tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42290934516476780892024-03-14T03:39:44.037-07:00Wonderfully MadeCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-48882530614048601862011-01-01T18:56:00.001-08:002011-01-01T18:56:47.372-08:00We've moved!I changed the address of my blog to <a href="http://www.wonderfullyhandmade.blogspot.com/">http://www.wonderfullyhandmade.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Come and visit us :)Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-20618272408123703382010-12-19T23:04:00.000-08:002010-12-21T15:35:11.290-08:00Family TraditionsWow! The semester is FINALLY over, and I feel like I will be able to breathe for a while. I've been absent for weeks--delving into the text books to finish the semester. Glad it's over....at least for a few weeks.<br /><br />So--Thanksgiving is gone...although I still have pictures to share of Thanksgiving Day with Brett's family. One of their family traditions is making homemade hot tamales. They normally do not make them on Thanksgiving, but because Brett's brother was in from out of state, it was the best opportunity for everyone in the family to participate. It's definitely a lot of work, but it's worth it!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6be9TXe1C17q2w4CVGp63JPBKGDoXvM0xQ8GDz_dkAWdMCLfWWYTVTwE-gyABHnT4HIGQcv_madV6ec9OehjYGMAUbn0aHoq78485Wb-8froX5hUkramK2zEoDRNgxcr_OYc06pGYiNq/s1600/Nov+25+2010+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6be9TXe1C17q2w4CVGp63JPBKGDoXvM0xQ8GDz_dkAWdMCLfWWYTVTwE-gyABHnT4HIGQcv_madV6ec9OehjYGMAUbn0aHoq78485Wb-8froX5hUkramK2zEoDRNgxcr_OYc06pGYiNq/s640/Nov+25+2010+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV-8FJi0GNgWbTv5jRMwdoBtvhVKLFpwoE-W7EJQA-LQrVMT-4XC-OYHZBB0px71NSWBbJbuvE8Rm7ZCpFfu56atN0POKLgtoDfzKrVuBwrSrPJxVgLp4gDyB1mFqG4TE6tXLkehJd3Nx/s1600/Nov+25+2010+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV-8FJi0GNgWbTv5jRMwdoBtvhVKLFpwoE-W7EJQA-LQrVMT-4XC-OYHZBB0px71NSWBbJbuvE8Rm7ZCpFfu56atN0POKLgtoDfzKrVuBwrSrPJxVgLp4gDyB1mFqG4TE6tXLkehJd3Nx/s640/Nov+25+2010+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1_Ynp4CZkA1UVk3MAGqIccTIEXcyIVUBE7JPDU8viuAaNnOcDQi9jG5mXI94kA6pM43cZoEIuS7tJ0WI_gZ6J5SUfK2uZvz-D8E-9LIZB-KvT_m6H-8bJg16TmVB-FvtEJGWFnLLJEvA/s1600/Nov+25+2010+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1_Ynp4CZkA1UVk3MAGqIccTIEXcyIVUBE7JPDU8viuAaNnOcDQi9jG5mXI94kA6pM43cZoEIuS7tJ0WI_gZ6J5SUfK2uZvz-D8E-9LIZB-KvT_m6H-8bJg16TmVB-FvtEJGWFnLLJEvA/s640/Nov+25+2010+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoaIZ09VPvzPAI16zCInZE4812TQjVXMEyXKzOchtZqk5GlAK5evvkwaxUd15lZm9vgRCFsjGi_T3FmoWNaoUEJTDj-GW0pOnLczXC-62LaxXO5GuU-RWA47hegUwTBumKHB9LIXWQZ14/s1600/Nov+25+2010+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoaIZ09VPvzPAI16zCInZE4812TQjVXMEyXKzOchtZqk5GlAK5evvkwaxUd15lZm9vgRCFsjGi_T3FmoWNaoUEJTDj-GW0pOnLczXC-62LaxXO5GuU-RWA47hegUwTBumKHB9LIXWQZ14/s640/Nov+25+2010+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I've always thought about family traditions--and have always thought about the ones I would want to have when I had a family. Well, now that time is here, and so far I don't know how well I'm doing :)<br /><br />I love families that have traditions that span the years because it gives everyone in the family something to look forward to. I remember as a little girl going to look at Christmas lights every Christmas eve night, and coming home to the presents that some how made it under the tree when we were gone! We were always allowed to open ONE gift on Christmas Eve as well. Those were fun memories, but I would like to create many more.<br /><br />My friend, Dana, gets a small "mini" gift every day of December for the kids (and even the adults too--I think). I thought about narrowing that idea down to maybe. . .the 12 days of Christmas (instead of 25). . . and getting little stocking gifts each day.<br /><br />Of course, I want to share the Christmas story, the real Reason for Christmas celebration, as a family. I have many friends that also celebrate Christmas morning with a birthday cake to Jesus in celebration of His birthday.<br /><br />I don't think it is every too late to develop traditions and make memories. I just may need some ideas :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So . . . .what kind of family traditions have you had in your family that bring great memories? Please share!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-76153274989494908532010-11-27T19:58:00.000-08:002010-12-21T15:35:11.569-08:00Much to be Thankful for!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is something about the holidays--that makes me want to eat turkey! Every year (for my entire life) I think we have eaten the same thing on Thanksgiving--at least as long as I can remember. Because I was working this Thanksgiving, I was going to be staying in town with Brett's family. They were having a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner (more about that later), but I still wanted some good ol' stuffing and turkey!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So--I decided to make my own! Now--I've never cooked a turkey before or stuffed one. And I've never made sweet potato crunch either. I've never had to do these things--because my mother always did them so well ;) I purchased what I thought was turkey "breasts." Much to my surprise--it was an entire turkey sans the legs!! But I think I did a pretty good job of cooking it (even though the injection I bought fell to the floor right before I was about to use it--shattering the glass and sending buttery garlic sauce across the kitchen floor! I was very Thankful that Lydia was not present!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdkB3AXCSwUFOUvLT7E7PMY8qSj_7Lc1zobHvAaWT2undZxuzWn-5ftWTQp4otTyvz_elf2YP15Y5lj9GstUpjoIXCPELQnYNT61spuppXu9A_8iPxN8-Y59Ccdajx6jF2SxUK65-Gk1K/s1600/Nov+24+2010+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdkB3AXCSwUFOUvLT7E7PMY8qSj_7Lc1zobHvAaWT2undZxuzWn-5ftWTQp4otTyvz_elf2YP15Y5lj9GstUpjoIXCPELQnYNT61spuppXu9A_8iPxN8-Y59Ccdajx6jF2SxUK65-Gk1K/s640/Nov+24+2010+129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />So--on Wednesday night we had our Thanksgiving meal. And I have to say....it turned out pretty good, especially for my first turkey :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0K6EKh7f3KfpJ9CBO8OKG5WlhZ6CSnYVmXdx-i_3SwpXuqA4QHLAuejibe3SCxPU7I7HEGxgHX9OZWGJ8LCxKsT47-Qgwx_P-5Ruw1r7tpZiMJ_sNmS9wrtL9zzYDuvV_qRZwB-_j04C/s1600/Nov+24+2010+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0K6EKh7f3KfpJ9CBO8OKG5WlhZ6CSnYVmXdx-i_3SwpXuqA4QHLAuejibe3SCxPU7I7HEGxgHX9OZWGJ8LCxKsT47-Qgwx_P-5Ruw1r7tpZiMJ_sNmS9wrtL9zzYDuvV_qRZwB-_j04C/s640/Nov+24+2010+133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunday, Pastor Mike spoke about thankfulness (fitting for this week) and about complaining. There were many other points, but what I walked away with was how important it was to be thankful--and to simply have joy! So often, it's easy to complain and whine and feel "stressed" out, <span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">but in truth, I have much to be joyful about!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6U68iAeTxyOh9GTA7lURoocHIjdhz6F3AHcGSQlt8zhpKKvniKZYKUZfO4f8DqhMCFOtBm5WJhYWMxqI8tz79OsxCWziU6i1A0qs1-9f5dyEM68FWRFy3EU0dPQ6hqzjaaGAQAsXhKHK/s1600/Nov+24+2010+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6U68iAeTxyOh9GTA7lURoocHIjdhz6F3AHcGSQlt8zhpKKvniKZYKUZfO4f8DqhMCFOtBm5WJhYWMxqI8tz79OsxCWziU6i1A0qs1-9f5dyEM68FWRFy3EU0dPQ6hqzjaaGAQAsXhKHK/s640/Nov+24+2010+136.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>I was walking through Wal-Mart when I spotted this mug. I thought it was perfect! I am going to have coffee or hot chocolate in it daily--as a pleasant reminder--to be joyful--in season and out of season!<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><strong>For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross...</strong></span></div><div align="center">(Hebrews 12:2)</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-41622110478729080032010-11-21T22:00:00.000-08:002010-12-21T15:35:11.599-08:00Pigs Feet and PaninisLast week (I think it was last week) I was in Fairhope, AL for four days for orientation for school. I attend University of South Alabama, but the program is online, except for this one week. It was difficult to leave Lydia--but Daddy and Dana took great care of her when I was gone.<br /><br />First, I have to say that Fairhope is awesome!! I want to take my husband back for a little vacation. We were able to stay at the Grand Marriott Resort for a discount, but even without a discount, it would be worth it for a short vacation. The grounds are gorgeous! The property is kind of like an island surrounded on most sides by the bay with "beaches." You can see the water as well as the whimsical and romantic great oaks surrounding the property. Here is a link to see pictures <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos.mi?marshaCode=ptlal&pageID=HWHOM">Grand Hotel Resort</a><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/AVvXsEgQt-y2FQCqIm3pc_Aqfx5V378m75vx_n0zaYpdUWWVmCpxdokh75Q9nhLBX22LaKoUtKmFquTnJOCuwM7ic1RLQC1LIPFIcvW_NZOJHf6L3ex4A_CVSiWrVIm5wtXI1ALqmNo2peFa3KbB/s1600/Randon+Iphone+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt-y2FQCqIm3pc_Aqfx5V378m75vx_n0zaYpdUWWVmCpxdokh75Q9nhLBX22LaKoUtKmFquTnJOCuwM7ic1RLQC1LIPFIcvW_NZOJHf6L3ex4A_CVSiWrVIm5wtXI1ALqmNo2peFa3KbB/s320/Randon+Iphone+036.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our test--I sat out on the beach at the resort--with this spectacular view (Thanks IPhone!)</td></tr></tbody></table>In addition, you can fish, boat (there is a Marina), a Spa (which I was too buy to visit--but desperately needed/deserved ;) And then there is the little town! Oh my--what a quaint little community filled with shops and great little eateries! If you are looking for a new little place to go that's only 3.5 hours from Baton Rouge, I recommend it -- especially if you don't like commercialized vacations! Go to <a href="http://beautifulfairhope.com/">Beautiful Fairhope</a> for pictures and info. And by the way--no one has paid me for this advertisement ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So why <strong>pigs feet</strong> and <strong>paninis</strong>?</span> Well, I ate at Panini Pete's one day. They were featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives--a very cool show that I love to watch. (I stole this pic from Panini Pete's website--didn't have my camera.) And by the way--the panini--was awesome!<br /><img id="shTopImg" onclick="shutterReloaded.hideShutter();" onload="shutterReloaded.showImg();" src="http://paninipetes.com/wp-content/gallery/panini-petes-pictures/hs-pic3-large.jpg" title="Click to Close" /><br /><br />And now to the <span style="font-size: large;">pigs feet</span> -- well-- that's what I practiced suturing. A kind pig allowed me to perfect my skills! <strong> But</strong> <strong>I have to say that embroidery and smocking DEFINITELY helped my suturing!</strong><br /><br />Only 2 tests to go!! I finish the semester in mid-December and CAN'T WAIT!!!! Only one more year to go!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanSY0YE_TRWBzSBOBp52vWFzKP2w1dJuGFi97N0sW2J2uIn4cjAV7gwhxhpL9FCpNLqHnYEgyk3BQrMosn4iR8kMwd0YISt7MUM0yH_bumXPivUl2oiriL4Y98gYAgRGq6mtF9dBdfLR/s1600/Randon+Iphone+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanSY0YE_TRWBzSBOBp52vWFzKP2w1dJuGFi97N0sW2J2uIn4cjAV7gwhxhpL9FCpNLqHnYEgyk3BQrMosn4iR8kMwd0YISt7MUM0yH_bumXPivUl2oiriL4Y98gYAgRGq6mtF9dBdfLR/s640/Randon+Iphone+034.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-19479902873392342242010-11-17T20:51:00.000-08:002010-12-21T15:35:11.636-08:00Worthwhile ReadingSo. Yes.... I have been gone ....too long. But this post is not to talk about where I've been :)<br /><br />I was just sitting at my dining room table...studying (of course) and thinking about my dearest friend, Lisa. Lisa and I have known each other since I was 16....so that makes 22 years!! That is a very long time. I was the maid of honor in her wedding (wearing the green velvet dress with my very SHORT CURLY permed hair--we will spare the pictures and the laughs for now) and her 9 year old daughter was the maid of honor in mine -- (She refused to put on any kind of bride's maid dress--and I threatened a velvet one ;) Just kidding!<br /><br />I was just studying about children's obesity, and I thought about how I have been at her house on early school mornings when she is fixing salads and fruit and sandwiches and homemade taco soup to send with her kids to school. She tries to avoid excess sugars and fats--to help her children to develop healthy lifestyles. She sings with them, reads to them, and teaches them wisdom and godly ways. I could go on and on about how wonderful of a mother she is.<br /><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />She recently wrote this post on her blog--and I have been delinquent in posting a link to it. It is such <strong><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">worthwhile reading.</span></strong> I hope you stop by her blog <a href="http://www.smallmomentslittlethings.blogspot.com/">http://www.smallmomentslittlethings.blogspot.com/</a> and take a peek. Her posts always inspire me to develop family traditions and value the relationships of those around you--especially family.<br /><br />So....has Lydia been "Worth the Sacrifice" -- You betcha!! <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/AVvXsEjcjDywchH6NL_TKCeNL0WiwgX5eqI8225IeWVsOvbmk-2BrTgQFi886-mDZ81p7EKmDOSN6k8HUoDP32DEq7WntBO2PBtkYwzN78hcNpmiDA2D4Zut6rGUNuzBJM8Eeib-4GhJRNsS3TQ0/s1600/Nov+07+2010+0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjDywchH6NL_TKCeNL0WiwgX5eqI8225IeWVsOvbmk-2BrTgQFi886-mDZ81p7EKmDOSN6k8HUoDP32DEq7WntBO2PBtkYwzN78hcNpmiDA2D4Zut6rGUNuzBJM8Eeib-4GhJRNsS3TQ0/s640/Nov+07+2010+0092.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 months old--already!! My big girl has 6 teeth and is already starting to stand on her own!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HfZN2oFABe1xiCVeQJwsigJ4nINg1aW5I2sEFOrJiAhhwRGxVJagYZ8kMppbumdHvgdf4zt2EuvYT7ZTwFt8Ut12HHDWDzRRmPtlZrhxJgUizzFByldAtezay1i8uyvlE9NuYeHgQxaM/s1600/template+3+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HfZN2oFABe1xiCVeQJwsigJ4nINg1aW5I2sEFOrJiAhhwRGxVJagYZ8kMppbumdHvgdf4zt2EuvYT7ZTwFt8Ut12HHDWDzRRmPtlZrhxJgUizzFByldAtezay1i8uyvlE9NuYeHgQxaM/s640/template+3+pics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAfu9V9tE5ZPI0dP4JcF45hE4EOLkfTY_jUS4hDoOzKH7IuJ3uK43uriRFoumK80cWoSUeJdFEs0DCdhSwXyiMiBLUk_RLjvAJ4mVJvxsiVA3xWb9cfCrc3FdiSjKXZrUF_5Di5iP4Jnr/s1600/Nov+07+2010+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAfu9V9tE5ZPI0dP4JcF45hE4EOLkfTY_jUS4hDoOzKH7IuJ3uK43uriRFoumK80cWoSUeJdFEs0DCdhSwXyiMiBLUk_RLjvAJ4mVJvxsiVA3xWb9cfCrc3FdiSjKXZrUF_5Di5iP4Jnr/s640/Nov+07+2010+059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-87305597258374478802010-10-08T22:37:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:11.691-08:00Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">in honor of Aunt Ricki :). . . .with <strong><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">PINK </span></strong>bubble wrap!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you know my husband....You'd understand :)</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY1amRqLVoaPTvIEj8iYdjvVGIGkbHfUfiqxSIMEqDd1n2E2YL5NihW_4elq6WnbPkmjgeVi5UJyWsSeMplVS5CMcw1CoivMgSwlJ2EMm3i_pKYjR2nvYQa4TKtsdUmOfvyOTKvga76cb/s1600/Oct+07+2010+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY1amRqLVoaPTvIEj8iYdjvVGIGkbHfUfiqxSIMEqDd1n2E2YL5NihW_4elq6WnbPkmjgeVi5UJyWsSeMplVS5CMcw1CoivMgSwlJ2EMm3i_pKYjR2nvYQa4TKtsdUmOfvyOTKvga76cb/s640/Oct+07+2010+002.JPG" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-80020836310930086802010-09-30T09:37:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:11.808-08:00Some things newWow--it's been a while since I've posted. Been a little "hairy" around here. For the last 3 weeks I've had a test every Monday. <span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Each test covered 300-500 pages of material!!</span> Oh my! So I've been studying a lot. And crying a lot. <span style="font-size: large;">And being REALLY thankful for my dear friends who've been helping out!!</span><br /><br />So, on Tuesday--I took a breath.....and we all played! Brett, Lydia, and I all went to Tanger Outlet. We shopped, ate out, and we came home and Brett and I watched <em>Letters to Juliet</em>. It was a great day. It made up for the last 3 weeks. <br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGx_EiKHM7Hb0wfHu9zeSUPF3xJN12_gx4je1MTnPD9v7cK5utOlPOM09GEbhqLgntue8Nidm73RgdoU0N7sbhs1l4drWrnwRQlzIWuS2PmK6_5-G9xxkqEHIlXEpi3ZN-Lhf9aPmCzZO/s1600/Sep+28+2010+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGx_EiKHM7Hb0wfHu9zeSUPF3xJN12_gx4je1MTnPD9v7cK5utOlPOM09GEbhqLgntue8Nidm73RgdoU0N7sbhs1l4drWrnwRQlzIWuS2PmK6_5-G9xxkqEHIlXEpi3ZN-Lhf9aPmCzZO/s640/Sep+28+2010+013.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So onto the NEW things....Lydia wore shoes for the first time! I got these cuties at a consignment sale. Never worn--for $10 (regular $36!!) I was afraid she would hate them...but she didn't flinch. That's my girl--she's ok for change (at least now)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUwST5KbMs2EQLjTbl0flmv5v4BzWGMcOQ4quQmEdaFBoKofZOq7-mxpA5Tm8AYeimnDYW9lFP-SRe7Tsxt2o1Nu-hPN0til8OBDN1bVmwtrwZxIL8j9lK54mdIQdO6aga30zKrmOUSG/s1600/Sep+28+2010+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUwST5KbMs2EQLjTbl0flmv5v4BzWGMcOQ4quQmEdaFBoKofZOq7-mxpA5Tm8AYeimnDYW9lFP-SRe7Tsxt2o1Nu-hPN0til8OBDN1bVmwtrwZxIL8j9lK54mdIQdO6aga30zKrmOUSG/s640/Sep+28+2010+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lydia also got "teething biscuits" for the first time! What a mess, but she loved them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t10XxQd5lSOnHd8xT9uFzK-3TuoIm16_82XbLrW883auQ99zmgE-nmOmtbbwIDdYeh_8WXO8NdDLygA5T4Pu9RIODYVcuxORZ8xREqdkRTtSjBF8LHSU9jsq7SZl8mjqrHeYuB7hiC2C/s1600/Sep+28+2010+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t10XxQd5lSOnHd8xT9uFzK-3TuoIm16_82XbLrW883auQ99zmgE-nmOmtbbwIDdYeh_8WXO8NdDLygA5T4Pu9RIODYVcuxORZ8xREqdkRTtSjBF8LHSU9jsq7SZl8mjqrHeYuB7hiC2C/s640/Sep+28+2010+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And I got new jeans. Well sort of (hehe). Brett has ALWAYS wanted me to get a pair of "worn" jeans. I always refused. So when he told me they were only $14.99 I agreed to try them on. And I thought....I spend most of my time in coffee shops or at home on the porch studying anyway. So why not. He was happy......and I was too. After all--only $14.99 for a pair of $49.99 jeans. <span style="color: #fff2cc;">Just don't tell my mother I paid money for an "old" pair of jeans!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Of course, these "new" things are all temporary, but ONE DAY--we will all be able to experience how God will take all of those things hurtful or painful and make them ALL NEW! Revelation 21:1-5<br /><br />Be encouraged today--remember.....it is only a SEASON!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-67053678292810147622010-09-17T10:25:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:11.952-08:00A Whole Foods BirthdayWell--this week Lydia turned 7 months and moma--well I turned more than 7 months ;)<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/AVvXsEi-KNH7GhJN16Hhv3nJQ2BJbvWvMVy16NbYDwtiL33wglRC5P7LPh0TvSXMC6jB8B94qx5FqgowIvsg3FXafs_1tvM3B1LakYqAb8cCrD8Yv2lv0Fpguzsc6-HXdgEjWv2Kq0HUU03z46Ek/s1600/Sep+03+2010+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KNH7GhJN16Hhv3nJQ2BJbvWvMVy16NbYDwtiL33wglRC5P7LPh0TvSXMC6jB8B94qx5FqgowIvsg3FXafs_1tvM3B1LakYqAb8cCrD8Yv2lv0Fpguzsc6-HXdgEjWv2Kq0HUU03z46Ek/s640/Sep+03+2010+070.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia 6.5 months</td></tr></tbody></table>So to celebrate (and to get out of the house as we were both going a little stir crazy--I've given up trying to study, really study, with her--because I get frustrated--and don't want to live like that)--so off to have some FUN!<br /><br />Fun for me these days--is a great stroller ride to Whole Foods! It's just a hair over a mile--so round trip I get a 2.5 mile walk for exercise, and she gets wind in her hair. Lydia LOVES it!<br /><br />On the way to Whole Foods--we also stopped by the Gap. I've been having this gift card as a result of a baby gift I returned that didn't fit, and I found this <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=7190&vid=1&pid=705988&scid=705988002"><span style="font-size: large;">Denim romper</span></a> I love it! and I got it 50% off because of a sale and then another 25% off sale prices--only on the day I happened to stop by! It's the perfect romper for fall--and the perfect romper for a visit to the <span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><strong>PUMPKIN PATCH!</strong><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Now I'm not sure which pumpkin patch we are going to, or when--but I can't wait! (Any recommendations?)</span></span></span><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/AVvXsEiZliFi2ybpO23LIRiwY8karVeau2kvcE_ov9Ee_E-FWtn5iFk533n2zLE5prZj6SQP28X-LihI_8oLYlm0wRVNCHXuJtbVCvO_9fS8AvKRX9KO080zitUQBp86YcG82iq-V0HnGVubqzz-/s1600/chantilly+cake+wf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZliFi2ybpO23LIRiwY8karVeau2kvcE_ov9Ee_E-FWtn5iFk533n2zLE5prZj6SQP28X-LihI_8oLYlm0wRVNCHXuJtbVCvO_9fS8AvKRX9KO080zitUQBp86YcG82iq-V0HnGVubqzz-/s640/chantilly+cake+wf.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods (picture borrowed from someone else--I didn't have my camera ;)</td></tr></tbody></table>While at <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Whole Foods</span></strong>--we bought a piece of this wonderful <strong><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">Chantilly Cake!</span></strong> We sat and ate it together (Lydia liked it too). It was scrumptious! I think this is my favorite cake.....ever. I had never tried it before, but I WILL find a recipe or make one myself (when I get the time haha).<br /><br />Then we went home--and both took a nap! My kind of birthday celebration :)Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-60079518995992128222010-09-14T00:10:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.056-08:00Quarantined<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Quarantine: Voluntary or compulsory isolation</span></strong></div><br />Yep--that's us--quarantined! Last Wednesday I became quite ill--with "gastroenteritis." We'll just keep it at that. I was actually so sick, I ended up in the ER to get fluids. That never happens.<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, then Miss Lydia got it, too. In the midst of all of this... I had my first test of the semester coming up (tonight in fact), so when I recovered after two days, my dear friend <a href="http://www.smallmomentslittlethings.blogspot.com/">Lisa</a> agreed to keep Lydia for me all day Saturday so I could study while Brett was working.</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/AVvXsEg2IULUHIs4m-XRqUn7Ay6CFHZMoPQ6Nu_YSFagE9XDUSKHHq1wtcv23eAvdDVPZ8CVFtKs3HRw_bxEjZ-MgSFYvzvwX8OjMvB_rp6FJD6m4G-GCwlr1PnhugvSonWLLbEya-w5SWJcvUsE/s1600/Aug+01+2010+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IULUHIs4m-XRqUn7Ay6CFHZMoPQ6Nu_YSFagE9XDUSKHHq1wtcv23eAvdDVPZ8CVFtKs3HRw_bxEjZ-MgSFYvzvwX8OjMvB_rp6FJD6m4G-GCwlr1PnhugvSonWLLbEya-w5SWJcvUsE/s640/Aug+01+2010+084.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep, sleep, and more sleep----that's what we've all been doing</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Do I need to tell you what happened? Yep.....<u>Lisa and ALL three of the children</u>--up last night....sick! I was shocked that it spread that easily!<br /><br />So--I took my test tonight....and right after it.....Brett started.<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/AVvXsEj9LcnV_I2e5Q9Vj-sYmE7IwSJfV-dtZMku8xX0TLDQNqGrwA5NhFLrJO657lIhpmVHRxVCYvGq_NXUOxr8yONeoduKBuv_8bHwnVk6vh9T_-HI49zfxMwss4Tiz7HN_kz0TZz7_LgmMlBS/s1600/Jul+14+2010+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LcnV_I2e5Q9Vj-sYmE7IwSJfV-dtZMku8xX0TLDQNqGrwA5NhFLrJO657lIhpmVHRxVCYvGq_NXUOxr8yONeoduKBuv_8bHwnVk6vh9T_-HI49zfxMwss4Tiz7HN_kz0TZz7_LgmMlBS/s640/Jul+14+2010+002.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoothies made from Lydia's frozen baby food, yogurt (for good "bacteria") and juice</td></tr></tbody></table>Well.....we are quarantined. <strong>Don't come over and we won't come to see you, either ;)</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>So..the moral of the story (all stories have some kind of moral, don't they?).......</strong></span><br />There are many things in life that are contagious.....<strong>some are good</strong>--like laughter, joy, encouragement while <strong>others are deadly</strong>--like negativity or gossip. And often, it's the bad that spreads so quickly--most of the time you don't even realize you are spreading it. <br />So before you send your viral negative words around--like death and disease--<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">try spreading a little laughter, joy, encouragement, or positive words instead.</span> That way....you won't need to be quarantined!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">And by the way--amazingly--with God's grace (I got an "A") yippee!!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-23669896024100773062010-09-07T22:13:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.128-08:00She's mine too :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />My mother brought over some pictures of me--and yes--Lydia DOES look a little like me (even though Brett likes to take all the credit). <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q4TNtsHL3kXrlErcOQgvVWJyWrHRouinsXq0cJK5nQo4do1h5vUv7rLZe8CYz9iKZzoODAASG347WeDzBokrKseCPQYFm0ChKRBmIHAlZT7IUO3AduDUx8kCCBszxI7_XdMsPp6GBQIh/s1600/my+5+month+baby+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q4TNtsHL3kXrlErcOQgvVWJyWrHRouinsXq0cJK5nQo4do1h5vUv7rLZe8CYz9iKZzoODAASG347WeDzBokrKseCPQYFm0ChKRBmIHAlZT7IUO3AduDUx8kCCBszxI7_XdMsPp6GBQIh/s640/my+5+month+baby+pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me at 5 months!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are pics of my sweet girl at 6 months old. I finally got around to taking them this week. We just LOVE her :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><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/AVvXsEj_XBiC_5zu0fiqeAiRDxW_q1AznddaoK0yzt-zlOdwvrUcmuqA1MA9HBCAAd0gvfJY70-imueqRfSKK1A5yRaDmHam1AOZJ_Grsjhy8YZG_L8aBKpZ5hvtBkL38wckX3FWpwMSzSjtD2gg/s1600/Sep+03+2010+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XBiC_5zu0fiqeAiRDxW_q1AznddaoK0yzt-zlOdwvrUcmuqA1MA9HBCAAd0gvfJY70-imueqRfSKK1A5yRaDmHam1AOZJ_Grsjhy8YZG_L8aBKpZ5hvtBkL38wckX3FWpwMSzSjtD2gg/s640/Sep+03+2010+045.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one focused on her LEFT eyelashes! It's somewhat blurry--so I made it blurrier for effect. I just loved her expression.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq65mblqHkDGcOQIsAjE9RVRvR3WdnpsiSku1uU2WFTAMtuM4KvXhofBu8FcL1NIc843l_cPX1TjsG4PhpmdO0zBH52ea6rXHbhD0pwzSTBgK1XOXZ3V1WWF8RnEDz6ynFQ6oPo5XWBFJ/s1600/Sep+03+2010+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq65mblqHkDGcOQIsAjE9RVRvR3WdnpsiSku1uU2WFTAMtuM4KvXhofBu8FcL1NIc843l_cPX1TjsG4PhpmdO0zBH52ea6rXHbhD0pwzSTBgK1XOXZ3V1WWF8RnEDz6ynFQ6oPo5XWBFJ/s640/Sep+03+2010+077.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now back to studying :(</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-30047008600005257002010-09-03T06:15:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.237-08:00Seasons........they do change<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><u>For everything there is a season</u>,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">a time for every activity under heaven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to be born and a time to die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to plant and a time to harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to kill and a time to heal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to tear down and a time to build up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to cry and a time to laugh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to grieve and a time to dance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to embrace and a time to turn away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to search and a time to quit searching.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to keep and a time to throw away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to tear and a time to mend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to be quiet and a time to speak.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time to love and a time to hate.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A time for war and a time for peace</span></div><br />A conversation with a friend yesterday made me think about seasons. She just had a new sweet baby, and was reflecting on the difficulty of having a newborn (getting up every hour at night, etc.) especially while having a toddler as well. <br /><br /><strong><u>I immediately thought about seasons.</u></strong> Not only have I (as well as everyone) walked through many “seasons” in life, but I am also constantly reminded by my best friend that <strong><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">“This is just a season”</span></strong> when I lament over the difficult times right now being in school with the baby, etc.<br /><br />I decided to do a scripture search on the topic—and this is part of what I found (paraphrased)<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="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPJU-lTM_tvBbTgpP6b1xpKOfg0gbzVuaeiOlISUs-SejoBH-fhQvB2mSoBXP7L9L25jk9DRl-3Yq8azIqVmbnb_nJHTV1eLouyQLDpnOUcmo3crUUN4KFgWFzeBN23mxexQlXQCKsIBp/s1600/Dec+10+2008+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPJU-lTM_tvBbTgpP6b1xpKOfg0gbzVuaeiOlISUs-SejoBH-fhQvB2mSoBXP7L9L25jk9DRl-3Yq8azIqVmbnb_nJHTV1eLouyQLDpnOUcmo3crUUN4KFgWFzeBN23mxexQlXQCKsIBp/s640/Dec+10+2008+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exciting, fun, new seasons 12/10/08</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u><strong>Psalm 1:1-3</strong></u> --you are blessed when you walk in the ways of the Lord--meditating on His truths all day. You will be like a tree--always watered--and bearing fruit in season. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All trees bear fruit in season. <strong>Even nature has seasons for producing fruits and flowers</strong>. Why should we expect that our lives would produce the same "fruits and flowers" all year round. <em>Part of my discouragement is the pressure I place on myself to "produce" certain characteristics etc. at all times.</em></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx84hsoAADWk7NUPWxoMdQzcg_yrQT0GsrJe3krOWojrHtvCZvSBiLaRo_Ktmx397MvDGDmo9U2yMlr-Tsq6iuDy9pJ1ki1WV3huUkOAaNCq80jcMy_kWdd7TQ7ia6pNo4iRTBpSjtdcD/s1600/09+03+08+Gustav+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx84hsoAADWk7NUPWxoMdQzcg_yrQT0GsrJe3krOWojrHtvCZvSBiLaRo_Ktmx397MvDGDmo9U2yMlr-Tsq6iuDy9pJ1ki1WV3huUkOAaNCq80jcMy_kWdd7TQ7ia6pNo4iRTBpSjtdcD/s640/09+03+08+Gustav+117.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A season of CHAOS (Gustov 9/1/08)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Life definitely has seasons. I'm learning to embrace each one for what it holds--both good and bad. Some are learning seasons, some are resting seasons, and some are down right confusing. But all in all--walking through them with the right attitude makes me into a better person. <em>I think recognizing that it is different season is one of the most important parts of coping and dealing with the change/situation</em>. Embrace it. Learn from it. It will change. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Seasons.......they do change.....eventually :)</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>How have you dealt with changing seasons? What have you learned?</strong></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Galatians 6:9</strong> Let us not become weary in doing good, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMCmtlFEknw1qIa-6MQWT36wb-AZ02mjVOxREzYyTNfTZ2OOLYX1h-r9elnDHaENKVo_UWnptOnjEg1dp-UIP_saI6AKOhJCbEGdBVLkdPAEH_HGQ58hEaUzSTgaGqgU8TBBXbE3LgBof/s1600/Nov+09+2009+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMCmtlFEknw1qIa-6MQWT36wb-AZ02mjVOxREzYyTNfTZ2OOLYX1h-r9elnDHaENKVo_UWnptOnjEg1dp-UIP_saI6AKOhJCbEGdBVLkdPAEH_HGQ58hEaUzSTgaGqgU8TBBXbE3LgBof/s640/Nov+09+2009+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A season of stability, quiet :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-8435579525407197512010-08-31T15:52:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.316-08:00SpeechlessWell, for those of you who know me.....<u>I'm rarely speechless</u>! Brett tells me I'm "passionate" when I get excited about some topic and ramble on. I have (on occasion) been passionate--and I like it ;)<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/AVvXsEhKvDG-WW_saFIWUSUAV-npLKBAHHE8M2pHW8GHJ4Q6BUKWXwijkkDNHdLdnBGGPTE7KPGqfZN6QKH6UWis8IKSEpwmnPcR0FArqS_5xvGqA2zia6tq7n6o-TyXtL3HL3O5wCfHnBEHCx75/s1600/Aug+16+2010+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvDG-WW_saFIWUSUAV-npLKBAHHE8M2pHW8GHJ4Q6BUKWXwijkkDNHdLdnBGGPTE7KPGqfZN6QKH6UWis8IKSEpwmnPcR0FArqS_5xvGqA2zia6tq7n6o-TyXtL3HL3O5wCfHnBEHCx75/s640/Aug+16+2010+028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her new ducky tub</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway--I had <u>oral surgery</u> one week ago--which has had me somewhat "speechless." It just plain hurts to talk....even after a week--I'm not myself. Can't wait for this to heal up. One step closer to getting the braces off, though!<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">And a big thanks and big hugs to my friend who read my last blog post and brought over food!! You are a dear. The chili was wonderful, and the potatoes were perfect for my sore mouth!! My husband is grateful--because over the last 4 days--all he has had is chili :)</span></strong></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV7zh65XruereXEibGKRzX7h9JE046Q1f75YUyuvC_hyphenhyphen8Dn8Z8mJLDikXd5U6DAK98B1yJnP9T0BartKt3kde-DPTpF8JMfio7qH0iVR1_815PUY4S5MCwX4DNDbjR33d4jO8ea58bei2/s1600/Aug+16+2010+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV7zh65XruereXEibGKRzX7h9JE046Q1f75YUyuvC_hyphenhyphen8Dn8Z8mJLDikXd5U6DAK98B1yJnP9T0BartKt3kde-DPTpF8JMfio7qH0iVR1_815PUY4S5MCwX4DNDbjR33d4jO8ea58bei2/s640/Aug+16+2010+029.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling at Daddy!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just thought I'd post some fun pics of my baby girl for you to enjoy--because you can't have her in person ;)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-28231874586513815932010-08-23T20:01:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.411-08:0011 + 2 = 575.26Yes--I really do know how to add. That is the 11 books I ordered off of Amazon and thankfully the 2 I owned already--for a total of 13 books for this semester totally $575.26!! Yikes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>See even Lydia looked at my books and cried ;)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gRuid_Ffoa9Gn2Gs5zFWVmShPy1OG6tyIP-R1SaVpufXixjbREYAfGwWUZMo8eyhzpswx3uSSkZO0N9TyrUAuOmQoP3cIDFEh27ce2uplqh5H38xRb5RGTtyzPMTIa1COenUbUQNnWCy/s1600/Aug+17+2010+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gRuid_Ffoa9Gn2Gs5zFWVmShPy1OG6tyIP-R1SaVpufXixjbREYAfGwWUZMo8eyhzpswx3uSSkZO0N9TyrUAuOmQoP3cIDFEh27ce2uplqh5H38xRb5RGTtyzPMTIa1COenUbUQNnWCy/s640/Aug+17+2010+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's going to be a challenging semester. I am looking forward to this semester as I start clinicals and begin focusing on the "practice" side of being a Nurse Practitioner. I actually do enjoy studying, but it is a difficult program. I'm open to any help :) I'll take meals and babysitting offers any day :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><strong>The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8)</strong></span><br /><br /></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-86952967622177974802010-08-22T22:33:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.455-08:00Meet Ellie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0MUtH7H1YM2jzRNwU4YleZgGgkMfFCu5z5WeOJsiEzn-ezmNijF-64z64Ck77DQIW1sBQjStdbFpxUbGXWyKyIh-RXxDEWMjWs_JNrSdKeguG3N_KdneE3rsp0nS7CoUCuBza2XIP-T4/s1600/Aug+18+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0MUtH7H1YM2jzRNwU4YleZgGgkMfFCu5z5WeOJsiEzn-ezmNijF-64z64Ck77DQIW1sBQjStdbFpxUbGXWyKyIh-RXxDEWMjWs_JNrSdKeguG3N_KdneE3rsp0nS7CoUCuBza2XIP-T4/s640/Aug+18+2010+008.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia has a fascination with straps. I'm not sure if all babies do--but she will chew on any strap she can get her hands on. Car seat straps, high chair straps, swing and bouncy straps. She loves them! Some times she is so enthralled by the high chair straps that I have a difficult time feeding her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S6DCEvhOCvJQsQBOX_aY_9_MC9dMJW_zyiQ32MIv8OTeKOE9ZhNaumK2swyRG9gT5SSUt0Ynve3fVmkAt4RyT2BJRtMqir8AK2YAF7buZCtlZpYJb-GwEnYb7W02Uw-ErkoeNxKRPwGd/s1600/Aug+19+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S6DCEvhOCvJQsQBOX_aY_9_MC9dMJW_zyiQ32MIv8OTeKOE9ZhNaumK2swyRG9gT5SSUt0Ynve3fVmkAt4RyT2BJRtMqir8AK2YAF7buZCtlZpYJb-GwEnYb7W02Uw-ErkoeNxKRPwGd/s640/Aug+19+2010+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Soooo I remembered seeing some "strap" material (which is called <em>webbing</em>) at Hobby Lobby. So Tuesday night I packed my little one up and we headed there to get some colorful webbing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><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/AVvXsEjLC2fvNZ8-iIlSOsceuAIbYLTjmdZ6I1XD_xEQ2KraYtPthVAXmULVBLOtqni7u9xgQhAS0JHnanq2yB0iDaKLbie0tY-AHPa00kFCJ50ILJkqGfs8FqyHB1jH2MCok_K88cATkUlcCUuz/s1600/Aug+18+2010+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC2fvNZ8-iIlSOsceuAIbYLTjmdZ6I1XD_xEQ2KraYtPthVAXmULVBLOtqni7u9xgQhAS0JHnanq2yB0iDaKLbie0tY-AHPa00kFCJ50ILJkqGfs8FqyHB1jH2MCok_K88cATkUlcCUuz/s640/Aug+18+2010+009.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie and the ball I made (Lydia was not very interested in it, though :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the webbing after I brought it home, but after digging around in my scrap bags and sewing desk drawers.....<strong>Ellie was born</strong>! <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>Lydia loves her!</strong></span> She will chew on her for 30 minutes at a time while playing with her "pig tails" and the various textures of her "skirts."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><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/AVvXsEi8kSA02bLhqDpkd57ct9pO3viIzBSbtITt2S08vouIdeTUdA0PyYiv_4ERZbHVHxxLNNQnK4ywEEkxnUHBJcNP7udgarOgCMxyxWfKG9sP5UNrQt8jwwGVOz9PjXzsautvJTUf0l1YWQqB/s1600/Aug+19+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kSA02bLhqDpkd57ct9pO3viIzBSbtITt2S08vouIdeTUdA0PyYiv_4ERZbHVHxxLNNQnK4ywEEkxnUHBJcNP7udgarOgCMxyxWfKG9sP5UNrQt8jwwGVOz9PjXzsautvJTUf0l1YWQqB/s640/Aug+19+2010+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding Ellie and her favorite blanket before nap time</td></tr></tbody></table>Alas, one of my final creative outlets prior to school starting.....tomorrow (or rather today--since it is almost 1 a.m.) She is a very unique little doll . . . unique and original like my Lydia.<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/AVvXsEjWiuxt44yv5WHib6kgBXfonh4J783TbnXnEYy-Up1vNOw1Oig7ErJxt55ZsSOpzCuzTN3N3O0aKv_Pk4CWsKN3YDe1wyTBPLSDdDZQ5Hznqtx-x0daUxZbmqqOUMvKQdbNlBnTr-MkWt8V/s1600/Aug+18+2010+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiuxt44yv5WHib6kgBXfonh4J783TbnXnEYy-Up1vNOw1Oig7ErJxt55ZsSOpzCuzTN3N3O0aKv_Pk4CWsKN3YDe1wyTBPLSDdDZQ5Hznqtx-x0daUxZbmqqOUMvKQdbNlBnTr-MkWt8V/s400/Aug+18+2010+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sneek peek of the other project I'm working on ;) No webbing here!</td></tr></tbody></table>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-9915920015386906722010-08-20T10:23:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.549-08:00I'm done!Done with my CEN and homemade baby food!<br /><br />I finally took my Certified Emergency Nursing Exam Monay--and PASSED!! I have been "planning" to take this for about 2 years now (wow--has it really been that long??). I decided that if I didn't do it between semesters--it would never get done. So--why take it? Well--you learn some things by studying, shows professionalism, and.....you make a little more money. And right now....a little more....goes a long way!<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/AVvXsEi3_xi9bFFxpACqUKlhs2kXcG7cmdFZd_g0o0Q8W6pEKwZsf29nYUOAtbYGdz8lO4oa2k_d8rpBAhy517wuEH2l69ohqzjVxgufbd1mi7o2VW1in3oWUmBh1bpvBDCqyYZ-rFRiCibjvjWH/s1600/Aug+18+2010+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_xi9bFFxpACqUKlhs2kXcG7cmdFZd_g0o0Q8W6pEKwZsf29nYUOAtbYGdz8lO4oa2k_d8rpBAhy517wuEH2l69ohqzjVxgufbd1mi7o2VW1in3oWUmBh1bpvBDCqyYZ-rFRiCibjvjWH/s640/Aug+18+2010+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you see: butternut Squash, peaches, avocado chicken, figs, apples, banana mango</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm also finished with making baby food. Wednesday night I made <strong>chicken/apples</strong>, <strong>chicken/potatoes</strong>, and more <strong>sweet potatoes</strong>. Last week it was <strong>mango/banana</strong>, <strong>kiwi/mango/banana</strong>--yum, and avocado/chicken/mango. <strong><span style="color: black;">Can you tell I had a case of mangos!</span></strong> Well--besides starting school on Monday--and not having much time to make any more--I also have no more room in my freezer. We have more food for Lydia than we can fit. Besides--I think I have enough to last a couple of months--and then she'll start eating more finger foods anyway (I think).<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/AVvXsEjYvjDkJTOjF_hf48O-nOfyIAXBHmYqAFwF7DMsYebPjql-ovixQNS-y_15sLHox-Hwd9NvPhZSj5ySdxufhfSYHswJ4Qy0QM4rpzck8-HgsVzZ99n1QkyKPrXvGYVCxruvNaVhQTGUxI_t/s1600/Aug+18+2010+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvjDkJTOjF_hf48O-nOfyIAXBHmYqAFwF7DMsYebPjql-ovixQNS-y_15sLHox-Hwd9NvPhZSj5ySdxufhfSYHswJ4Qy0QM4rpzck8-HgsVzZ99n1QkyKPrXvGYVCxruvNaVhQTGUxI_t/s640/Aug+18+2010+014.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots, more peaches, pears, kiwi/mango/banana, and behind this are the yogurt fruit blends :) (and chicken/potatoes and sweet potatoes in the ice trays!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I say I'm done....but I know I may feel the need to experiment with other foods one day (like fish :)Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-64146613562909622312010-08-16T18:57:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.610-08:00My gentle Giant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM_i7brJWBez9rzuzimVHavu7w9iBR9Dh3vGqYekK0Oi2x2252ra3MJwpbBeERe1n0guxCJd_l7-jc1BBCyKWhv3adoqxrMC9NitORi5-WQzQlhcD7JwO9OR-en0pGE-FqLClHNE8B-tz/s1600/Jul+24+2010+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM_i7brJWBez9rzuzimVHavu7w9iBR9Dh3vGqYekK0Oi2x2252ra3MJwpbBeERe1n0guxCJd_l7-jc1BBCyKWhv3adoqxrMC9NitORi5-WQzQlhcD7JwO9OR-en0pGE-FqLClHNE8B-tz/s640/Jul+24+2010+098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My neice came for a quick visit this summer. Neither one of us had seen each other's babies. This is baby Johnathan with Lydia. The ironic thing--is <u>Johnathan is 1.5 months OLDER than Lydia</u>! :)<br /><br />He was born prematurely at 1 pound 9 ounces! What an amazing miracle. He has done so well--and his Moma takes very good care of him! One day--I'm sure he will catch up with Lydia--until then--we'll keep them out of the boxing ring ;)Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-63095270797289169912010-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.692-08:00Where or where did the last month go?Wow--one month since my last post. I have actually gotten much better at blogging, but this past month--life was a little like a hurricane.<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I finished a summer semester packed with 6 hours of graduate school, unending research, and a video project that stole many hours of sleep from me! Thankfully--Grandma came to the rescue one week--to help out! Lydia loves Grandma!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBPEkaoG-PJVgXK0q5Upw-YIsGdm7FLUpIkk25J-cxuOwTTTZh5GBPwZzNrrCcxHjFpyAPk0Clhzb-8YLkHGQ2RoTitlWkybz7OsuPCj74Fset0RzcCbLBaWHk33uKzUAIc1axup7Wrey/s1600/Jul+14+2010+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBPEkaoG-PJVgXK0q5Upw-YIsGdm7FLUpIkk25J-cxuOwTTTZh5GBPwZzNrrCcxHjFpyAPk0Clhzb-8YLkHGQ2RoTitlWkybz7OsuPCj74Fset0RzcCbLBaWHk33uKzUAIc1axup7Wrey/s640/Jul+14+2010+012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have finally, thank the Lord, overcome a cold/allergic exacerbation that lasted 2 months! I am no longer over-dosing on antihistamines of every shape, name, and size.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Immediately after school was over, we became (miraculously) owners of a rental property. So that entailed late night cleaning (hauling Lydia with blankets, toys, and bottles), early morning cleaning (once again hauling lydia with blankets, toys, bottles, etc), completing the punch list, devising a lease, etc. etc. etc. Phew....glad that's over. We have been blessed with wonderfully renters already!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l48FkeYpzU82Faakaf_U9mXJCbFqbws-PJO7QW8HwvvWCkg1-YyOeuI2QkCuB6XdUb_gFePj_e2CnE8LO6ABtUeosaT2kzTqEWS2KEZcJKSSHNNuzupmTjAPmij4zsljSIXFcGgY485f/s1600/Aug+07+2010+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l48FkeYpzU82Faakaf_U9mXJCbFqbws-PJO7QW8HwvvWCkg1-YyOeuI2QkCuB6XdUb_gFePj_e2CnE8LO6ABtUeosaT2kzTqEWS2KEZcJKSSHNNuzupmTjAPmij4zsljSIXFcGgY485f/s640/Aug+07+2010+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We also drove to Dallas to visit friends and Brett's cousins. Lydia had her first road trip. She did great! We swam, went to the Dallas World Aquarium, and ate great food (thanks to John!). The temperature was 103-105 degrees (without the heat index)--so the zoo trip and the hiking I wanted to do with Lydia--was OUT of the picture :( Thankfully the Aquarium was indoors!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRxraMkZt_xhizupML0IH2mOnaWlaATPq5eHkoucHqX5SmVEBYOXfXr0H4nSBWaPNh9vsjwrwL0AhtPz-ka8HMj649jqj_4yeLTg0UZPfaPOBHvyMbCQHliORrW7ca7rzgbZXjYzwoKYT/s1600/Aug+03+2010+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRxraMkZt_xhizupML0IH2mOnaWlaATPq5eHkoucHqX5SmVEBYOXfXr0H4nSBWaPNh9vsjwrwL0AhtPz-ka8HMj649jqj_4yeLTg0UZPfaPOBHvyMbCQHliORrW7ca7rzgbZXjYzwoKYT/s640/Aug+03+2010+046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiUzfYJrQa9gOGzdUO7dRRqp59YL2T67SA6fJJEnJVUu78O1XB-xG6QxtguDI0VMeApUbvAAoGqemM7LpdbqgjZVuYCR5wLyPwvNz_2tCn3Mbnx7mEogzk8fyJPQuadyR844N6qyEC22d/s1600/Aug+03+2010+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiUzfYJrQa9gOGzdUO7dRRqp59YL2T67SA6fJJEnJVUu78O1XB-xG6QxtguDI0VMeApUbvAAoGqemM7LpdbqgjZVuYCR5wLyPwvNz_2tCn3Mbnx7mEogzk8fyJPQuadyR844N6qyEC22d/s640/Aug+03+2010+041.jpg" width="426" /></a>Currently, I'm studying for my certification exam in ER nursing (CEN)--which I will take before I start school again on the 23rd! Wow--life is busy, the emotions sometimes run rampant, but I have a wonderful little girl who makes me smile every day, and a very supportive husband! Thank you, Lord, for my many blessings!</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-20137648157233542552010-07-17T21:38:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.732-08:00The Father's Image<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ok--She DOES belong to me too..... even though..... she looks just like her Daddy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8Ln2dWY6SmLJriX5nIZLWJ7Q6zH4IUHzcBS45rX7DCQ87lWHdhfcC93_AgUE0dZ_2U5yFc28qXtJxX1oEme0ptnbCzmwfTg8v5SSdnWP4K8FCwW7_L33Xev-TdeobHWywm69-dzCclIH/s1600/like+father+like+daughter2jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8Ln2dWY6SmLJriX5nIZLWJ7Q6zH4IUHzcBS45rX7DCQ87lWHdhfcC93_AgUE0dZ_2U5yFc28qXtJxX1oEme0ptnbCzmwfTg8v5SSdnWP4K8FCwW7_L33Xev-TdeobHWywm69-dzCclIH/s640/like+father+like+daughter2jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Ephesians 5:1--</em> be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children</span></div><br /><br /><strong>Imitator:</strong> (from www.thefreedictionary.com) 1. To use or follow as a model 2. To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms 3. To copy exactly; reproduce.<br /><br /><br />Wow--I read this scripture in an entirely different way now that I am a parent!! <br /><br /><br />We are called to "look" just like our Daddy! "Imitating" our Father in heaven should come easily (just as it comes easy for Lydia)--if we truly belong to Him! Children will mimic whatever/whomever they are around--which tends to be there parents in the early years. It's only when they grow older, go to school, etc.--that they start imitating others as they venture farther from home and develop other relationships. Copying the actions, appearance, and mannerisms of God can be quite a challenge at times, but it is much easier if we stay closer to "home" and in relationship with God. <br /><br />My prayer for our lives and Lydia is that as she grows, and even as she moves on--she will <em>continue to look just like her Father</em>--on earth and in heaven!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-31758340208072243152010-07-10T20:28:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.804-08:00Homemade Baby Food--I'm Convinced.... again :)<span style="font-size: large;">Ok--so I am even more convinced that this is the best thing possible--making your own baby food!</span><br /><br />Tonight--Lydia had <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">avocado with mango and a little chicken</span> (left over from us--ground with a food mill). It was a little runny, so I added some rice cereal. She ate it up!! LOVED it! and quite honestly--I did too (I could have licked her bowl when she was done hehe :) For breakfast it's <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">whole milk yogurt mixed with bananas, peaches, and apples</span>. It is soooo good!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHacLrq2mIQ_gfhT9hEuKAoCXNXa_w9MDDxjXivNHT0HyJzvNkFfJGyLFfvaJ1BI4Mr7YZKgirJybqZ7Xq9yxwkaRkkusZvzT4xZQFK8SghbqPExT5bwbF_7lvARz26s8_K82tZfGwC08/s1600/Jun+30+2010+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHacLrq2mIQ_gfhT9hEuKAoCXNXa_w9MDDxjXivNHT0HyJzvNkFfJGyLFfvaJ1BI4Mr7YZKgirJybqZ7Xq9yxwkaRkkusZvzT4xZQFK8SghbqPExT5bwbF_7lvARz26s8_K82tZfGwC08/s640/Jun+30+2010+065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I get so excited planning what I will feed her next. What has been more "convincing" was a few articles that I read today describing the incredients in most jarred baby foods. <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Did you know that most jarred baby food contains more than 50% water and even more "fillers" like flours?</span> There's nothing wrong with water--but if I want her to eat sweet potatoes--I want sweet potatoes. Water will be from a cup--not on her spoon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So... enough of the rant. If you have a baby (and if anyone is reading this)--<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">set aside one day a month to puree and freeze food</span>. You can do a lot in one night and stock up for 1-2 months. It's really easy. In addition--your baby will be eating actual veggies and fruits and will transition to eating regular table foods much easier.</div><br />And if you make too much (fat chance)--you can <span style="font-size: large;">use the extra cubes of purred vegetables in spaghetti sauces, chilis, soups, smoothies, etc. to add some fiber and extra nutrition</span> to your foods.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2crRwh2SlIvOlpl0KwUSdbsGTjXcZMlo5wnf3cwlrbgu9_41TmzcVvWDzZYSClI03HBmGNHOPkXA3OLlt5TLjqLi12_zbTCmLs9E3e6mXG1oiZ29VI-ohhOELjuUT0c9sEFfP0QeHw4sI/s1600/Jun+20+2010+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2crRwh2SlIvOlpl0KwUSdbsGTjXcZMlo5wnf3cwlrbgu9_41TmzcVvWDzZYSClI03HBmGNHOPkXA3OLlt5TLjqLi12_zbTCmLs9E3e6mXG1oiZ29VI-ohhOELjuUT0c9sEFfP0QeHw4sI/s640/Jun+20+2010+084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well--are you convinced? I am. Now--I just need to start working on me. <span style="color: #351c75;">I need convincing that cake and cookies are something I shouldn't be eating so much of</span> :) I might become a ravishing animal if I pull it from my diet, but there's always a way to "tame" the beast. If you hear me growl--you'll know what is happening ;)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Seriously--I think this is so good--that I've even though about making it and giving it away as baby gifts! Kind of strange, I know--but I just want others to get the same "goodness."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-18627291753203340112010-06-30T16:43:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.924-08:00Daddy's Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqv63_8ZtSfWCRwWQvitS3rz5d43pcVXQqPofa1ccJHovsiDBtOVFGwoWWLS16-h07FaiYBrogW-bAe6TFmU6CcMgPIFe6VnieYVsh4ZE7fent-4IlihDD23u4HNCM0s65tiLfZhwT50q/s1600/Jun+19+2010+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqv63_8ZtSfWCRwWQvitS3rz5d43pcVXQqPofa1ccJHovsiDBtOVFGwoWWLS16-h07FaiYBrogW-bAe6TFmU6CcMgPIFe6VnieYVsh4ZE7fent-4IlihDD23u4HNCM0s65tiLfZhwT50q/s640/Jun+19+2010+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For Father's Day (I know I'm a little late) I prepared the table for a nice breakfast. Lydia was awake so we could all sit at the table. One of Brett's gifts was a mug with the picture below on it. It was his favorite gift! I thought It was a little "girly" because the mug is white--but he didn't care! I had her little footprint stamped in a nursery rhyme book--and there it is on his gift bag. Daddy loved her footprint!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtY8690nPB5oeWsDbiDrhlKh80q7vG2Icigv_PV__zScsCMBpx2uFeakFcdjHbvsRz6VrbDCWcCUCTdreAXEg_7IWT3zRa_JK-uSSgc6DPLXPDfrH_szody3V9HLQvYPjVTg98-xeWnBS/s1600/mug+i+love+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtY8690nPB5oeWsDbiDrhlKh80q7vG2Icigv_PV__zScsCMBpx2uFeakFcdjHbvsRz6VrbDCWcCUCTdreAXEg_7IWT3zRa_JK-uSSgc6DPLXPDfrH_szody3V9HLQvYPjVTg98-xeWnBS/s320/mug+i+love+you.jpg" /></a></div>I also wanted to make sure I captured Lydia with her daddy. She was sleeping prior to us leaving for church, so I had to wake her up. As a result--she wasn't the happiest camper--although she's still cute ;) And of course Brett was rushing me so we wouldn't be late. But by golly--I was going to get at least ONE picture of them dressed up together!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTUp31gXaF3pS4MvfhZR-yRk-C0DTs2ucD41Hosw-p512xcLPPpdkA0BKG06M_YkOtyKXWMfEhzlIHdPoi8es15qxHwq1ML7xIVGteRdzsoexjJH5yD4g4XOnjeGlUNv1BHaApmrBRkYC/s1600/Jun+19+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTUp31gXaF3pS4MvfhZR-yRk-C0DTs2ucD41Hosw-p512xcLPPpdkA0BKG06M_YkOtyKXWMfEhzlIHdPoi8es15qxHwq1ML7xIVGteRdzsoexjJH5yD4g4XOnjeGlUNv1BHaApmrBRkYC/s640/Jun+19+2010+005.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>I gave Brett 5 dress choices for her to wear--and he picked the blue one--even though he called it her "Elizabethan dress" all day! That's ok--we like the Elizabethan look!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3csz9haEQuwTSEAP6W5zR2SFSusoBUH7ZhT8Dlt-4LI00k0bkLHawimMXUblh01XwvOA_vrdVBG_k359OgM1eRtblhiJ3jCcjwW3thSXf0QL6x8lhfJe1U6MxWdr9wDZlgIt5jL1QqSsE/s1600/Jun+19+2010+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3csz9haEQuwTSEAP6W5zR2SFSusoBUH7ZhT8Dlt-4LI00k0bkLHawimMXUblh01XwvOA_vrdVBG_k359OgM1eRtblhiJ3jCcjwW3thSXf0QL6x8lhfJe1U6MxWdr9wDZlgIt5jL1QqSsE/s640/Jun+19+2010+009.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Happy Father's Day to the best daddy! I only hope I am as good as a mother as Brett is a father. He loves his little girl more than he could have ever imagined. I'm so thankful that she will grow up with him!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-35985744252954222712010-06-24T22:22:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:12.981-08:00Tuning Forks and Reheated Coffee.....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well--that about sums up the last 2 weeks--tuning forks and reheated coffee!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Taking a summer semester of 6 hours of graduate school, working nights/evenings (while the baby sleeps), and having a 4 month old has been quite the challenge.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFpjOvvvlBBsP1ACRryIhBlDxUvFeUYw7zYFquNjT7YEOrLSE1hGw8o8vlCr1XlQAv1Lue3kQBhaeXoWAo7oCVEZDD1GEzUPLNykuja-W28rLhaonbm6YF5vzZi55_sULZ92IbpA4B3Uq/s1600/Jun+17+2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFpjOvvvlBBsP1ACRryIhBlDxUvFeUYw7zYFquNjT7YEOrLSE1hGw8o8vlCr1XlQAv1Lue3kQBhaeXoWAo7oCVEZDD1GEzUPLNykuja-W28rLhaonbm6YF5vzZi55_sULZ92IbpA4B3Uq/s640/Jun+17+2010+015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My mother came 2 weeks to aid in the cause--and I COULD NOT have done it without her! She kept Lydia while I slept and studied. This week I had an assignment that had to be videoed--we were up at 5:30 Wednesday morning (after I went to sleep at 3:30 am after studying)--dropped Lydia off at Dana's at 6 am(THANKS, Dana)--and went to the salon to film my project. CRaZy! And thanks to my wonderful husband who was up that early (he is NOT an early bird) to be my guinea pig patient! Now I know how to use a tuning fork--and I'm loving the reheated coffee (even at 1 am).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This week will be somewhat better--but finding time to study and write papers for a research class is.... well.... not always easy! But--with a wonderful, encouraging husband and a very cooperative baby--it's getting done. Stay tuned for Father's Day pics!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">BTW--the first tuning fork was developed in 1711. They are used to test hearing and to tune instruments --hence "TUNing fork" haha (in case you didn't know). It also has other uses too. Quite the interesting little metal object ;)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-91325750028544104592010-06-10T11:24:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:13.050-08:00A BlurThe last week has definitely been a "blur." I feel like I've been running a little crazy. After having the baby, life got "normal" again, then I returned to work. That was a transition. Well, we finally reached "normal" again--and I started back in graduate school last week! Ok--I know I'm crazy. Many told me that I wouldn't stay in school once the baby was born, but I'm not quitting! Brett's an awesome support--and I think we are both way more tired now than we were when she was a newborn LOL<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFMTxz-abITE9EqWYqdyeQGbH6s1T-fg4yXzmAoctxJQlfof-6hF3gTyJyxL7WtQvLeK1n7V0ExRvt5RoLGpX4cvxF562yimCT70M1jOKGebCqOi9YyB5AvrJey0BipBqUveBX2FxYqNL/s1600/Dec+08+2009+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFMTxz-abITE9EqWYqdyeQGbH6s1T-fg4yXzmAoctxJQlfof-6hF3gTyJyxL7WtQvLeK1n7V0ExRvt5RoLGpX4cvxF562yimCT70M1jOKGebCqOi9YyB5AvrJey0BipBqUveBX2FxYqNL/s640/Dec+08+2009+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We had a "bow" party this week. A group of gals from one of the married couples small groups asked me to join them to teach them how to make hair bows. Around 20 girls in one room---with lots of ribbon and hot glue guns! I forgot my camera--but we had a fun time. I could do those types of projects all day--forget the studying ;) Doesn't that ribbon just look so fun! :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjktyJgMfy5Segl34VYXeQQV43GfItVlWNu77j8iz4-ho1Buz5Z_OBbqFn15TcR70IkzN9-vCS2lgj1XKUdHW7YVlr9wx951bvflMSO1T21pBqQbi4MBz36Ll60ElJA5cxXJYirgWzBjBC/s1600/May+26+2010+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjktyJgMfy5Segl34VYXeQQV43GfItVlWNu77j8iz4-ho1Buz5Z_OBbqFn15TcR70IkzN9-vCS2lgj1XKUdHW7YVlr9wx951bvflMSO1T21pBqQbi4MBz36Ll60ElJA5cxXJYirgWzBjBC/s640/May+26+2010+018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the home front, Lydia's growing up so fast--but still sooo cute.<br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGawtcI-3PAbFPX2hxNFBZquj0LYjH9pTUN5OYl8xmAgHUpWd77HtvdVW_WESWDDu2N2Rpyv89Glnsy0OR4hlSy95g1tDP3VF38r3XOpjYFY3BBUkGfiXQ5xGCwdAkQTzisrFdaI3rzdx/s1600/mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGawtcI-3PAbFPX2hxNFBZquj0LYjH9pTUN5OYl8xmAgHUpWd77HtvdVW_WESWDDu2N2Rpyv89Glnsy0OR4hlSy95g1tDP3VF38r3XOpjYFY3BBUkGfiXQ5xGCwdAkQTzisrFdaI3rzdx/s640/mug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-17243072284496117212010-05-29T20:10:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:13.140-08:00Garden Fresh--Homemade baby foodLydia is now 3.5 months old--and will be eating table food shortly. Sooo....I've decided to start making her baby food now before it gets too late :)<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr2OCl0iOeVYZrNUtwF8qAIT9Sf6OYJac4mEM7ydVJhQt8KkmUeTvJwOsxGLMoq2K7c7xMH-RGgSsX7KKBDdgZgPKf4pWq6er-hnOkd5O8HQqbELoSJS0N-ug6CYe_Ax1vCvbXdQcProu/s1600/May+25+2010+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr2OCl0iOeVYZrNUtwF8qAIT9Sf6OYJac4mEM7ydVJhQt8KkmUeTvJwOsxGLMoq2K7c7xMH-RGgSsX7KKBDdgZgPKf4pWq6er-hnOkd5O8HQqbELoSJS0N-ug6CYe_Ax1vCvbXdQcProu/s400/May+25+2010+071.JPG" width="400" /></a>I went to the downtown Red Stick Market today and the produce stand earlier this week to pick up some wonderful fresh veggies.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I actually bought the "wrong" kind of squash. Butternut Squash--what is that!? Well I discovered those large pear shaped, gord like veggies today at market and picked some up. In fact, they are baking in the oven right now :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's really not that difficult to make your own baby food, and it's much more economical in addition to much fresher. I wouldn't eat jarred baby food, but this--is wonderful! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEQKidzWo89hyphenhyphenTnTFwI3TXf7ZUmKgJZaku4SmaMwtHFIjU6IBKGfbwLkaPC0dGNUH7N5uExe8q2hPZlmhIxqc-wWgc0FT5Z1A5N6_nAKF_LeCka3SNnsifF619QwywC06vyBZUtoo8wCJ/s1600/May+25+2010+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEQKidzWo89hyphenhyphenTnTFwI3TXf7ZUmKgJZaku4SmaMwtHFIjU6IBKGfbwLkaPC0dGNUH7N5uExe8q2hPZlmhIxqc-wWgc0FT5Z1A5N6_nAKF_LeCka3SNnsifF619QwywC06vyBZUtoo8wCJ/s400/May+25+2010+073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I steamed the carrots and green beans, baked the sweet potatoes and butternut squash. After it's cooked, throw it in a blender with the liquid from cooking and extra water, puree to right consistency, and pour. Pour into ice cube trays. One tray = 2 cups. Each cube is approximately 1 oz. and there are 16 cubes per tray. I originally only bought 3 trays, but returned to get more today. They fill up quickly. This is something you definitely want to do in "batches."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPSYJ8So_Dml7N1XYQJKTipPaZElVXWVGFY9Pveel7tthQcsgacRDhXqYnGw1RIFMYsvv3FvWZvAuqawSw8KO_OEs6UdMOp1OHbKy5mSVunJXZbsJNIEtWkFvtMsZlFrnZM8UdlaZr6M6/s1600/May+25+2010+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPSYJ8So_Dml7N1XYQJKTipPaZElVXWVGFY9Pveel7tthQcsgacRDhXqYnGw1RIFMYsvv3FvWZvAuqawSw8KO_OEs6UdMOp1OHbKy5mSVunJXZbsJNIEtWkFvtMsZlFrnZM8UdlaZr6M6/s400/May+25+2010+076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once poured, cover the trays with saran wrap. Freeze overnight. Pop out cubes the next day. Put in bags or other containers--labeled with contents and date. It's that simple. When ready to serve, remove cubes as needed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFglcOrJ03enmPebB9y5V43AF3pM4m8Y-dSGGVwx23xKsOAVktTB_BPE63I5Oxsix-LLrXfBPBLmAPZ_pQZrVKM1vWDLggyGJ2shpB7X9O3ind7nmDhlGstkSbdDseIStyPd36v7JJiOZq/s1600/May+25+2010+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFglcOrJ03enmPebB9y5V43AF3pM4m8Y-dSGGVwx23xKsOAVktTB_BPE63I5Oxsix-LLrXfBPBLmAPZ_pQZrVKM1vWDLggyGJ2shpB7X9O3ind7nmDhlGstkSbdDseIStyPd36v7JJiOZq/s400/May+25+2010+078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She's already tried the carrots and really likes them! I can't wait to experiment with mixing fruits and veggies and meats! </div><br />Stay tuned for messy face pics :)Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-9159926780586975702010-05-26T15:06:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:13.210-08:00Under Construction...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a small hint of what is to come :)</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU_1m9PLqmZZeiA3S3dA-t3DLz2Lv3kJadNt73j2raZ71_RhIVvAnWYcMv3HFlWO-amEMQ-EM0Dl0TcEwMittDOpk1MJk74EeT4dmoOqIPbQKlGsTG6vhjOREat1XwX0I36ANaEaEcBVp/s1600/May+07+2010+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU_1m9PLqmZZeiA3S3dA-t3DLz2Lv3kJadNt73j2raZ71_RhIVvAnWYcMv3HFlWO-amEMQ-EM0Dl0TcEwMittDOpk1MJk74EeT4dmoOqIPbQKlGsTG6vhjOREat1XwX0I36ANaEaEcBVp/s640/May+07+2010+009.JPG" width="425" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Can't wait to get things going! Stay tuned for more details........</span></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229093451647678089.post-73533084699712167792010-05-23T18:27:00.000-07:002010-12-21T15:35:13.280-08:00Bar Keepers Friend --ReviewWell, I may not be a Bar Keeper--but this stuff is definitely my friend--and I recommend you develop a relationship with it too :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474642796351549826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLzkNN7n3cx7UoepqI5pWgqSeiqFOL25C4kBYWJukRRMppbLFAW4qpBCMeEMvVgIflpIogWbIM-oo14XBL2sTrtW3Kp-AciuuL2RrJW4pUW1Pnf9u9E0DCt7yqO89nr8rUl22fLgLyKJ2/s400/May+12+2010+110.JPG" /><br />When we moved in our house almost five years ago (yes, five years--amazing!) we inherited the porcelin, stain-loving sink that came with it. Now--I love how deep and wide it is, but it sure LOVES tomato sauce, blueberries, and any other substance that stains.<br /><br />I wonderful friend told me about <strong><span style="color:#333399;">Bar Keepers Friend</span>.</strong> I LOVE this stuff! It's a powder cleanser like Comet, and it will clean any stain from porcelin, copper, brass, stainless steel, etc.<br /><br /><strong><em>What it's great for:</em></strong><br /><ul><li><strong>my porcelin sink</strong>--just sprinkle in sink--and use brush or scouring pad--and without much effort--it's crisp and white :)</li><li><strong>the stainless bathtub (or sink) faucets</strong>. Those get sooo crummy and scummy from the shower (sorry, no before and after pics of my shower or sink). Once again, sprinkle and scrub--and they are sooo shiny! I love it</li><li><strong>Brass</strong>. This week we were cleaning our 750 sq. ft porch (needless to say--it's not done yet). Brett wanted to polish the door handles. He made a paste, applied it to the brass, let it "soak" and scrubbed it. You can see how beautiful they came out! </li><li><strong>Stainless Steel Cookware.</strong> I finally purchased a small set of stainless steel pots/pans. Now besides the challenge of cooking on them (that's an entire post/internet search on it's own)--they stain. Sometimes they stain really badly. But a little BKF sprinkled--scrubbed with a brush--and they are shiny again in a snap!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643305976976162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwnsnFRbQ2NEPVewKvLX5QOciov39l-MsgqD61e0LCJusY9MhN7Q3yUsY7qNRfmCPD4mdE1x3P5QrS5b3W5fXgBvP5nIHUIsg4-rkti9cQAssrTXHq-pR6EAs5VLXqoRPylG5sGWfQSiu/s400/May+18+2010+004.JPG" />Brass door handles before cleaning<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643311499209826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wMCp2D_Vii0fezSJeQrOwTLNw694Vai7F7JefU-NFs0qGecAb_HDKXZymCG0wk-tkBdMjL43USEXcXptxrQRS1o2zTUr3X0GOawKgTIUVNz59mO6Aw0DMsgGXz_k-IukZeYgKd6TJhK4/s400/May+18+2010+002.JPG" />Bar Keeper's Friend applied <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643317964231506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEqBNN-KIIBoTbKdInXXkKDfso1rwVCAdKNKogFBASvLp9rfcEJf-0VZiVmfs-a0Bwq1gX7hDdrwPOm89FGp0DVQYbNn0uqldK-yrSNAulB8Ss9rG2mOCkupuve-5RdzNfqr6EmDzlK5_/s400/May+18+2010+008.JPG" /> After :) Brett-- you and your "friend" did a wonderful job! They look great :)</li></ul><p>You can find Bar Keepers Friend at Bed Bath and Beyond (where I first purchased it), and now at Wal-Mart.</p><p>Let me know if you have used it! I'd love to hear your testimony :)<br /></p><div></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409944181798189376noreply@blogger.com2