tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15457161150173688522024-02-19T07:15:07.628-08:00Table For 5, PleaseChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-79783019222725162332014-08-20T11:31:00.003-07:002014-08-20T11:31:41.237-07:00TestBlogger is being weird so I'm doing a test to see if this will post. Here goes nothing.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-5088069144167632542012-01-31T04:40:00.000-08:002012-01-31T05:02:13.116-08:00Hello!Oops. January went really quickly. It's been forever since I've blogged. I could offer several excuses like:<br /><br />-I've been playing Family Feud.<br />-I've been pinning.<br />-I've been cleaning & organizing (repeat 3000x a day) since our house is on the market.<br /><br />But truly, it's just been a fun and busy month with my family and I've just not felt like blogging. It's way more fun to just live a full day and then go to bed.<br /><br />But I'm back, people! With a vengeance. Not really. But here's one thing I'm super excited about:<br /><br />I read on a blog about a girl who went an entire year without buying new clothes. She only bought clothes from yard sales, thrift stores, or consignment. And she inspired me to make that one of my goals for 2012. I'm not a big shopper. I rarely plan a shopping day or go to the mall (unless it's to take Connor to the indoor playground). BUT, I've learned that I'm an impulse buyer, especially when there's a sale. I've been known to go to Target to purchase a toy for a child's birthday party, and leave with a toy for the kid plus 3 shirts for me. Because they were cute. And on sale. But even cute, on sale new clothes add up quickly! So, I'm changing my ways. No new clothes for me this year! My exceptions are bathing suits, socks, and underwear. <br /><br />I have had the most fun! The day after New Year's, all the Goodwills in SC were 50% off everything. I scored 4 sweaters and a pair of shoes for a total of $11.27. I need to post some pictures of all my great finds. I'll get on that ASAP.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-41728479883628756272011-12-31T18:40:00.000-08:002011-12-31T19:07:35.906-08:00Favorites of 2011Favorite Books in 2011:<br />1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins<br />2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins<br />3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins<br />4. Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore<br />5. When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent<br /><br />Favorite New Foods I Learned to Love in 2011:<br />1. Mushrooms<br />2. Roasted tomatoes<br />3. Quinoa<br />4. Elephant Ears<br />5. Red Cabbage<br /><br />Favorite Accomplishments of 2011:<br />1. I had zero surgeries.<br />2. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and nobody said I looked crazy old. <br />3. I got very crafty and hugely exceeded my goal to make 3 crafts. I made about 18. <br />4. I cleaned out my car.<br />5. I learned how to download an app.<br /><br />Favorite Trips of 2011:<br />1. Breckenridge, Colorado<br />2. Myrtle Beach, SC<br />3. Prosperity, SC<br />4. Charleston, SC<br />5. Charlotte, NC<br /><br />Favorite Sweet Moments of 2011:<br />1. Hearing Connor say his first word. Waiting a long time. Praying. Then hearing him say a bunch more.<br />2. Loads and loads of encouraging morning coffee chats with Jennifer. <br />3. Serving, praying for, and loving the college and young singles at our church. <br />4. Pizza and a Movie Nights with my sweet little family.<br />5. Teaching precious 3rd-4th grade girls each Sunday with Susan.<br />6. Watching Landon learn to ride a bike without training wheels.<br />7. Watching Reagan pretend to be a teacher.<br />8. Walking the streets of Breckenridge while eating a crepe.<br />9. Celebrating my beautiful grandmother's 80th birthday.<br />10. Trip after trip after trip to Spartanburg to visit my family. I love them!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-72023273796865428252011-12-19T17:15:00.001-08:002011-12-19T17:35:32.663-08:00Precious is........visting Nathan's grandmother, Mom-Mom, at the Lowman Home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfKdsx03mH5jXo5l0N88IfSqCosGgU_WS5J3-ym_MoBOU2RP9RCjToXe3fl2z4JUdb0CiwQG4l6jTrc7VhFk1YVPRqytEp_V2MZYgHETWCDLiQ0Wnw7ddlBKFYHPd8qXCoUlekRg8TdE/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfKdsx03mH5jXo5l0N88IfSqCosGgU_WS5J3-ym_MoBOU2RP9RCjToXe3fl2z4JUdb0CiwQG4l6jTrc7VhFk1YVPRqytEp_V2MZYgHETWCDLiQ0Wnw7ddlBKFYHPd8qXCoUlekRg8TdE/s400/073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014954150971010" /></a><br />...watching my kids literally turn the nursing home's common area into a playground.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc16EoP-dQtYur5kLdH6FPjfTXnFomZTjYirVD28XE_mDa3W7gX80MPvKVrESbhA6X0iyDimPerd5DNWks06Czcu7CvdoxeIjtGeL52I6aTkhT5ZgJJKlgkkWVugY8gGVmMty4LQv2t6s/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc16EoP-dQtYur5kLdH6FPjfTXnFomZTjYirVD28XE_mDa3W7gX80MPvKVrESbhA6X0iyDimPerd5DNWks06Czcu7CvdoxeIjtGeL52I6aTkhT5ZgJJKlgkkWVugY8gGVmMty4LQv2t6s/s400/076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014964531491442" /></a><br />...seeing my 6-year-old play with the toys my husband played with when he was 6. And finding out that his mom also played with them. Realizing that Mom-Mom has kept these same toys for 70 years and is sharing them with her great-grandson. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyG0mpTh_Y1hsisxTYaIyUElAOC1bjucjGSwESKqZZ3_snZ9lbfMR4jBpL7k2oXNqxXTIW7LZ7W8-oEAejsM80TmPJp08ILb917kZKW0U7Um8brsxNQE-Fj6wlASerhMQwO8zSmJ288s/s1600/074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyG0mpTh_Y1hsisxTYaIyUElAOC1bjucjGSwESKqZZ3_snZ9lbfMR4jBpL7k2oXNqxXTIW7LZ7W8-oEAejsM80TmPJp08ILb917kZKW0U7Um8brsxNQE-Fj6wlASerhMQwO8zSmJ288s/s400/074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014947202387058" /></a><br />...family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gEIODhf2tkucA2eA6_DqX-nMPwvjpwa1vjAq3SijiiiimzybJo7O_uJJKJt5v3Q6FC1CiKSgGm35RBOteCrQX2To2Bxq_ysHbR1O4NYoiP-PkVlXRUzocFtTNUgdz5bMklKShSCZ504/s1600/070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gEIODhf2tkucA2eA6_DqX-nMPwvjpwa1vjAq3SijiiiimzybJo7O_uJJKJt5v3Q6FC1CiKSgGm35RBOteCrQX2To2Bxq_ysHbR1O4NYoiP-PkVlXRUzocFtTNUgdz5bMklKShSCZ504/s400/070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014023989906610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtPzqpyAsKYAnKyLIv_2eqL4YuUDGGx2j2zDNT2pG9F8K5TDkTcpgqjbJdBhErGjkGeUyWopqaAe80wWN84bMCjKJCCOepObuUDKTgIkj4NeqcLElFAx8yNTIqxJFx3ZSyYHzKFN8Tgw/s1600/069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtPzqpyAsKYAnKyLIv_2eqL4YuUDGGx2j2zDNT2pG9F8K5TDkTcpgqjbJdBhErGjkGeUyWopqaAe80wWN84bMCjKJCCOepObuUDKTgIkj4NeqcLElFAx8yNTIqxJFx3ZSyYHzKFN8Tgw/s400/069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014007125797410" /></a><br />...wearing the toboggans she made each great-grandchild.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ib9c2mSUc8mI-JF8sCfoMeNigl1sa23LDRScTYl45XUvaXMF1nMmQ3BOusdYjaDcL2807YDlC_yP7fSigilyXty1fLFG1JPJBwK3zIJBjA3Qd0tR0p37F0wsWpgUbvCE4WFvVTojefA/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ib9c2mSUc8mI-JF8sCfoMeNigl1sa23LDRScTYl45XUvaXMF1nMmQ3BOusdYjaDcL2807YDlC_yP7fSigilyXty1fLFG1JPJBwK3zIJBjA3Qd0tR0p37F0wsWpgUbvCE4WFvVTojefA/s400/066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688014003799563058" /></a><br />....walking her back to her room, so thankful to have enjoyed Christmas with Mom-Mom.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pvHoFPnggWmB_Jvyj9OwxZzOe5M7GtgqkJIqWbH-RwwBAfMkvFuL50_GaBEud1l4fH28Ei6INekX27lZ5yn843H_MwQIalUe2fzHw6F3zSPkk8xeSpSHKA3IKIAaBNY5e-hrvy4mVCI/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pvHoFPnggWmB_Jvyj9OwxZzOe5M7GtgqkJIqWbH-RwwBAfMkvFuL50_GaBEud1l4fH28Ei6INekX27lZ5yn843H_MwQIalUe2fzHw6F3zSPkk8xeSpSHKA3IKIAaBNY5e-hrvy4mVCI/s400/077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688015327766095266" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-33833261170105625312011-12-18T11:59:00.000-08:002011-12-18T12:35:57.513-08:00The 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th DaysDecember 11th: The kiddos stayed home with Miss Stacey while Nathan and I went to our Sunday School class Christmas Party at Holly and Patrick's house. We had a White Elephant gift exchange. Once again, the gift everyone fought over was the 8 x 10 framed photograph of Nathan and me. Completely understandable. Meanwhile, we went home with one of the funniest books on the planet and a turkey hat. Normal. <br /><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380524_2742563130595_1452964201_2967242_1425456540_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380524_2742563130595_1452964201_2967242_1425456540_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8U6ID_Bu5b7S-CM2mkD0VfA6SyDlYg3xg6fJrTWjDjVe_TwyXHyfxQQUbG3cs-qlCTuzFcaaGAFILFns2E2gR-YGS_vwf7ojS9Yu_hwgnAiVEYkAuZufohpDqFtHlQ9pBHAsgGYsx-k/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8U6ID_Bu5b7S-CM2mkD0VfA6SyDlYg3xg6fJrTWjDjVe_TwyXHyfxQQUbG3cs-qlCTuzFcaaGAFILFns2E2gR-YGS_vwf7ojS9Yu_hwgnAiVEYkAuZufohpDqFtHlQ9pBHAsgGYsx-k/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687568015036458562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5mt0reUnExpX4GwrSYQ0-v1xAF_wvknPl9OMM3Fmb-q82hFR4sB1YhMecH-UAcWKe32qtZy9X181f5Yh1ma_cgepkNsLTFSrIiUJy2533jW95KFAOnlJV1bXoM5-QaDJvJYxcJ6yG-o/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5mt0reUnExpX4GwrSYQ0-v1xAF_wvknPl9OMM3Fmb-q82hFR4sB1YhMecH-UAcWKe32qtZy9X181f5Yh1ma_cgepkNsLTFSrIiUJy2533jW95KFAOnlJV1bXoM5-QaDJvJYxcJ6yG-o/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687565729183681522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo4COuW3nubZnkRcomOQfixGIWMxsH6P0QxS3rOfMV8RI8ESQBZTuw2zyo9yyaBX81dSLjqr2Im6YQ-AboijX6yRD9seUixRdsIkjoSs2PdZSO6W-V1FRYbotgkUzdkRbLQqNExo0bow/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo4COuW3nubZnkRcomOQfixGIWMxsH6P0QxS3rOfMV8RI8ESQBZTuw2zyo9yyaBX81dSLjqr2Im6YQ-AboijX6yRD9seUixRdsIkjoSs2PdZSO6W-V1FRYbotgkUzdkRbLQqNExo0bow/s400/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687568034325106386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf8Vy1tTz5qmxDDQOs3pZgSZctprWxQc4gByRG-fJcBF8Dz6pT3Dj_fT_IeuJjg7ZCxWIfdkd1Eg6hBJT8nmmeIWhz-CbWyuxr3Exh_0qYyCOjFwsGK8IUI7rB8f4hyphenhyphenlwJAhsthPsDiQ/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf8Vy1tTz5qmxDDQOs3pZgSZctprWxQc4gByRG-fJcBF8Dz6pT3Dj_fT_IeuJjg7ZCxWIfdkd1Eg6hBJT8nmmeIWhz-CbWyuxr3Exh_0qYyCOjFwsGK8IUI7rB8f4hyphenhyphenlwJAhsthPsDiQ/s400/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687568017650446642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7MdMH1FL7nzm8LpWJHY34C3Z46JC00cHFUtq1pzo2vOUDFH78wEqEK4Hbi9MbbH_MsW0TCGPS4dfqI7a53hLSIrMqoMTqO-MGjk-YAUTruTvqEHr5obBYNVxiRRFOcpihUsL6h8kL10/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7MdMH1FL7nzm8LpWJHY34C3Z46JC00cHFUtq1pzo2vOUDFH78wEqEK4Hbi9MbbH_MsW0TCGPS4dfqI7a53hLSIrMqoMTqO-MGjk-YAUTruTvqEHr5obBYNVxiRRFOcpihUsL6h8kL10/s400/024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687565742826293666" /></a><br /><br />December 12th: We had our small group over for a fancy pants dinner party. I made place cards out of candy canes because I'm obsessed with Pinterest. My favorite part of the evening was when we all heard fire sirens and the couples without children got all scared while the couples with kids yelled, "IT'S SANTA!!!!!" Who was correct? Come over, look at all the candy in my pantry, and you'll have your answer. <br /><br />December 13th: Landon got to choose what we did so he chose "singing Christmas carols as a family and cleaning Landon's room". Sneaky, son. Very sneaky. We sang Christmas carols. We did NOT clean his room. <br /><br />December 14th: Nathan took the boys to church for Music Night while Reagan and I went to see one of my precious former students, Faith Savannah, play Mary in her church children's musical. She was wonderful!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vTHVGW0sfojvClaR4UmKXrVD493SieNvr68VmujH-bwYzb0-U30xeQZZkcm_L3pIshmbtvzggdHqhyphenhyphenOowKQco9Zhcqy_NqSC_sK3A9tJHu1GgMouuxMlO5tzZc6ueuLyX1fIFutUPnY/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vTHVGW0sfojvClaR4UmKXrVD493SieNvr68VmujH-bwYzb0-U30xeQZZkcm_L3pIshmbtvzggdHqhyphenhyphenOowKQco9Zhcqy_NqSC_sK3A9tJHu1GgMouuxMlO5tzZc6ueuLyX1fIFutUPnY/s400/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687564116899619090" /></a><br /><br />December 15th: I don't remember much about this day except for the chocolate waffles I split with Sally at Outback. Ok. I'm not using hyperbole here....STOP right now. Get in your car. Drive to Outback. And order the chocolate waffles. Sally, are you reading this? Can I get an Amen? Oh, I just remembered what I did that morning. I volunteered in Landon's school by helping first graders play with Chinese yo-yos. <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29I09H0vppbcBYbrqSQzkCt1B0AbjleccXy4s6Pe-Bodc9bTU6xu9HrfBKb5FydsPQp-87rEmXDfuD22zntn27J8mjPyUUdQxpdVKdWXhV9cgWibdLwoadfmT8WpqZTXqF4I8nUNjcR4/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29I09H0vppbcBYbrqSQzkCt1B0AbjleccXy4s6Pe-Bodc9bTU6xu9HrfBKb5FydsPQp-87rEmXDfuD22zntn27J8mjPyUUdQxpdVKdWXhV9cgWibdLwoadfmT8WpqZTXqF4I8nUNjcR4/s400/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687564108542995666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oQaa35m8SBeIy2B1PRfAwmhl-ASvaNmJdjiMR4bN6N0E4b76gTtBfmSVZh7L0NgaixpAas7ehAcYjaq6dhp9virjztYDpxBG2_hbZAzIcYgakuPYw9SGaSkbwwbRMiTD0d-wRowa12M/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oQaa35m8SBeIy2B1PRfAwmhl-ASvaNmJdjiMR4bN6N0E4b76gTtBfmSVZh7L0NgaixpAas7ehAcYjaq6dhp9virjztYDpxBG2_hbZAzIcYgakuPYw9SGaSkbwwbRMiTD0d-wRowa12M/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687564104668705922" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-9471315529425010922011-12-15T10:21:00.000-08:002011-12-15T10:54:48.661-08:00Days 6-10<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left; "><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left; ">December 6</b>: Nathan and I went to the deacon Christmas party while the kiddos stayed home for a fun night with Miss Stacey!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVvxHlMrTn0WV-LaXj5dNSn5n9zD7RHVu9Mu3xZNrEBxrDZRKp6qVvSolLcanEqzMwz31oDoELV_gvGzlEwMEYvlZwqH_7oaQAgxOnFG_WiKS8RMbwh4gQU_p2gDlylgrj_LMrT6A-5Y/s400/019.JPG" /></div><div><br /><div> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqpARNFG2olVIQN3iYsjaXccWbBlTxbOA3P0ad5JyxTtAMVMBaFYlPhxf9nHDD7Zn3c-S5Ef33rRtrbEHlMGzD0a93qM1Y8bzB7r1emi46g5UVVrWQDeRXYntf7cxa8s0Rfu_G3w_tGM/s400/021.JPG" /><div><br /></div><div><b>December 7</b>: We took the kids to our church to see the children's musical. Our kids aren't currently in the children's choir but it was so much fun to sit beside them as they cheered and clapped for their friends! And afterward, a ton of people told Reagan and Landon, "You did a great job in the musical tonight!" and my sweet kids said, "Thank you." :) Apparently, all children look the same to old people.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>December 8</b>: Thanks to Pinterest, I got the idea to make snowman pancakes for dinner. We ended our evening with a Veggie Tales Christmas movie. </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTozAwbrL5jBJJmdvCq3DWqlVyN00JsAludGEW3Fc95ho3JQenwdKTlwI96yLjGjz6NtCC0-lZoosUdUnzDUeSFrdEbRd1J1ERFgl5BbjXoA0S_Ao8fDiIj7iI4eENlYQmaYaHLfzr7Q/s400/004.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh66_FpwsI2wmINanbi4wDIH5-d8ZISc0EyWKWiTFVIfJ6xBKkWufFGZwEeT1zJHreVtHtQvW2nwAKRYMXxzhYpSVOnjUfgV9oDFawKhEjJqrNHZvfc6MmADpZtuIKJJnR78WML5Pi-E/s400/010.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg5SdDNbRriZln8hO8LgCnrRqWyAj75J3VUAws1LSj87znptj-O_iC_yK0GpDffe05e36dVq8eeuc4TPwTftQ18OWcLN2997ras4IPbGKhPNmWVXioiXGg1rQ1DjcEGiBIKNEl4MwpRY/s400/009.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVf3rDuaEiVLPkFjIkejBg6YGi1r67ABUoTbTDaWoEOad3XajDVshEYCRyhkmZLsLmCo8oE_W8kvC-Pl09QsRNy5Fb1SktyEk_wAMO_jUyrxMtDh7yDlQnKZQpQtHVqGpmXHyuJ0haYU/s400/005.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9uvEWP0hrHNKtlV0BXkgctmVsHFExcpCalyEP2ROStaTIi9w636anOyWAaGYo1RbiAbGhVmOJD56F6K5r-N7JJY7y31QH8W8nMdTViPCOZASE7eNZP9MFYkjfJzR1CxSZNYGWukpRP4/s400/012.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>December 9</b>: Reagan got to spend the weekend all by herself with Gammy and Papa and Spartanburg. So Nathan and I got a full weekend with just the boys! Friday night, we bought Christmas presents for a 6-year-old we adopted. His mom is having a hard time right now, so we wanted to help her out by providing gifts for him. Landon had an absolute ball picking out just the right clothes and toys for this special little boy. Landon also helped me wrap every single present. I love his heart!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>December 10</b>: We took the boys bowling and then out to eat at Monterrey's. The whole evening was hilarious. </div></div></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-32136843342882321202011-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:002011-12-10T12:48:00.669-08:00The First 5 Days<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left; ">December 1:</b> We drove through the Living Christmas Story at Union United Methodist Church. The next day, Reagan said "Shalom" to everyone she saw about a million times. We love this sweet beginning of the Christmas season tradition!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>December 2:</b> The younger two kiddos enjoyed Fun Night at our church. The older kiddo got to go to his first ever sleepover birthday party. And we got a date night!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>December 3:</b> Nathan and Connor went on a Daddy/Son date to eat pizza and ride the carousel while Landon, Reagan, and I drove to Spartanburg to attend The Twin Trees at First North. It was wonderful! </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitpGadKccRzV5dtUEN0ww1GA1RoTp4cZSAnuaZr6c30Q0PtLS3VugRh82hyxUzUHtOmQ4UUn297qxMsomeM12QvPXxgwCRLk9_4-ot4qkZn1WuwK3ENU_9IMpzjqgYibAAYrjy99Q3XM/s400/002.JPG" /><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" border="0" class="gl_align_center" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>December 4:</b> For lunch, we met our long lost friends, the Burdettes, at Five Guys and enjoyed some yummy burgers! In the afternoon, Nathan and I attended "Glorious", a modern Christmas worship service, at Shandon Baptist Church. It was incredible. Nathan and I went to Shandon all through college and our first year of marriage. But it was just too far from our house to keep attending. It was so good to visit! That night, we celebrated our nephew, Jack's, 5th birthday. </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9QEmcfitM4iSlPKY5SGe6ASNdfReDekmLYE07MZgPnAfSItlEDT6hLxXmx95zzsyjvVIUw1048dlQcx0xcMKOkq0iAGv5x5w5N9QCV5Tyi0i-L0a8oe4wI4-2_1hPtxOnP2yB4W-fmA/s400/005.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Twni2EviRf2Y53R-kQ8eLtUQC3QKMUKucUP3-ZclfedpYWXpkXRwYXHpC-Az6MvdkjmnY-FKpXaXue6JQCUHFU6KRjUK8rwL2JeArRmHroKIs4m5PdOTnmK5xXi_hBVHQ11i_LusRM/s400/007.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfJngusX-FViEXW4PA7siv6-rrcxCoSFFAiDfTn60RmfnuN3VL7-Xs7OnOAB2w9u5KP-JoGdDe-K_1sKVSNS3a59iPlM740UBFTuYvjPiK4JfZUITrm1zYH1bY2RdbByb-9NHKEcv10I/s400/006.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVPAOmRwtqZ8N1AaQnSMM26KWZHT1XWtbDF7SO4v_p24Y1qmfsP063-Klhgs6xckmuZItH9eO86CSkFWhytmSz_2ZdKyfrqO8S6oRlXiUOsXZtQ7UKHBi2Y6sG6ETI9YBYRLWNqltFb8/s400/010.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8IxGUipzazD8-DLITcILk6dAQrBqyoPB630NvgDJdYG15Mifbl4eQyCUpLnINT4u6Aye1lcgzl1ykJ7jlwU8f1RQtCuxR8ox9EDVvO0atQvZMi53iW06BYPVYhgycHY4qxIU_3L-E6c/s400/008.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>December 5</b>: I got to watch the six-year-old stud practice basketball. He's really good. That night, the kiddos took a green bath! After that, our small group came over and for dessert I served them the best Christmas sweet ever....Christmas Tree Cakes. Can I get an Amen? (Tip: They're on sale right now at Wal-Mart for $1.50 per box.) </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3dDJWP6E_It99gsEKq6k6HJZAH3vk-KIqzhGhA221R7AEYxkD9lCQNWm2zy95LJDdVs9UuzVIcFmOE9vmwNA3kvgRkkp4ClbLznFDGhKWp9uG2ndg-RjEMo1OxRlPMyo1txcEc6391s/s400/014.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J9MNwQKanXNycQHd-bMR3HPTOSrRAh-0NlxkVXHnJyqnCXngxBqaCKPI5kHntqguDohvwE1XUOgcDDgPEDiHtWc36JyQHUUdQ3l1xc9d0vTbGbwT3bGXeHzdXKKlAxuBPc4shzSJyW8/s400/015.JPG" /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-3944919330924359662011-12-09T14:22:00.000-08:002011-12-09T14:48:55.621-08:00A little predicamentA couple of months ago, Nathan and I bought some land. 0.29 acres of land. I keep saying, "We bought land" but I'm finding that it's confusing to a lot of people. <div><br /></div><div>Usually, conversations go like this:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Friend:</b> So, how's life? Anything new happening?</div><div><b>Me:</b> Oh, yes, actually. We bought some land! </div><div><b>Friend:</b> That's awesome. I love land! Neighborhoods are the worst. Land is way better. Only the best people buy land.</div><div><b>Me:</b> The land is in a neighborhood. The land is 0.29 acres.</div><div><b>Friend:</b> I'm a huge loser.</div><div><b>Me:</b> Yes, you are.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I crack a joke to try to convince my friend that my feelings aren't hurt. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I need to come up with a better way to tell people we bought land that's in a neighborhood so people will stop putting their feet in their mouth and feeling terrible about it. I promise I don't care that they hate neighborhoods. I love land, too. And I love neighborhoods. Nathan and I both grew up in "landorhoods"....neighborhoods with tons of land. We are definitely advocates for both. Don't try to pigeonhole us. No sirree. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>This is the weirdest blog post I've ever written. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been trying to think of what to name our land in a neighborhood. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't like "We bought a lot." Because then people would say "A lot of what?"</div><div>Heather suggested "a plot" but I think that sounds like "we bought a space to get buried in."</div><div>I thought of "We bought some agriculture." </div><div>Then I thought of "We bought some horticulture." But then I remembered I'm not exactly sure what "horticulture" means.</div><div>I thought of "foliage", "a plain", and "a space filled with living things". </div><div><br /></div><div>Then Heather suggested "A lot in a neighborhood". But I vetoed that because after all my ideas, that just sounded really boring. So, now I'm convinced it's got to be all catchy and creative and fun. But not have a ton of alliteration. Don't even get me started on over-using alliteration. </div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see, this is a very serious post. Stop wrapping your gifts and help a girl out. Name our land in a neighborhood! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Heather Ridings Couch, I can't stop laughing.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-25266857451875053872011-12-09T11:30:00.000-08:002011-12-09T11:43:46.602-08:00Homemade, Fun, Simple Advent Calendar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJMTRDNTBOUwTm0hYKtjskOwtVBLAg_fUXXhUJ9duG8kCCJdxJYVG1Q5g0HP8FJdMwhupyW-8Q8Urr9Ymy_DIIffZC38B98SleXMGNGTS-n8mtbMQfsotcg6HhB-paCNjpqM5K_TLsEg/s1600/026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJMTRDNTBOUwTm0hYKtjskOwtVBLAg_fUXXhUJ9duG8kCCJdxJYVG1Q5g0HP8FJdMwhupyW-8Q8Urr9Ymy_DIIffZC38B98SleXMGNGTS-n8mtbMQfsotcg6HhB-paCNjpqM5K_TLsEg/s400/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684216085808836082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaZZoFLNyDzNpbaBw7NV3oiUv9-nnxQVNQezIO-5lPeIXcqzseBy-YKx047MlCkBMafPvF2p-uDA9xRS4tY4EJ0pIoxVCcZ_qHuErr89Q0wmTgdO70hXxZlMc-cQFK7C_Y81ZVcFz2BU/s1600/025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaZZoFLNyDzNpbaBw7NV3oiUv9-nnxQVNQezIO-5lPeIXcqzseBy-YKx047MlCkBMafPvF2p-uDA9xRS4tY4EJ0pIoxVCcZ_qHuErr89Q0wmTgdO70hXxZlMc-cQFK7C_Y81ZVcFz2BU/s400/025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684216081042310210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOlz_9NfZHMh16ZZ7ORFIHWM4Ahg2cJZhJ0Y_v_L8OJtY-E0uXbh4xIbgONFeU8wuSUhvDIlosi_EabyzD_PYjElZw8xYf9nyMn1RgQ7xnVvLKVdiKMHbNjJJ-kC20cf94Pmwfsjc4JM/s1600/024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOlz_9NfZHMh16ZZ7ORFIHWM4Ahg2cJZhJ0Y_v_L8OJtY-E0uXbh4xIbgONFeU8wuSUhvDIlosi_EabyzD_PYjElZw8xYf9nyMn1RgQ7xnVvLKVdiKMHbNjJJ-kC20cf94Pmwfsjc4JM/s400/024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684215287243451922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVK4PUxGF80duk7x7JrNcKbS5_Xcp-SEq-NLmhd5u0293kiOOGOXB9TbdFu6-7vbeYPyTyIXF6ALIT6mwo_IVZD9E3Ihs7qoVSWs8KDT-MTCa7iGWkHK-SJUfTWsZGB50fyoWnTl_U-k/s1600/023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVK4PUxGF80duk7x7JrNcKbS5_Xcp-SEq-NLmhd5u0293kiOOGOXB9TbdFu6-7vbeYPyTyIXF6ALIT6mwo_IVZD9E3Ihs7qoVSWs8KDT-MTCa7iGWkHK-SJUfTWsZGB50fyoWnTl_U-k/s400/023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684215282581368802" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-17857903752077567722011-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:002011-12-08T12:41:22.238-08:00Look what Connor's been up to!<img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/385128_10150467655901042_725806041_10327974_286864342_n.jpg" />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-65080825374776446402011-12-07T12:49:00.000-08:002011-12-07T13:32:09.196-08:00Christmas Decorations<div style="text-align: center;">Yay for Christmas! And yay for Christmas decorations!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz7J0nNW8onzN_b_9U3qcdcOlVQoPU4IgIz0sqHxwl4CNwUM59FTLw0I1t8Qg6VntzFMcAYftVmUKNL5QlXeymZUghYcflJl3AH45I2BD66Xud82pAgg78CRKAQoZscbqy_1JEeg1XAE/s1600/029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz7J0nNW8onzN_b_9U3qcdcOlVQoPU4IgIz0sqHxwl4CNwUM59FTLw0I1t8Qg6VntzFMcAYftVmUKNL5QlXeymZUghYcflJl3AH45I2BD66Xud82pAgg78CRKAQoZscbqy_1JEeg1XAE/s400/029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683492450376570354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the den. The bow on top of the tree is from Carolina Pottery. I picked out the ribbon about seven years ago and the wonderful ladies there made it into a tree topper. Reagan, the 4-year-old, estimates there are 267 ornaments on our tree.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw9R7Mgj-f1MVtI_QCPJYuTqd4lNgvJXjJg6E4t1OPIE_umypNqorBPcF79pIzoKa7hHG-yCIlmN6_CHWoUXcmB6ZAMZ8PmwwndpLuvk9572fGAKW_ElrVrkcw7fHEvg-RhAgRjh9Uug/s400/031.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The stocking holders are each engraved with our names and have our baby pictures. Reagan had her picture made in the same dress I wore when I was her age. The stockings are from Target 9 years ago. We were at our friends', Heather and Kevin Couch's, house, and they had those stockings. I thought they were the most perfect stockings I'd ever laid eyes on and they told me they got them at Target. Nathan and I headed there. We went down the stocking aisle, spotted them, grabbed two, and were about to leave when the thought occurred to me, <i>Wait a minute. I love these stockings so much. I want to have them for the rest of my life. When we have children, I want them to each have a stocking. </i>So, that night, in Target, while we had been married only a few months, we decided we would have 3 children. And we walked out of Target with 5 stockings and our jaws hanging open.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVQ38Y1tw8OsZhqE7DoVuAw3yU0_8WMVMugi7aOm1plaF4cc1GqpOuHJsDuUZX7-JQUQiIqcmDwjLREbbo_2ERVhQeTNNPlP4643EH-iC0zBG_fRVgxGoqEDWZFL7n93x6JgW8pgR5Uw/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVQ38Y1tw8OsZhqE7DoVuAw3yU0_8WMVMugi7aOm1plaF4cc1GqpOuHJsDuUZX7-JQUQiIqcmDwjLREbbo_2ERVhQeTNNPlP4643EH-iC0zBG_fRVgxGoqEDWZFL7n93x6JgW8pgR5Uw/s400/028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683492442321119250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This antique lamp sits in our kitchen year round. Usually it sits on a blue plate. I switched it out for a red one because I'm extremely good at decorating. You'll also notice Landon, the six-year-old, added some texture with the mini Lego sets on the plate. Nice touch.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-0aYlQQnLWthaKUb0COl0sGH0EJ_Mw90z5OJcr1ZWb8FLNZ6u0dnUhpc2G3Ppl1Tu2KPvnFnURJcNMHoLVzouoRghOOLWipVFBQVWEsyD5TI361Dpz4p1U205MEQDvoDK54zT2Oqg_g/s1600/027.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-0aYlQQnLWthaKUb0COl0sGH0EJ_Mw90z5OJcr1ZWb8FLNZ6u0dnUhpc2G3Ppl1Tu2KPvnFnURJcNMHoLVzouoRghOOLWipVFBQVWEsyD5TI361Dpz4p1U205MEQDvoDK54zT2Oqg_g/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683492439948971346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The bird cage is filled with red and silver ornaments. I usually ask Nathan to put the ornaments on garland and display them beautifully over our kitchen cabinet but this year I poured the ornaments into a bird cage. He was stoked about my decision.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlClO0ul6lMzc-YLyFJ4ELde55D5RV3ZOE-vOxmSdj-wfj2JbFGl9TeeG9vdLLRxndNHTyqjq1gW3aVp39C_TozX15UJTzKEwUV6MiaeSS6Xsxa4RvL6wTMGY1MZoAPlNelq2kBrWzi4/s400/034.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Nativity Set. I made it look normal for this picture. Typically, my children try to cram every single item into the stable. And the 2-year-old loves knocking down the wise men with his sword.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oq5mVugC89g7lB2InoyDiaBYZwtxpBZyidZOjh7dniDUoE5eYjYy0MIM_ddUIpP9vCJDNTA020q1PHkkT2D4QaI4idP56z_CTHYPKKPbDUVobPZHU8qcyRvy3iVxZ-8pfQLULHyuRwY/s400/032.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made those little trees that sit on our photo table. I bought green, foam forms from Michael's, wrapped them with yarn, and added red pom-poms. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp2pe_V-NHGucIX1P5fNYM1ZCNBESj36LzeUpJheFuBhwwl9WKtivhf0HGuYIXb4RSjGksNGFQqK5-Blrdtl45fMhS4d32-1o9xYhCEsCJRmoNq8MBrC9MJFcFp8HJwUmO8We2t-IM6k/s400/036.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is our cross tree. I have been saving cross ornaments for several years in the hopes that one day I would have a cross tree in our foyer to greet all our guests as they entered. Last year, I found this tree on clearance after Christmas. I love how this sweet, simple tree turned out. Such a great reminder of the One who loves us so very much and is worthy of celebration all 365 days of the year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GxGeCAQ_Hissyu6UQ_cbixPrDrsqBwJKN3x4Qod-IWbBi9PaDzYW8sydBqrYnhjzHGmLJfKTG7jDL-Zp9QuJV1kWHjTGxnYkPtjwrzdSvX1BmhZ5q2fNHJDQu-0auipeu7BtFUYecAk/s400/037.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-44283923163034817832011-11-22T06:25:00.001-08:002011-11-22T06:44:27.118-08:00Thanksgiving Feast with Pretty Princess<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywXo4ckugEDXxVWxwbh_8lZtKtZFkUHIV8YieBIiLNb84MMkd03cqvkmM-iYKVauqAsXoXgpVMQKtQxHgKn9XHm4uzQL8hyH3fudurIaJa38gV6SQlgYaMr43uirlL2PJDwghtASU4RY/s1600/013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywXo4ckugEDXxVWxwbh_8lZtKtZFkUHIV8YieBIiLNb84MMkd03cqvkmM-iYKVauqAsXoXgpVMQKtQxHgKn9XHm4uzQL8hyH3fudurIaJa38gV6SQlgYaMr43uirlL2PJDwghtASU4RY/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677829008161619026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The feast: turkey sandwiches, carrots, grapes and cheese skewers, Rice Krispy treat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YFOGV91xCY4B1vOn9Hzu44KOIVm7jGk7iO6GbyQAbt11ic9nVySxug55uss7xmy0diKsgRBrRz8nJKG9jOgcWI-I-Rd-f2BszOH5RiQD0ura4Pw4WKRQSLJLQQSD33-jHDG46bUeYlg/s1600/017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YFOGV91xCY4B1vOn9Hzu44KOIVm7jGk7iO6GbyQAbt11ic9nVySxug55uss7xmy0diKsgRBrRz8nJKG9jOgcWI-I-Rd-f2BszOH5RiQD0ura4Pw4WKRQSLJLQQSD33-jHDG46bUeYlg/s400/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827946422428498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My little turkey and me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_xA8NfmB0SyosvGJXGQxPfBIPcatPydRH-FHu7kXd3gb_ghjQ-8yUG0zoK_Cwr0M934igfQLJOhepIxO9kc7URCTbGC-BM7aFUpKIMKx9xahE14ro3lTwgqdhYHdKi5BgdASmObp-nQ/s1600/016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_xA8NfmB0SyosvGJXGQxPfBIPcatPydRH-FHu7kXd3gb_ghjQ-8yUG0zoK_Cwr0M934igfQLJOhepIxO9kc7URCTbGC-BM7aFUpKIMKx9xahE14ro3lTwgqdhYHdKi5BgdASmObp-nQ/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827932828161986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Her biggest hero, her daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJRPlzbv6V8fEyjWUFPqflShl6ng41SyNCJRCqX-nEwNFh2P9T46C70u6X_Eq1euEiP1ZsTHpXof_PNMm16410lfo6_ChNL0mymep_2SXcEobIbW2E6UA56Wm7EDGED8MwFTqNFgRjD0/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJRPlzbv6V8fEyjWUFPqflShl6ng41SyNCJRCqX-nEwNFh2P9T46C70u6X_Eq1euEiP1ZsTHpXof_PNMm16410lfo6_ChNL0mymep_2SXcEobIbW2E6UA56Wm7EDGED8MwFTqNFgRjD0/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827930188671234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Both 4-year-old classrooms feasted together. One class dressed up as pilgrims, the other as Native Americans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlci0sdDdm9qZnsqM3zwIrw-wc0VhM9XGXG-qQm_HH28W1u7P9RU1pcfz9rIVFcj6bjYJFIufX675tPVdI9wPSHcEDazbSbaWhMqVp4UUym72l-gvnTn_yLM05OPsQiYAR2Cihd8GNV0/s1600/002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlci0sdDdm9qZnsqM3zwIrw-wc0VhM9XGXG-qQm_HH28W1u7P9RU1pcfz9rIVFcj6bjYJFIufX675tPVdI9wPSHcEDazbSbaWhMqVp4UUym72l-gvnTn_yLM05OPsQiYAR2Cihd8GNV0/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827203971052402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Each child in Reagan's dress got to choose their Native American name. She chose Pretty Princess. Shocking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXdUa9mklrMlxQekOquDvAr3mUEQcZjNJdlZ7DMRfFGkwDBsdsuyU2aZAbZurF3Ymr5juLGiY5-enbxAakt8q-JGVVy99KJqLjrSWphZym01GVJoafjoIVKaQn5AeIkZ9B74nE3heEFk/s1600/009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXdUa9mklrMlxQekOquDvAr3mUEQcZjNJdlZ7DMRfFGkwDBsdsuyU2aZAbZurF3Ymr5juLGiY5-enbxAakt8q-JGVVy99KJqLjrSWphZym01GVJoafjoIVKaQn5AeIkZ9B74nE3heEFk/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827195504491634" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nviGYrwTAO0xrq_BDPAKczfsVGDxGzqAtxeO1CHAtZPl0ObR-JP825G9mXP_R7-5kTtlN9g0oUvtKv1z3sukYWOL3FghlIvUozFAcZfDm4pGBCYvW3voVMQ4HkdHeQMyvTQvylLFOX8/s1600/020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nviGYrwTAO0xrq_BDPAKczfsVGDxGzqAtxeO1CHAtZPl0ObR-JP825G9mXP_R7-5kTtlN9g0oUvtKv1z3sukYWOL3FghlIvUozFAcZfDm4pGBCYvW3voVMQ4HkdHeQMyvTQvylLFOX8/s400/020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677827180744536962" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ExfNHApCoMlRrVD67DWqdBrX-xW8utgvTfK6wB2xR2_qWemIYNrg78zoYpY8XJ-nWljd-r2LSqTLVeNl_vKJRgcYk1AUs_Fky0EZIs755-cZVtOZ7ij2ESXkSuEegMBtfwBdA6ba5e0/s400/015.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The class used their footprints to make feathers for the thankful turkey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOczFZUhbxPNHbdznK6EIPWEGQBJlKu5LDhqkkhgOLd5FNxItxTuUS2f0Zivz_6YNf1kBoYExvBrNgypWXw36ZAzF33tErq8nd4V-alGq5gcn-WuMBoQIn7q96pJffVUAO-eRvdvisog/s400/014.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I am thankful that Jesus died on the cross for our sins." -Reagan, age 4</div></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-46758131239977846532011-11-18T04:41:00.000-08:002011-11-18T05:03:39.934-08:00She knows her very well!<i>On Wednesday, Nathan and I attended Reagan's parent/teacher conference. Here are just a few quotes from her teacher, Mrs. Jenn. She sure does know our daughter well!</i><div><br /></div><div>"She is very independent."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She is a great helper. I can always count on her to help the kids who can't put on their jackets or zip their coats. I call her the loft helper because she always knows how to clean it."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She's always happy. Always bubbly."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She has a vivid imagination."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She is everyone's friend. Everybody always wants to play with Reagan."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She's very chatty."</div><div><br /></div><div>"If I had one wish, it would be that when I call her over to work with me, she wouldn't rush through her work just so she can go back to playing. I want her to take her time." </div><div><br /></div><div>"She's not really interested in the details. She is more about the big picture."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She loves books." </div><div><br /></div><div>"She's a natural leader. It might be more effective if I sat on the floor and she taught the class."</div><div><br /></div><div><i>After the conference, Reagan couldn't wait to hear what Mrs. Jenn said. I told her everything and then said, "The one wish Mrs. Jenn had for you was that you take your time when you are working with her. Don't rush." Reagan said she would tell Mrs. Jenn, "I'm not going to rush to go play." </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I saw Mrs. Jenn on Thursday and told her what Reagan said. Mrs. Jenn then proceeded to laugh and said, "Well, today I was working with two students on a turkey project. They were gluing feathers to the turkey. Wynn said, 'Wow! How did Reagan finish so fast?' I looked over and, instead of gluing the feathers down one at a time like most children had done, she squirted glue on the paper and tossed all the feathers in the air, letting them fall where they may on the paper. And off she went to play.'" </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>And that sums up our little girl. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-4153824536764280182011-11-17T13:56:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:57:36.419-08:00Awesome.What's grosser than gross?<div><br /></div><div>When your two-year-old walks in your room with a diaper in one hand and a huge doo-doo ball in the other. </div><div><br /></div><div>Awesome.</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-56735574610286154962011-11-17T04:51:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:49:32.490-08:00Craftilicious Girls Night Out!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>On Tuesday night, I invited the women from my Sunday School class over for a girly-crafty-let's-make-a-Christmas-wreath night. "Crafty" and "Christy" are kind of antonyms. I have majorly low self-esteem when it comes to arts and crafts. But my friend Ellen keeps blogging about how God created us so we should create. And at first I rolled my eyes and kind of thought <i>easy for you to say little miss handmade recess lady complete with a sewing machine and an etsy shop and all that jazz. </i>But then I reminded myself that creating doesn't just mean sewing stuff. It can also mean creating a peaceful home, creating a purposeful daily schedule, creating a family mission statement, creating a painting that covers the lipstick mural created by the two-year-old.<div><br /></div><div>So then I started seeing myself as creative.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I found Pinterest. And that made me start to consider the tiny possibility that somewhere in my logical, non-crafty, non-girly self, I could find a cell that could make a craft. So I started pinning. And pinning. And pinning. And never crafting. But majorly pinning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then Heather started a craft club and bragged about how much fun it was. She doesn't live in my town so I couldn't join it but I thought to myself <i>I may not love to craft but I sure do love people so maybe I'll give this a shot</i>! And that's how crafty-girly-night was birthed!</div><div><br /></div><div>We had the best time! And my wreath turned out really cute considering about 5 minutes before the evening started, I had no idea what I was going to make. Amazing what some yarn and balls can turn into.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5pEab427O-u98K5zbBFwrDel7recx9oo2ntSkUJZxEoquqmPPBEl3Hj0HVJrJMPdxqfai6TntHReWdLKNBOzQMnjrK97F9TCCIQ3xI9oY1zJbTps_QILC3zApvTY_hFrOjNpNQcr3tU/s1600/013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5pEab427O-u98K5zbBFwrDel7recx9oo2ntSkUJZxEoquqmPPBEl3Hj0HVJrJMPdxqfai6TntHReWdLKNBOzQMnjrK97F9TCCIQ3xI9oY1zJbTps_QILC3zApvTY_hFrOjNpNQcr3tU/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675951162801136162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Biggest Wreath award went to Angie.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRsUygjiVGkyLMDZ-yyS63HXnMTSPxk8jTiEYBIfHMRZpyY9Yup2W1E_C0SSIA5oFOEstcKIRSlOloWwCM0mzqfDmt7VloUxuYL1POunKF3iK_kjzc2i1kaLtOqLL-3CYSKz4Kd02dxM/s1600/009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRsUygjiVGkyLMDZ-yyS63HXnMTSPxk8jTiEYBIfHMRZpyY9Yup2W1E_C0SSIA5oFOEstcKIRSlOloWwCM0mzqfDmt7VloUxuYL1POunKF3iK_kjzc2i1kaLtOqLL-3CYSKz4Kd02dxM/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675951146319817714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smallest Wreath award went to Stacia.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia986KDQ1SqRWvgm6YrVu0Vb6YvrlJKJvVhPbbimo5mDiPCvcxErpar4uNLEan8IhyphenhyphenirxxWAik_2pWQHy77a4GugBRLjzB57jxdAjRgxUT_QRfARxI3YGj-iIRmF9IgoLpX_SouZhDouI/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia986KDQ1SqRWvgm6YrVu0Vb6YvrlJKJvVhPbbimo5mDiPCvcxErpar4uNLEan8IhyphenhyphenirxxWAik_2pWQHy77a4GugBRLjzB57jxdAjRgxUT_QRfARxI3YGj-iIRmF9IgoLpX_SouZhDouI/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675951142669297762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My wreath</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfKgw6D1VYY7Os-LxQmqyPE7ELlNMgUfoJ_eiy80Wca1xq33t6CsEV9UKw7OylkIkJGx0_MLU-OOk47FJbqm8jrJZly7GFlAj4opLk-SeOsXL0rHBO7N6xWMrJd9aBrJTT3W2REz54ac/s400/015.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-42833893840970867842011-11-16T09:40:00.000-08:002011-11-16T09:45:53.713-08:00Thankful.Today I am thankful for God's faithfulness. No matter the circumstances, He is there. But especially today I am thankful for the year He has brought our family through. And even in the midst of so many unknowns, He has shown unfailing love, redemption, and kindness. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-85951999234600425792011-11-10T12:50:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:02:44.877-08:00Connor UpdateThis post will probably bore you to tears. I'm not offended. I just want to document Connor's progress. <div><br /></div><div>Connor has been in speech therapy for 3 weeks. He's 26 months old. Expressively, he's like an 11-month-old. Receptively, he's like an 18-month-old. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although he is only independently speaking about 3 words, he is beginning to imitate. Yesterday, November 9, 2011, he imitated 24 sounds/words! The therapist was blown away and I was absolutely thrilled! Because of his ability to now imitate sounds and some signs, his frustration at not being able to communicate has lessened tremendously. He is also starting to babble slightly during play. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I am ready for him to initiate speaking on his own. However, the therapist has reassured me imitating is a necessary first step and it's a big deal he is doing this so quickly. She is also thrilled that there is so much inflection in his voice and that he shows lots of emotion. </div><div><br /></div><div>ooooo (blue)</div><div>uh</div><div>oh (no)</div><div>uh-oh</div><div>ball</div><div>Daddy</div><div>Momma</div><div>roll</div><div>two</div><div>puh</div><div>ess (yes)</div><div>eese (please)</div><div>whoo whoo (choo choo)</div><div>mmmm (more)</div><div>eee</div><div>puh (pull)</div><div>ck (yuck)</div><div>ssss</div><div>tttt</div><div>ah du (all done)</div><div>eee uh (clean up)</div><div>wow</div><div>whoa</div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-45288637110657637952011-11-07T11:16:00.000-08:002011-11-07T11:34:31.550-08:00The Mitchells<div>Nathan and I have been leading a Bible Study for engaged couples and newlyweds for about six months. 3 weeks ago, one of the couples and two of our dearest friends, Bethany and Benji, got married. I got the huge honor of being one of the bridesmaids.<div><br /></div><div>Bethany was absolutely stunning. The wedding was gorgeous. And I did my best to not stick out as the only bridesmaid in her thirties. None of the girls said "yes ma'am" so I considered that a success. I also made sure to not mention Crock Pots or vacuuming or WMHK. I said things like "Yo, the Cupid Shuffle rocks" and "So, how many hours are you taking this semester?"</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaZ8MiwEBLF-MS-fgB9-yf31C9-phZflSwjrZDKddnTl767PFoHAk2drCgq2ePVddZJU1_oZ9AjDLBdDLOS8Kxl2-OgCc1Ush5vsL_cRg0AN1_ILfPQLuhSJ40WwW_Eob5jcTCf6SdvQ/s1600/019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaZ8MiwEBLF-MS-fgB9-yf31C9-phZflSwjrZDKddnTl767PFoHAk2drCgq2ePVddZJU1_oZ9AjDLBdDLOS8Kxl2-OgCc1Ush5vsL_cRg0AN1_ILfPQLuhSJ40WwW_Eob5jcTCf6SdvQ/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672339022247792242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab8QZjtS2Wsqk-e19yBFggQms9rZosJa3YiLcIZFwRhgbXGIYiQHvY7-kRzzH-tqRblAfTr66k-ErafgsJTP6h8laMcK0w12CW4-IrW_vd7whOhmEExVrwf_wvoowH7Mx-UTrQicjAVE/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab8QZjtS2Wsqk-e19yBFggQms9rZosJa3YiLcIZFwRhgbXGIYiQHvY7-kRzzH-tqRblAfTr66k-ErafgsJTP6h8laMcK0w12CW4-IrW_vd7whOhmEExVrwf_wvoowH7Mx-UTrQicjAVE/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672339011245850530" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-63810220963794670822011-11-03T13:06:00.001-07:002011-11-04T09:53:17.745-07:00The Great Wolf Lodge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rdUnw5FHVTzyqTqKTunBnvQ3k-GbVXqiqn4YNw7976hmaI7lOppMp1WleMuKNHAfmUwceVNLG8Tv3E9BBF59_qSeFV2exKRuqYDNoJy5wLc2YdZNzmlpewN_KzywLavXUUiPv7Xlzpo/s1600/089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rdUnw5FHVTzyqTqKTunBnvQ3k-GbVXqiqn4YNw7976hmaI7lOppMp1WleMuKNHAfmUwceVNLG8Tv3E9BBF59_qSeFV2exKRuqYDNoJy5wLc2YdZNzmlpewN_KzywLavXUUiPv7Xlzpo/s400/089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670866491716045842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmahnhJ3LSFSumG0DlUNXedP3CeCHodz_Rd8vJkS7KYcSWKWvlimUTbQ8ejh2PWyBNaiLFkru_VQDl8w-ZlgYITKlDiGWJmqnWP1pfUfqNMD-ZI1VJqVxP0_uIVTzGQHuuVEq43obqRU/s1600/081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmahnhJ3LSFSumG0DlUNXedP3CeCHodz_Rd8vJkS7KYcSWKWvlimUTbQ8ejh2PWyBNaiLFkru_VQDl8w-ZlgYITKlDiGWJmqnWP1pfUfqNMD-ZI1VJqVxP0_uIVTzGQHuuVEq43obqRU/s400/081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670866489916591858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALcnY9jeac9HHE3B2a0qrj1Px8rJbMKVf7wisLnhoO4i8q1mGZuTT3N-E02wd3bIfmAbEaV7lw7nKDfLMP-m6kxb-TXXc905bXqW2FP7HRrEem8jPZDPGFhbVv_Q1VsCVSyWMbUyrMO8/s1600/068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALcnY9jeac9HHE3B2a0qrj1Px8rJbMKVf7wisLnhoO4i8q1mGZuTT3N-E02wd3bIfmAbEaV7lw7nKDfLMP-m6kxb-TXXc905bXqW2FP7HRrEem8jPZDPGFhbVv_Q1VsCVSyWMbUyrMO8/s400/068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670865175607999778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn-VVuuxJGyspSX1XuaH7NESNme8x_AcxL2pRHE1pI7CN_zimyfgFP6RhTMdVHG88AI0a4n_PaQas_SvtEZhytnHdLU6npNaGv8MN1uke42o5le8ZvyUJo1C9V1K7qGCuqDGKEsuW33k/s1600/105.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn-VVuuxJGyspSX1XuaH7NESNme8x_AcxL2pRHE1pI7CN_zimyfgFP6RhTMdVHG88AI0a4n_PaQas_SvtEZhytnHdLU6npNaGv8MN1uke42o5le8ZvyUJo1C9V1K7qGCuqDGKEsuW33k/s400/105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670865167192174322" /></a><br />A few weeks ago, Nathan and I took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte, NC for the weekend. Now, I say "weekend" because we were there for almost 2 full days but only spent one night. In my opinion, the rooms per night seemed quite pricey but after seeking advice from some friends, we learned that you can use the indoor waterpark almost all day the day you check in and until it closes on the day you check out. So spending only one evening still gave us 2 full days in the waterpark. And that's my little tidbit of wisdom for the day. You're welcome.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-91604642719485834602011-11-02T10:40:00.000-07:002011-11-02T11:28:26.230-07:00Using our gifts.Today my mind is on gifts. <div><br /></div><div>As women, it's easy to compare ourselves to others. To what others have. To what others can do. To how others look. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I wish I could sew like her.</i></div><div><i>I wish I could sing like her.</i></div><div><i>I wish I were as smart as she.</i></div><div><i>I wish my house looked like hers.</i></div><div><i>I wish I was funny like her.</i></div><div><i>I wish my body looked more like hers.</i></div><div><i>I wish the inside of my car looked like hers and didn't have dried french fries and socks and paperwork falling out of it (</i>oh, is it just me?)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a dangerous place to live. Comparing ourselves to others. Especially when God says we are remarkably and wonderfully made. And we should know that full well! God has gifted us all in different ways. And during different seasons of life, we may experience different gifts. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, let's cling to His promises and steward well what we've been gifted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few tangible examples. </div><div><br /></div><div>Heather is crafty. And so full of peace. She can sew. She can smock. She can take a $2 find from a yard sale and turn it into a gem. So she started a craft club. Once a month she is inviting several friends over for a peace-filled craft night and is using her gifts to bless others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sally's gift is listening. And facilitating discussion. So she does that as a literacy coach in her full-time job but she also blesses others with her geniune, sincere listening personality in her all interactions. Every time I have dinner with her, I leave with a new nugget of wisdom on how to be a stronger, more intentional listener. </div><div><br /></div><div>What are your gifts? You have them. And they aren't the same as your friends or your neighbors. How can you use your gifts to bless others? </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe your gift is baking. Bake stuff and bless others with it.</div><div>Maybe you have a big house. Invite people over and love them to pieces.</div><div>Maybe you have a bunch of money. Invest well and give generously.</div><div>Maybe you have a great voice. Sing.</div><div>Maybe you have cable. Invite me over to watch the game this weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>You're blessed. Stop looking at others talents and blessings and gifts and, instead, look at your own. And use them. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-77408738136330051832011-11-02T09:59:00.001-07:002011-11-02T10:07:47.397-07:00Happy Halloween!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIpfwbHX2-R1fw_Ln-h_ztMgEpLzXhetLPDqPSblZOR0CH8sO6Fc_yxsBRYfxkYtkv-U1TqvtbqIbotGfY9qtZSktsHMkV4PHmuknchdw3OdI5Sa-aKYbokb_Z1XcXHrWsGMmT3HQPIs/s1600/023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIpfwbHX2-R1fw_Ln-h_ztMgEpLzXhetLPDqPSblZOR0CH8sO6Fc_yxsBRYfxkYtkv-U1TqvtbqIbotGfY9qtZSktsHMkV4PHmuknchdw3OdI5Sa-aKYbokb_Z1XcXHrWsGMmT3HQPIs/s400/023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670445384849729986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlqLCZ3K_8nOsml7Bl7O0p8fE17Ck7ivKet1wAt5E_pOn1h7Wg_BZ-J7jV6JuLsEMQJkbtXXOaKLGwYsUL81KJhCkJMRDzfiN7J7gvz-uQmfY3v8I350LduzPuJ0m9rE6v0EZGS3MXdM/s1600/022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlqLCZ3K_8nOsml7Bl7O0p8fE17Ck7ivKet1wAt5E_pOn1h7Wg_BZ-J7jV6JuLsEMQJkbtXXOaKLGwYsUL81KJhCkJMRDzfiN7J7gvz-uQmfY3v8I350LduzPuJ0m9rE6v0EZGS3MXdM/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670444563551643202" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-48884918171362455482011-11-01T11:24:00.000-07:002011-11-01T11:35:49.546-07:00Catch Up1. The following blogposts are coming soon: "The Great Wolf Lodge Extravaganza", "Halloween 2011", and "Boo at the Zoo". Just hold your little horses, Mom!<div><br /></div><div>2. Less than 10 weeks until Christmas. I shopped all morning and had the best time with Connor Man. The cool thing about shopping with a two-year-old is he's still oblivious enough to not even notice when I buy a huge 3-wheeler for him. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. Connor has been in speech therapy for two weeks now and I'm blown away by his improvements! He is imitating sounds that I make and has learned about 3 signs. He is consistently saying, "Momma", "Daddy", "ball", "mmmm" (more), "doggie", "whoo-whoo" (train), "hey", "bye", "esss" (yes), "k" (milk or yuck), and "wafa" (waffle). He's also doing some babbling on his own while he plays with his toys. Gooooooo Connor Man!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Our HOUSE IS FOR SALE! If you send us someone who will buy our house, we'll give you some commission...like definitely at least a five dollar bill.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-89575765982535794922011-10-28T11:32:00.001-07:002011-10-28T11:35:32.861-07:00Happy Friday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5WIlCfdXc3t_vRwn8zAX9IbsMv1Kn3b9ADOhXSdX_JrBcqeX_kfjJP1eg3z8x-gHc-MoznrFlBADg0Q37tjlxD4g2LbkYwjorBk74BFaAZJjMsmuCkWBnynXftFMQd76VDVVbG6CRvs/s1600/008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5WIlCfdXc3t_vRwn8zAX9IbsMv1Kn3b9ADOhXSdX_JrBcqeX_kfjJP1eg3z8x-gHc-MoznrFlBADg0Q37tjlxD4g2LbkYwjorBk74BFaAZJjMsmuCkWBnynXftFMQd76VDVVbG6CRvs/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668613303190919410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFP0Q6__LjFeT3BqFLJpzJrFdqjLZOUERKSFpCY0aRZ3Jm7THyVd-c-IdG5GlJBT3bZXxXWRUpXIR8hd_kohmgYAopOEHS8JEndbJnEDOcgjMgzuqajVkg7NmRKfDpuA-xlQap2Gsth4/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFP0Q6__LjFeT3BqFLJpzJrFdqjLZOUERKSFpCY0aRZ3Jm7THyVd-c-IdG5GlJBT3bZXxXWRUpXIR8hd_kohmgYAopOEHS8JEndbJnEDOcgjMgzuqajVkg7NmRKfDpuA-xlQap2Gsth4/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668613300974610770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">From my twin boys</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-61198541314970268082011-10-14T10:20:00.001-07:002011-10-14T10:49:00.321-07:00Happy Reading!<div>Nathan and I read to our kiddos each night before bed. And we love it. Nathan is currently reading The Chronicles of Narnia to Landon. Connor's really into his Bible and books about dogs and pajamas. Reagan loves books about princesses and Pinkalicious and Biscuit. All three kids are obsessed with Shel Silverstein's poems. </div><div><br /></div><div>We value our nightly reading-in-bed-to-our-kids ritual. But lately, I've realized how little our kids see Nathan and I reading books. They see me reading recipes, letters, magazines, coupons, menus, forms, and directions. And that's important. But, I tend to read books after they are in bed. That got me thinking about how to change that. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, our family has added something new to our evening routine. Before we read to the kids in bed, we all gather downstairs in the den to read independently but near one another. Landon calls it "Independent Reading" because that's what he calls it at school. We all sprawl out on the floor or couch and each of us reads our own books. Right now, our family have about 15 minutes of independent reading stamina. The two-year-old has a little less....about 10 minutes. It has become a predictable, consistent part of our evening and has encouraged meaningful conversations about books. </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe reading books together as a family:</div><div>1. helps the children see Nathan and I as readers.</div><div>2. promotes meaningful talk about books.</div><div>3. models for our two- and four-year-old what reading looks like.</div><div>4. gets the kids interested in each others' books and encourages them to try a new author.</div><div>5. is just plain fun.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKTJgARnAdzoBJ0HLrXLsE-AAMRFy9QN2G2XEwCZtsZobucR3meA76qEy03IF_IkVacLbReywH4TbCffQo7msDX_wNjX_KqhDaqvVF-dOGNXEpwNsTG5fHSsPKdfrYfogtUZrVaCNDY8/s1600/115.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKTJgARnAdzoBJ0HLrXLsE-AAMRFy9QN2G2XEwCZtsZobucR3meA76qEy03IF_IkVacLbReywH4TbCffQo7msDX_wNjX_KqhDaqvVF-dOGNXEpwNsTG5fHSsPKdfrYfogtUZrVaCNDY8/s400/115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663400311385564210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbF-nnzq9Oa5NcMDw_WvdtPJC-PTQiinfXbb11SlecPuJbLFRFfHCGx8fi1NEhKQTduL1hUCjjKA7guGhRIdLeeGireKYcIoLrn7MbqJoXGRs-vBg0QyF14oPXinEMzzZEqo7f90JtC4/s1600/110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbF-nnzq9Oa5NcMDw_WvdtPJC-PTQiinfXbb11SlecPuJbLFRFfHCGx8fi1NEhKQTduL1hUCjjKA7guGhRIdLeeGireKYcIoLrn7MbqJoXGRs-vBg0QyF14oPXinEMzzZEqo7f90JtC4/s400/110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663400294892009458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOefQOipQz5INTH-XD55tPRBc54ECFo1NC5a2gwuE5x_AvnSPQ7-CQOMQeylzRCD3g90ZPbtA3fmeQYYp52rD1NCD81zq7mtRwDOi1p1tt0Hwec70Bi3-TQbcjwE_Cp7Br1xre_o5qK4/s1600/113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOefQOipQz5INTH-XD55tPRBc54ECFo1NC5a2gwuE5x_AvnSPQ7-CQOMQeylzRCD3g90ZPbtA3fmeQYYp52rD1NCD81zq7mtRwDOi1p1tt0Hwec70Bi3-TQbcjwE_Cp7Br1xre_o5qK4/s400/113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663400288733355714" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545716115017368852.post-4100415738429176462011-10-07T11:45:00.000-07:002011-10-07T11:47:19.659-07:00Quote of the Day<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>"Mommy" </span>-<i>Connor, age 2</i><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13639908034665670525noreply@blogger.com0