tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21734042710884395732024-02-07T18:07:10.197-08:00We Are BurhansBeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-43041010807202582942010-08-15T14:09:00.000-07:002010-08-15T14:09:27.297-07:00Image Center - Olan Mills Portrait Studios<a href="http://www.olanmills.com/image-center/photo.asp?id=4084EE1C3F3AC0AD928BE77A68D05041A7F4F0FE3FEE6F4667F4343A15A1E776">Image Center - Olan Mills Portrait Studios</a>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-56954559193472755492010-08-03T20:55:00.000-07:002010-08-05T19:43:00.769-07:00A Little R & R & R<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rest. Relaxation. Romance.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's what my husband had planned for our anniversary. He surprised me with the news that he had reserved us a room at a bed & breakfast and he was taking me away for the night. After 13 years of marriage, he still surprises me. I had no idea he had such plans in the works.</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/AVvXsEhiQkux9Yserz22YHe-hQ3STlc6iMWNG2ZcGsBXpLANHoKeGgtLSxJyyMMPM15AxZt38AmrJk3bqFePbuZR-NdC_YsuhvDrGhPzODNcdGs0d8hpxopn3HdcOW9maKornE9V6RuO0kQcV5Y/s1600/080210+Ben+%26+Becca+13th+anniversary+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQkux9Yserz22YHe-hQ3STlc6iMWNG2ZcGsBXpLANHoKeGgtLSxJyyMMPM15AxZt38AmrJk3bqFePbuZR-NdC_YsuhvDrGhPzODNcdGs0d8hpxopn3HdcOW9maKornE9V6RuO0kQcV5Y/s400/080210+Ben+%26+Becca+13th+anniversary+(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ready to go on our date for our 13th anniversary.</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/AVvXsEhzlVX-ACvZIGaQyd8aqBSJuewyBIbTXjIHE5JNBdu7PUEkz-3IGZCdMKV1YBnBZmDGfyzCEfEkfMY_xTmPib32ggZle0ZUHkaI-CWPOzQw5GKAHcupKMG_2s3dLhBDnzvdh5MZYacYPDk/s1600/080210+Ben+%26+Becca+13th+anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlVX-ACvZIGaQyd8aqBSJuewyBIbTXjIHE5JNBdu7PUEkz-3IGZCdMKV1YBnBZmDGfyzCEfEkfMY_xTmPib32ggZle0ZUHkaI-CWPOzQw5GKAHcupKMG_2s3dLhBDnzvdh5MZYacYPDk/s320/080210+Ben+%26+Becca+13th+anniversary.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After our nice quiet dinner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this man!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's not perfect (gasp!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and neither am I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But with the perfect love of God in our hearts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our marriage not only survives, but it thrives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am always awed that this man chose me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that he loves me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know that it is of God, that God causes all things to grow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yPmADpK2o-Jj_zlv-y2Zs9M8EbAH8b8lKzGiJMVLao2ZuZ15ne5ey6EYbp6UB4TWVvNkTqb2_ckfOEJYnrQX38GvKVd1uWQ167R4TEuXLKPxelCbsJh8_yceeJc3L-_Sc8u6ql-Lt2I/s1600/080310+Cornerstone+Victorian+B%26B+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yPmADpK2o-Jj_zlv-y2Zs9M8EbAH8b8lKzGiJMVLao2ZuZ15ne5ey6EYbp6UB4TWVvNkTqb2_ckfOEJYnrQX38GvKVd1uWQ167R4TEuXLKPxelCbsJh8_yceeJc3L-_Sc8u6ql-Lt2I/s320/080310+Cornerstone+Victorian+B%26B+(3).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beautiful Bed and Breakfast my sweetheart secretly reserved a room for us at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A room with a jacuzzi and a sleep number bed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful woodwork and moulding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stained glass windows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5 course gourmet breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The nicest hosts you could ask for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A perfect evening away.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHv8hkGP6NIYLY8dqK1H_6eRIbfAvpwVBYQlmVlbX3pR54XTXDRIIT226JKBdTzdZ-KIOisWhrPd-SR_v2Uq2aE2aN6xSq4vyXBYLUOd8h1huj4n2KXSZ3wD1u6_Ci4esAg8wZbQdhmI/s1600/080310+Cornerstone+Victorian+B%26B+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHv8hkGP6NIYLY8dqK1H_6eRIbfAvpwVBYQlmVlbX3pR54XTXDRIIT226JKBdTzdZ-KIOisWhrPd-SR_v2Uq2aE2aN6xSq4vyXBYLUOd8h1huj4n2KXSZ3wD1u6_Ci4esAg8wZbQdhmI/s320/080310+Cornerstone+Victorian+B%26B+(1).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had only once previously stayed at a B&B, about 5 years ago. It was large and had a dining area where they served breakfast at individual tables. So, today we weren't sure what to expect sitting down at a table to eat breakfast with a bunch of strangers. What we discovered was that the people we were to eat breakfast with this morning weren't strangers at all. They were family....brothers and sisters in Christ. The owners of the B&B are as well. We sat around that table for over 2 hours, talking with such ease with each other, and sharing alot of laughs, and choking back tears. With us were 2 other couples and another woman. The 2 couples used to sing in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. One of the men used to be a soloist in the choir. He agreed to sing a song at the request of the hosts, and so while we were sitting around the table, he sang a beautiful song for us, and it was so fitting following the conversation we had just had. These people had just shared some truly amazing testimonies about their lives. His voice so beautifully communicated the words:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Only Jesus, Only He</em></div><em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Brings redemption, full and free</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>There's a yearning, in all our lives</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>That only Jesus satisfies</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Calvary's love will sail forever</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Bright and shining, strong and free</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Like an ark of peace and safety</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>On the sea of human need</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Through the hours of all the ages</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Those tired of sailing on their own</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Finally rest inside the shadow</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Cast by Calvary's love across their souls</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Calvary's love, Calvary's love</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>The deepest sin can't rise above</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Calvary's love</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Calvary's love can heal the spirit</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Life has crushed and cast aside</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And redeem til Heaven's promise</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Fills with joy once empty eyes</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>So desire to tell His story</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Of a love that loved enough to die</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Burns away all other passions</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And fed by Calvary's love becomes a fire</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Calvary's love has never faltered</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>All its wonders still remain</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Souls still take eternal passage</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Sins atoned and heaven gained</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Sins forgiven and heaven gained</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And before we left the table, Dave offered to sing one more. He has one of those voices that though beautiful to listen to, it also makes you hear the words of the song like you're hearing it for the first time, instead of just bringing attention to himself. What a gift God has given him. The second song was as beautiful as the first:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Sweet are the branches growing the fruit that comes from the vine</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>But these are just branches blown by the wind holding on to life</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I want to be like them holding on to the One whose life is mine</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And I know as I follow him His life will sure show in me</em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>He said you will</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Show yourselves to be the ones who follow Me</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>By the evidence you leave along the way</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>They'll know that you are mine like the branches on the vine</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>If you show yourselves to be following me</em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Faith joins our heats to Him, it's not a result of anything we do</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>But if we are part of Him, there will be reasons to believe it's true</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>The fruit cannot help but grow if the branch is joined into the tree</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And love cannot help but show in the one who goes where Jesus leads</em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div><em>Planted in the fertile soil of quiet times</em> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Watered by the rains of trouble, growing toward the sun that shines</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>They'll know that you are Mine like the branches on the vine</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>If you show yourselves to be following Me</em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And as we all got up from the table, they stopped a moment to pray with us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben and I were deeply blessed by the time we had around the table with these brothers and sisters in Christ, that we likely will never see again until we all are at the Father's feet. What a way to start our day! God orchestrated our paths so that they would all cross this morning at that breakfast table. In a unique, unexpected, but God-planned moment. We had just planned a romantic, relaxing, and restful overnight getaway. God gave us an extra blessing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you ever have occasion to be in the Adirondacks of NY, check out the Cornerstone Victorian B & B. You won't be disappointed!</div></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-16779993007109344292010-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:002010-07-09T13:41:35.993-07:00Baby, Look at You Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My babies are 4!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boy have they changed!</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/AVvXsEivoHLiN6q851tUz-cRGhTn9zJKw495EmhEdAul3bZSMC65HH5_iVeLYhczr7R-OaWSroH61DYJziWrGNbyQeDfVeXkuWRo75FPjNk7eaH0Io_MJL8vEi45o2ql1uWVXbVFR-BfL9XS7eg/s1600/120605+twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoHLiN6q851tUz-cRGhTn9zJKw495EmhEdAul3bZSMC65HH5_iVeLYhczr7R-OaWSroH61DYJziWrGNbyQeDfVeXkuWRo75FPjNk7eaH0Io_MJL8vEi45o2ql1uWVXbVFR-BfL9XS7eg/s320/120605+twins.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their very first picture....less than 6 weeks of life...the day we found out we were having twins!</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/AVvXsEiq0GDKGXy6cHJa9qNWvvHBJRaeGHUQJjFoRr1pLCqT78dE9D8_uMtRYfK-4qg9xTdYIb9medzJAS_6XRdiW3iWqcrvs0VMjyIjzQr9PWGa0otE4dT3kYbT7Tz04W3r1mXfbnDhjT5Zg9g/s1600/2006+0801+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0GDKGXy6cHJa9qNWvvHBJRaeGHUQJjFoRr1pLCqT78dE9D8_uMtRYfK-4qg9xTdYIb9medzJAS_6XRdiW3iWqcrvs0VMjyIjzQr9PWGa0otE4dT3kYbT7Tz04W3r1mXfbnDhjT5Zg9g/s320/2006+0801+032.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Precious little newborns</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/AVvXsEhRBgPPIlIJYGBL1psEt20-5-CEGyDDELVZ5Y2ESR5z35MHHfSfF9UqLZllt6yeF8wsKwDkBWcl6l7HGDEBRBPXvGdmjYlfnH32nKL1LRi7v2XhtJ2h4NxLja8QQz3hwbuYeVZxW0_Msh0/s1600/070907+Carter+%26+Derek+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBgPPIlIJYGBL1psEt20-5-CEGyDDELVZ5Y2ESR5z35MHHfSfF9UqLZllt6yeF8wsKwDkBWcl6l7HGDEBRBPXvGdmjYlfnH32nKL1LRi7v2XhtJ2h4NxLja8QQz3hwbuYeVZxW0_Msh0/s320/070907+Carter+%26+Derek+b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The most change happens that first year...they go from horizontal to vertical!</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/AVvXsEjTSZlWEXVdUsUady_NzIuZ6kiwijfyD0y30CXZ_8iU1G1mmfjEgZyutfRI4VhTJk79dN1RH7SR2CLC6tTgacmnS-XIbNASEhksNSR5UnY3wXkwBIxWxYFhgnvGvCYA3nj_1VhfNOSuO04/s1600/070308+Carter+Mommy+%26+Derek+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSZlWEXVdUsUady_NzIuZ6kiwijfyD0y30CXZ_8iU1G1mmfjEgZyutfRI4VhTJk79dN1RH7SR2CLC6tTgacmnS-XIbNASEhksNSR5UnY3wXkwBIxWxYFhgnvGvCYA3nj_1VhfNOSuO04/s320/070308+Carter+Mommy+%26+Derek+(2).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ready for the Teachable Two's</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/AVvXsEi7xvKCK463zSio4UWKBgZ4bPuMy9C57kQ1A4HD-U1FNwUOBstZnwhKO7k2bqT8rq-jRr7ISj_qrycjQ72MWx15AicOmVymKkXR2Mr9wia8Cvr9UH85eWc-ua29ItLX6SiNB2BVE9znOfw/s1600/070309+Carter+%26+Derek+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xvKCK463zSio4UWKBgZ4bPuMy9C57kQ1A4HD-U1FNwUOBstZnwhKO7k2bqT8rq-jRr7ISj_qrycjQ72MWx15AicOmVymKkXR2Mr9wia8Cvr9UH85eWc-ua29ItLX6SiNB2BVE9znOfw/s320/070309+Carter+%26+Derek+(4).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such personality at 3</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/AVvXsEgZ67P30mn4HzOqGgHLzj0aLhw_VbBNP0peO6wnLJO9Bisz5g8lZ8gd3nV65474wmA6TQo_0yqwotv_hCD6jMYs9HCu6v3bzmQNI_ffb8yws_C6UoLp573y1mN1KfLl5IM6HDLPQnhvF4w/s1600/070310+Carter+%26+Derek+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ67P30mn4HzOqGgHLzj0aLhw_VbBNP0peO6wnLJO9Bisz5g8lZ8gd3nV65474wmA6TQo_0yqwotv_hCD6jMYs9HCu6v3bzmQNI_ffb8yws_C6UoLp573y1mN1KfLl5IM6HDLPQnhvF4w/s320/070310+Carter+%26+Derek+(21).jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">independent, funny, and curious at 4</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Each age, each stage is precious. Each face, each personality is loveable.</div><div align="center">Each day, each moment is unforgettable.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I love you Carter!</div><div align="center">I love you Derek!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em>More pictures of their 4th birthday are on </em><a href="http://www.onemomsminutes.blogspot.com/"><em>my other blog</em></a><em> and on my Facebook page.</em></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-74934803815901444242010-06-07T14:02:00.000-07:002010-06-07T14:02:13.573-07:00Reminders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvw74guAndtIichCZ4VhSmRzQs_V9bs97JMY_e0e5Nksz3Z94BpCaa7gnlPi4W7KT4aOCrVSLMpCe6A-nggyQmHl8NGzuOiYLu1BJRMZASvsfMpg805xUG8W9XuWBJALK2ELtQPtFpzw/s1600/052510+Derek+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvw74guAndtIichCZ4VhSmRzQs_V9bs97JMY_e0e5Nksz3Z94BpCaa7gnlPi4W7KT4aOCrVSLMpCe6A-nggyQmHl8NGzuOiYLu1BJRMZASvsfMpg805xUG8W9XuWBJALK2ELtQPtFpzw/s320/052510+Derek+(4).JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out <a href="http://www.onemomsminutes.blogspot.com/">my post</a> on <em>One Mom's Minutes</em> to see what God has been reminding me of.</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-9640637801614404382010-06-01T13:01:00.000-07:002010-06-01T14:16:47.920-07:00The Graduate<div align="center">Well, it's official! I am now the mom of a first grader! Evan graduated from Kindergarten on Sunday.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwYZ5YhhEip1ZdG_u78ufm8-Q5AU2MhobS9F6s4MD62NPY8JrbViuUpUiMWR0ASg7tK8j2-iNCvDuIHIRdWRWqkSHg_w77Zl7epeIG_HaFKPoOKqwID6SR21uKLNPMBwnJp8O3-f3raY/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Dad+and+Mom.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477905939548716802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwYZ5YhhEip1ZdG_u78ufm8-Q5AU2MhobS9F6s4MD62NPY8JrbViuUpUiMWR0ASg7tK8j2-iNCvDuIHIRdWRWqkSHg_w77Zl7epeIG_HaFKPoOKqwID6SR21uKLNPMBwnJp8O3-f3raY/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Dad+and+Mom.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Dad and Mom with our Graduate....we're so proud! (and one of us always blinks in pictures!)</span><br /><br />Now, if you know me very well, you know I am sentimental, and I just felt awful that my son would miss out on the fun and sense of accomplishment with graduating. I still remember my Kindergarten graduation. But, seeing that Evan is homeschooled, those kind of things are not organized and put on for my child. I didn't want to miss out on the special moment, so we asked our Pastor if he would be willing to let us do a short graduation program at the end of church one Sunday.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4m2a8E-BpNzC8MIAbcrNjteyLBLPBK3zl7p_LNxGsFGycrAUNZqoxc-KLQrYVZXc-Jp8EnML6KGvm8tqzMmAof83aX2OMJ_e40W6_fFihyphenhyphenqe_ZhVfczP539zvysw9v7CgsPgCSPzXM/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Grad+with+Pastor+Jim.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477908164776466754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4m2a8E-BpNzC8MIAbcrNjteyLBLPBK3zl7p_LNxGsFGycrAUNZqoxc-KLQrYVZXc-Jp8EnML6KGvm8tqzMmAof83aX2OMJ_e40W6_fFihyphenhyphenqe_ZhVfczP539zvysw9v7CgsPgCSPzXM/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Grad+with+Pastor+Jim.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Evan with Pastor Jim</span><br /><br />I bought him his first suit, and oh, did Evan look so grown up and handsome!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAPARrV2a9Y7diWYhxww_FH5gM2g76Q2QHmlfCe_pWo1jftgq7TaoTIhVm0zJ7R9kP8HmxJ4cZJelC7xODSiLd24NnoJQelpJZyLt4FthbOqKVZbX4JxSaGbvHdApPiDbi_KY_bewS40/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(10).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477908154574072002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAPARrV2a9Y7diWYhxww_FH5gM2g76Q2QHmlfCe_pWo1jftgq7TaoTIhVm0zJ7R9kP8HmxJ4cZJelC7xODSiLd24NnoJQelpJZyLt4FthbOqKVZbX4JxSaGbvHdApPiDbi_KY_bewS40/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(10).JPG" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee8sZJwS7m_5m2yjrFk4pY9ZYZFSpdKZtwv3MUHGmLsGlV5cxPBzevNjTqX34gYyEHpOTDJ4VqpesN1thH3vtgAMR6Tn1So79XxFdn6SQ_xh1LrlY6wapWa75ZeGcDo7zolIAm7WLV6A/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(16).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477908147694855954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee8sZJwS7m_5m2yjrFk4pY9ZYZFSpdKZtwv3MUHGmLsGlV5cxPBzevNjTqX34gYyEHpOTDJ4VqpesN1thH3vtgAMR6Tn1So79XxFdn6SQ_xh1LrlY6wapWa75ZeGcDo7zolIAm7WLV6A/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(16).JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrYLQXf47h6uvEa2R7fNAxA5S_zJYwjSZ0IHPlhWa4HvBJHEOWKoSg0N22PGzixwYrV1oBiIw4uSUzeozyrRoFpza42QN_n7xeGsFcJB4adULVkvOrt0Sbf7FgwDhGyaU_zYfGxeIDug/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+graduation+(9).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477911234623269042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrYLQXf47h6uvEa2R7fNAxA5S_zJYwjSZ0IHPlhWa4HvBJHEOWKoSg0N22PGzixwYrV1oBiIw4uSUzeozyrRoFpza42QN_n7xeGsFcJB4adULVkvOrt0Sbf7FgwDhGyaU_zYfGxeIDug/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+graduation+(9).jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><br />We found him a cap and gown on eBay, turns out the seller is a homeschooling mom as well, and just used them for her daughter's Kindergarten graduation. The timing and price were perfect for both of us and as she said, the transaction was a "God thing." I'm glad I found the cap and gown because they made it seem so official. Evan's done a great job this year, and I wanted his day to be special. I couldn't find a tassel for my price range, so I found some tasselling at the fabric store and made my own.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29icAZWChhoKZuoJJ9YNHlMj7KbfSmQOXBVnYy38yfFjIqoah5MiqrYMO1B4NhhE-USTh_nhOo8jLSZhsDXB9sZNTOREgw0N8SXu6XLKlpRs_rjY77aFHM9Sg2q7QBcR2YKk0kMp87IU/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(15).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477908172443458994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29icAZWChhoKZuoJJ9YNHlMj7KbfSmQOXBVnYy38yfFjIqoah5MiqrYMO1B4NhhE-USTh_nhOo8jLSZhsDXB9sZNTOREgw0N8SXu6XLKlpRs_rjY77aFHM9Sg2q7QBcR2YKk0kMp87IU/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(15).JPG" /></a><br /><br />We made up a little printed program, printed it on card stock, rolled them up like diplomas and tied them with black ribbon. I found online "Pomp and Circumstance", downloaded it, burned it to a cd, and had it played for him to march in.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Oy8Vi8iQdfwO3OEwNSg9yT9I5ZgdSapKUvG1dSi2_Hc3qrd9lhAp6CYxVQlVAyv17OIXV09-SMAEvYtfI0IFt0Qvs1nqFGbUPfFkhDa53U0Ml-e16uD4GlutuoP8IhH6dPW6SVKjwxU/s1600/053010+Kgarten+graduation+Mom+and+Evan+(2).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477905967933186354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Oy8Vi8iQdfwO3OEwNSg9yT9I5ZgdSapKUvG1dSi2_Hc3qrd9lhAp6CYxVQlVAyv17OIXV09-SMAEvYtfI0IFt0Qvs1nqFGbUPfFkhDa53U0Ml-e16uD4GlutuoP8IhH6dPW6SVKjwxU/s400/053010+Kgarten+graduation+Mom+and+Evan+(2).jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Evan getting ready to march</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">He was nervous and shy being up in front of people for the first time by himself, but he did a great job. Ben introduced him, Pastor prayed, Evan led the pledge to the American flag and the Bible,<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtwXnYYcUPs_FxKaAEH2BHt4_3rDzuvdssWCYSnslT4jcOuvhRCerDqDaKCFOOCm-bXepS_3ORzILfWZcx2Dtv7ppks72f9BssoeGvA2darFch9rSltRFT43HlPneie-fvBxe-pGwRDQ/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+mom+Dad.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477908156921767682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtwXnYYcUPs_FxKaAEH2BHt4_3rDzuvdssWCYSnslT4jcOuvhRCerDqDaKCFOOCm-bXepS_3ORzILfWZcx2Dtv7ppks72f9BssoeGvA2darFch9rSltRFT43HlPneie-fvBxe-pGwRDQ/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+mom+Dad.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><br />he recited 3 verses, he recited 5 catechisms, and he sang "How Can I Fear?" with his Dad and Carter. Owen and Derek were supposed to sing too, as Evan requested they all sing with him since it was a song they all learned in Bible class together. But, Owen fell asleep in the nursery, and well, you don't wake a 2 year old to take him up in front of church and make him sing. That's a no brainer. And Derek got cold feet at the last minute. But the 3 guys did a great job.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClECs45p_beGEg63I0fd4HCffLYBtVPt0y39VjBhCgKGcujluhjkNyaQL9Za58VgE4CYgQ7V9JgmMyrV4VtryQGGZQnq_gcMC_T0iPV1gqM9TysuwJE9dUOPdeeqdtbdqcSJKoeoHJM0/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Carter+and+Dad.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477911225273405922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClECs45p_beGEg63I0fd4HCffLYBtVPt0y39VjBhCgKGcujluhjkNyaQL9Za58VgE4CYgQ7V9JgmMyrV4VtryQGGZQnq_gcMC_T0iPV1gqM9TysuwJE9dUOPdeeqdtbdqcSJKoeoHJM0/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Carter+and+Dad.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><br />I had the privilege of presenting Evan with his Kindergarten Diploma, and pronouncing him officially a graduate.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhX9VbLeiBNTKpB64_utGLjE9AtEDR1l5GIyQtCkok0ZYnm3I20ychMlQ9q_NMflmM535bNXOPx7_NU42OaZ5ikYZ-I1QO_QGzqhVSNhq7tz_Yky7pO7HTy7onfXXCXb7DKGKUPSHdFU/s1600/053010+Kgarten+graduation+Mom+and+Evan.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477905959082126818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhX9VbLeiBNTKpB64_utGLjE9AtEDR1l5GIyQtCkok0ZYnm3I20ychMlQ9q_NMflmM535bNXOPx7_NU42OaZ5ikYZ-I1QO_QGzqhVSNhq7tz_Yky7pO7HTy7onfXXCXb7DKGKUPSHdFU/s400/053010+Kgarten+graduation+Mom+and+Evan.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I got a little choked up as I gave him his diploma. Moments like these remind you how fast time is going and how precious every moment is.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="center"><br /><br /></span>Ben ended the ceremony with prayer. It was short and sweet, but special, and I think it is something Evan will remember for a long time. And, since our small church borrows a funeral home to meet in, I think his graduation holds the distinction of being the first ever graduation held in that building (or maybe any funeral home for that matter!) </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_uIf6eWpFTZocH-Pl0N9EtxW4n1nG_Gkm5H8QsQeiIrrRC8DmJjSnOox73jaj90hgqLWM-uwAluavnU2NZmAXGrsr2NW5VL1RuhfXnd1YU-Xr8bJfTD5Lx2XhOXH7ICVNCR25IM-hE/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(12).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477911254615020914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_uIf6eWpFTZocH-Pl0N9EtxW4n1nG_Gkm5H8QsQeiIrrRC8DmJjSnOox73jaj90hgqLWM-uwAluavnU2NZmAXGrsr2NW5VL1RuhfXnd1YU-Xr8bJfTD5Lx2XhOXH7ICVNCR25IM-hE/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+Graduation+(12).JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jiqQvcRV0r6FcAbTSDwX-bjKRrE_yucmLnw4uRXn2yzj8UWyUvDcKqGRQmQonUE-dH5IvTQdTk_JtAu0rnj6AlzDo-JOZoDiWTrEVMxWK2jJyaxbjfFZCUhLIweOO3knQVvOwzUluys/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+graduation+(1).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477911247036182242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jiqQvcRV0r6FcAbTSDwX-bjKRrE_yucmLnw4uRXn2yzj8UWyUvDcKqGRQmQonUE-dH5IvTQdTk_JtAu0rnj6AlzDo-JOZoDiWTrEVMxWK2jJyaxbjfFZCUhLIweOO3knQVvOwzUluys/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+graduation+(1).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">We also had our church's monthly fellowship that afternoon, so I made a "graduation cap" cake for Evan and took it to share with our church family.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SedQpyVV4GYNsmKdmCCwmFS3bptjc1be9p1Bju16xKkmUrnMTdfumSZa9i6S88oO-q6lqhQ0gtB_J94fwxYOd_aPaqM7ZDxM5n2_rw_lrQlhd4VVXNkfbbBtRssu5yxFNe4Xv3bmw6E/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+cake+with+Owen.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477905954631500034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SedQpyVV4GYNsmKdmCCwmFS3bptjc1be9p1Bju16xKkmUrnMTdfumSZa9i6S88oO-q6lqhQ0gtB_J94fwxYOd_aPaqM7ZDxM5n2_rw_lrQlhd4VVXNkfbbBtRssu5yxFNe4Xv3bmw6E/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+cake+with+Owen.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The highlight for Evan was that Gramma B came to be a part of it all, as well as his aunt and cousins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfYr2MRGleg9_LMWqCm437gC41sTBn-LubNzCRwxg5QrpdSu-kHa6dIx_4e_f_jVhVAjA5e6ofzcruESxmbr_TTY760kE8fdcnDltc4UbV7LoDDrlxXFwuGWCmOsVDSj5oemwIaVBEes/s1600/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Gramma+Chloe+(1).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477905977930953506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfYr2MRGleg9_LMWqCm437gC41sTBn-LubNzCRwxg5QrpdSu-kHa6dIx_4e_f_jVhVAjA5e6ofzcruESxmbr_TTY760kE8fdcnDltc4UbV7LoDDrlxXFwuGWCmOsVDSj5oemwIaVBEes/s400/053010+Evan+Kgarten+grad+with+Gramma+Chloe+(1).jpg" /></a><br /><br />Poor Grampa and Uncle Mike couldn't make the trip because as Carter said, "they have to stay at the farm and keep sure that the cows don't get into trouble." :-)<br /></div><p align="center"><br /><br />I am so proud of my boy for his accomplishments and so thankful to God for giving him the ability and desire to learn. And though it is something I said I would never do, I am thankful that God gave me the privilege to teach him at home. Teaching him to read and add are some of the most fulfilling things I've done in my life! I'm looking forward to first grade and all the new things he'll learn. But right now, I'm enjoying the moment...it's SUMMER BREAK! </p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-72372611191471719562010-05-09T13:05:00.001-07:002010-05-09T13:43:55.303-07:00JOY<div align="center">"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Ps. 127:3-4</div><div align="center">"He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord." Ps. 113:9</div><br />My study Bible states in the notes, "No image better conveys human emotional suffering in biblical times than that of the barren woman. In that time and culture, a barren woman was without significance and without joy. Note that God stoops down to bring her the joy for which she craves--happy children. Salvation is like that. Not only does God fill us with significance, but also with joy."<br /><br />I agree, even though there may not be the same social stigma now as there was in biblical times, that not being able to have children is intense human emotional suffering. I've been there, I've walked that road. I've spent Mother's Days in grief and left church in tears. I know that joy for which that barren woman craved. I craved it myself. And then God gave me that for which I craved. I prayed for one, and then just one more. God doubled what I requested of him, he filled my cup to overflowing, and he filled my heart with the unique joy of motherhood.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-HqbJ7wE1fWfv-d-ckIaTNchPVWIUeSvpyLHb9HGk1SlcHTAgIxm5QZSd6BISQIb9f9LXtfmm7XSJ4w3h_2_JGbNdKLIGVE1N8g523mcIWb3kLz1ISYItH2b3uSdh9DyBbDT_fB793w/s1600/050910.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469365330750930290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-HqbJ7wE1fWfv-d-ckIaTNchPVWIUeSvpyLHb9HGk1SlcHTAgIxm5QZSd6BISQIb9f9LXtfmm7XSJ4w3h_2_JGbNdKLIGVE1N8g523mcIWb3kLz1ISYItH2b3uSdh9DyBbDT_fB793w/s400/050910.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">This was the joy that greeted me this morning. Four handmade Mother's Day cards from my babies. There's nothing sweeter than a card made just for you. I love 'em!</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnP_os_o-AYnMu3p8YOSho8rHbHVBGyAjmoFHaIU_wQs8zsTSK1_Zxumg3eRzhDn7ZXiwTwnjXeZrQwA0sXDPX9xIGKArqABSKUKz0qsyWRTCPGIeqQjvBZmcs2Nt4rUbVw8JQMqATjo/s1600/050910+Mothers+Day+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 277px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469365325251785714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnP_os_o-AYnMu3p8YOSho8rHbHVBGyAjmoFHaIU_wQs8zsTSK1_Zxumg3eRzhDn7ZXiwTwnjXeZrQwA0sXDPX9xIGKArqABSKUKz0qsyWRTCPGIeqQjvBZmcs2Nt4rUbVw8JQMqATjo/s400/050910+Mothers+Day+1.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">Me and my 4 guys. Aren't I blessed? I don't merit God giving me the privilege of being their mom. They are truly gifts! </div><div align="center"> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZkhNG_t0n2q1bobtu_yg3k0D5cp2ckwpd41HRy9Q0Vyhep3kzvt1pRIJfhfZlFTHMMmg0rTaMCAPPWZZPnY7CpA08NwgBzfCIQUL_C26hSJ49QgpTwHzfZa9rkI55QCwc5V8zee0WZY/s1600/050910+Mothers+Day+2+(2).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469365317257013474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZkhNG_t0n2q1bobtu_yg3k0D5cp2ckwpd41HRy9Q0Vyhep3kzvt1pRIJfhfZlFTHMMmg0rTaMCAPPWZZPnY7CpA08NwgBzfCIQUL_C26hSJ49QgpTwHzfZa9rkI55QCwc5V8zee0WZY/s400/050910+Mothers+Day+2+(2).jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">And just like the gift of my children, my salvation in Christ is a gift, unmerited, undeserved, and unearned. And, like the gift of my children, it brings joy. I'm thankful that God didn't leave me without children. Even more I'm thankful that God didn't leave me without His love, His sacrifice, His forgiveness and His JOY.<br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy Mother's Day!</span></div><div align="center">A special wish for my Mom, and thankfulness for her love and guidance and care, and for introducing me to Jesus.</div><div align="center">And for my Mom-in-law, with gratitude for shaping the heart of my man, and for her love for me as a daughter and friend.<br /></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-81144517962800143902010-05-08T15:08:00.000-07:002010-05-08T15:31:25.385-07:00Mother's Day Surprises Left and RightCheck out <a href="http://onemomsminutes.blogspot.com/">my inspiration on my other post </a>and let me know what you think of my idea. Comments wanted!<br /><br />And aren't my guys just wonderful?<br /><br />Well, I ended up getting another unplanned Mother's Day gift, which will arrive a day late. The board on our refrigerator fried yesterday. You don't usually use the word fried with a refrigeration appliance, huh? Well, it doesn't work well when you mix those two. Our frig is DOA. Of course, I had just gone grocery shopping the day before so it was stocked. But, I am so thankful that my parents live right next door. We were able to save everything, except leftovers. I won't cry over that. :-) We stuck everything we could into our freezer downstairs, took frig items over to my mom's frig, and have produce and condiments in coolers. So, completely unplanned, we went shopping last night for a new refrigerator. It's a little stressful having to act on such a large expense so quickly. But we think we found a great deal. Our situation is a little complicated because of the size of the boxed in space we have for our frig. We never realized it doesn't accomodate normal size refrigerators, since this frig was here when we purchased the house. So, we had fewer options, and those options tend to be more expensive because they are not the "average" size. So, it cost a little more to get what we needed for our family of 6, but we made a decision and the nice salesman helped us get delivery a little faster, and it will be delivered on Monday.<br /><br />So, we are spending 3 days without a refrigerator. You really don't realize how important one is until yours is dead. In fact, I found myself repeatedly trying to open it, so Ben decided to make it easier on me and just get it out of the house. Which is a blessing because the thing stings like, well, have you ever smelled something electrical after it fried? It was stinking up my kitchen, so now it is gracing my deck.<br /><br />Oh, and I'm very thankful that God allowed it to happen when we were home, and could act quickly. It would have been bad if we had been gone on vacation or something!<br /><br />So, my poor husband spent alot more on me on this Mother's Day weekend than he would have ever dreamed of. But, one nice thing was, we spent the whole evening together, and we got to have a quiet dinner out together too. See, I'm really breaking the bank this weekend, aren't I? <br /><br />Ben said he's going to have fun trying to cook on Mother's Day for me. :-) Oh, well, this is life, right? Things break down, money gets spent, time gets eaten up, hassles ensue. But Mother's Day is the perfect time to remember that what is most important in my life is still intact, costs no money (well, technically), makes the best use of time, and brings lots of joy and enjoyment.....my family!Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-14411285643832619072010-05-04T13:59:00.000-07:002010-05-04T14:03:02.887-07:00Mint and Chocolate, Oh, My!Check out my <a href="http://onemomsminutes.blogspot.com/">post</a> on my other blog for a yummy recipe. If you like mint and chocolate, you'll be happy!Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-82220967585889645772010-05-02T19:18:00.000-07:002010-05-02T19:28:17.101-07:00My Boy Makes Me Laugh<p align="center">As I came to say goodnight to Evan tonight, he was "hiding" under the sheet, so I started tickling him. He got laughing pretty good, and as I stopped he said, "I haven't had this much fun in years!"</p>He's 6. What a sad childhood he must be having! :-)<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl9U3ClnugPeFjvy9DeePsegUtE2OiTPYuGroUMFvwDk41TYZ4vTW0LugguYVPvZDfrszu2s_wFI5GLzbdF7vemcCAP3r7B1M7-Jzq0vAq3ymCRNqwE6_Juj45OSoaFDKqE24ZZ1YvB8/s1600/050210+003.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863781651586786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl9U3ClnugPeFjvy9DeePsegUtE2OiTPYuGroUMFvwDk41TYZ4vTW0LugguYVPvZDfrszu2s_wFI5GLzbdF7vemcCAP3r7B1M7-Jzq0vAq3ymCRNqwE6_Juj45OSoaFDKqE24ZZ1YvB8/s400/050210+003.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">My funny boy, pounding chicken for supper. A house full of guys is pretty handy to have.</p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-73042696353673086032010-04-26T17:33:00.000-07:002010-04-26T17:50:42.074-07:00Curious Minds Want to Know<div align="center">For some reason, Carter was very interested at supper time about how he got fed when he was in my belly. It wasn't making sense to him because, as he said, "there wasn't a kitchen in there!"</div><div align="center">During the conversation, we were talking about how they were born. All 4 of the boys were born by c-section, so it makes it a little easier to explain the how. :-) Carter wanted to know if there was blood when they cut me open and he said, "But didn't it hurt, Mommy?" So, we tried to explain about how they numbed my whole body. Derek got a very disturbed look on his face when we mentioned the needle and said he didn't want the doctors to give me a shot. I assured him I won't have to have that again, and he felt better. Evan wanted to know how they "put my belly back on". After I told him that they sewed me back up he said very seriously, "I would NOT want to be a girl!" After I laughed, I told him that it's ok, that they were worth it all and I would do it all over again. "You were happy to have your first baby?" he asked. Very. And the next and the next and the next.</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-69039776513641426472010-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:002010-04-16T20:27:21.631-07:00Tool Man<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSm8TdpotEZVtXXLJROg09TG98wPSA2zlxut5HsEnXL327372dXddXa_uOb1ZukaIccD6GhRSalZUFrLZN8TP3kOWOllHPKHHNMFz3wTO8_BunL82YA0kb5tUG-izoEtr8FDEaJBw07M/s1600/041610+Owen+(2).jpg"></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">Today, Owen figured out how to use the play drill to turn a plastic bolt in a nut. He would tighten the nut onto the bolt, then change the directional switch on the drill and loosen it. He did it over and over again. I think we have a budding Tool Man on our hands. :-) Funny thing is the driver on the drill was a flat head and the bolt was a phillips head, but he made it work anyway. Smart little guy. I especially loved how he was concentrating...with his mouth open. </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3WKEJd7U22zbSoy_IjVnuqDoxbbrKPHYqXcJw9Z0lebUalsqV591yMaJe_H9UTwNv9pWNN6qs2sETK9e87kj9Wxkeic0NWGhXpXiw-JS22B698fE_RMKBDuMZGxguq-yfYMFHX4BaRY/s1600/041610+Owen+(4).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460939732667132386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3WKEJd7U22zbSoy_IjVnuqDoxbbrKPHYqXcJw9Z0lebUalsqV591yMaJe_H9UTwNv9pWNN6qs2sETK9e87kj9Wxkeic0NWGhXpXiw-JS22B698fE_RMKBDuMZGxguq-yfYMFHX4BaRY/s400/041610+Owen+(4).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguowrO7gv6e4xugO37U66HreJFhpY-vdXxkW0UkjGKOlMJzXfBLle5Fk1eonlfrDEGfme9DhyphenhyphenJz8pGGs7EGOkvxb-PTEK-hVH9e2ukoaUHZGLYrY_jJjIGUzM1ucbn1D5haFugJGUt9gc/s1600/041610+Owen+(5).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460939720210367554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguowrO7gv6e4xugO37U66HreJFhpY-vdXxkW0UkjGKOlMJzXfBLle5Fk1eonlfrDEGfme9DhyphenhyphenJz8pGGs7EGOkvxb-PTEK-hVH9e2ukoaUHZGLYrY_jJjIGUzM1ucbn1D5haFugJGUt9gc/s400/041610+Owen+(5).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3rk5_zvxeVDfFx3ZIRSE5P0_qR233muVpMhwboN95vEZM4LPB8EuJ6f0NYIgihUz4xi3bQIB-dNh-Ty6t8Wbq3qqE8PhCv16Msj68RJWFxj998p3EOKV_jsFeW8esi225fIOHecIu-8/s1600/041610+Owen+(6).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460937353502281954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3rk5_zvxeVDfFx3ZIRSE5P0_qR233muVpMhwboN95vEZM4LPB8EuJ6f0NYIgihUz4xi3bQIB-dNh-Ty6t8Wbq3qqE8PhCv16Msj68RJWFxj998p3EOKV_jsFeW8esi225fIOHecIu-8/s400/041610+Owen+(6).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLZqcxGRh1ZEOq75O8BhtibWuKZQH0qT_EBT6VYxE4U1dfDsvRyiDBtHsLD_Lvj_2Zao60n7sHPEFFyf2pMvLulkAatjSzCvi0ZWAFam4TjLk6w9d_o5fSbGiFACaqBAkc8nKGyrediA/s1600/041610+Owen+(9).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460937342472044722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLZqcxGRh1ZEOq75O8BhtibWuKZQH0qT_EBT6VYxE4U1dfDsvRyiDBtHsLD_Lvj_2Zao60n7sHPEFFyf2pMvLulkAatjSzCvi0ZWAFam4TjLk6w9d_o5fSbGiFACaqBAkc8nKGyrediA/s400/041610+Owen+(9).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8BKSxQbHpWQN4fFiu7vjpRDpJG7iCzfm5Y-Hp5bBDBHfEwyNP1IW7zLxNcSCIVU9-cZtTgtPKF66_1QwxYXPqwJR_5GCWK3xATLTdcritMQDY9lUV04KnLKV9KN8Jpg3-zug07kqOko/s1600/041610+Owen+(10).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460937338859359954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8BKSxQbHpWQN4fFiu7vjpRDpJG7iCzfm5Y-Hp5bBDBHfEwyNP1IW7zLxNcSCIVU9-cZtTgtPKF66_1QwxYXPqwJR_5GCWK3xATLTdcritMQDY9lUV04KnLKV9KN8Jpg3-zug07kqOko/s400/041610+Owen+(10).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9r1TP_sePbdiehnu6EXFNK6VMNu2H0wSWZNHuUuPiXoq1vTqWscfGedhbekqanmXlMw10QtuTKNuaNRy5ny21m3X5C8m9P8iBg1Ou5HxfNwqHu-nuTw-DHS77yArnCye_AEi8xZcKek/s1600/041610+Owen+(12).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460937331395830850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9r1TP_sePbdiehnu6EXFNK6VMNu2H0wSWZNHuUuPiXoq1vTqWscfGedhbekqanmXlMw10QtuTKNuaNRy5ny21m3X5C8m9P8iBg1Ou5HxfNwqHu-nuTw-DHS77yArnCye_AEi8xZcKek/s400/041610+Owen+(12).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p></p><div align="center">He has been playing alot the last few days with his "Pat" the hammer from his Handy Manny Talking Toolbox. In an effort to save our walls and furniture from destruction, Ben found him a little block left over from a 2x4, and he has been banging away on it. Good thinking, because he has hammer marks all over that block of wood! Occasionally I have to beg him to stop for a while because my head can't take it. Then he finds the play drill that talks and says "I think you've got a screw loose." Or he takes the tape measure and measures his Ming-Ming (a stuffed animal/pillow from Wonder Pets that is almost as big as he is, that he carries around the house with him), and proudly announces his measurement, "3 inches Ming-Ming". Ok, he doesn't know how to read a tape measure correctly. But he sure is cute trying.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Every day I see him developing more and more...his vocabulary, his actions, his play. Every day he is less and less a baby and more and more a big boy, more and more like his brothers. Every day he makes me smile with his funny expressions and comments. Every day I wish I could stop time. But every day I rejoice with him in his new found independence, skills, and expressions of his personality. And every day I love kissing this face!</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_DLJT_zOuf8pTMdwhfWtHNSP_uAtoGWUvgcmRcjqTknp8x6ljNqP3qTFCyXhSeznYfvUiuWttKGrVMCCcoUwyIhF-MzKN2JnLp6VX4HiXMBKMh3GomF56FlCXwXrGUJgyPDvL3i5oSs/s1600/041610+Owen+(13).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460937324071929906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_DLJT_zOuf8pTMdwhfWtHNSP_uAtoGWUvgcmRcjqTknp8x6ljNqP3qTFCyXhSeznYfvUiuWttKGrVMCCcoUwyIhF-MzKN2JnLp6VX4HiXMBKMh3GomF56FlCXwXrGUJgyPDvL3i5oSs/s400/041610+Owen+(13).jpg" /></a><br /></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-24884963941808502332010-04-15T19:19:00.001-07:002010-04-15T20:04:57.720-07:00The New Apprentice<div align="center">Can we fix it? Yes, <strong>WE</strong> can!</div><div align="center">My husband has spent some quality time lately behind the fridge. It decided to stop working correctly, and he has been working to keep it limping along until we could isolate which part was bad, order it, wait for it to arrive, and install it. The other night, he was busy working back in there again, but discovered he had a willing helper.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbV7Es0Yz1EMgsLSw9t6LOc5Sesd9yue72cH9uGJDRJBODmaEpPfwiM6OCnDO4oaKWyV8CrG33lSjpaiFq219PY_T_HgKg-SwOOAsGJbw3Z66zyw0h21J0LGz13MzeTEW99n6G4fl-1c/s1600/040910+009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460560827579725234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbV7Es0Yz1EMgsLSw9t6LOc5Sesd9yue72cH9uGJDRJBODmaEpPfwiM6OCnDO4oaKWyV8CrG33lSjpaiFq219PY_T_HgKg-SwOOAsGJbw3Z66zyw0h21J0LGz13MzeTEW99n6G4fl-1c/s400/040910+009.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br />Ben's new apprentice. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">O-Man was very interested in all the goings on (especially the use of the cool head lamp flashlights my parents gave Ben for Christmas.) Ben told O-Man all the names of all the parts, and he was learning them. If it were I, the names would have been hose, thingy, thing-a-ma-jig, another part, etc. Ben however, schooled him in on all the proper names (I was so impressed...my man sure knows alot....like somehow how to troubleshoot and repair a refrigerator.) It was so adorable to see O-Man hanging out with his Daddy, acting like he was really helping him out. I think he was actually more distracting than helpful, but Ben was eating up the fact that his son was so interested in what he was doing. And of course, like any good Dad, he shared his special tool, the head lamps. Good thing it was a 2 pack!<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FRG_pD5unm5ELzxpxi8qHT0JFA5jHAOGMQTZT5DSFQGvW-5j8FBCQGH_oRwuep1OW-t3Z25ijMYltwHCvKc0G1chB3PSiBOK-u6q_Wk56wlVoxlUYCkH73S-AI0bAhTEpI-kYsA2Lak/s1600/040910+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460560823637961234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FRG_pD5unm5ELzxpxi8qHT0JFA5jHAOGMQTZT5DSFQGvW-5j8FBCQGH_oRwuep1OW-t3Z25ijMYltwHCvKc0G1chB3PSiBOK-u6q_Wk56wlVoxlUYCkH73S-AI0bAhTEpI-kYsA2Lak/s400/040910+021.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">Move over Maytag Man, here comes something cuter!<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKSISVOTCRXyldz3Gq8baREpE4-G1OW22w09h1rkFOkpRsFebeOIT_-Vii6__1mbj9tmf0SVF01ZqckFpkCDySdcKw_vFozttArAILXry0ZBw6sq9G7bDRASRln-o39pmXyrZS3oN-JQ/s1600/040910+023.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460560815764248434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKSISVOTCRXyldz3Gq8baREpE4-G1OW22w09h1rkFOkpRsFebeOIT_-Vii6__1mbj9tmf0SVF01ZqckFpkCDySdcKw_vFozttArAILXry0ZBw6sq9G7bDRASRln-o39pmXyrZS3oN-JQ/s400/040910+023.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52Qksmt2YA2JIZdoabtUkhKjXJpvAPQO6EV1uAYx5n4jouzOH-HtKpkPvMAnKrbGivlCRZrRTsJccUsQ9BLh9LXeSumhbow8Z51uZPZ6GTn-eUx1DlhkBNd2M_yOG1YzZ0m2_fkMuX8/s1600/040910+026.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460560813507132978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52Qksmt2YA2JIZdoabtUkhKjXJpvAPQO6EV1uAYx5n4jouzOH-HtKpkPvMAnKrbGivlCRZrRTsJccUsQ9BLh9LXeSumhbow8Z51uZPZ6GTn-eUx1DlhkBNd2M_yOG1YzZ0m2_fkMuX8/s400/040910+026.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODLzaQPGP59rqbol8fzbKkGqKE7oLdzvW6dP7Hj52gSkIYj7AYk7MQ47GZ9MmF5XxCD6Dwq3SJLfqwm_EEs8_mGEsYzHh-i4OHyRR8fjnqQJqX-ZIFtkOnq0OFmnQHFElYQFue1lrtlo/s1600/040910+030.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460557184044609826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODLzaQPGP59rqbol8fzbKkGqKE7oLdzvW6dP7Hj52gSkIYj7AYk7MQ47GZ9MmF5XxCD6Dwq3SJLfqwm_EEs8_mGEsYzHh-i4OHyRR8fjnqQJqX-ZIFtkOnq0OFmnQHFElYQFue1lrtlo/s400/040910+030.jpg" /></a></p><br />I just had to smile watching them<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMTbJr45xajadwEcHrVsR4CWJ2XHeSuBts22H7APfp9sUot0FoCapRVkptV38N0Yf9xIAKmEsD4BCRTqk3a6tjdBpKq9IIMY89HkEU9_QCGMLAkUDIeL3FdBbjIHkPs-cPxTDEFJmrXc/s1600/040910+033.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460557176254476722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMTbJr45xajadwEcHrVsR4CWJ2XHeSuBts22H7APfp9sUot0FoCapRVkptV38N0Yf9xIAKmEsD4BCRTqk3a6tjdBpKq9IIMY89HkEU9_QCGMLAkUDIeL3FdBbjIHkPs-cPxTDEFJmrXc/s400/040910+033.jpg" /></a></p><br />and then watching the other boys in the living room. I found Evan reading one of his library books to Carter. It was so sweet, I had to snap a picture.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdSb9OjU28c6Wez_7csC3eLMXF36BWY_S6K9WPj8NJQwOapBXGNt_G1tkLJZT6Y7dkjQarX3NeYkiVfjkDfpgQl8iiV6Z9V79dUs9LvV3Y4UHC6ey5BVJi2jyYEf3-xEP8zmMYYPw92s/s1600/040910+036.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460557168427706626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdSb9OjU28c6Wez_7csC3eLMXF36BWY_S6K9WPj8NJQwOapBXGNt_G1tkLJZT6Y7dkjQarX3NeYkiVfjkDfpgQl8iiV6Z9V79dUs9LvV3Y4UHC6ey5BVJi2jyYEf3-xEP8zmMYYPw92s/s400/040910+036.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Then they saw O-Man and Derek with the headlamps and had to try it out themselves.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSgX0Unz79gX1DkwwOX1EIlOr9xo1szlhKN4PZtnyIDrkG7f6JZ9wXuGzSh66GBWLlZXwHNSJo3O-GmxrVqyY5t9pVZcFiFq9n-iVdQjs2L2xso3GKQKpAVrHscZUrEd-A7OOjN7nRIE/s1600/040910+042.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460557160881982882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSgX0Unz79gX1DkwwOX1EIlOr9xo1szlhKN4PZtnyIDrkG7f6JZ9wXuGzSh66GBWLlZXwHNSJo3O-GmxrVqyY5t9pVZcFiFq9n-iVdQjs2L2xso3GKQKpAVrHscZUrEd-A7OOjN7nRIE/s400/040910+042.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Turns out, they are also very useful for reading books in poorly lit living rooms.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyT3lVJnkStDFKygrmZV4ATt98MkJuavbwTeGI3RtCbdqnkktXFjY6iANuWJTkb2POA7AdTO3Jdt28hn0DG1sIVEUCTEzTelllnULkjE_xYrlCSHJ3-LaC_gEMuodAtHmXfKH7rDNWNEM/s1600/040910+045.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460557158550160338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyT3lVJnkStDFKygrmZV4ATt98MkJuavbwTeGI3RtCbdqnkktXFjY6iANuWJTkb2POA7AdTO3Jdt28hn0DG1sIVEUCTEzTelllnULkjE_xYrlCSHJ3-LaC_gEMuodAtHmXfKH7rDNWNEM/s400/040910+045.jpg" /></a></p><br /></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-35405482052220085882010-04-09T21:06:00.000-07:002010-04-09T21:41:48.133-07:00Fostering A Love of Reading<p align="center">My first born had his first field trip, and his first visit to the library today. We live in a small town, and the library is actually located in an old house, which is kind of neat. I had to help him focus....even though it's a small library, he was overwhelmed by all the choices and didn't know where to start. But he finally made his choices, and he wasted no time after we got home and had lunch, reading all 4 of them right away. He can't wait to go back and get more books. As his mom and his teacher, I'm thrilled to see his love of reading. And he's feeling so accomplished to be able to pick up books and read them.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpcLbdN5_cl7R1Vk70B35cGQunxp0i8fSaLakNpj6HV_Ihc8LjN3eTkv4aLejhtPwigtfD3haJ1yFi4uKvbVNdgzqnD1g2eZGK4KGQu3Uf9MP-mgf8a3ugqFD-wJ9dwWkuUN-dgjnQA0/s1600/040910+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458357314249009282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpcLbdN5_cl7R1Vk70B35cGQunxp0i8fSaLakNpj6HV_Ihc8LjN3eTkv4aLejhtPwigtfD3haJ1yFi4uKvbVNdgzqnD1g2eZGK4KGQu3Uf9MP-mgf8a3ugqFD-wJ9dwWkuUN-dgjnQA0/s400/040910+002.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzSrGaMConw8dQeJQ6iklsmbnpr_vG-EhegxvnK_7MVVKXibCKpZAraFAmsIipwWhLWBQnb0WxgxYbZVXbD3fsNNYbDsFtdDxso0lpBfIFmphxlO6G6x6okyMs-p5jn60L6MHTzVpY84/s1600/040910+004.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458357307782104098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzSrGaMConw8dQeJQ6iklsmbnpr_vG-EhegxvnK_7MVVKXibCKpZAraFAmsIipwWhLWBQnb0WxgxYbZVXbD3fsNNYbDsFtdDxso0lpBfIFmphxlO6G6x6okyMs-p5jn60L6MHTzVpY84/s400/040910+004.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">Library card he can use at any local library<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS1nqjsfVwDKpPux2vtE7wJTEiqi4Tf_xnb5mbLuZOYLB0YGst6sznhCBPN1BvPRCDn9uuZYAwh4MaYCHC9kdKrf9YnmBRb2YvYYmEgtxbCnt_i-h8uR8DFHK78PHq6nzngo0R34obAM/s1600/040910+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458357299891486290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS1nqjsfVwDKpPux2vtE7wJTEiqi4Tf_xnb5mbLuZOYLB0YGst6sznhCBPN1BvPRCDn9uuZYAwh4MaYCHC9kdKrf9YnmBRb2YvYYmEgtxbCnt_i-h8uR8DFHK78PHq6nzngo0R34obAM/s400/040910+005.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"> His literary choices. </div><div align="center">I loved that he thought to use one of his choices to get a Pooh book to read to his brothers.<br /><br /><br />I read alot when I was a kid, and I always had a hard time putting a book down. Maybe he's inheriting my love of a good book. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And thus ends Spring Break...back to school work Monday morning.</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-6368817277237939572010-04-04T14:51:00.001-07:002010-04-04T15:55:53.933-07:00Easter<p align="center">Happy Easter!</p><br /><p align="center">"Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign. Hallelujah! Christ arose!"</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsy2HOGZ-bNm-RCwpnzBjOdm5vJXv2VglE8qjNWLPPmpK0D1sFPus7k26wwPL4ko_8CwzcJal8pYy9spkNgRWbo5UUHZOVEFpdjQmhKmUc_ptzWJmRvfsNtwGlwCOTGg17VShNPA8nVo/s1600/040410+Easter+Family+(3).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456409382257652226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsy2HOGZ-bNm-RCwpnzBjOdm5vJXv2VglE8qjNWLPPmpK0D1sFPus7k26wwPL4ko_8CwzcJal8pYy9spkNgRWbo5UUHZOVEFpdjQmhKmUc_ptzWJmRvfsNtwGlwCOTGg17VShNPA8nVo/s400/040410+Easter+Family+(3).jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">My precious family</p><p align="center">after a great day celebrating Christ's resurrection with our special church family</p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(we were minus a few smiles....apparently, the sunshine was just too bright on this beautiful day!)</span></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeIWKBxLnHGkwTxTyhBTIg3UdfarTifaASGdULGqcK-FT021W2y8GN6pn8FXRB8L7O6OrOe-8U-0KWY-xyhOK4WoJwzfj-zZ8jKz3LTWh8JDJBJ8gYLicNWt8VCfmqQ6TxDbSLNpKnyY/s1600/040410+Evan.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456409377275902690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeIWKBxLnHGkwTxTyhBTIg3UdfarTifaASGdULGqcK-FT021W2y8GN6pn8FXRB8L7O6OrOe-8U-0KWY-xyhOK4WoJwzfj-zZ8jKz3LTWh8JDJBJ8gYLicNWt8VCfmqQ6TxDbSLNpKnyY/s400/040410+Evan.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Evan (6 years)</div><div align="center"> </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyRYzXkJm_hqGiXwEN5px-SVtqsnl4fXM0buxxui2nzjWOeFXaAR5ekJU8ZZTmIHpG_Cs28FGxM_PmPlucvaOiGCRVS-ttfVJwa9qnDDBiXuQEmdeE7LZz2LwfYPRSuF6Dcqb_gKKYC8/s1600/040410+Carter+(1).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456406059348216130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyRYzXkJm_hqGiXwEN5px-SVtqsnl4fXM0buxxui2nzjWOeFXaAR5ekJU8ZZTmIHpG_Cs28FGxM_PmPlucvaOiGCRVS-ttfVJwa9qnDDBiXuQEmdeE7LZz2LwfYPRSuF6Dcqb_gKKYC8/s400/040410+Carter+(1).jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">Carter (3 1/2)</p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2o9K0Tqu6IxINhv2cCHV1mC4gpqHFZLKUXkuPM_tcM8cgydH1_i_GLne3yhsbzMBj3EurxphXE1KRmxHmwjXvQ7mj6UnAKbkkmgDQlvTbdv2naVvIXKlKvfbhXmJCRAOx0sA9NX_2sc/s1600/040410+Derek+Carter.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456406039907328818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2o9K0Tqu6IxINhv2cCHV1mC4gpqHFZLKUXkuPM_tcM8cgydH1_i_GLne3yhsbzMBj3EurxphXE1KRmxHmwjXvQ7mj6UnAKbkkmgDQlvTbdv2naVvIXKlKvfbhXmJCRAOx0sA9NX_2sc/s400/040410+Derek+Carter.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Brothers, Brothers, there were never such devoted brothers</div><br /><div align="center">(not really, we forced them to take this picture....all they wanted to do was lean on each other and knock each other over.)</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456406034086866066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul0Gm6nPFBp3Szxk77aCfKtEHyuL2Ga6XU_QzvINvQN_a5rf-u3HJUZZLLhLrWQy42VLxvWQU6CEzAm46GnNxP-1CHpB19ZXU8bR8Fev2PHH7hryqNgGjNwCbzGbgLVWzhVGkXQPbaAQ/s400/040410+Derek+(2).jpg" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Derek (3 1/2)</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRTxKE1fsNm2xYY1BJL6XR4apuno7icXLD56Yh7lxiCjMuoqo5BO9qJMhXQOwgeIqOY5jOhSWPExMJ3GkVskqDtjH7myC2tZfS_-WCqpIb8W5b6VA5qeR89eNl66LKpRDVrUwN67ALGk/s1600/040410+KK+Owen.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456405995305386802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRTxKE1fsNm2xYY1BJL6XR4apuno7icXLD56Yh7lxiCjMuoqo5BO9qJMhXQOwgeIqOY5jOhSWPExMJ3GkVskqDtjH7myC2tZfS_-WCqpIb8W5b6VA5qeR89eNl66LKpRDVrUwN67ALGk/s400/040410+KK+Owen.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">Owen (2 1/2) with his Aunt KK. He loves her.</p><p align="center">We had a nice ham dinner with Nana and Papa, and my sister Kristin. Then my sister, Dad and I took a walk to walk it all off while Evan lead on his bike. Such a beautiful Easter Day, almost feels like summer!</p><p align="center">Thank you Lord for giving your life for me, forgiving me of my sin, and in your resurrection, giving me a purpose to live, and providing the certain hope of eternity with You. "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Life is worth living just because <em><strong>He lives</strong></em>."</p><p align="center"> </p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-82085850436850111252010-03-31T19:34:00.000-07:002010-03-31T19:47:51.150-07:00My Easter Dress<p align="center">I got this extra special Easter card early today. It is from my sweet 6 year old. It's my Easter dress, he told me. I only wish I had something so beautiful to wear this Sunday. We were commenting later about my rather big sparkly (glitter glue) eyes and the ribbon in my hair. I asked Evan if this picture is how he sees me. He said, "well, your eyes do sparkle". Oh, what a sweet boy. I love him! Oh, and my husband said, "oh, they sparkle". Ok, I love him, too!</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjQ-pZk6rdAWuTx1N99ID_A-GQ3ivFMhfy6-3ZmSPmunK-ptgZ_dM1wW_wJ833e8ifmhkG4Hkd_714f5TJqF4LecGugb9hmA_y6J3zyGIni7WgrlMfeQGfvgGAZIZI0LLniDPm_a9Xbk/s1600/Easter+card+from+Evan.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 354px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454992309424468706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjQ-pZk6rdAWuTx1N99ID_A-GQ3ivFMhfy6-3ZmSPmunK-ptgZ_dM1wW_wJ833e8ifmhkG4Hkd_714f5TJqF4LecGugb9hmA_y6J3zyGIni7WgrlMfeQGfvgGAZIZI0LLniDPm_a9Xbk/s400/Easter+card+from+Evan.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />P.S. We got the results of Derek's EEG. It was normal. Praise God!Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-3053283516984907022010-03-29T12:48:00.000-07:002010-03-29T13:53:01.943-07:00Update on Little D<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRczSo5IGm-C-zF8NuHTtVbuyn5yonUsM80JuKQAAfm8UbEDKk_GydCQQ6iSY0uGCCdAFhZ3BsPfnLsfB_F7vOFyeYKSERsvQYiGM9DvjdaHFtcJsYgo9EwIVR_p9xj_-5kNpWccDH5E/s1600/011610+Derek+(2).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454160471902543010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRczSo5IGm-C-zF8NuHTtVbuyn5yonUsM80JuKQAAfm8UbEDKk_GydCQQ6iSY0uGCCdAFhZ3BsPfnLsfB_F7vOFyeYKSERsvQYiGM9DvjdaHFtcJsYgo9EwIVR_p9xj_-5kNpWccDH5E/s400/011610+Derek+(2).jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LfcyqBLGJCj3mmFZVMOHkQFq1TqLrcN5U7nXSK0_OeNJFXaS7jQnoqsdzdiS9v1jgxcWsVr18yEyrA4JhoEc8ic5UemNIrMtPCzQUdB8drN48CVDMbxNV3-k-ABZMNVUJLzu_rdOMuI/s1600/122709+Derek.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div align="center">Thanks so much to those of you who have been praying for and asking about Derek with his recent seizures. I thought I'd post a little update here.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">On March 2, we took him to Albany to see a Pediatric Neurologist. Our area does not have pediatric specialists, so unfortunately we have to make the hour plus trip to Albany to a large teaching hospital in order to get that care. But we were very happy with the specialist we saw, and she really helped us to better understand what is going on in a seizure and what we can best do to help him be safe in the event of any more seizures. His last one was at the beginning of February, and he has been doing great since then. His doctor in Albany did not like the fact that the EEG that was done up here after his first seizure was done with sedation. She felt that it could have an adverse effect on the results, and since the sedation really didn't work (he woke up before the technician even finished putting the electrodes on his head, and was awake during the test rather than sleeping), she ordered a sleep-deprived EEG for him to be done in Albany.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Now, as any mother could guess, sleep depriving a 3 year old is the last thing you want to do! But we did ok. We kept him up until 12:30 am, and got him up at 6:30 am. He was pretty chipper and didn't try to go to sleep at all before we left at 9am for Albany. In the midst of getting ready, Ben discovered the refrigerator had quit working and was quickly trying to get everything over to my mom's house, in our down stairs freezer, and in a cooler. We got out of the house on time though and I determined I wasn't going to worry about the refrigerator right then. That's big for me, because I'm a worrier! I figured God knew all about it, and I couldn't take anymore stress that morning, especially in my sleep deprived state, so I tried to put it out of my mind. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">We had only been on the highway or a few minutes when I heard Derek make a snorting noise. I thought he had fallen asleep on me. I was sitting next to him and I turned to tell him to wake up, and my heart jumped out of my chest. His lips were purple and his face was pale. I thought he couldn't breathe. I yelled to Ben and he pulled over. Then I noticed the other signs of a seizure and realized that was what was happening. This was the first time I had seen him convulse, so it was pretty upsetting. It lasted only a few minutes, and being that he was in his car seat he was protected. We got back on the highway, but unfortunately Derek fell into a very deep sleep immediately after the end of the seizure. This post-dictal stage seems to last about an hour for him. I could not get him to wake back up, and we were not supposed to let him sleep until they started the test at 10:45. After many minutes of trying to wake him, I realized it wasn't happening and let him sleep. By the time we got to the hospital (late...we missed an exit and had to back track...we are not city drivers!), he woke up and was slowly getting back to his normal self. I called ahead and told them that he had a seizure and was sleeping, and they understood that, so we went ahead with the test. They were not surprised that he had a seizure, apparently sleep deprivation can trigger them. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Thankfully he was tired enough to go back to sleep. In fact he fell asleep while the technician was still putting the electrodes on his head, which is a time-consuming process. We were really pleased with the technician and how he worked with Derek. Instead of laying him on a bed, they had me sit in an easy chair with Derek laying across my lap and his head on a pillow. It made him feel more at ease, allowed me to help keep him still and made him more comfortable and snuggly to go to sleep. He was in pretty deep sleep during the test (so was Daddy!), and we had to work to wake him for the last part when they made him look at a flashing light for several minutes. Once the test was done, he perked right up and was talkative and wanted to go to Friendlys for lunch and ice cream. He did such a good job, I was so proud of him. I'm sure having a test done like that when you're so little can be pretty scary, but he was pretty brave. I saw a big difference in his response to it this time than the previous EEG. I was so thankful for their experience working with kids and making it as "un-scary" as possible. I did enjoy the quiet moments there in the darkened room just watching him sleep so peacefully. Those kind of moments pass so quickly when they become toddlers. His long eyelashes were resting on his pink cheeks and he looked like an angel. Well, except for the wires all attached to him and the gauze wrapped around his head!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">We got out of Albany about 1pm, and we drove up the highway a bit before stopping at Friendlys for lunch. Ben and I decided this was the first time we had ever been out to a meal just the two of us with Derek. We had fun, and he was soaking up the time with just mom and dad. He got the ice cream we promised him and that made his day. I think he wants to go back to the hospital again. :-) On the way out of Friendly's he stopped by the doorway to the kitchen and told one of the ladies, "Thanks for the hot dog and ice cream. It was good!"</div><br /><br /><div align="center">~</div><br /><br /><div align="center">We are awaiting a call from the doctor to tell us the results of the test. We'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all the concerns and prayers on his behalf. It is a frightening thing to see your child in the middle of a seizure and to not know what is causing them, and to know that you can't do anything for them, other than try to keep them safe. His seizures do not surprise God though, and for that I am grateful. God does not panic and fret and fear (unlike me). He calmy controls the situation and calms His daughter (if I will just allow Him to). And besides these few seizures in the last few months, Derek is a very healthy normal little boy, so we have much to be thankful to God for.</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-52864149881273028672010-03-25T20:05:00.000-07:002010-03-25T21:35:04.601-07:003 Year Olds Say the Funniest Things<div align="center">It seems like most of the funny material my boys come up with lately is during our Bible class time in the morning before Evan does his school work and the boys head across the driveway to Nana's house for Preschool. Lately, Bible class seems more like a comedy of errors, and I feel exhausted afterwards, and the day has just begun. (I think my boys all have spring fever anyway. I feel lately like I'm stuck in a cage with the monkeys at the zoo! For instance, I caught a certain someone walking across the top of their dresser. They've been loud and silly and disobedient and yes, even funny.) This morning, we were talking about the crucifixion and about how sad it must have been for all of the people who had loved and believed Jesus. Carter then went into a list of all the people that Jesus had helped that had believed on him. He said, "He made people who couldn't see...see, and people who couldn't walk...walk, and people who couldn't hear...hear, and the people who were dead....dead." Oh, boy.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My Mom has been teaching the boys a new song. They came over the other day with the visual and sang it for me. Owen was even doing it really well. I was able to get Carter on video. He's such a performer. :-)</div><div align="center"> </div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7UBDMbMzlBPuyj5b9xGGrtFR0941E3SkU6c1wnIWwZFSQLeO4RLH-MNf-jzJnY9cPtjLUfwqXUTsaoCPzLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-74006713656164389882010-03-19T19:54:00.000-07:002010-03-19T20:33:26.233-07:00Frugal Friday - Finding Deals!I filled a prescription for my son today. It has <strong>2 doses</strong>, which we <strong>may or may not need</strong>. It came to more than my normal co-pay and when I asked about that, I was told that it's because there is no generic for the drug. Ok, so as I'm paying, the pharmacist about knocked me over with, "Actually, the retail for this is <strong>$536.99</strong>." That' right...there are no extra digits typed in there. That is the actual price! I figured at that price, I wouldn't complain about my $30 copay. So, I guess you can say by using my insurance card, I saved my family a whopping $506.99, just by making a trip to our pharmacist!<br /><br />Now for the real, and much more exciting deals:<br /><br />I caught the Bon-Ton clearance sale this week. (extra 80% off!) I got (for my boys for next winter) a<br />Ruff Hewn hooded sweatshit, Reg $30 for $4.40<br />3 Ruff Hewn long-sleeved casual shirts, Reg $20 each for $3 each<br />Calvin Klein dress shirt, Reg $32 for $4.80. (actually Carter can wear this now!)<br />That was 5 items worth $122 for $18.20! That's a <strong>savings of $103.80!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />If you can spare it in your budget, now is the time to go shopping for winter items! You can get some unbelievable deals, put them away for next season, and when you get your kids' clothes out of storage, you'll be delighted to find those new clothes awaiting them! I always love pulling out the totes of clothes and finding those great bargains I got on the off season. Saves you alot of money from running out and buying new then at regular price!<br /><br />At Target:<br />For 2 Gillette Men's deodorant and 2 Gillette Men's body wash, Retail $16.56, I paid $2.58! That's a <strong>savings of $13.98!</strong> I love coupons! Does that make me weird? :-)<br /><br />Spending a little time to cut out coupons, print on-line coupons, look for the best deals, and organize coupons can really pay off! Even here, where we don't have any stores that double coupons, I <strong>saved $35</strong> yesterday just with using coupons, not to mention the sales I got.<br /><br />All in all, I think it was a pretty frugal week!Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-26581673169208857652010-03-12T19:24:00.000-08:002010-03-12T20:50:03.195-08:00Frugal Friday<div align="center">Since becoming a mom 6 years ago, I have increasingly become more frugal. Having 4 mouths to feed and bodies to dress on one income has necessitated it! I am a bargain hunter by nature, anyway. In fact, my husband laughs at me because I book-it right to the clearance racks when I enter a store. I never pay full price for anything if I don't have to! And I love to shop, not to spend lots of money and accumulate "things", but to see what things that we need that I can get for the least amount of money. It's a challenge for me, and I love saving my family $. But, sometimes I have found I've just been too busy and worn out to really focus on being frugal....like the years of 2006 and 2007 in particular when we added our twins and then our youngest son to our family. :-) And now with 4 very active little boys and homeschooling, I have to make a concerted effort to be frugal.</div><div align="center">When I was growing up, I always thought that "frugal" was a bad term, like being cheap, but now I'm proud of that label! And I think I come by it rightly. As I look back, my mom has always been very frugal. She was a good example of how to take care of your family, put their needs ahead of your own, and do without all the fine things so that you had the means to do more for your family and to do for others. She has always been a good steward of what she has....in fact, she keeps birthday money in her wallet for a year, just waiting for something really worthy to spend it on. And I have even known her to spend it on her children before. (I'll admit I'm unlike her in that way. Birthday money burns a hole in my wallet!) Growing up in the home of a pastor, we didn't have as much as others many times. I always had less toys than my friends, and I never went to Disney World. But my needs were always met, even if it meant that Mom handmade my clothes (and even my "Cabbage Patch" doll). Thanks, Mom! If you also had a Mom who showed you the value of frugality, be thankful!</div><div align="center">******************************************************</div><div align="center">To help keep me on that track to being a really frugal mom, and to share ideas that might help you as well, I'm going to make Fridays on my blog, Frugal Friday, and share my frugal tip, bargain excitement, and even frugal failure of the week.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Today was a good day of bargains!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I found winter boots for my twin boys for next winter at JCPenney. They were originally $50 each. I got them today for $2.97 each. The total I paid was <strong>$6.12!</strong> Unheard of, huh? And the boys were thrilled because they had Spiderman on them. (They've never watched Spiderman, but instinctively know he is someone they love because he's a super hero!) I personally could do without shoes with characters on them, but at that price, I won't complain. They will keep my precious boys' feet warm and dry next winter when they play out in the snow. And they'll be happy. That is all that matters, after all. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">*****</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I got a Leap Frog Tag Jr. at Target for a great deal. They are $34.96. Target had them for $29.96 with their in store coupon. I had a manufacturers coupon I found on the web for $5 off, which brought the total down to $24.96. And I had received a Target sale magazine in the mail yesterday with a coupon to receive a $5 gift card with purchase. So, I redeemed the coupon, and put the gift card in my budgeted "Gifts" envelope. (We're using the envelope system now, and I am loving it!) So, the net price of the Tag Jr. was <strong>$19.96 plus tax.</strong> (a $15 savings). I'm putting it away for my little guy's birthday this summer.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">*****</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Yesterday, I ordered printing of 225 of my digital photos...for <strong>FREE</strong>! All I payed was shipping! How do I get them free? I sign up with online printing companies. I use whichever one is offering a deal at the time to order my prints. One company was giving me 100 free prints, I submitted a photo to a contest and got 25 more free. Than I signed up with a new site, got 50 free prints for signing up, and 50 more free for a current promotion. Awesome deal!</div><div align="center">Most of them offer free prints when you start an account. Then occasionally they will have deals for free prints, free shipping, and also discounted photo gifts and books. I wait until I get an email with an offer before ordering more prints. This has saved me a boat load of money, because I love taking photos of my boys, and it can get pretty expensive printing them all. If you're not already taking advantage of these great sites, check them out! I'm sure there are more sites out there as well. These are the ones I am currently using. And they are simple to use.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">shutterfly.com</div><div align="left">seehere.com</div><div align="left">snapfish.com</div><div align="left">kodakgallery.com</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I was actually able to order all of our photo Christmas cards from seehere.com this past season. I got 50 cards FREE, only paid $3.19 for shipping!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">*****</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And my last frugal deal...</div><div align="center">Ben built a swingset and slide for the twins for their birthday last summer (saving us a whole lot of money, as well as family members chipping in for the supplies). At the time, Owen was still in the baby/toddler swing. He has since outgrown his desire to use it. By the time we put the swings away for the winter, he was refusing to get in it. He insists on using the big boy swings like his brothers. He has become so independent lately. So, we gave the swing away and planned to buy another "big boy" swing to put in it's place, come Spring. Ben got the swings back out the other evening, and put the slide back on (Yes, we are banking on Spring arriving on time!). So while I was out running errands and bargain shopping, I stopped at Lowes to get another swing. To my disappointment, they no longer carry them. My only option was a different colored swing (which is ok), but at a price of $35. Ouch! So, what's my frugal deal?</div><div align="center">Tonight, Amazon.com found me a matching swing to our swings for $15.99 at a 3rd party seller. Adding shipping of $5.63 and tax of $1.52, the total came to <strong>$23.14.</strong> That was a savings of $14.27 off of what it would have cost for the non-matching swing with tax. And it didn't take much research...a few clicks of the mouse.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">****</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">What's your favorite frugal tip? Do tell! (comment to this post).....I am always looking for more ways to be cheap, umm, I mean, <strong>frugal</strong>!</div><div align="center"></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-41054420015834377682010-03-09T11:55:00.001-08:002010-03-09T13:02:33.961-08:00He's Already Been There<div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">I was blessed to hear this encouraging thought on part of a radio show today while making lunch for my munchkins.<br /></span></em><br />No matter what lies ahead of me today, Jesus, my Shepherd, has already gone ahead and prepared the way for me.<br /><br />When Christ described himself as our Shepherd, the shepherding that the Israelites would have understood was this: The shepherd walks ahead of his sheep, clearing the way, looking for danger; not walking behind them as we would picture someone herding sheep. He would keep watch of his flock, and if they were struggling, he would pick up the youngest sheep, and carry it, and the flock would follow.<br /><br />So, whatever lies ahead of me today, Jesus has already gone ahead of me and prepared the way. I do not need to fear the unkown, because it is known to Him. He's already been there. And if the path should get steep, or if I stumble and fall, I know He'll reach down, pick me up, and carry me through. All He asks is that I TRUST Him.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The author who was sharing these thoughts said that "we think that love is the most important thing that we can give to our Shepherd, but Trust is what Love looks like." </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">That got me to thinking...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">how many times do I say I love Christ, but then don't really live like I'm <em>trusting</em> Him? And what does it really look like to trust? It's obedience <em>without</em> the whole picture in view. If I obey Him, regardless of circumstances, feelings, other people, then I am trusting God. I don't see what God is doing in the big picture, and I may not understand it at all. Trusting is doing what He asks of me regardless of my view. </div><div align="center">It's the sheep following the shepherd and obeying his voice, even though they can't see what lies ahead. </div><div align="center">It's being kind even though it looks like I've been offended. </div><div align="center">It's serving even though it looks like I am unappreciated. </div><div align="center">It's praying even though I feel like sleeping. </div><div align="center">It's giving even though I feel poor. </div><div align="center">It's lovingly interacting with my husband and children even though I'm worn out. </div><div align="center">It's speaking even though I feel like being silent. </div><div align="center">It's being silent even though I feel like speaking. </div><div align="center">It's doing even though I'm pretty sure I'm insufficient for the task. </div><div align="center">It's remaining calm even though I feel like blowing up. </div><div align="center">It's being joyful even though I'm in pain. </div><div align="center">It's going even though I want to stay.</div><div align="center"> It's staying even though I want to go.</div><div align="center"> It's teaching and training my children even though I don't see the results today.</div><div align="center"> The list could go on and on. </div><div align="center">What would it look like for you to trust? Obedience, Trust, and Love go together and it's what our Shepherd wants from us.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"> </div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-3351336683611119112010-03-05T15:48:00.000-08:002010-03-05T20:33:53.170-08:003 Phantoms and an Angel<div align="center">My husband was given 4 free tickets to an Adirondack vs. Rochester hockey game tonight. Since I am not a fan of hockey, I was fine with not being able to go. O-Man and I had a nice, quiet, fun night together here at home. The other 3 boys went with their daddy to the game.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">After they left, I sat O-Man down to eat his supper, and he started to pray:</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">"Dear Jesus, the brothers went to a game, thank you for the food, <em>I love Mommy</em>, Jesus' name, Amen."</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">No, I did not add that in there. He prayed that all by himself. Sweet little boy. I think I said an audible "Awwwe!" </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Then dessert: Girl Scout thin mint cookies, Samoas (which he calls "donuts") and "doreos" (his word for Oreos). Why do I have so many cookies in my house at the same time? No, I don't usually feed him more than one cookie for dessert, but did you read what he prayed?</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyavo6se_F_R94OTeXE8r9RB9fbsuR8FgcIaRhhpVxM5b2K4wscAFuKlJr5LB2cuEI3rshN2x9Fxe-uJYWh5HO8FnsIz3pN_LLpeKaUcKvBNBkfnXfM4DM3xXOcOg-QMNZWuLCE8u73QQ/s1600-h/030510+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445371337374315938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyavo6se_F_R94OTeXE8r9RB9fbsuR8FgcIaRhhpVxM5b2K4wscAFuKlJr5LB2cuEI3rshN2x9Fxe-uJYWh5HO8FnsIz3pN_LLpeKaUcKvBNBkfnXfM4DM3xXOcOg-QMNZWuLCE8u73QQ/s400/030510+001.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">Ok, then he told me that his cookie loves mommy. Wow, how did I get so lucky to get all the love?</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Our special mommy and son night was off to a good start! After we did a load of laundry (Owen loves our new front loaders with the electronic control panel and insists he be the one to push the buttons.) We cuddled in the recliner and read books like <em>Good Night Gorilla</em>, <em>The Monster at the End of this Book</em>, <em>This is the Way We Go to School </em>and <em>Corduroy</em>. He picked out an interesting variety of subjet matter. Then "we" put together a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle. I say we in parentheses, because he decided he'd rather just watch me do it, and then he insisted in putting in the last piece, so he could "do" the puzzle. And then he made me do it all over again.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbo8aLBeNYXVIajQ48z1UQJItCqiOywPtq2mLaRXxss9NTxgQZEoNZXTm6PmheQ9xjiIGsSKaqQUujm7owXuaTjDTN8B8VWVzZ4-d-1RG2U6U3oaJrV92LGTNMkoQMuz2Avy-ymPtHGk/s1600-h/030510+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445371333255388978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbo8aLBeNYXVIajQ48z1UQJItCqiOywPtq2mLaRXxss9NTxgQZEoNZXTm6PmheQ9xjiIGsSKaqQUujm7owXuaTjDTN8B8VWVzZ4-d-1RG2U6U3oaJrV92LGTNMkoQMuz2Avy-ymPtHGk/s400/030510+008.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmu5yPQuIxgIdkno6gwwX2m0fkPt_WA0aH6Tp814s-l5d3ye9bSJAbeGX5LrsU2unmDxg-fIeOYHUT35jL_ikLaIokSCOprIne2SHlT53gQ235VGjOv4RpUDMu2ydn9IkfULoacula3s/s1600-h/030510+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445371329675349074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmu5yPQuIxgIdkno6gwwX2m0fkPt_WA0aH6Tp814s-l5d3ye9bSJAbeGX5LrsU2unmDxg-fIeOYHUT35jL_ikLaIokSCOprIne2SHlT53gQ235VGjOv4RpUDMu2ydn9IkfULoacula3s/s400/030510+012.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">We spent some time cuddling and chatting.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">As I sat there enjoying him and feeling strange in such a quiet house and with only one child, it took me back to the days when Evan was our only child.....the quietness of our house then compared to now with 4 active boys....the "easiness" of having just 1 toddler. Seeing how angelic and quiet and well behaved Owen was tonight, reminded me of my little Evan. And I thought that each of our boys need more of this, time alone without their brothers occasionally. Owen was soaking it up. I really enjoyed the peace and quiet and the time alone with my baby. But, at the same time, the house was too quiet. I missed my other little men, their laughter, their ability to fill a home with constant activity and make sure that no moment is ever boring.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">And then before we knew it, there was a knock at the door. And there they were....</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy84K-LGJcW5usgijrSSftnLHBvf17H05GfUY5E9fd-66-Hxerc2-NesTESfqOoAhuiizwYnwMmKHNAJFcRzqTCG5MyfqaO6dHUKXllYS3u9LXgxZdzOoGVGQkQIzH-ADRHToUcuO1i4/s1600-h/030510+019.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445371320974954722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy84K-LGJcW5usgijrSSftnLHBvf17H05GfUY5E9fd-66-Hxerc2-NesTESfqOoAhuiizwYnwMmKHNAJFcRzqTCG5MyfqaO6dHUKXllYS3u9LXgxZdzOoGVGQkQIzH-ADRHToUcuO1i4/s400/030510+019.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">the 3 little Phantoms.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">They love their new hockey jerseys that they got free at the game. I thought they were just too cute, and they can probably wear them for years to come! Evan asked me if he can wear it every day...he was serious. Daddy warmed them up with some promised hot cocoa, and then changed into their pjs, they were marching around the living room chanting, "Let's go Phantoms!" So, I guess the game was a hit, although their father said they didn't spend that much time watching. But, at their age their attention span is kind of limited. I asked Ben if he's going back next Friday, and he didn't hesitate when he said, "No." Apparently, it was enough adventure for a little while. But, I give him a lot of credit for doing it, for braving the crowds with 3 little kids, and attempting to sit through a game with them. He gets the SuperDad award! They had fun on their game night with Daddy. But next time, "maybe just one boy" he said. :-)</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaGXhOdtyk6zbU_8k8biNtdvACVszcBAD1di4ktFjJeBV9ReDtiq59h7a66Tws4g9zWFZSAhc1XVt8Pz_gimhctxzNmmDdeifEX9ON-oH-L7MAKtFDdI55vGbcJkcUkkDuNnUdNaND0s/s1600-h/030510+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445371310895849298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaGXhOdtyk6zbU_8k8biNtdvACVszcBAD1di4ktFjJeBV9ReDtiq59h7a66Tws4g9zWFZSAhc1XVt8Pz_gimhctxzNmmDdeifEX9ON-oH-L7MAKtFDdI55vGbcJkcUkkDuNnUdNaND0s/s400/030510+020.jpg" /></a></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-19255547620372013982010-03-03T12:42:00.000-08:002010-03-03T13:34:54.267-08:00A Most Unusual Drive-Thru Order<div align="center">How many times have we, since moving to the area 8 years ago, driven through Albany on the interstate, but have never made the trek into the city? It is the state capitol after all, but we never really had reason to go there. </div><div align="center">Following Derek's recent seizures, his doctor and a panel of pediatricians suggested he see a pediatric neurologist. And to see one you must travel an hour south to the city of Albany. Not knowing where I was going, I took Ben (and his GPS) with me. I didn't feel confident venturing into the city and finding my way through the large medical complex by myself with Derek. And I really wanted Ben to be able to be involved in this appointment with me. So, he took the afternoon off and the three of us braved an adventure. (Note to self....do not trust GPS 100%.)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We are so thankful for the physician that we met yesterday. She had a great "bedside manner" with Derek, and was very helpful to Ben and I in understanding seizures and how to care for a child who has them. I know I felt better and more at peace about it after consulting with her. She did a complete neurological exam on Derek (which was completely normal), but I don't think he even knew he was being "tested". She made it fun, and even let him spend quite a bit of time playing with her "flashlight". And I was very appreciative for her hesitancy to prescribe medicine for a 3 year old little boy. I was concerned about that. She wants to do more testing before deciding if meds are necessary, and reassured us that most childhood seizures are outgrown by adulthood.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">He was a very good boy there, and actually had fun. On the way out the door, Derek said he was hungry for a snack. "I think we should go to McDonalds, " he stated. I think children instintively know to go for the fun stuff when they have a rare moment of mom and dad all to themselves! After the GPS took us a very long way out of our way and into rush hour traffic (next time I'm going to MapQuest the way back from the hospital!), we finally got to a McDonalds. Well, don't you know this very hungry boy who refused to nap on the way to the hospital was now asleep. I tried to wake him and ask him what he wanted. He was really out. "Do you want chicken nuggets, a strawberry shake, a pie?" He mumbled "yes". Great. "Which one would you like?" He mumbled again, and as I started giving him options again, he said, <strong>"Maybe some trash."</strong></div><div align="center">Good thing our drive thru attendant (who didn't seem to speak English very well) didn't over-hear that request, I wonder what we would have gotten!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I know many of you who read this blog have been asking about and praying for Derek since this began. Thank you for praying for him! We truly appreciate it! We're thankful to know that God is in control and that no detail of our son's life and development is unknown to him. The next step in diagnosis and care is to have a Sleep Deprived EEG later this month. Sounds like fun, huh? Depriving a 3 year old boy of sleep....who ever came up with that idea? :-)</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-49012737029055995902010-03-01T12:16:00.001-08:002010-03-01T12:31:29.958-08:00and Percy, too!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvqvX6Bicv2mGJkEoKZVYWIcAM6yxz5qLuSSCTLTYo1nHWD1nLwgyfXTHPCtIGTTkx8k_uHjj-ISZiKuAftcm5g4W_NDThWTCbO3CFNTGn5m_fr40XYGvC0-k1RInMuGXl1RTK9pmX4Y/s1600-h/022510+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443762835188800978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvqvX6Bicv2mGJkEoKZVYWIcAM6yxz5qLuSSCTLTYo1nHWD1nLwgyfXTHPCtIGTTkx8k_uHjj-ISZiKuAftcm5g4W_NDThWTCbO3CFNTGn5m_fr40XYGvC0-k1RInMuGXl1RTK9pmX4Y/s400/022510+008.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"> If you are also a mom of a little boy who's obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, you'll like this one.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">********************<br /></div><div align="center">Today we were having Bible Class after lunch, sitting around the kitchen table. We are learning about the life of Christ, and today's lesson was on Jesus calling his disciples. We were reviewing, and I asked them to tell me one of the names of Jesus's disciples. </div><div align="center">Evan says, "Thomas". </div><div align="center">Carter's turn...."James", </div><div align="center">and I should have seen it coming....</div><div align="center">"Derek," I said, "can you name one?" </div><div align="center">He shouts out very confidently, "Percy!" </div><div align="center">We all burst out laughing. Apparently, I had lost Derek's attention during the lesson, and he thought we were naming steam engines! I'll have to thumb through my Bible, and see if I can find that disciple. :-)</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-58697667202391760942010-02-26T20:13:00.000-08:002010-02-26T20:49:53.090-08:00Waiting for Mr. Wonderful<div align="center">..ok it's 11:45pm, and my husband has still never made it home from work today. He's got the on-call duty this weekend at work. This looks to be a not so fun weekend for him and for me and the boys, but I suppose if I didn't have heat, I'd be happy to have him show up at my door at 11 o'clock at night. Hmmm...that gives me an idea. Can I sabotage the boiler and call the answering service to send their cutest and nicest tech to MY house? Just kidding, but it would be tempting. However, if I sabotaged our heating system, I think he'd be plenty unthrilled with me!</div><div align="center">I tried to keep myself busy (who am I kidding...like I need to help the boys with that!) because I hate it when Ben's gone at night. I played several high stakes games of Thomas and Friends My First Uno with the boys. I sheepishly admit on my blog that I lost to a 3 year old....3 times!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Nana and Papa came over and ate Tomato Basil pizza and Strawberry Shortcake with us, so we at least had company for supper. I also hate to eat supper without Ben. There's not much I like to do without him! :-(</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Funny of the day:</div><div align="center">Earlier today, Owen was whining and I was trying to figure out what he was upset about. Then he finally said, "Derek hurt me...on 'poop'ose!" Guess I need to help him pronounce "purpose" correctly....but it was so cute and gave me a laugh.....which was something I <em>needed</em> today!</div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173404271088439573.post-71317169863170000952010-02-25T18:59:00.001-08:002010-02-25T19:19:51.770-08:00A Cutie Patootie<div align="center">Owen woke up with this interesting hairdo after his nap. Funny how bed head looks adorable on kids, and awful on mom! I couldn't resist taking a picture of his little biff hair style. He is my little cutie patootie for sure.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UYVEYEchJrBk3V20W09YSgRucU_VoL4FWTsfH1UoiGE2pXIdnP8a9HjDNjOiwuHtUuU-7XYwAHMUWbSmVMn0pBT7e8Wcagym2SHunksnKLUKwjJynAyD3dvmmFOGtPa89nPaDZzxLsQ/s1600-h/022510+037.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442382415258959410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UYVEYEchJrBk3V20W09YSgRucU_VoL4FWTsfH1UoiGE2pXIdnP8a9HjDNjOiwuHtUuU-7XYwAHMUWbSmVMn0pBT7e8Wcagym2SHunksnKLUKwjJynAyD3dvmmFOGtPa89nPaDZzxLsQ/s400/022510+037.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLudyEqBrKYsJysLKEr3uAgeKhqRyEdv0wpyCYQjaNEAsL3ylVEUJXSyA2kSIOGJXUAwIgAQ5od7QUP66rfd0BNY_ueucfqTTSGhyvBWSDVKNsuwgtRnYyzDU_fK-Ig0bHvBw-Kr09QQ/s1600-h/022510+052.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442382408889136754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLudyEqBrKYsJysLKEr3uAgeKhqRyEdv0wpyCYQjaNEAsL3ylVEUJXSyA2kSIOGJXUAwIgAQ5od7QUP66rfd0BNY_ueucfqTTSGhyvBWSDVKNsuwgtRnYyzDU_fK-Ig0bHvBw-Kr09QQ/s400/022510+052.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">This was him saying "Buzz Lightyear...to infinity and beyond!" pronouncing it like only a 2 year old can. (We're a little bit obsessed with Buzz in our house right now.)</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Looking at these pictures, I again think he looks alot like my mother in law. I seem to be the only one that sees it, though. Don't worry, Gramma, it's not the hair! :-)</div><div align="center"> </div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295644889048796451noreply@blogger.com0