tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790739115174616962024-03-04T23:09:15.899-06:00Days of GratitudePuddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-32145366098097143492011-12-08T11:23:00.000-06:002011-12-08T11:23:30.076-06:00for the teachers out there<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So, I'm in school.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Yea, It sounded like a good idea when I was lying on my hotel bed watching the 3rd episode of SVU for the night.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I thought I could do something more useful with my time.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I thought it would make being away from my family easier.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Yea, um...<i>Oh, what I would give to be watching the 3rd episode of SVU on the USA channel tonight.</i></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Actually, except for the occasional international trip with bad wifi, it's not that bad.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It keeps me busy when I am away from home and (for the most part) I enjoy the classes.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Recently, we had a discussion board where everyone shared their favorite educational websites. Since my current version of education is not really kid related, I didn't have many resources to share. I decided to enlist the help of some amazing ladies who recommended a few great sites. Which led me to find other great sites that I was able to share in my post!</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A couple of my classmates shared some sites that I had not seen before...so I thought I'd share them with you!</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/">The Cornerstone</a></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This site is full of classroom management resources, advice and ideas. <br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://webenglishteacher.com/childlit-d.html">Web English Teacher</a></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This site appears to have lots of resources for English teachers and students. They offer links to different resources for pretty much anything related to an English class. I was surprised to see the amount of resources listed under Children’s Literature. If you teach English - check it out!</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.thinkfinity.org/">ThinkFinity</a></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This site might just be one of my new favorites. I already subscribed to their RSS feeds, so we shall see where it takes me. Their Speaker Series looks pretty interesting, I'm going to have to watch one in the near future. They also have a section about <i>Today in History</i>. (lower left hand side of page) It seems pretty cool! This is one of the feeds that I subscribed to - gives me some quick reading when standing in line waiting to board a flight!</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.readwritethink.org/">ReadWriteThink</a></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Another cool site for reading / English teachers. Did you know that November was <a href="http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/november-national-american-indian-20618.html"><span style="color: #0e23a3; letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">National American Indian Heritage Month</span></a>? Well, it is! And, thanks to readwritethink.org - you can get lessons and resources about this Heritage month by simply visiting their website. (I’m saving this for when the little one is slightly older)</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://wonderopolis.org/">WoNdEroPoLiS</a></span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;">/</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The name says it all. Who doesn’t want to go to Wonderopolis? </span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">{If, by chance, you thought or said "me", then you should probably not read this blog.} </span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You will probably not find me entertaining at all. </span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If you agree with me that Wonderopolis sounds fantastic, then you can stick around.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I first read about this site on Ann Voskamp's <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/08/how-to-feed-brain-everyday-daily-links/"><span style="color: #0e23a3; letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Everyday Learning Links</span></a>. If you haven’t read her list yet, I’m terribly sorry, but you are missing out on a good thing. Go check it out!</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators.aspx">ArtsEdge</a></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Are you teaching about music, art, culture, visual or theater arts? This is your site.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; color: #0e23a3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.quia.com/web">QUIA</a></span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Teachers can create their own activities like quizzes, games, calendars and surveys and students can access shared activities to help with reviews. These activities can attached to your textbook so you can make sure that it covers everything you are studying. I haven't had much time to peruse the site, but it was highly recommended by a classmate. It seems to be a great site for parents and teachers alike.</span></span></div><div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>What are some of your favorite educational, teaching, classroom management or kids websites?</b></span></span></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-37123997737428728422011-12-04T23:44:00.000-06:002011-12-04T23:44:18.054-06:00Christmas will soon be here!So - a Christmas special is in order! This Christmas special is fun <i>and</i> educational. <br />
<br />
When I first ordered the DVD's I was worried that my little one might not be old enough to sit through them.<br />
I was very, very, wrong.<br />
Even though it was created for older little ones, my 2 year old loved it!<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="281" id="ooyalaPlayer_9dr05_guju88bn" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=w3c3V4Mjp38EC6cRj3yrbF47HxVxmUX_&version=2" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="embedType=directObjectTag&embedCode=w3c3V4Mjp38EC6cRj3yrbF47HxVxmUX_&videoPcode=hpZzM615i0ji4siN0eiX3cOy2BeU" /><embed src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=w3c3V4Mjp38EC6cRj3yrbF47HxVxmUX_&version=2" bgcolor="#000000" width="500" height="281" name="ooyalaPlayer_9dr05_guju88bn" align="middle" play="true" loop="false" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="&embedCode=w3c3V4Mjp38EC6cRj3yrbF47HxVxmUX_&videoPcode=hpZzM615i0ji4siN0eiX3cOy2BeU" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Have you ever watched any of the other videos from <a href="http://zfer.us/TXeX7"><i>What's in the Bible</i>?</a> <br />
They are A.MAZ.ING.<br />
<br />
Right now, they are having a sale - you can get all of the videos AND the full length Christmas video for a great price. <a href="http://zfer.us/TXeX7">Click here to check it out!</a>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-44390032526170077232011-11-05T21:26:00.002-05:002011-12-04T23:49:37.124-06:00Hi from Anguilla (and a book giveaway)<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Updated: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What seems like decades later, the girl who wrote this post was able to get back on the computer to post who random.com chose to win <i>Beautiful Outlaw</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"All my Monkeys" </b>- it's you! Please send me your mailing address so that I can get your book in the mail to you!</div><div style="text-align: left;">To all those out there who are wondering - hand surgery is not as easy as one might expect it to be. Turns out you use your hands a LOT more that you realize and having one sliced open really makes writing, typing, dressing, eating and life in general...a little harder. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But, the hand is healing and the other one is prepping to be sliced in a few weeks.</div><br />
<i>Original Post: </i><br />
<br />
I've been in Anguilla for about a week. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am staying at the <a href="http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/anguilla/">Viceroy</a> and it is fantastic.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the employees are beyond friendly and the property is ridiculously a-maz-ing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful pools, yummy restaurants, a cool rock wall and couches in the tennis courts. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, it's pretty awesome!</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are ever thinking about visiting an island - you should stop thinking, buy a ticket to Anguilla and stay at the Viceroy. They even have an awesome area for kids! <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(They are currently adding a water fountain play area and a tunnel for kids to crawl through. Yes, I said tunnel. Fantastic idea, right? I would have been all over that when I was little! Who am I kidding? If my little one was here, we would both be crawling through that tunnel!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My training is going well and I've been able to get most of my schoolwork completed! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yea for wifi that works!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6W-F6jfmtBfQG-_f_xL7B1b1Yny7-Hkjrt7uzCazroCqDM5gDkoXe6wpQDczv67D7W6nr7x1oQ5xP7-7w9tEx46bQBsZNBuVrTKWOodCW3W6MNmhY0gW4v58J8cAw9_GxUYKZZFQWZA/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6W-F6jfmtBfQG-_f_xL7B1b1Yny7-Hkjrt7uzCazroCqDM5gDkoXe6wpQDczv67D7W6nr7x1oQ5xP7-7w9tEx46bQBsZNBuVrTKWOodCW3W6MNmhY0gW4v58J8cAw9_GxUYKZZFQWZA/s320/IMG_1253.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxuj8e3o1sc10xjIm5E5Jpx7oa6nbTUziOX1b0CggJdw0keWysQQlcUPpen_7E0ZHxdKZGVQGLdYdJqbYSeOhxfRhotqbVG5EdzNHVcfVNQfu-ary6M644Ov4LCEEnvQIIshAb7VWCss/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxuj8e3o1sc10xjIm5E5Jpx7oa6nbTUziOX1b0CggJdw0keWysQQlcUPpen_7E0ZHxdKZGVQGLdYdJqbYSeOhxfRhotqbVG5EdzNHVcfVNQfu-ary6M644Ov4LCEEnvQIIshAb7VWCss/s320/IMG_1256.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The water here is ridiculously blue and the waves are amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Actually, amazing doesn't even begin to cover it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They aren't as big as waves that you see in surfing magazines, but they are big to me! </div><div style="text-align: center;">But, it isn't the size of the waves that keeps me mezmerized. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What amazes me is how they don't stop. <i>Ever</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last month, I was blessed to be able to attend the Ransomed Heart Captivating Advanced retreat with some friends. While at the retreat, we were able to hear John speak about his new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0892960884/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=daysofgrat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0892960884">Beautiful Outlaw</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=daysofgrat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0892960884&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought a copy while I was at the retreat, intending to read it when I got a chance. I started reading it on the plane...and actually stayed up that night to finish. I loved it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite chapters in the book is about God's love. To make a point, John compares God's love to the ocean waves. When I first read it, I loved the visual picture. Then, when I was on the cruise and saw the waves, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I remembered that illustration and it made me smile.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, the waves here - In Anguilla?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>These waves make my heart smile. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you will see, in Anguilla, around this time of the year, the tide rises. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They call it "ground sea" because the sea tears up the ground underneath. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The waves are more intense, more heavy,<br />
continually dumping enormous amounts of water on the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;">What amazes me is how the waves don't ever stop. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm sure someone can give me some great scientific reason for the continual wave motion, but I'm just fine being amazed...and knowing that it happens because God created it that way!)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31664858?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/31664858">Waves in Anguilla</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9167143">daysofgratitude</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A huge wall of water crashes onto the rocks and the beach and then the water slips back for a moment. The area seems full of water. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But, more water just keeps coming. </div><div style="text-align: center;">With each wave, I am moved with how it continues to dump </div><div style="text-align: center;">more water, again and again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">These waves are heavy and full and they just don't stop.<br />
Even when there seems to be enough - more pours in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Just like His love for <i>me</i>. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you like to have your own copy of Beautiful Outlaw to read? Just leave a comment and I'll randomly choose a winner on November 11. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Unless I can't access the internet next week- in which case the winner will be chosen on November 16)</span></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-85166311219996962022011-11-04T22:07:00.002-05:002011-11-04T22:36:22.868-05:00The Muppets go to College! (ish)As a kid, I was obsessed with Sesame Street. I especially loved the Muppets. Miss Piggy was my favorite, but Kermit ran a close second. And then Grover...and...well, you get the picture.<br />
<br />
Now that I have a little one of my own, I want him to be able to enjoy a muppet here and there as well. But, as an adult who has taken way too many classes, I tend to read into and pay too much attention to what is being taught to my little one underneath the actual words. And, I'm not always okay with those subliminal messages.<br />
<br />
Then, last weekend, when I was at the Relevant Conference, I met a really great gal who works with <i>What's in the Bible.</i> What's that, you ask? <br />
<i></i>Until last weekend, I had not heard of it either<i> </i>- which is kinda amazing, since I tend to be obsessed with finding new things for the little one.<br />
<br />
Anyway - long story short - It's pretty fantastic! Fun movies for little ones...videos that seems to resemble what would happen if the Muppets went off to DTS or Southwestern...<br />
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And, right now they are running a special! Do you have kids? A Niece? A Nephew? Neighborhood kids who hang out at your house cause you are the cool mom? Dogs who like to watch TV?<br />
<br />
You should probably get these DVS's for them! Click on the box on the upper right hand side to take advantage of their sale price!<br />
<br />
Here is a quick view of their newest video - "Why do we call it Christmas?" - Enjoy!<br />
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="281" id="ooyalaPlayer_8dul8_gujub15w" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=U1c3V4Mjo0EjfmlDqfUbLl-50ZDTSUJR&version=2" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="embedType=directObjectTag&embedCode=U1c3V4Mjo0EjfmlDqfUbLl-50ZDTSUJR&videoPcode=hpZzM615i0ji4siN0eiX3cOy2BeU" /><embed src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=U1c3V4Mjo0EjfmlDqfUbLl-50ZDTSUJR&version=2" bgcolor="#000000" width="500" height="281" name="ooyalaPlayer_8dul8_gujub15w" align="middle" play="true" loop="false" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="&embedCode=U1c3V4Mjo0EjfmlDqfUbLl-50ZDTSUJR&videoPcode=hpZzM615i0ji4siN0eiX3cOy2BeU" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-65939307965159394072011-11-02T20:41:00.000-05:002011-11-02T20:41:48.291-05:00My favorite artist and a few photosTonight, while I was waiting for my school website to allow me to login, I scanned through my instagram feed. It's fun to look at pictures...each one has a memory attached. It also keeps me from being frustrated that I can't log in to take my test.<br />
<br />
I noticed one trend throughout the <a href="http://www.gramfeed.com/puddleduckbunch">feed</a>...many of my photos tagged #1000gifts are nature. <br />
Yep, I'm a pretty big fan of the most fantastic artist to ever exist.<br />
<br />
So, I took photos of all my #1000gifts photos...didn't want any of you to miss out on them! <br />
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Happy Wednesday!Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-82409421284703063232011-10-31T23:48:00.000-05:002011-10-31T23:48:02.384-05:00last weekendWhen I arrived in Baltimore, I picked up my rental car and headed to Harrisburg, PA. Up until this moment, I was really excited about going to Relevant 11. But, when I was driving, I realized what I had done - I had signed up to go to a blogger conference. <br />
The kicker? I'm not much of a blogger. <br />
I love the idea of being able to make connections online and keep family updated, but the actual habit of blogging seems to stay on my to-do list most of the time.<br />
But, I knew that <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">Ann</a> was speaking and I knew that the attendees last year had such a great time, so when the tickets went on sale - I bought one.<br />
I’m glad I did.<br />
I met many amazing women over the past few days. I’ve never been with so many wonderful Christian women who seriously love Jesus and who want to share His love with others.<br />
As I've grown up, I've been hurt by girlfriends. I learned quickly that girls can be a fickle bunch and that it is easier to just stay away.<br />
I've never been around so many women who have felt the same way and who truly want to step out of their comfort zone and be a true friend to other women.<br />
Women who smiled and reminded me that <b>everything has a season</b>.<br />
Women who hugged me and told me to continue on my journey, reminding me that His plans don’t always make sense to our small human brain. <br />
Women who shared their stories, even through tears, in hopes that their story will help someone else.<br />
Women who repeatedly told all of us to stop comparing our lives and blogs to those around us, but to simply<b> follow Him</b> instead.<br />
Women who were empathetic to the fact that following God is not always comfortable, but encouraging of the fact that God has great plans and that we need to continue following Him. <br />
Ann spoke on Saturday night and it was brilliant. Brilliant - <b>brightly reflecting Him</b> and His love for all of us. If you aren't familiar with Ann and her blog, <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">A Holy Experience</a>, then you should stop reading this silly blog and go read hers - like, <i><b>now</b></i>.<br />
It was definitely a surprise to hear such comforting words and to connect with so many wonderful women.<br />
On a side note - I was also able to hear some fantastic artists - Aaron Shust, <a href="http://christawellsmusic.com/">Christa Wells</a> and Nicole Witt, <a href="http://www.shaungroves.com/">Shaun Groves</a> and the amazing <a href="http://davidnevue.com/">David Nevue</a>, (3 times - Friday night, Saturday afternoon and as Ann walked on stage Saturday night. For that moment, I was living in my computer and her blog had come to life!)<br />
<br />
And the frosting on the weekend? <br />
God sent fluffy, white frosting.<br />
Ridiculous amounts. Gracefully falling from the sky. <br />
The little one would have loved it.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Thanking Him tonight for...<br />
Meeting online friends IRL<br />
3 days of conversations all anchored with Jesus<br />
The light at the end of my “late assignment tunnel”<br />
A sweet friend who made my heart smile by simply hugging me and using the word <i>serendipitous</i>.<br />
Huge, fluffy, graceful snowflakes - like nothing I’ve ever seen before<br />
This picture of my little one...captured by my <a href="http://www.pikawphotography.com/">sister</a>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnOLxwqWpM4BGn6-9vg59j6cDi4oYEX9ICWbaLQRCzqVDoKjwEP9xw-Lqhag490bvHLySRpCaStvmaSOBha973kRmqcPPxTNuv8xLkprbh6lzXojG0sl0t1g3YXNHc2jTyap_dXccA8Q/s1600/IMG_6141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnOLxwqWpM4BGn6-9vg59j6cDi4oYEX9ICWbaLQRCzqVDoKjwEP9xw-Lqhag490bvHLySRpCaStvmaSOBha973kRmqcPPxTNuv8xLkprbh6lzXojG0sl0t1g3YXNHc2jTyap_dXccA8Q/s320/IMG_6141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-61627633480899044132011-10-27T21:32:00.000-05:002011-10-27T21:32:17.243-05:00wow.I can't believe it has been a month since I was last here.<br />
Time really flies when you are doing too many things.<br />
<br />
Last week we got back from a week in the Caribbean - it was ridiculously great to be away from technology and spend time with family and friends. We even with on a zip-line tour in Jamaica and now we want to build a zip-line at my parents place.<br />
<br />
This weekend I am blessed to be able to attend <a href="http://www.therelevantconference.com/">The Relevant Conference</a> in Harrisburg, PA. I got my ticket last winter and have been looking forward to attending ever since. There are some amazing women who are speaking - I'm hoping to learn lots!<br />
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When I arrived, I was surprised with a wonderful "swag bag" full for goodies. Such fun!<br />
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Tonight we heard from Tsh, she blogs over at <a href="http://www.simplemom.net/">Simple Mom</a> - it was wonderful! You should go check out her blog!<br />
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Now, I'm off to do a few hours of schoolwork and then to sleep...more Relevant conference in the morning! Yea!Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-52372310632442983132011-09-26T23:35:00.000-05:002011-09-26T23:35:27.977-05:00just a few things I loveclear, bright blue skies<br />
fluffy, stark white clouds<br />
storm clouds rolling in...and the breeze that tags along with them<br />
ridiculously bright green grass<br />
pictures of really cool starfish...purple ones...starfish that I hope to one day see IRL<br />
velvety baby cows and their bossy mama's that keep me away<br />
a silly, annoying donkey and his ignorance of our dislike of him<br />
dogs who think they own the ranch<br />
one specific dog who things he owns everything. Well, everything except for that one specific little boy who thinks he owns the dog.<br />
cackles and giggles from an unnamed little one while he harasses the aforementioned dog.<br />
temperatures under 100<br />
temperatures over 100 {as long as the humidity stays away}<br />
air-conditioning. {on days when the humidity wants to stick around awhile. <i>pun intended</i>.}<br />
laughter with my family<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2qp1TAMpZrFlf4IQn8O_sdySqBsufdEF1Rn9ZeIvKJqWW5V-EhEKQHWnx7iP1getBpbzMmEsJTBAZjofwZdnuat_wZJM51NpkyNsHa0g3f9EwwTnVjk1rTiRSe7iWCuM-FVHDSqgNTw/s1600/-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2qp1TAMpZrFlf4IQn8O_sdySqBsufdEF1Rn9ZeIvKJqWW5V-EhEKQHWnx7iP1getBpbzMmEsJTBAZjofwZdnuat_wZJM51NpkyNsHa0g3f9EwwTnVjk1rTiRSe7iWCuM-FVHDSqgNTw/s320/-33.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a rusty, but working tractor that we can all sit on and hang around while watching the storm clouds take over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mzPLGtk57jN2pHuxuXaUZV9lrwlXMRjSkKdXc2YuzPd64Ipz3iK9_78GtNiOJUj1xGAF0O8mXaXDR7-bsoZtz4LAgU4KxpaJkLbhieFXBxxcTZsSAkLrTQtCHDTXWndUjnOSovZ45F0/s1600/-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mzPLGtk57jN2pHuxuXaUZV9lrwlXMRjSkKdXc2YuzPd64Ipz3iK9_78GtNiOJUj1xGAF0O8mXaXDR7-bsoZtz4LAgU4KxpaJkLbhieFXBxxcTZsSAkLrTQtCHDTXWndUjnOSovZ45F0/s400/-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the little one beating his own little drum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiDkJ8x4MLovTpI-xHy-uUWKPpfDwIDUUGghFJGiF7mRhCX1jVSI0z-7jszYoqCN78jM1zYDZjT0RFVST_icv20siOpLaQdQ2FlX7Fh7bS_JjJdBcP51rfC0eQga6w2FTCQwn8jHwNFw/s1600/-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiDkJ8x4MLovTpI-xHy-uUWKPpfDwIDUUGghFJGiF7mRhCX1jVSI0z-7jszYoqCN78jM1zYDZjT0RFVST_icv20siOpLaQdQ2FlX7Fh7bS_JjJdBcP51rfC0eQga6w2FTCQwn8jHwNFw/s400/-28.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the best youngest sister a gal could have</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KKpHibPaZRP3DRoUuSF6GiX6WUTQgxy5KlPojnSp2zmksDlYrmSgo947JO1rdle_DWqC9ysCyVtg8aKUcXmn_PYecptze6hi3_DgmawR8i8BkbxxQoY2iy6HWfX5kgLlJ968NnhTt88/s1600/-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KKpHibPaZRP3DRoUuSF6GiX6WUTQgxy5KlPojnSp2zmksDlYrmSgo947JO1rdle_DWqC9ysCyVtg8aKUcXmn_PYecptze6hi3_DgmawR8i8BkbxxQoY2iy6HWfX5kgLlJ968NnhTt88/s400/-27.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the best youngest brother...who loves my little one no matter how many socks he wears</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNE-bCrlKJFHTrj5CU-n-5G0pDrhtjQ3L5ncWwWfCvJQhE06r317z37dUhD6syjefVsSVAQM1PrAEes5U_DnV6Md2JL9VT4vUkfY3wRK4wE8G0dWIwwsnc9h5zOy16iKIL-V2JC2yRhc/s1600/-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNE-bCrlKJFHTrj5CU-n-5G0pDrhtjQ3L5ncWwWfCvJQhE06r317z37dUhD6syjefVsSVAQM1PrAEes5U_DnV6Md2JL9VT4vUkfY3wRK4wE8G0dWIwwsnc9h5zOy16iKIL-V2JC2yRhc/s400/-23.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> my smiling Jahna Pali</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1dgb3wfJCnB67_gdbQHA5zC72bb21GLjZ5huqvvv1ZyHR0VnUY9X0_QLDIJ88lCLZmvQGszHWiS5E9S8t5VFypE2YnrY2G7H2v0oYhnyl-UE2OHWlzNGRV8YNxGOAprOFYyW1v_lmw/s1600/-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1dgb3wfJCnB67_gdbQHA5zC72bb21GLjZ5huqvvv1ZyHR0VnUY9X0_QLDIJ88lCLZmvQGszHWiS5E9S8t5VFypE2YnrY2G7H2v0oYhnyl-UE2OHWlzNGRV8YNxGOAprOFYyW1v_lmw/s320/-31.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">glistening, beautiful storm clouds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscFQ32q0hjCQS2lC7f8jCkxjxpf7cKLUYHJq6BDDppXLrccK3RncPxyTl1kKl8ZGW5ZzfchxdGbzcmK1LZZiOZnucdGxnpgMbQKEQ0489onm-yCCPlLovLi3dD9tj2YfHU4Vt_uiZHCI/s1600/-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscFQ32q0hjCQS2lC7f8jCkxjxpf7cKLUYHJq6BDDppXLrccK3RncPxyTl1kKl8ZGW5ZzfchxdGbzcmK1LZZiOZnucdGxnpgMbQKEQ0489onm-yCCPlLovLi3dD9tj2YfHU4Vt_uiZHCI/s400/-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> brothers and little ones playing and laughing until their guts hurt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-25239354400119070992011-08-03T23:46:00.002-05:002011-10-28T12:21:41.811-05:00a roof over our heads.<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many consider it important to have a roof over their heads. I agree. I prefer to sleep inside while the mosquitos sleep outside. It makes me sad that many people don't have the option of staying away from mosquitos. <i>Mosquitos are mean. </i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That being said, I'm beginning to quickly come to the realization that having a <i>specific</i> roof over my head might not be as important as deemed by the society I live in. <i> </i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our way of living is currently not listed in the normal category. We live back and forth between 2 cities, 5 hours apart. I travel about 90% of the time for work and when I am not traveling, my office is located at least 2 hours from one of the places where we sleep.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many people don't understand. They think something must be wrong. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They wonder how we do it.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, if I thought about it for very long, I might wonder how we do it as well. But, I try not to focus on things I don't understand. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(As I've grown up, I've come to recognize this ability to not focus on the bad (or unknown) as a gift - a gift I'm continuing to hone on a daily basis)</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a season for everything. Right now, we are in a season of my husband finishing school and God has blessed me with a job that can provide for us while he finishes his studies. It won't always be like this, but it is how things are for now. I know- <i>it's not normal</i>. But, then again, what is normal? </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My mom always said that <b>normal was just a setting on a dryer</b>.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many times people ask how I cope with being away from home for so long. I'm always frustrated by this question because I know that my answer won't sound right. I want to say that although I miss my husband, kiddo and family, I don't really <i>feel</i> away from home. I enjoy the travels. I enjoy seeing God's creation. I enjoy imagining what it will be like to bring my family back to the places that I find and love. I enjoy knowing that I am being used as a light in a pretty dark world. But, I know that to many people, who spend most nights in the same place, this answer will sound weird. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, I was reading one of my favorite blogs and I came across a post that made me smile. One of the sentences read <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/08/where-love-comes-from/">"<b>Communion with Christ, the continual conversation of the heart, wherever you are, this is what makes the heart love....love is the only real dwelling place"</b></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I stopped and re-read it. "wherever you are...love is the only real dwelling place" </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My heart smiled.</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do I do it? How am I okay being away from home?</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I'm not away from home...My Heavenly Father is with me - loving me, encouraging me, sharpening me...my only true home is with Him.</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Is it difficult to not be with my husband and little one every week? Yes. </span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Do I miss my family, my siblings, my dogs? Of course!</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> But, the time away is giving me time to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. This growing closer...this sharpening of my soul...it is refining me to be a better wife and mum. It is preparing me for the day when our seasons change and I no longer travel like a gypsy. </span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tonight, I'm thankful for <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">Ann</a> and her blog post today. A post full of words that comfort and encourage me. A post that helps me remember that my feelings are okay, even if they don't fit with what society deems normal. A post that reminds me that I'm not here to always be comfortable and <i>normal</i>, but I am here on this earth to be a light, to share His love with others...so that others will want to find Him.</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">And while I do that, He is always there, giving me grace.</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Even though I don't sleep under the same physical roof each night, I do sleep under the best roof each night. </span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Him.</i></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/subalbumone/walkwithhimwednesdays2-1.jpg" /></a> </i></span></b></span></div><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-43459921689995139562011-07-30T18:32:00.000-05:002011-07-30T18:32:38.746-05:00July...in pictures...via Pikaw...July disappeared. <br />
It started with a nice week in H-town with the hubs and my little one. We had fun spending time with family and some out of town friends. It's hard when friends live states away, but always nice when things immediately fall into place when you see them again.<br />
Then, the hubs are I were off to Barbados. I was going for work, the hubs went for vacay. We had a great time. We swam with turtles, drove around and got seriously lost, visited a cave on the edge of the ocean and took some serious pictures at the wildlife sanctuary. We planned to make an animal photo book for the little one. We looked at the pictures that night and loved them. Then, the EVIL digital camera fairy came and stole all of our pictures. The hubs took the card to a camera store in hopes that he could find them. It didn't work. So, no pictures from Barbados.<br />
<b>evil, evil camera fairy</b>. <i> </i><br />
<i>But, I'm very thankful for great memories.</i><br />
I flew home, met my sister and little one at DFW, changed planes and headed to Cali.<br />
I went to Cali for work, the sister and little one went for vacay. <i> </i><br />
<i>Are you seeing a trend yet? </i><br />
I was working at a new account and it was a stressful week to say the least.<br />
But, one of my dear friends lives in Cali and my sister and little one were with me, so it really was an amazingly great 10 days! We were able to spend time with our wonderful friend and the little one fell in love with his Aunt Kiki! Not that she needed help, but the toys from <a href="http://www.toygaroo.com/">Toygaroo</a> definitely sealed the deal! We roamed around Santa Monica, Venice, the mall and Jubie's favorite - Knott's Berry Farms. It was her favorite part of the trip. She's quite the thrill seeker.<br />
My sister <a href="http://www.pikawphotography.com/">Jubie</a> is unbelievably talented. She is the most wonderful watcher of all things little one and the most talented photographer I know. We have lots of pictures, but here are some of my favorites.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1vonMqQbQMvF_zBBEWxBeTCHs-vLlbyW2FeUSu741wOwrDb46O-XvHKR0QHaVQcTAReGmk3a7fuS2vVVu2tvNKWuHDbe3RIag9bKa9fiTWSAX3CENjcfIdyoEkEgdLzAHpYf-kFQZ3s/s1600/1000001616%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1vonMqQbQMvF_zBBEWxBeTCHs-vLlbyW2FeUSu741wOwrDb46O-XvHKR0QHaVQcTAReGmk3a7fuS2vVVu2tvNKWuHDbe3RIag9bKa9fiTWSAX3CENjcfIdyoEkEgdLzAHpYf-kFQZ3s/s320/1000001616%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKggYIDQ4FaS0xeeIMgigpO3H65mRcZ7Lv5oprpI1J7jpB8rdVDEtNgH_8UYfyYsjlIzboJBSu0RyIfR43K2M3T7Kjp_lE3S2ovCLD3P368VvXO0u9gbhIlDZ7T-ToDCmOfXhn0tea8FY/s1600/1000001646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKggYIDQ4FaS0xeeIMgigpO3H65mRcZ7Lv5oprpI1J7jpB8rdVDEtNgH_8UYfyYsjlIzboJBSu0RyIfR43K2M3T7Kjp_lE3S2ovCLD3P368VvXO0u9gbhIlDZ7T-ToDCmOfXhn0tea8FY/s320/1000001646.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSpEJWE-_96M8ww-xNTmlGmzoOKdXOM2HkxchM-XiW3pgnDpjj_lfJ01zsVGfL5Uel_MnaMySvixJQQFjbP0ozTqKkWdCOB3-eBITDCMgge0pqehDNuvHBSp6WMtQwYRxaNd7_yXg9kg/s1600/1000001715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSpEJWE-_96M8ww-xNTmlGmzoOKdXOM2HkxchM-XiW3pgnDpjj_lfJ01zsVGfL5Uel_MnaMySvixJQQFjbP0ozTqKkWdCOB3-eBITDCMgge0pqehDNuvHBSp6WMtQwYRxaNd7_yXg9kg/s320/1000001715.JPG" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so secret anymore, now is it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndAtyjxVntUEjiQxkeihto6otX1odSrk32kNjpof8_HYeYbbRR659uSzuaOlKJS86qc2sIgM82glJVfM5wOq6hbfeo2JcvLY5EM-GtKsXcFewm-N8fuT3ZplKPj-HUccTMObWgmMUPko/s1600/1000001539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndAtyjxVntUEjiQxkeihto6otX1odSrk32kNjpof8_HYeYbbRR659uSzuaOlKJS86qc2sIgM82glJVfM5wOq6hbfeo2JcvLY5EM-GtKsXcFewm-N8fuT3ZplKPj-HUccTMObWgmMUPko/s320/1000001539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best $10 spent in California</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeztbWBublmRanyKRo5XICxmwUgFfdOx4UCCcVXRWEAFUdSWU34-4kN8AUHBeCplYdOYDIYDHnsT0AElz49drFb2dazn-68hvhjCFEamXJZxRQD-9L6tY0h0r8k5HAiL2XJ-X5tW2r0M/s1600/1000001596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeztbWBublmRanyKRo5XICxmwUgFfdOx4UCCcVXRWEAFUdSWU34-4kN8AUHBeCplYdOYDIYDHnsT0AElz49drFb2dazn-68hvhjCFEamXJZxRQD-9L6tY0h0r8k5HAiL2XJ-X5tW2r0M/s320/1000001596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYVlwmNa01vh3JV3HM4D7X_txumyT9Amj93ksuVOIPd4EVrKHCyeRNvYgZfCHXJFIGG-M1M0Ps0c9uPQaratflklJAJPx_-rlgRLsQIcqDZAwKv-pusmVz1mPlE3rppOfcOyJT0BzhIs/s1600/1000001610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYVlwmNa01vh3JV3HM4D7X_txumyT9Amj93ksuVOIPd4EVrKHCyeRNvYgZfCHXJFIGG-M1M0Ps0c9uPQaratflklJAJPx_-rlgRLsQIcqDZAwKv-pusmVz1mPlE3rppOfcOyJT0BzhIs/s320/1000001610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He needed the iPad to rest his iPhone on...kids these days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-56907582123355848772011-07-16T07:41:00.000-05:002011-07-16T07:41:45.862-05:00Barbados...Wow, the week has flown by!<br />
We arrived last Saturday and head back to the states tomorrow. The wifi has been a little sketchy, so no pictures - as of yet.<br />
Today, I am not working. (yea!)<br />
We are going to go swim with some turtles and we have rented a car - going to tour the island a bit this afternoon. Should be fun, since they drive on a different side of the road here.<br />
Hopefully, we will get some pics up next week.<br />
<br />
Oh - and my sister had her little one...and my little one is obsessed with him. I hear he's trying to snag him...Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-38389472061963299832011-07-02T00:46:00.000-05:002011-07-02T00:46:29.741-05:00the little one's 2nd Astros game<div>Last night, we were blessed to go to the Astros game with some amazing friends! It was great to be able to hang out with them and we all enjoyed watching the little one mimic the ball players. </div><div>During a break, the ball girls were throwing {soft} baseballs into the stands. </div><div>The little one got on his daddy's shoulders and waved and waved, hoping to get a baseball. They threw some around our section, but not near us. Then, they moved on...but, one kind guy on the field noticed the little one and he pointed him out to another guy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNFcuwrF7VKFjaKOCa8P4Z7iwxNfG5HZPbC0o3vTGS7NV3xQQsrWI6JpaXMS1HM-4z_dWKn05RupsItd1ZbV8HqWYlfP5T9Y0TcJ2qaRtGQ9z_ge2UnJxUCdTrAmTzL5fhVhJWO50cwg/s1600/DSC_8150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNFcuwrF7VKFjaKOCa8P4Z7iwxNfG5HZPbC0o3vTGS7NV3xQQsrWI6JpaXMS1HM-4z_dWKn05RupsItd1ZbV8HqWYlfP5T9Y0TcJ2qaRtGQ9z_ge2UnJxUCdTrAmTzL5fhVhJWO50cwg/s400/DSC_8150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>They went and got a baseball from the girls and threw it directly to us! </div><div><br />
</div><div>The little one couldn't have been happier!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Around the 4th inning, the little one wanted to roam...so we went on a stroll. The stroll involved some shopping and we left with a {soft} bat, ball and glove. For the next hour, we watched the little one play baseball while the boys watched the Astros score some runs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a winning night for time with friends, the little one...and the 'stros! Yea!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-10536918758640567302011-06-11T22:37:00.000-05:002011-06-11T22:37:23.414-05:00A new week begins tomorrowI was blessed to be able to attend the In the Image of The Maker retreat this weekend. It was great!<div>I met so many lovely ladies...godly ladies, who shared their stories...their hearts. </div><div><b>It was such a gift</b>.</div><div>It was needed to springboard me into the coming week. </div><div>Twice a year, my employer conducts national sales meetings. As one of the corporate educators, I'm involved in educating at these meetings. Needless to say, they are stressful. I'd much prefer to be at home taking silly pictures and splashing in puddles with my little one.</div><div>But, this retreat fed me in a way that many things do not. It has helped to ground me in The One who can get me through this next week. The fact that the retreat was this weekend was beautiful. </div><div>Only <b>He</b> could arrange something <i>so perfect</i>.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Tomorrow morning, I will board a plane and head back to Texas. Once I arrive, I will get my expenses ready to turn in on Monday and I will take a Theology mid-term. I will get to see my husband and my little one. </div><div>And then, things will start moving really fast. (they will probably start moving fast around the time I hit "start" on my mid-term, but that's a whole different story...) </div><div>When things get too fast, I will make an effort to slow down and recognize the gifts that He gives me each moment. </div><div>If {when} things get <i>too</i> crazy, I will remember to <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/05/10-point-manifest-for-joyful-mothering/">fight feeling with feeling</a>.</div><div>I will remember that for right now, my crazy work provides money for schooling for the hubs and myself...it provides food and shelter for our little family and helps to provide for our 3 <a href="http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm">Compassion</a> kids. Yep - over the weekend our Compassion kids went from 1 to 3. Listening to Ann share about her <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/category/guatemala/">experience in Guatemala</a> was quite moving. I love that when you sponsor a child with Compassion, you aren't just helping to provide food, shelter and education, but you are helping them to hear about Jesus' love. I want the little one to grow up writing and praying for the kids we sponsor. </div><div>Friday night, when I saw the cards of 2 little boys just a couple of years older than my little one, I couldn't help but pick them up...Today, we sponsored them and I tucked their cards inside my Bible to carry home. I can't wait to write them! If you haven't sponsored a child with Compassion, you should go read Ann's story...and <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/compassion/">Kristen's story</a>...and then, help a child out of poverty. </div><div>Speaking of Kristen - she and her family were scheduled to leave today for Africa...for <a href="http://themercyhousekenya.org/">The Mercy House</a>. But, due to some unexpected health issues for Kristen, they were not able to leave. Please keep them in your prayers.</div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-70522647133226572732011-06-10T23:04:00.000-05:002011-06-10T23:04:58.590-05:00tonightTonight I am in North Carolina at a retreat hosted by <a href="http://www.christawellsmusic.com/">Christa Wells</a>, <a href="http://nicolewitt.com/">Nicole Witt</a> and <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">Ann Voskamp</a>. I'm pretty excited about being here - even if I did come to the retreat all by myself!<br />
I'm also excited that I was able to see my little sister Jenia last night and that we will be able to sneak in a little shopping tomorrow night before I head back home.<br />
The trees here in North Carolina are REALLY tall. I like it. It seems to make the nighttime animal noises just that much cooler. That, or I'm crazy. Either options are totally plausible.<br />
I so enjoyed getting to hear Ann speak...she is such an encourager, and I love that! I realized tonight that she is pretty much my virtual mentor - if that is even possible... :)<br />
And the music session tonight with Christa and Nicole was great. They are both blessed with some pretty amazing talents. It was such fun to be in the room and sing along all of the awesome ladies who were able to come to the retreat.<br />
I know that tomorrow is going to be even better!<br />
<br />
Thankful for:<br />
encouraging words (505)<br />
praise songs (506)<br />
tall {really tall} trees (507)<br />
crickets and bullfrogs at night (508)<br />
junebugs (509)<br />
the way the moon sneaks through the trees (510)<br />
fellowship with Godly women (511)<br />
My "tart and sweet Island treat" from Trader Joes - Green Mango (512)<br />
The USB plug that charges my iPhone in my attention grabbing rental. (513)<br />
The obvious reminder from God to not speed - a bright red mustang as a rental. (I reserved a compact car, but there weren't any clean ones readily available, so the kind young man was excited to upgrade me to the mustang. I smiled and said thank you, while I cringed inside.) (514)<br />
The mere fact that I have finally recorded more than 500 gifts - Obviously, I'm still learning to recognize and write them down... (515)Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-16732199521994310692011-05-09T16:09:00.001-05:002011-05-09T16:10:55.087-05:00A Mother's Day lesson<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankful in all things. This is my goal.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes, it is really hard. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I travel a lot for work, which means that I am away from my family quite a bit. But, it is what I am called to do right now. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I traveled home on Friday, knowing that I would leave again on Sunday. Mother’s Day. Not my favorite, but the option of leaving my home at 3am on Monday morning, didn’t seem much better. So, on Mother’s day, I left for South Carolina.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I arrived in Charleston, picked up my bags and rental car, and headed out of the airport. I was heading to Whole Foods to buy my food for the week. I was bummed to be by myself. I really wanted him to come on this trip with me. But, I was heading to Whole Foods, one of my favorite places to shop.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I drove around the airport and was still on International Drive, when I became accutely aware of how thankful I was to be alone. I looked to the right to make sure it was safe to change lanes and when I looked back, everyone in front of me had stopped. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I didn’t stop in time.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In an instant, I slammed on the brakes, heard a crash, saw the car in front of me become one with my rental car and heard what sounded like a gunshot. My left hand slapped my face, my bag flew onto the dash and my foot kept pressing on the brake, although I was thoroughly stopped. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtHhe4QU__97yvUpA_zB-8U17QYy0oTiyp9KEZpN5R8w2nSWw54W1njQcxRUyTI7gvrsuHaIlJ3sby7PcY9PfmQXyABjVvshFWgMOmYW4FXnyX0ZiDojG_fiCC4LyR6PyhdFcT3O4Lc/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtHhe4QU__97yvUpA_zB-8U17QYy0oTiyp9KEZpN5R8w2nSWw54W1njQcxRUyTI7gvrsuHaIlJ3sby7PcY9PfmQXyABjVvshFWgMOmYW4FXnyX0ZiDojG_fiCC4LyR6PyhdFcT3O4Lc/s320/IMG_0595.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Airbags hurt.</i></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, I was wearing my seatbelt. {grace}</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Thankfully, my left hand was on the right side of the steering wheel, so my arm took the brunt of the impact from the airbag. {grace}<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, my arm withstood the force of the airbag and did not break. So, I can still perform my work duties this week {grace}</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, the man in the car I hit was not injured. {grace}</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, my little one was safe in Texas with his Mimi. {grace}</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, apart from some cuts and bruises, I am fine. {grace}</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If it were up to me, my little one would have been with me. Thankfully, I have a Father who knows better. I was sad to not be with my little one, but I would have been more sad for him to have been in the car with me.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 9.0px; text-indent: -9.0px;"></div><ul><li>My little sister Jenia sits very close to her steering wheel due to her itty-bitty-ness. We have talked for months about her needed to get a new car or get her pedals extended. We will stop talking about it this week. It will happen. <i>Before Friday</i>.</li>
<li>I have always known that it is bad for little ones to ride in the front seat. I thought I knew why. Now, I really <b><i>know</i></b>. Little ones shouldn’t have to deal with airbags.</li>
<li>My brothers sometimes question the use of seatbelts. They “drive big trucks” and think they will be fine. It doesn’t matter how big the truck is, the airbag still goes off in your face. Seatbelts not only keep you in the car, but they keep you off the airbag.</li>
<li>My little one’s car seat has been known to be installed on the sides of the back seat from time to time. He will be in the middle of the seat from now on...</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Airbags are great things. They are a great source of protection. The plastic that covers them keeps them ready to protect. But, when the airbag goes off, the plastic has to go somewhere. It hurts when you get in the way. It’s best to stay away from both if possible.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes, we have to learn hard lessons. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thankfully, my Father used Mother's Day to make me a more grateful daughter, a better, safer Mummy and a more {lovingly} forceful sister. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My prayer is that my cuts and bruises will help to prevent others cuts and bruises.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Moral of the story:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Wear your seatbelt.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Don’t sit too close to the steering wheel.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Know </i></b>that He always knows best.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Learn to recognize His grace in everything.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" ></a>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-47328701093964989232011-05-07T20:53:00.000-05:002011-05-07T20:53:12.159-05:00happy mothers day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiit0PdVy_44emg1M24kiTCXQB95K0XcsOV0y20whVXBVeJTHwXBMnfTWJ1C2hyphenhyphend04PWmk_ZQRk8V4Cr5wf2JMgitoE0ULdAiKRWDIhmsT_87l7hES4AwGb49vtlNiz85JJIl03v11QKc/s1600/0001Wt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiit0PdVy_44emg1M24kiTCXQB95K0XcsOV0y20whVXBVeJTHwXBMnfTWJ1C2hyphenhyphend04PWmk_ZQRk8V4Cr5wf2JMgitoE0ULdAiKRWDIhmsT_87l7hES4AwGb49vtlNiz85JJIl03v11QKc/s400/0001Wt.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-52510281155445639752011-04-27T21:33:00.001-05:002011-04-27T21:35:36.331-05:00a weekend full of funThis weekend, someone turned two.<br />
<br />
TWO!<br />
Seriously?<br />
Um, I totally did NOT authorize that.<br />
<br />
But, I did authorize the ridiculously fun weekend that we had with our family! <br />
No work, No hotels, No alarms.<br />
Too much sugar, <s>Too much sleep</s>, <s>Too much fun</s><br />
<s><br />
</s><br />
Want a glimpse?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sparkly Shoes #493</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoEV7aNlCb9wgZKw128RBjJLWZ57XXMSxQqWt4S58V4pUKQOOVgJj0yDyrugzfz6VwL-w3UQpBmX60Y5p06r5rVZEVYTRV-E8va6W3DoOtG69W_K_VpJAFOHWaRc75WKTuuOLmNBzEMA/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoEV7aNlCb9wgZKw128RBjJLWZ57XXMSxQqWt4S58V4pUKQOOVgJj0yDyrugzfz6VwL-w3UQpBmX60Y5p06r5rVZEVYTRV-E8va6W3DoOtG69W_K_VpJAFOHWaRc75WKTuuOLmNBzEMA/s400/IMG_0211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Backseat Entertainment #494</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug3QqZtnUlwO9COIIreuR68e3QLxtRNgbviWISOyPkp33nYq2O3qixlwCbBB5kbTEBW5oPlJUsjNf-Jw2qymhbTndk04cEGzPFcKn2ru83RnwupemDTq9nRRe1aoktE8gZxd5SS4y1j0/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug3QqZtnUlwO9COIIreuR68e3QLxtRNgbviWISOyPkp33nYq2O3qixlwCbBB5kbTEBW5oPlJUsjNf-Jw2qymhbTndk04cEGzPFcKn2ru83RnwupemDTq9nRRe1aoktE8gZxd5SS4y1j0/s400/IMG_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sugar, Sugar, Sugar #495</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhulUvRASVyejHoW18auvcJ1NRuR0DS9YjOT8THtDS-cZuN6kMFRasYHq-Xrz3bpl2n1SYOKbUHm96pA0tVaysWvCus-q2tL1Bn9VP_EPhyphenhypheneo7C6OM-jXhlVDh77Va0KWr1AxTf2QBaEY/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhulUvRASVyejHoW18auvcJ1NRuR0DS9YjOT8THtDS-cZuN6kMFRasYHq-Xrz3bpl2n1SYOKbUHm96pA0tVaysWvCus-q2tL1Bn9VP_EPhyphenhypheneo7C6OM-jXhlVDh77Va0KWr1AxTf2QBaEY/s400/IMG_0226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Serious Painting #496</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X6FzaF_T3h34QLVOX0FHtjeUImC3RMov4i1vF4wFTDF9YQvEkql8jxDq-ZvW9wNhz8i6PTzm1p37FxPWh1e4VdO0xBsw0epe6sKo5W6fnqTvsKa7nyu-3GB1QOYx8flA2xnox-nU_Lk/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X6FzaF_T3h34QLVOX0FHtjeUImC3RMov4i1vF4wFTDF9YQvEkql8jxDq-ZvW9wNhz8i6PTzm1p37FxPWh1e4VdO0xBsw0epe6sKo5W6fnqTvsKa7nyu-3GB1QOYx8flA2xnox-nU_Lk/s400/IMG_0236.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> and more sugar...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN3p5Xb_YZjEW0yBcsX3615KwNZANjIXEZhoKdqXKP2hwKEBBoVw7u2zVOv4QFDk43EF8Knr4FLemDTcdD81QrwSj5_5zjaa6ZazsgXjxOq9hclBDM8Hzb-svr2Yu2F2rVnldEzthhSg/s1600/IMG_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN3p5Xb_YZjEW0yBcsX3615KwNZANjIXEZhoKdqXKP2hwKEBBoVw7u2zVOv4QFDk43EF8Knr4FLemDTcdD81QrwSj5_5zjaa6ZazsgXjxOq9hclBDM8Hzb-svr2Yu2F2rVnldEzthhSg/s400/IMG_0237.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> more backseat entertainment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRXkIGUDfG_qTTr1K7UHF6LiFpuCQWVjZXf4PbxinRAR7YgrNM1rgrp3pT1dpfUFlGJrfXz_QH03Lz2NKnpMvtCcJcK2LK3t5hwO85o7ntjra3EU5syBDCn-uVL6OZ02X3q4t76QEEVs/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRXkIGUDfG_qTTr1K7UHF6LiFpuCQWVjZXf4PbxinRAR7YgrNM1rgrp3pT1dpfUFlGJrfXz_QH03Lz2NKnpMvtCcJcK2LK3t5hwO85o7ntjra3EU5syBDCn-uVL6OZ02X3q4t76QEEVs/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> camera phone Easter pics #497</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfk8-JoZRXWZagy7YL2tNHQHPao-0WGQdCv1woEgrE21m6kNdAVmWMfz6JmB5jurfHQnvOfb-kJ4DHLiqmaAcnABWqXdFVga9j1ta75qlDYQMfz5S_tCGXH6rkYsLGHz7UvjoHHtOT3M/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfk8-JoZRXWZagy7YL2tNHQHPao-0WGQdCv1woEgrE21m6kNdAVmWMfz6JmB5jurfHQnvOfb-kJ4DHLiqmaAcnABWqXdFVga9j1ta75qlDYQMfz5S_tCGXH6rkYsLGHz7UvjoHHtOT3M/s320/IMG_0343.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRWaooFaPXoy7s-Duw5U5ZtA6X6r6ACHiIs6fhV64F00zktdKkSXfgjX3Ug7X0xaOW2UrMsOAq615SkMiLPvCYKjsfU2zjXWkPHyJlgNW0fkIlJh6gyFXrr-acD_rB5N4fkyvYCyQNC4/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRWaooFaPXoy7s-Duw5U5ZtA6X6r6ACHiIs6fhV64F00zktdKkSXfgjX3Ug7X0xaOW2UrMsOAq615SkMiLPvCYKjsfU2zjXWkPHyJlgNW0fkIlJh6gyFXrr-acD_rB5N4fkyvYCyQNC4/s320/IMG_0337.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfk8-JoZRXWZagy7YL2tNHQHPao-0WGQdCv1woEgrE21m6kNdAVmWMfz6JmB5jurfHQnvOfb-kJ4DHLiqmaAcnABWqXdFVga9j1ta75qlDYQMfz5S_tCGXH6rkYsLGHz7UvjoHHtOT3M/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>We had lots of fun playing and hanging out!<br />
We even had family in from Virginia - we were just having so much fun with them that the iPhone was MIA - which means the pictures are on Jimmy {the real camera, who doesn't travel with me for work}<br />
So, you will have to wait to see those beauties!<br />
<br />
Speaking of beauty...we also took a few senior pictures of a pretty fabulous little graduate!<br />
Here's a sneak peek...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvMvMzaCYXNBD7k759FLJ34dEwBy_P98iqFdNCbBnSuVWq0JqMsV6fpiZENho-27yOpHpPVZ8Qka1V3e24GnpmmS26faZmqfMLG7KugOyQvjeWy9aZ1hy_gIgw9hZNug_OZ1qv4xBRhM/s1600/jubie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvMvMzaCYXNBD7k759FLJ34dEwBy_P98iqFdNCbBnSuVWq0JqMsV6fpiZENho-27yOpHpPVZ8Qka1V3e24GnpmmS26faZmqfMLG7KugOyQvjeWy9aZ1hy_gIgw9hZNug_OZ1qv4xBRhM/s640/jubie4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-69591423372892540972011-04-11T21:45:00.000-05:002011-04-11T21:45:02.441-05:00the end {of my trip} is near<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been on the road since January.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been to the east coast, the west coast and everywhere in between.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I even spent a week in Spain. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thankfully, the little one and either his pops or his Jubie have been with me most of the time. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the midst of my travel, I inadvertently enrolled in 3 classes at one time. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes, I'm a glutton for punishment. And, I evidently need a class in enrolling in classes.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm so <b>grateful</b> that as of last Friday, I successfully finished one of them. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>(do you hear that noise? it's the hallelujah chorus!)</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Summary:</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am now only enrolled in 2 classes at one time.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow night, I return to Texas.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tonight is my last night in a hotel for the next 10 days. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This is fabulous news.</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kjkqAqdJd25yAOJqRlFUZNanUNrITNvSuxnOpI9yhh-2WGilVS2MMryE0JYVoOMcjhQOgljkvu_P273wraN2IPniTPb8JUURoc-f480xehAWVsdyFpQ7Qh-yX8LhN90w4ISbk1HEKU/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-76891317625958895192011-03-23T22:56:00.000-05:002011-03-23T22:56:11.760-05:00monocular vision<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, life is just too hard.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often times, I am asked how I am able to manage a kid, husband, work and school. My normal answer is one day at a time. If I spent my time trying to figure out the "how" I would never have time for the "do" - so instead, I don't question it...I just do it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until a day like today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hubs, little one and my favorite 17 year old sister are with me all week. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's great.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My computer had to have it's hard drive replaced and my external hard drive is not willing to release it's contents to my new hard drive. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not so great</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear friend had her long awaited court date today. Everything was looking good. The lawyer said that she was confident things would work out well. Custody of her 3 sweet girls would definitely be supervised. Things would be better for the girls. They would be safe from their father who hurt them in such evil ways. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, somehow today, things fell apart. The lawyer did her job. My friend and my father testified and testified well. Things looked great. The judge even stated that the lawyer "won her case" - but he also stated that "he wanted to believe the father" - so standard custody was awarded. Until Derrick proved him wrong.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, you read it right. The father who hurt his 3 beautiful baby girls in such evil ways has been given a free pass. The father who uses more prescription pain pills than one could ever be prescribed has been given the ability to see his girls unsupervised. Without proof of a clean drug test. He can drive them around even though he has numerous driving warrants in his home state. He can do all of this without paying child support. In fact, since he has only made 3 payments in the last 3 years, the judge decided to cut his payments in half, so that he could hopefully make that amount.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite part - he got to see them tonight. 1 hour after the judge signed his orders. Those precious girls, who haven't seen their father more than once in over 3 years, were placed in his car and required to spend time with him. They cried, they didn't want to go. But, they were not given a choice. Their mom was bound by the court to allow this to happen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just don't even know what to say. I know that our judicial system was set up to protect the innocent, but I don't see how any of this is in the interest of these 3 beautiful girls. This was a Judicial FAIL in the Stephenville court system.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could think of numerous things that I would want to say to Derrick, or questions to ask the Judge, but none of them would really convey how I feel. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, instead, I will go to the One who can make a difference. I will pray for "</span><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/03/joy-of-having-only-one-eye/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">monocular vision</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" - I want to see with one eye only. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to see His beauty, because everything else is just </span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ugly</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-35780673898751560422011-02-23T12:00:00.001-06:002011-02-23T12:00:05.648-06:00way-back wordless wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgRy27JkSzmpzzSQXd9X6fCoR9y4nbTfWji44EkwQRUVuIGNW0iY4t0txT1ywu-I15Ri_kDX0lvp9yHPyk_-wUPMItOhAgiFhC89h1T9e2qDavPrPzdxqzNIUaB8M_gA9NcSWhizgD_w/s1600/IMG_6932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgRy27JkSzmpzzSQXd9X6fCoR9y4nbTfWji44EkwQRUVuIGNW0iY4t0txT1ywu-I15Ri_kDX0lvp9yHPyk_-wUPMItOhAgiFhC89h1T9e2qDavPrPzdxqzNIUaB8M_gA9NcSWhizgD_w/s400/IMG_6932.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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Thankfully, the little one and hubs will be able to travel with me for parts of the trip - and on the other parts, I'll at least get to be in cool places. {part of my trip is to H-town, which is pretty much like home to me}<br />
I just need to remain calm.<br />
This week is the most stressful - we are doing a pre-Oscars event in LA. Prayers for peace are greatly appreciated. Then, off to see my little sister at Fort Bragg get PROMOTED. I'm so proud of her and thankful for the sacrifices she has made to serve in the military. Then- San Jose, Denver, Edwards, Vail, Aspen, Barcelona {YEP - SPAIN!}, H-town and Charleston, New York and then <i>home</i>...in the middle of APRIL<br />
<br />
<b>deep breaths.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Thankful for:</i><br />
the way clouds dance across the sky<br />
frequent flier miles<br />
dry cleaning services<br />
friends near and far...doesn't matter the distance, I'm never home anyways :)<br />
a husband who braves a park full of Nannys to let the little one play<br />
soft little baby feet<br />
freeze dried green beans and beets<br />
air conditioning...and the thermostat to turn it off.<br />
My Davide Nevue album that I purchased on iTunes<br />
the hourly chime on my wrist, re-aliging my day, every hour. (thank you, <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">Ann Voskamp</a>)<br />
my paid registration to the <i>In the Image of the Maker Retrea</i>t...it can't come soon enough!<br />
SparkPuddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-8748223147226892412011-02-11T11:24:00.001-06:002011-02-11T11:26:01.052-06:00messy, messy...but cute...While staying at a hotel, the little one discovered his love of mini-fridges and ice cream.<br />
All at the same time.<br />
In his Sunday best, patiently waiting for us to decide where to eat lunch.<br />
Slightly melted, but still cool ice cream. yum.<br />
<br />
On a totally different note, there is this AWESOME company named <a href="http://www.toygaroo.com/">Toygaroo</a>. They are hosting a funny kids photo contest, and of course, we entered. We are all about funny over here. Why else would this mum scream for her camera and tell the little one to keep eating the melted, but refrigerated ice cream, until she had about a zillion pictures of the beautiful, messy incident. <br />
You should join in on the fun! Feel free to enter your own picture and <a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/302/contests/92292/voteable_entries/15744419">feel free to vote for my messy little one</a>. He'd appreciate it - the winner will receive a 3 month subscription to Toygaroo's wonderful service! What kid wouldn't want to have toys delivered to his home like a netflix DVD?<br />
<br />
genius, I tell you...genius!<br />
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Not sure what it is, but over the last 9 years that I have traveled to Scottsdale, something always makes me smile. I could live here. Not many places outside of Texas receive that award. Ha! :)<br />
<br />
~Rabbits outside my door and aren't bothered by me standing there talking to them<br />
~Camelback Mountain<br />
~Bright, crispy blue skies<br />
~Bright, beautiful sunset<br />
~Carolina's flour tortillas {with butter}<br />
~Cool, dark, starry nights<br />
~Porch swings<br />
~Trader Joes - NEXT door to my hotel room<br />
~Surprisingly amazing pillows and linens in my steal of a deal hotel<br />
~lizards and geckos...oh, how I wish they could talk...darn those geico commercials. <br />
<br />
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</script>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-48232719190304035992011-02-07T20:44:00.001-06:002011-02-07T20:47:45.934-06:00where?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That seems to be our question for 2011.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are fairly confident that we are not supposed to be in the house that we loved, seeing as how it is under contract with a different family. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We fasted and prayed for clarity and guidance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He answered.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and we are thankful for His answer. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We want to be where He wants us to be. We want to follow His direction.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will find out what that is, when He decides it is time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will keep praying for patience...and perseverance to follow His will.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knows - maybe we will move to Africa, South America or the South Seas...the little one would do well to grow up in a jungle...and the people there need to hear more about Jesus.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For right now, we will hang onto His promises. {and take our living situation one day at a time...}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a different, yet similar note...I am in an Educational Philosophy class this spring and it is amazing. I am having to create my personal Educational Philosophy and the first few weeks are directed at what I believe. More specifically, what I believe to be truth. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect timing...participating in this class during a season of life when lots of things are up in the air. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may not know a lot of things, but I </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">know </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that God loves me, cares for me and has plans for me. He knows where we will live and He promises me an amazing life with Him. Our life here on earth may not always be peaches and sunshine, but it is shaping us into who He wants us to become. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the encouragement from Hebrews 10:23: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what I want to teach my kiddo...and as I am learning, I need to live it in order to effectively teach it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My class involves a lot of reading and studying, but thankfully, I currently travel a lot of work and tend to have some down time in my hotel room at night. Working away from home might not be my ideal thing, but right now, I totally see God's hand at work through it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to all my travel, I am able to study at night from my hotel room. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Just another example of Ecclesiastes 3 at work.</i> As a kid, my parents read this passage to us fairly often. As a child, I did not necessarily like this passage. But, as I have {somewhat} grown up, I have learned to appreciate both the passage and my parents routine reading of it...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There is a time for everything</b>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, I am really thankful for that promise.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gifts from Him <i>today</i>:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~pig snorts from my sleeping little one on the drive to the airport</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~sticky hands that grab my fingers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~a loving husband who is frequently a kind chauffeur</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~spicy tomato juice. yum.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Chapter One of One Thousand Gifts...re-reading it with the <a href="http://www.incourage.me/category/bloom">Bloom Book Club</a> and learning more the 2nd time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~twinkling lights 30,000 feet below</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~cold, brisk air- <i>outside</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~warm, crackling fire- <i>inside</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~bouncing, playful, loving puppies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~slobbery kisses from my furry creatures</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~jealous looks from my little one to my puppies...I know we need to work on the jealousy part, but the little one's look was definitely a *gift*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~warm coats {on sale!}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~the smell of clean laundry</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~a little bit more salt than normals on my french fries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~only 3 more nights and I will, once again, be back home...</span>Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279073911517461696.post-60221745064577775112011-01-26T21:58:00.001-06:002011-01-26T21:58:16.115-06:00Wordless Wednesday<br /><br /><center><a href='http://picasaweb.google.com/112999531203876125632/DaysOfGratitude?authkey=Gv1sRgCIz9kqSJir6cVA#5566710082953272690'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ylEFE3xv5UKkZ8JUJJIEZC_tynHAOuLMpKpIWszRZpOuJxiT11QpMC79UsaWc-ohFJ0ziYUmc51Va4lbeHg_soGsOMp6kwRmV3-MHg8egURzRNFMrYwTudtd-V28CF5QVAeeebWVt_s/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='150' height='150' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Puddleduck Bunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749717810214308357noreply@blogger.com0