tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53318271917487654892024-03-14T06:28:14.339-07:00Blackstock LifeLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-28584396040186315042010-06-12T16:01:00.000-07:002010-06-12T16:05:16.862-07:00Watch it Unfold!The big news around our house is that Angie and Jason (my sis and BIL) have been approved for their adoption in Ethiopia!!! The wait should be from 1-2 years, which I'm sure will seem like an eternity to us all!<br /><br />Their faithfulness in answering this call has been amazing. We all long for the day when we can bring this precious child that God has intended for their family HOME for good! I encourage you to watch it all unfold at <a href="http://www.angiemccuiston.blogspot.com/">www.angiemccuiston.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />"I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." John 14:18Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-57059989010404739842010-05-27T19:51:00.001-07:002010-06-12T16:01:21.049-07:00The Graduate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw4j7UxkSFx9gZaE20VroES9lrvp3XDa4Jq2olgn7i_kVXLcXkf1qK3BLILhDCUspjGJPbstXnEADYsvUNu8xASzlPMX2P8IwjEGAl8PpsGbAtaN6DS4Rex74sq5nZyr2Myv6v9xYMinZ/s1600/288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482022625513102610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw4j7UxkSFx9gZaE20VroES9lrvp3XDa4Jq2olgn7i_kVXLcXkf1qK3BLILhDCUspjGJPbstXnEADYsvUNu8xASzlPMX2P8IwjEGAl8PpsGbAtaN6DS4Rex74sq5nZyr2Myv6v9xYMinZ/s320/288.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRnnJHGN6PmLRlACZtIuMtOFmPvChrjMQsx68SujhET2OT7QNFW5UYaSqnisFU1P78GVJARyHWzkS2-yUa50hl1KMix4Cq1itgm0RJEAoSWHlXDjQVF0jvoM3njVMVESqOmHWWMxucdi9/s1600/281.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482022614806526290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRnnJHGN6PmLRlACZtIuMtOFmPvChrjMQsx68SujhET2OT7QNFW5UYaSqnisFU1P78GVJARyHWzkS2-yUa50hl1KMix4Cq1itgm0RJEAoSWHlXDjQVF0jvoM3njVMVESqOmHWWMxucdi9/s320/281.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482022592298461362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVli5YMd7N7OWH9wW_hLgl5vawScLdgRU9oMbhcwcoWag3YZdTyP4LQJ6fGIIF0qh_I6Gcpq_Wl80_YzXtt0vszlSYPJt275RM-HHK7vpbBK3Zx_uYOY3H2aKxpZL7_2OOiyKIWh09qss/s320/275.JPG" /> <div>Sweet Collin "graduated" from Pre-K a few weeks ago! Even though he's going to do one more year of preschool before kindergarten, it seemed like a pretty important milestone. He has learned so much, and seems SO big all of a sudden. Is that happening to anyone else?</div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-42661768999960385352010-02-19T18:29:00.000-08:002010-02-19T18:32:12.340-08:00Cox Family Assistance- what you can doHey friends! Please see the link below for info on how we can help this precious family...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lizmcg.blogspot.com/">http://www.lizmcg.blogspot.com/</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-13487404544505502592010-02-18T11:20:00.000-08:002010-02-18T11:24:02.463-08:00Prayers Please!A precious family is in need of prayers for their baby girl, born yesterday at only 24 weeks. Rod, Kamara and Aubrey remain faithful that God hears and answers! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.thecoxcorner.blogspot.com/">www.thecoxcorner.blogspot.com</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-32184202595855056962009-10-27T15:25:00.000-07:002009-10-27T16:10:31.956-07:00Kids in Costume<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsppPOff6D3VglICElcThPowCEa70KEyPecZ2Wrj_pKzwJE1Ocl7UtvtPa7sqVixDKxsyERr8ZhPNwlDFGUbnvZJjjUH__zBzChnYeqrnDoHhbI1MBkBjoMBS1KNAVOsXGIa8KTDVUtu3I/s1600-h/196.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397420483413434802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsppPOff6D3VglICElcThPowCEa70KEyPecZ2Wrj_pKzwJE1Ocl7UtvtPa7sqVixDKxsyERr8ZhPNwlDFGUbnvZJjjUH__zBzChnYeqrnDoHhbI1MBkBjoMBS1KNAVOsXGIa8KTDVUtu3I/s320/196.JPG" /></a> Our sweet friends, the Colemans, hosted a Halloween party for the kiddos from our church cell groups. I love to see them in their costumes! All of the girls were bugs, princesses, or cheerleaders, and the boys...well, let's just say that some props (a ninja sword) had to be hidden to prevent a riot. They were mostly "fighting" characters, with an occassional sweet costume like a farmer thrown in there. Notice one of my favorites, Beckham the rocker.<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">It seemed like most of the kids LOVED the thought of dressing up but didn't like for anyone to look at them when they have their costumes on. Kind of makes it hard to get a good picture, which explains some of the shots below. Thanks Leslie- enjoy the pics!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br />Little Kerrington as the monkey.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfJHAkvZu-V_NYupau8A7jnNGoh1heNe18ofqFwdOwTEpjOFbEszGH3yLRgPKN-RDpp2CAfBXl0uf4JeGRrYAZJVNKfnBWmM6IJ02IEkttnLP4Fkji6E4PT5uXfLd5WHm-YKPECtERLcc/s1600-h/177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417588338962130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfJHAkvZu-V_NYupau8A7jnNGoh1heNe18ofqFwdOwTEpjOFbEszGH3yLRgPKN-RDpp2CAfBXl0uf4JeGRrYAZJVNKfnBWmM6IJ02IEkttnLP4Fkji6E4PT5uXfLd5WHm-YKPECtERLcc/s320/177.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>...and her brother Beckham- he's so hard core.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417583281261010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ7J1vlJhuMq-qAMLKarhWEezwXPqZYlpCJs_K-yUurPP0g-Ni4cLMwiRV2NvXRHeJWIIYA-cwiXkk0in1Aaa7k_fLgJMEoTCNeB0eURmBjeCk2_zi8lLoB4oCaNo5WklJRGWeclDxK-b/s320/167.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><br />Zoe as a sweet pink butterfly<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXCnkcydOlFCcem5IQ76VWmShvSmoOChTT130o7D0HYKylskG-YN5di9sAXr0HQ8iekibSMdTsPNYw6_QE2FRLyuZpBAHA9KbtGSxQTWagkrsRjw6ccI1mJMCrWpSaBrSLyFs3G-xFdv8/s1600-h/165.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417575437190386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXCnkcydOlFCcem5IQ76VWmShvSmoOChTT130o7D0HYKylskG-YN5di9sAXr0HQ8iekibSMdTsPNYw6_QE2FRLyuZpBAHA9KbtGSxQTWagkrsRjw6ccI1mJMCrWpSaBrSLyFs3G-xFdv8/s320/165.JPG" /></a><br />and the sweetest Ninja I've ever seen...Jackson.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE03Lgf7hTM5tmV-KMVVdP2zxWMTby4ORX1a7OK6NhOHRGfeDHlO7japqRISwLRO5RPbBNrzt6EHjj8vwlqUb7Qh6yjNSNR18p4rcnjvkcMTDc9HUBSRXuY-p8neFPlEvArbq44UGN0ySV/s1600-h/163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417571253477106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE03Lgf7hTM5tmV-KMVVdP2zxWMTby4ORX1a7OK6NhOHRGfeDHlO7japqRISwLRO5RPbBNrzt6EHjj8vwlqUb7Qh6yjNSNR18p4rcnjvkcMTDc9HUBSRXuY-p8neFPlEvArbq44UGN0ySV/s320/163.JPG" /></a><br />The most outgoing farmer you'll ever meet- Cody.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVjdzy3q4no928YeiCYBn3BMorkWO1YSGrTIJOY0EZiDxcPpctMpwGrthtqhESbdTN1CMgMlRWGUV-dV7RV2yP3R4iZoWxOjuhmjnSScttaVfRDLtgytewFisdp_Ysn5UNjj-PW-v324l/s1600-h/154.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417569679821218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVjdzy3q4no928YeiCYBn3BMorkWO1YSGrTIJOY0EZiDxcPpctMpwGrthtqhESbdTN1CMgMlRWGUV-dV7RV2yP3R4iZoWxOjuhmjnSScttaVfRDLtgytewFisdp_Ysn5UNjj-PW-v324l/s320/154.JPG" /></a><br />Harper in her first Halloween costume and her sweet mommy, Erika<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397412986465833202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ7_VidJNKyM6KpdNUcRY79Jb0Xq1LMA1CR4rQWG5XOa6VK7adMWumD8kpt5H-7AyQ80atZZSmCRvbhG2XA-9B-YCaetZlrGj4c964tLaM1t4ijwHtcfsvVxulW-OxXcP5EGVIHdBpl53/s320/158.JPG" /><br />Aubrey was not impressed with me, or her costume.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397412981473097090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnoe9El0g6KgdLbpU-q8BQZJ2Pgod_uILznZip2kciKD9dro2lFrLU19Omb0evN8ir7_MK-wJkEuhl4YAtGF34SG05wMp8iJ-1sIOVKDrbOgZrfPMPIpCT-j9DE2EjFhmPMQfFz2229cP/s320/149.JPG" /><br />The Hudsons. Kristen and Robbie win "funniest costume" hands-down making their dress-up debut as "A Pair of Blue Jeans." Notice the nametags.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397412978612125250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AlhpRpxVj13Wk9u1sHBRdhqOB9IssP8oj1YTWI2rX8jC8hlDNSTF61795wscYEPbLzUfA-lu_K5yQ654PbvH6ehA4DM9YrYecI0ljtDuk0w6bs1ZC9t2Kx1a15I85WKZnUEZHkH0jkIb/s320/144.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><div align="center"><div>Precious Kaelyn was wearing the same costume that Collin and Henry wore their first Halloween. Were they really ever that small??<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397412972921872962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNrlN8OpJ9X2POo3DCVAuXG-h-kHKQICFzteyRMsnuHvFvA1zKLdA0a71e1oIltxg0B0wuZuH5be-jg55CaSfoe52wm3HIKY96h9n4xZ_BJge_ElDCyoCX8Tv_NnyjKTuJ01thSxP82Ce/s320/143.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Kamryn trying to figure out how to climb the rock wall with this princess get-up on.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397412962331548818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYe59hGpeabqaHpMKC39jc83W5Cj0qO6CWmcawfKRImqhIjgIAyYbkpl0Oe2tXM7QYuzNSDbPvJtnMgItTImPMBZkmkXqBqNdMbPsG1js1PwVakWO98WzokYMJx55aOB_MNyQESRgUZ97/s320/135.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Collin was content wearing his Batman costume which was a birthday present from July. Score for me!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411487861935010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut1AsJk0S1GkwuaUyTSnTPMhr5uYYD3xdDRrsZNQt57_AOTu6cSUWdj_pg7wE_5eyagH1Nnu_0FfQWfMvPWDkkwSWXZ5w6Is3oqCyNJ4Q9mD4riZ60B8xCO7rQC9wAzS1zpHVGPOAeS0W/s320/130.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Storm Trooper (Drew) and Iron Man (Henry)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411482650098850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRVBkxIPwaFhWTP0rhddQGiqcbR6OG-HG8PpAg5sna-EMZZMdL5VYYZJ5Zeod2dvosLsnCBT45KoI7D1P4Ej018ayG0JbKooEZCDu3SuyROGXlL1Hw23kF_huF6o1IhjSzXhb3SbG3zOE/s320/129.JPG" /><br />Two beautiful princesses: Hannah (left) and Kaylea (right)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411476584869906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1e7ikHhj-qUdflybFtvFsq6VCKzfeI4LHPLEqJSY0PUFvaJ6ssXzglopXb_KsS3yaJ2Mi5cmpr5p-15CcAoE-ugy_UOfjRvOJ9YZa3GPn6JiCimsA2j8knIyivnerIGb91Ep-729613r/s320/124.JPG" /> Edie rockin' out the pigtails as an ACU cheerleader. I know I'm her aunt, but she is seriously the most precious little girl!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411472019120498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifco0GBi3NO6wCJGFOR6ymLhcaX7WA_cYsZcUeuvdC_gFjYqM3qiRmkz1beCQwotNRRMgimFY3IAe7FhM9tXAEbmnTznGfodVLbpzsgvPDarjep2QrcvuydZUVpRB9ioELyBdNY-gkBeqk/s320/116.JPG" /> </div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-1155992394952787862009-10-03T11:41:00.000-07:002009-10-03T12:31:37.769-07:00For ChaseMark, Chelsea, Kendyll, Carlie, and Abby Kate-<br /><br /><br />You all have been on our hearts so much this week, and your story has touched people who don't even know you. The fact that you feel the Spirit lifting you up right now is lifiting us too. People you've never met are praying for you every day, and your faithfulness in the face of such a difficult situation is amazing and encouraging to them. God is good!<br /><br /><br /><br />What a great idea that you had to celebrate your baby Chase with a balloon release! We were together this morning with some friends from church and we all wanted to participate. Even the little ones didn't mind letting their balloons go so that Chase could have them! We prayed for all of you. We asked God to be with you today as you remember Chase, and that the days to come would be filled with comfort and peace. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388446669210155458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JSlt5scVcm71fOXZ9Gj-O4e3R3Tsl9L3pKjAP7K2d9Z3m71mFi1Ho25XzzW_rxxwMUey52dbae7_MfGLaqAXBulckmc8PSC2ZAvtKZ1UZEXlMXkx78wKFuerLVk315Cm7WYmunQq_N-U/s320/027.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5CSaDYBudPXpZ8KF5Li5Z4E5ACxJW4Ol7Xe6M8Ne_YeJiGR8xl-v4bF_Ejh8eG3eyUbpeiw_h8vP0DBTFsPsZke4ke4lYLsDfz-aK33KFvX6iIPR8X-iIAJEbE8Mr_M8byUb_0sXTRFi/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388446679195485618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5CSaDYBudPXpZ8KF5Li5Z4E5ACxJW4Ol7Xe6M8Ne_YeJiGR8xl-v4bF_Ejh8eG3eyUbpeiw_h8vP0DBTFsPsZke4ke4lYLsDfz-aK33KFvX6iIPR8X-iIAJEbE8Mr_M8byUb_0sXTRFi/s320/028.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388446686490516066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2UdPsAnb9kXpvM6JO7peEa1pyit8nIgyS7hYq-B3BlJPblf4PbrZb6BkbtcLV52XsXp4O6MlHgjGBuoavMsajWI6tM1fIqxAdVDQ3M5TQhNb_ciu0q3nXOYIKxJJMaMNdsMWSnJK95jv/s320/034.JPG" />We were all together this morning to have a garage sale to benefit a charity that we're working with. We waited for the right moment to gather for the balloon release, and seized the opportunity when things finally died down. When we gathered together to pray, I noticed that a shopper had acutally joined us in prayer. Someone in our group explained what we were doing and she felt compelled to join. What I didn't know at the time is the story behind her tears that she shared with me later. I'll try to quote her as best as I can.<br /><br /><br /><br /><em>We lost our son 24 years ago, when he was just two days old. The pain never goes away, but it does get better. It's so hard with things like this because they just don't make any sense. It just doesn't seem fair for something like this to happen to people who love God. </em><br /><br /><p><em>I know I'll see him again though, someday soon. And I know who is holding him now. (</em>sound familiar, Chels?) <em>I used to think that the first thing I'll do when I get to heaven is ask God "WHY?" But now, I think that it won't even matter. He'll be healthy and whole and I'll just be glad to be there with him and with the Lord.</em></p><br /><p><em>Tell Mark and Chelsea and the girls that I'm praying for them.</em></p><br /><p>We have been thinking about you so much this week. We asked the same questions that I'm sure all of the people who love you are asking, "Why would something like this happen?" During one of those conversations Angie, my sister, reminded me of the story of Jesus weeping at Lazarus' death. We know that in his humanity, the pain of losing someone He loved was difficult, but Angie also thinks that He wept because this is just not what He designed. He wanted more for us than the pain and sin of this world, so He came for us, died for us, and now waits for us.</p><br /><p>So we prayed that in the midst of something that is so obviously NOT from God, His hands would be the presence that you WOULD feel. And I think that our visitor during the prayer today proved that God is working in this. That woman shared her grief and was strenghened by the fact that your family was glorifying God today, rather than turning away.</p><br /><p>We love you! </p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-52691302776497933412009-07-21T08:19:00.000-07:002009-07-21T10:06:03.413-07:00Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday!Two years ago on Collin's birthday I was in the antepartum unit of Medical City- lights off; no TV; no visitors; David and I sitting there staring at each other waiting patiently for the following day when we'd finally meet our little girl. I was sad to miss Collin's birthday that year, but more than anything, I was ready to finally deliver Sarah Kate. At the time I didn't care that their birthdays would be on consecutive days. In fact, I thought it'd be kind of cool.<br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">I wasn't thinking about trying to have two birthday parties in one weekend. It's a little chaotic.<br /></div><div align="left"><br />All kidding aside, it was a wonderful weekend full of fun and family! We are so thrilled to celebrate the gift of our two children and to be able to do it all together really is kind of fun.</div><div align="left"><br />Here's what we were up to on this weekend of celebrations for the Blackstock kiddos....</div><div align="left"><br />The fun started with a Batman party for Collin! We had David's family, my parents, and Henry and Jackson and their families there with us. How these kids get into superheros is kind a mystery to all of us, but Henry is Spiderman, Collin is Batman, and Jackson (probably upon strong suggestion) has assumed the role of Superman. Angie found some precious underoos for all of them in their assigned characters, which they wore proudly to their FIRST slumber party!!Having extra cousins spend the night has become a standard event since moving in with my parents this summer. Collin loves it, and just thought that it would be a great idea to have Henry and Jackson stay over for his birthday....why not, you're four and all. Definitely old enough for that! :) </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left">Amazingly, there were no tears, no wet beds, and no arguing! The boys had so much fun! Here are some of the highlights. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Batman, Spiderman, and Superman (in their street clothes)<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936613225270802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyFsNJKQIdzQyHkQp0dBsKZIaZtqp5FlxxsBPGvICWswieSGJwbqnH7z5CtFEhAry6Imf1nuzOXsTM_7kdHUoHlWwL8ubVaTIXjYN0C74V2S7IqqEuO8uwUjl9FdQEQlMKxQRUTMkZvu2/s320/052.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="left">In uniform <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936617944435026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv1Tffhtod5C106p3YLKqpQX16xfEeFzp8lsnReLUOYHclYzN3sMvGYINhVp_vwHWtdETvsZIlDLpOhdtXxfdnoxlFFLArG9bol6RHahKDmDsXI2Gewo2slefty25gGbyOLl2Ejjx8DWW/s320/079.JPG" border="0" />Underoos. A classic. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360957812812501922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1w4YGxeNCwnnd6Llp7TcjW-7TdQL2pno7dKcIAYFacl5gkWmtt7PrrTPh7x4cqr6rMGUVRwf-5HDgXEp3kNOGmXpmauMWRPDkr8616r4G0MYnGsB21bIBtyU8KOOh0SU8C0dt_y4wEVb/s320/100.JPG" border="0" />The last homemade ice cream cake he'll ever get...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936620863508226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDpQrgYF5wdb41qjTOO5q1cd_Tfu5yxVfkoTZechJlHIxX_ojCRP8iBE7G36JxoY8-aNQNUbQdQzlECOFm7DmWJ2KQYgapfPJi1BR6EpgBjVoycpjUkcHMdDNXtkQCYL_Cai1ZKq3Ewgk/s320/081.JPG" border="0" />After church on Sunday, and a brief time of re-grouping, we celebrated SK's birthday with an alphabet party! She was really slow to start talking, but for some reason, she LOVES letters. We thought this would be a fun way to combine some of her favorite things and make it a special day for her. Every letter was represented by an activity or party item. Here are a few of my favorites..</p><p align="center"><br />A is for alphabet</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936631995022530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQyue-JC9rMTCT8zQlTHmgSVTzi9wnInCZucR7kMhv7SDMO-vRnbFRF0iQRsq0lYwBEFtSb0zsPt9VhbJKsXMXFuOohqPxGOHDQ5zswGJmBP0CRn8yB9JgGxE5UgdAW7y5Ns1QT1ifajT/s320/132.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">(For those of you ACU Education grads, dont' tell Lucy Hatch about this banner. I did not trace before I cut, and I left the middles in my letters. I'm not a teacher anymore...I'm a busy mom. Don't judge me.)<br /></p><p align="center">M is for make-up<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360939328239696722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgs0mOcMf2SEPWG8wRQguGM9XDzR0eFZT4XJaj6bw7xWOqyQpbi7MFtBDyWtdDTg8d9C-vzCCwz0rpdfiaUXX_vTrQWsrUbknCfdIyeEiNp4DmK-F1MfnaFLftWwOkHSfGpPF5o1c7YJb/s320/188.JPG" border="0" />B is for bubbles<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360939325753631586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSFletPeDcQzOfrq18e0g5bDs6D09Hz3AASaTYFGjKSJCTxWs4j2MCnvxSUlcEtWJ0oDp68B12xlairCQo6RvRaJLnIDOLYA1tC1SkVWKUdGigiuFLCQbymcZu4CbDjvqrRwGBXEKqwTM/s320/181.JPG" border="0" />W is for watergun<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360939319301425042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUhfq3tFq_q_5MBAry7q3gAkQ6kfoAS_2aXeSWHqqTMsw9HUOu8_jVJTYs2NXwJa-Fn2ZgE6-6EBG-TLynhdxPSbb2fkRIFG4CpydzKtIXsgGQcuROuQUOgKdYx2Fqfj9GgJ_-Tk7pMYL/s320/122.JPG" border="0" /> E is for eat<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360939316727391074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5k_V_PK2gnxtcC2y5YFYjLBHPsrCaxCgmNd_WNuOOS_zGg1cWVILzHjQMqFNAEJYHpe71mcKjPDbE8Ya06f_9YvMHGS2k4VsNPF_53DzmXm2F_rtUP3mO5ST1De7LtIL1TJE_sLhVsJc/s320/172.JPG" border="0" /> H is for hula hoop<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952217765897330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViYeFK_xqTKfGw3qye6hAyQIjQiRrpYw9AgbV-_Q2-ef_Enw8f0CasLGFzbKNmhy8jThYF0vjdetPsp8NK_K5GbZRFLHRJWxPNrZ90SbwCWs-xbKGCVoBp16jvF-roOdXeGavwaULl8ET/s320/194.JPG" border="0" />...and hilarious<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952221519345778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtOmP8FdWzH675FiG1uNdTpO6OPxviDNzkcwhQnvha0HY6l_vA6wp8AMD5eTzBQ0tB5CgGF7PSAAQ6A6m8ZrWPVGAo0uiCIT3xQ3ChOI-dYp6sptwd47HdswMsYpHbTl2OrFldGCw2qo-/s320/207.JPG" border="0" />C is for cake<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360956247382237970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGHyWIgqKys5Q9h1BXyZLYcqaDXoBv76eFy-TuVZY1DIVCMQ8YPZMXSy-3w7Cx0wgOlKC9FyHmPzdMmVCf5LuSYNOCA6AhuZ1L1ZZCeSH0l9zTosPPSPhmJx2Rm3_qTLfzZYXG208u_5l/s320/238.JPG" border="0" />I is for ice cream<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360956257943764594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxYpxHY2MB5fwMOh6s6TOZ5eEtAToD70a8sXQK9NZLKK5c6Fb_aAfhaFxnhbOp7Azm11arwTb6StTVPoG7WRSQ7SySNYnHq1BYoVIi_sFlMB2TXgh_tK-1Q9yAdL7lNR45wtOybeu96Gx/s320/244.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center">P is for pool<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360956253153127762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLao7G1TqscP0unKQI4ZgSJQyubzZnm_J6uDhBuetRCE8Rh0valxEJJ1vndW7zIg2JTE23AcC3FkvjLRQnqbvCHeBGaqXKfQY8b7ZbTcgCi2o4U-YKE-CHYWKNKSxv8rxLGbhg7HH3uib/s320/240.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">K is for kickball<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952212351410866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNPlBdG4sQMTKHznYhxWL3fzzIDaDgRvHddqyBOl1R_Nb9j5kZmG2heVPAQIjaIYTAjY52cntb-Ra-oNzvMg-Cg_BUzFzsysLvWAVNOXdeNIR5frBT_6jvQu2trVloQ2y_gkW9ZEu7-L4/s320/180.JPG" border="0" /> S is for splash<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952224504593538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSnuLqES8VgD_dVbT7P8OSNh181MxsV8t4WOGLXCXA4UW3wWIsPT0kBbH5QAmBX5Rqpekl9f0Nd3Uew4hWzxb5sb2FtRuylq6zMi7RswSeTAGVEMiotXB4A_ora3g7DAwrZwUSa_1ny8N/s320/226.JPG" border="0" />X is for xylophone (what else would you do for this one?) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952236984821698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxc6vtUkKeSzdJS9fnvS2mR1uQY7Qdvmu_2-V-SL-VsviLO3t92iOaMZC1ddh7vujw53gQXemVlkirBYz7MHXK6Y3ybfZ8O8zUXpmFEqC5qW42AMZ3mWTmsBUPYH-5uNk8mbWinM95F_H/s320/229.JPG" border="0" />F is for fishing<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360956262928805634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJusBcvFJLSk196Kj3LR1CuGWqkIc7aTkhQqu1WorsVVWemyqoA1PEvweOcfPWqYGxIjF4_9U_Y_EmwgxOH8Th1FBAR5Nd2UmwMK63jIK_Mv_nsxa-4M7dUG4C5CdohNVGuxGshVE6qqW/s320/233.JPG" border="0" />And my personal favorite...T is for TWO!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360939310635160754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzuUdev4DpeiJm29CKgiayHLznZ9DYnITbQSxOOkEOa6zR1fmR3ocw8QyGCDmRFj7Rkjq4ySu0sD5caFWgcTsXtodIwzlVjKxvohWRxCNKzU0tuB1nFjTCn8fH9iCf3u1HpGtfkAul9pV/s320/152.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="left">Thanks Mom and Dad, for letting us bring this craziness to your house! We had a blast!</p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-70037411500800614142009-06-16T08:45:00.001-07:002009-06-17T08:00:10.848-07:00Spring!So it's June. I've completely missed all of my intended posts about Spring happenings around our house. Easter, beautiful weather, family, t-ball, new words, first haircuts, etc. No real good reasons, just distracted lately! It's been an eventful few months around our house! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347953218559556002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO5Zta-5xcDHEI70N5VNhdgwpejb7YTzulo7SlK8mhB9t53Jiz8DJsW9j3nAG14_eNMR8oaQnTH9k20GUadOO9VdA8g-HlhNdS-K74MiNAYR41PPA9WfOr1t8ZHNM923ZsKU47aIXw3P9/s320/152+copy.jpg" border="0" />Collin played his first season of t-ball and LOVED it! David and our friend Andy coached the team. And for those of you who know David it will not come as a surprise that we were the Astros. Even though Andy is a Cubs fan. Apparently, team loyalty runs much, much deeper than friendship or even common courtesy! :) Collin had the chance to play on his first team with Henry and his friend Jackson, which made the season even more special. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348306068825105170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8y8uKCgK7zSCIHily4QnTn2COA2jz5qGbncBx3enofSIBgKtBN9ZkayfLxLnd45gb1TZqlAvir0Ov9DS__P_-YPkSQI9nNhHcEfnM5T0tw0DMq0xkawGXLYEFlihqmo-CKQrLERxJ3vN/s320/168copy.jpg" border="0" />These three love being together doing anything- especially playing ball!We've loved watching all of them get their first hit-<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347954111511678706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAM0wc2lOHU89yLowRPkqxDLu7r-SAAI245SAucI0artNyBtHbL19w5wKr2KPbCy-HcfYbyaa45ktIIO77wtpqor2pCEUjtL0pIwflGPY18A7Me306cGzhTSa1faRRAeHIAdqmP65Mp8a/s320/131.JPG" border="0" /> <div>This is one of my favorite pictures from the season. This is right after Henry's first hit- running to his Daddy who's coaching first base.</div><p>This Saturday is our last game and I know the boys are already anxious for next season. I must admit, it's pretty fun being a cheering mom in the stands, too! Here's to grass stains, torn cleats, team sports and busy weekends!</p><p>Sarah Kate is changing so quickly. She'll be two in just a few weeks and to be honest, I've always thought that she seemed so young for her age. She's done a lot of catching up over the last few months though. My shy, quiet little girl has turned into quite a talker! I'm finally able to understand most of her jabber (making life a little easier around here) and she's really enjoying being able to tell us what's on her mind. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348308854110682130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnbIEtqyInQ6_HQm_KokXaTXK4ScbJryAuzzhD8lgjLGUD7Q0UnKS4kS8aQcVJRtl5EvTH31f-_YY685a-JRWCKrXBLFSYOGqA07W1pYo9PFxr2CjRZN_2pWQIRxVMpLH7cbShI7vklaI/s320/029copy.jpg" border="0" /></p><div>She's the best "greeter" I've ever seen. We're forcasting a career in PR for her for sure! She loves her family and friends, and loves to tell everyone when someone new enters a room. She also loves to play with her babies, talk about letters, and do anything with her brother. SK whispers when she's excited, which is one of the funniest most endearing things that she does. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>In the midst of our Spring activities, we put our house on the market, sold it, and are now bumming at my parents' house trying to figure out our next move. We'll probably build, but we're just not sure where yet. Pray for some clarity for us- we're having a hard time making a decision! While we're deciding though, I guess we'll hang out by the pool and let Mom spoil us! :)</div><div> </div><div>Happy Summer!!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-70905650573210782512009-02-05T18:37:00.000-08:002009-02-05T19:28:28.960-08:00Catching up with the Joneses<div align="left">A few weekends ago we packed up and headed to San Antonio to see Greg, Sarah and their precious boys. It was such a fun weekend and our kids had an absolute blast. Collin is still asking when we can go back!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">We went to the lake and stayed at Greg's parents' house which is beautiful. Not so beautiful after we left, though. We broke a dining chair, the wall (yes, we broke the wall) and a decorative plate. Banner weekend for us in the accident department. It reminded me that we just need to wait a couple of years to buy good furniture. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Highlights from the weekend: </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">1) Taking the boys (and the dads) to a really neat bounce house/play area thing. It was so much fun! I really think that David and Greg enjoyed just as much as all of the kids.<br /></div><div align="left">2) Vanilla yogurt with fresh blueberries. Thanks for this Sarah! Sarah Kate and I eat this all the time now!<br /></div><div align="left">3) Discovering my allergy to mountain cedar. Yes, I looked like a beating victim all weekend because my eyes were red and swollen- but everyone loved me just the same!<br /></div><div align="left">4) Benadryl.<br /></div><div align="left">5) Hanging out with Sarah! I love this girl! We don't get to see each other enough, but I love it when we do...just one of those friends that you always pick right back up with.<br /></div><div align="left">6) Learning how much I have to learn about my new camera, and being reminded that I do in fact have a <a href="http://www.sjphotos.net/">creative crush on Sarah</a>. She showed me some of the basics about my new camera, which was awesome. I'm just not as cool as she is when it comes to being artistic, though. My camera sits on auto most of the time.</div><div align="left">7) Collin's "are we there yet" phase beginning! We tried to remind ourselves that it was cute, not frustrating. After 5 1/2 hours, this got a little bit harder.<br />8) Seeing our famlies together. It still amazes me that I'm a parent and I am with my kids every day. So it's even more strange to see my friends with their kids, being moms and dads. Sarah and Greg are great parents and their boys are adorable! Our boys got along really, really well and had such a good time. And David and Greg had a lot of fun too (minus the time that David almost died mountain biking.)<br />9) Meeting precious Holden. He is such a sweet boy! He seriously doesn't cry or fuss...what a blessing!<br />10) Meeting baby Gracyn! Heather and Drew brought their sweet baby by on Saturday and we were able to meet her! She is a doll- she came complete with her prissy bow and all the accessories as you might imagine! :)<br /></div><div align="left">Enjoy the pics!</div><div align="center">Sarah Kate thought we were crazy for making her play in such cold weather.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299511363471508386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JV39YfSU-K5OM3JMA9VfNEOuVSXvCi4QJd5yMwJZMHiy6-7hOIPOtgiXg2Vj0Ae3DiYk8d7RBtnzAgtdSL31HH54wpva1slkZ06xKoz5uQujMw1CZtZ7qyp0fwtTe0NiDiQjE0n84TOT/s320/074.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299511710832027234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOoLmvOkccUE_aTAUWrfH_LuvUfvmg5BZlxLV2fb8SfKW3OW56d4_PPe1xZTkWGoS-qcu7hz0zNOAAKqSCObVk6w3MlWJZ-soDO8bsAE-2SGKp-axTcIUa3ohykU5A2JX1QL1Qfgycw-w/s320/069.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299512529743727794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH3ZkRO3In5EcbmvGTE06VEviTihuF2HOkDrFvh-QHebvdv9b_i8bTPdAss7tFtbI1XrWBgBe_AWtBvJwdL_7OMcfCEe9OZaVu6TW7YDNW001Jgd84O8EMPM6yZzryl5sid9DInDksOQ4/s320/081.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Playtime!!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299512930962292434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZiA5XTskyPk_VmOuxMTLY8RRTkUHoYO_5UAiuN7QEt2Hv3XTGpw5mcvWGPENCpKtnvXQ2DJXBnF003M84Y5Nb30XsuSkcG0HbOOM7cUVhXgw1znDbQk2-lyH2VYyIFJH_UcbjZ3a9jTB/s320/086.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299513334887825986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6IeeoSxF8Tj6Q8LeFsEoP4FoWsg4Rl3PnRwavPCP9cSa7aUpDAp32L1SgjeTeJRA8QWtq1mda-7R4E8BElVj48kMePp5351j6uOiWnXwh-PMDi49w-EP4eWHuypsBExVOjHazvp_NY4y/s320/108.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299513677289798066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl4Cjcpt3FtG0ijqm0h-mgbwuHHyjAp7_ftFFnQCoIfTK8YMXOAv9xbcW1sFrsFs7U6P8Y1PYGoSoPwu8mVrWOgo-ZBACluuaSeUXqJUsvuN5EGUroZdOGrLgRNUf-IUDnuSoJDy0AZiV/s320/112.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299514128388085154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqxxicxrrI6z15217G5UbC9LbES1Fl4RoL09JrETUzkGj103ugXAw-3bsrutAlEYC3Vbce76PEXqqkp4GdlUD3tZzaA6F9GrBHzD3KSEVb9ZowPwsvMQEysH5qoKKzRd5yCL6fofbeIMG/s320/130.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299514549312299730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-Mb0ITf3wOOsj6_UrGS-DyrRlOkiyUB_UrXXymgiRnN-v35B69s9zpNIl8SkCN2SCdDfihQnmvkq-s_nfo2PPwBurbPKxRg0LPpDN6asdlDjLLPfTBpyv_tmqyM0RxYN6Pc47lmSRaoN/s320/095.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">We initially thought this would be fun for the kids...Greg and David liked it even better.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299515093229843346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AUieYtcCwnFHxJ5ZQgzTzIaRV8qztz8w6AeYVogtx9AcIyepzgTI8T_3u_IDRSGnYomdRxL_gZTsrkgOhqJPcTksBdCTJfZTxw1FzxyZpyVMeSFCk8E949ZFdXZEnFugz0qUOFdhBq8p/s320/122.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299517265956143138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko_by48t78b7hooDz0GXCL15DX1AwPCqPpxvS3supPmmKwRfY-33hJ3nvz2WcD0jXtgaf1ilQ9N2-6062XIUAJOTUZg0MH46JNGIWp-CJOI65NWa07Pp_4SUjR7aDANr4mWYz0-o2_mFY/s320/137.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">This was right before we left to head home. Pretty sure we wore him out.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299517637771999938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3NMxqnM1wp-UkVcnUy6-5pH-OKsWYoa8PYHfD8P56d53lzZuDvX5p54ttxWiw3cEHH0fXA0AK_YJ29WKn_0NgkI16KmlbTgn-jaz_wNdWZpK7KWF399pypDG1AVuBUrOgTqpBdbwH-w8/s320/167.JPG" border="0" />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-61169236923960797272009-01-20T16:25:00.000-08:002009-01-20T16:28:46.837-08:00Want This Recipe?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelX3GvyFtNEFurb3F9ANccKgfgjsc645CFVk3LO4WZF51Sb0_rclmboWRGHCvfaaCrv2GPX4fmSQ_e0rbvtcQWPHRD1qz07RxOW02ivgfy41n-vdftqezrairPahMeoQBlSv4N7cLpIbf/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293537196723424386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelX3GvyFtNEFurb3F9ANccKgfgjsc645CFVk3LO4WZF51Sb0_rclmboWRGHCvfaaCrv2GPX4fmSQ_e0rbvtcQWPHRD1qz07RxOW02ivgfy41n-vdftqezrairPahMeoQBlSv4N7cLpIbf/s320/016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">It really wasn't the chicken- preschool is just hard!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-56806049785304845262009-01-07T12:25:00.000-08:002009-01-07T12:33:15.329-08:00PapaMy dad, Papa, has quite a gift for storytelling. Or, as he claims, Collin isn't really a discriminating audience. I think it's a little bit of both. Lately Dad has been telling Collin and Henry a lot of stories. It's something that I think each of the grandkids has, at one time or another, loved doing with Papa. He keeps it pretty simple which is probably why his stories are so fun for Collin. Like any good story, Papa has all the elements:<br /><br />1) Main character(s): always two little boys; always named Collin and Henry- but he still acts like he forgets their names every time to encourage a little crowd participation from Collin.<br /><br />2) A villian: usually an animal, sometimes a pirate (recent favorite)<br /><br />3) A problem: Collin and Henry are in distress; about to get eaten; about to get taken away forever (this one induces nightmares)...you get the idea<br /><br />4) A hero: always, without fail, every time...Papa.<br /><br />5) A solution: Papa kicks the named villian in the bottom, saves the boys, and everyone goes off to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.<br /><br />So last night at bedtime Collin looked at David and me and said, "Do you know any stories?" We didn't have time to answer before he made the assumption that we probably didn't. So we called Papa who told Collin his bedtime story via speakerphone. It was sweet, hilarious, and so Dad. <br /><br />Oh, and the pirate got a swift kick in the bottom!<br /><br />Thanks Papa!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-73729884673147599082009-01-07T12:04:00.000-08:002009-01-07T12:24:10.788-08:00Drive-Thru ChristmasHere is a condensed version of our Christmas 2008! I figured since it's so late anyway, the pictures can go without explanation! <div><div><br /><div>We had a wonderful time celebrating with all of our family and the kids were at such fun ages this year! Sarah Kate is quite taken with her new baby, and Collin is warming up to the idea of a bigger bike (he came downstairs Christmas morning and said, "I didn't really want that one."...awesome moment for us!)</div><br />Enjoy!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288646445625475026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3PAB1kfn8T0_4EXPZlJDfYrXprxHieq8PVAmvMKJ4mvTtHr51NnFr3sODjXU4cPpObC_SutDHt7gGJO-s9vwHP0zIbQAZ2ox525wELT6cnk4WlysjoeP9wxasfPvUOrtU14CIAqH9zmi/s320/005.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288647453694084466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbyAppwdlvu-eW2aVqMvmvnK4dPuxBAbh-98jdKh-kJxHgMXZOC_hKbRpMZTSh_64mqQeqtX-ehx2B1sr_bToK56nUzcwHnaerhaHxoZ_czXUqpo7raCHdKC13T-6034vxiFJuNzb-lYN/s320/12-2008+210.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288647111113711010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWt-CTuFZI8R2jRIWi8hOKtiARmVEzcEyt3RX_iYt2vIEYkPeXFQ2T_p28WUwpwhwUkJPPY-Dqez_QnlVhJwPYxJfoZbCcwcaqUliHBTRLIo27DX8bGZ-9OlSwItagpeLlV3hK8dOX4-_/s320/12-2008+138.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288648160848003378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQJMVfli_Kv9nMxMQXjQ6_FNutTrXyD2UujCU9VYhd5kIZoLnH3hi7Ziqw-F80tLroIKknvachYDiHqu-rPZ5wr7TxPZgsXzYedKXq_EscNuu7rclRsEg1_tXP_k3u3UNHo7lsDqAhn5j/s320/12-2008+256.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288648691533624546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamdyzZJbnAkjehHwdtKN4hM12eK10FxUIovrlwJNNQgiThGL9SMhrVaAtPvUZlA7lnHYiwjrmRAyz0_Uhm56YJSXEn-pyfv3wB8p0h69nGW8feUzNzH3lUnIWhhobB1guT_d6GOyNuFlG/s320/095.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVJniKbP4jRIU5FbJgG0QyPVbi71lGeoDuCAiDF2_sWkA21lH9UuEb86OWpbw_V4AU4YqR-wP0i78lo8PgFIt2izbTH_IJr8t9tRVB6UhgwZzDeWLW0Xq0oPhxR6N_2cQg_MmiCrMN9Yg/s1600-h/116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288649249678041938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVJniKbP4jRIU5FbJgG0QyPVbi71lGeoDuCAiDF2_sWkA21lH9UuEb86OWpbw_V4AU4YqR-wP0i78lo8PgFIt2izbTH_IJr8t9tRVB6UhgwZzDeWLW0Xq0oPhxR6N_2cQg_MmiCrMN9Yg/s320/116.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288649629109368546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGWo5j4fyi-VN4lI0Z1DskRJ_CanQkqS7EUKVd_WDT_f_zRP0CNhIaRR-W5fuQpKMgTMuBbVjvElsbUnjEHa0shQ_A3gH1JSQHwfK4iJ-eNQU3K48ZBgMAYcsyji9YeSED4ArAIhikkxR/s320/119.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288649998185751186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fdtm4fdvKQF84rLEXKZHnS4LsZY3drYoREoMhLEs5wgyNmtawXAiT0qY_tw9UITvrEzoasfu0Z_XAksTGAKnM5L89f7SQ0_t_myaurWs4WqQQjxbSgjO-699nLWGdKF_0SUCW4oNPs1h/s320/124.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-49786302301374469542008-12-29T18:34:00.000-08:002008-12-29T19:48:10.905-08:00A Christmas Pageant<div align="center">Taylor and Chandler decided that this year we should begin our Polk family Christmas festivities with a reinactment of the story of the birth of Jesus. They worked so hard on assigning parts and making costumes and did a great job managing all of the "actors."Taylor called me the day before to tell me that Collin, Henry, and Parker would be the three wisemen, and that if I had "like a cape, or a crown or something fancy he could wear...that'd be great." Sarah Kate was the north star. They firgured that this would work because she could just roam around and everyone would follow her. What sounded to me to be nothing more than a recipe for disaster actually turned out to be the highlight of our Christmas together. It was great to see the kids work on something together, and even better to have our time together centered around a celebration of Christ. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285409094349022098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRt6sWComFJqucaFWyM4GYuJjnDwpa6s75G72CbiZ5nA2c_7BMK7lP0sBNO_F2yAx59NlGByAml-naki61mNvL4P0BJfWA_dlJwIkTnUlmKf3YgHmF64G0YCUga6t95sEC-2noeHsWyTP/s320/12-2008+053.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Our directors take the stage to make a we're-not-sure-this-will-work disclaimer.<br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285419465215260946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5ThtZ0rppPPsfQZjH9sFiGM3NUDWNpxmf1-vVXrnONcFucLA8P8wv7tTQtRy6PPSPpELN-5grpEPVrFwYyLV6TnduvtAybeeSnpBwCgtalIic3M6dDzhWmWa3__klayg_t0eyfylTsmF/s320/12-2008+074.JPG" border="0" />King Herrod (Colton) orders the death of all firstborn sons.<br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285410405456535906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0albZHqLyWdoTH49R4ejghhVV-Vfag2Oj1y7zrfXoIzNZ9S9igAYtW7qj48kxvekEezAWFoRWnJO6UPlDREAE34CiPLwONcABFZlWT9mFHnVRT7K53h-W_rYqLpD5eghtq2GwMzvrwpL/s320/12-2008+060.JPG" border="0" /><br />Edie plays the role of the baby Jesus. (Gender, age, and presence in the 'manger' before Mary and Joseph arrive are to be ignored...they were working with what they had.)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285411641883526322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7wCt_lK9HyTmgIr9rUoNsfXX_6TS9H3BCR-PeNZtCqTVSYXgBltSIUjOQfx1Jz9KL2iOwadhYdoNk9rIU0Lp7Ia8HNYduy33knRhBl31MjpQW4nZpMurGS9LRiiXvzep_aiM5udUEpx6/s320/12-2008+067.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Mary (Lexi) and Joseph (Patton) travel to Bethlehem where they gaze lovingly at the baby, as does the donkey (played by the ride-on dog dubbed "Mr. Nippers" by the kids. We were delighted to see that Mr. Nippers had landed a role.)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285420265718626658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDPx1o70qO121-a_W0cLqWa1GEU1bHGhT9Be6EEncr8C2bd67RdUc08ZioCikX8Ax-WU4Rnuzx4N1gdNu2_KbmIJUV7Y56x7Cl-8gGHyK4f1f3gESZUJdYh6uqxIB6DszBuW0e1I3MC7c/s320/12-2008+077.JPG" border="0" />The north star (and baby) shines, leading the way to the baby Jesus!<br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285415080893672418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXcRV4I-sTzTNeN6WiEYw2a4mWyq-RVin__2j7tFUVWbPovnbYD8INKdFEM1cJRDqp2C5BScEnE3A2v-jwNPF2mCeZ74Rdre7GbI7NuWGLwSxrgWs69iSPE-jf5zaW7RjqRJLP_B74Amb/s320/12-2008+073.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285413730222639810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmzxQHwDDWWyUZka4op60MSrCO0VkkctXwMDVRXtnou8D1XbsmlLom5vW45D-oBHlNy9u4_rrLUXlQAMDgoUo2J9VCa2HpMlukhmK86UW9zsByImhQ3LwwiyWDmT2uwjRSlECV-q0wp9r/s320/12-2008+072.JPG" border="0" />The three wisemen bring their gifts to the baby. (It was impossible to get a good picture of the three of them...this is the best I could do.)<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285421190663197794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHweG3C3WKsdZO8DZkd4Q_XmELSM7fYbNRQxFyARK8q7WBmLHn0Wcu4RMkgwP3aLRYypIjidhRpZv3jJNjRKbgaYsymw6WCAee0IHSDmzRD-UkyXu1mylx9xsoefKXA8VlIhPLqg0YJJmT/s320/12-2008+083.JPG" border="0" />The proud Mama....and <em>wise</em>man? Looks a little confused. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285421645900761250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6zHqgmpDaqOlHlylOGGaE1U_DPA6kAi87bOFvP7l1YtRLpN1F3B8yehmgYwB_aztykYwoAehj8AuOMIe1czG6ZrxAq3oJ1BU78MN7Bkq-PmUo2myCR_n6Vu4ubxP_Ajlwg2MeiVcAYdQ/s320/12-2008+085.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Chandler performs "Silent Night" in sign language.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285422788977799234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNmTjJkZ4u4658k9A8jkrj4e9nZs38zKTqhutrfQRwo1qC31QSJXwG1h2CuRyDxpI3exakIJsfLb_bUeQmLkhNO6FB0qx_MWFNjDAqAjjszLbZAaCbyrzf6Flu49hL2ZvENo14ZZMoOq2/s320/12-2008+094.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">The entire cast performs a Casting Crowns lip sync, and takes a final bow!<br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-24910534866771390512008-12-08T08:27:00.001-08:002008-12-08T08:32:15.655-08:00Happy MondayI saw this in church yesterday and laughed way too hard. Pretty sure I embarassed David...and anyone else sitting near me. Happy Monday!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9A2Ap3DyvLg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9A2Ap3DyvLg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-64931773185017329592008-12-01T13:43:00.000-08:002008-12-01T14:04:06.167-08:00ThanksgivingWatching my kids grow into a relationship with the Lord has been one of the biggest blessings of parenthood so far. They are still so young, but I love to watch them pray. The other night as we were sitting down for dinner David and I pulled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SK's</span> high chair to the table and watched her, for the first time, fold her hands, bow her head, and say, "Dear God..." in her precious little voice. Of course, I started to cry. <br /><br />It had just been one of those days. The garage door broke, kids were sick, I was forgetting things and felt pulled in a million different directions and her words hit me hard. I don't think I cried because I was giving myself a virtual pat on the back, or that I was touched because of her innocence. I think that I was convicted that God wants prayer to be exactly what it was for SK in that moment, an immediate response. It should be an ongoing conversation that we carry on to each new day- a part of what we do and who we are. I was reminded that too often I fail to spend enough time with the One who wants so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">desperately</span> to hear from me. <br /><br />So this Thanksgiving, I was reminded of how blessed we are to be able, as children of God, to call upon Him and to access the power of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful for that! I am thankful for my sweet husband and our precious children and the gift of a loving faithful extended family. I am thankful for friends who encourage and challenge me. I am thankful for the life of<a href="http://www.prayforprentice.com/"> Dr. Prentice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Meador</span></a> who so eloquently and boldly taught me the gospel from a very young age and the legacy that he left behind. I am thankful to live in a country where I live so comfortably that my biggest problems are kids with runny noses and to-do lists that never get finished.<br /><br />And, I'm really thankful that David can fix garage doors! What a man!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-2864625805461978712008-11-14T14:56:00.001-08:002008-11-14T14:57:21.513-08:00Must have been a page-turner!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq99mmWEsKO5RLHlG0KhgjSkexjUMTVZKYmS2dbDSFiHaBpksZu-3zYuWQJyOQ9s-DyzUbGoQzQ2jLp8l0rwBqiHnBdLg4X5iqgCsce-qBKWTRrwCD-qoPPiARuQCN1N4gh0oxwdXG8oyn/s1600-h/10-2008+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651094548551122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq99mmWEsKO5RLHlG0KhgjSkexjUMTVZKYmS2dbDSFiHaBpksZu-3zYuWQJyOQ9s-DyzUbGoQzQ2jLp8l0rwBqiHnBdLg4X5iqgCsce-qBKWTRrwCD-qoPPiARuQCN1N4gh0oxwdXG8oyn/s320/10-2008+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-40643326360264768942008-11-10T19:51:00.000-08:002008-11-10T20:27:47.050-08:00The First of ManyThis is the first of many make-up posts, and it's a post about the first of many camping trips for my little family. We went camping a couple of weekends ago with our sweet friends the Feekes. It was the first time I have ever been tent camping, much less with two children. It was AWESOME! The kids played hard, slept well, and loved every minute of being allowed to get dirty. The boys ran around doing boy things- sports, fishing, throwing dirt, eating s'mores, etc. And the girls just loved getting messy. Food, dirt, whatever! They were hilarious. Thanks Melody, for these awesome pictures! <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267245504053075954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4cupake8ZITyhrOCH6goaiPtqZvskXLFoRuw8Ztkc1bTpfKN8iB-5A8Vyal9NbsWZeYtuRkG6vQEm86uaaTrjcdJcwYOV_-a-kqr0LMJUVAKYzdVmZkrZveoPL9v8kjJV7sTT6MZ0aO2/s320/DSC_0248.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267245772063426658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYM2-FtPTXuwgRkZ6Rki1fF7Svbkw_lrOEOkJXW_Lj6piDKfK1b1ybxPgyLGj8uuN4kpwI_ZIE6-o7eS1Z9hmdorGg05GxWkvOcMju8ZUgZkLSn53Uj1yMy3ziEiq2y3E6Ca5RxAtJpMM/s320/DSC_0254.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267246773891874482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqMgu9_793_uyX0UQT8P7TnaeSIEt6Yw6-iLNpnlc6-GvMNEIKIumOb0kzS09IfFVaXW5RJB6v-ZoeVeuUtLrKlnYl5i3I8Eyjka-VF4RI_Qna_UwZoE94rlwzt4SJzD0RBeGrBjz0ge4/s320/DSC_0269.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267247983348164194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWqkF2WMOfsqi_tjDm5zAbxMaU72ojaEqh1o4jOx49eNwR4GEDvhi-YmZ03JHJ2K3I68XW0qi6nGlR9o35HQqyZoy888L7n-tjBTSZWE1gEpzrbPoxoufMnAjLMXq0WJfPco_CrYE946d/s320/DSC_0341.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267248314527557634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNalPbOvqjHz8x-vogVrRSdrY8MIj5MRzNGKZuMfqcd9CsF-IgIk0Sl-cmyatzsZ4KZ4PW6bNhB2Nbegy5mq_6UEuQp9ExStal94P9QkSeqG8_EKruhaWZJis5AdMwXMVj3Ri0MB2VM7u/s320/DSC_0359.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267248780411832754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzu_snx3uAUq53ay4KfrysNlvQSvCRZCjkcEdUKu8ZF-_h-Q-IZKa4zAkrZWNCgo6KE0SXYcxEJuwpdsKDPdL0OivAeOkAk6qdAQIkzv6yg0nTRo4m8Mk4Ump2giSbmQoA8SzPPiSIZbz/s320/DSC_0414.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267249025013271154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITM0gviRG_FIiphUKmJcgydyUIpgH60w5KLaUE3fUXq8cIAeWoZ-xd2wkP6wnilnIxgWoGTNlHJOy0cr1FZZYac5U58S_Z3G1H_ffcKHxuLPJ1FG7y4njhnNNy7ZKT1l5Dbs_J82QxxC3/s320/DSC_0416.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267249518694781922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUnbyA_2hGLoc0cUjO63pkhFxsZ4Ixrwuk3VnRbW_QtOVecFTZ4dniJI1X-uLC4Hw3obDP8RJCStELCdH5A4yWpsI2yZeLESV60YhyT3g7tVnezEOydeT1nN6LLDhd0js6pGFarqiDzCb/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267250677752526098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6JJMLgpeD-8RwWNpExz39rR2d4rkvyh36sS4WhjwRsELIPTvBFrdui66e2-rUX5ZXBtkRvvYXooK5Z91ITMFg2cKEJeMjVO8YMaau8s4Htc1ahvTlC8hhvVEyLuaNoIUwB48do1UCxwO/s320/DSC_0329.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Some of my favorite moments from our trip: <div>1) the sound of the leaves falling on top of our tent throughout the night. It sounded like a soft, slow rain.</div><div>2) Jackson and Collin around the campfire at night telling stories. </div><div>3) The adults around the campfire telling stories!</div><div>4) Waking up in a tent with my sweet family.</div><div>5) Relaxing on the beach (yes, the lake has a beach!) with Melody and the girls.</div><div>6) broomstick pies...good call Andy!</div><div>7) The laundry that I had when we got home...not really.</div><div> </div><div>It was a wonderful time for us! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-16206249428966108582008-10-15T13:05:00.001-07:002008-10-15T20:31:22.096-07:00Cowboy Fever<div align="center">Last night we went to Parker's party at Texas Stadium and had a blast! Collin loved being able to wear his uniform out of the house, and all the kids (and dads)enjoyed playing on the field. They even got to try on Romo's jersey and pads...it was precious! Thanks to Brittany for thinking of such a cool birthday idea, and to Parker for making it so fun for all of us. We love you Parker, and happy birthday!!! </div><div align="center"><br />The sweet birthday boy!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257584727261645682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxchmFoU8GIbFWheOdQyDUwrKrEFfs0TYv7qxbiyDRkYoAJEWmFjwyKIQ1ZDLLiTPINp2Ex3rTEE6oYJyS_P6XV8Wl-8XCXayE7Ty3Flsr2we-21KpCAad4QWcpIikhydi-0tcyK4CxU9/s320/232323232%257Ffp43283%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B2%253C765%253Anu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p align="center">The family pic (my kids getting double use out of their Halloween costumes!) </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257584531487899458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzeaN_BoNOptxpuf7FkkUSuo2qOjeEKEFpBPaA_nG9UqT-mczZc8o5idfossYc23-CdLsazyO6jUbLljScDcQD_4duEQLT9BCLae0vdc3AKdn1K7Jza9q_dYZDXiTSmsZ6ABpiBiZsXX6/s320/232323232%257Ffp4327%253A%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B355%253B4%253Anu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Playing hard!</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257584841742995090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX7k032xw1Bkuiz5V37da_mJNGOAIBWEJxkQqZuwLt6PNFJU9jI9T3FDYz_8gNssLM-ucyLvyRC9gocXPHAfbADqjF31-NOK5d0MZPXFzrX-edkkfbaC28qdXfiOeGFBOOyY6NFiKyEP0/s320/232323232%257Ffp43283%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B335853nu0mrj.jpg" border="0" />Dad hosting tryouts for the "favorite grandson award"...kidding.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jq_kC2AUC1vL8e5FkUkeQfdfUbzuCDo1jos5sgMcMCw-X5EdmJFXEKe_51VKyHyPpUZOZA2ShP_1N79QgccP-l-XwM6oMOFFpY_Mzdilit09NxVH4wt11XmUS5OaNVwiLR8ADin7bB2k/s1600-h/232323232%257Ffp43287%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B2%253C49%253B3nu0mrj.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257585662687412034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jq_kC2AUC1vL8e5FkUkeQfdfUbzuCDo1jos5sgMcMCw-X5EdmJFXEKe_51VKyHyPpUZOZA2ShP_1N79QgccP-l-XwM6oMOFFpY_Mzdilit09NxVH4wt11XmUS5OaNVwiLR8ADin7bB2k/s320/232323232%257Ffp43287%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B2%253C49%253B3nu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /></a> And presenting...our little Romos. From youngest to oldest, Collin, Colton, and Patton (who actually looks a lot like Tony- beautiful boy!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257585167625714914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpqCknNZlwy6I-Iv_sW3zorJg48KMnU1mDHi7H6ds1qriN9OGGcrBEAj1O19eiD3dHQ6fDZKAkI3wxLJIR_0C6qF0R2z6CvLU8jTDUKo0bVfnXQvfKJFmtElLf6yqMnowRk-xRwZRturm/s320/232323232%257Ffp43283%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B349329nu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257585047708167730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifazX-fACd1cINeu22M5w2rhAfDa12nS2iIa7YbhXYO3u8KhHtFIh1xhP0ukfPMqYASlB4QDPoRxCfcaDjuqwQTTXBYsVF4BEYblKmNTKrvn2aq2Bbz-AzyuGUGCmkf9MYEw9NHIg5GQ7I/s320/232323232%257Ffp43279%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B35%253B%253A%253A%253Bnu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257585383984598498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14UjKWxSXR8jj3TIigeUvdg5skIeScYYxXxWL53Nq0zk95PF_0Taw8YvTjX_u3YY8vd9giZIufajdmANzT0K__6jqDOG-rN8IChI76DR6N53pwSxKqabW9muQSUoge4NZ01zx7AQ8i8C0/s320/232323232%257Ffp43286%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B362%253C79nu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257585293291211906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgokV-3Dewpr-qbvB1hDX09nGi_CB99fOGBL4xVGiVLH6MljgGLDuLQANHLCtjqBGRY3rxhJcXJCeaRCSRkMUkDEA1H4QNP7DKhRw22vUA2u3hkf_kBon30ecMnRCnZX1UACjJhgPwBkiX/s320/232323232%257Ffp43284%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B356773nu0mrj.jpg" border="0" />Well, we tried on this one. Definitely not Christmas card material.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257588329174976066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQV8GlCoxrlMAjOcDxbEMUG2NwwXA7KtDMgLy2J6KCEvD6SdML1-qT2-QBqdXllbP83N3UiwzOXyqRx5EVpKwKDjV694FRyL9baWlan4qZE247Wvhh0KkMMBS9RtiREwb_tMhyc766ld1/s320/232323232%257Ffp43285%253Enu%253D3236%253E9%253A4%253E988%253EWSNRCG%253D323356%253B34787%253Cnu0mrj.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-72352315814480303732008-09-17T08:24:00.000-07:002008-09-17T08:49:11.444-07:00FDOS and SKCollin had his first day of school a couple of weeks ago. We were so exctied to be starting a preschool that's closer to home, but a little nervous about leaving all of our sweet friends at Sunshine School. We made our final decision to switch when both Collin and Henry got in to the same school by our house. We thought that even if they weren't in the same class, they would see each other a lot. Oops. This preschool is so large that they never cross paths. but they have proven that kids just adapt. They don't even mention it at all and are both doing great.<br /><br />Here is Collin before we left the house that day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_TEuwUNeI5Yc7-5Gjtc5UotRDMNJT5ewItiSgExhNzXnmplHbk9RkR9qrpH-FJHPKDv3Esw5WOqdKbw5OyNnqjBV-jIM3e4K-1MNSLoRuiDRUve7h4MzKAls-gaM6ruO8-aS4CQCWFyW/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_TEuwUNeI5Yc7-5Gjtc5UotRDMNJT5ewItiSgExhNzXnmplHbk9RkR9qrpH-FJHPKDv3Esw5WOqdKbw5OyNnqjBV-jIM3e4K-1MNSLoRuiDRUve7h4MzKAls-gaM6ruO8-aS4CQCWFyW/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247012966655532754" /></a><br /><br />And here he is at school. Hilarious. Mrs. Lara keeps telling me that he is really quiet and I keep telling her that it will pass! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWtldk6I9i27hkgVhJ4ZiI0hS_HlTZF-rAYjojYIr5VcpDk3u2v10Sku9i9TnB0UpvpJFj01rKKPmlvrLiC6_zDkby9FnHleMfaDQIggsseuiOJ6g6HD6MbNS-GjfF-oLcYI8yrQvitSU/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWtldk6I9i27hkgVhJ4ZiI0hS_HlTZF-rAYjojYIr5VcpDk3u2v10Sku9i9TnB0UpvpJFj01rKKPmlvrLiC6_zDkby9FnHleMfaDQIggsseuiOJ6g6HD6MbNS-GjfF-oLcYI8yrQvitSU/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247013536485939026" /></a><br /><br />Here are some pics of Sarah Kate. She's walking all over the place and having so much fun! The A&M uniform pics are for her dad. The one on bottom is of her throwing a fit when I told her that the Aggies stink.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDmcpHjdpcSa5-cM0cio5cK6VKGFXj5biz4Fxn7SIXTux9smAM8MEmx73My6lJCwlfminRG8nGJUP22PMKexT_oZdibXBw0IOqg8P9tC8WeU15Kt7G3dbXWy5s8DzCo_xQXOMKm7Vxluq/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDmcpHjdpcSa5-cM0cio5cK6VKGFXj5biz4Fxn7SIXTux9smAM8MEmx73My6lJCwlfminRG8nGJUP22PMKexT_oZdibXBw0IOqg8P9tC8WeU15Kt7G3dbXWy5s8DzCo_xQXOMKm7Vxluq/s320/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247016272238104050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef3X_V4UsF0Tr_Snr9lbNeET2JV_X6WLK81oK4GF-3A8HplMi_P_XKkjfflmRt9A4dWDpWUy0EWafpa3TRHOzZF4I1Vui-mDPotYQ85MTgtz5oqCfw6_zflgZOu3dEQhGkhQ-MAAbzEWi/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef3X_V4UsF0Tr_Snr9lbNeET2JV_X6WLK81oK4GF-3A8HplMi_P_XKkjfflmRt9A4dWDpWUy0EWafpa3TRHOzZF4I1Vui-mDPotYQ85MTgtz5oqCfw6_zflgZOu3dEQhGkhQ-MAAbzEWi/s320/038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247016643615973490" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-1306770867512792682008-09-05T12:56:00.000-07:002008-09-05T13:12:16.337-07:00The Anti-ToiletLife as a stay-at-home mom is always changing. You feel like you're always juggling, running, comforting, folding, washing, diapering, and just spinning in general. While I'm used to fielding this type of chaos, I wasn't at all prepared for the curve ball I experienced in a public restroom yesterday. <br /><br />Automatic toilets flush automatically. Correct. Automatic toilets flush automatically when you stand up. Incorrect. That's not always true. Sometimes, when you least expect it, they like to flush when you sit down. Wet surprise. <br /><br />Toilets flush automatically and then stop. Again, incorrect. When you are sitting on the extra special toilet that flushes when you sit down instead of when you stand up, it also likes to continue flushing for the duration of your stay. Back draft issue.<br /><br />I got over it. Re-entered the seminar that I was attending, and laughed as I entered the bathroom for the second, third, and fourth time. (It was an all-day affair that necessitated large intakes of caffeine) By the end of the day,I had tried all of the stalls that this lovely establishment had to offer.<br /><br />Toilets that flush automatically, when you sit down, and continue to do so are an exception. Apparently, this is also incorrect. Much to my surprise (and at this point, my utter disbelief) this hotel ordered the anti-toilet rather than your standard flusher. <br /><br />When I went to wash my hands, I lathered them up with cow dung and then dried them off in stagnant pond water.<br /><br />There are some obvious conclusions that I could draw between my anti-toilet experience and the fact that I was at a CLE trying to figure out whether I'm ready to hang out my shingle and begin to practice law. But I don't like lawyer jokes, and I really don't like upward-flow flushing toilets. <br /><br />If this is any kind of omen, pray for me.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-60992383112374017682008-08-20T20:26:00.001-07:002008-08-20T21:29:04.438-07:00What we're up to...I can't believe that summer is coming to an end! We are enjoying the rainy weather, cooler temperatures, and the idea of school starting in a couple of weeks. Here are just a few of the things that I'm doing lately. A list of August faves if you will...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0MoPs4GwYKMCsA8rRqyTykfBJjBMEaADL43j-LmUzEk_NXgD0eCk2i3X1uKPtvP6jKwBT2rLO4IuTOl7Djknt6R8AG_ipoNZwc8MhriHEPz3zmYMlZ_sNn1LPDEYqaq8DPLvuLsqdfGS/s1600-h/cozi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0MoPs4GwYKMCsA8rRqyTykfBJjBMEaADL43j-LmUzEk_NXgD0eCk2i3X1uKPtvP6jKwBT2rLO4IuTOl7Djknt6R8AG_ipoNZwc8MhriHEPz3zmYMlZ_sNn1LPDEYqaq8DPLvuLsqdfGS/s320/cozi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236807785231842258" /></a><br /><br />I'm probably WAY late on this one, but I found this website the other day and really love it! It's a great way to organize your family calendar, lists, photos, etc. I think it's great for my little family, but would be even better for those of you with older kids with more activities. I'm buying stock...<a href="http://www.cozi.com"><strong>check it out</strong>.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhX6uPnzQVCMYmfuJIgigN0dWA3y5lHA6vKiJEsAvdPhv5ec99vRRZ-SfRlsD-Jb4xBzZ-gREKyZvJiS-x7ffyqw29yVH2kqwZCraj1kGN62LXiNxmbYI4Nt8oZLSLo-C9exi9ni-lSRD/s1600-h/shoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhX6uPnzQVCMYmfuJIgigN0dWA3y5lHA6vKiJEsAvdPhv5ec99vRRZ-SfRlsD-Jb4xBzZ-gREKyZvJiS-x7ffyqw29yVH2kqwZCraj1kGN62LXiNxmbYI4Nt8oZLSLo-C9exi9ni-lSRD/s320/shoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236808515887877362" /></a><br /><br />These pedipeds are the only shoes that fit SK's little feet. Diva. Seriously, they are so cute and look super comfortable! Since she hasn't really worn shoes at all yet, I was shocked to find out that her feet are really short, but fat on the top, and that they are super hard to fit into shoes. Ergo, the pedipeds. More of an investment than I wanted to make, but cute nonetheless.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham_kLGhll33kTooT63UUPVpQHtPcjbsJQ4hwZEmG7i8XlvVZigmi0_x0EuG_dXKMz7miu8TDvEesEdFseCmDwC7V8ZQkn5dLTGFzQ0GVYTdk2K5usKaY71GOrPPY97eeyHK8MLsAm8fGs/s1600-h/book.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham_kLGhll33kTooT63UUPVpQHtPcjbsJQ4hwZEmG7i8XlvVZigmi0_x0EuG_dXKMz7miu8TDvEesEdFseCmDwC7V8ZQkn5dLTGFzQ0GVYTdk2K5usKaY71GOrPPY97eeyHK8MLsAm8fGs/s320/book.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236819472699741538" /></a><br /><br />Sarah Kate is obsessed with books, and this one is her favorite. She loves to sit and look through books and talk like she's reading. She even wants to go to bed with one. If she this particular book, she starts saying, "boo...boo!" wanting us to read it. She automatically begins laughing when you turn to the last page, which is one of my very favorite things she is doing right now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jmjnWyNVOoxYmzMgYtK3KO8h0Xs4FAmJ8JjUS7rtO1UECikoXytJnIrgnI3ogfDPDg1cVGZ5iLj9OSRQdDwTN8N2ij_mvowbGSuyUcQ0NC2No0-RcRLH-zn9oYRHaRhNVDzx4zM_UoEq/s1600-h/charlotte's+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jmjnWyNVOoxYmzMgYtK3KO8h0Xs4FAmJ8JjUS7rtO1UECikoXytJnIrgnI3ogfDPDg1cVGZ5iLj9OSRQdDwTN8N2ij_mvowbGSuyUcQ0NC2No0-RcRLH-zn9oYRHaRhNVDzx4zM_UoEq/s320/charlotte's+web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236820001227327122" /></a><br />Collin and I LOVE watching this movie. We only watch it in about 20 minute increments, but it's still great.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtUmDiaV-3B4Yfnc3f_RWZLTVPLUQUb1ekkD2_vjP4sqcMDEhygn4Gkf4xltyr1zu7hYCaakY6kVImdxu-fBG1JYdYM1wwyD153OkWtaUDRXFXkYSKNtFnt5xfo0F4hVuVZCyBKmDxH-0/s1600-h/welcome_3.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtUmDiaV-3B4Yfnc3f_RWZLTVPLUQUb1ekkD2_vjP4sqcMDEhygn4Gkf4xltyr1zu7hYCaakY6kVImdxu-fBG1JYdYM1wwyD153OkWtaUDRXFXkYSKNtFnt5xfo0F4hVuVZCyBKmDxH-0/s320/welcome_3.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236820249464279074" /></a><br /><br />Facebook...what? I don't really get it, but I'm trying.<br /><br />And for the grand finale...our summer vacation! We had a blast in the Ozarks and would highly recommend the <a href="http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com"><strong>Lodge at Mount Magazine</strong></a> to anyone who's looking for a close-to-home mountain vacation. We stayed in a three bedroom cabin with Angie and Jason and my parents. It was beautiful! Brand new, the only thing on the mountain, smack dab in the middle of the woods, hot tub, big porch- and relatively inexpensive. We loved it. Even though it rained the first two days we were there, we were able to get the boys out quite a bit! Check out the pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFog37_CSKV3PS-QjLlc-lMqQd_IBz5JSwQlvEoFSPKUvJKQUP_M0rlJ18tPf8v3UGBklSEZtBH64CzhnDXyu50cMxTbt0MBNOnJ8_Ro6dsQxw8IDGy5X6PUW6m9W3-9hUNGENQhhWtLk/s1600-h/08-2008+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFog37_CSKV3PS-QjLlc-lMqQd_IBz5JSwQlvEoFSPKUvJKQUP_M0rlJ18tPf8v3UGBklSEZtBH64CzhnDXyu50cMxTbt0MBNOnJ8_Ro6dsQxw8IDGy5X6PUW6m9W3-9hUNGENQhhWtLk/s320/08-2008+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236820670484564162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuQHKgSvKZLfeywOyImjJmC7ele5blxUqYTRZXtjClGPSBoTXt-4TYzAdVGCJQi468MDHpvQN3Kb_vSWZZBXXoA2tlLeWxxApItBwnxvopWqIJrPG2oNWElMbq8_KdtKm7HBcBpiLmsjO/s1600-h/08-2008+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuQHKgSvKZLfeywOyImjJmC7ele5blxUqYTRZXtjClGPSBoTXt-4TYzAdVGCJQi468MDHpvQN3Kb_vSWZZBXXoA2tlLeWxxApItBwnxvopWqIJrPG2oNWElMbq8_KdtKm7HBcBpiLmsjO/s320/08-2008+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236820959202841762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE7Bgk5q7nwOzBIehos-9rXZIUaByU3o32mwvuBMfespbtHp6J9V3VGsb_BkZWWRfaO4q2A1xm789hyffVKtA1sUgBmikP2ZT6ZXgWNGmEFMYUKMZheJOuY2K7Lr48xmbeEqqioMo89MZ/s1600-h/08-2008+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE7Bgk5q7nwOzBIehos-9rXZIUaByU3o32mwvuBMfespbtHp6J9V3VGsb_BkZWWRfaO4q2A1xm789hyffVKtA1sUgBmikP2ZT6ZXgWNGmEFMYUKMZheJOuY2K7Lr48xmbeEqqioMo89MZ/s320/08-2008+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236821204595486418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqQL6kYmbk8IaDvCPdNWujfJIa3iQAp89Ala-Z3od_kWv8Q1zmxR9THdcVEgzizhBf3Dab1U6CP-qiB2xkOLgYwvnvV-FyqZs5aDkJYLfjvDJ5sceOlcO73RygB-ZpyFvHqhpZdFhkBTo/s1600-h/08-2008+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqQL6kYmbk8IaDvCPdNWujfJIa3iQAp89Ala-Z3od_kWv8Q1zmxR9THdcVEgzizhBf3Dab1U6CP-qiB2xkOLgYwvnvV-FyqZs5aDkJYLfjvDJ5sceOlcO73RygB-ZpyFvHqhpZdFhkBTo/s320/08-2008+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236821424625441426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ny41L3Zgj3rEo5qbouQWbxoYFAuKTls3_KPPXN5ZY-XGugeXsxAlXmdZEmbYhA3DCBHjsLfWHO3dEx5pm-I0yWz9KOg6s8Mgq2LkzlOL7b3cdcVznbti31RVHjrsohbQVizSK25Y6ui/s1600-h/08-2008+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ny41L3Zgj3rEo5qbouQWbxoYFAuKTls3_KPPXN5ZY-XGugeXsxAlXmdZEmbYhA3DCBHjsLfWHO3dEx5pm-I0yWz9KOg6s8Mgq2LkzlOL7b3cdcVznbti31RVHjrsohbQVizSK25Y6ui/s320/08-2008+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236821784517257858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUTbFEY4nt1CdniHQmEJAu3G4JVR4W7KThYZtcDrSh3H-wSy7gjWmkzTcfO7YYFymy-_pY1CTEBgRpWkqzyvVihUJGlZGscv4j8H8hL2HiyNfZ4s4WEo4XHRlrhlJqkSqVd8n-eciCnLx/s1600-h/08-2008+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUTbFEY4nt1CdniHQmEJAu3G4JVR4W7KThYZtcDrSh3H-wSy7gjWmkzTcfO7YYFymy-_pY1CTEBgRpWkqzyvVihUJGlZGscv4j8H8hL2HiyNfZ4s4WEo4XHRlrhlJqkSqVd8n-eciCnLx/s320/08-2008+023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236822077603978722" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-44811259946676607822008-07-23T18:25:00.000-07:002008-11-15T02:29:24.350-08:00Birthday PicturesSarah Kate really enjoying the limelight!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbvnwgjtoKvgILPoIIkZXb1bxKC9IJwhCunTFPR1PA3vfEjV6-IOXqtHyXFYYvwEdMNye4CjfmqYn1cnqrykC27MjMQHaW8iVQje-09lfvty9NL-iTPytLYCuN5xFBVQYPsckZZYrk5fl/s1600-h/07-2008+299.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbvnwgjtoKvgILPoIIkZXb1bxKC9IJwhCunTFPR1PA3vfEjV6-IOXqtHyXFYYvwEdMNye4CjfmqYn1cnqrykC27MjMQHaW8iVQje-09lfvty9NL-iTPytLYCuN5xFBVQYPsckZZYrk5fl/s320/07-2008+299.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226394234484322706" /></a><br />"Hold on...I really need to take this."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO379iKFzfKG1ODno5Y7ZJtRDE6GiviTH5z9t6GlcyDUZfIFvbUC1dMZ28VQ2XiI-sTKkAzyeIZ-bBCNob8B5UX5DadMPwZftyvMdHbjmoCCRTyyLz9t4q8RtVIxOe3zS_EpjxNgFhBC7v/s1600-h/07-2008+326.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO379iKFzfKG1ODno5Y7ZJtRDE6GiviTH5z9t6GlcyDUZfIFvbUC1dMZ28VQ2XiI-sTKkAzyeIZ-bBCNob8B5UX5DadMPwZftyvMdHbjmoCCRTyyLz9t4q8RtVIxOe3zS_EpjxNgFhBC7v/s320/07-2008+326.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226394771885839138" /></a><br />"Hmmmm...interesting."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE4QC9NTvxmTKsqEToVU5i0hXUhfZ4h-4IMuk9HRf-uXRv4lLwjCBKCbPcfQKT4aM_b7NbET0hwfdqSy9Hb8acA7IRBdL9GuT01v8dsbbxHRIxHJcnARvBOVr4cSU7VAVxLBIzC2YqhIZ/s1600-h/07-2008+212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE4QC9NTvxmTKsqEToVU5i0hXUhfZ4h-4IMuk9HRf-uXRv4lLwjCBKCbPcfQKT4aM_b7NbET0hwfdqSy9Hb8acA7IRBdL9GuT01v8dsbbxHRIxHJcnARvBOVr4cSU7VAVxLBIzC2YqhIZ/s320/07-2008+212.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226387915653087874" /></a><br />"Thanks Mom!"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_D49DEd_bD-c3q-MUNUV2XXvUsBoatVDjL8-xFGTMDIMBNRg6zSXP9idWg1NlFgtWxHo5vbFyWmi-l64AYJxC1MCjqnAqbtPGASN31QegR277LXY3g2FJtY19Y0_4txU-yFyop7WqxQJ/s1600-h/07-2008+265.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_D49DEd_bD-c3q-MUNUV2XXvUsBoatVDjL8-xFGTMDIMBNRg6zSXP9idWg1NlFgtWxHo5vbFyWmi-l64AYJxC1MCjqnAqbtPGASN31QegR277LXY3g2FJtY19Y0_4txU-yFyop7WqxQJ/s320/07-2008+265.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226393761292335442" /></a><br />Before...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmshZZJtTcUQYQetzs1mtVszpBA4Jn8muv2HTGAwz-AnmMsfrH1GYHG6QPIlEgmWaF4QCGfCLsaNxFGRSGQ7jkuuuNehxgrcWAtNGqm5quSyUpQz59PT25M2ZHke0uo0UB9hg4Vkvtl_O/s1600-h/07-2008+185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmshZZJtTcUQYQetzs1mtVszpBA4Jn8muv2HTGAwz-AnmMsfrH1GYHG6QPIlEgmWaF4QCGfCLsaNxFGRSGQ7jkuuuNehxgrcWAtNGqm5quSyUpQz59PT25M2ZHke0uo0UB9hg4Vkvtl_O/s320/07-2008+185.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226398201093553474" /></a><br />...And After!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBi08f5LRmgG14gzR0vqunB9HEp6JvKJMV9FTUbqjlc3ZvsEexbpDr2NCzYPKmFRip4XXeiGhgLaTP_-yRb746ps1rLnCc0wNSp8s-c8sjqUYIlvBvkD_vmCtgh5Jud6g2ka559N25fo4/s1600-h/07-2008+248.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBi08f5LRmgG14gzR0vqunB9HEp6JvKJMV9FTUbqjlc3ZvsEexbpDr2NCzYPKmFRip4XXeiGhgLaTP_-yRb746ps1rLnCc0wNSp8s-c8sjqUYIlvBvkD_vmCtgh5Jud6g2ka559N25fo4/s320/07-2008+248.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226388475780849218" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZUPlaAUH5vXBr7SZL-HsLHedemPZ3Aequ74rlWG48PdFzaCPrkqeyanibq0uPTV0I05tuxHDTyW2qaclg9aBYwE0OwhUhIbMknAxS0axtA4zZP8WrxoWOwyx3qi5Yx1bUNR2fhPlC8RB/s1600-h/07-2008+253.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZUPlaAUH5vXBr7SZL-HsLHedemPZ3Aequ74rlWG48PdFzaCPrkqeyanibq0uPTV0I05tuxHDTyW2qaclg9aBYwE0OwhUhIbMknAxS0axtA4zZP8WrxoWOwyx3qi5Yx1bUNR2fhPlC8RB/s320/07-2008+253.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226388991619888498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMq9mBbKlVo89yyu83yxl8c_aJ_6YvUep1vwjqi1y5u65DX_bGd_tL6YFFY_Z6bqMmxi2Qzwc_pMZcb2cTuExyAkmV4ITBNg0-EAhUAsZJv7gT1FOf9PEVdpBAM5SGlevDER5a9gVP_L_/s1600-h/07-2008+380.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMq9mBbKlVo89yyu83yxl8c_aJ_6YvUep1vwjqi1y5u65DX_bGd_tL6YFFY_Z6bqMmxi2Qzwc_pMZcb2cTuExyAkmV4ITBNg0-EAhUAsZJv7gT1FOf9PEVdpBAM5SGlevDER5a9gVP_L_/s320/07-2008+380.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226395259821147954" /></a><br />This party is so lame!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HEnmMtdLRECaAA9T0nO3HBBZc7ouGI_Cm3_H4TVWxRHHzI7NZvjDxW5x4OoTX4ywdFhoOkrKg5HmeSCewjYQyvyb81JgJOE_bQWy0cvO3w09Ws9Kxscq1L7HQysFcv7g-Pa4MdgiYBn3/s1600-h/07-2008+219.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HEnmMtdLRECaAA9T0nO3HBBZc7ouGI_Cm3_H4TVWxRHHzI7NZvjDxW5x4OoTX4ywdFhoOkrKg5HmeSCewjYQyvyb81JgJOE_bQWy0cvO3w09Ws9Kxscq1L7HQysFcv7g-Pa4MdgiYBn3/s320/07-2008+219.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226395958302252722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FEkiFb5gxEQ3BRmXqBHLXauv-uj-nkex9r2MDj4y_5QSDyqMqIMlqrzn-BgYymtO4HVOi9gxAI4yN3a_t40-gEcrN1WUsvwk3ohy3Xw1OrD8vZaFBB4-2J5K-3uXeGd_Kn61u7LxXTYt/s1600-h/07-2008+214.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FEkiFb5gxEQ3BRmXqBHLXauv-uj-nkex9r2MDj4y_5QSDyqMqIMlqrzn-BgYymtO4HVOi9gxAI4yN3a_t40-gEcrN1WUsvwk3ohy3Xw1OrD8vZaFBB4-2J5K-3uXeGd_Kn61u7LxXTYt/s320/07-2008+214.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226395650072820194" /></a><br /><br />And for the grand finale...a caption contest! A grand prize (leftover cake) will go to the blogger to find the perfect caption for the following well-timed photo by Uncle Drayton:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzboRMEJNilAfpnqoGYtzRvTQDGugah_VChkPOFOyOX7mX7BBw_BoC47qy19r0jVSdMSBkd46SPMZFUkDcI93LG5hEkRHQVSdiQwFHovvsKxugG6yzmIiBTPqlO34Qmb1vxdW5Qsx5H-78/s1600-h/07-2008+231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzboRMEJNilAfpnqoGYtzRvTQDGugah_VChkPOFOyOX7mX7BBw_BoC47qy19r0jVSdMSBkd46SPMZFUkDcI93LG5hEkRHQVSdiQwFHovvsKxugG6yzmIiBTPqlO34Qmb1vxdW5Qsx5H-78/s320/07-2008+231.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226396306712076850" /></a><br />Here's what I have so far:<br />1) "Who in the world hid in my dress, increasing its volume by 400%, thus making me look 97 weeks pregnant?" (I REALLY can't get past this one)<br />2) "Um, Dad...a little help?"<br />3) "At least he's using a spoon."<br />4) "Could I get another spoon?"<br />5) "Those Blackstocks sure can tear up a buffet!"<br /><br />Special thanks to Pops and Drayton for all the wonderful pictures! You're the best!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-15500169844343645012008-07-21T21:42:00.000-07:002008-07-21T21:46:53.884-07:00PrayerWe saw this in church this weekend and thought it was precious. Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AR4PQ30VkBk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AR4PQ30VkBk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-4151429640793064912008-07-21T21:25:00.000-07:002008-07-21T21:33:35.264-07:00Birthday Hangover!Take yourselves back 7 months to the day after Christmas. Do you remember feeling a little gluttonous, sluggish, overwhelmed by clean-up, and actually ready to take down the tree? I've got that feeling. I've had too much cake, my kids have gotten too many gifts (although we're totally appreciative of all our sweet friends and family!) and it's not over yet. Collin had his little birthday party on his real birthday with his grandparents and a few cousins. His big birthday is yet to come. SK is done though, which is probably best. I had the thought as I was making her sit still in her cool chair (thanks Kay Kay) to open gifts that this was way too overwhelming for a one-year-old. She survived though- smothered herself in cake and went to bed completely happy. <br /><br />Pictures to come...I'm too hungover to post them now!<br /><br />Funny Collin comment on the way to church:<br />Collin: Hey Mom and Dad, do you want to talk? Cuz I'm not sleepin'!<br /><br />Those are pretty much his only two options...sleeping or talking.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331827191748765489.post-66899189167709534062008-07-14T12:30:00.000-07:002008-07-14T12:56:04.770-07:00Birthdays!It's Christmas in July around our house! My kids each have a birthday this week- Collin on Friday and SK on Saturday. I remember this time last year I was in my hospital bed worrying (because I was limited as to what I could do) about my kids having birthdays so close together. At that point I had no idea that they would only be one day apart. This year, I think I'm actually going to enjoy it. Sure, it's a little expensive. And while they're still wanting to have parties it's a little hectic. But all in all, it's kind of cool- at least that's the best way to look at it. So to my precious one-year-old and three-year-old, here is my first attempt at listing the reasons it's so cool to have birthdays so close together:<br />1) Collin will never forget Sarah Kate's birthday. At least I hope not...really.<br />2) Since your birthdays are in the summer, we'll take cool vacations to celebrate!<br />3) Lots of cake and ice cream over a 48-hour time span.<br />4) Mom only goes through the "I can't believe my kids are another year older" depression once a year.<br />5) At least your birthdays aren't this close AND in December... we're spreading things out.<br />6) You're almost as cool as twins.<br />Lots of fun to come!<br /><br />On a more serious note,we are so blessed to have both of these babies in our lives! It amazes me that Sarah Kate is almost one. She is such a joy and it is so fun to watch her grow into her own distinct personality! She is active, yet quiet and cuddly. She loves to play hard with the rest of us, but also likes to put her baby on her shoulder and pat her on the back. She talks herself to sleep and wakes up laughing. Her daddy will give her anything and everything she wants, maybe because of her precious simple and big brown eyes. Her hair is starting to curl like crazy in the back like mine did when I was little, and she has her daddy's dimple on her right cheek! Knowing that there is only more fun to come makes me so excited to watch her grow!<br /><br />And Collin is our constant entertainment. I seriously timed him today and he didn't stop talking from the minute he woke up at 7:30 this morning until swim lessons started at 10. He is curious, vivacious, and sweet. He has a sense of humor already, which thrills me to no end, and already is one of my favorite people to be around. He is all boy! His favorite thing right now is playing baseball in the living room (smart, I know) with David while watching it on TV. Decked out in all the appropriate gear, I can assure you. If he's not spending time with his cousins, he's asking about them for sure. He's extremely social and talkative. He's also a bit of an instigator, which I like to frame as "leadership potential." Spoken like a true mom! I'm definitely head over heels in love with this little boy and I can't wait to see how he grows in his fourth year.<br /><br />Above all, I pray that the Lord holds on to these two little ones and helps us to raise them to know and love Him. The responsibility of being their parent is awesome, but the reward is greater than we ever expected! We sure do love you, Collin and Sarah Kate.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14105424886113370812noreply@blogger.com6