tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21017522961218491802024-02-06T22:32:57.741-07:00Harvest Academy"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap"Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-9503025256359351762010-12-21T22:07:00.000-07:002010-12-21T22:07:47.763-07:00Christmas Countdown: Day 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WM0gm5FQQazPhwN9O4CcLl825WirQOpQenRddulw6bQik_IMobKxxZl9yDot4fqsdi74OmdhQsZaVSxatmuex7AsvlljCS7hIv6Ew1QysYWNkhgzrhMVwqib02AgFmDldCmbgS5kkwM/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WM0gm5FQQazPhwN9O4CcLl825WirQOpQenRddulw6bQik_IMobKxxZl9yDot4fqsdi74OmdhQsZaVSxatmuex7AsvlljCS7hIv6Ew1QysYWNkhgzrhMVwqib02AgFmDldCmbgS5kkwM/s400/IMG_1373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-46522596599922284802010-12-21T01:24:00.001-07:002010-12-21T01:25:03.140-07:00Christmas Countdown: Days 4-20I am not very good at blogging in December. Okay, I probably could have stopped after the word "blogging", but in December it is especially hard for me. There is just so much to do and to enjoy, that it is hard to find the time to get on the computer. I'm sad that I haven't taken more pictures over the month, but I thought I'd include a little bit of what we've been doing this Christmas season.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sleeping next to the the Christmas Tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhnvxR-4xewMZJAL-8AMa6pjDDaoH7jRv0kVrS-GoKK_1MockGAmIoBQN08LmG5EQOYxl-h9MLPbJrS6c1-STZH66g7Wcu9uLjEt5mJw1MemvwJg04XqOcSF-3t0GOcUHjA2fQgBRUIk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhnvxR-4xewMZJAL-8AMa6pjDDaoH7jRv0kVrS-GoKK_1MockGAmIoBQN08LmG5EQOYxl-h9MLPbJrS6c1-STZH66g7Wcu9uLjEt5mJw1MemvwJg04XqOcSF-3t0GOcUHjA2fQgBRUIk/s400/photo.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sitting on Santa's lap at our Church Christmas Party. That night when putting Little C. to bed, she told her dad, "Sorry I freaked out on Santa's lap dad." She was really worried she was going to be put on the "naughty list" after that. We had to assure her that Santa understood. How cute are 3 year olds?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Making gingerbread houses with Grandma.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Attending the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. That was a highlight of the month so far. The music was beautiful, the spirit was so strong, and Doug and I had a wonderful evening with H-Man, and I-Mac. I'm so grateful we were able to get tickets this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There have been so many more things we've enjoyed this month, but unfortunately that is all I have captured on camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love Christmas time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-75167393939182117662010-12-06T22:37:00.001-07:002010-12-06T22:41:06.770-07:00Christmas Countdown: Day 3I started this month with great expectations of documenting all of the wonderful moments and memories of this Christmas season in words and pictures, but here it is the 6th of December and I only have one day to report on. We have been battling major illness in our household for the past month. H. Man has had it the worst and I think he is just finally turning the corner on a three week battle with bronchitis. We're praying that we are all healthy by Christmas and that we have paid our dues this last month so we can stay healthy the rest of the winter.<br />
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I decided to start a couple of new traditions to help us to enjoy the true spirit of Christmas a little more this year. The first thing I did new this year was to find 24 Christmas books, wrap them, and place them under the tree.<br />
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</div>Each morning one child gets a turn to pick a book to open, and we read it together as a family. There are a mixture of fun stories like The Night Before Christmas, and The Polar Express, but I tried to make the majority of them ones that exemplified the true meaning of Christmas, like Christmas Day in the Morning, and A Christmas Bell for Anya. We have been loving this addition to our Christmas traditions. Each child can't wait until it's their turn to pick the book for the day and I love the mood it sets for the rest of the day as we start the morning cuddle up together on the couch reading stories about Christmas. <br />
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The other new thing we have done this year is that I made a Christmas Activity Advent for the kids. I got 24 bags at the craft store and filled each one with a treat for each child and an activity for the day. I hung them all up on our banister and each child takes a turn opening a bag for the day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswhtMpuQ-onzZnGSwm5iPSHsNFJeVpjZO-zX0IeWIhEeY3WspJuF7PcYPtMo3eFcpwuMZKe2zdih8ye0zcM7NzmxqlKu2z1lxcHeUM_Fa1GqVHq004QHMuO8iM5oGP216qwlsMax67Pw/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswhtMpuQ-onzZnGSwm5iPSHsNFJeVpjZO-zX0IeWIhEeY3WspJuF7PcYPtMo3eFcpwuMZKe2zdih8ye0zcM7NzmxqlKu2z1lxcHeUM_Fa1GqVHq004QHMuO8iM5oGP216qwlsMax67Pw/s400/IMG_1328.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I had wanted to photograph and document us doing each of the activities, but I have only remembered to pull out the camera for one so far, and that was for our trip to see the lights at Temple Square on Friday night.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all bundled up (although the weather was quite pleasant for December at 40 degrees) and headed downtown to take in the sights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C. Bear was mesmerized by all of the lights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys favorite thing was the life sized nativity. Little C. loved everything and Doug had to carry her or she would have spent the entire night wandering around, enjoying it all at her leisure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After looking at the lights, we headed to a nearby café for hot chocolate and treats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-3201677429083704942010-11-24T10:16:00.000-07:002010-11-24T10:16:04.303-07:00Wordless Wednesday: Face First Snow Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto0ysGWbyq68U0-LbxE9pl3lsHk0_0knVcRgn4qO90h_TbX3TDx_POHLIBs3X58Hje354iYQPVO0fmN8SZJNzise433K4HbS04UCoL5WIh6ihbhntqbnQCv0fECoJELexUSHpDQ5b4Pc/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto0ysGWbyq68U0-LbxE9pl3lsHk0_0knVcRgn4qO90h_TbX3TDx_POHLIBs3X58Hje354iYQPVO0fmN8SZJNzise433K4HbS04UCoL5WIh6ihbhntqbnQCv0fECoJELexUSHpDQ5b4Pc/s400/IMG_1292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmp1Qt3bxyuAKWtUFIEBDLn45bb2En5c5KJ8qSfSaisPlKzi9z535_gTsT2gUsgUIYn7nnOSKG96jh1TSMnLVcQ-KBIGW7HmhQ-UejuP2zyukmK_wo1G0ocPuy35Xf3uF60t4vgk_BSU/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmp1Qt3bxyuAKWtUFIEBDLn45bb2En5c5KJ8qSfSaisPlKzi9z535_gTsT2gUsgUIYn7nnOSKG96jh1TSMnLVcQ-KBIGW7HmhQ-UejuP2zyukmK_wo1G0ocPuy35Xf3uF60t4vgk_BSU/s400/IMG_1294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-25541049428906680062010-11-17T17:08:00.001-07:002010-11-17T17:08:26.533-07:00Wordless Wednesday: 8 Months Old!<span id="goog_241645570"></span><span id="goog_241645571"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqYFE16jkxccE_SaXqza7U4NVsx8590VbD_uHnydLdmNTX8Wh46Si30EVhyphenhyphenemO4bKxHQfnuI69VPoJP16kls5AjO5Qzw8T0UNdv9W0vIGZZIYIoydaqJZcuC157LOz14rXgQ3saFwaqA/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqYFE16jkxccE_SaXqza7U4NVsx8590VbD_uHnydLdmNTX8Wh46Si30EVhyphenhyphenemO4bKxHQfnuI69VPoJP16kls5AjO5Qzw8T0UNdv9W0vIGZZIYIoydaqJZcuC157LOz14rXgQ3saFwaqA/s400/IMG_1279.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-90959324807816170592010-11-15T22:35:00.001-07:002010-11-15T22:36:38.963-07:00The Greatest Man I Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pbSfKf9zVG14ZOdS9q37tdZryvOKT38NKDEYzk458nakVsEKsDKzV15BtMsZlM2DuI5ba4lGq2G5x4zcmG5mMxm-55AvIO0XVPNIa7TNzWiHIyKC0NQBFJxHN1lfy03PdSnM0fMP2eo/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pbSfKf9zVG14ZOdS9q37tdZryvOKT38NKDEYzk458nakVsEKsDKzV15BtMsZlM2DuI5ba4lGq2G5x4zcmG5mMxm-55AvIO0XVPNIa7TNzWiHIyKC0NQBFJxHN1lfy03PdSnM0fMP2eo/s400/IMG_0910.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was reading in my journal last night about when Doug and I started dating. We were so in love, and I trusted completely in the fact that he would be able to make me happy for the rest of my life. Although it's funny to look back and realize how little we really knew each other, I was absolutely right about that fact. He has never stopped making me laugh, filling me with joy, or being the man of my dreams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought he would be a wonderful father, but little did I know then how much our children would idolize him and try to spend as much time with him as they possibly could, even as they entered the teenage years. I thought he would be a good example to me and my children, but little did I know how often I would turn to him for guidance and direction with questions and decisions I faced and trust completely that the answers he gave me were right. I thought that he would always love me and help me feel good about myself, but little did I know that after 5 kids, and 17+ years of marriage, he would still make me feel like there was no other woman who could ever hold a candle to me in his eyes. I thought I knew the happiness I would have if I married him, but I never could have imagined the joy it has been to be married to my best friend and the greatest man I know. I trust that in another 17 years I will look back on today and realize that I had no idea how good it could really get. </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-52249246478761674272010-11-08T22:02:00.001-07:002010-11-08T22:23:35.540-07:00My Candy Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ru8Du5XdzY-Hwftqo0pn4Nqda9roOtDc_sxuiPj8XArz93Ku1432Zt6G1Rdr8OJAuzyO_SBe-ad9FOyy7JMsaNbFtxV10FUkH1rlwVZgHWtsN1iLagwTKk1Q9k5IyMt6hIiagwGaRc/s1600/library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ru8Du5XdzY-Hwftqo0pn4Nqda9roOtDc_sxuiPj8XArz93Ku1432Zt6G1Rdr8OJAuzyO_SBe-ad9FOyy7JMsaNbFtxV10FUkH1rlwVZgHWtsN1iLagwTKk1Q9k5IyMt6hIiagwGaRc/s400/library.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is something about a library that stirs my soul. I love to wander down the aisles and just soak up the atmosphere, especially when I don't have something specific that I am looking for. I love going to the library. I always have. <br />
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In July I got to spend a week in New York with my husband. It was my first time. He was there on business, so each day I would wander the streets of Manhattan reveling in the sights, sounds, and the culture in that vast city. I saw many amazing things, but one of my favorite experiences was the morning I spent browsing the New York Public Library. O.k., so it's not your average public library. It is everything I ever dreamed a library could be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is historic, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4ELEhZUxN7JijQTidPtR5asmVv4Aib6cKzBH9-56bTSUEs_I2K0mSUFLElxa3FUx1fqJ2PMZbMWKDpn3ad2giKynIrULEfkBn5yOo7T1bVzQQPgY_MZeQnRkdbAkL-FbkehsDlmY1bI/s1600/new_york_public_library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4ELEhZUxN7JijQTidPtR5asmVv4Aib6cKzBH9-56bTSUEs_I2K0mSUFLElxa3FUx1fqJ2PMZbMWKDpn3ad2giKynIrULEfkBn5yOo7T1bVzQQPgY_MZeQnRkdbAkL-FbkehsDlmY1bI/s400/new_york_public_library.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it is beautiful,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it is <b>full </b>of books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWqpydI_FtK1X0OWSwD4355Pbcaxf95ue9ZQvfc6d1gBxlD0osfkaYcspGHVOsn8CP-oKrPlNwtUnftSCg1CsQwbxjFx4V-Ne5bn4IF_7Gv1v2-unybYYYVtXuCNmjpg8LLtGEKAiEXQ/s1600/newyork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWqpydI_FtK1X0OWSwD4355Pbcaxf95ue9ZQvfc6d1gBxlD0osfkaYcspGHVOsn8CP-oKrPlNwtUnftSCg1CsQwbxjFx4V-Ne5bn4IF_7Gv1v2-unybYYYVtXuCNmjpg8LLtGEKAiEXQ/s400/newyork.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After wandering the building, I sat down in this room with a book, and just relished the moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQFIR0QlXU-HqPEoNHrgwMraPAdSy4RQqSDg16RNqbfDHeVUw0SU7wj0zGZcQDMtvuBcYvv-_vVjXY1dOvHU8ETBQRDQyw26rGx6mP5HEQaY34NoFYAB9awHP9co-Acq3W8bpoWbgRK0/s1600/ny-public-library-reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQFIR0QlXU-HqPEoNHrgwMraPAdSy4RQqSDg16RNqbfDHeVUw0SU7wj0zGZcQDMtvuBcYvv-_vVjXY1dOvHU8ETBQRDQyw26rGx6mP5HEQaY34NoFYAB9awHP9co-Acq3W8bpoWbgRK0/s400/ny-public-library-reading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a fabulous morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I went to the library to pick up H. Man who had been there with a friend. I was in a hurry to get somewhere, but once I walked through the doors, I couldn't help lingering over a few displays of new and seasonal books they had, and then of course I had to take a quick look at what books they had on sale today. As we left and I remembered what a hurry I was in, I had to try to define what exactly this hold is that the library has on me. Then it dawned on me. It's the possibilities. There are thousands of books on the shelves there, just waiting to be read. Waiting to change my life. You never know when you pick up a book, where you will end up when you put it down. The possibilities in a library are endless. It's magical, and it keeps calling me back for more. I wonder where I'll end up next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book."</i> ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-48243332017319327172010-11-05T22:30:00.001-06:002010-11-05T22:33:42.343-06:00Back to Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGaWM6gYkPlh-IWcslUotM1aeKLs_23bycUvllntuu54qWCmVbs2i5lQdn-8VlrNKgo927RjBtVzt3bKT5yyD8S6VgpLGXZeNO45GGjA0CFal6wWzojhvhUOJRETNDQpAC8X54Fb6b-k/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGaWM6gYkPlh-IWcslUotM1aeKLs_23bycUvllntuu54qWCmVbs2i5lQdn-8VlrNKgo927RjBtVzt3bKT5yyD8S6VgpLGXZeNO45GGjA0CFal6wWzojhvhUOJRETNDQpAC8X54Fb6b-k/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We missed out on Nature Study last year because I suffered so much from morning sickness, and generally feeling lousy during my pregnancy. I was determined that we would add it back into our studies this year, but I have yet to do it until today. It was a gorgeous fall day, and I wanted to get out and enjoy it with the kids before all the colors and leaves were gone. We went to my favorite nearby place to do nature study, a local river trail, and it didn't disappoint. There is something about the flow of a river and the vegetation that grows near it, that is soothing to the soul.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWir_a5FJ8dMaA5oZjw7wAjPNUB4QZFz7gjIyDvjEMh16Z6e7frVu580y-ySDDq1clBBWI9AvzkwqhxpdrtE-WfkXmId9J4iAd2b6XYlKaRn0qsRYpIbdYOt5V_6wQUkTiC9h4UGpgR30/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWir_a5FJ8dMaA5oZjw7wAjPNUB4QZFz7gjIyDvjEMh16Z6e7frVu580y-ySDDq1clBBWI9AvzkwqhxpdrtE-WfkXmId9J4iAd2b6XYlKaRn0qsRYpIbdYOt5V_6wQUkTiC9h4UGpgR30/s400/IMG_1082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz8UKX-fPyRZeLMBYqheK59tNSXvtmxaSsZ6Kuxwz2tl6lNkDliyxZ1otPehyphenhyphen-NekzDFpVnyE9XaTfP9-Ea3mOPJPrPfxhfmkxJynmgPgq20VggjHLbeZVCfTem64g4veeQCrN1z7qeU/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz8UKX-fPyRZeLMBYqheK59tNSXvtmxaSsZ6Kuxwz2tl6lNkDliyxZ1otPehyphenhyphen-NekzDFpVnyE9XaTfP9-Ea3mOPJPrPfxhfmkxJynmgPgq20VggjHLbeZVCfTem64g4veeQCrN1z7qeU/s320/IMG_1084.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we arrived, we were greeted by this little guy, which caused quite a bit of excitement for the kids. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAcyinoylxNWWWsz996w4Gl9Gap5samAWoaYqq2Gr9URwa2EOMTG3QP_NQDPyZyBR44lREvP-dAwVBcQqfMMzEPg4PEPp4DnBJlaLvfzZ04GhEdBPEimjmCJmwdRvfN1JdARxjNbjP6Y/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAcyinoylxNWWWsz996w4Gl9Gap5samAWoaYqq2Gr9URwa2EOMTG3QP_NQDPyZyBR44lREvP-dAwVBcQqfMMzEPg4PEPp4DnBJlaLvfzZ04GhEdBPEimjmCJmwdRvfN1JdARxjNbjP6Y/s400/IMG_1076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to go down by the water to skip rocks </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">and enjoy the view.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Little C. had fun collecting rocks and leaves</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">and posing for pictures.</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0jpTuX6OkV6E2oDax0euhcWT0zdmPcBuWut0-xvMcxpW51jv3X2zzyD6Ol3xev-98xLvwx7jQKoGT8tBpqnNutCHTauDbyjuVOK9nAQOtrbGynZ0os01MzKty5WPz229jyAF5koeoto/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0jpTuX6OkV6E2oDax0euhcWT0zdmPcBuWut0-xvMcxpW51jv3X2zzyD6Ol3xev-98xLvwx7jQKoGT8tBpqnNutCHTauDbyjuVOK9nAQOtrbGynZ0os01MzKty5WPz229jyAF5koeoto/s400/IMG_1145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">There was so much beauty to capture.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJUGdVTocw-VAsskkEKAXBC_uEdwzzRg6pK-0xVn5on6LuFi_wjrJP2n99zPlyf6EE8uJ61ApMjohO8xGOe58RNzgtuTCLmaZGfxjArvbeNynL_OzeJdbEjWoA7plJfM4gRpWpr1Ara8/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJUGdVTocw-VAsskkEKAXBC_uEdwzzRg6pK-0xVn5on6LuFi_wjrJP2n99zPlyf6EE8uJ61ApMjohO8xGOe58RNzgtuTCLmaZGfxjArvbeNynL_OzeJdbEjWoA7plJfM4gRpWpr1Ara8/s400/IMG_1152.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I just wish my camera battery would have been charged. Instead I had to make do with the camera on my phone. At least I had something.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4kuuVkvdz6oZQPedyZEb57onS-0Wt4N-lXWmmxaSdns3j1UQFEO7MSjqwoCpTcr8aHy6VKEFjOpu0hRmbvsFikDNOs1dd2joNoc8_KGGSOokjlC5hiWPXp8TOrmv2qpRQcux2WE2lis/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4kuuVkvdz6oZQPedyZEb57onS-0Wt4N-lXWmmxaSdns3j1UQFEO7MSjqwoCpTcr8aHy6VKEFjOpu0hRmbvsFikDNOs1dd2joNoc8_KGGSOokjlC5hiWPXp8TOrmv2qpRQcux2WE2lis/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We stopped to play at a park on the trail,</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmeOfAWDevD1egWK1Wh_I520jMVFJa3eZdGDFXujLAJdNtzCg9K_btqrX8bjoB3FNrIxaJVtUG2-QszpZQE4JWu19pCo68NTuLBBW3KmDH4euu7xLNLVkdIpxPknTdjkzzfUphBCxT8g/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmeOfAWDevD1egWK1Wh_I520jMVFJa3eZdGDFXujLAJdNtzCg9K_btqrX8bjoB3FNrIxaJVtUG2-QszpZQE4JWu19pCo68NTuLBBW3KmDH4euu7xLNLVkdIpxPknTdjkzzfUphBCxT8g/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and then headed home for more fun in the sun on this beautiful Fall day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't you just love Autumn?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-46938274350500696962010-11-03T22:58:00.001-06:002010-11-03T23:22:14.084-06:00Disillusioned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FoK2rWw0tPxHPnP0mm6ohe-aRkpyD8xsw9_r8zpT_pffHPF5f7dm-a-dPh72xfcH0oCvZ0vPOjavYEOt0wlOnO-EQqbiFpUjY75PWAS2mFOlQKlyItZNiQOyCr3kSMT0l-j7FzYiyEw/s1600/mzl.ldseelwg.320x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FoK2rWw0tPxHPnP0mm6ohe-aRkpyD8xsw9_r8zpT_pffHPF5f7dm-a-dPh72xfcH0oCvZ0vPOjavYEOt0wlOnO-EQqbiFpUjY75PWAS2mFOlQKlyItZNiQOyCr3kSMT0l-j7FzYiyEw/s320/mzl.ldseelwg.320x480-75.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This iPhone app image got me thinking about our recent experience with <a href="http://www.douglasforcongress.com/">my husband's campaign</a>. No, we are not heading to Washington D.C.. There never was any thought that we would be. As a "third party" candidate, the cards are too stacked against you to ever make that a possibility in the near future. I debated about wether to post this or not, because I knew it would probably sound like sour grapes, but we really weren't concerned with "winning or loosing" and we gained such interesting insights into "how to play the game" that I just had to share. We have learned so much and have had a lot of positive experiences as we have met other patriotic, and like-minded people who are willing to do the work necessary to restore the freedoms we have lost in our country, but it was also a lot of work, and time, and frustration as we saw so many more people who don't know, and/or don't care about the detour we have taken as a nation. The frustrating thing to me is that so many people seem to think the problems have all been fixed now that the "Grand Ol' Party" has had such sweeping victories. What they fail to realize is that the detour we have taken didn't happen 2 years ago when Barack Obama took office, but over 100 years ago, and has been perpetuated by both parties ever since. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have been asked if we will continue down this path and try to run for office again in the future. The answer right now is no. There are too many things about the game of politics that we found distasteful. We saw many of these things before running, but they were brought into the spotlight over the past eight months. For now we are content to leave the campaigning to those who are comfortable with having their name and face displayed everywhere around town, and have no problem wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars of special interest group campaign contributions in order to purchase things like "campaign vehicles", and advertising so that they can essentially <u>buy</u> hundreds of thousands of votes. It has never been as clear to me as it is now, how much our public elections are like the superfluous student body elections of our high school days. It almost always comes down to who has the most money, and the most impressive signs (or commercials), and the greatest number of them, and who is the smoothest and slickest of the bunch. We say we are fed up with career politicians, and yet we continue to elect them and feel good about it, just because they are backed by the "tea party", or are really good at regurgitating the "I believe in the Constitution" rhetoric. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Case-in-point: Utah's Senatorial Elections. Mike Lee was the poster boy for the tea parties this year. He was the master of Constitutional Rhetoric. He was constantly spouting his desire to help the country "return to the constitution", while in the same statements he would raise the call for amending the constitution to impose term limitations and balancing the budget. Although these are popular ideas right now, they are dangerous ones. The founders considered both of these ideas when they originally framed the constitution and opted not to include them because of the negative ramifications of each. (ex., If we are forced to balance the budget most politicians are more likely to just raise taxes, not cut spending.) These are band-aids, not cures to our current problems, and I find it troubling that someone so highly acclaimed and so supposedly knowledgeable can't see this for himself. These are not the only affronts to the constitution that Mike made while running either. He supports government mandated health care reform, just not "Obama Care", among other things. Mike Lee raised almost 1.5 million dollars for this campaign, and he spent most of it. To put this in perspective, his Democratic opponent raised less than $300,000 dollars, and the only true defender of the constitution running, <a href="http://www.scottbradleyforsenate.com/comparebradleywithlee.html">Scott Bradley</a>, raised much less than that. How can anyone hope to compete with that? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what are our options? Education. Education. Education. That was the only goal of my husbands campaign. He knew he couldn't win against an incumbent republican, in the most republican district in the country, with over $500,000 dollars to spend on his campaign. His only goal was to reach as many people as he could with the message of true liberty and the proper role of government. We had many rewarding experiences in cottage meetings and other gatherings around the state as he was able to share this message with others. Many people are searching for this message right now, as evidenced by the growth of the "Tea Party" movement, but unfortunately many are being deceived into thinking that the answers can be found in the current establishment. The answer isn't in our politicians, it is in "We the People". Until we educate ourselves and our neighbors, and read and re-read the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and their supporting documents, and above all, until we return to God and recognize Him as the Author of our liberty, nothing will change.</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-10201090465059042922010-10-07T23:41:00.000-06:002010-10-07T23:41:44.281-06:00Tag, I'm It<div>Dana at <a href="http://nogginsandnonsense.blogspot.com/">Noggins & Nonsense</a> tagged me in a blog "getting to know you" game. Since I haven't posted in over a month, here is some proof that I'm still around. The questions she asked were:</div><div><br />
</div><div><div>• What is your favorite thing about being a MOM? (<i>This is a tough one. There are so many things that I love, but I have to say that one of my favorite and most rewarding things, is being able to watch my children learn and grow. It is so awesome and overwhelming to see their strengths and talents being developed and to recognize the amazing potential they have. I feel blessed to be a part of it.)</i></div><div>• What part of homeschooling your family makes your heart sing? <i>My answer to this goes along with the first one; watching them learn new thing. I love that I get to be a part of all the "awakenings" in their educational lives. There is nothing like seeing the excitement in a child (especially your own child) when they learn something new. From first learning to read, to making connections with exciting events in history, or discovering the "veins" in a leaf. That wide-eyed wonder is magical.</i></div><div>• If you could have any dessert right now what would it be? ( <i>I just made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with Little C. </i><i>tonight</i><i>, and they really hit the spot</i>. <i>Anything with chocolate is usually a safe bet.</i>)</div><div>• What is one thing about yourself that you’d like to change? (<i>I would like to stress less. I often worry too much about things that in the grand scheme of things aren't really that important. I wish that I could give that up.</i>)</div><div>• What are some talents you’ve been blessed with? (<i>I’ve been blessed with faith. There are definitely times when I don't trust the Lord enough, but generally speaking, I know that He is there and knows what I need and is waiting to bless me with that if I just trust in Him. I am so grateful for that gift in my life, and the peace it brings.</i>)</div><div>• What is a weakness you struggle with? (<i>Not worrying about what others think</i>. <i>You wouldn't think I would have a problem with this since I homeschool, have home-births, am in the Constitution Party, etc., etc., but I often have to stop and ask myself if my motivation for doing something is because it's the right thing for me to do, or because I am worrying about what someone else will think. It's silly, and I am getting better, but I wish I was more like my husband in this area. He just knows what he has to do and does it, and doesn't worry about what anyone else thinks.</i>)</div><div><i></i></div><div>• What book (just for you) have you enjoyed lately? (<i>This is sad. I really love to read, but I don't think I have finished a book for me in 6 months. Right after C. Bear was born I read a few books just for me, and one of the ones I really enjoyed was The Keeper of the Bees, by Gene Stratton Porter. I love her books! I can't wait until I can find more time to read again. I have been itching for a good book lately, and some time to read it in.)</i></div><div>• What is something you would like to learn how to do? (<i>Sew. My mother was/is a wonderful seamstress, but she never taught me how to sew. I always bring my sewing projects to her and she does them for me. It is wonderful, but some day I would like to buy a sewing machine and learn to sew. Some day. . .</i>)</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Now I am supposed to tag some people and ask them eight questions of my own.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here are the questions:</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What are your top 5 favorite books?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What is one of your favorite scriptures?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What is your favorite homeschool curriculum that you have used?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What led you to homeschool your children?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• If you had one day all to yourself, what would you do?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What is your favorite food group?</div><div><br />
</div><div>• What is something that your child(ren) did recently that made you laugh out loud?</div><div><br />
</div><div>The people I am tagging are:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Cellista @ <a href="http://cellista.wordpress.com/">La Scuola d'Argento</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Meg @ <a href="http://journeydiscovergather.blogspot.com/">Journey, Discover, Gather</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Wendy @ <a href="http://oneiloasis.blogspot.com/">O'Neil Oasis</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Sea Star @ <a href="http://seastaracademy.blogspot.com/">Sea Star Academy</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>You! If you want to answer any of these questions, leave a comment with a link to your blog, and I would love to read it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks for playing!</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-47873524237683465472010-08-23T22:52:00.000-06:002010-08-23T22:52:17.858-06:001 Down 179 to Go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dNUjTvVK2tJ7uP0PUimymObr76Qk7xAxcMOmaF71KmzZYHhyphenhyphenWOaNj-72pMTAHq71pzDnIPi3pl9QkPgc7fGe-Vt1POpyV_RSjEDtNielnaQAKpBcWSEARFzWnvubj45W5N2Kw3ESgqQ/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dNUjTvVK2tJ7uP0PUimymObr76Qk7xAxcMOmaF71KmzZYHhyphenhyphenWOaNj-72pMTAHq71pzDnIPi3pl9QkPgc7fGe-Vt1POpyV_RSjEDtNielnaQAKpBcWSEARFzWnvubj45W5N2Kw3ESgqQ/s320/IMG_1194.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(First day of school 2010)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did it! We officially completed our first day of the new school year! We started a little earlier than normal because we will be taking off a week and a half in September to go to California. I felt so underprepared heading into today that I was rather nervous and stressed out last night, but now that the day is over I think things went pretty well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Little C. started school with us today and was incredibly excited for her first day of "school". I am doing <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Before+Five+in+a+Row/001512/1282623976-501559">Before Five in a Row</a> with her, and started the reading game I made and used for all of our kids (I'll post more on that later). She just turned 3 last month, but she so wanted to do school with us this year, that we are just going to take it slow and have a lot of fun. I can tell it will be a good thing for her to get this special one-on-one time during the school day because she was able to play on her own so much better today after having her time with me. I was able to focus more on the boys and not have to spend as much time worrying about keeping her busy and happy. Hooray!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">G. Diddy isn't thrilled about starting school, and we had our battles today, but he did a great job on his <a href="http://www.ldfr.com/catalog/detail/math%20it/0">Math-it</a> game and it was fun to see his sense of accomplishment in that. I-Mac wishes summer wouldn't end, and just can't wait for our California trip to come, but he is so easy going that he just does what we ask without complaining. We are reading some fun books together right now, so that is always a draw for him. The three of us will be studying about American History this year (my favorite subject) so we should be reading a lot of interesting books this year, which we are all looking forward to. If everything goes as planned, we will be taking a trip to Washington D.C. at the end of this school year to wrap up our history studies. Everyone is excited about that prospect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">H. Man was excited for school to start today. He is entering his "Middle School" years this year, and that is one of the main reasons I have been so stressed. His work load is a lot heavier this year, and I'm not sure I'm fully prepared with what I need to do on some of his courses. Luckily, most of his work is done independently and he is a very motivated student so hopefully everything will go smoothly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I have thoroughly enjoyed our summer, and it didn't seem to last long enough, it is exciting to be starting our new learning adventures this year. It is so fun to watch the light bulbs turn on as a child grasps a new idea, to learn about people and places you've never heard about before, to feel the wonder with your children as you ponder on the many amazing things God has created for us. For these reasons and so much more, I am grateful for the blessing and challenge of homeschooling my children. Here's to hoping I can remember to savor those moments all year long. </div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-28061965966668302092010-07-03T13:38:00.001-06:002010-07-03T13:39:11.190-06:00She's Three!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMWCVBQgQcl-UF7K8kvqbiiUy5QlKhOUIPCRUecefPmX9_H1lmJkv8qcjdXOFZmqkbYn9-vE2bUlakSDV7ohn_SIJL2IuSq8-yy2_guohH36CsLeZgeW4PO2M_VkYMdPFrWoOc79jJE0/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMWCVBQgQcl-UF7K8kvqbiiUy5QlKhOUIPCRUecefPmX9_H1lmJkv8qcjdXOFZmqkbYn9-vE2bUlakSDV7ohn_SIJL2IuSq8-yy2_guohH36CsLeZgeW4PO2M_VkYMdPFrWoOc79jJE0/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After patiently waiting through her three older brother's birthdays last month, Little C. finally had her day in the sun. She was so excited for her birthday all week, that I think she was a little overwhelmed when the day finally arrived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We started the day with presents from her brothers and her choice of breakfast; Coco Puffs. She loved the little presents from her brothers and the outfit from mom and dad. We probably could have stopped there and she would have been thrilled. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She was very anxious for me to make her cake, so when C. Bear went down for her nap we made her Tinkerbell cake. It was a little more work than I was anticipating, but she loved it so it was worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis13rFdo1iBmu-bDK5iyHCtMNF_DCEM6lZdJJNc9Za2qt8FruzVmY6_851lD7pQryIfZS-Ia6nmVrjpNkpcWLL_JWWGw-YAJE2oUMRP955-9_TlPvsdQLRHzmz2Cpb8I_TGKDm8SnE1JI/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis13rFdo1iBmu-bDK5iyHCtMNF_DCEM6lZdJJNc9Za2qt8FruzVmY6_851lD7pQryIfZS-Ia6nmVrjpNkpcWLL_JWWGw-YAJE2oUMRP955-9_TlPvsdQLRHzmz2Cpb8I_TGKDm8SnE1JI/s320/IMG_0719.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dad came home from work early and we went to the lake to swim and play at the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk1M9Acjiq9ZQnE-Vhqu1djPpJ6HXrc3LtJ5EhIAiIF0akLIjpUdjuh_DIZdp2ehaISs0nUDlyQZ_UT6F5DmoTd9BaLr_zX2ddRLDKiKGIXsNAVQPp14N0wDr0yuuCCdDVxsqUy4kFWc/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk1M9Acjiq9ZQnE-Vhqu1djPpJ6HXrc3LtJ5EhIAiIF0akLIjpUdjuh_DIZdp2ehaISs0nUDlyQZ_UT6F5DmoTd9BaLr_zX2ddRLDKiKGIXsNAVQPp14N0wDr0yuuCCdDVxsqUy4kFWc/s320/IMG_0699.JPG" /></a></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/AVvXsEj3G1LBq1t9t6t557FGSlihoazDe1NqQhjzR5Ikfm5Cvtw8m6x7EOwUvrI9YipGFkSaWLJrKdqI5j20F1BN0-D_V8xH_FMUcVQw51BEsmiVpXvXy7rGVQtRh5i60etfugIi9excnSVTkgw/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G1LBq1t9t6t557FGSlihoazDe1NqQhjzR5Ikfm5Cvtw8m6x7EOwUvrI9YipGFkSaWLJrKdqI5j20F1BN0-D_V8xH_FMUcVQw51BEsmiVpXvXy7rGVQtRh5i60etfugIi9excnSVTkgw/s320/IMG_0701.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended up not being able to swim because the water was contaminated, but everyone had fun climbing on the awesome jungle gym at the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmFvhJGT_Nt92riP7ciCJzuaozCtjo6o1doiXu6RUxW_7qYymQDEphZbkdYF4OrudDAeabcTeuG82od9513QFj1Bnaqu0YvoKF8MT713mHjH5S9rWArqE-bW8Ytg0uIHxFewYFvyDBb4/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmFvhJGT_Nt92riP7ciCJzuaozCtjo6o1doiXu6RUxW_7qYymQDEphZbkdYF4OrudDAeabcTeuG82od9513QFj1Bnaqu0YvoKF8MT713mHjH5S9rWArqE-bW8Ytg0uIHxFewYFvyDBb4/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5XXZJCEGNJL80C2kSgYO6AWFhbLhVkZmQT6oYohfPp4SAarC9u0_Mk6ZL_D4tr9_s36ScENVEVleGzhf05riqiqkxBpGk69G30u6q8vCe53NNT949hPVycwJaJzwkrOqyRBXzfcb5Go/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5XXZJCEGNJL80C2kSgYO6AWFhbLhVkZmQT6oYohfPp4SAarC9u0_Mk6ZL_D4tr9_s36ScENVEVleGzhf05riqiqkxBpGk69G30u6q8vCe53NNT949hPVycwJaJzwkrOqyRBXzfcb5Go/s320/IMG_0706.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUBSQETFV5Q5ucr2NwnTPqS2oXHJ8gXXZJBZJEn1UAOUewgw8VZzKDNxVA-zhoDgvH9FKQzNO6q9zzqAJOMD9T6pS8LsnZx5DSLfYu3-tpFDgWWYX2wjucU3DgdoJHiIMZQ9amtdPQRM/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUBSQETFV5Q5ucr2NwnTPqS2oXHJ8gXXZJBZJEn1UAOUewgw8VZzKDNxVA-zhoDgvH9FKQzNO6q9zzqAJOMD9T6pS8LsnZx5DSLfYu3-tpFDgWWYX2wjucU3DgdoJHiIMZQ9amtdPQRM/s320/IMG_0707.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIP1vBJg8cU97aHpnPP9eB5FcQfL68eOuv5ArurZ_O4cJ0ZpWJT8QhNGVGQfajN0t1Q_07U3BSMwXRS37IdmOg3lTTFpoSO5I-oATGH-SwWl4lItolqvjHNcTdoK1xXg-V86TkhXoxWo/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIP1vBJg8cU97aHpnPP9eB5FcQfL68eOuv5ArurZ_O4cJ0ZpWJT8QhNGVGQfajN0t1Q_07U3BSMwXRS37IdmOg3lTTFpoSO5I-oATGH-SwWl4lItolqvjHNcTdoK1xXg-V86TkhXoxWo/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C. Bear even had fun hanging out in her chair while everyone played.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArPnHVHUvQmJ8u0C2yk4bNnv5VKTqA-pBn03iQ-lrgz9yH7V6hH-dUHnOhwT7FrGcaXN4eJM6Gm2XC99k1Evm-G5m48Ke3wx9RX4D1rmW8o36lAkFDAkHuaDQXoRMIPwU2z2ZPd7tKIk/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArPnHVHUvQmJ8u0C2yk4bNnv5VKTqA-pBn03iQ-lrgz9yH7V6hH-dUHnOhwT7FrGcaXN4eJM6Gm2XC99k1Evm-G5m48Ke3wx9RX4D1rmW8o36lAkFDAkHuaDQXoRMIPwU2z2ZPd7tKIk/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After that we went to Grandma's for Little C's birthday dinner (pancakes and eggs), presents,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvWhbEA4rQsreEtmAl4f0Ha2_-hMyebHqaYUGYVkkqulFxK1msXAHXwFyD7aJE9CjDb5vBcXu1IjdHT6N9cwJHfAAxBLTugRz4xWzyqb3PvV1kgqZHGQ53krU28dSyfaynxDCN4HMHeQ/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvWhbEA4rQsreEtmAl4f0Ha2_-hMyebHqaYUGYVkkqulFxK1msXAHXwFyD7aJE9CjDb5vBcXu1IjdHT6N9cwJHfAAxBLTugRz4xWzyqb3PvV1kgqZHGQ53krU28dSyfaynxDCN4HMHeQ/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjSGmkXRv-efXqgrOlgsHlfoqUrtzOuoGHF5IMss-ULMNuo9byVHcTzoTIbkFKZ0vRRrr2KvQ6F4tqgoXiEHDvstGzqwNVvi-q9HKsohLrido2CioJj98Y5FvcQ8CALp5KajtyJxuK3Y/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjSGmkXRv-efXqgrOlgsHlfoqUrtzOuoGHF5IMss-ULMNuo9byVHcTzoTIbkFKZ0vRRrr2KvQ6F4tqgoXiEHDvstGzqwNVvi-q9HKsohLrido2CioJj98Y5FvcQ8CALp5KajtyJxuK3Y/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Little C. is such an amazing girl. She has such a love of life and of people. We love her so much and hope she had a wonderful day! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Little C.!</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-27221461745426846372010-06-07T15:03:00.000-06:002010-06-07T15:03:21.434-06:00Birthdays, and Blessings, and Baptisms, Oh My!This has been one full and amazing month for our family! It started with <a href="http://harvestacademyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/05/blessing-day.html">Claire's blessing</a>,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgTPCXF_2iKZrt9lIGurQrvP-JeucPv2kHmxTZvYs4PPZfq0dm1hPWSjpIfscMQb_drxJlQF8G6gM3K25fBWCaNxKlmkvzjA73btvvKoJw6Fu3uuw5GySUBQF8B0su3W4eY1FGfYxC0s/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgTPCXF_2iKZrt9lIGurQrvP-JeucPv2kHmxTZvYs4PPZfq0dm1hPWSjpIfscMQb_drxJlQF8G6gM3K25fBWCaNxKlmkvzjA73btvvKoJw6Fu3uuw5GySUBQF8B0su3W4eY1FGfYxC0s/s320/IMG_0331.JPG" /></a></div><br />
and was followed by G. Diddys birthday a few weeks later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKnrbWVWpmfkf7HWrjJAq4DTQNUo3kMe3OOzhzqLDCUX3RTOp-q2op93Heh_rYo81RxSDyMzisHlRMbxOvvOc6HytoJ2jJjMmIsds9O4VYD7xLaF8Wu4Y3-FoWHxhtmQOFlRAA7xHjkc/s1600/IMG_0428_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKnrbWVWpmfkf7HWrjJAq4DTQNUo3kMe3OOzhzqLDCUX3RTOp-q2op93Heh_rYo81RxSDyMzisHlRMbxOvvOc6HytoJ2jJjMmIsds9O4VYD7xLaF8Wu4Y3-FoWHxhtmQOFlRAA7xHjkc/s320/IMG_0428_2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the birthday he has been waiting for forever. He turned eight and got to start scouts and get baptized! (More photos are coming of that event.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next week was H. Man's birthday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Ff9T0hqfeMKwfj_c6NAR0BomGjbgB3ja8LQicPqP9sCJYI02aKRvhJ9wEHMjYxawkRFSayPyDeYtUy_LAlW55rIzMzFrKoTMJtYVE9HyF4w-w1_kLCo4wxvZrX5Ag4Q82HUZyQwP8I/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Ff9T0hqfeMKwfj_c6NAR0BomGjbgB3ja8LQicPqP9sCJYI02aKRvhJ9wEHMjYxawkRFSayPyDeYtUy_LAlW55rIzMzFrKoTMJtYVE9HyF4w-w1_kLCo4wxvZrX5Ag4Q82HUZyQwP8I/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was also a "big" birthday for him. He turned twelve and got to receive the priesthood!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhIKByrvWijHDSUep2qUYTC-0qXh4UjNc39lEvALwlnRjdR4AMl_LOTx7_X8wSIywI4Aw07miUDjUfc_PnLmOTJ3R2ARsAy3o9DTIi0OMNr4fHxht1kGK6z9J-W0hw_BzFnUlE27P8dk/s1600/IMG_0530_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhIKByrvWijHDSUep2qUYTC-0qXh4UjNc39lEvALwlnRjdR4AMl_LOTx7_X8wSIywI4Aw07miUDjUfc_PnLmOTJ3R2ARsAy3o9DTIi0OMNr4fHxht1kGK6z9J-W0hw_BzFnUlE27P8dk/s320/IMG_0530_2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We were so proud of him. It was so awesome to watch him as he worthily passed the sacrament this Sunday. I can't believe we have a twelve year old child!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The week after H. Man's birthday, G. Diddy was baptized.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5wdE67KvNts0N_pP08cz5yiYb7LkFgBrKSJj5hnb0gnluCunYUzN2urpFPp7H7MNe6ZuypA6PZscVNp5BASucR9iK5RWKphR3YFoYcKgx2e1ddzlhCJ_iBEbiT_NIxKd6J83Z_3W7VY/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5wdE67KvNts0N_pP08cz5yiYb7LkFgBrKSJj5hnb0gnluCunYUzN2urpFPp7H7MNe6ZuypA6PZscVNp5BASucR9iK5RWKphR3YFoYcKgx2e1ddzlhCJ_iBEbiT_NIxKd6J83Z_3W7VY/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He was so excited! The day was awesome and he just radiated joy all weekend. I've never seen him behave so well in church. He read his new scriptures through most of sacrament meeting, and bore a wonderful testimony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final event is I. Mac's birthday today! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8cZp8W-j6ZNz-C8Nd6Nc9I4ddHCvdlodBSYtS29BaZ0LCQGxffvIKkt4R_MSrWhMZg88lse3TZHJP8bI_UMHtIAcn4wbHUnD3Mkm6QplHe1mB4tO6RUTdmf7so_WqHbcMScjSAz5P1c/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8cZp8W-j6ZNz-C8Nd6Nc9I4ddHCvdlodBSYtS29BaZ0LCQGxffvIKkt4R_MSrWhMZg88lse3TZHJP8bI_UMHtIAcn4wbHUnD3Mkm6QplHe1mB4tO6RUTdmf7so_WqHbcMScjSAz5P1c/s320/IMG_0595.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He turned 10 and is an amazing child. We're getting ready to go swimming this afternoon and have his birthday dinner at Grandma's this evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The overwhelming feeling I have had over this past month is how much Heavenly Father loves His children. I have been struck by the fact that although these are my children here on earth they were His first, and it is my responsibility to do all I can to help them get back to Him again some day. I am so blessed to be the mother of these wonderful children. I hope I can be the mother they deserve. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-2706554854573954142010-05-24T14:27:00.001-06:002010-05-25T09:03:38.273-06:00Global Warming?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUcw9Br-swEykb_jm-vcAef8PH_nA96ztncssmQ5o70Us6yc-JcFWYSbqZtdb9hImG0of8o1_bHOIf5fWOXmFY30d4oNb4wf8_uJkN5Aeaqfa-MMxo5wHzKiNQargNrqhmcZ5jVJcE0A/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUcw9Br-swEykb_jm-vcAef8PH_nA96ztncssmQ5o70Us6yc-JcFWYSbqZtdb9hImG0of8o1_bHOIf5fWOXmFY30d4oNb4wf8_uJkN5Aeaqfa-MMxo5wHzKiNQargNrqhmcZ5jVJcE0A/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's four weeks past our average last frost date. I thought I was safe when I planted our summer veggies last weekend. Apparently not. I am in mourning today over my lost "crops", including:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 6 tomato</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 8 pickling cucumber</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 4 slicing cucumber</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 4 bell pepper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 4 jalapeño</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 2 basil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 2 eggplant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 4 cantaloupe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 1 zucchini</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 2 banana squash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily I hadn't yet planted my pumpkins, and a few other squash. I also had two leftover jalapeño plants that I hadn't given away yet. I have been sick about it all day though. I am trying to take solace in all the spring veggies I have growing that don't mind this cold too much. I hate the thought of having to buy all those replacement plants, but I hate the thought of not having all those wonderful fresh veggies this summer even more. Maybe I can find them on sale somewhere? Wish me luck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-53042501248214076512010-05-17T21:40:00.000-06:002010-05-17T21:40:34.668-06:002 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj32iImx5vzzJ-WfsQ2lgs_KYDou6wxj-NKBItiFj4oseRWnxvr_LqSGocLnK3FkFk3YUKrevo_zu0e-PgwC9jjN6Gl0-W49q0ysO49aHYkB9uwr0DnfDoEa6BnqMiZ0e_ch3MezkIH4/s1600/IMG_0378_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj32iImx5vzzJ-WfsQ2lgs_KYDou6wxj-NKBItiFj4oseRWnxvr_LqSGocLnK3FkFk3YUKrevo_zu0e-PgwC9jjN6Gl0-W49q0ysO49aHYkB9uwr0DnfDoEa6BnqMiZ0e_ch3MezkIH4/s320/IMG_0378_3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I can't believe our little C. Bear is two months old today. It's hard to believe that two months ago I felt like I would never be able to get on top of all of the house work and gardening again. Well, I'm a far cry from being on top of things, but I did get to spend several hours working in the garden this weekend, even though Doug was gone for most of it. After a rocky start, she has finally settled into a decent schedule. I'm able to put her down for naps in her own bed several times a day, and she even sleeps for a good 6 hour stretch at night and then another 4.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7nWrSLuha8IZNoMES85f1syxCg1mAlVAetqD6A53mY4pP02nWWhArQjgUUSb7rec8V8PBZBNryIA1AuPt38Xxz74p4yo60t_7TCbcNektlmdDS57okAkMDflTMp5FrnVvgzHRPFS4II/s1600/IMG_0371_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7nWrSLuha8IZNoMES85f1syxCg1mAlVAetqD6A53mY4pP02nWWhArQjgUUSb7rec8V8PBZBNryIA1AuPt38Xxz74p4yo60t_7TCbcNektlmdDS57okAkMDflTMp5FrnVvgzHRPFS4II/s320/IMG_0371_2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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She has gotten to be so much fun too. She gives you the biggest, brightest grins at the slightest urging, and loves to carry on conversations with anyone willing to coo-along with her. The boys are convinced that she can say "hi" already, and I have to admit that when you say, "hi" to her, it sure sounds like she is saying, "hi" back. She has the most kissable chubby cheeks you ever saw, and although we may be biased, around here we think she is the most adorable little ball of chub we ever saw.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-17088363739289097652010-05-02T21:34:00.001-06:002010-05-02T21:35:41.748-06:00Blessing Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2xbbSExZ6u6DtP1EfvlUonwXYoyT8tucRnykTHl0ucoZnuHIslkCu36UcQpzNEJqcW8ngP6WH_r-BDo-1d6XP2uVazZyBHnLDn-icVXvpx8dOpDoa9bVO2jB3fSpATBEmUp3Rb5fe1w/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2xbbSExZ6u6DtP1EfvlUonwXYoyT8tucRnykTHl0ucoZnuHIslkCu36UcQpzNEJqcW8ngP6WH_r-BDo-1d6XP2uVazZyBHnLDn-icVXvpx8dOpDoa9bVO2jB3fSpATBEmUp3Rb5fe1w/s320/IMG_0329.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We blessed our beautiful C. Bear in church today. It was a wonderful experience. The dress she wore was my great-grandmother's blessing dress. Little C. was able to wear this dress on her blessing day too and it was so neat. Events like baby blessings and baptisms always seem to heighten my knowledge of the importance of family. It makes it even more poignant to have my babies wear this link to past generations of my family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always worry that my baby will be good and not cry during the blessing. C. Bear slept for most of the meeting, but when Doug took her to go up to the front of the chapel for the blessing she woke up. I was a little nervous, but the neatest thing happened. The entire time Doug gave the blessing she just stared at him with a huge, beautiful grin on her face. Doug said it was an amazing experience. It was as if she was connected to him, and on some level understood what he was saying and was feeling and recognizing the spirit that was present. She was perfect the rest of the meeting and there was an incredible spirit the rest of the day. We were blessed to be able to share it with our wonderful family and friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF5At3sC2e6upeVcoEZejs7NQeTKCW_1xCpGDoKazBLuMIFmKINTdxyi1akg7yGKbqIhD1SmmJ04vZS0Rpup5BGi_z-1ZqZFM98cderaikooerQmdFTTNn_tZ-z9e5w1RkQpDV6EYTm4/s1600/IMG_0339_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF5At3sC2e6upeVcoEZejs7NQeTKCW_1xCpGDoKazBLuMIFmKINTdxyi1akg7yGKbqIhD1SmmJ04vZS0Rpup5BGi_z-1ZqZFM98cderaikooerQmdFTTNn_tZ-z9e5w1RkQpDV6EYTm4/s320/IMG_0339_2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am so thankful God gave us families. My family is truly the most important thing on earth to me. I am grateful for the glimpses into Heaven I get through my experiences with them.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a><br />
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</span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-51203184636093544962010-04-18T22:29:00.001-06:002010-04-18T22:35:14.655-06:00Week in Review<div style="text-align: left;">This was a great week! That probably stands without saying, because I'm not likely to be posting about it if it wasn't, right? Anyway, this was our second week "back to school" since C. Bear was born, and things really went pretty smoothly considering. We finished our family read-aloud, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Just-David-Eleanor-H-Porter/dp/1406832367/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">Just David</a>, this week and the kids loved it. I read this book on my own a couple of years ago and posted a review about it <a href="http://harvestacademyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-reviews.html">here</a>. I was excited to share it with the kids and was glad that they enjoyed it as much as I did. We were all sad when it was done. It was one of those books where we felt like we were saying good-bye to a good friend when it was over.</div><br />
For our character training this year we have been reading from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1883934117?ie=UTF8&tag=harveacade-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1883934117">Created for Work</a> during our "School Opener" and we read a couple of great chapters from it this week. You never know how much your children retain from things like this, but it is good to see them making connections with great ideals and you hope that through repeated exposure they will eventually incorporate them into their lives. <br />
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We purchased a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T9NUQM?ie=UTF8&tag=harveacade-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001T9NUQM">new camera</a> this week so that H. Man could be <a href="http://douglasforcongress.com/">Doug's</a> "Campaign Photographer". In addition to his regular studies H. Man has spent the week learning everything he can about photography. He read the entire camera manual in two days and has taken hundreds of pictures. He really is showing a lot of talent, and I am now constantly asking him how to do "this" or "that" on the camera. Here are some of his candid shots of our school week. I hesitated to post them, because I don't like seeing pictures of me, but they give a good taste of our school week, so here they are:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCSmMn0z6d-i9oi8AaQ_1EQF0CF7nJeoPE1Bmguj-Ux-MMeEBkvNi7Wjtv1fhXKyamF19cCb2W1wRk-e2nLnpwygfdJ7tQh_czhJnuyOJl3blxA16vOBt7Et2djZbLXLFj3WJKdWW91E/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCSmMn0z6d-i9oi8AaQ_1EQF0CF7nJeoPE1Bmguj-Ux-MMeEBkvNi7Wjtv1fhXKyamF19cCb2W1wRk-e2nLnpwygfdJ7tQh_czhJnuyOJl3blxA16vOBt7Et2djZbLXLFj3WJKdWW91E/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Writing time. In my defense, this was our transition from snack time to writing time.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did spelling every day this week, which is a real accomplishment since we have had the tendency to skip it on hectic days. We have loved The Writing Road to Reading this year. Not only has the boy's spelling improved a lot this year, but I-Mac's reading ability has really flourished as well. For those of you who don't know, I-Mac is dyslexic and we have tried so many different things to help him learn to read proficiently. This program is the first that has really seemed to click with him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7xnblR2P5J8l3AjcP63EPj91GDTXWnAV8RTq6v-rWH8EApwLU_HXd3JodnuhmVUOSSB1ULZ-jHW22z18qdyVZSM68Z5BQplTTvPndpmZkKw8zOWg0bW3w36vBQlh4uU99T87CK4ZHw4/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7xnblR2P5J8l3AjcP63EPj91GDTXWnAV8RTq6v-rWH8EApwLU_HXd3JodnuhmVUOSSB1ULZ-jHW22z18qdyVZSM68Z5BQplTTvPndpmZkKw8zOWg0bW3w36vBQlh4uU99T87CK4ZHw4/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are reading about The Renaissance and The Reformation in history right now. The kids loved the chapter about Michelangelo and DaVinci in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childs-History-World-V-Hillyer/dp/B00069BKF4/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0">A Child's History of the World</a>. We spent some time after reading, looking up various works by each artist and we all hope we can get to Italy some day to see them in person.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiA0KsJMhE5aKV873oplzZkjMflqPhJmWVH7lAxu9YiHbpwJ5K84ih2ceJUigxbUfiyJL_3QovtIRryqrMZNsSO3n7n4t1nR4u3VWKtRwlR5yUt3ZR8TOMgMwtJLReHEL5YjWCVa1BlI/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiA0KsJMhE5aKV873oplzZkjMflqPhJmWVH7lAxu9YiHbpwJ5K84ih2ceJUigxbUfiyJL_3QovtIRryqrMZNsSO3n7n4t1nR4u3VWKtRwlR5yUt3ZR8TOMgMwtJLReHEL5YjWCVa1BlI/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">G. Diddy did a great job of sitting still and paying attention during our reading times this week, which is a huge achievement, because he's our child that I'm sure would have been labeled with ADHD and been medicated, if we had put him in the Public School system. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGioF60TWPg5ZA9gYCg0yFTzLT_Cgec0gYXIohYznPLieCICtEakTRdDcmNsH2hM8IW38jEgThwhvs8XfBS1EHmAGkZoQVDb4B6m0hKVZubc9wdbUEn-8mRLgzrBQIxMXu2unJP3wVIE/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGioF60TWPg5ZA9gYCg0yFTzLT_Cgec0gYXIohYznPLieCICtEakTRdDcmNsH2hM8IW38jEgThwhvs8XfBS1EHmAGkZoQVDb4B6m0hKVZubc9wdbUEn-8mRLgzrBQIxMXu2unJP3wVIE/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I. Mac on the other hand gets tired of listening to Mom lecturing. ; ) Actually, I think this was exasperation because H. Man was taking his 50th photo of him for the day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX35ETWw3gTwqaY237UWIp1qKeDGjGa3S6lc1Ebmgu-dGuS9ZUl9eVhqpShiz6Wx3zTDt96u_CB-r-SEB5hNbY3oDNeHZRAuSFFBWuHtRpHtRFU2-5bCdiHyvsqnKyEHsbRol5r1CGss/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX35ETWw3gTwqaY237UWIp1qKeDGjGa3S6lc1Ebmgu-dGuS9ZUl9eVhqpShiz6Wx3zTDt96u_CB-r-SEB5hNbY3oDNeHZRAuSFFBWuHtRpHtRFU2-5bCdiHyvsqnKyEHsbRol5r1CGss/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to school work, we spent lots of time outdoors in the beautiful spring weather, working in the gardens and just having fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUOpPSmt8lvwZs5P2Y3Ze1VMofTgLwbkRsW6kUoItI8M17hV3YSEtpfAd0icKovII1OXq3geEkXTyC9fJ0obyY51X1gPKha-b9QZsGep5fkZIcv8blCBvaEhKp1Zly5iH2nW7L8ASmA/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUOpPSmt8lvwZs5P2Y3Ze1VMofTgLwbkRsW6kUoItI8M17hV3YSEtpfAd0icKovII1OXq3geEkXTyC9fJ0obyY51X1gPKha-b9QZsGep5fkZIcv8blCBvaEhKp1Zly5iH2nW7L8ASmA/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUOpPSmt8lvwZs5P2Y3Ze1VMofTgLwbkRsW6kUoItI8M17hV3YSEtpfAd0icKovII1OXq3geEkXTyC9fJ0obyY51X1gPKha-b9QZsGep5fkZIcv8blCBvaEhKp1Zly5iH2nW7L8ASmA/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSZdngGN3bLzMiGpH0RmJCNK5cwo-uX9Hu5i4NtV8IRpIK8DF5iapFDpg7QX_6KH_wD1SCbIoWDWHIGJV-OvDRSPdBTC2K5IJxrAOedkXw1DhdKafp2Pw7hEMsbLV1p8zIfEcae1QZkE/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSZdngGN3bLzMiGpH0RmJCNK5cwo-uX9Hu5i4NtV8IRpIK8DF5iapFDpg7QX_6KH_wD1SCbIoWDWHIGJV-OvDRSPdBTC2K5IJxrAOedkXw1DhdKafp2Pw7hEMsbLV1p8zIfEcae1QZkE/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We even fit in a field trip to the park this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3-XQyiH03Ql2yVb85H9Th-KdZiEq0l3NnKr57HlE-da2iW8wwq9AVO0Hw4AZm0xjcFXxD6UewG_x_sJyV6j6yervQvK238RMIGqIaiLfzLhL6wMu7rhDd0yU0ZfraolEox1dLa7ydkg/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3-XQyiH03Ql2yVb85H9Th-KdZiEq0l3NnKr57HlE-da2iW8wwq9AVO0Hw4AZm0xjcFXxD6UewG_x_sJyV6j6yervQvK238RMIGqIaiLfzLhL6wMu7rhDd0yU0ZfraolEox1dLa7ydkg/s320/IMG_0223.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">H. Man also got to take a "field trip" with his dad this week to Fillmore, Utah to hear him speak at the Millard County Constitution Party Convention. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoEx4tuswU17pV7cEhPgCVVyqR0c3KYb2eGBKApUs2Cv4Ny8SGcEVMNC-r3zUtFuPT6FG-a1uOWMoPosHQ68XV0WA7I57isKM7gJgADxrwrw52fubNVDJYg6AqYdHjTBBiW5wfBTwxv8/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoEx4tuswU17pV7cEhPgCVVyqR0c3KYb2eGBKApUs2Cv4Ny8SGcEVMNC-r3zUtFuPT6FG-a1uOWMoPosHQ68XV0WA7I57isKM7gJgADxrwrw52fubNVDJYg6AqYdHjTBBiW5wfBTwxv8/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">H. Man got his first experience as Campaign Photographer,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJe8RDEdxn0qOZrOZBYiTRESl6NT-n7ejefnFDyme-Jk763Bc9p67-w6Bn7Lzk_73OC2pZce0D4kvSh8WH1EgrbjpvAZDkwy0d-dxF5YG3QtfbfZhLmx-BT6eu63Da4Bef3XaYqf-x88/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJe8RDEdxn0qOZrOZBYiTRESl6NT-n7ejefnFDyme-Jk763Bc9p67-w6Bn7Lzk_73OC2pZce0D4kvSh8WH1EgrbjpvAZDkwy0d-dxF5YG3QtfbfZhLmx-BT6eu63Da4Bef3XaYqf-x88/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and they met some wonderful people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Granted, our house could be cleaner, and the laundry is piling up, but we accomplished a lot this week. With a new baby I find the need to take joy in the things I am able to do, and try not to worry about the ones I'm not. That could be a good formula with, or without a baby. I just hope this next week can be as productive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a><br />
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</span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-32352008297638935432010-04-16T17:30:00.000-06:002010-04-16T17:30:12.212-06:00Tribute to an Amazing FriendI had been lamenting the fact that I was not likely to have a garden this year because despite all of my <a href="http://harvestacademyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/01/garden-dreams.html">wonderful plans</a>, life with baby was not shaping up to allow me to do the work that needed to be done to get things weeded and planted. I made the mistake of mentioning this to a friend of mine last week, and being the amazing person she is, she snuck into my backyard while we were gone for the afternoon and weeded 5 of our 6 garden boxes. She tried to do it anonymously, but it wasn't hard to figure out who did it. How many people do you know who would willingly weed 5 garden boxes that looked like this?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUdjJYjOdBdP9dZGGPPVpr5rDLjPjYufZbyh3VHS-3bHnARdSZve-QUEK21vh0zM6U_0ZPXop5OWwhcK4twNXvyT5iu-bD9YBOm5SdtUqFXqS3L4rsyNADqBzegyMz8GEbfdZ1YCcSnw/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUdjJYjOdBdP9dZGGPPVpr5rDLjPjYufZbyh3VHS-3bHnARdSZve-QUEK21vh0zM6U_0ZPXop5OWwhcK4twNXvyT5iu-bD9YBOm5SdtUqFXqS3L4rsyNADqBzegyMz8GEbfdZ1YCcSnw/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pretty scary huh? Now, thanks to this amazing friend, we have 5 boxes that look like this,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe4WUg2WWG6qDA98J82ShPiKkjhmj1N64qLs62ut0VodabUfs03sKhzGBFNIMbVHYpdrvZdpSntT_AULHGy2jOXeVEBj9xP_6bh_uH5MuylxjkMZ7DDgEKCFZq6U4wmLZcbtP_Yleehw/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe4WUg2WWG6qDA98J82ShPiKkjhmj1N64qLs62ut0VodabUfs03sKhzGBFNIMbVHYpdrvZdpSntT_AULHGy2jOXeVEBj9xP_6bh_uH5MuylxjkMZ7DDgEKCFZq6U4wmLZcbtP_Yleehw/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">and are full of all sorts of wonderful spring vegetable seeds, just waiting to sprout and bring joy to our table for the next several months. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't say enough words of praise for this friend. She is constantly looking for ways to serve others and doing it. She is an amazing example to me. After she did this for us I came across this quote from Marjorie Pay Hinkley that summarizes the kind of woman I think she is and the kind of woman that I want to be. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk’s lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” Marjorie Pay Hinckley</span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-86112344157094732792010-04-14T16:55:00.001-06:002010-04-14T16:55:44.790-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5g7N4GDKNRqeK_RE3kgwRcFCVBSwSpDd7pPV0ZVxIBTYPfgD5YP_k0i8ZeCMRIEuPf4Qhx1thYqqkzHXH-4gxmaKN7k0xQ2cikVtBKHh_9vp2UU8abAM1OpWByRQ7k6nSIsq8WZZQm0/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5g7N4GDKNRqeK_RE3kgwRcFCVBSwSpDd7pPV0ZVxIBTYPfgD5YP_k0i8ZeCMRIEuPf4Qhx1thYqqkzHXH-4gxmaKN7k0xQ2cikVtBKHh_9vp2UU8abAM1OpWByRQ7k6nSIsq8WZZQm0/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-55397301123059855172010-04-11T16:13:00.001-06:002010-04-11T16:14:12.822-06:00He Lives All Blessings to Impart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieppMYUjoYYYLlotijmRoLkxuRS_XSWrZwur27OiN2Jkpw82B-B1rX4QfV2L55YwRZf4E677VkDVq6iiHOkcY7znXxkWCp2lAhJL_YApfPDi_18xNvVzhhoYStda8SHu5JYzE5LmQCYRY/s1600/resurrected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieppMYUjoYYYLlotijmRoLkxuRS_XSWrZwur27OiN2Jkpw82B-B1rX4QfV2L55YwRZf4E677VkDVq6iiHOkcY7znXxkWCp2lAhJL_YApfPDi_18xNvVzhhoYStda8SHu5JYzE5LmQCYRY/s320/resurrected.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I Know That My Redeemer Lives</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Text: Samuel Medley</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="BVerse"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> I know that my Redeemer lives.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What comfort this sweet sentence gives!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, he lives, who once was dead.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, my ever-living Head.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to bless me with his love.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to plead for me above.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives my hungry soul to feed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to bless in time of need.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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<div class="BVerse"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to grant me rich supply.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to guide me with his eye.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to comfort me when faint.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to silence all my fears.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to wipe away my tears.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to calm my troubled heart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives all blessings to impart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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<div class="BVerse"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives and loves me to the end.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives and grants me daily breath.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, and I shall conquer death.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives my mansion to prepare.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives to bring me safely there.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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<div class="BVerse"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives! All glory to his name!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, my Savior, still the same.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I know that my Redeemer lives!”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives! All glory to his name!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He lives, my Savior, still the same.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I know that my Redeemer lives!”</i></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love this song! Today was my first day back to church since C. Bear was born, and we sang this for our closing Hymn. I couldn't keep the tears from flowing as I contemplated the truth of these words. All Jesus has ever done, and ever will do, He does to bless me and each one of us. So often I get caught up in the things that are going wrong in my life, and wonder why He is withholding His blessings from me, but "He lives to bless in time of need". If I am experiencing challenges in my life it is because of one of two things, either I do not have the faith to receive the blessings He is so ready to give to me, or this thing that seems like such a trial is really here to bless my life. Either way, it takes an increase of faith to go through the storms of life, trusting that the Lord will provide all that we need. I am so grateful for my knowledge of a living Savior who is there to hear and answer my prayers whether I am complaining, or praising; who grants me not only my daily breath, but grants me patience and peace and even all the little things I ask Him for; who has not only provided a plan for me to return to Him again, but who will help me daily along the path as I try to follow that plan; who is not only my greatest friend, but who loves me to the end, even though he knows me perfectly, including all of my many faults and imperfections. I know that He lives to bless me with His love. I hope that I can always remember that and have the faith to do as He pleads with us to do in <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/6/36#36">Doctrine and Covenants 6:36</a> <i>“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></i></div><i></i><br />
<i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I know that my Redeemer lives!”</i></div></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-20891376176578404562010-03-29T21:17:00.001-06:002010-04-14T17:13:20.485-06:00Books and Babies<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The title of this post pretty much sums up how I have been spending my time for the last week and a half. I haven't had much sleep. It is hard to find time for the little things, like eating, taking a shower, going to the bathroom. . . My mom has been nice enough to take the kids during the day since C. Bear was born so I have had plenty of time to get to know and enjoy this cute, chubby girl, </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hJMBfHRpTZsfEHUeuQ3gAnuyq63VvQCk_LI03QqL1yy82-4ZTWCvy_i2fJ6NvFAYdHo7gskdBP9TGzzUO8hDcux5UiPSSkQY7tqWC7FuMQXdBt_7AcoO-MRtUN8AkV3Y-BFI055HZzo/s1600/IMG_3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hJMBfHRpTZsfEHUeuQ3gAnuyq63VvQCk_LI03QqL1yy82-4ZTWCvy_i2fJ6NvFAYdHo7gskdBP9TGzzUO8hDcux5UiPSSkQY7tqWC7FuMQXdBt_7AcoO-MRtUN8AkV3Y-BFI055HZzo/s320/IMG_3287.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and since I can hold her in one arm, and a book in the other I have gotten in plenty of reading too. I finished two fun books and have started on another. I have been sticking to lighter reads, since there are plenty of interruptions with a newborn baby. The first book I read was one I was actually surprised that I hadn't read yet. It was Little Men, by Louisa May Alcott. I love Little Women, but for some reason I have never felt compelled to read Little Men. Although it is not as good as Little Women, I really enjoyed the book. It is very idealistic and and somewhat moralistic too, but there were so many great bits of parenting wisdom in it. I hope I can be as wise and patient a mother to my crazy boys as Jo was to hers. The other book I finished was by one of my favorite authors. It was The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter. If you have never read any of her books, I highly recommend that you do. She has some beautiful insights into education, and our relationship with God, nature, and our fellowmen. This book was no exception.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While we're on the topic of books, <a href="http://journeydiscovergather.blogspot.com/">Meg</a> posted a list of <a href="http://journeydiscovergather.blogspot.com/2010/03/10-books.html">10 books she loves to read</a> today and invited others to do the same. She has a great list, and I have a few books that I think I will be tackling next thanks to her. Here is my list of 10 books I love (in no particular order). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Laddie: A True Blue Story - Gene Stratton-Porter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• The Hiding Place - Corrie Ten Boom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Approaching Zion - Hugh Nibley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Mere Christianity - C. S. Lewis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• An Enemy Hath Done This - Ezra Taft Benson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Little Women - Louisa May Alcott</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I hope you'll post yours too. . .</div><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-11286499352295162622010-03-28T11:52:00.069-06:002010-04-14T17:13:50.476-06:00Easter ThoughtsI am home from church today with C. Bear and wanted to add some spirituality to my day, so I was reading this month's <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=a6246a008952b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">Ensign</a>. Since Easter is this month, much of this issue is on the atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Savior. One of the talks I read referred me to <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=true&locale=0&sourceId=185b230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD#1">Elder Holland's talk</a> from last April's General Conference. It is one of the most beautiful talks on this subject I have ever heard. I highly recommend reading the entire talk, especially in preparation for this Easter week, but here is a wonderful video of a portion of the talk .<br />
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It is impossible for man to fully comprehend the magnitude of the gift that the Savior has offered to each one of us, but as we use the blessing of the atonement more readily in our lives we will see more clearly the love and peace He is waiting to bless us with if we will but turn to Him. I hope that in return for this matchless gift I can always answer the challenge presented by Elder Ballard: <i>"As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death, for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-37725463480543683622010-03-24T13:54:00.002-06:002010-04-14T17:12:40.047-06:00Be the Change You Wish to See<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." ~Thomas Paine</span></div><br />
A little over a year ago I wrote <a href="http://harvestacademyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/10/lesser-of-two-evils.html">this post </a> about why I was supporting the <a href="http://www.constitutionparty.com/">Constitution Party</a>, after a lifetime of voting Republican, in the upcoming elections. It was clear to me then that our two party system was destroying freedom in America. That fact has only become more clear to me over the past year. While admittedly the most sweeping and radical moves toward statism have been sponsored by the Democrats, the Rebublicans have voted for and even sponsored many bills themselves which take power from the people and place it in the hands of the government. It is a troubling trend. One that gratefully many Americans are beginning to wake up to and resist, but if we are going to restore this country to the Provident freedom it once enjoyed it is going to require change much greater than "flipping the house" is going to provide. I have felt so frustrated and hopeless about the state of our nation recently. I have had a strong desire to do more about it, but haven't know what I could do. Little did I know what was to come. . .<br />
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Last week, the day before C. Bear was born, my husband and I were approached by members of the <a href="http://www.utah-constitution-party.org/">Utah Constitution Party</a> asking my husband to run for Congress. Our first reaction was, "There is no way." We had a list of excuses a mile long. Among the top reasons why this was an unreasonable request were:<br />
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•We were about to have a new baby.<br />
•My husband is incredibly busy at works right now, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.<br />
•My husband has a very demanding church calling right now.<br />
•We don't have the money to successfully run a campaign.<br />
•What was the point? There was no way a third-party candidate was going to win against a heavily favored Republican, so why try?<br />
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We had two days to let them know. At first "no" seemed like the only logical answer, but through prayer we were both brought to realize that we couldn't keep complaining about the state of things in this country if we weren't willing to pay some price to try to make it different. This quote by Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." kept coming to our minds and we knew what our answer needed to be. <br />
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Last Friday my husband drove to the State Capitol and filed his candidacy for Utah's Third District Congressional Seat. He started setting up his website over the weekend, and I encourage you to take a look at it <a href="http://douglasforcongress.com/Douglas_For_Congress/Dougs_Blog/Dougs_Blog.html">here</a>. If you like what you see, pass the word along. We want to get the word out to as many people as possible. If you would like to contribute time or resources to the campaign, we would love the support. If you don't live nearby we encourage you to find and support candidates in your area that honor and uphold the constitution as it was intended by the founders of this nation. Who knows what this year will hold for us, and what the fruits of this labor will produce, but at least we can say that we have done something to try to prosper the cause of freedom.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-66515376663341788672010-03-21T12:44:00.001-06:002010-04-14T17:14:56.920-06:00Welcome Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEOfw01AL6TyYFP2M_BslBFJRYf9i51QXTjIrg5aBUIq0JkVsoAaxsRfyv3PsoZ4T5b3R1Ro1ZJ33TXR6Bt2l3GFWiZp5lQR30MX3PaS3dC6wwAQQwJOgve8b4pRALKEJPKtvX_LO6l8/s1600-h/IMG_3257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEOfw01AL6TyYFP2M_BslBFJRYf9i51QXTjIrg5aBUIq0JkVsoAaxsRfyv3PsoZ4T5b3R1Ro1ZJ33TXR6Bt2l3GFWiZp5lQR30MX3PaS3dC6wwAQQwJOgve8b4pRALKEJPKtvX_LO6l8/s320/IMG_3257.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a <b>long</b> wait C. Bear finally made her appearance into the world at 4:13 am on March 17th. She was a whopping 10 lbs. 14 oz. and 22 inches long. Amazingly enough hers was my easiest birth. I was in labor for only 2 hours and I would say only 15 to 20 minutes of that was really painful. I guess she made up for all the torture she put me through those 10 extra days she decided to wait before being born.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a bit of a scare after her delivery though. My water broke right before she was delivered and there was a lot of meconium in the fluid. When she was born she went limp and wouldn't breath. They had to perform mouth to mouth right away and got her breathing. I was terrified. Luckily Doug was calm and said he knew everything was going to be alright. They then inserted a tube down her throat and sucked out a tube and a half of green fluid. She started breathing and crying a little more normally, but we had to give her oxygen for about a half hour. Thankfully, after that everything seemed fine. She started eating and probably could have done that for the rest of the day if I let her. We had to watch her closely for the first 24 hours, but she has been thriving since that first scare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI_XGn74MrGeZOyaZ0XTD8GXwq9aYmCSWfuVM5djIpGmhMGvbpkIu3F_Rs8mZTdbOaoX5Jbqmn-nDouGut8evOhO8ADArkF59Yhk7fSt5TG6dk3dxNqVMEFc7Lr_aIakqjGTfcRjwz9k/s1600-h/IMG_3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI_XGn74MrGeZOyaZ0XTD8GXwq9aYmCSWfuVM5djIpGmhMGvbpkIu3F_Rs8mZTdbOaoX5Jbqmn-nDouGut8evOhO8ADArkF59Yhk7fSt5TG6dk3dxNqVMEFc7Lr_aIakqjGTfcRjwz9k/s320/IMG_3263.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids came to see her a few hours after she was born and were so excited. They all love their new baby sister, and can't get enough of her, which sometimes drives mom crazy. They have been such big helpers though, getting me food and water and diapers and whatever else I need. H. Man even did two loads of laundry for me yesterday which was such a help and so needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6Pf_Bg8qDnqh5GeSANdVeN-KPKJqOoplOyUbKHtDjoPPiBn_ItHYph2bk2StsdLMalXB_r1lMn0_ePEiGuKZEuYRuN-7vDJthctRVMfcIUnphAhFNzn5WBRDj9HyESYR8x1u633qZKE/s1600-h/IMG_3272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6Pf_Bg8qDnqh5GeSANdVeN-KPKJqOoplOyUbKHtDjoPPiBn_ItHYph2bk2StsdLMalXB_r1lMn0_ePEiGuKZEuYRuN-7vDJthctRVMfcIUnphAhFNzn5WBRDj9HyESYR8x1u633qZKE/s320/IMG_3272.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Little C. is a little jealous and bothered by the fact that mom can't do all the things with and for her that she normally does. She still loves her baby sister though and wants to hold her as much as I will let her, despite the fact that she tried to pull a handful of C. Bear's hair yesterday. Hopefully this phase will pass quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFebZKcVqNGzI8c5NMKj-oYQkwUGoTAt1Zx-us9W0B_3iiDJSqQg55QcqPHnxzw7TSIO9ov5SgLnG0NvFWGGLBlIsqsHJfOlvzX4W-uktV1zwXA-T1LdCtbsTS2QgNqQCuCop7XI8WtUc/s1600-h/IMG_3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFebZKcVqNGzI8c5NMKj-oYQkwUGoTAt1Zx-us9W0B_3iiDJSqQg55QcqPHnxzw7TSIO9ov5SgLnG0NvFWGGLBlIsqsHJfOlvzX4W-uktV1zwXA-T1LdCtbsTS2QgNqQCuCop7XI8WtUc/s320/IMG_3269.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Doug has been amazing as usual. He has been such a great help and comfort, doting on his new daughter and I and making sure the house stays clean and we all get fed. He is the greatest husband and father I could ask for. It will be hard to have him go back to work tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are just grateful to have C. Bear here and healthy and to have the opportunity to embark on this new journey as a family.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101752296121849180.post-12539712296605216292010-03-08T22:51:00.001-07:002010-03-09T20:40:12.732-07:00Gratitude<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i> Doctrine and Covenants 59:21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKwG4WtPG4ELcjUCIfTNNCGhsgEgc89yS10iwToqD5PYXuDBsa168YyJhHp0pYv6p3dQeux4noAGjta5BA7y0X47BYv2-sSnt5GOFoX5xDAYpoPxW3Cn5iwyBJrPZw4JPECYEwNHbQo8/s1600-h/IMG_2974_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKwG4WtPG4ELcjUCIfTNNCGhsgEgc89yS10iwToqD5PYXuDBsa168YyJhHp0pYv6p3dQeux4noAGjta5BA7y0X47BYv2-sSnt5GOFoX5xDAYpoPxW3Cn5iwyBJrPZw4JPECYEwNHbQo8/s320/IMG_2974_2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I typically find it easy to recognize and acknowledge the Lord's hand in my life, but somehow whenever I am pregnant and my due date approaches, or passes by unheeded, my "woe is me" attitude kicks into hyperdrive. I assume that many of us tend to have times in our lives when everything seems to be going wrong and we start to wonder what we've done to "deserve" this. I have to admit that I have been feeling this way for the past week or so. I could (and usually would) choose to look at my life and be grateful that my husband has a job that brings in enough income to provide for our needs and allows me to stay home with our children, that I have family (namely my brother) kind and generous enough to donate 2 months of daily work to building our basement, that I have had a healthy pregnancy so far with not much more than the common discomforts that naturally accompany it, etc. Instead, for the past week or so I have too often chosen to dwell on the fact that my husband was supposed to get a raise a year ago that still hasn't materialized, that our basement was supposed to be finished a month ago, but realistically won't be for at least another month, that I am one day passed my due date and am begrudging all the women that I know who have never delivered their babies later than a week or more <b>before </b>their due dates, etc. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I was feeling really sorry for myself yesterday (my "due date") as I headed into church to face the many sympathetic comments like "Oh, I'm sorry you're still here." or, "Isn't your due date really soon?" I especially felt cheated when someone shared in "The Good News Minute" that a woman in the neighborhood, who's due date wasn't for <b>3 more weeks</b>, had her baby on Friday. I almost wished I would have stayed home for all of church with my sick and ornery 2 year old, instead of trading off with my husband so we could both attend some of our Sunday meetings. Luckily we had a great lesson which brought the spirit to soften my heart, and then Heavenly Father allowed my softened heart to be humbled a little more by prompting a friend of mine to share with us that she found out last week that she has cancer. Despite this terrifying news she bore her testimony of how blessed she is and how much she has seen and felt Heavenly Fathers love and peace in her life over the past week. There is nothing like seeing the problems of others to put our own shallow worries in their place. I came home with a greater resolve to look at the good in my life, and accept the challenges that Heavenly Father allows me to face with more gratitude and humility.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.thomassmonson.org/">President Monson</a> gave a wonderful <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=92764bb52a73d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">talk</a> on gratitude in the <a href="http://www.lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,49-1-947,00.html">October 2008 LDS General Conference</a> that helps remind me what is truly important in life, and how truly blessed I am. In it he quoted <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sarah Ban Breathnach saying, <i>"Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.” </i>This is such a beautiful truth. No matter who we are, or what our circumstances may be, we can find numerous blessings in our lives, or numerous problems, it depends on what we choose to focus on. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">So tonight as I try to sleep with my aching back, and when I wake up once again at 2:00am with unbearable heart-burn, I will try to focus instead on the fact that I have a warm house and a soft matress to sleep on, and that I have a loving and supportive husband next to me who will do all that he can to help me and provide for me and our family, that God loves me enough to bless me with the four amazing children we have and another child that will inevitably arrive any day, and that most of all he has provided a way for all of us to be together with him for eternity, if we but choose to follow Him and <b>endure well</b> to the end.</span></span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/307/5E8C61F17820C96B45BBA2D54DA15805.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a><br />
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</span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628795083733741119noreply@blogger.com4