tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135138732024-03-07T17:32:45.173-06:00Kiki's CrowdKikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.comBlogger764125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-25051655567831882732012-07-23T22:24:00.001-05:002012-07-23T22:24:15.804-05:005 MinutesWe went to the Homeschool Store this morning and purchased some books for our school. I survived the store with all 4 kids and price checked the books and only bought the ones that were priced competitively, because "every dollar counts, Kristy!"<br />
<br />
Got home and realized that the makings of lunch were limited. So, I didn't eat a sandwich but did eat yogurt, Natural Cheetos and a Dr. Pepper. I sacrificed for my kids.<br />
<br />
Then, I ordered the rest of the books on the internet.<br />
<br />
And you know what I decided? It's hard work spending all that money.<br />
<br />
I invited some neighbor kids over to swim. Their mom had to go appraise a house, so she dropped them off and they had a friend. We swam for about 5 minutes and then it thundered so we all came in for the mandatory 30 minute wait period. I had an 11, 10, 9, 8, 6, 3, and 1 year old in my house. It was only for about an hour and a half. And you know what, the 11, 10, and 9 year old entertained every one else. For an hour and a half, no one fought.<br />
<br />
Time.<br />
<br />
Publish.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-87579489093394040442012-06-27T21:59:00.001-05:002012-06-27T21:59:24.790-05:0010 Minutes... GO!I'm giving myself 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
I miss this little space.<br />
<br />
I'm losing myself. Actually, I think I've already lost myself. I can barely talk about anything other than my kids or what I should do around the house or should do with my kids.<br />
<br />
I haven't been making them read or go over math facts like I thought I would. I mean, we do some, but not everyday. Maybe 1 or 2 times a week.<br />
<br />
See, look, I get on my blog and all I can think to write about is my kids!<br />
<br />
The big ultrasound was today.<br />
<br />
Sorry, no gender announcement this time! We're waiting like old school.<br />
<br />
But the baby looks great, healthy with straight feet. She did a great job making sure she got good looks at both feet.<br />
<br />
It's amazing all that we can see in there.<br />
<br />
I was relieved when it was over, just knowing we passed a big test. I was more anxious about this ultrasound than I realized. A worry for me was clubfeet. I knew there could be anything, but I've experienced that and I was really concerned with how we would juggle all the doctor appointments with school and where. Now, I get to let that go for real.<br />
<br />
We're trying to cut out preservatives and dyes in our foods in our house. We've noticed a behavior change in some of the children when we stay on top of it. There is a lot more emotional control. And our grocery bill has increased.<br />
<br />
It is hardest when not at home. Or when I just don't think ahead.<br />
<br />
I don't want to think about how much of summer is already over and how I should be getting us ready for the next school year. I haven't even unpacked backpacks.<br />
<br />
There is a lot to do.<br />
<br />
But, that's a post for another day, my timer is up!<br />
<br />
This is so pathetic but I'm going to post it, 10 minutes a day. That's my goal.<br />
<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-64703080241023807132012-03-28T16:39:00.001-05:002012-03-28T16:39:59.647-05:00Five Dollar Foot LongI sat outside yesterday in our blue camping chair next to the kids writing sidewalk chalk. I looked at catalogues. I realized I was looking at clothing catalogues for me and I wouldn't be buying any of those clothes. And then, I opened a kids catalogue and found some cute, neutral baby rompers.<br />
<br />
And yes, those I can buy.<br />
<br />
Which explains my 8'oclock bedtimes and nightly Tums taking.<br />
<br />
Now let me explain my weird pregnancy.<br />
<br />
I gag or throw up when I brush my teeth. I think it's common.<br />
<br />
So, I always have a gross taste in my mouth.<br />
<br />
But, I gag a few minutes after chewing a piece of gum.<br />
<br />
So, LifeSavers, winter mint have become my taste saver.<br />
<br />
I gag just thinking about something gross or relaying a gross story.<br />
<br />
I feel generally yucky and look like death warmed over.<br />
<br />
I get so tired after taking a shower, I decide that wet hair and minimal make-up is the best that I can do.<br />
<br />
I cooked two meals this week for my family and feel like mother of the year for it.<br />
<br />
I can. not. walk through the meat/fish department at the grocery store. I walk as far away and still barely make it through.<br />
<br />
Strangers look at me funny as I gag and hurry through.<br />
<br />
Frozen chicken breasts? Those, I can handle.<br />
<br />
I want protein a lot. This morning, I ate a hard boiled egg at 7 and drove through McDonalds for a sausage egg biscuit at 10:30 and a mocha frappe. Those two things picked my mood right up.<br />
<br />
I rarely eat Arby's roast beef but have had it 3 times since I found out I was pregnant.<br />
<br />
So, there you have it. I'm due at the end of October, beginning of November, right when our nice Houston summer will be wrapping up. Perfect.<br />
<br />
When I told my brother, he kept singing "Five, five dollar foot long."Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-21660556882693397962012-03-02T15:03:00.001-06:002012-03-02T15:03:42.269-06:00Winter Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Some friends invited us along to Winter Park, Colorado where their family has a rental house. Normally, upon invitations like this, I will politely say no, we have school, I still feel new to this classical university model system we're doing, I'd prefer to keep us home, in our routine, thank you very much.<br />
<br />
Drew must have worn me down asking me to go other places and my excuses weren't working.<br />
<br />
Or maybe he said Colorado and I just couldn't think through the logistics of what he was saying.<br />
<br />
So, we booked our flights and said yes.<br />
<br />
We purposely booked our flight later on Tuesday evening so the kids and I could do as much school as possible before we left. Monday, they got home from school and we started doing school for Tuesday. We finished all of Tuesdays work easily before our 6 o'clock flight.<br />
<br />
I also got our house picked up and everything set out for community group that was going to be at our house while we were gone.<br />
<br />
We're kind of a circus when we travel. 4 kids, 4 car seats, 1 stroller, 5 bags to check, and 7 carry on bags. If we didn't pay a porter to help us, we wouldn't be able to move through the airport.<br />
<br />
A highlight of the trip is that they no longer see kids under 12 as a threat to our national security and they don't have to take their shoes off through security! Yay! I had already pulled Annika's shoes off before they told me. And! The kids didn't have to walk through the weird x-ray machine!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYMlqoHPc5FmDTMPq66M6hwRYa-zAGtjkBwy2XlmLjVIXDc1j6haAPipUMAhmMhTWLKK-E3_Bxj50GVoo_bh7aIRytpi_7xAuYL3zswK9mxR9lIRhMUz8D77UsAua5xobLvLobQ/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYMlqoHPc5FmDTMPq66M6hwRYa-zAGtjkBwy2XlmLjVIXDc1j6haAPipUMAhmMhTWLKK-E3_Bxj50GVoo_bh7aIRytpi_7xAuYL3zswK9mxR9lIRhMUz8D77UsAua5xobLvLobQ/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I lucked out on the way there and Annika was a total daddy's girl. Meaning, Drew sat next to Kolby and Levi and held Annika. Sage and I were across the aisle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Our first day there, we sent the boys outside to play in the deep snow and rented our skis.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXldy-tcRnkLFb8WalelK56mC18zmimhvhC0cjDzlYneEdU8f1NBi2_Ifpgzm4YFJiL2p2wD09rtvBQcXoLYef7oL12dfTVq-oVcU0GjCu6OXN2PuvCzBkgg_10QpQ1vdEICNfdQ/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXldy-tcRnkLFb8WalelK56mC18zmimhvhC0cjDzlYneEdU8f1NBi2_Ifpgzm4YFJiL2p2wD09rtvBQcXoLYef7oL12dfTVq-oVcU0GjCu6OXN2PuvCzBkgg_10QpQ1vdEICNfdQ/s320/IMG_0090.JPG+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pvMrTFnZOyn4QbqlPpa5580vCCV1soR2h0PxeIEVsIaXMQNhUOGQHME0Nv1NXeaQAo1fUvWH7-p5SH_JssafGc2BOvprVB4hzwgqhpcDH33bfcRHKxjAikI4_0mF29rewFEi-A/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pvMrTFnZOyn4QbqlPpa5580vCCV1soR2h0PxeIEVsIaXMQNhUOGQHME0Nv1NXeaQAo1fUvWH7-p5SH_JssafGc2BOvprVB4hzwgqhpcDH33bfcRHKxjAikI4_0mF29rewFEi-A/s320/IMG_0127.JPG+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4TOeKWP9BNeg1tHYjRVKYw8UihgSyLz_53gjMEvJryncuXpy_1WrHVBy962V3JFnPG7O9CE_PZF_13SlaozR34xgE-9HvF5EMIniD05fu6CW8q1EjlAxWFnomBaO0_k2WhClNQ/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4TOeKWP9BNeg1tHYjRVKYw8UihgSyLz_53gjMEvJryncuXpy_1WrHVBy962V3JFnPG7O9CE_PZF_13SlaozR34xgE-9HvF5EMIniD05fu6CW8q1EjlAxWFnomBaO0_k2WhClNQ/s320/IMG_0156.JPG+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72nzl_yAN1ljSYbdTBwhyphenhyphenbs7Xj7UkCsOVGIHPgGPK1urlUAWUrNW-tWPTmh3yI6nTIjt_9Dc-ER423AP6BZFJDjH0WwtLFn3BPUDz_3GS5whcOCzztnXW7o7pjIXnnLQJF9XNcQ/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72nzl_yAN1ljSYbdTBwhyphenhyphenbs7Xj7UkCsOVGIHPgGPK1urlUAWUrNW-tWPTmh3yI6nTIjt_9Dc-ER423AP6BZFJDjH0WwtLFn3BPUDz_3GS5whcOCzztnXW7o7pjIXnnLQJF9XNcQ/s320/IMG_0157.JPG+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annika did not get ski's but wanted in on the picture. And yes, her coat is a hand me down from her brothers. Also, Kolby's shirt is on backwards. (I love little details)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIylq-xHy14kKkk2mc77GQZ90QhIkD89pyxYIaMjseSJE19Vq9im5E7jRO4L6BpxYEIN6gRXkzDnVWfoVBY9MUdyTatJfPQ5IA2Icmx1O9JoSJVJL7muQrady7gZEwZgwduklBw/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIylq-xHy14kKkk2mc77GQZ90QhIkD89pyxYIaMjseSJE19Vq9im5E7jRO4L6BpxYEIN6gRXkzDnVWfoVBY9MUdyTatJfPQ5IA2Icmx1O9JoSJVJL7muQrady7gZEwZgwduklBw/s320/IMG_0092.JPG+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second day, we had all the boys enrolled in ski school. So, we got up bright and early to get there and drop everyone off by 8:30. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we dropped the boys off, we went to our own ski lessons. And learned a lot! Like, only 6 out of 100 take ski lessons. Good to know.<br />
<br />
I got really anxious after dropping the boys off. I'm going to be tremendously honest here and admit that I have a large, healthy (maybe over the top) fear of anyone "helping" my boys in the bathroom. Get my drift? I hadn't thought through the layers of clothes and the time away from me. And it hit me as I stood at the bottom of this beautiful mountain, answering questions about how many times I had skied in my life. 4 or 5. 15-20 years ago. Want to learn more than the snowplow. I might have just dropped them off and something terrible could happen to them. I was fighting tears. And it wasn't just the bathroom issue, it was everything. What if they hated skiing? Would the instructors be nice? Would they be able to understand Kolby? Would he cry? Would he cry when he fell?<br />
<br />
We had been chanting with the boys. "We're going skiing, we're going to fall down, it might hurt, we're going to get back up! It's going to be fun!" We tried to prepare them but all of the sudden, at that moment, I wanted to just be with them. Or at least be able to spy on them!<br />
<br />
Drew and I prayed out loud, multiple times for our boys. I relaxed.<br />
<br />
And then, we skied. And I had a blast! I thought that I would probably not really like it. I would be too cold and not very good. I wasn't awesome by any means, but I had a blast! We took it pretty slow and did the same run all day. It was so beautiful. It was actually one of the coldest, windiest days to be skiing, but it didn't matter. It was just so fun. Our lesson was from 9 - 3 with a lunch break.<br />
<br />
At one point, we were getting on the ski lift and got to see Levi practicing on the kid hill. He made a triangle with his skis (okay, he had a thing that held the tips of his skis in a triangle) and then he rode the conveyor belt back to the top. Cutest little movie in my head ever. I wanted to shout and wave but held back. Our instructor had already informed us that was the worst thing a parent could do.<br />
<br />
We picked the boys up and determined that everyone was tired and had a lot of fun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajExRUEcirzlUm2Dcl3eqcFNhcaAe83POgwDKkptS6api2ib1AF5VTITbujfIYmQXx5JJP26dH8g70VSoCogQsafF1DDY2wWo7185hyMdPWKrKjm2HrPP4iZvd2mmySIaeFnKrw/s1600/IMG_0159+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajExRUEcirzlUm2Dcl3eqcFNhcaAe83POgwDKkptS6api2ib1AF5VTITbujfIYmQXx5JJP26dH8g70VSoCogQsafF1DDY2wWo7185hyMdPWKrKjm2HrPP4iZvd2mmySIaeFnKrw/s320/IMG_0159+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wagons saved us at the end of a long day. It was a long walk back to the parking lot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo1kj10AZKFjcR4p6W_rUBqnLCPcKZ4X-0ybrfe_dGHkNKS_gr9K_YIGNQWhG5iVZfRpnPwiPZmPSWoBG4hTQsadd57-BdgyOa1-6cfE-UBngcO_10EcXmjOH5Op6OaeUXm2o4g/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo1kj10AZKFjcR4p6W_rUBqnLCPcKZ4X-0ybrfe_dGHkNKS_gr9K_YIGNQWhG5iVZfRpnPwiPZmPSWoBG4hTQsadd57-BdgyOa1-6cfE-UBngcO_10EcXmjOH5Op6OaeUXm2o4g/s320/IMG_0160.JPG+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you ever go skiing, a helmet and goggles are key. I wore them too and was so thankful for them. Mostly for warmth. I promise Levi had fun, it just doesn't look like it! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The third day, we had a decision to make. Put all 3 boys back in ski school and enjoy a day of skiing by ourselves? Take Sage with us? We asked the boys what they wanted to do. Sage wanted to ski, definitely. Kolby wanted to go to childcare or stay home. Levi wanted to stay home. We decided to have Drew and Sage go skiing and I would stay at the house with Kolby, Levi, and Annika. Well. Levi woke up and told us he wanted to go to ski school. But, it was already too late, we couldn't get him to ski school in time. It was pretty easy to convince him to stay home!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVFVX-cqSIFpkBjCAufyWJVoE_XJ51-JYbBhnzDCUvjby9xcjTVL9DPCw9HcucP6uKv0SSp89txr0yWA7l0xbTK6ezSiXac4v51B8MOyqqLfL63KqR23Gwi3AKOUz8wSv_3izIw/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVFVX-cqSIFpkBjCAufyWJVoE_XJ51-JYbBhnzDCUvjby9xcjTVL9DPCw9HcucP6uKv0SSp89txr0yWA7l0xbTK6ezSiXac4v51B8MOyqqLfL63KqR23Gwi3AKOUz8wSv_3izIw/s320/IMG_0164.JPG+(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsVJTce08RwNNRv148bjN5tTWDwR9Q8zxIGOqkVQCwgaykmt4CbSZLgTUHnBL54HB4eKWUkwHDj9XbipEVwAJwHQxoxnxArtwDMhG8a_WvtTpxCYKMt08i3LMxCncKdCWrDGtNg/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsVJTce08RwNNRv148bjN5tTWDwR9Q8zxIGOqkVQCwgaykmt4CbSZLgTUHnBL54HB4eKWUkwHDj9XbipEVwAJwHQxoxnxArtwDMhG8a_WvtTpxCYKMt08i3LMxCncKdCWrDGtNg/s320/IMG_0182.JPG+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Drew and I switched halfway through the day, so we both got to ski with Sage. I only got to do 3 runs with him and it was the last run that I realized he did way better if I was in front of him. I was so impressed with how well he did skiing! He had a blast!<br />
<br />
The fourth day, we had an agenda. Play outside, go to Winter Park Village and play in the ice castle, and go tubing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GxU0QSxwUdod-lsWi658E8YmaZ7cu3J2kvkEkxHGb_uWZtipLfvJ9ZQ1belkZ-3iCk2-ffhQ2StqSB2qvDy80mT5Y6T3f1SeyI-59ZkE95COXwPXqHnF_atMWTICiahXVPhKmA/s1600/IMG_8282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GxU0QSxwUdod-lsWi658E8YmaZ7cu3J2kvkEkxHGb_uWZtipLfvJ9ZQ1belkZ-3iCk2-ffhQ2StqSB2qvDy80mT5Y6T3f1SeyI-59ZkE95COXwPXqHnF_atMWTICiahXVPhKmA/s320/IMG_8282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fearless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF7295jKFBt3cdy_HUQUaUOPIMwlvOWM-EBC9369CU5YytkKUPV9-VFXYe2uiCvCXYB5NsUOuVakBLDTkhkIrQ59GiHoGDedeEhvio1FUYxntUIv-RDTLwuUeOQp7Nelz2Xz1Hw/s1600/IMG_8340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF7295jKFBt3cdy_HUQUaUOPIMwlvOWM-EBC9369CU5YytkKUPV9-VFXYe2uiCvCXYB5NsUOuVakBLDTkhkIrQ59GiHoGDedeEhvio1FUYxntUIv-RDTLwuUeOQp7Nelz2Xz1Hw/s320/IMG_8340.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing I bought Annika those mittens and brought all that gear for her to walk outside for 3 minutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTiNW659THIDBcAoTKxzqTKMT2atHD5FmczBAGQLEzCuQthA60rHtdOBzDRrTvKNpioIW5sq6w3ERWfpZzXXr_gB7Vm6hjQbIffR6nw3NeODUgwn7ne1GuGBAFuduDk77IL5gCQ/s1600/IMG_8460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTiNW659THIDBcAoTKxzqTKMT2atHD5FmczBAGQLEzCuQthA60rHtdOBzDRrTvKNpioIW5sq6w3ERWfpZzXXr_gB7Vm6hjQbIffR6nw3NeODUgwn7ne1GuGBAFuduDk77IL5gCQ/s320/IMG_8460.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wanted in this stroller so badly. It was a perfect nap.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_zxeUDdmJTWzKbx-XAYKpLLf-af1rYc7LMiQZKkYreW2N7YIE_FT0PCz9uQm0A_A7fbocoTywGlGVG5Oi6AZac14xEO1j880sug0XbwrP2OwMANRdZucNM6_Dtv44A-fClajlg/s1600/IMG_8417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_zxeUDdmJTWzKbx-XAYKpLLf-af1rYc7LMiQZKkYreW2N7YIE_FT0PCz9uQm0A_A7fbocoTywGlGVG5Oi6AZac14xEO1j880sug0XbwrP2OwMANRdZucNM6_Dtv44A-fClajlg/s320/IMG_8417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlhwP7xgMdek_DzuCNz5S0wKUoPLN8pvL1gfzDauem45V-5mDNTuK44IKg0HToBWPHCi96178oJOcz87sxJHSfph_wE7pQwg3kB2HDpp32PiWi-pk3SLuNyg9D4C-5IIPrAKqqA/s1600/IMG_8409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlhwP7xgMdek_DzuCNz5S0wKUoPLN8pvL1gfzDauem45V-5mDNTuK44IKg0HToBWPHCi96178oJOcz87sxJHSfph_wE7pQwg3kB2HDpp32PiWi-pk3SLuNyg9D4C-5IIPrAKqqA/s320/IMG_8409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWXL7rdi0B7ZTkAJgP54t1RO3GNYYn1nb_11mPTaFvu57QyjWjLX5M1aEM9ohxKJoxqbzYOzd-SXB6IUhr3PXYDf12vur3qooauG1cG__cBPb88hTsexN_oihhfsY2dW8bO3_fg/s1600/IMG_8428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWXL7rdi0B7ZTkAJgP54t1RO3GNYYn1nb_11mPTaFvu57QyjWjLX5M1aEM9ohxKJoxqbzYOzd-SXB6IUhr3PXYDf12vur3qooauG1cG__cBPb88hTsexN_oihhfsY2dW8bO3_fg/s320/IMG_8428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKFCQGAVlOhOw_QLjDdF9y9KkgiFLS7zKj32h00lqGgTRT3OtALYYIBgwaak7omfeY2V7XRuLmpl2qYqEcWcrVKv5B79Ib4qJkb8nHazzY50jKkzXdKppl8vnSagxwi3_2lMaQ/s1600/IMG_8512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKFCQGAVlOhOw_QLjDdF9y9KkgiFLS7zKj32h00lqGgTRT3OtALYYIBgwaak7omfeY2V7XRuLmpl2qYqEcWcrVKv5B79Ib4qJkb8nHazzY50jKkzXdKppl8vnSagxwi3_2lMaQ/s320/IMG_8512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5A0F6XtgF2ttRsUXYg8ZMnTl6c2vjo69Qywem9kbomSUoGhbz3sQZgoiM-7raxvv02KCpCpFeeYvGhIbIrtDJ0uaXK2KPV-l6CEXjxUHz0xo2FAQf3UzIyyvJidsjr5sNDUBOQ/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5A0F6XtgF2ttRsUXYg8ZMnTl6c2vjo69Qywem9kbomSUoGhbz3sQZgoiM-7raxvv02KCpCpFeeYvGhIbIrtDJ0uaXK2KPV-l6CEXjxUHz0xo2FAQf3UzIyyvJidsjr5sNDUBOQ/s320/IMG_8597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ice castle at Winter Park Village.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietkR9Y4zZDRep_Ar5EW7n2NL2RouqNhlIn28auZggUDg9zJ9FeV91qZA0fvrh29ffn1b6uVpTH0BRexueNxZBqwWik2MVl07xfbQsiRIpDhp5ceDQykVhFH7jHHv77pHDnyli9g/s1600/IMG_8622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietkR9Y4zZDRep_Ar5EW7n2NL2RouqNhlIn28auZggUDg9zJ9FeV91qZA0fvrh29ffn1b6uVpTH0BRexueNxZBqwWik2MVl07xfbQsiRIpDhp5ceDQykVhFH7jHHv77pHDnyli9g/s320/IMG_8622.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annika on the slide!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYaGoe2apf6HgyXCKc5lGdjHd8LdEitLK9QliqEAw54ZbreyhiXD1dWTTG24tmy_Y-prYxU0nGI0ZETQgu7mzgi_d7vG8VHPy51udOID-F7RK6j_RCuZsAZSBc-UUYEkPYyic7Q/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYaGoe2apf6HgyXCKc5lGdjHd8LdEitLK9QliqEAw54ZbreyhiXD1dWTTG24tmy_Y-prYxU0nGI0ZETQgu7mzgi_d7vG8VHPy51udOID-F7RK6j_RCuZsAZSBc-UUYEkPYyic7Q/s320/IMG_8636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry shortcake crepe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYl3LmUFYqYqYlAjLIyBtxtLgotIlR06gTkt9S-61bLMRCiaQCTs1cD_PE-OF6d-5OtKgVrha01FHWZ-sg7n35j6v38qv3LzvnuvROhMEeklPmWWNM9zmhz0MN0-NYqYqtUhiWA/s1600/IMG_8637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYl3LmUFYqYqYlAjLIyBtxtLgotIlR06gTkt9S-61bLMRCiaQCTs1cD_PE-OF6d-5OtKgVrha01FHWZ-sg7n35j6v38qv3LzvnuvROhMEeklPmWWNM9zmhz0MN0-NYqYqtUhiWA/s320/IMG_8637.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage chose a birthday cake shake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbgqA8NAmBy5ChBXIysVcBudAk6j88UCvgfoaafHz9zDnMAlbinYek5vIqhDyFHqoAEiWMU5YZ4iu6mzNo919e4lje0z-IJFVccyCSV3WBN_wVwe_TFM5rHhenJilpfuvDDJPkQ/s1600/IMG_8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbgqA8NAmBy5ChBXIysVcBudAk6j88UCvgfoaafHz9zDnMAlbinYek5vIqhDyFHqoAEiWMU5YZ4iu6mzNo919e4lje0z-IJFVccyCSV3WBN_wVwe_TFM5rHhenJilpfuvDDJPkQ/s320/IMG_8644.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seemed like the thing to do. Our 4 kids with the giant polar Coke bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No pictures of the tubing. I stayed at the house with Annika, it was incredibly windy. Drew said the boys loved it. Levi especially was reported to having a grin plastered on his face the whole time.<br />
<br />
I'll have to do a separate post on the people we stayed with. That's what made it the most fun.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-78235940118650792742012-02-08T12:35:00.002-06:002012-02-08T12:35:35.869-06:00February 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know I'm 4 days late with this but I did take them on the 4th, that counts for something, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlmD740xn-EcFIaAoEB-vY8_fFYWzZA86Hn_YONrSI3hnyfJ9kmvE5cIO9WJAc5kHUFkBX9F7Gz4rNnte47EgJe2R7IUdO-Dkescy-esP7oN1dO1eelUzytGQt8qDASBUVUgkaA/s1600/IMG_8026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlmD740xn-EcFIaAoEB-vY8_fFYWzZA86Hn_YONrSI3hnyfJ9kmvE5cIO9WJAc5kHUFkBX9F7Gz4rNnte47EgJe2R7IUdO-Dkescy-esP7oN1dO1eelUzytGQt8qDASBUVUgkaA/s320/IMG_8026.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sage and Kolby are dressed for their basketball games. Since we've been going to two basketball games every Saturday, it seemed appropriate. Let's just say, Annika is not appreciating the gym rat status. Those games are exhausting for me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhjrDQ-s5DbiILpl_k2wcY7TMwwL4T-eHN5y2ezlxeJHUnQLfB1Y8oOobbSWKwpcWeR_zmAmJDrWEgCOqxwObeD2V3E3UNL0dMZFQD5R__0O6HBVrmCsA2Z8RsgsbzgiUX_lpCA/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhjrDQ-s5DbiILpl_k2wcY7TMwwL4T-eHN5y2ezlxeJHUnQLfB1Y8oOobbSWKwpcWeR_zmAmJDrWEgCOqxwObeD2V3E3UNL0dMZFQD5R__0O6HBVrmCsA2Z8RsgsbzgiUX_lpCA/s320/IMG_8039.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Annika loves shoes. She usually brings one or two for us to put on her. I haven't gone through them and gotten rid of the ones that are too small, so she spent a good portion of her day upset that she couldn't get her jelly sandal on from last summer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOOLnV248i5EqkhqbANQuX2NGCPGxInQ48d5aOPSUhy5DNj9FTBuBPmoI0BQgWX1yZqkVVfVMRliZO2k3oQvdkCD3gMaG-TJYXv2A2axVGxymnTKl5fsNygoToPP6CczUjinXzg/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOOLnV248i5EqkhqbANQuX2NGCPGxInQ48d5aOPSUhy5DNj9FTBuBPmoI0BQgWX1yZqkVVfVMRliZO2k3oQvdkCD3gMaG-TJYXv2A2axVGxymnTKl5fsNygoToPP6CczUjinXzg/s320/IMG_8050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were having a really hard time keeping Ani in the picture, so Drew resorted to joining them. It ended up with a squished Kolby in the corner and an upset Annika.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to cherish these pictures and the amount of work they take to get them, right? (grin)</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-87210442780832654782012-01-19T14:44:00.000-06:002012-01-19T14:44:00.772-06:00Whipped Cream Par-tay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bahBC9FZuGMXHvD15xw7HG3XT_ap-FYg3DRaTMMEahnD1Kilbtno-Vo_0-STDhKsn2fRdzeQy4HHj7zKz50kKwLA3gVwMncgxPD8MmnOoyf0gqiaXpwVjxVMvksH-m0HZCg7Ow/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bahBC9FZuGMXHvD15xw7HG3XT_ap-FYg3DRaTMMEahnD1Kilbtno-Vo_0-STDhKsn2fRdzeQy4HHj7zKz50kKwLA3gVwMncgxPD8MmnOoyf0gqiaXpwVjxVMvksH-m0HZCg7Ow/s320/IMG_7781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoDyhZy-vLeBFFgYe12Cs0cCpSR-dDbohHI0DLiuRk5hjPUXZeJN8gfwjvIRZYV0jVIaJhLR1eaQpWvK9PGjOykOorHFQ3Q7m8a7x4f1QVMvcOPhIBJg92cYZ0lJkhLuHanWu2Q/s1600/IMG_7774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoDyhZy-vLeBFFgYe12Cs0cCpSR-dDbohHI0DLiuRk5hjPUXZeJN8gfwjvIRZYV0jVIaJhLR1eaQpWvK9PGjOykOorHFQ3Q7m8a7x4f1QVMvcOPhIBJg92cYZ0lJkhLuHanWu2Q/s320/IMG_7774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA-gNjbiOOEEJr3sSQ8rpW4n5GAX3NeQS58FwstnlA4mPNisn3Ri3oelblLOqaXMTAy1vQPO45cRpINHOKELn5ojKMMjmNVkpPlLjx1OecLXGy6ML4oY-FgLz9vy_vLBEgXssSQ/s1600/IMG_7788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA-gNjbiOOEEJr3sSQ8rpW4n5GAX3NeQS58FwstnlA4mPNisn3Ri3oelblLOqaXMTAy1vQPO45cRpINHOKELn5ojKMMjmNVkpPlLjx1OecLXGy6ML4oY-FgLz9vy_vLBEgXssSQ/s320/IMG_7788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIAPx9qIPbj8GsicJWZPSyYSiaOK60StrM45F-KJhZWQij_heICj9Mgq5WdA3RxGf3aBKc5O11rYqabbDwunmd3hil0qm1K5Q0CNrAP5kiZgiMm2coC2qYR2tY0vzABQSDNuOmg/s1600/IMG_7796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIAPx9qIPbj8GsicJWZPSyYSiaOK60StrM45F-KJhZWQij_heICj9Mgq5WdA3RxGf3aBKc5O11rYqabbDwunmd3hil0qm1K5Q0CNrAP5kiZgiMm2coC2qYR2tY0vzABQSDNuOmg/s320/IMG_7796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You count this as dessert too, right?</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-71265696642102561032012-01-17T12:10:00.000-06:002012-01-17T12:10:59.583-06:00Pink and Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YvzgoyhSHycXSDaRJ-YjeGCkkVfipTHbTurOOjSJoScTs1ldTtKM_-w5Z1kBd3f_kkEnhrdLYMRdUWBW_F12iNif3KZHLUkNE_7ZL1qpZnH1zF0yXv8VU0Tbno6zSRZX5VN0MQ/s1600/IMG_7735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YvzgoyhSHycXSDaRJ-YjeGCkkVfipTHbTurOOjSJoScTs1ldTtKM_-w5Z1kBd3f_kkEnhrdLYMRdUWBW_F12iNif3KZHLUkNE_7ZL1qpZnH1zF0yXv8VU0Tbno6zSRZX5VN0MQ/s320/IMG_7735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These two. The youngest two. 20 months apart.<br />
<br />
I didn't know or think that the bond between them would be so strong. I think because I'd only had boys, I thought the boys would stick together.<br />
<br />
These two love each other fiercely.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning, I carried Annika downstairs where Levi was sitting at the breakfast table. She "uh-uhed" to be let down.<br />
<br />
Levi said "Annika! Give me a hug!"<br />
<br />
She toddle waddled over and hugged him.<br />
<br />
Melt me.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-67620983448341754362012-01-15T15:26:00.000-06:002012-01-15T15:26:14.074-06:00Favorite Things 2Another one of my favorite parts of <a href="http://bayoucityfellowship.com/" target="_blank">Bayou City Fellowship</a>, is that I get to serve.<br />
<br />
Everywhere.<br />
<br />
I serve in the Littles.<br />
<br />
I serve in the Kids.<br />
<br />
Mostly, I serve as a door greeter and an usher.<br />
<br />
The two places I was most reluctant to serve, passing out communion and praying up front with people are the two that I most enjoy.<br />
<br />
The way we pass out communion is we have five couples stand up front and then everyone files up and takes the bread, which I hold and say "The body of Jesus, broken for you."<br />
<br />
Then they dip the bread in the juice and Drew says "The blood of Jesus shed for you."<br />
<br />
The first time I did it, I was nervous. I thought I might forget what to say.<br />
<br />
I thought I might stumble through the words.<br />
<br />
But then, the words came out my mouth and I thought about them.<br />
<br />
And I thought about each person as I said this to them.<br />
<br />
It's deep. It's raw. It's truth.<br />
<br />
Without it, my life would be in shambles.<br />
<br />
As I said "(Friends name), the body of Jesus broken for you."<br />
<br />
I got a lump in my throat.<br />
<br />
My voice got shaky.<br />
<br />
And then, I would say the same thing to the next person in line.<br />
<br />
I might know them, I might not.<br />
<br />
But, it never fails, the lump comes in my throat, my voice gets shaky, I sometimes squeak it out.<br />
<br />
One of my friends said, "Can I give you a hug?"<br />
<br />
A precious senior man came through my line. After I shakily said "The body of Jesus, broken for you.", he looked me in the eye and said "And for you!"<br />
<br />
I almost lost it, I almost did the full on ugly cry.<br />
<br />
The next person, who was this man's son, I could only look at and get out "For you."<br />
<br />
Another lady said "I receive it. I receive it."<br />
<br />
I could hardly handle it.<br />
<br />
If you are ever at my church and we serve communion, maybe you'll choose a different line!<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-7468454605823802202012-01-15T14:32:00.000-06:002012-01-15T14:32:38.399-06:00Favorite ThingsOne of my favorite parts of <a href="http://bayoucityfellowship.com/">Bayou City Fellowship</a>, our 16ish week old church plant is prayer.<br />
<br />
I know every church prays. I hear them pray. I see them pray.<br />
<br />
But, our Pastor has set an example of prayer.<br />
<br />
"We will be a praying church." He's said that too many times to count.<br />
<br />
When we were an itty, bitty baby church and not open to the public, we practiced praying.<br />
<br />
That sounds weird, to practice praying, right?<br />
<br />
But we did.<br />
<br />
Pastor Curtis told us, we're not here to pray just to hear ourselves speak. We're going to pray powerful prayers. Sometimes, the word "short" was before the word powerful.<br />
<br />
And then, he modeled it for us.<br />
<br />
And we joined.<br />
<br />
We would all pray out loud together.<br />
<br />
Pastor would be walking around with his arms open or lifted, in prayer.<br />
<br />
And all our voices join together and lift up to our Lord.<br />
<br />
Before the service begins, after every baby item, and kids table, and sign pointing a way to go, you will find us in the chapel, heads bowed or lifted up, praying.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, we pray in a big group, sometimes, we pray individually or in two's.<br />
<br />
We pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the chapel.<br />
<br />
We pray for the lost to be saved.<br />
<br />
We pray for each chair and each person sitting in those chairs, for their life to be changed.<br />
<br />
We pray that our lives will be changed.<br />
<br />
At the end of service, it's not uncommon for us to stand and join hands and pray together.<br />
<br />
After church, it's not uncommon to see groups of people standing around, heads bent, sometimes a hand raised, in prayer.<br />
<br />
Jesus loves it.<br />
<br />
Is there anything that I can be in prayer for you about?Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-82725440253409432142012-01-12T10:03:00.000-06:002012-01-12T16:05:57.963-06:00It's Not My SeasonI want to do it all.<br />
<br />
I want to be everywhere.<br />
<br />
I don't want to miss a tweet.<br />
<br />
A party or a girls night out.<br />
<br />
A blog post.<br />
<br />
Or an opportunity to serve someone.<br />
<br />
I want to be the best wife and mom.<br />
<br />
For the last thing to happen, the others, can't, not all the time.<br />
<br />
And which of those things are the most important to me?<br />
<br />
The last.<br />
<br />
Hands down. <br />
<br />
God has put a calling on my life. To be a wife and a mother. I know that is what I'm supposed to do, it's what I've always wanted.<br />
<br />
And He gave me the desire of my heart.<br />
<br />
I don't want to squander it.<br />
<br />
So, for now, my mantra is "It's not my season."<br />
<br />
I'm quitting my bunco group.<br />
<br />
I'm saying no to training and running a half marathon.<br />
<br />
I'm saying no to mentoring a girl in the public school down my street.<br />
<br />
Because I have a super, duper, most important job.<br />
<br />
I have 4 souls to raise, 4 people to pour Jesus' love into, 4 kids to read to, do homework with, answer questions, and a million other things.<br />
<br />
And I don't want to miss a second.<br />
<br />
I get each of them until they are 18 years old. Sage is already 7. I only have 11 years left with him.<br />
<br />
I used to think (still kind of do) that this is a cop out. I should be able to do the things listed above and pour into my family.<br />
<br />
I can't. Maybe you can.<br />
<br />
I'm calling my bluff.<br />
<br />
I'm giving myself an out.<br />
<br />
I'm shaking off the guilt.<br />
<br />
And it feels freeing.<br />
<br />
This season won't last the rest of my life. Maybe it will be shorter than I think. However long it lasts, I'm going to enjoy it.<br />
<br />
I choose to enjoy it.<br />
<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-78333834744315840792012-01-10T17:16:00.000-06:002012-01-10T17:16:00.803-06:00A Boy and His Bike<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMhxunGLDXvJjtQvFCfgNzaq7OPWZSd-5g7cbBVozoXVnj7QPQnDhJVxCJgNk2j_S1jtCTZIux-Vit5Ob-0lNSiivtowP32UcsYplm8hZJg5NIhpdfeJL3MtpGlfTCxc2624eEQ/s1600/IMG_7811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMhxunGLDXvJjtQvFCfgNzaq7OPWZSd-5g7cbBVozoXVnj7QPQnDhJVxCJgNk2j_S1jtCTZIux-Vit5Ob-0lNSiivtowP32UcsYplm8hZJg5NIhpdfeJL3MtpGlfTCxc2624eEQ/s320/IMG_7811.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage and I went to Goodwill after basketball practice and we walked out with a bike for him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtlR9psQ3oWKbndasz7KeADHjZl_2bPSDAQcUvNiBa7BREsJrnyyorJSaHY2Sb-rvB_763qtH_oavQ17DJUkQd_xId993AviCgADEAR2V3s6yZC5lCIMplGbezCwFqAk8kom2Lg/s1600/IMG_7820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtlR9psQ3oWKbndasz7KeADHjZl_2bPSDAQcUvNiBa7BREsJrnyyorJSaHY2Sb-rvB_763qtH_oavQ17DJUkQd_xId993AviCgADEAR2V3s6yZC5lCIMplGbezCwFqAk8kom2Lg/s320/IMG_7820.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He started practicing right away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z2UqHlmX06dGkSL_7AwEMNgTeX1HTxyBks5CmhKYq703S1uc7gCGveenRrSnOppv9-EWuhZ6_T5SGWDvl0iCg-Ln-XeGoesAL48KkVxd5TSyG7c81qYrUA3HhYgqGmenn3wTeQ/s1600/IMG_7822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z2UqHlmX06dGkSL_7AwEMNgTeX1HTxyBks5CmhKYq703S1uc7gCGveenRrSnOppv9-EWuhZ6_T5SGWDvl0iCg-Ln-XeGoesAL48KkVxd5TSyG7c81qYrUA3HhYgqGmenn3wTeQ/s320/IMG_7822.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And with no help from me or Drew, taught himself how to ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXimaMQ41kBAX6eSL1nlsAFgVUwHcAIM1Nygf8pYwtOTYwYrcy72kxxGvkb6L5UZ_40taAP4E18a3GJOBjgZEpfhyFnVgD6qHKaKkbt_8GDhir6yZjt19pJk0WKsVF3t3TsjWOA/s1600/IMG_7823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXimaMQ41kBAX6eSL1nlsAFgVUwHcAIM1Nygf8pYwtOTYwYrcy72kxxGvkb6L5UZ_40taAP4E18a3GJOBjgZEpfhyFnVgD6qHKaKkbt_8GDhir6yZjt19pJk0WKsVF3t3TsjWOA/s320/IMG_7823.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With only a few falls. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ60dXHZi6XNi8ypntnND8warCLfu6anLz-Ebbqe-ghc-Yhi8cLACwHRlhTRXSz1eBBhS5-c5QHmGpEHEvpNlkiSGawmE7yLQ9G6YrLG9B1WQcJixUbBsffGr4i7h4Sqxr-F2Ig/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ60dXHZi6XNi8ypntnND8warCLfu6anLz-Ebbqe-ghc-Yhi8cLACwHRlhTRXSz1eBBhS5-c5QHmGpEHEvpNlkiSGawmE7yLQ9G6YrLG9B1WQcJixUbBsffGr4i7h4Sqxr-F2Ig/s320/IMG_7176.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kolby and Levi riding their bikes for one of the first times since we moved into our house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgoHXtrIBRA1fn_pLfnTKvyRbJxtMVQYVWsi38gGLTrB5WVedqrnGu5QDgTVa4WQ1MQLcYyOfy8T2KlIRjO3IzzkiQw9OndYsS-amkXX8xwo4lKH-qDW6rBqTcgOb_tRLAnwFgQ/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgoHXtrIBRA1fn_pLfnTKvyRbJxtMVQYVWsi38gGLTrB5WVedqrnGu5QDgTVa4WQ1MQLcYyOfy8T2KlIRjO3IzzkiQw9OndYsS-amkXX8xwo4lKH-qDW6rBqTcgOb_tRLAnwFgQ/s320/IMG_7195.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They continue to love riding on the driveway.<br />Pictures of Kolby and Levi were taken in November.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-10650700860854218762012-01-09T16:56:00.000-06:002012-01-09T16:56:00.187-06:00A Boy and His Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfTDj7wa_r1T7qRiGZr8eYjvEZipsH08WlYkP3OMeB_kEXoxUPNrYqBJtP994Qzz_sG6jmx6nFN5QhChyphenhyphenz1a8scXM5B_AScXMfr6xbqFmn626wigF-EGnyMK5P_5EKSDLGJRjGQ/s1600/IMG_7589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfTDj7wa_r1T7qRiGZr8eYjvEZipsH08WlYkP3OMeB_kEXoxUPNrYqBJtP994Qzz_sG6jmx6nFN5QhChyphenhyphenz1a8scXM5B_AScXMfr6xbqFmn626wigF-EGnyMK5P_5EKSDLGJRjGQ/s320/IMG_7589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coco was the first present the kids opened on Christmas Day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37c-LYX0_gXVNMQHFtgKogsig3NgbkE3ISRFfO7bupnWsF46fePa3xesXUT_IcWdH7OxuGgdYOBnX9LZvDL4miNLlS84jIglSec3Vull-ASO1zbCzfCceFD2rr92tgkBAvsLdLA/s1600/IMG_7601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37c-LYX0_gXVNMQHFtgKogsig3NgbkE3ISRFfO7bupnWsF46fePa3xesXUT_IcWdH7OxuGgdYOBnX9LZvDL4miNLlS84jIglSec3Vull-ASO1zbCzfCceFD2rr92tgkBAvsLdLA/s320/IMG_7601.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Annika likes the kennel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SZHLVz-BLMhDumBfTc1iQTjS3oXXNDi4uj09NU6Fn4JfYtIcnhSVHql3QlRCb6DVvcjorBNCUDP05c8jwNU6FVb92eOQzOnFHERFmlyCBvyEg0RY6tjyMTp3U-c4kwQZ9EAItg/s1600/IMG_7532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SZHLVz-BLMhDumBfTc1iQTjS3oXXNDi4uj09NU6Fn4JfYtIcnhSVHql3QlRCb6DVvcjorBNCUDP05c8jwNU6FVb92eOQzOnFHERFmlyCBvyEg0RY6tjyMTp3U-c4kwQZ9EAItg/s320/IMG_7532.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've already threatened to give her away. Puppies are a lot of work! Who knew?! But, then I look at her cute face and change my mind. At least I don't have to wipe her bottom. </div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-30851418827187779192012-01-06T16:42:00.000-06:002012-01-06T16:42:25.431-06:00January 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to try to take the kids' picture every month on the fourth. I really did take these on the fourth!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmgX5hI-ME-MnxIU6QPOv5sN3IQ_iP_68QVO5V73w9Vf_boHnG-uOnwhYTAFD2BsIeEdIU-qp_PRr9gpkW16zhINKZf_XuH-TgTQLOoAvInfecjo6AxR3iTFPJbdWr1o2Gz8Zkg/s1600/IMG_7832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmgX5hI-ME-MnxIU6QPOv5sN3IQ_iP_68QVO5V73w9Vf_boHnG-uOnwhYTAFD2BsIeEdIU-qp_PRr9gpkW16zhINKZf_XuH-TgTQLOoAvInfecjo6AxR3iTFPJbdWr1o2Gz8Zkg/s320/IMG_7832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The best one of the four of them and Kolby is out of focus. Kolby is still in his school uniform and yes, I did grab that bow right before I took the picture. And yes, it was off right after we were done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-Vey5MUAzbwx9zign9uK1EdXiCumOdIXeqAAzBosbdmuGQSJYsCpUovYE9PxxstWNIrfiGjeshMMMrCYcVg2W9otVz0VwPQVorm4k9f0VW3D-R37LnvpkHAxS3lB-_6iqTH-fg/s1600/IMG_7833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-Vey5MUAzbwx9zign9uK1EdXiCumOdIXeqAAzBosbdmuGQSJYsCpUovYE9PxxstWNIrfiGjeshMMMrCYcVg2W9otVz0VwPQVorm4k9f0VW3D-R37LnvpkHAxS3lB-_6iqTH-fg/s320/IMG_7833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Annika decided she didn't want to be touched, which is pretty normal. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVGOgAHXBXJudwaxbstqRUm5Z9J2JSDrKmaQZCUZvNlbHMdd3QcobshpU9n1O05-DzTcksbSjZnQOjZdNoOKg6brIyxQS_BGfjgIEaQB2d44PJMA5XhTemYiRpELE4XLpl5uAfA/s1600/IMG_7835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVGOgAHXBXJudwaxbstqRUm5Z9J2JSDrKmaQZCUZvNlbHMdd3QcobshpU9n1O05-DzTcksbSjZnQOjZdNoOKg6brIyxQS_BGfjgIEaQB2d44PJMA5XhTemYiRpELE4XLpl5uAfA/s320/IMG_7835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I said pose funny.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two seconds after these pictures were taken, they started running around the backyard having a grand time. Two seconds after that, Kolby tripped and landed in a pile of dog poop.</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-74415066805173746182011-11-30T12:47:00.001-06:002011-12-05T12:25:35.112-06:00Funny Levi Sayings I Don't Want to ForgetWhen told no to more m&m's Levi told me his tummy was sad. And more m&m's would make it so happy!<br />
<br />
At HEB, Levi pointed out many Santa's, I commented "Santa is everywhere these days."<br />
<br />
He replied, "No, God is everywhere!"<br />
<br />
He still regularly talks about his Huns. They do a lot of the same things that we are doing. My favorite right now is that he'll ask me a question, like "When we spill a lot of water, we have to clean it up, right?"<br />
<br />
"Yes."<br />
<br />
"Oh, cause my Hun's didn't know that. They beat us home in their race car."<br />
<br />
According to Levi, there are 3 Huns, all named Levi who are 3 years old. He will often ask me a question and say Oh, cause my Hun's didn't know that. It makes me smile every time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvapp7JlCv6UKvyyFuLWKUMFQ-G5AuQEJat2bacL6lLLkuzxbg7pwzOpshWaIl5A6mMJFWbVFkWilUd7MtQyy1fPI0PZCt-YphOofNtEFaJ9Xl2VXAERaMaO_07EoNm8rc_4Zi0w/s1600/IMG_6873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvapp7JlCv6UKvyyFuLWKUMFQ-G5AuQEJat2bacL6lLLkuzxbg7pwzOpshWaIl5A6mMJFWbVFkWilUd7MtQyy1fPI0PZCt-YphOofNtEFaJ9Xl2VXAERaMaO_07EoNm8rc_4Zi0w/s320/IMG_6873.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking IBC root beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-46673554261220768142011-11-21T16:38:00.001-06:002011-11-21T16:39:41.005-06:00TodayDrove to the fancy mall.<br />
<br />
Levi and Annika fell asleep on the way there.<br />
<br />
Levi transferred to the stroller and stayed asleep the whole time.<br />
<br />
I did some returning and exchanging.<br />
<br />
As I returned a pair of boots, the man at the store asked if anything was wrong, I said no, just too small.<br />
<br />
He checked the size on the box and said "41! Too small?!" <br />
<br />
Way to win a customer, buddy. <br />
<br />
Then asked if I wanted to look around for any gifts.<br />
<br />
Since I have skis for feet.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-79794161593051330602011-11-14T06:00:00.000-06:002011-11-14T06:00:21.845-06:00Airplanes<br />
A while ago, Levi started telling us that he was going to have an airplane party for his birthday. <br />
<br />
So we did.<br />
<br />
His favorite colors are green and orange.<br />
<br />
Apparently, the pictures I took were of the decorations.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OsuVWXwcnu5ZShel00t6WLnoMFBnPcFE-ph3Ee7ht-giqEJXDyGfl1RIbElkrzTTR1MWN-upWDK6dIr5JRErEW9Z-c98MzOCE7yVGB5YnzO6O8r2-ine3zcYol6wx63vEJwwiQ/s1600/levi_pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OsuVWXwcnu5ZShel00t6WLnoMFBnPcFE-ph3Ee7ht-giqEJXDyGfl1RIbElkrzTTR1MWN-upWDK6dIr5JRErEW9Z-c98MzOCE7yVGB5YnzO6O8r2-ine3zcYol6wx63vEJwwiQ/s320/levi_pic.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Invite. Designed by Drew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-VYYgGp_sojj2PQdjIKQLDEWnHxN0tc0hd3wPDLmmJptCNvNGD09cqK5AgvYV-IrThdhG4KSYiuvmK_x3b8h4hErM1PLrnCbsmR5wrUGJNv_Fqp2BV2ecvU5PqS9RtXZx_0r_g/s1600/IMG_6902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-VYYgGp_sojj2PQdjIKQLDEWnHxN0tc0hd3wPDLmmJptCNvNGD09cqK5AgvYV-IrThdhG4KSYiuvmK_x3b8h4hErM1PLrnCbsmR5wrUGJNv_Fqp2BV2ecvU5PqS9RtXZx_0r_g/s320/IMG_6902.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complimentary In Flight Drinks.<br />Designed by Drew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQfdcxoOIo5icHj6nv3sZG-2g2U79yDmr8lWk8qkLXmyRHm5lmsnWTvHGkJ3QvR9lO18OhhGyIELwX4ep81bfHfFks97jFhEz5kD8nICKi96U_EOZ_6KG3RBM61l1Zte95gcwfg/s1600/IMG_6903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQfdcxoOIo5icHj6nv3sZG-2g2U79yDmr8lWk8qkLXmyRHm5lmsnWTvHGkJ3QvR9lO18OhhGyIELwX4ep81bfHfFks97jFhEz5kD8nICKi96U_EOZ_6KG3RBM61l1Zte95gcwfg/s320/IMG_6903.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complimentarty In Flight Snacks.<br />Designed by Drew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAJNCGkAip45Gy3LQV4pf2nLaOuRgvqfRhNJmXBhyphenhyphenXdAILnp1qKS6fa7EDTU9XJhfL9P4MBD0_o2XiIgdhOFjvbrgqydlZ7tuLxOLkm8yjUvM_4vj1nSFBNzgkGeeLRq8EtZ5EA/s1600/IMG_6904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAJNCGkAip45Gy3LQV4pf2nLaOuRgvqfRhNJmXBhyphenhyphenXdAILnp1qKS6fa7EDTU9XJhfL9P4MBD0_o2XiIgdhOFjvbrgqydlZ7tuLxOLkm8yjUvM_4vj1nSFBNzgkGeeLRq8EtZ5EA/s320/IMG_6904.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your Choice of In Flight Meal.<br />Designed by Drew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQfBbun8Q8ab9QQ7LeKN-lWcRzpySOXDv7a7n2ZnEifnpZ5ZDEO1EPIYkn-Wvw_AQJFGSHHAk0fi2FJDSd0dBLV8XqruYabgWak_yT-ts2m7TptXwmLXDZy2cGUZUpQiSGAPVQ/s1600/IMG_6908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQfBbun8Q8ab9QQ7LeKN-lWcRzpySOXDv7a7n2ZnEifnpZ5ZDEO1EPIYkn-Wvw_AQJFGSHHAk0fi2FJDSd0dBLV8XqruYabgWak_yT-ts2m7TptXwmLXDZy2cGUZUpQiSGAPVQ/s320/IMG_6908.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorated by Drew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfogoHKUAe0D8KOFz3EY-YEWjWBBZA6RICTRrLw8WunTSTl-OWmAVMIOCmrwMbRjWYNSSIqOQ_piht5kfN88UOvy61ZEW0SLTRlIuIKOBHF9bisvaBCElyIzsCi6dnT4xkyMkrA/s1600/IMG_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfogoHKUAe0D8KOFz3EY-YEWjWBBZA6RICTRrLw8WunTSTl-OWmAVMIOCmrwMbRjWYNSSIqOQ_piht5kfN88UOvy61ZEW0SLTRlIuIKOBHF9bisvaBCElyIzsCi6dnT4xkyMkrA/s320/IMG_6911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assortement of planes for party favors in a suitcase.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx73rfG0M8qBxVoAKj-xpCDzaj0tHCwFH-KVZu590eGFlZDeclmt6rGNnNBL_jii4iREQgRGBlYbhlZmAdOsru8MKov68z10D4bUTu1-cuVDJXU4lCYUGylW-9FBbusCfC4wnDA/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx73rfG0M8qBxVoAKj-xpCDzaj0tHCwFH-KVZu590eGFlZDeclmt6rGNnNBL_jii4iREQgRGBlYbhlZmAdOsru8MKov68z10D4bUTu1-cuVDJXU4lCYUGylW-9FBbusCfC4wnDA/s320/IMG_6913.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Airplane Factory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bGQJVp2FvLK-c8CVWZDKXnpsOyVNMChEFO2Uqu48aCYRdmub2XtKfZj6gCiiFrsEOuViGJneWYEf5bRHoScqdwi44vhfKzOz3n0kpSRHy5f7e0Kn6sOeYTl5lqgROq5hzS51YA/s1600/IMG_6915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bGQJVp2FvLK-c8CVWZDKXnpsOyVNMChEFO2Uqu48aCYRdmub2XtKfZj6gCiiFrsEOuViGJneWYEf5bRHoScqdwi44vhfKzOz3n0kpSRHy5f7e0Kn6sOeYTl5lqgROq5hzS51YA/s320/IMG_6915.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checked Baggage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M2J254QlcmtqEg4GXN6HeCr62fOa1Jl8mTAjfIkh8Nmh4dJjvAqVwxNivmqqJ9f5N_ymdDlDLXnqaLY-2IR6gtAQW7Nf61Q0BHt4nvhyphenhyphenWVNSdNOymkPXtgf65Kmen47Iz7K4eA/s1600/IMG_6919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M2J254QlcmtqEg4GXN6HeCr62fOa1Jl8mTAjfIkh8Nmh4dJjvAqVwxNivmqqJ9f5N_ymdDlDLXnqaLY-2IR6gtAQW7Nf61Q0BHt4nvhyphenhyphenWVNSdNOymkPXtgf65Kmen47Iz7K4eA/s320/IMG_6919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIjW6KscSlOzzNpr9aoz6YUu4A2hpy1bw3lW5SLjjZpgevRR4JZ5eV4OZ_tCC_UNzKXBv82Pc5wHHMOJvNMbdIz35FYi7JS9C_8UI3VUatOfW9-GyNJoM5nE67H6iOA6RfSr07w/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIjW6KscSlOzzNpr9aoz6YUu4A2hpy1bw3lW5SLjjZpgevRR4JZ5eV4OZ_tCC_UNzKXBv82Pc5wHHMOJvNMbdIz35FYi7JS9C_8UI3VUatOfW9-GyNJoM5nE67H6iOA6RfSr07w/s320/IMG_6920.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VU28uYFVZQDhRZ3F70OuHJWKCsnR-TKSY5UUMB0QwmMyXEuY7vEKDDIAuuvhUuIpOpHONW23zdEfxLgm_XJ-3-mdvnhGHfEZ6Q78NMtqUJX4jBHz_o-1dvXuda4AgvEq8coE_A/s1600/IMG_6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VU28uYFVZQDhRZ3F70OuHJWKCsnR-TKSY5UUMB0QwmMyXEuY7vEKDDIAuuvhUuIpOpHONW23zdEfxLgm_XJ-3-mdvnhGHfEZ6Q78NMtqUJX4jBHz_o-1dvXuda4AgvEq8coE_A/s320/IMG_6998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplanes in the Clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Levi,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think everyday since you've turned 3, you have said to me "Mom, I'm still free!" And when we have said something like when you get a little bigger, you can do this, you quickly reply "But, I'm free!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When you first started talking about your airplane party, you were so convincing that you were going to have one, we couldn't not throw one for you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When Daddy first showed you the invitation, the plane was blue. You said, "Dad, I wanted a green plane." Drew tried to convince you that the plane was really great blue, but you knew exactly what you wanted. Airplanes. Green and orange.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You were a really impressive, incredible two year old, I can't wait to see what three brings!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You are a delight. You are entertaining. You make all of us laugh. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes, we call you Chip because of your chipped tooth (Sage was holding your legs and dropped you on your face- that's the story you tell and it's the truth). Sometimes, you'll say, "I Chip Yebi!" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You love to tell me stories as we drive around in the van, a lot of times they involve poop. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We love you, Chip Yebi!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mama</div>
<div>
<br /></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-10944636875357797052011-11-12T21:36:00.001-06:002011-11-12T21:40:44.595-06:00Adored<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6A0Z9nwdCG6VsOhoAnIbtcCkgDZerLfpHrSDaJumHleDxBJMHMEB6TomZLyD6dKSK8CHAYEeXRfWUjjatzEY0GmgfWN1PDsmXgcOD-APzPax4_TwrNXO5LCDn3wyubGafwdWy5Q/s1600/IMG_6949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6A0Z9nwdCG6VsOhoAnIbtcCkgDZerLfpHrSDaJumHleDxBJMHMEB6TomZLyD6dKSK8CHAYEeXRfWUjjatzEY0GmgfWN1PDsmXgcOD-APzPax4_TwrNXO5LCDn3wyubGafwdWy5Q/s320/IMG_6949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnm_1w_6EQGY4tpHhtKqblmu9k4ZB05N4ODPP4awL2cO_VvdQrXc0bEOZAKep2LOFg2HZFMvt4wVG3x0JvEhscCSbkHDDI6_Svkk5C29153NQpomOvS3NfMz437Ohb6WdXEDBbA/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnm_1w_6EQGY4tpHhtKqblmu9k4ZB05N4ODPP4awL2cO_VvdQrXc0bEOZAKep2LOFg2HZFMvt4wVG3x0JvEhscCSbkHDDI6_Svkk5C29153NQpomOvS3NfMz437Ohb6WdXEDBbA/s320/IMG_6953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6lG80ufnlX6fxONT8fxkQzeXUyBRPED7jReFx89QkpSnplvjT1VJWVRse2xvGSGcb01G_oitnc8M2gdRYdfu7LkT3BRhbZOIrnAVsrVoEKilxLW__jjxpKtngmjpwow31t0ayg/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6lG80ufnlX6fxONT8fxkQzeXUyBRPED7jReFx89QkpSnplvjT1VJWVRse2xvGSGcb01G_oitnc8M2gdRYdfu7LkT3BRhbZOIrnAVsrVoEKilxLW__jjxpKtngmjpwow31t0ayg/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDr06IlFMTB98qumGIl0UMfP9SMH-uY1vOlKV0iykeD6LPnqdQaJd9remVgqfyXlIeAFu_OjiiotgVWRrjMl3gnpgv8-GT3WPfQ7fSt8swvY7Aj_WCrUs6xjVBUBPjGdBNORqFw/s1600/IMG_6957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDr06IlFMTB98qumGIl0UMfP9SMH-uY1vOlKV0iykeD6LPnqdQaJd9remVgqfyXlIeAFu_OjiiotgVWRrjMl3gnpgv8-GT3WPfQ7fSt8swvY7Aj_WCrUs6xjVBUBPjGdBNORqFw/s320/IMG_6957.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-69123563597881954592011-11-10T06:00:00.000-06:002011-11-10T06:00:04.923-06:00HunsThe Back Story:<br />
<br />
Levi started talking awhile ago about "The Huns". <br />
<br />
Sometimes, The Huns would come with us places. <br />
<br />
Sometimes, they drive their own cars, orange and green and will beat us to our destination.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, The Huns were people.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, The Huns were dogs.<br />
<br />
Every once in a while, he'll ask me if I know where The Huns are. <br />
<br />
Monday, I was emptying some boxes out of our bedroom and got them ready to take them out to the recycling.<br />
<br />
Levi and Annika were eating lunch so I took the opportunity to take the boxes outside.<br />
<br />
Levi came running out. But, I'd already finished.<br />
<br />
As we walked back in the house, he started whining and crying a little.<br />
<br />
"My Huns were in the box! You threw my Huns away! You threw them away!"<br />
<br />
I assured him that I checked the boxes and they were empty. <br />
<br />
He reaffirmed that I had indeed thrown them away. <br />
<br />
I insisted the boxes were empty and his Huns were somewhere else. <br />
<br />
Somehow, it just dropped. <br />
<br />
I haven't heard about The Huns and if they did or did not survive my box throwing out.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-49940962180468214432011-10-31T06:30:00.000-05:002011-10-31T06:30:00.807-05:00Annika turned 1 (almost 3 months ago, who's counting)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFkWSHPogMmSHkbDs6E5fe9l3xOU0Wy9hk6aebmygwWcDPsOa25aVYngGSvSrmMdaHvECll5sosRkDAuyUwcD3JnAmLlxdlqjG0apY8thK4Z_XdAhLhB4TVZMw84pNARB7FJNjQ/s1600/IMG_5540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFkWSHPogMmSHkbDs6E5fe9l3xOU0Wy9hk6aebmygwWcDPsOa25aVYngGSvSrmMdaHvECll5sosRkDAuyUwcD3JnAmLlxdlqjG0apY8thK4Z_XdAhLhB4TVZMw84pNARB7FJNjQ/s320/IMG_5540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink cupcake<br />Pink frosting<br />Princess</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjM_sBels3nQ0NBdeey-_mIi8SPDwalzxf2KE6QuYoWSmncBT-l1bt8YlVWqpZKdgsnajJ2mZHbt0esab-l19a9dKnjt-602F3DZepcRG4IFv8oXAFFRgG_TGH9NmNDRHzlkLdg/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjM_sBels3nQ0NBdeey-_mIi8SPDwalzxf2KE6QuYoWSmncBT-l1bt8YlVWqpZKdgsnajJ2mZHbt0esab-l19a9dKnjt-602F3DZepcRG4IFv8oXAFFRgG_TGH9NmNDRHzlkLdg/s320/IMG_5578.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w5NzoRxaloN2VNkQkkvKtnRUvPkSUFoC26K10c7k7ctKmL5Ma85dZ4F41DKRutVxZpsQ3u3sJTGBeuvwBElZgXahZ3Hmkv1xBOq9EPaBSB8ivEKbrRTk_DbT0OmxvLp_kdRHJA/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w5NzoRxaloN2VNkQkkvKtnRUvPkSUFoC26K10c7k7ctKmL5Ma85dZ4F41DKRutVxZpsQ3u3sJTGBeuvwBElZgXahZ3Hmkv1xBOq9EPaBSB8ivEKbrRTk_DbT0OmxvLp_kdRHJA/s320/IMG_5580.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdiawuehcPfqiYcD-eAXKoHz4iRc0gWL_tW1BxxAz000rcg0Cc3Pnc1Qu82qv5ZtCcHEKYHNT6wapav_PDQuDLFCSHeS0NZA9m8aqNo7Wsa3pX38gWJopHMGOVc8EXUslBrIGEQ/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdiawuehcPfqiYcD-eAXKoHz4iRc0gWL_tW1BxxAz000rcg0Cc3Pnc1Qu82qv5ZtCcHEKYHNT6wapav_PDQuDLFCSHeS0NZA9m8aqNo7Wsa3pX38gWJopHMGOVc8EXUslBrIGEQ/s320/IMG_5584.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFFtelO-MchMuOy7RTQif3VNOBIRvLkBIiu7oIeChULGVivKsdONO07f_KoMjlv9191Qxr9W-tAQ1Blpwa1gaRAlyd7N4FgnNNSbx-3K-45pCeUcDV_Fbx6XSMRhNSdp4QYbd6A/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFFtelO-MchMuOy7RTQif3VNOBIRvLkBIiu7oIeChULGVivKsdONO07f_KoMjlv9191Qxr9W-tAQ1Blpwa1gaRAlyd7N4FgnNNSbx-3K-45pCeUcDV_Fbx6XSMRhNSdp4QYbd6A/s320/IMG_5589.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAkxCCQsxHUAuirtyolwLYtjUpZ_-MZwVJPjhTJKcs68cToAKRgwGT3azpWZ0Az_EKGOOcYPGMyZurXnbDFFQQ702I_LbnmC_YwhUOZ55PL5C_xyV-qK9N_evNpwgxZ0no4h1Zg/s1600/IMG_5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAkxCCQsxHUAuirtyolwLYtjUpZ_-MZwVJPjhTJKcs68cToAKRgwGT3azpWZ0Az_EKGOOcYPGMyZurXnbDFFQQ702I_LbnmC_YwhUOZ55PL5C_xyV-qK9N_evNpwgxZ0no4h1Zg/s320/IMG_5596.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She needed some convincing to put the pretty in her mouth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh7H0C4ncGY_n1T9JvXit0iIdlKqz7KUUwh2HkYN3YN8FtPFOwHnhD__LA98Ie1n_hxreMjkYePxFoNjuSwnejVaqmvSzYonjqmrlRxiH1VMxAvBRS6u3PDSN3GJiTc9cUToSUw/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh7H0C4ncGY_n1T9JvXit0iIdlKqz7KUUwh2HkYN3YN8FtPFOwHnhD__LA98Ie1n_hxreMjkYePxFoNjuSwnejVaqmvSzYonjqmrlRxiH1VMxAvBRS6u3PDSN3GJiTc9cUToSUw/s320/IMG_5601.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24dg-jc4OOpeqrTUW-UybAnBQeyyw1k1d50J0xmH1Fm3ntY7VNvyhgcA_yIluqhn7G1meJnxTYxG03ucfhx-P4PKuTtQzP-ycKMg3K3QqI4ICe-ZTnuOERVuomoOi0eyUoHk8Eg/s1600/IMG_5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24dg-jc4OOpeqrTUW-UybAnBQeyyw1k1d50J0xmH1Fm3ntY7VNvyhgcA_yIluqhn7G1meJnxTYxG03ucfhx-P4PKuTtQzP-ycKMg3K3QqI4ICe-ZTnuOERVuomoOi0eyUoHk8Eg/s320/IMG_5608.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom remembered the bow! At the end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF0FZFGVopALCcuiEQq7DP2E_5mx0Ie8XhjPRxi2oLWMIPuNVbYKXWW0t4nIsht7rj11LbZq12CTL4Y24K43c61wqNiBxAWgpD8UiBfMMawlAMnIu_O95NASLtPnqsA3UKRxL8w/s1600/IMG_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF0FZFGVopALCcuiEQq7DP2E_5mx0Ie8XhjPRxi2oLWMIPuNVbYKXWW0t4nIsht7rj11LbZq12CTL4Y24K43c61wqNiBxAWgpD8UiBfMMawlAMnIu_O95NASLtPnqsA3UKRxL8w/s320/IMG_5701.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annika with <a href="http://babybeblesseddolls.com/">Annika Louise</a>. Her scripture is Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Annika means grace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3Xb4mNof_W2q_39r5OZGZWtVSl9iYTD-Sj51yXYcwodRA626FwXxj5CjnkdHl8jKDLoInJ1TVtygTWBvwAal7z_iRJ8bLKCRMuag7r56klZTvKkgJAlt2VJX9iismNTHgU2AA/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3Xb4mNof_W2q_39r5OZGZWtVSl9iYTD-Sj51yXYcwodRA626FwXxj5CjnkdHl8jKDLoInJ1TVtygTWBvwAal7z_iRJ8bLKCRMuag7r56klZTvKkgJAlt2VJX9iismNTHgU2AA/s320/IMG_5731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy with his mini me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp-qJwUJtyV1Ffe9H8OW85Tef9R4uT3Aluud063NbqNx6He6-41B7fQWEfgu9ALgb8WgJtTmT12-NPMOc1ybXA2dhEEeQXfIYPEgV_fgMbxR0rR5WaOr4RO_5usqOgE4-PH5kZQ/s1600/IMG_5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp-qJwUJtyV1Ffe9H8OW85Tef9R4uT3Aluud063NbqNx6He6-41B7fQWEfgu9ALgb8WgJtTmT12-NPMOc1ybXA2dhEEeQXfIYPEgV_fgMbxR0rR5WaOr4RO_5usqOgE4-PH5kZQ/s320/IMG_5751.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Krista (who was here for your birthday!) got Ani her first cowgirl boots. <br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks to my friend, Kelli, Annika celebrated her birthday in style in this sweet cucake bubble, like a true Southern belle. Kelli drove it to our house the day of her birthday, so I made her stay for dinner.<br /><br />I served a yummy homemade macaroni and cheese (recipe on the back of the Velveeta box), applesauce and broccoli. A perfect 1 year old birthday dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Annika,<br />
<br />
You are so loved in our family. You are the perfect princess even when you copy Levi and growl. At 1, you aren't walking yet. At 14, almost 15 months, you are trying so hard to get it. You take about 2 or 3 steps and then fall on purpose. Then you look up and make sure we all saw you and clap and smile for yourself. And you do it all over again. The other day, I videotaped you for 5 minutes doing that process. <br />
<br />
You are very cautious. Daddy says it's because you have to watch out for Levi. And you do. The first 2 times you stood up to your stroller walker, you got knocked down. The first time you crawled up the stairs, you fell down them. The second time you fell down the stairs, Levi was waiting for you at the top and you had some "help". Now, when you want to come downstairs, you sit about 4 feet away from the top of the stair and yell until someone comes to carry you down. <br />
<br />
Recently, you have started to sign "eat" and say "E!" at the same time. I figured out tonight that means drink too. <br />
<br />
You are a momma's girl. And I love it. The times you want daddy are when he has something to eat and when you don't want to go to bed. <br />
<br />
We are amazed at your girlness. You pick up a baby or a stuffed animal and you put it on your shoulder and pat its back. Then you put it in your stroller walker and push it around. I saw you pick up one of your brothers little bags with a car painted on it and put it on your shoulder like a little purse. <br />
<br />
You have a pink bear that Nana gave you when you were born that you really love.<br />
<br />
I have loved watching your little personality come out and I can't wait to see more. <br />
<br />
Annika, you have 3 big brothers wrapped around your finger. They adore you and the feeling seems to be mutual. <br />
<br />
Love you forever,<br />
<br />
MammaKikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-31997335874875324932011-10-27T21:38:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:38:10.681-05:00Confession<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hate Halloween.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hate the planning for the costumes.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hate buying costumes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hate all the scary stuff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I might have changed my tune this year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwofxos6k7WWwAJVNWIlwZMatzpPjo9uilLzJsi3WmIqyJ3Lo2EfHzCtJMCycBuxsEehnZXK4m_AVMn6waXfnBb7GiquO53pX71O3e9WVyOW_Rm9VZnx4TebYebLdNtBzlyQN5w/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwofxos6k7WWwAJVNWIlwZMatzpPjo9uilLzJsi3WmIqyJ3Lo2EfHzCtJMCycBuxsEehnZXK4m_AVMn6waXfnBb7GiquO53pX71O3e9WVyOW_Rm9VZnx4TebYebLdNtBzlyQN5w/s320/IMG_6628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRYbMDN_Vy9Jtou8IXU0mJOaw5t8we-ADJusWFTBAKMCLzqsuqZ9-u8CYt0EE1Bg4NuMzgGB_9NS3ShhyKWaPPbhiH4PvQ2pwIsvmXDu5ZRtsB5iN52uA3Au4fZEkGTWcD8zHWQ/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRYbMDN_Vy9Jtou8IXU0mJOaw5t8we-ADJusWFTBAKMCLzqsuqZ9-u8CYt0EE1Bg4NuMzgGB_9NS3ShhyKWaPPbhiH4PvQ2pwIsvmXDu5ZRtsB5iN52uA3Au4fZEkGTWcD8zHWQ/s320/IMG_6632.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because of a borrowed zebra. But mostly because of the sweet girl inside the costume. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuF0HIwPIrlJaoOkCgdsW303gZukebWcyhuF9kos0H2oJUYkL0mXZlzgKOkz2DKt5LYfqBk8lBIZGWkBSyse1njkWAttpXwrJ7gy-O034E1PElxF_91TFOqkdCPxjnXk7-k0n8w/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuF0HIwPIrlJaoOkCgdsW303gZukebWcyhuF9kos0H2oJUYkL0mXZlzgKOkz2DKt5LYfqBk8lBIZGWkBSyse1njkWAttpXwrJ7gy-O034E1PElxF_91TFOqkdCPxjnXk7-k0n8w/s320/IMG_6668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because of a really happy, jumping Buzz.<br />A tough Jengo Fette.<br />A sweet Boba Fette.<br />And the cutest zebra ever.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQoxZEFwjGZxLFx7c9K4HdETLoNUsd3X3eDS92GEy_24AHnkFXurVKsNOaupX63deXNA_xKQAF3QJR5tzbw5k_NfURzy-zHbXffnHYCGJhikbcAqfKORpc9fLL9tWQ2f0Aeybbg/s1600/IMG_6710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQoxZEFwjGZxLFx7c9K4HdETLoNUsd3X3eDS92GEy_24AHnkFXurVKsNOaupX63deXNA_xKQAF3QJR5tzbw5k_NfURzy-zHbXffnHYCGJhikbcAqfKORpc9fLL9tWQ2f0Aeybbg/s320/IMG_6710.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a fun neighborhood that trick or treats early, just for the neighbors.<br />(That's our house! I need to write an I love our house post.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-61523550549548387362011-10-12T12:42:00.001-05:002011-10-12T12:42:30.034-05:00Fire AntsI have two fire ant bites on my left foot.<br />
<br />
It's red, swollen, itchy and fiery.<br />
<br />
It hurts to walk, to bend my foot.<br />
<br />
It hurts to wear my flip flop or any other shoe.<br />
<br />
I know that I get bad reactions to fire ants. <br />
<br />
I avoid them at all costs. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, at the park, Levi walked into a fire ant pile.<br />
<br />
Immediately, they start crawling on him and biting him. <br />
<br />
He screamed.<br />
<br />
I ran over.<br />
<br />
Saw the ants.<br />
<br />
Scooped him up and started brushing them off of him.<br />
<br />
Knowing full well that I would probably get bit somewhere. <br />
<br />
But, I had to rescue Levi. <br />
<br />
I had to protect him.<br />
<br />
His safety was more important than my pain.<br />
<br />
And I would knowingly and willingly do it all over again.<br />
<br />
As I walk around today with some pain in my foot, I was struck.<br />
<br />
Jesus does that for me.<br />
<br />
He runs into the fire ant pile to rescue me. <br />
<br />
And He would do it again. <br />
<br />
And again.<br />
<br />
And again.<br />
<br />
That's grace.<br />
<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-30231250328720178742011-09-28T09:38:00.001-05:002011-09-28T09:38:56.871-05:008 minutesShe tells him to go upstairs and get his underwear on and brush his teeth.<br />
<br />
She sets the timer for 8 minutes.<br />
<br />
He hears, go upstairs.<br />
<br />
So, he does. <br />
<br />
He wanders into the bathroom and looks around.<br />
<br />
He decides to brush his teeth.<br />
<br />
He carefully smears the toothpaste on <strike>his toothbrush</strike> the counter. <br />
<br />
Then puts the toothbrush and the glob of toothpaste in his mouth.<br />
<br />
And spits.<br />
<br />
Resulting in a pile of toothpaste in the sink. Stuck to the side.<br />
<br />
Happy with his fresh breath and sparkling teeth, he wonders into his room.<br />
<br />
Thinking he'd like to please his mama, he takes off his pull-up and puts on underwear.<br />
<br />
His pull-up lays abondoned on the floor.<br />
<br />
Then he sees some legos.<br />
<br />
And lays down to build them. <br />
<br />
In his underwear and pajama shirt.<br />
<br />
His mama calls sweetly in a sing-song voice up the stairs "So-on, what are you doing?!"<br />
<br />
He yells "I have to poop!"<br />
<br />
Alarmed and sighing to herself, she starts up the stairs and goes into his room, flinching, wondering what might be awaiting her. <br />
<br />
She sees that little boy laying on his stomach, in his underwear and pajama shirt building legos.<br />
<br />
She says "Well, go poopy!"<br />
<br />
She walks back downstairs to check the rest of the kids.<br />
<br />
She hears him yell "DAD!"<br />
<br />
And thinks, "Phew, I don't have to wipe him!"<br />
<br />
25 minutes after she sent him upstairs to brush his teeth and put on underwear, he comes downstairs.<br />
<br />
Still in his pajama shirt and underwear.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-46325378834179336682011-09-13T21:08:00.000-05:002011-09-13T21:08:05.165-05:00Brown BagThe house is quiet. <br />
<br />
Lunches are in the fridge.<br />
<br />
Dishes have dripped dry.<br />
<br />
Dishwasher is delayed.<br />
<br />
Too many lights on.<br />
<br />
Drew had a meeting at 8, left at 7:15. <br />
<br />
The throes of showers, picking up and nursing Annika. It was relatively calm when he left.<br />
<br />
Sage in the shower. Kolby on the computer. Levi watching Kolby. Annika <strike>nursing</strike> snoozing. Me iPadding.<br />
<br />
It stayed that way for .25 seconds after he walked out the door.<br />
<br />
Life.<br />
<br />
I get really flustered on home school days. I just want to get all the school work done. And quickly! <br />
<br />
Sometimes, I need a brown bag to breathe into.<br />
<br />
I want to say I drop to my knees instead.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I bark at them. <br />
<br />
Do your handwriting!<br />
<br />
Levi, be quiet! I'm teaching your brothers!<br />
<br />
Where's Annika? <br />
<br />
Are the bathroom doors closed?<br />
<br />
I'm learning.<br />
<br />
They're learning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Linking up with <a href="http://extraordinary-ordinary.net/2011/09/13/just-write-the-first/">just write.</a>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-57876817021714691552011-09-01T17:20:00.001-05:002011-09-01T17:20:35.725-05:00DistractionsA leak in our pool<br />
<br />
A left behind homework folder<br />
<br />
Stolen car seats<br />
<br />
Algae growing in our pool<br />
<br />
Annika throwing up and then waking up STARVING in the middle of the night<br />
<br />
Levi throwing up<br />
<br />
Temperature gage coming on in the van<br />
<br />
Hitting a parked car<br />
<br />
Not all in that order but all things we've dealt with in the last couple of weeks. Six of them just this week. And it's Thursday. <br />
<br />
It's like Satan is trying to see what he can throw at us to get us off our course. <br />
<br />
It's exciting!<br />
<br />
It's exhausting!<br />
<br />
By the grace of God, we're making it. <br />
<br />
By the grace of God, we'll continue to not just make it but to thrive. <br />
<br />
Here's what I'm grateful for this week:<br />
<br />
1. The leak being reasonable to fix.<br />
<br />
2. Having the correct chemicals in our garage to clear up the algae overnight.<br />
<br />
3. A husband smart enough to deal with the chemicals for the pool.<br />
<br />
4. A friend lending us a car seat so we could order some new ones.<br />
<br />
5. Having the means to order new car seats.<br />
<br />
6. Annika getting sick after we finished school on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
7. And waking up for a longer period of time in the middle of the night when I didn't have to teach at home the next day.<br />
<br />
8. Levi being the easiest patient ever.<br />
<br />
9. Throwing up in his bowl all day long.<br />
<br />
10. Chrysler Helffman Dodge not charging us to look at the van and fixing the leaky coolant thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13513873.post-85394383090904593422011-08-28T07:39:00.000-05:002011-08-28T07:39:25.639-05:00ExpectantJesus!<br />
<br />
That was the first word Pastor Curtis wanted to say at our first core group meeting for Bayou City Fellowship. <br />
<br />
It seems so long ago and just yesterday all at the same time. <br />
<br />
A couple of days before Curtis sent out the invitations to come and hear about his vision, Drew and I went to Pastor Curtis and Amanda's house. <br />
<br />
We kneeled on their living room floor, invitations in the middle of the four us, spread all around. <br />
<br />
And we prayed. <br />
<br />
We prayed that these friends of ours would catch the vision. <br />
<br />
We prayed that God would rise up the leaders for BCF.<br />
<br />
We prayed that each and every person would have clear wisdom and discernment whether they were to come and be a part of this church plant. <br />
<br />
We prayed expectantly.<br />
<br />
We expected God to move, to work, to do miracles.<br />
<br />
And He has.<br />
<br />
And we continue to pray expectantly.<br />
<br />
We are going to be meeting publicly for the first time on Sunday, September 11, 2011. <br />
<br />
We pray expectantly that God will fill our meeting place, Houston Christian High School at 10 am.<br />
<br />
We invite you to come worship our Jesus with us! <br />
<br />
We invite you to come pour out your life as we serve our community. <br />
<br />
We are expectant with anticipation. <br />
<br />
Check out our <a href="http://bayoucityfellowship.com/">website.</a> <br />
<br />
If I know you in real life, call me, email me, text me, dm me, ask me! We want you there! And we want you to bring your friends!<br />
<br />
Consider this your invitation. Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10280585722372047833noreply@blogger.com3