tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59595299325522685762024-03-13T08:44:56.290-07:003 Russell MooseAdventures with the Russell ClanCarleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.comBlogger518125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-39694904916356958262013-06-01T01:01:00.007-07:002013-06-01T01:05:21.845-07:00The Day My Baby Turns 7<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear Juliana,</span></i><br />
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It's midnight, June 1, 2013, which means your 7th birthday has arrived. I should know, as you have only been counting down since Christmas, marking each day on your calendar. I figured it was a good skill, so I went along. I didn't count on that making today feel so monumental. I pray that today, and every single day, you know how loved you are.<br />
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Yesterday, May 31, was a great day. You decided you could read a whole chapter in <i>On the Banks of Plum Creek</i>. So you did. Just like that. As much as you have fought growing up {including reading}, wishing to forever be our baby girl, <span style="font-size: large;"><i>7 suddenly sounds like the right age to read a whole chapter</i></span>. I smiled so big today listening to you read; mostly though I smiled at how proud of yourself you were. You went on to earn 100% on your spelling test and read your own birthday cards. I pray you never doubt yourself, and that you try new and difficult things.<br />
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First grade proved to be much more fun than kindergarten with you. We read all of the Caroline American Girl books, and 2 Little House on the Prairie books. When I asked you at dinner what you loved about school this year, that's what you remembered {well, right after you mentioned the 3 math books you did with Daddy}. The thing about you being my baby is I want to slow down and enjoy all of that with you. So we spent much of first grade snuggled on a couch with cups of tea, Caroline, and really good books. I cherish those memories. I pray we are always close, even as you grow and mature.<br />
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Gymnastics has become your great love this year. Sometimes I wonder if it's simply because it's different than what your big brother and sister do. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>You are your own person and you don't follow the crowd.</i></span> Ever since the Olympics last summer you have spent part of everyday in a bathing suit doing flips and tricks on the couch. Tuesday is your favorite day since you get to go to the gym. I pray you blaze your own trail where you can, and you learn the joy of following others who have gone before you.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmCxRLyXQEA/UamosW4HrfI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/UUWaEe_YOp0/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmCxRLyXQEA/UamosW4HrfI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/UUWaEe_YOp0/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYpieXKTL6E/UamogOmm_pI/AAAAAAAAED8/6syKV2AgPno/s1600/621801_10151017190382467_295614853_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYpieXKTL6E/UamogOmm_pI/AAAAAAAAED8/6syKV2AgPno/s200/621801_10151017190382467_295614853_o.jpg" width="112" /></a>Two surgeries could have put a bit of a damper on your 6th year, but not our Sunshine. You handled all of it with grace and charm.<br />
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I hope there aren't more surgeries in your future, and yet I know that God created you to be able to handle adversity, and you will be a bright light even in hard situations. I pray you seek God through those moments, and you hold on to His love.<br />
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Sometimes you get a little lost because you are the youngest, and Gabe and Mckenna can do many things better than you can. However, something happened recently that showed me how capable and willing you are. Someone at church needed a lot of help setting up a whole room with the AWANA store. You were free, and you volunteered. She didn't expect a ton, but gave you jobs anyways. To everyone's joy, you worked the room like a pro, setting out toys and games, putting price tags on them, and artfully arranging each table. You were so helpful that the room was finished much sooner than anyone anticipated. <i><span style="font-size: large;">I see a glimpse of your future</span></i>, in which you are incredible capable and talented and sweet. I pray you serve God with all of your heart and all of your skills, for all of your life.<br />
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My sweet, sweet girl, if you only knew how much we cherish you. I will <span style="font-size: large;"><i>never stop thanking God</i></span> for giving me the absolute joy and privilege of being your Mommy.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Happy 7th Birthday my sweet Princess!</i></span><br />
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Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-81401296650487512732012-10-01T23:30:00.000-07:002012-10-01T23:30:04.264-07:00Just a Day.No, I am probably not back to blogging on a regular basis. But I started blogging to have a record of our days as a family, and this is one to blog about.<br />
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I think I will run it down by the hour.<br />
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7:50 am. I woke up. Super late. Because I have a week off of the gym. And I was awake from 2:30-4:00 am for no reason. Waking up late isn't a great way to start a day.<br />
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8:00 am. I made the kids start the day with chores. I had been gone all weekend, and they had been very helpful for Daniel, but once I got home Sunday night they stopped being helpful. So we cleaned up first.<br />
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8:30 am. Feed the kids the homemade donuts we made the day before for a book Gabe is reading. School starts and we are on a roll. History, math, and Latin done.<br />
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8:35 am. Can't take a phone call from a friend hoping we sign Gabe up for golf (we aren't).<br />
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9:30 am. Call number 1 to the MRI place. Daniel injured his knee in a soccer game 2 weeks ago and it's not better. He needs an MRI. They said they would call me back after the pre-authorization came through.<br />
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10:00 am. Snack break and Ellen got home with Malcolm, Sean, and lots of groceries. Field some work related emails about writing in present tense. <br />
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10:20 am. Back to school, and still moving along. Language Arts done.<br />
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11:45 am. Lunch. I made chicken with mushrooms and onions over pasta, and started some taco meat for dinner. More work emails about integrating quotes. <br />
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12:15 pm. Science and call number 2 to the MRI place. The Orthopedic Dr. needs to confirm the request.<br />
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12:20 pm. Call the Orthopedic Dr. Get an answering machine. Request that they confirm the request.<br />
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1:00 pm. Miss a phone call from a friend coming to see us this weekend.<br />
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1:30 pm. School is done, chores begin.<br />
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2:00 pm. Talk to Daniel on the phone, solve some dilemmas, get some emails written together.<br />
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2:30 Snack and get tready for the afternoon. Finally get an MRI appointment (Call number 4 for the day) for Wednesday. Make the rest of dinner for everyone else.<br />
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3:00 Leave for Jiu Jitsu with Gabe and Juliana.<br />
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4:10 pm. Daniel gets to Jiu Jitsu. We talk a few minutes and I go home.<br />
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4:40 pm. Mckenna and I leave for soccer with a car full of uniforms and papers to get signed. Listen to voicemails from missed calls from this morning.<br />
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4:55 pm. Talk to the people in charge of soccer, trying to get my paperwork set for the first game this weekend. Set up for practice.<br />
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7:01 pm. Finally leave the field with all the papers signed and uniforms handed out. Head to Costco.<br />
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7:07 pm. Daniel calls. Rogue has eaten what was left of a bottle of Doggie Calming Tablets we had for Katana.<br />
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7:15 pm. Feed Mckenna dinner at Costco. Shop. <br />
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8:20 pm. Unload groceries, watch Mckenna work her kid whispering skills on baby Sean, and discover Rogue's semi-overdose of calming tablets have made her hyper. Completely hyper. Do some research and decide she will be fine. Make some broth so she will drink a whole bunch of fluids.<br />
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8:30 pm. Hang out with Daniel for an hour. First time we have talked all day face to face.<br />
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9:30 pm. Mckenna has finally showered and is in bed. Clean up kitchen and start on essays.<br />
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10:00 pm. Catch up on <br />
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11:30 pm. Done with this post and heading for bed. <br />
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Nothing special, yet everything special. This is my life. things sometimes go as planned, and sometimes they don't. Some days are simple and others are really complicated. But this is what we do. And I love it. Next week I go back to the gym at 5:30 am. So late nights will go away again, and blogging will go away with it. Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-70880628698974469112012-07-27T16:03:00.000-07:002012-07-27T16:03:50.533-07:00Russell Rules<span style="color: #073763;">This Russell clan has a propensity for making lists of rules that make sense only to us. It simplifies our parenting when we can quickly or discreetly say, "Rule Number 3!" and the offending child knows what to change immediately. </span><div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For your viewing pleasure and my scrapbooking purposes, here are the current Russell Rules:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #1: Russells do not complain.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #2: <span style="background-color: white;">Russells work harder than anyone else.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #3: Russells ask if there is more work to be done.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #4: No Tortugas.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #5: Number 5 is alive.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #6: There is no rule number six!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #7: Painting.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #8: Do not say, "Nucular."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #9: Act and do not watch.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rule #10: </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">These have morphed over the years into inside jokes and funny memories, as you can probably tell.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Rules #1-3 are self explanatory. The kids understand our work ethic, and often will ask what they should do next. <span style="font-size: large;">If they break Rule #1, we simply say, "Rule Number One is in effect," and they ask for more work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;">Well, most of the time it works that way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Rule #4 comes from my days as a waitress. The majority of the cooks were Hispanic and spoke little English. If it was busy in the deli and we felt like they were moving too slowly, we would simply draw a turtle with an X on it and say, "No Tortugas!" (Spanish for Turtle). Now when the kids dawdle, we use this expression to remind them to work, walk or eat a little quicker. </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">Side Note: Gabe has combined 2 different eras of my life and thinks I was a waitress in France. I cannot convince him otherwise. And for the record, I was in France, and I was a waitress, but I wasn't a waitress in France.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">If you aren't from the 80's, Rule #5 might be lost on you. It has morphed very recently; it was, "Don't hit your head on the wall." That's a hold over rule from when we often wrestled with the kids on our bed and they, you guessed it, smacked their heads on the wall. Now it's our funny way of encouraging the kids. </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">Gabe side note again: He doesn't get it. He always says, "I have never been number 5. I was number 7."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I have no idea why there is no Rule Number Six. There never has been one. It makes us smile though.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Rule #7 is <b>the first Rule that baby Juliana contributed</b>. At eighteen months she wanted to be a part of this fun process, so she simply shouted out the first thing she could think of: Painting! And it stuck.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">"Don't say Nuke-U-Lar" is one of my personal favorites. My kids have picked up a few bad habits (NOT from me! This is my pet-peeve!) of saying certain words incorrectly. They said <i>lie-bare-ee</i> for <i>library</i>, a<i>m-bli-ance</i> for<i> ambulance</i>, and <i>veNge-ta-ble</i> for <i>vegetable</i>. Oh, and clearly, <i>Nuke-U-Lar </i>instead of<i> Nu-cle-ar. </i>Now when they mispronounce a word I have previously corrected, I simply say, "Rule Number Eight is in effect," and they stop and correct themselves. <b>The best part about rule # 8 is you have to break the rule to say the rule :o)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Rule #9 is recent. For some reason unknown to me, when something goes wrong my kiddos stop and watch it happen. For instance, if they drop a jug of milk, they watch as the rest of the gallon pours out onto the floor instead of grabbing it and saving the rest. If they spill a glass of water on the table, they observe the flow instead of reaching for a towel and saving the rest of the table and the floor. It boggles my mind and it seems to me that it could lead to problems within a true crisis, where there is perhaps bleeding or drowning taking place.<span style="font-size: large;"> So now I shout, "Rule Number Nine!" and everyone springs into action.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">And Rule #10 is really for one particular child who has a particular bad habit, so I am not going to embarrass that child here. </span></div>
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<br /></div>Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-63277615038533181132012-03-13T01:21:00.001-07:002012-03-13T01:21:57.434-07:00Mother Letters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Around 3 years ago, I came across a beautiful idea; a husband was collecting letters written by mothers to compile and present to his wife as a gift. He knew that he didn't know what it is like to be a mom, but he knew that there was camaraderie amongst mothers, and that having companions along her journey would encourage his wife. I loved this thoughtful gift, and in the comment section one night, I wrote my own Mother Letter to this stranger.<br />
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I don't know exactly what I wrote, but the gist of it was how quickly the opportunity to be a mother could have been lost to me.<br />
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If you don't know, I spent the first 14 hours after the birth of my first child unconscious. There is one picture of me holding her, but I don't remember that moment, nor any of the visitors, nor the first time I nursed her. My blood loss was great, and 2 hours of stitching didn't staunch it.<br />
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God was so gracious to me, and I lived, though 7 weeks later I bled out again and required emergency surgery. The dr. warned my husband that I might not make it, and at the least, my uterus would not make it.<br />
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I was 23.<br />
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And yet, all my parts survived that trauma, and though it took nearly a year, I conceived my son. At 18 weeks I was put on bed rest and told he or I may not make it to the delivery. The next 20 weeks were the longest of my life, resulting in an emergency C-Section and a terrifying few hours.<br />
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Again, we both lived, but I received more blood transfusions and a prolonged stay in the hospital for bleeding.<br />
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You see, the point of my Mother Letter was to never take what we have for granted. And when mothering is difficult, when moments come that leave me exasperated, I only have to recall that all of this could have been gone in an instant, and I am back in a place of gratitude.<br />
Fast forward to a couple months ago, and I received an email that I was one of a few mothers whose letters were being printed in an e-book appropriately titled <i>Mother Letters.</i> I am honored that my thoughts on mothering were selected, and you can see my new button on the right that bears my honor.<br />
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The e-book is due out March 17, and I plan to buy it as a reminder that I am not alone in my amazing role of Mother, and that I could have, indeed, missed all of this.<br />
<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-19696276540856328812012-01-09T14:12:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:13:01.420-08:00More Katana<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Katana<br />
(Kah-Tah-Nah)<br />
Japanese word for Samurai Sword<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miXbF3JoFc0/TwtlyIQaqWI/AAAAAAAACyw/pjqUokUnzac/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miXbF3JoFc0/TwtlyIQaqWI/AAAAAAAACyw/pjqUokUnzac/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathing in the sunshine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4AHQ4oqRIg/Twtlxbaf8gI/AAAAAAAACyo/bDztRRk9GQ4/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4AHQ4oqRIg/Twtlxbaf8gI/AAAAAAAACyo/bDztRRk9GQ4/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her ears slick back as I approach. It seems she is still intimidated.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByR-EG-bx_s/Twtlv6BkFYI/AAAAAAAACyg/JT-oLjlNaRc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByR-EG-bx_s/Twtlv6BkFYI/AAAAAAAACyg/JT-oLjlNaRc/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this is what she does as she receives a little loving.</td></tr>
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<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-79915840834759185202012-01-08T22:00:00.000-08:002012-01-08T22:00:26.130-08:00SparkleWe called her "Sparkly" as a toddler.<br />
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She adds charm and twinkle to every situation.<br />
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And now she has some twinkle of her own.<br />
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And those sparkly pink earrings only add to her charm.Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-35773548384239740822012-01-08T21:50:00.000-08:002012-01-08T21:53:08.216-08:00GriefGrief.<br />
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If it wasn't personal, grief would be a fascinating study for me.<br />
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When we told the kids they had to say good-bye to Rocky, each one reacted very differently.<br />
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Mckenna screamed, over and over, "No! This can't be it! No, not Rocky!" Each cry pierced our hearts.<br />
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Gabriel made vows: "I will write his name in every book. I will make sculptures and pictures of him."<br />
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Juliana mourned quietly, saying over and over, "This is so hard. It's hard to understand." She slept with pictures of him for days, tears slipping quietly from her eyes.<br />
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Daniel and I went through each of those emotions, though not at the same time.<br />
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Sometimes I wanted to reverse time, start all over, have him again; I mourned in disbelief that this could be the end. I would have done most anything to hold him once more.<br />
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Sometimes I wanted to keep on being miserable, fearing that if I stopped crying it would be like forgetting him, or letting him slip away.<br />
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And then it just hurt, a deep hurt that left me crying myself to sleep and waking up already sobbing. I have not experienced that before, and it just hurts.<br />
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Our previously planned trip to Disneyland for 2.5 days went a long way in our healing. Only I cried while we were there, knowing what was to come when we got home. And sure enough, walking into an empty house put Dan, Juliana and me over the edge again, and we all mourned fresh that night.<br />
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So Friday, we did what anyone would do (maybe?). We got a puppy.<br />
And Monday we hope to get another one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katana, 7 months</td></tr>
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And our sweet new girl, Katana, has somehow squirmed, kissed, and wiggled her way into the hole left in my heart.<br />
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But I still miss my Rocky. And it requires effort to choose to move forward and not want to stay in the past.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky, 10 years</td></tr>
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And while he was a part of our family for 12 wonderful years, and saying good-bye was so very hard, he was only a dog.<br />
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Tonight I know loved ones mourning sick children, lost jobs, failing marriages, and other life altering trials.<br />
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So tonight I pray for my loved ones who are grieving. And I realize that my dear Rocky has once again taught me a lesson that will help me to help others, and I remain forever thankful.Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-22119559067375010322012-01-02T00:06:00.000-08:002012-01-02T00:06:33.705-08:00Goodbye my Faithful Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How do you say good bye to a loyal, faithful friend?<br />
How do you comfort three heartbroken children?<br />
How does 12 years go by so quickly?<br />
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He loved us so completely. From 6 weeks into our marriage until 12 years and 13 days in, Daniel and I had the greatest dog ever. And now he is gone.<br />
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I had no idea it would hurt this much.<br />
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As we held our aching children and cried together, Daniel reminded us that this world is not as God originally intended. It is fallen, cursed because of sin, and everything is affected. Even the best dog cannot stay young forever. I know he loved us. He knows we loved him. And I long for a perfect world once more, where sin has no grip.<br />
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And best friends don't die.<br />
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Thank you, my loyal Rocky, for teaching us that just being together is a reason to be joyful, and that life is better lived with exuberance and faithful love.<br />
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<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-58574715833448011972011-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:002011-12-27T04:23:21.410-08:00Rhino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is Rhino.</div>
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Juliana got him as a gift when she had surgery.</div>
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She takes him everywhere.</div>
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On a Tuesday she announced his birthday was in 2 days.</div>
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Wednesday night we were told again: Rhino's birthday is tomorrow!</div>
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Thursday morning she bounced on our bed: "Mom, Dad, come say Happy Birthday to Rhino!"</div>
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All day throughout school and chores she asked what we could do.</div>
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Finally, I offered to let her make cupcakes.</div>
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Rhino ate dinner with us.</div>
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We sang to him.</div>
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We ate birthday cupcakes.</div>
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It was ridiculous.</div>
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Jules was ecstatic.</div>
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We have warned her this was a one time deal.</div>
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We shall see about that.</div>
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<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-18030477724277266322011-12-27T04:18:00.000-08:002011-12-27T04:19:31.631-08:00Ice SkatingI am not Mom of the Year.<br />
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As if my kids didn't already have enough reasons to proclaim this, the fact that I got around to a birthday party for Mckenna more than two and a half months after her birthday cements my failures.</div>
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Late though it may have been, Mckenna loved every minute of her celebration.</div>
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I took her and 3 friends to a new ice skating rink, and though they were all new (I brought a friend along to teach them), they persevered and ended up loving it.</div>
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<br /></div>Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-43769284471802352902011-12-27T04:10:00.000-08:002011-12-27T04:12:24.313-08:00Christmas in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On Christmas Eve the kids waited patiently to open one gift before we headed to Christmas Eve service.</div>
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They each opened a new Bible and Bible cover, and they were all so thrilled. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to mention--all those presents, except maybe 5, are for next weekend, and cover 22 people. </td></tr>
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In Gabriel's already super cool room, Daniel hung the punching bag my parents gave Gabe last week at our early celebration. Now his room is even better. All 3 kids are really benefitting from it and they have even made up Ninja games to go with it :o)</div>
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Our stockings, hung with care over the fireplace, made by my wonderful mom. However, as one of our pastors said, in the desert we don't wish for a white Christmas, but for 70 degrees and sunshine. So our fireplace holds candles, not logs. </div>
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<br /></div>Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-22886685043369514532011-12-18T19:08:00.000-08:002011-12-18T19:08:39.203-08:00Conversations at My House"I want to be a mom!"<br />
"You have to get kids in order to be a mom. And you have to get married first!"<br />
<br />
"Mom, when I grow up, if I have 20 kids, will you babysit them all."<br />
"Absolutely!"<br />
"Great! But, how would we get there?"<br />
"You would need a special bus."<br />"Cool!"<br />
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"I'll babysit your kids when we grow up, but only if they are good." (One kid to a sibling)<br />
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If this wasn't so hilarious to me, I might be concerned.<br />
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In case you are concerned, keep in mind that they have 7 younger cousins with 2 more on the way, 2 little boys they call cousins, and countless little kids at church that consider my kids their best friends, including one who calls the girls "Friends" and Gabe "Boy." Every few weeks we go to someone's house where there are only littler kids, and my kids "baby-sit" while the mom and I talk. <br />
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This isn't actually <b>that </b>weird of a conversation.Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-16508725445849515502011-12-11T19:36:00.001-08:002011-12-11T19:39:21.492-08:00Passing Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last regular season soccer game in U-10.<br />
First Piano recital.<br />
Cookies from scratch by herself.<br />
500 page books.<br />
Mother's Helper jobs.<br />
Sharing shoes with me.<br />
French manicures.<br />
Belted Sweater Dress.<br />
A new ring with a real stone.<br />
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Is it just me or is time flying by?<br />
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Thank you dear Lord for a most beautiful daughter inside and out. I am unworthy and so very grateful.Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-47471451577456561882011-12-02T00:34:00.001-08:002011-12-02T00:50:44.590-08:00It's HereThe Holiday season is upon us. Oh yes, it is.<br />
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In true to Carlee fashion, I started Advent activities with the kids (meant to be a daily countdown/reminder) early, and yet I am already behind. That's just how I roll.<br />
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In case you are looking for an easy, meaningful Advent idea, I am using <a href="http://truthinthetinsel.com/">Truth in the Tinsel.</a> We read a Scripture passage and make an ornament each day, and the kids get to hang their ornaments on a ribbon in their rooms.<br />
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We also <s>are reading</s> will be reading this very sweet book about Benjamin Bear's travels to the Christ child that my dear Grandmother sent the kids last year. Each day Benjamin follows the star and meets up with a new character. My sweet mom helped me prepare an ornament for each story that corresponds to that day's character. It will be incredibly fun to do each day...you know, once we actually start. Hopefully by December 3rd.<br />
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We are giving gifts to 2 special people: A 3 year old girls whose father is in prison, and a teenager taking care of himself and 2 siblings. What a privilege it is to bring a little joy to 2 such young people. We went shopping tonight--some pink-princess-ballet stuff for the girl... and a Pre-paid Vis@ for the boy. Not as fun to shop for, but certainly to be appreciated.<br />
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As of this moment (as in just a few moments ago) I have no essays to grade in my house! Woo Hoo! That is always cause for excitement. I have had 6 sets since late Sept. That's 900 essays in 8 weeks. I remain grateful for my job this season!<br />
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Moving on, because that quantity of essays gives me a headache to think about.<br />
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December is sure to be packed: 2 regular season soccer games remain, our first piano recital, church programs, my parents here for our Christmas together, parties galore...all slated to end with Daniel's whole family here for New Year's Eve. I am planning a fun, laid back yet super cool "Christmas on New Year's" here and having a great time doing it.<br />
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Yes, December has come in full force, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.<br />
<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-17676082427021903152011-11-26T00:51:00.001-08:002011-11-26T01:03:37.662-08:00Racing DayHere's a progression for you:<br /><br />Daniel decided to run 2 miles every Tuesday night.<div>
Mckenna decided to go with him.</div>
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Mckenna thought it was hard, wanted to quit.</div>
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Daniel and I decided she shouldn't quit.</div>
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Mckenna's friends run 5k races.</div>
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Mckenna decided to run a 5k.</div>
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Mckenna and Daniel trained harder. </div>
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Mckenna and Daniel ran a 5k.</div>
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There have been tears, arguments, and pain, but most of all victories. And on Thanksgiving both Daniel and Mckenna ran their first race. Not only did they finish, but they took 1 minute per mile off the best time she had ever run (from a 9 min 40 second mile to a 8 minute 44 second mile).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the race started {all smiles}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxb28nphmhc/TtCpO9UiGaI/AAAAAAAACuo/kqArwMpF2_I/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxb28nphmhc/TtCpO9UiGaI/AAAAAAAACuo/kqArwMpF2_I/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first {of 3} times they ran past us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAooOHj0kGo/TtCpR8RMeKI/AAAAAAAACuw/JVmyNHF1ho4/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAooOHj0kGo/TtCpR8RMeKI/AAAAAAAACuw/JVmyNHF1ho4/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second time {she's working hard}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T45ZRm_Ag0/TtCpTncvMUI/AAAAAAAACu4/KD6mNYeA7jg/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T45ZRm_Ag0/TtCpTncvMUI/AAAAAAAACu4/KD6mNYeA7jg/s400/DSC_0036.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheering Sqaud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz0o0Tvqq2g/TtCpV_77Z1I/AAAAAAAACvA/_U9R0qFwcyI/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz0o0Tvqq2g/TtCpV_77Z1I/AAAAAAAACvA/_U9R0qFwcyI/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming down the last leg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-401aG2EBsiM/TtCpaRVaJQI/AAAAAAAACvQ/r72feoYS-1g/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-401aG2EBsiM/TtCpaRVaJQI/AAAAAAAACvQ/r72feoYS-1g/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprinting to the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2onGBdh44k/TtCpYMIbCeI/AAAAAAAACvI/kh8R4i-omGw/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2onGBdh44k/TtCpYMIbCeI/AAAAAAAACvI/kh8R4i-omGw/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their time {27 minutes 9 seconds}<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Somewhere around 25 minutes I was already teary eyed and getting anxious to see them, even though I wasn't expecting them until about 30 minutes. When I saw them at 27 minutes, I started crying hard. I am so proud of my runners! And I am so thankful that my daughter (and the other 2) has her incredible dad. He never would run a 5k on his own--he runs for fitness, but has no need to race. He did this for her, and what a gift that is!Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-47763221023151991712011-11-14T22:43:00.001-08:002011-11-14T22:51:30.980-08:00PerspectiveTomorrow morning, bright and early, Juliana will have a small surgery. A cyst grew on her lip and has grown and grown for months. It's time to take it off. A 40 minute procedure is what we face. General Anesthesia is my biggest concern.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4EOXFlrZrU/TsILlFcG6AI/AAAAAAAACuA/SjSbqp4Avx8/s1600/DSC_0590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4EOXFlrZrU/TsILlFcG6AI/AAAAAAAACuA/SjSbqp4Avx8/s400/DSC_0590.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
And yet, it's nothing, really.<br />
<br />Daniel put into words what I have been feeling: I cannot imagine having a truly sick child.<br />
<br />
Our small surgery in a nice surgical center with a doctor we really like is a cake walk compared to dealing with pediatric cancer or weeks or months at a time in a hospital.<br />
<br />
This little procedure pales in comparison to chemo, scans, major surgeries, or months of trying to diagnose.<br />
<br />
And our lives are cush compared to the circumstances sick people face in so many other countries.<br />
<br />
So while my heart is heavy, waiting for the moment my little girl wakes up from anesthesia and I see her bright blues; while we are letting her sleep with us in our bed and we bought her popsicles at the store today; and while I have prayed many prayers over her sweet sleeping form tonight, all the more my prayers are with every family that faces my worst nightmare as their everyday reality.<br />
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If you want to help out families in need this Christmas, check out this <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate">caringbridge site </a>and donate to <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate">Kate's Crazy Cool Chirstmas.</a> And prayer for peace, comfort and mercy for her and her family.Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-42649060018645125322011-11-05T01:13:00.000-07:002011-11-05T01:13:28.602-07:00Coach<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My life is an assortment of roles, most of which I have chosen and love.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are the relational ones:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christian.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Daniel's Wife.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mckenna, Gabriel and Juliana's Mom.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rob and Cyndi's Daughter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Daughter-in-Law and Sister-in Law (although to be honest we usually leave off the in-law).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Friend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The functional ones:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pastor's Wife.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Student.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Teacher.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Essay Grader.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday School Helper.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Volunteer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the funny ones:<br /><br />Science Clown.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little Horse.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Short Order Cook.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am still adjusting to a new one: Coach</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's not new, not really, but right now everyone seems to use it as if it's my name. Sometimes they have to say it twice for me to realize I am the subject of their calling.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Famous UCLA coach John Wooden said, "<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;">A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment." </span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have discovered how difficult this really is.</span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have made players cry this season. One of them I made cry twice. </span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have pushed players to the breaking point.</span></span><br />
<span class="body" style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have over corrected at times. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And this is little kids' soccer :o)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But he also said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I see so much potential in my players. And soccer is only a fraction of that potential.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see little boys who can be respectful, tough, and fun all at the same time. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see little girls who can learn to listen, to work together, and to enjoy sports. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see young women who can focus, run complicated plays, share the burden, and be disciplined.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I don't see any of that coming naturally. It all must be taught.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is the task of a coach, and it is humbling.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So when I am not hanging out with my kids, relaxing with my hubby, enjoying being at church, or, of course, grading essays, I am watching soccer drill videos, working on my line-ups, and praying for my players. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see potential for greatness. </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to see growth.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6cPaKdEE_c/TrTv1bKzhWI/AAAAAAAACt4/qGxUTzmMrrc/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6cPaKdEE_c/TrTv1bKzhWI/AAAAAAAACt4/qGxUTzmMrrc/s400/DSC_0556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-35894952335676198162011-10-23T20:01:00.000-07:002011-10-23T20:01:47.000-07:00Quick Update, As Usual :o)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What I would love to spend hours reading</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp5feUzRE-Y/TqTRngMRk1I/AAAAAAAACsU/8MLdBR0fB9I/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp5feUzRE-Y/TqTRngMRk1I/AAAAAAAACsU/8MLdBR0fB9I/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What I actually spend hours reading</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAoDcUVJmCE/TqTRouzPYlI/AAAAAAAACsc/O0RiK77b-Cs/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAoDcUVJmCE/TqTRouzPYlI/AAAAAAAACsc/O0RiK77b-Cs/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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Let's compare again...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsTgNoQ9IsA/TqTRpgunVkI/AAAAAAAACsk/sAtb4wT_Z3I/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsTgNoQ9IsA/TqTRpgunVkI/AAAAAAAACsk/sAtb4wT_Z3I/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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That stack is approximately 600 essays. I am about halfway through!</div>
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And if that makes your head hurt, you are not alone. My head, fingers and eyes hurt. However, as always, I am thankful for this amazing job that allows me to earn money and be HOME with my babies. I also work for great teachers, and I have gained valuable skills plus work history. All of that is good stuff!</div>
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My mom found this active, exciting way for me to test Gabe on his spelling words.</div>
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I printed the letters he would need (including multiples) on sticky notes, and alphabetized them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-467SfFaS1jU/TqTRrHLCHlI/AAAAAAAACss/sY6UBDNnW-8/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-467SfFaS1jU/TqTRrHLCHlI/AAAAAAAACss/sY6UBDNnW-8/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I would say a word and he would run from the table to the wall and spell the word, one letter at a time, with the notes. He loved it and I see the benefit over sitting still and writing his words--something he is not too fond of. :o)</div>
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And, just for fun and for my own record keeping, the living/dining room (known as the pretty room because the kids are not supposed to make messes here!), which is almost done. We have curtains but no rods to hang them on, and a rug that is not out yet. </div>
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The white door is the front door, and the windows look over the porch and yard to the street.</div>
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We have only purchased one piece of furniture out of everything you see. Can you guess which one?</div>
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Beautiful couch given to us, leather chair a friend found at a garage sale, beautiful coffee table from Grandma's house, and our fantastic wall unit given to us by someone who no longer could use it. Yes, it's a hodge podge, but we like it that way :o)</div>
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My great grandparents' table and desk (in the corner) and our awesome black China Hutch. I love having my family's furniture in my home!</div>
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The black piece is our purchase. We lived in a small, 2-bedroom apartment for 9 months with a kitchen that had maybe 4 cabinets. We found this black "bookshelf" unit at a furniture store going out of business and got it very reasonably. I still love it. My mom put the table decorations together for fall--they are so fun! And the eyes on the wall--it's my new favorite thing. Daniel snapped this picture of Gabe on our trip and I just love it. It's a wrapped canvas, 16x24", and I could stare at it all day long!</div>
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<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-70031109743442570012011-09-28T00:47:00.000-07:002011-09-28T00:49:24.750-07:00LIttle Bit of This and ThatHomeschool is in full swing.<br />
Soccer has officially begun.<br />
Church activities launched 2 weeks ago.<br />
Essays arrive by the hundreds.<br />
Blogging gets a back seat, as usual.<br />
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So, here we go with an update; pictures included.</div>
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Juliana's best buddy from church lives very close, is using the same charter school and same curriculum as we are, and is only 6 days older. Okay, that last part didn't really matter. Those factors, and the fact that her mom has been super flexible, have meant the girls have actually managed to get 2 school days together--once at our house and once at theirs. That's close to miraculous for me. </div>
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Apparently at her house they kicked butt on school--math pages and phonics pages galore, plus memorizing AWANA verses. At our house, ahem, we played with shaving cream and food dye. It was science, and art!</div>
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See, we even found out what happened when we mixed colors. We just did it in a bag full of shaving cream!</div>
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Gabe's room. It rocks. And it is done. Racing Stripes with Clone Wars stickers on one wall.</div>
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Coolest bed ever across the room.</div>
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A place for wrestling medals and Marvel calendars, plus books and games. </div>
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And the sports wall is completed with a football player sticker and a Basketball hoop for a laundry basket. </div>
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I have been called a plethora of names lately: Crazy, insane, nuts, super-Mom, even stupid.</div>
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I was even told to iron my cape before I hang it up at night.</div>
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As if I have time to Iron.</div>
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It stems from this sport I love; the same sport that my kids now love: Soccer</div>
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Who wouldn't want to coach this adorable player? My favorite things about her team are the hair ribbons I made them all that they adore, and the fact that snack is the best part of soccer.<br />
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And here is our little man playing defense. He is hilarious. My favorite part of coaching his team is that the boys all keep perfect score, even though it is non-competitive and we "don't keep score."<br />
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Mckenna's games start this Saturday. I am enjoying the challenge of coaching kids who can really learn the sport and improve. Her team is young and small, but filled with spunk and determination. Mckenna, on the other hand, grew inches this summer and will be our rock star goalie and long legged forward. She is also taking piano lessons and loving it, plus running 2 miles every Tuesday with Daddy.<br />
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Last week I caught this guy. We got out our ladybug habitat and brought him inside. Appropriately the kids named him Priest. A few clicks of the keyboard revealed he is a carnivore. 3 nights in a row of catching spiders and watching him devour them were bad enough, but when he started boxing the little lid on the top of the enclosure, as if he was thinking: LET ME OUT OF HERE! we decided to let him go.<br />
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Little Charmer lost 2 front, bottom teeth. Of course, she just looks more adorable.<br />
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Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-74318547123537569932011-09-20T14:43:00.000-07:002011-09-20T14:54:56.181-07:002nd Grade Vocabulary"The sawyers waited for the flood waters to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">abate</span>."<br />
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Me: Gabe, what do you think <i>abate</i> means?<br />
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Gabe: Well, it flooded and they needed the waters to go away so they could drive in the Rain Forest. So they are waiting for the water to disappear. So...it must mean "go up into the clouds" because when water evaporates it goes back into the clouds so it can rain again... Or, maybe it means "to soak in," because some of the water soaks into the ground.... ORRRR, maybe it means "flow to the river," because in the Rain Forest the water flows downhill into the river....<br />
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Me: Right........... Well, actually <i>abate </i>means "to go down or recede."<br />
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This is my challenge. I love it.<br />
<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-46903998972646598092011-09-13T17:32:00.000-07:002011-09-13T17:32:13.542-07:00Roadtrip 2011, Part 4<b>Thursday, August 25</b><br /><br />
Way back when Kenna was small, I heard about this fantastic family Hotel called Great Wolf Lodge. I checked it out, and then tucked it away in the back of my mind for when the kids were older. When Daniel and I started researching our trip, Great Wolf Lodge came to mind and lo and behold, there was one on our route. Yippee! (as Meg would say; love you Meg! :o) So we packed up, said some tearful goodbyes (well, I got teary as we pulled away at least; our fellowship with Meg and Jeremy was awesome and we have no idea when or if we will see one another again this side of eternity. I am still cherishing the time we had), and headed to Grand Mound, WA.<br />
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<b>Miles Logged: 89</b><br />
<b>Total: 2,152</b><br />
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If asked, my kids will tell you this was the best part of the trip. Check out the pictures, and understand we were able to spend 12 hours in this indoor water park attached to the lobby of the hotel for the cost of a 1 night stay, and their answer will not surprise you.<br />
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Also understand that on my top 10 list of things I DESPISE are: Public Swimming, Chlorine, and Water Parks. I *might* qualify for Best Mom Ever award.<br />
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In our room was a Kids Log Cabin with bunk beds and a 3rd bed, plus their own TV and very fun murals on the wall. Even though the room was expensive for a night at a hotel, it was cheap compared to visiting a waterpark and staying in a hotel, and much cheaper than any So. Cal amusement park. We brought PB&J, bread, milk and cereal and took advantage of the mini frige and free coffee in our room. That way we only had to leave the waterpark for a few minutes to re-charge. ;o)<br />
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One thing we have worked on consistently with Mckenna is for her to set realistic expectations; all too often she gets a very elevated picture in her mind about how something will be, and when it is less than she expected she crashes down and sometimes ruins the event for all of us. I get it, because I feel that way sometimes too. At bed time the night we were there she told me, "Mom, I tried to keep my expectations low so I wouldn't be disappointed. But this....well, I couldn't have been more excited to have something be better than I hoped for. This is beyond my wildest dreams! Thanks Mom!"<br />
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Like I said: Best. Mom. Ever.<br />
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(Until the next day, that is; you know how that goes).<br />
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<b>Friday, August 26</b><br />
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When we were sufficiently wrinkled and water logged, we showered, got dressed, ate our sandwiches, and piled back into the car. A few days before I realized we would be headed through Portland, where some of my favorite Youth Group kids now live, and we put a quick plan together to meet up.<br />
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We had the absolute blessing of seeing 4 former students (plus 1 awesome spouse), and spending a few hours with them at a park, before we got back on the road. Many times in ministry you spend hundreds of hours and many years pouring into students and encouraging them in their faith and their lives. Rarely do you get to see more than a glimpse of what they become. I got to see 4 young women (and 1 awesome spouse) who live and breath the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory for the things He has done in and through them! To Him be the praise for the encouragement to me their lives are!<br />
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A few hours and a quick local burger (there is something very cool about eating what has been grown right in the community!) and we headed back down to Rogue River, back to Grandma's house. We pulled in at 11:00 pm.<br />
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<b>Miles Logged: 371</b><br />
<b>Total: 2, 523</b><br />
<br />Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-22270934766239979502011-09-05T07:30:00.000-07:002011-09-13T17:06:04.381-07:00Roadtrip 2011, part 3 (Updated with Mileage)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Sunday, August 21. </b>All too soon it was time to be on the road again. This time we headed west for our friends who live outside of Seattle. The scenery changed into tall, snow capped mountains and dense pine trees, and I knew we were close. A 5 hours drive grew to 7 when we sat parked on the highway while an accident was cleared, but hugging our dear friends and meeting all 3 of their beautiful children was worth the wait. </div>
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<b>Miles Logged: 326</b><br />
<b>Total: 1,892</b><br />
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<b>Monday, August 22</b>. Jeremy headed off to work and Meg took us to see Snoqualmie Falls. It's a short drive from their house, then an easy walk up a path, and the view is stunning!<br />
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Sweet Katie, 2, looks in on her baby sister Kara. I have never met a 2 year old (well, maybe one of my nieces) who can talk at 2 like this girl can. One time she was upset about something, and I asked her if she wanted some grapes. She told me, "First I am going to cry, and then I am going to answer. WAAAA!" It took all of my strength to not laugh out loud!<br />
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Kara, is a miracle baby in many ways. Diagnosed with serious problems in utero, one of which would have been terminal without the great intervention she got, Kara (and her Momma Meg) was the object of our prayers for months. And here she is! 5 months old with the sweetest disposition and most eager smile. We LOVED holding her, learning how to feed her, and marveling over the great things God has already done in her life.</div>
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Connor, 3.5 and delightful, loved playing with the Russell kids, who introduced him to rolling down a hill. Right after we left he asked his mom if he could come to the Russell's house to visit. We wish you could Connor!<br />
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Of course Gabe does things MMA style.</div>
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On to a railroad museum we went. The kids were more interested in the walk and the dandelions, and Meg and I cherished the time to talk, while Daniel read the signs that detailed the various cars and their usage,<br />
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We headed into Seattle, hoping to go the Aquarium, but instead walked the pier and treated the Seagulls (and ourselves) to fries at Ivars.<br />
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<b>Miles Logged: 88</b><br />
<b>Total: 1,980</b><br />
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<b>Tuesday, August 23</b>. Technically this was the first day of school. We brought along our history CDs and notebooks, plus took educational field trips almost every day, in order to get school in on our trip. This day's adventure was blueberry picking at the base of a gorgeous mountain.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It says 7 and a quarter pounds in case you can't read it, and $14.32, which is less than half what I would pay in CA.</td></tr>
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<b>Miles Logged: 5</b><br />
<b>Total: 1,985</b><br />
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<b>Wednesday, August 24. </b>Back into Seattle we trekked, without Meg and her precious family this time, and we started at the Flagship REI. Definitely a very cool store.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It fits, right?</td></tr>
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We also got to visit with my uncle at his office in Seattle, and my cousins at one of their homes. It was delightfully wonderful that after not seeing each other in years, we can pick right back up where we left off. I truly wish we lived closer--they are my only cousins and I love them dearly! For their privacy I am not posting any face pictures of them or my beautiful First-Cousin-Once-Removed, who was only 3 weeks old when I met her, but here are a couple silly ones we took while messing around.<br />
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When we reluctantly left my cousins we headed for a very quick stop at Pike Place Market. Meg was making her famous (to us) homemade pizza, and we were not going to miss that! OF COURSE we stopped at the first Starbucks, and I let Mckenna order her first coffee drink.<br />
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And in our travels we found the famous fish market where the guys throw the fish to one another when it's ordered--as seen in Sleepless in Seattle and other movies.<br />
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Our view as we left--a ferry I rode on many times in my youth when I would visit my cousins, with a beautiful sky full of clouds we rarely see as desert dwellers.<br />
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<b>Miles Logged: 78</b></div>
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<b>Total: 2,063</b></div>
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Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-17863887638032393202011-09-04T19:17:00.000-07:002011-09-04T19:17:00.164-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIIWscTVrH4/TbYrjKQqguI/AAAAAAAACe4/lClwUDDPvz4/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIIWscTVrH4/TbYrjKQqguI/AAAAAAAACe4/lClwUDDPvz4/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Two months ago, my baby turned 5 years old. How time flies.<br />
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She has been using her adorable little girl voice to say the funniest and most profound things.<br />
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Because this blog is primarily in place of a journal for me, I have to get these down before she is all of a sudden 6.<br />
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When she spills or makes a mistake: "I am such a mess!"<br />
Looking at her legs: "I am such a chub!" We tell her that about her baby pictures, and assure her that she is in fact perfect just the way she is.<br />
Looking in the mirror: "I have lots of bimples." {Dimples}<br />
Studying her arms intensely: "I have 6, no 7, freckles. You have like a million, mom."<br />
When Mckenna snuck into their room: "Kenna! Did you teleport?"<br />
When she has a problem: "Oh dear, that's a problem."<br />
At sunset, every night: "Mom, is it Sun Down?"<br />
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Jules has her first loose tooth, and her excitement is over the top. Since Gabe and Kenna are constantly losing teeth, Juliana is sure it must be the coolest thing ever. At least 5 times a day she wants me to check her loose tooth, and she tells everyone who will listen about her loose "toof."<br />
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Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-63889854984631035162011-09-03T22:13:00.000-07:002011-09-03T22:13:00.797-07:00Homeschool 2011-2012, part 3: GabrielHow is it even possible my son is going to be a Second Grader? Second Grade!<br />
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Daniel always says that Gabe makes me look like a great teacher. He is a quick learner, a great memorizer, and an eager student. He excels in math but is also a great reader, except he has inherited or learned a unique trait from his father: guessing at words. They both have an uncanny ability to insert a word that fits the context and starts with the same sound as the word which is actually printed. It's wrong, but truly remarkable.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><u>Fall 2011</u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Math</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Curriculum</b>: Teaching Textbooks 4. Yes, he is doing math 2 years ahead. He could probably do more but eventually we would run out of things to do. It is a blessing and challenge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Goals:</b> Keep up with him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Bonus:</b> Same curriculum as Mckenna, spent last year's school money on it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Language Arts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Curriculum:</b> Moving Beyond the Page. I bought this 2 years ago for Mckenna, but halfway through 2nd grade she went to public school. It's a fantastic curriculum, and very challenging, which I think will be good for him. He is reading: <i>Charlotte's Web, Poppy, One Day in the Tropical Rainforest, The Whipping Boy, 50 American Heros, Sarah Plain and Tall, and Iggie's House. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Goals:</b> Get him to write longer, neater, and more complex sentences and paragraphs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Bonus: </b>Already own it. Difficult curriculum which I think he needs. I have used it before and am familiar with it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Science</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There is science in his language arts curriculum, but like his big sister Gabe loves science.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Curriculum</b>: Moving Beyond the Page; Answers for Kids</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Goals:</b> Further develop his love for science and facts; expand his horizon into new areas of science (you can only study dinosaurs and the ocean for so many years....)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Bonus:</b> We already own it all.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History -- US History (same as Mckenna)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is where I have my fun. My kids LOVE history so we spend a ton of time on it. But while we are studying history we are also studying philosophy, geography, reading, science, etc. because we take history chronologically and study the people, inventions, thoughts, and changes of the time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><b>Curriculum: </b><a href="http://www.welltrainedmind.com/store/the-story-of-the-world-vol-3-early-modern-times-hardback.html" style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;">Story of the World Vol. 3.</a> This is my favorite History curriculum and we will use it to keep up on what is going on in the rest of the world while America is being formed. If you buy it you must buy the CDs and Activity Books--they are amazing. <a href="http://www.bfbooks.com/Early-American-History-Primary-Jumbo-Pack" style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;">Early American History, a Literature Aprroach</a>. Gabe and Juliana will use the Primary Set and Mckenna will use the Intermediate set. Essentially, this curriculum offers good, quality literature that lets students read their way through history.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><b>Goals: </b>As True Blue Americans, this year feels like the culmination of our studying. I have no idea what we will do next year! We started with the earliest recorded history and have worked our way to Christopher Columbus. Now we get to discover what makes our nation so unique and wonderful. I want my kids to fall more in love with America while at the same time understanding their responsibilities as citizens. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><b>Bonus: </b>You guessed it: Free! I am borrowing E.A.H. and I used last year's school money to buy STOW 3. Oh yeah!</span></span></span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">P.E.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;">Gabe is playing AYSO soccer this year (his second year), and once it is over I hope to get him involved in either golf, water polo, or martial arts, depending on practice days and times.</span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I need to make a decision about handwriting. His printing is atrocious unless he is actually trying to write neatly, but he really wants to learn cursive. Do I make him work on his printing, teach him cursive, or teach him how to type? </span></span>Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959529932552268576.post-29656656979158220032011-09-02T20:00:00.000-07:002011-09-02T20:00:01.925-07:00RoadTrip, Part 2 <br />
<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Thursday, August 18.</b> Bright and early we checked out and headed down a path we had never traveled. Up the 5 freeway, take a right before Portland, and trace nearly the entire northern border of Oregon before turning North to Spokane, WA. A jaunt to the east, and suddenly we’re 60 miles from Montana and from Canada. </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxdNopJMWvk/Tl8ugxHaaOI/AAAAAAAACnE/hAOlUyDiL_8/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxdNopJMWvk/Tl8ugxHaaOI/AAAAAAAACnE/hAOlUyDiL_8/s400/DSC_0153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Miles Logged: 678</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Total Miles: 1,544</b></span></div><div class="p2"><b><span class="s1"></span></b></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Friday, August 19.</b> There is only one excellent reason to travel so far north on our Road trip. Auntie Kris, Uncle Ben, and our sweet baby nephew Elijah moved to “South Canada” in May. Walking through their town, which is a throwback to times where you walk to and through town, we discovered we weren’t so far off by calling it South Canada. There were many Canadian flags and even a sign affirming the connection.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
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</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">After we perused the shops and ate at a pub filled with local food and hand brewed Ale and Rootbeer, we visited the beach, or at least an Idahoan version of the beach. In a mall made from wood that was once a bridge, we stumbled upon a fantastic idea: free craft material for kids. My 3 artists were thrilled.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87xPYx4PLEc/Tl8v54q9KbI/AAAAAAAACns/7ggNr_hG6ac/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87xPYx4PLEc/Tl8v54q9KbI/AAAAAAAACns/7ggNr_hG6ac/s400/IMG_3639.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU9Oe5WqynU/Tl8v8ugUp1I/AAAAAAAACnw/58EQBXIHXKw/s1600/IMG_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU9Oe5WqynU/Tl8v8ugUp1I/AAAAAAAACnw/58EQBXIHXKw/s400/IMG_3650.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"We saw the Statue of Liberty, Mom, and we didn't even go to New York!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--04KM61OKds/Tl8v_8ahrpI/AAAAAAAACn0/HeQj0xSHGl0/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--04KM61OKds/Tl8v_8ahrpI/AAAAAAAACn0/HeQj0xSHGl0/s400/IMG_3655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qREXnYMIsA/Tl8wCUWwtdI/AAAAAAAACn4/21w1zVXJ0Fo/s1600/IMG_3656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qREXnYMIsA/Tl8wCUWwtdI/AAAAAAAACn4/21w1zVXJ0Fo/s400/IMG_3656.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf6gmdInOy4/Tl8wFTCqdBI/AAAAAAAACn8/VMkhq25MJjo/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf6gmdInOy4/Tl8wFTCqdBI/AAAAAAAACn8/VMkhq25MJjo/s400/IMG_3658.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 Mooses with their beloved Auntie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Miles Logged: All on foot.</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Total Miles: 1,544</b></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Saturday, August 20.</b> Apparently it is mandatory to pick huckleberries in Idaho. I thought it would be mandatory to dig up some potatoes, but that is only in southern Idaho, I learned. I have picked blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries; huckleberries provide an entirely new challenge. Sparsely populated bushes and loose dirt means milk jugs are just the thing to hold the berries--WHEN you lose your footing you don’t lose your entire crop.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ31igWkhtM/Tl8u_TteulI/AAAAAAAACnM/HXRhOc4OQJE/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ31igWkhtM/Tl8u_TteulI/AAAAAAAACnM/HXRhOc4OQJE/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOq__B5tQa0/Tl8vGzVgpWI/AAAAAAAACnY/6Vap2AiR1P8/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOq__B5tQa0/Tl8vGzVgpWI/AAAAAAAACnY/6Vap2AiR1P8/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PBw2QJJeFU/Tl8vBihr4TI/AAAAAAAACnQ/rk86MVYpFPs/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PBw2QJJeFU/Tl8vBihr4TI/AAAAAAAACnQ/rk86MVYpFPs/s400/DSC_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL9bLQjF6Uc/Tl8vEZZyQxI/AAAAAAAACnU/GyN-SWmBnpU/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL9bLQjF6Uc/Tl8vEZZyQxI/AAAAAAAACnU/GyN-SWmBnpU/s400/DSC_0183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_UEzeAnjI/Tl8vJ4gdZ4I/AAAAAAAACnc/xV4fZDadyog/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_UEzeAnjI/Tl8vJ4gdZ4I/AAAAAAAACnc/xV4fZDadyog/s400/DSC_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Up to the resort for another locally grown lunch at the bottom of some ski slopes and a picturesque opportunity for photos. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJdxOKf93hQ/Tl8vka9frpI/AAAAAAAACng/mwrdFqboH6w/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJdxOKf93hQ/Tl8vka9frpI/AAAAAAAACng/mwrdFqboH6w/s400/DSC_0195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64yrETFDueA/Tl8vmXCHihI/AAAAAAAACnk/u99RhtKtYQ0/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64yrETFDueA/Tl8vmXCHihI/AAAAAAAACnk/u99RhtKtYQ0/s400/DSC_0232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Elijah is adorable, busy, and oh so fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eBaaDRN9Os/Tl8voUhv3tI/AAAAAAAACno/s4X8shyNOCo/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eBaaDRN9Os/Tl8voUhv3tI/AAAAAAAACno/s4X8shyNOCo/s400/DSC_0240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Miles Logged: 22</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Total Miles: 1,566</b></span></div>Carleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.com4