPZIBns86K/s400/tree+day+pretty+L.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSnutnN_PpNd4gAe4hEl8iMAzFZYc_Lf2dU5E0hb3EJ6ichmq3wdRiFmj6XpB8GF5NroymRgJQSA3HvqszD7VmJYXcihaihovyI3Mk4EpZvwnnEj_mP6WsLefGb5GLcbqNlkRw_ZX/s1600/tree+day+nature+walk+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 392px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542929715414909250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSnutnN_PpNd4gAe4hEl8iMAzFZYc_Lf2dU5E0hb3EJ6ichmq3wdRiFmj6XpB8GF5NroymRgJQSA3HvqszD7VmJYXcihaihovyI3Mk4EpZvwnnEj_mP6WsLefGb5GLcbqNlkRw_ZX/s400/tree+day+nature+walk+L.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Thank you, Thanksgiving!<br /></span><div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-73261429887121579732010-11-15T17:46:00.000-08:002010-11-15T19:40:55.238-08:00Race Matters: One and a Half<span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">First I wish to thank you all for your warm, supportive and encouraging remarks regarding my last post. <em>I read many of them to Lauren and she was shyly pleased, and a bit perplexed about why such a fuss was made about something that happened "so long ago".</em> <strong>:) </strong>For me, its always a bit of an exhale, as I can't help but wonder how certain posts or messages will be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span>, especially the ones of a more personal nature. I had held on to this memory for so long and it was intriguing to go back and read again that snapshot moment and reflect on it through not just my own musings but through the lens of all of you, as you contributed through your shared insights and commentary. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">Always I am left grateful for this collective community and what a compassionate and powerful community at that! </span></em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;">Why then is this post titled <em>One and a Half? </em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">I could have just as readily titled this: <em><span style="font-size:100%;">What I Wish I Had Also Said</span></em>, as I feel a lingering sense of unfinished business with this one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Shortly after publishing my last post, I received an anonymous comment from a fellow adoptive Mama who wanted to reach out, but didn't wish to have her comment actually published. With no email to respond to and no way to trace back to her, only her anguish was left for me to consider. In her comment she shared that her daughter, also adopted Internationally and roughly Lauren's same age, was not handling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> issues and questions in a way that she felt was appropriate. Or n<em>ot in the same way that Lauren had done so that summer before last.</em> And I............well, I was left saddened and a bit thunderstruck. <em>In my words, she imagined that she had found a formula or litmus for how our precious babies should respond and feared that she had somehow failed to discover it.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>In truth she broke my heart just a bit. That my words caused such consternation and grief for another, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">albeit</span> unintentionally...........well, words don't fail me often, <span style="font-size:100%;">but this once they did.</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">So for this sweet Mama and anyone else who may have felt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similarly</span>, I want to share a bit more ~ <em>what I should have maybe said before.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That each child is vastly different and will approach these types of situations in equally varied ways. That what might feel right for one child, may not be right for another.</span> </span><div></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">That there is truly no right or wrong response and measuring one child's response to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">another</span> or looking for a standard from which to measure future outcomes just doesn't exist.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">That our daughter while only 6 (at that time) was just 4 months shy of turning 7 and that every. single. month. can make a difference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em>That she has always been a bit of an old soul,</em> touched with a flair and tendency for the romantic. Notions of hearts and a faraway land called Taiwan would have suited her fancy in much the same way a child being raised Catholic would have felt comfortable mentioning God to a son of another Catholic family. Lauren and <strong>A</strong> were not just classmates in public school but also in Religious Education. <em>They shared a common foundation of faith.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>That I believe she was able to share of her heart so freely, <span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>without measuring each word in fear of judgement</strong> </span>because she was standing among children and only children; <span style="font-size:100%;">where friendship was mutual and innocence reigned.</span> Had I rushed in or had A's Mom been present, I suspect her response may have been quite different. <strong>All of their responses</strong>.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">And while I was careful to say that this was a snippet........<em>and but a moment in time</em>, I should have better emphasized that a 6 year <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">olds</span> perspective on Race Matters may not remain static and that same perspective may look different at age 8 or 10 or through adulthood. <em>How could it not?</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">That while this remains the <strong>ONLY </strong>time I witnessed Lauren being asked to affirm her sibling status to Tyler due to their differing physical characteristics, that I have observed her handling of other intrusive adoptive queries by strangers ( or friends ) and that sometimes she stumbles or elects to deflect or simply stand behind me, her Mama, wishing for me to handle it. <em>And I do.......though that's a work in progress also.</em> <strong>:)</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em><strong>AND </strong>that I'm proud of her each and every time, no matter her response or lack thereof. Because sometimes <strong>not</strong> using your voice says just as much. </em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">That we can do our best. That we can arm our children with techniques, tools, strategies and confidence for coping and that it still might not be enough.<em> Or not all the time or for every scenario anyways.</em> Over the years I have been stumped on more than one occasion when confronted with the absurd ,so imagine how it must be for our precious <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Littles</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">That while our love for them might be color blind ( and so BIG!), <em><span style="font-size:100%;">sadly the world might seek to label them otherwise. </span></em>The trick then is finding the right balance for each child and at any given time. And that will probably look very different for each family and child.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>That I'm always learning and trying to do better too. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;">That her daughter is probably right where she needs to be in her own journey.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>That all of these miracle children deserve celebration. <span style="font-size:100%;">No. Matter. What</span>. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Oh yes, I would have also sent a great big virtual hug too ( <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> I'm known to do that!) and reminded her that she's not alone........never alone in this crazy and amazing thing called Parenthood! </em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pssst</span>.......</span>yes, I still hope to add one more installment to my Race Matters series (the one I intended to originally post); but I promise, just one more!!! <em>Scout's honor</em>. <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-60114443139325226942010-11-10T18:31:00.000-08:002010-11-10T20:05:35.359-08:00Race Matters<span style="color:#6600cc;">A few months after arriving home with Baby Tyler we found ourselves winding down Lauren's Kindergarten year with a trip to our local pool on an unseasonably steamy day in late May. Tyler was around 10 months at the time and spent the majority of his time gazing with keen interest and delight at the children splashing, the gurgling fountains and the general mayhem that you might expect between the borders of the zero depth and the deep end rope. Sprinkle in the palpable energy of the school year nearly being completed, <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>summer</strong></span> looming large <strong>AND</strong> the pool only having been opened for a day or so......and well, you can probably imagine with clarity then (me) standing in waist deep water, with baby cradled at my side, about 10 feet from Lauren who was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">frolicking</span> and swimming with a friend or 2 from class.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>10 feet</strong>, <em>otherwise known as the distance deemed acceptable</em> to an <span style="font-size:85%;">"almost First Grader, you know Mama" </span>who was anxious to strut a bit and honestly was/is a capable swimmer. So there I stood, swaying as I'm known to do (it comes so naturally now that I'm pretty sure I do this even when <strong>NOT</strong> holding a baby!) delighting in both children, <em>one discovering a bit of independence and one just blissed out "discovering</em>". **<span style="font-size:85%;">So sets the scene of this particular moment, forever now in my mind & heart.**</span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">A short time later I heard (and was liberally sprinkled by crashing sprinkles of water spray) a classmate joyfully shout out to Lauren as he thrashed his way to her spot near the middle of the activity pool. I remember smiling a bit to myself and wiping a few water droplets from my face, thankful that the baby didn't take the full affects of the dousing, <em>but beyond that my thoughts were just a lazy jumble of the day to day contentment & fluff</em>. I may have even drifted a bit closer to the 10 foot zone, unintentionally breaching it, caught up in my murmurings to Tyler. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Because of that I don't really know what prompted the conversation I shortly became aware of between Lauren and her friend from class. (we'll call him <strong>"A"</strong>) <em>But it went something like this and is forever etched in my memory........</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>A:</strong></span> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Is that your brother over their with your Mom?</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em><strong>Lauren</strong>: Yes, that's Tyler.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>A:</strong><em> Is he really your brother?</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em><strong>Lauren</strong>:(<span style="font-size:85%;">surprised</span>) Yes.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>A:</strong><em> (<span style="font-size:85%;">almost with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">suspicion</span></span> ) How come his eyes look like that? And why is his hair so dark? He doesn't look like you.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em><strong>Side Bar</strong> ~ its interesting to note here that this little boy had seen us several times before within the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">classroom</span>, at various school functions and at church events without showing any outward interest towards us during previous encounters. And he's honestly a very sweet boy.</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em>It's also notable that one of Lauren's close friends was also standing there and was becoming increasingly upset with" A "<strong>and looked extremely stricken to Lauren's outward calm</strong></em></span><strong>.</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Lauren</strong>:<em> (<span style="font-size:85%;">after a long pause in which clearly she was deciding what to say, how to say it and perhaps <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">marshaling</span> her wits a bit too</span>) <strong>Tyler brought his hair and eyes with him from Taiwan and that's the way God wanted him to look. On the inside we are the same. Our hearts say...... brother & sister</strong>. (<span style="font-size:85%;">smiling...satisfied</span>)</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>A:</strong> (<span style="font-size:85%;">still looking doubtful</span>) <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ummm</span>....</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Lauren</strong>: (<em><span style="font-size:85%;">sporting that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mischievous</span> twinkle</span>) Besides you don't look like your brother at all either. <span style="font-size:85%;">( totally accurate observation!)</span></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>A:</strong> <em>(<span style="font-size:85%;">eyes wide</span>) Hey yeah! I think he brought those with him from ........(insert the suburb next to us where he was born) too!! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:) </span></strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Lauren</strong><em>: That's cool.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Lauren's friend</strong>: <em>(<span style="font-size:85%;">seemingly relieved</span>) Come on guys, let's play.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Lauren/A</strong>: <em>Yeah!</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#993399;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">And off they went, having tackled a topic with raw honesty and grace that many adults still struggle mightily with; a set of perceptions regarding Race (and in many ways adoption also) as witnessed by three 6 year <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">old children</span> ....<em>one moment in time, but with ripples & implications nonetheless.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I remember standing there, <em>frozen momentarily in that very sea of swirling ripples</em>, with tears glistening and threatening to spill over. Watching with heightened intensity, <em>thoughts no longer ambling</em>, <span style="font-size:85%;">but sharp and focused</span>, as one child innocently slept, nestled in the crook of my arm and oblivious to nuances of Race while another shrieked and splashed with her friends and <strong>WAS</strong> mindful of, <em>or reminded by others</em> that <em>Race Matters</em>.............<em><strong>even when it doesn't to a proud Big Sister.</strong></em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Edit to Add</span></strong>: I hesitated to post this without a bit of disclaimer. Please know that prior to that encounter at the pool we had discussed issues of Race, ethnic identity , heritage and many related tangents candidly with Lauren. <em>We also had worked steadily to arm her with an understanding that while folks might have the "right" ( or nerve!) to ask questions that might seem personal or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inappropriate</span>, she had the same right to measure her responses through deflection, humor, redirection, by answering directly if comfortable doing so or by simply ignoring a question</em>. Empowering her to make those decisions for the moments we knew would come when one of us wasn't present for support. <em>Empowering her so she would always have a voice or a choice.</em></span><br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Ultimately this was a true reflection of a little girl's earnest and beautiful heart at age 6.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>November marks among other things, Adoption Awareness Month and I share this recollection in celebration of these 2 children who have blessed our lives beyond measure and well beyond our wildest dreams. Also in remembrance of those children who still await loving arms and Big Sisters (or Brothers!) to champion their innocence.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Finally, this will be <strong>part one of two Race Matters</strong> posts as I wish to share a more recent thread on this topic as seen through the lens of a now Second Grader but fear it would be too large to post as one!!! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:) </span></strong><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I think we have already established that I am a bit long winded.</span></em> <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-41938896193472525492010-11-02T18:36:00.000-07:002010-11-02T20:10:04.567-07:00Where Upon I.............<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>inundate you all with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">gratuitous</span> photos of my 2 'pumpkins'. <strong>:)</strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Multiple Choice: <strong>:)</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Why am I virtually the last blogger in the "sphere" to share Halloween photos?</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">A.</span></strong> Our weekend was just filled to the brim with tricks & treats and it took me a full day *and a half* to play catch up and return to my groove!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">B.</span></strong> My folks came into town to help us celebrate Halloween and both kiddos had a full complement of Grandparent "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">paparazzi</span>" for trick or treating ~ which also meant a few extra shopping trips for us girls and late night gab fests. <strong>:)</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>C.</strong></span> Because we attended Lauren's school Autumn Fest Friday night, her final soccer game of the <span style="color:#ff6600;">Fall</span> season Saturday morning ( and they won!) , <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">chauffeured</span> her to a friend's pool party Saturday afternoon and ate out with my folks Saturday night ~ <em>oh, and shopped a bit on the way home!</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>LOL</strong></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>D.</strong> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ummm</span>....cause I really couldn't wait any longer to peek at the blogs I adore and see all of their fabulous photos and hear about their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">spooktacular</span> Halloween events! ( So that came first before a post of my own!)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>E.</strong></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">All of the above</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Did you guess E?????</em> ( I know you did!! ) <em>Uh huh</em>, it was a CRAZY BUSY SPOOKY <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">FUNTASTIC</span> and all around '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">fantabulous</span>' <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Halloween</strong></span> weekend. Honestly I feel as if the entire month of October has been a bit that way, with even the weather treating us to unseasonably gorgeous & mild days.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Trick or treating Sunday was <strong>FUN</strong>; we began trick or treating on our town square which is a family tradition. We loved having all the Grand P's with us and we always bump into so many friends and folks we know. And the variety of costumes on the square? <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ah'mazing</span>!</em> We saw a Mr. Clean, those little scrubbing bubbles, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Rubik</span> cube and a beautiful white Husky in a pink tutu! <em>Where else could you see that??</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>LOL</strong></span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Afterwards we all headed home for chili & pumpkin cookies and soon enough we had a few anxious friends eagerly waiting for Lauren to come out and trick or treat. So out we went and onward went the blur of action <em>formerly known as Lauren and her buddies Abby and Jocelyn.</em> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></strong> <em>And Tyler?</em> Oh gracious, did he have <strong>F.U.N.</strong> No <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">qualms</span> for him as he pumped those little legs furiously to keep up with the girls and no fears about marching right up to each porch and saying "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Twick</span> or Treat". (yeah, he got the treat part right every. single. time. ) And for as long as I live I won't ever forget the look of complete <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">incredulity</span> and joy on his sweet face as folks actually handed him candy.......<em>candy mind you!!!</em>.......and often times by the handful! </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">We love our neighborhood and both kiddos made out like bandits. Honestly they both even received full sized candy bars!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <em>Full size???</em> <strong>AND</strong> more than one! I just don't remember that when I was a kiddo. <span style="font-size:130%;">Wow.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Needless to say that Monday morning crept around sooner than expected and found our crew a bit groggy when those alarms began to chime. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Thankfully we discovered that chocolate for breakfast wakes us right up!</em></span> <strong> :) j/k</strong> We also had to say goodbye for a few weeks to Mimi & Papa and we miss them already. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Its been a great month and below are some of the pictures from our weekend and a few that I meant share before but somehow ran out of time!!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Please say hello to our very own Tiger ( or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tigra</span>), 3 Eyed Monster and Devil Doggy.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP2Mr2GHsyS5C1xsTVDmGnQgqSMdRPAr8xXOG76wLQIDU-dFIxI5d1aLh1nzd00QVAAXkwatwPWwO957ce_Xtzok8W_wLSNtqOGAg7eaCtRaQvlSgJ6QKIwbd4j7SSd9I6aqZvIWp/s1600/H+both+kids+Halloween.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535138462506902258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP2Mr2GHsyS5C1xsTVDmGnQgqSMdRPAr8xXOG76wLQIDU-dFIxI5d1aLh1nzd00QVAAXkwatwPWwO957ce_Xtzok8W_wLSNtqOGAg7eaCtRaQvlSgJ6QKIwbd4j7SSd9I6aqZvIWp/s400/H+both+kids+Halloween.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJAJ-KEZlxAikzOanAzaMqvgtoayQBi_sPhiX5ef8Jz2hLvuGN0aPy3p4XdYrrHwE310baF46QnVU4Ez-18Ry5I39aykD_z6KtsWM4equraeCQ4WcRQrztJk_TIkQYGmGxBb4uH5K/s1600/H+tiger+growl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535137961892681506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJAJ-KEZlxAikzOanAzaMqvgtoayQBi_sPhiX5ef8Jz2hLvuGN0aPy3p4XdYrrHwE310baF46QnVU4Ez-18Ry5I39aykD_z6KtsWM4equraeCQ4WcRQrztJk_TIkQYGmGxBb4uH5K/s400/H+tiger+growl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpo8JVsuzr51pJQ329F-6_EfkBcHdGK0TLSyWI4qp04Lwprn6k9tg8hpptfw9GWlXkSwb5rZClSaxO4Ng9W4EomU9N76OdKyn-PFgT0-VlnRVc6sCWsOW5B-zm2fOMEQzaQ6gcZBt/s1600/H+Tigra.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535137655161511378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpo8JVsuzr51pJQ329F-6_EfkBcHdGK0TLSyWI4qp04Lwprn6k9tg8hpptfw9GWlXkSwb5rZClSaxO4Ng9W4EomU9N76OdKyn-PFgT0-VlnRVc6sCWsOW5B-zm2fOMEQzaQ6gcZBt/s400/H+Tigra.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr</span>.............<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrszZPFx-xc4Stg-q6MckVdlqmGglC0LY3ZkDBcGo7wdmBorDWI_MjHvC8xGiDpa-W4rQrvEV_MwsGlQOOO500-xSQHUmo5DfrCE13fFlcOoYZx9MceKqd0GYrtu_nXPICQpcNZqs/s1600/H+elmo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535137181386937042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrszZPFx-xc4Stg-q6MckVdlqmGglC0LY3ZkDBcGo7wdmBorDWI_MjHvC8xGiDpa-W4rQrvEV_MwsGlQOOO500-xSQHUmo5DfrCE13fFlcOoYZx9MceKqd0GYrtu_nXPICQpcNZqs/s400/H+elmo.jpg" /></a><em> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Tyler met up with a few furry friends on the square. </span></em></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBs90CNCiCtHXKYp8U_7rDZoPhmjqKuhyPMsYTiRiJIyHm1dyI868szSJLhBJHHFaT7ukR83zb8q3Vzcpg8ERVNxJR8alddsJMVHrEWgwZHeItDnFcrKxgWAmIBGeu9LswhmAQMDA/s1600/H+Lexi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535136705395481154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBs90CNCiCtHXKYp8U_7rDZoPhmjqKuhyPMsYTiRiJIyHm1dyI868szSJLhBJHHFaT7ukR83zb8q3Vzcpg8ERVNxJR8alddsJMVHrEWgwZHeItDnFcrKxgWAmIBGeu9LswhmAQMDA/s400/H+Lexi.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HWsp7gXJVbm2_oMKx_SkLP3Ta6N6f_nY0kkXgF9UkdXv7hDPzEzNEUHPRUZhCnBat6b-8QyvVefmN_OmQVR5wAUkzIiT3h_HyynCSe0WmQtt2kdeeKJNisQUT0WLTwsmRjmnBAy7/s1600/H+green+guy+pumpkin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 382px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535136343753693330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HWsp7gXJVbm2_oMKx_SkLP3Ta6N6f_nY0kkXgF9UkdXv7hDPzEzNEUHPRUZhCnBat6b-8QyvVefmN_OmQVR5wAUkzIiT3h_HyynCSe0WmQtt2kdeeKJNisQUT0WLTwsmRjmnBAy7/s400/H+green+guy+pumpkin.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em> Yes, there it is.....the pumpkin who survived a sampling and went on to become a cranky <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Jack O' Lantern</strong></span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span> </em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Have you seen him??? The rarely spotted, elusive Taiwan Fur Ball?? Sightings are rare but he was rumored to have been lurking near the woods by our house......He's considered armed and adorable.</em></span></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwMzhUEcewBL3wauXbgAuTwDUkHOa5QOg7LFGQpBy6F9qNqIgkSAnNN0-C7kXuncVB4ioo0vs23K3LM5cC6EwSpC5QbXaZJRGaVFrLo8VNSVJqOjPljA42vL4ZP_akjaniKIgD3Fd/s1600/H+green+stick.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 378px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535136042602722498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwMzhUEcewBL3wauXbgAuTwDUkHOa5QOg7LFGQpBy6F9qNqIgkSAnNN0-C7kXuncVB4ioo0vs23K3LM5cC6EwSpC5QbXaZJRGaVFrLo8VNSVJqOjPljA42vL4ZP_akjaniKIgD3Fd/s400/H+green+stick.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8bWUEjOftAsbdiDuacCVNL127zpkouo9daPmf8rR8B_7nxmUm1Yc0HtbMtDg58Nj2SWsDGXFpJnWnoze0-OZ77wkMMal71N8pUblY0Sn1Wgj5qE3BqEWnMZ7pBnVrh5HT5cYU3nj/s1600/H+green+stick+grin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 382px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535135596651809586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8bWUEjOftAsbdiDuacCVNL127zpkouo9daPmf8rR8B_7nxmUm1Yc0HtbMtDg58Nj2SWsDGXFpJnWnoze0-OZ77wkMMal71N8pUblY0Sn1Wgj5qE3BqEWnMZ7pBnVrh5HT5cYU3nj/s400/H+green+stick+grin.jpg" /></a> "<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Have stick will travel"............"speak <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">sofly</span> but carry a big stick".....<span style="font-size:85%;">sorry, just couldn't help myself! </span> <strong>:)</strong></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>AND a change of days.................Pumpkin Patch Moments:<br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWZu2H0vXZQvZAnykHC37VBHH_YYIs4JDmcn_nYy0TlGgRuNDjs-J_uOhGG_U9VYb_dVlwyPJA3RJFhjNHOHzJwS62UdTkm94-09-j_TcpHCWx7pTx_LynRTV3vmKugVbuKfAlREb/s1600/H+kids+on+cows.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535134801704009170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWZu2H0vXZQvZAnykHC37VBHH_YYIs4JDmcn_nYy0TlGgRuNDjs-J_uOhGG_U9VYb_dVlwyPJA3RJFhjNHOHzJwS62UdTkm94-09-j_TcpHCWx7pTx_LynRTV3vmKugVbuKfAlREb/s400/H+kids+on+cows.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em> Our kids <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>LOVED</strong></span> this cow train ~ and rode said train no less than 5 or 6 times! </em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlAQGI1g4Q4mSnu8J1CgwqByVZHuYmNckpfnF1vFIuraNAXLpyi87aqYy5doEJg6FSKSrqK23JCEv7ND1t8sjeBFyjnO82JnRI0Lb9yD4-p-PJrmY_d28Aw8DpAGrZ032p5fVkZ1u/s1600/H+L+ghost.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535134442802786146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlAQGI1g4Q4mSnu8J1CgwqByVZHuYmNckpfnF1vFIuraNAXLpyi87aqYy5doEJg6FSKSrqK23JCEv7ND1t8sjeBFyjnO82JnRI0Lb9yD4-p-PJrmY_d28Aw8DpAGrZ032p5fVkZ1u/s400/H+L+ghost.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Peek A BOO!</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuMZXaZ41KcQ7xtnlmpE7plaN16O4zVEIFEg8zWeBPi8dukIcZi7ceYrBUnblS5UAkqW4s06UsO-H0Y1kE6mEEdVd72Ex4hMaF1MeKiBPmgKu_rywUrlbj3cioaC7PcoUxIGtDBU-/s1600/h+kids+on+pumkies.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535134093372962322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuMZXaZ41KcQ7xtnlmpE7plaN16O4zVEIFEg8zWeBPi8dukIcZi7ceYrBUnblS5UAkqW4s06UsO-H0Y1kE6mEEdVd72Ex4hMaF1MeKiBPmgKu_rywUrlbj3cioaC7PcoUxIGtDBU-/s400/h+kids+on+pumkies.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Okay, I hear the snickering....<em>yes,</em> I was going for that classic pumpkin patch shot and <em>nope</em>, my two just were not having any part of it!!! <strong> :)</strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>AND </strong>last week Lauren participated in the<strong> All Saints Day Parade</strong> for her Religious Education class. Each child was asked to choose a Saint and dress in costume. Lauren carefully researched and proudly picked <em>Blessed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kateri</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tekakawitha</span>,</em> the only Native American Saint and the Patron Saint of Ecology and Environment. I was not surprised at all that Lauren would identify with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kateri</span> and she was so proud to create this costume and research this amazing young woman.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlAifvJj0V1aoK_FAaCgIoOiKfrn_kL00DStYtivLRmzryp4kz0oAHp4RDrjLvqcEjxWGwIw9QXsMSzbmBm8tdN3zC-pECc80DXIiH6Z356O9zGnd2TmQtX8E85PJqA9bY4wPkP2U/s1600/H+Kateri.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535133714080819122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlAifvJj0V1aoK_FAaCgIoOiKfrn_kL00DStYtivLRmzryp4kz0oAHp4RDrjLvqcEjxWGwIw9QXsMSzbmBm8tdN3zC-pECc80DXIiH6Z356O9zGnd2TmQtX8E85PJqA9bY4wPkP2U/s400/H+Kateri.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLZpK2O98LCR_RePwn7Jo9R7hXBsPf7c1LA3VKRdeCPDtzcnCx1EnydHwNBDyDrqB_zsnrpdwK4h7sdzsJCqVDPjyhWnN_zYGIMFgKsY20CCsOuWagtnrQ_49-REA24iQdeDJGPms/s1600/H+Kateri+close+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535133449796212770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLZpK2O98LCR_RePwn7Jo9R7hXBsPf7c1LA3VKRdeCPDtzcnCx1EnydHwNBDyDrqB_zsnrpdwK4h7sdzsJCqVDPjyhWnN_zYGIMFgKsY20CCsOuWagtnrQ_49-REA24iQdeDJGPms/s400/H+Kateri+close+up.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>And just because I <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>love</strong></span> these faces <span style="font-size:130%;">LOTS & LOTS!<br /><br /></span></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3fJPs3t1S3S8OxHwF3o5gRdv8Xw1lrj0jbkcyLU4VQMUQ1NLj8a4qAWF-NVJoYvfiZjhjq2IBhXqnQqf7yohO0c8nlpx74sBsvKmtOgPoVbxTQYBqUJ97Jfr3ldWAAA-ZUaW2gZt/s1600/H+love+my+Mummy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 396px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535132983066984994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3fJPs3t1S3S8OxHwF3o5gRdv8Xw1lrj0jbkcyLU4VQMUQ1NLj8a4qAWF-NVJoYvfiZjhjq2IBhXqnQqf7yohO0c8nlpx74sBsvKmtOgPoVbxTQYBqUJ97Jfr3ldWAAA-ZUaW2gZt/s400/H+love+my+Mummy.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>I love you too buddy!!!<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB360SRXVccF_45fYdDJEm_4NoWUMS-My4LkcWyPuNtm7qfAOiihuErGtd2OjmscOQr0rPqhehKRu8ueHFHQ0kf7yvUt0JOE0g5RrooVnzJScyqqi-MrPYRgxY3ctsWBecReYysnF/s1600/H+coolio+Tyler.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535132621822930866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB360SRXVccF_45fYdDJEm_4NoWUMS-My4LkcWyPuNtm7qfAOiihuErGtd2OjmscOQr0rPqhehKRu8ueHFHQ0kf7yvUt0JOE0g5RrooVnzJScyqqi-MrPYRgxY3ctsWBecReYysnF/s400/H+coolio+Tyler.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxso9jWeJY6Easb5SS351CY-7lU-pBfbK2YdQW_JaqhA4VknpXQqpfwE-kQViIl1Ni-a-jz1sAqLh4wE4Ln2rfWXkJXgJnfXp-q6rxd2QfkSSrz-QcfpknIkLLrycpNsaZ-GcwRiM/s1600/H+pretty+L+peace.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535132322336654002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxso9jWeJY6Easb5SS351CY-7lU-pBfbK2YdQW_JaqhA4VknpXQqpfwE-kQViIl1Ni-a-jz1sAqLh4wE4Ln2rfWXkJXgJnfXp-q6rxd2QfkSSrz-QcfpknIkLLrycpNsaZ-GcwRiM/s400/H+pretty+L+peace.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Love this one too!!</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJieGvqabUjC6bzXnX02xxHLltACiWo53vI5oWDg6N6MqJh4I3_xkF8vEc-Xr3kFIT28mk0jEIZwTzRFUzMP6epMQE2vhKNpgMURmcA3sr8uFqfgTeOA2bwiD1gPV7U6V7Z01AP9Nk/s1600/H+together+at+fire+place.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535131819726154322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJieGvqabUjC6bzXnX02xxHLltACiWo53vI5oWDg6N6MqJh4I3_xkF8vEc-Xr3kFIT28mk0jEIZwTzRFUzMP6epMQE2vhKNpgMURmcA3sr8uFqfgTeOA2bwiD1gPV7U6V7Z01AP9Nk/s400/H+together+at+fire+place.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Better than any candy bar or sweet...............<span style="font-size:130%;">my 2 little <span style="color:#ff6600;">pumpkins</span>!</span></em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-56460823938240793252010-10-20T06:09:00.000-07:002010-10-20T07:03:50.213-07:00Love At First.........<span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Bite?????????</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>This is the story of <span style="font-size:130%;">Cutie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">McCuterson</span></span> who fell head over heals for a pumpkin.....</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Selected just one, from a patch so grand......</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Loved this one most,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Best in all the land......</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>But as Fairy Tales sometimes go.........</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>There came a fateful day,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>When Cutie decided it was most meant for play......</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>And while he was at it, why not sample a bit?.....So,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Cutie became <span style="font-size:130%;">Toothy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">McTootherson</span></span> and had his own way.......</em></span><br /><em></em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHOBXBOW9ndksuCj3GhC7-RInRYSac4BxF02Ckyx0nR9d4kPk5T2q3R1DhRB8KMICq7zEylnA3oE1KEwJJ_scUzcKaQ8JzyjcPtXWQsJRNuJxFrVlWJhyphenhyphen8n-wIkfb8dgyIbNw-W8l/s1600/bite+feet+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530119893787809506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHOBXBOW9ndksuCj3GhC7-RInRYSac4BxF02Ckyx0nR9d4kPk5T2q3R1DhRB8KMICq7zEylnA3oE1KEwJJ_scUzcKaQ8JzyjcPtXWQsJRNuJxFrVlWJhyphenhyphen8n-wIkfb8dgyIbNw-W8l/s400/bite+feet+up.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>....</em>nice footrest after a long morning of play.....wonder if a small bite would complement this lollipop? <em>Only one way to find out!!!</em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSGidQOjx84ZHe-vLP-zyDGIO89ytatMnXB_eM-TuXM1RsmIzQU87Vs8v7yxVI5_tElSlH65kaBDTot3YTgE6VDs4BWtbzGWCglZ4VoUT82DFMnVGzzHL76iUk6i2nJ25HYdw8Hck/s1600/bite+bite.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530119588763412898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSGidQOjx84ZHe-vLP-zyDGIO89ytatMnXB_eM-TuXM1RsmIzQU87Vs8v7yxVI5_tElSlH65kaBDTot3YTgE6VDs4BWtbzGWCglZ4VoUT82DFMnVGzzHL76iUk6i2nJ25HYdw8Hck/s400/bite+bite.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Chomp....</em>slurp........*pause*<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX9fG8ymxI723bmFi6DUnJjTMNBw49qk-0rY4DumNkvT6b-7aD1OhTqLT0Ky2W8NYnHD_EdaVSaUNXpogOt71nz0AkkF7Z6_R86oe-lFwHEq85b3qZc_Jlf8m26RQSh_eDs83ZBi9/s1600/bite+shocked+mouth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530119110649984402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX9fG8ymxI723bmFi6DUnJjTMNBw49qk-0rY4DumNkvT6b-7aD1OhTqLT0Ky2W8NYnHD_EdaVSaUNXpogOt71nz0AkkF7Z6_R86oe-lFwHEq85b3qZc_Jlf8m26RQSh_eDs83ZBi9/s400/bite+shocked+mouth.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Cow-a-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">bunga</span></span></span><span style="color:#6600cc;">! Why didn't you tell me? ( <span style="font-size:85%;">well, okay, why didn't you tell me 3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">x's</span> instead of a mere 2?!?</span>) "<em>Mr. Pumpkin" leaves a bit of an aftertaste.....</em></span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8qypD2wCsev0yRZedTSVtLeAC1GUKsd4HHtIXB8NHoKywwWDj1KbsqB4Ih2TLoQ0rKnQBwcN-KqfLzyh3wcOB5b5G7G34ewCWmq7o9EDUf4-CBUH9iydrTDwMlDvfubuzerNTez_/s1600/bite+sitting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530118704476166498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8qypD2wCsev0yRZedTSVtLeAC1GUKsd4HHtIXB8NHoKywwWDj1KbsqB4Ih2TLoQ0rKnQBwcN-KqfLzyh3wcOB5b5G7G34ewCWmq7o9EDUf4-CBUH9iydrTDwMlDvfubuzerNTez_/s400/bite+sitting.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wha</span>?? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wha</span>??? I am only 2 years old ya know! Did you expect restraint??<strong> Ha</strong>! I laugh in the face of that silly notion!! (<span style="font-size:85%;">silly grownups</span>....) <strong>:)</strong></em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQyG0OA_yVzPhT5U7uUj3kCDHcbEC44R5ae-T8nnDKfxymqgJXwGVqDWZNYHl93AOVTzyIsq9M-ps8g8mm5ikYjpb6gw5AFatrcE7vA86EjAI2-BE2TDZfh5iUAGVwgrl3KBLuenx/s1600/bite+smile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530118324548594258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQyG0OA_yVzPhT5U7uUj3kCDHcbEC44R5ae-T8nnDKfxymqgJXwGVqDWZNYHl93AOVTzyIsq9M-ps8g8mm5ikYjpb6gw5AFatrcE7vA86EjAI2-BE2TDZfh5iUAGVwgrl3KBLuenx/s400/bite+smile.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heh</span>, heh, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">heh</span>.....good thing I'm cute and can get away with these types of shenanigans.</em></span></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GOcUXHKbBAGauIxkhctR77UTSlrV8abl9EjXDDPyeXf9n-RU4saMtQA7z15vAMRZtRPyxzf3fFJUO2J9k1DtS9fjO8e8-1TnPXjBvcLKvtj_mpp779U1GGHBnGmr6ksDqhDL560p/s1600/bite+contemplative.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 398px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530117602806496514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GOcUXHKbBAGauIxkhctR77UTSlrV8abl9EjXDDPyeXf9n-RU4saMtQA7z15vAMRZtRPyxzf3fFJUO2J9k1DtS9fjO8e8-1TnPXjBvcLKvtj_mpp779U1GGHBnGmr6ksDqhDL560p/s400/bite+contemplative.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Hey buddy? No hard feelings, right?? You know I <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>love</strong></span> ya!</span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA7Xn8o31QFaZ2_-ifYEf5cMZTpNFw9o51yt4oy-O2OBXiCb7LQBp75mxLHurYEyzWQ3dDO03QCcrunaTmwj1ia4SiN2CTOvLbeI2_7y3RAJZstrX2PCDzWTR3VqK525f4znDM1SA/s1600/bite+rolling.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530117246224732818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA7Xn8o31QFaZ2_-ifYEf5cMZTpNFw9o51yt4oy-O2OBXiCb7LQBp75mxLHurYEyzWQ3dDO03QCcrunaTmwj1ia4SiN2CTOvLbeI2_7y3RAJZstrX2PCDzWTR3VqK525f4znDM1SA/s400/bite+rolling.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Come on......I think I hear a dragon approaching......just a couple of rolling stones............... </em></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#993399;">So concludes our tale of <span style="font-size:130%;">Cutie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">McCuterson</span></span> and the brave pumpkin who survived a sampling from a curious prince and lived on to became a </span><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Jack O' Lantern.</strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Now a princess on the other hand????</em> <em>Well</em> she goes a different direction altogether. <strong>:)</strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRr7RPK5gX4C2yDPZ4fZPIsstOXdyV3v2lxI7knSU5ZfODy26zG4sfJ3imiLltzCF8eIqmMfbN677_wxnevW_7hTly2UhLxWOk2n2dgDl7WnxeJyHvmg_VWL-ml9CONiUOXMemJaP/s1600/love+at+sitting+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530116873584999346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRr7RPK5gX4C2yDPZ4fZPIsstOXdyV3v2lxI7knSU5ZfODy26zG4sfJ3imiLltzCF8eIqmMfbN677_wxnevW_7hTly2UhLxWOk2n2dgDl7WnxeJyHvmg_VWL-ml9CONiUOXMemJaP/s400/love+at+sitting+L.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Spreading cheer & creative flourishes wherever she goes.....</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoXK9WhsmzrOIlhqQtrknn-q8apB2uEKJQSLls7gvioRDS8tVIIJc1JlRur3eccfJyFN8xb6_q7ONPo1O94FczZ0pEFHpw2WFbRVvH92fyN0TlaQp4hpvaN7VlF4ho4k2l6ZmxzLD/s1600/love+at+first+L+kissing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530116523870601490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoXK9WhsmzrOIlhqQtrknn-q8apB2uEKJQSLls7gvioRDS8tVIIJc1JlRur3eccfJyFN8xb6_q7ONPo1O94FczZ0pEFHpw2WFbRVvH92fyN0TlaQp4hpvaN7VlF4ho4k2l6ZmxzLD/s400/love+at+first+L+kissing.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Beloved by her Royal Subjects.......<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpzEPudXjzdQpsxjIHjFwnb_xkGaC9ORUABcRjdJobHGHKMF0nGVUXSb9PVajvGL46p_HsrKHZP2wBVbo3rPPApHpFSvFnsp_UPUQCIAH2FLaQBPaPBq2fsAnYkLVFS3CmQ_8TFq9/s1600/love+at+first+Lauren.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530116132579713794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpzEPudXjzdQpsxjIHjFwnb_xkGaC9ORUABcRjdJobHGHKMF0nGVUXSb9PVajvGL46p_HsrKHZP2wBVbo3rPPApHpFSvFnsp_UPUQCIAH2FLaQBPaPBq2fsAnYkLVFS3CmQ_8TFq9/s400/love+at+first+Lauren.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Ruling her kingdom with kindness, grace and style...............</em></span> <div></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-53955707170665697442010-10-14T10:02:00.001-07:002010-10-14T11:26:22.476-07:00Thursday's Thoughts<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Truly this is one of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">favorite</span> seasons</em>, not simply because of the <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>vivid</strong></span> <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>colors</strong></span>, joyful trips to pumpkin farms and orchards.....not only because its been unseasonably warm each day, with only our evenings and early mornings hinting of the chill yet to come.......<em>but because it heralds in a time of tremendous change</em>. Much as the trees begin to change their colored cloaks and leaves begin to drop, so too has this time always marked a period of changes in our children. Children reach out to grasp those last moments of light and sunshine, sensing the days are shortening, race with abandon, delighting in their neighborhood friends. Pumpkins are purchased with the promise of the wicked (or grinning!) <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Jack O' Lanterns</strong></span> they may become, costume choices are debated, selected, changed on a whim, <em><span style="font-size:78%;">then back again.</span> </em>Accessories bought or created by hand, <em>to make a child's vision come true. Candy is bought for delightful Trick 'Or Treaters.....but not bought too early (<span style="font-size:78%;">ummm...my willpower can only take so much abuse ya know</span>!!)..... hey, I'm just sayin'. <strong>;)</strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">School is well underway and new skills, words, accomplishments and <em>yes</em>, even struggles find their way into the every day. One little one heads off for a first overnight with a friend (leaving one anxious Mama to hover by the phone at bedtime, wondering if "the call" would come.....<em><span style="font-size:78%;">it didn't and she had a blast</span>!!),</em> while another Little seemingly expands his vocabulary in volumes daily. One child sets her sights on scoring <strong>TWO</strong> goals in a soccer game ( <em>and does!!)</em> and another suddenly can charge up the stairs, one foot after another, with no need of a railing or a Mama's supportive hand. <strong>:( </strong>One comes home from a birthday party wearing <strong><span style="font-size:78%;">*gasp*</span></strong> eye shadow (<em>and looks way to grown up and pretty to suit me, <span style="font-size:78%;">thank you very much</span></em>) and another only wants to drink from "big boy" cups now. <strong>BOTH</strong> expand their social circles and <strong>BOTH</strong> test boundaries a wee bit (<span style="font-size:78%;">and creatively</span>) and <strong>BOTH</strong> learn about time outs. ( <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>well one already knew</em>.....and one, is quickly learning</span>!) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>LOL</strong></span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>But I can smile and bear witness, knowing both still adore cuddles and hugs, trips for ice cream and innocent moments of play and lightness. </em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">***And need I mention the <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>candy corn</em></span>?? <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh</span>.....</em>sweet corn candy goodness. <em>As if Autumn wasn't grand enough</em>! <strong>:)</strong> (<span style="font-size:78%;"><em>P.S. Plus, has anyone else already started their Christmas shopping???? *ahem*)</em></span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">So many thoughts of late have been swirling, so many photos and topics I have been hoping to share on this blog ~ <em>yet I find myself eschewing my blog duties</em> ( <span style="font-size:78%;">honestly I love it, but you know what I mean!)</span> <em>for no other reason</em> than my own desire to grab those last fleeting evening walks after dinner as a family.......trips to the park or for plans made with a friend. <em>I've been in the moment and ever aware of my 2 children as siblings...........</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Siblings not by chance. <span style="font-size:78%;">I don't believe that</span>. Siblings instead by design, by good fortune and luck ( <em>for us</em> ), through initial loss (<em>for each of them</em>), siblings born of faith and of road blocks (that eventually crumbled aside) and finally, siblings through <em>purposeful intention.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">But that's just not the whole story. <em>Siblings yes</em>, in all the important and wonderful ways ~ <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>in all the ways that count and matter</em></span>. It never escapes my notice that while some would classify us as adoptive parents ( <em>and we are</em>!) or seek to label our relationships semantically or even sequentially , very few folks assign such distinctions to Lauren and Tyler. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Very simply</span></em> they are and forever will be: <em>sister and brother.</em> <strong>Big</strong> and <strong>Little</strong>. Miss (*Sassy*) Pants and the Taiwan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tornado</span>. <em>My Best Girl and Little Man.</em> <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>For always.........</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I write of this today, knowing that the same program that graced and enriched us(<span style="font-size:78%;"><em>beyond measure</em></span>) with our darling baby boy is facing an uphill battle. Only time will tell how the ending is written, but my heart aches for the families caught in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">melee</span> of this......<em>mess</em>. <span style="font-size:78%;"><em><strong>How easily that could have been us</strong></em></span> and not just once but <em><strong>twice</strong></em>. Kazakhstan too is currently closed, not accepting or facilitating adoptions, aside from those families already in process, while they implement the Hague. </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">How easily we could have missed the incredible blessings and gifts of these 2 children. And while I'm not going to debate the merits of adoptions, the pitfalls, the hard truths and the often times only hinted at realities at this time, I am mindful of the miracle (and the steps along the way) that brought our family together: that allowed us to adopt twice and bring home each time, <strong><em>a child that completes us in a way that no other could have.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>These two, that will share so much, even beyond a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> upbringing and a collection of childhood memories. These two that will always have (<span style="font-size:78%;">god willing</span>)one another, throughout it all........</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">And I will continue to say a <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>silent</em></span> <strong>thank you</strong> for the joy, challenges, triumphs and missteps.....for the laughter and the tears......for the moments and milestones that I didn't miss & even for those that I did.........<span style="font-size:78%;"><em>gosh</em></span>, a <em>fervent</em> thank you, for just getting to be "Mama" to these <strong>TWO......</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-e5e_Ni8TSz_us4_HPnxBrbvQsfzfApwtFTkM9HUFPz44UVajLkwNSV1zhyphenhyphenqu5En2vI4egMFh5q0doZn9Z09X4ZZCvSvyIWbNGT_gbY9YYjngw1Q7dwsR8qw5hFnmaexK8RFKA1x/s1600/tree+walking+away.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527949575079651762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-e5e_Ni8TSz_us4_HPnxBrbvQsfzfApwtFTkM9HUFPz44UVajLkwNSV1zhyphenhyphenqu5En2vI4egMFh5q0doZn9Z09X4ZZCvSvyIWbNGT_gbY9YYjngw1Q7dwsR8qw5hFnmaexK8RFKA1x/s400/tree+walking+away.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxV5122ZCmVfIyC5OI9yp6QQIXb8nd1Y_DjhH4HBHyItq8HYX1Jt7Tsz7P80zCwj6hvAzv3itx4iLG7UYSOxZAsvl6VHen_BAUS8z0wWIBARloTopw4s3bNwoVnGY2oXP0ia2C_et/s1600/tree+day+extreme+close+up+bridge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 393px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527949046277723074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxV5122ZCmVfIyC5OI9yp6QQIXb8nd1Y_DjhH4HBHyItq8HYX1Jt7Tsz7P80zCwj6hvAzv3itx4iLG7UYSOxZAsvl6VHen_BAUS8z0wWIBARloTopw4s3bNwoVnGY2oXP0ia2C_et/s400/tree+day+extreme+close+up+bridge.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDupyd8Z7xde9ad13NAbtv0v-hSQPBvspzMGxz3RDKXDXk-ejUKr8RN_BSkRwebzLqsrxp_kBMcVBlTd8TczcjSx6wwru33BbSE8mtEjmIWRRBdYumI20kOwknlPZaUSzZO2ONg9B9/s1600/tree+day+bench+together.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527948779414946818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDupyd8Z7xde9ad13NAbtv0v-hSQPBvspzMGxz3RDKXDXk-ejUKr8RN_BSkRwebzLqsrxp_kBMcVBlTd8TczcjSx6wwru33BbSE8mtEjmIWRRBdYumI20kOwknlPZaUSzZO2ONg9B9/s400/tree+day+bench+together.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>XOXO</strong></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Just sign me, <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>humbly</em>:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Lauren and Tyler's Mama,</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><strong>cuz</strong></span> right now I can't think of a better <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>or more cherished</em></span> name.</span></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-23087777747059763052010-10-06T11:49:00.000-07:002010-10-06T12:49:58.970-07:00Do You Remember?<span style="color:#993399;">Being a little kid and spotting *the* <em><span style="font-size:85%;">perfect</span></em> hill?<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh, you know the one</span></em>........just right for rolling down,<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju26yN7k9Vazl8WK7rc-cp8eEHnjqy5gezheQnIgwuS-tLNY3-OF043yoNa9olamyasdUw8JjcztBUWKhuE7f6aUQjN1Av0YMZe0o3bhN_PNcXhgEqrOmJ73wuwEQ34n-p0VqJqGbS/s1600/roll+T+run.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525013462105973922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju26yN7k9Vazl8WK7rc-cp8eEHnjqy5gezheQnIgwuS-tLNY3-OF043yoNa9olamyasdUw8JjcztBUWKhuE7f6aUQjN1Av0YMZe0o3bhN_PNcXhgEqrOmJ73wuwEQ34n-p0VqJqGbS/s400/roll+T+run.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em> Running towards it, hair blowing in the wind........<span style="font-size:85%;">anticipation making those tiny legs pump just a little bit faster.........</span></em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNleoOmWl5cn-a8BiELr6D4Pb94w7V5RgnqqzwFwEa3_JEzmO-RnGTpuhFkA0QgSkDKflwI99XLmmSX7OCA5QI0Y2AFULxfoBFLd5fCqTXsVHNV1NeUrlkGlV2drWLU0wvFK0jH7D/s1600/roll+apart.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525013249775599506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNleoOmWl5cn-a8BiELr6D4Pb94w7V5RgnqqzwFwEa3_JEzmO-RnGTpuhFkA0QgSkDKflwI99XLmmSX7OCA5QI0Y2AFULxfoBFLd5fCqTXsVHNV1NeUrlkGlV2drWLU0wvFK0jH7D/s400/roll+apart.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBOF_fRlA6McsV49TuwfcGua6zRahTKF2f34D0j_iXiOy1j4cr3B7yZG8GCZ6cVcsrf93Nel3aEtuLSBxxvk1lYA48h6RAxxZJEAfCq3cogqktzbdXD6-v2J7tbrg88MLch2sb4GL/s1600/roll+big+one.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525012805722711858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBOF_fRlA6McsV49TuwfcGua6zRahTKF2f34D0j_iXiOy1j4cr3B7yZG8GCZ6cVcsrf93Nel3aEtuLSBxxvk1lYA48h6RAxxZJEAfCq3cogqktzbdXD6-v2J7tbrg88MLch2sb4GL/s400/roll+big+one.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>And then........<span style="font-size:85%;">and then</span>............</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>flying downwards.........ponytail streaming behind you...........<br /><br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ0Of180L_Bka1-svfn-6Lz0PDUmBRJt9JEIdlCMiHWlrLDFMO9Hrjmmk8M4gzSxC8XnNXUM-tFx2cvFXzNX6wWAZKbe9WnA-BU-AO2TQ2lmjIlKng9yUEXGvbbhcxJcm3SKByAKQ/s1600/rolling+L+ponty+tail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525012591526361794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ0Of180L_Bka1-svfn-6Lz0PDUmBRJt9JEIdlCMiHWlrLDFMO9Hrjmmk8M4gzSxC8XnNXUM-tFx2cvFXzNX6wWAZKbe9WnA-BU-AO2TQ2lmjIlKng9yUEXGvbbhcxJcm3SKByAKQ/s400/rolling+L+ponty+tail.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>the rush of wind on your back, .......<span style="font-size:85%;">momentum flinging you down that hill......</span><br /></em></span></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkexnNyfO8JOvrGaq8AZKEZN8Dr4ABrnd8zlA_k8fnkwaT5GKqLftc7syUYEjSqCuLLQUKb82BHTwOsJqZRm-cWE34kTS7-3w2xL3IMDAeNon0sVzTDeF6mirJKSZvkpxMLo2FfTb/s1600/roll+together+joy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525011585872098818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkexnNyfO8JOvrGaq8AZKEZN8Dr4ABrnd8zlA_k8fnkwaT5GKqLftc7syUYEjSqCuLLQUKb82BHTwOsJqZRm-cWE34kTS7-3w2xL3IMDAeNon0sVzTDeF6mirJKSZvkpxMLo2FfTb/s400/roll+together+joy.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Wondering if you've ever gone this fast........<span style="font-size:85%;">spinning and flying..........tumbling.....<br /></span></em></span><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_dWscsFR4WrcoBSYhO2TiFhEO8XtVpXP8EOFRzP6KU355fMz63YJJ_3mnjpJnsiR0hlk47F2ml2XNymFho_4azHf8DLMSDOsgDhGv3SD96V7HEJ5XJmbvXqiBTtMf3OgnWI_WhK-/s1600/roll+together.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525009846558032370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_dWscsFR4WrcoBSYhO2TiFhEO8XtVpXP8EOFRzP6KU355fMz63YJJ_3mnjpJnsiR0hlk47F2ml2XNymFho_4azHf8DLMSDOsgDhGv3SD96V7HEJ5XJmbvXqiBTtMf3OgnWI_WhK-/s400/roll+together.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em> laughing with pure undisguised glee......<span style="font-size:85%;">butterflies in your tummy........<br /><br /></span></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnOcMHtusEsw-tht2PY2VDaEHEtPpuzFoseNxuUbQUiBU2NkoF_JOlKTLHfng-tbk6sQwPrSoMbCarH00BTHiMLCdZfdYxG65tv7pbnEZZqbfJNOPlbuJpUEulJXcNXinMQ1mi5TH/s1600/roll+pure+joy+blur.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525009455233291490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnOcMHtusEsw-tht2PY2VDaEHEtPpuzFoseNxuUbQUiBU2NkoF_JOlKTLHfng-tbk6sQwPrSoMbCarH00BTHiMLCdZfdYxG65tv7pbnEZZqbfJNOPlbuJpUEulJXcNXinMQ1mi5TH/s400/roll+pure+joy+blur.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>joy in motion.........<br /></em><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1G8rjs2vHzr-DTb7hJSaJ-sFucWW2xaUXW7P8xYlb5Cy7j1Y81sKbWphyphenhyphen-AaXoJcZf31cKen1VVPVgmNpqyTtMyVWwB8nF9W_OUwc7KFa_2Bcztkhuy78y39MrT53zo5_5zcKHcY/s1600/roll+L+eyes+closed+smile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525009170751447778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1G8rjs2vHzr-DTb7hJSaJ-sFucWW2xaUXW7P8xYlb5Cy7j1Y81sKbWphyphenhyphen-AaXoJcZf31cKen1VVPVgmNpqyTtMyVWwB8nF9W_OUwc7KFa_2Bcztkhuy78y39MrT53zo5_5zcKHcY/s400/roll+L+eyes+closed+smile.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>exhaling at the end......<span style="font-size:85%;">believing this may have been your fastest time EVER!<br /></span><br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfW9kZnskQ4DyecKN8x626m-ETB66U2WcwMcu7AaLNtk3Lvm_y52g4ervik8SEWbRnRl9SDsaGp0eD8h9ytb_JndNnAFc67uYb-zgVEoBqv0U6xvgJPnac0olOVlMteCdlGkUUj_K/s1600/roll+big+smile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525008708338116482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfW9kZnskQ4DyecKN8x626m-ETB66U2WcwMcu7AaLNtk3Lvm_y52g4ervik8SEWbRnRl9SDsaGp0eD8h9ytb_JndNnAFc67uYb-zgVEoBqv0U6xvgJPnac0olOVlMteCdlGkUUj_K/s400/roll+big+smile.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVarY60HlGGu8LygWxAUpKkZU87dHclUWQEu9izTZuXTyQn5DWBU_JyhyphenhyphenICp6q3qj5sswBhAjW5jnFDdZxICCJgRdEeMlccudOgtxkp4GUR9kQE-vU287QKWC2qAqcNHoNNLWSeMRe/s1600/roll+T+close+up+smile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525008273898633746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVarY60HlGGu8LygWxAUpKkZU87dHclUWQEu9izTZuXTyQn5DWBU_JyhyphenhyphenICp6q3qj5sswBhAjW5jnFDdZxICCJgRdEeMlccudOgtxkp4GUR9kQE-vU287QKWC2qAqcNHoNNLWSeMRe/s400/roll+T+close+up+smile.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>giggling and catching your breath.........before dashing back up again to do it all over again. <span style="font-size:85%;">And again..........</span></em></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;">Do you remember that? <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Gosh, I do too.</em></span></span></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-13933003538913682622010-09-27T11:06:00.000-07:002010-09-27T11:56:41.405-07:00Shutterbugs & A Princess<span style="color:#6600cc;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Amidst</span> all the home improvements, more parties than we could count(Lauren has attended FOUR parties for friends/classmates since our school year began!), our home being on the market for <em>oh so long now</em> (<strong>madness</strong>!), soccer & more............we had a party for <em>oh, oodles</em> of friends and we made the(<em>the best</em>) decision( <em>of our lives</em>!) <span style="color:#993399;"> <strong>:)</strong></span> to break with tradition for hosting a friend party and <span style="font-size:130%;">outsource</span> it to one of those <em>Ginormous Bouncing Places of Glee</em> ~ and gleeful chaos, bouncing and joy it was!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I have nothing but fantastic things to say about <strong>Pump It Up</strong> and as the day turned out to be a bit on the drizzling side, how thankful we are that we planned for an indoors event that left all the kiddos well partied and well......<em>frankly, worn out by the end! (</em> us parents too!!) <em>But in the best of ways!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Lauren had her heart set on the <span style="color:#ff0000;">Glow Package</span> for this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">soiree</span></em></span> and what a treat that turned out to be; turns out it was a fairly new extra and despite most of the children having attended a Pump It Up party before, none had experienced it with glow necklaces, flashing balloons, dimmed light and.......<em>the best part??</em> A flashing tiara for our Princess! Now that may not sound terribly exciting at first, but Lauren was never an over the top fan of all things Disney Princess and it had been years (if ever?) since she had sported a crown! <strong>AND</strong> she loved it............<em>and oh yes</em>...I did too! Such fun and gosh, I kinda thought that tiara looked mighty good on her too! <em>I mean, I am her Mama <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">after all</span> and prone to those kind of biases.</em> </span><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>:)</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">So for all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mimis</span> (and friends) who have waited so patiently for these photos, here they are, complete with big smiles and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scooby</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doo</span> cake. <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">AND,</span></strong> if you don't mind sticking around for a bit after the photos, I am seeking advice from any & all Shutterbugs who might have some camera advice to share as I begin my search for a new and improved model!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHe1kfTpAV0bWW9cjDimib2iYya7qzoeUBgLtXmnXwsAmLQcMid62zfpyhyuOPqSEAN73C1w4BxXlCKZTaX4VcqGWRZ-bRk8JpxocSLNf0GkF2DfbypSEZ-pEzdc5nbx2VX_qdyGh/s1600/pump+it+up+throne.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521659328118354418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHe1kfTpAV0bWW9cjDimib2iYya7qzoeUBgLtXmnXwsAmLQcMid62zfpyhyuOPqSEAN73C1w4BxXlCKZTaX4VcqGWRZ-bRk8JpxocSLNf0GkF2DfbypSEZ-pEzdc5nbx2VX_qdyGh/s400/pump+it+up+throne.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">O.K. this smile alone made it all worth it..........<em>would do it over & again for her!!<br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01yZ7nY_r_3Fcgcoe2jc1_LWtOHH5bXM9jUeJn7DpR0ipn-fZPjZRSpk8aKzay8dbHA0Q72rTOMlKD67YQxU_vw4wjgjABjcQ12vyurY9CokQiG21b9ZObCXVXKBhOLlsKGd4ZUfG/s1600/pump+it+up+group.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521658729010980626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01yZ7nY_r_3Fcgcoe2jc1_LWtOHH5bXM9jUeJn7DpR0ipn-fZPjZRSpk8aKzay8dbHA0Q72rTOMlKD67YQxU_vw4wjgjABjcQ12vyurY9CokQiG21b9ZObCXVXKBhOLlsKGd4ZUfG/s400/pump+it+up+group.jpg" /></a><em><strong> </strong></em><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>*sigh*</strong></em></span> Some of these friends are new buddies and some go all the way back to Preschool......so sweet, each & every one! Oh, Tyler had fun too and didn't want to stop for a photograph! <strong> :)<br /></strong></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJGAoycEkK9sprTNpx1nW__RY5o6LWuJvkIRJYHdzR1LWf_AvRYfpBxPIXAbSIsglo0qMMHXfGflQrX3UbE2S5bKEGO8w8gkAQ4IsRbmIMNVS3BUKi56Gjf83u8SoMbBbnpXPbG7/s1600/pip+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521658384588237026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJGAoycEkK9sprTNpx1nW__RY5o6LWuJvkIRJYHdzR1LWf_AvRYfpBxPIXAbSIsglo0qMMHXfGflQrX3UbE2S5bKEGO8w8gkAQ4IsRbmIMNVS3BUKi56Gjf83u8SoMbBbnpXPbG7/s400/pip+cake.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DYX4n3qebj11Ba3vWsFq9-WL_F6iPepnvlCJ8-QknD4k_7NMNu9r9lloTIqslrd8KymRMkYXRNCNSdiXLKIXZFiApRAoFwYUHYwSFG12BNv94783QyaVg2NYmYT6LhNLDBLtnf3-/s1600/pump+it+up+at+table.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521657373956771410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DYX4n3qebj11Ba3vWsFq9-WL_F6iPepnvlCJ8-QknD4k_7NMNu9r9lloTIqslrd8KymRMkYXRNCNSdiXLKIXZFiApRAoFwYUHYwSFG12BNv94783QyaVg2NYmYT6LhNLDBLtnf3-/s400/pump+it+up+at+table.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Someone was mighty tickled and excited!!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZxwsnxtuQ3i1BClvf6MRjnjo1yVF986_TBcIW0fLgDKoo9fqB-VWHHUNfuCvjiPbxY2MA_t9HX79-pHScgYBeurkdzik4RUfo9MF7QgEx60y7XAd3Srdy9Hj6e8Nzm512eCHje-M/s1600/pump+it+up+throne+full+shot.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521656929341991442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZxwsnxtuQ3i1BClvf6MRjnjo1yVF986_TBcIW0fLgDKoo9fqB-VWHHUNfuCvjiPbxY2MA_t9HX79-pHScgYBeurkdzik4RUfo9MF7QgEx60y7XAd3Srdy9Hj6e8Nzm512eCHje-M/s400/pump+it+up+throne+full+shot.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Our regal girl.........</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">Now then my friends.........you all take such <em>stunning & crisp</em> photographs and are generous enough to share them on your blogs ~ I would like to upgrade from our current point & shoot digital camera and have been searching for a good fit. <em>A few must haves include:</em></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">*Digital stabilizer(we need a good one!): not sure if its our camera or shaky hands from us both, but far too many of our photos turn out a bit fuzzy or just not sharp. Then I can't use them and its so frustrating!! **Also with 2 active kiddos I need to be able to take photos <span style="font-size:130%;">On The Go.....</span></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">* I wanna see some mega-pixels <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> I know this will give us clearer, sharper images with more vivid colors! <em>I don't need monster sized pixels, but just enough!</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">*I need a camera that can function soundly in <span style="color:#6666cc;">low lighting</span> conditions....we do have <span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>Winter</strong></span> around here ya know! <strong>:)</strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">* Easy enough to handle....I don't mind studying & learning and I'm not above reading "Cameras for Dummies." <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></strong> BUT if it requires a 3,000 page addendum for optimum handling, its probably not for me!</span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">* This will be my Christmas, Birthday and Anniversary present all rolled into 1 for oh....probably the next 2 years or more! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">*grin*</span></strong> I don't need overpriced, but I'm not going to freak out if it goes over my budget a bit either.</span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">***So far I like the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">*Canon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Powershot</span> A7101S*</span></strong> </span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>* Canon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Powershot</span> SD630*</strong></span></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><em>and the</em> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>* Nikon D3100*</strong></span></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><em>I would love to hear what you guys would <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommend, currently use</span> or love!! I welcome and value your insights!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Thanks!!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>& thanks for all the mighty sweet birthday wishes sent to our best girl last week!! I read them all to her and my goodness was she delighted!! You guys ARE the best!!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span> </div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-49421166178242283722010-09-22T08:19:00.000-07:002010-09-22T09:20:14.738-07:00Mid Autumn Festival...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKZDj41w8LAXwOUbveQUxbIiAXqKfdqy5B9Mm0PBa-ZnyD8hCyWxTX7yk2SmfOBXqAtFSw972c6h_5UNAwnFXg5F5u4JLKT5SI9Vr8nMapzELAF2FCwOjKUFQj7asjoUIx__E5ez8/s1600/240px-Moon_Cakes%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519759534857715426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKZDj41w8LAXwOUbveQUxbIiAXqKfdqy5B9Mm0PBa-ZnyD8hCyWxTX7yk2SmfOBXqAtFSw972c6h_5UNAwnFXg5F5u4JLKT5SI9Vr8nMapzELAF2FCwOjKUFQj7asjoUIx__E5ez8/s320/240px-Moon_Cakes%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>.....also known as the <strong>Moon Festival</strong> is a popular</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>harvest festival celebrated by Chinese, Japanese,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Korean and Vietnamese people, dating back over</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>3,<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ooo</span> years to moon worship in China's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shang</span></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Dynasty.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Held on the 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> day of the 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> month of the</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Chinese calendar, usually around late September</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>or early October, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">paralleling</span> the Autumnal </em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Equinox of the Solar Calender -</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em> when the moon is supposedly its fullest and </em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE5ZXK4Bkl1jxWpzupVUdnOzq8rv_OvH9junJk7_HB6UQYLdkulx0a6obERxJN0ErR57I9EXTgJdejPvlfkthQlf8km0jZz8LKAS_vEBgiIxe5CobsYWtVO3w5oHOrUPXBroRBzzZ/s1600/240px-ChangE-Rabbit%5B1%5D.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 237px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519759357653440194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE5ZXK4Bkl1jxWpzupVUdnOzq8rv_OvH9junJk7_HB6UQYLdkulx0a6obERxJN0ErR57I9EXTgJdejPvlfkthQlf8km0jZz8LKAS_vEBgiIxe5CobsYWtVO3w5oHOrUPXBroRBzzZ/s320/240px-ChangE-Rabbit%5B1%5D.jpg" /></em></span></a><span style="color:#993399;"><em>roundest</em></span>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mooncake</span> (yum!) is the traditional food of the festival and while celebrations and traditions vary, many include carrying brightly lit lanterns, <span style="color:#ff6600;">Fire </span><span style="color:#ff6600;">Dragon</span> Dances and the planting of a mid Autumnal tree.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>**In Taiwan, since the 1980's barbecuing meat outdoors has become a widespread way to celebrate this holiday.**</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">So what does all this mean(??) <strong>AND </strong>keeping it real as we celebrate this significant Chinese holiday for the very first time......as best we can....<em>our way</em>.......</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Years ago</em> both Scott and I recognized the importance of blending important aspects of our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">children's</span> birth countries into our lives and our family's traditions - <em>and it has been nothing less than a pleasure to explore these rich & diverse celebrations and to better understand and embrace these beautiful cultures</em>. We also have witnessed with great interest the <em>evolution </em>of said explorations as each one has changed or been tweaked through a growing child's individual passions, contributions and perspectives. <em><strong>Never static, never quite the same each time or each year, but always uniquely representative of our uniquely blended family.</strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">We also acknowledge that these celebrations will only have meaning to our children & our family if they are <em>personal, manageable, hands-on and approachable.</em> That's not to say we shy away from the more complex issues, heritage threads or customs but rather we intuited (once upon a time) that if it involved <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">untenable</span> expectations, critical expense ( we are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">after all</span> saving for two trips to two amazing homelands down the road!!) or a sense of celebrating out of duty rather than <strong>joy </strong>and <strong>pride</strong>, such cultural pursuits would quickly fade away or defeat the intentions behind each one. And honestly this is true of most of our traditions, including the ones forged all those years ago as a newly married couple, striving to blend 2 distinct sets of experiences and customs ~ striving to keep those we most cherished, while creating new ones ideally suited to just....us.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">So (again) what does all of this mean?? :) Well, as this is a new one for us (though we have known of it for several years) we started small, with books and a few discussions. We asked both kiddos for their ideas and even little Tyler had a say! Lauren wished to make <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">mooncakes</span> and that's on the agenda for later this week ~ please keep those fingers crossed and please feel free to share any kid friendly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mooncake</span> recipes!! Tyler will love this also, for nothing suits him better than flour covered faces & hands!! We have the aprons ready and Tyler will look smashing in his chef's hat!! <strong>:) </strong> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Tyler and I have also watched the sweet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><em>Sagwa</em></span> episode celebrating the <em>Moon Festival</em> and though its old and possibly no longer in circulation, it is a fabulous kid friendly way to explore the various legends and folklore surrounding this holiday. We also spent quite a lot of time at the table this morning with our Play-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">doh,</span> cutting out moon shapes, full & crescent, which quickly morphed into adding plenty of star cut-outs and a slightly off key but enthusiastic rendition of <em>Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!</em> An absolutely delightful way to spend a bit of time celebrating with a 2 year old!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE5ZXK4Bkl1jxWpzupVUdnOzq8rv_OvH9junJk7_HB6UQYLdkulx0a6obERxJN0ErR57I9EXTgJdejPvlfkthQlf8km0jZz8LKAS_vEBgiIxe5CobsYWtVO3w5oHOrUPXBroRBzzZ/s1600/240px-ChangE-Rabbit%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">We plan to grill out tonight and were beyond tickled to find that nugget of information on Taiwan's unique way to honor this date. Our little guy is not too big on the meats just yet ( me either ) so we will add our own touch of veggies and corn on the cob grilled just right! <em>Adding a bit of that Autumnal crop harvest seems just right too!!</em></span><br /><em></em><br /><span style="color:#993399;">As the years pass, I suspect this celebration too will change and undergo its own <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">metamorphosis</span>. I can't wait to see what it looks like 3, 4...10 years down the road. It may eventually resemble a well used, tattered but cherished cookbook....some of its pages smudged or dog-eared from use, tiny notes in the margins, a few recipes & dishes long forgotten............. <em>but always the first one we reach for. </em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">And this little guy(??) ( and our best girl too) is/are <strong>SO </strong>worth the celebration!!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGTKr7fxhCgRBLwXVTFubb_hSO6cl5K3pP-JQtFAR-oLJTBRYIPSRpgJjhBZIHqLSJDNnwHpoqDwczn1tmgmuoC_Ma3t6JbjSW_R3mB6KM3NONyBocKA6xVn9rJfZbBIiJxKqMUMZ/s1600/moon+gorgeous.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519759175346417826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGTKr7fxhCgRBLwXVTFubb_hSO6cl5K3pP-JQtFAR-oLJTBRYIPSRpgJjhBZIHqLSJDNnwHpoqDwczn1tmgmuoC_Ma3t6JbjSW_R3mB6KM3NONyBocKA6xVn9rJfZbBIiJxKqMUMZ/s400/moon+gorgeous.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAcTQmyGFc8h5XRBLBZIt5bV1VQAi6ZJpDvfZd-S84aeCmEqGc7Dm3LCEj1DIpHJzZuvifzoAghNdUfrIxwcYNOIAiHGbWhyphenhyphenRjrJJjxBVM8ZpYYzp5eEL9OCCwr5td5eFKL0jWtjj/s1600/moon+tyler+grin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519758821874948018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAcTQmyGFc8h5XRBLBZIt5bV1VQAi6ZJpDvfZd-S84aeCmEqGc7Dm3LCEj1DIpHJzZuvifzoAghNdUfrIxwcYNOIAiHGbWhyphenhyphenRjrJJjxBVM8ZpYYzp5eEL9OCCwr5td5eFKL0jWtjj/s400/moon+tyler+grin.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-24921746702474757072010-09-17T10:12:00.000-07:002010-09-17T15:13:21.770-07:00Eight is GREAT!<span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Eight <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>IS</strong></span> great! Or at least our first actual day of "8-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ness</span>" is. <strong>:)</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">It has been party (and/or party prep) central around these parts. Last week we celebrated Lauren's birthday a bit early with our families and one mighty pleased <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sweetheart</span> <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sittin</span>'</em> pretty behind the cake. Today Tyler & I were invited to visit Lauren's classroom, read a couple of stories to her class and share birthday treats. <em>What a delighted Second Grader she was sporting her birthday crown & a big grin as her friends sang and clapped for her.</em> Never a prouder big sister could there have been than our Lauren, who led her baby brother around to each desk and prompted him to give high fives to each classmate. (<em>and never was there a more tearful Tyler when it was time for us to leave </em>) <strong>:(</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Today is all about our best girl and rightly so! <em>Tomorrow? </em>An (intimate) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">LOL</span></strong> party for 23 kiddos <strong><wink></strong>at one of those gigantic bouncy places ~ they call it a "Classic Party" but one of my friends fondly calls it chaos! <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span></strong> <em>And then?.........</em>probably a tired but elated girl, settling in to being <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">All About 8</span></strong>! <em>And yeah, I think that's pretty great!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">So as a twist and since its been done so often for T-man, I thought it might be fun to list some of Lauren's favorites and milestones, sans her height & weight. <strong><grin></strong><em>Suffice to say that she has always been and remains on the tall & slender side! </em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">All About Lauren..................</span></span></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">* Loves music, loves to.......dance? <em>Sort of.</em> But really she would rather grab a hairbrush and lip sync to her favorite tunes, which includes songs from the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Miley</span> you know who. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></strong> Right now she is crazy for her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kidz</span> Bop 18 c.d. which takes all the recent hits and redoes them in a kid friendly way. <em>Gotta love that!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">* She's a voracious & strong reader (all about <em>the Magic Tree House </em>chapter books right now), but if pressed she will tell you that her favorite subjects in school are <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">Art & Math</span></strong>. Or.....<span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Math & Art</strong></span>, depending on the day. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)~</span></strong> She may also mention playing with her pals at recess and writing. <em>She loves to journal and keeps a fuzzy pink notebook near her bed in case inspiration strikes! </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;">* Favorite color is <span style="color:#3333ff;">blue</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="color:#00cccc;">turquoise</span></span> and she loves cats, dolphins & mac-n-cheese. Her second favorite foods are pickles and fruit roll ups. <em>Go figure</em>. <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span></strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">* Enjoys Sponge Bob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Squarepants, the American Girl movies</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scooby</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doo</span>, <em>but will almost always choose to head outside to play when she has downtime. Its even better if a neighbor buddy happens by and our girl would stay out all day long if possible.</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">* Her favorite sports are swimming, roller skating, snowboarding and if Daddy's listening.......soccer. <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong> <em>She does enjoy soccer(especially the social part of it!) and</em> the snazzy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cleats</span> and uniform, but she excels at individual sports and <em>simply does not give up once her mind is set on mastering a new skill. </em><span style="font-size:100%;">She runs like the wind too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">* An old soul & a bit of a worrier........<em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">hmmm</span>, wonder where she gets that from???.</em>.....<span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>lol.....</strong><em>nevertheless is easily tickled & amused, loves to laugh and does so often! </em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">* Almost always very well behaved. <em>But when she's not?</em> <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">DRAMA!!!!!!!</span></strong> <em>Yup. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">*From about age 2 1/2 began taking a keen (<em>arm twisting, foot stomping</em>) interest in selecting her own outfits. (<em>Yes, ladies she did</em>.......dress those wee girls now to your heart's content, just in case your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sweet pea</span> follows suit!) <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></strong> <em>Has her own sense of style and somehow it always just works!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">*Same with decorating her room. I have learned over the years to simply stand back and watch, wait & see..........<em>her schemes and visions might be quirky or not traditional</em> but by golly I almost always end up appreciating the end result. <em><span style="font-size:100%;">And honestly usually can't wait to see what she creates!</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">*Artistic ~ drawing is a strength.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">* Passionate about animals ~ <em>won't tolerate mistreatment of them</em>. Passionate about science & nature.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">* Wants to be a <span style="font-size:100%;">Dolphin & Whale trainer</span> when she grows up. <em>Or?</em> A professional Race Car Driver. <strong>*gulp*</strong> <strong><gulp></strong><em>Or?</em> An ice cream truck driver. <span style="font-size:100%;">*grin*</span> <span style="color:#993399;"><strong><ahem></strong></span><strong><span style="color:#993399;"><grin></span>But....<em>but,</em> she did tell her teacher that she wants to own her own ice cream truck so she can be her own boss. <span style="font-size:130%;">That's our girl!!!</span> </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">*<span style="font-size:100%;">Tremendous big sister</span> ~ <em>over and again</em> amazing us with her patience, joy and love for Tyler!! <em>AND</em>....she's ready for a baby sister too. <strong><sigh></strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">No NO </span>y'all, our family is happily complete. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">* A <span style="font-size:130%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> girl</span>, who is not afraid to get dirty and try new things! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;">*The old saying, <span style="font-size:100%;">"sugar & spice and everything nice"</span> suits her to a <strong>T</strong>. <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>My sunshine girl</em></span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Happy birthday baby girl!!! <span style="font-size:130%;">We <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>love </strong></span>you <em>oh so</em> much.</span>...........<em>forever & always!</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZuhHcy5OA808Ti7jZtas6oHFDck109kxUkneG3B8eZRWXcgF8TErofWeD6UJyBEE28catRXN3mEqj4w-6tI3UGH9ZtM7rZB573MnKweYtKHlDjD7uHWPI9CL7UZXYnoA6vX1sWy5/s1600/Lauren+close+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517935400373834930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZuhHcy5OA808Ti7jZtas6oHFDck109kxUkneG3B8eZRWXcgF8TErofWeD6UJyBEE28catRXN3mEqj4w-6tI3UGH9ZtM7rZB573MnKweYtKHlDjD7uHWPI9CL7UZXYnoA6vX1sWy5/s400/Lauren+close+up.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83uGSVzbHA6GXS70O0AZOId3ZTa7AJbgG9MeuF_wNAsh6_f7B37oUkJYf76wARFjj2tv0pSSjy6rvRLx1MzH8SOltrllmkKOdvIu5RW6by2QhWvF5VrWBTQsCDa25-Hyk6sL38BTc/s1600/lauren+upside+down.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517935130542562018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83uGSVzbHA6GXS70O0AZOId3ZTa7AJbgG9MeuF_wNAsh6_f7B37oUkJYf76wARFjj2tv0pSSjy6rvRLx1MzH8SOltrllmkKOdvIu5RW6by2QhWvF5VrWBTQsCDa25-Hyk6sL38BTc/s400/lauren+upside+down.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmQEsNv30l4Sc2rMUxSgK8yToR_JdEhlA41KOLjTuc6zmmYGvHXgpCTg8Nc8r-J3gkf_wEoSD9kx0pKw3QdoYkYlcwAEgd_DIl-PtdPRaim4QvckNH-wKuGV2bnViMm3yKr4FKSUq/s1600/lauren+stands.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517934555458588610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmQEsNv30l4Sc2rMUxSgK8yToR_JdEhlA41KOLjTuc6zmmYGvHXgpCTg8Nc8r-J3gkf_wEoSD9kx0pKw3QdoYkYlcwAEgd_DIl-PtdPRaim4QvckNH-wKuGV2bnViMm3yKr4FKSUq/s400/lauren+stands.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG_C17_IEV7_mxXPNWRkcmzcH4xlHAB105ABf3WGV26DWnZKlZuUby6ujP7OQBBrOgeGCNQXzgcS2bVHkWhhy-bmvTwn_bETSELP1Vqe067vUolcpbrju7as6tbUxjpt4KBjzBQ1Q/s1600/lauren+and+T+running.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 378px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517934293807855314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG_C17_IEV7_mxXPNWRkcmzcH4xlHAB105ABf3WGV26DWnZKlZuUby6ujP7OQBBrOgeGCNQXzgcS2bVHkWhhy-bmvTwn_bETSELP1Vqe067vUolcpbrju7as6tbUxjpt4KBjzBQ1Q/s400/lauren+and+T+running.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJGCs-dcP6TQO_TPXKii9PuU1ZtUSAXrbWKlRRHYruOXpcnpUnp94aePcYlZKRzDxNk1Ru7QHQrojmIk8w51ZdalKc3mdVnEXJwCIB4UtBzuGXp-8bWlf-RmdQ0eO1KO7pZ0lyOKc/s1600/lauren+and+tyler.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517933960345580914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJGCs-dcP6TQO_TPXKii9PuU1ZtUSAXrbWKlRRHYruOXpcnpUnp94aePcYlZKRzDxNk1Ru7QHQrojmIk8w51ZdalKc3mdVnEXJwCIB4UtBzuGXp-8bWlf-RmdQ0eO1KO7pZ0lyOKc/s400/lauren+and+tyler.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNbeHNhppbZlx2HD4TnZcCjq_9PrFJTZGfOg3QQTxC_amtVNu7H5ympAClMk5T4d1rBGJDam-gz8Jg-GHqYa7HsJb5vBui6DLTFcotZjgIvHQ8D_zwIu0XrcH5L73iazmDOO80o3r/s1600/lauren+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 379px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517933401467071906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNbeHNhppbZlx2HD4TnZcCjq_9PrFJTZGfOg3QQTxC_amtVNu7H5ympAClMk5T4d1rBGJDam-gz8Jg-GHqYa7HsJb5vBui6DLTFcotZjgIvHQ8D_zwIu0XrcH5L73iazmDOO80o3r/s400/lauren+cake.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ-fupzo6X9aQW4FTaO3Crs_K8f1GPCdG9OCfsGL43qmbF7qd1XWpKj_xmNpVtF1meGWY4Qd0wa7xNTkVfJFAgtudN6ySerpyB-Ud4EDItQEz4IK0A-RPoCgtXmc8o2300FiJvWNU/s1600/lauren+laughing+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517933120981117330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ-fupzo6X9aQW4FTaO3Crs_K8f1GPCdG9OCfsGL43qmbF7qd1XWpKj_xmNpVtF1meGWY4Qd0wa7xNTkVfJFAgtudN6ySerpyB-Ud4EDItQEz4IK0A-RPoCgtXmc8o2300FiJvWNU/s400/lauren+laughing+cake.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ld7tDJcgfcWnShk1kC5TCbaMMGOcyyWAvhYbGqtHDaGR8iYRBrCxWyBHm43WhNDMSRUzn3dxrrkX_tqhzE2QYe3bZUAYgNGvJAX1Ja6gwFPCK_8Mm5CSL9SlDmnnVwvhSnWQi6iU/s1600/lauren+balloons.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 392px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517932840658368338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ld7tDJcgfcWnShk1kC5TCbaMMGOcyyWAvhYbGqtHDaGR8iYRBrCxWyBHm43WhNDMSRUzn3dxrrkX_tqhzE2QYe3bZUAYgNGvJAX1Ja6gwFPCK_8Mm5CSL9SlDmnnVwvhSnWQi6iU/s400/lauren+balloons.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkOTEfO7foaf_AHjqHynekDslDVUDHJWh6NPwKtqIdNu4eI-DAURzFExOktb03bikNoa90Ou91jJEcByKaITq1UPjIKjqYKtcFasizKgmVlRdwAjmSBHfc5nSv2xUOedmmpcecStA/s1600/lauren+soulful+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517932530998124146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkOTEfO7foaf_AHjqHynekDslDVUDHJWh6NPwKtqIdNu4eI-DAURzFExOktb03bikNoa90Ou91jJEcByKaITq1UPjIKjqYKtcFasizKgmVlRdwAjmSBHfc5nSv2xUOedmmpcecStA/s400/lauren+soulful+cake.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-99sDGtha0h2dYRPr6pdws_4h16WDO1WfxWzrFugs01ZXzRoqRQHSfekdZ3qnSOTz-0yM4IumKuUG2SZ2PBM90bZlPG6vsBsfYFBhCiaJHN3ebN_lgw8o2cMhLIdgRJSD7NKWoBfh/s1600/lauren+party+hat+face.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517932200012063666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-99sDGtha0h2dYRPr6pdws_4h16WDO1WfxWzrFugs01ZXzRoqRQHSfekdZ3qnSOTz-0yM4IumKuUG2SZ2PBM90bZlPG6vsBsfYFBhCiaJHN3ebN_lgw8o2cMhLIdgRJSD7NKWoBfh/s400/lauren+party+hat+face.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-18815731648699242152010-09-07T19:03:00.000-07:002010-09-07T20:41:24.088-07:00Lazy Hazy Days.....<span style="color:#6600cc;">of <span style="color:#ff6600;">summer</span>? <em><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh no, not so much!</span></em> Here are snippets of all the <span style="font-size:78%;">little </span>things we did that didn't make it onto the blog in a timely fashion. Honestly there are too many to share and these probably belong in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">slideshow</span> ~ <em>but then my Mom couldn't see them and that just won't do!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Here is our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>summer</strong></span> (sans the moments & events already shared!) <em>in review.......</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Our kids at Touch a Truck</span> ~ the firefighters on duty that day were beyond gracious and allowed our 2 munchkins to climb right in and sit for as long as they wished! We were there a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg time. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8xKP7jG0GDZrtwvDNuv-ed0MqWagf4cLQXFRunttJWxrcYnhuz5vS_-hn8dkAaPMImfsQwzmCmmJ5Rj7Mww9IDJzb96_T5KBoMasP_IKeIgzJ4JSo3rHjdsu-h9UjztKirHtFOYW/s1600/kids+in+fire+truck.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514369873760089570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8xKP7jG0GDZrtwvDNuv-ed0MqWagf4cLQXFRunttJWxrcYnhuz5vS_-hn8dkAaPMImfsQwzmCmmJ5Rj7Mww9IDJzb96_T5KBoMasP_IKeIgzJ4JSo3rHjdsu-h9UjztKirHtFOYW/s400/kids+in+fire+truck.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Meeting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">McGruff</span> at the Crime Stoppers breakfast. Tyler was perhaps his biggest fan and followed him endlessly around the banquet hall!<br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCJakGd1wOHswkP8tYlTB5Cw1RZzlGo48_OTzxGhN3HLWbrp3tzaWC3zkUWBBgSb_GWd_2BljznNxhTrhCp8rjuTLlNuAv6PEee-NnOtgxI0EjoISzTrpAwri1kCRfSFBJ6NxSFhO/s1600/McGruff+and+kids.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514369484716362402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCJakGd1wOHswkP8tYlTB5Cw1RZzlGo48_OTzxGhN3HLWbrp3tzaWC3zkUWBBgSb_GWd_2BljznNxhTrhCp8rjuTLlNuAv6PEee-NnOtgxI0EjoISzTrpAwri1kCRfSFBJ6NxSFhO/s400/McGruff+and+kids.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">In our town we have lots of </span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">"colorful characters</span>".......</strong></span>this is just one and he was perched at the park, crooning a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">showtune</span> and happily told us his name was "Tattoo". <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span><br /></strong><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN7Pe-o4ja1xINQVPnsHEbwBeeCvqxRCxVmTcSJMOrVWL76tDUs2LJWGSAZ3EIEWxfcVKuJVV-s1RxD6j8DzSkrxP3DYnJC6rEy7cGKfZb-3wAc0M4xQ2frEDrYrUN01Eh1adxN57/s1600/tattoo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514369204357489618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN7Pe-o4ja1xINQVPnsHEbwBeeCvqxRCxVmTcSJMOrVWL76tDUs2LJWGSAZ3EIEWxfcVKuJVV-s1RxD6j8DzSkrxP3DYnJC6rEy7cGKfZb-3wAc0M4xQ2frEDrYrUN01Eh1adxN57/s400/tattoo.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Oh yes</span>, there was some dress up play this summer too.........who says real men can't wear kitty ears??</em></span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoyeJcVEO_JHIh6c-ukJxQwfOaCqNhyphenhyphensbRWO9L186jAcxNkFn8rrF23-K6JkVHveYVe4k4Tw76-deZ3rvp98mQgh0e2jtBcsshcFmqOPsmxzwLag76vfx4mYFwfV-HGGNxvFMjlDt/s1600/my+2+kitties.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514368795922928498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoyeJcVEO_JHIh6c-ukJxQwfOaCqNhyphenhyphensbRWO9L186jAcxNkFn8rrF23-K6JkVHveYVe4k4Tw76-deZ3rvp98mQgh0e2jtBcsshcFmqOPsmxzwLag76vfx4mYFwfV-HGGNxvFMjlDt/s400/my+2+kitties.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Lauren sharing her ideas at Farmers Market. She would like to see pony rides and a petting zoo added to the festivities. Grass roots activism!!<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5d4Z7J72x01HcePRVRSIzJVV2y68pSCB3xSNzUEfHplDJE-diB-5n9m0wvq-IcNcyNmwhXpH0wHGV2rO4UT7XsQMIa9LX6lMMD8OZ_QhkEgnonjgOtP1DniEJe3LJWRYuZTD2b7C/s1600/L+farmers+market+ideas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514368539890060034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5d4Z7J72x01HcePRVRSIzJVV2y68pSCB3xSNzUEfHplDJE-diB-5n9m0wvq-IcNcyNmwhXpH0wHGV2rO4UT7XsQMIa9LX6lMMD8OZ_QhkEgnonjgOtP1DniEJe3LJWRYuZTD2b7C/s400/L+farmers+market+ideas.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lotsa</span> day trips</span>..............<em>its easy with these 2 adventurers</em>.</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5zQbEsfY8B5YHcNu27dqAzgeH9jMGVMs2bGzKcWNQ3uwY6rPtOtMV5hR4-q9PlDqBYck0MaA7bPmRjPzVlDaNZck2Hf4DmGAUwBl4KuOB0w6Oz6sR-ai5FVsKXrAk8DQQ8pGk-Yp/s1600/pretty+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514368104309808098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5zQbEsfY8B5YHcNu27dqAzgeH9jMGVMs2bGzKcWNQ3uwY6rPtOtMV5hR4-q9PlDqBYck0MaA7bPmRjPzVlDaNZck2Hf4DmGAUwBl4KuOB0w6Oz6sR-ai5FVsKXrAk8DQQ8pGk-Yp/s400/pretty+L.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKQCpJPYgFchLSq0siC1XuD6j8UWLEXYBi_JyNg_r7H14GwFRPM6e8pWkkCGGdMxNf_nwgTJ9YaY6CA3iHEviOg0m_apSreQM8cxlsT4FdCkd5ISHcghQruHjTgD-WwwnunpvMMMU/s1600/t+in+stroller.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514367878815490482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKQCpJPYgFchLSq0siC1XuD6j8UWLEXYBi_JyNg_r7H14GwFRPM6e8pWkkCGGdMxNf_nwgTJ9YaY6CA3iHEviOg0m_apSreQM8cxlsT4FdCkd5ISHcghQruHjTgD-WwwnunpvMMMU/s400/t+in+stroller.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">THEN we went <em><span style="color:#009900;">Walking With The Dinosaurs</span></em>.</span> A special night with just our big girl and it was <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#6633ff;">spectacular</span>!</span> Below is the entrance to the stage......... " <em><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr</span>"</strong></em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDte6cypICT8gr6Hv12ZfR_1y4RT4K6sPQyYjLV8IehH_vW-cwJTbBTFznl7IwXiYXt9iyjlTqB0B9XoN4CnUr0fkWgO6vQP9gYxS-hUrWdFSzUZl-kTS0Vf9EDtaSGie2hdb1DJo/s1600/roaring+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514367462732174850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDte6cypICT8gr6Hv12ZfR_1y4RT4K6sPQyYjLV8IehH_vW-cwJTbBTFznl7IwXiYXt9iyjlTqB0B9XoN4CnUr0fkWgO6vQP9gYxS-hUrWdFSzUZl-kTS0Vf9EDtaSGie2hdb1DJo/s400/roaring+L.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLaoiQsIyewkZOlPr23xVcqYp5BoLaJKvpeHfkuB5UZX8d9fE7rCsDNtTM0izzM3lP2UDpGFYt-LtQkPvsFxrKJmygBrMiyH0ZcN7hqrj34rnU6PvMjtLCj8DFnQVx2BXftTGg9pc/s1600/dino+daddy+%26+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514366720139607442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLaoiQsIyewkZOlPr23xVcqYp5BoLaJKvpeHfkuB5UZX8d9fE7rCsDNtTM0izzM3lP2UDpGFYt-LtQkPvsFxrKJmygBrMiyH0ZcN7hqrj34rnU6PvMjtLCj8DFnQVx2BXftTGg9pc/s400/dino+daddy+%26+L.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Special night out</span> calls for a stop at the Cheesecake Factory restaurant <strong>AND</strong> a big treat for a <span style="font-size:85%;">wee</span> girl! (<em>yeah, she had some help eating it all</em>!) <strong>:)<br /></strong><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhVrUFIv61cL3qekbzSadjzIcBhwwgwGwRcOJt-m3-Bv4vTipd3v45AzRya4Adr7CqEBui2b6FdVzzzva7ZDvK46tX9bW0jIcD6hwD3hPcbqlLNX1_hlPMZZd-04JqZuYvA9UFqKD/s1600/l+eats+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514366334704270450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhVrUFIv61cL3qekbzSadjzIcBhwwgwGwRcOJt-m3-Bv4vTipd3v45AzRya4Adr7CqEBui2b6FdVzzzva7ZDvK46tX9bW0jIcD6hwD3hPcbqlLNX1_hlPMZZd-04JqZuYvA9UFqKD/s400/l+eats+cake.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1p1W_ipexu9LgOrgTRoxao8dX8tUFuClMqfKy070OOD3_i87KAVfGoFN0jbg2MxaZ3ne3yQze9mNLxHvhUJFqV7d6AGMoPponX_oLKVAiBAVO-vzPyjCjxPkszJchlSWjYLxo3l0/s1600/me+and+L.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514365956223561346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1p1W_ipexu9LgOrgTRoxao8dX8tUFuClMqfKy070OOD3_i87KAVfGoFN0jbg2MxaZ3ne3yQze9mNLxHvhUJFqV7d6AGMoPponX_oLKVAiBAVO-vzPyjCjxPkszJchlSWjYLxo3l0/s400/me+and+L.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Contemplating water art...........and just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">cuz</span> she's so pretty.</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWy37Ve8ISZqqAGjo9QIq7_rXzqslkMD6DL2OXGLn9Kn30gUmmpiIjQ521khtbCF02eyOcE-AF-io2ocxRMxVVcCC2AjRy8CiM-uW_eMlacSKqGFKI4Xo3u7CIcR3YnM6XxyJsV4d/s1600/contemplating+pretty.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514365597720302914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWy37Ve8ISZqqAGjo9QIq7_rXzqslkMD6DL2OXGLn9Kn30gUmmpiIjQ521khtbCF02eyOcE-AF-io2ocxRMxVVcCC2AjRy8CiM-uW_eMlacSKqGFKI4Xo3u7CIcR3YnM6XxyJsV4d/s400/contemplating+pretty.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Met up</span> with a few nefarious critters................<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v3zAxZQRVrr1OijxiHfOPLBtkdhSbvobKrnmcJMaiytFYTpgG7qcsonmfV9cYBJUFxSwj6qEGGbQHvF014Ry0HWFZt7Pw9p-IIOEjTOj4LPUea9H734FP-GKgiDhgpEEY2cAu2_L/s1600/meeting+the+alligator.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514365179326752850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v3zAxZQRVrr1OijxiHfOPLBtkdhSbvobKrnmcJMaiytFYTpgG7qcsonmfV9cYBJUFxSwj6qEGGbQHvF014Ry0HWFZt7Pw9p-IIOEjTOj4LPUea9H734FP-GKgiDhgpEEY2cAu2_L/s400/meeting+the+alligator.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">AND of course</span> lots of time spent at the <span style="font-size:180%;">pool</span> ~ <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Splish</span> Splash!<br /></strong></span></span><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X_z52j8Pa-aIyV410GfXNjzlxmtA-2tzC_1ng6ORKUgQIe6rD5GM_hAzw4TS0h1fbXiq017a6yBMzpg_pm0H05W3rNbBbKJlaUqx4HVK6sGRFYh-QyOAKg1SV97QlCV22PQks_0m/s1600/L+pretty+in+water.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514364487232510018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X_z52j8Pa-aIyV410GfXNjzlxmtA-2tzC_1ng6ORKUgQIe6rD5GM_hAzw4TS0h1fbXiq017a6yBMzpg_pm0H05W3rNbBbKJlaUqx4HVK6sGRFYh-QyOAKg1SV97QlCV22PQks_0m/s400/L+pretty+in+water.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi4HJ-8HtNY8YZczXPbFp_H-rcFJ2ywmO-yeO9LRm8CsVb11lL6nOli9a-5J8QquLmT4IPnxZL0bKmmdn_QfID4duZPOxIpyg-dI2vFO6weTajoImNToymB0qLHOJYcggjTtwygqL/s1600/pool+bucket.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 382px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514364326927918210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi4HJ-8HtNY8YZczXPbFp_H-rcFJ2ywmO-yeO9LRm8CsVb11lL6nOli9a-5J8QquLmT4IPnxZL0bKmmdn_QfID4duZPOxIpyg-dI2vFO6weTajoImNToymB0qLHOJYcggjTtwygqL/s400/pool+bucket.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-xotA9GG_SuzldQj-7BuMhVnTy4ZUjypJ2-FXC2Yzqa-Ve1V7wEh1MWKsomt_V5Gc_64j3Lw8kKUzfL9S-kihj_Tgs5Qs1GJK39uoqLDUV0yiZCINtLMC-1frIAtfYHHpDF0XHe4/s1600/tyler+pool.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514364034878884898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-xotA9GG_SuzldQj-7BuMhVnTy4ZUjypJ2-FXC2Yzqa-Ve1V7wEh1MWKsomt_V5Gc_64j3Lw8kKUzfL9S-kihj_Tgs5Qs1GJK39uoqLDUV0yiZCINtLMC-1frIAtfYHHpDF0XHe4/s400/tyler+pool.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><em>We were beach bound too.............</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmYbZ_1dbf76DjCjioBE4L0PrwBjc_cDgYR-dCAv4Si19x1yvUZP4qMLWraulNlFsIgsK7gBvpVEkRX0a4gNd6IBGR7QZH4lcoLV-ayPKfD6xJeJwYS0RKD0AD4F8kb99HDCiPLQz/s1600/lauren+hat+beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514363633728955330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmYbZ_1dbf76DjCjioBE4L0PrwBjc_cDgYR-dCAv4Si19x1yvUZP4qMLWraulNlFsIgsK7gBvpVEkRX0a4gNd6IBGR7QZH4lcoLV-ayPKfD6xJeJwYS0RKD0AD4F8kb99HDCiPLQz/s400/lauren+hat+beach.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3dEI_dAcwgKU1itPG4JdS_-nzmyrdrWQmuc-XGBX04n3DrlMjCTnt_1PkVclKhSUtvfrnOE1VgsYSRmXejNmWi2ZzV94jGfH0SLsGOL1vuyOLAOZwp3wnBf1cv5VlQA6rLUzgNDI/s1600/tyler+beach+close+up+extreme.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514363336327319730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3dEI_dAcwgKU1itPG4JdS_-nzmyrdrWQmuc-XGBX04n3DrlMjCTnt_1PkVclKhSUtvfrnOE1VgsYSRmXejNmWi2ZzV94jGfH0SLsGOL1vuyOLAOZwp3wnBf1cv5VlQA6rLUzgNDI/s400/tyler+beach+close+up+extreme.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNlhcsH5kK3wGtYhyphenhyphenrxzFW_P_1k6G_gIHKH_zVUD0IHwbtWeYMsaQbheaBB9IAVGnBCkJ6wRaHe41w90q2lKldbyjctMNO_u6AWaHpG2UIPaQCiYytoJR4jbU41LALVgx0hViDcPg/s1600/sweet+T+on+beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514362888620749842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNlhcsH5kK3wGtYhyphenhyphenrxzFW_P_1k6G_gIHKH_zVUD0IHwbtWeYMsaQbheaBB9IAVGnBCkJ6wRaHe41w90q2lKldbyjctMNO_u6AWaHpG2UIPaQCiYytoJR4jbU41LALVgx0hViDcPg/s400/sweet+T+on+beach.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvEvmi9Vr_-8X0FwG82b0llfJA6H16VWaoZtrn3H21Fbgzr8SpqzY_vyd4NlBIQqK9-rafENbBcdNUJO07QqH0Gd2nSTOsqme5xxE4asr-kE31TDbK9FDa1tsP2CMFx895T0O612/s1600/Tyler+in+black+and+white+beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514362378241097186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvEvmi9Vr_-8X0FwG82b0llfJA6H16VWaoZtrn3H21Fbgzr8SpqzY_vyd4NlBIQqK9-rafENbBcdNUJO07QqH0Gd2nSTOsqme5xxE4asr-kE31TDbK9FDa1tsP2CMFx895T0O612/s400/Tyler+in+black+and+white+beach.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>with special friends in tow.......</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM16GMlwT8czQxL2V2e98B0lg4A1kv10K2FIDfvvaieTks1mXUGnDvTkg5z7JNz6at5AwSZtz2pJUXIS__0g6MqEHilzKij3ov-BLwGwJOdunChv3oHNucwlT0vRZleyEVfd7RHsY/s1600/beach+with+friends.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514361988667183490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM16GMlwT8czQxL2V2e98B0lg4A1kv10K2FIDfvvaieTks1mXUGnDvTkg5z7JNz6at5AwSZtz2pJUXIS__0g6MqEHilzKij3ov-BLwGwJOdunChv3oHNucwlT0vRZleyEVfd7RHsY/s400/beach+with+friends.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">ROAD TRIP</span> to my folks........</span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDnW82Mop7r-H7CtGOlvEn4QwFKq9HXBUt8-wrZ4cAp7S52DcVxfNfQ-OqTzwyHRjc2Y1bfncbmOyz6AHEl_S4p4qbiIcE8aIQymMLPdG_8D8pPEgsxB7j8dEzahZFnD_bIEX8kHQ/s1600/3+stones.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514361664269434306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDnW82Mop7r-H7CtGOlvEn4QwFKq9HXBUt8-wrZ4cAp7S52DcVxfNfQ-OqTzwyHRjc2Y1bfncbmOyz6AHEl_S4p4qbiIcE8aIQymMLPdG_8D8pPEgsxB7j8dEzahZFnD_bIEX8kHQ/s400/3+stones.jpg" /></a> <strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Happy Birthday (tomorrow, September 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>) to the best Mom EVER!!!!!! We <span style="color:#ff0000;">love</span> you!! Can't wait to see you guys Friday!!!<br /><br /></span></em></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3hyxWNjiOBG6pzneL7DvP9nehaqTBfwxCdt17002SpWtd1uqz-Zp8KsXdLBXfIx-OGTIG2UIoSq8hUP1BL0EBE6pDGSGv_BuA-7TgAy1wb6f_Qv5QngTIFXis32LrC4i8jzftUYS/s1600/happy+birthday+Mimi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514361188038432002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3hyxWNjiOBG6pzneL7DvP9nehaqTBfwxCdt17002SpWtd1uqz-Zp8KsXdLBXfIx-OGTIG2UIoSq8hUP1BL0EBE6pDGSGv_BuA-7TgAy1wb6f_Qv5QngTIFXis32LrC4i8jzftUYS/s400/happy+birthday+Mimi.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Cousin bliss</span> and backyard fun!</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMsdFQIaB7pY4HuA5S601Wk8MUEN6yZD2-QvIJdi8WomS1_1-e2LBDUo4J8Y-cAFtl5YAnG2QdxNMVFXlvciChipTMHOHHfhAVJQuGXAz5RyX6dqSMYgiJMmNJlk0XquECdh9Y0Tw/s1600/t+and+alyssa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514360790231298802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMsdFQIaB7pY4HuA5S601Wk8MUEN6yZD2-QvIJdi8WomS1_1-e2LBDUo4J8Y-cAFtl5YAnG2QdxNMVFXlvciChipTMHOHHfhAVJQuGXAz5RyX6dqSMYgiJMmNJlk0XquECdh9Y0Tw/s400/t+and+alyssa.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">The mighty Mississippi</span>........<em>Tyler's first time to touch it!<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcY3qlOjAx6QuPp-B3GQBN8iIAifXxpSh04DL_RFk9j3sNUQq60cTQ1X5cfdOexs3NlXSWzs80CCuIQr2Ph3dej-bJ00B-NIHlSQHOjNE1F7w0NjoMci8hDcU2DJmsCMmOh1SHQOc/s1600/mississippi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514360252495070962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcY3qlOjAx6QuPp-B3GQBN8iIAifXxpSh04DL_RFk9j3sNUQq60cTQ1X5cfdOexs3NlXSWzs80CCuIQr2Ph3dej-bJ00B-NIHlSQHOjNE1F7w0NjoMci8hDcU2DJmsCMmOh1SHQOc/s400/mississippi.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Quiet moments too</span>........keeping in touch with our pen pals.</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsO_b3x4Is7PA6dHKHzY1vWtEabsduH_gdgK8Azp82Pr5_LvpmueV1Yzhjx5mXDvPwnr_kAbREHth9wWq6pzbyyB_C_Jwit-7sebCzvG1hTqgjgHp499WSnTjYrl0P1VlSYj4VpUS/s1600/pen+pals.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514359379368362210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsO_b3x4Is7PA6dHKHzY1vWtEabsduH_gdgK8Azp82Pr5_LvpmueV1Yzhjx5mXDvPwnr_kAbREHth9wWq6pzbyyB_C_Jwit-7sebCzvG1hTqgjgHp499WSnTjYrl0P1VlSYj4VpUS/s400/pen+pals.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">AND</span> more laughter and silly moments of glee than I could count. We call the below dash, <em>Tyler's victory laps</em>!! </span><span style="color:#993399;">He just gets so tickled!<br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAqOOGZBKa3W0EXzvw7HccPksy_3hnxarH7w-PTOWwOct3V8kEcSQszf9GouzrdYO3IMQSnNfwD7D21f3wF7KFoJzlWXOtoV7xpibmhoN2zP9y9kdTotoQnUYI0t5Aqzq5oM4UEGM/s1600/monkey+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 362px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514359039322339042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAqOOGZBKa3W0EXzvw7HccPksy_3hnxarH7w-PTOWwOct3V8kEcSQszf9GouzrdYO3IMQSnNfwD7D21f3wF7KFoJzlWXOtoV7xpibmhoN2zP9y9kdTotoQnUYI0t5Aqzq5oM4UEGM/s400/monkey+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzZNvfisbZqbruXt6PiE6cF9GNTqwBX18emf5mwB5lbfHCg2IXR5Q54PBJpuQ4ORurH9XETEXDv3xr5ooyzfEZbKhxWw0p6LJJM7bJoBEStWEB8dK6p80oJU_VAn-FeMlWDGoXNhu/s1600/monkey+run.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514358803735406578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzZNvfisbZqbruXt6PiE6cF9GNTqwBX18emf5mwB5lbfHCg2IXR5Q54PBJpuQ4ORurH9XETEXDv3xr5ooyzfEZbKhxWw0p6LJJM7bJoBEStWEB8dK6p80oJU_VAn-FeMlWDGoXNhu/s400/monkey+run.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And though</span> he doesn't care to have his picture taken so much anymore, if we promise a photo shoot with his beloved "Elmo camera" afterwards, he's all smiles.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1IX2go-GtvguOG-rS_gQp40K7B8Sq438X550F5nb6G0L1KpRC3NqFifflMFEnbb0GrqAWjtxYrvzEpstrPTp3v1_wWwVy-cAWywwSW4YWnD6yBq_C8_y2IJxc34rggkkLgHN8oV4/s1600/sitting+silly+monkey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514358581381389810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1IX2go-GtvguOG-rS_gQp40K7B8Sq438X550F5nb6G0L1KpRC3NqFifflMFEnbb0GrqAWjtxYrvzEpstrPTp3v1_wWwVy-cAWywwSW4YWnD6yBq_C8_y2IJxc34rggkkLgHN8oV4/s400/sitting+silly+monkey.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Until next year Summer</span>...............<em>see ya later alligator!</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-34698219878951297592010-08-26T09:58:00.000-07:002010-08-26T10:44:24.203-07:00I Have to Admit.........<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>.....that I lose all objectivity when I look into that precious tiny face.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Its the face that peers up at me with such trust & love in one moment........<em>and utter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mischievous</span> and mayhem the very next!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Most of the time it greets me with <em>dimples flashing</em> but there are <em>soulful </em>moments too.......</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">No matter the expression, how fortunate I am to spend my days with this amazing little man!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJJomuuv5NZ5A3tfEh1_mJCSNLlr10b2AX023vujqdzd8aCEFYtuRvxwtqOnxeWRHlDQ-K7wSfZeCv6LjTP8RLujIvVwogMlRXsGFEUQyGfX9_XCO95xasP7BL9HVFspsI67cNNSX/s1600/towel+closeup.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509766566973310082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJJomuuv5NZ5A3tfEh1_mJCSNLlr10b2AX023vujqdzd8aCEFYtuRvxwtqOnxeWRHlDQ-K7wSfZeCv6LjTP8RLujIvVwogMlRXsGFEUQyGfX9_XCO95xasP7BL9HVFspsI67cNNSX/s400/towel+closeup.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CDqLAEM-PokXpgxsQb3u5IFaQ9r7SZBtq3qlAbIJGhxFHqyw4AxVTyBibLn7kdwdHOrxGYf8LfumNCpOXLgWgmag0wTKpjI9Upg-lteFAeKjherKIK4MvmVf2xDNCK1XJzaCB3Jf/s1600/contemplating+towel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 366px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509766168985475794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CDqLAEM-PokXpgxsQb3u5IFaQ9r7SZBtq3qlAbIJGhxFHqyw4AxVTyBibLn7kdwdHOrxGYf8LfumNCpOXLgWgmag0wTKpjI9Upg-lteFAeKjherKIK4MvmVf2xDNCK1XJzaCB3Jf/s400/contemplating+towel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ43AcweI0Bm_LRAH-EFVVNJnY5jI_Li8yPwJOMPikM_bhfbH3X4jk_BhNOOPhYR6PTQF1AOjVdBmu5W-29-p9cOO9LzVeoUscWUuWzg9phwO3RNRnJSxT56PHJ80Hv5dEYhHRNL1/s1600/towel+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509765905294882482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ43AcweI0Bm_LRAH-EFVVNJnY5jI_Li8yPwJOMPikM_bhfbH3X4jk_BhNOOPhYR6PTQF1AOjVdBmu5W-29-p9cOO9LzVeoUscWUuWzg9phwO3RNRnJSxT56PHJ80Hv5dEYhHRNL1/s400/towel+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GSV42gNWthCEpYPBgi02xUHphRnY_HDHPtP-uPxeFSCEABZHcKsHZpl_fDu1FHQ3LcvzxOZ0v36SzQtt_06-1ff4otUQAh398-vkUUCcaUe5hA1vUez9cYp-OvRdeVMIZ6_IKnv/s1600/T+puppy+stands.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509765517419769586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GSV42gNWthCEpYPBgi02xUHphRnY_HDHPtP-uPxeFSCEABZHcKsHZpl_fDu1FHQ3LcvzxOZ0v36SzQtt_06-1ff4otUQAh398-vkUUCcaUe5hA1vUez9cYp-OvRdeVMIZ6_IKnv/s400/T+puppy+stands.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJHF8n93M8H5xt7aEMlbPW7Y3O3_JMhwQcdcnsbAbQ5p327-0orHXGB9DZgbAZOnic2XKgp3h91VVjCn9oTs4-hB_2RRxtOj70f5xZS02-LboigPgbdRAOBwVjVCR8bzGIQxiDGY/s1600/Tyler+in+puppy+towel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509765263082016274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJHF8n93M8H5xt7aEMlbPW7Y3O3_JMhwQcdcnsbAbQ5p327-0orHXGB9DZgbAZOnic2XKgp3h91VVjCn9oTs4-hB_2RRxtOj70f5xZS02-LboigPgbdRAOBwVjVCR8bzGIQxiDGY/s400/Tyler+in+puppy+towel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCingqAum9uFn1ESuM2wdPBw3RwaT3lpOPjcEdSgDBjBneFcMZ-e3UZ-YSPIXef3NZ1cL46O-jl14cjAOcfegMeiKN-UQAMTLgBkbXT25MLx7pEIAqB57p0O5A3-goSplKK_KmpwPw/s1600/sepia+towel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509764789209575042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCingqAum9uFn1ESuM2wdPBw3RwaT3lpOPjcEdSgDBjBneFcMZ-e3UZ-YSPIXef3NZ1cL46O-jl14cjAOcfegMeiKN-UQAMTLgBkbXT25MLx7pEIAqB57p0O5A3-goSplKK_KmpwPw/s400/sepia+towel.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Oh gracious</em> my friends but I am <strong>SO</strong> behind on all things blogging, or rather at updating my own that is! I sat down last night to piece together a post and quickly became overwhelmed, realizing how much I have failed to share of late. I have done my best to keep up with all of you and just as always delight in following along with your families and adventures!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">How strange it feels to be blogging once again in the middle of the day while little man slumbers (even though I should be doing laundry, sweeping, etc.). Back to school began for us late last week and after a crazy start, and two very overcrowded classrooms, things have evened out once again and with the hiring of an additional teacher, the classroom numbers are manageable (low!!) once again. <em>How blessed we feel knowing what capable hands Lauren is in this year with her seemingly wonderful teacher.</em></span></div><div><em></em> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">And honestly Lauren took it all in stride (kids always do!) and was simply tickled to be a <strong>Second grader *gasp*</strong> with all the perks and responsibilities that it entails! <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span> </strong> Every afternoon has been a whirlwind with after school play with her neighborhood buddies as they seek to capture these last lingering days of August and of summer. <em>I'm so proud of her</em> and was shocked to discover that it actually was not as difficult sending her off this year as each previous year/grade has been. Its hard to feel sad when her enthusiasm is so contagious. <em>And when she was SO VERY ready!</em></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">Tyler on the other hand is missing her terribly. ( <em>well, O.K. truth be told I am too....but knowing how much she loves school and her buddies helps tremendously).</em> We are managing to keep our days very full with books, play, our walks and lots of outdoor time. If I thought the start of the school year would bring more downtown, I was mistaken. <strong> :)</strong> But its been wonderful showering a bit more individual attention onto Tyler and one his favorite times of the day is when he awakens from his nap, finds his shoes ( which he<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong> LOVES</strong></span> to put on himself of course!), takes my hand and says<em>," time get La La?.....O.K. Go ".</em> This is almost always followed by a loud hollering for Lexi dog to <em>"come, get lish on".</em> I cringe a bit if its not quite that time yet, but can usually distract him until it is! <em>Poor Lexi pretty much cringes from his naptime on! </em> ;)</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">And things are good......<em>actually really good</em>. I thank you all for your sweet thoughts and well wishes regarding Lauren's recent surgery. She has recovered beautifully, with no lingering ill affects and we made certain we hit that swimming pool often before school started to make up for that bit of lost time. She has a birthday coming up in Mid September ( oh glory be, she is already happily planning her parties) and soccer begins this evening. Scott was asked to coach her team this year and we were all delighted that 4 of the girls from last year's team will be remaining together for another season. <strong>AND</strong> their uniforms are <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>purple</strong></span> this year, instead of <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>green</strong></span>.........<em>she's pretty happy about that! :)</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;">I hope to pop back in again soon and wrap up our recent summer outings and activities before <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Fall</strong></span> makes her debut!</span></div><div><br /> </div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-47546718537464230792010-08-15T18:42:00.000-07:002010-08-15T20:47:23.778-07:00Band-Aids & Boo-gahs<span style="color:#6600cc;">There is something I have been wanting to share, but just couldn't pen the thoughts until now. Part of it has been a time <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">constraint</span> and the other......I simply couldn't; to have done so would have been to put to paper a tremendous fear and in essence to release the Mama Bear I was struggling to keep beneath the surface. <em>And she was a furious Mama Bear</em>.....spitting mad & <em>scared,</em> wanting no more than to stomp & tantrum, grab up her cub and race for the hills, following her instinct to keep her little one safe and out of harms reach. <em>A Mama Bear that wanted to lash out, but had no clear target. </em><strong>Sometimes that is the most dangerous <em>Mama Bear</em> of all.</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Instead, this past Tuesday I fastened on my poker face </em>( and its pretty lousy even in the best of circumstances), <em>fought that Bear</em> for strength and serenity and with Scott, accompanied Lauren to our local hospital to wait while she underwent a surgery for a recently discovered hernia. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong>And it all went fine</strong></em>. Better than fine actually, as she emerged from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">post op</span> smiling and peering about for us, wondering aloud when she might be able to go home. We had been well prepared by the nursing team to possibly expect a tearful & frightened little girl, suffering from what they termed, "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">anaesthesia</span> induced delirium or hysteria" which is commonly seen in children following surgery. <em>Thankfully that just didn't materialize.</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Instead she bravely underwent this outpatient <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">procedure</span>, made friends will all the nurses on Surgical and has steadily healed and gained strength each day since. <em>Thank God!</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">I even suspect that in a day or so and following the release from her surgeon to resume swimming (the only thing she still can't do), it will be a distant memory........<em>fading and receding just as her small scar will in time.</em> But for me...............<em>well, I'm still struggling a bit</em>. I'm wearing my scar a bit closer to my heart.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Of course there is deep relief to have it behind us; absolute joy at her anticipated full & complete recovery and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thank fullness</span> that it was just this..........an outpatient procedure and not something more insidious or aggressive. <em>How my heart aches for families that must face so much more;</em> forced to stand by while a child or loved one suffers, who without a moment's hesitation would happily stand in and endure the pain for their child.....<em>but cannot</em>. We were lucky.............so lucky & I know that not everyone is ~ not all the time.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">I wanted desperately to share this before hand and couldn't. As a Mama it was so hard to hand over the primary care of my precious girl and trust in the ministrations of others. There are so many decisions we make every day to ensure they remain safe or as safe as possible. <em>Car seats, high chair straps, outlet covers, nighttime dashes and checks to simply make certain they are still covered by a blanket or have a cherished toy nearby should they awaken. Holding a hand for those first wobbly steps and later fitting them for a bicycle <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">helmet</span>; holding on to the back end of the bike once the training wheels are off and only letting go when you are sure they are ready. Nutritious meals, screening music, computer sites and movies..........</em>.thousands of tiny moments, little decisions each & every day to keep them healthy and from harm.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">And we chose her Surgeon with care and had faith in both him and his skilled and conscientious team. All precautions were taken and we prepared her as best we could. She was frightened and <em><strong>oh gracious</strong></em> that was hard to witness. Her mood <span style="color:#ffff00;">plummeted</span> as the surgery drew close and she refused to allow us to refer to her issue as a hernia, instead insisting it be called a "boo-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">gah</span>". A term that looks and sounds quite a lot like <em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bogeyman</span> and boo</em>! No real surprise. She wondered aloud why her? <em>Why now?</em> Both Scott and I were wracked with guilt, concerned maybe it was something we had done or didn't do that caused the condition.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">We were assured it was nothing of the kind. Hernias are passed down through families and are genetic. We were asked over and again by medical personnel if either one of us had a family history. We don't, either one, but that has no bearing on Lauren's biological family history. Not for the first time we felt the familiar pang of regret ( <em>and grief</em>) at not being able to provide a more complete medical background for our girl ~ felt helpless that we couldn't provide something more accurate; knowing that in all likelihood we will never be able to provide that for her or Tyler. <strong>I. Hate.That.</strong> ( <em>There I said it.</em>)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I realized throughout this too, that we have been fairly medically insulated. Our children have both been healthy, with only the occasional case of sniffles or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">earache</span>. All routine <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pediatric</span> ailments. We have been using the same Pediatrician since Lauren turned 2 and requested a "lady doc" ( <em>yes, she really did</em>) and we obliged. Our Ped. is wonderful, knows our status as an adoptive family and its almost become a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">non issue</span> with regards to our kiddos routine care. Even the doctors who sub for her during an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">absence</span> know us and when Tyler came home, he was welcomed with open arms by the entire team of nurses and doctors on staff. <em>They waited right along with us and celebrated in kind. </em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">But leading up to this past Tuesday have been weeks of answering the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">common</span> questions associated with any visit to a new doctor's office. <em>Routine questions yes</em>, but not so much when your child's medical history begins at 7 months ~ or at least the reliable & documented stuff does. So over & again I stated that we were an "adoptive family" thankful I had learned to use that term as opposed to simply labeling Lauren as "she's adopted". For us adoption connotes great joy & the 2 most tremendous blessings in our lives; but medically speaking, it also means, <em>different.</em> Medically speaking it means there are gaps, incomplete sections on a form and boxes that just can't be checked off. It means an extra panel of blood work being ordered for a sweet & scared 7 year old to ensure she won't suffer under anesthesia. <em>The caution is welcome.......extra needles not so much.</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>It means your little girl looking up at you with alarm and unmasked fear and asking if she's going to be okay. Asking if something might go wrong because she is adopted and we just don't know what dangers might lurk for her under <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">anesthesia</span> or if any unknown allergies exist. If there is a family history of anesthesia linked trauma. It means </em>that my Mama Bear was chomping at the bit then........<em>barely constrained too.</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">It means knowing in my heart that both my children will always find themselves leaving sections of those medical forms blank & incomplete. Sections of themselves that so many of the rest of us have the luxury of filling out maybe even without much thought and often in haste; checking off or purposefully leaving blank ( depending on the phrasing of the form) those little boxes in a row, sharing the routine history of ourselves~ our medical backgrounds. <em>How I wish our children could have that same confident <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">nonchalance</span>.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">And yet, I know how fortunate we are to have come through this ( and knowing that others face much more challenging ailments) and to see our beautiful girl flourishing once again. Kids are naturally resilient and throughout it all we were surrounded with so much love & support from our families. Their obvious concern and the outpouring of thoughtful gifts & gestures was so humbling; <em>this would have been so much harder if not for their care......really, of us all.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">So I dressed her in a clean pair of new <em>Big Sister</em> jammies (as instructed) for the trip to the hospital this past Tuesday because it seemed important they know she was someone's Big Sis. <strong><em>I had faith she would come through it</em></strong> and although it was a little piece of <em>pure agony </em>watching that tiny scared face wheeled away from me this past Tuesday, I believed she would be returned to me. <em>To us all.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>She was. Thank God. </em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#993399;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Edit to Add: </strong></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">For the time being I am going to make a change and enable the "comment moderation" function; for some reason my blog has become a target of advertisement spams and I don't know how to eliminate it. Any suggestions would be welcome and I hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone!! <strong><em>Hopefully I can figure this out and return to normal ASAP!!</em></strong></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-90523942705543434722010-07-29T22:11:00.000-07:002010-07-29T22:51:29.072-07:00Road Trip and Tales from the......<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Road Trip & Tales from the Potty! Plus a few other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">miscellaneous</span> tidbits.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I'll start with the less obnoxious Road Trip <strong>:) </strong> and share that I will be away from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggyland</span> for the next week as I take the munchkins and head to my folks downstate. Unfortunately Scott can't tag along this time (but don't worry he gets to do some fun things too!) <strong> :)</strong> but our youngest niece will be joining us for the stay and to say we are all excited is putting it mildly! Though we moved a bit growing up, I have always considered this town ( our destination) my hometown. <em>The pace is just different</em>..........I almost always bump into an old friend from school, always find a few treasures that just have to come home with us <strong>:) </strong> and best of all we have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uninterrupted</span> fun time with Mimi & Papa! I suspect that they are just as excited to get their hands on these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">grandbabies</span> too! They do a bit of spoiling too I might add......<em>mostly I just try to look the other way! </em><strong>*grin*</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em>Tales from the potty</em></strong>........<strong>O.K</strong>. so I did receive a few private emails wondering why I'm not more excited about Tyler's interest in potty training. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><strong>LOL</strong></span> <em>Well, I am....sort of</em>. I mean sure, it would be swell to bid diapers a fond farewell ( though I really don't mind 'em most of the time!) and probably a cost saver too! And of course I won't hold him back if he's truly ready......but that's just it ~ I still can't tell if he <em>IS REALLY & TRULY</em> ready or just curious about the whole <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">froggy</span> potty and celebration thing. So we have been testing the waters, following his lead a bit..............at this point he is successful going about once, maybe twice a day; <em>he asks however to use his potty about 25 times a day.....</em>yes, that's a minimum. Now please know that for the first 6 or 7 requests I honestly don't mind removing said diaper, clothing, etc. and reading him copious books while he tries. I read to him a lot, so this isn't so different.....<em>right?</em> <em>Except it is or rather it can be!</em> I have also begun to suspect a bit of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">mischievous</span> manipulation at work, especially when he announces just before nap or bedtime (or insert something he doesn't wish to do!) that its "<em>potty time</em>" and <em>OH BOY</em> is he grinning too! And because I don't wish for this to become a power struggle or be associated with anything negative, I usually oblige......25 times or so a day! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><strong>LOL</strong></span> (well that might be a slight exaggeration in numbers, but there are days it sure does feel like it!) </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><em>Sooooooooooooo</em></span> where does this leave us? Moving forward, slowly but surely. I have no doubt he will get it....<em>I know he will</em>. Lauren trained very early and very easily; all my friends told me right away that boys train much later, so I suppose this is simply a matter of getting into the mindset and establishing a routine. But don't be surprised if there are a few more installments of Tales from the Potty before its all said and done! <em>But please don't worry.....I will try to keep them <strong>G rated!</strong></em></span><br /><em></em><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Finally, several of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bloggy</span> buddies also noticed that Tyler had a haircut recently and yes, I was remiss in posting about it! His first official cut early last Fall was such a disaster.....he was so upset and it just broke my heart. <strong>AND</strong> his hair grows <strong>SUPER</strong> fast....hence the look we have been sporting all summer long dubbed by another blog buddy as: <em>his surfer baby look! <strong>:)</strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">But last week the pressure became too much for Daddy when one too many kindly ladies told us that our <em>baby girl</em> was just beautiful. <strong> :)</strong> Not an exaggeration.......and suddenly we found ourselves at the salon. <strong><em>AND?</em></strong> Not a tear.....not a whimper ( thank heavens!) and he seemed to almost enjoy his cut! He was so proud and told each and every customer present or approaching the business that he, <em>"got hairs cut.......no cry".</em> We were all <strong>SO </strong>proud and big Sis even helped out by getting her hair trimmed up too! <em>Which somehow made her look even older to me......</em>*sob*</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Its still not a perfect cut; I'm convinced that isn't possible with a busy toddler, but we adore the hairdresser and at least our little guy can see again! <strong>;) </strong> Yep, those bangs were getting a bit long.......and no tears!! <em>Yippee!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Chances are we will let it grow out a bit again..........we got it a bit short in the back and those pesky <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">cowlicks</span> have returned..........<em>but of course we love him in any hair, anytime!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">I</span><span style="color:#6600cc;"> hope you all have a wonderful weekend/week ahead and I will be anxious to check back in with you all when we return!!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>XOXO</strong></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-11364544470627335572010-07-24T20:34:00.001-07:002010-07-24T21:48:18.289-07:00Dragons & Dumplings.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKn-LUBgQda6_L4804FfiJa4LaDZ4LDkeWhmfOOPvH2h_PC96oXN0H2AMHREiT2naSPkz2g3UreC1q7ocgShnfyT8lQZ9O5K-7h6W2TtbgJFTnxpeqV_U-zMHBRg-hL0nmv7l0loN-/s1600/T+and+L+hugging.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497697500678588498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKn-LUBgQda6_L4804FfiJa4LaDZ4LDkeWhmfOOPvH2h_PC96oXN0H2AMHREiT2naSPkz2g3UreC1q7ocgShnfyT8lQZ9O5K-7h6W2TtbgJFTnxpeqV_U-zMHBRg-hL0nmv7l0loN-/s400/T+and+L+hugging.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em>Dragons & dumplings</em></strong>..........we ventured downtown today for the annual Dragon Boat Races in Chinatown. Unfortunately the rainstorms & subsequent flooding forced the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cancellation</span> of the actual races, but 5 families plus our own forged on and met for a yummy lunch, visit and a bit of playtime (<em>also code</em> for: photo time!!) for the kiddos, big & small!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#993399;">We sampled all kinds of delicious dishes at our fave restaurant in Chinatown and as luck would have it, the clouds vanished and a gorgeous (humid!!) day emerged just in time for our group photos, followed by a stroll around the shops! (<strong>AND</strong> a stop off for Bubble Tea of course!)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">We <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>LOVED</strong></span> seeing all the beautiful kiddos & families and catching up with old friends & new! For me its always a treat to finally meet a family whose adventures I have watched unfold through their blog; its a bit like meeting a celebrity! <strong>:)</strong></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#993399;">Last year Tyler had just turned one when we made our first trip to the Dragon Boat races and oh my gosh, have all the babies grown, flourished and changed!<em>What a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">privilege</span> it is to watch these precious kiddos grow & thrive!</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Of course our time just went by way too fast, but we wouldn't trade a moment of it!!</span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="color:#993399;">Below are <em>lots & lots</em> of pictures, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cuz</span> I <strong>KNOW</strong> that's what everyone really wants to see!! <strong>:)</strong></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNQkhJST7E2avm2HL5yJyBpMiOZWKfEUPxfCObhTHTQOZ2KES9360R5STqH6VsESb9OlYvHrczQezqHLjOsgAQWXPp1GGH4Eg8YVfwwrGzPIxjKjB3y6rHWmOVR-mSSh8_iqz5Zaz/s1600/c+best+group.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497691989541453362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNQkhJST7E2avm2HL5yJyBpMiOZWKfEUPxfCObhTHTQOZ2KES9360R5STqH6VsESb9OlYvHrczQezqHLjOsgAQWXPp1GGH4Eg8YVfwwrGzPIxjKjB3y6rHWmOVR-mSSh8_iqz5Zaz/s400/c+best+group.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Here is the whole group of beautiful kiddos ~ we "Rents" were almost giddy with glee to be able to get them all to actually sit and remain seated for a group shot! <em>AND they were really patient with us too!!</em></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0FjTcSvhoh2XLImVjI8swG0saJjddV5WpnplhjPkhnX4XKZqOrrs1hCP2dHxj7nJFsa8oisD01heN6R9Gh4TSjFwJLh4hXOn8E7sGpxeIrhoR1jk2xzr-0S34G1ivnoFNHPhIRGb/s1600/c+great+group.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497691431117520002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0FjTcSvhoh2XLImVjI8swG0saJjddV5WpnplhjPkhnX4XKZqOrrs1hCP2dHxj7nJFsa8oisD01heN6R9Gh4TSjFwJLh4hXOn8E7sGpxeIrhoR1jk2xzr-0S34G1ivnoFNHPhIRGb/s400/c+great+group.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01TC3mN2c4U4h_NpKsocHt3whVoBlnlYJ9o7r25ae_JrYhdIq2trSeUg4OnfeIGjbMNZ-6cNnk9ubxJHCrGJLpjwzISZHQVuQHM0tMCy3TN3maGXRzpMYzeOozPzXJHTzcCFiQpAW/s1600/Tyler+%26+Tessa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497690323740860754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01TC3mN2c4U4h_NpKsocHt3whVoBlnlYJ9o7r25ae_JrYhdIq2trSeUg4OnfeIGjbMNZ-6cNnk9ubxJHCrGJLpjwzISZHQVuQHM0tMCy3TN3maGXRzpMYzeOozPzXJHTzcCFiQpAW/s400/Tyler+%26+Tessa.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>And these two <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sweet peas</span>?</em> Yep, that's Tyler and the lovely Miss T who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">both</span> shared the same amazing Foster Mama during their first few months in Taiwan. How amazing it was to see them together for the first time ~ there are a few Mrs. C. buddies missing who we hope to finally meet in person next year!! <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yay</span>!</strong><br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlCO4nGxyo9FvrJRG9GALasN_0na-9Wpi0Mo_qa0iQoZbh3bB9lTe5iFyp5Yjz5fHxL6Z40RA2sA5t-H1D7qt_RFwAF7YVX8eOYJk9WiPQ7LSDfkEassEXJV7GsaVqJ8bcZdoeFeq/s1600/c+ty+with+E,+T+and+boys.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689684415812178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlCO4nGxyo9FvrJRG9GALasN_0na-9Wpi0Mo_qa0iQoZbh3bB9lTe5iFyp5Yjz5fHxL6Z40RA2sA5t-H1D7qt_RFwAF7YVX8eOYJk9WiPQ7LSDfkEassEXJV7GsaVqJ8bcZdoeFeq/s400/c+ty+with+E,+T+and+boys.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">I love the hugs sweet Baby D is getting from his handsome big brother!<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui8Afuwb6GeqDrD0mCfKNyxvXak6vVPsANumQQX0ZOz1zb6OS1dKtJBcLwC43hyphenhyphenHX83JBuaiRx0HGNKf-wgnfQDWb7uh9SVkrJ_rCc5yNo7cveijBGYm-QeRCOeSe39nE8BO37xg3/s1600/c+my+two+cropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689382234841202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui8Afuwb6GeqDrD0mCfKNyxvXak6vVPsANumQQX0ZOz1zb6OS1dKtJBcLwC43hyphenhyphenHX83JBuaiRx0HGNKf-wgnfQDWb7uh9SVkrJ_rCc5yNo7cveijBGYm-QeRCOeSe39nE8BO37xg3/s400/c+my+two+cropped.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">My 2 dumplings.........</span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qR1FVDMdnY5fTRDVyH272FcQOxy1832QcyxqgM5FUCynAxeMFyLJTezFyFeEPrA-R3bFgxbVqGjuja7BtfYKwEQnSX0w4FHZWb4Pdsj2x48zbuO9mdEtXZSGWTmPxJQNU5d1k1ja/s1600/c+lauren+looks+at+T.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689167302773426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qR1FVDMdnY5fTRDVyH272FcQOxy1832QcyxqgM5FUCynAxeMFyLJTezFyFeEPrA-R3bFgxbVqGjuja7BtfYKwEQnSX0w4FHZWb4Pdsj2x48zbuO9mdEtXZSGWTmPxJQNU5d1k1ja/s400/c+lauren+looks+at+T.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cuz</span> I just thought this was sweet</em>...........Lauren sneaking a peak at her baby bro.!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJsyZzEFZ_Xi9gIrnAVwQekpeVes-1WEw9am9kXbPa6gHuVvpk-WTCDi7bHbxZDtoNEiuDhWv2kaD9HG4S1H3lMGa3GQBA-sglXFe_c5NgA6dh2kSm6ilwDqWTm0BVKtppnkl3Qt7/s1600/c+sweet+HC.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497688704075692546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJsyZzEFZ_Xi9gIrnAVwQekpeVes-1WEw9am9kXbPa6gHuVvpk-WTCDi7bHbxZDtoNEiuDhWv2kaD9HG4S1H3lMGa3GQBA-sglXFe_c5NgA6dh2kSm6ilwDqWTm0BVKtppnkl3Qt7/s400/c+sweet+HC.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">The beautiful Miss H.C. who enchanted us all!<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t76LW8ACZ1oI9C8H8hVo54UvQCDT96ZmyzJJqwNDJeFYPsXmOFuwDpOYumUIPgKKh01m8jN0MMmj8S2Kd2TX-3uVc9NpAAkjDF1Rysz7vJ_m3YdTZXSA84pRFP5cSRt2BQ4pjVl2/s1600/c+tessa+arms.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497688476080194002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t76LW8ACZ1oI9C8H8hVo54UvQCDT96ZmyzJJqwNDJeFYPsXmOFuwDpOYumUIPgKKh01m8jN0MMmj8S2Kd2TX-3uVc9NpAAkjDF1Rysz7vJ_m3YdTZXSA84pRFP5cSRt2BQ4pjVl2/s400/c+tessa+arms.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">And the equally beautiful Baby T., who is all ready to give out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">huggies</span>!!</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09INevTJATT5_EX4zwvWfRNcAz9wi5sUF6f80ijCboZJWcCQwLzBP0DQKrPBeDueM6VqGi1wO32pXS5ajG1Ha3SyEKY4uUhlMNi0nMjnbK-9hCU12ngAafv43mu7-UoGRg5uPlQei/s1600/c+tyler+laughs.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497687559746726898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09INevTJATT5_EX4zwvWfRNcAz9wi5sUF6f80ijCboZJWcCQwLzBP0DQKrPBeDueM6VqGi1wO32pXS5ajG1Ha3SyEKY4uUhlMNi0nMjnbK-9hCU12ngAafv43mu7-UoGRg5uPlQei/s400/c+tyler+laughs.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Our little guy having a mighty good time!</span></div></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1pb4wk6AhsVDj0BoWz6a264s1-71Lh3ZNLFfytu6TBVDDGGWpCjtX1Y7HhCNvzKMe8DyuYam6VDNt4rZhAHDqo0uc6rpbXCt9bHtzWNqX04m0FfcasylcCjOoNErJfDUJWLeoY3/s1600/tyler+clapping+with+Kevin+and+HC.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497687009023267426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1pb4wk6AhsVDj0BoWz6a264s1-71Lh3ZNLFfytu6TBVDDGGWpCjtX1Y7HhCNvzKMe8DyuYam6VDNt4rZhAHDqo0uc6rpbXCt9bHtzWNqX04m0FfcasylcCjOoNErJfDUJWLeoY3/s400/tyler+clapping+with+Kevin+and+HC.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Our little guy having a ball playing with Mr. Kevin and Miss H.C. ~ Kevin was SUCH a good sport and kept our littlest dumpling in plenty O' stitches!</span></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxkqlq5xSU-X0EGCk6nKgBfQavYSO0S8FU_B_yYDgdJBMkm5rtKCEZ4z41nrpOIzp13A-E-meqWhbxKAymkiqzml0z6DIKph2FB7CDukbfcVKNJKK9N-XL7Rkgi8fRXf0aq-ejyWb/s1600/Tyler+claps.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497686091695225394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxkqlq5xSU-X0EGCk6nKgBfQavYSO0S8FU_B_yYDgdJBMkm5rtKCEZ4z41nrpOIzp13A-E-meqWhbxKAymkiqzml0z6DIKph2FB7CDukbfcVKNJKK9N-XL7Rkgi8fRXf0aq-ejyWb/s400/Tyler+claps.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Clapping with his buddy!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0RoUfZ5vs0VSKedfn2KCxHgwm7fh4WnXghS7tYsQD2G-0f2b3rhq-4hG2TEAfbTk8Khq1OG-qyo3_jYrhnriSD8phzecGVkhZ5iS9zw5kuzIod2m28KXo20Fnvp7ybNazlhcSKHg/s1600/c+with+emma.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497685688308133186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0RoUfZ5vs0VSKedfn2KCxHgwm7fh4WnXghS7tYsQD2G-0f2b3rhq-4hG2TEAfbTk8Khq1OG-qyo3_jYrhnriSD8phzecGVkhZ5iS9zw5kuzIod2m28KXo20Fnvp7ybNazlhcSKHg/s400/c+with+emma.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">So sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cuz</span> the lovely Miss E spotted Tyler climbing on Lauren's lap and decided she might like to try that spot out too!! Isn't she darling!!</span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV_P3t0wXqwGcv4HRB2r1R1tS2XjOPfoBQYSMdDancBK_MecVB19xOdLlf9M__4isowG8bSOwDQuwLDQ46i0zn8x-8NEmrk2pPnxoR2QryGYnyO3V_BK0ewoHp4xaqtxV1SZ0xw2w/s1600/c+better+T+dragon.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497685211398526866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV_P3t0wXqwGcv4HRB2r1R1tS2XjOPfoBQYSMdDancBK_MecVB19xOdLlf9M__4isowG8bSOwDQuwLDQ46i0zn8x-8NEmrk2pPnxoR2QryGYnyO3V_BK0ewoHp4xaqtxV1SZ0xw2w/s400/c+better+T+dragon.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Tyler was so intrigued with this <em>dragon.....er.....lion??</em> We are still not sure, but he sure drew some appreciative glances from folks passing by when he growled and roared like a ......"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">lagon</span>"?? <strong>*chortle*<br /></strong><br /></span><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>It was a great day, with great friends, families and food!! <em>Think you might like to share in something like this?? </em> Please see the below post and think about joining us next year for Taiwan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ROCks</span>!! :)</strong></span></div><div><br /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-21799426107599039792010-07-24T20:10:00.000-07:002010-07-24T20:34:19.628-07:00Taiwan ROCks!!<span style="color:#6600cc;">Today was such a joyful day of fellowship & celebration and truly was just a tiny(<em>but awesome</em>) slice of the diverse Taiwan adoptive community!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">For this reason and so many more, myself and 3 other Taiwan Mamas/friends are planning a first ever <em><strong>Taiwan adoptive families reunion</strong></em> for 2011.....<em>destination?..........</em>sunny <strong>Texas</strong>!</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Our hope is to bring as many Taiwan adoptive families together for a weekend of friendship, reunion, connections and fun each year as this ( hopefully annual event) travels around the country every year to visit each planners host (regional) area</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Having attended <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kazapalooza</span> for the first time this past June, I can easily attest to the incredible gifts such a gathering provides. We watched our Lauren's ethnic pride explode virtually overnight and renewed connections from our amazing journey ( so long ago) through our newly found friendships. Collectively our group raised just over $5,500 for the children of Kazakhstan left behind......<em>the imprint of our KP weekend will reach far beyond one special weekend.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Our hope is to help create something <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">similar (but unique)</span> for all of the gorgeous children of Taiwan.......and their families!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">We are currently posting news of this reunion with 3 possible dates to as many Taiwan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">related chatboards</span>/forums as possible. If you think you might be able to attend and have not had the opportunity to cast your vote, please leave me a comment below or dash off a quick email. Please limit your voting to one forum and this year's reunion date will be determined by majority vote! (to be shared in a couple of weeks!)</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Here are the dates as follows:</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>March 25 -27<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>, 2011</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>May 27 -30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>, 2011 (Memorial Weekend)</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>August 12-14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span>,2011</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><em>We hope to see you all in Texas next year!! </em></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8605655186111763005.post-61359462245691942902010-07-18T20:13:00.001-07:002010-07-18T22:07:45.970-07:00At Two<span style="color:#6600cc;">First I want to thank you all for the thoughtful birthday wishes sent to our sweet boy! I have a sneaky suspicion that I truly do have <strong>THE</strong> most wonderful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggy</span> readers/friends and I want you all to know how much I appreciate your thoughts, comments and fellowship!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>AND</strong> because I seem to always be woefully behind in my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scrap booking</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">journal</span> and because this blog seems to be the only way I can remain current with Tyler's milestones and current stats, I wish to share a bit about our little man at<strong> TWO</strong>! <em>AND if you make it all the way to the end, there are loads of party pictures, as promised, to sweeten the deal! :)</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em>Little man..........at two you just amaze us and here is a but a bit of what you do!</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">You are 25 pounds of darling boy & just shy of 35 inches ~ keeping you at the 50% for weight and a whopping 90% for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">height</span>! Your Daddy and I simply marvel at how in the world we came to have 2 such beautiful and tall kiddos (<em>Daddy is tallish.....me? Nope...not at all!</em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><strong>LOL</strong></span> ) and we know in our hearts that we could never <strong>EVER</strong> have made 2 more glorious kiddos than you and your big sis!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">And speaking of your Big Sis........<strong><em>OH,</em></strong> how hard you work to keep up with her. We know without a doubt that a big part of your verbal skills are thanks to her but ironically we also see that her amazing abilities at "deciphering" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><em>toddlerese</em></span> leads to some interesting "conversations". Just the other day I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">listened</span> raptly as you blurted out things like, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ady</span> Gaga, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">number</span> 9" or "skip & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">rapeash</span>" and even, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Shurn</span> it up" only to have your sister inform me that you in fact wanted song #9 on said c.d. ( we were in the car <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">after all</span>), Lady Gaga (Poker Face) and to please "skip" along to it, <strong>REPEAT</strong> <em>and by all means</em>, turn it up Mama, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">cuz</span> its hard to hear way back here! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><strong>LOL</strong></span> I think your Sis could have a career as a translator for the United Nations down the road!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">You continue to be blessed with a sunny disposition which I (<em>an optimist by nature</em>) appreciate oh so much! You seem to wake up each day and almost say.....<em>hello world, its me Tyler</em> ~ you love to laugh and laugh at even the smallest of silliness or the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">absurd</span>! <em>You have gotten used to & rather like all the attentions you get!! </em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>BUT</strong> that's<strong> NOT</strong> to say that at two you don't have your churlish moments. Mama knows perfectly well when you are tired, hungry or breaking in a molar or two! But those things <strong>I KNOW & GET</strong>. On occasion though you get grumpy if you don't get your way and yes, you can be stubborn too ~ usually a good joke or redirection works, but once in a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>blue moon</strong></span> you simply must have your way; usually when you are determined to do something just like Lauren or to have your way in her room................<em>my goodness you adore her room and it breaks my heart when you holler for her when she's entertaining a friend and you are wondering why you are not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">included</span>!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em>YOU</em></strong> spotted your new shiny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">froggy</span> potty ( made especially for wee little men, with an ideal splash guard <strong>RIGHT IN FRONT</strong>) in your closet the other day and no persuading would keep you away from it! You convinced your big sis (she can't resist ya either ya know!) to read you <em>loads O' books </em>while you sat...............<em>and sat........................</em>and sipped a bit of water.................and <strong>THEN.....</strong><span style="font-size:130%;">made a potty</span>! <strong><em>Oh the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">celebration</span> that followed!!</em></strong> Since then you have<em> gone</em> each day, <em>at least once</em>.................<strong><em>but did I mention that I am not ready for potty training just yet?????? </em></strong><em>Well, guess we will see where this all leads then...........you and your Sis are sure jazzed about it & all!! <strong>:)</strong></em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">You <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">LOVE </span></strong>music & love to dance!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">You can sing almost all the words to your ABC's, The Wheels on the Bus, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Twinkle</span>, Twinkle, Old McDonald & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Isty</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Bitsy</span> Spider. If one of us sings a bit too loud you are quick to say, "shhhhhhhhhhh". <strong><em>Hmph!</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I thought you could count to 10 with a bit of help...........<em>turns out you don't like to be pigeon holed</em> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">surprised</span> us all by counting into the teens, skipping 12 & 15....<em>that's okay <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">cuz</span> we are not partial to those numbers either! <strong>LOL</strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Most of the time you say 3 or 4 word sentences ~ unless Lauren is around and then you have only to point, grunt and utter one word......<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">cuz</span> again, she can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">extrapolate</span> a paragraph from said efforts! <strong>;)~</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Outside is your paradise <em>just like always</em>. The heat doesn't bother you and water is <strong>SO</strong> your friend. You are taking a class now called <strong>Water Explorers</strong> and we are <strong>SO </strong>proud of you for leaving Mama's side and venturing along with <em>"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Midder</span> Map</em>"(Mr.Matt) and <em>"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Mish</span> Mare"</em> (Miss Mary) and being so independent & brave! Just the other day you told us that "Mish Mare is cute"........<em>wha?? wha??</em> That JUST CAN'T START YET PLEASE.......<em>right??</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Your favorite books right now are <em>"How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food"</em> & <em>"The Little Mouse, The Hungry Bear & the Red Ripe Strawberry" </em>~ those are the books you request on the "poo poo potty" and that just cracks us up!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Your favorite shows are old DVD's of classic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Scooby</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Doo's</span> & of course..............Sesame Street(but really only the Elmo World parts!). Since our trip to Florida, you seem taken with Mickey's Playhouse too!</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">You adore vehicles and <em>yes...........</em><strong>dirt, sand, puddles</strong>............does that really surprise any of us? <strong>Nope.</strong> But this does...........you are a sort of tidy and don't mind getting dirty, but always like to <em>"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">warsh</span> up"</em> afterwards! I plan to foster that for as long as possible! <strong>:)</strong> <em>Just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">sayin</span>'................</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#993399;">For quite some time you have been tickled with pretend play(your favorites are being cats & lions with Lauren ) and you enjoy "chatting" on the phone. <em>You have yet to meet a sweet you didn't like and you just love to laugh.......big ole belly laughs!!!!!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">YOU say please & thank you all the time ~ how I love that about you and hope it never <em>EVER </em>goes away!!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><em>My darling boy</em>.............you <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">love</span></strong> your family & friends and truly seemed to delight in each gift and each moment of your party. You watch people's reactions and you are sensitive to other people's feelings. Just the other day I stubbed a toe and was silently wincing and waiting for the pain & annoyance to pass when I felt your little hand on my shoulder and heard you ask<em>.........."Mama, happy & K, now?"................I almost cried at your sweetness.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Precious boy, you completed our family and brought sunshine and joy to an already happy family. Not every moment or every day is easy with 2...........<em>but anything less than 2 is unfathomable for me to imagine at this point.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">To put it simply..............<strong><em>you just fit</em></strong>......just right on our shoulders, snuggled into the crooks of our arms and you fit just perfectly into this family. <em>I hope & pray that somehow your other Mama feels at peace with her decision and knows how truly loved & cherished you are.</em>............<em><strong>I just can't imagine my life without you (and your sister) & am thankful more & more each day for the gift of you both!</strong></em></span><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#993399;"></span></strong></em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">xoxo</span></strong></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKjjGGG-2FxcH9JiPJk9l-okn2BQOH5v-MiVyddvIjWhgvdODsbLrq1SzJ0WgWyp5bTHaiZf9NBHQ-q5LQYd_G8lam9suXeFJEqt9oj3etB4-PMBs4b-m0XIXwZGSn3WZsuWxrFPR/s1600/2+with+Elmo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495457585448774530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKjjGGG-2FxcH9JiPJk9l-okn2BQOH5v-MiVyddvIjWhgvdODsbLrq1SzJ0WgWyp5bTHaiZf9NBHQ-q5LQYd_G8lam9suXeFJEqt9oj3etB4-PMBs4b-m0XIXwZGSn3WZsuWxrFPR/s400/2+with+Elmo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeVDWgldbxxf7pcIx0K6HF6kcizjTI0INr9-mUO7lCpDE20bW1I1r8A_Vj1tAYglhMWMGsWMJbXj-myXS28d3uqHKNZDpn9nIHpW1xZtNeubwnqo3yQ1iSjNA6bGkOn5BtxDALhVs/s1600/2+balloons+elmo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495457239430017858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeVDWgldbxxf7pcIx0K6HF6kcizjTI0INr9-mUO7lCpDE20bW1I1r8A_Vj1tAYglhMWMGsWMJbXj-myXS28d3uqHKNZDpn9nIHpW1xZtNeubwnqo3yQ1iSjNA6bGkOn5BtxDALhVs/s400/2+balloons+elmo.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">No, we didn't fill our Elmo pinata <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">cuz</span> Tyler would have been devastated to see him tugged at and torn apart!!</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AmC-jR0gIwHyvQYpIjfSRZuZ1i8lwx9udmrkuWSiRsqHhbJeYRWz8Xw0lEz9mDtc-rPoCgW38mf4kTOZeqcI86Y0pCvg5dABqPgYhxoUmwoO_vAaRFS86dECQSgKhleUxDv7Vngn/s1600/2+elmos+cam.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495456503375500178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AmC-jR0gIwHyvQYpIjfSRZuZ1i8lwx9udmrkuWSiRsqHhbJeYRWz8Xw0lEz9mDtc-rPoCgW38mf4kTOZeqcI86Y0pCvg5dABqPgYhxoUmwoO_vAaRFS86dECQSgKhleUxDv7Vngn/s400/2+elmos+cam.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> On Friday (your actual birthday) we celebrated with Mimi & Papa K., Sesame Street cupcakes, Elmo slippers and your sister picked out an Elmo camera of which you <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>LUV</strong></span>!! <em>You sang Happy Birthday right along with us!!<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnkbywmGwhg_kLfcxIoWyqeRzNDPX6JfyHX_g1IztRKNTSBKt3GejMayo8G5HdfkV56d5yzVjHWkCZo91rdQ9ppvLJZCgRvelwLf1J0DtYVntNzQbEUJDVBu_ApvffMQABrG0VBRp/s1600/2+smile+with+cake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495455803620879234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnkbywmGwhg_kLfcxIoWyqeRzNDPX6JfyHX_g1IztRKNTSBKt3GejMayo8G5HdfkV56d5yzVjHWkCZo91rdQ9ppvLJZCgRvelwLf1J0DtYVntNzQbEUJDVBu_ApvffMQABrG0VBRp/s400/2+smile+with+cake.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">So darn sweet!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aXx3dkJQbeb7gQlCF4S8ubmiQKx34Dh893yy9KAI2LO555v92uXUJYI-2RxwPYXranq1cu6IqFOP7g-lz1q090y7xWiBEdxF5fs0rGbWJAVBz6K0qFs6jR5pQskgMDy_sHb0AcNs/s1600/2+smiling+with+cup.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495455529859834930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aXx3dkJQbeb7gQlCF4S8ubmiQKx34Dh893yy9KAI2LO555v92uXUJYI-2RxwPYXranq1cu6IqFOP7g-lz1q090y7xWiBEdxF5fs0rGbWJAVBz6K0qFs6jR5pQskgMDy_sHb0AcNs/s400/2+smiling+with+cup.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">So darn tickled with your party!</span></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjaxxxyGw9nzp5fh18LjgT_9eLpbrfJxC_bl8DFcZ8RGxe3awHnLy9mHL4Zh5iRZX9C90xeKppZyUI-WvzMcAB9q47J0PYiP10tKTjUC6giDDKmTQJK7BdDfrjScGC1ahGNGPsTaR/s1600/2+family.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495454826842031074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjaxxxyGw9nzp5fh18LjgT_9eLpbrfJxC_bl8DFcZ8RGxe3awHnLy9mHL4Zh5iRZX9C90xeKppZyUI-WvzMcAB9q47J0PYiP10tKTjUC6giDDKmTQJK7BdDfrjScGC1ahGNGPsTaR/s400/2+family.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Our traditional family picture on each birthday!! Thanks Mimi for snapping our moment!<br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eMvmaoVXswYCbWafY68iwsit99Yg65DpfZ0y67Frrj8Oz8jAaT3rb-oYGVIb96bMG2FJH-AhewkAhIyc0T9RaBHEnLRSuy5CBRs5l7TKQ-CbG8jO9WYp_j53WptJhiwEZ1KiFaJe/s1600/2+hugging.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495454266193970098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eMvmaoVXswYCbWafY68iwsit99Yg65DpfZ0y67Frrj8Oz8jAaT3rb-oYGVIb96bMG2FJH-AhewkAhIyc0T9RaBHEnLRSuy5CBRs5l7TKQ-CbG8jO9WYp_j53WptJhiwEZ1KiFaJe/s400/2+hugging.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Together forever.......</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl_gd5x9us5J_ZPMHKnosD8M8ungxvXAqZinzKdeLqad11l_6tCJW-vmDvqwTu2RALwWPi2vYQrrZ_uFkbJjKQf17mHSCXMrV0Mw6rzv1i2bQ3Xf-AyIKVbQ_JUKugv7MF71Smj7e/s1600/2+with+girls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495453905848874162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl_gd5x9us5J_ZPMHKnosD8M8ungxvXAqZinzKdeLqad11l_6tCJW-vmDvqwTu2RALwWPi2vYQrrZ_uFkbJjKQf17mHSCXMrV0Mw6rzv1i2bQ3Xf-AyIKVbQ_JUKugv7MF71Smj7e/s400/2+with+girls.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#333399;"> Tyler sure likes pretty girls ~ Allison & Alyssa keeping him in plenty<strong> O'</strong> giggles!<br /></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMHXzFYEapAlSlR5H_-YXpB5A8XIlQ2o9idg-ykKIlsd2z4P8csT2-7dfDg_8l1uFIfGSzsj4gp4l1r92Ky05PHnrstFvEf1BhKgp7pboiXhPGsi9VdMhap-UQ4y6qvgAGmjt0C61/s1600/2+helping+with+present.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495453466213679554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMHXzFYEapAlSlR5H_-YXpB5A8XIlQ2o9idg-ykKIlsd2z4P8csT2-7dfDg_8l1uFIfGSzsj4gp4l1r92Ky05PHnrstFvEf1BhKgp7pboiXhPGsi9VdMhap-UQ4y6qvgAGmjt0C61/s400/2+helping+with+present.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Opening presents?</em> No problem with big Sis helping out a bit!!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvB0xCbHpbryHOejhe_y9nbYz3Ok8dQ_VzzlRLGtevM-o-zf9NE-nRiAT4eUYMUqqd5UWyxr_ayVCw9kgcbHINi7__AmP7HpPCToMmvlPA7h8H4gbiYTkD_FTGR1job_cbmzC9b99/s1600/2+drinking+hot+sauce.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495452780874237698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvB0xCbHpbryHOejhe_y9nbYz3Ok8dQ_VzzlRLGtevM-o-zf9NE-nRiAT4eUYMUqqd5UWyxr_ayVCw9kgcbHINi7__AmP7HpPCToMmvlPA7h8H4gbiYTkD_FTGR1job_cbmzC9b99/s400/2+drinking+hot+sauce.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> I believe we have already established that Tyler is in fact a ham!! <strong>:)</strong> OR, we have driven him to drink.....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><strong>LOL</strong></span></span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhJ-MVfWKhlzf-stY-u-HBkSO6vTZ_7NIGWjQjq4yTmY8IH1Yu8zvBVS1d0lWy8NikGvUtDJKcu4UdEbAATBZweEq2G0t7fdVWI6rxAQy-5_GYABf0oGw4uWILnoqLyxAhvP7jCeZ/s1600/2+chef.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495452036932657682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhJ-MVfWKhlzf-stY-u-HBkSO6vTZ_7NIGWjQjq4yTmY8IH1Yu8zvBVS1d0lWy8NikGvUtDJKcu4UdEbAATBZweEq2G0t7fdVWI6rxAQy-5_GYABf0oGw4uWILnoqLyxAhvP7jCeZ/s400/2+chef.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#6600cc;">Tyler <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>LOVED </strong></span>his grill Chef's garb and Little Tykes barbecue grill! <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Hmmm</span>...so much to grill, so little time...........</em></span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY20KMMC8nBHNq6bK07qh5snAJOSx1lD57fGKchTsC04ugJKs9ojPBvUkpFgTNM-5i0B1Z4jatvxQdZqWt9EtVG8_ZnKxdnydC4sVIXZPO3hogQc4erdUUvop9JIRL2HGp3tCfGJZX/s1600/2+with+all+gifts.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495451654972672770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY20KMMC8nBHNq6bK07qh5snAJOSx1lD57fGKchTsC04ugJKs9ojPBvUkpFgTNM-5i0B1Z4jatvxQdZqWt9EtVG8_ZnKxdnydC4sVIXZPO3hogQc4erdUUvop9JIRL2HGp3tCfGJZX/s400/2+with+all+gifts.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong> LOVE</strong></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"> this, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">cuz</span> he looks so tiny next to his loot!!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9ez0Db3bwJwf4K1eKTFWuHnfz_dUCKfRQmLh7uqpma5tP4h8dQqg3Wldmky0_q39_6VXhyi7gDoZFrtzjXqBolFinIktBmRzF4ffj2SNkNg4beP0w2tKX8ejOiQ0oMLnHJyPmux-/s1600/2+chef+scooter.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495450790923857810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9ez0Db3bwJwf4K1eKTFWuHnfz_dUCKfRQmLh7uqpma5tP4h8dQqg3Wldmky0_q39_6VXhyi7gDoZFrtzjXqBolFinIktBmRzF4ffj2SNkNg4beP0w2tKX8ejOiQ0oMLnHJyPmux-/s400/2+chef+scooter.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Chef/race car.. <em>.....er....</em>scooter driver!! Perfect blend of his skills!!</span></div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13185447510541745836noreply@blogger.com17