tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29857508974062881372024-03-13T15:27:09.982-04:00Parsons Family FiveSharing with the world the life adventures of the Parsons Five.Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014362824383450236noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-43344942622239641202012-08-27T22:32:00.002-04:002012-08-27T22:47:50.330-04:00Another One Bites the Dust<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She started school this morning,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And she seemed so very small.</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As I walked there beside her</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In the Kindergarten hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And as she took her place beside</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">the others in the class,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I realized how all too soon</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Those first few years can pass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Remembering, I saw her as</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She first learned how to walk.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The words that we alone made out</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When she began to talk.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFfcRjnf3yiiR1Sg3fxVKWKws0MAW4KTlWlM_E-T9yTUJJGcG1Cyc4SF1C8MzEHyiA9ebXsTDM8rgp4V30FCaZ4Dxexpq3_r9u54W_pOUWigMG-r-xK-3vnA-Z2qqLBQH0L8j-yL1904C/s1600/102_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFfcRjnf3yiiR1Sg3fxVKWKws0MAW4KTlWlM_E-T9yTUJJGcG1Cyc4SF1C8MzEHyiA9ebXsTDM8rgp4V30FCaZ4Dxexpq3_r9u54W_pOUWigMG-r-xK-3vnA-Z2qqLBQH0L8j-yL1904C/s200/102_0020.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><flashback as="as" ella="ella" learned="learned" she="she" to="to" walk="walk"></flashback></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This little girl so much absorbed</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In learning how to write.</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It seems as though she must have grown</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To girlhood overnight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My eyes were blurred by hastily</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I brushed the tears away</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Lest by some word or sign of mine</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I mar her first big day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Oh how I longed to stay with her</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And keep her by the hand</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To lead her through the places</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">That she couldn't understand.</span></div>
</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And something closely kin to fear</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Was mingled with my pride.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I knew she would no longer be</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A baby by my side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But she must have her chance to live,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To work her problems out,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The privilege to grow and learn</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">What life is all about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And I must share my little girl</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">With friends and work and play;</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She's not a baby anymore --</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She's in Kindergarten today.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">-author unknown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ8v4bl9dRYp-LhpzIQZAHEUeW2DJX6f6xVcctVJNhwuOMuYrqC-Jye5Rcmj8YbI-mP9VFkoDvkNFKkCQLnqfz-5Lc34DAW3VgznZWTZ-GJ3lqbk5V-raG7KI4r7VTXXxob6sYOm4bSsc/s1600/DSCN9925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ8v4bl9dRYp-LhpzIQZAHEUeW2DJX6f6xVcctVJNhwuOMuYrqC-Jye5Rcmj8YbI-mP9VFkoDvkNFKkCQLnqfz-5Lc34DAW3VgznZWTZ-GJ3lqbk5V-raG7KI4r7VTXXxob6sYOm4bSsc/s400/DSCN9925.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh the wonder...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what she is doing?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she is making friends?</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she remembers her manners?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she misses her Momma?<br />
I wonder if she knows I miss her?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she will keep her fingers out of her mouth?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she will keep her hands to herself?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if she will have enough lunch to eat?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
I wonder who will read to her the note I tucked inside her lunchbox?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what she will do all day without me?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what I will do with my little sidekick at kindergarten all day? </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder did I feel this tug when Little Man and Big Sister went to school?</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder...</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zDYENB4NOhneEXa4Ofn0Ctelr0kz71FLBB_DRvuaqxnhvntHgCFAW001T-yqMo3L2BeZmLMRCl4tAbCJ7nFE9lNgdZC25vIwK0QO8mB200FsMk4cUaMgw2_kbXRC2OS6WcrtyK4vXJPH/s1600/102_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zDYENB4NOhneEXa4Ofn0Ctelr0kz71FLBB_DRvuaqxnhvntHgCFAW001T-yqMo3L2BeZmLMRCl4tAbCJ7nFE9lNgdZC25vIwK0QO8mB200FsMk4cUaMgw2_kbXRC2OS6WcrtyK4vXJPH/s200/102_0208.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRk6Ldfy8NsE0oHifx8sGmd_9Ys6YfXRTLQAQxTAqAj4lpwvlVm3x9ciu0EJNqZbQ1sd9852kshYSCbDcoY0zoJo4nWByHW1kRtKKLx-37pahlLEqhzqvR31UNcWO2W4ktc0zY74jQ1w7/s1600/DSCN4403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe '; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRk6Ldfy8NsE0oHifx8sGmd_9Ys6YfXRTLQAQxTAqAj4lpwvlVm3x9ciu0EJNqZbQ1sd9852kshYSCbDcoY0zoJo4nWByHW1kRtKKLx-37pahlLEqhzqvR31UNcWO2W4ktc0zY74jQ1w7/s200/DSCN4403.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJXneFq201ItIXXJlg0vZwnFzxd6I7hhYoDOo4B3Z0r18f3v6mQAgE-J68fPxBUzdLjSDqYnq32MLHNuoN6_fwL0dx2LdMeBv4egFjEpn4OmmppScMELG3k70QJkM-WvOG_zMBCAmcbGL/s1600/DSCN9927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJXneFq201ItIXXJlg0vZwnFzxd6I7hhYoDOo4B3Z0r18f3v6mQAgE-J68fPxBUzdLjSDqYnq32MLHNuoN6_fwL0dx2LdMeBv4egFjEpn4OmmppScMELG3k70QJkM-WvOG_zMBCAmcbGL/s320/DSCN9927.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Grade and Kindergarten</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr67J4XydKnNCL2tCO44l6Z72aSFjy_RVKGUZMNn03cNfuHc1bB77u04mQH7b9gY6_k9NKY2yR02Jcd7Yv_wVhTRraHG-PzayY1tLYQvEwNa2711LTHC6xT61QoTlPAoAdKaP5mO2FffT/s1600/DSCN9929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr67J4XydKnNCL2tCO44l6Z72aSFjy_RVKGUZMNn03cNfuHc1bB77u04mQH7b9gY6_k9NKY2yR02Jcd7Yv_wVhTRraHG-PzayY1tLYQvEwNa2711LTHC6xT61QoTlPAoAdKaP5mO2FffT/s320/DSCN9929.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'KG Call Me Maybe ';">4th Grade </span></td></tr>
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</span></span>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-83914635189148766962012-07-01T00:08:00.001-04:002012-07-01T00:10:29.187-04:00My Splash of RealitySummer is upon us and that means swimming, swimming and more swimming for the Parsons Family Five. If you need us, we are in the pool. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Morning... we are swimming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Noon... swimming.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Afternoon... yep, swimming again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After dinner... why not?! Swimming again!</span></div>
<br />
It was dark-thrity one evening and my kids had convinced me to join them for a late night swim. We had giggled and splashed and dunked and jumped the night away. The air was getting a little chilly and I was ready to be done. Addi begged me to stay just a little longer to watch as she performed various jumps from the side into the pool named after her favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Villains (yeah, we get creative). <br />
<br />
My sweet Ella seized the moment and swam over to snuggle in while we watched Big Sister. The moonlight seemed to just kiss her sweet little nose. With pool water reflecting that same moonlight, I could barely see the outline of her innocent 5-year old face. I was in Heaven. Not in my lap but mere seconds, she dips her head back onto my shoulder and whispered quietly into my ear,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> "Is that better, Momma?"</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart melted at the sweet concern of my Little Nugget. </div>
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Reality slapped me in the face like Big Sister's splash. "Uhhh, Ella, did you just pee on me?"<br />
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<br />Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-88918577013982805202012-02-19T23:57:00.001-05:002012-02-19T23:59:35.765-05:00Snowmageddon 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo7E2b2S8dCwh3gwZ2N2A2aGRqxt4RZWvVzLOQTUUyq_E8eKiUb0gsbgquYr8x7bNJ6WzGnMvCgv31ZBO46W4XOmYY7nefLCV467clv17M1jKhAGQbfiORidKcYXMPUHuSxle3rFoXaeT/s1600/DSCN9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRItsHk50pSzU6jvJjh9Xnp9BIW-hk7EopoqDJYrorr8VYGmoNUTqNkw9lApKTPjLCfUmsTns-I6okD6jYdgUgipL2OuT4VRvWozTleCtozDWgnPEp5stniPwQ1UimvoEnmB7DqqeSYe/s1600/DSCN9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo7E2b2S8dCwh3gwZ2N2A2aGRqxt4RZWvVzLOQTUUyq_E8eKiUb0gsbgquYr8x7bNJ6WzGnMvCgv31ZBO46W4XOmYY7nefLCV467clv17M1jKhAGQbfiORidKcYXMPUHuSxle3rFoXaeT/s1600/DSCN9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo7E2b2S8dCwh3gwZ2N2A2aGRqxt4RZWvVzLOQTUUyq_E8eKiUb0gsbgquYr8x7bNJ6WzGnMvCgv31ZBO46W4XOmYY7nefLCV467clv17M1jKhAGQbfiORidKcYXMPUHuSxle3rFoXaeT/s400/DSCN9685.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> They talked about it for days. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They waited for it for hours. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They endlessly begged to go outside.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I relented.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While grabbing the first fall for fresh Snowcream before it could get trampled, I received a wet snowball to the side of the face from a giggly little boy as gratitude. Clothed in what he quickly found in the basement and snowboots two sizes too small, the snowball fight began.</span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8ucrEdX_30LsSWIYTnF-1f1dIEHYcdwQppzDXs3x_9Dn2tILsq4j4K7o-htrt9aaD9lXLhaAPJkV606NNRPWknhRdZhdOkDN2v0L0QCho46_3Mh-M9OXmjMeSvYPupcPTyKfbSlLX0ws/s1600/DSCN9655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8ucrEdX_30LsSWIYTnF-1f1dIEHYcdwQppzDXs3x_9Dn2tILsq4j4K7o-htrt9aaD9lXLhaAPJkV606NNRPWknhRdZhdOkDN2v0L0QCho46_3Mh-M9OXmjMeSvYPupcPTyKfbSlLX0ws/s200/DSCN9655.JPG" width="133" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRItsHk50pSzU6jvJjh9Xnp9BIW-hk7EopoqDJYrorr8VYGmoNUTqNkw9lApKTPjLCfUmsTns-I6okD6jYdgUgipL2OuT4VRvWozTleCtozDWgnPEp5stniPwQ1UimvoEnmB7DqqeSYe/s1600/DSCN9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRItsHk50pSzU6jvJjh9Xnp9BIW-hk7EopoqDJYrorr8VYGmoNUTqNkw9lApKTPjLCfUmsTns-I6okD6jYdgUgipL2OuT4VRvWozTleCtozDWgnPEp5stniPwQ1UimvoEnmB7DqqeSYe/s1600/DSCN9652.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRItsHk50pSzU6jvJjh9Xnp9BIW-hk7EopoqDJYrorr8VYGmoNUTqNkw9lApKTPjLCfUmsTns-I6okD6jYdgUgipL2OuT4VRvWozTleCtozDWgnPEp5stniPwQ1UimvoEnmB7DqqeSYe/s200/DSCN9652.JPG" width="133" /><span id="goog_1661958039"></span><span id="goog_1661958040"></span></a><br />
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Little sisters followed suit with what they could quickly find as well. </div>
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An eclectic mix of attire, for sure, but for the fun that was had... who cares!?</div>
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As always, our house is full of teenagers on Sunday nights and Snowmageddon 2012 was no different. While crouching, undetected, out of the crossfire of snowballs, Addi cautiously packed her snowball and waited for her moment of glory. "Hey Jon!," she called out to one of the boys, "this one's yours!" As if pulling the pin from a grenade with her teeth, she takes a bite of the snowball & launches it squarely at her target. Down came her big Goliath.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A memorable night had by all with pictures to prove it...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As is always the case here in North Carolina, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">if you don't like the weather, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">just wait until tomorrow.</span></div>
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<br />Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-70468640358295311972012-02-05T22:16:00.002-05:002012-02-05T22:16:37.834-05:00Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjUrnq6fLN-ARuDY6PT2xzQ1hhqI-lri5R-9q0rwKEvEq7tHxZkDvrJ5_370wTe1wnUzZa4YjQqiMpkdenNGo7Z_BFvAn_-yVTAou_IJ9BqTk_-wRfPvdaJHA2wHrgc72AL7E2H8UyRQE/s1600/DSCN0761+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjUrnq6fLN-ARuDY6PT2xzQ1hhqI-lri5R-9q0rwKEvEq7tHxZkDvrJ5_370wTe1wnUzZa4YjQqiMpkdenNGo7Z_BFvAn_-yVTAou_IJ9BqTk_-wRfPvdaJHA2wHrgc72AL7E2H8UyRQE/s640/DSCN0761+-+Version+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another year has come and gone. </div>
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Two more fingers on the second hand are up, thus displaying the </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SEVEN. </span><br />
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She is a first grader. </div>
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She loves Jesus.</div>
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She is artistic. </div>
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She is shy.</div>
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She is smart.</div>
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She is beautiful.<br />
She loves to sing.<br />
She loves to read.</div>
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She is mischievous.</div>
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She is curious.</div>
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She still has no front teeth.</div>
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She enjoys her sister (most of the time).</div>
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She tolerates her brother (when she has to).</div>
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She has Daddy all figured out.</div>
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She is a lover of all things "bunny".</div>
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She is an excellent mommy to her pet bunny, Snowball. </div>
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She is rarely seen apart from Baby Bunny.</div>
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She is the world's best snuggler.</div>
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She is fashionable.</div>
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She loves to cook.</div>
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She worries about leaving for college.</div>
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She is our precious Addi.</div>
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</div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-74850245113609868862011-09-14T22:58:00.002-04:002011-09-14T23:27:51.973-04:00It Makes Perfect SenseWe are several weeks into the school year and the kids have been learning a lot. It makes me smile to see my kids spewing out of their mouth the <u>educational</u> things they learn at school.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<emphasis educational="" from="" learn="" on="" school.="" the="" they="" things=""> </emphasis></div>
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Tonight, a conversation took place that just made me giggle. Jaykob hollered from his room, where he was getting his jammies on, to me in Ella's room, where I was setting out her school clothes. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Hey Mom! Did you watch the news yesterday?"</span> </div>
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(Really!? I can't even remember what I wore yesterday, let alone if I watched the news!?!?!) <br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Ummmmm, I can't remember, Jayk. Why?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Some scientist made a discovery yesterday."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
Still upset about loosing Pluto as one of our planets in our Solar System, I was bracing to hear what the scientific community was going to throw on me now!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"What kind of discovery?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"This scientist said that some apple juice has poison in it!!!"</span></div>
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Relieved that my planets were not all out of whack, I replied:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Yes, I had heard something about that yesterday."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"I don't believe it for a second, Mom. We drink a lot of apple </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">juice </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and we are just fine."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a non-alarmist when it comes to things like that, I was proud at his pragmatic way of thinking. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Insert comment from yet another other room where 3rd, rather dogmatic, 6-year-old member of the family chimed in...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well, Jaykob, I believe in God! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DON'T</span></u> believe in science! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">heard a story where God was represented as the color <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PINK</span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">KNOW</span></u> I like the color <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">pink</span>! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And scientists were </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">represented as the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">color <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yellow</span></span> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and well, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">pink</span></span> is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so</span> much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">prettier than <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffe599;">yellow</span></span>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>pink</b></span> and I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">definitely</span> believe </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">in God. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">do not</span></u> believe in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">scientists!"</span></div>
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<br />Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-51919221334826728702011-06-20T22:02:00.007-04:002011-06-21T00:17:33.400-04:00Lord, Help Me!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well, the thing I have feared for years has finally happened! I have dreaded this moment for eight long years and knew the time would come. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I have sought out every opportunity for this event NOT to happen. I have withheld anything related to the subject in hopes of thwarting any schemes. I have avoided the subject in conversation in fear that the mere thought might plant ideas and notions in the heads of curious minds. Some might argue the fact that I merely worried on it beseeched the event to happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>No matter how hard I tried, my efforts failed. </div><div><br /></div><div>It happened.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>One of my children cut their own hair.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLwRLRccIxEpW1H-XVGOhrF93qy98ijAaXNbkNAdkIYCFDboPkKAHru9NRbL3lRJ_5bBpjA5fd3eR7ylGb3jRE4yscCQH3_SSd5RkP9jzWOtptXqiNP4mPJtnsXt6xfl8354UkNtmTCvh/s400/DSCN7112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620521902590971666" /></div><div>Did I mention she actually used safety scissors???</div><div><br /></div><div>When I questioned said individual about her choice, her response was child-like & simple.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It was in my eyes."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Albeit not what I wanted in the way of hairstyles for my four-year old (I still have choosing rights for several more years, right?), she has some pretty sweet stylist skills! Her trim was pretty precise! Not too long. Not too short. A perfect length.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPcd70-14mBDDNNLgVhXd1Jsvp_5LV5ajV5v7EbCgYzLVOKEOf4PzI8rbwZu9GxGLXRphx0ZHxAgarwa5y-n06qFf5ew7BHH0-bDs45Om2Y2FltqxXarvtZVqLv6QeugcYv2KlcRohp_l/s400/32f8cc2830a24634bce03962bbf3b03a_6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620519106135777074" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It has been several days and I am still a little perturbed every time I see those pesky little bangs we worked so hard and so long to grow out. Its just hair. It will grow back. I will get over it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought for sure when we hit four years old, I could relax my fears. Clearly, I was mistaken. Point proven, Ella. </div><div><br /></div><div>My new fear... this is just the beginning of the mischief to come out of this little girl! Ornery little thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Momma always prayed I'd have one like me! </div><div><br /></div><div>LORD, HELP ME!!!</div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-86059926161313923312011-05-09T22:27:00.006-04:002011-06-20T22:01:31.512-04:00The Princess Bride<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Yes... I am going there. I have been intrigued by the Royal Wedding. I admit it. I am not a part of the crazies that awoke at 4 in the morning to get the first glimpse...I was not THAT intrigued! Before I get inundated with comments from you crazies that actually did partake in the live showing of the wedding, I applaud you for your commitment. I said I was intrigued, not insane! :)After waking up well after the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nuptials</span> were over, I turned on the Today Show to catch the famous first kiss. Sweet. I took in several pictures via the internet throughout the day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambidge (Prince William and Princess Catherine sound so much better), but I saved my wedding party for Friday night.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I made every attempt to dominate conversation with Jayk, Addi & Ella on Friday, April 29th to direct it to hype up the wedding with them. The girls took the bait and were getting more and more geeked about it as the day rolled on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The kids and I got jammied up and snuggled in with some fresh popcorn and a warm blanket on Mommy & Daddy's bed (Tony had a softball game, not that he would be at all interested in anything relating to the Royal Wedding). Following in his father's disinterest of The Royals, Jayk was more intrigued by Angry Birds than ball gowns and tiaras. However, when the grand event began, his sweet expression changed and he watched with curious expectation as to what would unfold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 75px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rH436VNQKxlMKh0nAkYTbRDFQHbErGoU8SVk0u2vNdpaE91Ff78MalNOuRuhjlZUg_xVzmMKoXpnFjdrfUcG0J_5FfPYQTDVtdmMIDhFI-8NtfpaT64XzDh0KFF2D27d2pnAq92IWTUu/s320/5671725703_5f1f9b49d2_s.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620486414408290450" /></div><div>The girls giggled with delight at the first appearance of Kate Middleton. In my British knowledge, I explained to them that she was a commoner at the moment but was soon to become Royalty and Kate Middleton would become PRINCESS CATHERINE (yes, that was said with a British accent as if reading a Royal proclamation...a la Cinderella). I am pretty sure it was Addi who actually squealed when Kate got out of the car. She does have a flair for the dramatic (wonder where that comes from???). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Thank goodness for DVR because I was able to fast forward through loooooooooooong parts! All three kids were mesmerized by the wedding, the carriage ride, and then the kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Jayk didn't even seem to mind the quick kiss). The whole event itself was memorable but it was the memory-making with the kids that was most special.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 75px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtmWUJGoYnxEHBQxfPxLa06ix65hijL4CgcRsCN7ppEhZrE50NfYnrpf9VlmYbOw3PetQ7jcMHbrJUnOxpvJgNOFtCFxss1zRxKcW6NBmk010rzMQj9yrRDggUQnVswPZpa3cjRCpk0H_/s320/5669780632_24ecdab9c3_s.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620486424561367010" /></div><div>Throughout the evening, Ella matter-of-factly announced that "I want to be Princess Catherine when I grow up!" I have no doubt in my mind that, of any of my children, she is determined enough to find a Prince to marry. Addi peppered me with questions about British Aristocracy that either I felt proud I was knowledgeable enough to answer or I made up answers that would suffice the curiosity of a six-year old. But it was Jayk's single question as the whole event unfolded that, I hope, will stay with me forever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 75px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JneOvh88csKR9NfeMVONGiKqFdOoCjs0IEoqQ23bRLZ2hWzX-TBm2MBYElxTY7Yz0UqKeknzCJeY6vqGaqXH_CrkIeb10L1xnYMkbodRiwAd-2Je_q4U4u9ZZc01ORo9fvvv21XhZ811/s320/5671668271_78362d3e32_s.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620486416398954338" /><div>With furrowed brow that only accompanies intense pondering, my happy-go-lucky little man leaned over to me and quietly said, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom...I didn't know Prince and Princesses were real."</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"OH YES!!!!" </div><div>came my surprised reply followed by my long explanation of Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince Charles, Princess Di, Prince Blah, Blah, Blah. As I attempted to go down the Royal lineage, his brow furrowed even more and the wheels in his eight-year old brain cranked even harder attempting to make sense of whatever ideas it was he had jumping around in his head.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jayk paused for a moment and snuggled in closer to me and pensively asked, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Well if Prince and Princesses ARE real... then are dragons real?"</div><div><br /></div></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-2584624808729396482011-02-17T14:07:00.006-05:002011-02-17T23:10:55.835-05:00Explanations to My Unfinished Tasks<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I heard today that </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">a preschooler requires Mom's attention </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />EVERY 4 MINUTES</span>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqvTevalY5E61TUvWek-heOHQCpTISzbvef9LXWMnWKxx2LAW8T8uUj_hosD9TZ9CJFN7L9HEtkdfMieLgqxSgLkJ3xesJC2m6NieZh6p1yo6OMmEE0kQc9xO-j4Po7ITN8WWThpT-g8J/s1600/DSCN4870.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqvTevalY5E61TUvWek-heOHQCpTISzbvef9LXWMnWKxx2LAW8T8uUj_hosD9TZ9CJFN7L9HEtkdfMieLgqxSgLkJ3xesJC2m6NieZh6p1yo6OMmEE0kQc9xO-j4Po7ITN8WWThpT-g8J/s320/DSCN4870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574864667708396242" border="0" /></a><br />She is inquisitive. <br />She is smart .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8LJ43A3IOr8S45mhUsYi6-wGC2uRGOiLPt8QHofZFfgitHnYeAu8nxmUlU0F8Zqt7jzADowVXYbhO8Ou-Ilfx7ICACFlOD3tSnfYr6N5QjhDBoRPQdlBX9JAqunb8ndyn70aIYB7eA6F/s1600/DSCN4958.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8LJ43A3IOr8S45mhUsYi6-wGC2uRGOiLPt8QHofZFfgitHnYeAu8nxmUlU0F8Zqt7jzADowVXYbhO8Ou-Ilfx7ICACFlOD3tSnfYr6N5QjhDBoRPQdlBX9JAqunb8ndyn70aIYB7eA6F/s320/DSCN4958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574864679054007970" border="0" /></a>She is creative.<br />She is expressive.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatYPVzgwAyN0ROcrHSe5gi_FZi6BkmzuWvyaUR1nUTCnXAzkuTnn8TkBWCymIey8_Eef623RKif9AnoKa0fr9m3oXVDIXFiWfV6mkEvtpRJVn1BcJDdLS3Vlq2sGrLjFXv4ML-cP1coJ4/s1600/DSCN4901.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatYPVzgwAyN0ROcrHSe5gi_FZi6BkmzuWvyaUR1nUTCnXAzkuTnn8TkBWCymIey8_Eef623RKif9AnoKa0fr9m3oXVDIXFiWfV6mkEvtpRJVn1BcJDdLS3Vlq2sGrLjFXv4ML-cP1coJ4/s320/DSCN4901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574864670267726834" border="0" /></a>She makes her opinions known.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She likes to get her way.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68a5-eAZeKBCUvdLornHkJdnuJEbSinWTZLyscaoB7b-d7TgGvEJieY1qTH_3Sw3kmTm2IVPFswyXb6EpbKKvktdvOO_SeN2Yu9NZAZCoZrm7V98DL0X_dQiliEhtq0hH8yAFfPRGD68G/s1600/DSCN4919.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68a5-eAZeKBCUvdLornHkJdnuJEbSinWTZLyscaoB7b-d7TgGvEJieY1qTH_3Sw3kmTm2IVPFswyXb6EpbKKvktdvOO_SeN2Yu9NZAZCoZrm7V98DL0X_dQiliEhtq0hH8yAFfPRGD68G/s320/DSCN4919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574864675345355826" border="0" /></a>She is my 210-times-a-day distraction.<br />She is my Ella.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjViqvLA0SIFOYWPtz2bg6s55Ve9jwykVCxPFy1gilep8e6UJizq_Dj0Rtah9jjhvCh_X963Utfm0dWr-jJGsCqGLUO2S-ystFxq6sXyLdPGrmsGOdmFIqInc-0cNNscOdG_Hvd6ciK2W/s1600/DSCN5020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjViqvLA0SIFOYWPtz2bg6s55Ve9jwykVCxPFy1gilep8e6UJizq_Dj0Rtah9jjhvCh_X963Utfm0dWr-jJGsCqGLUO2S-ystFxq6sXyLdPGrmsGOdmFIqInc-0cNNscOdG_Hvd6ciK2W/s320/DSCN5020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574864684512198162" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-24547374235203202722010-09-23T23:37:00.003-04:002010-09-23T23:49:57.481-04:00From Kindergarten to College<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz9O961xI2kDdOx4Ynosg6JuWFUCD2LiDqcxglYSEF3Zj9_w84HtOLjJHqdAE97X7w6wJBH2M5CWKE1vd0jMcMOrXQijxPmH7RvpX82Pmnwg1gZ4uKMYlOTG0anur5ptLy-FL8cYouyQF/s1600/DSCN1662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz9O961xI2kDdOx4Ynosg6JuWFUCD2LiDqcxglYSEF3Zj9_w84HtOLjJHqdAE97X7w6wJBH2M5CWKE1vd0jMcMOrXQijxPmH7RvpX82Pmnwg1gZ4uKMYlOTG0anur5ptLy-FL8cYouyQF/s320/DSCN1662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520322014639277858" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">It always seems that bedtime brings out the best of conversations with my kids. Perhaps it is their refusal of sleep or their secret desire to drag bedtime on into infinity with “just one more thing, Mom.” I prefer to think of it as a special time when each child has a moment of Mom’s undivided attention. Bedtime can be stressful at times and like so many other moms, I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world those special “clicks” on the mental camera for me to treasure.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This particular bedtime conversation came after a very typical Sunday...nothing special happened but the conversation brought a tear to my eye at the thoughts coming out of my sweet 5-year old girl, all the while leaving a knot the size of Texas in my throat and the flashes of my mental camera feverishly clicking away.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Seeming to mustering up all the courage in her body, my Addi stated:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>“Mommy, I am worried about going to college.” </i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Did this really just come out of her mouth? <i> </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Zillion of things surged through my mind. Just the other day I so proudly walked her into her first day of Kindergarten. And years of life’s little moments yet to be had flickered illusionary visions. Practicing with her for endless days before her first dance recital, all dressed in her favorite color, pink. Late night study sessions before her big calculus test. Listening for hours to her excitement about the boy who paid her a compliment in homeroom. Warning her, as only a mother can, about all the woes boys can bring while watching her and her sister roll their eyes and giggle at the thoughts. Hugging her endlessly after her first broken heart, hurting deeply myself because I know it won’t be her last. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Then we jumped to college?!?!?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Why, Addi?</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>I think I will miss you too much. I will want to come home and see you all the time and go to our church on Sunday.</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Trying to sound as convincing as I can to her while I desperately attempt to convince myself, I say:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>That’s fine, Addi. You can come home </i></b></span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>whenever</i></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i> you want and I can come visit you </i></b></span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>all</i></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i> the time when you are away at college.</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">With tears streaming down her face, she replies:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>But I won’t be able to hug you and snuggle you whenever I want.</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I am quickly loosing my battle with the growing lump in my throat.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>It’s ok, Addi. You know Mommy loves you SO much and I will miss you a bunch too but we can talk on the phone, see each other on the computer and visit each other all the time.</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>But it won’t be the same, Mommy.</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">There it went...That tear I had been holding back slipped over the rim of my eyelid.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>College is a long time away, Addi, and I am sure by the time it gets here, you will be ready to go. </i></b><i> </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I am not so sure</span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"> I </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">will be ready for her to go.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>I am not so sure, Mommy. </i></b><i> </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br />Clearly there is work to be done in the next thirteen years to get us </span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px">both</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> ready.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Honey, going to Kindergarten was a big step for you</i></b> <and me=""><i> </i><b><i>and after you went, you were really glad you did because you really like it, right?</i></b></and></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Yeah, but college is different.</i></b><i> </i><b><i>It is really far away and I won’t see you much. </i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Yep, another tear. There it went.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Seeming to have found her logic, she states:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Mommy<i>, do you know who will go to college before me? </i></b><i> </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Who, sweetheart?</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Jaykob does! So I guess I can see what it’s all about then. </i></b><i> </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Addi, would you like to pray about college and tell God about your worries?</i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i></i></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Matter of factly, she replies:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>Nope. We can pray about it when I go. </i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I knew the financial preparations required for college needed to be in place now, but I was certain I would have a good eight - ten years before I would need to tackle the mental side of college preparation. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Sweetheart, you can bet your bottom dollar Mommy will be on her knees praying. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-60507390555603323042010-08-25T23:02:00.004-04:002010-08-25T23:50:54.341-04:00Thoughts at the Bottom of the Beanstalk<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWYaCgX4Nx-P_3fAmmHzpp13JdMD82iCE-w-qDWvwMyRLxmV-Y-GgPGj9bi2ZZzvbZSYJVX0VswFHFIFBIdBtZ84fM-dMuoEOGlppFOC0kUDcmKm1yuZk5Hb994FCYWZdPSZGSbZyDwHb/s320/DSCN4403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509558110333699250" /><div style="text-align: left;">Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jack who was about to climb his very first beanstalk. He had a fresh haircut and a brand-new backpack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Even though his friends in the neighborhood had climbed this same beanstalk almost every day last year, this was Jack's first day and he was a little nervous. So was his mother.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs04usPdZfN0sYy-_sePUUhpes0if6GP0Z6cGEZxQJmu7YY_XuVOZTyhSdlz5SoBx9KLqO3y-E8a_M7TmQeULfX8R5sQp3LOVN-M9QezwKzZbcaM4PL5J2h743cmGbWxH5CAxHOjTTCL1W/s320/DSCN4404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509558122039051730" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Early in the morning, she brought him to the foot of the beanstalk. She talked encouragingly to Jack about all the fun he would have that day and how nice his giant would be. She reassured him that she would be back to pick him up at the end of the day. For a moment, they stood together, silently holding hands, gazing up at the beanstalk. To Jack, it seemed much bigger than it had when his mother had pointed it out on the way to the store last week. His mother thought it looked big too. She swallowed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Jack's mother straightened his shirt one last time, patted his shoulder and smiled down at him. She promised to stay and wave while he started climbing. Jack didn't say a word.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWERfxwxeUfe11A-xMUoXtfkdW7HIS33hB77hu47b1QI3LSzfczzQgXNoyl2xs7fI883XWf2yQqZUvoJejG6aqDqTJ5gLTpalswmgNymQovAzT97PY4Q_48N86ucTy8CMaE6nEuyO9_saF/s320/DSCN4409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509558135248656738" /></div><div>He walked forward, grabbed a low-growing stem and slowly pulled himself up to the first leaf. He balanced there for a moment and then climbed more eagerly to the second leaf, then to the third and soon he vanished into a high tangle of leaves and stems with never a backward glance at his mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>She stood alone at the bottom of the beanstalk, gazing up at the spot where Jack disappeared. There was no rustle, no movement, no sound to indicate that he was anywhere inside.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XtNLAK0zkbiWg0I_PPSfPuyikvRrKv5afmr4n4WorCA9xZqvPio6O95FZcBlc_vSNJzNjvO2NPclZDii7VQtRKRjqDKumwTdYcVPyF1QWVVE75J5I44_coy1g9PTV6VaIULHlh-_hP_Z/s320/DSCN4414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509559334960337922" /></div><div>"Sometimes," she thought, "it's harder to be he one that waves good-bye than it is to be the one who climbs the beanstalk."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>She wondered how Jack would do. Would he miss her? How would he behave? Did his giant understand that little kids sometimes act silly when they felt unsure? She fought down an urge to spring up the stalk after Jack and maybe duck behind a bean to take a peek at how he was doing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>"I'd better not. What if he saw me?" She knew Jack was really old enough to handle this on his own. She reminded herself that, after all this was thought to be an excellent beanstalk and that everyone said his giant was not only kind but had outstanding qualifications. </div><div><br /></div><div>"It's not so much that I'm worried about him," she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's just that he's growing up and I'm going to miss him."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Jack's mother turned to leave. "Jack's going to have lots of bigger beanstalks to climb in his life," she told herself. "Today's the day he starts practicing for them... And today's the day I start practicing something too: cheering him on and waving good-bye."</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A95U86powfwxO2pdBD0-aaQwLpV1hEmZHqTeWyuLmx1HZ3nrKOaLLbbymGDu3dXzjgnRRX4QR1t33VAGknf8sMYLHLLBkCqS1MA4aNF9b4AFd0vQfnsw7ZfsM8VwNxThv8rXtFK8qhkZ/s320/DSCN4417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509559339284360434" />Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-5185931445631446112010-08-04T20:04:00.003-04:002010-08-04T20:11:08.149-04:00All Work and No Play... Nah!!!<div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OEQxhCqTID7WF1XdLKi97mYPT6P18Q1-4y8DpNVbudwd5dtlN6EtdyyP5A6brg8F4-imqEmYbl4iL9z6gWhVNjN_f1l58RAlFhyzn_y5Pt-uneIAwgprbzd0qLda0cqlbm6zOSaohzJU/s320/DSCN3229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501710464228397362" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">What beautiful scenery!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcrkFhl0k5tbMR7jj3KNzBTVF048Zv4r4CgpO0D8KFkZqR7IEy4_QJueRFXeJ9Ff4Ilubxe1Qa_9XNY6SFbeJE6AiJCMiWjnl-OvKWh3ydqiym-_YUR_BlAlayxb7589ri_r0JBRUZOT7/s320/DSCN3228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501710454130678322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">End of story...</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dxRvmjt-tl6CvcD32PWgH2CMWXbU3K4pArRT6Pzc34kMnnXIbxs08cCFpwPq-5G7Eu25PwETkGp3Zpy0ylshgkNTZ9307Re0iAly7BCox-5G5FMvhVlPErvW9aMnLoamZVLOx6vKb8l2/s1600/DSCN3235.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dxRvmjt-tl6CvcD32PWgH2CMWXbU3K4pArRT6Pzc34kMnnXIbxs08cCFpwPq-5G7Eu25PwETkGp3Zpy0ylshgkNTZ9307Re0iAly7BCox-5G5FMvhVlPErvW9aMnLoamZVLOx6vKb8l2/s1600/DSCN3235.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dxRvmjt-tl6CvcD32PWgH2CMWXbU3K4pArRT6Pzc34kMnnXIbxs08cCFpwPq-5G7Eu25PwETkGp3Zpy0ylshgkNTZ9307Re0iAly7BCox-5G5FMvhVlPErvW9aMnLoamZVLOx6vKb8l2/s320/DSCN3235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501710471945966546" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dxRvmjt-tl6CvcD32PWgH2CMWXbU3K4pArRT6Pzc34kMnnXIbxs08cCFpwPq-5G7Eu25PwETkGp3Zpy0ylshgkNTZ9307Re0iAly7BCox-5G5FMvhVlPErvW9aMnLoamZVLOx6vKb8l2/s1600/DSCN3235.JPG"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-56732839186548127472010-08-02T17:12:00.014-04:002010-08-03T18:06:14.971-04:00Don't tell Tony, but I let someone steal my heart today!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ahhhhh... God's Amazing Grace.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am stumped for words.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I saw my God today. I looked into His eyes today as I looked into the the sweet eyes of Claudia. Claudia has no life outside of the twin bed she shares with a plethora of her stuffed animals. Cerebral palsy has stolen her movement. Claudia can not speak. Cerebral palsy has stolen her voice. With no ability to speak, Claudia sang (grunted) of God's Amazing Grace. Claudia was a beautiful depiction of the joy my Savior can give to someone with no hope. Claudia is Jesus.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb9UUOpkAZ3aiIGdfuSn7TpRWU_GuZGnJdkpnoYkxYhRWBM6SBPEVNZXopT6kaWqK_dgAHduF4ekRIy7ZnBJfSXqxTzXtXJ700oz0uxZXf3Gc0dH_uaLVWXJjs7y3AP5FJjjZ8b30lVNl/s320/DSCN2853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305145974326658" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>I saw my God today. I looked into His eyes today as I looked into the spunky eyes of Kevon. Kevon can not speak. Cerebral palsy has seized his voice too. In fact, cerebral palsy has seized nearly every muscle in his body. Cerebral palsy cannot seize his smile. Cerebral palsy can not seize his humor. Cerebral palsy cannot seize his praise! Cerebral palsy may be able to seize this young man, but cerebral palsy cannot touch my Jesus that lives in Kevon!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kgzz2hXY7AO4M-SaTC9IAxUNlAlK2iBN12r5kNJ8kAd1TzbU8HeKDm49mfmKwKvYUaT-upL0QuxY19cbpM5EZlhD0YK0g-InuTGoR3XJZOb525q-iCb0JCb8Lh2BNopY_2PzEyMWMg5k/s320/DSCN2863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305812755197282" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I saw my God today in the lives of our team members that looked beyond the mang</div><div>led mess of adult diapers, slobber and wretchedly twisted bones.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasFfUL1oJhiUByakoeizbiDsAdW6GRtwP4HGoOuDDENAZmfUXljTWLk2eFLrASjg1r6e_3tGBqPYBcaYvxBhkVbxTqSRa367ByAxp4EmjVZhUeHAmLtFXQR97XFDlIRyy0QpScPmKXbcf/s320/DSCN2858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501306513414409410" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>My expectations going into the day could not be farther from reality... nor could the pictures I took depict the power of God's Amazing Grace.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhp2KAthsguPtnvbk4Ujw1TzBFz6Xsz3IRu0REaCTdVt2hfPIpbl8eaa2j__LBEo04Hlb_yfOmf6cXWBAevKL4EJsMA007cMmPHuZWRSsV5-I8_0RiGoJUibPc1E-GkVl5sCovKgJ24F7/s320/DSCN2864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501307434524737890" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>What precious precious precious people! Yes, my heart broke for them and I cry for their situation as I type this. Cerebral palsy has stolen the movement and the ability to speak but their joy will not be silenced!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Of our 15 people on the trip, 8 are returning and had experienced the orphanage last year. Six were unsure of what to expect (myself included) and Derek, our third adult sponsor, is a seasoned veteran with special needs (Derek works for SnugSeat, a company that builds and special fits wheelchairs for disabled children).</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1xsozt8Y35DXlxMPZcC_NZy-D9a7gw8uWkKY8mNI7V66jI4NXieG4b3Njv34D1VdT5In1zum6SDEl3NpkIXRImm1O_eWB6AuHe5aSxPCGHjUKfiTODcFQ1zccDE6vSKlqhM4IYijv0q/s320/DSCN2876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501307441748957618" /></div><div>God's providence is in no way accidental. Derek was able to measure each person at the orphanage for a special fit wheel chair to be shipped back before the new year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh their joy despite their heartbreaking circumstance!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh their gladness despite being bedridden in a hopeless environment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh their sweet spirits! </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh I fell in love! I fell in love today... Claudia stole my heart. Kevon stole my heart. Jesus stole my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-91019633421382454672010-08-02T15:53:00.007-04:002010-08-02T17:44:17.228-04:00FYI.. Don't call them "kids" here in Antigua!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Uncertain... that is simply how I can put into words what we were walking into. <div><br /></div><div>VBS started this morning and riding to the church, we were just uncertain. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ_BeGmqZcVTIhvTv_cFs5pLTGd9EJ3SG5RhUETCajmBgwjgpXzXanbp0I-WDibiG0oMtnay3X9UJonO-XzC36kKmD3PHG_Wam4WIHj7jJgjQscOXcwn1Fx7-MOQlq7pKZ38d3O0NhyIm/s320/DSCN2847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500930153768130978" /></div><div><i>Uncertain</i> if our hard work canvassing the local neighborhoods (and I use that term</div><div>"neighborhoods" extremely loosely) would pay off. (It did!)</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3_S8COKZ0tEpa72sa32AuD1FvCyRkWKQCHdgApJIBHgxlaF7Omg5iyLTUlBvQdLNJYTR9vqUJlFYou1ux1waONVPOC7WZQYoNa2al7Nf40J0mBr-vzhzhAmbvQmfAh8oT8EWqiva38lN/s320/DSCN2788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500930150636897762" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i>Uncertain</i> if the kids that offered me my first opportunity to eat "goosenberries" would honor their promise to show up? (I didn't eat...They didn't show. I wonder if there is a correlation?) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4g8tbw-3OU8LAC6br7rGdVadVxn24KiYuGRAekaE0WtnqcyCeUAXh_nGvdhtEv1-Oc2cpcJjEuz79oZsX3vfppqp3B0gmUvMlUaZ3Iq7EW8AYTPucil03A-NbO7dHcmfxLwvAfb7ynfv/s320/DSCN2773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500930139589459010" /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Uncertain</i> if what we prepared so hard for would culturally translate? Welllllllll.... After referring to them as "kids" and the appalling look we received nearly immediately, we were told with all the goats on the island, we were basically calling them goats! Oops! Looks like apologies are in order for tomorrow! </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4w9E5VBVbGikpB_doOo_PLrDCO9zMVUHMIkzK96oY_n5S2GVGPEXLyvlWKwZY6a6arIleRrgoenuPL9uJ241Dg9BtHTnbnY9f0WE3nLNM3QDkJZl20GVp1hXOQa8bwa6CL-ITDNYryJ7/s320/DSCN2766.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500930131579297938" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>VBS nutshell: Day #1 was fun! Although we were uncertain in our expectations, we met the challenge with enthusiasm and had a BLAST playing with the kids. We are all looking forward to VBS Day #2! I am not sure if the strength of my voice will last through the week, but I will go down trying!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_guOJCBbqaeC9n6veibZPvKoOF0NzmtCI6mcqegxX0KHsMQWChdcC0ZRYINNqsi8fxDfvBjiiTRf4eNTuPJMuFSYwtyqYNSUtvJJNy584_GJusE4_Ms3knd3pnkFKLTlS9ypwzLVfHpn/s320/DSCN2687.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500930127663976066" /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>After sharing lunch with our new Antiguan friends provided to us by some ladies in the church (Antiguan hot dogs are not quite the same... but the fries were pretty good), we loaded up the vans for Amazing Grace Orphanage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Uncertain how I will combine the two events (VBS & Amazing Grace Orphanage)...I will close for now and write about AG in a bit...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-85126147697695068282010-07-31T21:53:00.003-04:002010-07-31T22:09:56.238-04:00The Eagle Has Landed<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C1dfEtDOQDkl5T62Ox10bvNNNmV9I_wCQ_qBzRzEeopSvdGCZdrpvIHFMOgNI8xHztz0NAXK2cbTQHPmUYvjAPgz12P7FvSJgwJD6q5cVTlxt9HFMdAiRT3j_nQGOCV6bji_cedYczzZ/s320/100_3021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500254130446800866" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"We are experiencing technical difficulties." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This announcement greeted us aboard Flight 1203 with non-stop service from Charlotte to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Antigua. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><cue the="" whine="" going="" on="" in="" my="" head=""> </cue></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"But everything had been going so smoothly!!!!" While I made every attempt to remain calm (you know, for the sake of morale for the troops), I have visions of Jet Blue's NINE hour delay with stranded passengers held hostage on the plane while the gate was within eyesight danced through my head. My blood pressure began to rise and I was doing my best to keep my claustrophobia in check. Meanwhile, US Airways took good care of us while grounded and two hours later, we took off for an uneventful flight for Antigua.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjx12mvtglo73oWH3sBs3jSRR3mDr4S1L3zutmw5Ydaa5atqG5qHoOT0zSgvSJG5BTMi6JWyaBSeTUzXuJji7C_DziYDugi5lxa4jURHo7eJoAXYhEvPohgxNA1Qkv3ygngDq5IHcBJDK/s320/100_3028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500257517978121058" /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, all is well... we are tired and ready for some sleep... but more importantly, ready for our adventure! Bring it on, God! We are ready!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-66909527020881256412010-07-31T00:01:00.004-04:002010-07-31T00:36:42.500-04:00Ready or not... Here I come!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm21T-ve4aAguABe3kEo6Cd47laOlbb2Y5fYvwA2Pgh9q3d4d8Z4E9APIQ3eRZY1qq5In8l9roDt6NqEvRMG1vowjDvugMzE1zhDUkEHWME4YM9bpFJmA_Qert4K4aC0KbkZmOjlsmgd4/s320/antigua-and-barbuda.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499916738787416514" />I know it looks like a horribly rough place to go on a missions trip, but people need Jesus all over the world and let me be the first to sign up to spread Jesus to the island of Antigua!!! Tony and I head out tomorrow on a 8-day trip to the BEAUTIFUL island nestled in the Caribbean. Tagging along on the ride will be 13 teenagers and one other adult.<div>Allow me to be honest for a minute... I am really looking forward to this trip (this will be Tony's third trip to the island for missions work and my first). No really, I am looking forward to it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Yes, this is partially my mind trying to convince myself that I am excited and partially my mind reminding myself that before me lies the adventure of a lifetime with my God as my tour guide! </div><div><br /></div><div>I am at the juncture when anticipation meets reality. </div><div><br /></div><div>For months I have been anticipating this trip. For months I have spiritually, physically, and mentally been preparing for this trip. However, here I am on the precipice of this adventure and I look ahead with reservation. Fear? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I am not sure exactly what I am feeling. </div><div><br /></div><div>It has hit me this week... I am leaving my babies!!! I am by no means a "helicopter mom". I am truly raising my kids (the best I know how) to eventually be self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-confident. But apparently here is my first test! Yikes!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Are they ready?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>AM I READY?!?!?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no other choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the mission my Tour Guide has laid before me and far better to obey your Tour Guide while in a foreign country than make any attempts otherwise! </div><div><br /></div><div>So God, with Your help and Your help alone... I will go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jaykob, Addi and Ella- I love you with ALL that is in me...EVERY last drop of me loves you and Mommy and Daddy will see you soon!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS3x4NtAsQXGzliMGKgWzvU4YUQBXBKFEJGCxyy9dohRc8sPcyeEnFd0js8vDFR5JtUCFAiSpCkRhsh06eqGDmHRHBtUOUJR2ecmN9TFglXdp_VcDHh46GpDameDp0w_DKJ9URwmhSphp/s320/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499922595703606850" /></div><div>Luke 9:61 & 62 (The Message)- "Then another said, 'I am ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.' Jesus said, 'No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's Kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.' "</div><div><br /></div><div>READY OR NOT...HERE I COME!</div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-51437389041065843962010-06-18T00:51:00.003-04:002010-06-18T01:03:39.036-04:00I will choose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O_IKPDvWRA5X1eh8Vpet47gMWxzCDs4Npk82hL728Vk8yLAjWI1cadY25B1WW_TPSTD_RmXxXQlgLc86MKVHLRNUU4kCUzBY7X02ceGq-rYSsX8ozy1wyj4aaCNjikxXHuaQFbXQYohT/s1600/100_2853.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O_IKPDvWRA5X1eh8Vpet47gMWxzCDs4Npk82hL728Vk8yLAjWI1cadY25B1WW_TPSTD_RmXxXQlgLc86MKVHLRNUU4kCUzBY7X02ceGq-rYSsX8ozy1wyj4aaCNjikxXHuaQFbXQYohT/s320/100_2853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483974544074101266" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Chalkduster"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">It has been a long time since I blogged. I promise not to go so long again. I could say “busyness” has been my excuse for the lack of blogs but that is only partially the truth. I sit down to blog and nearly get overwhelmed. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">*Overwhelmed that my children are so active. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">*Overwhelmed that for so many people, I choose to wear so many different hats as <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mom, Wife, Supporter, Nurturer, Counselor, Mentor, Chief Boo-Boo Kisser, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bodyguard, Bouncer, Boss, Coach, Referee, Enforcer, Chef, Maid, Taxi Driver, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>well, you get the idea....</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">*Overwhelmed that my children are growing so fast and how can I put into words the changes</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">*Overwhelmed that since my last blog, we have celebrated Thanksgiving at the Beach, Christmas, 5 birthdays, 1 ten year anniversary (wow!), installed a trampoline, been on a missions trip with our family, survived several youth group trips, lost a first tooth and had two tooth fairy visits for two of the three kids, and sat through the first of years and years of sporting events.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">*Overwhelmed that I have millions of mundane moments day in and day out with my three kids and fabulous husband and overwhelmed with grief for our friends who don’t get any more of those mundane moments with their sweet Annie Jane.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I have literally sat down dozens of times to blog but keep coming back to our friends. How can I share with the world the happenings of our normal/crazy family when their world has been rocked to the very core of their foundation? Don’t hear me say that I have put life on hold. I guess I have simply put “bragging” about my “normal” life on hold. Have our friends? No. They grieve everyday for their sweet baby girl but live life for their other two.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Why? We live in a world rocked with tragedy all the time. Why has this affected me like this? Peter & Sarah are dear friends of ours. Our lives are mirror images of each other in so many ways. Both living the life of pastors in a community that is unique and yet foreign to us with three children, nearly equal distant in age and the exact same gender and birth order. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In early fall, the process began and ended rather quickly. Of course, it didn’t really end. The process, no doubt continues for them. For all of us just on completely different levels. I will spare you the details of what happened, but will link you to<a href="http://psdamaska.blogspot.com/2009/10/only-words-and-no-pictures.html"> their page.</a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">How can I celebrate with the blogging world a tooth lost when little Annie will never get her first tooth?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">How can I celebrate with the blogging world a birthday of my baby girl Ella when Baby Annie will never taste the joy of her first cake?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">How can I celebrate with the blogging world the mundane childhood of my three kids when Annie has been prematurely robbed of nearly every mundane moment her parents could have hoped for her?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to celebrate with the blogging world the birthday of my children because my children are worth celebrating. Annie is worth celebrating, too. So are Annie’s brother and sister, William and Kate.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to celebrate with the blogging world the end of a successful school year because my children worked hard. Knowing Annie’s parents, Annie would have been required to work hard in school, just as my children are required to do.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to live this day forward before the blogging world because my children have friends and family that miss hearing about the funny things they do and celebrating the crazy, mundane, normal things of our life.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to celebrate the short life of a beautiful little girl that fought hard to make everyday of her short six months count for those around her. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br />I will choose to celebrate the testimony of the glory and grace our Savior has bestowed on a family that has chosen to serve Him </span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px">no matter what</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose to honor my God by bragging on the gifts He has chosen to give me for the duration they are under my care with a new respect for the fact that </span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px">none</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> of us are guaranteed tomorrow.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I will choose. </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-4248400305392428022009-10-19T10:04:00.001-04:002009-10-19T10:08:44.497-04:00Jaykob And His Magic Trick<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHakGPw8Ufu8of2CEfBOeKmx_YSdBohT2NrmSQ3rgcT_7D0d_A207oBrNKNrUH0IqO9XAdYvzxr4AuQ7Kwug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014362824383450236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-31484127948734906972009-09-07T16:16:00.004-04:002009-09-07T17:07:19.998-04:00The Age I Love<div><div>Jayk is 6 1/2. I ABSOLUTELY love this age he is in right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>His independence has started to unfold like the drying wings of a young duckling. It is stretching wide as we allow the tether of childhood to unfold inch by inch. We have allowed moments for our Big Boy to venture out on his own and run ahead several paces - even out of sight momentarily.</div><div><br /></div><div>The scales of his growing independence are balanced however with the tender moments of a young boy still needing his Momma. They are few and far between and I know I am nearing the end of the time when my little blonde-haired buddy will quit crawling into my lap needing a snuggle from the one that nestled him in her womb. </div><div><br /></div><div>The growing independence of this boy balanced with this youngling still needing his Momma is what has my heart in a vice. I love to see his silly antics looking to be the center of attention peppered with a broken heart because his sister broke his lego truck he spent four hours creating. Oh, the teeter totter ride of emotions he is on. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am privileged to be the one to cheer him on, watching him closely from the sidelines as he stretches his wings and flies. I am thrilled to be the one to lift him up when his broken heart has thrown him to the ground. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am patient. I will wait for my turn. I am his Momma.</div></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-26709202767075939372009-08-25T23:34:00.003-04:002009-08-25T23:43:02.476-04:00Another Year, Another Grade<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am writing to you from a position I have never been in before. Many of those reading have been in my shoes at some time or another. Some however are reading and taking notes as I blaze this trail before them. Whatever your position, here is my story.</span></span></div> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Today came early as I awoke to a sunny morning. A grumpy and sleepy six year old joined me as we struggled to keep our eyes open while eating a bowl of Apple Jacks. Grumpy Boy became increasingly excited as the minutes ticked away nearing the time to leave the house (then again, it could have been the sugar in the Apple Jacks!).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; "><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Alas, the time arrived to head off. We jumped in the car, trying our best to make sure we had plenty of time for pictures and for mom’s sentimental moments. The traffic was heavier than I remembered, but we maneuvered our way on that familiar route. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The halls were crowded but I asked my little man to lead the way. He bravely took me by the hand and showed me where to go. Room 120 was our destination and he found it as if he had walked that way a million times before. Aside from our Open House visit, it was the first of a many number of trips he will take down that friendly hallway.</span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6bjITweyL3P9OV_UVDTia4BAjvSyjs911QQbZ6-YPXstROVDrY7FRKLBPPgmosGc9xk1iRqaboS6ftTuWfC3U-kgp7CbEQAV-75qvzzo7xop-kXi6sW-I_pMEeVgv7cixybQxAqVnGkB/s320/100_2316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374111907879894658" /> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I snapped a few pictures and tried my hardest not to linger either in the hallway or in the classroom itself. Its another year, and again, I leave my baby in the hands of a complete stranger. Ugh, why????</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; "><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Fast forward several hours to the end of the school day. I am nervous for my son as he tackles for the first time the big yellow school bus. I am not sure I am ready for what life on the bus ride home will teach him, but it is only a 4 minute ride. I park myself out on the swing on the front porch to wait for the first sign of Bus 987. I flinch every time a bus turns the corner, then finally I see it! A sweaty boy emerges with a big grin on his face, extremely proud of his accomplishment! I beam with pride as well to see his pride! Together we walk into the house as he tells me about first grade.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“First Grade is hard, Mom.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“Why, buddy?”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; "><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“Well, you have to sit still all day long.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; "><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“Like a statue?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“Yeah, and you have to be quiet all day too.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As I was tucking him in bed tonight, I questioned him again about first grade. “Mom, it was pretty good today. I think I like first grade.”</span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAM7d88PObMKB6AHQ1YSLQcFcn-ixRiYdRw3UmHWulcPmI9tZMXcIW1yjG-C5vwdeeHMKwDNzqznbRYR1kfGYogai8jhzGhT34IPS8D546ODceDWI0pJX9WKqbiLglspY2NPZQI7EnsEN/s320/jayk+first+day.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374111894821763490" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwkIi5WE6uJpV-rbPHew9TF6YIKz7P7NAZIUifB_6xuc5QwpJDuAXzpTWGvg0Lm04_RxIT0WBypn4D3mRBG9YFOosqU5xA1voYsQi1h_apgearTIxdxPBe-_soE7EPJaHfeHVaGPSCwPf/s320/100_2330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374111904546102786" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014362824383450236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-40091683913005957602009-06-30T22:28:00.004-04:002009-06-30T23:23:39.595-04:00Modern Day Blessings<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be Your name when the sun is shining down on me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">When the world is all as it should be, blessed be Your name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">You give and take away, You give and take away. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">The cry of our hearts is to honor God and let the words I say be a testament of His unfailing and undeserving goodness... Bless His Name!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Tony received a phone call today about lunchtime from a man named Marty. His words to Tony went something like this, "Sir, are you sitting down? My name is Marty from Modern Chevrolet. I have a car here for you that has been paid for as a gift to you. You need to come pick it up, please." After some convincing that this was indeed not a joke yet still with skepticism, Tony and I drove the 20 miles to the dealership to investigate. Marty, the salesman, was meeting with a customer when we arrived and quickly found a willing salesman to take his place with his potential buyer (yes, he gave up his potential sale in order to talk to us). He sat us down in his office and shared the story as much as he could. In a nutshell, someone (individual or a group, we are not sure) was obedient to God's leading and walked into the dealership, plunked down a handsome bit of change and purchased a vehicle for us. Tony snickered (Abraham laughed too!) and I cried like a little school girl. Touched nearly to tears himself, Marty went on to say, "My grandfather was a pastor and I grew up in church, but I am not a faithful attender myself. I know this one thing: THIS IS FROM GOD! Not only is this for you all, but this is a lesson of faith for me." Thirty minutes later, and thirty signatures later, we drove off the lot with a 2008 Chevrolet HHR.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrY-1RfJ4f8AfaE1JN9DBwunE8Hs5st35aSeNWyDWiDKi7VHW_IrLSv3lh0g2q3CpH0XuIr_4n6vScGcaQDTPb9HXCxfKVtBYg-jQOZgr7-Z0M4JyeNnfb0S-txaT5CsbMi6l_SNHJ4hs/s320/100_1799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353324132941027474" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">We have pondered time and again whom this blessing could have come from and we have NO IDEA! We are settled in the fact that, just as Marty recognized, this is from God! We are no more deserving of this than the next guy, but we are grateful and we are humbled! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">In the words of worship leader, Matt Redman... Lord, blessed be Your name! Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise. Blessed be the name of the Lord.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p></p></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><br /></span></div></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-73285599911865728472009-06-09T23:05:00.004-04:002009-06-09T23:33:24.190-04:00The decisionA friend of mine sparked a thought in my brain a few weeks ago. I have had a little time to mull over this thought and have waivered back and forth on the issue. If I agree to jumping on board with this then it will mean a small financial investment--more dramatic to me is the fact that it would mark the beginning of the end of an era for me. If I choose not to take on this challenge, I keep life status quo for the time being. I suppose this thought my friend placed in my brain is inevitable but I assumed it would come at a time I was more emotionally ready for it. But as she mentioned her own recent actions, I began to wonder if my time had come. I had been struggling day after day and week after week with this particular problem not even aware that it was a problem I was having. As she spoke the words, I had an "a-ha" moment and thus began the debate. Like I said, I have had a few weeks to ponder the issue and have tried carefully to weigh the financial and emotional cost and have decided to bite the bullet. I think it is time. I am committed. I am ready. Today.... I bought grown-up hangers for my son's clothes.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOe95fm2U-_LU2sg23ZfcFf7zJEXoNdv7C7h470hRk2RqwWQxgWmN3cfisE0m031w6IncZdPvFjmAlHtiH7bU9d9do93ZpgkISaF9mhbckYLKnJbMiVKK7JmPYRJYlT3R7Bk2ccynee_J/s200/100_1345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345536462923112578" /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-19644322335246480142009-03-03T12:11:00.003-05:002009-03-03T13:34:45.679-05:00Who says it doesn't snow in North Carolina<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmNqEUtlLfrDUyhQYvzS0UjZn1vpD4hGDLhnXFT9Usy6rHM2AdzC-LSfvznyU01wVON030HWU3_UIU55duytGzzsk0sl6EdUXtdb_IrGd3HqEF21sRvthhrpPhZ0Us0g7BNOyCY11WIdO/s1600-h/DSC04105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmNqEUtlLfrDUyhQYvzS0UjZn1vpD4hGDLhnXFT9Usy6rHM2AdzC-LSfvznyU01wVON030HWU3_UIU55duytGzzsk0sl6EdUXtdb_IrGd3HqEF21sRvthhrpPhZ0Us0g7BNOyCY11WIdO/s320/DSC04105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309013200176872786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r1bft29cIGfH5TxSTVc3nTEC7oFmAiHiqAo5PQAfQbOixcb430Fb0wQA0zi_DBL0BEfVKyo1co75FTLD-XjjCeXNm7ej4C7qgjH36SlewPYxjC14pDi8hSpiYituEeBFWaIdIUL3_PWK/s1600-h/DSC04115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r1bft29cIGfH5TxSTVc3nTEC7oFmAiHiqAo5PQAfQbOixcb430Fb0wQA0zi_DBL0BEfVKyo1co75FTLD-XjjCeXNm7ej4C7qgjH36SlewPYxjC14pDi8hSpiYituEeBFWaIdIUL3_PWK/s320/DSC04115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309013195937740866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FVI43awcDtoBCJ8WVmddWtYn1QA-KbFPuv7At6ISQ2_oUK3DLIDU1Y0AZidVh22TeklU35lwLnInJepVwIMU43oCMfD12IfPpfZmHyq5U2O7L5JsJaKmTn2oAzpC-hESqWaDQnXZKyf/s1600-h/DSC04122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FVI43awcDtoBCJ8WVmddWtYn1QA-KbFPuv7At6ISQ2_oUK3DLIDU1Y0AZidVh22TeklU35lwLnInJepVwIMU43oCMfD12IfPpfZmHyq5U2O7L5JsJaKmTn2oAzpC-hESqWaDQnXZKyf/s320/DSC04122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309013191639093602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SUImaz-uAHYFq3TJERylUnpU2Jy5IIQsRvJM26y75xD_yna9-3opUgExN9bbj15u6h5mtFfkFdeoI1m9xLOHoE8Ocd0jvtxGWA34r76N9BbF3p-r56V1VffJedBsh8e3wl1AFsNZecqx/s1600-h/DSC04062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SUImaz-uAHYFq3TJERylUnpU2Jy5IIQsRvJM26y75xD_yna9-3opUgExN9bbj15u6h5mtFfkFdeoI1m9xLOHoE8Ocd0jvtxGWA34r76N9BbF3p-r56V1VffJedBsh8e3wl1AFsNZecqx/s320/DSC04062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309013184715915986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB6kKXK7xp1OYEhkbW4QHUpOciFdF_Cr0W_5uDEcOsvHlU9DtSz8W2N0p4dadrkxzdX76CkUR1ESuadFaFYMApPJIy1mAb-kZv5MocPq3xyRZ4iVPPxTJyXqR7DaO2EPuD2mgQz13Nef0/s1600-h/DSC04070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB6kKXK7xp1OYEhkbW4QHUpOciFdF_Cr0W_5uDEcOsvHlU9DtSz8W2N0p4dadrkxzdX76CkUR1ESuadFaFYMApPJIy1mAb-kZv5MocPq3xyRZ4iVPPxTJyXqR7DaO2EPuD2mgQz13Nef0/s320/DSC04070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309013169593012386" /></a><br />Yesterday we got almost 6 inches of snow. The first thing that Jaykob said was, "Dad it looks like Michigan". The only difference is that it is going to be 70 degrees this weekend. We had some teens come over and we went sledding behind our church on a hill. It was fun to see our kids get to do something that I didn't think they would for a long time.Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014362824383450236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-20635598644606851672008-12-19T16:11:00.002-05:002008-12-19T16:26:20.735-05:00Jaykob the English TeacherWe received a compliment the other day from Jaykob's kindergarten teacher. Appearantly there is a little boy in his class that came in the beginning of the year not able to speak ANY English (he is a cute little asian boy). Mrs. Clayton told us in a day and age when so many kids (and adults) shun those who are different, Jaykob has embraced Dah Wah and has made it his mission to teach him English. Jaykob gets so excited when Dah learns a new word! He even comes home from school with a report of the new words Dah has recently learned. His teacher's heart and compassion flows over at home with his littlest sister when he tries really hard to teach her new words too! What a sweet boy! Can you tell we are proud?!?!?!Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-28938637829594743072008-11-05T08:02:00.019-05:002008-11-05T10:03:37.777-05:00Election Time!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiS8Uesmh3emxRRibRO2iAOtMAasJRyh77R7mAxWbrZ0JFmJ3i567I-UdKV-lj65FH9rTd5MeySTHe925tcI5KxQYdbrp45MMkuhyphenhyphenVRmFazk1U-Oq5Q_GPJXTmXRGHUa9kYyW59nnNuba/s1600-h/100_0603.JPG"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVQZ0kwo2xUVMXoKvQgR-VJbOcWrV30SzJEKaqhnrY0axlxpv0Fz751lzO1hxOKlYp21foLEaJ-IBr1qz-OHVZt5AnUhzjMSjqQTbUhgU6YwVOrrE0rgNAA1sUIxUP8UOfb4_I4hHFVhZ/s200/100_0602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265159343650886674" /> </a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXqyqzaw7Gpqx1GnNmyZkpq3ibM8GfvGhOHDnlu6FQGLt9Xr7LX8idsp9-Hd0Ix0PsAp1u5Uj7rcjTOhHZAt-0SDgOTLufaOxcr_7QcjiWdcH1yuH0HBmu_uPuSAyKavsQlE43ldIfKTl/s200/100_0600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265159339526867490" /><div>The kids were able to participate in this year's pivotal and historical election. Although I think it was the promise of a cookie and a sticker that was more appealing than the promise of a brighter tomorrow, but we were proud of them none the less! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUkCS0vVkbKXp5IeWZNCErKkqOLm9aRcspk6in7EuVewZXZPamRB-Q4T-vAQzujuqSAsTtj91e2a-EPOlnOTfA_Jgm7m9jgjlBKBVpFNxp1f9JtT9mWT5s_g5GyeqGqb2Z9_8ayYvF3QE/s1600-h/100_0606.JPG"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUkCS0vVkbKXp5IeWZNCErKkqOLm9aRcspk6in7EuVewZXZPamRB-Q4T-vAQzujuqSAsTtj91e2a-EPOlnOTfA_Jgm7m9jgjlBKBVpFNxp1f9JtT9mWT5s_g5GyeqGqb2Z9_8ayYvF3QE/s200/100_0606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265159344131897490" /> </a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiS8Uesmh3emxRRibRO2iAOtMAasJRyh77R7mAxWbrZ0JFmJ3i567I-UdKV-lj65FH9rTd5MeySTHe925tcI5KxQYdbrp45MMkuhyphenhyphenVRmFazk1U-Oq5Q_GPJXTmXRGHUa9kYyW59nnNuba/s200/100_0603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265159354068896178" /></div><div>Jaykob did tell me the morning after the election when he had learned that the guy he had voted for did not win that "We voted for the wrong guy, Mom. We should have voted for Oracka Obama." I did my best to assure him that although "our guy" lost, it is going to be okay because God is in control! <br /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUHTVIBe9EvV0x2NU0kmWIfvR3vMQFAIrbE2ICn6OM1X7kwGjMMic7q_94qCZrOYg1hHYDJ_7nRSNgLtJ0pWBY5mbe__8NhIZs6xMc09Wb4D0o1YVRbH4G8Wl2P7ESmciKiT_l0t3h7Br/s200/100_0612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265188310506169330" /></div><div>Too bad I couldn't write a 5 year old in as a write-in candidate for President! Maybe one day!<br /><br /><br /></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2985750897406288137.post-18657113139071890952008-11-04T23:46:00.004-05:002008-11-05T08:01:40.761-05:00Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVjpgy_sPwEHjaFj8X6z7ZoXu-4C4ozcIM5CTm6-VTofsFnmtyaxrAh1vfKmV4S8k6Rvc80BXjKbUAoRvN3wCPrJ3Lae7zxbFdKzwGToY1GuurywfZdkEM9gAK_WWGvyZ7CVFoEM6W9Rf/s1600-h/100_0582.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVjpgy_sPwEHjaFj8X6z7ZoXu-4C4ozcIM5CTm6-VTofsFnmtyaxrAh1vfKmV4S8k6Rvc80BXjKbUAoRvN3wCPrJ3Lae7zxbFdKzwGToY1GuurywfZdkEM9gAK_WWGvyZ7CVFoEM6W9Rf/s200/100_0582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032335392421522" /></a><div>What a fun Halloween we had!!! We were able to make good use of the Halloween costumes this year, hitting three different opportunities to wear them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQRNvGKds9-lJ9prqaUjfSO-bqR2CCJwkG-NxVPY_ZNB_vYMtlO7BAcwu6SuDcH9e7GJslUV9LxMAN9x6Om6IqqbrNheK9z_E-6P683XwAdJzpB8oFwPNUObKBJuM4QSx97OyVrP9kPPh/s1600-h/100_0579.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQRNvGKds9-lJ9prqaUjfSO-bqR2CCJwkG-NxVPY_ZNB_vYMtlO7BAcwu6SuDcH9e7GJslUV9LxMAN9x6Om6IqqbrNheK9z_E-6P683XwAdJzpB8oFwPNUObKBJuM4QSx97OyVrP9kPPh/s200/100_0579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032331179398818" /></a><div>The kids attended the church party Wednesday night; Jayk dressed as a ninja, Addi as "white Cinderella" (The Cinderella bride that marries Prince Charming at the end of the story), and Ella as a ladybug.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BFfYkfgxN_VwIKUQSY8D8rcH4X6_8YHV_OdrhsbAay7u9V62_N0oVSZ7ww9xARXJwVp0JGXIidMmililbPwUrWgrwToFnlfFgK5gjx9PMnt3PHwyh8mn1ggt-1kOYepo3vdwyDg7Rpk/s1600-h/100_0525.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BFfYkfgxN_VwIKUQSY8D8rcH4X6_8YHV_OdrhsbAay7u9V62_N0oVSZ7ww9xARXJwVp0JGXIidMmililbPwUrWgrwToFnlfFgK5gjx9PMnt3PHwyh8mn1ggt-1kOYepo3vdwyDg7Rpk/s200/100_0525.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032325947469570" /></a><div>Friday night, we met up with friends in a nearby neighborhood for an evening of trick or treating. Jayk dressed as a ninja (again), but this time wearing the EXACT same costume, Addi became "white Belle" (again, the bride that marries her prince at the end of the story), and Ella dressed as Tinker Bell. Our precious Tinker Bell pooped out a little early because it got a little colder than Mommy had expected and Tinker could no longer say "Trick or Treat" through the shivering.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uMB6w66Hf4fADLYKNjHaXiWoF-kyzDeHLNKyhB_fClNosVnUD5vesmRH0t3bGij8p9U3okt9qTfAmUEswlqNU_QCXE07kvICDch2a5ydrQyJhYShVhp9EQI2ieU_wpLEHwGIP_eqKEU/s1600-h/100_0535.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uMB6w66Hf4fADLYKNjHaXiWoF-kyzDeHLNKyhB_fClNosVnUD5vesmRH0t3bGij8p9U3okt9qTfAmUEswlqNU_QCXE07kvICDch2a5ydrQyJhYShVhp9EQI2ieU_wpLEHwGIP_eqKEU/s200/100_0535.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032322699701554" /></a><div>Saturday night brought about our annual Youth Fall Harvest Party Extravaganza. Mom & Dad even got in on the fun of dressing up! Daddy followed in his son's footsteps and the two were ninjas together for the evening. Mommy graced everyone with her presence as a pirate (don't ninjas hate pirates in "real" life?) and Ella resumed her ladybug costume (less itchy than Tinker Bell). But is was Addi's stunning transformation (again wearing the EXACT same costume) to become "white Jasmine" (yes, the bride at the end of the story that marries her prince) that took our breath away! We love her imagination!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0TtkRcTACaNgBRCqomnTb_fmX1g05e1-CobA9sNlV5BcifOe9WmgVXJj8fpXUH4zTSoWoU_jakVBB3iUzuLwj-25NRxFtMFtttF3lqWEUk8zeDDhMyIsUoil6UxZ-JnV691fQgbxCEaZ/s1600-h/100_0531.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0TtkRcTACaNgBRCqomnTb_fmX1g05e1-CobA9sNlV5BcifOe9WmgVXJj8fpXUH4zTSoWoU_jakVBB3iUzuLwj-25NRxFtMFtttF3lqWEUk8zeDDhMyIsUoil6UxZ-JnV691fQgbxCEaZ/s200/100_0531.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032317045333186" /></a></div><div>Needless to say, we had a great time of it all! I truly think the Halloween celebrating has been enjoyed mostly by Tony & I (along with our friends The Littles visiting from KS) by nightly "saving" our children from the tooth & tummy aches by consuming the bulk majority of the Halloween candy. Mmmmmmmmmm!<br /></div></div></div></div>Jillynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822933569754248661noreply@blogger.com1